HCM CITY - Many key destinations such as Phú Quốc, Tây Ninh and Đà Nẵng have welcomed the vibrant 2024 New Year season, despite previous challenges.

Việt Nam’s tourism in 2023 showed signs of recovery after a challenging period due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism activities and events were lively nationwide, boosting both domestic and international tourism.

Tourism products were continuously renewed, diversified and enhanced in attractiveness, and competitiveness in Việt Nam.

According to statistics, the total number of international visitors to the country in 2023 reached 12.6 million, nearly 3.5 times higher than in 2022, exceeding the initial target of eight million and achieving the adjusted target of 12-13 million.

The estimated number of domestic tourists reached 108 million, surpassing the initial plan by 5.8 per cent. Total tourism revenue was estimated at VNĐ672 trillion, exceeding the plan by 3.38 per cent and equal to 93 per cent of that of 2019.

The trend of international visitors steadily increased over the months, indicating a good recovery.

Notably, in the last six months of 2023, each month saw over one million visitors to Việt Nam, with December having the highest number at 1.37 million.

Although Việt Nam achieved its tourism goals, it still faced challenges, especially in attracting international visitors.

During the national online tourism conference on March 15, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính remarked, "Việt Nam opened its doors early, but the number of international tourists did not meet expectations and set targets."

Compared to 2019 in the pre-pandemic period, the recovery of tourism is still modest, with the number of international visitors only reaching 70 per cent of the same period in 2019, with 18 million international arrivals.

The three key international markets for Việt Nam are recovering at a slow pace, with China achieving a recovery rate of 30 per cent compared to 2019, Russia with 19 per cent and Japan with 62 per cent.

For the domestic tourism market, after a period of strong growth in 2022, there are signs of slowing down in 2023.

Explosive growth in many destinations

However, in the last days of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, there were optimistic signals for Vietnamese tourism as many destinations recorded a surge in visitors.

The most impressive was Phú Quốc, a destination that had a somewhat challenging year in 2023 but managed to turn the tide in the final days of the year.

According to Huỳnh Quang Hưng, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phú Quốc City, the end of 2023 marked a sudden increase in the number of visitors to Phú Quốc, especially international tourists.

On average, Phú Quốc welcomed 2,000 to over 2,500 international visitors per day, with Koreans accounting for over 50 per cent.

In particular, the launch of the Marriage Bridge and the entertainment complex in Sunset Town invested by Sun Group in Phú Quốc recently brought a lively and vibrant atmosphere to the pearl island in the last days of 2023.

On the evening of December 31, 2023, and the morning of January 1, 2024, tens of thousands of residents and tourists flocked to Sunset Town in An Thới to watch the countdown to 2024, enjoy the spectacular fireworks display throughout the night at the Vui Phết Night Market, watch street performances, and experience the "Kiss of the Sea" show that is a multi-sensory experience combining technology and high-level stage art by international artists.

Phú Quốc is gradually regaining its image and position as an irresistible tourist paradise in 2024.

According to a preliminary assessment by the Department of Tourism of Kiên Giang, during the 2024 New Year holiday, Kiên Giang welcomed over 120,000 visitors for entertainment and relaxation, including over 15,000 international visitors.

The occupancy rate of rooms at tourist accommodations reached 63.2 per cent, and total tourism revenue reached VNĐ369 billion.

Meanwhile, Tây Ninh continues to be a surprising factor, as on the last day of the year, this destination announced a record-breaking figure of five million cable car passengers to Bà Đen Mountain in 2023.

This achievement contributed to Tây Ninh’s successful year with over 5.1 million visitors, reaching 102 per cent of the plan and increasing by 13.2 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier.

In the first month of the new year, Tây Ninh will have many new things for Buddhists and tourists.

With the world's largest statue of Buddha made of marble, the tallest artificial waterfall in Asia flowing around the statue of Buddha, and the Wish Bridge, which is a unique spiritual bridge for visitors to worship the Buddha statue, the Southeast province of Tây Ninh is expected to be a pilgrimage destination attracting a large number of Buddhists and tourists in the new year.

In addition to Phú Quốc and Tây Ninh, Đà Nẵng is also a formidable "unknown" in 2024, continuing to see impressive growth in 2023.

According to the report of the Department of Tourism, the total number of tourists served by accommodation facilities throughout 2023 is expected to reach over 7.4 million, double compared to 2022, including over two million international visitors, a fourfold increase, and over 5.4 million domestic visitors, a 69 per cent increase compared to 2022.

During the Christmas and 2024 New Year holidays, it was estimated that 261,000 visitors would come to Đà Nẵng, a 34.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

In just the three days of the 2024 New Year holiday, the total number of international and domestic flights to Đà Nẵng was estimated to reach 434 flights, a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

There are many reasons for the impressive results of these destinations.

Still, it can be easily seen that one of the "common denominators" of the recovery and growth of these localities comes from the efforts to invest in new tourism products. - VNS