Trainers

Top Vietnamese products in Cambodian trade fair

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:12:49 PDT

A trade fair of top-quality Vietnamese products opened in the northwestern province of Battambang, Cambodia, on October 20.

This is the second consecutive year that Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has liaised with the Cambodian and Vietnamese trade ministries to host such an event in Battambang province.

When addressing the four-day event’s opening ceremony, the Mayor of Battambang Province, Prach Chann welcomed the Vietnamese companies participating in the fair and called on Vietnamese businesses to invest more in the province’s industry, agriculture, processing and services sectors.

More than 70 Vietnamese businesses are showcasing agricultural products, interior decorations, processed foods, footwear, cosmetics, electronics and electrical products, construction materials and mechanical engineering at more than 100 stands.

On October 20, HCM City People’s Committee and Battambang province held a seminar on the potential for trade and investment in Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses in the province./.

Vietnam loses 10 points on HSBC Trade Confidence Index 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:11:45 PDT

Illustrated photo. Source: agro.gov.vn

(CPV) – A latest survey on the Trade Confidence Index in 2010 published by HSBC reported that Vietnam posted 122 points (out of 200), decreasing by 10 points from the previous survey in March and April.

The reason for the decrease is because local export and import businesses feared a possible reduction in foreign exchange trading volume in the next six months and are more cautious about the targeted potential market.

The survey showed that Asia is still the focused market of Vietnamese businesses with 58% of them trading with China, 38% with the rest of Asia, and 34% with Southeast Asia.

46% of Vietnamese export and import businesses believed that trade volume would rise slightly in the next six months, the survey indicated.

According to the survey, the global Trade Confidence Index now stands stable at 116 points. Vietnam is still in the top five, losing the third position and stands behind India, UAE, Mexico and Indonesia.

This is the second survey of HSBC in 2010 and the fourth survey since 2009. It was conducted in 17 markets, including the key markets in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, the US, Canada, and Europe, with the participation of 5,124 small and medium enterprises operating in export and import areas. 300 Vietnamese businesses, mainly from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City joined in the survey.

Japanese Bank tightening co-operation with Vietnam Oil and Gas Group

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:09:19 PDT

CPV: Mizuho on October 25 concluded MOUs with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and PetroVietnam Joint Stock Finance Corporation (PVFC), to strengthening the relationship between parties.

Under the MOU with PetroVietnam, Mizuho will provide financial services for PetroVietnam’s investments by interfacing with the Japanese and global capital markets, syndication debt market, multilateral agencies and ECAs, providing financing in particular for PetroVietnam’s interest in the Nghi Son Refinery project.

Photo: HC

Through the MOU with PVFC, Mizuho and PVFC will focus on building close cooperative relationship between the financial institutions, sharing investment opportunities, and collaborating on banking services and project finance.

Mizuho has extensive experience in Vietnam, with the establishment of a Hanoi branch in 1996 and aHo Chi Minh City branch in 2006. Mizuho is participating in PetroVietnam’s Nhon Trach 1 Power Plant syndication facility of 270 million USD and PetroVietnam’s Dung Quat refinery syndication facility of 250 million USD, and has committed to joining the syndication facilities for several of PetroVietnam’s subsidiaries.

All parties look forward to working together in close cooperation under the MOUs, which represent a remarkable milestone in the relationship among the three entities.

Garment exports sure to garner 11 billion USD

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:09:05 PDT

The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas) has predicted that the country’s garment export value would reach 11 billion USD in 2010, exceeding the planned target by 500 million USD.

An export value of 9.16 billion USD in the first ten months of this year, together with many signed orders valid until the first quarter of 2011, led to the positive prediction.

At a meeting hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on Oct. 26, Vitas vice president Nguyen Son said in the 10-month period, export value to such major markets as Japan increased 14.7 percent and Russia , over 5 percent.

Notably, exports to the EU market recovered, up 7 percent after several months of slowdown due to the debt crisis in Greece .

The US remained Vietnam ’s biggest market. In October, garment exports to the US accounted for 55 percent of the sector’s export value.

In the meantime, Italian garment enterprises are expected to invest in garment and dyeing in Vietnam , offering chances for Vietnamese businesses to expand export markets in the future, Son said.

