Ninh Binh announces plans for National Tourism Year 2021
Ninh Binh, a tourist destination in Vietnam’s northern region and host of the National Tourism Year 2021, has released its plans for the annual programme, which feature myriad tourism, cultural, and sporting events.
A pond within the Thien Ton pagoda in Ninh Binh (Photo: VNA)
Ninh Binh (VNA) - Ninh Binh, a tourist destination in Vietnam’s northern region andhost of the National Tourism Year 2021, has released its plans for the annualprogramme, which feature myriad tourism, cultural, and sporting events.
The openingceremony, with the theme “Hoa Lu - Millennium-old Ancient Capital”, is set forApril 20 at the local cultural and historical site of Hoa Lu ancient citadel.
Key events to takeplace throughout the year include festivals at Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hoa Lu ancientcitadel, and the Trang An Landscape Complex, a Tam Coc - Trang An tourism week,and a photo and art exhibition on Ninh Binh.
The province willalso host the Southeast Asian karate championships and be the venue for thesport at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) later in theyear.
In response to theNational Tourism Year, 27 cities and provinces nationwide, including Hanoi, HaiPhong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Lam Dong, will also organise a range ofenticing activities.
Some 90km south ofHanoi, Ninh Binh’s many famous destinations includethe Trang An Landscape Complex - aUNESCO-recognised heritage site; Tam Coc, nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on Land”; CucPhuong National Park; Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve; and Phat Diem StoneCathedral.
The province wasselected as host for this year, after its activities planned as host in 2020 werecancelled due to COVID-19.
It aims to welcome7 million tourist arrivals in 2021, after welcoming just 2.8 million last year,or 37 percent of the 2019 figure, because of the pandemic./.
US travel site TripstoDiscover has named Vietnam’s popular destinations Sa Pa (Lao Cai) and Ninh Binh among the 14 Up-and-Coming Destinations in Asia to Visit.
More than 100 km away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, the Thung Nham bird park in the northern province of Ninh Binh has become a favorite spot for bird lovers in Vietnam.
Ninh Binh has emerged as an attractive tourist destination in recent years and made headlines for several times thanks to its majestic landscapes and relic sites. They have become intimate check-in venues for both domestic and international visitors.
Ninh Binh province, a tourist destination in the north, is launching several measures to achieve its goal of welcoming 7 million arrivals this year, during which it hosts the National Tourism Year.
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.
A pond within the Thien Ton pagoda in Ninh Binh (Photo: VNA) 
