CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Aeroflot launches commercial flight Moscow – Cam Ranh

Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism jointly with Cam Ranh International Airport and the representative office of Russian Airline Aeroflot welcomed the first commercial flight from Moscow (Russia) to Khanh Hoa on March 23. Present at the event were representatives of the Consulate of Russia in Ho Chi Minh City, leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cam Ranh International Airport and relevant agencies.

Nguyen Van Nhuan, Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presents gifts to the first tourists arriving at Cam Ranh International Airport.

The Aeroflot’s Moscow – Cam Ranh service on Airbus A350-900 and A330-300 has a capacity of 315 and 295 passengers respectively with 3 flights/week. The first flight departed from Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow and landed at Cam Ranh International Airport at 9:30 on March 23 with 292 passengers. Russian tourists were very happy to travel to Khanh Hoa, enjoying the warm weather and receiving a heartfelt welcome from Khanh Hoa’s tourism leader.

Russian tourists are excited to travel to Khanh Hoa.

Russian tourists arrive in Khanh Hoa by Aeroflot commercial flight.

Russia is a traditional market for Khanh Hoa’s tourism. Earlier, Azur Air (Russia) had resumed charter flights connecting 11 Russian cities with Khanh Hoa from March 17. Anex Vietnam jointly with Azur Air (Russia) operates flights on Boeing 757, Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 from Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Barnaul, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Tomsk, Novokuznetsk and Blagoveshchensk to Khanh Hoa.

Leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and delegates pose with Aeroflot Airlines crew.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, besides Azur Air and Aeroflot, Ikar, North Wind, Red Win… are planning to operate flights to Cam Ranh this summer.

Source: Khanh Hoa News – news.baokhanhhoa.vn – Mar 23, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

The First “Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival – Hue 2025” opens

On the evening of March 21st, the opening ceremony of the first-ever “Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival – Hue 2025” took place at Ngo Mon Square – Hue Imperial Citadel, with the theme “Heroic spirit of the nation.”

The event marks the 50th anniversary of Hue’s liberation day (March 26th, 1975 – March 26th, 2025) and is part of the Visit Viet Nam Year – Hue 2025. It is also one of the Spring Festival programs within Hue Festival 2025.

The opening ceremony was staged in an epic, theatrical style, featuring a grand drum performance, renowned artists and singers, and the integration of Vietnamese martial arts into a spectacular showcase. The event also included fire displays and pyrotechnic effects. In the beautiful spring weather of Hue, thousands of spectators gathered at Ngo Mon Square to witness a unique and captivating blend of martial arts and performing arts.

The program began with “Sacred Drum of the Nation” and the song “Red Blood, Yellow Skin” performed by artists from Hue Royal Traditional Arts Theater. A highlight of the event was the “Heroic spirit of the Nation” performance, which depicted the history of Vietnamese martial arts through breathtaking demonstrations from various disciplines, including Kinh Van An Martial Arts, Vovinam, Taekwondo, and Karatedo. A Hip-Hop dance special “Martial Arts with Hue music” was a fusion of traditional and modern elements…

Spanning over two days, March 21st -22nd, the “Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival – Hue 2025” is a cultural, sports, and tourism event that aims to honor and promote the rich heritage of Vietnamese martial arts. It also seeks to spread the deep values and humane spirit of martial arts to the world. The festival serves as a platform for martial arts schools and practitioners to meet, exchange knowledge, and discuss the preservation and promotion of traditional Vietnamese martial arts both domestically and globally.

According to Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center, this first “Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival – Hue 2025” is not only a gathering for martial arts groups to pay tribute to their ancestors and national heroes but also an opportunity for them to showcase their strengths through competitions, performances, and exhibitions. The event promises to take the audience on an emotional journey, immersing them in a legendary artistic space filled with the essence of martial arts and the cultural heritage of the ancient capital.

Earlier, on the morning of March 21st, the ceremonial segment of the festival took place with activities such as the Preliminary and Incense tribute Ceremony at The Mieu Temple, the Dragon Procession on the Perfume River, and the Offering Ceremony at the Martial Temple. The festival’s celebratory activities included the Vietnamese Martial Arts Exchange Program, the Martial Arts Conference, a tour of the Imperial Citadel, large-scale martial arts formations, and synchronized performances. The event welcomed renowned martial arts groups representing various Vietnamese disciplines, including Kinh Van An Martial Arts, Vovinam, and Binh Dinh Martial Arts.

