Vietnam

As of 13 Sep, the death toll from typhoon Yagi in Vietnam rose to 254, over 820 people were injured, and 82 are still missing. According to the provincial government, Nu Village in Lao Cai province was devastated by a flash flood, killing 46 people, destroying 37 homes, and 41 people were missing. About 2 million children were left without access to education, psychosocial support, and school meal programs. UNICEF estimated $15 million USD is needed for the affected children and families in the area. Insurance claims in Vietnam from the disaster totalled 7 trillion VND as of 12 Sep

Ha Long Bay has started to welcome back tourists with the normal operation of its tourist boards on 13 Sep after a week-long campaign to clean up from the impact of Typhoon Yagi

Ha Long Bay has started to welcome back tourists with the normal operation of its tourist boards on 13 Sep after a week-long campaign to clean up from the impact of Typhoon Yagi

Quang Ninh’s accommodation saw many on-shore facilities with broken windows, damaged roofs and fallen trees due to Typhoon Yagi. 27 tourist boards and 4 transfer ships sank in the storm, whilst there was damage to the Tuan Chau International Passenger Port and Ha Long International Cruise Port. Tourism players from the area called for support to postpone bank debts and social insurance payments, as well as introducing new tourist sites to ease pressure

The WHO have distributed 1 million water purification tablets across northern Vietnam

Quang Ninh’s accommodation saw many on-shore facilities with broken windows, damaged roofs and fallen trees due to Typhoon Yagi. 27 tourist boards and 4 transfer ships sank in the storm, whilst there was damage to the Tuan Chau International Passenger Port and Ha Long International Cruise Port. Tourism players from the area called for support to postpone bank debts and social insurance payments, as well as introducing new tourist sites to ease pressure

The WHO have distributed 1 million water purification tablets across northern Vietnam

Festivals have been postponed in many localities in solidarity with those northern provinces impacted by Typhoon Yagi, including Vung Tau’s Whale Festival, the Thanh Tuyen Mid-Autumn Festival, the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center’s Mid-Autumn Festival

Hanoi saw 2.2 trillion VND ($89.4 million USD) generated over the National Day Holiday from 672,900 visitors (+5% YoY), whilst HCMC saw 3 trillion VND, Da Nang 1.2 trillion VND and Quang Ninh 1 trillion VND

Hanoi saw 2.2 trillion VND ($89.4 million USD) generated over the National Day Holiday from 672,900 visitors (+5% YoY), whilst HCMC saw 3 trillion VND, Da Nang 1.2 trillion VND and Quang Ninh 1 trillion VND

Festivals have been postponed in many localities in solidarity with those northern provinces impacted by Typhoon Yagi, including Vung Tau’s Whale Festival, the Thanh Tuyen Mid-Autumn Festival, the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center’s Mid-Autumn Festival

According to a weather alert from the Embassy of Malaysia in Hanoi, Malaysians are advised to delay travel plans to Ha Long and Sa Pa due to the aftermath of typhoon Yagi

The Saigon Railway Exploitation Branch announced that the Da Lat Railway Station entrance fee will increase from 5,000 VND to 50,000 VND starting from 1 Oct 2024. According to the company, the increase aims at funding maintenance, repair, restoration of the station, and enhancing tourism facilities. The Vice President of the Lam Dong Tourism Association said that the tenfold increase led to negative reactions from many tourists and partners, with concerns about lack of advance notice and no new attractions to justify the rise

According to the Northern Delta and Mid-Region Hydrometeorological Station, Hanoi is expected to receive heavy rain from 10-12 Sep, with rainfall ranging from 80-250 mm. Due to rising floodwaters on the Red River on the afternoon of 10 Sep, all vehicles and pedestrians are banned from crossing Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi. The Hanoi Command for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue has issued a Level-One flood warning as the water level of the Red River reached 7.23 metres, and 460 people were evacuated from Hoan Kiem District. Streets in central Hanoi experienced severe flooding, causing significant traffic jams during rush hours

JW Marriott has opened its first property in district 1, HCMC, featuring a 21-storey hotel tower with 305 rooms and suites, and a 31-storey residential tower with 260 suites. Facilities include a grand ballroom, 6 meeting rooms, a rooftop pool, a fitness centre, spa, and 1,200 square metres of conference and banquet space

