17:23' 29/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - A tourist week celebrating traditional trades and leading up to Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary kicks off at the Thang Long Royal Citadel this on April 27.
Located at 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Hanoi, organisers are working to bring back the cultural atmosphere of the old capital under traditional rooftops with traditional activities and an open-air fair.
To introduce traditional trades and talented craftsmen, the monument will be decorated with handicraft products such as artistic stones, pottery from Bat Trang village, paper lanterns and silk from the northern province of Ha Tay’s Van Phuc village.
Visitors will get a chance to learn about solemn rituals of worship, as well as ancient Vietnamese houses including bamboo houses from northern Vietnam and houses from Hoi An’s Old Square.
Visitors are welcome to join in on a festival procession for ancestors of trades to kick off the opening day. Ceremonies will be full of cultural features such as a spiritual festival with a thousand candles and torches, a march by craftsmen around the Citadel and a gong performance from north-western ethnic groups along with drums from Doi Tam village in the northern province of Ha Nam.
The week will also launch a fine arts and handicrafts competition, under the theme: Hallmark in 1,000 years of Thang Long-Hanoi.
Coinciding with the festival will be the launch of a new cultural centre celebrating handicrafts. The Hoa Lu Handicrafts Company will open the centre on April 28, entitled Hanoi – Pho Xua Nghe Cu (Hanoi – Old Streets and Crafts) at 31 Hang Gai street.
The 500sq.m centre is traditionally designed to resemble the capital’s old streets. Here tourists can admire old photos of Hanoi, a city plan dating back to 1890 and discover the city’s typical cultural traits. The centre will sell a variety of souvenirs and handicrafts. The centre’s employees are all tour guides familiar with the old streets of Hanoi and handicrafts villages.
The week-long event will bring in tourism companies from the northern provinces of Thai Binh, Lao Cai, Bac Giang and Ha Tay advertising tours on the Hong (Red) River and trade villages on the outskirts of Hanoi.
The event is being organised by the Hanoi Citadel Conservation Centre along with the Vietnam Association of Craft Villages.
Tuesday 29 April 2008
Halong Tourism Festival ends successfully
19:41' 29/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – The yearly Halong Tourism Festival in Quang Ninh Province ended yesterday, having effectively attracted tourists to the city during the festival and for the Liberation Day and May Day Holidays this week.
Young people in Halong City join the carnival of the Halong Tourism Festival Week.
According to Quang Ninh Province department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, most hotel rooms in Halong City were fully booked last weekend during the festival. The total number of tourists will continue to increase over the next few days as a result of the holidays.
The department estimated that, excluding tourists who live in the province, around 15,000 tourists would come to Halong during the festival and subsequent holidays, bringing the total number of tourists in the province during April to 600,000.
The Halong Tourism Festival 2008 official opened in Halong City last Saturday afternoon. The main events included a Carnival and art and cultural performances by thousands of local artists, sports activities and a trade and tourism fair. Some foreign artists from Guangxi Province of China and Luang Prabang of Laos performed in the opening ceremony.
Photo: VNN
In the afternoon, around 56 decorated boats and barges paraded on Halong Bay to promote the beauty of the world heritage site. The fireworks display took place on Bai Chay Bridge and Cua Luc Bay. The final round of the Halong beauty contest will take place tonight in Tuan Chau resort.
During the festival, the area from the foot of Bai Chay Bridge to the beginning of Bach Dang Street, the central street of the city, were closed to traffic, according to VnExpress.
The carnival which opened the festival featured a fashion show showcasing models in swimsuits, a mini-helicopter demonstration in the sky, body painting, street circus and dancing and kung fu performances.
There was a special performance depicting the Halong legend of the Jade Emperor who sent a troupe of dragons to Halong to help Vietnamese fight against intruders. Tourists at the carnival also enjoyed the typical images of the area with the brown sails and the boats in the waves, a parade of flower decorated boats in the sea and a firework performance lasting for two hours at both Bai Chay Bridge and on a barge on the sea.
The Quang Ninh Province department of Culture, Sport and Tourism reported that the province welcomed around 2.2mil local and international tourists during the first four months of this year, increasing the revenue from tourism by 36% over last year to VND1tril.
VietNamNet Bridge – The yearly Halong Tourism Festival in Quang Ninh Province ended yesterday, having effectively attracted tourists to the city during the festival and for the Liberation Day and May Day Holidays this week.
Young people in Halong City join the carnival of the Halong Tourism Festival Week.
According to Quang Ninh Province department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, most hotel rooms in Halong City were fully booked last weekend during the festival. The total number of tourists will continue to increase over the next few days as a result of the holidays.
The department estimated that, excluding tourists who live in the province, around 15,000 tourists would come to Halong during the festival and subsequent holidays, bringing the total number of tourists in the province during April to 600,000.
The Halong Tourism Festival 2008 official opened in Halong City last Saturday afternoon. The main events included a Carnival and art and cultural performances by thousands of local artists, sports activities and a trade and tourism fair. Some foreign artists from Guangxi Province of China and Luang Prabang of Laos performed in the opening ceremony.
Photo: VNN
In the afternoon, around 56 decorated boats and barges paraded on Halong Bay to promote the beauty of the world heritage site. The fireworks display took place on Bai Chay Bridge and Cua Luc Bay. The final round of the Halong beauty contest will take place tonight in Tuan Chau resort.
During the festival, the area from the foot of Bai Chay Bridge to the beginning of Bach Dang Street, the central street of the city, were closed to traffic, according to VnExpress.
The carnival which opened the festival featured a fashion show showcasing models in swimsuits, a mini-helicopter demonstration in the sky, body painting, street circus and dancing and kung fu performances.
There was a special performance depicting the Halong legend of the Jade Emperor who sent a troupe of dragons to Halong to help Vietnamese fight against intruders. Tourists at the carnival also enjoyed the typical images of the area with the brown sails and the boats in the waves, a parade of flower decorated boats in the sea and a firework performance lasting for two hours at both Bai Chay Bridge and on a barge on the sea.
The Quang Ninh Province department of Culture, Sport and Tourism reported that the province welcomed around 2.2mil local and international tourists during the first four months of this year, increasing the revenue from tourism by 36% over last year to VND1tril.
Conde Nast names InterContinental Hanoi Westlake on its 2008 Hot List
17:21' 29/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Conde Nast Traveler, one of the world’s most prestigious travel magazines, recognized the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake on its 2008 Hot List, the 12th annual compendium of the most compelling new hotels in the world.
The exclusive 2008 list names 136 hotels in 53 countries and includes just one hotel in Vietnam – InterContinental Hanoi Westlake.
The magazine lauded the new hotel for its “sublime setting,” its “stylish guest rooms,” and its five on-site restaurants and bars that “will more than satisfy anyone too rushed to explore Hanoi’s rich and diverse dining scene.”
According to Mr. Christian Pirodon, general manager of InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, this accolade, from one of the most respected travel magazines in the world, is a testament to the hotel’s success.
The Hot List is an especially notable tribute because Conde Nast’s surveyors judged thousands of hotels and spas around the globe, checking in undercover at each to experience the hotel’s accommodation, services and ambiance.
The 359-unit InterContinental Hanoi Westlake opened in Dec 2007 and immediately established itself as a singular Hanoi option. Located 10 minutes from the heart of Hanoi, the waterfront hotel evokes a resort-like ambiance with its torch-lit Venetian promenades and hard-to-find spaciousness in Vietnam’s bustling capital.
VietNamNet Bridge - Conde Nast Traveler, one of the world’s most prestigious travel magazines, recognized the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake on its 2008 Hot List, the 12th annual compendium of the most compelling new hotels in the world.
The exclusive 2008 list names 136 hotels in 53 countries and includes just one hotel in Vietnam – InterContinental Hanoi Westlake.
The magazine lauded the new hotel for its “sublime setting,” its “stylish guest rooms,” and its five on-site restaurants and bars that “will more than satisfy anyone too rushed to explore Hanoi’s rich and diverse dining scene.”
According to Mr. Christian Pirodon, general manager of InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, this accolade, from one of the most respected travel magazines in the world, is a testament to the hotel’s success.
The Hot List is an especially notable tribute because Conde Nast’s surveyors judged thousands of hotels and spas around the globe, checking in undercover at each to experience the hotel’s accommodation, services and ambiance.
The 359-unit InterContinental Hanoi Westlake opened in Dec 2007 and immediately established itself as a singular Hanoi option. Located 10 minutes from the heart of Hanoi, the waterfront hotel evokes a resort-like ambiance with its torch-lit Venetian promenades and hard-to-find spaciousness in Vietnam’s bustling capital.
Monday 28 April 2008
Cham community celebrates Thap Ba festival in Nha Trang
17:48' 28/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - The Thap Ba (Goddess Ponagar Tower) festival opened on April 26 in Khanh Hoa province’s Nha Trang city, drawing the participation of thousands of people from surrounding areas and other localoties in Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen and Dak Lak provinces.
Khanh Hoa province’s largest traditional festival aims to strengthen and unite the Cham people as the Ponagar tower is a place to worship Goddess Thien Y A Na - mother of the Cham community - who taught the Cham people to grow crops and protected them from natural disasters.
This year’s event has lured more than 40 groups of pilgrims from across the country and is expected to attract an additional 25,000 visitors.
The provincial Department of Sports and Tourism in co-operation with the Ponagar tower preservation association also used the occasion to grant three compassionate houses and ten saving books to local heroic Vietnamese mothers and other policy beneficiaries.
The annual event will last until April 28.
VietNamNet Bridge - The Thap Ba (Goddess Ponagar Tower) festival opened on April 26 in Khanh Hoa province’s Nha Trang city, drawing the participation of thousands of people from surrounding areas and other localoties in Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen and Dak Lak provinces.
Khanh Hoa province’s largest traditional festival aims to strengthen and unite the Cham people as the Ponagar tower is a place to worship Goddess Thien Y A Na - mother of the Cham community - who taught the Cham people to grow crops and protected them from natural disasters.
This year’s event has lured more than 40 groups of pilgrims from across the country and is expected to attract an additional 25,000 visitors.
The provincial Department of Sports and Tourism in co-operation with the Ponagar tower preservation association also used the occasion to grant three compassionate houses and ten saving books to local heroic Vietnamese mothers and other policy beneficiaries.
The annual event will last until April 28.
Sunday 27 April 2008
Central region becoming investor drawcard
10:21' 26/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Central Vietnam is emerging as an attractive investment destination with a series of million-USD projects currently underway or slated for construction.
Construction of an ecological resort worth 1 billion USD will begin on April 30 at the Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone (IZ) in Thua Thien-Hue province.
Phong Nha Cave
Funded by Singapore ’s Banyan Tree Group, the resort will feature 10 five-star hotels, an international conference hall and a modern entertainment centre when it opens in 2014. It is the largest of its kind in the province.
VinaCapital recently broke ground for the central region’s biggest trade complex in neighbouring Danang city. The 325-million-USD complex is the group’s fourth project in the city. The first three projects, currently under construction, are worth 800 million USD in total.
Moves to invest in the central region are seen as clear evidence of the strong appeal of the area, which also features pristine beaches and world cultural and natural heritage sites including Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park , the former imperial city of Hue , ancient Hoi An town and My Son sanctuary .
VinaCapital Managing Director Brook Taylor said the central region has great potential for development and has experienced rapid change that has created vast opportunities for foreign investors, particularly in information technology, health care and tourism infrastructure.
Local firms are also jostling for their place in the race to invest in the region, with Hanoi-based Finance and Business Development Joint Stock Company (FBS) emerging as a strong competitor. FBS has prioritised the region in its investment strategy with a special focus on real estate in project areas.
In addition to Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone, other regional industrial zones have also enticed investors at home and abroad. The Dung Quat Industrial Zone in Quang Ngai province topped the list with 90 projects capitalised at 4.4 billion USD.
The industrial zone is followed by Vung Ang in Ha Tinh province, Quang Nam province’s Chu Lai, as well as Nghi Son and Nhon Hoi in Binh Dinh province.
Statistics released by the Ministry of Planning and Investment show that since the introduction of the Foreign Investment Law in 1988, the region has licensed 631 foreign-invested projects with a combined registered capital of more than 10 billion USD, accounting for around 10 percent of the country’s total amount.
In 2007 alone, foreign investment injected 4.2 billion USD into regional provinces and cities, comprising 20.6 percent of Vietnam ’s total volume.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Bich Dat says that to make full use of the region’s potential, it should focus on developing infrastructure and human resources, expanding inter-provincial tourism and trade cooperation, and building a strong legal framework to create more opportunities for foreign investors.
