Visitors flock to tourist sites during 2015’s first days

Tourist sites nationwide attracted large numbers of visitors during the calendar New Year’s holiday (Jan 1-4, 2015), significantly contributing to the sector’s revenue.

Over 50,000 holiday-makers came to the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai during the vacation. Of whom, 40,000 visited Sa Pa district, which is famous for Ham Rong Mountain , Thac Bac and Thac Tinh Yeu (Bac and Love Waterfall) and the hamlets of Ta Phin, Ta Van and Cat Cat with terraced fields and unique habits of ethnic minorities.

During the first three days of the new year, more than 7,000 pilgrims flocked to the Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site in the northern province of Hai Duong, which was recognised as a national heritage site in 1962 and a special national heritage site in 2012.

In 2013, the Con Son-Kiep Bac spring and autumn festivals received national intangible cultural heritage status. The festivals are held in the first and eighth lunar months every year to commemorate national heroes Nguyen Trai, (the Great Man of Culture of the world), and Tran Hung Dao, who acted as the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Tran Dynasty, leading Vietnamese troops to repel three major Mongolian invasions in the 13th century.

During the four-day holiday, the central city of Da Nang greeted nearly 63,000 visitors, including 33,000 foreigners, up 32 percent and 30.2 percent over the same period last year, respectively.

According to travel agencies, most foreign tourists arriving in Da Nang on the occasion are Korean, Japanese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Chinese, Lao and Thai and European.

Meanwhile, as many as 35,600 people visited the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho , bringing an estimated 28 billion VND (1.3 million USD) to the locality. Of the total, international arrivals accounted for 9 percent.

The most attractive destinations in the city include Ninh Kieu Wharf, Cai Rang floating-market, My Khanh tourism village, Thien Vien Truc Lam (Southern Truc Lam Zen Monastery), Binh Thuy communal house, Binh Thuy ancient house and Ong pagoda. As the largest pagoda in the Mekong Delta region, Thien Vien Truc Lam attracts about 4,500 tourists per day.

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that in 2014, the local tourism sector earned 1.17 trillion VND (nearly 55 million USD) from serving over 1.3 million tourists, up 20 percent and 9 percent, respectively, against the previous year.

T he Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre also saw a sharp increase in the number of foreign visitors and Vietnamese expatriates who desired to explore islets in Tien River, Thach Hai commune’s beaches, and craft villages.

In 2014, the locality welcomed over 900,000 visitors, with nearly 40 percent being foreigners, earning over 560 billion VND or a 20 percent increase against 2013.

This year, the local tourism sector hopes to enjoy a higher growth thanks to the organisation of the 5th Coconut Festival in March and other important events.

Vietnam a top 25 best place to retire

After sifting through housing and living costs, taxes, weather and air quality , crime rates, doctor availability and the like – InternationalLiving.comhas cited Vietnam as a top 25 World’s Best Place to Retire.

Ecuador ranked first in the list, followed by Panama and Mexico.

Malaysia came in first in Asia place.

Ly Son island district to launch home-stay service

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of central Quang Ngai province is gearing up for the launch of home-stay service in Ly Son island district.

Deputy Director Huynh Thi Phuong Hoa said the Department sent 15 Ly Son households to Hoi An, central Quang Nam province, to learn about the service, which gained high approval at a recent meeting on the district’s socio-economic development master plan.

Apart from that fact-finding tour, more training courses will be held for the pioneering households and even other residents who wish to take part in the business, Hoa said.

Ly Son district lies 18 nautical miles off the Vietnamese coast and covers an area of 10km2. It includes three communes: An Hai, An Vinh and An Binh.

The island district has a population of approximately 2,100. The majority of residents earn a living from fishing and farming garlics and spring onions.

Ly Son is striving to become a maritime economic centre by 2025, with a focus on tourism and aquaculture.

Archaeologists found relics of Sa Huynh culture on the island dating back to 3,000 years ago. Starting in the 16th century, a number of ethnic groups migrated to Ly Son from the mainland and have inhabited the island ever since.