The Deputy General Director of Viet Travel Company said that the company has cancelled most tours to northern destinations due to the typhoon Yagi. He added that the company’s hotel partners in Ha Long and Co To are working on infrastructure repairs and clean-up, which could take several days. The Sales Director of Mustgo said that the platform suspended bookings to affected areas, with around 80% of bookings in the northern region cancelled or rescheduled. Provinces like Ha Giang and Dien Bien advised residents to avoid travelling until the situation stabilises

The flooding in Hanoi from the Red River was the worst in 20 years, rising to critical levels

On 8 Sep, the People’s Committee of Sa Pa issued a document to suspend all tourism and sightseeing activities due to safety concerns related to heavy rains from storm Yagi. All heritage sites and scenic spots managed by the Hoang Lien National Park, the Tourism and Heritage Management Board, and the Ham Rong Tourist Area Management Board stopped receiving visitors until further notice. The Lao Cai Tourism Association has instructed member businesses to halt all tours and outdoor activities until the People’s Committee provides further updates

On 9 Sep, the Director of the Department of Tourism of Ba Ria - Vung Tau announced that Suoi Rao Ecolodge became the first tourist destination in the province to receive carbon-neutral destination certification from the Institute for Research, Application, and Innovation in Business. According to the Institute, in 6 years, the trees and soil at the Ecolodge stored 1,558.86 tons of CO2. The Ecolodge's annual CO2 emissions are 19 tons, meaning it consumes only 7% of the carbon it stores annually. Over 95% of the Ecolodge is covered in greenery, with over 1 million trees and 700 species planted

From Jan - Aug 2024, Tay Ninh welcomed 3.9 million visitors, +3.6% YoY, with tourism revenue reaching over 2.145 trillion VND, +37.3% YoY, achieving 93.3% of the annual target for 2024. In Aug 2024, Tay Ninh welcomed over 276,000 visitors, +17.7% YoY, with revenue reaching 158 billion VND, +43.6% YoY. Tay Ninh ranked first in economic growth in the Southeast region during the period. The province signed a tourism cooperation agreement with SaigonTourist Corporation for the 2024-2029 period, and is organising Famtrip tours to connect its tourism with other provinces and cities

On 5 Sep, the “Green Transformation, Net-Zero Travel & Tourism - Creating Future” was held in HCMC, focusing on the use of renewable energy, circular economy principles, local cultures and community benefits. The Director of Sustainability and Research at the Pacific Asia Travel Association estimated that destinations that incorporate sustainability into their marketing could boost visitor numbers by up to 20% due to increased demand from eco-conscious travellers. The Head of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction division at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment emphasised the need for the tourism sector to offset emissions through reforestation and supporting reforestation projects

Nearly 20 localities, including Hanoi and Hai Phong, shut schools for 10 million students to shelter from the typhoon. 8 localities in northern Vietnam, including Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Son La, Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, Bac Ninh, and Yen Bai extended school closures on 9 and 10 Sep

Yagi storm was downgraded to a tropical depression on 8 Sep after hitting northern Vietnam. It caused power outages and damaged telecommunications in Hanoi, leading to extensive flooding, downed trees, and damaged homes. According to the preliminary estimates from the government, 21 people were killed and 229 were injured. According to the head of DEEP C industrial zones in Hai Phong, around 80% of factories were affected

Chang Shin Vietnam company, based in Dong Nai province, is organising trips to Da Lat for 42,000 employees. The first group of 1,000 employees arrived in Da Lat on 7 Sep, and trips will continue until the end of 2024 with groups of 5,000 to 7,000 enjoying a 3-day, 2-night trip. Vietravel is managing the logistics, coordinating with TTC World Love Valley

On the afternoon of 7 Sep, Typhoon Yagi hit Quang Ninh and Hai Phong with winds ranging from 118-149 km/h, causing a power outage that affected 238,000 customers in Quang Ninh, and sweeping away anchored boats in Ha Long Bay. The Ministry of Transport issued an emergency notice for storm and flood preparedness

On 6 Sep, 192 residents from Dong Tien Commune were evacuated in preparation for typhoon Yagi, and around 800 people relocated across Co To Island District to guesthouses, hotels, or relatives' homes. Families in deteriorating homes were moved to safe and centralised shelters

The HCMC Department of Transport (DoT) proposed a plan to transition the city’s public bus fleet to electric and clean energy by 2030, with the total investment projected at 3.521 trillion VND. HCMC plans to increase the number of electric buses to 3,317 by 2030

