16:33' 06/05/2008 (GMT+7)
From now till the end of September is the "low season" for Vietnam's hospitality industry. Consequently a variety of special promotions have been launched for this season to attract tourists, especially in the Central and the South, where most of Vietnam's deluxe hotels and resorts are located.
A corner of Melia Sunrise Nha Trang in Nha Trang City.
The promotions are also an opportunity, according to some hoteliers, to express appreciation to their customers, which is possibly why some promotions last until December, the "peak" time of Vietnam's hospitality.
From the Central
Hoi An Beach Resort (0510.927015) in the coastal central province of Quang Nam is launching the 'Cham Island Discovery' summer package from May 3 till the end of September. The special rate of only US$218 for two people includes a three-day and two-night stay, a half-day tour to Cham Island by speed boat including snorkeling and a seafood set lunch, one candle-lit Asian set dinner at Cua Dai Riverside Restaurant with lanterns floating on the river and piano and guitar music.
Melia Sunrise Nha Trang (058.820999) in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province is offering a special promotion available only when booking through the Internet. There are three options, the One Nighter for one-night stay, the Quickie for minimum two-night stay, and the Five Nighter for five-night stay. For the last one, guests only pay for four nights. All of the offers are applicable until June 30 and include complementary pick-up from the airport and welcome drinks in the room.
Novotel Ocean Dunes Golf Resort (062.822393) in Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province is offering a Summer Weekend Meeting promotion which will run until December 31, 2008.
Priced at US$25 to US$57 per person, the package consists of welcome banner at the entrance of the hotel, one-day use of the meeting room and its equipment, wireless ADSL Internet connectivity, writing materials, flower arrangement, tea and coffee with fresh fruits and pastries and special golf rates at the course. A premium option, highlighted by a barbecue seafood dinner featuring the region's freshest daily catch is also available.
To the South
The Omni Saigon Hotel (08.8449222) is launching a "100% Business Express" promotion for summer 2008, lasting until the end of August. Designed for the business traveler the promotion, priced at US$125++ per room per night, includes welcome fruit basket and complimentary use of facilities at Saigon Gym and swimming pool.
From May 1 till Sept 30, La Veranda Grand Mercure Resort & Spa in Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province (077.3982988) is offering a special package with two-or three-night-stay option, from US$97++ to US$108++ per person per night (bases on twin-share).
Enjoying a dinner featuring Phu Quoc specialties and relaxing at Le Spa with 60-minute body massage are just two of the highlights of the package.
Tuesday 6 May 2008
Pacific Airlines delays opening of two domestic routes
17:49' 06/05/2008 (GMT+7)
Vietnam’s second carrier Pacific Airlines will postpone the operation of the HCM City – Danang and HCM City – Buon Me Thuot routes schedule for August 2008 because petroleum and oil price rises, announced the airline.
According to Pacific Airlines, the operation of the routes will be scheduled later. All passengers buying tickets on the routes will receive refunds.
The airline affirmed that it will maintain its flight schedule for other domestic routes, including three new routes from Hanoi to Danang, Hue, and Nha Trang on June 1, 2008.
Pacific Airlines will change into Jetstar Pacific Airlines with business name of Jetstar Pacific and trademark of Jetstar. Jetstar Pacific will represent the global Jetstar system in all advertisement activities in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s second carrier Pacific Airlines will postpone the operation of the HCM City – Danang and HCM City – Buon Me Thuot routes schedule for August 2008 because petroleum and oil price rises, announced the airline.
According to Pacific Airlines, the operation of the routes will be scheduled later. All passengers buying tickets on the routes will receive refunds.
The airline affirmed that it will maintain its flight schedule for other domestic routes, including three new routes from Hanoi to Danang, Hue, and Nha Trang on June 1, 2008.
Pacific Airlines will change into Jetstar Pacific Airlines with business name of Jetstar Pacific and trademark of Jetstar. Jetstar Pacific will represent the global Jetstar system in all advertisement activities in Vietnam.
Sunday 4 May 2008
Betting on tourism
16:35' 04/05/2008 (GMT+7)
Accessible only by boat and surrounded by majestic mountains and cobalt seas, Hoa Van village used to be a refuge for the unfortunates who had contracted leprosy.
The area was their only escape from the social prejudice inflicted on them in the cities and towns of the country.
That was then, and this is now. And now dictates that the thatched huts will likely be torn down to make way for luxury hotels and the whirr of the roulette table.
A number of developers are eyeing the long stretch of powdery beaches and rolling hills as the next tourism hot spot, complete with luxury hotels, brand name stores, golf courses and casinos.
Realising the economic windfall on the horizon, Danang’s authorities are planning to evict the lepers to pave the way for the building of the resorts, some 10 kilometers from the city’s CBD.
Oaktree Capital Management is the latest company to come up with a plan to pour $4-$5 billion into Hoa Van with a resort boasting 5,000 rooms, a golf course and casinos. A few kilometres away toward Thua Thien Hue province, Banyan Tree last year received an investment certificate for a $276 million integrated resort. Those plans have since changed as the Singapore-based company said it would raise enough capital to roll out a larger and more expensive $1 billion complex.
While Oaktree talks with Danang’s decision-makers for Hoa Van, other American investors are scouting a beach front site a few kilometres away in Quang Nam province. Global C&D and Tano Capital are hoping the government will give the thumbs-up for a $10 billion resort on 460 hectares on one of the world’s most luxurious beaches. The blueprint foresees nine 2,000 room casino hotels being built.