VietNamNet Bridge - Central Vietnam is emerging as an attractive investment destination with a series of million-USD projects currently underway or slated for construction.
Construction of an ecological resort worth 1 billion USD will begin on April 30 at the Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone (IZ) in Thua Thien-Hue province.
Phong Nha Cave
Funded by Singapore ’s Banyan Tree Group, the resort will feature 10 five-star hotels, an international conference hall and a modern entertainment centre when it opens in 2014. It is the largest of its kind in the province.
VinaCapital recently broke ground for the central region’s biggest trade complex in neighbouring Danang city. The 325-million-USD complex is the group’s fourth project in the city. The first three projects, currently under construction, are worth 800 million USD in total.
Moves to invest in the central region are seen as clear evidence of the strong appeal of the area, which also features pristine beaches and world cultural and natural heritage sites including Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park , the former imperial city of Hue , ancient Hoi An town and My Son sanctuary .
VinaCapital Managing Director Brook Taylor said the central region has great potential for development and has experienced rapid change that has created vast opportunities for foreign investors, particularly in information technology, health care and tourism infrastructure.
Local firms are also jostling for their place in the race to invest in the region, with Hanoi-based Finance and Business Development Joint Stock Company (FBS) emerging as a strong competitor. FBS has prioritised the region in its investment strategy with a special focus on real estate in project areas.
In addition to Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone, other regional industrial zones have also enticed investors at home and abroad. The Dung Quat Industrial Zone in Quang Ngai province topped the list with 90 projects capitalised at 4.4 billion USD.
The industrial zone is followed by Vung Ang in Ha Tinh province, Quang Nam province’s Chu Lai, as well as Nghi Son and Nhon Hoi in Binh Dinh province.
Statistics released by the Ministry of Planning and Investment show that since the introduction of the Foreign Investment Law in 1988, the region has licensed 631 foreign-invested projects with a combined registered capital of more than 10 billion USD, accounting for around 10 percent of the country’s total amount.
In 2007 alone, foreign investment injected 4.2 billion USD into regional provinces and cities, comprising 20.6 percent of Vietnam ’s total volume.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Bich Dat says that to make full use of the region’s potential, it should focus on developing infrastructure and human resources, expanding inter-provincial tourism and trade cooperation, and building a strong legal framework to create more opportunities for foreign investors.
More tours offered on holidays
05:41' 27/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - According to travel agents, during this year’s Southern Liberation Day and May Day, the price of tours has increased by 20-25 percent due to the rise in transport costs and food even though the number of tourists has risen by 30 percent compared to last year.
Domestic tours
During the holiday, a number of travel agents offer many new tours. Saigontourist is now running a tour to the Ha Long Bay festival which will be held from April 26 to May 1 and other special tours such as “returning to the roots of the Dong Son Culture”, the “Spectacular Huong Son”, and the “Impressive Sapa-Ha Long” apart from its traditional tours to Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao.
Viettravel runs 50 domestic and foreign tours. Viet Huong, a Viettravel representative, says that there has been a vast increase in the number of tourists taking advantage of the holidays to go sightseeing. Many tours have been fully booked but customers still want to visit places such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue, Phong Nha - Ke Bang lying on the Central Heritage Road. The company will have to run more tours on May 2 and 3, says Ms Huong.
Ben Thanh tourist and Lua Viet Company also provide visitors with special tours to see famous historical places.
Overseas tours
According to Viettravel, in addition to regional destinations such as Thailand, China, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, tours of Australia, the US, Egypt, the Republic of Korea and Japan are attracting a large number of visitors. Tours of Australia and the US have been fully booked.
VietNamNet Bridge - According to travel agents, during this year’s Southern Liberation Day and May Day, the price of tours has increased by 20-25 percent due to the rise in transport costs and food even though the number of tourists has risen by 30 percent compared to last year.
Domestic tours
During the holiday, a number of travel agents offer many new tours. Saigontourist is now running a tour to the Ha Long Bay festival which will be held from April 26 to May 1 and other special tours such as “returning to the roots of the Dong Son Culture”, the “Spectacular Huong Son”, and the “Impressive Sapa-Ha Long” apart from its traditional tours to Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao.
Viettravel runs 50 domestic and foreign tours. Viet Huong, a Viettravel representative, says that there has been a vast increase in the number of tourists taking advantage of the holidays to go sightseeing. Many tours have been fully booked but customers still want to visit places such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue, Phong Nha - Ke Bang lying on the Central Heritage Road. The company will have to run more tours on May 2 and 3, says Ms Huong.
Ben Thanh tourist and Lua Viet Company also provide visitors with special tours to see famous historical places.
Overseas tours
According to Viettravel, in addition to regional destinations such as Thailand, China, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, tours of Australia, the US, Egypt, the Republic of Korea and Japan are attracting a large number of visitors. Tours of Australia and the US have been fully booked.
Friday 25 April 2008
Can Vietnam protect its marine environment?
09:38' 24/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – For centuries the sea has proven to be a rich source of both food and income, particularly for coastal inhabitants.
Whether it’s fisheries, or more recently, tourism, coastal provinces believe that marine-related industries deserve top priority. Indeed, marine-related industries such as oil and gas, fisheries, shipbuilding and tourism, account for nearly 50% of the nation’s GDP.
Yet conservation is a relatively new concept in Vietnam, which poses many challenges to a Government led initiative to establish a network of marine-protected areas (MPAs).
While the benefits of MPAs are not immediate, the creation of such areas threatens the livelihood of coastal communities.
"MPA waters will be closed to fishing, which would lower the income of local fishermen," said Nguyen Giang Thu, director of MARD’s (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Sustainable Livelihoods in and around MPAs (LMPA project).
"The first three to five years would be difficult. Only when fish stocks in and around the MPAs recover then increase, would fishermen benefit."
Meanwhile, other sources of income in and around MPAs like resorts and eco-tourism, cannot provide jobs for local people that lack the necessary skills.
"We need a strategy for sustainable tourism development as well as a mechanism for locals to benefit from tourism," said Nguyen Giang Thu.
Some consultants maintain that it will take "a lot of political will" to develop successful MPAs.
"It’s very ‘attractive’ for provincial authorities to let investors build hotels to generate income," said Richard Rastall of consulting firm FRR East Asia Ltd.
"If not restricted, however, such activities threaten the environment and biodiversity in the MPAs."
MARD recently submitted a plan to the Prime Minister for approval. The plan proposes the establishment of 15 MPAs by 2015, with a view to protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources.
Since 2001, three nationally-managed MPAs have been set up: Nha Trang Bay, Cu Lao Cham and Phu Quoc – plus a few locally-managed marine-protected areas.
As the name suggests, the idea behind LPMA is to ensure a steady income for local communities, which has become a thorny issue in terms of getting local approval.
Alternative living
According to Bernard O’Callaghan, programme co-ordinator of IUCN Vietnam, Nha Trang Bay MPA, established in 2001, is an example of an MPA that can generate substantial income.
In 2001, 240,000 tourists visited Nha Trang Bay taking part in a range of activities from sightseeing to diving. That figure grew to 400,000 in 2006.
By charging VND5,000 for sight-seeing, VND30,000 for diving within the MPA and VND10,000 for visiting the biodiversity core zone of the bay, a total of US$150,000 was collected in 2006. Of that total, 77% was allocated to the Nha Trang Bay MPA Authority for the management and upkeep of the area.
This year, the province designated 8-10% of the fund to community development within the MPA.
The challenge remains, O’Callaghan said, in identifying a clear mechanism for dispersing the funds to local villages.
However, not all MPAs are able to generate the same level of revenue from tourism. Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands) in central Vietnam found that training fishermen in other skills is a practical solution.
According to Chu Manh Trinh, project officer at Cham Islands MPA, Cham Islands has a population of 3,000, 80% of which say fishing is their only source of income. This places intense strain on fish stocks.
Established in December 2005 and covering 6,710ha, Cham Islands MPA offers vocational training courses for those most affected by MPA regulations.
Some have turned to producing, marketing, and selling fish sauce. Last year 14 individuals successfully produced 1,543 litres of fish sauce.
The WWF, in a critical review of livelihood support in MPAs, suggested that alternative job schemes be introduced with thorough consideration of the feasibility of projects, credit mechanism, community awareness and organisation.
"I think the key issues here will be to take lessons from the prior experiences [of existing MPAs], and come up with a new process that works better," said Keith Symmington, WWF marine programme co-ordinator.
The foremost lesson is to obtain active community involvement in all stages. Participation needs to be encouraged, particularly in MPA zoning process, and more support should come from individual provinces now that the MPAs are decentralised to provincial level, he said.
"Although each MPA is different, mistakes needn’t be repeated. We ought to find a balance between urgency and strategic, comprehensive consideration," he said.
VietNamNet Bridge – For centuries the sea has proven to be a rich source of both food and income, particularly for coastal inhabitants.
Whether it’s fisheries, or more recently, tourism, coastal provinces believe that marine-related industries deserve top priority. Indeed, marine-related industries such as oil and gas, fisheries, shipbuilding and tourism, account for nearly 50% of the nation’s GDP.
Yet conservation is a relatively new concept in Vietnam, which poses many challenges to a Government led initiative to establish a network of marine-protected areas (MPAs).
While the benefits of MPAs are not immediate, the creation of such areas threatens the livelihood of coastal communities.
"MPA waters will be closed to fishing, which would lower the income of local fishermen," said Nguyen Giang Thu, director of MARD’s (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Sustainable Livelihoods in and around MPAs (LMPA project).
"The first three to five years would be difficult. Only when fish stocks in and around the MPAs recover then increase, would fishermen benefit."
Meanwhile, other sources of income in and around MPAs like resorts and eco-tourism, cannot provide jobs for local people that lack the necessary skills.
"We need a strategy for sustainable tourism development as well as a mechanism for locals to benefit from tourism," said Nguyen Giang Thu.
Some consultants maintain that it will take "a lot of political will" to develop successful MPAs.
"It’s very ‘attractive’ for provincial authorities to let investors build hotels to generate income," said Richard Rastall of consulting firm FRR East Asia Ltd.
"If not restricted, however, such activities threaten the environment and biodiversity in the MPAs."
MARD recently submitted a plan to the Prime Minister for approval. The plan proposes the establishment of 15 MPAs by 2015, with a view to protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources.
Since 2001, three nationally-managed MPAs have been set up: Nha Trang Bay, Cu Lao Cham and Phu Quoc – plus a few locally-managed marine-protected areas.
As the name suggests, the idea behind LPMA is to ensure a steady income for local communities, which has become a thorny issue in terms of getting local approval.
Alternative living
According to Bernard O’Callaghan, programme co-ordinator of IUCN Vietnam, Nha Trang Bay MPA, established in 2001, is an example of an MPA that can generate substantial income.
In 2001, 240,000 tourists visited Nha Trang Bay taking part in a range of activities from sightseeing to diving. That figure grew to 400,000 in 2006.
By charging VND5,000 for sight-seeing, VND30,000 for diving within the MPA and VND10,000 for visiting the biodiversity core zone of the bay, a total of US$150,000 was collected in 2006. Of that total, 77% was allocated to the Nha Trang Bay MPA Authority for the management and upkeep of the area.
This year, the province designated 8-10% of the fund to community development within the MPA.
The challenge remains, O’Callaghan said, in identifying a clear mechanism for dispersing the funds to local villages.
However, not all MPAs are able to generate the same level of revenue from tourism. Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands) in central Vietnam found that training fishermen in other skills is a practical solution.
According to Chu Manh Trinh, project officer at Cham Islands MPA, Cham Islands has a population of 3,000, 80% of which say fishing is their only source of income. This places intense strain on fish stocks.
Established in December 2005 and covering 6,710ha, Cham Islands MPA offers vocational training courses for those most affected by MPA regulations.
Some have turned to producing, marketing, and selling fish sauce. Last year 14 individuals successfully produced 1,543 litres of fish sauce.
The WWF, in a critical review of livelihood support in MPAs, suggested that alternative job schemes be introduced with thorough consideration of the feasibility of projects, credit mechanism, community awareness and organisation.
"I think the key issues here will be to take lessons from the prior experiences [of existing MPAs], and come up with a new process that works better," said Keith Symmington, WWF marine programme co-ordinator.
The foremost lesson is to obtain active community involvement in all stages. Participation needs to be encouraged, particularly in MPA zoning process, and more support should come from individual provinces now that the MPAs are decentralised to provincial level, he said.
