Representatives of 12 international travel agents, mainly from Germany, Austria and France, said last Wednesday they were happy with a familiarization trip to Vietnam organized by Vietravel, as they got to know better about the destination and country’s products and services for travelers.European travel agents in Vietnam
Speaking at a function held on Wednesday at the office of Vietravel tour operator in Ho Chi MinhCity’s District 3, several expressed their good thoughts about Vietnam’s landscapes and cultures and commited to bring tourists to the country.
The 2009 Sapa Culture and Tourism Week will be held in Sapa district in the northern province of Lao Cai, from April 30 to May 3. (Sapa Tour) Sapa in Vietnam
A diverse range of activities welcoming visitors will be held during the week, including the “love market” in the town and the “Cloud Festival” on Ham Rong Mountain, which spotlights the traditional culture of the Mong, Dao, Giay, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minority groups.
The old port town of Hoi An has always been one of Vietnam’s most charismatic and seductive tourist spots and at Lunar New Year hundreds of lanterns added to its charm. On the last day of the Lunar New Year, the ancient streets of Hoi An were filled with the thick scent of incense and anticipation. The typically relaxed locals were fluttering around hastily making arrangements before one year ended and another began.Hoi An Vietnam lights up
Phu Quoc Island has taken pole position in a list of Vietnam’s top ten domestic tourist destinations, according to the results of the ‘Best Brands of Vietnam 2008-2009’ campaign.Phu Quoc destinations
The campaign, which ran from Sept. 2008 to Jan. this year, was organised by the Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and included a wide range of sectors, from commerce to transport and insurance agencies.
Vietnam travel companies have launched discount tours with tour costs down by 40-50%. This is the largest discount campaign in many years, which will last until May 2009.Cherry blossom in Da Lat Vietnam
The discount campaign is being offered thanks to Vietnam Airlines’ special promotional program for six domestic air routes from Hanoi for some big travel companies in the North. This program will run from February 20 to May 30.
Vietnam tour fee, the tourism promotion programme has been kicked off, but tours remain unattractive to travellers as tour fee reductions have been minimal.Vietnam tour fee reductions cannot attract travellers
Travel firms have admitted that considerable tour fee reductions have been applied mostly to outbound tours or domestic tours with air travel because airlines have agreed to cooperate with travel firms to lower airfares.
The “Take a kayak tour in Hau River” tour, offered by Victoria Can Tho Hotel, which has been enjoyed for a long time by American and Japanese tourists, is now attracting local tourists at a price US$25 per person.
kayak tour in Hau River
We departed from the wharf of Victoria Can Tho Hotel on Hau River’s banks in doubled-seat kayaks, a boat which originated 8,000 years ago along the Siberian coast line for use by Eskimos.
The Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel and Spa (Sheraton hotel in Hanoi) is scheduled to open this July in the beach city of Nha Trang, according to its general manager Scott Hodgetts.
Sheraton Hotel to open in Nha Trang“So much of the spotlight in recent years has focused on what’s happening in Da Nang, and what’s been going on in Mui Ne,” said Hodgetts. “Nha Trang, with its rightful claim as the most beautiful bay in Vietnam, its proximity to Saigon and its depth of cultural assets, is on the verge of a major comeback.”
Anyone who can write in Vietnamese is invited to participate in a writing contest with the theme of travel in Viet Nam.
Vietnam travel writing contest beginsThe contest called Mot Chuyen Di (A Journey) is being co-organised by the The Thao & Van Hoa (Sport&Culture) newspaper and the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam. It is one among several activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Viet Nam-Sweden diplomatic relations in 2009.
Ho Chi Minh City plans pedestrian streets
Ho Chi Minh City authorities have announced a plan to create pedestrian-only streets in the city’s downtown areas.
Under the plan, Nguyen Hue road and the road along the western bank of the Sai Gon River will be turned into such streets. The first phase of this plan is scheduled to be completed before April 30.