Typhoon Yagi uprooted nearly 2,800 trees, damaged 13 cars, 6 motorbikes, 9 houses, and over 6,000 hectares of crops in Hanoi. Road flooding reached up to 50 cm in suburban districts like Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, and Ha Dong. Over 124,400 people in Hanoi, 274,000 residents in Quang Ninh, and 570,000 people in Thai Binh province were affected by the power outages

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approved 20 pilot agricultural and rural tourism models among the 584 existing ones for implementation until 2025

From 12-15 Sep, the 2024 Hanoi Autumn Festival will take place as part of the celebration for the 70th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day on 10 Oct. Activities include an art program, displays, re-enactments, a fashion show, and street performances. 15 cities, provinces and several travel and lodging firms from Hanoi registered to showcase their products and services

Boat and ferry services from the mainland to Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Phu Quy, and Ly Son islands have been suspended on 7 Sep due to typhoon Yagi. According to the Maritime Administration of Kien Giang province, high-speed boats to Phu Quoc, Nam Du, and Hon Son are suspended from 6 Sep until further notice. Phu Quoc Express JSC suspended services from Vung Tau to Con Dao on 7 and 8 Sep

During the 2 Sep National Holiday period, Dak Lak welcomed around 130,000 visitors, +168% YoY, with 2,500 international tourists, generating 85 billion VND in total tourism revenue. The total number of overnight guests reached 75,000, +188% YoY. New tourism products were introduced, including the second Krong Pac Durian Festival, the Gong Culture Festival, featuring a scenic plant exhibition, and the “Sounds of the Highlands” experience at the Dak Lak Museum. The Chairman of the board of directors and Director of the Clean Agricultural Services Cooperative in Krong Pac District said that the durian festival will establish a connection between visitors and farmers, allowing consumers to buy durians directly from farmers without intermediaries

According to a report by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, in Aug 2024, Vietnam welcomed 1.43 million international visitors, +17.7% YoY. From Jan-Aug 2024: - Vietnam welcomed over 11.4 million foreign tourists, +45.8% YoY - The Asian market was the largest source with over 9 million arrivals, +51% YoY - The European market had over 1.3 million visitors, +42.7% YoY - The Oceania market had 346,500 visitors, +25.4% YoY - The American market had 674,300 visitors, 7.8% YoY - The African market had 34,200 tourists, +95.5% YoY - Air travel welcomed 9.7 million arrivals, making up 84.7% of the total, +41% YoY - Land travel welcomed 1.6 million arrivals, comprising 13.8% of the total, +73.3% YoY - Sea travel welcomed 165,600 visitors, accounting for 1.5% of the total, up 2.8 times compared to 2023 - Revenue from accommodation and food services was estimated at $19.5 billion USD, accounting for 11.6% of total retail sales, +14.3% YoY - Tourism-related revenues reached 40.9 trillion VND, +26.2% YoY - Tourism revenue of HCMC, Da Nang, Can Tho, Hanoi, Quang Binh and Binh Duong were +42.2% YoY, +38.6% YoY, +33.7% YoY, +29.7% YoY, 21.0% YoY, and +18.5% YoY

Thua Thien-Hue in Vietnam held a working session with Savannakhet province in Laos to increase collaboration in numerous fields, including tourism

On 3 Sep, a fixed passenger bus route connecting Ha Long and Nanning through the Bac Luan II Bridge at the Mong Cai - Dongxing international border gate was launched. The route is jointly managed by the Quang Ninh Department of Transport and the Department of Transport of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and operated by 2 transport firms from Vietnam and China. Each bus can carry 48 passengers who must have a valid passport for at least 6 months and a visa

According to MegaFon, Vietnam saw the highest growth in tourists from Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod oblast in summer 2024, with a 4.4-fold increase

According to the Director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHF), Storm Yagi is expected to intensify and reach super typhoon status before making landfall in northern Vietnam around 7 Sep. It is expected to affect coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh and pose risks of heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding. The Border Guard Command reported that over 50,130 fishing vessels and 219,864 people in risky areas received guidance and are moving away. The Director of the Department of Dike Management and Natural Disaster Prevention said that 32 critical points along coastal and river mouth dikes in provinces from Quang Ninh to Nghe An require special attention. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development suggested banning large gatherings, and providing training on storm response skills

