Vietexplorer2024

Hanoi is at the forefront of developing its night-time economy, launching new services to attract more visitors to the capital. The city is tapping into its unique cultural offerings and historical landmarks to create a vibrant and captivating night-time experience. Dao Ngoc – Ngu Xa in the Ba Dinh District, recently designated as a city-level tourist destination, is one such example. This area offers exciting and distinctive experiences for both domestic and foreign visitors. One of its key features is the incorporation of Hanoi’s subsidy period into the design of the space, including a movie-theater-like event area with department stores and trams as backdrops. It evokes a sense of the country’s special historical periods. The “Truc Bach Night” is a highlight, with specially designed theme shops and Tram Line No. 6 – the “Hanoi Street Museum.” Each of the four trams showcases a typical culinary theme of Hanoi and Vietnam, such as rice paddy, vermicelli noodles, and kitchen cupboar...

“Hanoi’s Ancient Quarter Comes Alive: An Immersive Cultural Experience” Immerse yourself in Hanoi’s rich cultural heritage with the “Stories of Hang Streets” live performance tour. This 30-minute immersive experience, held at the Ma May Ancient House in the heart of the Old Quarter, transports visitors back in time to discover the city’s fascinating past. Bringing History to Life A scene from ‘Story of Hanoi Streets’ – depicting a happy family in the Old Quarter. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, we invite you to watch the captivating ‘Story of Hang Streets’!” “My family has dedicated themselves to the art of traditional medicine for four generations. My father, a respected elder in his late 70s, is renowned across the city for his expertise in pulse reading and herbal remedies.” “Allow me to introduce my eldest son, the family’s first grandson. Unfortunately, he doesn’t share our passion for the traditional trade…” Step into the enchanting Ma May Ancient House on...

On the evening of September 26, the Vietnam Tourism Association, in collaboration with Golden Palm JSC. Co and Van Show, presented a captivating folk art performance, *Hon Viet* (Vietnamese Soul), at the Sol 8 Live Stage in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh district. This event not only celebrated World Tourism Day, which falls on September 27, but also aimed to meet the cultural needs of international visitors to the city. **World Tourism Year 2024: Emphasizing “Tourism and Peace”** The Vietnamese Soul art performance captivated both local and international audiences with its beautiful display of traditional culture. Photo: Jenna Duong Cao Thi Ngoc Lan, Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, shared that the art program’s theme, “Tourism and Peace,” promotes peace and understanding between nations and cultures. This aligns with the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) mission of supporting reconciliation efforts worldwide. Lan emphasized the significance of t...

“We chose to travel by car as airfare was costly, and the journey turned out to be enjoyable for all of us. Driving through Vietnam, I was struck by its beauty,” shared Vu Ngoc Hieu, a 36-year-old lecturer from Hanoi’s Cau Giay district, in an interview with The Hanoi Times .   Hieu, who has owned his car for over a decade, took his family on their first road trip this summer. Their week-long adventure began in Hanoi and concluded in Hoi An, in the province of Quang Nam. En route, they spent two nights each in Quang Binh and Danang, and on their return journey, they stopped for two nights in Hue and Nghe An.      Hieu’s family takes a break by a river on their way to Danang City. Photo: Vu Ngoc Hieu   As the summer holidays of 2024 commenced, a rising number of Hanoians opted for self-driving vacations to explore the local cuisine and landscapes across Vietnam. According to a survey by VnTravellive, a prominent travel and transportation for...

The number of MICE tourists has seen an increase during the first quarter of this year, according to local insiders.  Duong Lam ancient village in Hanoi’s Son Tay Town is a favorite destination for foreign visitors to Vietnam. Photo: Bao Chung Between January and March, Ben Thanh Tourist is estimated to have conducted MICE tours for over 8,000 domestic tourists within the two major cities of Hanoi and Cantho, as well as other provinces such as Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, Bac Lieu, and Ben Tre. Ben Thanh’s inbound MICE services have also experienced growth. Tran Phuong Linh, the Director of Marketing and Information Technology at Ben Thanh Tourist, shared that the company organized MICE tours for foreign guests from Thailand, South Korea, Japan, China, and other countries. The group sizes ranged from 200 to 400 guests. “During the first quarter of this year, we recorded a growth of about 15% in MICE arrivals compared to the same period last year,” Li...

The Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam (KTO) Vietnam has awarded the Korea Travel Awards to travel agents that have best promoted South Korean tourism in Hanoi. The Korea Incentive Travel Awards 2023 includes three categories: Incentive Diamond Partner, Incentive Gold Partner, and Incentive Silver Partner – based on the statistical performance of agents and individuals in sending tourists to the East Asian country in 2023. KTO Vietnam Director Lee Jae Hoon speaks at the award ceremony. Photo: KTO Accordingly, Vietravel Hanoi was honored with the Most Strategic Partner award. Flamingo Redtours and Vietrantour won the Most Impressive Partner awards for many new and special diverse products such as high-end tours, Korean cultural wave (Hallyu) experience, exploration of Korean sites, and impressive achievements in customer acquisition. Top Travel and Hanoi Tourism were recognized as the Most Creative Partner for their great contributions in building and developing uniq...

With its geographical conditions, geological resources, minerals, and medicinal plants, Vietnam has the potential to become one of the emerging leaders in the field of medical tourism. Experts, researchers, and travel companies have highlighted the importance of tapping into these resources. Nguyen Van Luu, a former senior specialist of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, emphasizes the need to mobilize resources with a long-term utilization strategy. Human resources, financial resources, infrastructure, policies, and others are all important factors for the development of medical tourism. However, these resources are finite and some are already declining and scarce. Without a sustainable utilization strategy, these resources will be exhausted in a short period of time. Therefore, it is crucial to “awaken” forgotten potential and harness the comprehensive power of resources to optimize and effectively utilize the medical tourism industry. Local authorities must also consider...

