Economy of Vietnam – Author Carlo Carrasco

Vietnam sets 2027 targets of at least 10% GDP growth and $6,100 per capita GDP

November 10, 2026November 8, 2026carlocarrasco

With its booming economy, robust manufacturing and exports, and a thriving tourism industry, Vietnam is aiming high to achieve at least 10% GDP growth and $6,100 per capita GDP in 2027, according to a news report by VnExpress. Vietnam is already one of the outstanding economies in all of Southeast Asia today and it will host the prestigious Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) next year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam’s National Assembly has set a target of at least 10% economic growth in 2027, with GDP per capita expected to reach approximately US$6,100.

The legislature passed a resolution on the country’s 2027 socio-economic development plan on Saturday, with more than 93.4% of lawmakers voting in favor.

Under the resolution, Vietnam aims to achieve economic growth of at least 10% next year while keeping inflation at around 4.5%.

The resolution calls on the government to continue prioritizing growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation and ensuring major economic balances.

The government is also tasked with making breakthroughs in mobilizing and efficiently allocating resources for development. Measures include increasing state budget revenue, cutting expenditure, particularly recurrent spending, issuing various types of bonds and securing official development assistance (ODA) loans.

It must also promptly implement policies to raise foreign ownership limits in industries and sectors that do not affect national security.

The National Assembly urged the government to manage interest and exchange rates in line with domestic and international conditions, lower lending rates and direct credit toward production, business activities and priority sectors.

The government is also expected to introduce effective measures to address trade deficit, develop a healthy and sustainable real estate market, and resolve long-standing stalled projects.

To ensure energy security, the resolution requires the government to guarantee sufficient supplies of electricity and petroleum products under all circumstances.

On infrastructure, the government is tasked with completing the expressway network in line with approved plans, particularly the eastern and western sections of the North-South Expressway and East-West transport corridors.

It must also accelerate major national railway projects, including the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway, the North-South high-speed railway, international rail connections and urban railway networks.

The resolution calls for faster progress on two major airport projects: Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai, about 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, and Gia Binh International Airport in Bac Ninh Province, 40 km east of central Hanoi.

Long Thanh is being developed to ease pressure on HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport and eventually handle 100 million passengers annually. Gia Binh is planned as a major aviation gateway for northern Vietnam, serving passenger and cargo transport, international transit and aircraft maintenance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong economic momentum Vietnam has been enjoying recently, do you think they can achieve GDP growth of at least 10% next year? Do you think inflation won’t reach 5% anytime soon? How long do you think Vietnam’s thriving manufacturing and exports will last?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 19.5 Million Foreign Visitors in First 10 Months of 2026

November 4, 2026November 3, 2026carlocarrasco

As of the end of October, Vietnam’s 2026 count of foreign visitors reached 19.5 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. This puts Vietnam in a good position to overtake its 2025 grand total of 21.2 million foreign visitors although it has yet to be seen if it can attract 25 million this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 19.5 million international visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, a 13.8% increase from a year earlier.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 4.3 million visitors, accounting for about 22% of the total, according to the General Statistics Office.

South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.3 million visitors, or 17.3%. Russia ranked third with 1.2 million, followed by Taiwan (1.07 million) and the U.S. (808,000).

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (787,000), Japan (757,000), India (744,000), the Philippines (579,000) and Australia (542,000).

Vietnam has remained a popular choice for international travelers, supported by its safety reputation, favorable visa policies, stronger tourism promotion efforts and a wide range of travel experiences, GSO wrote.

In October, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.85 million, an increase of 4.9% from the previous month and 7% compared to the same period last year.

The tourism industry attributed October’s visitor growth partly to two concerts by South Korean music group BigBang in Hanoi on Oct. 24–25.

Vietnam eyes 25 million international arrivals by the end of this year.

Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy, Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management, RMIT Vietnam, told VnExpress International the target is within sight.

Vietnam needs about 7.3 million arrivals in the final quarter, an average of more than 2.4 million a month.

