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At the workshop promoting Vietnam’s tourist destinations and e-visa policy which takes place in Hong Kong (China) on March 14. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A workshop promoting Việt Nam’s tourist destinations and e-visa policy took place in Hong Kong (China) on March 14.

Co-organised by the Vietnam Airlines branch in the region and the Society of IATA Passenger Agents Ltd (SIPA), the event gathered representatives of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau and CEOs and senior managers of many local travel companies.

In his opening remarks, the head of the Vietnam Airlines branch, Ngô Trí Hùng, said Hong Kong residents consider Việt Nam an attractive place for its scenic spots, friendly people, diverse culture, exquisite cuisine, and near distance of just several hours’ flight. Vietnam Airlines is operating 11 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City.

The workshop introduced the latest top Vietnamese destinations as voted by TripAdvisor like Ha Long Bay, the Sapa resort town and the ancient citadel of Hue.

In particular, Consul Nguyễn Minh Tuấn from the Consulate General informed the participants about the advantages and convenience of the e-visas, such as simple procedures that save time.

SIPA Chairman Tommy Tam told the Vietnam News Agency that Hong Kong residents are fond of traveling to Việt nam. He expressed his hope to see Vietnamese tourism businesses bringing their products to the upcoming International Travel Expo (ITE) Hong Kong scheduled for June. — VNS

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Bauhinia flowers bloom abundantly throughout the mountains and forests of Điện Biên Province.

ĐIỆN BIÊN PHỦ CITY — Hoa ban (Bauhinia flower, or simply known as orchid tree flowers), known for its beautiful and delicate white petals, holds a special place in the hearts of many former soldiers from Điện Biên.

Amidst the chaos of war, with its bombs, bullets, smoke, and fire, this flower represents a vivid and poetic memory. Growing in the mountains and forests of the northwest, the bauhinia flower symbolises the rustic beauty of a Thái girl, adorned with a piêu scarf and a cóm shirt. It also embodies pure and faithful love between couples. However, few people are aware that this flower also carries a profound significance for the soldiers of Điện Biên Phủ, evoking memories of the glorious days of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory in 1954 – a triumph that marked the end of a century-long struggle against French colonial domination by the Vietnamese people.

The bauhinia flower invokes heroic memories, particularly during the month of March. Along the road leading to the Him Lam Resistance Centre Relic, one can witness the landscape adorned with white bauhinia flowers. The sight of these flowers recalls the spring of 1954, when soldiers hid under the canopies of bauhinia forests, awaiting the Ðiện Biên Phủ Campaign.

Former soldier Bùi Kim Điều pays tribute to his comrades at the Him Lam Resistance Centre Relic by lighting incense

Bùi Kim Điều, a former soldier, slowly walks amidst the pure white blooms of the bauhinia flowers on the road to the Him Lam Resistance Centre Relic. Memories rush back to him as he observes the flowers blooming and fluttering in the sunlight. Pausing next to the mass grave at the entrance of the relic, Điều carefully lights incense sticks in honour of his fallen comrades.

During the Ðiện Biên Phủ Campaign, Điều served as a liaison officer, entrusted with the task of directly transmitting orders from the Political Commissar to units C405, E165, and F312. One battle that remains etched in his memory is the attack on Him Lam base – a stronghold considered by the French army to be an impregnable “steel door.”

At the age of 94, memories of the Ðiện Biên Phủ battlefield remain vivid in Điều’s mind.

“Even now, I can visualise and sketch the entire Điện Biên Phủ basin from that day. It’s as clear in my mind as the palm of my hand. My comrades and I fought and emerged victorious from Him Lam Hill to A1 Hill, ultimately reaching General Christian de Castries’ trench,” Điều reminisces.

In the midst of those arduous and fierce days, the presence of the bauhinia flowers served as a cherished memory for this veteran soldier.

Whenever the bauhinia flowers bloom, they evoke memories of the Ðiện Biên Phủ Campaign in people’s minds.

“I can still recall that during the intense war, many hills on the battlefield of Điện Biên Phủ were adorned with white bauhinia flowers. Every time we caught sight of them, we were astounded. The most memorable experience was during our march to Điện Biên, passing through Pha Đin Pass, where the flowers descended upon us, and we picked them, adorning our chest pockets, backpacks, and gun barrels. Only later, upon hearing from the locals, did I come to know that they were bauhinia flowers,” Điều reveals.