"Although each MPA is different, mistakes needn’t be repeated. We ought to find a balance between urgency and strategic, comprehensive consideration," he said.
Climbing the ‘roof of Indochina’
22:33' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Increasing numbers of travellers, foreign and domestic, are seeking to conquer Mt Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam, popularly known as the "Roof of Indochina".
At his peak: Le Hong Quang, a Fansipan fan and climber, stands next to the new plaque at the top of the peak. Quang was a chief co-ordinator of the programme to provide the new plaque.
"Climbing Fansipan is the most appealing and adventurous tourist attraction in Vietnam because you can really enjoy nature there," said Le Hong Quang from Hanoi, who has climbed the mountain several times.
"You can admire the beautiful mountains with forests and flowers all around and get a chance to challenge yourself physically by climbing the heights. It’s a really powerful experience," Quang said.
In the first half of April alone, the 3,143m-tall mountain in the northwest of the country near Sa Pa welcomed over 250 climbers, 70% of the total to have visited so far this year.
In 2007, about 2,200 visitors came to the mountain.
Quang, whose latest climb of Fansipan took place in February during the coldest weather in a decade, said it took about two months to prepare for the trip.
"To make the trip successful, apart from strong determination and a good backpack, climbers must also check their stamina. This means they should practise by climbing other, smaller mountains such as Ba Vi or Tam Dao," Quang said.
Vietnamese climbers often choose long holidays to take the trip to Fansipan, especially the period from Tet to the end of May, which includes the big national holidays of Liberation Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1).
Experienced climbers say it takes about two or three days to reach the peak following the shortest route. They pay attention the safest way and try to pick the time with the best weather and lowest rainfall, typically between February and April when flowers bloom and hikers have a chance to see the beauty of the Sa Pa region.
Those who start from Hanoi can take a train to Lao Cai Province then reach Sa Pa by motorbike.
There are three routes to the mountain. One is from Tram Ton, the others from the villages of Sin Chai and Cat Cat.
The first route is a more gradual climb because it has been selected for tourists. The trip can be made in a day.
The route from Sin Chai is shorter but more adventurous, requiring climbers to sometimes use ropes or other special facilities for climbing.
The route from Cat Cat is the longest, but mixes some challenging climbs with great scenery. After one day of climbing, there’s a break at 2,200m above sea level. Climbers can have a meal cooked by a Mong porter and camp, followed by a second camp at 2,700m before reaching the peak on the third day.
Most climbers chose a tour from Sa Pa at a cost of about VND1.5mil excluding train fare from Hanoi, and tours should be booked a month in advance.
Dao Manh Hung, manager of a tourist company which provide tours to Fansipan and other northern mountains, said that cancellations were possible and some tours could be booked on a far shorter lead time.
This year, those who make it to the top will see a new plaque at the peak, placed there in February 2007 by Vietnamese and foreign climbers from the First Fansipan International Climbing Tournament.
The old plaque was first set up by a group of Vietnamese and Russian climbers in 1984. It was first replaced in 2003 when Sa Pa township celebrated its 100th anniversary, but this plaque was heavily vandalised and damaged by severe weather, said Hoang Lien Son National Park director Nguyen Quoc Tri, necessitating its replacement last year.
VietNamNet Bridge – Increasing numbers of travellers, foreign and domestic, are seeking to conquer Mt Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam, popularly known as the "Roof of Indochina".
At his peak: Le Hong Quang, a Fansipan fan and climber, stands next to the new plaque at the top of the peak. Quang was a chief co-ordinator of the programme to provide the new plaque.
"Climbing Fansipan is the most appealing and adventurous tourist attraction in Vietnam because you can really enjoy nature there," said Le Hong Quang from Hanoi, who has climbed the mountain several times.
"You can admire the beautiful mountains with forests and flowers all around and get a chance to challenge yourself physically by climbing the heights. It’s a really powerful experience," Quang said.
In the first half of April alone, the 3,143m-tall mountain in the northwest of the country near Sa Pa welcomed over 250 climbers, 70% of the total to have visited so far this year.
In 2007, about 2,200 visitors came to the mountain.
Quang, whose latest climb of Fansipan took place in February during the coldest weather in a decade, said it took about two months to prepare for the trip.
"To make the trip successful, apart from strong determination and a good backpack, climbers must also check their stamina. This means they should practise by climbing other, smaller mountains such as Ba Vi or Tam Dao," Quang said.
Vietnamese climbers often choose long holidays to take the trip to Fansipan, especially the period from Tet to the end of May, which includes the big national holidays of Liberation Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1).
Experienced climbers say it takes about two or three days to reach the peak following the shortest route. They pay attention the safest way and try to pick the time with the best weather and lowest rainfall, typically between February and April when flowers bloom and hikers have a chance to see the beauty of the Sa Pa region.
Those who start from Hanoi can take a train to Lao Cai Province then reach Sa Pa by motorbike.
There are three routes to the mountain. One is from Tram Ton, the others from the villages of Sin Chai and Cat Cat.
The first route is a more gradual climb because it has been selected for tourists. The trip can be made in a day.
The route from Sin Chai is shorter but more adventurous, requiring climbers to sometimes use ropes or other special facilities for climbing.
The route from Cat Cat is the longest, but mixes some challenging climbs with great scenery. After one day of climbing, there’s a break at 2,200m above sea level. Climbers can have a meal cooked by a Mong porter and camp, followed by a second camp at 2,700m before reaching the peak on the third day.
Most climbers chose a tour from Sa Pa at a cost of about VND1.5mil excluding train fare from Hanoi, and tours should be booked a month in advance.
Dao Manh Hung, manager of a tourist company which provide tours to Fansipan and other northern mountains, said that cancellations were possible and some tours could be booked on a far shorter lead time.
This year, those who make it to the top will see a new plaque at the peak, placed there in February 2007 by Vietnamese and foreign climbers from the First Fansipan International Climbing Tournament.
The old plaque was first set up by a group of Vietnamese and Russian climbers in 1984. It was first replaced in 2003 when Sa Pa township celebrated its 100th anniversary, but this plaque was heavily vandalised and damaged by severe weather, said Hoang Lien Son National Park director Nguyen Quoc Tri, necessitating its replacement last year.
Resorts are full for holidays
14:05' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Although the national holidays of April 30 and May 1 are still a few days away, resorts in the coastal region of Mui Ne are almost full booked, promising another good travel season for resorts in the region.
Vacationers leisurely walk on a beach in Mui Ne region.
The two-day holidays falls in middle of the week this year, which is rather inconvenient for a long vacation. However, that has not deterred travelers who want to take advantage of the holidays to relax and unwind with their families and friends. Because of its proximity to HCMC, Mui Ne is still a favored option among vacationers who want to escape the hot summer weather with a swim in the cool clear sea-water.
According to a resort general manager, resorts in Mui Ne are typically very full during holiday times and empty during the off-season, therefore last-minute travelers are often unable to book rooms during the high season.
In order to ensure a safe and comfortable vacation for thousands of travelers, resorts and travel agencies are rolling up their sleeves to make sure the tourist sites in the region are in good shape, according to Binh Thuan newspaper.
Beaches are being cleaned and wastebaskets are being installed to keep them that way during the holidays. Unlike in previous years, vendors in Rom Islet and around the sands dunes have been organized so that they may not harass tourists with offers of goods and services.
Formed in 1995, Mui Ne region has over 70 small and large scale resorts dotted along the coastline. The region is responding to the increasing demand for accommodation by local and international travelers by adding more resort projects in the area.
VietNamNet Bridge – Although the national holidays of April 30 and May 1 are still a few days away, resorts in the coastal region of Mui Ne are almost full booked, promising another good travel season for resorts in the region.
Vacationers leisurely walk on a beach in Mui Ne region.
The two-day holidays falls in middle of the week this year, which is rather inconvenient for a long vacation. However, that has not deterred travelers who want to take advantage of the holidays to relax and unwind with their families and friends. Because of its proximity to HCMC, Mui Ne is still a favored option among vacationers who want to escape the hot summer weather with a swim in the cool clear sea-water.
According to a resort general manager, resorts in Mui Ne are typically very full during holiday times and empty during the off-season, therefore last-minute travelers are often unable to book rooms during the high season.
In order to ensure a safe and comfortable vacation for thousands of travelers, resorts and travel agencies are rolling up their sleeves to make sure the tourist sites in the region are in good shape, according to Binh Thuan newspaper.
Beaches are being cleaned and wastebaskets are being installed to keep them that way during the holidays. Unlike in previous years, vendors in Rom Islet and around the sands dunes have been organized so that they may not harass tourists with offers of goods and services.
Formed in 1995, Mui Ne region has over 70 small and large scale resorts dotted along the coastline. The region is responding to the increasing demand for accommodation by local and international travelers by adding more resort projects in the area.
Unwinding with grass-skiing
13:26' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – A tropical climate does not offer much opportunity for the experience of sliding on layers of snow. However, grass-skiing can give 'skiers' a sense of what it feels like as they slide down green, grass-covered hills.
Some skiers slide downhill on the new grass surface.
Several amusement parks around the country have now made grass-skiing available in Vietnam. One of them, the Green Club Resort, has recently added two new activities for their guests; grass-skiing and basket racing.
Visitors get on baskets for a row on the lake in the resort.
The grass-skiing slope is four meters high, built in an area of one hectare. It is covered with grass imported from Japan. There are two options for skiing, the surfboard which is priced at VND10,000 for each round and surfing shoes, priced at VND50,000 per hour. Beginners will be accompanied by instructors.
Alternatively, basket rowing provides vacationers an opportunity for a leisurely row on a 2-hectare lake.
The Green Club Resort is located at Phuoc Tan Commune in Long Thanh District in the southern province of Dong Nai. Tel: (0613) 930071, or visit website: www.caulacboxanh.com for more information.
Hereunder are some photos featuring visitors enjoying grass skiing and basket rowing at the club.
VietNamNet Bridge – A tropical climate does not offer much opportunity for the experience of sliding on layers of snow. However, grass-skiing can give 'skiers' a sense of what it feels like as they slide down green, grass-covered hills.
Some skiers slide downhill on the new grass surface.
Several amusement parks around the country have now made grass-skiing available in Vietnam. One of them, the Green Club Resort, has recently added two new activities for their guests; grass-skiing and basket racing.
Visitors get on baskets for a row on the lake in the resort.
The grass-skiing slope is four meters high, built in an area of one hectare. It is covered with grass imported from Japan. There are two options for skiing, the surfboard which is priced at VND10,000 for each round and surfing shoes, priced at VND50,000 per hour. Beginners will be accompanied by instructors.
Alternatively, basket rowing provides vacationers an opportunity for a leisurely row on a 2-hectare lake.
The Green Club Resort is located at Phuoc Tan Commune in Long Thanh District in the southern province of Dong Nai. Tel: (0613) 930071, or visit website: www.caulacboxanh.com for more information.
Hereunder are some photos featuring visitors enjoying grass skiing and basket rowing at the club.
Tuesday 22 April 2008
Third annual European Food Festival hits Hanoi
06:01' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Following the success of the second annual European Food Festival, held in Hanoi to celebrate Europe Day in 2006, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) is set to bring the event back for a third year.
The Festival will take place in the stunning garden of the National Library of Vietnam from 5pm on May 24, bringing together the capital’s leading hotels and restaurants for a gastronomic night to remember.
“The Festival aims to offer a taste of Europe to the people of Hanoi, bringing the Vietnamese and European communities a night of food, drink and entertainment”, EuroCham Hanoi Director Nicholas Greenfield said.
But while fine food and drink might be in the spotlight, there’s more on offer at the festival than just a taste of Europe. The event will feature live entertainment from two famous bands in Hanoi as well as belly dancers and sports dancers, a fashion show from Alcado, and an extra-special lucky draw with prizes including hotel, resort, spa and restaurant vouchers, as well as an international return trip courtesy of the National Flag Carrier Vietnam Airlines.
Director Greenfield said the Festival also aims to promote the diversity of Europe through a showcase of its culinary arts, and to promote co-operation and deepen understanding between the Vietnamese and European communities.
VietNamNet Bridge - Following the success of the second annual European Food Festival, held in Hanoi to celebrate Europe Day in 2006, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) is set to bring the event back for a third year.
The Festival will take place in the stunning garden of the National Library of Vietnam from 5pm on May 24, bringing together the capital’s leading hotels and restaurants for a gastronomic night to remember.
“The Festival aims to offer a taste of Europe to the people of Hanoi, bringing the Vietnamese and European communities a night of food, drink and entertainment”, EuroCham Hanoi Director Nicholas Greenfield said.
