Ho Chi Minh City's first foreign visitors of 2018 were welcomed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on January 1 morning. (Source: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City greetedthe first foreign visitors of 2018 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport onJanuary 1 morning.
The city’s first visitors who come from France were treated to artperformances, and Vietnamese coffee and tea. They were also guided how to make“non la” (conical hats), flowers and locusts from coconut leaves.
Mbodj Camtam said she visits HCM City every New Year holiday, and travels to manylocations like Phan Thiet and Binh Thuan with her family. She particularlynoted the fusion of modernity and tradition in Vietnam’s development.
Tran Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee, said the city servedmore than 6.38 million international holiday-makers in 2017, up 22.88 percentyear-on-year. The number is expected to climb to 7.5 million this year.
In 2017, the southern hub served an estimated 24.98million domestic tourists, a rise of 14.6 percent against 2016. The city aimsto attract 29 million domestic vacationers and earn 138 trillion VND (6.07billion USD) from the tourism sector in 2018.
The municipal Department of Tourism also held a ceremony to greet the firstdomestic visitors of the year on early January 1.
The same day, the central city of Da Nang welcomed the year’s first tourists,who flew in from the Republic of Korea (RoK) on Vietjet’s VJ881 flight. Also onthe morning of January 1, nearly 2,000 Chinese holiday makers arrived in thecity on cruise liner MSC Lirica.
According to the municipal Department of Tourism, during the three-day New Yearholiday from December 30, 2017 to January 1, 2018, the total number of touriststo Da Nang is estimated at nearly 143,000, up 17.9 percent year-on-year, ofwhich over 81,500 are foreigners.
In 2017, Da Nang hosted 6.6 million visitors, ayear-on-year increase of 19 percent, and earned over 19.4 trillion VND (853.6million USD) from tourism, up 20.6 percent over 2016 and fulfilling 104.9percent of the set target.-VNA
The sound tourism environment, high-quality services and excellent promotion campaigns have helped the central coastal city of Da Nang lure an increasing number of tourists.
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed the six millionth international visitor to the southern economic hub during the year at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on December 15.
The central city of Da Nang will host 143,000 tourists, including 82,000 foreigners, visiting during the Christmas and New Year vacation from December 24 through January 2.
A recent report, City Pulse 2025, by Gensler Research Institute, ranked HCM City among the world’s top cities for resident retention, placing it second globally. This underscores the city's reputation as a liveable, dynamic urban centre, an image that supports efforts to attract investors, experts, and MICE travellers.
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.
Ho Chi Minh City's first foreign visitors of 2018 were welcomed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on January 1 morning. (Source: VNA) 
