Latest tourism news from Vietnam
Hanoi is ranked Asia's second most attractive tourist city by the prestigious American travel magazine "Travel and Leisure." The five top tourist cities in Asia include Bangkok (87.11 points), Hanoi (82.13 points), Hong Kong (80.22 points), Kyoto (80.13 points) and Shanghai (79.26 points). The magazine has also ranked the Sofitel Metropole hotel Ha Noi 92nd among the world's best 100 hotels. The hotel is also in the list of top 10 hotels in Vietnam classified by Vietnam Nation Administration of Tourism.
Tourism climbing after visa change
The number of Japanese tourists visiting Vietnam has risen since the government exempted them from visa requirements. On January 1, the day the policy came into effect, HCM City travel agencies received more than 600 Japanese visitors at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Hidemako Chiwata, a resident of Shizuoka, said he booked a tour soon after he heard about the visa exemption. "Japanese can easily get access to Viet Nam now, and you will receive even larger numbers of tourists," he said.
Akihito Nakayasu, the editor of the locally produced Japanese-language magazine, Sketch, said young Japanese preferred to travel as backpackers and choose their tours through local tour operators after they arrived. Vietnam received 280,000 Japanese visitors in 2002. The number of Japanese visitors in the first nine months of 2003 rose by 45 percent compared with the same period in 2002, Vietnam National Administration for Tourism's statistics suggested. Although figures for 2003 were unavailable, the administration predicted 500,000 more Japanese visitors would arrive by 2005.
Matsu Sunoko, a tourist from Nigata Province in central Japan, said Viet Nam was a popular destination. She said she would focus on shopping and going to beauty salons and spas on her first trip."I will buy beautiful ao dais for myself and also porcelain souvenirs," Sunoko said.
Highlights from "The Central Heritage Road 2004 Festival"
Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province has just received World Natural Heritage by Unesco. March will see numerous festivities in Danang, marking the city's Liberation Day on March 29. The key events - Festival Hue 2004 - will take place in Hue in June, the "Coastal Cultural and Summer Tourism Week" will highlight Nha Trang in June, whilst August will feature many interesting cultural and tourism activities in World Heritage Sites, Hoi An and My Son.
A festival to mark the UNESCO's recognition of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park as a World Heritage Site will be held in Quang Binh Province from February 14 to 16. The park has nearly 300 caves with fascinating rock formations, underground rivers and pristine sand banks. The provincial government will take the opportunity to call for investment in projects to preserve the heritage site.
By Nguyen Phong - eturbonews.com - January 23, 2004.
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