“We are asking the government for permission to establish the project before seeking an official investment licence,” said Tong Ich Pham, general director of Global C&D. Developers are also looking beyond central Vietnam, planning multi-billion dollar resorts in Ba Ria Vung Tau province and Phu Quoc island.
With its location next to Ho Chi Minh City - a large tourist feeder market - and a future international airport in Dong Nai province, Ba Ria Vung Tau has also been on the hunt for tourism developers as local authorities dished out certificates to three resort complexes worth nearly $6 billion.
The list goes on and on. Asian Coast Development LLC has received permission for a $4.2 billion, 9,000 room property and Greg Norman designed golf course on the Ho Tram strip in Xuyen Moc district.
California-based Good Choice has plans for a $1.3 billion theme park on 155 hectares, featuring a “Wonders of the World” site, 6,500 four and five-star hotel rooms and shopping malls and restaurants.
Winvest Investment LLC is clearing a 300-hectare site for its $4 billion project in Chi Linh-Cua Lap.
On the sleepy fishing village of Phu Quoc island, hundreds of investors are queuing up for permission to build giant resorts, including Trustee Swiss Group with a $2 billion plan and Rockingham Asset Management with a $1 billion proposal.
However, Starbay Holdings became the first to obtain a licence a fortnight ago to build a larger complex on the island, which has beautiful pristine beaches but is currently home to just a few small resorts.
As Starbay Holdings CEO Martin Kaye is confident Phu Quoc will be turned “into Asia’s number one resort destination”, it has laid out an ambitious blueprint for 2,400 rooms, 650 villas and 1,300 condominium units.
These developers are looking to cash in on Vietnam’s rising hospitality industry which has recently seen a serious lack of hotel rooms and room rates increasing 30-50 per cent year-on-year.
The country last year attracted 4.2 million foreign visitors and it expects to draw in five million this year. The figure is expected to go up to six million in 2010. Tourism revenue is estimated to reach $6-$7 billion in 2010.
“Tourists have long been familiar with Thailand and Malaysia and they want to look for new destination like Vietnam,” said Michael Bischof, vice president of Swiss-belhotel International.
Growing tourism has enticed great investment in hotels, particularly mega resorts. Ho Chi Minh City has recently proposed 23 sites for luxury hotels while Hanoi is in need of around 13,000 additional rooms in the next few years.
A new generation of hotels has begun to take shape. New World is currently the biggest hotel in Ho Chi Minh City with 550 rooms, Vin Pearl in Nha Trang with 500 rooms and Daewoo in Hanoi with 410 rooms.
However, many others under construction have more than 500 rooms such as the 770-room Lotus Hotel, 560-room Keangnam Landmark Tower in Hanoi and 500-room Crowne Plaza in Danang.
Room numbers at the proposed integrated resorts of Ho Tram Strip and Vung Tau Wonderful World Theme Park are from 2,000 to 9,000. Yet, mega resort developers like Oaktree, Global C&D, and Asian Coast Development will not only look to cash in on room sales revenue but want a share of the gaming industry. All of them want to add casinos to their hotel projects.
Asian Coast Development said on its website that in the first phase it will build two luxurious five-star hotels with a combined 2,300 rooms and Vietnam’s first Las Vegas-style casinos - featuring approximately 180 tables and 2,000 electronic games.
Casino construction is on a roll in Asia with Macau being the gambling hub that recently launched the 3,000-suite Venetian while Singapore has given the green light for two mega casino resorts.
Vietnam is still exploring the lucrative gambling industry and so far the government has been cautious about licensing casino projects. Gambling is illegal, Do Son is the only casino while a number of hotels are allowed to provide “electronic gaming services with bonuses” to foreign and Viet Kieu passport holders.
Royal International Corporation, which is operating a “club” in Halong Bay with 17 gaming tables and 70 slot machines, said 66 per cent, or $6.57 million, of its revenue last year come from gaming services.
Royal is more than doubling its gambling space to 7,200 square metres and expects to reach $20 million in revenues this year.
However, as the government is still considering legal framework for casino operation in Vietnam, it remains unclear whether proposals for casino hotels in Danang, Quang Nam and else where will be approved.
Global C&D’s Tong acknowledged that it would take time for the government to consider gaming and it would also take more time to bring American casino operators to Vietnam that does not have legal frameworks in place - a prerequisite for US authorities to allow operators to go overseas.
Mega resort developers will also face chronic problems of the tourism industry, such as poor aviation infrastructure, poor transportation systems and a lack of qualified staff. New terminal airports are planned for Danang and Phu Quoc but construction has been slow at best and a lack of flights is a bottleneck to tourism development in these areas.
Huynh Tan Vinh, deputy general director of Furama Resort, said a lack of qualified staff was one of the biggest weaknesses facing the tourism industry in central Vietnam. “There will be a serious shortage of hospitality staff in the central region as thousands of rooms will be opened in the areas in the next three to five years,” said Vinh.
With roadblocks foreseen on the way to mega resorts, Hoa Van’s colony of lepers have a respite from the affects of the all might dollar. For the time being at least.
Accessible only by boat and surrounded by majestic mountains and cobalt seas, Hoa Van village used to be a refuge for the unfortunates who had contracted leprosy.
The area was their only escape from the social prejudice inflicted on them in the cities and towns of the country.
