Chiang Mai, Thailand (Photo: Thaiairways) Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand's tourism industry expects foreign arrivals to exceed 30 million in 2023, higher than government estimates of 25-27.5 million. Making the forecast on January 31, the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) predicted foreign and domestic tourists will generate over 3 trillion baht (91 billion USD) in revenue this year. However, TCT President Chamnan Srisawat warned the huge volume of visitors will pose challenges for the Thai tourism industry, which is still recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic. Most tourism businesses are still suffering liquidity and labour shortages, he explained, while some are missing out on new opportunities. The council is tackling the problems by cooperating with the Office of SMEs Promotion to help entrepreneurs tap new trends like wellness- and metaverse-based tourism, he said, adding that it is also liaising with the Government Savings Bank and National Credit Bureau for access to … [Read more...] about Thailand expects to serve 30 million foreign arrivals this year
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Visa policy change needed to further attract foreign visitors: tourism authority
Tourists enjoy performance at Sun World Ba Na Hills - a tourist attraction in the central city of Da Nang. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A key for Vietnam to attract more foreign tourists at this time is to change its visa policy, said Chris Farewell, a member of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB). Chris told Dau tu ( Vietnam Investment Review) that expanding the list of eligible visa waivers with a maximum stay of up to 30-45 days will be a big drive for foreigners who are planning a trip to Vietnam. TAB also proposed that e-visa should be expanded to all countries and domain name changed so that foreigners can recognise and find more easily when surfing the internet, he said. While Thailand offers visa exemption to citizens from 65 countries and territories with a stay of 30-45 days or even up to 90 days in some cases, Vietnam has not introduced any travelling incentives for visitors after reopening its border in March last year. Resuming tourism activities earlier than … [Read more...] about Visa policy change needed to further attract foreign visitors: tourism authority
Southeast region prepares for new FDI wave
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The southeast region is preparing necessary conditions in infrastructure, administrative procedures and human resources to welcome a new wave of foreign direct investment (FDI), as investors have flocked to the region right from the beginning of this year. The region, comprising Ho Chi Minh City and five provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria–Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh, has been attractive to investors. HCM City and Binh Duong were the leading localities in FDI attraction in 2022 with 3.94 billion USD and 3.14 billion USD, respectively. Right at the beginning of 2023, Binh Duong welcomed many large firms coming to explore the local investment opportunities, including Sembcorp and CapitaLand from Singapore, Nebraska from the US, and Tokyu from Japan. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI)’s Foreign Investment Department, the southeast region will continue to be the major FDI magnet of the country … [Read more...] about Southeast region prepares for new FDI wave
Hanoi ranked 5th among safest cities in Southeast Asia
Hanoi’s safety index is 62 on scale of 100 points. Statistics site Numbeo recently ranked Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) fifth and 14th in the safety index among 20 cities in Southeast Asia, respectively. According to Numbeo's latest report, Hanoi's safety index is 62. The safety index of the southern Vietnamese metropolis was 47.4 points, as, according to the site, walking alone at night in HCMC "has a low level of safety". Numbeo is the world's largest database of user-contributed data on cities and countries around the world. It specializes in assessing the quality of life in the world's cities, including their safety rankings. The site calls itself the world's largest database on housing, crime, healthcare, traffic and cost of living in hundreds of cities. Foreign tourists on Hanoi’s street. Photo: Ho Ha/The Hanoi Times Numbeo defined safety as "safety walking alone in daylight" and "safety walking alone at night". It measured the level of … [Read more...] about Hanoi ranked 5th among safest cities in Southeast Asia
73rd anniversary of Vietnam – Russia diplomatic ties marked
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi highlighted the time-tested relationship between the Vietnam and Russia in all spheres, saying it is a precious asset of the two countries. The ambassador said 2023 is a year of great significance to the bilateral ties as the two countries will celebrate the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's arrival in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). It’s also an opportunity for both nations to review their achievements. Several works will also be inaugurated in the year to celebrate the special ties, including a statue of President Ho Chi Minh in St. Petersbur, he added. Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko confirmed that Vietnam has always been one of Russia's closest and most reliable partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The Southeast Asian country is still Russia's largest trading partner in ASEAN despite changes in the region and the world. For his part, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of … [Read more...] about 73rd anniversary of Vietnam – Russia diplomatic ties marked
