Hanoi is making efforts to build cultural tourism products to better serve visitors to the capital city on the occasion of SEA Games 31, which will take place from May 12 to 23 this year.

Fostering the buildup of new tourism products

Children enjoy visiting walking the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake at the weekend. Photo: Pham Anh Tu

Around 3.2 million visitors are expected to arrive in Hanoi during the SEA Games 31, including three million domestic tourists and 150,000 to 200,000 international visitors, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

Such a large influx of tourists will open up many opportunities to promote Hanoi tourism. Cultural destinations, historical sites, and beautiful landscapes in the capital are expected to be crowded during the sporting event.

Accordingly, Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center and Hanoitourist Co.Ltd. will relaunch the night tour titled “Thang Long Imperial Citadel Decoding” after a one-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In about 1.5 hours of the itinerary, tourists can visit the Doan Mon Gate, the gallery “Thang Long - Hanoi, a Thousand Years of History from the Underground” and the archaeological relic area; see art performances on the glass floor, offer incense to commemorate the 52 Vietnamese kings at Kinh Thien Palace as well as explore artifacts restored by laser. Many areas of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel will be lit up with the art of lighting, showcasing their lasting beauty. 

Representative of Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center, Nguyen Thi Yen, said that this unique tourist experience will help further promote Thang Long Imperial Citadel- one of the world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO.

A foreign visitor to Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo courtesy of the relic site

“We believe the product will attract domestic as well as international tourists,” she added.

Meanwhile, Hoa Lo Prison is developing three night-tourism products with live performances of actors featuring sophisticated sound and light effects, according to the Deputy Head of the Management Board of Dang Van Bieu.

The first, called “Sacred Night: Shining Vietnamese Spirit”, takes visitors back in time to the past to learn about the tough life and fights of political prisoners including many national heroes who lost their life for the country’s freedom. The second, “Sacred Night 2: Living Like Flowers”, tells the stories of female prisoners. The last one, “Sacred Night 3: The Fire of Youth”, honors the young soldiers and heroes who devoted their youth and life to national independence. “We are also building a special night tour exclusively for foreign visitors in the coming time,” Bieu revealed.

Hanoitourist Co.Ltd. has just launched a new tourism product named “Footprint in Bat Trang Ancient Village”.

In addition, various types of tourism experiences to the suburbs of Hanoi are also urgently deployed by districts in the city, for example, the recently launched Ba Vi Tourism 2022 “Green, safe Experience”.

Located in the west of the city, Ba Vi District owns rich natural and cultural tourist resources.

Besides enjoying the scenery of Ba Vi mountains and forests, visitors will have the opportunity to experience some new tourism products in the Ao Vua tourist area such as healthcare tourism; herbal baths; getting traditional medicine checkups, consulting and treatment; immersing in the Ba Vi Muong - Dao Ethnic Market Festival; New Rice Festival at Ban Coc tourist area in Minh Quang Commune.

Travelers visit Ba Vi National Park to admire flowers. Photo: Khanh Huy

There are also some spiritual and cultural tourism activities at Uncle Ho’s Temple and K9 Da Chong relic site including visits to the Lower Temple, the Middle Temple, and the Upper Temple worshiping Tan Vien Genie; stay at Thien Son - Suoi Nga Resort, Tan Da Resort, Melia Resort and visits to the Rose Garden at Paragon Resort.

A series of exciting activities will take place, notably the Agricultural Product Festival, and the Hot Air Balloon Festival associated with the experience and display of wildflowers in Ba Vi National Park.

On this occasion, Hanoi also organizes a series of unique and attractive tourism events such as the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival running from April 29 to May 1; the Hanoi Tourism Festival taking place from May 13 to 15; and the Hanoi Food and Craft Village Tourism Festival to be held from May 18-22, among others.

Hanoi - a friendly city

By building cultural and tourism products for SEA Games 31, the Hanoi tourism sector is promoting the image of the country, as a peaceful and hospitable capital.

According to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the city has produced eight short films introducing culture, cuisine, and craft villages, among others, which will be shown on large LED screens at SEA Games 31 venues, and the residence of athletes.

Some clips to promote Hanoi tourism will also be broadcast on CNN, especially a 30-minute video themed SEA Games 31 and the 30-second promotional film “Find out the SEA Games Records”.

Hanoi authorities hope that these activities will contribute to promoting the image of Hanoi as friendly and hospitable city to international friends.