Quang Ninh bestows ‘Tourism Beach' title on two destinations

Quang Ninh Province has recognised Soi Sim beach in Ha Long Bay and Tra Co beach in Mong Cai town as meeting standards required for tourism.

It now requires local authorities to display "Tourism Beach" signs and enforce rules specific to such beaches.

Both have soft sand, reliable security and rescue systems, and well-trained service teams.

The Quang Ninh Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also been tasked with organising a provincial tourism logo and slogan contest in co-operation with the local Literature and Arts Association.

The department hopes to hold the contest this year with assistance from marketing consultancies.

Ha Noi announces dates for annual craft village festival

The Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Toursim has announced that the annual Craft Village Tourism Festival will be held from October 9 to 11.

The event, to be held at the Quan Ngua Sports Centre, is expected to have 300 booths from 139 trade villages across provinces around the country.

This year's festival has also attracted several countries in the region, including South Korea.

The festival honours traditional skills in craft villages and seeks to promote the villages' tourism potential.

Smartphone app offers new options to last-minute travellers

Last-minute hotel-booking software through smartphone HotelQuickly officially launched this week in HCM City.

With over 3,000 3-5 star hotels in 12 Asia Pacific nations and territories, it can offer customers who use iOS, Android and BlackBerry 10 prices up to 28 per cent less than other online booking agencies. Bookings can be done at the last minute, up to 4am instead of the typical midnight deadline.

HotelQuickly received an investment of US$45 million from GREE Inc., and is offered in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian Bahasa.

In Viet Nam, HotelQuickly has 15 destinations and 330 hotels.

Mui Ne beach in the central province of Binh Thuan has been rated by travel guide Canadian Travellers as one of the 11 most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia.

It ranks second behind only Koh Lipe, a Thai island in the southern Andaman Sea.

The magazine says: "Mui Ne... has slowly been becoming the top getaway in Viet Nam, but while a few boutique resorts have popped up along the white sand beaches, the area has yet to go tourist crazy.

"The beach is right by the town of Phan Thiet, a humble little fishing port. If you like fresh seafood, wander into town to sample the local catch of the day."

From third in the list are Tanjung Rhu (Malaysia), Menjangan Island (Indonesia), Ko Yung (Thailand), Koh Rong (Cambodia), Coron (Philippines), Kuta (Indonesia), Camiguin (Philippines), Gili Trawangan (Indonesia), and Ko Phangan (Thailand).

Con Co Island strives to become safe tourist end

A ceremony was held in the central province of Quang Tri on July 31 to mark the 10th founding anniversary of Con Co Island district which is striving to become a culture and tourism destination in the near future.

The island, about 30km off Cua Tung beach, held an important strategic position during the American war where soldiers and local people shot down 48 planes and sank 17 warships and other vessels of the invaders during about 1,000 large- and small-scale battles in 1,500 days and nights.

With the great contribution to the national liberation, the island district was twice awarded with the title – the Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, along with other honours, by the Party and State.

Promoting the national heroic tradition, Con Co soldiers and residents today have joined search and rescue efforts and firmly safeguarded the national territorial sovereignty, while ensuring political stability and socio-economic development.

Local authorities have also concentrated on building infrastructure such as roads, fishing ports and lighthouse stations to make it easier for household-based production activities.

Other realms such as education, health, culture and national defence are also given particular care.

Boasting great potential for ecological and marine tourism, Con Co is selected as one of the five islands in Vietnam to be developed into youth islands between now and 2020. The youth islands project aims to encourage youngsters to act as pioneers in building a sustainable household economy there.

Railway e-tickets available this November

The Vietnam Railway Corporation (VRC) will sell tickets online from this November under a deal recently signed with FTP-FIS-TeleHouse joint venture.

Started on July 31, the 197 billion VND (9.3 million USD) project will help install and perfect the online-selling systems by November 2015, making the service available on VRC website, vending machines at train stations or agents nationwide, said VRC Deputy General Director Doi Sy Hung.

Domestic or international payment cards will be accepted for transactions.

Currently, railway transport accounts for only 0.5 percent of the total passenger transport market and 1 percent of total freight transport.

The sector plans to raise the rates to 13 percent of passenger transport and 14 percent of freight transport by 2020.

JPA opens HCMC- Thanh Hoa new route

From the first of August, budget carrier Jetstar Pacific (JPA) started to sell tickets for the new route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and the northern province of Thanh Hoa.

The new route will official operate from  September 5. There will be one round trip everyday on the new routes on the Airbus A320-180. Sole daily flight departs from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 10:00 am while departure from Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa Province will leave at 12:45 am local time.

Luxury tourism complex to be built in Quy Nhon

The People’s Committee of Quy Nhon City in Binh Dinh Province has asked functional departments to carry out promptly the compensation, ground clearance and resettlement for a project of Quy Nhon Vinperal complex.

The high-class tourism complex covering an area of more than 650 square meters will comprise one 18-hole golf court, villas, five-star hotel, outdoor recreational spaces and other entertainment area.

Vinpearl Co., Ltd under Vingroup as investor said the project  is invested around VND3, 424 billion.

It is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

Jetstar Pacific Airlines launches ticket sales for new route

Budget airline Jetstar Pacific officially opened ticket sales for its new domestic route connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Thanh Hoa from August 1.

The new route is expected to open from September 5, with one daily return flight. The new route aims to meet the increased travel demand of visitors.

The flights are scheduled to depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 10.00 am while the return flight will take off at 1.45 pm.

To celebrate the opening of its new route Jetstar Pacific are offering 10,000 air tickets at only VND3,000 (US$0.14) per ticket on its Ho Chi Minh City – Thanh Hoa route and some other domestic routes from 2pm to 11.59pm on August 1.

Tickets (excluding tax and other additional fees) are available on the airline’s website at www.jetstar.com.

Beside the promotional programme, visitors will have an opportunity to buy low-cost tickets from 2pm on August 1 to 11.59pm on August 3, which will apply to the following routes; Ho Chi Minh City – Buon Ma Thuot, Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc with a one-way ticket selling for VND259,000 (US$12.19), VND399,000 (US$18.78) and VND359,000 (US$17), respectively.