THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi residents are in for a treat as they get to explore the rich tapestry of Malaysian tourism, arts, culture, and cuisine through the Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture and Food Festival 2025, launched earlier this month in Vietnam’s capital.
This festival acts as a pivotal platform to enhance bilateral tourism ties and promote the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, with Vietnam being a key focus within ASEAN. It also aims to strengthen cultural diplomacy and foster mutual understanding between these two neighboring ASEAN nations.
A similar event was also held in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing Malaysia’s commitment to engaging with Vietnamese audiences nationwide.
The festival featured two flagship events: the Destination Seminar and Business Networking Session, and the Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture and Food Festival 2025. These events aimed to connect industry professionals, media representatives, and the public, while highlighting Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings.
Leading the Malaysian delegation was Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, accompanied by 30 representatives from Malaysia’s tourism, hospitality, and service sectors.
In his opening address on August 1, Minister Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing emphasized, “Vietnam has consistently been one of Malaysia’s most valued tourism partners in Southeast Asia. We are confident that this visit will foster dynamic partnerships and support our shared vision of developing sustainable, inclusive, and mutually beneficial tourism between our nations.”
The Destination Seminar and Business Networking Session brought together key players from the travel, aviation, and hospitality sectors of both countries, fostering new business opportunities and collaborations.
Tourism Malaysia and Vietnam Airlines officially signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to increase tourist flows between the two countries, particularly from Hanoi. This agreement signifies a significant step in strengthening tourism ties, enabling joint marketing efforts and expanded growth opportunities.
Both parties will work together to promote travel between Vietnam and Malaysia through Vietnam Airlines, supporting Malaysia’s tourism promotion strategies and enhancing the connection between a leading Vietnamese airline and one of Southeast Asia’s top destinations.
In the coming months, Vietnam Airlines and Tourism Malaysia will launch various joint initiatives, including co-branded marketing campaigns, familiarization trips, event collaborations, communications support, and information exchange.
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, remarked, “This forward-looking partnership between two key players in the ASEAN tourism landscape is driven by a shared goal to bring our nations and people closer through travel, culture, and mutual growth.”
Coinciding with the festival, the Embassy of Malaysia in Hanoi hosted Madani Week. Inspired by the ‘Madani’ concept, which promotes six core values—sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust, and compassion—across culture, education, and trade, the event highlights Malaysia’s strategic partnerships with countries like Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines and Tourism Malaysia will launch joint initiatives to boost tourism from both sides. Photo courtesy of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
As of July 2025, there are 164 direct weekly flights between Vietnam and Malaysia, offering a total seat capacity of 29,734. These flights, operated by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, AirAsia, Batik Air, and Malaysia Airlines, connect major Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang with Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu. This extensive network meets the growing demand for travel and business connectivity.
The increased flight frequency allows for more flexible travel plans and stimulates various tourism segments, including weekend getaways, MICE tourism, and leisure travel. These trends are gaining popularity among Vietnam’s expanding middle class and younger demographics.
Malaysia currently ranks as the second-largest ASEAN source market for Vietnam, following Cambodia, with 266,000 Malaysians visiting Vietnam in the first five months of 2025. Conversely, Malaysia welcomed 168,677 Vietnamese tourists during the same period.
Hanoi: Building Global Bridges Through Music and Arts in 2024
Hanoi’s 2024 celebrations were a testament to the power of music to connect people. The vibrant city came alive with the sound of melodies, as diverse as the people who call Hanoi home. It was a festival of unity, a reminder that despite our differences, we are all bound by a common thread – our love for music.
Celebrating Malaysian Cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City
“During the grand opening of a new Malaysian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Consul General of Malaysia Firdauz Bin Othman expressed his aspirations to foster cultural understanding and exchange between Malaysia and Vietnam. Through the magnificent display of Malaysian culture, particularly its vibrant cuisine, we aim to create a diverse and immersive experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of our heritage.”
Hanoi to Host Monsoon Music Festival Featuring ‘Hang Nhac Street’
Monsoon Music Festival 2023 is coming soon, offering an unforgettable music celebration that will bring cultures together from around the globe to Vietnam.
Investment promoted for digital stages
NDO – In February, when art performance facilities and venues in Hanoi were allowed to reopen, the stage units in the capital city immediately planned performances, to quickly serve audiences.
Outstanding theoretical and critical works on literature and arts honoured
NDO – A ceremony was held in Hanoi on August 12 by the Central Council for the Theory and Criticism of Literature and the Arts (CCTCLA) to honour the winners of the Theory and Criticism of Literature and Arts (TCLA) Awards in 2019.