But while fine food and drink might be in the spotlight, there’s more on offer at the festival than just a taste of Europe. The event will feature live entertainment from two famous bands in Hanoi as well as belly dancers and sports dancers, a fashion show from Alcado, and an extra-special lucky draw with prizes including hotel, resort, spa and restaurant vouchers, as well as an international return trip courtesy of the National Flag Carrier Vietnam Airlines.
Director Greenfield said the Festival also aims to promote the diversity of Europe through a showcase of its culinary arts, and to promote co-operation and deepen understanding between the Vietnamese and European communities.
Vietnam Cinema Literature UNESCO club opens
06:01' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - After four months of pilot activities, on April 20th, the Vietnam Cinema Literature UNESCO club opened to public at Hong Bang Private University in Ho Chi Minh City.
The club led by Mrs Ho Thi Kim Thu has 70 members, including professors, doctors, writers, poets and directors from Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau.
In the near future, the club will organize training courses on literature and cinema, run camps and scenarios; publish books related to Vietnamese cinema and literature.
The club will hold monthly meetings for its members to exchange and share experiences in literature and cinema.
In addition, the club will promote activities and establish branches in Vung Tau, Quang Nam and Nha Trang.
(Source: CPV)
VietNamNet Bridge - After four months of pilot activities, on April 20th, the Vietnam Cinema Literature UNESCO club opened to public at Hong Bang Private University in Ho Chi Minh City.
The club led by Mrs Ho Thi Kim Thu has 70 members, including professors, doctors, writers, poets and directors from Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau.
In the near future, the club will organize training courses on literature and cinema, run camps and scenarios; publish books related to Vietnamese cinema and literature.
The club will hold monthly meetings for its members to exchange and share experiences in literature and cinema.
In addition, the club will promote activities and establish branches in Vung Tau, Quang Nam and Nha Trang.
(Source: CPV)
Monday 21 April 2008
Foreign investors eye tourism
23:14' 20/04/2008 (GMT+7)
Long and beautiful coasts in the southern province of Binh Thuan are attractive places for investors to build hotels and resorts. Foreign investment in these projects accounts for only 10 per cent of the country’s total foreign investment.
VietNamNet Bridge - Demand for new properties, Government incentives and the country’s natural advantages are driving foreign investment in the tourism industry.
Phan Huu Thang, head of the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency, said Viet Nam’s favourable conditions for tourism included good economic growth, social stability, foreign investment, and improved roads as well as airports and seaports.
"Viet Nam has great potential, including scenic landscapes, a long and beautiful coast and a diversified culture," said Thang.
"The Government encourages all sources, especially foreign capital, to develop tourism so it can become a key industry," Thang told participants at a two-day conference and exhibition on property opportunities in tourism that wrapped up yesterday in HCM City.
"The State applies incentives on land, taxation, and credit for investors in areas that include protection and restoration of tourism resources and environment, tourism human resources, and construction of tourism infrastructure, among others," he said.
Thang also praised FDI companies, including five-star hotels in Ha Noi and HCM City, the Victoria hotels in Sapa, Hoi An and Can Tho, and the Furama resort in Da Nang, for their significant contributions to the tourism industry.
"The Government will do its best to support investment in the tourism sector and we will strongly commit to advance the legal environment to draw more investment resources," he said.
Foreign investment in hotels, resorts and leasure projects, however, are still modest, representing around 10 per cent of the country’s total foreign investment capital of US$104 billion.
Thang said a strong increase had been seen in the tourism sector during the first quarter, especially in HCM City, Da Nang, Quang Nam Province, Hue, Khanh Hoa Province and Binh Thuan Province.
Marc Townsend, managing director of the US real estate consultancy firm CB Richard Ellis, said Viet Nam’s land prices had become too high and needed to be lowered.
Although there was a trend of shifting capital out of developed markets and into developing ones, investors might look elsewhere because of the high prices and the lengthy procedures for gaining land-use rights and land clearance, he said.
Townsend also saw Viet Nam as an attractive tourist destination for various factors including its charm. But there was an insufficient number of hotel rooms and infrastructure was still poor, he said.
For example, he said it was not easy or comfortable to fly to Phu Quoc, Viet Nam’s popular tourist island in Kien Giang Province, attributing the problem to Viet Nam Airlines’ lack of capital for expansion.
Around 350 projects from 12 cities and provinces including Lao Cai, Hue, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Lam Dong and HCM City were on display at the exhibition.
The two-day event organised by the Phuquocland East Asia Corporation aimed to promote investment in tourism real estate development and provide a platform for industry players to discuss business opportunities and talk with authorities about a better investment environment.
Long and beautiful coasts in the southern province of Binh Thuan are attractive places for investors to build hotels and resorts. Foreign investment in these projects accounts for only 10 per cent of the country’s total foreign investment.
VietNamNet Bridge - Demand for new properties, Government incentives and the country’s natural advantages are driving foreign investment in the tourism industry.
Phan Huu Thang, head of the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency, said Viet Nam’s favourable conditions for tourism included good economic growth, social stability, foreign investment, and improved roads as well as airports and seaports.
"Viet Nam has great potential, including scenic landscapes, a long and beautiful coast and a diversified culture," said Thang.
"The Government encourages all sources, especially foreign capital, to develop tourism so it can become a key industry," Thang told participants at a two-day conference and exhibition on property opportunities in tourism that wrapped up yesterday in HCM City.
"The State applies incentives on land, taxation, and credit for investors in areas that include protection and restoration of tourism resources and environment, tourism human resources, and construction of tourism infrastructure, among others," he said.
Thang also praised FDI companies, including five-star hotels in Ha Noi and HCM City, the Victoria hotels in Sapa, Hoi An and Can Tho, and the Furama resort in Da Nang, for their significant contributions to the tourism industry.
"The Government will do its best to support investment in the tourism sector and we will strongly commit to advance the legal environment to draw more investment resources," he said.
Foreign investment in hotels, resorts and leasure projects, however, are still modest, representing around 10 per cent of the country’s total foreign investment capital of US$104 billion.
Thang said a strong increase had been seen in the tourism sector during the first quarter, especially in HCM City, Da Nang, Quang Nam Province, Hue, Khanh Hoa Province and Binh Thuan Province.
Marc Townsend, managing director of the US real estate consultancy firm CB Richard Ellis, said Viet Nam’s land prices had become too high and needed to be lowered.
Although there was a trend of shifting capital out of developed markets and into developing ones, investors might look elsewhere because of the high prices and the lengthy procedures for gaining land-use rights and land clearance, he said.
Townsend also saw Viet Nam as an attractive tourist destination for various factors including its charm. But there was an insufficient number of hotel rooms and infrastructure was still poor, he said.
For example, he said it was not easy or comfortable to fly to Phu Quoc, Viet Nam’s popular tourist island in Kien Giang Province, attributing the problem to Viet Nam Airlines’ lack of capital for expansion.
Around 350 projects from 12 cities and provinces including Lao Cai, Hue, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Lam Dong and HCM City were on display at the exhibition.
The two-day event organised by the Phuquocland East Asia Corporation aimed to promote investment in tourism real estate development and provide a platform for industry players to discuss business opportunities and talk with authorities about a better investment environment.
Binh Thuan’s Mui Ne attracts Russian tourists
13:47' 20/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Mui Ne in Binh Thuan province has become a popular tourist destination to Russian visitors to Vietnam.
According to the general director of the Russian travel company Lanta-An, Klokov Igor Nikolaevich, the number of Russian visitors to Binh Thuan has increased since the opening of Lanta-An’s office in Mui Ne.
He said the company brings some 300 Russian visitors to Phan Thiet-Mui Ne per month, and the number could rise to 1,000 per month later this year when the weather becomes chilly in Russia.
The Hanoi-based Nhat Minh Tourism Company also brings Russian tourists to Mui Ne. Russians accounted for 11.3 percent of the 20,000 foreign visitors to Mui Ne in the first three months this year, according to figures from Binh Thuan Tourism Department.
VietNamNet Bridge - Mui Ne in Binh Thuan province has become a popular tourist destination to Russian visitors to Vietnam.
According to the general director of the Russian travel company Lanta-An, Klokov Igor Nikolaevich, the number of Russian visitors to Binh Thuan has increased since the opening of Lanta-An’s office in Mui Ne.
He said the company brings some 300 Russian visitors to Phan Thiet-Mui Ne per month, and the number could rise to 1,000 per month later this year when the weather becomes chilly in Russia.
The Hanoi-based Nhat Minh Tourism Company also brings Russian tourists to Mui Ne. Russians accounted for 11.3 percent of the 20,000 foreign visitors to Mui Ne in the first three months this year, according to figures from Binh Thuan Tourism Department.
Ha Long Bay returns to world wonders poll, right on top
13:41' 20/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay has been put back into the list of candidates for the world’s seven natural wonders poll at www.new7wonders.com after being removed from the list on April 14.
NewOpenWorld, the organizer of the online poll, did the removal because some Vietnamese websites had illegally used new7wonders’ logo, photos and contents from the NewOpenWorld website.
Now that the infringements have been solved, Ha Long Bay has return and is topping the list as it did before.
Copyright and wrong
The reason for the removal is some Vietnamese websites’ illegal use of New7wonders’ logo, photos and contents from the NewOpenWorld website.
On April 7, NewOpenWorld sent a letter to warn the Ha Long Bay Management Board of this situation and ask violating websites to remove the illegal contents, but they did not comply. A second letter, sent on April 14, said that the organization would temporarily remove the bay from the selection until the websites deleted all pirated contents and met NewOpenWorld’s requirements.
To many, though, the “infringements” such as those of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh, EVN Telecom, and Tuoi Tre newspapers contributed greatly in calling millions of people to vote for Ha Long Bay and help the famous rock formation achieve first place on the list. It was simply a love for the heritage of the country and desire to introduce the Vietnamese image to the world.
Because of a shortage of knowledge, these websites unintentionally caused the removal of Ha Long Bay from the poll. Trouble might have been avoided had they understood the regulations which were agreed upon by NewOpenWorld and the Support Committee for Ha Long Bay.
“When we take part in any international playing field, we should learn about the regulations to avoid such troubles,” said Mr. Tran Chien Thang, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism.
Finally, Ha Long Bay has regained its position on the selection list.
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay has been put back into the list of candidates for the world’s seven natural wonders poll at www.new7wonders.com after being removed from the list on April 14.
NewOpenWorld, the organizer of the online poll, did the removal because some Vietnamese websites had illegally used new7wonders’ logo, photos and contents from the NewOpenWorld website.
Now that the infringements have been solved, Ha Long Bay has return and is topping the list as it did before.
Copyright and wrong
The reason for the removal is some Vietnamese websites’ illegal use of New7wonders’ logo, photos and contents from the NewOpenWorld website.
On April 7, NewOpenWorld sent a letter to warn the Ha Long Bay Management Board of this situation and ask violating websites to remove the illegal contents, but they did not comply. A second letter, sent on April 14, said that the organization would temporarily remove the bay from the selection until the websites deleted all pirated contents and met NewOpenWorld’s requirements.
To many, though, the “infringements” such as those of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh, EVN Telecom, and Tuoi Tre newspapers contributed greatly in calling millions of people to vote for Ha Long Bay and help the famous rock formation achieve first place on the list. It was simply a love for the heritage of the country and desire to introduce the Vietnamese image to the world.
Because of a shortage of knowledge, these websites unintentionally caused the removal of Ha Long Bay from the poll. Trouble might have been avoided had they understood the regulations which were agreed upon by NewOpenWorld and the Support Committee for Ha Long Bay.
“When we take part in any international playing field, we should learn about the regulations to avoid such troubles,” said Mr. Tran Chien Thang, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism.
Finally, Ha Long Bay has regained its position on the selection list.
Tour Caravan becomes a trademark of Vietnam tourism
05:45' 21/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - This was affirmed by Mr. Vu The Binh, Head of Travel Department under the Vietnam National Tourism Administration in an annual meeting on April 17, in Hanoi.
According to Mr. Binh, more than 2,000 international caravan groups visited Vietnam over the past three years. If the Government approved regulations to allow foreign road vehicles to travel in Vietnam, the number of tour caravans to Vietnam in 2008 will be equal to the total of all previous years.
More than 1.2 million foreigners came to Vietnam in the first quarter of 2008, with a 58.2 percent increases in the number of business travelers. Chinese tourist increased by 60.2 percent on year while the Republic of Korea and Japan markets saw slight decreases in the number of tourists.