Targeting a garment export value of over 19 billion USD by 2015 and 25-27 billion USD by 2020, Vitas is implementing many programmes, including producing 1 billion metres of cloth for export, expanding areas for cotton plantations and developing human resources to meet the sector’s demand./.

Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia triangle expands

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:08:45 PDT

A ministerial conference on the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia development triangle took place in Luong Son district of the northern province of Hoa Binh on Oct. 26.

Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh and Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Sinlavong Khouphaythoune heard a report on the amendments of a masterplan on socio-economic development of the triangle.

The conference adopted the results of a project to upgrade the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia development triangle website with new Khmer and Lao language versions.

The masterplan which was approved by the three countries’ Prime Ministers at a summit held in Vientiane, Laos, in November, 2004 included ten provinces, namely Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces of Vietnam; Sekong, Attapu, Saravan provinces of Laos and Stung Treng, Rattanakirri and Mondulkiry provinces of Cambodia.

Under the amended plan, the development triangle now includes Binh Phuoc province of Vietnam, Kratie province of Cambodia and Champak province of Laos.

The plan was amended with growth forecasts, sector development directions and economic structure and investment priority projects for 2020./.

Vietnam disburses US$950 million of FDI in October

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:08:14 PDT

Vietnam disbursed US$950 million of FDI in October, higher than the average level of US$900 million in the past 10 months, according to the Foreign Investment Agency of the Planning and Investment Ministry.

During October, 39 projects worth US$184 million were licensed while 57 valid projects registered a combined additional capital of US$420 million.

According to the agency, Vietnam is striving to fulfill its yearly target for FDI attraction of US$22-25 billion after attracting 969 FDI projects with a combined registered capital of US$12.8 billion in the first 10 months of 2010, a year-on-year decrease of 41.9 percent.

In the review period, processing and manufacturing industries topped FDI attraction sectors with registered capital of US$4.065 billion, followed by production and electricity distribution with US$US$2.943 billion USD and real estate with US$2.854 billion.

The Netherlands topped 50 foreign countries and territories investing in Vietnam, registering US$2.227 billion. It was followed by the Republic of Korea, the US and Japan.

The southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau was the country’s largest FDI attractor of US$2.37 billion.

The northern province of Quang Ninh ranked second with US$2.2 billion and Ho Chi Minh City came third with over US$1.8 billion.

Export turnover posts 2.5% higher in October

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:07:59 PDT

Photo: Vietnamnet

(CPV) – The General Statistics Office of Vietnam on October 25^th reported that the country’s export turnover in October reached USD 6.25 billion, increasing by 2.5% from the previous month and 23.2% year on year.

This figure raised total export turnover in the first 10 months of 2010 to more than USD 57.7 billion, a 23.% increase year on year. Commodities saw sharp increases in exports, including iron and steel, chemical substance, electric wire and cable, cashews, and fossil coal.

Export growth of local businesses and FDI-invested businesses are 20.4% and 25.8%, respectively. These figures saw few differences.

In October, import turnover posted an estimated USD 7.35 billion, increasing by 5.4% from the previous month and 8.7% year on year. On the whole, trade gap in October stood nearly USD 1.1 billion, rising by 25.7% from September. Rubber, products from petrol, milk and products from milk, and wheat saw sharp increases in import turnover.

In the next two months, if there are no changes in foreign trade, the country’s trade gap for the whole year will possibly stand at USD 13.5 billion which was pledged by the Government.

Vietnam records highest rice yields in Southeast Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:07:43 PDT

With a yield of 5.3 tonnes per ha per harvest, Vietnam now ranks top in rice productivity in Southeast Asia, confirmed Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong.

Some major rice producing areas such as the Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang, Can Tho and Dong Thap reaped up to 7.3 tonnes per ha in the freshly-harvested winter-spring crop, equivalent to world leading producers like Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The nation’s rice production output is estimated at 39.9 million tonnes in 2010, with southern provinces producing over 23.5 million tonnes, reported the Cultivation Department.

The Mekong Delta alone makes up almost 91.5 percent of the southern production output, gathering 21.5 million tonnes with an average per-ha yield of 5.47 tonnes.

The figures show Vietnam’s improved rice farming, explaining why Vietnam has entered into the list of world giants in rice exports.

