📖 Unit 8: Tourism - Reading lớp 9

The Plain of Jars in Laos is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in the world.

There are thousands of stone jars scattered around the central plain of the Xiangkhoang Plateau. Many jars were dated as far back as 1350 B.C. The jars are in clusters and range in numbers. They are cylindrical in shape and from one to over three metres in height. Archaeologists have not found any stone lids. This suggests that the jars did not have lids or the lids were made of materials which did not last long.

Archaeologists are still not sure about the function of the jars. One theory suggests that the jars were used to bury people. Another theory proposes that the jars were used to collect rainwater during the monsoon season. However, Lao legend claims that there were giants who once settled in this plateau. They created jars to brew and store rice wine which they used to celebrate the victories of their King Khun Cheung against the enemy.

In 2019, the Plain of Jars became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, it is a well-known tourist destination, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

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Tourism in Viet Nam has seen a lot of changes in recent years. For backpackers, culture and nature lovers, military veterans, Viet Nam has become a new tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

International tourist arrivals to Viet Nam have continuously risen. In 2008, Viet Nam received 4.218 million tourists. In 2012, the number rose to 6.84 million. Four years later, the country welcomed 10 million international visitors, and in 2019, it was 18 million. This increase made Viet Nam the fifth most visited country in the Asia-Pacific region.

By March 2023, the four countries with the largest numbers of visitors to Viet Nam are South Korea, the USA, Thailand, and China. The most attractive destinations in Viet Nam are national parks like Cue Phuong, Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Cape Ca Mau, and World Heritage Sites like Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An.

Tourism is important to the country’s economy. For example, in 2016, tourism contributed 6.6 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) equal to VNĐ 279,287 billion. It has also helped to promote the development of related sectors, such as hotels, transportation, entertainment, and food.