Like Điều, Nguyễn Hữu Chấp’s mind is flooded with war-time memories every time the bauhinia flowers bloom. Chấp served as the squad leader of the 82mm mortar squad in Company 290, Battalion 166, Regiment 209, Brigade 312.

Vietnamese soldiers launched an attack on a fortified position at Him Lam.

Chấp shares, “The Him Lam base group was deemed an invincible ‘steel door’ by the French army. With a troop strength of up to 750 soldiers, the French army constructed fortresses on three hills to establish a formidable foothold, equipped with modern weaponry and a network of sturdy bunkers. To emerge victorious, we fought with unwavering determination.”

“We were steadfast in our resolve to protect this land fully, safeguard the peaceful lives of the people, and preserve the pristine beauty of the flower-filled forests. Today, it fills me with immense joy to witness the excitement that accompanies the traditional festivals held during the blooming season of the Bauhinia flowers. It is a testament that our sacrifices and efforts have been rewarded,” Chấp concludes.

Unique beauty

Điện Biên Phủ City is currently bustling with preparations for the Bauhinia Flower Festival, an annual event held in the middle of March. This festival is closely tied to the opening battle of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign and coincides with the blooming of the bauhinia flowers.

A visit to Điện Biên Phủ during this time allows visitors to not only explore the remnants of the old battlefield but also to witness and be enchanted by the pristine beauty of the flowers that grace the mountains and forests of the northwest region.

Over the course of 70 seasons, the bauhinia flowers have continued to bloom on the old battlefield, transforming the landscape day by day. Yet, the echoes of victory never cease to reverberate, particularly when the white petals of the bauhinia flowers illuminate the mountainsides and deep valleys. It is during this time that the festival season commences, filling the hearts of the local people with joy and pride as they participate in the festivities and celebrate their heroic land.

The Him Lam Resistance Centre Relic is associated with the opening fight of the Ðiện Biên Phủ Campaign.

Is it a mere coincidence that a flower native to the mountains and forests is intertwined with one of the greatest victories in the nation’s history? The resilient and vibrant bauhinia tree, enduring bombs, sun, and wind, played a role in protecting Vietnamese soldiers, artillery, and tanks. In the midst of the untamed mountains and forests, many reconnaissance soldiers even used bauhinia flowers to mark their paths, ensuring they wouldn’t get lost.

In the Mường Phăng Forest, where the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Headquarters once stood, bauhinia flowers bloom amidst the towering trees. This land witnessed 56 days and nights of bloodshed, fire, and bombardment that left devastation in their wake.

Mường Thanh Valley became the fiercest battlefield in the history of the resistance war against the French colonialists. Yet, amidst it all, the bauhinia trees emerged as a symbol of resilience and life, still blooming. Thus, the people of Điện Biên Province take great pride in naming their festival after these forest flowers.

The pristine beauty of bauhinia flowers on the Ðiện Biên Phủ battlefield memorial.

Today, bauhinia flowers can be found in many provinces and cities across the country, even adorning the capital city of Hà Nội. However, in Điện Biên, these flowers possess a unique beauty of their own. Every March, the bauhinia flowers surprise visitors with their breathtaking splendor. Despite the early bloom caused by the hot weather this year, tourists continue to flock to this land because they yearn to witness this flower embellishing the heroic historical site.

The people of Điện Biên hold the bauhinia flowers in high regard, just as they cherish the victory of Điện Biên Phủ. As a result, this flower has become a symbol, and the Bauhinia Flower Festival serves as an invitation for tourists from all corners of the world to visit the province every March. VNS

Every March, bauhinia flowers always surprise visitors with their breathtaking beauty.

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At the working session. – VNA/VNS Photo

 CẦN THƠ — Authorities of Cần Thơ and a delegation from Germany’s Wernigerode city led by Mayor Tobias Kascha agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, with a focus on sustainable green tourism, during a working session in the Mekong Delta city on March 8.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Dương Tấn Hiền said Cần Thơ boasts a strong agricultural sector, with 80% of its land for farming (nearly 115,000 ha). The city is a hub for services and tourism, with rice, seafood, fruit trees and animal farming forming the backbone of its agricultural industry.

Last year, the city accommodated roughly 6 million visitors, generating a revenue of VNĐ5.42 trillion (US$225.8 million). Leveraging the advantages provided by the Government’s pilot specific policies and mechanisms for Cần Thơ’s development, the city aims to maximise its potential and become a stronger economic force.

