Thu Thiem New Urban Area opens more roads

Along with four main boulevards being constructed, two main roads will be opened in Thu Thiem New Urban Area to attract more investors. The authorities of HCMC proposed the Central Government for investment project of constructing new routes.

Thu Thiem New Urban Area is a highlight in the new appearance of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It belongs to wards of Anh Khanh, Thu Thiem, An Loi Dong, and parts of Binh An, Binh Khanh wards and is divided into eight functional areas. Each region has its own characteristics of mixed use, density private building, public spaces and landmark buildings.
According to the proposal of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, there are two new projects of roads conducted in the northern residential area (the functional areas no.3 and no. 4). They are projects on construction of North-South transport hub from Thu Thiem Bridge 1 to Mai Chi Tho Road, and a bridge connecting the North-South axis to functional area no.6. Simultaneously, the committee hoped to specify investors implementing these projects itself.

Thu Thiem New Urban Area in construction - Source: Image from Panoramio

The local authority assessed that the investment in construction and infrastructure development, especially in infrastructure of northern residential area, is an essential requirement for attracting investors, contributing to the development and formation the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in accordance with the approved plans. In the early year, four main boulevards of Thu Thiem New Urban Area (Arc Avenue, Lakeside Avenue, Riverside Avenue, and a subway connecting eight functional areas in Thu Thiem), the four main transport hubs of the urban area, started being constructed with a total capital of VND12,000 billion. The project of these four roads is expected to complete by 2017.
Relating to the construction of infrastructure in District 2, one of the most important Ho Chi Minh districts, the People's Committee of this city has approved the project of upgrading and expanding Tran Nao Street. The street will have the width of 30 meters. At the same time, the whole technique and infrastructure system will be constructed under the ground. For sidewalks of over 5 meters, the construction of public works such as trees and bus shelters will be taken into consideration.

Whole view Thu Thiem Bridge - Source: Image from Flickr

Besides, this city also asked the Department of Transportation to upgrade Luong Dinh Cua Street in this August, and to finish projects of Tran Nao and Luong Dinh Cua streets in 2015. Luong Dinh Cua is an important route in District 2. This street links east-west road to Thu Thiem Bridge to enter the city center. At the same time, the department was required to break ground to construct a route connecting Nguyen Van Huong Street to Hanoi Highway in this April. This project is predicted to finish in 2015. Apart from constructing new routes in Thu Thiem New Urban Area, many projects are being implemented in Thu Thiem such as projects of residential area, 6200 resettlement apartments, multi-functional tower, and international convention center. These projects are seen as highlight points to stimulate real estate market to recover, and change the appearance of the city toward civilization and modernism.
The system of roads and infrastructure in Thu Thiem New Urban Area is planned according to an open orientation with four main boulevards. These four main boulevards construction with a total investment of over VND10, 000 billion in the form of build – transfer (BT), expected to be completed in 2016, is considered a prerequisite for construction and development of Thu Thiem Peninsula.

Vietnam Airlines orders Airbus latest aircrafts

According to the report of Airbus on April 23rd, Vietnam Airlines has become the first airline in Asia to use the latest advanced type of aircraft of this company named A350 XWB. The first A350 XWB will land at Vietnam airport in mid 2015.

Mr. Alan Pardoe, Chief Marketing Officer of Airbus has said that there are 3 versions of A350 XWB: A350-800 with carriage of 270 passengers in there-classes design, A350-900 with carriage of 314 passengers and A350-1000 with carriage of 350 ones. Thanks to the application of advanced technologies, the new plane type of Airbus reduces operating cost up to 20% per passenger seat, uses fuel more efficiently than same planes types on the market, especially Boeing 777-200 ER. In addition, A350 has outstanding advantages of wide seat, noise reduction, and air filter application on planes. As planned, Vietnam Airlines will have fourteen A350-900 aircrafts, of which ten units are directly ordered from Airbus and the rest 4 units are hired. This is really good news of Vietnam Airlines. With this project, Vietnam Airlines fleet expects to improve its services and reduce its cost of fuel with the aim of lowering price for passengers.

A350-800 of Vietnam Airlines in future - Source: Image from Wikimedia Commons

Also at the press conference in Hanoi, it was stated that Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer in the world had chose Nikkiso Vietnam Company to produce composite vertical bars of wings and Sharklet’s armor plates for 320s under sub-contract with main supplier Sharklet – the Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD). Sharklet is a wing tip device which has been introduced in 2009 by Airbus. It is designed to enhance the payload-range performance of the A320 Family. Sharklets, a retrofit option, are expected to reduce fuel burn of up to 4% over longer sectors, which may correspond to annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tones per aircraft. With 4,280 aircrafts of A320 type which will be delivered to customers all over the world, this contract is expected to ensure a long-term work for Nikkiso Vietnam.
Mr. Jean Francois Laval, Executive Vice President of Airbus in Asia said that the company chose Vietnam to produce aircraft’s components because the aviation market of Vietnam was growing fast, the cost of production was low and Airbus received favorable supports from Vietnamese Government. The company is also researching to expand the scale of production and increase the number of factories in Vietnam in the future.

A350-800 on its flight - Source: Image from Wikimedia Commons

Earlier this year, another airline in Vietnam named Vietjet Air currently operates ten A320 Airbus aircrafts and has ordered over 100 A320 aircrafts including firm orders for 63 A320s, plus 30 purchase rights and more 7 lease aircrafts. Jetstar Pacific Airlines, with two main shareholders: Vietnam Airlines and Qantas Group, is being operated totally by Airbus aircrafts, with 6 A320s which are serving for domestic routes at present. 

