In recent years, Phu Quoc has emerged as one of the most talked-about destinations for travelers from all around the world, thanks to its breathtaking natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and unparalleled luxury travel experiences. Sleeping beauty Once a sleepy fishing island with minimal tourism developments, Phu Quoc has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing and most acclaimed destinations in global tourism. Its remarkable rise has caught the attention of the world's media. The tear-drop-shaped island – located off the southern coast of Vietnam in the gulf of Thailand – has been lauded by some of the world's most prestigious travel magazines and industry observers in recent years. Admiring coral reefs in Phu Quoc, Vietnam In 2021, Time Magazine honored Phu Quoc as one of the 'World’s Greatest Places.’ In October 2022, Conde Nast Traveller voted the 'pearl island' – as it's known in Vietnam – as one of ‘Asia's 10 Most Favorite Resort Islands.’ The … [Read more...] about Phu Quoc – A new global destination in Vietnam
Phu quoc national park tour
Taxi commissions raise Phu Quoc restaurant prices
Nguyen Cam Loan in Ho Chi Minh City was frustrated after her recent trip to Phu Quoc for the Reunification Day and May Day (April 30-May 1) holidays. When using a taxi to take her family to a local restaurant, she was enthusiastically introduced by the driver to a rice pot restaurant. However, a meal for four people with regular dishes, including rice, boiled vegetables, braised fish and braised meat, cost nearly VND1.3 million ($55.39). She then complained to the taxi driver who took her family to the restaurant to no avail. Incensed, Loan said drivers should only recommend eateries based on quality, otherwise both drivers and restaurants "will lose customers in the future." Once a popular tourist hotspot for its famed pearls and scenery, Phu Quoc has been shunned by travelers recently. In addition to high airfares, exorbitant service prices have made the island lose much of its charm in the eyes of many tourists. Phu Quoc officials have said that food services in Phu Quoc … [Read more...] about Taxi commissions raise Phu Quoc restaurant prices
First working day of 15th National Assembly’s fifth session
At the meeting (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The 15th National Assembly (NA)’s fifth session entered its first working day in Hanoi on May 22 under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue . In the morning, the NA discussed and voted to approve the session’s agenda, with 471 out of 476 participating deputies voting 'yes'. Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai delivered a report on supplementary assessments on outcomes of the socio-economic development and State budget plans in 2022 and the implementation of such plans for the first months of this year. Chairman of the NA Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh verified what Khai had reported at the NA. President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien presented a report on people's petitions to this session, while Chairman of the NA Standing Committee’s Ombudsman Commission Duong Thanh Binh reported on supervision results of the settlement of petitions submitted to the legislature's fourth … [Read more...] about First working day of 15th National Assembly’s fifth session
Vietjet inaugurates first direct route connecting Hanoi to Phuket
Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Duc Thinh welcomed passengers on the inauguration flight connecting Hanoi - Phuket (Source: Vietjetair.com) Hanoi (VNA) - The new-age carrier Vietjet has officially inaugurated the first direct route connecting Hanoi to the famous beach tourism paradise Phuket (Thailand), pampering people and tourists who are passionate about travel and discovery, connecting two of Asia's top favorite tourist destinations. The only direct Hanoi – Phuket route is operated one daily return flight from May 19, 2023. The flights take off from Hanoi at 11:30 and landing in Phuket at 14:40. The return flights depart Phuket at 15:45 and arrive in Hanoi at 18:35. It’s convenient flight time for passengers to arrange sightseeing schedules. Hanoi, the capital of thousands of years of civilization, is famous for its image of 36 streets, a city that blends modernity with ancient features. Additionally, Phuket is a must-visit destination in the country of golden pagodas, the … [Read more...] about Vietjet inaugurates first direct route connecting Hanoi to Phuket
Vietnamese guest workers left to fend for themselves after returning home
He used to work in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS) program. When we met he told me he had just moved to the island in search of a long-term job. Phuong belongs to the first generation of Vietnamese guest workers who went to South Korea. He worked hard but also thanks to a good South Korean won-dong exchange rate at the time he managed to save nearly VND1 billion (US$42,650) after four years and 10 months, the duration allowed under the E9 work visa. On returning home to Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta in 2015, he cleaned up his father's garden, bought a pickup truck and set up a farm to raise cows. But within a few months some disease killed most of his cows and left the rest debilitated, and Phuong even had to sell the truck to pay off debts. Having lost everything he had earned overseas, he scrambled to find a job. Phuong spent the next four or five years helping his wife sell cloth at a local market but his financial situation did not … [Read more...] about Vietnamese guest workers left to fend for themselves after returning home
