Let's check out the highlighted travel news in July 2019 with Asiatica Travel.
1. Vietnam welcomed 8.5 million international visitors in the first half of 2019.
Accordingly, in the first 6 months of 2019, Vietnam Tourism has made many efforts and implemented numerous activities and achieved remarkable results. Total number of international visitors to Vietnam in the first 6 months of 2019 reached nearly 8.5 million times (increase 7.5% compared to the same period in 2018); total revenue from tourists reached 338,200 billion VND (up 8.4% compared to the same period in 2018). The 7.5% increase in international visitors in the first 6 months of 2019 was lower than the same period in 2018 but still higher than the world growth of 3-4% of international visitors and the Asia-Pacific, which is 5-6% (According to UNWTO forecast for 2019).
2. Vietnam Airlines first launched Premium Economy Class on Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City flights
It is expected that from July 1, 2019, Vietnam Airlines will officially launch economy class with special service standards almost like Business class on the flight route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by modern wide-body aircrafts Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9. The new service class is the upgrade of the quality of products and services of the National Airlines right after being certified of 4-star airline for 4 consecutive from Skytrax, promising to be an attractive option for passengers.
Premium Economy class has a higher price of only VND 500,000 compared to the flexible Economy class, but offers superior services of the Businness class for passengers to fully experience high-class services from the ground to on the air of Vietnam Airlines.
Specifically, passengers can use the Lotus lounge to eat and relax before starting the journey. In addition, passengers are allowed to check-in at their own counter, boarding the plane by a priority walkway or bus, thereby shortening the waiting time before the flight. On the flight, Vietnam Airlines serves Premium Economy Class passengers according to the most advanced air service standards, including welcome drink, hot towel, hot meals, more various drinks, rich entertainment programs… Standard 30kg free luggage allowance and 2 pieces of hand baggage is also a remarkable advantage to make passengers more comfortable during trips.
Thus, it can be seen that Premium Economy class has Business class service standards in most aspects, except for difference in seat design.
3. Hanoi ranked among the most attractive culinary tour in the world
The Guardian (UK) has just voted 20 locations for the best culinary tour in the world with Hanoi is included in this list.
According to The Guardian, if you have ever loved the land and people of Vietnam, you will surely fall in love with the food here forever. Travelers coming to Hanoi cannot ignore the perch noodles, or roll cake with the fish sauce, which is salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. The more interesting is drinking coffee in small coffee shops, and if you don't drink coffee, enjoying a delicious cup of sticky rice yogurt will be a great experience.
4. Hoi An is voted as the best tourist city in the world
Getting over Tokyo and Rome, Hoi An ancient town was voted as the best tourist city in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2019.
Besides Hoi An, the list also honors other 14 cities around the world, including Chiang Mai (Thailand), Mexico City (Mexico), Ubud (Indonesia), Florence (Italy), Seville (Spain), Santa Fe (USA), etc.
5. Thailand will charge compulsory travel insurance fee for tourists
The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) claimed that compulsory travel insurance for foreign visitors at a fee of 20 baht per person is expected to be applied this year.
If this plan is applied, foreign tourists will be required to purchase travel insurance when entering Thailand. Specifically, compulsory insurance must be paid at the immigration office at Thailand's airports and border gates. This amount will be transferred to the Thailand Tourism Promotion Fund to pay for insurance such as medical fees and accident.
6. New UNESCO World Heritages recognized
More heritages of the world has been recognized by UNESCO at the 43rd Meeting Session in Baku, Azerbaijan, including the Plain of Jars, Laos and Bagan, Myanmar.
Plain of Jars in Xiengkhuang (Laos)
This is an archaeological site that still remains many unveiled mysteries. Archaeologists believe that large stone jars here are used in the Iron Age funeral rite. According to UNESCO, the plain consists of 2,100 stone jars, plenty of stone plates, gravestones and quarries date from 500 BC to 500 AD.
Ancient Bagan, Myanmar
Myanmar's ancient capital is a popular tourist destination with more than 3,500 towers, temples, monasteries and many other outstanding constructions built from the 11th to the 13th centuries. In 2016, a 6.8 richter earthquake damaged nearly 200 temples in the city.