Hanoi, through the eyes of a Cuban girl like me, has always held a special allure - a place where the whispers of history intertwine with a vibrant, modern pulse. Even after three years of living in the capital to pursue Vietnamese Studies, I thought I had already felt the “heartbeat” of this city through my textbooks and lectures. However, it wasn't until I stepped onto a special train called “Hanoi - 5 Cửa Ô” (The Five Gates of Hanoi) that I realized I was embarking on a true voyage back in time - where history isn't just ink on a page, but a living, breathing reality echoing with every rotation of the wheels.

Beyond its beautiful natural landscapes, cool climate, and specialties like artichokes and hydrangeas, Đà Lạt also attracts tourists with its architecture. Its French architecture, in particular, proves alluring, with century-and a half old structures still standing in this foggy mountain city. In recent years, with rising demand for sightseeing and architectural discovery among tourists, the colonial villas of Đà Lạt attract many as a new must-see destination.

In 2023, Ambassador Saadi Salama wrote and published a memoir in Vietnam titled: Câu chuyện Việt Nam của tôi (My Vietname Story), with the dedication: “I am not a transit guest to Vietnam. Within me, there is a very large part of Vietnam”.

This coming May, a special journey titled “Heritage and Peace” will take place in Côn Đảo - a sacred land where historical depth, indomitable spirit, and the Vietnamese yearning for peace converge. Far more than a pilgrimage of gratitude, the program serves as a platform to promote Vietnam’s quintessential cultural icons: the lotus and the Áo Dài.

The National Tourism Year, a premier national-scale cultural and tourism event, occurs annually under the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. For 2026, Gia Lai will play the honored role of host province.

The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for Vietnam’s tourism industry, as the sector recorded growth that exceeded all expectations and established a distinct position on both regional and global tourism maps. With these impressive results, Vietnam emerges as a bright star in the Asia-Pacific region, with immense opportunities for 2026 and beyond.