Tourism sector serves 13 million domestic tourists in January
Total revenue from tourists during the month was estimated at VND 46 trillion (USD 1.96 billion). During the seven-day lunar New Year (Tet) holiday that lasted from January 20-26, the country was estimated to serve 9 million domestic visitors, an increase of about 47.5% compared to the 2022 Tet, with an estimated revenue of VND 17.5 trillion. The local tourism sector targets 110 million tourists this year, including 8 million foreign visitors and 102 million domestic holiday-makers; and earn some VND 650 trillion from the non-smoke industry. In 2022, Vietnam recorded around 101.3 million domestic tourists, exceeding the yearly plan by 68.3%. The tourism sector booked some VND 495 trillion (USD 21.1 billion) in revenue, 23% higher than the target, thanks to the whopping number of domestic tourists. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Tourism sector serves 13 million domestic tourists in January
18,000 tourists spend USD 18.3 mln on outbound tours during Tet
The number of tourists choosing outbound tours accounted for 55% - 65% of the total domestic and foreign tours. This is an unexpected growth, according to tourism businesses. Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, director of Vietravel's marketing department, said that the company recorded a total of more than 47,000 tourists registered for Tet tourism, much higher than last year. This year, despite the effects of the pandemic, tourists are still excited about their plans to travel abroad because their favorite destinations have almost returned to normal and visa policies are also more convenient. Destinations such as Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Europe and the U.S. always attract many tourists. Some tourists even choose to pre-book foreign tours in March and April 2023. Similarly, travel companies such as Saigontourist, TST Tourist and Benthanh Tourist have had dozens of tourists going abroad during this Tet holiday. Tran Quoc Bao, Deputy General Director of Saigontourist … [Read more...] about 18,000 tourists spend USD 18.3 mln on outbound tours during Tet
Hanoi to host 3rd Int’l Experimental Theater Festival next month
Around 60 plays by artists from over 20 countries have registered to take part in the 3 rd International Experimental Theater Festival, which will be held from November 12-19 in Hanoi. Among the entries, 23 plays by artists from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Singapore, Hungary, Germany, France and Vietnam, among others have been selected to perform at the festival, which is co-organized by the Vietnam Stage Artists Association and the Performing Art Bureau (under Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism). The event provides an opportunity for domestic and international artists to exchange experiences and raise the level of expertise and artistic quality, said Meritorious Artist Le Chuc, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association at a press conference on October 25 in Hanoi. Meritorious Artist Le Chuc, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, speaking at the press conference on October 23. Photo: sankhau.com.vn It … [Read more...] about Hanoi to host 3rd Int’l Experimental Theater Festival next month
Ho Chi Minh City food enterprises hope expansion is key
In 2022, Ho Chi Minh City's industrial food production recorded a significant increase of 30.5 per cent on-year. However, the industry is facing many fresh challenges this year due to fluctuations in the global economy affecting export markets and a slowdown in economic growth. Phan Van Co, marketing director of Vrice Group, said, "Since the beginning of the year, the cost of materials for rice production has increased considerably, by 3-5 per cent. While the price of rice has increased in many countries around the world, it has not increased as it has in the Vietnamese market, making it difficult for Vietnamese rice exporters to compete." In 2023, industry and trade in Ho Chi Minh City will strive for an increase in the index of industrial production of 7.5 per cent; growth in the total retail sales of social consumer goods of 12 per cent; and a 10 per cent jump in exports, excluding crude oil, through the city's port. The targets were set while taking such difficulties as the … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City food enterprises hope expansion is key
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City among safest cities in Southeast Asia
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have both been included in a list of the safest cities in Southeast Asia, as compiled by statistics site Numbeo. HCM City has been named in a list of the safest cities in Southeast Asia (Photo: Le Viet) The rankings see Hanoi placed in fifth, while Ho Chi Minh City was in 14th position. According to the latest report issued by Numbeo, Hanoi’s safety index stands at 62, ranking 145th worldwide. Elsewhere, Chiang Mai City in Thailand can be considered as the safest city in Southeast Asia with 75.5 points, followed by Davao in the Philippines with 72.4 points and Singapore City with 70.8 points. Globally, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates took the lead with 88.8 points, followed by Doha in Qatar with 85.5 points, and Taipei in Taiwan China) with 84.9 points. The site defined safety as "safety walking alone in daylight" and "safety walking alone at night". Numbeo specialises in assessing the overall quality of life in … [Read more...] about Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City among safest cities in Southeast Asia