Ninh Binh (VNA) - Ninh Binh, a northern Vietnamese province famed for its limestone karsts, dense jungles, and ancient relics, is carving out a niche as a sports tourism hub, capitalising on a wave of marathon events to market its scen♛ic and cultural assets globally.
Since January 2025, Ninh Binh has hosted six marathons, pulling in thousands of runners from Vietnam and abroad. A standout was Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths 2025, held in April and co-hosted by New Race JSC, Cuc Phuong National Park Management Board, and the provincial Department of Culture and Sports.
The race, set in Vietnam’s oldest national park and stretching across Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Hoa Binh provinces, won praise for its picturesque trails and professional setup. Billed as a major international community race, it drew over 2,500 amateur and professional runners, including 42 foreigners from 17 countries and territories. The course offered a rare chance to run through pristine wilderness, blending athletic challenge with an immersive connection to nature.
Runners prepare to start at Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths 2025 (Photo: VNA)
The next big event, Ninh Binh Heritage Half Marathon, is slated for August in the Hoa Lu complex, a former ancient capital.
With over 3,500 runners already signed up, it promises to become a great sport festival, said Le Minh Tho, Director of Trang An Ninh Binh Co. and a member of the organising committee. “This isn’t just a race, it’s a platform for health, cultural exchange, and environmental awareness,” Tho said, framing the event as a driver of community engagement and sustainable lifestyle.
Vu Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, noted that Ninh Binh has strategically embraced marathon events to showcase its tourism potential.
“These races are reshaping Ninh Binh’s brand,” he said. “They’ve evolved beyond sports into major cultural and tourism events”. Plans are also in motion to scale up these events, cementing Ninh Binh as the go-to spot for runners chasing natural beauty, rich history, and a serious workout./.
According to Xuan Truong’s proposal, the airport would be developed in Y Yen commune and funded by Ninh Binh’s local budget and private capital, without central Government funding.
With 81 national relics, three special national sites and five national treasures along with nearly 400 intangible cultural heritages, the province is focusing on film, performing arts, and heritage-based tourism.
Once a military base under the Tran dynasty (1225–1400), Vu Lam Royal Palace showcases the strategic brilliance of the Tran kings, who skillfully blended politics, military power, culture, and religion. Preserving and restoring the site, while developing eco-friendly tourism infrastructure, can attract both domestic and international visitors and drive local economic growth.
Situated at nearly 2,200 metres above the sea level, right on O Quy Ho Pass – one of Vietnam's "Four Great Passes", the glass bridge offers a panoramic view of Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, Tam Duong Valley, and drifting white clouds.
Hoi An claimed the fifth spot on this year’s list, impressing international travellers with its distinctive blend of local and foreign architectural styles, a charming canal network, and the warming residents.
In response to Typhoon Wipha, the Van Don international airport in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh and the Cat Bi international airport in neighbouring Hai Phong city will be closed from 11 p.m. on July 21, to noon on July 22.
International visitors are especially fond of hands-on traditional craft experiences and OCOP products in Hoi An ancient town, now part of Da Nang, according to Le Doan Phuoc, a tour guide from a travel company in the central city.
The reappointment of Australian golf legend Gregory John Norman as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador for 2025-2030 is a strategic move to attract high-end international tourists, particularly from the US and Australia, boosting Vietnam’s reputation as a diverse tourism hub.
The trip was a valuable opportunity for the guests to explore the natural landscape and heritage value of the trans-provincial world natural heritage site, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago.
Looking ahead, experts predicted that 2025 will be AR’s breakout year, akin to the ubiquity of QR codes. With AI cooking up personalised trips and lightweight, user-friendly gadgets, Vietnam’s tourism industry is ready to explode.
According to booking data from Emirates — one of the world’s largest airlines, Vietnam is leading the list of the most popular destinations for the summer 2025 travel peak, thanks in part to the appeal of the new Dubai–Da Nang route.
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.
Phu Quoc surpassed Hoi An, a longtime top draw for international visitors, to get into the top five most-searched destinations in Vietnam during the first half of 2025.
Vietnam MICE EXPO 2025, the country’s largest event in the MICE sector, will be held on September 26 in Hanoi under the theme “Heritage & Technology in the New Era,” expecting over 800 businesses and 1,500 delegates.
The article describes Vietnam as a vibrant, atmospheric, and culturally rich nation. Citing the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it notes that the number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing all other international destinations.
Unlike more developed destinations such as Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai, Mien Doi remains untouched by mass tourism, appealing to those seeking a slower pace and authentic local experiences.
According to data released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam welcomed nearly 10.7 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, up 20.7% from the same period in 2024, achieving 48.6% of the full-year target of 22–23 million.
More importantly, how can Vietnam "redraw" its tourism map to fully leverage the expanded spaces and new development opportunities created by the recent administrative mergers?
From 2022 to 2024, Hanoi saw a strong annual growth rate of 28.3% in visitor numbers during the National Day holiday, with international visitors rising 62.5% annually. Tourism revenue grew by 31.6% per year, reinforcing Hanoi’s status as a vibrant, culturally rich, and safe destination.
Following the recent administrative restructuring that merged the city with the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, HCM City now boasts 681 potential tourist sites. With a population of over 14 million, it has become Vietnam’s largest intra-provincial tourism market, both in scale and in diversity.
The three-month contest aims to encourage content creators and travel lovers to showcase the beauty of the landscapes, people, and culture of Vietnam through short videos, to international audiences in an emotionally engaging and modern way.
With its “simple, green, and friendly” vibe, Cao Bang is establishing itself as Vietnam’s most welcoming getaway, rocketing up the list of top spots in the northern mountains.
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 3.85 million foreigners in the first half, a 44% surge year-on-year, alongside 18.3 million domestic tourists, up 7%. The influx generated nearly 117.94 trillion VND (4.53 billion USD) in revenue, a 27.3% yearly rise, putting the city nearly halfway to its annual target, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
