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| A golden rice field in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province. (Photo: Mai Chau Ecolodge) |
Recognised for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences, the locality is the only Vietnamese destination to make the list. The magazine’s selection criteria go beyond impressive natural scenery, incorporating historical value and visitor experiences.
In its assessment, Condé Nast Traveller highlighted the local ethnic groups, including the Hmong, Muong and Dao, as well as endless rice fields as standout features.
Other Asian destinations recognised by Condé Nast Traveller include Raja Ampat and Bali in Indonesia, the Zhangye National Geopark in China, Bayon Temple in Cambodia, Jodhpur in India, and the Philippines. Japan stands out with three entries, namely Mount Fuji, Kyoto, and the Arashiyama bamboo forest.
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| Hoa Binh province listed among 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide |
As the gateway to Vietnam’s northwestern region, Hoa Binh is known for its breathtaking scenery and vibrant ethnic cultural identity. In Mai Chau district, the Lac village is celebrated for its pristine beauty, with rice paddies surrounded by lush green mountains. From September to late October, when the rice fields turn golden, the village becomes an ideal spot for cycling and sightseeing. Lac is also famous for its centuries-old stilt houses, some nearly 700 years old, shrouded in mist at the foot of verdant hills. Visitors can engage in traditional Thai ethnic activities, such as weaving handicrafts, kite flying, folk dancing, bamboo pole jumping, and nightly campfires.
Local cuisine is another highlight, offering mountain specialties like grilled chicken and fish, com lam (bamboo-tube rice), sticky rice, and wild vegetables, served at local restaurants or eco-resorts./.
Lam Dong welcomes 10 millionth tourist in 2024
According to VNA, the People's Committee of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on December 30 hosted a special event to welcome its 10 millionth tourist of the year.
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| Leaders of Lam Dong province People's Committee present gifts to Nguyen Dang Dung (second from the right), a tourist from Hanoi - its 10 millionth tourist of the year (Photo: VNA) |
Nguyen Dang Dung, a tourist from Hanoi, was randomly selected as the honoured visitor from passengers arriving on a flight from Hanoi to Da Lat on the day's morning. Expressing his joy, Dung shared: Da Lat’s mild climate and stunning scenery make it a favourite destination for my family, especially for year-end vacations.
The event not only marked a significant achievement for the province's tourism sector in 2024 but also demonstrated the local community’s heartfelt appreciation for every visitor.
Tran Hong Thai, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, highlighted that reaching this milestone underscores the remarkable growth of Da Lat – Lam Dong tourism. He attributed this success to ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, diversify tourism products, improve service quality, and cultivate a safe and friendly tourism environment that provides exceptional experiences for travellers.
In 2024, Lam Dong welcomed approximately 600,000 international visitors, a 50% increase year-on-year, equivalent to 109.1% of the annual target. Domestic tourists totalled an estimated 9.4 million, up 13.9% compared to 2023, reaching 102.7% of the year’s goal. Overall, the province’s tourism sector generated an estimated 18 trillion VND (about 706.6 million USD) in revenue.
Vietnam ranks second in visitor numbers to Cambodia
The number of foreign tourists visiting Cambodia soared by 22% to reach over six million over the past 11 months as Thailand continued to top the list of tourist arrivals, followed by Vietnam, reported VOV.
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| Vietnam ranks second in visitor numbers to Cambodia |
According to the latest report released by Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, in the reviewed period the neighbouring country welcomed 1.2 million Vietnamese tourists, marking a rise of 30.8% on-year.
Thai tourists lead the list with 1.82 million arrivals to Cambodia. Others to feature in the top five tourist markets to this country were China with 769,775 arrivals, the United States with 190,856 , and the Republic of Korea with 173,686, respectively.
Of the 11-month figure, a total of 2.15 million foreigners chose to travel to Cambodia by air. Around 3.78 million international tourists came to Southeast Asian country by road, while the remaining 73,000 came by sea.
Cambodia is expected to attract a total of 6.7 million foreign tourists for the whole year.
New York’s Times Square model to take shape in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City will renovate the area in front of Ben Thanh Market in the city centre, transforming it into a large square similar to New York’s Times Square.
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| Ho Chi Minh City will renovate the area in front of Ben Thanh Market in the city centre, transforming it into a large square similar to New York’s Times Square. |
The renovated area, which is to cover approximately 45,000 m², will be divided into four zones to house the main square, roads, pavements, and related structures, reported VOV.
It will be developed into a bustling gathering place connected to the central station, featuring cultural and culinary spaces, and recreating the distinctive identity of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) through vibrant street trade activities.
During a recent working session with authorities of District 1 that houses Ban Thanh Market, HCM City administration leader Phan Van Mai emphasized that activities should be carefully planned and organized in a way to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Accordingly, Ham Nghi Street, located in the core of the commercial and financial center, will serve as a key area, while September 23 Park will be a public space designated for hosting economic, political, cultural, and social activities.
The project also includes restoring iconic structures and monuments tied to the city’s historical memory, such as the Railway Station and the statue of Tran Nguyen Han.
The city’s leader asked relevant agencies to complete the overall space of this central area by April 30, 2025, to create a vibrant and distinctive image with dynamic activities for both residents and visitors.
Times Square, an iconic urban symbol of New York City, is a popular gathering spot for New Yorkers and visitors to celebrate major events, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve./.