Hiền emphasised the mutual benefits of increased agricultural cooperation between Wernigerode and Cần Thơ, saying that it aligns perfectly with Cần Thơ’s strategic focus on developing its services- tourism.

The city commits all possible support for firms from Germany, particularly those from Wernigerode to do business there, he said.

Hien wished that Mayor Kascha would act as a bridge, facilitating information exchange and business opportunities for Cần Thơ enterprises seeking to expand into Wernigerode.

Mayor Kascha expressed his desire for deeper cooperation across various sectors. He highlighted Germany’s existing twinning relationships with HCM Minh City and Hội An, which he believes provide a solid foundation for further locality-to-locality partnerships between Việt Nam and Germany.

Wernigerode, like Cần Thơ, prioritises tourism as a key economic driver, he said, noting the German city’s extensive experience in sustainable green tourism models. He expressed his willingness to share this expertise with Cần Thơ while learning from the Mekong Delta city’s successful models, particularly those focusing on green tourism adaptable to climate change.

According to the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, Cần Thơ exported $18.15 million  worth of goods to Germany last year, with rice, aquatic products, agricultural and processed agricultural products, apparel and handicrafts as key currency earners. Its imports from Germany reached $260,000, mostly pharmaceutical materials, machinery and equipment.  VNS

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Ngọc Chiến Commune is home to the largest sơn tra forest in the country. — Photo truyenhinhvov.vn

SƠN LA — The Sơn Tra Flower Festival is set to take place on March 9-10 at Ngọc Chiến Commune, Mường La District, Sơn La Province, home to the largest sơn tra forest in the country.

Sơn tra, also known as táo mèo (Docynia indica), is a distinctive tree that holds great economic value for the Mông people in the northwest region. In recent years, it has significantly contributed to the region’s economic growth and improved the livelihoods of the local population.

The festival will showcase a range of cultural and artistic activities featuring the ethnic identity of the northwest. One of the highlights will be the Creative Camp with the theme “Lost in the Sơn Tra Forest,” which will host exhibitions and presentations of agricultural products, local culture, and OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items from Mường La District and neighbouring districts.

The Sơn Tra Flower Festival will highlight local products and culture. — Photo trangtraiviet.danviet.vn

Visitors will also have the opportunity to join folk games and sports, including crossbow shooting and stick pushing, in the commune.

This year’s festival holds special significance as Ngọc Chiến Commune will be officially recognised as the largest sơn tra flower forest in the country.

According to Lò Văn Thoa, vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Ngọc Chiến Commune, the 2023 Sơn Tra Flower Festival attracted approximately 30,000 visitors. This year, the festival is expected to draw around 50,000 visitors.

Sơn tra is a distinctive tree that holds great economic value for the Mông people in the northwest region. — Photo baodantoc.vn

Currently, there are more than 30 accommodation establishments capable of hosting 1,000 to 2,000 guests.

In addition to immersing themselves in the enchanting flower forests, breathtaking natural landscapes, pristine villages and refreshing climate, festival attendees will have the opportunity to explore the unique cultural traditions, customs and tantalising culinary delights of the local community.

Bùi Tiến Sỹ, party secretary of Ngọc Chiến Commune, stated, “Through the festival, our aim is to preserve and promote the rich traditional cultural values of the ethnic groups in the area, while showcasing the captivating beauty of the sơn tra flower landscape in Nậm Nghẹp Village, Ngọc Chiến Commune, to both domestic and international tourists.”

The Sơn Tra Flower Festival is set to take place on March 9-10 at Ngọc Chiến Commune, Mường La District. — Photo trangtraiviet.danviet.vn

This year’s festival also seeks to create optimal opportunities and conditions for fostering connections among communities, businesses and visitors, with the goal of experiencing and exploring investment prospects for the tourism resources of Mường La District, Sơn La Province, Mù Cang Chải District, Yên Bái Province, and neighbouring districts. VNS

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Image of Một Cột (One Pillar) Pagoda, a famous attraction of Hà Nội, made of drone light technology. A drone light show will make Hà Nội sky brilliant during Get on Hà Nội — Scent of Tây Hồ 2024 this weekend. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A drone light show will sparkle the Hà Nội sky this coming weekend, part of the capital city’s plan to push tourism in 2024.

The municipal Department of Tourism has launched a programme entitled Get on Hà Nội – Scent of Tây Hồ 2024, which will be held on March 9-10 at the Tây Hồ Creative Cultural Space at Trịnh Công Sơn walking street.