The island boasts numerous forms of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional boat races and the Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival, which was recognised as a national heritage in April, 2013.

Danang to welcome 100,000 arrivals on New Year holidays

Danang central coastal city is expected to receive more than 100,000 arrivals, half of them are foreign tourists on New Year holidays, up 30% year-on-year.

Hundreds of travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) arrived in Danang city on January 1.

“This is the first time I have set foot in Danang city. I will spend most of my time here on discovering unique places in the city,” said Japanese tourist Yasuda.

As the European tourism market has not yet fully recovered from the 2014 economic downturn, Danang city has opened direct flights or chartered flights to the RoK, Japan and China to attract more tourists.

In 2014, the city received 3.8 million arrivals, including 1 million foreigners.

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, has named Danang as a top destination on the rise in Asia and the world.

Ngo Quang Vinh, Director of Danang city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the tourism industry has developed programmes to help improve the service quality and make Danang a safe and friendly destination.

This year, the city’s tourism industry will continue to diversify markets and plan to expand its operation in Russia, Australia and India, he noted.

Thua Thien-Hue welcomes 10,000 tourists on January 1

As many as 10,000 holiday-makers, including 6,000 foreigners, visited Hue imperial city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, on January 1, said Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Relic Conservation Centre.

Hai said that the New Year’s festive atmosphere has been prevailing in every corner of Hue city, especially “western” streets on Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An, and Nguyen Cong Tru streets, which have been dazzled with splendid decoration.

In addition, numerous New Year countdown programmes were also organised at the city’s restaurants and hotels, such as art performances and fashion shows, Hai added.

The Hue Relic Conservation Centre has taken measures to increase tourism service quality as well as implementing promotion programmes to foster connectivity with international and domestic potential markets such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Hoi An, and the southwestern region.

In response to the domestic tourism stimulus programme in 2015 launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Centre will organise “golden” weeks with a number of fantastic activities, events, and fascinating promotional campaigns.

Thua Thien- Hue has targeted to receive 3.1-3.3 million visitors, including 1.2 million international tourists in 2015. It also expects to increase the tourism revenue to account for 56-57% of the provincial GDP, up 17% compared to 2014.

In 2014, the province welcomed over 2.9 million vacationers, including 1 million foreigners. The total revenue generated by the sector reached VND2,700 billion (US$128.6 million), up 11% year on year.

Quang Binh’s caves attract tourists on 2015’s first day

Nearly 1,000 visitors explored Phong Nha and Tien Son caves located in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which was recognised by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage Site, in central Quang Binh province, on January 1, 2015.

The number, with one third being foreigners, tripled the figure recorded on January 1, 2014, despite the fact that tourism is in the low season.

With more than 116km of coastline and numerous natural attractions, including a complex of over 300 caves, Quang Binh has seen a strong development in tourism, the locality’s driving force for economic development.

During the first seven months of this year, the province welcomed over 2.4 million tourists; almost double that of the same period last year.

Recently, the Vietnam Records Organisation listed four tourism sites in Quang Binh amongst the top 50 must-see travel destinations in Vietnam, including Phong Nha Cave, Ngang Pass, Nhat Le Beach and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

With the opening of Son Doong Cave in 2013, Quang Binh was instantly catapulted onto the bucket lists of travellers all over the world.

The New York Times named Quang Binh as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia and ranked it eighth out of the world’s 52 must-see sites for 2014, while US magazine Business Insider included Son Doong Cave in its list of the 12 most impressive caves.

Majestic Star Hotel opens in Nha Trang

The 3-star Majestic Star Hotel officially opened this morning, marking a milestone development invested in by the private group Bao Khanh in the attractive tourist city of Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa.

Located in Tran Phu street, one of the most beautiful coastal route in the world-renowned tourist destination, the 19-storey Majestic Star Hotel boasts the European architectural design with 102 rooms and entertainment facilities such as open-air swimming pools and bars.

The Majestic Star Hotel is among the hotel chain nationwide invested in by Bao Khanh.