Phu Quoc calls on investment from Singapore

At a meeting forum held in Singapore on April 28, the Minister of Planning and Investment, Bui Quang Vinh called on Singapore’s investment in Vietnam to construct Phu Quoc into a high-end tourist center in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The Minister of Planning and Investment, Bui Quang Vinh announced that Vietnamese Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Singapore have agreed to cooperate and create the most favorable conditions of environment, policies and destinations of investment to encourage Singapore companies to invest in Phu Quoc Island in the near future.
The Minister of Planning and Investment expressed his wish that Singapore with experience in planning and developing tourist destinations, will assist in planning Phu Quoc Island. Singapore, also, has a right to propose incentives that Vietnam needs to develop as well as the limitations and difficulties that need solving in order to build Phu Quoc into a tourist and resort center in the region in years to come. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee as well as Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Kien Giang Province, on behalf of the delegation of Kien Giang had a talk with Singapore’s businesses in the Forum on investment in Vietnam promotion. He said that Vietnam’s government is building the project on “Development of Phu Quoc Island Model Economic Zone” with the highest level of incentives to invest, which is firstly applied. In addition, improvements of transport infrastructure system, modern synchronous energy combined with the inherent potential of geography are implemented. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Singaporean businesses’ investment in Phu Quoc can focus on eco-tourism zones, scientist urban areas, and high-tech industrial zones of about 4,000 hectares in Phu Quoc Island.

A new project in Phu Quoc - Source: Image from evnspc.vn

In the meeting dated April 28 with a number of Singaporean businesses like Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd and Centurion Properties Pte Ltd, the delegation of Kien Giang province said that when investing in Phu Quoc, businesses could enjoy investment incentives at the highest level for the first time of application. For example, there will be incentives of land policies and preferential policies for corporate income tax, income tax for high-income earners and tax import. After working with leaders of Kien Giang province, said Jason Lien, the Project Director Centurion Properties Pte Ltd, told that Phu Quoc had great potentials of nature to develop tourism and economy. Recently, Vietnamese government expanded and upgraded airports with international and regional standards to shorten flight time to other countries in the region like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. “Phu Quoc is a wonderful place for relaxation with beautiful places, beaches, and it is an ideal destination to invest in resorts and hotels”, Mr. Jason said.
According to Mr. Chia Keng Tech, the representative of Arcanum Associates, LLT, a Singapore’s company specializing in providing consulting services of business and investment, that a large area of land in Phu Quoc will be spent to develop is a good news for foreign investors. He said, “I think that Phu Quoc is an island possessing many great opportunities” and “I would recommend businesses in Singapore to invest in Phu Quoc quickly”. Along with the view of Mr. Chia Keng Tech, Mr. Tan Soon Kim, the assistant of Chief Executive Operator of IE Singapore (International Enterprise Singapore), confirmed that IE Singapore will encourage Singapore companies to invest in Kien Giang province.

Phu Quoc Beach - Source: Image from Flickr

The Chairman of People's Committee of Kien Giang province, Mr. Le Van Thi, said Vietnam and Singapore has built a strategic partnership partly based on similarities to natural and geographical conditions of Phu Quoc and Singapore. By virtue of this, Singapore enterprises who invest in Phu Quoc will have more advantages than other investors will. According to the Chairman of Kien Giang province, at the 10th Ministerial Conference on Vietnam - Singapore economic connections held at Singapore on April 29, the delegation of Kien Giang will have a speech to introduce potentials, advantageous position of Phu Quoc to investors as well as the management agencies of Singapore. In the near future, investment in Phu Quoc in particular and investment in Vietnam in general will be boosted significantly by Singaporean investors.

Vietnam market is the hottest market of Apple

According to a recent report of Apple, Vietnam has become the hottest market of this company. The revenue of Vietnam Apple market has tripled in the first half of 2014, especially the sales of iPhone has doubled.

Previously, Vietnam market hardly appeared in the annual report of Apple. In the quarterly meeting on April 23rd, Apple Board of Directors mentioned about the auspicious market in Vietnam, however. The revenue of Apple in Vietnam market has tripled in the first half of 2014, especially the sales of iPhone has doubled. The rate is expected to increase because the majority of Vietnamese consumers are generally young and interested in high technology, the number of people using Internet and mobile phone is rising, the middle class is forecasted to double by 2020.
Vietnam technology companies have been growing dramatically. A typical example is Flappy Bird, a game app which has become popular as a mobile game listed in the world’s top downloads. The Vietnamese purchase iPhones in Apple store which cost half the per capita income according to the figure of 2012. Nonetheless, they believed that it was deserved. Mrs. Pham My Linh, a 23-year-old office worker, said that an iPhone had the price equal to her 2-month salary. But she still bought it because it made her more confident when going out.

A Crowded Apple Store in Vietnam - Source: Photo from baomoi.com

This demand is absolutely contrast to the current gloominess of Vietnam economy. Vietnam GDP has risen only 5.4 percent last year. According to economists, this figure is not corresponding to the rate of population growth and the potentiality of production in the country. Market researchers of smartphone businesses in Vietnam have stated that the demand of enhancing social status is the main reason for the increase of Apple sales. Simultaneously, programs of discounts, promotion, and payment assistance help consumers to afford luxury equipments which cost more than their average monthly income. The decrease in the consumption of public phones proved that Vietnamese people desire to move into smartphone market. Such things benefit not only Apple but also almost all tablet and smartphone manufacturers like Samsung or HTC.

An iPhone 5S of Apple - Source: Photo from techz.vn

According the figure released in January by the research firm GFK, smartphone accounted for 77 percent of phone sales in Vietnam last year. The number of sales increased by nearly 135% compared to that of the same period the last year. Meanwhile, the tablet sale tripled thanks to its 27 percent reduction in price.
Many large companies in the high-tech field are paying attention to Vietnam because the potential market here has not been fully exploited. The Vietnamese population is 90 millions, of which 15 millions has lived in 2 largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, only 30 millions have access to the Internet, and two thirds is under 30 years old. If Vietnam market is effectively exploited in the right way, the profit brought to companies will be a huge number.