That was then, and this is now. And now dictates that the thatched huts will likely be torn down to make way for luxury hotels and the whirr of the roulette table.
A number of developers are eyeing the long stretch of powdery beaches and rolling hills as the next tourism hot spot, complete with luxury hotels, brand name stores, golf courses and casinos.
Realising the economic windfall on the horizon, Danang’s authorities are planning to evict the lepers to pave the way for the building of the resorts, some 10 kilometers from the city’s CBD.
Oaktree Capital Management is the latest company to come up with a plan to pour $4-$5 billion into Hoa Van with a resort boasting 5,000 rooms, a golf course and casinos. A few kilometres away toward Thua Thien Hue province, Banyan Tree last year received an investment certificate for a $276 million integrated resort. Those plans have since changed as the Singapore-based company said it would raise enough capital to roll out a larger and more expensive $1 billion complex.
While Oaktree talks with Danang’s decision-makers for Hoa Van, other American investors are scouting a beach front site a few kilometres away in Quang Nam province. Global C&D and Tano Capital are hoping the government will give the thumbs-up for a $10 billion resort on 460 hectares on one of the world’s most luxurious beaches. The blueprint foresees nine 2,000 room casino hotels being built.
“We are asking the government for permission to establish the project before seeking an official investment licence,” said Tong Ich Pham, general director of Global C&D. Developers are also looking beyond central Vietnam, planning multi-billion dollar resorts in Ba Ria Vung Tau province and Phu Quoc island.
With its location next to Ho Chi Minh City - a large tourist feeder market - and a future international airport in Dong Nai province, Ba Ria Vung Tau has also been on the hunt for tourism developers as local authorities dished out certificates to three resort complexes worth nearly $6 billion.
The list goes on and on. Asian Coast Development LLC has received permission for a $4.2 billion, 9,000 room property and Greg Norman designed golf course on the Ho Tram strip in Xuyen Moc district.
California-based Good Choice has plans for a $1.3 billion theme park on 155 hectares, featuring a “Wonders of the World” site, 6,500 four and five-star hotel rooms and shopping malls and restaurants.
Winvest Investment LLC is clearing a 300-hectare site for its $4 billion project in Chi Linh-Cua Lap.
On the sleepy fishing village of Phu Quoc island, hundreds of investors are queuing up for permission to build giant resorts, including Trustee Swiss Group with a $2 billion plan and Rockingham Asset Management with a $1 billion proposal.
However, Starbay Holdings became the first to obtain a licence a fortnight ago to build a larger complex on the island, which has beautiful pristine beaches but is currently home to just a few small resorts.
As Starbay Holdings CEO Martin Kaye is confident Phu Quoc will be turned “into Asia’s number one resort destination”, it has laid out an ambitious blueprint for 2,400 rooms, 650 villas and 1,300 condominium units.
These developers are looking to cash in on Vietnam’s rising hospitality industry which has recently seen a serious lack of hotel rooms and room rates increasing 30-50 per cent year-on-year.
The country last year attracted 4.2 million foreign visitors and it expects to draw in five million this year. The figure is expected to go up to six million in 2010. Tourism revenue is estimated to reach $6-$7 billion in 2010.
“Tourists have long been familiar with Thailand and Malaysia and they want to look for new destination like Vietnam,” said Michael Bischof, vice president of Swiss-belhotel International.
Growing tourism has enticed great investment in hotels, particularly mega resorts. Ho Chi Minh City has recently proposed 23 sites for luxury hotels while Hanoi is in need of around 13,000 additional rooms in the next few years.
A new generation of hotels has begun to take shape. New World is currently the biggest hotel in Ho Chi Minh City with 550 rooms, Vin Pearl in Nha Trang with 500 rooms and Daewoo in Hanoi with 410 rooms.
However, many others under construction have more than 500 rooms such as the 770-room Lotus Hotel, 560-room Keangnam Landmark Tower in Hanoi and 500-room Crowne Plaza in Danang.
Room numbers at the proposed integrated resorts of Ho Tram Strip and Vung Tau Wonderful World Theme Park are from 2,000 to 9,000. Yet, mega resort developers like Oaktree, Global C&D, and Asian Coast Development will not only look to cash in on room sales revenue but want a share of the gaming industry. All of them want to add casinos to their hotel projects.
Asian Coast Development said on its website that in the first phase it will build two luxurious five-star hotels with a combined 2,300 rooms and Vietnam’s first Las Vegas-style casinos - featuring approximately 180 tables and 2,000 electronic games.
Casino construction is on a roll in Asia with Macau being the gambling hub that recently launched the 3,000-suite Venetian while Singapore has given the green light for two mega casino resorts.
Vietnam is still exploring the lucrative gambling industry and so far the government has been cautious about licensing casino projects. Gambling is illegal, Do Son is the only casino while a number of hotels are allowed to provide “electronic gaming services with bonuses” to foreign and Viet Kieu passport holders.
Royal International Corporation, which is operating a “club” in Halong Bay with 17 gaming tables and 70 slot machines, said 66 per cent, or $6.57 million, of its revenue last year come from gaming services.
Royal is more than doubling its gambling space to 7,200 square metres and expects to reach $20 million in revenues this year.
However, as the government is still considering legal framework for casino operation in Vietnam, it remains unclear whether proposals for casino hotels in Danang, Quang Nam and else where will be approved.
