Vietnam Insider

The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has issued a plan to organize the 45th Tao Dan Spring Flower Festival and the Lunar New Year Flower Market 2025.

Accordingly, the Spring Flower Festival for the Lunar New Year of 2025, themed “A Beautiful Homeland, Joyful Spring of Peace”, is scheduled to take place over 10 days, from January 24, 2025 (the 25th day of the lunar December) to February 2, 2025 (the 5th day of Tet). The event will be held at Tao Dan Park.

The festival will feature an exhibition and competition showcasing artistic floral creations, with over 2,620 high-quality exhibits in various categories, including:

• Apricot blossoms
• Bonsai
• Miniature landscapes and rock gardens
• Orchids
• Adeniums
• Ornamental fish, aquariums, and terrariums
• Combined ornamental plants, fruit-bearing trees, and rare species
• Decorative stones and driftwood.

Additionally, the festival will host a three-day songbird competition from January 25 to January 27, 2025 (equivalent to the 26th to 28th day of lunar December). Traditional Tet activities such as lion and dragon dances, traditional martial arts, folk performing arts (puppetry, folk music, etc.), folk games, circus and magic shows, painting and art exhibitions, craft-making activities for children and teenagers, Vietnamese calligraphy, tea ceremonies, culinary culture displays, and daily themed music performances will also be held.

People go to the flower market on the wharf and under the boat in District 8 (Photo: Minh Tan)

The Lunar New Year Flower Market 2025 will be organized at multiple venues, including:

• Three public parks: September 23rd Park, Le Van Tam Park, and Gia Dinh Park.
• A location in Thu Duc City.
• The “Floating Flower Market” in District 8.
• The Tet Flower Market at Binh Dien Market.
• The Flower Market and Flower Street in Phu My Hung (District 7).

The flower market will run from January 22, 2025 (the 23rd day of lunar December) to 12:30 PM on January 28, 2025 (the 29th day of lunar December).

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According to statistics, Kon Tum province ranks second in the Central Highlands region (after Lam Dong) in terms of tourist arrivals.

On December 11, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Kon Tum province organized the Kon Tum Tourism Promotion and Advertisement Conference for 2024.

This event is part of the activities marking the 5th Culture-Tourism Week and the 2nd Festival of Gongs and Xoang Dance of the Kon Tum ethnic people in 2024.

Kon Tum province tourism promotion conference in 2024

Statistics indicate that in 2023, Kon Tum welcomed 1.3 million visitors, including 5,000 international tourists. By 2024, the total number of visitors is expected to reach 2.3 million, with international arrivals increasing to 8,500. This makes Kon Tum the second most-visited province in the Central Highlands region, after Lam Dong. To date, Kon Tum has officially recognized 13 tourist sites and one provincial-level tourism area.

Mang Den night economic zone shimmers in the lights among the pine forest

Kon Tum is actively surveying and assessing new potential tourist sites to expand tourism types and enhance the province’s appeal to both domestic and international visitors.

From 2022 to the present, Kon Tum has supported and guided more than 110 investors and businesses, attracting 18 new projects with a total investment of over VND 2,214 billion. Of these, Kon Tum City accounts for 16 projects with a total registered capital of over VND 1,336 billion, while Kon Plong District has two projects with a total registered capital of over VND 877 billion.

To make tourism a spearhead economic sector by 2030, Kon Tum plans to boost ecology and resort tourism in areas such as Mang Den, Ngoc Linh, and Chu Mom Ray; develop community-based tourism; and leverage the cultural values ​​of ethnic areas.

Additionally, the province aims to implement 153 projects, including 40 in trade, services, and tourism, to better meet tourist demands. There will be a focus on improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing connectivity to key tourist destinations such as the Bo Y International Border Gate and Mang Den.

At the conference, Mr. Pham Van Thuy, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, remarked that Kon Tum boasts a cool climate, a unique and diverse ecosystem, and rich cultural heritage from various ethnic groups. However, he noted that the province’s infrastructure remains underdeveloped, the quality of its tourism workforce is insufficient, and its tourism products are neither diverse nor attractive enough to fully capitalize on the province’s potential and strengths.

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Vietnamese tourists prefer destinations with cool climates or coastal locations for the Lunar New Year of 2025, according to Booking.com.

Young people take photos in Ao Dai in front of Ben Thanh Market (HCMC) on January 1. Photo: Linh Huynh.

On December 12, the online travel platform Booking.com revealed the most searched destinations by Vietnamese tourists for this year’s Lunar New Year holiday. The data was collected from searches made between November 28 and December 5, with check-in dates ranging from January 24, 2025, to February 9, 2025 (the 25th day of the 12th lunar month to the 12th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).

For domestic destinations, Vietnamese travelers favor locations with cool weather and coastal areas for the New Year holiday.

Specifically, Da Lat continues to lead the list of favorite domestic destinations, with a 300% increase in searches compared to last year. This picturesque highland city offers stunning natural landscapes, a cool climate, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for relaxation.

Coastal destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc remain popular among beach lovers and enthusiasts of water sports.

Nha Trang beach began to get crowded from the afternoon of April 27 when the temperature gradually cooled down. Photo: Tuong Vi.

Meanwhile, major cities like Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi are favored for their rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse culinary scenes.

For those seeking a tranquil environment, Vung Tau provides a serene beach experience. Hoi An and Sa Pa are also ideal choices for exploring ancient temples, picturesque scenery, and diverse cultural heritage.

