This outcome came from destinations’ approaches to hosting tourists and their hospitality. These new approaches focused on highlighting the national pride and patriotism.
Impressive figures
Across all the three regions of the North, the Central, and the South, tourist destinations were bustling, providing a strong boost for Vietnam's tourism sector.
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A tourist shows patriotism with national flag in Quang Ninh. |
In the Northwestern region, Lao Cai welcomed approximately 196,500 visitors during the holiday, with Sa Pa receiving around 122,770 visitors, up 33.2% from 2023. Notably, Sun World Fansipan Legend saw tens of thousands of visitors over the four-day holiday. The total revenue from tourism in Lao Cai reached approximately VND 606 billion.
With the majestic beauty of Ha Long Bay and other famous entertainment spots, the Northern province of Quang Ninh attracted 455,000 visitors, a 19% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of visitors to Sun World Ha Long, the largest entertainment complex in Northern Vietnam, was comparable to last year. The total tourism revenue in Quang Ninh was estimated at VND 1 trillion, an increase of 31% compared to 2023, with the hotel occupancy rates reaching from 80% to 90%, particularly high in areas such as Ha Long, Mong Cai, and Co To.
In Central Vietnam, Da Nang not only saw a significant rise in the tourist number but also continued to affirm its status. According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the total number of tourists visiting Da Nang during the holiday reached nearly 308,000, up 21.2% compared with the same period in 2023. The total tourism revenue reached over VND 1.2 trillion, an increase of 33.8% compared to last year. Sun World Ba Na Hills alone saw an estimated 19% increase in visitors over the four-day holiday, while Da Nang downtown, a new entertainment hub in Da Nang, saw an exceptionally impressive increase of 268% compared to last year.
In the South, Phu Quoc attracted 75,591 visitors, a 20.9% increase, with international arrivals accounting for 15,559, a 173% increase from the previous year. With its well-invested and high-quality tourism ecosystem, South Phu Quoc, featuring Sunset Town and new iconic attractions like the "Kiss Bridge," is a magnet for tourists visiting the Pearl Island.
In Tay Ninh, Ba Den Mountain, which is credited as "The Roof of the South," remains a spiritual destination that millions of people from Southern Vietnam flock to during holidays. During this time, visitors flocked to Ba Den Mountain to participate in activities, such as incense offering ceremonies at Ba Temple, enjoying traditional performances like Chhay-dam drum dance, and participating in the sacred lantern-lighting ceremony at the mountain's summit.
Appeal of patriotism and national pride
What made this year's destinations particularly attractive was not just the variety of festivals and new experiences, but the deep sense of national pride and patriotism reflected in the destinations’ ways of decorating to welcome tourists.
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National flag flying in Tay Ninh |
The tourist area of Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh was adorned with bright red flags and flowers from foot to peak. A special highlight was the massive national flag made from thousands of lanterns, powerfully expressing national pride. Additionally, activities such as the flag-raising ceremony at the mountain’s peak, the lantern-lighting ceremony on September 2, and modern water shows created a sense of patriotism and national pride among visitors.
Phu Quoc also stood out with its elaborate decoration featuring red flags and a giant national flag at the Hon Thom cable car station. Every visitor to Phu Quoc during this period received a traditional conical hat painted with the national flag and hand-held flags for photos. The highlight was the dazzling display of the national flag and fireworks during the "Kiss of the Sea" water show on the world's largest sea stage.
Fansipan also saw a large number of visitors participating in the flag-raising and national anthem ceremony at the highest point in the country, where visitors could feel national pride at the highest peak in the Indochina. A notable feature of the tourist area was the national flag, nearly 4 meters high, made from 10,000 roses, attracting many visitors for photos and check-ins.
Translated by Tran Hoai