VI
EN
Life in Tokyo never stops; you can see trains coming and going day and night at Shinjuku Station, or endless streams of people moving along its avenues and streets. It's home to some of the world's leading companies and the latest scientific and technological advancements. Despite its modernity, Tokyo hasn't lost its unique traditional values, with its long-standing culture evident in every house, every gesture of its people, and every event throughout the year.
When describing their city, the Tokyo government encapsulates it in the most concise words: "unique," "wonderful," "interesting," "pleasant," and "convenient." Its "uniqueness" lies in the harmonious blend of traditional and modern culture within a single social space. Technological advancements like the Asimo robot contribute to its "wonderful" aspect. Its "interesting" appeal comes from its vibrant, dynamic, and ever-changing atmosphere. The friendly people always make visitors feel "pleasant" when visiting the city. Furthermore, Tokyo is a shopping paradise with numerous international brands as well as high-quality Japanese products, offering "convenience" for all travel needs. In particular, since last October, the Japanese government has expanded the scope of duty-free shopping, and simultaneously, the number of duty-free shops in Japan has increased rapidly. The sharp decline of the yen is contributing to the country's attractiveness for tourists to shop.
One of Tokyo's most captivating landmarks is Tokyo Tower – one of the world's tallest self-supporting steel towers and a source of pride for the Japanese people. Tokyo Tower offers a fantastic vantage point to admire the panoramic views of the beautiful Japanese capital. Inside, the tower is divided into four levels. The first level houses an aquarium with over 50,000 fish and a restaurant with a capacity of approximately 400 guests. The second level features dining and shopping areas. The third level is a constant draw for visitors, housing a Guinness World Records museum and a music museum built in 1970, as well as a life-sized wax museum of famous figures and artists. And, you'll be amazed and moved to see the wax statue of President Ho Chi Minh there. The fourth and top floor houses an art exhibition area showcasing abstract artworks where visitors can freely take photos, and an entertainment area with various arcade games. Currently, Tokyo Tower is open year-round and changes its decorative theme according to the four seasons with dazzling and magnificent effects.
In addition, attractive suggestions for exploring Tokyo include immersing yourself in the bustling life of the city's neighborhoods and modern entertainment complexes. If you want to experience Japanese street food, Shibuya is truly the best street. Takeshita Street serves crepes with many different flavors, excellent in both color and taste. This is also a destination that captivates fashion enthusiasts, along with Omotesando Street. You can shop to your heart's content and fulfill your dream of becoming a "fashionista" instantly.
And if you want another 360-degree panoramic view of Tokyo, the Tokyo Skytree – the world's tallest television tower at 634 meters – will show you just how worthy the capital of this country is of the majestic Mount Fuji. Specialized entertainment areas like Saurio Puroland – featuring famous cartoon characters like Hello Kitty, the Ropping Hills exhibition building, and the Tokyo National Art Center with its unique art and architecture exhibitions will fill your mind with inspiration during your trip. Finally, it would be a shame to miss stopping by "Tax-free shops" to find convenient products at incredibly attractive prices.
Tokyo is constantly changing and developing to attract tourists. In 2014, the total number of hotel rooms increased to 4,000, and this number is expected to increase to 5,000 in 2015. In addition, the One Piece Tower amusement park complex, scheduled to open on March 13, 2015, will be an exciting and vibrant destination for tourists.
This world-class modern city is also on track to achieve its goal of 15 million foreign tourists by 2020 by expanding Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city and using multilingual menus (including Vietnamese) in restaurants. In addition, in 2019, after completing the National Stadium in preparation for the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo will establish a network of over 40,000 volunteers across the city to assist tourists, along with multilingual signage. Building a friendly public transport system in Tokyo is also a notable highlight, with barrier-free train stations and modern tourist ports.
Visiting Tokyo is not just about stepping into a city with one of the world's most advanced scientific and technological sectors, but also about discovering stunning scenery and unique, rich traditional East Asian culture.