In the past 10 months, the country has already exported 5.66 million tonnes of rice, earning US$2.63 billion. The yearly rice export volume is expected to reach 6.5 million tonnes due to the supply of wheat falling short.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) forecast a “possible skyrocketing” in world rice demand with Indonesia, which failed to reach a deal with Thailand, likely to import an additional 200,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam. Typhoon Megi wreaked havoc in the northern Philippines and is expected to push the country to import between 500,000 and 600,000 tonnes of rice.

“The situation may drive the world rice market into a chaos,” said economists, adding that a surge in demand would make prices escalate.

In October, major rice exporters, including Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan and India, increased their export prices by at least 30 percent over the previous month.

Despite increased prices, Vietnam does not have much rice in storage for export, said MARD.
The world’s second largest rice exporter has expanded its line-up to parboiled rice, which is expected to increase by 300,000-400,000 tonnes in 2011 to meet rising demand, said the President of the Vietnam Food Association, Truong Thanh Phong.

Parboiled rice preferred by Muslims as it is dry when fully cooked, making it easy to eat by hand. The world demand for the product is estimated at between 3.5 and 4 million tonnes a year. Its price per tonne is often US$70-80 higher than five percent broken rice product, which now plays a key role in Vietnam’s rice exportation.

Vietnam’s parboiled rice quality is higher than that from Pakistan and India, the two biggest parboiled rice exporters of the world, sparking confidence on the “high competitive edge” among domestic rice exporters, Phong said.

VFA members are building three parboiled rice factories in the Mekong Delta, one of which - with a daily capacity of 500 tonnes - is scheduled to start operation later this year, bringing the total number to five.

The VFA has a plan to join hands with the Cultivation Department in marking off a special zone to provide raw material for these factories.

New project to support trade agreements in Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:07:03 PDT

Expanding and enhancing values for exported
products from Vietnam. (Photo: vasep)

CPV: "The US Government, through the USAgency for International Development (USAID), on October 28, announces a new project withVietnam to continue supporting national efforts to enhance trade and Vietnam’s fuller integration into the global economy", informed the US Embassy to Hanoi.

This three – year - 11.7 million USD project builds on USAID’s previous Support for Trade Acceleration (USAID/STAR), extending through September 2013. It will assist the Vietnamese Government as it implements new legal documents to fulfill the country's international commitments in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other trade and investment related agreements.

“Technical assistance under this project will provide experts, training and, in general, help buildVietnam’s capacity to implement and enforce existing legislation to meet the commitments of, as well as, seize opportunities presented by current and developing trade and other international agreements”, said USAID Mission Director Francis Donovan.

USAID's implementing partner, DAI/Nathan Group, will work with the main Government counterpart, the Ministry of Justice, and other Vietnamese authorities to train staff, help develop institutions, and build the capacity of state agencies and support Vietnam’s further global economic integration, including preparation of legal conditions required to participate in multilateral international treaties.

Since 2001, USAID has provided technical support to Vietnamese authorities drafting 150 laws, of which 115 have been adopted. These include trade-facilitating laws on the labor code, credit institutions, securities, standards, and arbitration. Recent activities include consultations with Vietnamese officials on regulations affecting imports/exports, investment, and intellectual property rights.

Four Vietnam hotels elevated in Smart Travel Asia Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:05:01 PDT

(CPV) – The Smart Travel Asia, one of Southeast Asia’s most widely read travel-trade media outlets, has hailed four properties in Vietnam in top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts category in its 2010 “Best in Travel Poll”.

The Nam Hai Resort

The four properties, the Nam Hai, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Dalat Palace and the Princess d’Annam Resort & Spa each won a spot on the coveted list.

The Nam Hai and Metropole have each won a spot on this list in the past. But the Princess and the Palace are first time winners.

The SmartTravelAsia.com website reported that this year’s poll, which claims one million online readers, is an “indication of our readers’ perceptions and favourite travel brands.”

The sixth annual poll ran from May to July 2010. Smart Travel Asia said its voters, on average, took 14 air trips in the past 12 months and earned on average US$165,000 in household income. Approximately 60% of the voters were based in Asia; 20% from the UK/Europe; and 20% from North America.

“To be open less than two years, and to be ranked on a list that includes the Metropole, Nam Hai and the Aman Resorts, is gratifying indeed,” said Jean-Philippe Beghin, general manager of the Princess d’Annam.

