Big air discounts for int’l visitors to ITE

Visitors to the International Travel Expo (ITE) 2013 in HCMC have a chance of buying discount air tickets of Vietnam Airlines at the prices starting from only VND199,000 for many international flights.

Vietnam Airlines will offer airfares at preferential rates for more than 31 international flights departing from Hanoi, HCMC, Danang and Nha Trang to 28 foreign destinations at the prices ranging between VND199,000 and some VND8.4 million.

For domestic flights, the lowest prices for one-way routes are only from VND350,000. The discount prices are exclusive of taxes, fees and other surcharges.

The promotion program is only applicable to Vietnamese individual customers purchasing tickets from September 12 to 14 when the exhibition takes place. The target international flights are scheduled for departure from September 22 to March 31 while domestic ones are set for departure from September 22 to December 20.

The event is organized by exhibition organization companies Vinexad and Infoma and the city’s culture department under the instruction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It comprises of an exhibition, seminars and meetings between tourism ministers of five countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Korea promotes tourism in Vietnam

‘2013-Korea Tourism Year in Vietnam’ campaign has been launched to attract Vietnamese visitors and promote tourism cooperation between the two countries, according to Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam.

As part of the program, the Jeju Tourism Promotion Department and 11 Korean leading travel enterprises will take part in the Ho Chi Minh City annual tourism event, the ‘International Tourism Expo 2013’ to be held from September 2-14.

On the occasion, the Korean tourism industry will organize a road show to introduce MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism at Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Hotel in HCMC on September 12.

Additionally, CJ E&M Corporation, Korea's leading entertainment and Media Company, has cooperated with Vietnam Television to produce a TV serial on Vietnamese overseas students in Korea.

The cooperation is a chance for the local film makers to share experience in producing film and the two sides’ can exchange copyrights of TV serials.

Int’l Congress on spiritual tourism scheduled in November

The International Congress on Spiritual Tourism for Sustainable Development will take place in Ninh Binh province from November 21-22.

The event aims to enhance the positive effects of spiritual tourism on economic and social advancement of communities and societies.

It will explore ways in which living culture, traditions and beliefs can be integrated into tourism while respecting the four pillars of sustainability: environment, economy, society, and culture.

The event will draw particular attention to the following areas: Understanding and safeguarding of spiritual, religious and cultural values and assets in the context of tourism; development, management, promotion, and interpretation of spiritual tourism products; and socio-economic inclusion and empowerment of local communities, in particular of vulnerable groups./.

Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort offers September promotions

The Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort and Spa, one of the top accommodation locations for tourists visiting Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, is offering attractive promotions this month.

From Mondays to Thursdays from now until September 30, tourists only have to pay VND1.66 million per night for a Panorama room. And from now until October 31, guests  are charged just VND2.3 million per night for a sea-view bungalow and Star Cruises room, and VND3.5 million per night for a V.I.P bungalow.

Meanwhile, guests who stay in a twin room from Star Cruises for two nights will just pay for 1.5 nights. The promotion will be available until October 31.

Tourists can also choose a package service accompanied with spa services priced at VND2.5 million, which includes one night in a Panorama room for two, a breakfast buffet, 60-minute massage, sauna and Jacuzzi. Guests can also choose another package priced from VND2.5 million, which includes one night for two in a Panorama room, buffet breakfast and one main meal.

The four-star resort, under management of Saigontourist, boasts 98 sea view villas, two restaurants with a 300-guest capacity, one hall for 200 seats and a spa.

The resort gives 36 free services for guests such as airport transfer from 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., wifi, swimming pool, tea, coffee, doctor on call, billiards, gyms, a playground for kids, tennis courts from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., golf course, bicycle, chess and kayaking.

For conference services, the resort provides two meeting rooms with 10 to 250 seats. The resort is also an ideal venue for birthday, wedding and company events and parties.

The Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort and Spa is located at 62 Tran Hung Dao Street on Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta, tel: 077 3846 999, email: sgphuquocresort@hcm.vnn.vn, website: vietnamphuquoc.com.

Japanese food program kicks off in town next month

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Japanese Consulate General in HCMC will host the second Japan Food Program in the city from September 10-17.

There is a booth featuring Japanese cuisine in the framework of Vietfood and Beverage 2013 at Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Center, 446 Hoang Van Thu Street in Tan Binh District.

‘Delicious Japanese food fair’ will take place from September 10 to 17 at Tokyo Town Restaurant at 188 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in District 3. Especially, food expert Nguyen Thi Dieu Thao will instruct diners how to cook Miso soup.

The purpose of the program is so create opportunities for local people to experience and enjoy typical Japanese dishes and to promote the food culture of Japan.

For further information, contact Mr. Hiragushi from the management board of the program on 0902 620 066, email: hiragushi@aab.co.jp or Ms. Bach Thu on 08 3827 2701, email: bachthu@aab.co.jp.

Hanoi hosts Vietnam drink festival

Fourteen breweries from across the country, members of Vietnam Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Associtaion, are taking part in the fourth Vietnam Drink Festival in Hanoi from September 7-8.

The highlights of the festival are a speed-drinking contest, a performance of Promotion Girls (PG) costumes and a contest with the compelling name, ‘Well and Skilled with Beer’.

In addition to these featured activities, each exhibitor organises games for visitors and presents gifts to customers. Many singing, dancing, circling, poetry and drama competitions are also held at booths.

Visitors to the festival have a chance to learn more about the drinking culture in different regions in Vietnam.