VietNamNet Bridge – The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam has risen sharply during the 2014 New Year holiday as many provinces and cities across the country have offered attractive tourism services and incentives.

24 German tourists visit Hoi An ancient town

The central Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An ancient town hosted a ceremony on the first day of the New Year to welcome the first international tourist delegation from Germany.

The event aimed at promoting a beautiful, hospitable and friendly city took place at Chua Cau (Bridge Pagoda) – a world famous tourist destination in Hoi An.

Truong Van Bay, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An city People’s Committee, said as well as excellent tourism services, local residents are encouraged to be friendly and welcoming towards international visitors. Hoi An has set up twin relationship with many cities around the world to boost cross-cultural exchange.

Quang Nam receives 3.4 million arrivals in 2013

Hoi An, the ancient city of Quang Nam Province welcomed the 1.6 millionth foreign tourist on December 31, bringing the total number of arrivals to the central province in 2013 to more than 3.4 million, up 20% from the previous year.

The 1.6 millionth visitor to Hoi An was Naechika from Japan who was part of a 15-member Japanese delegation.

The number of foreign tourists to Quang Nam saw a year-on-year increase of 19% and has been attributed to the provinces improved tourism services.

Ho Tan Cuong, Deputy Director of the Quang Nam provincial Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said as well as tourism services, Quang Nam has paid close attention to creating a safe and friendly environment for visitors.

The same day, Hoi An City also organised a street festival to celebrate the 2014 New Year, including a fashion show, a fireworks display, and colorful music and dance performances.

HCM City welcomes 180 foreign tourists

On January 1, HCM City received the first international delegation of 180 tourists at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Coming from Hong Kong (China), the US, and various European countries, they were warmly welcomed and presented with New Year gifts from representatives from the HCM City Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

In 2013, HCM City received 4.1 million international arrivals, up 8.1% from the previous year. La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said in 2014 the city will aim to keep a close eye on promising new markets such as Japan, Russia and the Middle East.

Hanoi visitors welcomed in Hue City

20 first visitors from Hanoi were welcomed at a January ceremony in the former imperial city of Hue in central Thua Thien-Hue.

Nearly 2.6 million tourists visited Hue in 2013, including more than 900,000 international visitors, generating a revenue of almost VND2,470 billion, 11% higher than last year’s figures.

Thua Thien-Hue is offering new tourism services and incentive tours in the hope of attracting 2.7 million arrivals in 2014.

To achieve the set target, Phan Tien Dung, Director of the Thua Thien-Hue provincial Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said it is essential to upgrade infrastructure of key tourist attractions, increase the quality and frequency of flights to Hue and improve services at Chan May port.

Tourism promotion abroad is also vital to help foreigners obtain information on the tourism potential and value in Vietnam, he added.

Dong Van stone plateau welcomes first visitors

The Dong Van Stone Plateau Global Geo-park in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang held a ceremony to welcome its first New Year visitors on January 1 with flowers and gifts.

The annual move is to launch a series of its tourism promotion activities this year, popularising Dong Van as a friendly, attractive and safe destination.

Director of the Dong Van Stone Plateau management board Nguyen Le Huy said he hopes the visitors will spread the words about Dong Van, its beautiful landscapes and hospitable locals to their friends in and outside the country.

Last year, the province welcomed some 440,000 tourists, up 5.3 percent from 2012, with 130,000 coming from abroad.

Tourism activity earned Ha Giang over US$23.8 billion in total revenue, a year-on-year rise of nearly 15 percent.

Recognised as a member of the Global Network of National Geoparks (GGN) in 2010, Dong Van is spread over the four districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, MeoVac and Dong Van which have seen a surge in both home and foreign arrivals, making up 80 percent of all coming to Ha Giang.

As Vietnam’s first geological park and the second such park in Southeast Asia, after Langkawi Geological Park in Malaysia, the plateau is 80 percent limestone and contains the fossils of thousands of species of prehistoric creatures from 400-600 million years ago.

It is also home to several cultures that have sprung up over the centuries. The 574 square kilometre plateau is now home to 250,000 people from 17 different ethnic groups.

Source: VOV/VNA