“In our business strategy, we aim to develop a series of Majestic hotels along the central coastal provinces in a bid to make full use of Vietnam’s sea tourism potential,” said Tran Van Hien, president of Bao Khanh.

Speaking at the hotel opening ceremony, Nguyen Quoc Hung, deputy director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said that Khanh Hoa received 3.6 million domestic and international tourists in 2014, making an impressive 20 per cent increase on-year.

“The opening of the Majestic Star Hotel will help Nha Trang meet the growing demand for accommodation of domestic and international travelers to the city, particular Russians,” said Hung.

Central region targets to welcome more tourists in 2015

The number of domestic and foreign tourists travelled in the central region’s landscapes, heritage sites in the first days of New Year, which increased rapidly in comparison with the same period of 2014

Particularly, Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave), late General Vo Nguyen Giap’s Grave, Ancient Capital of Hue, National Cultural Heritage Sites like Hoi An, My Son and popular sites Ba Na and Son Tra became the best attractive destinations during New Year’s holiday.

The number of visitors booking domestic tours also increased rapidly during the first four day of the New Year including 13,000 tickets were bought to visit Hoi An ancient town, an increased of 79 percents compared to the same period last year.

During New Year’s holiday, Hue Ancient Capital welcomed more than 30, 000 tourists, including around 60 percents of foreign tourists.

In Quang Binh, late General Vo Nguyen Giap’s Grave and Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park were considered as two most attractive destinations.

Da Nang city welcomed thousands of arrivals on the previous holiday. Last year, 3, 8 million tourists arrived in Danang, including 955, 675 international visitors and 2, 8 million domestic visitors, up 22 percents compared to 2013.

Nearly 3, 8 million of tourists selected Quang Nam province as a must see destination in 2014.

Danang was voted by readers of an Asian leading online tourism magazine, Smart Travel Asia as the top ten most attractive destinations in Asia; and World’s the best destination for 2015 by Tripadvisor.

Danang city has targeted to receive 4, 4 million visitors, including 1, 1 million international tourists and 3, 2 million domestic tourists in this year.

Total tourism revenue is expected to reach VND 11, 800 billion, an increase of 21 percents in comparison with 2014, said Deputy Director of Department of Danang Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Tourists pour in Da Lat during holidays

Da Lat resort town in the central highland province of Lam Dong attracted a large number of visitors in New Year holidays.

The city saw beautiful weather and was crowded with local and foreign tourists on holidays.

Da Lat City Flower Garden received more than 17,000 travelers, presenting a twofold increase compared to the same period last year.

Tourist areas in Da Lat City including Love Valley, Datanla Fall, King Bao Dai’s palace, Dreaming Hill and Prenn Fall also experienced a rise of   visitors.

Authorities asked hotels to keep steady room rates during the season.

Central province welcomes first tourists boarding seaplanes

The southern central province of Binh Thuan welcomed the first tourists, 14 Russians, travelling by seaplanes on January 3 after the first two flights from Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport landed on Bau Trang Lake in Hoa Thang commune, Bac Binh district, at noon.

The flights by seaplanes linking Ho Chi Minh City and the province’s Mui Ne are operated by the Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Company.

During more than an hour on board, visitors can enjoy the southern central part of Vietnam with outstanding places of interest such as the Ke Ga light house, the beach of Phan Thiet city, and the Mui Ne resort area.

Thai Hoang Dung, a representative of the Hai Au company in Mui Ne, said their seaplanes are produced in the US and can fly at around 300km per hour. Each aircraft is able to carry 12 passengers, but the firm lets only six to eight people go on board to ensure safety.

The company will offer two flights by seaplanes from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne every day, he added.

Hai Au is the first firm in Vietnam to be licensed to operate seaplane services for commercial purposes. It launched a tourist seaplane route from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province in September, 2014, and plans to expand similar services to other destinations in central and southern Vietnam such as Nha Trang, Da Lat, Con Dao, Phu Quoc, and Can Tho.

The opening of the seaplane route is hoped to diversify tourism services in Binh Thuan, which welcomed more than 3.7 million tourist arrivals with 11% being foreigners, and earned nearly VND6 trillion (US$285.7 million) from the sector in 2014.

