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| Passengers boarding the first direct flight from Almaty city of Kazakhstan to Khanh Hoa province in October 2022 (Photo: tuoitre.vn) |
This comes amid Amega Co. Ltd. on November 2 resuming two flights per week on the Cam Ranh-Almaty air route.
The flights will run on every Monday and Thursday and will be conducted by Scat Airlines of Kazakhstan, carrying around 200 passengers each.
Furthermore, Anex Vietnam Travel and Trading Co., Ltd. plans to increase flights from Kazakhstan to Khanh Hoa starting from late December.
As planned, the company will operate five flights per week between Almaty and Astana, two large cities in Kazakhstan, and Cam Ranh city of Khanh Hoa province, transporting some 377 passengers via an Airbus A-330.
Kazakhstan represents one of the major international tourist markets of the Vietnamese locality.
According to a report from Khanh Hoa’s Department of Tourism, as of September the locality has welcomed more than 130,000 Kazakh visitors.
Moreover, Amega Co. Ltd. and Anex Vietnam Travel and Trading Co., Ltd. have sought measures to attract more tourists from other markets such as Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan via flights from Kazakhstan.
During the January to October period, Khanh Hoa province welcomed 1.67 million foreign arrivals, a figure 8.9 times higher than the same period last year. Indeed, its tourism revenue reached more than VND29 trillion, a year-on-year rise of 152.7%.
Vietnam's tourism sector earns 23.7 billion USD in ten months
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam’s total revenue from tourists is estimated at 582.6 trillion VND (23.7 billion USD) in the first ten months of 2023.
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| Vietnam welcomes 1.11 million foreign visitors in October. (Photo: VNA) |
In the period, the country welcomed 10 million foreign tourists, exceeding the target of 8 million for the whole year, and served 98.7 million domestic holiday-makers. In October alone, the tourism sector served 1.11 million foreign visitors and 5.2 million domestic tourists, reported VNA.
According to the nine-month socio-economic report announced released by the General Statistics Office, the service and tourism sector grew by 6.24%, contributing 53.34% of the total overall growth of the country's GDP.
In November, localities across the nation have plans to organise various events and festivals to attract more tourists, including Hanoi Tourist Gift Festival, Ninh Thuan Tourism and Culture Day in Can Tho city, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Tourism Week, and Mang Den Culture Festival in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.
Travel companies in Vietnam are preparing to anticipate opportunities of the peak season of both inbound and outbound tours.
At present, the Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan (China), and Japan are widely sought after by tourists thanks to good tour prices. A representative of Saigontourist – one of Vietnam’s largest travel companies, said that tours with new destinations or offering new experiences are attracting tourists, many of whom are willing to spend large amounts of money to enjoy new experiences.
Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, a representative of Vietravel – also a major Vietnamese travel firm, stated that with some tours that draw attention by a large number of Vietnamese tourists, such as those to China, the company always proactively links and cooperates with tourism promotion agencies, and localities to step up promotion activities and introduce tours at good prices so as to bring many impressive experiences to customers.
Online travel platform Agoda on October 24 for the first time announced Vietnam’s New Horizons – a list of new emerging destinations in the country that few tourists have known.
The list is made based on the results of comparing search data for the same period in 2022 and 2023 about emerging destinations, increasing interest from both domestic and foreign tourists.
On the top of the list is Tam Dao resort in the northern mountainous of Vinh Phuc with search traffic increasing by 279% over the same period last year.
Other destinations are Bac Ninh - a spiritual city in the North with a 234% increase in search volume; Sam Son coastal city in the central province of Thanh Hoa, 228%; and Phu Quy - a small island off the coast of Binh Thuan province. The coastal city of Quy Nhon with its romantic beaches and unique cuisine is also included in the list.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Director of Agoda in Vietnam, said that in addition to the most popular and famous destinations in Vietnam which many tourists visit regularly, Agoda found that some places with fewer visitors had a clear increase in searches.