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) for the 4-day National Holiday (31 Aug - 3 Sep): - Vietnam welcomed 3 million domestic and international visitors, +20% YoY - Average room occupancy was 56%, +1.85% YoY - International tourists primarily came from South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Europe, and the U.S., staying for 4-5 days - Da Nang ranked first in the number of international arrivals with 91,000 tourists, +15.3% YoY, followed by Hanoi with 58,900 visitors (+35.8% YoY), Khanh Hoa with 48,000 visitors, and HCMC with 38,800 visitors (+3.2% YoY) Hue and Lao Cai saw 45-54% growth in international tourists The railway sector transported around 130,000 passengers, +10% YoY Over 4,250 flights were operated, with an average of 840 flights per day, +3.5% YoY

According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Binh Thuan province welcomed 385,000 visitors, a 3.3-fold increase from 2023, including 9,700 international tourists, generating $20.4 million USD in revenue. The increase in the number of tourists is mainly due to the opening of the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway, which reduced travel time from HCMC

On 2 Sep, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi welcomed 30,575 visitors, including 231 foreigners. The Hanoi Department of Tourism and the mausoleum management board provided free water, milk, and pastries to all visitors

According to an urgent directive issued by the Prime Minister on 3 Aug, Typhoon Yagi is highly likely to affect the sea and mainland of the northern and north-central regions of Vietnam. The maximum wind speed is expected to reach 166 kph in the coming days. The Prime Minister urged coastal provinces to close beaches and plan evacuations, while mountainous provinces must relocate people from dangerous areas, ensure reservoir safety, and prepare rescue vehicles

On 2 Sep, many people began returning to Hanoi after the National Day holiday, causing traffic congestion on the Nghe An-Hanoi highway. Hanoi metro lines transported around 100,000 passengers daily during the holiday, with visitors mostly from neighbouring areas. Vung Tau province welcomed 473,000 visitors from 31 Aug - 2 Sep, with revenue reaching $11.6 million USD. Con Dao Island saw over 6,800 visitors, while other provinces and cities including Hue, Binh Dinh and Dong Nai saw an increasing number of visitors thanks to many events being hosted

Oily black lumps have washed up on beaches in central Khanh Hoa Province on 1 and 2 Sep, spanning about 3 kilometres. An official from the Khanh Hoa Department of Natural Resources and Environment's administration of seas and islands said that these lumps are unlikely to affect marine life

In a seminar on the Royal Government’s tourism incentive programme on 2 Sep, the Minister of Tourism introduced a series of events to boost tourism in Siem Reap, including: - From 15-17 Sep, the Gumball 3000 Rally, featuring 150 supercars with 250 celebrities, driving from HCMC to Siem Reap - The Cambodia-India Tourism Forum and Cambodia-China Tourism Forum on 12 Sep and 19 Sep respectively - The India Tourism Roadshow on 10 Oct - The Cambodia-China Gastronomy Week from 26-27 Oct - The Buddhist Culture and Tourism Forum 2024 on 28 Oct - The China Tourism Roadshow on 7 Nov - The Cambodia-China Travel Fair from 20-22 Nov - In addition, the Ministry is preparing the Visit Cambodia website and mobile app

The Management Board of the Ba Den National Tourist Area estimated that around 8,000 tourists visited the site on 31 Aug, an increase of over 3,000 compared to usual days. The Vung Tau City Tourism Management and Support Centre reported around 43,000 visitors on 31 Aug, +34.4% YoY. Hotel rates in the Bai Sau Beach area surged 2-3 times, with many properties fully booked. The Department of Culture and Information of Da Lat City reported occupancy rates ranging from 60%-75%, with peaks occurring on 1 and 2 Sep. The Director of the Department of Tourism of Hue Province said that from 30 Aug - 3 Sep, the number of visitors to the province is expected to reach 120,000, +22.4% YoY, and average hotel occupancy rate was about 64%

From Jan-Jul 2024, Ninh Thuan welcomed 2.62 million tourists, +20.7% YoY, including 63,000 international visitors. Tourism revenue is estimated at $119.2 million USD. According to the Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, the province is prioritising high-quality tourism products, investing in infrastructure and developing tourism offerings connected to its historical and cultural values

A rush of traffic in HCMC to travel over the national day weekend saw heavy traffic conditions in Thu Duc City, with queues of up to 3km