“Through this festival, we hope to revive Hue’s historical martial arts sites, such as the Martial Temple and Xien Vo Tu, integrating them into regular martial arts activities. Our goal is to make Hue a premier destination for the martial arts community and the general public alike. We aim to establish the Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival as an annual, well-organized event that attracts martial arts groups from around the world. In the future, traditional Vietnamese martial arts events will also be hosted at this venue, creating a unique cultural institution dedicated to martial arts,” said Mr. Trung.

Highlights from the opening night of the Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival:

The grand opening ceremony was staged with epic theatrical elements

Spectacular martial arts performances 

Archery demonstrations

 Modern arts were also included

Source: Hue News – news.baothuathienhue.vn- Mar 23, 2025

CategoriesDiscover Viet Nam By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Vietnamese culinary adventure: “Breakfast will never be the same”

Sydney Morning Herald, a newspaper published in Sydney, Australia, has just published an article highlighting a Vietnamese culinary adventure “Greatest pho ever: I ate the best of Vietnamese food in 48 hours”.

Pho, a famous Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat

The writer excitedly shared the best Vietnamese dishes based on his own experiences. His first dish for an energetic breakfast is pho, a famous traditional dish of Vietnamese cuisine. Phở can be found everywhere—in restaurants, hotels, and on virtually every street corner.

“Sitting at a rickety table amid early-morning Ho Chi Minh City crowds, the smell of scooter exhaust almost entirely masked by the scent of ripped basil leaves and the deeply complex beef broth right before you. I’ve eaten a lot of pho. I love pho.”

This aromatic Vietnamese noodle soup is so perfectly balanced with flavors and textures, its broth flavored with herbs and aromatics, its noodles slippery and chewy with just-cooked beef, crunchy bean sprouts, thin-sliced onion, fresh basil and coriander. The interplay of textures – from the tender slices of beef to the crisp bean sprouts and velvety noodles—is irresistible.

For many, morning coffee is a ritual and a source of energy and focus

However, besides pho, you should definitely try many other dishes, for example, a charcoal grill Bo la lot, spiced ground beef wrapped in lot leaves served with herbs, pickled vegetables and rice-paper sheets. Its flavors are a delightful mix, sweet, sour, savory and smoky, making it a perfect introduction to Vietnamese cuisine.

Another dish for a good taste is a loaf of bread, a classic pork roll, a baguette filled with pate, mayonnaise, various slices of cured pork, pickled daikon and carrot. It is a beloved street food and a must-try for visitors to Vietnam.

The writer also reminded travelers not to forget to sip iced milk coffee, a great way to start a day. Sitting in a lovely cafe, sipping coffee while listening to melodious music will give us the feeling of peace and relaxation.

For a hearty option, Bun Rieu soup stands out. It is served with tomato broth and topped with minced freshwater crab. There are several varieties of Bun Rieu by region. “Bun Rieu broth is made with tomatoes and small freshwater crabs, with thin rice noodles, crab cakes, hunks of pork meat and pork rind, shredded banana flower, fresh herbs, etc.”

Banh Canh Cua, a thick crab-based soup with chewy tapioca noodles is surely another must-try masterpiece. This slurp-worthy bowl of Banh Canh Cua has an explosive fresh crab flavor and slippery tapioca noodles for every noodle soup lover.

And then finally the next day, he went on to have one more meal with a dish of Banh Cuon, or steamed rice sheets with shrimp and pork, a delicate and delectable Vietnamese dish that exemplifies the country’s culinary artistry. Banh Cuon can be enjoyed as a breakfast dish or a light meal. The dipping sauce is sweet, sour, salty, savory and/or spicy and so addictive.

With a variety of dishes to choose from, “Breakfast will never be the same” during a culinary adventure in Vietnam.

Source: Khanh Hoa News – news.baokhanhhoa.vn – Maarr 23, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Australian famtrip group surveys tourism products in Hue

During two days from March 19 to 20, an Australian famtrip group visited, experienced, and surveyed tourism products in Hue City. This was an opportunity for the city’s tourism sector to promote and showcase the unique tourist routes, destinations, and tourism products of the locality to the Australian tourist market.