The Hanoi Opera House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and Hanoi Museum are highlighted in a video created by the ASEAN-Korea Center. Please click here to watch the video. Experience the enchanting beauty of Vietnam with our Cultural and Architectural Tour. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Hanoi, a capital city boasting over a thousand years of heritage. Explore the magnificent architecture, indulge in delicious cuisine, and witness the unique lifestyle of this captivating city. Discover the wonders of Ninh Binh, often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land”. Marvel at the stunning landscapes and impressive rock formations that rival the renowned Ha Long Bay itself. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of this northern province and experience its distinct charm. Embark on a journey that will take you through the heart of Vietnamese culture and architecture. Let us show you the sights, sounds, and tastes that make Vietnam a truly unforgettable destination. Boo...

The Hanoi Department of Tourism has reported that the number of international visitors to Hanoi in the first nine months of 2023 has exceeded the annual target. Among the arrivals, there have been an estimated 3.2 million international tourists, representing a fourfold increase compared to the same period in 2022. Additionally, the number of domestic tourists reached around 15.7 million, showing a 20.2% year-on-year increase. International visitors at Hoan Kiem Lake – the heart of the capital city. Photos: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times The total tourism revenue during this period reached about VND69.3 trillion (US$2.85 billion), indicating a 66.9% year-on-year increase. The average occupancy rate of accommodation across all categories was 61%, a 27% year-on-year increase. Throughout January-September, Hanoi has consistently received high ratings from international tourism organizations and has been ranked among the most attractive destinations in the world. On September 6,...

The travel companies in Hanoi suggest strengthening the development of service products and tours that leverage the capital’s unique characteristics to attract travelers in the future. A recent seminar organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism gathered nearly 80 representatives from travel agencies, accommodations, and destinations to discuss key solutions for tourism recovery and development.  Hanoi will target high-spending international customers. Photo: Duy Khanh – Pham Hung Nguyen Manh Than, Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, emphasized the importance of developing medical and cultural tourism and targeting high-spending international customers with the implementation of the new visa policy. Ngo Thi Lan Phuong, director of Kim Lien Travel Company, supported this idea and highlighted the need for clearly defined target products for each group. In addition, Phung Quang Thang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, called for innovative commu...

Vietnam and Singapore have entered into a partnership to enhance bilateral tourism efforts, exemplified by the recent cooperation agreement signed between national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for the period 2023-2025. Vietnam and Singapore are currently going through a robust rebound in inbound tourism and have emerged as highly sought-after destinations for both leisure and business travel. This partnership marks the beginning of a successful collaboration between VNA and STB. Together, we will embark on impactful marketing campaigns aimed at promoting Singapore’s exceptional travel experiences. Our ultimate goal is to position Vietnam Airlines as the preferred airline for Vietnamese travelers.  Leaders of Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) signed a MoU on August 15. Photo: Vietnam Airlines  Vietnam is currently among Singapore’s top 10 source markets for tourism. In the first seven ...

Visitors to the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, which is home to the Thang Long – Hanoi Imperial Citadel, can now purchase tickets through its website starting from June 15. A picture of the entrance gate of the Thang Long – Hanoi Imperial Citadel can be seen below: [Picture] To buy tickets online, visitors can use the following link: [link to the ticket booking system]. Once the transaction is complete, customers will receive their ticket via email. At the ticket gate, visitors can simply scan the QR code on their ticket and begin their journey back in time. From June 15 to August 31, there will be special discounts and promotions available for online ticket buyers. These include a 10% discount on Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel Night Tour tickets, a 10% discount on Vietnamese traditional garment rentals at Viet Phuc Hoang Thanh Shop, free photos at Hoang Thanh Thang Long Virtual Studio, and up to a 20% discount on drinks at Hoang Thanh Thang Long Bookcafe. ...

In the first eleven months of 2022, about 17 million visitors have chosen Hanoi as their destination, up five times from the same period last year, according to the municipal Tourism Department. The figure includes 1.27 million international tourists and 15.75 million domestic arrivals. Tourism revenue is estimated at VND48.35 trillion (US$1.9 billion), increasing five times on year. In November alone, Hanoi hosted 1.61 million visitors, including 1.35 million from other localities nationwide and 255,000 foreigners, and earned VND4.39 trillion ($176 million) from tourism, five times higher than the same period last year. Foreign tourists visit the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Photo: Quang Thai/The Hanoi Times Notably, the total number of international visitors to Hanoi in 11 months has reached 1.27 million, fulfilling the target set for the whole year of 2022.  The average occupancy rate in hotels in November is estimated at 36.1%, an increase of 14.7% over t...

Hanoi has become the most exciting destination for Australian travel agents during a seven-day fam trip that ended on November 13 under the support of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.  The Australian delegation visits Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Photos: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times Among three destinations, including the northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh, the 12-travel agent delegation selected Hanoi for their most prolonged stay with a visit to different places, namely Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Old Quater, Temple of Literature, Bat Trang pottery village, Ha Thai lacquerware craft village, among other.  This is the first international fam trip hosted by the Hanoi Department of Tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic to promote inbound tourism. The Australian travel companies said they had interesting experiences when taking a fam trip to the localities with a memorable impression of Hanoi. During the journey to the capital city, th...