National Tourism Year 2013 ends

The Red River Delta-Hai Phong National Tourism Year 2013 ended in the northern port city on December 14.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh stated that 67 important events were held during the year, contributing to developing inter-regional tourism and promoting services to attract more visitors to the region.

However, he noted that the regional connectivity to develop tourism products has yet to be effective, while the tourism products are not attractive.

The Red River Delta localities should connect more closely with each other to take full use of their advantages and strengthen the popularisation of destinations, in order to gradually create a trade mark for the delta’s tourism, the minister said.

He added that the ministry will continue its support to develop tourism products and create possible conditions for regional provinces and cities to access to major domestic and international tourism projects.

Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Duong Anh Dien said that the National Tourism Year 2013 succeeded in selecting the theme “the Red River Civilisation”, which made tourism products unique, attractive, diversified and different, drawing the participation of millions of visitors and locals.

The Delta is a cradle of the wet rice civilisation and is proud of its outstanding cultural and historical value. Numerous significant architectural relics, traditional festivals and ancient villages have cemented the region’s unique and rich culture.

The number of tourists to 11 provinces and cities in the region in 2013 is estimated to total 35 million, a year-on-year increase of 15 percent. This year, the region has earned more than 35 trillion VND (1.645 billion USD), up 16 percent from the previous year.

At the ceremony, the ministry also handed over the national tourism year programme’s flag to leaders of Lam Dong province, which will host the 2014 event.

Themed “High Mountains and Thick Forests of the Central Highlands”, the the Central Highlands - Da Lat National Tourism Year 2014 will be held in Lam Dong and other provinces in the region throughout next year, beginning December 27 this year.

Quang Binh’s cave tourism campaign launched in Hanoi

Cave tourism of the central province of Quang Binh was launched in Hanoi on December 13, aiming to lure more visitors to the place dubbed “the Kingdom of Caves ”.

Recognised as a World’s Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO, the province’s Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is a karst area whose formation was evolved some 400 million years ago. It includes over 300 caves of all sizes, notably Son Doong, Phong Nha, Tien Son, Thien Duong, En, Tot, Thach Thuy and Tu Lan caves.

Tours around caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang, particularly those to Son Doong – the largest cave in the world, are being offered and attracting a huge number of domestic and foreign visitors.

Quang Binh also boasts spectacular natural landscapes with Nhat Le, Quang Phu, Bao Ninh and Da Nhay beaches. It is home to Bang mineral hot spring, the only of its kind in Vietnam with the temperature of outflow water at 105 degree Celsius.

Additionally, the commemorative house of late General Vo Nguyen Giap in Le Thuy district and his last resting place in Bo Trach district are also remarkable destinations for people from all corners of Vietnam .

The province this year has so far welcomed 1.2 million domestic and foreign arrivals and expects to receive 1.4 million tourists in 2014.

Vientiane-Vinh air route to open

An air route linking Vinh and the Lao capital Vientiane will open in mid-January 2014.

This was announced on December 14 by Nghe An Provincial Tourism Promotion Centre Director Nguyen Thi Huong.

Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Lao Airlines will convene a conference with Lao and Thai partners to advertise Nghe An’s economic advantages and Vietnam Airlines’ route network, policies, and promotions.

The announcement comes in the wake of close coordination between Nghe An and its Tourism Promotion Centre, the CAA, and the Vinh-based branch of Vietnam Airlines.

Jetstar Pacific opens two new domestic air routes

On December 15 Jetstar Pacific officially launched two new low-cost domestic air routes linking Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.

Initially Jetstar will conduct one flight per day. Accordingly, HCM City-Nha Trang flights will depart at 11.35 am and HCM City-Phu Quoc at 12.45 am.

The return flights will depart at Cam Ranh airport at 1.05pm and at Phu Quoc airport at 1.40pm.

Le Hong Ha, Jetstar Pacific General Director reports nearly 9.000 passengers have already bought economy tickets.

The airline plans to schedule five more additional flights in late 2014, and figures show it has served nearly 10 million passengers so far.

As from January 2014, Jetstar Pacific will purchase five more Airbus A320 to open new air routes between Hanoi and Phu Quoc/Da Lat/ Can Tho and international flights between Hanoi-Bangkok/Hong Kong and HCM City and Singapore/Bangkok.

Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air offer promotions for Tet season

‘Golden Moments’ promotional program offered on some domestic routes by the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has been kicked off.

Accordingly, one-way tickets for routes including Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc/Nha Trang will be priced at VND499,000; HCMC-Quy Nhon at VND599,000; and Hanoi-Buon Ma Thuot at VND999,000(not including tax).

The special rates will be applicable for flights departing from December 13-31.

In addition, low-cost carrier VietJet Air will launch a promotional program themed ‘Enjoy holidays-Receive Sudden Joy’ for the upcoming Tet holiday season from December 18, 2013-January 15, 2014.

Holidaymakers will receive gifts on VietJet Air flights and discount fare at VND99,000 on flights to Nghe An, Da Lat and Thailand departing from December 25, 2013 to March 31, 2014.

This price is also applicable for domestic routes including Hanoi-Da Nang/Nha Trang, Da Lat, Buon Ma Thuot, HCMC; Hai Phong/Vinh/Hue/Da Nang/Buon Ma Thuot/Nha Trang-HCMC from January 1-31.

Vietnam opens three more coach routes to Laos

The Directorate for Roads in Vietnam recently agreed to open three more international coach routes from Vietnam to Laos and vice versa.

Accordingly, the 27-7 Transport Cooperative will operate the route from Hanoi City to Bokeo and vice versa, from Nuoc Ngam Bus Station in Hanoi to Bokeo Bus Station in Laos.

The Van Ha Company will exploit two routes from Nghe An Province to Siengkhuang and Champasack and vice versa, starting from Vinh Bus Station.

VNA/VNS/VOV/Nhandan