Two "must-see" destinations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

(NLDO) – Two special national relics are applying technology, elevating the heritage to become "must-see destinations" for tourists.

On October 19, Thong Nhat Hall, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, and the Institute for Economic and Tourism Development Research jointly organized a destination promotion communication forum with the theme "Convergence of identities to elevate heritage" from the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam to Thong Nhat Hall.

Mr. Tran Huu Phuoc, Acting Director of the Reunification Hall, said that the forum is of great significance in introducing the unique values of two special national relics, a new feature in the way activities are organized at the Reunification Hall.

Hai — The forum was held in Thong Nhat Hall. Photo: Lam Giang

"With more than 1 million visitors each year, Reunification Hall is one of the interesting tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Among them, the attractive tourism product that can be mentioned is the Exhibition "From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868 - 1966". Since opening to welcome visitors in March 2018 until now, this tourism product has welcomed nearly 350,000 visitors each year to visit and experience" - Mr. Tran Huu Phuoc said.

Meanwhile, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam ( Hanoi ) is increasingly attracting domestic and international tourists, with the exploitation of unique night tourism products.

The Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is the unit that has successfully organized the program to experience the night tour of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.

Hai — International visitors take photos in front of the Reunification Hall. Photo: Hoang Trieu

Mr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, said that the night tourism product here is organized to enhance the heritage, with a development orientation associated with the three pillars of cultural industry, digital transformation and smart tourism development. The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam has coordinated with a number of partners, the tour program is still in the testing phase but has a lot of potential to become an attractive official product.

"The "Quintessence of Taoism" experience tour program was launched nearly a year ago, but has so far attracted both domestic and international visitors, when introducing the quintessence of Vietnamese Taoism with three traditions of respecting teachers, learning, and valuing talents. Notably, the tour is told by applying technology, creating a difference when visitors are immersed in the atmosphere of a scholar teaching, the journey to school in ancient times, interactive technology through virtual reality glasses" - said Mr. Le Xuan Kieu.

Hai — The tour program to experience "The Quintessence of Confucianism" in the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam attracts many tourists.

Sharing at the forum, Mr. Ta Di Linh, Director of the Institute for Economic and Tourism Development Research, said that from the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam to the Reunification Hall, more investment is being made to enhance the heritage, on the basis of respecting and honoring history, creating more attractive tourism products.

In particular, this trend is increasingly suitable and meets the needs of domestic and international tourists. Because after COVID-19, surveys by many international organizations show that the need for tourists to access sustainable tourism and connect sustainable values is increasing.

Hai — The tour program is in the testing phase but has positive initial results.

"A survey by Booking.com shows that if you come to Hanoi, the tour to explore the old quarter will be the image of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, and in Ho Chi Minh City, out of every 10 international visitors, 5-6 will choose to visit the Reunification Hall.

Therefore, it is necessary to apply technology and creativity to exploit existing resources to restructure products for destinations, enhance heritage, and create added value for the tourism industry and the economy," analyzed Dr. Duong Duc Minh, Deputy Director of the Institute for Economic and Tourism Development Research.