9 most important achievement of Vietnam’s tourism in 2011

2011 definitely marks an important milestone in the development of Vietnam's tourism. Below is a list of 9 events that we deem as most important achievement of Vietnam's tourism in 2011. These sure promise a bright future of 2012.

1. The number of tourists visiting Vietnam reached 6 million

On December 26th, Vietnam was excited to welcome the 6 millionth visitor coming to the country. It is the result of hard effort of Vietnam tourism industry during the last few years and the number of visitors have been continuously rising. In 2009, there were 4 million people traveling to Vietnam which was then beaten by 2010 with more than 5 million people. The 6 millionth visitor in 2011 marks another turning point in the tourism industry.

Read full news about Vietnam's 6-millionth visitor here. 

2. Ho Citadel recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO

In June 2011, the Citadel of Ho Dynasty was officially recognized as the World Heritage by UNESCO. At the beginning of the 15th century, due to recession under Tran Dynasty, Ho Quy Ly, an excellent and innovative leader, overtook Tran’s throne and became the King of Ho Dynasty. Though the duration of Ho’s Dynasty is quite short (1400-1407), the significance of Ho Quy Ly’s achievements in socio-economic fields as well as military service cannot be denied. He was the first one starting using the money notes in replacing for the coins which could be considered as a major leap for the economy due to the convenience of using the money notes. Under Ho Dynasty, the Vietnamese first cannon was invented which played an important role in protecting the country’s boundaries against the foreign invaders.

The Citadel was an invaluable asset to VIetnam's cultural heritage. Six centuries has passed by and it still remains unchanged as a solid witness of history.

3. Xoan singing listed as an endangered intangible world cultural heritage

On November 24, Xoan singing, a kind of cultural and music performance during Hung King Festival was the only heritage receiving the consensus of the UNESCO evaluation committee to be added to “heritage in urgent need of conservation”. 4000 years ago, former Van Lang government which is now Vietnam country was founded by Hung Kings, the first Kings in Vietnam history. Every year, on March 10 of Lunar Calendar, people from all regions pilgrim to Phu Tho to workship Hung King in remembrance his effort of building the country the very first days. Hat Xoan, Xoan Singing, is an inevitable part of the festival. Passing the 4000 years to come and stay with us up to now, Xoan singing should be taken into great consideration in terms of preservation or else it would be easily lost especially when the life gets more and more advanced with many other kinds of music performances.

Read full news about Xoan singing as World Intangible Heritage. 

4. Halong Bay among 7 New World Wonders

Halong Bay, a treasure of Vietnam tourism industry, was once again voted as one among 7 New World Wonders. Each year, Halong Bay attracts a large number of domestic visitors as well as foreigners. The genuine beauty of Halong Bay took the heart of many sensitive people.

Read our featured articles about the beauty of Halong. 

5. Ethnic groups with their traditional costumes on stage

Vietnam is a culturally diversified country with 54 different groups of peoples living in harmony with each other. Though the majority of the population is the Kinh people, the other minorities are still interesting points to discover. The show taking place in November at Tay Nguyen Square, Village of Cultural Community of Vietnamese Ethnic groups, Son Tay, Hanoi was a good chance to honor the cultural diversification as well as to remind each of us the responsibility to preserve cultural and unique values of the various ethnic groups in the whole community. Though it was the first time such a show was held, the 54 ethnic group traditional costume show was successful and laid a good impression on the attendants.

Read full details about the ethnic cultural celebration in Son Tay. 

6. Celebrities chose Vietnam as destination for the vacation

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt to visit Con Dao - Mark Zuckerberg to visit Sapa, Laocai- In November, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt spent their vacation at Six Senses Resort in Con Dao. During the time in Con Dao, they also visited the Tiger Cage Historic Site (Khu Di Tich Chuong Cop), a kind of prison used to keep Vietnamese soldiers during the war time.

Recently,Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the most popular social network-Facebook,spent his Christmas 2011 in Sapa, Laocai. He got there by private helicopter. The vacation was quite enjoyable. He was also seen to ride a water-buffalo on rural lanes in Sapa.

7. International Tea Festival held in Thai Nguyen

The International Tea Festival took place in Thai Nguyen from November 11-15 could be considered another achievement of Vietnam tourism industry. The festival attracted 10 countries, 30 provinces of Vietnam, 50 traditional villages and 25 enterprises in tea industry gathered and shared experience about the industry. During the event, visitors got chance to learn about Vietnamese Tea Culture as well. It is also a good chance to do marketing for Vietnamese Tea to foreigners in international markets.

Read more about International Tea Festival 2011

8. Vietnam new tourism slogan coined: Timeless charm

The year 2011 marks another amazing period of Vietnam tourism: changing the slogan from Vietnam- Hidden Charm to Vietnam-Timeless charm. With the new slogan, in the upcoming years, hopefully there will be more and more significant achievements in tourism industry in Vietnam. Also, we hope that more and more visitor will be traveling to Vietnam and coming back every year due to its timeless charm. No matter how fast and destructively the time goes by, Vietnam remains as beautiful as the first day they visit. It is not only the goal of Vietnam tourism industry but also the long-term commitment to visitors.

9. Brand new services added for both flights and hotels:

The two latest additions to Vietnam airline network: Air Mekong and Vietjet Air has significantly increased the number of routes and flights between major destinations in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc and Con Dao. For a long time now, Vietnam Airlines has dominated the air travel industry in Vietnam and the situation is about the change.

Besides changes in air travel, hotel industry also sees new property added: the five star hotel Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi, Vinpearl Luxury in Danang and Nikko Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City are a few examples. The continual addition of new services and enhancement of existing ones are signs for a prosperous Vietnam's  tourism in the presence and future.