Nha Trang Bay reintroduces visitor fee of up to $1.52 per entry after 16-year hiatus
Authorities in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam have issued new rules to collect sightseeing fees ranging from VND6,000 (US$0.23) to VND40,000 ($1.52) at Nha Trang Bay, after halting the charges in 2009, allowing fees to be levied directly at piers…
Should tourists pay to access beaches in Phu Quoc ?
Some visitors to Phu Quoc say their holiday came with an unexpected frustration: finding the beach meant passing through restaurants or hotels, with no clear public access.
Nha Trang bar fined $1,900 after staff threatened foreign customers with shovels
A beachfront bar in the popular resort town of Nha Trang has been fined VND50 million (US$1,900) following a confrontation in which staff members used shovels and chairs to threaten foreign customers.
Vietnam proposes 4-day New Year break to boost travel and spending
Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a plan to extend the New Year 2026 holiday to four consecutive days, up from the single day currently mandated.
Foreign arrivals to Vietnam hit record high despite pollution, floods
Vietnam is on track to receive a record high of 21 million foreign tourists in 2025, reflecting the country’s strong recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, its Culture Ministry said, despite chronic air pollution and deadly flooding.
Vietnam’s My Son Sanctuary faces mandatory ticket price equalization for local and foreign visitors
Authorities at My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Vietnam, are likely to equalize entrance ticket prices for Vietnamese and foreign visitors, following a directive from the national audit office, officials said on Friday.
Vietnam races to reach 25mn int’l visitors by end of 2025
With only four months remaining in 2025, Vietnam’s tourism industry faces a significant challenge in achieving its ambitious goal of welcoming 25 million international visitors — a figure that would mark the highest in the country’s history and match Thailand’s…
Vung Tau’s iconic beach reborn : cleared, revitalized, open to all
Once cluttered and overrun by vendors and unlicensed businesses, Vung Tau’s Back Beach has transformed in recent years into an open public place that welcomes both locals and tourists.
Vietnam grants 45-day visa waivers to citizens from 12 countries
Citizens from 12 countries will be granted visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days in Vietnam for tourism purposes, regardless of their passport types.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Vung Tau coastal revamp nears completion ahead of National Day holiday
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City said on Friday that a major coastal redevelopment project in the Vung Tau area is nearing completion, with key features expected to be finished in time for Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebrations on September…
Vietnam Railways unveils innovative heritage railway tour to explore Hanoi’s iconic sites
Vietnam Railways has introduced a new heritage railway tour route that it says will allow international visitors to experience the cultural essence of Hanoi in a unique way.
Ho Chi Minh City department puts forward pilot program for short-term apartment rentals to manage booming Airbnb sector
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has proposed a 12-month pilot program allowing short-term rentals in apartment buildings starting September 1 this year, with the aim of regulating the rapidly growing Airbnb-style market and encouraging the shared economy…
Why Russian tourists are flocking to Vietnam
Convenient flights, affordable travel costs, cool weather, and relaxed visa policies have attracted a growing number of Russian tourists to Vietnam, according to tourism insiders.
Vietnam receives 10.7 million foreign arrivals in first six months
The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam in the first half of this year reached 10.7 million, up 20.7% year-on-year but still lower than Thailand’s 16.6 million.
This southeast Asian country has just launched a 10-year visa – here’s how to apply
Three different categories are on offer, and there are hopes the scheme will help boost the tourism industry
Vietnam launches 10-year golden visa to boost tourism and investment
Vietnam has introduced a 10-year golden visa programme in an effort to position the country as a sustainable travel and investment hub in Southeast Asia.
Tourism officials wary of Vietnam
Tourism operators fear Thailand will lose its position as the top Southeast Asian destination to Vietnam in a few years as the latter reported nearly 50% inbound market growth in March compared with the pre-pandemic period, while Thailand struggles with…
Vietnam’s battlefields become unlikely tourist spots 50 years on from the war
Hamburger Hill, Hue, the Ia Drang Valley, Khe Sanh: Some remember the battles from the headlines, others from movies.
The Ha Giang loop : Top experiences on a 350-km road trip
Social media, tour companies, fellow travelers – everywhere you turn these days you will be inundated with photos and videos telling you the importance of « doing the Ha Giang loop. »
My Australian friend paid $47 for a pair of shoes at Ben Thanh Market that I got for $13
An acquaintance of mine from Australia once excitedly bragged about buying a pair of branded shoes for VND1.2 million (US$47) after bargaining at Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Thanh Market’s lament : visitors only come for sightseeing, not buying
Vendors at Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City’s most famous traditional market, complain about poor business saying people mainly come there for sightseeing rather than to make purchases.
Vietnam extends visa waiver for citizens of 12 countries until 2028
The Vietnamese government has decided to extend visa exemption for citizens of 12 countries including major tourism markets such as South Korea and Japan until 2028.
Thailand urges Vietnam to join ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ tourism initiative
Thailand has called on Vietnam to seek measures to boost stronger tourism cooperation, including its « Six Countries, One Destination » initiative.
Authorities on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island deal with homelessness, begging amid tourism concerns
Authorities in Phu Quoc City, an island off the coast of Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, have announced plans to address the recurring issue relating to homeless individuals and beggars in public areas, which many say negatively impacts local…
Why is Da Lat overcrowded with visitors but struggling with low tourism revenue ?
My friend planned a family trip to Da Lat during the Lunar New Year but got stuck in traffic and ended up staying in the nearby town Bao Loc instead.
Vietnam achieves highest post-pandemic tourism recovery rate in Southeast Asia
Tourism arrivals in Vietnam in 2024 recovered to 98% of pre-Covid levels, the highest in Southeast Asia, and this has been attributed to favorable visa policies.