Since the full opening of tourism, Vietnam has welcomed a large number of international visitors, especially during the New Year holiday (from 31st December 2022 to 2nd January 2023).
The number of international visitors to the metropolis cities of Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh and regions across the country was recorded to increase, with three times more domestic tourists in some areas.
First and foremost, Ha Noi, the capital city of Vietnam, with over a thousand years of age, rich in history and the famous Old Quarter, has welcomed about 208,000 tourist arrivals. Among tourists to Ha Noi, international visitors reached about 38,000 visitor arrivals (mainly from Japan, UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands); Domestic tourists are estimated at 170 thousand arrivals, nearly 3 times higher than the same period in 2021. Total tourist receipts are estimated at VND779 billion.
International visitors at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam exhibition (Ha Noi) (Photo: TITC)
Another playground for adventurers and an oasis for nature lovers, Ninh Binh Province, about 93 km south of Ha Noi, welcomed a total of 256,941 domestic and international visitor arrivals (up 55 times over the same period of last year), the total receipts is estimated at VND 380 billion. Some of the most prominent destinations to mention in this UNESCO-protected site are Trang An eco-tourism area which welcomed 21,800 visitors; Bai Dinh pagoda mountain spiritual tourist area welcomes 18,250 visitors; Thung Nham Bird Garden welcomed more than 10,600 visitors; Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area with 7,500 visitors; Hang Mua tourist area: 5,200 visitors; Cuc Phuong National Park: 1,600 visitors; Phat Diem Stone Church: 3,250 visitors…
International visitors in Ninh Binh (Photo: nhandan.vn)
On the other hands, on the early morning of the first day of 2023, more than 300 international tourists, from the US, UK, France, Spain… went on the train to Sa Pa National Tourist Area (Lao Cai Province, a mountainous province in northwest Vietnam) during the New Year holiday and welcomed the New Year 2023. During the New Year celebration, Lao Cai organised several events showing the characteristics of high mountain areas with ethnic groups, imbued with indigenous cultural identity such as the Opening ceremony of the Winter Festival in Sa Pa Town, with the theme “Sa Pa – Snow heaven”, The Mong Show – recreate the cultural space of the H’Mong ethnic group in real scene, for visitors to discover and experience right in the centre of the town; Experience the space of snow with the theme “Fansipan – Snowy Heaven” at Fansipan Cable Car Station.
International visitors taking train to Lao Cai during New Year 2023 holiday (Photo: Nhandan.vn)
Regarding the Central part of Vietnam, the Department of Tourism of Thua Thien Hue reported an increasing number of international visitors to the province. By the end of 2nd January, out of about 19,000 visitor arrivals, international visitors accounted for 50%.
Visitors enjoying the Ban Soc Ceremony (Calendar gifting) at the Ancient Imperial Citadel of Hue (Photo: Nguoi lao dong)
In Da Nang, according to data from the airline, there are 395 flights, with more than 58,000 passengers, of which more than 60% are foreigners.
The statistics of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam Province showed that, the total number of tourists visiting and staying during the first holiday of the year was estimated at 120,000 visitor arrivals, of which international visitors are 89,000 visitor arrivals, domestic tourists are about 31,000 arrivals. Notably, on 1st January 2023, 34 people from a tourist group from Mongolia flocked into Hoi An City and they were the first visitors to Hoi An in 2023.
To a province in the South Central Coast, there were 355,000 visitor arrivals headed to Khanh Hoa Province to enjoy a beach break during their holiday. According to Cam Ranh International Airport, from 30th December 2022 to 2nd January 2023, an average of 11-12 international flights per day with more than 200 passengers per flight landed at the airport. On the first morning of 2023, more than 300 passengers flew to Khanh Hoa from Incheon (Korea) and Almaty (Kazakhstan). Most visitors come to Khanh Hoa and stay for the duration of at least 1 week, at some resorts in Bai Dai, Cam Lam District and Nha Trang City.
International visitors landed at Cam Ranh International Airport (Photo: Khanh Hoa News)
To the South of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis where humble mom-and-pop shops share street space with modern skyscrapers, welcomed 35,000 visitor international arrivals during the New Year holiday.
On 31st December, there were more than 400 cruise tourists and crew members, mainly US nationals on the Seabourn Encore luxury yacht docked at Ho Chi Minh City port. The tourists from Seabourn Encore went on a Mekong tour, visiting famous spots in Ho Chi Minh City such as Notre Dame Cathedral, City Post Office… and enjoyed folk music performances… from 31st December 2022 to 1st January 2023. (TITC)
International visitors arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: The tourism magazine of the Department of Tourism of HCMC)
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
