Thanh Hoa (VNA)꧅ - The National Tourism Year 2015 has provided the opportunity to improve the image of tourism in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa.
The province was selected to host the national event, which is expected to help it welcome 5.5 million domestic and foreign travellers this year.
Over the past five years, the locality has been making great efforts to improve its infrastructure and accommodation services with the aim of contributing to a successful National Tourism Year.
The province has focused on developing local accommodation with 672 facilities offering over 20,000 rooms, including 121 hotels. The beach town of Sam Son is currently home to over 400 accommodation facilities with 12,000 rooms, including 600 five-star apartments.
Eleven new tours linked with a variety of local tourist attractions have been launched, including tours on the Ma river, Ma Hao waterfalls and Nang Cat community village.
The province has cooperated with neighbouring Ninh Binh province and other central provinces to create new tours and tourism products.
The province has also put into operation a number of social and cultural facilities since the beginning of this year, such as Lam Son theatre, a modern library, an exhibition centre and a temple to commemorate heroic mothers and martyrs .
Thanks to these efforts, Thanh Hoa received about 5.11 million visitors in the first 11 months of this year, up 15.7 percent compared to the same period last year and reaching 92.9 percent of the annual target.
Of the figure, 119,000 were foreigners, a year-on-year increase of 31.2 percent.
Total revenue from tourism reached nearly 4.9 trillion VND (220 million USD), up 34.9 percent.
The closing week for the National Tourism Year 2015 will be held from December 15-26 with highlights including a festival of Vietnam's intangible cultural heritage and a contest featuring the beauty of Thanh Hoa’s landscapes and people, according to Vuong Thi Hai Yen, deputy head of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.-VNA
Thanh Hoa, renowned for its Dong Son culture, has province has been selected to host the 2015 National Tourism Year with the theme ‘Connecting World Heritage’, Nhan Dan newspaper reported.
Golden opportunities will open up for the Mekong Delta region to promote its marine and island tourism as the 2016 National Tourism Year is scheduled to take place in the locality next year.
The FLC Group held a ceremony to inaugurate the FLC Samson Beach and Golf Resort in the coastal town of Sam Son of the northern central province of Thanh Hoa on July 12.
In the first half of this year, the northern central province of Thanh Hoa earned more than 3.36 trillion VND (157 million USD), up 22.7 percent from the same period last year.
Tourism officials alongside heritage experts and travel agencies have gathered in a workshop in central Thanh Hoa province to propose ways to connect heritage sites in Thanh Hoa and nationwide.
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.
Ho citadel in Thanh Hoa province (Source: VNA)