“That calls for a strong finish, and the fourth quarter is the start of the October–March peak tourism season,” she added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam has all the factors and momentum to successfully attract 25 million tourists from around the world by the end of this year? If you are planning to visit Vietnam, what are the three main reasons behind your decision to go there? Did any of your friends visit Vietnam and shared their observations with you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport expected to open on December 24

November 1, 2026October 31, 2026carlocarrasco

The ambitious Long Thanh International Airport in Vietnam is expected to open to commercial flights on December 24, 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. Previously it was announced that December 1 would be the date of opening and that the airport will handle most international flights next year. How this newest development will impact the tourism sector and the current economic boom of Vietnam remains to be seen.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Long Thanh International Airport is expected to open to commercial flights at midnight on Dec. 24, initially handling up to 366 flights a week, 322 of them domestic and 44 international.

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) gave the date in a notice sent to the Dong Nai People’s Committee. It asked the city to have relevant agencies help the corporation finish preparations so the launch runs smoothly and safely.

Domestic airlines will start operating at the new airport in stages. Vietnam Airlines is expected to fly the Long Thanh-Hanoi route and several international routes, while Vietjet plans domestic services linking Long Thanh with major economic and tourism centers nationwide.

Management agencies, airport operators and airlines are jointly drawing up flight allocations and operating plans, taking into account slot coordination and schedules at both Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Many international airlines have also voiced interest in and support for flying to Long Thanh, ACV said. Spanning 5,000 hectares in Dong Nai, about 40 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh is Vietnam’s largest airport by area.

For other previous blog posts about the Long Thanh International Airport, click here and here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the new Long Thanh International Airport will be able to launch on December 24 as planned? Do you think the local authorities and the strategic partners of the new airport have done enough to ensure a proper preparation for the opening to commercial flights? If you are planning to visit Vietnam on or after December 24, has this new development impacted your flight plans?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam wins 2026 Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award

October 26, 2026October 24, 2026carlocarrasco

Have you been on a nice cruise within Asia over the past six months? During the recent 2026 World Cruise Awards, Vietnam won the Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award and ended the 2-year reign of Hong Kong, according to a news article by VnExpress. Vietnam also won another prestigious award.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam has won Asia’s Best Cruise Destination at the 2026 World Cruise Awards for the first time, ending Hong Kong’s two-year reign.

Vietnam beat nine other nominees, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, according to the results announced at the sixth annual ceremony in Jamaica on Oct. 12.

Since the category began in 2021, Singapore has won twice, followed by the Philippines in 2023 and Hong Kong in 2024 and 2025.

Vietnam’s cruising experiences range from journeys through limestone islands in the north to river voyages through the Mekong Delta in the south.

In Ha Long Bay, passengers can spend the day sailing between limestone formations before anchoring overnight and waking up to views of the surrounding islands.

Itineraries often combine time aboard with kayaking and cave visits, while onboard activities can include cooking classes and squid fishing, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism’s official website.

Mekong Delta cruises offer a closer look at life along the waterways, the tourism authority says.

Boats pass palm-lined riverbanks and villages, with shore excursions allowing passengers to explore local markets and towns or sample tropical fruit.

Vietnam also won the World’s Best River Cruise Destination at this year’s awards. Ha Long Cruise Port was named Asia’s Best Cruise Terminal.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you were able to join a cruise in Vietnam, how was the experience and what are the things you enjoyed the most about it? Did you get a lot of value in return to what you paid for during the Vietnam cruise?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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HCMC Transforms into Vietnam’s Shopping Hotspot

October 20, 2026October 18, 2026carlocarrasco

When it comes to touring Southeast Asia, which particularly city do you think is ideal for shopping? In recent times, a booming fashion scene backed with strong social media exposure and promotions is turning Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as a major shopping hotspot and the shopping craze there is only intensifying, according to an article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Ho Chi Minh City is quickly becoming a shopping hotspot, thanks to a booming fashion scene that has been promoted widely on TikTok and Instagram as both affordable and accessible.

