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| Ho Chi Minh City is among the top 10 places to celebrate the new year in Asia (Photo: Chill Sky Bar) |
The southern city is a great place for travelers to enjoy the biggest party of the year in Vietnam, offering an unforgettable experience for New Year's Eve, the foreign media outlet stressed.
Thousands of people usually celebrate this special time with their friends and families along the Saigon River as they wait for the midnight fireworks near the Bitexco Tower, once the tallest building in the country.
The travel website also suggested that if tourists don’t want to join the crowds, then they should instead take a cruise on the Saigon River to admire the colourful fireworks displays.
There are numerous nice restaurants or rooftop bars on offer throughout the city where travelers can spend the whole afternoon waiting for the countdown and the midnight fireworks.
Asiahighlight.com recommended that for a short trip, tourists could spend time exploring the oldest Buddhist shrines in Ho Chi Minh City, such as Giac Lam Pagoda. The War Remnants Museum is also a good place to learn more about the Vietnam War.
Another fantastic trip is the Bonsai River Cruise, which allows travelers to take in night views of the city along the river, writer Mike Ho shared.
Bangkok, the amazing capital of Thailand, is one of the most popular destinations in Asia for welcoming in the New Year thanks to its fantastic and colourful fireworks on New Year's Eve and great parties.
Siem Reap (Cambodia) is full of flea markets and many temples, ranking second in the list.
Elsewhere, Singapore and Bali (Indonesia) came third and fourth, respectively. The others in the top 10 consist of Goa (India), Kyoto (Japan), Vientiane (Laos), Hong Kong (China), and Unawatuna (Sri Lanka).
Fantastic fireworks, exciting street countdown parties, friendly people, and rich travel opportunities, not to mention warmer weather, make Asia a perfect place for the festive season, according to Asiahighlight.com.
Vietnam earns almost 26 billion USD from tourists in 11 months
According to VNA, Vietnam recorded about 628.3 trillion VND (over 25.8 billion USD) in total earnings from tourists during January - November, said the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
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| Foreign visitors in Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA) |
The country served 103.2 domestic tourist arrivals during the 11 months, concentrating on May - July, especially June with 13.5 million travellers. The November figure stood at 4.5 million.
Meanwhile, more than 11.2 million international visitors chose Vietnam as their holiday destination during the first 11 months. They included over 1.23 million arrivals in November, up 11% month on month and also the highest monthly number of international tourists since the beginning of this year, statistics show.
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| Foreign tourists to Hanoi (Source: CPV) |
Vietnam initially aimed at 8 million foreign tourists in 2023, but the number already approximated 8.9 million during the first nine months, equivalent to 111% of the initial target. Therefore, the ministry proposed the Government raise the target to 12.5 - 13 million for this year.
Vietnam Airlines opens new air route linking Bangkok to Da Nang
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines hosted a ceremony on November 29 to mark the launch of a new air route from Don Muang Airport in Bangkok of Thailand to the central coastal city of Da Nang, reported VOV.
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| Vietnam Airlines (Source: hanoimoi.com.vn) |
Upon addressing the launching ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh emphasised that the new air service will create favourable conditions for Thai tourists to fly directly from Bangkok to Da Nang, thereby allowing them to explore famous landscapes throughout the central Vietnamese cities of Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue.
In addition, guests can sample traditional dishes and gain more insights into the various unique cultural characteristics in these localities.
The opening of the new route this year will serve to make a significant contribution to the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, the Vietnamese diplomat added.
For his part, Vice President of the Thai Senate Supachai Somcharoen stressed that the new route is expected to enhance the linkages of the flight network between the two countries, elevate Thailand-Vietnam relations, open up brighter prospects for future co-operation, as well as further developing the profound relationship.
Dao Truong Luu, head of Vietnam Airlines’ representative office in Thailand, said with the launch of the new route, Vietnam Airlines has increased their daily flight frequency to seven from Bangkok to the nation.
The new route is expected to meet the passengers’ diverse travel needs between the two countries, thereby promoting political, economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between both sides.
Flights on the new air service are due to depart at 8 p.m. from Da Nang international airport and at 5:05 a.m. from Don Mueang international airport each day, with the aim of maximizing Thai tourists’ stay in the nation.
In addition, it will also meet the needs of passengers transiting through Da Nang to domestic destinations such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, or to international destinations such as Tokyo or Seoul within Vietnam Airline’s network.
Thua Thien-Hue among best place to visit in 2024
The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has been named in a definitive list of unforgettable destinations to visit ahead in 2024, VOV reported the news compiled by magazine Travel+Leisure of the United States.
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| Hue Imperial Citadel (Source: VOV) |
According to details given by the media outlet, Thua-Thien Hue is the perfect place in which to relax while touring Vietnam.
It suggested that visitors should enjoy trips to a number of mausoleums and temples, followed by a visit to Hue Imperial City, take a tour of a state-of-the-art brewery, enjoy a swim at Elephant Springs, go on short treks, boat on the Perfume River, and check out an ancient tiger market where marks of tiger claws and teeth are still preserved on the walls.
“If you time your trip right and arrive in Hue in June, you can witness the famous Da Nang International Fireworks Festival,” Travel+Leisure noted.
The US magazine also revealed that the best time to visit the province is between January and April.
Rounding off the Travel+Leisure’s list of best places to visit in 2024 were Palawan of the Philippines, Takayama of Japan, the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia, Incheon of the Republic of Korea, Pak Chong of Thailand, Zhangjiajie of China, St. John’s Island of Singapore, Kratie of Cambodia, Cameron Highlands of Malaysia, Mirissa of Sri Lanka, Meghalaya of India, Ras Al Khaimah of the UAE, and Taipei of Taiwan (China)./.