September 20, 2024

Vietnam’s booming festival tourism records large visitor numbers


HANOI: The tourism industry of Vietnam is gradually painting an image of a colourful Vietnam with four vibrant festival seasons, as various culture weeks and months and festivals organised year-round across the country have drawn a large number of both domestic and foreign tourists, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

On the closing night of the 2024 Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, the sky in the southern metropolis was lit up by over 1,000 drones, creating a spectacular display that drew thousands of spectators to the banks of the Saigon river.

Before the festival, the city organised a wide range of events such as the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Day, the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival, the Vietnamese ‘Banh mi’ Festival, and the upcoming HCMC International Music Festival.

In a statement VNA carried, the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Phan Van Mai, said that the city will organise a series of events lasting from 1 to 2 weeks every month, t
ransforming it into a city of festivals.

Domestic and international tourists have also flocked to central Da Nang city to enjoy breathtaking performances at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), which kicked off on 8th June.

The annual event has helped Da Nang build the ‘Fireworks Festival City’ brand and promote itself as a top destination in central Vietnam and Asia. Each festival attracts more than 1 million tourists, creating millions of US dollars in revenue for the city’s tourism industry, according to organisers.

In addition to the DIFF, Da Nang hosts 20 – 30 festivals each year, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere of an energetic destination.

With its rich cultural heritage and history, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue is also striving to become a festival city by implementing the four-season festival initiative with a series of festive activities throughout the year.

As of June this year, HCM City welcomed nearly 2.7 million international travellers and over 17.1 millio
n domestic tourists, up 38 percent and 4.4 percent year-on-year, respectively, raking in VND92.6 trillion (over US$3.6 billion).

Source: Emirates News Agency