India-Vietnam direct route to be launched

Vietnam Airlines on September 15 announced a codeshare pact with Jet Airways of India for jointly sharing passengers to provide them seamless connections on direct flights from Vietnam to India, easily facilitating one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in.

The agreement was signed by Pham Ngoc Minh, General Director of Vietnam Airlines Corporation and Naresh Goyal, founder and Chairman of Jet Airways-India's premier airline within the framework of the current state-level visit of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to Vietnam.

Under the agreement, Vietnam Airlines will team up with its Indian partner on flights Singapore – Mumbai/Delhi/Chennai, Bangkok/Hong Kong – Mumbai/Delhi and Jet Airways’ newly launched Delhi – HCM City via Bangkok.

In turn, Jet Airways will share Vietnam Airlines’ flights between Singapore/Bangkok/Hong Kong – Hanoi/HCM City and Vietnam Airlines’ newly launched Singapore – Phu Quoc (Vietnam).

The codeshare flights are part of the two airlines’ plan to open a direct air route between the two countries in the future.

Vietnam has recently emerged as one of top travel destinations for European tourists, including those from the UK, with more than 144,800 British arrivals in the first 8 months of this year.

They came to Vietnam for different purposes such as attending conferences, working, relaxing and travelling.

According to travel agents, 65% of the British tourists choose Vietnam as their ideal place to visit thanks to attractive tour prices, unique tourism products, beautiful landscape, and friendly environment.

To attract more British tourists, Vietnam needs to enhance trade promotion, boost aviation-tourism links, simplify immigration procedures, increase international cooperation, strengthen marketing activities, and establish representative offices in the UK.

The tourism sector is advised to strengthen cooperation with the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK to learn more about market approach in order to help Vietnam become one of the British tourists’ top choices.

Vietnam is currently granting visa exemptions for travellers from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Russia if they stay less than 15 days, and for travellers from a number of ASEAN countries for a 30-day stay.

The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have also proposed that the Vietnamese government expand its visa waiver scheme for nine more international markets.

Accordingly, if approved, visitors from France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Canada would enjoy visa exemptions when travelling to Vietnam.

Japan travel firms urge discounts

Travel experts from Japan have said that more discount programmes could help stem the slight decline in the number of Japanese tourists to the city.

Tadashi Yamaguchi from the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) said at a workshop held on September 12 in the city that the tourism products on offer were often uninteresting.

"The city's tourism sector needs to carry out various stimulation and discount programmes as well as cooperate with other localities to diversify products," he said.

He said that HCM City could create more tourism products by working with Cai Be, My Tho, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc, Con Dao and central localities.

The HCM City-Siem Reap tour, the most popular tour for Japanese tourists, has seen a fall in the number of bookings.

Vietnam welcomed nearly 500,000 Japanese tourists in the first eight months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%, according to Le Tuan Anh, deputy director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism's Tourism Marketing Department.

The workshop was part of the 10th International Travel Expo HCM City that closed on September 13.

More than 300,000 Japanese tourists visit HCM City every year.

Expanding tourism cooperation with APEC member countries

The tourism sector needs to work closely together with other sectors, including transport and education, to make full use of their infrastructure to spur tourism development.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Anh Tuan made the suggestion at the recent 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Macau, China.

Noting the strong development of the internet, social networks, and smart devices, Tuan suggested APEC member states support each other in using new information and communication technology concerning services, management and advertising, in the tourism sector.

They should consider building a website on tourism promotion which links to official tourism websites of each country and developing a joint forum on APEC tourism between tourists and travel management agencies, Tuan added.

Tuan emphasised that in recent times, despites difficulties and challenges caused by the world economic downturn, Vietnam’s tourism sector has still obtained impressive growth. It is currently making every effort in pooling investment and development resources, removing barriers, and increasing connectivity between regions, in order to develop typical products.

Tuan affirmed Vietnam wants to expand tourism cooperation with trusted partners, particularly APEC member countries, contributing to the grouping’s common prosperity.

Participants at the meeting discussed five main topics, including integration of Asia-Pacific tourism markets, facilitating transformation and growth of the tourism sector, promoting intelligent tourism with modern technology and interconnection of Asia Pacific travel, and encouraging low-carbon development and co-operation between tourism operators.

The APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting has been held biannually since 2000 to devise tourism development policy orientations for the grouping, creating a foundation for building and implementing cooperative projects.

Cai Rang cited among most interesting floating markets

Your Amazing Places, a leading world tourism website, has chosen Cai Rang as one of the top 5 Asian floating markets.

Cai Rang - the largest whole sale floating market in the Mekong Delta, specializes in selling fruits and other agricultural products.In addition to agriculture products, the market has all the customary services of a normal market.

The market is about six kilometres from Can Tho city, or about a 30-minute boat ride.

Rounding out the list of top five floating markets are Damnoen Saduak and Taling Chan in Thailand, Dal Lake in India and Nam Pan in Myanmar.

Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area welcomes 2 million visitors

The Tay Ninh authority is planning to develop the national Ba Den Mountain tourist area by 2030.

Under plan, the Ba Den Mountain tourist area will have as many as 11 various tourist products including pagoda system, ecotourism, trekking area, buildings…

Tay Ninh authority will call for investment and it is expected to reach US$ 169million by 2020.

The national Ba Den Mountain tourist area is 11km far from the center of Tay Ninh City and becomes the most attractive destination in Tay Ninh province.

In the frist 8 months of this year, this tourist destination welcomed nearly 2 million visitors, up 4.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Giant suspension cable through Ha Long Bay to be built next year

Quang Ninh province will build a suspension cable system through Ha Long Bay in 2015 for sightseeing from above.

The information was revealed by Director of Quang Ninh provincial Department of Planning and Investment, Tran Duc Lam, at a press conference on September 13 that announced the strategic plans of Quang Ninh province.

Director Lam said that the cable system is under a large project−invested in by Sun Group−worth a total VND6 trillion (US$282 million).

The suspension cable system begins at Bai Chay ward in Ha Long and passes through Cua Luc Bay, running parallel to Bai Chay Bridge and ends at the hilltop Ba Deo in Hong Gai ward.

Under the project, a complex of entertainment facilities will also be built at the Ba Deo hilltop including a huge Ferris wheel which will be the world's highest with a height of 250 metres above sea level. Tourists will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay and Ha Long city from the Ferris wheel.

According to Sun Group, the project will be carried out in 2015 and completed within a year.

US$ 4.6 million project to restore Thai temple in Quang Ninh

A VND 103 billion (US$ 4.6 million) project to restore Thai temple in Dong Trieu district, Quang Ninh province kicked off on September 13.

The money will be used to construct worshipping places, an exhibition house, and plant trees around the site.

Located on Dinh hill in Trai Loc 2, An Sinh commune, the temple is part of a complex commemorating Kings of Tran dynasty (1225 – 1400).

Earlier the same day, the An Sinh temple festival opened, attracting a large number of locals and visitors.

In addition to traditional rituals, the three-day event features volleyball competition, a singing contest and many folk games, including stick pushing, tug of war and wrestling.

Built in the 14th century under the Tran dynasty, An Sinh temple was recognised as a national historical site in 1962, and the An Sinh temple festival is held annually on the 20th day of the eighth lunar month to pay gratitude to Tran Kings.

More int’l air routes to Phu Quoc on the horizon

Viet Nam Airlines will launch two international air routes to Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang from November this year.

The airline will run two flights per week between Phu Quoc and Singapore using Airbus A321 aircraft, while the Phu Quoc–Siem Reap (Cambodia) route will travel with ATR 72 planes three times per week.

From November 1, 2014 to April 27, 2015, as many as 186 flights from Moscow to Phu Quoc Island will be launched to meet the demand for Russian tourists to the Island.

In the first eight months of 2014, Phu Quoc International Airport welcomed 5,632 flights, serving 666,185 passengers, equal to 97.3% of the total visitors in 2013 and accounting for 90% of the year’s plan.

The Island expects to receive 1 million visitors in 2014, up 45% compared to 2013.

Strong tourism growth projected for Ly Son Island

The fact that Ly Son Island off the central coast province of Quang Ngai will gain access to the national power grid late this month will give a much-needed boost to tourism, according to travel firms.

There are currently few tours to the island due to harsh weather and a lack of necessary tourism, hospitality and transport services for visitors. However, travel agencies hope the local tourism sector can get better when the island has access to the national grid.

Vo Van Tai, general director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, said Ly Son Island has huge potential to woo visitors such as beautiful beaches, tasty cuisine and interesting historical relics.

The island has a few lodgings but their services are not good.

“Investors will pour money into tourism infrastructure, thus developing the sector’s growth. We have plans to offer more tours of Ly Son Island in the coming time,” Tai told the Daily following his fact-finding trip there.

Tran The Dung, deputy director of The He Tre Tourist Co. Ltd., said more people have shown interest in traveling to Ly Son Island. The company has arranged 10 trips for tourists since the beginning of this year.

“Hotel room rates are quite expensive due to power shortages. However, tourists will be able to enjoy services at more affordable prices when the national grid reaches the island,” Dung said.

HCM City to have second hotel with helipad

The Reverie Saigon will become the second hotel in HCMC to have a landing pad for helicopters when it opens for business next year, behind only the Tan Son Nhat Hotel near Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Aside from its parking area for helicopters, highlights of the hotel include a luxury fleet of sedans to serve its customers.

Located in the 39-story Times Square building in District 1, The Reverie Saigon, managed by HCMC-based Windsor Property Management Group Corporation, has 286 rooms and suites and five different sections for food and entertainment along with the outdoor pool, healthcare center and spa.

According to the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the city attracted around 2.7 million international arrivals in the first eight months, rising 10% year-on-year, helping the city earn an estimated VND60.25 trillion in tourism revenue, a rise of 10% against the same period last year.