Ho Chi Minh City remains the top tourism market with 840,000 foreign tourists in the first quarter, earning a turnover of 6,700 billion VND.
The Vietnam National Tourism Administration organized many other activities to further promote Vietnam tourism to foreign friends such as holding seven international tourism fairs, developing a caravan tour to travel through six Southeast Asian countries, carrying out surveys in Laos and Cambodia to develop the project “three countries – one destination” and organizing seminars on domestic tourism products and travel.
VietNamNet Bridge - This was affirmed by Mr. Vu The Binh, Head of Travel Department under the Vietnam National Tourism Administration in an annual meeting on April 17, in Hanoi.
According to Mr. Binh, more than 2,000 international caravan groups visited Vietnam over the past three years. If the Government approved regulations to allow foreign road vehicles to travel in Vietnam, the number of tour caravans to Vietnam in 2008 will be equal to the total of all previous years.
More than 1.2 million foreigners came to Vietnam in the first quarter of 2008, with a 58.2 percent increases in the number of business travelers. Chinese tourist increased by 60.2 percent on year while the Republic of Korea and Japan markets saw slight decreases in the number of tourists.
Ho Chi Minh City remains the top tourism market with 840,000 foreign tourists in the first quarter, earning a turnover of 6,700 billion VND.
The Vietnam National Tourism Administration organized many other activities to further promote Vietnam tourism to foreign friends such as holding seven international tourism fairs, developing a caravan tour to travel through six Southeast Asian countries, carrying out surveys in Laos and Cambodia to develop the project “three countries – one destination” and organizing seminars on domestic tourism products and travel.
More than 10 percent FDI capital poured into tourism
09:17' 21/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - So far, $10.8 billion has been injected in hotel construction and tourism business by foreign-invested businesses, accounting for more than 10 percent of the total registered FDI capital in Vietnam.
This was said by Mr. Phan Huu Thang, Director of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a two-day seminar on tourism investment opportunities opening last week in HCM City.
In the first quarter of 2008, 8 foreign projects poured total registered capital of 1,621 million USD into tourism in Vietnam, mainly in central coastal tourism centers.
FDI businesses invested nearly 12.8 billion USD in building offices, luxury apartments and more than 4.4 billion USD in constructing new urban areas.
Vietnam greeted nearly 1.28 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2008, marking an on year increase of 15.7 percent.
VietNamNet Bridge - So far, $10.8 billion has been injected in hotel construction and tourism business by foreign-invested businesses, accounting for more than 10 percent of the total registered FDI capital in Vietnam.
This was said by Mr. Phan Huu Thang, Director of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a two-day seminar on tourism investment opportunities opening last week in HCM City.
In the first quarter of 2008, 8 foreign projects poured total registered capital of 1,621 million USD into tourism in Vietnam, mainly in central coastal tourism centers.
FDI businesses invested nearly 12.8 billion USD in building offices, luxury apartments and more than 4.4 billion USD in constructing new urban areas.
Vietnam greeted nearly 1.28 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2008, marking an on year increase of 15.7 percent.
Friday 18 April 2008
Lion Air resumes HCM City service
16:02' 18/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Indonesian airline Lion Air has resumed service to HCM City after a three-year suspension of the low-fare carrier's flights in Vietnam.
The carrier's inaugural flight is scheduled to land at HCM City's Tan Son Nhat Airport at 11:20 am today after a four-hour, 30-minute flight from Soekamo Airport in Jakarta.
The daily return flight will leave HCM City at 12:20pm and stop over in Singapore before arriving in Jakarta.
The carrier's senior manager of sales and marketing, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the schedule would make it easy for holidaymakers to check in and out at hotels in HCM City.
Chandran said tourists were Lion Air's major passengers and that students and family members visiting relatives made up the rest.
"Lion Air is the first airline in the world to fly the brand new Boeing 737-900ER, new safe and comfortable aircraft," said Chandran.
The Boeing 737-900 aircraft will initially operate with all economy class seats, but later the carrier will arrange 10 business class seats and 195 economy class seats.
He said Lion Air was a hybrid carrier rather than a low-cost airline, meaning that it is somewhere between a low-cost and full-serviced airline.
VietNamNet Bridge – Indonesian airline Lion Air has resumed service to HCM City after a three-year suspension of the low-fare carrier's flights in Vietnam.
The carrier's inaugural flight is scheduled to land at HCM City's Tan Son Nhat Airport at 11:20 am today after a four-hour, 30-minute flight from Soekamo Airport in Jakarta.
The daily return flight will leave HCM City at 12:20pm and stop over in Singapore before arriving in Jakarta.
The carrier's senior manager of sales and marketing, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the schedule would make it easy for holidaymakers to check in and out at hotels in HCM City.
Chandran said tourists were Lion Air's major passengers and that students and family members visiting relatives made up the rest.
"Lion Air is the first airline in the world to fly the brand new Boeing 737-900ER, new safe and comfortable aircraft," said Chandran.
The Boeing 737-900 aircraft will initially operate with all economy class seats, but later the carrier will arrange 10 business class seats and 195 economy class seats.
He said Lion Air was a hybrid carrier rather than a low-cost airline, meaning that it is somewhere between a low-cost and full-serviced airline.
Mammoth resort to open on Phu Quoc
10:48' 18/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Pearl of Asia Development Corp, a subsidiary of the Trustee Suisse group, has unveiled plans to build a super-luxury retreat with leisure, entertainment, and business facilities on Phu Quoc Island.
The US$9-billion Pearl of Asia complex will be built on a pristine white-sand beach in Rach Tram Area on the north–western tip of the island.
The project has been approved by the Government’s Office and the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province, according to a press release from Trustee Suisse.
The retreat will be developed in two stages on an area of approximately 3,200ha and at an estimated cost of 6bil euro (more than $9bil).
It will contain a holiday and entertainment district that will be "similar to a village" and have first-class hotels, stately homes, sporting facilities, an "elite" casino for high-stakes gambling, a hall suitable for holding concerts, operas, ballet, musicals, and (music and film) awards, a marina for sports yachts and mega yachts, a world-class health and medical centre, and beautiful parks and gardens.
"The Pearl of Asia will provide ultra-high net worth individuals, celebrities, and key decision makers an entirely new way of combining pleasure and business activities," Trustee Suisse said.
"It will set new standards for ecological responsibility."
The Vinaconex Joint Stock Company is the Swiss firm’s local partner in the project.
In the first stage of the project, 275ha would be developed at a cost of around 2bil euro ($3.19bil), Trustee Suisse said.
Le Minh Hoang, director of Kien Giang’s Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, said the province had given the "go-ahead" to the Swiss investors and allowed them to draw up a detailed scheme for the project.
The Government plans to develop Phu Quoc into a tourist island that will attract 2-3mil visitors per year by 2020.
It has also agreed in principle to the development of casinos on the island.
Phu Quoc is an unspoilt tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand that is just a short flight away from almost all Southeast Asian Cities metropolises. About 70% of the 567sq. km island is blanketed by rain forests that are criss-crossed by rivers and streams.
VietNamNet Bridge – Pearl of Asia Development Corp, a subsidiary of the Trustee Suisse group, has unveiled plans to build a super-luxury retreat with leisure, entertainment, and business facilities on Phu Quoc Island.
The US$9-billion Pearl of Asia complex will be built on a pristine white-sand beach in Rach Tram Area on the north–western tip of the island.
The project has been approved by the Government’s Office and the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province, according to a press release from Trustee Suisse.
The retreat will be developed in two stages on an area of approximately 3,200ha and at an estimated cost of 6bil euro (more than $9bil).
It will contain a holiday and entertainment district that will be "similar to a village" and have first-class hotels, stately homes, sporting facilities, an "elite" casino for high-stakes gambling, a hall suitable for holding concerts, operas, ballet, musicals, and (music and film) awards, a marina for sports yachts and mega yachts, a world-class health and medical centre, and beautiful parks and gardens.
"The Pearl of Asia will provide ultra-high net worth individuals, celebrities, and key decision makers an entirely new way of combining pleasure and business activities," Trustee Suisse said.
"It will set new standards for ecological responsibility."
The Vinaconex Joint Stock Company is the Swiss firm’s local partner in the project.
In the first stage of the project, 275ha would be developed at a cost of around 2bil euro ($3.19bil), Trustee Suisse said.
Le Minh Hoang, director of Kien Giang’s Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, said the province had given the "go-ahead" to the Swiss investors and allowed them to draw up a detailed scheme for the project.
The Government plans to develop Phu Quoc into a tourist island that will attract 2-3mil visitors per year by 2020.
It has also agreed in principle to the development of casinos on the island.
Phu Quoc is an unspoilt tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand that is just a short flight away from almost all Southeast Asian Cities metropolises. About 70% of the 567sq. km island is blanketed by rain forests that are criss-crossed by rivers and streams.
Vietnam trying to get Ha Long Bay back in poll
15:36' 18/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has sent a dispatch to NewOpenWorld asking the organisers to put Ha Long Bay back in the world natural wonder poll, said a senior official of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
Ha Long Bay out of world wonder poll
The official, Vice Head of VNAT’s Tourism Promotion Agency Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, also called for individuals and organisations supporting Ha Long Bay to strictly obey NewOpenWorld’s rules.
Acting Head of VNAT, Nguyen Quoc Ky, stated that though NewOpenWorld is not a United Nations (UN) representative, it is a reputed organisation in the world, not an entirely commercial one as some newspapers have reported.
Ky also said that NewOpenWorld’s standards for the seven world natural wonders are very dynamic, and that this is a new way of looking at the subject.
“Vietnam will use every tool and information channel to advertise its image to the world through Ha Long Bay as its symbol,” Ky declared.
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has sent a dispatch to NewOpenWorld asking the organisers to put Ha Long Bay back in the world natural wonder poll, said a senior official of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
Ha Long Bay out of world wonder poll
The official, Vice Head of VNAT’s Tourism Promotion Agency Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, also called for individuals and organisations supporting Ha Long Bay to strictly obey NewOpenWorld’s rules.
Acting Head of VNAT, Nguyen Quoc Ky, stated that though NewOpenWorld is not a United Nations (UN) representative, it is a reputed organisation in the world, not an entirely commercial one as some newspapers have reported.
Ky also said that NewOpenWorld’s standards for the seven world natural wonders are very dynamic, and that this is a new way of looking at the subject.
“Vietnam will use every tool and information channel to advertise its image to the world through Ha Long Bay as its symbol,” Ky declared.
Japanese, South Korean tourists abandoning Vietnam
17:06' 18/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – The number of tourists from Japan and South Korea is now on the decrease. South Korea, traditionally the second biggest inbound tourism market for Vietnam, has fallen to 5th position, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
1.29mil international tourists came to Vietnam in Q1
VNAT has released statistics showing that the number of Japanese travellers decreased by 7% in the first three months of the year, while the number of South Korean travellers decreased by 0.8%.
Japan and South Korea have been the two leading inbound tourism markets for Vietnam.
The noteworthy thing is that while the number of tourists from the two leading markets decreased, other markets witnessed growth in the first quarter of the year. The number of Chinese tourists coming to Vietnam, for example, rose by 60% in the first quarter compared to the same period of 2007.
In 2007, Vietnam received 450,000 South Korean tourists and 380,000 Japanese tourists.
Explaining the decrease, Vu The Binh, Director of the Travel Department under VNAT, said that it was because of the lack of Vietnamese tour guides. With such a high number of South Korean tourists, Vietnam needs to have 800-1,000 tour guides, while in fact it has 50 Korean-speaking tour guides only.
Vietnamese laws do not allow foreign tour guides to practice in Vietnam, while it requires a big number of tour guides to meet the demand.
VNAT has taken a lot of inspection tours to illegal representative offices of travel firms in Hanoi and HCM City in the last time, and expelled some 40 South Korean tour guides from Vietnam. As a result, the number of South Korean tourists coming to Vietnam has decreased.
Acting General Director of VNAT Nguyen Quoc Ky said that South Korean travel firms have been doing all the work to bring South Korean tourists to Vietnam in the last two years, while Vietnamese travel firms only play an unimportant role in tour arrangements.
In order to attract more South Korean tourists, Ky thinks that it is necessary to sign a state-level agreement between Vietnam and South Korea which will provide a legal framework for South Korean travel firms and tour guides. Once the agreement is inked, the scrambling for clients in Vietnam will stop
Regarding Japan’s market, Ky said that Japanese tourists are now heading to new destinations, especially ones in Central Asia (countries which belonged to the Russian Federation and Mongolia).
