Lotte Hotel in Hanoi was voted the best hotel in Vietnam, according to the annual 2022 ranking compiled by the U.S. online booking site Tripadvisor, based on millions of reviews and opinions collected. Situated on the upper part of a 65-floor building in the downtown area near Hanoi's iconic tourist destinations, the hotel has 235 standard rooms and 83 suites with each offering a panoramic view of the capital. It also has a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, basketball court, kids play center, and 24-hour gym service. The lowest price for a night's stay is VND2.23 million ($96.45). Vinpearl Discovery Ha Tinh in Loc Ha District of north-central Ha Tinh Province came second in the list. This upscale resort along Xuan Hai Beach is 19 kilometers from Huong Tich Pagoda, a vast mountainside temple complex and popular spiritual site. It has 42 well-equipped rooms featuring private pools and offering views of long, … [Read more...] about Top 10 Vietnam hotels selected by Tripadvisor
Tourist destinations
Vietnam Airlines Group to offer 7.1 mln seats during summer
It is estimated that a total of over 36,000 flights will be made available for summer travelers from June 1 to August 15. The three carriers will provide nearly 6.3 million seats on more than 32,400 domestic flights, up 10 percent compared to the same period of 2019 before the COVID-19 broke out. The busiest routes are those among major cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City with close to 160 flights per day. Hundreds of flights will be also operated to fly vacationers to popular tourist destinations across Vietnam, including Phu Quoc, Cam Ranh, Da Lat, Hue, Quy Nhon, Dong Hoi, Tuy Hoa and Con Dao. Vietnam Airlines Group plans to operate approximately 430 domestic flights daily during the summer. More than 852,000 seats will be offered on international routes, down 40 percent from 2019 because cross-border travel demand is yet to fully recover. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines Group to offer 7.1 mln seats during summer
RoK permits visa-free entry for Vietnamese tourists to Yangyang
The Republic of Korea (RoK) is set to temporarily allow visa-free entry for tour groups from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mongolia through an international airport in Yangyang, according to Yonhap News Agency. Yangyang Interntional Airport (Photo: KOREA.NET) The agency quoted officials of the Korean Ministry of Justice as saying that starting from June 1, tourists from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia can stay in the RoK for up to 15 days without a visa. In addition, group tours from Mongolia will be subject to a similar visa-waiver programme starting from October 1. Yonhap noted that the programme aims to boost local tourism and the regional economy of Gangwon province. This scheme will therefore be carried out until May 31, 2023, with the possibility of being extended every year depending on the results of the plan. The agency added that tourists also must be booked through travel agencies which are recognised by the embassies of each … [Read more...] about RoK permits visa-free entry for Vietnamese tourists to Yangyang
Hanoi welcomes nearly 31,500 foreign tourists during SEA Games 31
As of May 23, 18 hotels in Hanoi had accommodated more than 5,600 Vietnamese and foreign delegates, referees, athletes and reporters. In addition, other accommodation facilities stood ready to welcome tourists travelling to Hanoi during the Games. The Department of Tourism asked relevant agencies to roll out new tourism products at the capital city’s famous attractions such as the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone, Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Bat Trang pottery village. It has organised numerous events and festivals for SEA Games 31, namely Hanoi gift festival and Son Tay - Xu Doai Tourism Year. With 40 sports, SEA Games 31 took place in Hanoi and 11 nearby localities from May 12-23. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./. VNA … [Read more...] about Hanoi welcomes nearly 31,500 foreign tourists during SEA Games 31
Carriers add flights to summer holiday roster
Vietnam Airlines Group said it plans to provide 32,400 domestic flights between June and August during the peak summer travel season, up 10 percent against the same period in 2019, the year before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. There would be 160 daily flights connecting Vietnam’s three biggest cities Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. It will also operate over 3,600 international flights during the period, 40 percent of pre-pandemic time. Vietravel Airlines said it will increase the frequency of flights from Hanoi to HCMC and Da Nang by two a day from June. Air tickets for domestic routes between June and August are nearly fully booked. The carrier also plans to launch charter flights from HCMC to Jakarta and Can Tho to Bangkok, but the schedule has not been determined. A representative of Vietravel Airlines, which was launched in December 2020 amid the turbulence created by the pandemic, said the carrier is facing many difficulties like personnel and aircraft … [Read more...] about Carriers add flights to summer holiday roster
