Focus Asia News, March 2007.
This edition's table of content:
This is your second newsletter and so far we have not registered any cancellation from the mailing list, which may be an indication that the newsletter is of interest to you. We surely hope so. February was a short and busy month for the head office in Saigon, even with the short Têt holiday we enjoyed. Thomas and Patrick spent time at the annual International Tourism Fair in Singapore (ATF). The professional event was a true success for Focus Asia. We are please to announce that our business is rapidly expending in emerging destination such as India, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.
Even if the Lunar New Year (Têt) festivities did slow down business activity nationwide during one week, Focus Asia business across the region performed very well in comparison to last year’s results. We have hired three new qualified employees to serve you best: Miss Thao works with the booking department for all flight transportation; Miss Vi handles most visa applications, and Miss Huong, our new Senior Tour Operator, is responsible for the group bookings. We expect to upload their biographies soon.
Vietnam News:
Vietnam: Destination of the Month: halong bay
Many people mistakenly think of Halong Bay, a place most people know about even if they have never been there, as a Vietnam cliché. In spite of the many junk ships (traditional boats) sailing the turquoise waters of this mythical bay, Halong Bay remains a unique and magnificent site. One will understand, after having been there, why UNESCO has classified Halong Bay as a World Heritage Site. This major attraction in Vietnam is a truly enchanting place that any traveler is bound to love. With a densely concentrated zone of more than 1500 jagged stone islands, this area remains mostly inaccessible. Only a few islands are accessible by sea, leaving the others to be admired from afar.
To discover Halong Bay, many sightseeing tours are offered and most will be done on traditional wooden junk ship equipped for the most comfort. In the afternoon, travelers can choose their own programs. Some will enjoy the large deck and catch some sun or simply relax. Others will explore the grottoes and virgin island beaches by kayak or snorkel. Travelers will certainly enjoy the wide variety of freshly caught fish, crabs and other seafood, which are available year-round and which will please even the most discriminating palate. Finally, those able to stay and spend the night will certainly enjoy the mystical calm of a starry night on Halong Bay. The next morning, the crisp sea breeze will be a refreshing start to the day, before returning to solid ground.
Vietnam: News Information
Focus Asia Saigon’s head office will be closed on Saturdays 3rd and 10th of March 2007 as compensation to our employees for the extra work they did during the Têt holiday period.
A new road linking Dalat and Nha Trang is due to open later this month. The new route is 70km shorter when compared to the previous journey. It is an interesting pass for bird-watching as it crosses pristine forests.
Hanoi is one of the 10 best Asian cities for tourists for the fifth year in a row, according to the prestigious US magazine Travel & Leisure. Readers of the magazine praised the Vietnamese capital for its landscapes, culture, hospitality, and arts, including culinary. With its mist-shrouded lakes, faded colonial façades, and cool climate, Hanoi was the moody, reflective older brother, harboring a rich intellectual and artistic life, the magazine commented on its web site. Hanoi ranks sixth on the list of the best Asian cities, after Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Kathmandu in Nepal, Kyoto in Japan, and Hong Kong. Hanoi was also recently ranked third in the world for food by MSN users.
The Vietnam Administration for Tourism (VNAT) announced that the country received 20 million tourists in 2006, a year-on-year rise of 6.6 percent, with foreign arrivals exceeding 3.5 million. Furthermore, it was said that Vietnam will earmark US$46.9 million to develop tourism infrastructure this year. The money will be used for some major projects in the central and central highlands regions, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The tourism sector targeted earnings of $3.5 billion US is 10 percent higher than last year.
The VNAT had selected 2007 as the year for administrative reform and improving the quality of tourism services and products. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung said the tourism sector had made little progress last year and urged it to improve. He suggested that it focused on planning for both local and national projects with a long-term vision. He urged the sector to diversify investment and forms of ownership. It should foster human resources to acquire skilled personnel with fluency in foreign languages and knowledge of foreign cultures.
VNAT objectives are to support the creation of an additional 28,000 hotel rooms to raise the total to 170,000 in 2010. This is enough to cater for 6 million international arrivals and 25 million local tourists expected for this year. The government is due to launch a master plan for tourism development. In addition, VNAT is developing a system of tourism schools in Can Tho, Nha Trang, Dalat and Binh Thuan, as well as boosting tourism training programs nationwide in cooperation with European Union.
