HCMC builds gateway appeal

The commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City, will sign cooperation deals with other destinations to develop tourism products and expand the city’s role as a major gateway.

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Travel Division director, Nguyen Viet Anh, said the city would sign cooperation deals with Danang, Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Ngai provinces.

The scheme aims to develop tourism products, attract investments and engage the provinces to build tourism assets, he said.

Except for Quang Ngai province, the other provinces are already attracting international tourists, but the plan is to channel more visitors through HCMC to destinations within a day’s drive to strengthen the city’s role as a gateway.

The director said: “Ho Chi Minh City’s advantage is that it is a major transit hub for tourists and many tour operators are based here developing tours to other areas and we need to encourage that trend in the future.”
Tourism promotion is one of the main subjects of the cooperation with other provinces.

“The provinces and cities will join travel events and promote each other as well as offering assistance such as running tourism road shows and organizing familiarization trips for travel and press groups to the central region.”

The city expects to welcome 4.1 million international tourists this year. In 2012, the city attracted 3.1 million international travelers increasing 8.5% in 2011, accounting for 56% of the overall number of foreign arrivals in Vietnam.

With these cooperation deals, tourism in these big cities can reach a blooming development. To fully take advantage of this deal, please visit Grayline Vietnam and explore our Ho Chi Minh City tours, Hue day trips and Danang special travel. Contact us at contact@graylinevietnam.com for further details and our consultants will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Danang makes travel safer

Danang Tourism Promotion Centre has recently opened a support centre for tourists at 32A Phan Dinh Phung Street.

The centre will provide information and support to make Danang a safer and friendlier destination for tourists.

Tourists can visit the centre or call the hotline 0511 3550111. There is also an information service via email, tourism@danang.gov.vn that will provide tips on travel. The centre stocks maps and brochures supplied by hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Staff work closely with the local emergency centre 115 and rapid response 113 to help tourists deal with situations such as traffic accidents, loss of passports, theft, or items left in taxis.
It plans to co-operate with local travel agencies to supply back-up support for tour groups as well as individual travelers.

This supportive action will help to boost tourism to Danang. Tourists now can enjoy safer travel with saver expenses. Visit Grayline Vietnam and check out more about our new Danang day tours. Leave your feedback and enquiry at contact@graylinevietnam.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Minor Hotel Group Acquires Life Resorts in Vietnam

Minor Hotel Group, a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with 85 properties in operation across twelve countries, has strengthened its position in Vietnam’s hospitality sector by acquiring Life Resorts.

Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon will become the Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa

Within the Life Resorts portfolio, Minor Hotel Group has acquired the 96-key Life Heritage Resort Hoi An and the 63-key Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon.

The Life Resorts properties are widely recognized, not only in Vietnam but also in Asia and in key European markets such as Germany and the UK.

Total investment amounts to US$ 16 million for the two properties and acquisition of the brand.

Minor Hotel Group plans to rebrand both properties later this year to two of its existing brands. The Hoi An property will be flagged under the group’s well-established luxury Anantara brand and will become Anantara Hoi An Resort and the Quy Nhon property will be flagged Avani, MHG’s new contemporary upscale brand, becoming Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa.

Life Heritage Resort Hoi An is French colonial style and situated along the Thu Bon River, a short walk from the town centre of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon is a private secluded beach resort, with all guest rooms offering sea views.

Minor Hotel Group first entered into Vietnam in 1998 through a joint venture in Harbour View Hotel, Hai Phong. This was followed in 2011 by the launch of Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa on the country’s south east coast.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, said, “With the acquisition of these two resorts, we are proud to extend our hospitality offering wider in Vietnam, giving us the opportunity to welcome diverse travellers from the north to the south of the country and delivering the same service quality and hospitality as in all the hotels we either own or manage within Minor Hotel Group.”

William E. Heinecke, Chairman and CEO of Minor International, added, “Vietnam is a fascinating country with a rich culture and diverse landscape and has seen exceptional growth and economic development in recent years. These two properties are a great fit for Minor’s hotel portfolio and we are convinced of their continued success and of the country’s bright prospects in the coming years.”

With these brand new accommodations, tourists coming to Vietnam can fully enjoy their holidays. Check out more about our day trip preferences such as Hoi An city tours at Grayline Vietnam and feel free to contact us for further information.