The Australian famtrip group visited and surveyed tourism products in Hue

The program was organized by Hue City Tourism Promotion Information Center in collaboration with Da Nang and Quang Nam Tourism Promotion Centers. The Australian famtrip group included nearly 20 travel companies, promotion agencies, press, and media outlets from Australia.

In Hue, the Australian famtrip group visited and surveyed the Hai Van Frontier Post (Hai Van Quan), surveyed Vedana Resort; visited Hue Imperial Citadel; Thien Mu Pagoda; experienced a city tour of Hue by double-decker bus; and experienced Hue by night.

The group also visited the tombs of Emperor Minh Mang, Emperor Khai Dinh, and Emperor Tu Duc; surveyed the Pilgrimage Village; and experienced checking-in at Thuy Xuan incense village.

The famtrip program aims to provide an opportunity for major travel companies in Australia to survey tourism products and evaluate service quality in Hue City; through the program to promote them to the Australian market, a potential market for Hue City and the Central region. From this activity, the local tourism sector also introduced and promoted the images, culture, people, and tourism destinations of Hue as attractive, safe, friendly, and hospitable destinations.

Source: Hue News – news.baothuathienhue.vn- Mar 21, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Norwegian Sky cruise ship brings 1,950 travelers to Khanh Hoa

The Norwegian Sky cruise ship registered in Bahamas, bringing 1,950 travelers together with over 860 crew called at Cam Ranh Port, Khanh Hoa on March 22 on an itinerary Hong Kong (China) – Cam Ranh International Port – Phu My Port (Ba Ria – Vung Tau).

Norwegian Sky ship docks at Cam Ranh International Port on the morning of March 22

The travelers explored popular attractions in Nha Trang, took a cycle rickshaw tour of Nha Trang City and the countryside; Truong Son Traditional Craft Village and visited Nui Chua National Park, Vinh Hy Bay, Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan).  The ship left Cam Ranh International Port this afternoon for Phu My Port.

Norwegian Sky cruise ship is owned and operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. Since the beginning of the year, the Norwegian Sky ship has docked at Cam Ranh International Port twice.

Norwegian Sky cruise ship passengers practice bamboo dance at Truong Son Traditional Craft Village.

Since the beginning of 2025, Khanh Hoa has welcomed 8 cruise ships with 13,500 travelers getting ashore for sightseeing tours. This is a positive signal for the cruise tourism recovery and development in Khanh Hoa, contributing significantly to the success of Khanh Hoa’s tourism industry.

Source: Khanh Hoa News – news.baokhanhhoa.vn – Mar 22, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

First charter flight from Iran takes 200 visitors to HCMC

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism welcomed a group of 200 Iranian tourists who arrived in the city on a charter flight on March 19.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism welcomes the first charter flight from Iran to the city. (Photo: VGP)

It is the first time that an Iranian airline has operated a direct VIP charter flight to Vietnam, opening up opportunities for international tourism market expansion, especially in the Middle Eastern market.

The Iranian visitors’ selection of Vietnam as a destination during Nowruz, the Iranian New Year celebration, demonstrates the country’s growing appeal.

During the 10-day and 9-night journey across Vietnam, the visitors will visit tourist attractions, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, Saigon Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Na Hills in Da Nang City, the ancient town of Hoi An, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi.

Another group of 200 Iranian tourists is scheduled to arrive in Ha Noi on March 28.

The number of international tourists visiting Vietnam in 2024 reached more than 17.6 million arrivals, up 139.5 percent compared to the same period in 2023, according to the latest data from the General Statistics Office.

International visitors to Vietnam in January 2025 hit 2.1 million, up 18.5 percent compared to the previous month and 36.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

Source: SGGP – en.sggp.org.vn – Mar 20, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

An Giang’s festival receives UNESCO certificate as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

A ceremony was held on March 19 to receive UNESCO certificate recognizing the Ba Chua Xu (Holy Mother of the Realm) Festival at Sam mountain in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A ceremony to receive a UNESCO certificate recognizing the Ba Chua Xu (Holy Mother of the Realm) Festival at Sam mountain in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Chau Doc, An Giang Province, March 19, 2025 – Photo: VGP

The event saw the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam Jonathan Baker.

