 |
| Tourists at Ba Na Hill, Da Nang (Photo: VNA) |
Of them, the total number of international visitors is estimated to reach more than 2 million, a four-fold increase year-on-year and equivalent to 62% of the figure in 2019.
Meanwhile, domestic holidaymakers to the city amounts to 5.4 million, an increase of 69% compared to 2022 and equivalent to 119% of the number in 2019.
Total revenue from accommodation, catering and travel services is estimated at 28 trillion VND (1.2 billion USD), a surge of 67% compared to 2022 and equivalent to 133% of the figure in 2019.
 |
| State budget revenue of Quang Ngai exceeds 22.2%. (Photo: baoquangngai.vn) |
Da Nang has identified five key product groups to optimise the city's potential and advantages, including high-end cruise tourism; cultural and historical tourism; MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism; urban tourism; and ecotourism.
Jeju Air launches new air route connecting Seoul with Da Lat
Jeju Air, the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s biggest low-cost carrier, will host an opening ceremony on December 21 to mark the launch of a new air route connecting Seoul to Da Lat city in the central highland province of Lam Dong and vice versa, reported VOV.
 |
| Lien Khuong Airport in Da Lat city |
Information about the event was released on December 14 by Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, vice chairman of Lam Dong provincial People's Committee.
Phuc added that the airline’s first flight from Seoul to Da Lat is expected to land at Lien Khuong airport at 1:30 a.m. on December 21.
At present, local authorities have co-ordinated efforts alongside relevant units in order to prepare the best conditions possible to welcome the first group of tourists on the flight.
According to information provided by Lien Khuong airport, the airport recently welcomed between 30 and 35 flights from the RoK every week.
Specifically, low-cost carrier VietJet Air launched air routes from the RoK’s Incheon and Busan to Lien Khuong, while Pacific Airlines also opened routes from Muan to Lien Khuong and vice versa in the form of charter flights. Each flight carries between 150 and 160 Korean tourists to Da Lat.
Currently, Korean tourists account for more than 50% of international visitors to Lam Dong.
Tours to Va and Nuoc Nut caves still open to tourists
According to VOV, the Quang Binh provincial People’s Committee has permitted the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Chua Me Dat Joint Stock Company to continue operating tours to Va and Nuoc Nut caves.
 |
| A visitor to Nuoc Nut cave (Source: baovanhoa.vn) |
The Va and Nuoc Nut caves, both of which located at the World Natural Heritage site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, will be operated from December 15 until the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project for the 2021 to 2030 period is approved.
Along with the one-day tour on offer, there will be two-day trips launched from January to August, with a limit placed on the number of visitors.
According to details given by the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, the travel route to Hang Va – Nuoc Nut has a pleasant level of difficulty, although it does offer an impressive immersion.
Howard Limbert, a cave expert from the British Royal Cave Research Association, shared that compared to other cave systems in Phong Nha – Ke Bang and other places worldwide, Va and Nuoc Nut caves boast some unique and strange features.
Tourists get the chance to witness beautiful stalactites and stalagmites at the site.
Especially at Va Cave, the stalactites have formed around hard objects such as pieces of wood and sand at the bottom of the lake. The calcium from the water covers these hard substances, meaning that over time the stalactites become larger.
The Va and Nuoc Nut caves have the same water source as the Son Doong Cave, which has been recognised as the largest cave in the world.
Hang Va and Nuoc Nut Caves were introduced in the "Otherworldly landscapes: 7 of Vietnam’s best cave experiences" by CNN Travel.
Moreover, Hang Va was also featured as the coolest new adventure in Asia by Forbes.
Dazzling artistic light displays at Hue imperial city's Ngo Mon
People in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue were treated to a feast of light spectacle staged by French and Vietnamese artists at Ngo Mon (Moon Gate) in the imperial city of Hue on December 12, reported VNA.
 |
| "Hue by light - The live show" offers feast of light spectacle. (Photo: VNA) |
The performance named “Hue by light – The live show” was organised by the French Embassy in Vietnam in collaboration with the Institute of France in Vietnam and the provincial People’s Committee.
Utilising the cutting-edge 3D mapping lighting technology with a light intensity of 300,000 lumens to cast mesmerising 3D visual effects on Ngo Mon, the 50-minute show spotlighted landscapes in four seasons, in the accompaniment by music by Vietnamese and French artists.
Throughout the light displays, the audience got a deeper insight into the blend of Vietnamese and French culture – unique Art Nouveau combined with traditional lacquer art of Vietnam, minimalism and Art Deco.
According to General Consul of France in Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon Grosser, the show wrapped up activities held under the motto of “shared culture” to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France.
The event was also a highlight of the Hue winter festival 2023.
France has enhanced cultural cooperation with Hue over the past 20 years since the first Hue Festival was organised in 2000.
Hue, the imperial capital of Vietnam for over 100 years, is a unique destination in the central region with its five UNESCO heritage offerings: the ancient citadel relic complex, Hue royal court music, Nguyen Dynasty’s wooden blocks, Nguyen Dynasty’s royal administrative documents, and literature on Hue royal architecture.