Ha Long Bay, Vietnam gets its first international hotel

Ho Chi Minh (September 3, 2008) - Vietnam’s world-renowned resort destination, Ha Long Bay, is set to enter a new tourism era when Accor opens the Novotel Ha Long Bay on October 1, 2008.

Celadon opens Exotica Playa Resort in Phan Thiet, Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (August 14, 2008) – Celadon International, Vietnam’s first international hospitality and real estate management company, is launching its first 4-star ‘Exotica’ brand

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam publish responsible tourism guide

BANGKOK (August 13, 2008) - The fast-growing tourism destinations of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have published a 148-page guide book showing where and how to enjoy responsible tourism activities in th

Tourism growth in Asia remains robust

Singapore - Unveiling its latest Asia Digest 2008 at a press conference in Singapore today, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, the region’s market leader in hotel investment and advisory services, identifie

Emeraude sets sail from dry-dock with new suite and spirit

HALONG BAY, Vietnam — The Emeraude emerged from dry-dock last week with a new suite, an expanded crew of expatriates, a happy hour on the sundeck and a new summer special.

Vietnam Tourism Association says Caravelle Hotel is best in Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY — Chalk another one up for the Caravelle Hotel.

Miss Universe contestants to visit Nam Hai

QUANG NAM, Vietnam – In March, The Nam Hai welcomed owners of some of the world’s most extraordinary cars. In April, the acclaimed resort hosted Southeast Asia’s financial leaders.

Vietnam to host ASEAN tourism forum next January

HANOI - Vietnam will hold the 28th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum in Hanoi from Jan. 5-12, 2009 with the expected participation of some 1,500 foreign people, according to local newspaper People on Wednesday.

InterContinental opens Milan restaurant in Vietnam

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake has made another grand debut in Vietnam, this time with the country’s first upscale Italian restaurant.

Milan opened its doors to external guests on June 4, notching yet another milestone in InterContinental’s standing as the capital’s most distinctive new hotel and in Vietnam’s culinary scene.

Betting on tourism

Accessible only by boat and surrounded by majestic mountains and cobalt seas, Hoa Van village used to be a refuge for the unfortunates who had contracted leprosy.

The area was their only escape from the social prejudice inflicted on them in the cities and towns of the country.

Central Vietnam’s biggest eco-tourism area to open

Central Vietnam’s biggest eco-tourism area in Quang Ngai Province is expected to welcome its first guests on April 30, the project’s backer said Sunday.

France offers some first-class advice about French tourists

"French travellers are very sensitive to the quality of service," Interface Tourism President Gael de La Porte du Theil told a tourism seminar in Hanoi.

"They want good food, good value for money and comfort.

"They are interested in both relaxation and mostly culture-related activities such as visiting monuments, museums, ... read more

Vietnam’s second private airline awaits permission for takeoff

The Vietnam Civil Aviation Administration has received an application to open a private airline named Air Speed Up from a famous song writer, Ha Dung (Ha Huy Dung is the full name).

Vietnam’s aviation authorities said Sunday an application to establish a new private air carrier is pending the transport ministry’s approval.

Vietnam to host 2009 ASEAN Tourism Forum

The 2009 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2009) and ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting will take place in Ha Noi from January 5-12, 2009.

The event will include a meeting of tourism working groups with experts and senior officials of tourism agencies of ASEAN countries; a meeting between ASEAN Tourism Agencies, ASEAN and partners; ASEAN Tourism ... read more

Eco-tourism transforms former prison

Once a prison for Vietnamese patriots during French domination, Con Dao National Park is now a top tourist destination.

When most Vietnamese think of Con Dao Island, they think of prison. And for some 100 years that is what it was, but now people are beginning to recognise island as something very different: a hot-spot for ... read more

Tourism rides new investment wave

As the foreign investment flow into Vietnam is increasing, the tourism industry has attracted a greater share of attention.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the year 2007 saw 47 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects pouring 1.86 billion USD in the non-smoke industry, almost tripling the figure of 2006 and ... read more

HCM City earns VND24,000 billion from tourism services

In 2007, the number of foreign arrivals in HCM City reached more than 2.7 million, including 2.1 million coming by air, up 14 percent from the 2006 figure.

According to the HCM City Department of Tourism, last year’s total revenue from tourism activities hit VND24,000 billion, an increase of 45 percent compared to 2006.

Vinashin Lines to launch more Hoa Sen cruise ships

Vinashin Lines, a member of Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin), plans to have more Lotus cruise ships in the next few years to serve demand for travel by cruise expected to increase strongly in Vietnam, following the launch last month of the first north-south cruise ship.

Tourism sector enraged over capital city bus restrictions

(TVLW) – Hanoi authorities’ decision to forbid tourist buses to travel about the city in daytime is facing strong opposition from travel companies, which say this only one of several hindrances imposed on them by the capital city.

Tourists get informed in Can Tho by machine

(eTN) – The first machine offering free tourism information has been launched in the southern city of Can Tho under the name “Citinfo” to help Can Tho become a more attractive tourist destination.