Chloe, a 22-year-old traveler from Australia, arrived on Tran Quang Dieu Street at the end of September with an empty suitcase and spent nearly US$800 in a single afternoon on clothes.

She planned to stay in Vietnam for a few weeks before returning home, saying: “I was inspired by a TikToker who came here with an empty suitcase just to fill it by shopping here.”

“The clothing quality is incredible, and everything is so cheap it feels surreal. It is like paradise for me.”

Recently, Ho Chi Minh City earned a spot among the 50 most attractive shopping destinations globally in a ranking by Travel and Tour World, a leading Indian travel publication.

The city is an ideal destination for travelers seeking handcrafted goods, textiles, and Vietnamese-style fashion, the report said.

Chloe is far from the only tourist visiting just for shopping.

Jasmine, a 26-year-old from Malaysia, says she travels to Vietnam specifically to buy clothes worn by her favorite idols.

“I am a huge K-pop fan, and I think Vietnamese clothing not only makes it easy to connect with my idols, but walking the fashion streets here also makes me feel amazing.”

She says she discovers brands and shopping locations primarily through Instagram, adding, “Every time I try on something here, I know I can afford it.”

Tina Yong, a prominent content creator with nearly four million followers, whose viral “Vietnam Haul” videos have helped put the local scene on the global map, points out that the appeal lies in discovery.

“People love discovering a brand they haven’t seen everywhere already.

“The designs are what catch my eye first, but the quality is what makes me go back.”

Other visitors echo this sentiment.

A visitor from Singapore says Vietnamese clothing craftsmanship is remarkable. She says she can buy about 10 times as many trendy items in Ho Chi Minh City, and for a fraction of the cost back home.

According to U.K. magazine Conde Nast Traveller, Vietnamese retail stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and use of the same production lines as global brands like Nike and GAP at a cost that is a fraction of western retail prices.

The rise in foreign shopper numbers has changed how local boutique owners run their stores.

Nguyen Huu Hoang, 22, consultant for a shop on Le Van Sy, a famous retail street in HCMC, says foreigners make up 80-90% of his shop’s clientele, most of them walk-in customers.

To reach them, his brands focus on Instagram, posting regular “fit-check” videos to turn online views into real store visits.

For added insight about shopping in HCMC, watch the video below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Ho Chi Minh City’s strong appeal as a major fashion and shopping hot spot will last for several years and contribute a lot to the economy of Vietnam? Do you personally know anyone who visited Vietnam mainly for shopping? Do you think there are lots of people who are too influenced by social media to come to go overseas with shopping in mind?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Fewer Korean Visitors Arriving in Vietnam

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026carlocarrasco

With almost eighteen million foreign tourists counted during the January-September period of this year, Vietnam is on-track to exceed its 2025 record of foreign tourist arrivals. While tourism is indeed booming, there are observations that fewer travelers from South Korea are visiting Vietnam, and there are a lot of factors as to why this has been happening for some time now, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Korean arrivals to Vietnam have fallen for two years amid a weaker won, fewer flights and growing competition.

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months, up almost 15% year-on-year, the General Statistics Office reported. South Korea ranked second, after mainland China, with 3 million arrivals, but was the only top-10 market to record a decline, down about 5%.

Korean arrivals also fell 5% in 2025, when total arrivals hit a record of more than 21 million.

South Koreans made over 19 million overseas trips in the first eight months, up 2%, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of Anam Group, which manages two resorts in Mui Ne and Cam Ranh, says Korean demand is still growing but shifting elsewhere.

Yanolja Research found that only three of the 12 most-visited destinations for Koreans grew in the first half. Japan rose 18.6% to 5.6 million visits, 40% of Korean outbound travelers. Mainland China rose 16%, while Macau grew 0.7%.

The other nine destinations, mostly in Southeast Asia and the U.S., all declined. Vietnam fell more than 2%, and Thailand dropped the most, at 24%.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, attributes the decline partly to growing competition from China and Japan.

Quynh says Japan offers a good exchange rate, easy transport and quality service. China has attractive tour prices, visa-free entry for Koreans since late 2025 and more direct flights.

