Central Highlands welcomes 6 million visitors in national tourism year

Central Highlands welcomes 6 million visitors in national tourism year

The Central Highlands-Da Lat National Tourism Year 2014 has attracted 6 million visitors and generated revenues of over VND10 trillion to the tourism sector, a 12% increase over last year.

The information was unveiled at the closing ceremony held in Da Lat city in the central highlands province of Lam Dong on December 27.

With 74 events held across Da Lat city and five central highlands provinces, tourism potential, tourism products and unique culture of indigenous ethnic groups were introduced to both local and foreign tourists.

According to the organising board, the Central Highlands-Da Lat National Tourism Year 2014 attracted some 6 million visitors, including 400,000 foreigners, up by 7% against last year.

Da Lat city alone welcomed 4.8 million visitors, grossing VND8.5 trillion.

In his closing address, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh attributed the Tourism Year’s success to positive contributions of Central Highlands and other localities.

He emphasised the need to develop tourism in line with environmental protection, sustainable development and the conservation of cultural identities.

The organising board also handed over the flag to representatives from Thanh Hoa province for the National Tourism Year 2015.

Lying on a series of contiguous plateaus up to the height of 500-800m, the Central Highlands region consists of Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong and Lam Dong provinces. These localities are rich in biodiversity with primeval forests, valleys and fantastic scenery in mild climate all year-round.

The Central Highlands cultural space boasts hundreds of cultural, art and architecture identities, enabling the development of a range of ecological, resort, religious, cultural and adventure tours.
http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/93/central-highlands-welcomes-6-million-visitors-in-national-tourism-year 

My Son tower complex falling into disrepair

Fifteen years after it was recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the My Son Sanctuary continues to languish at the mercy of the elements, and a breakthrough solution to preserve its structures still eludes authorities.
The rainy season is the worst time for local authorities tasked with protecting the complex of Hinduism-influenced temple towers built between the fourth and 13th centuries.
The complex, which is located in the mountainous border district of Duy Xuyen in Quang Nam Province, central Viet Nam, consists of dozens of towers that are vestiges of a culture deeply influenced by Indian spiritual traditions, particularly Hinduism.
Of the 70 towers in the complex when the French archaeologists discovered it, 20 are severely dilapidated.
Nguyen Cong Khiet, deputy head of the My Son Relic Site's managing board, said that they are on high alert whenever it starts raining, preparing to deal with the "worst situations".
But, he said, the task is very difficult. For now, the board takes temporary measures like checking each tower's surroundings again; building supports for trees that are likely to fall down and cutting down those that are too weak.
"This year, we have cleared all debris from the Khe The stream so that water can flow freely and the complex will not be flooded, as has happened in previous years," he said.
The complex has received a lot of international support since 1982.
Various research teams from Poland, Japan, India and the US have visited the site and offered important constancy.
In September last year, cracks were seen in the B3 and B5 towers and there were signs that the structures were tilting and sinking. The management board has examined the structures and reported the problem to higher authorities. Though experts from the Ministry of Construction's Science and Technology Institute have visited the site, no feasible solution has found.
"For the B3 tower, the most important thing is to deal with its foundation and find out the main reason for inclination and sinking," said Ho Xuan Tinh, deputy director of Quang Nam's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
During his visit to India in October, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on preserving and renovating the My Son Sanctuary towers

http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/80/my-son-tower-complex-falling-into-disrepair 

Ha Noi, Da Nang rank eighth among top tourist attractions in the region this year.

A leading online tourism magazine, Smart Travel Asia, has named Da Nang and Ha Noi among the Top 10 attractive destinations in the region this year.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the second most populous city in the country with approximately 4 million people. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional and refined. Teeming with culture, history, great restaurants and nightlife, Hanoi offers a fantastic introduction to Vietnam. High-rise buildings are rare in this city which is striving to retain its character. Instead, grand colonial buildings, tranquil lakes and a maze of narrow streets provide the intriguing contrasts. Hanoi is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Following years of rampant inflation, poverty and repression, the government introduced economic reform or doi moi in 1986, allowing people to own their own businesses. Now Hanoi has been totally transformed and visitors are entranced by the city and its residents.
The wide boulevards and large colonial buildings reflect Hanoi’s period as a French Protectorate, whilst other areas are truly Vietnamese with a muddle of narrow streets which bustle from dawn to dusk.

This is the second consecutive year that Viet Nam's two cities have won spots on the list.

The criteria included the quality and responses to tourism products, trademarks and destinations. Da Nang, Ha Noi and Singapore all placed eighth on the list. Bali placed first.

About 70 per cent of the magazine's voters were based in Asia, 15 per cent in the UK and Europe, and 15 per cent in the US and North America
http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/79/ha-noi-da-nang-rank-eighth-among-top-tourist-attractions-in-the-region-this-year

Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island among world’s top winter destinations

Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam has been cited among the world’s top winter destinations for 2014 thanks partly to its deep sand beaches and warm waters.

The Vietnamese National Administration of Tourism said Wednesday on its website that the island – known as the Southeast Asian country’s tourism haven – ranked third in a list of 15 recommended destinations for the best winter trips this year released by U.S. magazine National Geographic Traveler’s website, which promotes beautiful landscapes around the world.