The Tuy Hoa’s People's Committee has launched a pilot program to develop the night-time economy from 2024 to 2030, with the initial phases focusing on extending hours for night markets, bars, and attractions until 11pm. The city plans to renovate current facilities and build new ones, with an investment of around 60 billion VND. The city will also seek around 670 billion VND in investments for major projects and new amusement and leisure areas

The tourism system planning scheme for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, highlights coastal and island tourism as key areas in sustainable tourism development, environmental protection, and climate change response. Phu Quoc aims to ban single-use plastic products in tourist areas and is targeting 80% of marine protected areas to be free of plastic waste by 2025. Con Dao district is implementing a 2022-2025 project on waste sorting training and plastic use reduction

The Lam Dong's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Centre, and the Lam Dong - Da Lat Tourism Association co-organised a conference to help local tourism businesses learn about Halal tourism standards and establish connections with Indian tour operators. The Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee highlighted the need for tailored services to meet the unique cultural, religious, and lifestyle needs of Indian tourists. 6 businesses from both sides signed cooperation agreements to enhance tourism promotion activities between Lam Dong and India

From Jan-Aug 2024, Phu Quoc welcomed over 4.52 million visitors, including 653,525 international tourists, with total tourism revenue exceeding $599.2 million USD. According to the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, the island is expected to attract many tourists in the 2 Sep holiday. Tourism businesses have introduced new activities like double-decker bus tours, basket boats, water sports, beach camping, sea fishing, and sunset yacht trips

Thua Thien-Hue expects 120,000 visitors during the National Day long weekend, +22.4% YoY

Hotels across Phu Quoc reported low occupancy rates during the 2 Sep National holiday, with 5-star hotels experiencing below 40% occupancy and some 3-star hotels seeing just 30% occupancy due to high airfares. According to Mustgo, Vietnamese tourists accounted for only 15% of arrivals in Phu Quoc during the holiday, and many hotels removed surcharges. Da Nang and Nha Trang also reported low hotel occupancy rates at around 40% during the holiday, while Sa Pa and Phan Thiet saw high occupancy rates due to lower transportation costs and favourable weather. The Director of the Ngon Hien Pearl facility said that the number of Vietnamese tourists dropped by 50-60% compared to 2023

On 29 Aug, an art tourism map of Da Lat was launched as one of the 3 initiatives that the city committed to when joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music. The map highlights Da Lat’s key destinations, and is available for free in both paper and digital forms

Hue city has established nearly 500 free public restroom locations close to the tourist areas such as the Imperial Citadel and along the banks of the Huong River. Local authorities have encouraged businesses and residents to open their restrooms to tourists for free, promoting friendly interactions between locals and visitors

According to the report from Booking.com about the “passion-driven travel” trend among Vietnamese youth in 2024: -69% of young travellers use social media platforms for travel inspiration - 67% of are motivated to visit places seen on screen - 60% are eager to try foods and cultural experiences introduced through TV - 55% are motivated to visit landmarks featured in movies or TV shows - 49% participate in activities showcased in films or on television - 46% opt to dine at restaurants highlighted in their favourite shows or movie - 37% prefer to stay at accommodations seen in media - 40% travel with the purpose of meeting idols from films or TV shows - 22% are interested in visiting the homes of famous artists

According to the HCMC Department of Tourism, the spending by international tourists on shopping in the city is modest, accounting for 17% of the city’s total tourism revenues, compared to higher percentages in Bangkok (23%), Kuala Lumpur (32%), and Singapore (28%). Experts said that HCMC should improve product variety, synchronise shopping destinations, and adopt strategies from shopping tourism destinations like South Korea and Hong Kong. They added that the city should open duty-free stores and shopping complexes to increase visitor spending

District 7 of Ho Chi Minh City announced the opening of the Sky Garden Commercial – Culinary Street at the end of Aug 2024, with activities including performances by Korean and Vietnamese singers, traditional games and sport activities, experience-based activities, and cuisine. The Vice Chairman of District 7 said that the event is the district’s first pilot commercial food street, aiming to maintain and develop this area to enhance the night economy

From 1-5 Sep 2024, the Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week 2024 will be hosted, featuring a street parade with 200 artisans and actors performing folk songs, dances, traditional music, ethnic cultural competitions, and over 200 booths showcasing agricultural products from Son La Province. The Chairman of the Moc Chau District People’s Committee said that the event aims to attract investors to build the area as a top destination for visitors