A weak won is a factor. The currency fell to 1,536 won per U.S. dollar on June 3, its lowest since 2009, and now sits around 1,350.

Korea JoongAng Daily reports that the weak currency is changing how South Koreans travel. They are shopping less, opting for Airbnb-style rentals over luxury hotels.

Hanatour, one of South Korea’s largest travel companies, says Korean travelers used to favor cheap tours with shopping stops. Now they choose pricier packages without shopping to cut down on extra spending.

However, travel spending in Japan continues to rise, as the weak yen makes the destination more affordable. In 2025, South Korean visitors spent a record $5.7 billion in Japan.

Koerner adds that beyond cost, the convenience of the trip also shapes Korean choices. A flight of two to three hours to Japan or China beats a six-hour trip to Southeast Asia.

“In this context, Vietnam’s edge as a low-cost destination no longer creates a big enough gap to hold on to Korean visitors,” Quynh says.

Saturation is another problem. Quynh says a destination’s life cycle lasts three to four years, after which travelers seek something new. Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc have been promoted in Korea since around 2023, and golf and spa packages have grown familiar.

Fewer flights have hurt too. Higher fuel prices from the Middle East conflict led Korean airlines, mainly low-cost carriers, to cut 1,000 flights between April and June.

Yanolja Research also says Vietnam’s image has been linked to Cambodian scam compounds. Negative sentiment toward Vietnam once reached 18%.

To win Koreans back, Quynh says Vietnam should refresh its image, rely less on cheap beach holidays, and develop cultural, ecological and wellness products. He also urges more promotion in Busan, Daegu and Gwangju cities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the falling number of Korean travelers visiting Vietnam is growing into a serious problem for the Vietnamese tourism industry? What do you think Vietnam and South Korea should do when it comes to flight connectivity and visa matters?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Tourism Insiders Say Easier Entry, Stronger Connectivity and Better Tourism Services Are Needed

October 13, 2026October 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Having attracted almost eighteen million foreign tourists in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam is clearly one of the must-visit places not only in Southeast Asia but in Asia as a whole. For some tourism insiders, however, Vietnam needs easier entry, strong connectivity by air and land and better tourism services to bridge the so-called competitiveness gap with its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam needs easier entry, stronger air and land connectivity, better tourism services, and stricter environmental enforcement to bridge its competitiveness gap with Southeast Asian rivals, tourism insiders have said.

The country climbed seven places to 52nd out of 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, its highest ranking since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it ranked behind major Southeast Asian markets. Singapore was 13th globally, Indonesia was 23rd, Malaysia was 26th, and Thailand was 38th.

The expansion of visa-free policy for more nationalities remains an important feature of Vietnam’s strategy to develop its tourism industry.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of Vietnamese luxury resorts, tells VnExpress International: “Vietnam should continue to make entry as frictionless as possible. Visa policies have improved considerably, but we should continue benchmarking ourselves against the easiest destinations in the region.”

Every additional administrative barrier matters when an international traveler can choose between Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other destinations, he says.

Vietnam has made it easier for foreign visitors to enter and stay in the country, including through 90-day e-visas and 45-day visa exemptions for citizens of 24 countries, including several in Europe.

But the country has not yet waived visas for some major tourism markets such as China and India, unlike Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Vietnam also needs stronger air connectivity, with more direct flights from major cities in Europe, Australia, North America, India, and the Middle East as connections influence long-haul travelers’ destination choices, Koerner adds.

Dr Matt Kim, a lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT Vietnam, says infrastructure and accessibility require further improvement, particularly international air connectivity and transport links between destinations in the country.

Long Thanh International Airport scheduled to begin commercial operation later this year will be transformational, but an airport alone does not create a destination, he says.

Efficient connections between airports and tourism centers, better roads, rail infrastructure, and seamless domestic transportation will be equally important, he says.

He wants the tourism industry to improve service quality and develop skilled professionals.