“Some of Vietnam’s best beaches are on heart-shaped Phu Quoc Island… Located in the Gulf of Thailand … Phu Quoc once housed the so-called ‘coconut tree prison’ where prisoners of war were held through 1973,” the site said about the island.

“What’s bringing international travelers and, so far, restrained development to Phu Quoc today are its warm, turquoise waters; secluded, deep sand beaches; and lush, mountainous interior (protected as a national park),” it explained when discussing why foreigners love the island.

Renowned globally as a paradise-like island, Phu Quoc covers 589.23 km² off the southern province of Kien Giang. Administratively speaking, the island is classified as a district administered by the Kien Giang administration.

Besides giving general information about Phu Quoc, National Geographic Traveler’s website also recommended that travelers visit it from December to March, which is the dry season with ideal average daytime temperatures between 77°F (25°C) and 82°F (28°C).

Other suggestions including accommodation and must-eat food were also cited on the site.

“Pull up a plastic chair and sit under the stars at the bustling Dinh Cau Night Market to try whatever local fishermen hauled in that day,” it said.

National Geographic Traveler ended its description with a fun fact about Phu Quoc that the island is Vietnam’s nuoc mam (fish sauce) capital.

Its signature (and powerfully pungent) sweet-sour Phu Quoc sauce is the essential Vietnamese condiment and, in 2013, became the country’s first product to receive European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.

The Phu Quoc fish sauce production line has been developed for 200 years, and this specialty of Vietnam has become more popular at home and abroad since it is exported to the U.S., EU, and a number of Asian countries.

On February 14 this year, Phu Quoc Island welcomed its first international flight, carrying 290 Russian passengers.

The island’s new airport, which was officially opened in 2012, is capable of handling 2.6 million visitors and expected to serve its development for the next 15 or 20 years, according to Dao Viet Dung, director of Phu Quoc airport.

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Vietnam a popular Argentina tourist destination

A dialogue, touting Vietnam and Southeast Asia as a top holiday destination, recently attracted a large gathering in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Those in attendance at the event included Vietnam Ambassador to Argentina Nguyen Dinh Thao along with Viviana Castro, director of Viditerra 1915 and Martin Lo Coco, director of the Argentina Chamber of Commerce.

Ambassador Thao spoke about many of the top tourist destinations and the thousands of interesting places to visit in Vietnam. He focused on the inherent natural beauty of the landscapes from its lush green rice fields in the north to the fascinating Mekong Delta in the south.

He also spoke about the country’s long history, cultural traditions and its famous UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Castro in turn echoed Ambassador Dinh’s sentiments and said that on her visit to Vietnam she was most impressed with the nation’s beautiful landscapes.

She said her organization plans to organise a tour to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand early next yearand work to increase the awareness of the people of Argentina about the Vietnamese people’s fascinating history and culture.The tour will provide, opportunities for travellersto discover Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and HCM City, she said. Vietnam has become an attractive tourist destination for Argentinean visitors in recent years. Each year, the country is expected to welcome 10,000 visitors from the Tango nation.

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Vietnam impresses Europe with tourism highlights

Vietnam’s best and newest tourism sites are currently being presented at the World Travel Market 2014 (WTM 2014), which kicked off in London, UK, on November 4.

During the three-day event, the National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam Airlines, travel agencies, and relevant local authorities are introducing some of their new services, including tours through Son Doong – the world’s biggest cave – and Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, as well as seaplane tours of Ha Long Bay.

These sights are predicted to become new magnets for European tourists in 2015, joining other popular hotspots including Hanoi, Sapa, Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK will also conduct a press briefing to promote Vietnam as a continually safe, friendly, and attractive destination.

Last year, WTM 2013 was attended by nearly 50,000 key tourism players from around the globe and had an estimated transaction value of 3.5 billion USD. It is hoped that participation in this year’s WTM will reap positive benefits for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

Europeans are quickly becoming a key tourism demographic to Vietnam. In 2013, the country welcomed more than 1 million European tourists, accounting for 14 percent of all international visitors, a 24 percent increase from 2012.

During the first nine months of this year, the number of European arrivals has already increased sharply from 2013; visitors from the UK have increased by 16 percent, Germany by 75 percent, Spain by 24 percent, and Italy by 15 percent.

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VN claims Southeast Asia top spot on Conde Nast Traveler list

Viet Nam has won the No 1 spot on a list of the Top Hotels in Southeast Asia in the Readers Choice Awards of one of the world’s most prestigious magazines, Conde Nast Traveler.

 

Hyatt Regency Danang - File photo

Announced in New York last week, the results of Conde Nast Traveler’s 27th annual survey placed five hotels and resorts in Viet Nam on the list of top hospitality properties.

The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi climbed five spots from last year’s No 5 position to stand supreme as the hotel in the Southeast Asia most favored by the magazine’s readers.

La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue also earned a spot on the list for the first time, placing No 19, besting the likes of such storied brands as the Four Seasons and the only other Viet Nam hotel on the list, the Park Hyatt Saigon (No 21).

The Nam Hai placed among the top 10 resorts in all of Asia for the second year in a row. The magazine praised the hotel for encouraging “a Zen-like serenity”.

The Hyatt Regency Danang also won a place among the top 10 resorts in Asia.

Nearly 77,000 participants voted for the properties nominated in this year’s Readers Choice Awards. About the same number of readers participated in last year’s survey, up from 46,000 readers in 2012.

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