The annual Hung Kings’ Temple Festival and Huong Pagoda Festival began in February in two northern Vietnamese provinces with a plethora of activities. The opening ceremony was marked by boat races, palanquin processions, and lion dances. Ongoing until April 2, the carnival will also feature folk games, elephant dances, and folk music shows.
The Huong Pagoda Festival opened in Ha Tay province, draws tourists in droves and features an array of cultural activities like lion dances and folk music performances. It will conclude on May 15.
Vietnam: Product Information
Vietnam Airlines will open direct biweekly flights from Hanoi to the central highlands’ Buon Ma Thuot city. The Airbus A320s insuring the line would make the direct flights every Tuesday and Sunday beginning March 10. VNA will then begin running three flights a week after March 25.
Jetstar’s first commercial flights from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) have officially commenced. Jetstar and Vietnam Airlines are the only two carriers with direct flights between Australia and Vietnam.
The budget carrier Pacific Airlines is officially running since February 13. It is the first low-cost air carrier in Vietnam. The company began with flights from HCM–SGN-HCM and said it would open daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Hue as well as a HCMC-Nha Trang route later in March.
Sweden’s Apollo Aviation has launched since February a direct flight between Stockholm and HCMC. There will be one flight every two weeks from Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport.
Mandarin Airlines has just inaugurated direct flights from Taichung in Taiwan to HCMC on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flight leaves at 8:30am and arrives at 11am. They depart from HCMC at 11:50am and arrive at 4:20pm.
Vietnam’s first sea-crossing cable car system, linking Nha Trang beach city to Vinpearl Land resort, has been operating since February 24. The gondola, running 3,320m (10,900ft) long has reportedly met all international safety and technical standards required for a cable car system. It is capable of handling 1,500 passengers an hour and takes about nine minutes to travel to the island and back. Tourists will be able to enjoy a unique bird’s-eye view of the Vinpearl Land resort, Nha Trang, and the local marine environment. Vinpearl is also seeking to register its gondola in the Guinness Book of Records as the world-longest cable car system.
The Emeraude Classic Cruises operating in Halong Bay will be closed for annual maintenance which is planned from June 9 to 24, 2007. Before and after the maintenance period, the cruise will be running as usual.
Six Senses Spas have launched a series of three Lifestyle Programmes: De-stress & Balance your Life; Meditation De-mystified, and Harmonize with a healthier Lifestyle. These are specifically designed to assist people who have a willingness to evaluate and improve their lifestyle habits in order to gain knowledge that will help them achieve personal growth and life-balance.
The programmes are ideally suited for people who would like to experience more energy and vitality in their life. Each five-day Lifestyle Programme provides holistic healing and well-being, in harmony with the environment, administered by holistic health consultants and therapists who embrace the Six Senses philosophy of Balancing Senses.
This summer Victoria Hotels & Resorts will upgrade their resort properties in Hoi An and Can Tho. The upgrading of the 22 remaining Superior rooms will take place from May 3 to July 15, 2007. It will include a brand new bathroom with separate toilet, new furniture and color scheme in the bedroom as well as new European doors and windows to the balcony of every room. During the remodeling period, there will be minimal disruption and noise, the area where work is taking place will be completely closed off to guests. The resort will of course upgrade most of the Superior room bookings to ensure full guest satisfaction.
Furthermore, the swimming pool will be completely renovated this summer. As this is quite extensive work, the pool will be closed from June 1 to 30, 2007. During the first week of work, there will be some noise; afterwards the noise should be minimal. The entire work area will be covered and separated from the guest areas.
New set menu on Victoria Express train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sapa) is being offered to guests.
La Veranda Resort in Phu Quoc has renamed its two lower room categories from Superior Garden and Ocean to Standard and Superior rooms.
Phu Hai Resort in Phan Thiet will rename all its standard rooms to deluxe starting May 1st 2007.
Sunny Hotel in Mui Ne will undergo complete renovation to their Deluxe rooms, Sea view and Garden view Bungalows. Renovation start on May 1st 2007 and are planned to be finished late October 2007. The works will last everyday from 07am to 5pm and we recommend changing your hotel bookings plans if possible.
Vietnam’s first medical tourism facility opened in February in Vung Tau, a resort city 120km (75mi) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Medicoast comprises two main buildings, one meant for medical care and the other for entertainment services. The latter offers 130 three-star rooms and two villas with eight deluxe rooms. The US$4.38 million property belongs to the Vung Tau Tourism and Medical Care Company.