Real estate bonds shackled by rules
Real estate bonds shackled by rules - illustration photo At last week’s conference on corporate bonds held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, experts discussed ways to develop an efficient and sustainable corporate bond market. One of the common recommendations regarded appropriate approaches to credit ratings. According to Can Van Luc, BIDV’s chief economist, there should be clear regulations on credit ratings to help investors easily determine business quality and the risk level of the issued bonds. “It is necessary to identify where a credit rating is mandatory and where a credit rating is encouraged. High-risk businesses should go through compulsory credit rating before bond issuance,” Luc said. “On the other hand, for businesses that have been audited and internationally rated with a long-standing history, a credit rating might not be necessary.” In recent years, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has steadily redirected loan flows towards industry, services … [Read more...] about Real estate bonds shackled by rules
Danish investors pinpointing rising potential of Vietnam’s green energy
Kim Højlund Christensen, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam With the return of tourism and trade activities, can you see any movement from business and investment promotion delegations that are going to visit Vietnam? The Vietnamese government’s recent decision to lift entry restrictions and especially to resume the visa-exemption travel programme for countries, including Denmark, is great news and positively welcomed by the Danish business community. Many Danish companies are already planning their visits to Vietnam this month and early next month to meet with their local business partners in person. At present, there are over 130 Danish companies represented in Vietnam. Therefore, there will be a large number of business visitors and delegations from headquarters in Denmark or other locations in the region coming here in the near future to visit their production facilities or to find new investment opportunities. Besides that, we also expect to have trade delegations visit our … [Read more...] about Danish investors pinpointing rising potential of Vietnam’s green energy
Khanh Hoa pioneers digital transformation of health networks
Participants at the workshop on digital transformation in private clinics and community health networks OneClinic Co., Ltd., in collaboration with A.Yersin Investment & Technology JSC and the Medical Practitioner Association of Khanh Hoa province, jointly held a workshop on digital transformation in the management of private clinics and community health networks on May 19. The event attracted the participation of local authorities and nearly 100 private clinics in the province. Addressing the workshop, Colonel Dr. Tran Van Thuan, director of the Military Software Park and chairman of the Centre for Digital Transformation & Technology Application ASP said, “There is no common platform for managing medical information in the examination and treatment network at either private or public community clinics. The application of IT in some areas of the province is still fragmented and many places still store information manually, leading to a negative impact on the quality and … [Read more...] about Khanh Hoa pioneers digital transformation of health networks
The remote, rustic beauty of Sín Chải Village
In May and June, the terraced fields in Sín Chải are filled with water as locals begin transplanting rice. VNS Photo Thanh Mai Thanh Nga Sín Chải is a beautiful village in Sa Pa Town, Lào Cai Province, that still retains the rustic simplicity of a mountainous village. The village belongs to Hoàng Liên Commune, located about 4km from the centre of Sa Pa. Although located right next to Cát Cát, a famous community-based cultural tourism village of the town, Sín Chải is still pristine and quiet compared to the neighbouring village. It lies at the foot of the Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range, surrounded by vast hills. It has been the home of the Mông ethnic minority for generations. For Hanoian Ngô Thanh Mai, who loves to visit Sa Pa, Sín Chải is special because of its tranquillity, charming terraced fields and friendliness of locals. “I always see friendly smiles when I walk into the village. There are many beautiful terraced fields here. I like the peaceful life of … [Read more...] about The remote, rustic beauty of Sín Chải Village