Global C&D’s Tong acknowledged that it would take time for the government to consider gaming and it would also take more time to bring American casino operators to Vietnam that does not have legal frameworks in place - a prerequisite for US authorities to allow operators to go overseas.
Mega resort developers will also face chronic problems of the tourism industry, such as poor aviation infrastructure, poor transportation systems and a lack of qualified staff. New terminal airports are planned for Danang and Phu Quoc but construction has been slow at best and a lack of flights is a bottleneck to tourism development in these areas.
Huynh Tan Vinh, deputy general director of Furama Resort, said a lack of qualified staff was one of the biggest weaknesses facing the tourism industry in central Vietnam. “There will be a serious shortage of hospitality staff in the central region as thousands of rooms will be opened in the areas in the next three to five years,” said Vinh.
With roadblocks foreseen on the way to mega resorts, Hoa Van’s colony of lepers have a respite from the affects of the all might dollar. For the time being at least.
Friday 2 May 2008
Kayakers find oasis in Bay
22:38' 02/05/2008 (GMT+7)
As summer approaches, those interested in adventure activities are heading to Ha Long Bay, taking to the seas in slender kayaks to traverse the glassy waters.
Sea star: Sea kayaking in Ha Long Bay offers tourists a new way to explore the scenic karst formations of the UNESCO recognised world heritage site.
Recognised twice by UNESCO, the world heritage site offers opportunities to weave through islets, visit hidden caves, explore lagoons, trod across unspoiled beaches and meet with local fishing villagers.
Though considerably more popular among foreigners than Vietnamese, sea kayaking can range from an hour-long sport to a multi-week adventure. The kayak itself is small and streamlined with an ample cargo hold. It cuts easily through waves while protecting the paddler from the majority of the water. Boats hold between one and two people.
Ha Long Bay is particularly ideal for the sport, given its placid waters, unintimidating current and minimal winds. Moreover, the innumerable islands offer plenty of opportunities for on-land relaxation and exploration.
Though most book a tour before departure for the bay, there are two main ways to get to the area. One can depart Hanoi on a two-hour journey through the Hong (Red) River to Hai Phong Port City for a boat to Cat Ba Island. Or, also starting from Hanoi, travellers can head to Quang Ninh Province’s Ha Long City, around 100km from the capital, where ferry tickets to Cat Ba Island are easily accessible.
Upon arrival, visitors are introduced to the sport by a guide, who discusses gear, safety, routes and basic technique.
Then they are set free to wander around the limestone formations, which frequently harbour small beaches, lagoons and caves only accessible by kayak. Pearl farms and floating villages are scattered throughout the islands and the independence of a kayak enables visitors to browse these areas at leisure instead of speeding through on the packaged tours offered by most junks.
"The scenery in Ha Long Bay is spectacular, probably the best for sea kayaking in the world. This location is very special. The guide was great and helped make the trip memorable and enjoyable," one visiting couple, Canadians Alaneir and Greogory Smith, stated.
Some travel agencies even offer self-designed inflatable kayaks which allow for deeper exploration into the small, narrow caves, allowing paddlers to glide past sleeping bats.
Even if one does not adventure into the bowels of the limestone rocks, an abundance of wildlife inhabits the surrounding sea and land, including birds, reptiles, fish and coral. Many of the species are rare or endangered, and though sightings are not assured, they are most common at dawn and at dusk.
"It is very enjoyable kayaking trip on Ha Long Bay. It truly is a very very beautiful place and we are leaving with lovely memories and lots of photos," said Australians Paul and Maryline Gasten.
Some islets and grottoes have names given the distinctiveness of their features, like Mat Quy (Monster’s Face), But Moc (Bald Cypress Tree) and Trinh Nu (Virgin). On the kayak, you can not only admire them but also discovery many others that are unnamed and untouched before.
You also can paddle to some of the pearl farms and floating villages to experience a unique way of life and buy some pearl cultivated there as gifts for families and friends when returning home.
If the day grows short, many tours offer night paddling, and some allow overnight camping on the white beaches that border the islands, which offers a cool breeze from the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf in sandy isolation. Otherwise tourists can enjoy the night under the sky on their boat.
Most travel agencies in the capital assist travellers with Ha Long bookings. Prices are around US$159++ per person depending on tour duration, accommodations and the season. Websites www.handspan.com, www. inserimextravel.com.vn and www.kayakingvietnam.com. offer information on kayaking not only in Ha Long Bay but also along the Mekong River and in Ba Be Lake in the northern province of Bac Can.
As summer approaches, those interested in adventure activities are heading to Ha Long Bay, taking to the seas in slender kayaks to traverse the glassy waters.
Sea star: Sea kayaking in Ha Long Bay offers tourists a new way to explore the scenic karst formations of the UNESCO recognised world heritage site.
Recognised twice by UNESCO, the world heritage site offers opportunities to weave through islets, visit hidden caves, explore lagoons, trod across unspoiled beaches and meet with local fishing villagers.
Though considerably more popular among foreigners than Vietnamese, sea kayaking can range from an hour-long sport to a multi-week adventure. The kayak itself is small and streamlined with an ample cargo hold. It cuts easily through waves while protecting the paddler from the majority of the water. Boats hold between one and two people.
Ha Long Bay is particularly ideal for the sport, given its placid waters, unintimidating current and minimal winds. Moreover, the innumerable islands offer plenty of opportunities for on-land relaxation and exploration.