Hue becomes ASEAN City of Culture

On April 19, in Hue City, the sixth Ministerial Conference in charge of ASEAN’s Culture and Art took place, representatives of Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and China discussed relevant issues, and awarded the title “ASEAN City of Culture” to Hue.

Hue is the third city, after Cebu (The Philippines) and Singapore, becoming ASEAN City of Culture. This is the land of history, poetic and beautiful nature, also a place of reserving the value of tangible and intangible cultural heritages, including relics of Hue Citadel and Nha Nhac (Hue Royal Court Music) once recognized by UNESCO as world cultural heritages. In recent years, many cultural events are held in Hue. For example, Hue Festival, an international event, is held every two years. The purposes of these events are to promote Hue tourism, the image of Vietnam, Vietnamese people and culture; to expand exchanges and cooperation to promote economic development; to contribute to affirming the rich cultural identity of Hue, the city of heritage and tourism of Vietnam.

Hue awarded title ASEAN City of Culture - Source: Image from baothuathienhue.vn

After receiving the title of “ASEAN City of Culture”, the Chairman of Hue People’s Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Cao pledged to have a detailed plan and program on introducing Vietnamese in general and Hue people in particular the image of ASEAN community, at the same time promulgating Hue culture to the region and the world. The targets of Hue after receiving this tittle are to bring achievements into play, and to promulgate the image of peaceful, civilized ASEAN community with happy and comprehensively developed people. In the process of introducing, promoting the image of ASEAN community, many activities of cultural heritage value of preservation and promotion will take place in Hue, the ancient capital, in the integration and development phase. At the same time, exchanges, cooperation and community stability of ASEAN and the region will be focused through regional tourism cooperation, conferences, workshops, and cultural activities like cultural festivals, exhibits, and trade shows.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cao also thanked the Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other ASEAN countries and international friends for supporting Hue during that time. He also expressed his wish of continuing to receive the attention and support in promoting the image of the country, people and culture from ASEAN community. By virtue of this, culture will be truly a cultural bridge between nations and peoples with the aims of building a world of peace, stability and prosperity, making Hue really a place of cultural exchange. Thereby, promoting the conservation and promulgation of cultural heritages, development of economy will be strengthened to be worthy of the title "ASEAN City of Culture". In two-year term, Hue will play its part in enhancing exchanges, cooperation with other cultures and civilizations in ASEAN.

Leaders meet and have conversation - Source: Image from baothuathienhue.vn

With this great tittle, Hue also has to establish the cultural identity of ASEAN. With the topic “raising the cultural role in the stable development of ASEAN”, the ministerial conference focuses on discussing and concretizing pledges given, strengthening ASEAN community, and promoting partnership with other countries to share experiences on developing art and culture. In terms of the role of culture for sustainable development of ASEAN community, utilization of knowledge, science, technology and art forms to improve the quality of material and spiritual life in ASEAN, a wealthy and prosperous community will be established in the near future.

Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2014 attracts thousands of visitors

Taking place from April 7 to May 15, Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2014 includes a chain of various, exciting and promising activities which will bring unforgettable impressions on positive changes of this land to tourists.

In every April and May, tourists coming to Halong have chances to participate in many exciting festive activities with various and striking features which bring memorable experiences on exploring Halong and local people to visitors. Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2014 is organized by the provincial People's Committee. The tourism week consists of featured cultural events, sports and tourism activities. It gradually becomes one of the cultural characteristics of Quang Ninh tourism. The program is widely deployed across the province with a series of special and attractive events. The most important point in occasion is Halong Carnival 2014. Halong Carnival will be officially held on April 30 at Hoang Quoc Viet Square in Hung Thang Ward, Halong City. This is the first time that Halong City is hosting many attractive, unique, and promising performances which appeals local people and visitors to join.

Colors in Halong Carnival 2013

With a theme “Quang Ninh- Convergence and Pervasion”, Halong Carnival 2104 will be featured with a series of interesting activities such as street parade and art performances. The street parade in Halong Carnival 2014 includes 28 groups with nearly 4000 professional and semi-professional actors from local organizations, enterprises; local people; and artistic delegations from China, Thailand and Laos, etc. Coming to Halong Carnival 2014, visitors will be immersed not only in colorful cultural space of 22 ethnic groups in Quang Ninh province, but also enjoy the exciting modern cultures of art groups from many countries in the region. Immersing in a vibrant and charismatic art space, visitors have more understanding about cultures of Vietnam and other neighboring countries. In Halong Carnival 2014, you will also join with artists in street performances like catwalk shows, “Phoenix” dancing, and rituals for best harvests of local people, especially, exciting Caribbean and Latin dancing shows.

Performance in Halong Carnival 2012

Besides, the street parade of Halong Carnival 2014 consists of seven floats of flowers, dozens of models, and moveable catwalk decorated strikingly with themes such as “Halong City – aspiration of flying Dragon”, “Land of natural masterpieces convergence”, “Land of colorful cultures convergence”, and “Land of pervasions and interests”. The beauty of Halong City will be reflected via different spaces and moments, from brilliant dawn to dusk and magical night. As planned, the organizer will arrange over 1000 seats to ensure and create favorable conditions for visitors to observe shows in one of the most important festivals in Halong.

Coming to Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2014, apart from joining Halong Carnival, visitors can participate in a series of cultural events, sports and tourism activities. These events take place continuously for over one month with many striking and attractive programs. They are Halong Cherry Blossom Festival, “I love Halong” show, and exhibitions of art - photography, light, and spiritual life of fishing communities in Halong Bay. In addition, many folk games and beauty contests, and Halong Travel Trade Fair, promotions on regional specialty brands, and other sport activities took place during this time.

Performance in Halong Carnival 2013

Through a series of vibrant activities and events, visitors will have the best overview of local life and featured tradition in Halong. In addition, these activities contribute to promulgating Halong tourism to other provinces and to the world. Overall, the series of special events in Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2014 will create an atmosphere of great festivals, opening up a blooming season of Quang Ninh tourism.

