Vietnam Information

Hanoi Sofitel Metropole named ‘The Best Hotel in Hanoi’

With 53.42%, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi was praised as the highest voted hotel (at individual cities) in comparison with Asia’s other 18 largest cities. As the Best Hotel in Hanoi by ASIA Money, in 2007, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi was also rated among the Best 500 Hotels in the World by readers of US magazines, Travel & Leisure and Condensate Traveller, Best Hotel in Hanoi by readers of Hong Kong magazine DestinAsian , Best Leisure and Best Conference Hotel in Asia by Smart Travel Asia; Best...

Da Nang to have US$5 billion tourism zone

VietNamNet Bridge - An ecological tourism zone is to be built at Van Village of the central city of Da Nang, with a total investment capital estimated at US$5 billion, according to the participants at a meeting held recently between the Da Nang City People’s Committee and the U.S. Oak Tree Realty Group. Representatives of the U.S. group said the tourism zone, named “Rising Sun,” is a leisure complex comprising a golf course, resort, marina, helicopter pad, luxurious...

‘Green’ guide offers tourists eco-options

A guidebook for green hotels in Vietnam, published in French, Vietnamese and English, is expected to aid the country’s eco-tourism industry. VietNamNet Bridge - A guidebook for "green hotels" has been released by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, the city’s Energy Conservation Research and Development Centre and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency. The book is the result of a nine-year programme that targets a sustainable and eco-friendly...

Central provinces struggle to draw tourists

Phong Nha Cave in Quang Binh Province VietNamNet Bridge - Although the central provinces of Viet Nam have beautiful beaches and five World Heritage sites, the region has had a host of problems in developing its tourism industry. There are around 200 beach resort projects from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan provinces. But they’re collecting dust as the region crawls forward with little direction. "Foreign tourists coming to Viet Nam need not only food and lodging. The most important...

First low-cost airline established in Vietnam

Officials from Jetstar and Pacific Airlines announce the establishment of Jetstar Pacific on Monday in HCM City. (Photo: Tran Duy) VietNamNet – The second largest air carrier Pacific Airlines Vietnam will be renamed “Jetstar Pacific” as of May 2008, said a Pacific Airlines senior executive officer on Monday. “Jetstar Pacific will be Vietnam’s first low cost airline which is established under a Business Service Agreement (BSA) between the Australian airline Jetstar...

Craft village tourism week to open

The event, named ‘Thang Long – Hanoi craft village, craft street tourism week’, is held in anticipation of the 1000th anniversary celebration of Thang Long – Hanoi and also on the occasion of recent recognition of Thang Long Ancient Citadel as a national relic site. A space of traditional culture will be set up at the venue of the event with village gate built by Bat Trang brick, old houses, bamboo houses of the northern delta, traditional altars and rural market. Handcraft...

Why were Vietnamese scenic spots removed from poll?

VietNamNet Bridge – According to NewOpenWorld, the organiser of the new world natural wonder selection, Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Fansipan Mountain were rejected from the selection list because of lack of official support committees. In an email answering Tien Phong Newspaper’s question about why it removed the two above sites from the nomination list, NewOpenWorld said all nominees become official nominees when they have official support committees, otherwise they...

Seminar urges stone highlands preservation

VietNamNet Bridge – A natural heritage that has been left untouched for over hundreds of millions of years in the northern province of Ha Giang is at risk of disappearing, according to Dr Vu Cao Minh. The researcher made the warning at a seminar on stone highlands preservation held by the Ha Giang Provincial People's Committee, the Viet Nam Science Institute and the Department of Cultural Heritage last Sunday. "Dong Van Plateau in Ha Giang Province should be recognised as a...

Perros Guirec reveals heavenly charm

The Saint Guirec oratory, built on one of the pink granite islands that are submerged at high tide. According to local custom, a single girl can find out if she will marry in the year by putting a needle in the nose of a statue of the saint. VietNamNet Bridge - The pink granite islets off French coastal town Perros Guirec have acquired a reputation for their celestial beauty. VNS takes a stroll down the beach. The beauty of the coastal city of Perros Guirec in France is best...

Buffalo tours of pottery town

VietNamNet Bridge – Among the tourist sites surrounding Hanoi, the Bat Trang pottery village with 500 or more years of history, is an ideal place to visit, attracting a large number of people from the city – and foreign tourists. Just 14km from central Hanoi, the village is easily reached by motorbike – the most popular transport means in Vietnam. or hired motorbike, you can catch a bus at Long Bien Bus Station. This way takes three times as long, but it’s so cheap!...

View from the top

At the start of this decade the local authorities managed to lobby the central government to allocate part of the peninsula for tourism. Now there is a 20km-long road under construction that will run around the island offering breathtaking views of the sea and fishing boats below. Nearby Son Tra Resort and Spa has completed the construction of 26 villas but it can not start operation due to lack of fresh water. Meanwhile the Bien Dong resort is more of a complex of guest houses popular...

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 11/4

HCM City set for tourism festival The city’s tourism authority has been preparing for the HCM City Tourism Festival 2008, to run from April 18-20, aiming to promote the city’s image as a destination with travel agencies showcasing their tour packages and deals. , the event will focus on upcoming summer tours. In addition to the exhibition, the festival will have several cultural activities including the Southern Folk Musical Show, and a photo contest titled HCM City – the...

Ancient pagoda exemplifies southern architecture

VietNamNet Bridge – Tourists visiting the city of My Tho in Tien Giang Province could not miss Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient southern architectural gem. The religious site was seriously damaged by French colonists in 1861 and a severe storm in 1904. On both occasions, practitioners restored the pagoda to its original splendor. style are open. The side gates are adorned with colorful porcelain mosaics featuring Buddhist folktales and natural scenery. The facade of the pagoda...

Phong Nha removed from nomination list of world natural wonders

Authorities of Quang Binh province, where Phong Nha-Ke Bang is located, were surprised by the news because they don’t know about the registration. The local Department of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism has asked the local People’s Committee to send records of Phong Nha-Ke Bang to the organisers. For the past few months, Phong Nha-Ke Bang has consistently ranked second after Ha Long Bay in the selection list. (Source: TP)

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 10/4

National airport plan needs 221.5 trillion VND German cruiser brings 550 tourists to Ha Long Bay German cruise liner Maxim Gorky has taken 550 German tourists to visit Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, in northern coastal Quang Ninh Province. This is the first time the Maxim Gorky arrived in Vietnam and the second German cruiser docked at Ha Long Bay. The Maxim Gorky also sent seven photographers to take pictures of Ha Long Bay to promote more tours...


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