Vietnam among top ten friendliest nations

Hubpages.com has unveiled a list of top ten friendliest nations in the world, including Vietnam.

The website described Vietnam as a Southeast Asian nation which is known for its enthusiasm and infectious smile. Local people are very generous and helpful to travellers no matter where they come from.

It says local people are willing to offer visitors a free ride on a scooter through HCM City’s heavy traffic, or farmers are ready to look for some friendly conversation with visitors near Hanoi.

Traveling through Vietnam amongst the echoes of the Vietnamese laughter will remain with any visitor for the rest of their life, the website concluded.

Other countries to make the top ten list include Indonesia, Malawi, Chile, Turkey, New Zealand, Canada, Georgia, Fiji, and Colombia.

VietJetAir increases flights for upcoming Tet holiday

To meet the increasing travel demand of passengers during the Tet holiday period, VietJetAir is adding flights on its busiest routes.

The airline will add seven more flights per week for routes departing from HCM City to Quy Nhon, Vinh, Hai Phong and Hue between January 15 and January 30.

The newly launched route Vinh-Da Lat will depart daily, effectively increasing from three to seven return flights per week.

Meanwhile, seven more flights per week will be added for routes departing from Ha Noi to Da Lat and Da Nang, as well as from HCM City to Ha Noi and for travel to Cam Ranh from January 31 to March 29.

Also during the holiday period, VietJetAir will increase the frequency of the route from HCM City to Da Nang to 42 return flights per week.

Nghe An targets four million visitors in 2014

The central province of Nghe An has set a target of attracting about 4 million tourists in 2014 and increasing its revenue from tourism by 18 to 20 per cent from the previous year.

To realise these goals, the province will implement a series of measures to overcome its shortcomings in tourism-related services, especially at major tourist attractions.

Investments will also be made towards developing new destinations in both the coastal and mountainous areas, which boast beautiful beaches and scenic landscapes. The

provincial authorities plan to mobilise capital from all the economic sectors for developing the infrastructure and quality of tourism services.

The local tourism sector will also work with the tourism sectors of other localities to encourage visitors to the region.

Foreign arrivals to Con Dao surge

The southern island district of Con Dao received 19,000 foreign visitors in 2013, representing a year-on-year increase of 49% and making up 20% of the total number of visitors to the locality known as Poulo Condor.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’s district welcomed nearly 90,000 visitors last year, 9% more than in 2012, and earned in excess of VND305 billion from tourism.

November alone saw 5,594 visitors, including 1,823 foreigners, up 42% and 107% respectively against November 2012. Per person spending averages VND3.4 million. Hotel occupation stood at 47% of capacity.

According to the managing board of Con Dao tourism sites, most attractions enjoyed increased visitor numbers. New hotels and resorts opened to meet both domestic and international demand. The district has paid due attention to tourism promotion.

Local authorities and residents are vigilant in social security, food hygiene and safety, and environmental cleanliness, while travel agents advertise a range of promotional discounts.

Con Dao currently has 35 hotels and motels with 572 rooms. This includes the five-star resort Six Senses Con Dao, with 119 rooms, a bar, spa, gyms, swimming pool, and children’s entertainment. A Vietnam-Russia resort is under construction.

The province’s 2020 socio-economic development plan focuses on developing bio-tourism, luxury entertainment, and cultural and historical tourism. Con Dao wants to record 64,000 annual visitors in 2015 and 150,000 by 2020.

To attract investment and develop Con Dao into a high quality tourism site, the Government has approved incentives that simplify investment red tape, reduce corporate income tax by 10% for 30 years, cut personal income tax by 50%, and waive import tariffs.

The district is implementing a number of infrastructure upgrades.

Ho Van Nien, Vice Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial People’s Committee, described plans for a “Con Dao Day” celebrating and supporting the district’s ambitions to become an internationally renowned tourist attraction.