Phu Quoc tourism offers big discounts for tourists

Thanks to the policy of electricity cost reduction, Phu Quoc has recently implemented tourism stimulus package for tourism companies to discount prices for tourists from 10 to 15 percent.

According the statement of Mr. Nguyen Van Linh, Head of tourism management under the Kien Giang provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, thanks to the national grid project which was implemented in earlier this year, Phu Quoc Island has officially charges electricity prices equal to that of the mainland since early March 2014. Thus, the current price of electricity in Phu Quoc is only one third compared to the previous one. It is an ideal opportunity for authorities and tourism companies in the province to implement the stimulus package for travel.

Phu Quoc Beach

The tourism stimulus program of this year will be carried out extensively with many new points such as improving service quality to attract domestic and international tourists, discounting service prices in low season, and strengthening promotion of Phu Quoc tourism. The province will perform this stimulus package through allowing tourism companies to delay paying taxes in the low season.

Mr. Huynh Quang Hung, Vice Chairman of Phu Quoc People’s Committee stated that provincial authorities have encouraged companies and enterprises which do businesses of accommodation, resorts, restaurants, catering, and transportation to lower prices. To be supported by this stimulus package, companies are required to apply discount program from 10 to 15 percent for each business form but still ensure service quality.

Phu Quoc beach view from La Veranda Resort

The tourism stimulus project of Phu Quoc Island also focuses on ensuring the security of tourists by requiring businesses proving services of accommodations, hotels, resorts near beaches to associate to found rescue teams. In addition, local officials will strengthen law inspection on transportation and tourism. It is banned to bring tourists to visit the sea in case of bad weather, particularly in storm seasons. After the conference of tourism promotion, Phu Quoc will establish teams to inspect on prices of services provided by businesses entitled to the stimulus package. All companies and businesses participating in this project will be publicly listed.      

Relax in Phu Quoc Beach

To promote tourism, besides discounting service prices for tourists, Phu Quoc also implements some other policies such as launching more straight air routes from Phu Quoc to large cities like Hanoi, Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa, constructing new roads linking coastal attractions to towns, and especially the policy of free 30-day visa for tourists since March 10th 2014. With such improvement, Phu Quoc is expected to become a fascinating destination of both domestic and international tourists.

Ninh Binh tourism enhances promotions for development purpose

With the goal of attracting 4.8 million of visitors in 2014, from the beginning of the year, Ninh Binh tourism has many stratagies to attract both domestic and international tourists; especially, promotions in foreign market.

On opening the campaign of promoting tourist destinations in Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh participated in the second Vietnam International Tourism Mart in Vietnam Exhibition Fair Centre, with the theme “Tourism promotion – New destination, new opportunity and travelling for sustainable development”. The fair was organized by Vietnam Tourism Association in the coordination with the General Department of Tourism and the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi.

Joining Vietnam International Tourism Mart (VITM) in Hanoi, the Ninh Binh Tourism Promotion Information Center collaborated with 10 units of management, businesses of tourism and services such as Trang An eco-tourism zone, Star business travel, Yen Nhi Hotel, Hoang Son Peace Hotel, and Emeralda Resort, and other units in Ninh Binh participating in this tourism fair. The fair with the scale of two standard booths is decorated with unique and typical images of eco-tourism, spiritual and cultural tourism, and Ninh Binh’s unique and attractive tourist products. This is a chance for Ninh Binh to promote and introduce Ninh Binh tourism under the theme: “Trang An scenic landscape complex in the orientation to the world heritage”. At the booth of Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Tourism Promotion Information Center and travel businesses organized exhibits and issued more than 10,000 publications, tourist promotional materials such as photo books, travel map, and VCD which introduce Ninh Binh tourism, propaganda and promote tourist attractions, chains of restaurants and hotels through movies, video clips, and electronic photo albums. In four days of the fair, the booth of Ninh Binh appealed over 10,000 visitors, including nearly 1,000 visitors of travel companies.

Also, in the framework of the fair, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism directed the Tourism Promotion Information Center to promote tourism in coordination with 10 tourism businesses in this fair to hold a seminar on promoting attractions in Ninh Binh in Bao Son- Hanoi International Hotel. The goal of this coordination is to introduce tourism businesses and travel companies in Hanoi resources, products  and orientation  of tourism development in Ninh Binh, facilitating travel businesses in Ninh Binh directly access to their partners to share, connect information products and services accurately. Simultaneously, exchange and discuss on the advantages and difficulties of cooperation, exploitation of tourism market attract both domestic and foreign tourists. The workshop appealed the participation of nearly 170 businesses and travel companies in Hanoi, and 25 press agencies and media.

Tam Coc Cave, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam - Source: Image from Flickr

In 2014, despite the gloomy economy of the country and the world with difficulties, but Ninh Binh tourism industry still has many opportunities to grow, including striking the Vesak 2014 will be held at Bai Dinh Pagoda in May. It is expected there are about 10,000 official delegates, including 3,500 international delegates from over 100 countries and territories. During the celebration, there will be many cultural activities took place like exhibition of Buddhist art photography, performances of arts, films, Buddhist culture fair. Currently, Ninh Binh is preparing necessary conditions await the consideration of UNESCO recognizing Trang An scenic landscape complex as a world heritage.

Tam Coc, Ninh Binh - Source: Image from Flickr

For promoting and promulgating Ninh Binh tourism, the industry of tourism will cooperate with Vietnam Television, VTC Digital Television, VTV Television Cab, and telecommunication agencies and mass media to introduce Ninh Binh. Advertisements of Ninh Binh tourism are promoted on website of the General Department of Tourism. The industry of Ninh Binh tourism also coordinated with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to develop the image of Ninh Binh in Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2014, and Korea World Travel Fair. In addition, the industry strengthened the management of civilized lifestyle, social security and environmental sanitation in the region to meet the need of tourists in famous destinations in the province.