‘Green Action Day’ launched in Hai Phong

The 2014 'Green Action Day' campaign, aiming to raise awareness of using energy efficiently, was launched at Cultural Friendship Palace in Hai Phong city on September 12.

Under the theme, ‘Saving and Efficiently Using Energy in Life and Production’, the campaign aims to encourage households, enterprises, and students to use energy efficiently with the message ‘A Green Action for A Green Future’.

A series of activities, including a parade, music performances, and dramatic performances, will be held. The activities aim to raise public awareness of using energy efficiently.

The event was organised by the Northern Power Corporation, under the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN NPC), and Hai Phong municipal People’s Committee.

After its run in Hai Phong province, the ‘Green Action Day’ campaign is expected to launch in 27 northern cities and provinces.

Bien Ho offers tranquility and many more

Bien Ho (sea lake) is a must-see destination for visitors to the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai thanks to its picturesque beauty and serenity.

Locals called Bien Ho as T’Nung Lake that means the sea on a mountain. Tourists can admire the romantic scenery of pine trees along the way to Bien Ho before they enjoy tranquility at the lake. At the lake, they can go fishing, cruise around, try delicious fish dishes and more importantly get moments of peace.

The oval-shaped fresh water lake covers 230 hectares and is 7 kilometers from  the center of Pleiku City. The lake, whose depth is from 20 meters to 40 meters, is considered as the most important lake to supply fresh water for residents of the city.

According to scientists, Bien Ho is the mouth of a volcano that has stopped erupting for millions of years.

Province promotes H'mong culture

A culture and tourism week in Mu Cang Chai District in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai from September 25 to 30 will highlight the beauty of the region's spectacular terraced rice fields and H'mong culture.

It will feature entertainment like an ethnic fashion show, a mountain market, a banh day (round, glutinous rice cake) making contest, and a trade fair.

Along a stretch of National Highway No 32 between Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai Districts, ethnic people will make traditional wine and green rice flakes, forge traditional tools, and perform instrumental music.

According to organisers, the event is meant to mark World Tourism Day on September 27.

Terraced fields honoured for beauty

Environmental and social responsibility website Mother Nature Network has announced a list of the 30 most beautiful places in the world including the rice terraces of northern Viet Nam.

"While the terraces pictured here are located in Lao Cai province of Vietnam, equally mesmerizing scenes can be found throughout Southeast Asia where people have been doing the seemingly impossible for millennia: growing rice – which requires a flat surface and a lot of water – in mountainous areas," the website said.

"Terraced paddy fields that not only yield substantial crops of the widely consumed staple, but are also a gorgeous sight to behold. Agriculture at its best ... and most beautiful!"

Other places in the list include Salar de Uyuni (salt flats) in Bolivia, Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, and Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

Thanh Hoa marks tourism year

Thanh Hoa Province will celebrate the 2015 National Tourism Year, titled "Connecting World Heritages in Viet Nam".

The event is aimed at promoting tourism and showcasing the tangible and intangible cultures and the beauty of the country, especially the province's.

To celebrate National Tourism Year, all provinces and cities with world heritage sites will host 21 major artistic and cultural events.

Thanh Hoa will host five of them, including celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ham Rong Victory, an international stone sculpture camp, and a marine tourism festival.

Phu Tho Province will host the Hung Temple Festival; Ha Noi will celebrate the fifth Thang Long Royal Citadel and Co Loa Temple festivals, and Quang Ninh will hold the Ha Long Carnival and Yen Tu Festival.

Con Son-Kiep Bac festival lures over 80,000 tourists

The Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2014 in Hai Duong province, one of the largest of its kind in northern Vietnam, attracted more than 80,000 tourists, according to the relic site’s management board.

Taking place from September 8-13 (from the 15th to the 20th day of the eighth lunar month), the event featured a wide range of traditional rituals such as a seal opening ceremony at Kiep Bac temple, an incense offering in commemoration of national hero Tran Hung Dao, a ceremony praying for peace, and a military festival along Luc Dau River.

Other cultural activities like water puppetry, boat races also drew visitors.

Located in Chi Linh district, the Con Son – Kiep Bac relic site witnessed important battles between the army of the Tran dynasty (1226 - 1400) and the Yuan-Mongol invaders.

The site is closely associated with the life and career of Tran Quoc Tuan (or Tran Hung Dao), one of the most revered figures in Vietnam ’s history for his leading role in the country’s victory over Mongolian invaders in the 13th century.

It also saw the pure and upright life of the Great Man of Culture of the World Nguyen Trai (1380-1442), one of Vietnam 's most famous poets and writers.

Con Son-Kiep Bac was recognised as a national heritage in 1962 and a special national heritage in 2012.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised Con Son-Kiep Bac spring and autumn festivals as the national intangible cultural heritage in 2013.

VNS/VNA/SGT/VOV