Expo attracts firms from 30 countries

More than 500 firms from the travel, aviation, and hotel sectors from 30 countries and territories have registered to take part in the 2012 International Travel Expo HCM City (ITE HCMC).

The Four Countries - One Destination expo, to be held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City's District 7 from September 13 to 15, has attracted 200 customers from major markets such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Southeast Asia, and North America.

Besides booths and conferences, this year's expo will also feature a special programme for outbound tour providers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam.

There will be tourism-related cultural activities like Cambodia Night, Laos Night, and Malaysian art performances.

Accor opens Novotel in HCM City

Accor has opened the 247-room hotel Novotel Sai Gon Centre on the corner of Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Hai Ba Trung streets.

It marks the French hotel operator's return to HCM City a couple of years after it stopped managing a building near Tan Son Nhat Airport.

In Viet Nam it manages Novotel properties in cities and tourist spots like Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet and has more under development in Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hue and Ha Noi.

Best Western inks Lao Cai hotel deal

Hotel management group Best Western last week signed a deal with Biti's Co Ltd to manage the latter's Sapaly Hotel, the first five-star property in the northern province of Lao Cai.

The 189-room hotel, which will be located at the heart of Lao Cai City, will open early next year.

Best Western manages six other hotels and resorts in Hue, Hai Phong and Nha Trang.

Delta greets 12.8 million visitors

The Mekong Delta welcomed 1.8 million visitors in July, who took the total number in the first seven months to 12.8 million, up 6 per cent from the same period last year.

According to the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, each province has focused on some key tourism products like waterway tourism and festivals in Can Tho and An Giang, convalescence in Kien Giang, tours to the country's southernmost point and eco-tourism in Ca Mau, and cultural festivals of the ethnic Khmer group in Soc Trang.

They have also developed some unique products such as fine arts and handicrafts, fruits, fish sauce, and confectionery.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News