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Hanoi tops dining options

Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism says the latest survey shows food  is the most favorable factor attracting international travelers Vietnam’s capital city.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Released last week, the department survey showed food was ahead of all other attractions including cultural and historical attractions. The survey findings were based on interviews with 1,400 foreign tourists during their stay in the city. The actual dates when the survey was conducted were not disclosed.

More than 93% of respondents said they believed Hanoi was best known for its gastronomy followed by landscape, service and its people. Around 25% of the interviewees believed cultural heritage attractions were top, while 17% preferred the city’s landscapes. The survey also indicated that 90.1% of those interviewed travelled to Hanoi by air. Of that total, 67.2% visited the city for tourism and recreational purposes followed by business (14.9%) and visiting relatives (3.7%). Over 45% said they consulted guide books for travel information, followed by online sources (25.6%), travel agencies (16.9%), and word-of- mouth recommendations (12.3%).

Last year, Hanoi welcomed more than 2 million foreign tourists, accounting for one third of the total foreign tourists to Vietnam. The city was also listed as the cheapest global tourist destinations for the summer of 2012 by TripAdvisor. The US141,12 index cost was based on two people staying one night in a four-star hotel (twin-share rate), a cocktail drink per person, a two-course dinner for two with a bottle of wine, and round-trip taxi transfer (distance each way 2 miles).

Beijing in China was second with an index cost of US$159.05, followed by Bangkok in Thailand US$161.90, Budapest in Hungary USS$193.78 and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia US$194.43.

Visit Grayline Vietnam and check out our stunning Hanoi tours to enjoy your great holidays. Contact us at contact@graylinevietnam.com and we will return to you as soon as possible.

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Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam to Host Triathlon on 14 April 2013

The event which will be organized at Laguna Lang Co, Vietnam's first and largest world-class integrated resort development, aims to build on the success of its sister event, the legendary Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

 The triathlon race will comprise a 1.8 km swim, a 62 km bike ride and a 12 km run. There will also be a duathlon consisting of a 6 km run, a 62 km bike ride and a 12 km run. A 6 km Fun Run rounds up the race programme.

“We are very excited for Laguna Lang Co to host this inaugural triathlon which we hope will put Laguna Lang Co on the global map not only as a world-class integrated resort for all holidaymakers and second home owners but also as an exciting destination for sports and adventure aficionados,” said Ravi Chandran, Managing Director of Laguna Lang Co. “Triathlon devotees are adventurous and constantly in a quest for new challenges, therefore we hope that Laguna Lang Co will be a unique new destination with exciting challenges for the triathletes.”

Lang co Beach

Laguna Lang Co offers a variety of recreational activities such as a flying trapeze, bungee trampoline, water pillars, flying fish experience and parasailing for families and guests of all ages, making it a perfect getaway vacation spot whether they are vacationers or race participants.

Roman Floesser, Race Director of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon and his experienced management team have been appointed to organize the event. “When I first visited the location a few months ago I was blown away by its beauty and immediately recognized the potential to host an international triathlon there,” he said. “We will have a fantastic, calm swim, a very scenic one lap bike course with a nice climb in the middle offering stunning views and a two-lap run course mainly around the resort's golf course. I very much look forward to working on this project.”

The race will be open to amateurs, but will also feature a group of professional athletes.

Debbie Dionysius, Event Director of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon, said, “The Laguna Lang Co Triathlon will give many of our regular participants in Phuket a chance to add another event to their racing calendar and experience the renowned Laguna hospitality in Vietnam as well. The two events are six months apart, so that athletes can easily take part in both races.”

Participants of the Laguna Lang Co Triathlon will recognize some familiar features that have given the Laguna Phuket Triathlon its legendary reputation. There will be a five-star pasta party on the eve of the race and a post-race buffet and complimentary massages on the event day immediately after the race followed by an Awards Party in the evening. Calling in the finishers will be the voice of triathlon in Asia, Whit Raymond, who will serve as the race announcer and emcee throughout the race weekend.
Registration for the Laguna Lăng Cô Triathlon is now opened. Participants are entitled to special rates starting from US$ 160 per night for accommodation bookings at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô and Angsana Lăng Cô during their stay for the event. Entry fees will start at US$150, including the Pasta Party.

Lang Co is easily accessible by air via Danang city. Danang International Airport has direct flights that connect to various countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Malaysia. From other international destinations, Danang is easily accessible via Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. Laguna Lăng Cô is 55 km from Danang International Airport.

Take part in this exotic event and enjoy more our Danang day trips or Hue city tours. Stay tuned and contact us for detailed information.

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