“To compete more effectively with regional destinations such as Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam needs to improve not only its facilities, but also service standards and professional training.“

Environmental pollution is another concern, with foreign tourists frequently complaining about it despite praising Vietnam’s scenery.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you agree with the opinions of the tourism insiders about what Vietnam needs to do to remain competitive with its regional neighbors? If you have been to Vietnam over the past six months, how do you rate the quality of entry, tourism services, air-land connectivity and the tourism workers? With the way things are going now, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract 30 million foreign tourists in 2027 or 2028?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 522,000 Visitors from the Philippines During First 9 Months of 2026

October 10, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

The Philippines, which is currently the host of the ASEAN Summit and is also one of the economic weaklings of Southeast Asia, continues to grow tremendously as a tourism market for Vietnam as an estimated 522,000 Filipinos visited the said nation during the first nine months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

It should be noted that more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam for the entire year of 2025, and the Philippines is one of the fastest growing tourism markets for the Vietnam tourism industry this year along with Russia.

Historically speaking, the number of Philippine visitors welcomed by Vietnam was 49,266 in 2022, 153,168 in 2023, 265,947 in 2024 and 482,173 in 2025. At 522,000 as of the end of September, the number of Philippine visitors arriving in Vietnam could reach around 700,000 by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering the strong interest of Filipinos to visit Vietnam, do you think it is possible for Vietnam to attract at least one million visitors from the Philippines next year if not this year? Do you think more Filipinos will realize the great value they could get by visiting Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

October 5, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam successfully attracted 17.7 million foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026 having China, South Korea and Russia as their top 3 tourist markets, according to a news report by VnExpress. As it currently stands, Vietnam saw its foreign tourist count rise by 14.5% compared to the year before and it is looking more likely for the nation to exceed its 2025 overall foreign tourist count of 21.2 million by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said what is particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s diversification of source markets.

European arrivals increased by more than 50%, while arrivals from markets including the United States, Australia and India also recorded strong growth. This makes Vietnam less dependent on only one or two major Asian source markets, he added.

“Vietnam is no longer seen simply as an inexpensive holiday destination. Increasingly, it is being

recognized as a destination capable of delivering sophisticated, world-class hospitality,” Koerner said.

Several Southeast Asian countries have faced declines in international arrivals amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development? Do you know anyone who visited Vietnam recently and mentioned positive things about their tour? How interested are you right now to visit Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

October 3, 2026September 29, 2026carlocarrasco

With its booming tourism industry and the economic gains it has achieved so far, Vietnam was named as Asia’s leading destination during the 2026 World Travel Awards beating the likes of regional rivals Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, according to a VnExpress news report. In fact, this is not the first time Vietnam achieved this particular honor and there were other awards won as well.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam has been named Asia’s leading destination at this year’s World Travel Awards, adding another tourism accolade to the country’s growing reputation.

It beat regional tourism hubs including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to retain the title for a sixth consecutive year.

A series of popular tourism hubs in Vietnam were also honored at different categories, the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania organizers announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday.

Vietnam’s southern metropolis overtook Singapore, China’s Shanghai and Hong Kong to become “Asia’s leading business travel destination.”

Hanoi was named “Asia’s leading city break destination” while Tam Chuc Complex in the northern province of Ha Nam, around one hour and (30-minute) drive from the capital, was voted “Asia’s leading cultural tourist attraction.”

Ta Xua, one of the highest mountain peaks in Vietnam at over 2,800 m above sea level, was voted “Asia’s leading emerging tourism destination” for the first time. It has a cool climate all year round and is known as a cloud hunting destination from October to April.

Northern highlands town Moc Chau was named “Asia’s leading regional nature destination.” Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam was voted “Asia’s leading national park.”

The 900-square-kilometer national park, which UNESCO recognized as a global heritage site in 2003, is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back some 400 million years, including the world’s largest Son Doong.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam and its tourist sites deserved the tourism awards it received this year? Have you toured Vietnam extensively this year? What is the most astonishing tourism destination you have visited there in Vietnam? Do you think Vietnam still has a long way to go to solve its tourism labor shortage?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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