It is Viet Nam’s 16th intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO and the second heritage in the Southern region (after the Art of Don Ca Tai Tu music and song) and, notably, the first traditional festival in the Mekong Delta receiving this honor.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed hopes that international organizations, especially the UNESCO Viet Nam, will continue to accompany and support the country in preserving, promoting, and spreading traditional cultural values, integrating them into the global cultural heritage.

Culture is the spiritual foundation of society and the soul of the nation, he said, emphasizing the need to focus on protecting the cultural space of the heritage by ensuring a harmonious balance between preservation and development, while maintaining the sacred landscape of Sam mountain.

Mai also asked for preserving traditional rituals, raising community awareness about the value of heritage, investing in sustainable development of cultural tourism, and enhancing the promotion of heritage image with a view to further spreading influence, and inspiring cultural values of the festival. 

The festival has been preserved and practiced for generations in Chau Doc of An Giang province. It is held from the 22nd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month, at the Ba Chua Xu Temple on Mount Sam and the stone pedestal on the mountain to worship the Holy Mother.

It reflects the culture of Viet Nam’s southerners as well as cultural exchange and blending with the Khmer, Chinese, and Cham communities. The festival honors Ba Chua Xu and serves as a time for local residents to express their gratitude and respect for those who have rendered service to the nation.

Source: VGP – en.baochinhphu.vn – Mar 20, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Many special programs in Hue Ao Dai Week 2025

Hue Community Ao Dai Week 2025 will take place from June 6th to June 15th across the two districts of Phu Xuan and Thuan Hoa, as well as in various towns and communes.

Hue Community Ao Dai Week 2025 will feature a cycling parade.

This week-long event is part of the Visit Viet Nam Year – Hue 2025. Through it, the strengths, brand, and unique cultural value of Hue Ao dai will be showcased, building Hue’s tourism image associated with Ao dai and stimulating tourism development.

The highlight of the week will be a special Hue Ao Dai art program within the framework of National Tourism Year 2025, taking place on the evening of June 6th at An Dinh Palace.

On the morning of June 7th, there will be an environmental awareness cycling event titled “Ao Dai through the Streets.” The route starts at the Quoc Hoc Stele and passes through Le Loi Street – Ga Bridge – Bui Thi Xuan Street – Da Vien Bridge – Le Duan Street – Tran Hung Dao Street – Truong Tien Bridge – Le Loi Street, and ends at the Quoc Hoc Stele.

Following this, on the afternoon of June 8th, the “Hundred Flowers Walk” of traditional Vietnamese attire will take place. The parade will start at Nghenh Luong Dinh Pavilion, proceed along the pedestrian walkway by the Perfume River, Le Duan Street – Tran Hung Dao Street – Truong Tien Bridge – Le Loi Street, and end at Quoc Hoc Stele.

A new highlight of this year’s Ao Dai Week will be the “Hundred Flowers Walk” featuring traditional Vietnamese attire.

Additionally, throughout the week, various related events will be held, including “Ao Dai Journeys to the Roots”, “Ao Dai – The Brilliant Colors of the Ancient Capital” art performance, “Ao Dai in the Streets” flashmob performance, “Ao Dai in Schools” seminar, Art exhibition and a collection of Ao dai “Applying the Art of Diem Phung Thi” exhibition, ceremonial incense offering at the tomb of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, parade and tribute to Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, incense offering to Emperor Minh Mang – the ruler who established Ao Dai as the national dress, etc…

The event is expected to attract thousands of participants at each program, honoring Hue Ao Dai, affirming the “Hue – The Capital of Ao Dai” brand name and contributing to the promotion of Hue’s culture in connection with local tourism development.

Source: Hue News – news.baothuathienhue.vn- Mar 17, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Michelin Guide suggests 5 must-try eateries in Da Nang

(TITC) – The Michelin Guide suggests several affordable yet delicious eateries in Da Nang that are worth trying.

Quán Nhân (Bib Gourmand 2024)

Located on Phan Tu Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, this eatery is famous for its duck-based dishes. According to Michelin, the restaurant exclusively uses ducks from Cam Nam Island, a local breed known for its flavourful, tender meat without any gamey odor.