Cyclists from London to Ninh Binh - Source: Image from Flickr

These above important events will contribute to promoting widely the potentials of tourism, unique culture and tourism products of Ninh Binh to the world. This is a good opportunity to attract tourists, especially foreign tourists to Ninh Binh, and appeal more domestic and international investors to promote joint activities and Ninh Binh tourism. 

Phong Nha Ke Bang has the first helicopter tourism service

On April 24 morning, Quang Binh People’s Committee coordinated with Vietnam Helicopter Company to hold two flights from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. The form of helicopter tours is a new and attractive type of tourism in Quang Binh.

This new and attractive type of tourism, on the one hand, meets the needs of tourists; on the other hand, it contributes to better exploitation of tourism potentials of Quang Binh, especially tours on exploring caves, spiritual life, and visiting old battlefields. Speaking at the opening ceremony of these flights, the representative of the local provincial People’s Committee said that the use of helicopters to visit the World Heritage Site, phong nha ke bang National Park comes from the needs of tourists who want to admire the sights in a different way from height. At the same time, the helicopters are also seen as effective means of emergency medical support for adventurous tours, discovery tours to Son Doong Cave, En Cave and Tu Lan Cave, etc.

Son River outside Phong Nha Cave - Source: Image from Panoramio

In addition, this kind of tours serves the needs of surveying rugged mountainous areas which have not been discovered. By virtue of this, the new features in the area of Phong nha Ke Bang National Park will be explored. These features might support research, management and protection in the national park and tourism operation in the near future. The schedule is arranged from April 20 to May 5. The Northern Helicopter Company (under the Vietnam Helicopter Company) will send its helicopters to Quang Binh to perform some flights catering the provincial and tourist needs, and offer helicopter medical services in adventure tours to Son Doong cave in Bo Trach District. Earlier, the company had a flight to survey approaching points that can serve tourism and rescue activities and in Phong Nha Ke Bang.

Bi Cave in Phong Nha - Source: Image from Flickr

Trial of new tours to explore En Cave by helicopters in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park will be opened from April 26 to 28. This is a combination of the management board of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, The Northern Helicopter Company, and some travel companies in Quang Binh. There will be only three helicopter tours in 2014 to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. These helicopter flights will fly around Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park once, during this time, tourists have a chance to see Son Doong Cave’s Garden of Eden; and then, these flights will approach the entrance of En Cave for tourists to explore.

Inside Phong Nha Caves - Source: Image from Flickr

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoai, the Chairman of Quang Binh People’s Committee said that Quang Binh is the first province in the Central Vietnam organizing services of helicopter tours. The organization of this tour opens up great opportunities for tourists to travel and discover Phong Nha Ke Bang. It also meets the limited time of tourists when traveling Vietnam in general and Quang Binh o particular. This is considered a major turning point of Quang Binh tourism.

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi offers appealing services

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi is really an ideal relaxation spot for those who would like to experience a professional service quality. Along with its reputation, the hotel gradually attracts tourists with three new perfect and wonderful services.

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, with harmonious combination between Western modernity and classical oriental architecture is one of the most luxury Hanoi hotels attracting many tourists. It is a whole diverse range of services: a business center, a Sen spa, a sport center, a casino, and a live music club...Along with its luxury and reputation, the hotel currently is applying extremely attractive services. Tourists is no need to go far to enjoy their fun and memorable moments.

Located in the bustling business district, Fortuna Hotel Hanoi will satisfy all of the customers, both businessmen and travelers as well with the standards from a five-star hotel on quality products and international services. 350 bedrooms with warm decor will dispel feelings of loneliness though you have to work or travel alone. In addition, the hotel has also offered multi-functional banquet rooms, 6 meeting rooms, spa services, health, gym, swimming pool, cable TV, and entertainment room services getting international standard. Fortuna Hotel is definitely a perfect destination for both businessmen and tourists when they stay in Hanoi.

Business Room in Fortuna Hotel Hanoi - Source: Image from fortuna.vn

Simultaneously, modern facilities and amenities definitely give tourists satisfaction as soon as they stay here. Particularly, unlike other hotels in Hanoi, tourists truly experience culinary art from the talent of experienced chefs: Tiffin restaurant serves Asian and European cuisine which characterizes Singapore inspired dishes; Chinese culinary with excellence Yum Cha in Chinese Cuisine restaurant or the best Japanese flavors in the Emperor restaurant. In addition, from 1st April 2014, tourists have a chance to enjoy fascinating afternoon tea menu at the Coffee Lounge from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm with the preferential price, only VND 290,000 for 2 guests. From April, Coffee Lounge will introduce guests an afternoon tea menu with attractive delicious snacks. Coming to the hotel with  friends, partners and enjoy nice snacks including fried beans, fried spring rolls, beef-rolled noodle, sugarcane-rolled shrimp and sesame donuts along with tea or coffee, tourist actually experience exciting moments.

Delicious Food at Fortuna Hotel Hanoi - Source: Image from fortuna.vn

Additionally, the hotel also offers two other appealing services. Spending the relaxation in Fortuna Hanoi Hotel, tourists will be particularly served a new daily midnight dish menu from 10:00 pm to 3:00 am. Known as a new address for midnight dishes, chefs at Tiffin restaurant will bring more rich and fascinating choices for tourists with new a midnight dining menu from appetizers, soups, burgers, pasta, and soup to delicious desserts nowhere else can be found. Tourists also comfortably enjoy excellent flavor butter smoothie with the reasonable price, only VND 110,000. Let friends and your family enjoy the taste of cool and delicious butter smoothie when setting foot in the hotel. The combination between the juicy butter, the sweetness of the coconut milk and the shaved ice brings a fresh feeling and unforgettable impressions. More important, in order to get perfect services or more information and reservations, tourist are recommended to directly contact the Tiffin restaurant. The staff is always ready to serve any tourists’ demands.

