VN second only to Thailand as most popular destination

Viet Nam was named Asia's second most desirable destination at an awards ceremony held as part of the recent International Tourism Exchange Berlin (ITB) event.

The award was sponsored and conducted by the Go Asia network, with the winners chosen by an online poll at www.goasia.de.

Ha Long Bay. (Photo: VNS)

Thailand beat Viet Nam to the top spot, while Singapore finished third.

Go Asia, founded in 2003, is a network that specialises in marketing Asia as a destination for travellers. With more than 3,000 small-and-medium-sized German enterprises working in tourism, the network aims to promote Asia in German-speaking regions through joint marketing activities.

Riverside resort in Hue offers garden-style relaxation

Vuon Xua Co has opened a resort called Hue Riverside Resort on the bank of the Huong River in Hue.

The four-hectare resort at 588 Bui Thi Xuan Street consists of garden houses with 40 rooms.

The company has invested VND50 billion ($2.4 million) in the resort and will spend another VND50 billion to build more rooms and other amenities.

Even before its official opening, the resort has received tourists, most of them from cruise ships.

Information and help centre opens in Da Nang

A centre to assist tourists has opened in the central city of Da Nang, providing free information about hotels and destinations and handing out maps and brochures.

The centre, together with Emergency Centre 115, will also provide medical assistance and liaise with 113, the mobile police force, to help tourists in case of emergencies.

Da Nang has numerous places of interest, like the Museum of Cham Sculpture, Ngu Hanh Son (Five Mounts), and Non Nuoc Beach besides a slew of luxury beach resorts.

Guide book planned for big-spending visitors

Viet Nam‘s first luxury travel and tour operator plans to publish a guide book to promote luxury tourism.

The pocket-sized guide book will feature Viet Nam's finest hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, clubs, bars and optional tours. It unlocks the timeless hidden charms of Viet Nam's most breathtaking landscapes, properties and geographical region.

According to the company's sales and marketing manager, David Nguyen, the book would be distributed at all major trade shows around the world.

The number of high-end travellers to Viet Nam has continued to increase as tourists seek a more luxury travel experience.

Luxury Travel Co Ltd, a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company, is headquartered in Ha Noi with offices in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as management offices all over Southeast Asia.

VNN/VNS