“In order to bring them back to Vietnam, the country needs to renovate tourism products and change its tourism promotion methods,” Ky said.
According to VNAT, 1.29mil international tourists came to Vietnam in Q1, an increase of 16% over the same period of last year.
VietNamNet Bridge – The number of tourists from Japan and South Korea is now on the decrease. South Korea, traditionally the second biggest inbound tourism market for Vietnam, has fallen to 5th position, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
1.29mil international tourists came to Vietnam in Q1
VNAT has released statistics showing that the number of Japanese travellers decreased by 7% in the first three months of the year, while the number of South Korean travellers decreased by 0.8%.
Japan and South Korea have been the two leading inbound tourism markets for Vietnam.
The noteworthy thing is that while the number of tourists from the two leading markets decreased, other markets witnessed growth in the first quarter of the year. The number of Chinese tourists coming to Vietnam, for example, rose by 60% in the first quarter compared to the same period of 2007.
In 2007, Vietnam received 450,000 South Korean tourists and 380,000 Japanese tourists.
Explaining the decrease, Vu The Binh, Director of the Travel Department under VNAT, said that it was because of the lack of Vietnamese tour guides. With such a high number of South Korean tourists, Vietnam needs to have 800-1,000 tour guides, while in fact it has 50 Korean-speaking tour guides only.
Vietnamese laws do not allow foreign tour guides to practice in Vietnam, while it requires a big number of tour guides to meet the demand.
VNAT has taken a lot of inspection tours to illegal representative offices of travel firms in Hanoi and HCM City in the last time, and expelled some 40 South Korean tour guides from Vietnam. As a result, the number of South Korean tourists coming to Vietnam has decreased.
Acting General Director of VNAT Nguyen Quoc Ky said that South Korean travel firms have been doing all the work to bring South Korean tourists to Vietnam in the last two years, while Vietnamese travel firms only play an unimportant role in tour arrangements.
In order to attract more South Korean tourists, Ky thinks that it is necessary to sign a state-level agreement between Vietnam and South Korea which will provide a legal framework for South Korean travel firms and tour guides. Once the agreement is inked, the scrambling for clients in Vietnam will stop
Regarding Japan’s market, Ky said that Japanese tourists are now heading to new destinations, especially ones in Central Asia (countries which belonged to the Russian Federation and Mongolia).
“In order to bring them back to Vietnam, the country needs to renovate tourism products and change its tourism promotion methods,” Ky said.
According to VNAT, 1.29mil international tourists came to Vietnam in Q1, an increase of 16% over the same period of last year.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Da Nang to have US$5 billion tourism zone
19:57' 15/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - An ecological tourism zone is to be built at Van Village of the central city of Da Nang, with a total investment capital estimated at US$5 billion, according to the participants at a meeting held recently between the Da Nang City People’s Committee and the U.S. Oak Tree Realty Group.
Representatives of the U.S. group said the tourism zone, named “Rising Sun,” is a leisure complex comprising a golf course, resort, marina, helicopter pad, luxurious hotels, villas and a casino for foreigners. The zone will be built on an area of 500 hectares and is expected to provide employment to 10,000 people.
At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Ba Thanh, Secretary of the city’s Party Committee and Chairman of the city’s Council, allowed the Oak Tree Realty Group to expand the project an additional 1,500 hectares further to the southwestern area of Van Village. Moreover, the deadline for Oak Tree to announce its decision to invest in the project was set on May 5, 2008.
If the project is to be carried out, it will become one of the largest investment capital expenditures of its kind in Viet Nam.
Da Nang is considered as a city with great potential for tourism industry, attracting people from Viet Nam and abroad. The past few years have seen the city open its doors to welcome foreign investors to invest in sea tourism and help improve its overall tourism infrastructure.
VietNamNet Bridge - An ecological tourism zone is to be built at Van Village of the central city of Da Nang, with a total investment capital estimated at US$5 billion, according to the participants at a meeting held recently between the Da Nang City People’s Committee and the U.S. Oak Tree Realty Group.
Representatives of the U.S. group said the tourism zone, named “Rising Sun,” is a leisure complex comprising a golf course, resort, marina, helicopter pad, luxurious hotels, villas and a casino for foreigners. The zone will be built on an area of 500 hectares and is expected to provide employment to 10,000 people.
At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Ba Thanh, Secretary of the city’s Party Committee and Chairman of the city’s Council, allowed the Oak Tree Realty Group to expand the project an additional 1,500 hectares further to the southwestern area of Van Village. Moreover, the deadline for Oak Tree to announce its decision to invest in the project was set on May 5, 2008.
If the project is to be carried out, it will become one of the largest investment capital expenditures of its kind in Viet Nam.
Da Nang is considered as a city with great potential for tourism industry, attracting people from Viet Nam and abroad. The past few years have seen the city open its doors to welcome foreign investors to invest in sea tourism and help improve its overall tourism infrastructure.
Why were Vietnamese scenic spots removed from poll?
10:27' 15/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – According to NewOpenWorld, the organiser of the new world natural wonder selection, Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Fansipan Mountain were rejected from the selection list because of lack of official support committees.
In an email answering Tien Phong Newspaper’s question about why it removed the two above sites from the nomination list, NewOpenWorld said all nominees become official nominees when they have official support committees, otherwise they will be removed.
According to NewOpenWorld, each nominated site must be registered, using NewOpenWorld’s form, and faxed to +49-89-818196033. The registration form includes the name of the site and information about the support committee.
The committee must be assigned by the government or have a legal presence or responsibility to the registered site.
Nguyen Van Tinh, Head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Physical Training’s International Cooperation Agency, said that Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Fansipan were nominated by local administrations and the media. Only Ha Long Bay was registered and supported by the government and state agencies. Ha Long’s support committee is temporarily the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province.
To maintain the top position of Ha Long Bay in this selection, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is printing posters to deliver to passengers on Vietnam Airlines flights, organising Vietnamese cultural weeks abroad, which include events to advertise Ha Long Bay.
Quang Ninh province, the site of Ha Long Bay, is awaiting the government’s approval to launch a nationwide campaign calling for votes for Ha Long Bay.
Pham Sanh Chau, Chief of the External Cultural and UNESCO Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said NewOpenWorld will choose only one wonder in each country. Is it reasonable that three scenic spots of Vietnam be represented in the selection? Should Vietnam focus on only one nominee?
VietNamNet Bridge – According to NewOpenWorld, the organiser of the new world natural wonder selection, Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Fansipan Mountain were rejected from the selection list because of lack of official support committees.
In an email answering Tien Phong Newspaper’s question about why it removed the two above sites from the nomination list, NewOpenWorld said all nominees become official nominees when they have official support committees, otherwise they will be removed.
According to NewOpenWorld, each nominated site must be registered, using NewOpenWorld’s form, and faxed to +49-89-818196033. The registration form includes the name of the site and information about the support committee.
The committee must be assigned by the government or have a legal presence or responsibility to the registered site.
Nguyen Van Tinh, Head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Physical Training’s International Cooperation Agency, said that Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Fansipan were nominated by local administrations and the media. Only Ha Long Bay was registered and supported by the government and state agencies. Ha Long’s support committee is temporarily the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province.
To maintain the top position of Ha Long Bay in this selection, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is printing posters to deliver to passengers on Vietnam Airlines flights, organising Vietnamese cultural weeks abroad, which include events to advertise Ha Long Bay.
Quang Ninh province, the site of Ha Long Bay, is awaiting the government’s approval to launch a nationwide campaign calling for votes for Ha Long Bay.
Pham Sanh Chau, Chief of the External Cultural and UNESCO Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said NewOpenWorld will choose only one wonder in each country. Is it reasonable that three scenic spots of Vietnam be represented in the selection? Should Vietnam focus on only one nominee?
‘Green’ guide offers tourists eco-options
20:26' 15/04/2008 (GMT+7)
A guidebook for green hotels in Vietnam, published in French, Vietnamese and English, is expected to aid the country’s eco-tourism industry.
VietNamNet Bridge - A guidebook for "green hotels" has been released by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, the city’s Energy Conservation Research and Development Centre and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency.
The book is the result of a nine-year programme that targets a sustainable and eco-friendly development for the growing hotel industry.
The six-section guidebook uses practical experience, good practice, techniques and technologies that have been adopted successfully by many hotels in the country to create a framework and detailed instructions.
The aim is to help hotels reach the international standard of a green hotel through resource management.
Begun in 1999, the guidebook was first written for HCM City’s Majestic Hotel to reduce its energy bill.
It was later transformed into a large-scale project called Greening the Hotel Industry in Viet Nam through Efficient Resource Management.
Many hotels, including those owned by the big company Saigontourist, began to use the book.
The project resulted in a 10 per cent reduction in the participating hotels’ energy and water bills.
As a result, the National Administration of Tourism decided to spread the concept of green hotels across the country.
The book identifies a set of benchmarks for the resource management for hotels to follow and allows hotel managers to assess their present status, choose their own method to adopt suitable environmental policies, and reducing the consumption of energy and water as well as the production of solid wastes.
These solutions start with simple daily actions, such as setting the correct temperature and regularly maintaining the air conditioning system. The guidebook highlights the active role of clients in this eco-friendly approach.
Covering the evaluation of results, the guide is also designed to assist hotels in the adoption of ISO 14001 certification that reflects international environmental management standards.
Publishers expect the book to help raise awareness about the environment among tourists.
"When tourists come to Viet Nam, they will know that there is a special action to fight against pollution. It’s a good opportunity to advertise Vietnamese tourism, its facilities and its eco-tourism," said Philippe Masset, head of the French Environment and Energy Management Agency’s international affairs division on international programmes and projects.
Saigontourist has also taken this opportunity to announce the establishment of its Green Club, which aims at strengthening the co-operation between individuals and organizations to enhance activities to protect the environment in the country’s tourism.
"I hope there will be numerous hotels which can become members of the Green Club to share their experience, wealth and knowledge to improve hotel management and environmental management," said Tran Hung Viet, deputy director of the Saigontourist Corporation.
A guidebook for green hotels in Vietnam, published in French, Vietnamese and English, is expected to aid the country’s eco-tourism industry.
VietNamNet Bridge - A guidebook for "green hotels" has been released by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, the city’s Energy Conservation Research and Development Centre and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency.
The book is the result of a nine-year programme that targets a sustainable and eco-friendly development for the growing hotel industry.
The six-section guidebook uses practical experience, good practice, techniques and technologies that have been adopted successfully by many hotels in the country to create a framework and detailed instructions.
The aim is to help hotels reach the international standard of a green hotel through resource management.
Begun in 1999, the guidebook was first written for HCM City’s Majestic Hotel to reduce its energy bill.
It was later transformed into a large-scale project called Greening the Hotel Industry in Viet Nam through Efficient Resource Management.
Many hotels, including those owned by the big company Saigontourist, began to use the book.
The project resulted in a 10 per cent reduction in the participating hotels’ energy and water bills.
As a result, the National Administration of Tourism decided to spread the concept of green hotels across the country.
The book identifies a set of benchmarks for the resource management for hotels to follow and allows hotel managers to assess their present status, choose their own method to adopt suitable environmental policies, and reducing the consumption of energy and water as well as the production of solid wastes.
These solutions start with simple daily actions, such as setting the correct temperature and regularly maintaining the air conditioning system. The guidebook highlights the active role of clients in this eco-friendly approach.
Covering the evaluation of results, the guide is also designed to assist hotels in the adoption of ISO 14001 certification that reflects international environmental management standards.
Publishers expect the book to help raise awareness about the environment among tourists.
"When tourists come to Viet Nam, they will know that there is a special action to fight against pollution. It’s a good opportunity to advertise Vietnamese tourism, its facilities and its eco-tourism," said Philippe Masset, head of the French Environment and Energy Management Agency’s international affairs division on international programmes and projects.
Saigontourist has also taken this opportunity to announce the establishment of its Green Club, which aims at strengthening the co-operation between individuals and organizations to enhance activities to protect the environment in the country’s tourism.
"I hope there will be numerous hotels which can become members of the Green Club to share their experience, wealth and knowledge to improve hotel management and environmental management," said Tran Hung Viet, deputy director of the Saigontourist Corporation.
Thursday 10 April 2008
Ecological tourism development to protect forest biodiversity
17:36' 10/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - The development of ecological tourism is considered a helpful way to protect natural resources in national parks and reserves in Vietnam, according to a seminar held in Da Lat, central highlands Lam Dong province, on April 9.
According to the participants, Vietnam has a great potential to develop eco-tourism in combination with natural resource preservation. The country possesses 30 national parks and 56 natural reserves, home to over 13,760 species of plants and 7,730 species of animals.