2bln USD entertainment complex planned in Long An

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:03:13 PDT

Construction on a 2 billion USD entertainment complex is scheduled to commence in Ben Luc commune, the Mekong Delta province of Long An in January, 2011.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Khang Thong Group held a press briefing on the Vietnam Happyland on September 6 in Hanoi.

The complex will be a combination of local and modern features along with an exhibition centre, large-scale trade centre, 3-5 star hotels, water park, dance hall, indoor and outdoor theatres, cultural centre, art museum and urban area. It is designed to receive 14 million visitors a year.

Pham Van Tran, Director of Long An provincial Culture, Sport and Tourism Department said the project will boost the service industry in the province to 36 percent by 2020 and generate about 10,000 jobs.

The complex is scheduled to open on April 24, 2014.

Hanoi, Hoi An hailed among top 10 Asian destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:02:43 PDT

This selection result has been released by one of Southeast Asia’s most widely read travel-trade media outlets, Smart Travel Asia.

Specifically, Hanoi ranks 7th and Hoi An retains its 5^thposition among the top 10 Asian's destinations.

In addition, many hotels and resorts in Vietnam were also named in the "Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts" by Smart Travel Asia, including the Nam Hai, Hoi An at 2^nd place, Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi at 3^rd place, Sofitel Dalat Palace, Dalat at 21^st place and Princess d'Annam Resort&Spa, Binh Thuan at 25^th place.

The top 25 hotels for businessman hailed Park Hyatt Saigon, HCM City and Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi at 8^th and 20^th place, respectively. Moreover, the two properties continued to be listed among the top 25 hotels for meetings at 8^th and 10^th place, respectively. The list also named Sheraton Hanoi at 17^th position.

The sixth annual poll, ran from May to July 2010. Smart Travel Asia said its voters, on average, took 14 air trips in the past 12 months and earned US$165,000 in household income. Approximately 60 percent of the voters were based in Asia; 20 percent from the UK/Europe; and 20 percent from North America.

Vietnam ranked among top growth tourist destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:02:24 PDT

(CPV) – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) assessed that in the first six months of 2010, Asia and the Middle East had the highest tourism growth.

The UNWTO said that the number of foreign tourists around the globe has been 421 million, a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. With this, the world’s tourism sector will likely reach a growth of 4% for the whole year of 2010.

Tourism growth was seen in emerging markets such as the Middle East with 20% and Asia Pacific with 14%. Some destinations in Asia had impressive growth, including Sri Lanka with 49%, Japan with 36%, Vietnam and Myanmar with 35%, Hong Kong and Macao (China) with 23%, Singapore with 23%, reported the UNWTO.

The UNWTO said that the tourism industry will continue to grow during the rest of the year but will still face difficulties from the global recession of 2009. For the period, regional and local tourism will play important roles in the world’s tourism growth.

With being ranked among top destinations with the highest growth, Vietnam’s tourism is striving to rise to the world level with many attractive destinations and high-quality properties honored and recognized by many of the world’s media websites.

Specifically, Hanoi and Hoi An have been selected among 10 Asian destinations by one of Southeast Asia’s most widely read travel-trade media outlets, Smart Travel Asia. Some hotels and resorts in Vietnam were also named in the "Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts" by Smart Travel Asia, including the Nam Hai, Hoi An at 2^nd place, Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi at 3^rd place, Sofitel Dalat Palace, Dalat at 21^st place and Princess d'Annam Resort&Spa, Binh Thuan at 25^th place.

In addition, Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, a UNESCO recognised world heritage site, has jumped to second place among 28 finalists of the online voting for the world’s new seven wonders, by New Open World (NOW).

Bangkok – Hanoi cultural tourism program

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:02:09 PDT

(CPV) - The program, co-organized by the Thailand – Vietnam Association of Tourism, will take place between September 27^th and October 2^nd to celebrate great festive days of Vietnam, especially the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi.

In a press brief in Bangkok, Deputy Chairman of the Thailand – Vietnam Association of Tourism, Vu Nguyen Anh Tuyet said that the program aims to discover the culture and customs of Vietnamese people as well as to enhance the relation between the two countries.

