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| Vietnam works to turn itself into leading destination for international tourists (Photo: VNA) |
The country's tourism sector is actively promoting and marketing to untapped international markets, aiming to attract 18 million international visitors in 2024.
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), the number of international tourists reached 1.15 million in July. In the first seven months of the year, the figure hit 9.98 million, marking a 51% increase from the same period in 2023 and a 1.9% rise compared to the same time in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the largest source of tourists to Vietnam, with nearly 2.6 million visitors.
Following the Vietnam-Korea Tourism Promotion and Cultural Cooperation Forum held in early July, which was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, various organisations and localities across Vietnam have undertaken numerous practical activities to boost tourism promotion and communications between the two countries.
The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) participated in the 8th Korea International Travel Fair (KITS) in late July. VITA’s impressive promotional activities and its Vietnam pavilion provided international visitors and Korean people with vivid images of Vietnam as a diverse and attractive destination.
VITA Chairman Vu The Binh highlighted that the RoK has been the largest source of tourists to Vietnam over the past two years, and Vietnam is also a crucial market for Korean tourism. In 2023, Vietnam was the 5th largest source of tourists to the RoK in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the Northeast Asian country aims to attract 550,000 Vietnamese tourists.
At the fair, besides showcasing well-known destinations familiar to Korean travellers, Vietnamese tourism businesses introduced new products and destinations specifically tailored for the RoK market, including Ninh Binh, Binh Dinh, Da Lat – Lam Dong, and Phu Quoc.
Along the RoK, the US market represents a significant opportunity for Vietnam's tourism industry. In the first seven months of 2024, Vietnam welcomed 478,000 American tourists.
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| Foreing tourists to Ho Chi Minh city (Source: VNA) |
At a recent tourism promotion conference, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong emphasised the importance of focusing on key markets such as the US. Vietnam and the US have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which, he said, will help also enhance bilateral cooperation in cultural, sport, and tourism sectors.
American tourists are known for their long stays and interest in exploring natural beauty and cultural experiences in Vietnam, Phong said, suggesting localities and businesses leverage these characteristics effectively.
Phong revealed a key initiative for this year’s promotional activities, which is a tourism and film promotion programme scheduled for the third quarter in Los Angeles, named "Vietnam Expo in Hollywood”. This event will feature an exhibition on Vietnamese cinema and tourism, along with presentations on the potential of Vietnam's film industry and its policies towards international filmmaking activities. This initiative aims to connect with international filmmakers and promote Vietnam as a filming destination.
To capitalise on growing international markets, VNAT Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu, stated that the industry will conduct a series of promotional activities until the end of the year, including establishing Vietnam tourism promotion offices in Laos and abroad and implementing the 2021-2030 tourism system planning scheme with a vision to 2045.
Besides, VNAT will co-host and participate in numerous tourism promotion programmes in 2024 such as a high-level forum within the framework of the 18th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2024 (ITE HCMC), ASEAN- China Expo Tourism Exhibition, and World Travel Market 2024 in the UK, as well as programmes to introduce Vietnamese tourism in ASEAN and Australia markets, among others.
The tourism sector will focus on campaign-based approaches, diversify market access methods, and optimise integrated marketing and communication strategies, combining both online and offline forms while mobilising resources and coordinating promotional activities effectively in an attempt to turn Vietnam into a leading destination for international tourists.
200-year-old palace in Hue to host visitors in late November
Thai Hoa Palace (the Palace of Supreme Harmony), part of the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO-recognised world cultural heritage in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, will be opened to tourists on November 23, months earlier than scheduled, VNA reported the statement by Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung.
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| The restoration of Thai Hoa Palace starts in 2021 (Photo: VNA) |
With a history of more than 200 years, Thai Hoa Palace is the most important palace in the Hue Imperial Citadel. This is also the coronation place of the 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, from Gia Long to Bao Dai.
The construction of Thai Hoa Palace was started by King Gia Long in February 1805 and completed in October of the same year. This palace was the venue to organise important ceremonies such as the coronation ceremony (ascension to the throne), the Van Tho ceremony (the king's birthday), the Tu tuan or Ngu tuan dai khanh tiet ceremony (to celebrate the Emperor’s longevity), and the Hung quoc khanh niem ceremony (the National Day). It was also a place to welcome envoys of other countries and carry out diplomatic etiquette.
It was recognised by UNESCO as a world documentary heritage in 2021. The same year, the Government allocated a budget of nearly 129 billion VND (5.12 million USD) to urgently restore this building.
According to Trung, the palace opening is expected to create a highlight for the Complex of Hue Monuments, contributing to luring more visitors to the site. Currently, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre is selling about 10,000 tickets a day to visitors to relic sites in the complex.
He revealed that later this year, the centre will launch a project to restore and upgrade Can Chanh Palace located behind Thai Hoa Palace in the Hue Imperial City.
Nha Trang listed among top five Asian destinations for diving
VOV reported thelatest data released by digital travel platform Agoda that the top five Asian destinations for diving, with Nha Trang City in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa featured among the list.
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| Nha Trang listed among top five Asian destinations for diving (Source: VOV) |
Nha Trang is gaining popularity as a diving destination thanks to its warm waters coupled with a colourful marine ecosystem which makes it an inviting spot to enjoy underwater exploration activities, Agoda reported.
The Hon Mun Marine Protected Area represents a top dive site which is known for its clear waters and diverse marine life. Here, divers can explore coral reefs which are teeming with colourful fish and other marine creatures, it wrote.
Bali in Indonesia came out as the top dive destination, with the island being known for its beaches and rich culture, as well as an abundance of marine life.
Thailand’s Phuket came in second, with the area boasting a treasure trove of dive sites which are waiting to be explored. The subtropical climate and clear waters of Okinawa in Japan ranked third on the list as they offer some of Japan’s best diving experiences. The region’s unique underwater landscapes coupled with rich biodiversity make it a top choice for divers.
Cebu in the Philippines was placed fourth and is a diver’s haven teeming with marine life. The island offers a range of diving sites which are suitable for all levels of divers.
Asia offers some of the most spectacular diving experiences found anywhere in the world. From shipwrecks to vibrant coral reefs, each destination provides unique underwater adventures for divers of all levels, according to Agoda.
The ranking was based on accommodation bookings made on Agoda between January and June this year.
Da Nang enjoys 33% surge in seven-month tourist arrivals
The central tourism hub of Da Nang enjoyed a growth of 33% in terms of the number of visitors during the opening seven months of this year, VOV reported the statistic by the city's Statistics Office.
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| Da Nang enjoys 33% surge in seven-month tourist arrivals (Source: VOV) |
Most notably, the number of visitors served by local accommodation facilities were estimated to have reached 6.6 million, thereby reflecting a 33% increase compared to the same period from last year. Of the total, international tourists numbered 2.5 million.
July alone witnessed Da Nang welcome more than 470,000 foreign arrivals. Korean tourists continued to be the biggest source of visitors to the central city throughout the reviewed period.
Between January and July Da Nang recorded a revenue of over VND15 trillion from restaurant and accommodation services.
The central coastal city has set a goal of welcoming 8.4 million arrivals this year. It recently received 6.6 million arrivals in the seven-month period, meeting 80% of the yearly target.
This comes after local authorities launched the “Enjoy Da Nang Again” campaign starting on July 15 and lasting until the end of the year. It offers many souvenirs and incentive packages to Korean tourists returning to Da Nang for the second time since 2020. It is expected to provide visitors with interesting experiences which are unique to the central city./.