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| Foreign tourists to Vietnam (Source: VNA) |
Specifically, VNA reported the Agoda April data that Vietnam witnessed a 66% increase in searches from the group, following Malaysia with 89% and Japan with 71%.
Agoda's country director for Vietnam Vu Ngoc Lam noted that this reflects Vietnam's growing allure, with an increasing number of European tourists choosing the nation as their summer holiday destination.
European countries with the highest searches for travel to Vietnam last month included France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain.
The three most searched destinations in Vietnam by European tourists are Ho Chi Minh City in the south, Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam, and Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa. Offering a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and culture, they are ideal choices for travellers looking to enjoy their long summer vacation to the full.
Nha Trang city moves toward sustainable marine tourism
Nha Trang, the capital city of the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, is leveraging its strengths in marine and island tourism toward sustainable development, reported VNA.
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| An aerial view of the Dam Bay mangrove forest in Nha Trang Bay in Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA) |
The tourism industry in Khanh Hoa, particularly in Nha Trang, is on a rapid recovery trajectory following the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the province served over 7 million tourists, with the beach city accounting for approximately 70% of the total figure.
The rapid growth of Nha Trang’s tourism can be attributed to the unique value of Nha Trang Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, featuring 19 large and small islands that create a magnificent and picturesque landscape. The area also preserves many unique cultural heritage values closely related to the marine and island environment.
On March 31, the Prime Minister approved a project on adjustments to the master planning scheme for Nha Trang to 2040. The goal is to enhance its brand as a premier national and international beach resort city. This will be achieved by improving the quality of urban and tourism spaces, attracting top-tier international tourism investors, diversifying tourism products, sustainably exploiting existing tourism resources of coastal, island, and ecological spaces, and elevating the city’s international reputation.
Nguyen Tan Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Khanh Hoa provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said Nha Trang needs to prepare and implement appropriate mechanisms and policies that ensure scientific validity and maintain practical value and conservation.
The province has also built a brand with the biennial Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival, boasting a 20-year history with 10 events held since 2003. Recently, it initiated the Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival, along with numerous annual cultural and tourism events. They have so far helped the city draw large numbers of domestic and foreign tourists to explore the local culture and festivities.
Son Doong cave among top 7 most beautiful underground attractions
According to VNA, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong (China) has recently honoured Son Doong cave in Vietnam's central province of Quang Binh as one of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world.
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| A scene of Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh province (Photo: VNA) |
The SCMPs article looks back at the journey to discover the world's largest cave of a local farmer named Ho Khanh.
During a jungle expedition in 1991, Khanh stumbled upon the cave entrance. However, the sound of rushing water and strong gusts of wind deterred him from venturing further inside. On subsequent attempts, he was unable to remember the location of the "mysterious" cave.
In 2007, Khanh joined a royal expedition team of the UK in their search of new caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang, and he guided them to search for the cave but they could not find it. In 2008, Khanh finally found the cave entrance and contacted the UK expedition team. Upon measurement, explorers confirmed that the cave was 5km long.
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| Son Doong cave (Source: VNA) |
In addition to its underground river systems, thriving jungle ecosystem, 400-million-year-old fossils, and spectacular geological formations, Son Doong cave is home to several species of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth.
In 2018, a team of UK cave experts discovered that Son Doong cave is at least 30% larger and much deeper than previously reported.
In addition to Vietnam's Son Doong cave, the list of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world includes Tham Luang cave (Thailand), the Paris Catacombs (France), the Cold War Tunnel (Albania), the Reed Flute Cave (China), Malinta Tunnel (the Philippines), and the National Coal Mining Museum of the UK.
Vietnam and Australia co-host online course on sustainable tourism
According to VOV, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) in collaboration with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) are co-running an online course aimed at earning a micro-certificate on sustainable tourism.
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| Photo for illustration (Source: VOV) |
The course helps to improve learners’ understanding regarding the principles and application of sustainable tourism, as well as measures to promote co-operation among businesses and their capacity to adapt to climate change.
The course is designed specifically for the managers and employees of travel firms who wish to implement or enhance sustainable practices in their operations. It focuses on practical and strategic measures which tourism firms can take to effectively manage their own sustainable development.
Through the course, learners are expected to gain the necessary skills and knowledge needed to create positive and impactful changes in their organisations and the local tourism industry as a whole.
Students can self-study for between four and five hours with the online course being completed before June 8.