Spouses of ABAC III delegates captivated by Lan Ha Bay
The trip was a valuable opportunity for the guests to explore the natural landscape and heritage value of the trans-provincial world natural heritage site, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago.
The guests pose for a group photo as part of their trip around Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong on July 17. (Photo: VNA)
Hai Phong (VNA) – As part of the ongoing third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC III) in the northern port city of Hai Phong, spouses and companions of delegates on July 17 enjoyed a visit to the UNESCO-listed Lan Ha Bay of Cat Ba Island.
Located in the Cat Hai special zone, the bay boasts 366 islands and 136 pristine beaches. It is part of the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago complex, designated a world natural heritage site in 2023.
The group visited the Cai Beo floating fishing village – one of the oldest of its kind in Vietnam and considered a cradle of ancient Vietnamese culture – before heading into the heart of the bay.
Flavia Bueno from Peru shared her impression of the bay’s untouched and tranquil beauty. She said she will tell her friends and family about Lan Ha and Hai Phong when she returns to Peru, and hopes to come back in the future.
Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the trip was a valuable opportunity for the guests to explore the natural landscape and heritage value of the trans-provincial world nat🅘ural heritage site, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago. Hai Phong hopes that the delegates will help promote the image of Cat Ba and Hai Phong more broadly to the world./.
The tour, hosted by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the sidelines of the meeting from July 15-18, allowed guests to explore the intricate pottery-making process, admire vivid ceramic displays, and try their hand at painting, immersing themselves in a craft that once defined Vietnamese craftsmanship.
The exhibition features seven modern booths in a 375 sqm space, designed to showcase the locality’s dynamic and friendly image, as well as its strong socio-economic growth and potential for investment and tourism.
As the official representative body of the business community within APEC and a key bridge between the private sector and APEC economic leaders, the ABAC not only proposes business-friendly policies but also plays a direct role in creating practical solutions to strengthen value chains, promote investment, facilitate trade flows, and encourage innovation.
Looking ahead, experts predicted that 2025 will be AR’s breakout year, akin to the ubiquity of QR codes. With AI cooking up personalised trips and lightweight, user-friendly gadgets, Vietnam’s tourism industry is ready to explode.
According to booking data from Emirates — one of the world’s largest airlines, Vietnam is leading the list of the most popular destinations for the summer 2025 travel peak, thanks in part to the appeal of the new Dubai–Da Nang route.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Phu Quoc surpassed Hoi An, a longtime top draw for international visitors, to get into the top five most-searched destinations in Vietnam during the first half of 2025.
Vietnam MICE EXPO 2025, the country’s largest event in the MICE sector, will be held on September 26 in Hanoi under the theme “Heritage & Technology in the New Era,” expecting over 800 businesses and 1,500 delegates.
The article describes Vietnam as a vibrant, atmospheric, and culturally rich nation. Citing the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it notes that the number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing all other international destinations.
Unlike more developed destinations such as Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai, Mien Doi remains untouched by mass tourism, appealing to those seeking a slower pace and authentic local experiences.
From 2022 to 2024, Hanoi saw a strong annual growth rate of 28.3% in visitor numbers during the National Day holiday, with international visitors rising 62.5% annually. Tourism revenue grew by 31.6% per year, reinforcing Hanoi’s status as a vibrant, culturally rich, and safe destination.
Following the recent administrative restructuring that merged the city with the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, HCM City now boasts 681 potential tourist sites. With a population of over 14 million, it has become Vietnam’s largest intra-provincial tourism market, both in scale and in diversity.
The three-month contest aims to encourage content creators and travel lovers to showcase the beauty of the landscapes, people, and culture of Vietnam through short videos, to international audiences in an emotionally engaging and modern way.
With its “simple, green, and friendly” vibe, Cao Bang is establishing itself as Vietnam’s most welcoming getaway, rocketing up the list of top spots in the northern mountains.
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 3.85 million foreigners in the first half, a 44% surge year-on-year, alongside 18.3 million domestic tourists, up 7%. The influx generated nearly 117.94 trillion VND (4.53 billion USD) in revenue, a 27.3% yearly rise, putting the city nearly halfway to its annual target, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
In the article titled "The World's Largest Cave Has Its Own Climate System With Jungles, Rivers, and Clouds—and This Is the Only Way You Can See It", Travel+Leisure describes Son Doong as a “surreal natural wonder,” featuring massive domes, a primeval jungle hidden underground, an underground river system, and its own secluded climate.
Hanoi’s Department of Tourism has introduced a series of new attractive tourism products, aiming to make a strong breakthrough during the National Day (September 2) holiday, and accelerate growth through the end of the year.
With its pristine natural beauty, diverse tourism options, and growing focus on sustainability, Vinh Hy Bay is truly a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the wonders of Khanh Hoa province.
In line with guidance from the Government Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the capital has assigned its Department of Agriculture and Environment to raise public awareness and disseminate legal knowledge on biodiversity conservation and resource use.
To encourage domestic visitors, the Tourism Department has launched the 2025 tourism promotion scheme themed "Hanoians and Tourists Experience Four- and Five-Star Hotel Services in Hanoi", with a special focus on the week leading up to Vietnam Family Day (June 28).
Vietnam led the region with a 30% increase in international arrivals compared to Q1 2024, and ranked second in terms of recovery rate, with a 34% rise over the same period in 2019.
The show's popularity is continuously going viral on social media in Vietnam, with a record of over 13 million views on YouTube after its first five episodes.
The H1 figure stood at 49% of the full-year target of 22-23 million tourists, but it should be noted that the peak international tourism season in Vietnam lasts from October to March.
