More foreign airlines to operate flights to Viet Nam

A number of foreign airlines have begun services to Viet Nam.

Finland's Finnair, one of them, has chosen Bien Dong travel firm as its general agent.

According to Retteri Kostemaa, the carrier's Southeast Asia business director, the airline is considering starting a direct service from Helsinki in the near future.

From Viet Nam, Finnair will team up with other airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Jetstar, to create transit points – connecting with its flights to Helsinki, other domestic destinations in Finland, and 60 European destinations.

Earlier, a number of other well-known airlines announced increases in their number of flights or the start of new air services to Viet Nam.

Cebu Pacific of the Philippines has begun a twice-weekly service between Manila and Ha Noi.

In March the US's United Airlines and Japan's ANA announced an expansion of their trans-Pacific joint venture, enabling them to co-operate on airfares and networks on the Viet Nam-US sector.

Travel company organises ‘clean-up' tour of Cat Ba Island

The Ha Noi-based Handspan Travel Company is calling on environment lovers to join its annual "clean-up tour" of Lan Ha Bay in Cat Ba Island on June 16 and 17, which seeks to raise awareness among residents of the bay's floating villages and local authorities about pollution and waste management.

The tourists will leave Ha Noi at around 6am, drive to Hai Phong, and take a speedboat to Ben Beo in Cat Ba where they will have lunch and learn some kayaking and about their itinerary.

At 1.30pm they will kayak through Beo floating village out into Lan Ha Bay to pick up litter. They will return to the beach at 4pm to rest and swim before dinner.

The next day, after an early breakfast, they will get back into kayaks to explore some hidden lagoons and beaches while picking up litter.

Handspan's products manager, Guilhem Cavaille, said the company had been organising the non-profit tour since 2007 in line with its philosophy of responsible tourism.

Yacht operator offers Ha Long cruises for under $100

The Quang Ninh-based Tuan Chau Five Star Yacht JSC (Paradise Cruise) has launched a promotion offering tours from a mere VND7 to VND1.7 million (US$80).

œSummer in Paradise offers 7,000 tickets at the above prices for a two-day and one-night tour of Ha Long Bay aboard the ship Paradise Luxury between June 1 and September 30.

The discount is offered to pairs of customers, with one having to pay VND1.7 million and the other, VND7, VND70, VND700, VND70,000, or VND700,000.

The prices include accommodation, entrance tickets to Ha Long tourist destinations, a tour guide, buffet breakfast, and insurance.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News