Sumptuous Lunch at Fortuna Hotel Hanoi - Source: Image from fortuna.vn

From Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, tourists will conveniently visit many beautiful landscapes nearby, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Hanoi station, Reunification Park, One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi Flag Tower, Thang Long Imperial…Hanoi tourism will actually be more interesting when tourist spending their relaxation in Fortuna Hanoi Hotel.

Trang An proposed to be a world heritage

Trang An, honored as “Dry Halong Bay”, is becoming a favorite attraction appealing tourists from all over the world. Recently, Vietnam proposed UNESCO for recognizing Trang An ecological complex in Ninh Binh Province as a world heritage site.

Trang An is a complex of scenic landscapes and historical and cultural heritages. The complex has an area of over 10,000 hectare. It consists of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Tam Coc and Bich Dong natural site, and Trang An ecological site. Trang An ecological tourist attraction stretches on an area of 4,000 ha with spectacular limestone areas and rice fields. The site dates back some 250 million years and has hundreds of valleys and caves. Trang An Relics is one of the most spectacular Vietnam wonders. Dr. Tran Tan Van, Director of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources analyzed that it is limestone blocks that makes Trang An unique, and ​​clarifies the tropical karst landscapes in the region. These relics were formed because of interaction of major geological structures on earth.

A corner of Trang An - Source: Image from Flickr

At a conference on report and discussion of the construction heritage profile progress in May 2012, experts of Institute of Archaeology, Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Institute of Development and Traditional Study agreed to create a records of Trang An to propose UNESCO for recognition. There is a mixture of criteria including seven criteria of aesthetics and landscaping value, eight criteria of geological geomorphological value, and five criteria of cultural value. In addition, there are more three criteria of culture containing the exclusive value or, at least, a specific evidence about lost cultural traditions of humanity.

Dia Linh Cave in Trang An - Source: Image from Wikimedia Commons

Mr. Nguyen Duc Long, the director of the board of management of Trang An scenic relics said that Vietnam will have three heritages recognized by UNESCO: Cat Ba (Haiphong); Trang Anh (Ninh Binh), and Vi - Giam singing, a Vietnamese traditional folk music. In particular, Trang An scenic landscape complex is the first Vietnam’s cultural and natural heritage applying for UNESCO’s recognition. Through reviewing the documents and fact-finding, UNESCO assesses records of Trang An with good quality. As planned, in June 2014, UNESCO will hold a poll of honoring Trang An as a World Heritage. To complete the management plan of Trang An scenic landscape complex at the request of UNESCO, the board of management of this complex collaborates with the Institute of Communication and Development Survey to synthesize information in 20 local communes. Also, documents and texts are prepared; archaeological monuments’ surveys are conducted by the local board of management and German and Japanese experts; surveys and scientific researches on caves in the scenic area of Trang An are implemented. At the same time, document collections of Trang An’s relics are digitized.

Boating in Trang An - Source: Image from Flickr

The board of management of Trang An issued documents to guide and monitor relevant units to test, order security, and ensure surrounding sanity in the relics, especially Ancient Hoa Lu Capital. With responsibility for developing country along with the development of Ninh Binh tourism, the board of management of Trang An Relics also coordinates with experts to study, explain and argue about scientist records to support to the recognition of Trang An Relics. At the same time, many activities of promotion and promulgation about Trang An such as promotions on the internet, posters, banners, and cooperation with mass media agencies are strengthened. Besides, the international cooperation and promotions are paid more attention to enhance promulgation of Trang An scenic landscape complex. By virtue of these, a website with Vietnamese content on introducing the relics is open and operating well. The content is being extended in other languages as English. In addition, some Vietnamese-English-French magazines and books on archaeology and geology are being designed, edited and published to promote and propagandize Trang An to the entire world. Moreover, the content of Trang An ecological complex will be introduced in the book of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); films on Trang An Relics will be shown on CNN, and tours to Trang An will be enhanced.

If being honored by UNESCO, Trang An scenic landscape complex in Ninh Binh will be the 8th heritage and the first cultural heritage of Vietnam recognized under the criteria mixed with outstanding natural, archaeological and cultural values.

VPBank– Vietnam Airlines’ stable financial partner

Vietnam airlines Golden Lotus Plus Program and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) signed a cooperation agreement on issuing a new co-branded card: Vietnam Airlines-VPBank Platinum MasterCard.

VPBank Card

The new product officially is launched on April 16, 2012. Under this cooperation effort, Golden Lotus Plus Program (GLP) members will accumulate miles when using by the co-branded card for goods and services and can also exchange the Prosperity points accumulated in their VPBank accounts into GLP miles. Details are as follows: GLP members will accumulate one GLP mile when spending 50,000 VND inside Vietnam and 25, 000 VN outside Vietnam.

GLP members can exchange 10 Prosperity points for one GLP mile.

The exchange program has been effective since June 2012.

You can access Vietnam Airlines news for more information.

Vietnam Air tips: Take advantage of airlines’ services

Many airlines may have a plenty of incentives and additional services, which passengers should know to take advantage of. Here Vietnam airlines introduces you some general information of them.

The common kinds of airlines’ incentives may include:

- Transfer to the airport for free (Pacific Airlines) or provide preferential prices (Vietnam Airlines).

- Allow customers to carry excess baggage (for students).

- The promotional ticket program in conjunction with hotels and tour services.

Vietnam Airlines service

Vietnam Airlines catering service

The additional services may include:

- Particular services to book the seats on the plane.

- Catering on aircrafts free of charge, except in the case of cheap airlines

- Wheelchair services and priorities for disabled people, the elderly.

- Special services for children.

- Guidance for passengers encountering with problems on flight such as procedures, airport transfers, language barriers.

- Hotel booking services at the airport while waiting in the duration of transition in case of long journeys.

The best advice of Vietnam Airlines is to thoroughly learn about services as well as specific terms to ensure your interests.