On 27 Aug, the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Fund, in collaboration with the city’s Department of Tourism, organised a program to promote Da Nang's tourism offerings in Kuala Lumpur. The Vice Chairwoman of Da Nang’s People’s Committee said that the city has introduced special MICE policies and organised international golf festivals to attract the Malaysian market. From Jan - Jul 2024, 75,067 Malaysian tourists visited Da Nang, nearly reaching the total number of 2019

On 23 Aug in Quang Nam province, Wafaifo Hospitality signed a new agreement with its founding partners to provide management and consultancy services for hotel, retail, and wellness ventures across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Under this partnership, the 134-key Wafaifo Resort Hoi An is scheduled to open on 11 Oct

The Vice Chairman of the Da Nang’s People’s Committee said that the city is fostering connections with Malacca (Malaysia) via investments in finance and healthcare management. She added that the city is seeking advice from Malaysian partners in building a free trade zone, with an international finance centre. From Jan - Jul 2024, 75,000 Malaysian tourists visited Da Nang. The city’s investment promotion agency reported that Da Nang has attracted 18 investment projects from Malaysia, with a total investment of $222 million USD

According to Agoda’s Return Visitor Ranking, 67% of Indian travellers return to their favourite destinations, with Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia as the top choices. 58% of Indian tourists have visited their favourite destination between 1-3 times in the past decade, while 4% have visited 10 times or more

On 28 Aug, 833 Indian tourists from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries visited Trang An after a trip to Hanoi. The tourists were divided into smaller groups of 45-50 people, with 210 boats deployed to transport the tourists along the Trang An scenic landscape complex

28 Aug: Laos and Vietnam will introduce cross-border QR payments from Sep, initially involving 9 Vietnamese banks, and 13 Lao banks

According to the Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel Company, many travellers are opting for train travel during the 2 Sep National Day holiday due to rising airfares, with popular train routes include Da Nang - Hue, Da Nang - Quy Nhon, and HCMC - Nha Trang. Domestic travellers are favouring sea destinations like Ha Long, Sam Son, Hai Tien, and Cat Ba, as well as mountain retreats such as Moc Chau, Sa Pa, and Ha Giang. The Director said that many tourists opted for outbound tours due to rising domestic airfares

On 27 Aug, the first group of a 4,500 Indian tourist delegation arrived in Hanoi. The group comprises employees from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, and will be divided into smaller groups travelling for 5 days across Hanoi, Quang Ninh, and Ninh Binh between 27 Aug - 7 Sep. The Founder and Chairman of Sun Pharmaceuticals said that the initiative is a gratitude conference to honour the company's agents worldwide

According to the World Bank’s forecast, Vietnam's economy is expected to grow 6.1% in 2024, and 6.5% in both 2025 and 2026, up from 5% in 2023, driven by a rebound in manufactured exports, tourism, recovering consumption and business investment

The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the governor of Japan’s Aichi Prefecture during his sixth visit to Vietnam, expressing appreciation towards Aichi authorities for supporting the 60,000 Vietnamese living in the prefecture. The Minister of Foreign Affairs encouraged Aichi businesses to increase investments in Vietnam, assuring that the Vietnamese Government is improving regulatory frameworks to facilitate business operations for Japanese companies. He also urged Aichi to expand its acceptance of Vietnamese interns and workers, and increase flight frequency between Vietnam and Aichi to enhance trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges

From 29 Aug - 3 Sep, An Giang province will host a trade fair to attract tourists during the 2 Sep holiday, with the participation of craft villages, export processing enterprises, food companies, eateries, and tourist agencies from An Giang and other southern provinces. The fair aims to introduce tourism products and services and connect with tourist agencies to promote tours in An Giang province

Lang Nho – Ho Lang Nhot - an outdoor nature-focused tourism site located in Khanh Hoa province, is implementing Net Zero tourism. The resort follows sustainable practices, such as using electric vehicles and bicycles for transportation, generating electricity from a hydroelectric station and solar power, and utilising stream water from the forest for its water supply and bathing areas

The National Assembly’s General Secretary said that the election of Vietnam’s new president will be conducted in Oct according to a party’s resolution. On 26 Aug, the National Assembly appointed 3 new deputy prime ministers, a new chief justice of the Supreme People's Court, a new chief prosecutor, and 2 new ministers

