On Thursday, Sakellaropoulou walked from her hotel on Dong Khoi Street in downtown HCMC to Bach Dang Wharf before moving to the Jade Emperor Pagoda in District 1. Built between 1892 and 1900 in honor of the supreme Taoist God, The Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, or Ngoc Hoang in Vietnamese, the pagoda became more famous after former U.S. President Barack Obama visited it in 2016. She also visited Vietnam History Museum where she showed great interest in Dong Son bronze drums and Asian religious idols like Shiva and Buddha. She used her personal phone and took pictures of specimens herself. During this trip, Sakellaropoulou also visited the Saigon Opera House built in 1898 by French colonialists and took photos with theater staff in traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai . On Monday, she toured the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the first university in Vietnam that dates back to 1070, before exploring UNESO heritage site Ha Long Bay, around two hours from Hanoi, a day later. … [Read more...] about Greek president visits Vietnam’s iconic tourist destinations
Tourist destination
Tourist dies after falling off cruise ship in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay
A tourist died after falling off a cruise ship as it was approaching a port in Ha Long Bay, a famous destination in northern Vietnam, last weekend. The People’s Committee in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province confirmed on Sunday that local units had found the body of Nguyen Ngoc Phat, 43, a visitor from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. Phat was among the 15 passengers who boarded the Long Giang cruise ship in Ha Long Bay on Saturday. The ship, which has a capacity of 48 passengers, was steered by captain Tran Duy Cuong, 39, a resident of Ha Long. At around 5:00 pm that day, the boat was carrying the tourists from Sung Sot Cave back to the mainland. As they were approaching the port, the captain checked the CCTV and noticed that a passenger had fallen into the water. The victim was standing near the bow of the ship prior to the accident. Other passengers tried to help the victim by throwing lifebuoys into the water, but he was unable to grab them due to strong currents … [Read more...] about Tourist dies after falling off cruise ship in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay
Indonesia tourist bus crash kills 14
At least 14 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured when a bus carrying domestic tourists crashed into an advertising sign in Indonesia's East Java province early on Monday, police said. A police officer inspects the scene of a bus crash in Surabaya, East Java on May 16, 2022. (The Jakarta Post/East Java Police) The bus -- which was carrying 31 passengers, the driver and a crew member -- hit the pole and then rolled over on a toll road connecting the town of Mojokerto to the country's second city, Surabaya. The victims were from Benowo, a village near Surabaya, and were returning home after a long weekend at popular holiday destination Dieng Plateau, about 400 kilometres away in Central Java, local official Ridwan Mubarun told Indonesian television station Metro TV. "Fourteen people have died and 19 others sustained minor and serious injuries," Mojokerto police chief Rofiq Ripto Himawan told reporters on Monday, adding that authorities … [Read more...] about Indonesia tourist bus crash kills 14
Thai group visits Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, promises to bring tourists to ‘pearl island’
A Thai familiarization trip (fam trip) group visited Phu Quoc Island, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, for a survey tour earlier this week as a preparation for bringing more Thai travelers to the offshore island city, commonly known as the ‘pearl island.’ Some 30 members of the group started their three-day tour of Phu Quoc on Wednesday with a welcome from the provincial Department of Tourism, Kien Giang Tourism Association, and local travel firms. “This is the first Thai tourist group that has visited Phu Quoc since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Vietnam in early 2020,” said Nguyen Chi Thanh, deputy director of the Kien Giang Department of Tourism. During their stay, the fam trip group enjoyed a cable car journey on Hon Thom (Pineapple Islet), part of Phu Quoc Island City, and visited Phu Quoc prison relics, Long Beach Center, VinWonders Phu Quoc Theme Park, and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc. Thai fam trip members and other tourists are seen at the Aquarium … [Read more...] about Thai group visits Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, promises to bring tourists to ‘pearl island’
Vietjet reopens flights between Seoul and Vietnam’s beach destinations
Passengers on the first Vietjet Air flight from Seoul to Nha Trang. (Photo: vietjetair.com) Hanoi (VNA) – Celebrating a vibrant summer and welcoming life back to Vietnam's famous paradise beaches, budget carrier Vietjet has officially reopened flights connecting Seoul and Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Hai Phong. The first flight back to Nha Trang from Seoul on May 20 was greeted with a water cannon salute, flowers and gifts, showing Vietnam’s warm hospitality to visitors. Vietjet plans to relaunch services from Seoul to Phu Quoc and Hai Phong and vice versa this May, raising the total routes linking Vietnam and the Republic of Korea to six, given that the two countries are expecting a new wave of tourists from both sides, after the RoK announced the resumption of short-term tourist visas for foreigners from June 1. There are currently three Nha Trang - Seoul (Incheon) round-trip flights weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Starting from May 21, Vietjet … [Read more...] about Vietjet reopens flights between Seoul and Vietnam’s beach destinations
Where to go and what to do in Hanoi for locals and tourists?
