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Vietnam aims to attract 17-18 million international tourists by 2024, as stated by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).  Sunrise at Ha Long Bay. Photo: Thuy Edna It is expected that the total tourism revenue in 2024 will reach VND 840 trillion (US$34.6 billion), which is 1.25 times the total revenue in 2023 and 1.2 times the figure in 2019. To achieve these targets, the VNAT will carry out key programs and initiatives, develop sustainable  tourism  action plans, implement the action program set by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and promote the development of new tourism products. In addition, the VNAT will conduct thematic tourism marketing campaigns, establish a national tourism database, and launch promotional activities at both domestic and international levels. Despite the significant recovery this year, the global travel industry still faces difficulties and challenges in the coming year due to unpredictable global co...

The approaching New Year holiday brings with it a flurry of tourist activities. Due to the current economic conditions, many people are opting for destinations near Hanoi that offer shorter travel times and are not too expensive for the three-day holiday. In addition to well-known attractions such as heritage sites, handicraft villages, resorts, tourist attractions, eco-tourism destinations, and entertainment areas, there are also options for capital residents and tourists to explore. Nguyen Ha Thanh from Bac Tu Liem District plans to take her children to places on the outskirts of Hanoi. A day trip allows them to have a fun-filled day, save money, and still enjoy their vacation without feeling exhausted. Foreign tourists visit Quang Phu Cau, an incense-making village in Ung Hoa District. Photo: Le Giang/The Hanoi Times “As usual, tourist sites can get too crowded during holidays, and since our income is not great, we have decided to cut down on travel expenses,” she sa...

Located approximately 40 km away from Hanoi’s city center, Duong Lam Ancient Village in Son Tay Town is often referred to as a precious gem or gold mine for tourism in Vietnam’s capital city. A hub of creative spaces A foreign traveler took a photo at artist Tan Phat’s lacquer studio in Duong Lam Ancient Village, Son Tay Town, Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the artist  According to Le Dai Thang, the deputy chairman of Son Tay Town People’s Committee, the town has witnessed tourism development in recent years, with the introduction of various new models and destinations such as Son Tay Ancient Citadel Pedestrian Zone, Khai Nguyen Pagoda, Mang Son Temple in Son Dong Commune, Son Tay Temple of Literature in Duong Lam Commune, Doai Creative, and Phat Studio in Duong Lam Ancient Village. The town also boasts luxury resorts like Tomodachi Retreat – Lang Mit or Glory Resort. However, Duong Lam has managed to retain its ancient characteristics. Many Duong Lam locals have chosen...

A ceremony was held on November 24 to officially inaugurate Hanoi night tourism offers , launch the “Welcome to Hanoi” photo contest, and announce the recognition of Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings and the Old Quarter as a city-level travel destination. Hanoi’s iconic Quan Truong Gate was lit up with a light show on November 24. Photos: Duy Minh/The Hanoi Times According to Dang Huong Giang, director of the Hanoi Tourism Department, this series of activities comes within the month of the “Creative City Event” to promote the night economy in the capital. “The night tourism offers would help improve tourists’ travel experience, make them stay longer, and thus contribute to the capital’s economic growth,” she said. Among the officially announced night tours, some are completely new, including the one at the Vietnam Women’s Museum entitled “ Legend of Youth- Live a Worthy Life ”; “ Thang Long – Hanoi Night Cycling Tour ”; and the “ The Quintessence of Education ” tour...

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has recently approved a decision to include 30 more practices, representations, and knowledge in the list of national intangible cultural heritage. The Black H’mong women in Sapa, Lao Cai Province are renowned for their skill in weaving cloth from hemp and dyeing it a deep indigo blue. Photo: Sapa Ecolodge This presents a great opportunity for localities to promote heritage conservation and transform them into tourist attractions that will attract more visitors. The newly recognized intangible heritage includes the craft of making Lai Vung spring rolls in Dong Thap Province, the Liem Thuan drum singing in Ha Nam Province, the Vovinam martial arts in Ho Chi Minh City, the Bong Dien Festival in Thai Binh Province, the art of making Black H’Mong ethnic group costumes in Lao Cai Province, the Co Lao ethnic group forest worship ceremony in Ha Giang Province, Kieu singing in Quang Binh Province, and many others. The tra...

Hoan Kiem District authorities, in coordination with Hanoi’s Department of Culture and Sports, are continuing their efforts to make the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake more attractive, according to Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Deputy Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, who spoke to Hanoimoi Newspaper. Could you share the achievements of the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings on weekends, seven years after its launch?  Local and foreign visitors enjoy many activities in the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times In 2016, the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, with the approval of the city government, opened  the weekend pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings  to build a community-oriented space, improve the living environment, and highlight the values of local tangible and intangible cultural heritage to preserve, honor, and introduce Hanoi’s history, culture, and peo...

Running from 3 to 5 November on the banks of Thuyen Quang Lake in the cultural-pedestrian zone of Tran Nhan Tong Street, the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2023 attracts the attention of many travelers at home and abroad. Opportunity to promote images of Hanoi Having heard about the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival just a few days ago, Phuong Nhi from Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District was among the first to come to the festival. After spending hours looking at the myriad of traditional handicrafts, Nhi bought some handmade ceramics from Bat Trang Village and a bamboo flower vase inlaid with mother-of-pearl from Chuon Ngo Village. “I want to find some souvenirs associated with Hanoi for myself, my family and friends living abroad. Besides, the festival site is lively with all the stalls neatly decorated and displaying some typical products of Hanoi,” she said. Meanwhile, Gomez Liz from Spain showed interest in looking at the photos of Hanoi’s trading villages, which are the award-winning artwor...

