Major cities begin programmes to spur consumer spending

Ha Noi, Da Nang and HCM City have announced the launch of a big sale programme designed to spur consumer spending and shopping tourism. Ha Noi kicked off the Impressive Viet Nam Grand Sale 2010 on Wednesday and Da Nang on August 19 while HCM City has announced that the programme will last through September.

In HCM City, the Special Sales Promotion programme will begin with the Grand Sale Fair to open at the Phu Tho Gymnasium in District 10 from August 31 through September 4. The Viet Nam National Administration for Tourism (VNAT) plans to start the programme this month as part of the national tourism marketing campaign Viet Nam-Your Destination.

Nha Trang gets go-ahead to host Miss Earth pageant

The Government has given a nod for Khanh Hoa Province to host the Miss Earth 2010 pageant in Nha Trang City, said the deputy chairman of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, Le Xuan Than.

Under the plan, about 90 beauty queens from around the world will arrive in Viet Nam on November 4. They will join in charity and environmental protection programmes in other provinces before arriving in Nha Trang on November 20.

The final round of the beauty contest is scheduled to take place at Vinpearl Land Resort and Spa on Hon Tre Island on December 4.

Phan Thiet City to hold traditional whale worship festival

Photo: SGT

Ministry approves international promotion plan for caravan tours

A plan to promote Vietnamese tourism on both local and international media has been approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The programme will include exhibitions and other promotional events in foreign countries, as well as documentaries on a new journey linking the country with Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

A survey will be carried out to help tourism local authorities develop a trans-national caravan tourism route from Viet Nam to Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

The country has earmarked VND71 billion (US$3.75 million) for tourism promotion this year, compared with VND50 billion in 2009.

Khanh Hoa Province makes effort to attract international flights

To attract international flights, Khanh Hoa Province has said it will lower its service fees by 50 per cent for international flights to and from the Cam Ranh Airport and provide preferential conditions for airlines to operate these flights.

Under an agreement signed with international airlines last week, hotels and service providers in the province pledged to cut their prices by up to 50 per cent for international passengers coming via Cam Ranh Airport.

Vietnam Airlines plans to launch a direct route from South Korea’s Incheon to the airport later in August while Russian airline Vladivostok Air has unveiled a plan to launch direct flights to Cam Ranh.

(Source : Vietnamnet)