Intrepid Travel announced the return of its annual Blue Dragon Marathon Walk, scheduled for 8 Sep 2024, to fundraise for the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam. The event will be hosted in major cities worldwide, including Hanoi, with Intrepid Travel aiming to raise $337,000 USD. In 2023, Vietnam became Intrepid’s top-selling market, with 9,900 customers

According to Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, from Jan-Aug 2024, Khanh Hoa's tourist accommodations welcomed over 8 million visitors, +61% YoY, with the number of domestic visitors reaching over 4.8 million, +29% YoY, while international visitors exceeded 3.2 million, +260% YoY. The total tourism revenue for this period was estimated at $1.58 billion USD, +65% YoY. In Aug 2024 alone, Khanh Hoa welcomed over 1.3 million visitors, +33% MoM, including 416,000 international visitors and more than 915,000 domestic tourists, with an estimated revenue of $253 million USD. The Chairman of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee suggested the province work with consultants to develop new attractions that align with emerging trends and innovations to attract visitors

On 25 Aug, the former Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences and Minerals announced the recognition of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as an International Geological Heritage Site by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), along with 99 other locations from 53 countries. The official announcement will be made during the 37th International Geological Congress (IGC) in Busan from 25-31 Aug

In H1 2024, Tra Vinh welcomed over 1.5 million pax, +42.2% YoY, with tourism revenue exceeding $44.1 million USD. The province is developing tourism products focused on green tourism, including newly established eco-tourism and community tourism routes such as the Tra Vinh City - Khmer Cultural and Tourism Village - Con Ho. The Dai Ngai Bridge, expected to be completed by 2027, will reduce the travel distance from Ca Mau to HCMC by about 80 km, boosting Tra Vinh’s tourism. Experts and provincial officials said that despite its potential, Tra Vinh’s tourism sector is considered underdeveloped compared to other regions

On 23 Aug, the 3-day "Hanoi Days in HCMC" program was hosted in HCMC, offering visitors insights into Hanoi's history, culture, and heritage, emphasising the close relationship between the 2 cities. The Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of HCMC said that the event is expected to strengthen sustainable cooperation between the 2 localities, leveraging their potential for comprehensive development in multiple sectors including economics, culture, social development, investment, trade, education, and tourism

The People's Committee of Kon Tum province has approved a plan to implement the Prime Minister-approved planning of border gates along Vietnam's borders with Laos and Cambodia for 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2050. The plan includes opening the auxiliary border gates of Dak Koi - Kon Tuyneak and Ho Le - Border Police Station 505. It also aims to upgrade the Dak Long - Van Tat border gates, and the Bo Y International Border Gate. By 2050, the plan includes further infrastructure improvements, upgrades, and smart systems at these border crossings

From 2020 - Jul 2024, Binh Dinh attracted 465 investment projects with a total registered capital of nearly $7.4 billion USD, including 22 tourism projects. From Jan - Jul 2024, the province welcomed over 6.68 million tourists, +97.9% YoY, generating nearly 18.1 trillion VND in tourism revenue, +68.7% YoY

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), from Jan - Jul 2024, 2.1 million Chinese tourists visited Vietnam, +200% YoY. VNAT Vice Director said that VNAT will send 2 delegations to China to participate in the China International Travel Mart (CITM) and the China-ASEAN Tourism Expo for tourism promotion. The CEO of AZA Travel said that Vietnam's sea and island tours have long appealed to Chinese tourists, and suggested that the tourism sector should target visitors from major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, who tend to spend more. He added that Vietnam should design policies to target the growing elderly Chinese traveller market

HK Express is set to launch a new daily service connecting Hong Kong with Phu Quoc starting 6 Dec 2024, making it the only direct flight between the 2 destinations. This will be the airline's third destination in Vietnam, adding to its existing services to Da Nang and Hanoi

During the National Assembly session on 22 Aug, the Deputy Prime Minister said that Vietnam’s tourism has not only recovered but has thrived. He added that stricter measures to combat industry malpractices have been implemented, with over 130,000 cases identified since early 2022. The government has established a Tourism Development Support Fund with a charter capital of 300 billion VND and accelerated digital transformation, besides strategies to focus on 4 tourism products including island and beach resorts, cultural and heritage tourism, community and rural agricultural tourism, and urban tourism

