HCM City-based travellers spend more on overseas tourism

Inflation seems to have had little impact on HCM City’s residents as the number of Vietnamese tourists taking overseas tours has increased by 10 to 30 per cent.

According to the HCM City Department of Tourism, nearly 65, 000 Vietnamese visitors went abroad in the January-April period via Tan Son Nhat International Airport, an increase of 8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Popular destinations of Vietnamese tourists are China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.

Le Hong Viet Thao of Viettravel said tours to Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, the US and Europe are selling well. By mid-May, the number of tourists booking overseas tours at Viettravel had grown by 30 per cent compared to the same period last year. The firm now offers nearly 50 overseas tours.

The company sold inbound tours to around 11, 000 local visitors and outbound tours to 2, 000 others, which was 10 per cent up year on year.

The firm offers tours to attractions such as Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Da Lat, Phan Thiet, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and those to other Asian destinations including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and the Chinese mainland.

Hoi An kite competition brings enthusiasts from far and wide

The historic town of Hoi An hosts its fourth annual kite competition tomorrow. The event, sponsored by the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa, is expected to attract 130 participants from places such as Hoi An, Da Nang City and Cambodia’s Siem Reap Province.

First prize winner of the competition will be awarded VND6 million (US$370); two second-prize winners VND3 million ($185) each; three third prize winners VND2million ($123) each; two prizes for "impressive and unique" kites VND1.5 million ($92.5) each; and four consolation prizes VND1 million ($61.69) each.

HCM City prepares for Southern Fruit Festival in Suoi Tien Park

Suoi Tien Park in HCM City’s District 9 will host the Southern Fruit Festival, an annual event organised by HCM City’s Tourism Department to promote local fruits, between June 1 to August 30.

The show will feature activities like a fruit march, fruit carnivals and fairs, cultural cuisine week, folk games, and musical shows. One of the highlights will be a southern traditional art in which fruits are arranged to resemble animal shapes.

This year the festival is expected to attract hundreds of famous fruit-processing companies, farmers, and dealers besides thousands of visitors. More than 50 fruit specialities from 15 provinces and cities will be on display.

The event will offer an opportunity for growers and others to exchange ideas about fruit strains and seedlings.

Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of trademarked fruits like Long Khanh and Cai Be rambutan, Cai Mon mangosteen and durian, Hoa Loc sweet mango, Nam Roi grapefruit, Binh Thuan dragon fruits, Luc Ngan litchi, Hung Yen longan, and others at prices 20 to 40 per cent below market rates.