Explore France through the exhibition "Going on vacation? Come to France!"

The exhibition "On Vacation? Come to France!" showcases 14 activities that tourists can explore during a holiday in France. From zip-lining and scuba diving to visiting stunning castles, French tourism offers a myriad of different experiences.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser, Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, said: "For more than 30 years, France has consistently been a leading tourist destination in the world. Before the pandemic, France welcomed 90 million visitors. In 2022, the resumption of international flights helped France welcome 75 million international tourists, generating revenue of 57.9 billion euros."

With 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the world's second-largest marine area; the world's largest ski area with 350 ski resorts; 11 national parks and 58 regional nature parks; nearly 8,000 museums, 6,000 festivals and almost 45,000 monuments, parks and gardens protected as historical sites; a total of 19,000 km of cycling routes and 17 world-renowned vineyards, France has everything it needs to attract tourists.

First, there's the seawater therapy, practiced since ancient times, and 88 natural hot springs. These areas welcome 580,000 visitors annually. France also boasts approximately 45,000 castles dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to contemporary times. Notably, the Loire Valley was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Mountain activities (25% of France's territory is mountainous, with the iconic Mont Blanc peak (4,810 m)) are also extremely popular. These activities contribute €20 billion to the tourism economy. These activities focus on ecotourism in the summer and, above all, skiing in the winter.

Cycling tourism is one of France's highlights. France is now positioned as the world's second-largest cycling destination after Germany, with over 9 million bike rides annually. 92.5% of cycling routes in France are part of the EuroVelo program: 8,149 km out of a total of 8,806 km across 10 European routes.

Several routes have achieved international renown, such as the Vélodyssée (Atlantic coast), La Loire à Vélo (Val-de-Loire), and the Via Rhôna, which particularly highlight the region's rich geography, culture, and heritage. France was twice awarded the title of Most Popular Cycling Country in 2017 and 2018 at the Berlin International Travel Fair for the importance and quality of its cycling routes around Europe.

Explore nature, both on land and at sea, in mainland France or overseas. The Antilles-Guyana fascinate tourists with its unique flora and fauna, New Caledonia captivates with its UNESCO-recognized lagoons, and French Polynesia is renowned as a vast expanse of exploration for divers.

Visitors can also explore France on foot or by horseback. For sports enthusiasts, France also offers many trails, including the most challenging, legendary, and prestigious Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB). A month ago, Vietnamese athlete Ha Thi Hau finished 4th in this 100km race! She became the first Vietnamese woman to reach the top 10 in this trail running event and also the first woman from Southeast Asia to do so.

France is also an ideal destination for families: visitors can enjoy holidays by the sea, in the mountains, in the countryside, and even all three at once! The diversity of tourist activities in France is unparalleled in the world. From sandboarding on the beaches of Débarquement, near Caen, to playing pétanques or riding donkeys in the Pyrenees, to visiting museums, rock formations and amusement parks, every visitor will find something to suit their taste.

In addition, "petit trains" will allow you to explore in a different way, before discovering one of the thousands of restaurants in France, whether star-rated or not, or taking a break in a garden, such as the Luxembourg Gardens.

Bi Le