According to organisers, the programme will bring visitors a new experience, a combination of modernity and an epic story based on Hà Nội history through a semi-realistic art show and a light show with laser mapping technology.

The highlight will be a light show of hundreds of drones taking off in the night sky that will promise a spectacle of dancing lights in the night sky, synchronised to music, leaving people in awe and wonder.

The 15-minute unique artistic light work beginning at 9.30pm on March 9 will allow visitors to explore famous scenic spots found throughout the capital, starting from Tây Hồ District. Meanwhile, the drone lights will also depict beautiful stories and images of Vietnamese culture.

Drone mapping technology will make an incredible night for local residents and tourists on March 9.

Prior to the show, there will be culinary and specialty experiences along with booths displaying tourist products, areas for taking photos and check-ins, and traditional folk games.

A exhibition will give visitors a glimpse of the charming capital city captured in award-winning works of the recent photo contest Welcome Hà Nội City.

During the event, organisers will hold a ceremony to announce a decision of the City People’s Committee on recognising Tây Hồ District’s Nhật Tân Tourist Area as an urban-level tourist destination.

The recognition will help the district deploy its promotional activities to attract visitors to visit, explore and enjoy local cuisine and tourist sites.

Image of King Lý Thái Tổ and the Edict on the Transfer of the Capital made by drones during a light show on 2024 Lunar New Year Eve.

Main attractions include Nhật Tân Communal House, Tảo Sách Pagoda, Nhật Tân traditional peach blossom craft village, West Lake flower valley and a water park.

“The programme aims to promote the image of Hà Nội as a safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination,” said Đặng Hương Giang, director of the Hà Nội Department of Tourism. “It is to attract more and more tourists to Hà Nội, actively boosting the development of Việt Nam’s tourism and making a positive contribution to the capital’s socio-economic development.”

The Get on Hà Nội is one of the activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2024).

Young women take photos of the drone light show on 2024 Lunar New Year Eve.

It is also the opener of many interesting cultural, festival and tourism activities throughout 2024. More than 50 events, including Hà Nội Tourism Festival 2024; Hà Nội Tourism Gift Festival 2024; Hà Nội Autumn Festival; Craft Village Culinary and Tourism Festival; and Hà Nội Áo Dài Festival 2024, will take place.

The city targets to host around 27 million visitors this year, up 9.2 per cent from a year ago. This includes 5.5 million international arrivals, up 16.4 per cent from the 2023 benchmark, and 21.5 million domestic visitors, up 7.5 per cent.

Total revenue from tourists is expected to reach VNĐ104 trillion (US$4.2 billion), up 11.1 per cent compared to 2023. — VNS

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Việt Nam has welcomed numerous high-end international tourist groups via sea routes to experience culture and tourism. – VNA Photo

HCM CITY – Large numbers of foreign tourists are expected to visit by luxury cruise ships in March and berth at places like HCM City, Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang, and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu cities.

On March 2 the Azamara Journey (Azamara Cruises) arrived at Saigon Port in HCM City with over 700 passengers from various countries in Europe, the US and Australia.

On March 19 and 20 the Resort World One cruise ship will dock in Nha Trang and Đà Nẵng, the Azamara in Hạ Long, Đà Nẵng and HCM City, and the Silver Shadow in HCM City and Huế.

March is the last month of the busy cruise tourism season, which begins in November.

According to Saigontourist Travel company in the first two months of 2024, it hosted over 10 ships with 30,000 tourists, an increase of 15 per cent from last year.

Tourists prefer long voyages, visiting various cities like Hạ Long, Huế, Đà Nẵng, and Nha Trang, and choose from various itineraries after arriving at a port.

International cruise tourism has recently seen rapid recovery in Việt Nam after the Government eased visa policies, improved infrastructure and created new accommodation and sightseeing spots of international standards.

According to statistics from the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism, over three million foreign tourists visited the country in the first two months of the year.

Communication and marketing activities and creative initiatives by local authorities and businesses to develop tourism are credited for this success.

The tourism authority also pointed to the success of the new visa policy that took effect last August.

It tripled the stay period to 45 days for nationals of countries exempted from getting a visa and began the issuance of electronic visas for all nationals for a maximum stay of 90 days.

These are early positive signs for tourism in a year when the country targets 18 million arrivals. – VNS

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