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Diamond Princess ship carries around 3,000 passengers to central Thua Thien – Hue province
(Source: vnexpress.ent) |
This marks the return of the international cruise ship after a three-year hiatus caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Ngo Mon (Noon Gate), the main entrance leading to Hue Imperial City, representatives of local authorities and the Hue Relics Preservation Centre welcomed the delegation with a performance of the royal court music, a UNESCO-recognised world cultural heritage, and offered the guests bouquets of flowers.
Foreign tourists then took a tour around Hue Imperial Citadel, a renowned UNESCO world heritage site, in order to discover royal art and architecture.
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| Foreign tourists in central Thua Thien - Hue province (Source: https://vnexpress.net) |
According to the schedule, two more Diamond Princess cruise ships are due to dock at Chan May port on December 19 and December 29, bringing around 3,000 international travelers each to Hue.
Chan May port is among 46 seaports throughout Southeast Asia selected by the Asia Cruise Association as a stopover for a cruise ship. A total of 30 cruise ships carrying 48,000 passengers and 18,700 crew members have registered to dock at the port ahead in 2024, reported Chan May Port Joint Stock Company.
Diamond Princess is a British-registered cruise ship that is owned and operated by Princess Cruises. She was put into operation in March 2004, and primarily cruises in Asia during the northern hemisphere summer and Australia during the southern hemisphere summer.
The ship stretches for 290.2 metres in length, 62.48 metres in height, with a capacity of 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew members.
Vietnam Airlines Group adds over 100,000 seats for 2024 Lunar New Year
Vietnam Airlines Group which comprises Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) has announced an additional capacity of over 100,000 seats, equivalent to nearly 550 flights, for the peak Lunar New Year (Tet) season from January 25 to February 24, 2024, reported VNA.
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| Vietnam Airlines Group has announced an additional capacity of over 100,000 seats for the peak Lunar New Year (Tet) season from January 25 to February 24, 2024.(Photo: VNA) |
These figures bring its totals to 2.1 million seats and 10,700 flights during the period.
The additional flights will mostly be operated on routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Da Nang, Hai Phong, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Hue, Da Lat, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Phu Yen, and Phu Quoc.
Notably, passengers tend to book flights with earlier departure dates compared to previous years.
The Tet ticket prices are based on market conditions, with diverse pricing levels and compliance with domestic price ceiling regulations.
Cultural festivals promise memorable moments for visitors to Da Nang
According to VNA, the creative cultural festival “Colours of Da Nang” and a festival for foreigners named “Da Nang International Big Day-out 2023” are scheduled to take place in the central city from December 14 to 17.
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| A view of Da Nang city (Photo: VNA) |
The two festivals, to be held at APEC Park, aims to promote cultural and art activities in a local effort to develop the creative industry. They are also intended to enhance the connectivity between the foreign and local communities in Da Nang via cultural events ahead of New Year 2024, said the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.
They will feature a wide range of cultural and art activities combining traditional and contemporary characteristics between local and international artists, promising various interesting experiences for residents and visitors to Da Nang during the year-end festive season.
Some outstanding events include an exhibition of fine art and installation artwork by Vietnamese and foreign artists, a show of “ao dai” (traditional dress of Vietnam), a musical programme with the participation of foreign artists, a painting workshop, and painting activities for children.
Impressive and colourful spaces for check-in photos will also be in place to help visitors keep their memorable moments at the festivals, the department noted.
China and the RoK to loosen visa policy for Vietnamese tourists
Both China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have announced that they will loosen their visa policy for several countries, including Vietnam, with the aim of further boosting economic and tourism development, reported VOV.
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| Tourists at a famous destination in China. (Photo: Xinhua ) |
According to the changes, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it will cut visa fees by 25% for travelers from countries such as Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, from December 11, 2023, to December 31, 2024.
This marks the latest move in a range of measures taken by China in a bid to increase inbound travel from foreign tourists and businesspeople amid a stuttering economic recovery in the post-COVID period.
The visa fee charged for Vietnamese citizens entering the northern neighbour starts from US$45.
Meanwhile, the RoK plans to waive the e-visa fee for tourist groups from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia ahead in 2024.
Moreover, the RoK will move to double the maximum limit of purchases eligible for an immediate tax refund by foreign tourists to KRW5 million, equal to US$3,836, starting from January 1, 2024.
To make it easier for tourists to travel, the Korean Government will also build an application which can help foreign tourists make reservations on public transportation, as well as improving the English services of navigation apps./.