Vietnam Airlines advice for parents’ carsick children

Vietnam airlines realizes that once going on holiday with families by cars or trains, many children get carsickness. Not a few babies feel afraid of cars or trains when even not get into them. Then they can feel very tired and boring during the vacation and get nothing but sickness after these trips. Hence, Vietnam Airlines offers several useful tips for such parents.

Vietnam Airlines advice for parents’ carsick children

Vietnam Airlines tips for carsick children

You should give your baby a snack or a light meal before the trip Of course, this will cause you to stop several times take your baby to the toilet. But for those who want to travel without carsickness, it is a good idea. You just need to make sure that the foods and drinks do not have too much sugar or caffeine.

Remember, leave books and toys at home. If you let your children focus on the screen, comic books or watching movies, video ... they all can increase the feeling of motion sickness. You had better encourage them to look out or look towards the horizontal line.

Additionally, you should lower the window glass to let the wind flow into the cars or trains. Wind helps nausea disappear. You should try to help the kids focus on the breezes and watch the scenery outside, which will help them quickly forget the feeling of carsick.

Last but not least, you should choose appropriate sickness drugs for children. You should also consult your pediatrician before giving your baby if necessary cases. These drugs often release sickness feeling and cause sleepy. And for a long trip, this would be a good idea for your baby. You would rather prepare some pillows and blankets to give your children comfortable feeling and good sleeping on car.

For more information, please visit Vietnam Airlines news.

Adapt to a new time zone with Vietnam Airlines

Sometimes, time zone differences may make your travel to a foreign country unpleasant. Solutions of Vietnam airlines for you to deal with this problem are really simple.

Adapt to a new time zon

Adapt to a new time zone with Vietnam Airlines

1. You should be ready to adapt to the lands of other time zone by adjusting your hours of daily activities earlier or later than that at present for 1 week prior to your trip.

2. In about four days before the trip, you must remember to eat less fat, salt, coffee, sugar as well as eat more fruits and vegetables. Having food rich of protein at breakfast and dinner will easily cause indigestion or make you have trouble sleeping when arriving at a new place. One study showed that the human body will better adapt to a new environment when flying to the West instead of the East.

3. Reset your clock to match the destination’s time as soon as you board the plane and then try to live in new time zone. For example, if it is very late at night at the destination, you should try to sleep as soon as possible.

4. Wearing comfortable clothes on the aircraft is a useful tip. Clothes too thick or too tight may make it hard for you to have a good sleep.

5. Do not drink coffee or alcohol during the flight. It will make you dehydrated and tired. Instead of that, you ought to drink mineral water or pure water.

6. Walking around at least once after two hours. It will improve circulation of the blood and reduce muscle stiffness.

7. Remember to wear sunglasses during the last hour of the overnight flight and several hours after getting out of the plane. Researchers have found that it will help people adjust their body by gradually changing the light pattern.

Vietnam Airlines hopes that all our passengers will feel pleasant on our flights.

Vietnam Airlines tips: Some notes on cheap tickets

Here are some features of cheap tickets given by Vietnam airlines:

Cheap tickets

E- Tickets

- Most cheap tickets often exclude taxes, baggage. Therefore, you should carefully calculate before booking.

- Cheap tickets often exclude eating, and are often late, so you remember to fully energize before flight.

- In spite of safety standard insurance, cheap tickets are usually not comfortable and convenient, so you should also prepare yourself psychologically that you are not "VIP customers" on the plane.

- If you have relatives working in aviation industry, keep good and regular contact with them. They will tell you about promotions, as well as some way to purchase the fastest cheap tickets.

You can visit Vietnam Airlines tips to have more information.

Experience for hunting Vietnam Airlines’ cheap tickets

A cheap ticket would be a good start for the upcoming summer vacation you. Please join Vietnam airlines for a few experiences of "hunting" cheap tickets.

Beside a computer with high-speed internet connection, you should have an international payment card. If it is a domestic airline, in addition to paying with local ATM card, after completing the registration procedures of flight, you can print the receipt, come directly to the box office, agents to pay, receive code. But with foreign airlines, paying with international credit cards sometimes is required before you get a cheap airfare.

Payment Card

International Payment Card

So, do not miss the good opportunity just because your wallet does not have a visa debit. The method of making this card is quite easy. Most local banks have this card. However, according to the experience of the tourists, there are a few banks having good international payment systems, fast payment time, reasonable payment fee such as Eximbank, ACB, Techcombank, Vietcombank , etc.

You can visit Vietnam Airlines news to have more information.

Cheap flights of Vietnam Airlines

Summer is knocking at the door. What are you planning for your summer vacation? To get the lowest fares and stay up to date on travel news and promotions, let’s follow Vietnam airlines’ advices.

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines

1. How can I find the cheapest fares?

Once you plan a vacation, just visit Vietnam Airlines’ website and explore all of the possible fares available for your desired travel dates. Vietnam Airlines regularly offers promotions like the Summer Promotion in March and the Fall Promotion each August. Please take notes these times to plan your vacation!

Flights departing in the early mornings and late at night usually have the lowest fares. To get the best fares and avoid crowds, you should also try to fly mid-week instead of on the weekends. During the week you can also save money on rooms and services at your destination.

2. How can I get cheapest fares for a big group?

At present, Vietnam Airlines allows you to reserve seats for a maximum 6 passengers per one booking. The number of low fare tickets is limited. If you are going to book for a family of 4, start by finding a ticket for one instead of all four. Depending on the availability of seats and fares, you can continue to book for others. If the number of seats available at that fare is less than 9, a note will appear in our search section. Please take note of these figures since they are left to obtain our cheapest fares.

3. Once I have found the cheapest tickets, how do I keep them?

Vietnam Airlines does not guarantee that these cheap offers will still be there upon your next search. The only way to be sure to get the ticket is to book it. We advise you to have an international VISA or master card or an ATM card from one of Vietnam Airlines’ 9 associated banks (i.e. Vietcombank, Techcombank, BIDV, Dong A Bank, Vietinbank, Eximbank, ACB, VIB, MB…) in hand. Don’t forget to register your bank’s online payment service.