Though most book a tour before departure for the bay, there are two main ways to get to the area. One can depart Hanoi on a two-hour journey through the Hong (Red) River to Hai Phong Port City for a boat to Cat Ba Island. Or, also starting from Hanoi, travellers can head to Quang Ninh Province’s Ha Long City, around 100km from the capital, where ferry tickets to Cat Ba Island are easily accessible.
Upon arrival, visitors are introduced to the sport by a guide, who discusses gear, safety, routes and basic technique.
Then they are set free to wander around the limestone formations, which frequently harbour small beaches, lagoons and caves only accessible by kayak. Pearl farms and floating villages are scattered throughout the islands and the independence of a kayak enables visitors to browse these areas at leisure instead of speeding through on the packaged tours offered by most junks.
"The scenery in Ha Long Bay is spectacular, probably the best for sea kayaking in the world. This location is very special. The guide was great and helped make the trip memorable and enjoyable," one visiting couple, Canadians Alaneir and Greogory Smith, stated.
Some travel agencies even offer self-designed inflatable kayaks which allow for deeper exploration into the small, narrow caves, allowing paddlers to glide past sleeping bats.
Even if one does not adventure into the bowels of the limestone rocks, an abundance of wildlife inhabits the surrounding sea and land, including birds, reptiles, fish and coral. Many of the species are rare or endangered, and though sightings are not assured, they are most common at dawn and at dusk.
"It is very enjoyable kayaking trip on Ha Long Bay. It truly is a very very beautiful place and we are leaving with lovely memories and lots of photos," said Australians Paul and Maryline Gasten.
Some islets and grottoes have names given the distinctiveness of their features, like Mat Quy (Monster’s Face), But Moc (Bald Cypress Tree) and Trinh Nu (Virgin). On the kayak, you can not only admire them but also discovery many others that are unnamed and untouched before.
You also can paddle to some of the pearl farms and floating villages to experience a unique way of life and buy some pearl cultivated there as gifts for families and friends when returning home.
If the day grows short, many tours offer night paddling, and some allow overnight camping on the white beaches that border the islands, which offers a cool breeze from the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf in sandy isolation. Otherwise tourists can enjoy the night under the sky on their boat.
Most travel agencies in the capital assist travellers with Ha Long bookings. Prices are around US$159++ per person depending on tour duration, accommodations and the season. Websites www.handspan.com, www. inserimextravel.com.vn and www.kayakingvietnam.com. offer information on kayaking not only in Ha Long Bay but also along the Mekong River and in Ba Be Lake in the northern province of Bac Can.
TRAVEL IN BRIEF 2/5
21:56' 02/05/2008 (GMT+7)
Ben Thanh Tourist arrange tours for Hue
Thien Mu Pagoda.
HCM City-based Ben Thanh Tourist has launched three new tours to the ancient city of Hue during the Hue Festival 2008, running June 3 through 11. The tour spans three days and two nights.
Day 1 will include a morning visit to famous tourist spots such as the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Nguyen dynasty’s royal palace and Dong Ba Market. In the afternoon tourists will return to the royal palace for the festival’s programmes including jazz and rock and roll performances, Russian art, traditional South Korean dances, a Canadian circus troupe and the American band Kimotion.
Tourists will spend their second morning enjoying street performances, such as a re-enactment of the coronation of emperor Quang Trung, and various compeitions. After lunch, the tour will visit the tombs of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Evening shows at An Dinh Palace will include the South Korean mask dance and installation art.
The tour costs between VND3.9mil and VND4.05mil per guest.
Thap Ba festival opens in Nha Trang
The Central provinces’ large ethnic Cham population was seen at the Thap Ba (Goddess Ponagar Tower) Festival in Khanh Hoa Province’s Nha Trang City last Saturday.
Ponagar Tower often receives devotees worshipping the goddess Thien Y A Na, the mother of the Cham people who taught them to grow crops and protected them from natural disasters.
This year’s event drew in more than 40 groups of pilgrims from across the country and some 25,000 visitors.
Journos head to City via Lion Air flight
One week after Lion Air resumed Jakarta-Singapore-HCM City service, the Indonesian ‘hybrid’ carrier organised a familiarisation (FAM) trip to HCM City for 12 journalists from Jakarta and eight from Singapore to introduce HCM City’s attractions to Indonesian and Singaporean tourists.
The journalists are from mainstream and popular magazines, according to Chandran Rama Muthy, Lion Air’s senior manager of Sales and Marketing.
During their four-day visit to Vietnam, the group got a taste of the region by shopping at night markets, navigating the city’s frenetic streets, indulging in Vietnamese coffee, and visiting the Cu Chi guerrilla warfare tunnels.
Vietnam tourism advertised in Thailand
The Viet Nam Consulate General in Khonkaen (Thailand) and the tourism departments of Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam organised a programme around the theme "Central Viet Nam – An Attractive Destination".
The programme is aimed at promoting tourism between Northeast Thailand and Central Vietnam. It attracted around 40 travel agents, hotels, restaurants and health clinics in the northeastern Thailand and more than 20 businesses from Central Vietnam.
Vietnamese travel agent representatives pitched the tourism potential of places, events and cultural festivals, in particular the June 3-11 Hue Festival.
Ha Long tourism festival draws 10,000
More than 10,000 people attended last Saturday’s 2008 Ha Long Tourism Festival at Bai Chay Ferry in Quang Ninh Province, according to the Quang Ninh Tourism Department.