A new high-speed hydrofoil service was inaugurated between Can Tho in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and Con Dao Island, a notorious wartime prison facility off the southern coast. Initially it will be a weekly service, going out to the island Saturday morning and returning to the mainland in the afternoon. Operated by Ho Chi Minh City-based Greenlines Company, it takes the vessel around three hours for the trip in normal weather conditions. Con Dao Island, approximately 90km (56mi) southeast of Vung Tau city, was a famous French and American prison that has since become a major tourist attraction. It has dense forest and various animal species.
Vietnam: Specials Deals
Special condition for the Victoria Speedboats traveling Chau Doc – Phnom Penh & Breakfast cruise on Lady Hau Boat in Can Tho. The published rates are now applicable for a group of 02 paying customer instead of the 04 person’s minimum that was previously demanded. This offer is valid from now until March 31, 2007.
Sheraton Saigon Hotel is offering for 3 nights stay in Premier Deluxe Pool Room on weekends (arrival on Thursday, Friday, Saturday only) inclusive of daily breakfast for two, 1-hour spa treatments per person and one set dinner for two in the signature restaurant. Applicable for new bookings and conditions apply. This offer is valid from the January 4 to September 30, 2007.
Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa is offering a Long-stay bonus. Stay a minimum of seven consecutive nights and get one additional night with breakfast free. This offer is valid from now until May 2, 2007, and is applicable for new bookings only. Blackout period and conditions apply.
The Golden Sand Resort in Hoi An is offering superior room upgrade to Deluxe Room with Ocean View if you stay four consecutive nights or more. This offer is valid for new FIT bookings and not GIT or Series.
The Golden Sand Resort in Hoi An is offering honeymooners interesting special 2-day package deals. Please contact us for further information.
Vietnam: Projects under planning, construction or renovation
The Malaysian-based Gamuda Land is seeking permission to develop a big property project in Yan So Park in Hanoi. The proposal submitted to authorities says it wants to develop a complex of tourism and commercial facilities on 324 hectares. The estimated cost is around $1 Billion US and will include a convention center, five-star hotels, villas, office buildings and luxury apartments. Work is expected to start late this year and to take eight years for completion. Apparently, other investors from South Korea and Germany are also interested and bidding for the plan.
South Korea’s Keangnam Corporation has got approval to develop a US$72 million five-star complex on Phan Hung Street near the National Convention Center in Hanoi. The complex will have 500 hotel rooms and 200 offices and apartments.
Dubai-based Kingdom Hotels Investments owned by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has acquired a resort project in the central coastal city of Danang. The company will develop the Raffles Danang Resort and Residences, a luxury resort and residence project on 15 hectares (37 acres) on Son Tra-Dien Ngoc Beach. The company took over the project originally known as the Vegas Club owned by the US company Magnum. Kingdom Hotels Investments plans to invest $65 million in the project, which will comprise 150 hotel suites and 15 villas for sale. It has paid all the land rent to local authorities and pledged to start work in November this year for completion in 2011.
The Swiss Trustee Suisse has obtained approval from Kien Gang province to study plans to develop a huge tourist project on Phu Quoc Island. The Asia Pearl, to be developed on 250 hectares (618 acres) in Bai Sao and Bai Khem will comprise a golf course, resort, five-star hotels, shopping and recreation centers as well as sports facilities. The project, estimated cost $2.6 billion US, will be developed in phases and be completed in 2020.
The US-based company Rockingham Asset Management has been allowed to invest US$1.2 billion in a tourist, recreation and resort complex in Bai Vong-Bai Sao, Phu Quoc. The project to be developed on an area of 923 hectares (2281 acres) will include restaurants, hotels, a seaport, a motor racing track, a golf course and cultural centers.
A US$3 million resort for elderly people spread over 6 hectares (15 acres) is due to open before July of this year in Cu Chi District near Ho Chi Minh. The complex will offer luxury villas, rooms for medical examinations, and physiotherapy, starting in July 2007.
New Pandaw ship for the Mekong Fleet. P5 will have the same design as the signature ship Pandaw IV currently operating in Upper Burma. P5 will be built in Saigon and have 28 deluxe staterooms. She will ply the same routing as her two sisters – a seven-night cruise between Saigon and Angkor – and will be operational mid-2008.