However, they said, the precious system of natural reserves has constantly been hurt by inhabitants living around. Nearly 80 percent of the population living close to the natural reserves in Vietnam are living in poverty and their lives are depending on unplanned forest exploitation, thus damaging the forest biodiversity.
Some delegates stressed the need to improve the living conditions for people living on edges of forests in order to ensure the success for the plan to develop eco-tourism and protect natural reserves.
The seminar was initiated by the Worldwide Fund for Nature Vietnam Programme, and the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park of Lam Dong province.
VietNamNet Bridge - The development of ecological tourism is considered a helpful way to protect natural resources in national parks and reserves in Vietnam, according to a seminar held in Da Lat, central highlands Lam Dong province, on April 9.
According to the participants, Vietnam has a great potential to develop eco-tourism in combination with natural resource preservation. The country possesses 30 national parks and 56 natural reserves, home to over 13,760 species of plants and 7,730 species of animals.
However, they said, the precious system of natural reserves has constantly been hurt by inhabitants living around. Nearly 80 percent of the population living close to the natural reserves in Vietnam are living in poverty and their lives are depending on unplanned forest exploitation, thus damaging the forest biodiversity.
Some delegates stressed the need to improve the living conditions for people living on edges of forests in order to ensure the success for the plan to develop eco-tourism and protect natural reserves.
The seminar was initiated by the Worldwide Fund for Nature Vietnam Programme, and the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park of Lam Dong province.
TRAVEL IN BRIEF 10/4
12:17' 10/04/2008 (GMT+7)
National airport plan needs 221.5 trillion VND
Vietnam needs an estimated 221.5 trillion VND (13.8 billion USD) to implement its airport development plan from now to 2020, the Ministry of Transport and Communication said on April 8.
The plan envisages a total of 26 airports, including 10 international and 16 domestic ones, to be in operation nationwide by 2020.
An estimated 38.5 trillion VND will be needed for the plan’s first phase to 2010.
German cruiser brings 550 tourists to Ha Long Bay
German cruise liner Maxim Gorky has taken 550 German tourists to visit Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, in northern coastal Quang Ninh Province.
This is the first time the Maxim Gorky arrived in Vietnam and the second German cruiser docked at Ha Long Bay.
The Maxim Gorky also sent seven photographers to take pictures of Ha Long Bay to promote more tours to the heritage site.
Saigontourist Travel Corporation’s Ha Long branch said that apart from Ha Long Bay, it has organised tours for German tourists to the Yen Tu historical site and traditional craft villages in Quang Ninh Province.
(Source: VNA)
National airport plan needs 221.5 trillion VND
Vietnam needs an estimated 221.5 trillion VND (13.8 billion USD) to implement its airport development plan from now to 2020, the Ministry of Transport and Communication said on April 8.
The plan envisages a total of 26 airports, including 10 international and 16 domestic ones, to be in operation nationwide by 2020.
An estimated 38.5 trillion VND will be needed for the plan’s first phase to 2010.
German cruiser brings 550 tourists to Ha Long Bay
German cruise liner Maxim Gorky has taken 550 German tourists to visit Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, in northern coastal Quang Ninh Province.
This is the first time the Maxim Gorky arrived in Vietnam and the second German cruiser docked at Ha Long Bay.
The Maxim Gorky also sent seven photographers to take pictures of Ha Long Bay to promote more tours to the heritage site.
Saigontourist Travel Corporation’s Ha Long branch said that apart from Ha Long Bay, it has organised tours for German tourists to the Yen Tu historical site and traditional craft villages in Quang Ninh Province.
(Source: VNA)
Wednesday 9 April 2008
Phu Tho now ready for Hung Kings’ Festival
16:35' 09/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - A busy and festive atmosphere can be felt everywhere in Viet Tri town, in the northern mountainous province of Phu Tho. This is the second year all the Vietnamese people can enjoy a holiday on the Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary Day. It’s expected that around 2.5 million of people will flock to the festival.
The Hung Kings Festival is the most important part of the programme “Back to Festive Region of Vietnam” which opened on the sixth day of the first lunar month at Au Co Mother Temple and will close on the tenth day of the lunar third month.
This year, Phu Tho province has restored and upgraded the Thuong (Upper) Temple. The Hung Kings Temple is well decorated. Many greeting gates, panels and large maps have been set up to give guidance to visitors.
Local authorities have paid more attention to services and security. The Legend restaurant can serve 600 guests at the same time.
Apart from the previous year’s traditional activities imbued with the culture of Phu Tho such as bronze drumming, lion dancing, wrestling and boating, this year will see more activities such as an exhibition cum fair introducing special fruits from provinces and cities with the theme “Best Fruits Offerings for the Hung Kings”.
The chung and day rice cake making competition has attracted the participation of 30 provinces and cities from the north to the south. The Hung Kings Museum will organise exhibition “Some Images on Hung Kings’ Death Anniversaries Nationwide – The Hung Kings’ Festival Past and Present.” A musical performance and a poetry night will be held to warm up the festive atmosphere.
A seminar to work out criteria to develop “Cultural Space of Hung King Ancestral Land” will be organised for the first time for submission to UNESCO for recognition as world cultural heritage site.
The incense offering ceremony to commemorate the Hung Kings will take place at 7.30am on April 15 (or the tenth day of the third lunar month) at the Hung Kings’ Temple.
VietNamNet Bridge - A busy and festive atmosphere can be felt everywhere in Viet Tri town, in the northern mountainous province of Phu Tho. This is the second year all the Vietnamese people can enjoy a holiday on the Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary Day. It’s expected that around 2.5 million of people will flock to the festival.
The Hung Kings Festival is the most important part of the programme “Back to Festive Region of Vietnam” which opened on the sixth day of the first lunar month at Au Co Mother Temple and will close on the tenth day of the lunar third month.
This year, Phu Tho province has restored and upgraded the Thuong (Upper) Temple. The Hung Kings Temple is well decorated. Many greeting gates, panels and large maps have been set up to give guidance to visitors.
Local authorities have paid more attention to services and security. The Legend restaurant can serve 600 guests at the same time.
Apart from the previous year’s traditional activities imbued with the culture of Phu Tho such as bronze drumming, lion dancing, wrestling and boating, this year will see more activities such as an exhibition cum fair introducing special fruits from provinces and cities with the theme “Best Fruits Offerings for the Hung Kings”.
The chung and day rice cake making competition has attracted the participation of 30 provinces and cities from the north to the south. The Hung Kings Museum will organise exhibition “Some Images on Hung Kings’ Death Anniversaries Nationwide – The Hung Kings’ Festival Past and Present.” A musical performance and a poetry night will be held to warm up the festive atmosphere.
A seminar to work out criteria to develop “Cultural Space of Hung King Ancestral Land” will be organised for the first time for submission to UNESCO for recognition as world cultural heritage site.
The incense offering ceremony to commemorate the Hung Kings will take place at 7.30am on April 15 (or the tenth day of the third lunar month) at the Hung Kings’ Temple.
France offers some first-class advice about French tourists
16:26' 09/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam's tourist industry has been given succinct and expert advice about how to attract French tourists.
European tourists enjoy the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourism site in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
"French travellers are very sensitive to the quality of service," Interface Tourism President Gael de La Porte du Theil told a tourism seminar in Hanoi.
"They want good food, good value for money and comfort.
"They are interested in both relaxation and mostly culture-related activities such as visiting monuments, museums, exhibitions and festivals."
Vietnam's cultural richness, landscapes, the kindness of its people and the distinctiveness of its history and heritage drew them to the country.
Vietnam image in France was that of a safe destination, the film "Indochine," Ha Long Bay, gastronomy and books by Marguerite Duras.
The 12-million-euro European-Union-funded Viet Nam Human Resources Development in Tourism Project organised the two-day seminar to introduce source markets for the tourism industry.
Interface Tourism, a French tourism market research organisation, lists Vietnam as the 3rd Asian destination for French tourists after China and Thailand.
It says Asia is the fastest-growing destination for French tourists with a 66% increase in visits between 2000-2006.
Diversification that includes new regions, ecotourism and "beach only" or a combination "tour-beaches" could provide further success for Vietnam.
Frenchman Claude Le Palud, who first visited the country two years ago, said: "I'm very interested in Vietnamese culture.
"I like learning about the life of the minority people in Sa Pa and visiting Ha Long Bay and the old streets of Hanoi."
The French budget for travels abroad totalled 24.8bil francs last year and French tourists now spend an average of 1,700 francs for each journey abroad, an increase of 41% since 2001.
The keenest travellers are the young and the retired - people above 50.
Grand Tours Ha Noi director Le Thi Hanh said that because the amount spent by French visitors did not match that of Japanese or American visitors, her company had not exploited the market.
"We plan to seek customers from the potential Nordic market" she said.
Market pools
France ranked 7th of the top 10 countries to provide visitors to Vietnam last year. China was atop the list.
But it provided the most European visitors, a record 182,500, says the Viet Nam Tourism Administration.
The total the previous year was 132,300 and the number of French visitors jumped 53% between 2000 and 2007.
''It had peaked previously with the success of two French movies: Indochine and L'Amant in 1995.
A decline between 1995-97 is attributed to poor service and value for money in Vietnam's hotels.
Interface Tourism surveys show that a shortage of four-star hotels in major cities; insufficient flights between France and Vietnam; a lack of qualified guides in central Vietnam and high prices-compared with other Asian countries are hampering Vietnam's tourism industry.
French visitors also complain that tourist buses and the standardisation of the local arts and craftshops rob typical Vietnamese villages of their authenticity.
The seminar was told that Vietnam's Asian competitors benefit from a massive media exposure in the French market.
Examples include China with this year's Olympic Games and Malaysia with the intense promotion campaigns.
Vietnam should learn from these two countries to combine tourism promotion campaigns, the seminar was told.
It should also diversify its tourism products: Ecotourism, the promotion of local cultures; gastronomy and handicrafts.
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam's tourist industry has been given succinct and expert advice about how to attract French tourists.
European tourists enjoy the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourism site in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
"French travellers are very sensitive to the quality of service," Interface Tourism President Gael de La Porte du Theil told a tourism seminar in Hanoi.
"They want good food, good value for money and comfort.
"They are interested in both relaxation and mostly culture-related activities such as visiting monuments, museums, exhibitions and festivals."
Vietnam's cultural richness, landscapes, the kindness of its people and the distinctiveness of its history and heritage drew them to the country.
Vietnam image in France was that of a safe destination, the film "Indochine," Ha Long Bay, gastronomy and books by Marguerite Duras.
The 12-million-euro European-Union-funded Viet Nam Human Resources Development in Tourism Project organised the two-day seminar to introduce source markets for the tourism industry.
Interface Tourism, a French tourism market research organisation, lists Vietnam as the 3rd Asian destination for French tourists after China and Thailand.
It says Asia is the fastest-growing destination for French tourists with a 66% increase in visits between 2000-2006.
Diversification that includes new regions, ecotourism and "beach only" or a combination "tour-beaches" could provide further success for Vietnam.
Frenchman Claude Le Palud, who first visited the country two years ago, said: "I'm very interested in Vietnamese culture.
"I like learning about the life of the minority people in Sa Pa and visiting Ha Long Bay and the old streets of Hanoi."
The French budget for travels abroad totalled 24.8bil francs last year and French tourists now spend an average of 1,700 francs for each journey abroad, an increase of 41% since 2001.
The keenest travellers are the young and the retired - people above 50.
Grand Tours Ha Noi director Le Thi Hanh said that because the amount spent by French visitors did not match that of Japanese or American visitors, her company had not exploited the market.
"We plan to seek customers from the potential Nordic market" she said.
Market pools
France ranked 7th of the top 10 countries to provide visitors to Vietnam last year. China was atop the list.
But it provided the most European visitors, a record 182,500, says the Viet Nam Tourism Administration.
The total the previous year was 132,300 and the number of French visitors jumped 53% between 2000 and 2007.
''It had peaked previously with the success of two French movies: Indochine and L'Amant in 1995.
A decline between 1995-97 is attributed to poor service and value for money in Vietnam's hotels.
Interface Tourism surveys show that a shortage of four-star hotels in major cities; insufficient flights between France and Vietnam; a lack of qualified guides in central Vietnam and high prices-compared with other Asian countries are hampering Vietnam's tourism industry.
French visitors also complain that tourist buses and the standardisation of the local arts and craftshops rob typical Vietnamese villages of their authenticity.
