The Vimo Technology Joint Stock Company (Vimo.vn) and Southern Airport Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO) have signed a cooperation agreement on launching electronic payment services for Asian tourists when travelling into Vietnam.

VOV.VN - The south central Khanh Hoa province’s Department of Tourism announced on December 20 that the number of foreign arrivals to Nha Trang city until the end of November has increased by over 170% to 1.8 million people against the same period last year. 

The Phnom Penh–headquartered Lanmei Airlines launched direct flights between Phnom Penh and Hanoi and Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City on December 20.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has come in second in a list of the “Top experiences in Vietnam”, according to Lonely Planet, a renowned travel publication.

The low-cost carrier Vietjet Air on December 18 launched its newest route from Bangkok in Thailand to Da Lat city in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong.

VOV.VN -  At this time of year, camellia sasanqua, commonly named sasanqua camellia is in full bloom throughout the Binh Lieu border district in the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh. 

The National Tourism Year 2018 is an opportunity for the northern province of Quang Ninh to promote its image to international friends, said Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Long.

A selection of festive dining options will be made available throughout the five-star Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers’ venues on the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Sofitel Saigon Plaza in downtown Ho Chi Minh City is running a variety of food and drink programs to serve local and international gourmets.

The National Tourism Year 2017 Lao Cai-Tay Bac rounded off with a ceremony held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on December 16. 

On December 20, Cambodian Lanmei Airlines will launch two new non-stop flights between Phnom Penh and Hanoi as well as Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, scheduled to depart every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

VOV.VN - Chuong (Bell) pagoda in Nhan Duc village, Hung Yen province, guards a number of precious historical relics. It is part of the Pho Hien Special National Relic Site.

Following are a couple of weekend destinations which might be of your interest. 

Ho Chi Minh City welcomed the six millionth international visitor to the southern economic hub during the year at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on December 15.

VOV.VN - The number of visitors to Cat Ba Island reached 2 million in early November; 450,000 of whom were foreigners. This has been the highest and most remarkable numbers for the tourism of the so-called “Pearl Island”.

Vietnam’s low-cost carrier Vietjet Air on December 15 held a jubilant ceremony to celebrate the debut of its two routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Thailand’s tourist destinations of Phuket and Chiang Mai.

The central coastal city of Da Nang saw a significant growth in international tourist arrivals in 2017, according to the city’s Department of Tourism.

VOV.VN - Special programs will be held in the ancient town of Hoi An to welcome the New Year, said the Centre for Culture and Sports of Hoi An City on December 14. 

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho welcomed 7.5 million tourist arrivals in 2017, 34% beyond the yearly plan and up 40% from 2016.

An exhibition hosted by the Embassy of Indonesia in Vietnam opened at the Umah Indo exhibition house in Hanoi on December 13.

The government of Hanoi City has announced to launch a double-decker bus tour before the 2018 Lunar New Year holiday to spur tourism development in the city.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the Embassy of Vietnam in India launched a programme in New Delhi on December 12 to promote Vietnam’s tourism.

VOV.VN - Adrenaline pumping activities such as highwire walking, flyboarding and ziplining have attracted a lot of Vietnamese travelers in 2017 looking to test themselves on games requiring courage, patience, and flexibility. 

VOV.VN - Le ThanhTinh, the director of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, made an announcement on December 13 that the National Park has discovered an additional 58 caves in the buffer zone. 

Hanoi is forecast to serve 23.83 million tourists in 2017, up nine percent year-on-year and one percent compared to the year’s target.

Vietnamese travel firms have launched cost-free tours, copying a promotional model commonly used by airlines, to both domestic and outbound destinations. Offers include taking tourists to the U.S. at half the normal price via ‘budget packages’.

Since the early days of December, scores of five-star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City have rolled out special events to mark the start of the 2017 Christmas season and give a helping hand to disadvantaged children at local shelters and orphanages.

VOV.VN - Tents and cosy wooden bungalows near the beaches of Lagi, Binh Lap,and Dai Lanh are ideal New Year’s trip options for travellers seeking their own seaside and island paradise for outdoor adventures.

VOV.VN - Vietnam Airlines was named as the ‘World’s Leading Cultural Airline’ and ‘World Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class’ at the Grand Final 2017 awards ceremony on December 11 by the World Travel Awards 2017. 

Average spending of Chinese tourists in Vietnam is estimated at US$638 per person and that of tourists from other countries at about US$943 per person, said the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board Secretariat.