About 3,000 professional and amateur performers strutted their stuff in a street parade. Other highlights included an exhibition of 10 model cars decorated with flowers, six large moving stages, 100 tourist boats, dragon boats and dragon ferries.
A fireworks show on Bai Chay Bridge in the Luc estuary closed the festival with a bang.
Vietnamese firms to join seven more international tourism fairs in 2008
Vietnamese tourism companies and travel agencies will make a showing in seven more international travel fairs this year in order to advertise potential tourism products and bring in more foreign tourists, according to the Viet Nam National Administration for Tourism.
The seven international fairs include the JATA tourism fair in Japan, the PATA Travel Mart in Thailand, the Top Resa in France and the Trade Show Fair in the US in September, the Shanghai CITM fair in China and the AITEX fair in Cambodia in October, and the WTM fair in the UK in November 2008.
This year Vietnamese firms have already participated in the ATF international tourism 2008 in Thailand, the world’s largest tourism fair, ITB in Berlin and the Intour Market in Russia.
Ben Thanh Tourist arrange tours for Hue
Thien Mu Pagoda.
HCM City-based Ben Thanh Tourist has launched three new tours to the ancient city of Hue during the Hue Festival 2008, running June 3 through 11. The tour spans three days and two nights.
Day 1 will include a morning visit to famous tourist spots such as the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Nguyen dynasty’s royal palace and Dong Ba Market. In the afternoon tourists will return to the royal palace for the festival’s programmes including jazz and rock and roll performances, Russian art, traditional South Korean dances, a Canadian circus troupe and the American band Kimotion.
Tourists will spend their second morning enjoying street performances, such as a re-enactment of the coronation of emperor Quang Trung, and various compeitions. After lunch, the tour will visit the tombs of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Evening shows at An Dinh Palace will include the South Korean mask dance and installation art.
The tour costs between VND3.9mil and VND4.05mil per guest.
Thap Ba festival opens in Nha Trang
The Central provinces’ large ethnic Cham population was seen at the Thap Ba (Goddess Ponagar Tower) Festival in Khanh Hoa Province’s Nha Trang City last Saturday.
Ponagar Tower often receives devotees worshipping the goddess Thien Y A Na, the mother of the Cham people who taught them to grow crops and protected them from natural disasters.
This year’s event drew in more than 40 groups of pilgrims from across the country and some 25,000 visitors.
Journos head to City via Lion Air flight
One week after Lion Air resumed Jakarta-Singapore-HCM City service, the Indonesian ‘hybrid’ carrier organised a familiarisation (FAM) trip to HCM City for 12 journalists from Jakarta and eight from Singapore to introduce HCM City’s attractions to Indonesian and Singaporean tourists.
The journalists are from mainstream and popular magazines, according to Chandran Rama Muthy, Lion Air’s senior manager of Sales and Marketing.
During their four-day visit to Vietnam, the group got a taste of the region by shopping at night markets, navigating the city’s frenetic streets, indulging in Vietnamese coffee, and visiting the Cu Chi guerrilla warfare tunnels.
Vietnam tourism advertised in Thailand
The Viet Nam Consulate General in Khonkaen (Thailand) and the tourism departments of Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam organised a programme around the theme "Central Viet Nam – An Attractive Destination".
The programme is aimed at promoting tourism between Northeast Thailand and Central Vietnam. It attracted around 40 travel agents, hotels, restaurants and health clinics in the northeastern Thailand and more than 20 businesses from Central Vietnam.
Vietnamese travel agent representatives pitched the tourism potential of places, events and cultural festivals, in particular the June 3-11 Hue Festival.
Ha Long tourism festival draws 10,000
More than 10,000 people attended last Saturday’s 2008 Ha Long Tourism Festival at Bai Chay Ferry in Quang Ninh Province, according to the Quang Ninh Tourism Department.
About 3,000 professional and amateur performers strutted their stuff in a street parade. Other highlights included an exhibition of 10 model cars decorated with flowers, six large moving stages, 100 tourist boats, dragon boats and dragon ferries.
A fireworks show on Bai Chay Bridge in the Luc estuary closed the festival with a bang.
Vietnamese firms to join seven more international tourism fairs in 2008
Vietnamese tourism companies and travel agencies will make a showing in seven more international travel fairs this year in order to advertise potential tourism products and bring in more foreign tourists, according to the Viet Nam National Administration for Tourism.
The seven international fairs include the JATA tourism fair in Japan, the PATA Travel Mart in Thailand, the Top Resa in France and the Trade Show Fair in the US in September, the Shanghai CITM fair in China and the AITEX fair in Cambodia in October, and the WTM fair in the UK in November 2008.
This year Vietnamese firms have already participated in the ATF international tourism 2008 in Thailand, the world’s largest tourism fair, ITB in Berlin and the Intour Market in Russia.
Bach Ma Park launches tourism festival
16:02' 02/05/2008 (GMT+7)
Religion meets nature in a cultural and tourism festival to promote the Bach Ma National Park in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue that kicked off on Wednesday.
Bach Ma National Park.
Entitled An Tuong Bach Ma (Impressions of Bach Ma), the two-day festival features various cultural and religious activities, including Buddhist incense offerings at the Bach Van Pagoda, religious dancing, a sacred fire procession and bell tolling for peace.
