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