The program will include an auto-procession attended by a group of famous scholars and artists, businesses, and reporters of Thailand. The group will depart at Bangkok on September 27^th on the Road 8 through Savannakhet and Khammuon Provinces to visit the House of Uncle Ho in Vietnam’s Nghe An and the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Ninh Binh. The group is scheduled to come Hanoi in the morning of September 30^th.

After enjoying diverse ativities to celebrate the giant celebration of the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi, they will leave the capital on October 2^nd.

Also on this occasion, the group will present a sculpture picture of President Ho Chi Minh with 24 gilded carats to the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi.

Also at the press brief, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Thailand, Ngo Duc Thang highlighted the meaning of the decision of the King Ly Thai To of choosing Thang Long as the capital city. Thang Long in the past and the present has always been politic, economic and cultural center of Vietnam; with the affirmed position in the region and the world.

Mr. Thang also introduced foreign press week which will be co-organized by the Hanoi People’s Committee and the Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from September 9^th to 15^th in Thailand. At the event, activities of the great celebration of the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi will be launched.

Hue plans to receive 3 million visitors annually

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:01:54 PDT

Thua Thien Hue province is expected to receive 2.5-3 million visitors, half of them from overseas, annually from now until 2015.

Phan Tien Dung, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the tourism sector is creating an open and transparent business environment to make full use of all the resources provided by domestic and foreign investors.

In addition, the province is developing new tourism packages, including spiritual forms, places of entertainment and eco-tourism. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy many more cultural activities, historical sites, traditional craft villages, maritime tourism and adventure tours.

It is also focused on promoting the heritage values of the old imperial city.

Thua Thien-Hue is one of Vietnam’s most attractive destinations. Its tourism turnover has increased at an average annual growth of 20-25 percent from VND543 billion in 2005 to VND1,130 billion in 2010.

At present, the province welcomes 1.5-2 million visitors per year, who are mainly from Western Europe, Northern America, Southeast Asia, Northern Asia and other new markets.

Over the past five years, the province has attracted 48 major projects with a combined capital of VND40,000 billion. Despite these achievements, the tourism sector is still confronted with a number of problems arising from scattered investments in tourism industry and poor promotion.

Dong Xuan market becomes a tourist site

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:01:36 PDT

With its many interesting sights and attractions, the Dong Xuan market has become a tourist site for both domestic and foreign visitors.

One of the biggest shopping centres in Hanoi, the market has attracted a large number of customers and visitors.

According to Dong Xuan Travel, an agent of the Dong Xuan Joint-Stock Company, every month, the market receives thousands of foreign visitors from many countries including Japan, France, China, Thailand, the UK and many others.

So far, the Dong Xuan Joint-Stock Company has launched tours to explore the market, providing business opportunities to businessmen at the market. It also cooperates with other travel agencies to introduce tours to the market.

At present, the market is being upgraded to present short films about the history of old quarters and Dong Xuan market to serve tourists.

German beer festival to come to Hanoi

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:01:21 PDT

The Oktoberfest 2010, a German beer festival will be held on September 24^th and 25^th, in Hanoi.

Photo: eutravelguide.net

The organizing board said that during the festival, together with best-selling fresh beers of Germany, and those imported from other countries, participants will have chance to enjoy German traditional food.

This year’s festival will have the participation of the German band “the Happy Bavaria” from Munich where the Oktoberfest originated.

This is the second time the Oktoberfest comes to Hanoi. Last year, the festival attracted 2,000 participants.

Speaking at a press briefing on September 15^th, Mr. Andreas Otto, Second Secretary of the German Embassy in Vietnam said that the Oktoberfest 2010 will have a larger scale than last year’s festival and is a cultural event to celebrate the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi and the 35^thanniversary of Vietnam – German diplomatic ties.

The Oktoberfest 2010 is expected to attract the participation of thousands of local people and foreign tourists.

The Oktoberfest festival annually takes place in September in Munich. The festival was held in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding with horse races and various culinary delights.

125 most excellent travel enterprises to be honored in Guide Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:01:06 PDT

The 11^th Guide Awards will be presented to enterprises doing best in the fields of hotels, resorts, apartments for lease, and travel agents.

125 most excellent travel enterprises to be honored in Guide Awards.
Source: Vnexpress.net

The award ceremony will be held on September 25^th in Vietnam’s central coastal city of Danang, together with a exhibition of photos and products, entitled: “Developing tourism sustainably in combination with environment protection.”