The week will also feature some sporting events including a relay race entitled Conquer the Bach Ma Peak, a rock climbing competition and a martial arts performance.
A food fair will introduce the area's specialities, giving tourists a chance to enjoy local cuisine.
"The festival is an event to kick off this year's tourism season in the area," said the deputy director of the provincial Tourism Department, Nguyen Quoc Thanh. The week is hosted by the Bach Ma National Park's Management Board and the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial People's Committee.
The park is well known for the Tri Sao and Ngu Ho waterfalls, which attract tens of thousands of visitors every year. Tri Sao Waterfall attracts a large number of tri sao (pheinardia ocellata) birds that are listed in the Red Book (a book listing endangered species), and the Ngu Ho Waterfall is an intersection of five green lakes.
The area includes a breathtaking view at the peak of the Hai Vong Dai (Sea Observation Post) at 1,450m above sea level - the highest point in the area.
Located 40km south of Hue City, Bach Ma has a temperate climate. The park is home to more than 2,100 plants and about 1,500 animal species, of which 27 plants and 66 animals are in Vietnam's Red Book.
Religion meets nature in a cultural and tourism festival to promote the Bach Ma National Park in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue that kicked off on Wednesday.
Bach Ma National Park.
Entitled An Tuong Bach Ma (Impressions of Bach Ma), the two-day festival features various cultural and religious activities, including Buddhist incense offerings at the Bach Van Pagoda, religious dancing, a sacred fire procession and bell tolling for peace.
The week will also feature some sporting events including a relay race entitled Conquer the Bach Ma Peak, a rock climbing competition and a martial arts performance.
A food fair will introduce the area's specialities, giving tourists a chance to enjoy local cuisine.
"The festival is an event to kick off this year's tourism season in the area," said the deputy director of the provincial Tourism Department, Nguyen Quoc Thanh. The week is hosted by the Bach Ma National Park's Management Board and the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial People's Committee.
The park is well known for the Tri Sao and Ngu Ho waterfalls, which attract tens of thousands of visitors every year. Tri Sao Waterfall attracts a large number of tri sao (pheinardia ocellata) birds that are listed in the Red Book (a book listing endangered species), and the Ngu Ho Waterfall is an intersection of five green lakes.
The area includes a breathtaking view at the peak of the Hai Vong Dai (Sea Observation Post) at 1,450m above sea level - the highest point in the area.
Located 40km south of Hue City, Bach Ma has a temperate climate. The park is home to more than 2,100 plants and about 1,500 animal species, of which 27 plants and 66 animals are in Vietnam's Red Book.
Where air is as good as gold
15:56' 02/05/2008 (GMT+7)
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has five islands in the middle of the Hau River, Con Au, Con Son, Con Cai Khe, Con Khuong and Tan Loc, which still maintain the pureness and wildness of nature.
A Japanese investor who visited Con Son uttered: “The air here can be sold for gold.”
The local government plans to develop an ecological tourism project on these islands, said Dinh Viet Khanh, Director of the Can Tho Department of Tourism.
Under this plan, Con Au will be a resort and entertainment centre; Cai Khe will be a modern general tourism centre; Con Khuong will host orchard-villas; Con Son will be a resort for the old, while Tan Loc will host craft village and orchard tourism.
These islands will be connected with other islands on the Hau River which belong to other Mekong Delta provinces like Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Dong Thap and An Giang to make a wide network of ecological tourism sites.
Once these islands are linked, related provinces can attract tourists from China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia who travel along the Mekong River.
The Hau River (or Bassac River) is a tributary of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River. The river starts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and flows south to An Giang province, Vietnam. The Hau River is a popular entry and exit route for locals between Cambodia and Vietnam and is used for transporting goods between the two countries.
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has five islands in the middle of the Hau River, Con Au, Con Son, Con Cai Khe, Con Khuong and Tan Loc, which still maintain the pureness and wildness of nature.
A Japanese investor who visited Con Son uttered: “The air here can be sold for gold.”
The local government plans to develop an ecological tourism project on these islands, said Dinh Viet Khanh, Director of the Can Tho Department of Tourism.
Under this plan, Con Au will be a resort and entertainment centre; Cai Khe will be a modern general tourism centre; Con Khuong will host orchard-villas; Con Son will be a resort for the old, while Tan Loc will host craft village and orchard tourism.
These islands will be connected with other islands on the Hau River which belong to other Mekong Delta provinces like Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Dong Thap and An Giang to make a wide network of ecological tourism sites.
Once these islands are linked, related provinces can attract tourists from China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia who travel along the Mekong River.
The Hau River (or Bassac River) is a tributary of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River. The river starts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and flows south to An Giang province, Vietnam. The Hau River is a popular entry and exit route for locals between Cambodia and Vietnam and is used for transporting goods between the two countries.