A bowl of duck porridge here includes duck meat, rice, mung beans, and coix seeds, all slow-cooked in duck broth, resulting in a rich and distinct taste. The restaurant also serves boiled duck and duck salad.

Open from 10 AM to midnight, it’s an ideal spot for late-night diners.

Bánh canh Yến (Michelin-recommended 2024)

With over 30 years of operation, this eatery (located on Nguyen Hoang Street, Hai Chau District) is a favourite among locals and tourists in Da Nang.

The thick and chewy banh canh (Vietnamese thick noodle soup) here sets it apart from other places. The broth, made from pork bones and snakehead fish, delivers a mildly sweet yet flavourful taste. Diners can choose from a variety of toppings, including fish cakes, quail eggs, crab cakes, and crispy fried dough sticks.

Cô Chủ Nhỏ (Bib Gourmand 2024)

This is a restaurant chain in Da Nang, renowned for traditional Vietnamese dishes, particularly duck-based specialties.

Besides staples like porridge and boiled duck, the highlight of the menu is the duck salad, which combines duck meat with green mango, banana blossoms, figs, and aromatic herbs. The dish offers a delightful balance of chewy duck meat and refreshing vegetables, making it a perfect choice for summer dining, especially for groups of friends or families.

Quán Phú Hồng (Bib Gourmand 2024)

Located on Yen Bai Street, Hai Chau District, this is one of Da Nang’s oldest bun thit nuong (grilled pork vermicelli) eateries, with over 35 years of history.

The restaurant’s grilled pork and nem lui (grilled pork skewers) are praised for their rich flavour and signature aroma, achieved by grilling over charcoal. Additionally, it serves banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes) with a crunchy crust and a generous shrimp-and-pork filling, accompanied by fresh herbs and a tangy-sweet dipping sauce.

Diners can also order bo la lot (grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves) or extra grilled meat for a more satisfying meal.

Mỳ Quảng Sứa Hồng Vân (Bib Gourmand 2024)

This well-known budget-friendly eatery is located on Le Hong Phong Street, Hai Chau District.

Its standout feature is the vibrant red-orange broth, made from fresh shrimp, offering a unique and delicious flavour. The eatery provides a wide selection of toppings, including quail eggs, pork, shrimp, fish cakes, and crispy jellyfish.

Open from 6 AM to 1 PM, it is always packed, especially in the morning. With its reasonable prices and flavourful dishes, this spot has become a favourite among both locals and tourists.

Tourism Information Technology Center

CategoriesDiscover Viet Nam By Ánh Ngọc Trương

A Tour of Hanoi: Exploring the charm of local culture and street food

(TITC) – Recently, Nikkei Asia published an article about an experiential journey through Vietnam’s culture and cuisine.

The Vibrant Capital of Vietnam

The author visited Hanoi on a chilly December day. “It’s only 6 AM, but Hanoi is already bustling and lively”, he exclaimed. To foreign visitors, a morning in Hanoi appears full of life, with street vendors carrying baskets of roses, chrysanthemums, and tulips on bicycles weaving through the streets. Elderly women danced to upbeat music around Hoan Kiem Lake. Nearby, office workers in formal suits sat on plastic stools by the sidewalk, chatting over steaming bowls of pho.

According to Nikkei Asia, Hanoi has been developing rapidly, the city is now filled with cafes, thrift stores, restaurants, and craft workshops. According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the city welcomed 4 million international visitor arrivals in 2023, most of whom stayed in the bustling Old Quarter, a maze of 36 narrow streets.

Many shops here once specialized in producing goods for the Vietnamese royal court. On Hang Bac Street, silversmiths still craft intricate jewelry. Meanwhile, Hang Ma Street is famous for decorative paper and stationery, transforming into a vibrant “Christmas Wonderland” in December with red and white ornaments.

Bustling Street Food Scene

The author was introduced to some of the city’s best eateries. Navigating through streets packed with motorbikes, they stopped at a small eatery selling banh xeo, a crispy pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, served with fresh herbs and dipped in a sweet and tangy fish sauce.

