VietNamNet Bridge - The highlights of Vietnam’s tourism last year included the country’s first foreign tourism ambassadors, a traveler who narrowly escaped death and an 83-year-old man who climbed to the Fansipan peak four times.

1. Tourism Ambassadors

Chinese actor Liu Xiao Ling Tong.

The selection of Vietnam Tourism Ambassadors has always attracted public attention. In 2014 this event became "hotter" when Chinese actor Liu Xiao Ling Tong (known for playing the Monkey King in The Journey to the West series) expressed his willingness to be Vietnam Tourism Ambassador in China during his visit to Vietnam from 4/4 to 7/4.

Also, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam appointed New Zealand chef Bobby Chinn the Vietnam Tourism Ambassador in Europe for 3 years (7/2014 - 7/2017). This is the tourism industry’s efforts to implement urgent measures to promote Vietnam tourism in some key markets.

2. Miracle of Vietnamese travelers

Bui Lam Anh at the Ca Mau Cape.

2014 was the year many travelers reached an adventurous milestone. Mr. Huynh Van Rang (born 1931 in Binh Duong) was recognized by the Asian Record Organization as the oldest man who had conquered the Fansipan peak - the highest mountain in Vietnam - four times.

Tran Viet Anh, 24, made a trans-Vietnam journey by bike to raise funds for poor children in the northern mountainous region. The trip cost was covered by royalties from travel magazines using the young man’s stories.

Another man, Vo Manh Tuan, 27, completed a journey of 1,730 km by foot to raise fund for children of poor fishermen. The trip took place from 19/7 to 22/9.

Bui Lam Anh, 30, traveled to the four poles of the country by motorcycle within only 10 days. The trip caused heated debate on travel forums and social networks as it did not follow the safety rules of traveling as well as the meaning of travel.

3. The story of survival

Minister Dinh La Thang presents the certificate of Merit to Phong Van Group.

In mid-October, a deadly blizzard stroke Annapurna Circuit (Nepal) and claimed the lives of dozens of people. Vietnamese girl Vo Thi My Linh’s survival story attracted the attention of travelers and Vietnamese people.

A group of travelers named Phong Van received a certificate of merit from the Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang for their efforts to rescue victims of a traffic accident in Bat Xat, Lao Cai province.