Thursday 1 May 2008
Vietnam reiterates support for small arms elimination programme
| 22:43' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
Ambassador Le Luong Minh |
National reunification and May Day celebrated nationwide
| 12:28' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao delivered a speech, highlighted that many years had passed, however the victory of the struggle against the the US aggressors for national salvation continued to be the most brilliant landmark in Vietnam's history of national construction and defence. "It is the shining symbol and victory of the Vietnamese revolutionary heroism and intelligence," he stressed. He said people from all walks of life in Hanoi, under the leadership of the Party, have since the April 30 Victory been energetically taking part in national construction, and particularly the renovation over the past 20 years. He affirmed that the city was determined to fulfil socio-economic tasks set for 2008 by implementing measures to curb inflation, boost production and exports, reduce the trade deficit and stabilise market prices. On the same day, the entire Party organisation, authorities and people of Ho Chi Minh City pledged to join efforts to develop the city as part of the national goal “a rich people, a strong country, and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.” The message was delivered by Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Le Hoang Quan at a ceremony held on April 29 to mark the 33rd anniversary of the liberation of Vietnam's southern region and the world’s 122nd May Day. Highlighting the historical significance of the April 30 Victory and the international labour spirit’s great impacts on Vietnam’s revolutionary cause, Chairman Quan spoke of the achievements made by the city during the past 33 years of socialist construction, particularly after 22 years of renewal. He affirmed Ho Chi Minh City’s ability and resolve to cope with current difficulties, especially economic challenges. Representatives of war veterans and youth voiced their strong determination to stand by the sides of the municipal authorities and people to fulfill tasks set for prosperity of the city. Many activities were also held in Quang Tri, Ben Tre, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai and others to celebrate the Southern Vietnam Liberation and National Unification Day and May Day. |
Vietnam, Angola sign 3 cooperation agreements
| 12:51' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
Education is a key cooperation area between the two countries On behalf of the two governments, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, and Angolan Minister of Science and Technology Joao Baptista Ngandajina signed the minutes of the 4th session of the intergovernmental committee, a cooperation agreement on education and training, and a cooperation agreement on tertiary education and personnel training. The two sides agreed on the bright prospect of Viet Nam-Angola cooperation in the 2008-2010 period and hoped to continue expending the bilateral relations, ranging from diplomacy, economy, education, personnel training, health care, agriculture, fisheries, trade, industry, construction and oil and gas. Viet Nam committed to help Angola to carry out projects on motorbike and bicycle assembly, farm industry, rice production, garment and textile production and cotton planting. Viet Nam will also send agricultural experts to help Angola implement pilot projects to establish farms in the country. The Angolan side requested Viet Nam’s cooperation in ocean exploration and assessment of marine resources. The two countries will promote the exchange of delegations at different levels, including political consultative meetings between foreign ministries, to discuss regional and international matters of common concern. The fifth session of the Viet Nam-Angola intergovernmental committee will be held in Luanda, Angola, in 2010. |
Get-together for Vietnamese held in Japan
| 13:22' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
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Many different events held to celebrate Liberation Day and May Day
| 13:04' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
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Ha Long Bay: record tourists during holidays
| 22:54' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
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HCM City welcomes over 1 million tourists
| 22:51' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
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UK magazine: Vietnam’s tourism likely booming
| 22:53' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
Cu Chi tunnel |
Exploring craft villages in Hanoi
| 12:56' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
As the capital of Viet Nam for almost a thousand years, Ha Noi is considered to be the cultural center of Viet Nam, where every dynasty has left behind an imprint. Even though some relics did not survive through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike. Historians liken the life-giving Red River, with its banks crowded with gren rice paddies and farms, to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, a true cradle of civilization. The city boasts a millenium of history, including traditional craft villages which have preserved their culture against the passing of time. The tourism week is being held to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Viet Nam’s reunification (April 30) and to celebrate Labor Day (May 1). There will be a display of 1,000 candles symbolizing the 1,000 years of Thang Long, lit up to mark the opening ceremony on April 29. Week of Festivity Stalls featuring pottery villages like Bat Trang and Chu Dau, Van Phuc silk village, and Dong Ho paintings will showcase handicrafts. The “Thang Long Magnanimity Festival” will open with a parade of artisans, thousands of torches and a drumming festival through the streets and around the citadel, and the festival will feature tours of the Hong River and Bat Trang craft village by the Phu Le Gia Company, Dao Thuc water puppetry, hat xam (songs of a strolling, blind musician) and cheo (reformed opera), culinary and folk games, to support the craft villages. Finally, a contest for artisans to generate products with the theme “The Imprint of Thang Long – Ha Noi” will be held. Relive Ancient Ha Noi The old quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, has the original street layout and architecture of old Ha Noi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street was comprised of merchants and households specialized in particular trades, such as silk traders and jewelers. The street names nowadays reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively focused on their original commerce. The area is famous for its small artisan and merchant operations, including a plenitude of silk shops. Local culinary specialties as well as several clubs and bars can also be found here. A night market (near Dong Xuan market) in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food. According to local officials, the event will be held by the Association of Vietnamese Craft Villages in cooperation with the Center for Preserving Co Loa and Ha Noi Citadels, from April 27 to May 4 at Ha Noi’s Ancient Citadel, 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ba Dinh District. The event will honor the village and street craftspeople and artisans, and promote Vietnamese tourism. The Thang Long Ancient Citadel is recognized as a national heritage. A replica of a traditional village will be built for the occasion, with a village gate made of Bat Trang bricks, ancient Vietnamese houses and bamboo houses of the northern delta region, including an ancient alter and enactment of a ceremony of ancestor worship. The exhibition will be decorated with traditional crafts, such as kites, decorative multicolored lanterns, palm-leaf conical hats, Ha Dong silk and Bat Trang bricks. The cultural area of 36 original streets in Ha Noi will be host to a handicraft and fine arts display. |
‘Halong Bay on land’, a popular destination for tourists
| 23:04' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7) | ||
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