Industry News
Viet Nam Wins 15 ASEAN Tourism Awards
Viet Nam has won 15 ASEAN tourism awards at a ceremony held as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which wrapped up in Ha Long city, the northern port city of Quang Ninh, on January 18.
The awards cover the fields of community-based tourism, homestay, spa, and public toilet services.
Themed “ASEAN: The Power of One”, the ATF featured more than 20 activities and events, attracting the participation of over 2,000 delegates from tourism ministries and agencies of ASEAN, the World Tourism Organisation, and other international tourism organisations and associations.
Themed “ASEAN: The Power of One”, the ATF featured more than 20 activities and events, attracting the participation of over 2,000 delegates from tourism ministries and agencies of ASEAN, the World Tourism Organisation, and other international tourism organisations and associations.
It has opened up opportunities for cooperation in and the promotion of the lands, cultures, and peoples of ASEAN member countries to international friends, as well as helped elevate the political position of the 10-member group through bilateral and multilateral mechanism dialogues.
At the event, Viet Nam proposed connecting heritages to boost ASEAN tourism in the digital era.
Representatives of the participating countries highly valued the efforts made by Viet Nam and Quang Ninh province, which is home to UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay, in hosting the forum.
Representatives of the participating countries highly valued the efforts made by Viet Nam and Quang Ninh province, which is home to UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay, in hosting the forum.
This is the second time Viet Nam has hosted the ATF, following the first in 2009 under the theme of “ASEAN Tourism: Striving for a New Height”.
Destination Highlights
Ha Noi: Huong pagoda festival opens
The three-month Huong Pagoda Festival, the largest of its kind in Viet Nam, kicked off in Huong Son commune, Ha Noi’s outlying district of My Duc on February 10 (the sixth day of the lunar new year), attracting numerous visitors with less congestion than previous years.
The organising board said up to 124,500 pilgrims flocked to Huong Pagoda, about 60km from downtown Ha Noi, from February 7-9, even 46,800 on February 8 alone. On February 10, the figure is estimated at over 50,000.
Going to Huong Pagoda is a spiritual journey to the Buddhist Land – where the Goddess of Mercy leads a religious life.
Visitors have sightseeing trips to pagodas, temples and caves which are the main attractions at the Huong pagoda festival, and join ceremonies to ask favours from Lord Buddha.
Going to Huong Pagoda is a spiritual journey to the Buddhist Land – where the Goddess of Mercy leads a religious life.
Visitors have sightseeing trips to pagodas, temples and caves which are the main attractions at the Huong pagoda festival, and join ceremonies to ask favours from Lord Buddha.
Ban Flower Festival 2019 To Be Held In Dien Bien In March

The Ban Flower Festival 2019 – the popular spring flower festival of the north and northwestern region, will take place from March 6-18 in Dien Bien province.
The annual festival named after the most beautiful flower in the region, ban flower (scientifically known as Bauhinia Variegata), will feature cultural life in the north and northwestern region, home to about 19 ethnic minorities, including Thai and Mong people.
A book and photo exhibition featuring the traditional culture of Dien Bien’s ethnic groups is expected to go along with a series of art performances including folk singing and dancing.
A beauty contest, the Miss Hoa Ban, will also be held with the participation of candidates from eight northern and northwestern provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Phu Tho and Ha Giang to present their traditional costumes.
A beauty contest, the Miss Hoa Ban, will also be held with the participation of candidates from eight northern and northwestern provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Phu Tho and Ha Giang to present their traditional costumes.
Travel Updates
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