The result is based on a one-year research from readers of “The Guide” magazine, assessments of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, and experts in tourism.

The norm of environment protection is also hailed in the 11^th Guide Awards. 12 tourism enterprises will be selected to receive the Sen xanh” (Green Lotus) award for a fresh future.

Winning enterprises include famous hotels such as Caravelle, Majestic, Rex, Sheraton Saigon, and Melia Hanoi; attractive resorts such as Furama Da Nang, Romana Binh Thuan, Sunrise Nha Trang, and Le Belhamy Hoi An; and big travel agents such as Saigontourist, Ben Thanh Tourist, Vietnamtourism Ho Chi Minh City, Vietravel, and Fiditour.

The award was established in 1999. Former Vice President Truong My Hoa is the chairman of honor of the Guide Awards.

Thang Long Royal Citadel greets 300,000 visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:54:47 PDT

Photo: cinet.gov.vn

The Thang Long Royal Citadel, a world’s cultural heritage recently recognized by UNESSCO, has welcomed more than 300,000 foreign and local visitors since its first opening to the public on October 2^nd.

Thang Long Royal Citadel, which was recently discovered, covers a total of 19 hectares at 18 Hoang Dieu Street and the Ha Noi’s ancient citadel.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Director of the Preservation Center for the Co Loa – Hanoi Ancient Citadel historical site said that the archaeological area received 20,000-30,000 visitors a day. At peak days, the number rose to nearly 40,000; which created difficulties in receiving and guiding visitors.

During Hanoi’s millennium anniversary, the center mobilized all forces and nearly 30 volunteers to work continuously from 7 am to 8-9 pm.

Together with visiting well-known historical sites such as the Flag Tower, Doan Mon, Dien Kinh Thien, Hau Lau, Bac Mon, and House D67 (the General Headquarters of Vietnam People’s Army, visitors had opportunities to discover traces of the palaces from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties and special artifacts excavated in the archaeological area at 18 Hoang Dieu.

The archaeological area continues open to the public everyday until the end of October.

Two flights from Russia to Cam Ranh Airport set up

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:54:32 PDT

Cam Ranh International Airport. Photo: VNA

On October 13^th, Vladivostok Air, Russia worked with the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee to prepare for the opening of flights from Russia’s Khabarovsk and Vladivostok Cities to Vietnam’s central coastal city of Nha Trang through Cam Ranh International Airport beginning this winter.

Representative of Vladivostok Air said that there will be 14 flights between the two cities in Russia and Cam Ranh International Airport, starting from next December. Aircraft TU240 or A330 with 140 seats will be used for two flights every two weeks. This is the first step in establishing long-term routes between Nha Trang and the two cities as many Russian tourists visit Nha Trang coastal city.

At the negotiations, representatives of Cam Ranh International Airport said that it pledges to offer a 50% discount on ground services for Vladivostok Air. The airport now has enough infrastructure, devices, and human resources to receive international flight services. Nearly 10 hotels and tourist sites rating four-five stars in Nha Trang pledged to reduce accommodation cost from 20% to 50% on signed contracts for Russian tourists to Nha Trang on these flights.

Cam Ranh Airport was recognized for international standards since December 2009. Although the airport had the largest growth in passenger numbers at 21% annually, no international flights have been set up for long time. In July and August 2010, there were 14 direct flights from Incheon, the Republic of Korea to the airport, mainly providing services for RoK tourists to Nha Trang.

Third private carrier flies Vietnam's skies

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:54:16 PDT

Photo: Vnexpress.net

Vietnam's third private airline, Air Mekong, received its Air Operator's Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) in Kien Giang province in the south on October 8.

The carrier also launched its first two routes, Hanoi – Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc on the same day.

"The CAAV certificate will open a new page for our development", said Air Mekong chairman Doan Quoc Viet.

He said Air Mekong started commercial operations on October 9 with eight flights from Ha Noi and HCM City to Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Buon Me Thuot and Pleiku, adding that Air Mekong will expand operations in November, including flights to Da Lat in the Central Highlands and Da Nang city.