Vietnam Airlines look forward to welcoming you on our flights this summer. We wish you a wonderful summer holiday!

Good flight, better flyers with Vietnam Airlines

Unconsciously, some of your behaviors can make you a nuisance in the eyes of other passengers. To be a good flyer, these mistakes recommended by Vietnam airlines below are worth your attention to avoid:

Taking off your shoes

For convenience’s sake, many like taking off their shoes. However, once your feet are a bit evil-smelling, you’d better not take off your shoes or at least your socks. Some airlines even provide customers with disposable socks for those who want to remove their shoes to dispose the dirty socks.

Aggressive occupation of luggage compartment

                   

Abuse of leaning seats
In-flight seat are designed to self-lean for better convenience. However, you should not lean against your seat as flight attendants offer the meal. The passenger behind would be rather irritated to find your seat overly close to him when he wants to eat something.
Aggressive occupation of luggage compartment
The luggage compartment above is just enough for our handbags. Hence, do not ever aggressively knead your thick coats in. there is usually an in-flight pylon for coats exclusively, have your attendants hang your coats. That some asks you to relocate you luggage means you are occupying too much space.
Loud talk
Some passengers like making friends and talking with strangers, which is not something wrong at all. However, you should put the volume of your conversation and laughter with the new friend in check. If your neighbor takes out a magazine or book, he assumingly wants to stop the conversation at once.
Stupid jokes
Do not ever make sensational statement such as “I have a bomb” or similar stupid things. You can be driven out of the aircraft or even handed over to the police for such childish jokes.
Gloating at attendants all the time
Knowing you can hardly resist the charm and Nice manners and undeniable physical beauty of attendants, we warn you not to gloat eagerly at well-behave stewardesses all the time. This not only makes yours stewardesses inconvenient but also gets you noticed and alienated by neighboring passengers.
Landing you gum in wrong places
Imagine you are about to enjoy the delicious meal and find out a gum residue landed right before your eyes. Everyone will surely be enraged in such a weird circumstance. Hence, after chewing your gum, put the residue in the wrap and throw in some pre-determined trash bin.
Turn your music at piercing volume
Despite your headphones on, once your favorite music genre is rock, piercing volume is enough to perturb your neighbor. Put the music at a moderate level to your ears go give your neighbor a short rest during a weary long haul flight.

Loud talk

Making the world you private bed

A gentle kiss on someone’s cheeks is friendly, yet further kissing and cuddling should be made in some private motel room. Sly “scenes” under the blanket are even more provocative. People may feel obliged to warm you, but at least they will be offended by your “rackety” privacy.

Foreign travelers can book flights with Vietnam Airlines and take tour to travel around Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines tip: 5 ways to have economical trip

You want to discover different lands of the world but you have a tight budget? You always ask yourself how to enjoy exciting journey with low cost. Vietnam airlines suggest you 5 effective ways to reach your goals.

1. “Hunt” for cheap tickets

“Cheap tickets” is definitely the key point for you. As usual, airline firms give incentives several months to a half of a year prior to the flight. Hence, pay your attention to the website to earliest get cheap tickets, as well as special service of hotel, resort… because the number of them are limited.

Hunt for cheap tickets

2. Choose appropriate hotel

Instead of deluxe hotel or restaurant, you may cut the cost of the trip by staying at a small guest-house and have local simple food to entirely harmony the regional atmosphere. Vietnam Airlines gives you two common kinds of them: home-stay(stay with locals) and couch-surfing (sleep on Sofa).

3. Avoid public holidays

The price for services and transport will significantly rise these days. Avoid them and enjoy your quiet and peaceful vacation.

Preparation for vacation

4. Go shopping at local markets

Expenses for several stuff such as: local traditional food or drink, souvenir are indispensable parts of your trip. But instead of big and modern supermarkets or shopping centers, you may buy your interesting things at regional market following the instructions of locals.

Go shopping at local market

5. book trustworthy ticket agents.

Booking on  trustworthy websites of airline’s cooperation will be safer and more economical. You can book tickets online easily with good  supporting services.

Vietnam Airlines tips on buying weekly cheap tickets

As usual, the prices of tickets in the weekend are more expensive than that of the other days of the week. So, which day of the week is the most reasonable to book your tickets? Vietnam airlines will give you several useful advices about this issue.

There is the most vital rule that you have to remember that: "buy tickets as soon as possible".

An economist of Japan, Mr. Makoto Wanatabe has announced his research that an ideal time to purchase tickets is eight weeks prior to the date of departure. He explained: "For example, when having ordered tickets to London for several weeks, we must consider all possible cases that may delay our flights. To make passengers accept to take risks, many airline firms often offer promotional tickets with very cheap prices for early purchasing. Consequently, the prices increase when it is closer to the date of travel".

Vietnam Airlines' tips on cheap tickets

The Japanese economist also discovered that it's cheaper when we ordered in the afternoon. According to him, the airlines raise fares in the morning because that is the period of time when many people leave their office to order tickets for the business trips, while those who intend to relax , travel, often purchase tickets in the afternoon.

In terms of the Wall Street Journal, you should buy tickets at the midweek. The reason is that most passengers purchase tickets at the travel agencies, but the agencies usually open during the week, from Monday to Friday. Hence, it is too late to attract clients if they offer cheap tickets from the sixth day. Therefore, they often offer lower prices in the early weeks.

President of a company that specializes in airfare com Paris on confirmed that passengers ought to pick up the third day to purchase airline tickets online. As noted by the Wall Street Journal, on Tuesday 11/1 at Kayak.com website, the cheapest tickets of 10 different airlines had difference of 324 dollars, but it was up to 332 dollars on Saturday of that week. As regards analysis of domestic airfares in the U.S., people find out that Wednesday is also an ideal day to purchase airline tickets.

Vietnam Airlines hope these tips will help you much in having a great journey!