2019 National Tourism Year ends with flying colours
The 2019 National Tourism Year themed “Colour of the Sea” has ended with flying colours, as seen in the record number of international visitors and various prizes won by the country’s tourism sector.
At the closing ceremony of the 2019 National Tourism Year (Photo: daidoanket.vn)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) –The 2019 National Tourism Year themed “Colour of the Sea” has ended with flying colours, as seen in the recordnumber of international visitors and various prizes won by the country’s tourismsector.
The 2019 National Tourism Yearofficially concluded with a grand ceremony on December 28 in the south centralprovince of Khanh Hoa, which was the host of the year.
Head of the Vietnam NationalAdministration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said at the event that the yearsaw 18 million foreign arrivals, up 16 percent from the previous year, and 85million domestic travellers, up 6.25. The tourism sector earned total revenuesof 720 trillion VND (31 billion USD).
At the 26th World Travel Awards (WTA),Vietnam was honoured as the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2019”. The country was chosen as Asia’s LeadingCulinary Destination at the WTA awards for Asia and Oceania last October andalso received the World’s Best Golf Destination 2019 award at the internationalWorld Golf Awards held in the UAE the same month.
As host of the 2019 National Tourism Year, KhanhHoa has held nearly 60 events throughout the year, including the ninth NhaTrang – Khanh Hoa Sea Festival, the 2019 Miss Universe Vietnam finals, and theChallenge Vietnam 2019. Besides, 35 related events were held in other citiesand provinces across the country.
Khanh Hoa’s efforts have paid off with a 27.5percent increase in the number of international arrivals to 3.6 million and a 24percent rise in tourism revenue to more than 27 trillion VND.
At the ceremony, Khanh Hoa handed over thehosting role of the National Tourism Year to the northern province of Ninh Binh,which will chair the 2020 National Tourism Year under the theme of “Hoa Lu –thousand-year-old ancient capital”./.
The National Food Festival 2019 kicked off in Nha Trang beach city in the south central province of Khanh Hoa on October 18, as part of the National Tourism Year.
The central province of Khanh Hoa will hold a ceremony on December 28 to wrap up National Tourism Year 2019 which was themed “Nha Trang – Colour of the Sea”.
The National Tourism Year 2020 will be launched in the northern province of Ninh Binh on February 20, 2020, heard a press conference in Hanoi on December 10.
The central province of Khanh Hoa greeted the 3.5 millionth foreign visitor and the 10 millionth tourist arriving in the locality at the Cam Ranh international airport in 2019 at a ceremony on December 18.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
At the closing ceremony of the 2019 National Tourism Year (Photo: daidoanket.vn) 