The airline has launched a promotional offer with 1,000 tickets on sale until November 9 at prices from VND400,000 to VND1.2 million on all its domestic routes. Tickets are on sale at travel agents as well as Air Mekong's website and customer care centres.

Air Mekong was established in 2009 by the Ha Long Investment and Development Company based at Phu Quoc Airport. The other two private carriers already operating in Vietnam are Indochina Airlines and VietJet AirAsia.

The CAAV said there are also a number of other organisations and individuals planning to launch airlines. To qualify, private operators must have a charter capital of at least VND500 billion to fly internationally and VND200 billion to launch domestic flights. They must also meet strict aviation and security standards.

Lao Airlines to open flights to HCM City

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:54:02 PDT

Photo: Internet

The Lao national carrier, Lao Airlines, will open a route from Vientiane to Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City, with a transit at Pakse, Champasak Province, with two flights a week.

The first flight will operate on October 19^th. Flights will depart from Vientiane on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and from HCM City on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The airline will use ATR72- 500 aircraft with a capacity of 72 passengers.

Staff of Lao Airlines’ ticket offices said that round-trip tickets for flights from HCM City to Vientiane (transiting at Pakse) costs VND 10 million (an equivalence to USD 501) while the ticket prices for two ways from HCM City to Pakse and vice versa are more than VND 5.3 million (nearly USD 259). These prices include VAT and other charges.

Currently, Lao Airlines operate flights to Cambodia, China, and Thailand and its major base is Wattay International Airport, Vientiane Capital. The airline was established and began its operation in September 1976 with the name of Lao Aviation. The trademark was changed into Lao Airlines in early 2003.

First Sheraton on Beach in Vietnam Celebrates Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:53:45 PDT

(CPV) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and East Ocean Real Estate & Tourist Joint Stock Company officially christened the first Sheraton beach property in Vietnam on May 5^th. This is the first internationally renown five-star hotel in Nha Trang.

Located on the sunny south-central coast, less than an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City, the 30-story Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa drinks in views of one of the world’s most beautiful bays from virtually every space, including all 284 guest rooms.

From the ornate lobby chandelier made of glass seagulls to top-floor suites bedecked in earthed-tinged furnishings, the entire hotel exudes a harmonious relationship with the region’s beaches and maritime environment.

“The hotel is in one of the most beautiful beach resort destinations in the country and offers visitors a variety of sites to explore and a wide selection of restaurants, markets and exciting adventures,” said Wayne Buckingham, Regional Vice President - Starwood Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore.

The appearance of the Sheraton is expected to raise the level of the trademark of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, attract more cultural and tourism events to the coastal city and contribute to offering more jobs for local workers.

Vietnam tourism channel to be launched

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:53:30 PDT

A tourism channel on Vietnam will officially be aired on October 9 on a VCTV channel of Vietnam Television.

The channel will introduce Vietnam’s attractive destinations to tourists and promote tourism activities.

The channel’s programme was directly produced from local and foreign sources with many interesting topics. The “Destinations at weekends” column in particular will introduce beautiful landscapes throughout the nation.

The channel is the first tourism one in Vietnam and is expected to expand international coverage to attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Vietnam – Thailand target “1 million tourists in 2015”

noreply@blogger.com (Thanh) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:52:31 PDT

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Vietnam National Tourism Administration (VNTA) will coordinate to discuss ways to carry out the program, namely “1 million tourists in 2015”.

This was said by Mr. Sansern Ngaorungsi, Deputy Governor of TAT for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific) in a conference introducing tourism development targets in 2010 of TAT in Ho Chi Minh City.

The two sides focused on plans to exchange information, invite journalists of Vietnam and Thailand to visit and report Vietnam’s tourism, and invite travel agents from the two countries to take part in exhibition fairs.

Mr. Ngaorungsi said that conferences to realize these plans will be kicked off in the next week.

In 2009; 370,000 Vietnamese traveled to Thailand and more than 100,000 Thailand toured Vietnam.

In the first eight months of 2010, 240,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Thailand while the figure of Thailand to Vietnam was 120,000.

Vietnam was ranked third among ASEAN tourists visiting Thailand.

Currently, there are more than 80 flights a week from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City by Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Air Asia, and Lufthansa to Bangkok.

Tourists from the northeast of Thailand can travel by cars to Vietnam’s central province and vice versa.