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| Phu Quoc is a must-visit beach escape for both Western expats and sun-seeking tourists. (Photo: Internet) |
The nation might not have the same reputation as its Southeast Asian neighbours when it comes to leaning palms and turquoise waters, but its 3400km of coast hides its fair share of resplendent beaches, many of which are spots suitable for families, as well as quiet coves to escape the crowds.
The globally-renowned travel guide dubbed An Bang in Hoi An city as one of the nation’s most happening and enjoyable beaches with a wonderful stretch of fine sand and an enormous horizon.
Fringed with white-sand beaches and with large tracts of the interior which are still cloaked in dense tropical jungle, Phu Quoc has rapidly morphed from a sleepy island backwater into a must-visit beach escape for both Western expats and sun-seeking tourists, the article explained.
According to author James Pham, forming a magnificent sweeping arc, Nha Trang's six km-long golden-sand beach is the central city's trump card, whilst there are plenty of very reasonably priced island-hopping tours available which include lunch and snorkeling. The beaches north of Nha Trang, situated around Ninh Van Bay, are also worthy of a day trip.
Isolated from the mainland, the islands of Con Dao are one of the country’s star attractions. Con Son is the largest of the chain of 15 islands and islets and is ringed with lovely beaches, coral reefs, and scenic bays, whilst it remains partially covered in tropical forests.
Mui Ne represents the jewel of Vietnamese beach resorts and is the next Vietnamese destination to make the list. Kitesurfing is also a huge draw as there are several excellent schools locally and world-class wind conditions between late October and April.
Stretching for 18km, the chalk-white sands and shallow turquoise waters of Doc Let ensure that it ranks among the nation’s best beaches.
With golden sands, clear waters, and a journey time from Ho Chi Minh City of just two and a half hours, Ho Coc beach – which stretches for almost 10km north of Ho Tram – is a tempting place to stop.
Finally, My Khe beach in Da Nang also makes the list, with the site boasting a superb beach with fine white sand and good swimming opportunities.
Furama – Ariyana Da Nang wins World Luxury Awards 2023
According to VNA, Furama – Ariyana Da Nang Tourism Complex has won big at the World Luxury Awards 2023 based on votes by travel industry professionals and tourists.
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| Furama – Ariyana Da Nang Tourism Complex has won big at the World Luxury Awards 2023. |
Accordingly, Furama Resort Da Nang was honoured as the Best Luxury Beach Resort in Southeast Asia while Don Cipriani’s Italian Restaurant at Furama Resort Danang continued to solidify its status as the quintessential Italian dining destination by securing the title of “Best Luxury Heritage Restaurant in Asia” at the 2023 World Luxury Restaurant Awards. This marked the second consecutive year that Don Cipriani’s Restaurant has been acknowledged by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards, a testament to the establishment’s timeless elegance and culinary excellence.
Ariyana Convention Centre Danang, which hosted 21 world economic leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High-level Meeting in 2017, was honoured as the Best Convention Centre in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, V-Senses Wellness & Spa with design inspired by the Cham culture, was named “Best Theme Spa Design in Southeast Asia”.
According to Gentzsch Andre Piere, General Manager of the Furama – Ariyana Tourism Complex, the awards reaffirmed the forefront of the complex in delivering top-tier services to customers, contributing to popularising the tourism image of Da Nang city.
Designed by the Australian architectural firm Denton Corker and Marshall, with interior decoration by Hirsch Bedner & Associates from Hong Kong, Furama Ressort Danang boasts a prime beachfront location on one of the most stunning beaches in the world, Danang Beach. The coastline is adorned with graceful coconut trees and pristine white sand, enhancing the beauty of Da Nang.
Furama Resort Danang is a gateway to three World Heritage Sites of Hoi An, My Son and Hue.
Established in 2006, the World Luxury Awards is the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry offering international recognition as voted by guests, travelers and industry players alike. Over 300 000 international travelers vote each year, during a four-week period to select the winners.
Vietnamese tourism market introduced to Belgian firms
The tourism market of Vietnam was introduced to Belgian travel firms during a conference in Belgium’s Anvers city on November 9, reported VNA.
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| Representatives from Belgian travel firms are presented with air tickets to Vietnam (Photo: VNA) |
Addressing the event, Tran Ngoc Quan, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Belgium, updated participants on Vietnam’s new visa policies, including the application of e-visas on citizens from 257 countries and territories, and the extension of e-visa validity from one to three months, creating more favourable conditions for foreign tourists to Vietnam.
Iako Khomeriki, a representative of APG - the sale agent of Vietnam Airlines in Belgium, said that the Vietnamese carrier is a favourite airline of passengers travelling to Vietnam. After COVID-19 pandemic, in June 2022, the airline resumed its flight routes to Europe with seven flights each week on the Hanoi-Paris route and 3-4 flights on Ho Chi Minh City-Paris route. The number of flights from Hanoi to Germany has also increased to 6-7 flights per week, he said, holding that this is a good condition for European tourists to explore Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Asian Trails Vietnam Bui Viet Thuy Tien said that Vietnam is strong in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism thanks to diverse tourist destinations across the country. Moreover, Vietnam is a convenient transit point for flights to Laos and Cambodia, Tien said.
Representatives from Belgium travel firms affirmed that they will continue to introduce Vietnam tourism to their customers in Belgium and Europe.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent in Brussels, Tien said that after COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to resume the MICE tourism market, which has attracted great attention from Belgium visitors.
Tom Van Beek from De Buck Agency said after 20 years of presence in Vietnam, the company found that customers are satisfied with Vietnam where they can explore many exciting things. Particularly, travelers love Vietnamese cuisine, he said.
However, he held that the greatest challenge to travel companies of Belgium is the lack of a direct air route connecting Belgium and Vietnam. Having to take one or two transits with a duration of 17-18 hours has made tourists hesitate to choose Vietnam, he explained.
Da Nang most searched by Indian tourists
According to VNA, the central city of Da Nang has topped a list of the ten most sought-after destinations by Indian tourists on the travel search site Skyscanner India.
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| Tourists enjoy art performance in Da Nang's Sun World Ba Na Hills (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the Skyscanner India report said Indian searches for information related to Da Nang’s tourism since the beginning of this year has increased by 1,141% year-on-year, doubling the search volume for its runner-up, Almaty city of Kazakhstan.
Indian searches often focused on flights, hotel room prices and transportation fees.
Hanoi capital city came fifth in the top 10.
In the first nine months of 2023, more than 95,000 Indian tourists travelled to Da Nang, accounting for nearly 50% of the total number of visitors from India to Vietnam.
Da Nang is home to nice beaches and many restaurants, including 30 serving Indian food.
Paintings of renown Korean artists on show in Hanoi
Eighty five ink paintings and a graphic installation work by renowned artists from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) are on display at an exhibition that opened in Won Buddhism office in Hanoi on November 7, reported VNA.
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| At the painting exhibition (Photo: qdnd.vn) |
The event was held as part of activities to mark the 31st anniversary of the Vietnam – RoK diplomatic relations.
The paintings of Kim Chang Bae and Kim Won Do, along with the graphic installation work by Vietnamese artist Vu Bach Lien centre on the themes of lotus, birds and animals, meditation and tea meditation, and Korean literature, reflecting the cycle of seasons in nature as well as the philosophy of life in contemporary society.
Nun Han Hoa Chung from the Won Buddhism office in Hanoi said that the exhibition will give visitors a deeper insight into the image of Buddhist practitioners in the RoK, while serving as a venue to promote cultural exchange between the two nations.
The exhibition will run until November 14./.