Vietnam has climbed to third place among the top five Asian countries with the highest return rate of international tourists, trailing only Japan and Thailand, according to the digital travel platform Agoda.
In the first half of the year, Vietnam’s top five destinations for returning visitors were Danang, Nha Trang, HCMC, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc.
The three coastal cities draw travelers with their white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and extensive resort facilities, while HCMC and Hanoi appeal with their vibrant energy, cultural depth, and signature cuisine, creating a rich mix of experiences.
For the first time, Danang has secured a spot among Asia’s top 10 cities with the highest rate of returning tourists, a notable improvement from last year when Vietnam had no cities on the list, said the Saigon Tiep Thi news site.
Special burial held for seven-ton whale washed ashore in Lam Dong
Fishermen in Lien Huong Commune, Lam Dong Province, recovered the carcass of a seven-ton whale and gave it a traditional burial, local officials told the Tuoi Tre news site on August 3.
The 11-meter whale, revered in local folklore as Ca Ong (Lord Whale), was spotted floating about two nautical miles off Binh Thanh waters in Lien Huong late August 2 afternoon. Due to nightfall and the animal’s size, fishermen waited until the next morning to bring it ashore with the help of a crane truck.
The burial took place on a sandy beach, accompanied by flag-planting and trumpet playing. According to tradition, three years after the burial, the whale’s remains are exhumed and placed in a village temple for worship.
Fishermen believe Ca Ong protects seafarers from storms and other dangers at sea. As a result, whenever a whale dies in local waters, the community holds a solemn funeral to honor the creature and its symbolic role in safeguarding their lives.
Security guard’s paintings on sidewalk go viral
A 66-year-old security guard in HCMC has gone viral for painting on the sidewalk during breaks outside the spa where he works.
“I used to make a living painting and dreamed of pursuing art,” Dung said. “After moving to the city, I worked many jobs and went 20 years without touching a brush. I thought I’d never paint again.”
His return to art began when his son, working in Japan, encouraged him to pick up painting again. Starting with a small box of paints, a few brushes and discarded advertising boards, he practiced during quiet hours at work. Passersby later gifted him oil paints, brushes, and easels, further fueling his passion.
Locals say his dedication is inspiring. “Seeing him paint every day gives me more motivation,” Nguyen Duyen told the Thanh Nien news site.
A kind rescuer of abandoned pets
Tran Uyen Nhu, 34, runs a pet shop in HCMC with her family to make a living. In 2014, she volunteered to take care of abandoned pets at an animal shelter in the city. Nine months later, she took charge of the shelter at the age of 23.
Initially, the animal rescue station took care of only cats and dogs. Nhu had to learn how to cure some diseases and how to feed these abandoned pets. Later, she decided to look after other abandoned animals. Within 10 years, she had to move the shelter around HCMC 10 times.
In 2024, Nhu bought a 2,700-square-meter plot of land in Di Linh Commune, Lam Dong Province, to build her own pet rescue center. It took her 10 hours to transport 230 dogs and 200 cats from HCMC to the newly built shelter in Di Linh. At present, the pet rescue center is home to more than 800 dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises, chickens, ducks and porcupines. She also takes care of abandoned echeveria plants and stuffed animals.
Nhu spends some revenue from her family’s pet shop running the shelter in Di Linh and the one in HCMC. Many other pet lovers are also willing to lend her a hand, according to tuoitre.vn.