The next stop was a restaurant serving cha ca lang, a Hanoi specialty featuring grilled catfish marinated with turmeric and galangal, cooked over charcoal. The dish is stir-fried with scallions and dill in hot oil and served with soft rice noodles, roasted peanuts, and pungent shrimp paste.

Another signature dish sampled was bun cha, consisting of grilled pork patties and slices of pork belly, served in a sweet and tangy dipping sauce, accompanied by rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. This dish gained global fame after former U.S. President Barack Obama dined on it with the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain at Bun Cha Huong Lien in 2016.

Coffee Culture

Nikkei Asia noted that coffee holds a special place in Vietnamese life. The country’s Central Highlands region is a powerhouse for robusta coffee cultivation. Today, Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, accounting for more than 40% of the global robusta supply, according to the World Economic Forum.

One of Hanoi’s must-try specialties is egg coffee. At the renowned Giang Café, egg yolks are whipped with sugar and condensed milk to create a rich, creamy foam layered over strong black coffee. Other notable variations include salt coffee, which features a creamy salted topping, and coconut coffee, made with aromatic coconut milk.

Additionally, Nikkei Asia listed 10 must-try experiences in Hanoi:

1. Enjoying street food

2. Taking a city tour to explore Vietnamese history

3. Visiting Hoa Lo Prison Museum

4. Exercising by Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning

5. Exploring the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam)

6. Attending a pottery-making class

7. Savouring egg coffee

8. Tasting Vietnamese banh mi

9. Watching a water puppet show

10. Spending half a day at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the daily life and traditions of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

Tourism Information Technology Center

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Da Nang Food Tour Festival to be held for the first time

The Da Nang Department of Tourism held a press conference on Thursday evening to introduce the Da Nang Food Tour Festival 2025 which will be held for the first time at the East Sea Park from March 28 to April 1.

A press conference in progress

Festival-goers will have the experience the culinary space of Da Nang – Viet Nam – International regions with the theme “Delicious dishes converge”. Accordingly, they will enjoy more than 200 typical and authentic dishes such as Quang noodles, ‘bun mam nem’ (rice vermicelli with fermented anchovy dipping sauce), chicken rice, ‘banh trang cuon thit heo’ (belly pork and vegetables wrapped in soft rice paper), ‘banh xeo’ (steamed rice flour pancakes), seafood, and ‘goi ca Nam O’ (raw fish salad), plus to South Korean, Japanese, European – American, Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisines.

At the Danang Food Fun experience space, visitors can directly experience how to make ‘banh xeo’, spring rolls and ‘banh it’ (sticky rice cake), along with culinary art performances such as noodle dance, bartender skill demonstration  and ‘Bai Choi’ (singing while acting as playing cards) on the theme of cuisine.

In particular, the programme “More than delicious – Hunting for Da Nang flavours – Exchanging quality gifts” will bring the opportunity for visitors who collect culinary stickers, take check-in photos at the festival, and post information and images on personal channels, to receive valuable gifts from the organisers.

Also, there will be “Da Nang Food Tour – The Chef Competition” with the participation of more than 20 professional and amateur chefs from accommodation and food establishments, and restaurants.

In addition, a wide range of sideline activities will be held, including flashmob performances, special art programme combined with DJ, a video contest of Da Nang street food experience journey, and the Da Nang Food Tour Culinary Passport with the experience of collecting stamps to receive many attractive gifts.

Speaking at the press conference, Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism, said that the Da Nang Food Tour Festival will be a new product to serve tourists, and at the same time, contribute to promoting local, Vietnamese and international cuisine, and building and developing Da Nang to become a unique culinary tourism destination on the world tourism map.

Source: Da Nang Today – baodanang.vn – Mar 14, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Khanh Hoa tourism promotion conference in Russia

Khanh Hoa tourism promotion conference took place in Moscow City, Russia on March 11. 

Representatives of Khanh Hoa tourism enterprises introduce products to Russian travel agencies.

Present at the event were Dang Minh Khoi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Russia; Nguyen Khac Toan, Permanent Deputy Secretary of Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People’s Council, Secretary of Provincial Party Agencies; Tran Hoa Nam, Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Manuylov Vyacheslav Viktorovich, Acting Director of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow; representatives of the Moscow City Tourism Committee; departments, agencies and sectors of Khanh Hoa Province together with more than 130 representatives from tourism associations and businesses in Russia and Khanh Hoa.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi affirmed that tourism is an important economic sector, contributing greatly to the socio-economic development. Vietnam -Russia relations, especially tourism cooperation between the two countries, have seen significant progress.

