News of Vietnam Travel

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Photo: Needpix

Based on authentic reviews and opinions shared on Tripadvisor platform over the year 2023, Hoi An is among the 25 most loved destinations in the world along with Ho Chi Minh city at the eleventh, and Chiang Mai at the fifth.

“Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor”, according to the Tripadvisor awards policy, has emphasized on the very best quality and captivating experience that Hoi An Ancient Town has brought to its tourists and visitors.

Travel Off Path, a world-leading travel website from America, has also featured Hoi An in its most popular destinations in 2024 with the flattering praise for this well-preserved old town that reflects a perfect harmony of French-Chinese influences and Vietnamese culture.

Hoi An is located in Quang Nam, the Southern Central province of Vietnam, it only takes a 40-minute ride from Da Nang to this yellow beautiful town by car. 

With the international elements and the indigenous culture of Vietnamese people, Hoi An is special in its own way. In the 15th-19th centuries, Hoi An had attained foreign cultures mostly from European, Chinese, and Japanese merchants, which have been demonstrated delicately by the ancient temples, yellow walls, colorful lanterns, Japanese bridge, etc. Just by walking or cycling down the Old Town in the daytime, you can experience famous Vietnamese cuisine such as Cao Lau, My Quang, or Com Ga, surrounded by warm-hearted and friendly people. 

Hoi An used to be one of the most heavy trading ports in Southeast Asia, nowadays, travelers can enjoy floating themselves along the Hoai river, especially when the whole town is illuminated by thousands of lanterns and flower lights at nighttime.

In recent years, Hoi An has often been ranked by reputable travel sites as one of the most desirable attractions in the world, contributing to helping this ancient city attract millions of international visitors each year.

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Photo: Vietnamnet.vn

Located in Southeast Asia with a long coastline of 3.260 kilometers and thousands of islands and archipelagos all across the nation, sea and island tourism has contributed 70% of Vietnam’s overall tourism activities. At the beginning of January 2024, Vietnam reported welcoming tens of thousands of international visitors at major seaports in Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.

Some traits commonly seen in marine travelers are a significant number of people in each group and limited time spent at each stop. Therefore, there is a demand for efficient, accurate, and secure organizational procedures.

The first challenge in developing this sea-based tourism industry is ensuring Vietnam’s ocean liners fulfill the expectations of foreigners, especially of high-end cruise tourism. According to experts, this niche market requires tailor-made seaport facilities to host, a skilled workforce to cater to affluent travelers, and effective promotions and campaigns to boost cruise tourism. 

This first step became extremely important when Da Nang city anticipated that it would host 45 ships with more than 40.000 passengers for the year 2024.

Then, what attracts foreigners to stay longer and come back for a second time? Therefore, a comprehensive strategy and blueprint is a key drive for advancing Vietnam’s sea and island tourism.

The introduction of entertainment options has been implemented including boat racing, sailing, windsurfing, beach volleyball, hot-air ballooning, gliding, as well as plane/helicopter tours. Along with the development of tourism infrastructure and transportation networks, there has also been a focus on establishing a network of coastal accommodations, which has significantly contributed to the attraction of millions of visitors annually. 

Islands and oceans not only offer necessary resources for survival, but also hold significant cultural traditions such as traditional celebrations, beliefs and practices, cuisine, and stories. These elements contribute to a rich array of offerings for the long-term growth of island and ocean tourism.

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Photo: Shutterstock

According to Google’s market trend tracking tool, the search volume for inbound tourism in Vietnam was placed 6th worldwide, witnessing a surge growth rate of 75% in 2023. 

On the other hand, the top 10 outbound destinations that Vietnameses searched the most last year include the United States, Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) published that Vietnam had welcomed 12.6 million international visitors, which surpassed the target of eight million for the whole year 2023, but this figure only accounted for 70% of Vietnamese tourism revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With the exception of uncontrollable factors such as the influence of international markets, political conflicts, and the threat of environmental catastrophes caused by climate change, Vietnam’s tourism has not yet developed to its full potential by failing to streamline related industries and to improve tourism quality all across the country. 

Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) and authorities in charge must focus on organized tourism development planning, introducing more relaxed visa policy, renovating tourist sites, building infrastructure, enhancing human resources, and formulating an appropriate regulatory environment. In comparison, Thailand is the same Southeast Asian nation as Vietnam but its tourism industry is far more successful and sustainable. This “country of smiles” can be a perfect example for Vietnam to learn and grow on a global scale.

In 2024, Vietnamese tourism and related industries aim to serve 17-18 million foreign and 110 million domestic tourists, with the total earnings expected to reach around USD 34.5 billion.

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Photo: Collected

As a country located in the humid tropical monsoon region, Vietnam is blessed by nature with a rich climate, water source, soil, etc creating the perfect growing environment for flowers. Especially at the end of the year, provinces and cities across Vietnam are filled with dreamy flower seasons waiting for tourists to explore.

1. Sapa Cherry Blossom Season

All over the Internet, cherry blossom trees in Sapa Town are in their full bloom during December and January of Vietnam. Tourists are captured standing under the trees filled with dreamy pink color and taking pictures, which makes the beauty of Sapa more vivid and soulful in this time of the year.

Photo: Vietnam Booking

As a gift from Japan, cherry blossoms are held in high esteem thanks to their pleasant scent and gorgeous visual appeal. Especially, the cherry blossom trees in Sa Pa have flourished and bloomed magnificently for many consecutive years with perfect weather conditions and dedicated care from local people.

2. Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Season

Have you ever wondered why the cold weather of Northern Vietnam can nurture so many beautiful flowers? Ha Giang - another of Vietnam's northern points, has annually attracted visitors to this province by its iconic buckwheat flowers. 

Photo: Huynh Nhi, VnExpress

From the ground, tiny buckwheat bounties bloom brightly and come together to create a graceful pink carpet that adorns the whole area. At the end of September, the white flowers show up on their yearly schedule. As October transitions into November, the petals alter to a pink hue. And at maturity by the conclusion of December, they become a vibrant red.

Tourists can admire these flowers at Yen Minh, Quan Ba, Meo Vac district and the communes of Sung La, Pho Cao, Ma Le in Dong Van district. 

3. Moc Chau White Mustard Flower Season

Around November and December, the weather in Moc Chau is chilly with fog in the beginning of the day and sunshine at midday. The white mustard flowers that bloom along the streets make the atmosphere of Moc Chau quite enchanting during the season. This crop is widely grown in Ang village, Pa Phach village, Coc village in Dong Sang commune, Thai Hung village in Muong Sang commune, etc. 

To someone who has been to Moc Chau (Son La), the memories of white mustard flowers filled in baskets of ethnic minority children surely left a deep and remarkable impression on them. 

4. Nghe An Sunflower Season

Based in Nghe An, TH True Milk on their mission to bring high-quality nutrition products to Vietnamese households has grown the biggest sunflower field in Vietnam, and now it is also one of the most photogenic hotspots for travelers at the end of the year.

Photo: Sach Nguyen

As the weather changes, sunflowers come into full bloom across Nghe An, creating a stunning landscape of golden tones. The cheerful blooms dance in the wind, creating a captivating and delightful spectacle that enthralls visitors and locals.

5. Da Lat Pink Grass Season

The Da Lat Pink Grass Season is an enthralling natural occurrence that changes the scenery of Da Lat, a picturesque city in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. This captivating event usually takes place in the late autumn and early winter, turning the hills and valleys into a breathtaking sight of pink.

Photo: Nguyen Khac Tung

The Pink Grass, scientifically referred to as Imperata cylindrica, covers wide stretches, forming an extraordinary visual presentation. As the grass undergoes a remarkable transformation, its vivid green color develops into a gentle, enchanting pink, spreading a dreamlike atmosphere over the landscape.

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