HCM City welcomes first foreign visitors of 2015

HCMC’s tourism authority on January 1 treated the first foreign visitors of the new year with tea and sweetened ginger and lotus seeds when they arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Tea, sweetened ginger and lotus seeds are the new treats beside flowers and folk music performance and souvenirs for international visitors at the New Year celebration organized by the HCMC Department of Tourism and Vietnam Airlines at the biggest international airport in Vietnam.

Carole Ingamells and her husband David Ingamells were among the first foreigners arriving in HCMC on New Year’s Day. She and her husband returned to Vietnam to tour HCMC and Danang.

“Vietnam’s tourism is interesting. We are in the country for our second trip and are very surprised to receive such special treatment,” she told the Daily.   

More than 1,000 foreign passengers received warm greetings as the first callers on New Year’s Day at Tan Son Nhat airport on January 1, according to Vietnam News Agency.

Van Thi Bach Tuyet, director of the department, told the guests that the celebration is the first of a series of events to be hosted by the department, the HCMC Tourism Association and the national flag airline this year.

The city expects to attract about 4.7 million foreigners and 19 million domestic visitors this year. Thousands of items exempted from import tariffs

Tourist boats allowed to operate until mid-January

The HCMC government has allowed tourist and restaurant boats at Bach Dang Wharf in the downtown area to continue their operations until January 15, instead of the end of last month.

The extension was decided after a meeting between the Department of Transport and the boat operators.

However, some boat owners said they would seek longer operations at the wharf by Bach Dang Park in addition to plans to look for a new place for their boats to serve guests.

Nguyen Thanh Liem, board member of Vina Express, said after the New Year holiday, the company would propose the city government further extend the time until the end of March to make it possible to find a new wharf.

“We are now in hot water as it is difficult to search for a new wharf, particularly in a short period of time. We will apply for a license to operate longer at Nha Rong Wharf but are unsure whether approval is given,” Liem said.

Other boat operators now worry about the uncertain future as they have yet to find an alternative to fulfill the contracts they had signed with their customers years ago.

The transport department last week announced the city’s plan not to renew the operation license of Bach Dang Wharf, meaning all the boats operating there must relocate.

A representative of the department said the closure of the wharf is to make room for an upgrade project under a master plan of the city. The municipal authorities will then determine when enterprises could come back.

Visitors warm up New Year at Hanoi’s tourist sites

A joyful atmosphere filled tourist sites across Hanoi despite the cold weather as thousands of people flocked to the sites to enjoy the New Year holiday (January 1-4).

A documentary exhibition on Vietnam’s education and various cultural activities attracted about 5,000 visitors to the Temple of Literature, an icon of Hanoi, said Deputy Director of the relic site Nguyen Thi Luan.

Artistic programmes such as cheo (popular opera) and xam (folk singing performed by blind beggars) pieces also kept Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake and Ngoc Son Temple crowded, even in the evening. A representative from the Hanoi relic sites management board said nearly 20,000 people visited the temple during the four days.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a world’s cultural heritage, attracted some 1,000 tourists a day who came to explore its historical values embedded in such relics as the archaeological site at No.18 Hoang Dieu street, Bac Mon (the Northern Gate), and the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace.

Thien Duong Bao Son, a major entertainment centre in the capital city, was also a tourist magnet during the holiday as it offered a multitude of services from dolphin and sea lion performances, water puppetry, to craft demonstration.

Over 1,000 kilometres away in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Da Lat resort city in Lam Dong province received more than 45,000 visitors who spent their four-day holiday at renowned places of interest like Doi Mong Mo (Dream Hill), Vang (Gold) Stream, Prenn and Dalanta Waterfalls, and Tuyen Lam Lake.

More than 17,000 tourists visited Thung Lung Tinh Yeu (Valley of Love) during the days, increasing by 20 percent from the same holiday last year, said Director of the tourism site Phan Khac Cu. Meanwhile, Da Lat’s Flower Garden welcomed around 9,000 people coming to enjoy thousands of flower species arranged under various themes.-

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