Investment opportunities for hospitality real estate in Vietnam: Colliers
Hospitality properties have long been considered a lucrative and long-term profitable investment for real estate investors operating in Vietnam. Pockets of opportunities for hospitality real estate are present in Vietnam though the tourism recovery in Vietnam lags behind other Asian markets, and uncertainties remain due to the economic slowdown, according to Colliers. “Vietnam has good fundamentals for developing hospitality properties. There is the rise of the middle class, increasing accessibility to travel thanks to improved infrastructure, the country’s openness to international trade, which drives business travel, events, and conferences, etc. Investing in hospitality real estate is a smart bet,” David Jackson, CEO of Colliers (Vietnam) said. A hospitality property project - Vega City Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province. Colliers experts have said that, in 2019, occupancy rates in hospitality establishments (hotels, resorts and villas) reached 52%. On … [Read more...] about Investment opportunities for hospitality real estate in Vietnam: Colliers
Vietnam among six largest Thai tourism markets
Thailand has welcomed 9.47 million foreign tourists, including 84,221 Vietnamese visitors, so far this year, earning about 391 billion baht, equivalent to over US$11.3 billion, in revenue. Vietnamese visitors pose for a group photo at a popular tourist destination in Thailand According to Traisulee Taisaranakul, deputy spokeswoman of the Thai Government, foreign tourists visiting the neighboring country are mainly from Asian nations, such as Malaysia, China, India, and Vietnam. Taisaranakul noted that the increase in the number of Chinese tourists is expected to further boost the development of Thailand’s tourism industry this year. As of May, Malaysia led the way in the number of international tourists arriving in Thailand by nationality with 367,530 visitors. It was followed by China with 328,375 visitors and India with 131,230 visitors. Vietnam ranked in sixth place. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand expects to welcome … [Read more...] about Vietnam among six largest Thai tourism markets
Water birds soar, dive at HCMC photo exhibition
The "Water birds in Vietnam" photo contest was held in the city on Saturday, and prizes were given out on the same day. Le Duc Hien's photo, which won the first prize, captured two crane species, the black-faced spoonbill ( Platalea minor ) and the Eurasian spoonbill ( Platalea leucorodia ), at Xuan Thuy National Park in the northern province of Nam Dinh. The Eurasian spoonbill migrates to Southeast Asian regions in the winter, while the black-faced spoonbill reproduces in Eastern Asia and then migrates in large numbers to Southeast Asia. The black-faced spoonbill is considered endangered, with a global population of around 4,000. Every year, they migrate to high-tide areas in the Red River Delta. "Into Life," a photo by Nguyen Van Thanh, won second prize at the competition. It depicts a young grebe ( Tachybaptus ruficollis ) on the coast of Can Thanh Town in HCMC's rural … [Read more...] about Water birds soar, dive at HCMC photo exhibition
Hanoi to develop heritage tourism
Hanoi has many heritage tours to attract tourists in the inner-city and suburban districts. The Hanoi Times spoke with Truong Minh Tien, Chairman of the UNESCO Hanoi Association, on ways to expand and link the city's heritage tours. What do you think about the link between Hanoi's legacy and tourism, given that the city has developed numerous heritage routes to draw tourists? A night tour at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Photo: Lai Tan/ The Hanoi Times Cultural heritage is one of Hanoi's strengths. The capital's tourism and culture departments have worked together for many years to develop programs to utilize heritage values for tourism purposes. The Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) - Quoc Tu Giam (Vietnam's first university) has cooperated with the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts to launch a tourism product with the theme "Tradition of Respect for Studiousness". The journey to … [Read more...] about Hanoi to develop heritage tourism
Builders weigh up resolution methods
Japanese businesses in particular are paying great attention to new construction opportunities, photo Le Toan Many construction contractors are currently dissatisfied with the business hazards they face. According to Hoang Thieu Bao, deputy construction director at Vinaconex, the leading cause of conflicts between investors and contractors is the failure to pay for work on time. According to him, this factor “holds 60-70 per cent of disputes in current building contracts,” originating from investors in projects with state-funded budget and non state-funded budget. “In addition, investors add new requirements that exceed those outlined in the dossiers and contracts. We have encountered this situation frequently that the investor and the design consultant do not anticipate the alterations, which negatively impacts the project implementation process,” Bao said. The Vietnamese construction industry, which is currently suffering from a dearth of orders, is offering Japanese … [Read more...] about Builders weigh up resolution methods