From 23-25 Aug, the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2024 will take place in Hai Ba Trung District to introduce Vietnamese-branded tourism gifts to both domestic and foreign tourists. The event also commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day. Activities include a display of tourism gift products, introduction of tours, promotional programs by local travel businesses, craft village products, and performances

The People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district has launched a cuisine app focused on Hanoi Old Quarter's cuisine, offering a directory of eateries, including detailed information, pictures, and reviews

According to the Vice Chairman of the city’s People Committee, Ha Long city in Quang Ninh province will host 2 festivals on the 2 Sep National Holiday to attract more tourists, including the Yacht, Parachuting, and Water Sports Festival scheduled to start on 24 Aug, and the Hot Air Balloon Festival scheduled for 1-2 Sep. The province has increased its tourism target to attract 19 million visitors in 2024 from the initial target of 17 million. From Jan - Jul 2024, Quang Ninh welcomed 13 million visitors, +20% YoY, including over 2.2 million foreign tourists. Tourism revenue reached $1.16 billion USD during the period, +40% YoY

According to a survey conducted on 15 Aug, many budget hotels in central Da Lat still have available rooms 2 weeks before the 4-day National Holiday, despite room rates only slightly increasing compared to regular days. Hotel owners said that due to the recent extended summer vacation, fewer tourists are expected, and tourists tend to book rooms closer to their travel dates. According to the Lam Dong Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, from Jan - Jun 2024, the province welcomed 5.06 million visitors, +12.2% YoY

The Ho Chi Minh Museum launched a project offering online exhibitions using Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). The apps will provide images, information in multiple languages, along with videos about historical figures and background information, enhancing the educational experience

Kien Giang province aims to attract 10.7 million tourists, including 900,000 foreigners by 2025; 23.7 million tourists, including 1.7 million foreigners by 2030, with tourism revenue of $1.52 billion USD; and $4.19 billion USD respectively. By 2025, the province targets to create 38,600 jobs in the tourism sector, increasing to 65,500 jobs by 2030. Kien Giang will continue to focus on Southeast Asia, South Korea, China and Europe markets, and explore new markets like India and the Middle East. The province also seeks Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment in tourism facilities, calls for investment to upgrade and expand Rach Gia Airport and Phu Quoc International Airport, and aims to promote its nature and marine wildlife tours

Starting 20 Aug, Vietnam Railways allows international travellers to purchase train tickets using e-wallets such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay, making payments directly from their home countries. Vietnam Railways also launched a payment gateway through VNPAY, which supports the use of international credit cards issued by banks outside Vietnam. In addition, tickets can be bought at vending machines at key tourist locations

The Deputy Prime Minister approved a decision initiating a pilot project to establish smart border checkpoints at specialised freight transport routes between specific Border Markers at the Huu Nghi– Youyi Guan International Border Gate Pair, aiming to create a key hub for import-export, trade, and tourism in northeastern Vietnam. The project will be implemented in 2 phases starting from Q3 2024 until the end of Q3 2029, funded by the state budget

The Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT) and the Da Nang College of Culture and Arts organised an art programme called “Heritage Road” at the Da Nang International Airport’s departure terminal T2, featuring over 330 special art performances held from Thu to Sun each week. New additions include the lantern dance, the Arirang monochord, and the Apsara dance, aiming to spread Vietnamese culture to international visitors. The art programmes contributed to the airport to be rated 5 stars by Skytrax

According to Agoda, Da Lat has been named the destination in Vietnam offering the most competitive room rates over the last 2 months, surpassing Hue. From 15 Aug to 30 Sep, the destinations with the lowest average accommodation rates across nine Asian markets include Hat Yai (Thailand), Yogyakarta (Indonesia), Kuching (Malaysia), Siargao Island (Philippines), Da Lat (Vietnam), Narita (Japan), Goa (India), Taichung (Taiwan), and Busan (South Korea)

On 19 Aug, the Ministry of Health (MoH) issued an urgent directive to various provincial and city People’s Committees, Hygiene and Epidemiology Institutes, Pasteur Institutes, and hospitals to enhance efforts to control the spread of mpox, following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration. Localities are required to strengthen monitoring at entry points, border gates, healthcare centres, update response plans, and funding for outbreak management. The ministry advised organising training sessions for healthcare workers at all levels