Agoda wants to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce new places and find out what attracts those who love to explore destinations that few tourists have come to.
He said Vietnam has many interesting things to explore, in which second- and third-class destinations are increasingly sought after. Therefore, Agoda regularly introduces many incentives to help tourists have the best experiences when travelling to Vietnam.
Outlook Traveler suggests local festivals for Vietnam trip
As Vietnam is a land steeped in tradition and history, it typically hosts an array of unique celebrations throughout the year which offer a captivating glimpse into the country's rich heritage, blending vibrant rituals, music, and community celebrations, VOV reported an article recently published by India's leading travel magazine Outlook Traveler.
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| Mid-Autumn Festival centres around children. (Photo courtesy of Outlook Traveler) |
Comprising various landscapes from the hills of Bac Ninh to the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese festivals tend to reflect the country's diverse culture and heritage. Guests should therefore plan trips around these unique festivals and embrace the colours, traditions, and heartwarming experiences they offer, the author Antaraa Chatterjee wrote.
The Indian media outlet introduced Lim Festival in Bac Ninh province in February as the first experience for visitors to enjoy in Vietnam as it commences the Vietnamese festival calendar with a vibrant celebration of spring.
Highlighting the unique culture of the Red River Delta, this three-day festival commemorates the founder with a remarkable ritual called Quan họ (duet singing). Here, traditionally-dressed men and women serenade each other from dragon boats, singing Quan họ folk songs that evoke themes of love, longing, and the beauty of nature.
Between April and May, tourists can spend time discovering the Xến Xó Phốn festival of the White Thai ethnic people which unfolds in the beautiful Mai Chau valley, Hoa Binh province. This ritual aims to summon rain, which is believed to bring prosperity to the harvest.
If travelers are in Vietnam around late August, then the Ghost Festival of Wandering Souls Day should be on their list of experiences to indulge in. It’s a significant event where Vietnamese families come together to welcome the spirits of their ancestors back home.
The article also shared that enjoying Mid-Autumn Festival in the country is also a great experience. The festival centres around children and is adorned with toys, paper lanterns, and masks. Joyful festivities feature lion dances, lantern processions, and moon gazing as families gather to watch the harvest moon and enjoy some sweet treats.
UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town transforms into a magical venue for this celebration, with lanterns adorning the Thu Bon River during the festival.
In early December, the Oóc Om Bóc festival in Soc Trang province offers an extraordinary glimpse into the Khmer culture in the Mekong Delta. Tourists are therefore urged not to miss out on the vibrant activities that showcase the rich culture of the locals.
Festivities include rituals to thank the moon god, vibrant feasting, singing, and the thrilling 'Ngo' boat race which draws thousands of travelers to come and witness this spirited celebration.
Each festival unfolds a unique story, offering an unforgettable experience and a deeper understanding of the country's rich cultural traditions, the author concluded.
HCM City launches check-in model and tourism symbol design contest
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has kicked off a check-in model and fun tourism symbol design contest, with the ultimate aim of promoting the quality of and diversity local tourism products, reported VOV.
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| The headquarters of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (Source: VOV) |
The contest is running with the theme of “My Beloved City" and will see the most unique design idea selected that carries a message of introducing the city’s culture, history, and people.
Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the city's Tourism Department, shared that the competition will contribute to helping domestic and foreign visitors gain a better understanding of the southern city’s destinations, as well as creating opportunities for local residents to show off their creativity and express their love for the southern city.
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Independence Palace is one of the historical buildings that attracts visitors in Ho Chi Minh City
(Source: https://vnexpress.net) |
The contest is to be open to all Vietnamese citizens and will receive entries from November 2 to November 26.
Contestants whose entries reach the final round will have the chance to attend the Creative Camp.
The winning works will then be used as part of communications and promotion activities which will serve economic, cultural, and social development and the external relations of the city.