Visitors to Hanoi on Capital Liberation Day, which occurs on October 10, can enjoy a variety of activities provided by the local tourism industry. The Temple of Literature is currently hosting a photo exhibition titled “Hanoi – 15 Years of Expanded Administrative Boundaries” in the Thai Hoc courtyard, which is worth spending a significant amount of time exploring. Sofia Loren, a British tourist who attended the exhibition’s opening ceremony on October 5, expressed her delight, saying, “I am thrilled to see these beautiful photos of Hanoi. They help me better understand the capital’s development over time.” This exhibition, which runs until October 11, aims to offer tourists visiting Hanoi a comprehensive view of the city. In the meantime, the management board of Hoa Lo Prison Relic is presenting an exhibition called “The Roar of the Red” until December 31. The exhibition features two themes: “Long Resistance War” and “History Day,” and has already attracted significant attention fr...

Ha Long Bay, located in northern Vietnam’s Quang Ninh Province, has been designated as one of the top destinations for 2024 by luxury travel experts at OvationNetwork, a US-based travel agency specializing in high-end and experiential travel. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay showcases a unique ecosystem and geological formations that offer a blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, fresh food, tranquility, and accessibility. According to Zane Schafer, the Vice President and General Manager of OvationNetwork, the demand for travel remains high as people seek deeper and more experiential connections with off-the-beaten-path destinations. Next year, Ha Long Bay is poised to provide such an experience. Cruise on Ha Long Bay. Photo: Travel and Leisure “Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, foodie, or adventure seeker, Ha Long Bay has something for everyone. The unique rock formations of limestone karsts and islets add to the magic of this unduplicat...

The exhibition showcases over 80 captivating photographs capturing the authentic perspective of photographers and journalists on the significant milestone of Hanoi’s administrative boundary extension, marking 15 years since the event. This exhibition is a celebration of the 69th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day, which took place from October 10, 1954, to October 10, 2023. Introducing our latest accomplishment: a remarkable milestone in our journey.  The opening ceremony of “Hanoi in My Heart” took place on 5 October at Temple of Literature, Hanoi According to Nguyen Thanh Loi, the Editor-in-Chief of the Economic & Urban Newspaper, the 15-year period of administrative boundary expansion is a short, yet immensely significant time in the developmental history of the thousand-year-old capital city. “These photographs, captured by seasoned photographers, hold immense value as they depict an evolving Hanoi heading towards progress. Present-day Hanoi is ...

Vietnam is proud to be one of the trailblazers in Southeast Asia for legalizing same-sex marriage and recognizing transgender rights in 2015. This progressive stance by the government has not only showcased its openness but has also made Vietnam an attractive market for the vibrant and diverse LGBT community. Vietnam has always been friendly to the LGBTIQ+ community. Everyone should be free to be themselves, no matter who they are, where they live, and who they love. Photo: Adrian Anh Tuấn As part of our commitment to making travel accessible for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and in celebration of Pride 2023, Booking.com is highlighting four LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in Vietnam. From bustling capital cities to breathtaking beach retreats, these havens welcome and encourage LGBTQ+ travelers to express themselves freely and authentically. Cam Ranh Nestled in a picturesque bay, Cam Ranh is poised to become southern Vietnam’s pre...

“We have reached our destination!” my Thai companion, Jiratha Jamsuwan, exclaimed excitedly as we entered the reception lobby of Lady Hill Resort. This newly-opened 5-star resort is conveniently situated across from the iconic Fansipan Mountain in Sapa Town, Lao Cai Province. Our arduous journey on the sleeper bus brought us to this destination, with the sole intention of experiencing the mesmerizing beauty of the clouds and conquering Fansipan Peak, the highest point in Indochina.  The Fansipan mountain is known as the “gateway to the sky” in Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Minh Tu Symbolic Mountain of Indochina Climbing Mount Fansipan is widely regarded as the ultimate adventure for those captivated by the charm of Southeast Asia and the stunning splendor of northwest Vietnam. Although Vietnam does not boast a mountain as its national symbol, akin to Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji or Switzerland’s renowned Matterhorn, our nation takes immense pride in Mount Fansipan – the h...

Every year in northwest Vietnam, the locals plant their rice, and in Autumn, when the weather is perfect with clear blue skies and sunshine illuminating the mountains, it is the ideal time to admire the stunning golden terraced rice fields. Many travelers choose to paraglide to see My Cang Chai from a bird’s eye view. Photo: Phuong Di Dau Many people also enjoy observing the local inhabitants working in the fields, as they harvest, pack, and bring home the rice. Once people experience the breathtaking beauty of these views, it becomes difficult for them to leave. And each year, when autumn arrives, they may find themselves wanting to return to the mountains. Terraced rice fields are a traditional method of cultivating crops on sloping mountainsides, and they have been adopted by various ethnic minorities in the northwest region for centuries. These terraced fields also serve as beautiful man-made landscapes. As the harvest season approaches, The Hanoi Times highligh...