Famous tourist attractions in Hanoi and tours between the capital city and neighboring provinces will help turn the visits on the occasion of the 31st SEA Games into memorable experiences. The Southeast Asian Games is not only a sporting event held in a couple of weeks but also an opportunity for the host country to promote its cultural and historical appeals, scenic spots as well as people. The Huc Bridge - a small bridge over Hoan Kiem Lake to enter the Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi. Photo: Vinh Pham The 31st SEA Games is taking place in Hanoi and 11 nearby provinces and cities from May 12 to 23. So, what appealing destinations should tourists visit when coming to this big event? Departing from Hanoi... The capital city is a destination that tourists can’t miss when attending this SEA Games, especially those staying in Vietnam for only a few days. Hanoi is renowned for countless ancient buildings, special scenic spots, and relics such as the … [Read more...] about Where to go and what to do in Hanoi for locals and tourists?
Da Nang to debut open-top double-decker buses for tourists
The central coastal city of Da Nang plans to debut an open-top double-decker bus service as part of the Da Nang City Tour service – the first of its kind in Vietnam. Vice director of the city’s tourism department, Tran Chi Cuong, told Vietnam News that the tour service would create a more real experience for the city’s sight-seers. Part of Da Nang city. Photo: VNS He said the department, in cooperation with relevant city agencies, was exploring possible bus routes that would include destinations in the city as well as in Hoi An city. Cuong said the bus system has been awaiting approval from the ministry of transport, which had not yet allowed the operation of open-top double-decker buses in Vietnam. In 2012, the city introduced battery-powered cars for tourists traveling along coastal destinations as a promotion for environmentally friendly public vehicle use. The city lies within easy reach of the country’s best heritage icons, including Phong … [Read more...] about Da Nang to debut open-top double-decker buses for tourists
Cambodia sees strong rise in tourist number
The number foreign tourist arrivals to Cambodia has gone up sharply. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – With the threat of COVID-19 receding, the number foreign tourist arrivals to Cambodia has gone up sharply with the first four months of this year recording visits by 230,000 international tourists, an increase of 180 percent compared to the same period in 2021, according to the statistics from country’s Ministry of Tourism. Most visitors were from other ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, Europe, the US and other parts of Asia. It is estimated that Cambodi will receive about 800,000 foreign tourists by the end of 2022, Cambodia’s Khmer Times newspaper cited the ministry's data as saying. In order to attract more foreign tourist and improve the efficiency of tourism sector, the ministry has held a meeting on ‘Strengthening the Implementation of Road Map’ with the participation of representatives from Cambodia’s Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation, the … [Read more...] about Cambodia sees strong rise in tourist number
Enjoying the charm of Hà Nội via night tours
HÀ NỘI — Visitors to Hà Nội for the 31st Southeast Asian Games also have the opportunity to explore the charming beauty of the city at night, thanks to night tours to local destinations. The night tours, which include Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, Hỏa Lò Prison Relic and a double-decker bus night tour, aim to popularise images of the 1,000-year-old capital and Việt Nam to international guests. Night tour of Thăng Long Imperial Citadel Visitors enjoy a dance on the glass covering the archaeological excavation area at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel as part of the Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long tour. VNA/VNS Photo The Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, which was placed on the UNESCO list in August 2010, was built in the 11th century during the Lý Dynasty, marking the independence of the Đại Việt (Great Việt). The Imperial Citadel buildings and the remains at the 18 Hoàng Diệu archaeological site reflect a unique Southeast Asian culture specific to the … [Read more...] about Enjoying the charm of Hà Nội via night tours
Visiting President Hồ’s idyllic hometown
SACRED JOURNEY: Sen Village has become a much-loved destination to visit during May. VNA/VNS Photo Tá Chuyên By Vân Trang and Tá Chuyên It has become a tradition during May every year, that people from across the country and further afield flock to Sen (Lotus) Village in the hometown of beloved President Hồ Chi Minh in Kim Liên Commune, the central province of Nghệ An. This month, the village has again become a hot spot, particularly due to a national celebration that will take place to mark President Hồ's 132nd birthday (May 19), and the country opening to tourism after two years of closure due to the pandemic. A team of friends and colleagues, both Vietnamese and foreigners from Finest Future, an international education group in Finland, chose Sen Village special national relic site for their first-holiday summer trip. They were among hundreds of thousands of visitors who have been and will visit the locality this month to pay tribute to President Hồ's noble … [Read more...] about Visiting President Hồ’s idyllic hometown