The Ambassador emphasized that Russia is one of the vital markets of Vietnamese tourism, with more and more Russian tourists traveling to Vietnam to explore distinctive culture, diverse cuisine, and stunning landscapes. In particular, Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa is considered the “beach capital of Vietnam” and is a very popular destination for Russian tourists thanks to its captivating long coastline, crystal-clear waters, pleasant climate and a wide array of services.

In 2024, Vietnam welcomed more than 232,300 Russian visitors, making up 36% compared to its pre-Covid-19 in 2019, up by 84.9% compared to 2023. Russian visitors to Vietnam are expected to continue to increase in 2025. Vietnam always creates favorable conditions for Russian travelers. Recently, Russian travelers are eligible for visa exemption up to  45 days to enter Vietnam and 90 days with e-visas.

Russia has also included Vietnam in the list of countries that are granted e-visas with a stay of 14 days with straightforward application procedures. The Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to develop strongly, creating momentum for tourism development cooperation between the two countries,” Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi affirmed.

Russian travel agency representatives learn about tourism information in Khanh Hoa.

At the event, the Organizing Committee screened a video introducing the province’s unique destinations, from the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang to high-end resorts, diverse sea tourism services and unique local cultural experiences. Also at the conference, delegates discussed specific solutions to overcome difficulties to restore the Russian tourist market.

Representatives of tourism businesses and delegates from both sides pledged to cooperate closely, with the aim of taking advantage of preferential policies, as well as exchange initiatives, to overcome current difficulties towards sustainable tourism development.

Speaking at the conference, Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Tran Hoa Nam affirmed that Russian tourists are a traditional tourist market for Khanh Hoa tourism in particular and Vietnam in general. In 2019, there were about 463,000 Russian arrivals to Khanh Hoa Province, accounting for 71.6% of the total number of Russian tourists to Vietnam and Russia was known as the second largest international tourist market of the province at that time.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2024, the number of Russian tourists to Khanh Hoa has resumed, reaching more than 105,500 arrivals, up by 206% compared to 2023, but only 22.8% compared to 2019. Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Tran Hoa Nam expressed his hope that Khanh Hoa Tourism Promotion Conference in the Russian Federation will contribute to promoting the Russian tourist market.

Also within the framework of the conference, representatives of Russian enterprises visited the exhibition with many attractive products and publications, providing a comprehensive view of the province’s tourism services and potential. In particular, through the Business-to-Business (B2B) session at the conference, representatives of Russian and Khanh Hoa enterprises directly exchanged, connected and built long-term business cooperation relationships with partners from Khanh Hoa in the coming time.

Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Tran Hoa Nam and members of the working delegation worked with the Aeroflot Airline.

After the conference, the delegation of Khanh Hoa Province had a working session with representatives of the Russian national airline Aeroflot with the main objective to discuss in detail the plan to resume the direct flight service from Moscow to Cam Ranh International Airport which has been suspended since early 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic..

Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Tran Hoa Nam emphasized the importance of opening a direct flight route in tourism promotion between the two countries. “The restoration of the flight route from Moscow to Khanh Hoa not only shortens travel time but also reduces airfare costs and facilitates the promotion of the Russian tourist market, one of the major international tourist markets of Khanh Hoa tourism,” Tran Hoa Nam expressed.

Aeroflot representatives said that the airline is closely monitoring the trend of international tourism recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the increase in travel demand of Russians to warm destinations in Southeast Asia. In particular, Khanh Hoa stands out as a great destination for Russian tourists thanks to its remarkable sea and island tourism potential, beautiful natural landscapes and ideal warm climate.

Accordingly, Aeroflot has planned to resume flights to Cam Ranh with 2 flights/week from the end of March 2025 and will consider increasing the frequency of flights during the peak tourist season. The reopening of the flight route from Moscow to Cam Ranh not only meets travel demand but also contributes to promoting trade and bilateral cooperation between Russia and Vietnam.

Source: Khanh Hoa News – news.baokhanhhoa.vn – Mar 13, 2025