With 75% of Vietnamese tourists expressing a preference for destinations with cool daytime weather, these domestic locations offer a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

On the international front, Southeast Asian countries remain popular among Vietnamese travelers due to their geographic proximity, cultural similarities, and visa-free policies.

Tourists check in at a row of yellow ancient houses in Hoi An. Photo: Pham Thang.

Bangkok (Thailand) continues to top the list of the most searched international destinations, with a 100% increase in searches compared to the same period last year. Tokyo (Japan) and Phuket (Thailand) follow closely behind.

Additionally, an increasing number of Vietnamese tourists are showing interest in unique experiences, as seen in the inclusion of Dubai (UAE) in the list of favorite destinations, with an 80% rise in searches compared to the previous year.

Varun Grover, Country Director for Booking.com in Vietnam, noted that travelers are blending familiar, beloved destinations with newer, more exciting ones, whether it’s cool highlands, vibrant coastal cities, or tranquil retreats.

“It is clear that Vietnamese tourists are seeking destinations that allow them to connect with nature, their loved ones, and themselves. We are committed to enhancing travel experiences, making it easier for travelers to explore Vietnam and the world in the Year of the Snake,” said Varun.

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In celebration of the Da Lat Flower Festival and New Year’s 2025, the railway sector is hosting a series of free activities for visitors at Da Lat Station and on the Da Lat – Trai Mat vintage train route.

According to the Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, from December 10 to January 1, 2025, passengers on the Da Lat – Trai Mat train route will enjoy complimentary live music performances on all train trips. The train operates daily with the DL3/DL4 and DL9/DL10 services, with additional trips DL7/DL8 and DL11/DL12 running on weekends. Guests will also be offered complimentary tea and light refreshments on board.

From December 10 to January 1, 2025, visitors on the Da Lat – Trai Mat train route will enjoy free music performances on all trains.

Ticket prices for the Da Lat – Trai Mat route range from 60,000 VND to 150,000 VND per trip. Numerous attractive promotions are available, including a 25% discount for round-trip tickets and a 15% to 40% discount for groups of 10 or more. Notably, tour guides accompanying groups will be provided with free tickets.

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With a goal of welcoming 9.6 million visitors, the coastal city of Sam Son expects to generate approximately 21 trillion VND in revenue.

This information was shared by Le Van Tu, Chairman of the Sam Son City People’s Committee, at the recent conference reviewing tourism activities in 2024 and outlining tasks for 2025.

Aiming to transform Sam Son into a city of festivals, a hub for premium entertainment, and a leading health and wellness tourism destination in the North Central region, the city is actively implementing key tasks and solutions to maintain its leadership position within the province. Sam Son strives to be an attractive, friendly, and safe destination for tourists.

To achieve these goals, Sam Son plans to focus on comprehensive measures, strengthening the effectiveness of state management in tourism services, diversifying tourism products to attract more visitors, and extending tourism activities throughout the year. The city will also improve communication, promotion, and workforce quality to create a significant breakthrough in tourism standards by 2025. Additionally, Sam Son will continue to enhance inspections and monitoring, promptly addressing violations such as pressing tourists into buying services, overpricing, or resisting law enforcement.

In the final months of 2024 and early 2025, Sam Son will carry out urban beautification efforts, clearing street vendors and kiosks encroaching on sidewalks as part of a planned commercial arrangement. Policies will also be implemented to encourage businesses to renovate, upgrade, and modernize their facilities to better serve visitors.

In 2024, Sam Son welcomed 8.86 million tourists, making it one of the districts, towns, and cities with the highest tourist volumes in Vietnam, with an estimated total revenue of 17.1 trillion VND. The city also successfully hosted various cultural, sports, tourism, and festival events, attracting attention from both domestic and international visitors.

@vtv.vn

The nine-day Lunar New Year holiday offers an ideal opportunity for springtime travel. Following the official announcement of the holiday schedule, travel agencies have been buzzing with tickets and tour bookings.

Thousands of attractive tours with competitive prices tailored to customers’ travel preferences have been introduced by tourism companies. Many travelers have already visited agency offices to explore itineraries and choose a suitable spring trip for their families.

Ms. Nguyen Cam Van, a resident of Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, visited a travel agency immediately after the Lunar New Year holiday plan was confirmed. To match her family’s budget, she decided on a domestic destination.

“Every year during Tet, my whole family travels together. It’s a rare opportunity for all family members to be present. This year, we’re choosing domestic travel as it’s more affordable,” Ms. Van shared.

Meanwhile, Thuy Duong and her husband from Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, decided to venture abroad this year, selecting China as their destination for the Lunar New Year. She revealed that they had planned the trip a year in advance to secure an early booking and save on costs.

“We planned this trip at the beginning of the year. Each month, we set aside about 10-15% of our salaries to prepare for the upcoming journey,” Ms. Duong explained.

Many travel companies have opened hundreds of early Tet tours. Photo: PLO.

According to surveys, the high demand for travel during holidays inevitably raises travel costs by 15-20% compared to regular days. To encourage early bookings, most travel agencies offer special discounts.

Moreover, the earlier customers plan and book their tours, the greater the discounts they receive.

Travelers are advised to carefully review terms and conditions in their itineraries and contracts to avoid any loss of benefits during their trips.

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