HCM City listed as third best Asian tourist spot in 2018
“Though it has long been heralded as a hip destination, Vietnam’s southern supercity somehow keeps getting cooler” is how Lonely Planet describes Ho Chi Minh City which it has named the third best place to visit in Asia this year.
Foreign tourists at the War Remnant Museum in HCM City (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi, (VNA) – “Though it has long been heralded as a hip destination, Vietnam’ssouthern supercity somehow keeps getting cooler” is how Lonely Planet describesHo Chi Minh City which it has named the third best place to visit in Asia thisyear.
The US-basedtravel guide book publisher listed Ho Chi Minh City alongside places like Busan(the Republic of Korea), Uzbekistan, Western Ghats (India), Nagasaki (Japan),Chiang Mai (Thailand) and Sichuan (China) in the “Best of Asia 2018: the Asian DestinationsYou Should See Now.”
Withmore than 3.83 million foreign arrivals in the first half of this year, thecity continues to soar up the popularity charts, seducing globetrotters withits local music scene, craft beers, street food, and nightlife.
“Aging apartmentblocks are being colonised by vintage clothes stores and independent coffeeshops, innovative breweries like Heart of Darkness and East West Brewing are fuelling one of the best craft beerscenes in Southeast Asia, and a selection of eclectic venues are strengtheningthe local music scene,” the Lonely Planet guide said.
Thesite named the War Remnants Museum one of the essential long-standing attractions which details HCMC’srecent history in eye-opening displays. It also praises the local pioneeringstreet food scene and accommodation which is suited to different demands.
“Itappears this buzzing Asian megalopolis is in no danger of going out of style,”the site said.
Internationalvisitors to HCM City on average spent 145 USD a day and stayed for 5.21 dayslast year, according to a survey carried out by the city’s Department ofTourism and Statistics Bureau.
Meanwhile, domestictravellers spent a daily average of 1.58 million VND (69 USD) and stayed for3.6 days.
Last year, one of the UK’s most respected travel sites, Rough Guides, released alist of eight best nighttime experiences in Southeast Asia, with Ho Chi MinhCity coming second on the list, offering a celebrated nightlife experience.–VNA
More than 70,000 domestic and foreign tour vouchers are available at discounts of up to 50 percent at the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Fair which opened at 23/9 Park on April 12.
The HCM City Tourism Association has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on further extension of visa exemption for tourists coming from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
The 8th Tourism Promotion Organization for Asian-Pacific Cities (TPO) Forum will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on June 21-22, said the municipal Department of Tourism on June 15.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Foreign tourists at the War Remnant Museum in HCM City (Photo: VNA) 
