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Travellers Notes

(03-12-2005)

Mekong Tourism Fest ramps up

An Giang Province is preparing for the second biennial Mekong Tourism Festival, which aims to promote the rich tourism potential of the Mekong Delta region.

This year’s festival will be held mainly in the towns of Chau Doc and Long Xuyen from Febuary 23-26.

The Long Xuyen event will include a trade and tourism fair, a food festival, and a tour guide competition. Chau Doc will be the venue for an art and cultural event, with the participation of art troupes from the Kinh, Hoa, Cham, and Khmer communities.

HCM City lures Russian tourists

In 2005, the number of Russian tourists coming to HCM City rose by 152 per cent over the previous year, according to the HCM City Department of Tourism.

Most local travel agencies reported a significant increase in Russian tourists, especially those from the eastern part of the country.

Le Van Nghia, a representative of Vladivostok Air in HCM City, said that all of the airline’s tickets from Russia to Viet Nam in December and January had been booked.

There are currently five international carriers flying from Russian cities to Ha Noi and HCM City.

Pagoda Bridge to be repaired

The ancient town of Hoi An has launched the first stage of a VND14.7 billion (US$919,000) plan to refurbish the beloved Chua Cau (Pagoda Bridge). Built in the late 16th century, Chua Cau, also known as the Japanese Covered Bridge, has become a cultural monument.

Its single span, 18m long and 3m wide, crosses a small canal leading to the Hoai River. Made of red painted wood with elaborate carvings, centuries of wear and tear have taken their toll on the bridge’s appearance.

Sheraton granted fifth star

The Sheraton Ha Noi has been granted five-star status by the Viet Nam National Administration for Tourism (VNAT), which brings the number of five-star hotels in the capital city to eight.

According to VNAT’s figures, Viet Nam is now home to 19 five-star hotels – eight in HCM City, and one each in the central cities of Nha Trang, Da Lat and Da Nang.

Hilton Hanoi Opera bags award

Hilton Hanoi Opera puts Ha Noi in the international spotlight with the latest addition to its collection of awards, the World Travel Award 2005.

The awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the enormous achievements to be found in all sectors of the global travel industry.

A decade on, dedicated travel professionals and their clients have come to regard the World Travel Awards as the best endorsement that any travel product could receive.

The voting on the World Travel Award is open to all travel agents and travel professionals worldwide. The worldwide voting campaign is transmitted to over 150,000 travel agents, tour operators and travel buyers who have experienced the superior qualities within the specific country’s hotels.

Entertainment complex planned

The 100 per cent Korean-invested company Bowling Ltd has received a license to develop an entertainment park in Hai Chau District in the central coast city of Da Nang.

Bowling will invest US$5 million to build the park, which will include a bowling alley, shopping area, spa and swimming pool. Construction is scheduled to begin early next year. — VNS

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Hanoi to welcome millionth foreign visitor December 6 ( 03 Dec ) Vietnam city to host int’l sailing festival next year ( 03 Dec )
An Giang promotes delta with Mekong Tourism Festival ( 02 Dec ) Bai Dai beach, a newly discovered gem ( 25 Nov )
Russian arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City increase ( 01 Dec ) Beach village of Lang Co draws tourists ( 20 Nov )
Work begins on cable car system in Vietnam ( 04 Dec ) Tourist fair names Viet Nam the top new destination in Far East ( 10 Nov )
Southern Vietnam sculpture festival goes smoothly ( 01 Dec ) Con Dao island hopes to become economic-tourism zone ( 24 Nov )
Vietnam, US airlines to conduct code-share flights ( 02 Dec ) Travel Note ( 03 Dec )
Thai budget airline begins Bangkok-Hanoi service (21 Sept )
Viet Nam welcomes almost 300,000 foreign arrivals in September  ( 29 Sept )
British Airways adds service for Vietnam (26 Sept)
Phu Quoc’s foreign visitors exempted from entry visas  ( 23 Sept )
Hanoi to hold festive week to mark 995th birthday ( 20 Sept )
Hanoi to open cuisine, craft village fair for to draw tourism ( 10 Sept )
Vietnam national park applies for further UNESCO recognition  ( 23 Sept )
Travel Notes  ( 24 Sept )

 
 

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