Cambodia News
Cambodia: News Information
Bavet / Mocbai border point now open until 21h00. The Cambodian-Vietnamese border crossing at Bavet / Mocbai is now open until 21h00, three hours longer than before. To ensure a smooth transfer of visitors from Southern Vietnam to Cambodian’s capital Phnom Penh or back, the ferry crossing the Mekong River at Neak Loeung will be held open until 24h00.
Further increase of international visitors to Cambodian beaches in Sihanoukville (Kampong Som) in 2006. 153.842 national and 46.908 international tourists have come to Sihanoukville in 2006. This is an increase of 47.90% and smooth transfer of visitors from Southern Vietnam to Cambodian’s capital Phnom Penh or back; the ferry crossing the Mekong River at Neak Loeung is now open until 24h00.
Russia is asking for restoration of Phnom Penh – Moscow direct flights. During the 15th annual Asia Pacific Parliamentary in Russia late January 2007, Moscow has asked Cambodia to comply with three conditions if the debts of US$1.5 billion are to be written off. The first condition is the restoration of regular direct flights between Moscow and Phnom Penh, which have been cut off in 1997 (Reas Sema News)
Cambodia: Special Deals
Raffles hotels offer discounted rates. Both hotels, the Le Royal in Phnom Penh and the Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, are now offering very special low season rates for 1 April – 30 September 2007.
Khemara Angkor Hotel and Hotel de la Paix offer special 3 nights package. Both hotels are offering a discount for guests staying at least 3 nights. When guests stay two nights at the hotel, the third night is free of charge. This offer is valid for 1 April – 30 September 2007.
Cambodia: New products
First regular flights from Angkor to Cambodian beaches in Sihanoukville. Progress Multitrade Co. (PMT Air) is the first Cambodian company offering regular flights between Siem Reap (Angkor) and Sihanoukville (Kampong Som). PMT Air is operating return flights Monday, Wednesday and Friday as follows:
U4 242 REP-KPS: 16h00-17h00
U4 241 KPS-REP: 1730-1830
Since the first flight on the 15th of January 2007, all flights have operated as scheduled.
The Russian managed company is using 50 seats propeller driven Antonov 24 as aircrafts.
Cambodia: Projects under construction and renovation
Re-opening of Sihanoukville Kang Keng airport. Sihanoukville’s Kang Keng airport officially re-opened for business on 15 January 2007. Further construction works will take place until 2009 (see newsletter February 2007). The runway has been extended to 1,800 m in lengths. An extension to 2,200 m is planned by December 2007 and will enable the airport to receive larger aircrafts such as Boeing 737s.
Construction of new hotels in Ratanakiri province. The construction of three new hotels with nearly 100 rooms is underway and will be completed by mid-2007. Currently Banlong, the capital of North-eastern province Ratanakiri has nine hotels with 251 rooms, eight guesthouses with 106 rooms and eight restaurants. The number of national and international visitors to Ratanakiri province climbed up to nearly 71,000 (including 1,000 foreigners) - compared to 2006 it is an increase of 10,000. The province is expecting more visitors in 2007 due to the complete construction of National Road 7. The distance from Phnom Penh to Ratanakiri is 588 km, it takes about 7 hours.
Laos news:
Laos: News Information
Applicants for visas on arrival in Laos have recently been subject to a new price scale that fluctuates depending on each tourist’s nationality. Australian and New Zealand passport holders are now charged $30USD, UK and USA passport holders are charged $35USD, and Canadian passport holders must pay $42USD for their visas. The Lao government has not issued any statements as to why the change (and sliding scale) has been implemented. Please check with your nearest consulate and Embassy for the latest update.
Myanmar News
Myanmar: New products
Royal Burma is offering short cruises from Pagan to Mandalay. Under their new Cruise Director Jacques Boiteau, they have greatly increased the enhancement side of this popular cruise. Sand bank cocktail parties, cookery demonstrations, cultural entertainments all liven up these short yet fun cruises between Burma's two main tourist destinations. Pandaw II plies the route four times a week on one- or two-night cruises.
Myanmar: New tours
Pandaw is offering a memorable 22-night tour of Chindwin and the upper Irrawaddy. For the third successive year, the company offers this incredible river odyssey that covers 1,500 miles of Burma's remotest waterways. Flying by private air charter into Kale-myo in Chin State we go up to Homalin and then down the Chindwin all the way to the Irrawaddy confluence. Then up the Irrawaddy as far as you can go to Bhamo, where we fly out again by private air charter. We can only run this in September when water levels are high. This is an expedition for old Pandaw hands and places are much sought after.