Make the most out of Vietnam
Photo from Flickr by marcinbaranowski
Visiting Vietnam is no stranger to travel plans from across the globe. From family holidays to backpackers to honeymooners, tourism in Vietnam has picked up from the last decade. The year 2011 marks a turning point in their tourism industry, with its number of tourists reaching at 6 million. A million more from 2010 and a 2 million positive variance from the year 2009. Rich in history, an Asian culture uniquely their own, a cuisine popularly trending in the West, and a climate that is interestingly diverse throughout the year – international arrivals to the country has numbered to 6,035,901 for the first 11 months of 2012 alone. This is an 11.4% growth over the same period last year. Compared to its Asian neighbors, the World Economic Forum ranked Vietnam to 80th in global tourism, up by nine spots from last year. Top destinations in the country are its attractive cultural and natural resources.
Traveling to Vietnam is absolutely not a one-time deal. First-time tourists have, in fact, come back. Perhaps to experience a repeat of the delightful trip they have had, or to discover more of Vietnam. Venture further to remote areas far from the bustling metropolitan city of Hanoi and Saigon, and immerse on how the locals in small towns and nearby cities live. In addition, rich flavors unique to these towns await an adventurous palate. These are wonderful discoveries not typically written about in travel reviews in blogs, in the customary national tourism marketing campaigns, in magazines, and what-have-yous. You can be first, or have a secret you can intimately share with fellow more adventurous travelers.
An alternative way to discover Vietnam is by sea and aboard a cruise ship. In fact, booking a cruise with Cruise 1st is no longer a luxury only enjoyed in the Caribbean Islands or the Mediterranean. There are four cruise lines available in Vietnam, namely: Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Azamara Cruises. Spend Christmas in Asia aboard Azamara with the following journey: Singapore – Ko Samui – Bangkok – Sihanoukville – Ho Chi Minh City – Singapore. Or book the Vietnam Explorer for 17 nights on February 2013. More options with information on rates and route are available on the Cruise 1st website.
Without a doubt, Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist destinations. To note is its unprecedented growth the past decade. Blessed with rich heritage sites, beautiful beaches like the Nha Trang, the Ha Long Bay, a picturesque countryside such as Da Lat – Vietnam’s tourism industry will continue to progress at a CAGR of more than 11% during 2010 – 2014 in terms of travelers coming in from international origins. Come back to Vietnam and discover more of its timeless charm. Truly, new discoveries blur the lines between a first Vietnam trip and a return visit.