The seminar was told that Vietnam's Asian competitors benefit from a massive media exposure in the French market.
Examples include China with this year's Olympic Games and Malaysia with the intense promotion campaigns.
Vietnam should learn from these two countries to combine tourism promotion campaigns, the seminar was told.
It should also diversify its tourism products: Ecotourism, the promotion of local cultures; gastronomy and handicrafts.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
The fast boat to Can Tho
The decorated boat is a fast and interesting means to travel to Can Tho
Rather than catch a five- or six-hour bus ride to the city of Can Tho in the heart of the Mekong Delta, there is a boat that leaves from the Ho Chi Minh City river terminal on Ton Duc Thang Avenue.
Only one boat leaves per day at 8 a.m. arriving at 11:30 a.m., with a return trip that leaves at 1 p.m. The cost is VND200,000 (US$12.5) each way.
It seats about 50 passengers and there’s a covered open air deck in the rear.
It’s comfortable, fast and travels through some beautiful parts of the Mekong Delta.
As soon as she leaves the dock, the engines power and the bow of the boat lifts out of the water and races down the wide open highway of the Saigon River.
The first stage of the journey through Saigon Port gives a perspective of Vietnam’s manufacturing and export industry - cranes and cargo nets swinging, shirtless dock workers tossing sacks of rice into ships’ holds.
The river then opens out into unprotected waters; the heavy river traffic runs with the tide - container ships, plenty of dredges and wooden boats with red eyes painted on the bow and a multitude of sand barges pulled or pushed by wooden tugs.
Then the boat turns from the Saigon River and enters the maze of waterways that make up the delta.
In one word it is beautiful.
The captain navigates the tributaries at full throttle, spray flying past the windows.
The life of Vietnam is its rivers and the Mekong Delta is mighty.
Emerald green forests of palm trees wall up on both sides, punctuated by industry, towns and villages; thatched huts seemingly tucked out of the twenty first century’s reach and monolithic electricity towers slinging power cables a mile at a throw.
Shipping is everywhere from the very big steel-hull barges to the single man in his canoe unhurriedly paddling to get out of the ferry’s way.
Near Can Tho the construction of the two pillars of the ill-fated Can Tho Bridge can be seen in the distance.
And before you know it you are docking in the hub of Vietnam’s rice basket, a much slower pace city than the bustle of HCMC.
Reported by Michael Smith
EVN Telecom helps voting for Ha Long Bay
Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) Telecom launched Sunday a two-day exhibition at the September 23 Park in Ho Chi Minh City to encourage people to vote for Ha Long Bay in the New Seven Wonders of the World competition.
A group of cyclists also pedaled around the city’s streets to promote the competition.
EVN will hold several activities at the event, including music performances and lucky draws.
Free internet services will be available to allow people to cast an e-vote for Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh was Sunday in eighth position in the vote.
Monday 7 April 2008
First 6-star hotel under construction in Nha Trang
22:20' 05/04/2008 (GMT+7)
Nha Trang
VietNamNet Bridge - The Vinpearl Tourism and Trade Joint-stock Company in late March began the construction of a six-star hotel, the first in Vietnam, in coastal Nha Trang city, central Khanh Hoa province.
Located on Bai Soi, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Hon Tre island, offshore Nha Trang city, the hotel will include two presidential villas with world-class deluxe conveniences, and three super luxury villas.
It will also have 125 six-star suite rooms, a 3,200 sq.m swimming pool and two tennis courts.
The hotel, part of a project to build a 80,000 sq.m Vinpearl Land tourism and entertainment complex, is scheduled to be put into operation in January next year.
(Source: VNA)
Nha Trang
VietNamNet Bridge - The Vinpearl Tourism and Trade Joint-stock Company in late March began the construction of a six-star hotel, the first in Vietnam, in coastal Nha Trang city, central Khanh Hoa province.
Located on Bai Soi, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Hon Tre island, offshore Nha Trang city, the hotel will include two presidential villas with world-class deluxe conveniences, and three super luxury villas.
It will also have 125 six-star suite rooms, a 3,200 sq.m swimming pool and two tennis courts.
The hotel, part of a project to build a 80,000 sq.m Vinpearl Land tourism and entertainment complex, is scheduled to be put into operation in January next year.
(Source: VNA)
Four-hour fishermen
The Hoi An Eco-tour takes tourists in woven bamboo dinghies and teaches them traditional fishing techniques
Tran Van Khoa’s ecotour in the provincial city of Hoi An offers a totally new spin for slightly more adventurous tourists by teaming them up with working fishermen for four hours.
During her official visit to Vietnam at the end of February, the President of Finland Tajia Halonen attended the Hoi An Eco-tour.
She wanted to spend a day learning about the country and was thrilled with the fishing experience.
“It’s a wonderful way to get to know the daily life of Hoi An’s farmers and fishermen.” Halonen said.
Floating baskets
Early in the morning, the Eco-tour pleasure boat heads to Cua Dai Beach in time to meet the fishing boats arriving with their night’s catch.
The adventure begins when Khoa invites the tourists to get in round woven bamboo dinghies to paddle out to the fishermen, who show them how to use a fishing net.
Most of the time all they catch is seaweed, but the foreigners yell out excitedly when they learn how to cast the net.
Back to the pleasure boat, they head for Bay Mau nipa forests, where they paddle the bamboo baskets in the cool water shaded by palms.
Khoa tells stories about Vietnamese guerrillas hiding and struggling in the forest in the US-led War.
In the next part of the tour Khoa takes them crab-catching in the forest.
Khoa’s father, an excellent cook and captain of the pleasure boat, cooks the crabs for lunch.
Director of Khoa Tran Travel Company Ltd. and owner of Hoi An Eco-tour, Khoa, 29, comes from a long line of fishermen.
The graduate from Da Nang Foreign Languages University spent two years working as a professional tour guide but had dreamed of introducing the life of fishermen to foreigners since he was in high school.
His parents lent him the money set up the business three years ago.
Hoi An Eco-tour costs US$45 per person, and it is a truly environmentally-friendly tour as Khoa, his staff and clients spend ten minutes to collect garbage on the way.
Contact: Khoa Tran Travel Company Ltd. Ganh Wharf, Cam Thanh Ward, Hoi An Provincial City.
Source: Lao Dong
Saturday 5 April 2008
Travellers Notes
Travellers Notes
(04-04-2008)
Tour companies, airlines set to showcase summer offers
HCM CITY—HCM City’s Dam Sen theme park will host a three-day festival this month on the travel promotions on offer around the country this summer.
Travel agencies and tourism promoters from 15 provinces and airlines will take part in Gap Go Dat Phuong Nam (Meeting at the South) that opens on April 18.
A bonanza of discounts, coupons, and gifts from travel operators awaits visitors.
Saigontourist will hold a lucky draw for locals, with two winners getting a free trip to the US.
Others like Ben Thanh Tourist plan to offer discounts on outbound tours.
But a feature of the exhibition will be the preponderance of tours to beach towns.
The event will also have musical performances, a food and drink festival, and a photo contest with HCM City as the theme.
Travel firms get inventive ahead of national holidays
With the two national holidays on April 30 and May 1 falling just before a weekend this year, the tourism market has become red-hot.
Operators have unveiled a clutch of new and interesting tours, many of them offering a chance to get off the beaten track.
Con Dao Island is on top of many tourists’ wish list thanks to its scenic and virgin coast and extreme sports like high-speed canoeing and deep-sea diving. Besides, the tour comes quite cheap at around VND2.9 million (US$180) all-inclusive.
For those wishing to experience the life of southern feudal lords of the past, Fiditour offers a new tour called Ba Gio Lam Dien Chu (Being a Landlord for Three Hours).
For three hours, visitors can reprise the luxurious life enjoyed by the landlords. The trip will include a fancy meal and a trip to a rice paddy or a performance of ca vong co, a popular southern folk music.
While most of the new tours on offer take visitors to the deep south, Saigontourist takes them to the north to explore the ancient Dong Son Culture in Vinh and Thanh Hoa cities.
The Dong Son archaeological site, Lam Kinh Citadel, and Thanh Hoa Museum offer them a chance to admire the sculptures and charming dances dating back to the era of the Hung Kings.
The tour costs VND4.5 million for departure from HCM City and VND1.52 million from Ha Noi.
Skip to Phuket or Penang for the upcoming holiday weekend
The long weekend also offers people an opportunity to hop over to neighbouring countries and travel firms are eager to capitalise.
Saigontourist has launched a new tour targeted at the well-heeled traveller.
For US$1,175-1,475, visitors will be flown to Singapore to board the celebrated five-star SuperStar Aquarius for a cruise to Thailand’s magical Phuket and the port of Penang in Malaysia.
It is expected to be a big hit and travellers are asked to book one month in advance.
Vietravel offers flower-lovers an eight-day tour to Japan to savour the sights and smells of the legendary springtime cherry blossoms.
Other famous destinations on the itinerary include Himeji Palace, the country’s highest peak Mount Fuji, and Ashi Lake.
Luxury Travel receives business award for integration, development
HA NOI — Luxury Travel has been conferred the prestigious Integration and Development Business award for excellent performance in 2007.
One year after entry into the WTO, the company was recognised for showing economic efficiency and competitive capability in the integration process as well as sustainable business development.
The award was given to 119 successful enterprises. The awards ceremony took place on March 20 at the Cultural Friendship Palace in Ha Noi, and was broadcast live on Viet Nam Television Channel 1. — VNS
(04-04-2008)
Tour companies, airlines set to showcase summer offers
HCM CITY—HCM City’s Dam Sen theme park will host a three-day festival this month on the travel promotions on offer around the country this summer.
Travel agencies and tourism promoters from 15 provinces and airlines will take part in Gap Go Dat Phuong Nam (Meeting at the South) that opens on April 18.
A bonanza of discounts, coupons, and gifts from travel operators awaits visitors.
Saigontourist will hold a lucky draw for locals, with two winners getting a free trip to the US.
Others like Ben Thanh Tourist plan to offer discounts on outbound tours.
But a feature of the exhibition will be the preponderance of tours to beach towns.
The event will also have musical performances, a food and drink festival, and a photo contest with HCM City as the theme.
Travel firms get inventive ahead of national holidays
With the two national holidays on April 30 and May 1 falling just before a weekend this year, the tourism market has become red-hot.
Operators have unveiled a clutch of new and interesting tours, many of them offering a chance to get off the beaten track.
Con Dao Island is on top of many tourists’ wish list thanks to its scenic and virgin coast and extreme sports like high-speed canoeing and deep-sea diving. Besides, the tour comes quite cheap at around VND2.9 million (US$180) all-inclusive.
For those wishing to experience the life of southern feudal lords of the past, Fiditour offers a new tour called Ba Gio Lam Dien Chu (Being a Landlord for Three Hours).
For three hours, visitors can reprise the luxurious life enjoyed by the landlords. The trip will include a fancy meal and a trip to a rice paddy or a performance of ca vong co, a popular southern folk music.
While most of the new tours on offer take visitors to the deep south, Saigontourist takes them to the north to explore the ancient Dong Son Culture in Vinh and Thanh Hoa cities.
The Dong Son archaeological site, Lam Kinh Citadel, and Thanh Hoa Museum offer them a chance to admire the sculptures and charming dances dating back to the era of the Hung Kings.
The tour costs VND4.5 million for departure from HCM City and VND1.52 million from Ha Noi.
Skip to Phuket or Penang for the upcoming holiday weekend
The long weekend also offers people an opportunity to hop over to neighbouring countries and travel firms are eager to capitalise.
Saigontourist has launched a new tour targeted at the well-heeled traveller.
For US$1,175-1,475, visitors will be flown to Singapore to board the celebrated five-star SuperStar Aquarius for a cruise to Thailand’s magical Phuket and the port of Penang in Malaysia.
It is expected to be a big hit and travellers are asked to book one month in advance.
Vietravel offers flower-lovers an eight-day tour to Japan to savour the sights and smells of the legendary springtime cherry blossoms.
Other famous destinations on the itinerary include Himeji Palace, the country’s highest peak Mount Fuji, and Ashi Lake.
Luxury Travel receives business award for integration, development
HA NOI — Luxury Travel has been conferred the prestigious Integration and Development Business award for excellent performance in 2007.
One year after entry into the WTO, the company was recognised for showing economic efficiency and competitive capability in the integration process as well as sustainable business development.
The award was given to 119 successful enterprises. The awards ceremony took place on March 20 at the Cultural Friendship Palace in Ha Noi, and was broadcast live on Viet Nam Television Channel 1. — VNS
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