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| Phu Tan sedge mat craft village in Tuy An district, Quang Nam province, builds a rural tourism model associated with OCOP products. (Photo: VNA) |
The event was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the UN Tourism and the provincial People’s Committee, drawing the participation of 300 delegates from 50 countries and territories.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said the conference focused on three strategic topics of national and local policies on promoting rural tourism, community engagement and empowerment in tourism development, and initiatives to facilitate market access for rural destinations.
Over the past years, tourism has bolstered socio-economic development and economic restructuring in Vietnam’s rural areas while preserving ecological landscapes and cultural heritage and narrowing income disparities between rural and urban regions.
Boasting a kaleidoscope of cultural traits and rich natural resources, the country has developed distinctive agricultural and rural tourism products that attract large numbers of visitors. Meanwhile, rural tourism has been an important catalyst for agricultural and rural development through livelihood transformation, stimulation of agricultural product consumption, maintenance of traditional crafts, and development of local staples, according to Phong.
UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic affirmed that the conference was a milestone of the UN Tourism in seeking ways to build and popularise rural tourism products, adding the event also underscored the organisation’s commitment to rural tourism as a fundamental platform for sustainable global tourism development.
On the occasion, the provincial People’s Committee will arrange a field trip on December 11 for delegates to explore local rural tourism products, including Tra Que vegetable village, Thanh Ha pottery village, and Hoi An ancient city.
Vietnam Airlines and VietJet expand fleets ahead of Tet holiday
According to VNA, Vietnamese airlines are in the process of expanding their fleets to include the addition of new aircraft in order to meet the surge in passenger demand ahead during the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet.
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| Vietnam Airlines and VietJet expand fleets ahead of Tet holiday (Source: VOV) |
Vietnamese airlines are expanding their fleets to meet the surge in passenger demand during Tet holiday
Vietnam Airlines announced on December 9 that it bolstered its capacity with three additional aircraft, including one Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner and two Airbus A320neo.
The airline revealed that it had received an Airbus A320neo on December 7 and Boeing 787-10 on December 8. In addition, a further Airbus A320neo is scheduled to join the Vietnam Airlines’ fleet in late December.
The new planes are expected to provide over 100,000 seats during the peak festive period.
Meanwhile, low-cost carrier VietJet Air recently welcomed a new-generation A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex) to its fleet. The aircraft landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City after departing from the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany.
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| Vietnam Airline (Source: https://baochinhphu.vn) |
The A321neo ACF is the 111th member of VietJet’s fleet, recognised as one of the world’s most modern aircraft of its kind.
Moreover, the airline shared that it will short-term wet lease six to 10 more aircraft during the holiday season in order to accommodate the peak travel demand. Similarly, Vietravel Airlines and Bamboo Airways are also making efforts to add more aircraft to their fleet.
Previously, Vietnam Airlines opened the early sale of nearly 2.15 million Tet flight tickets or 11,000 flights on the entire domestic flight network.
The increased flights focus on routes serving the needs of family reunions and spring travel.
International bakery talent competition opens in Vietnam
The first-ever Vietnam Bakery Cup 2024 has been launched by the Vietnam Bakery Association under the Vietnam Tourism Association at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7, reported NDO.
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| Products of contestants showcased at the event. (Source: NDO) |
The competition has attracted nearly 500 professional bakers, chefs, and culinary artists from Vietnam and other countries, including the Republic of Korea, China, and Malaysia.
Nguyen Thi Khanh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, highlighted the event’s role in promoting Vietnam’s cultural and economic values through the bakery industry. She emphasised its importance in boosting Vietnam’s culinary reputation globally.
The competition also features an exhibition space showcasing baking equipment, ingredients, and services for the food and hospitality sectors, with contributions from international exhibitors.
Vo Thi Ha Hai, owner of Madi Bakery in District 7, expressed hopes that the event would help introduce Vietnamese culinary arts and bakers to the global market. Similarly, Mai Duc Huy, Business Director at SAF-Vietnam, emphasissed the significance of yeast in baking and hoped the competition would inspire bakers to innovate.
A representative of the California Raisin Administrative Committee in Vietnam noted their role in supplying high-quality ingredients to enhance Vietnamese baked goods. They hope the competition will expand awareness and use of their products among professional bakers.
Running from December 11 to 13, the Vietnam Bakery Cup 2024 includes 21 contests spanning baking, culinary arts, and creative presentations. Contestants are judged on their skills, creativity, and adherence to international standards, while maintaining food safety and professionalism.
Tran Thi Hien Minh, Vice President of the Saigon Professional Chefs Association, emphasised that all evaluations follow global standards. Winners of the competition will be selected to represent Vietnam in future international events.
Chinese media likens Phu Quoc to Mediterranean town
As the nation’s biggest island, Phu Quoc offers a blend of natural beauty, beaches, and fantastical attractions like those found in Mediterranean coastal towns, VOV reported the article by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong (China).
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| Chinese media likens Phu Quoc to Mediterranean town (Source: VOV) |
Roughly the size of Singapore, but with just 3% of the city state’s six million population, it has become an international holiday destination, especially between November and April when temperatures hover around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, the article wrote.
In 2015, three years after the opening of an international airport, Phu Quoc welcomed 1.5 million visitors, with around 12% of them coming from overseas, according to the tourism department of Kien Giang.
In 2023, there were a total of five million visitors, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Now, with direct flights to the island from places like Hong Kong (China) and Singapore, that number is expected to continue rising, it added.
The SCMP suggested that visitors should take leisurely strolls along the promenade and eat Vietnamese street food in Sunset Town.
Indeed, Sunset Town also offers something tourists might not expect, which is streets and buildings modelled after those of the picturesque villages on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy, the article shared.
Taking a cable car ride from the faux Colosseum next to the theatre, in just 15 minutes visitors can reach Hon Thom island.
The Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park features beaches, forest walks, zip lines, and Aquatopia Water Park, which is one of Phu Quoc’s two water parks. The VinWonders Phu Quoc theme park is also a popular destination./.