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Vietnam Open Tour News & EventsMONDAY 11 JANUARY, 2010 |
 Travel firms fear higher airfare will deter tourists Travel companies have urged government agencies to ask airlines to raise airfares gradually to allow travel firms to increase tour fees step by step, thus avoiding shocks to domestic travelers.
Now travel firms have a new worry that they may have to raise tour fees because of higher airfares. Tran The Dung, Deputy Head of the HCM City Team on Domestic Travel Stimulus, said that the airfare for As such, travelers will have to pay 2 million dong more on airfares, and tour fees will be 7.2 million dong instead of 5.2 million dong. If counting the VAT increase to 10 percent and higher service fees, package tour fees will be 7.8-7.9 million dong. If hotels raise their rates, tour fees could be as high as 8.3-6.4 million dong.
A director of a travel firm worries that once “Impressive Vietnam” ends, the market will fall into the hands of big companies with close relations to airlines, or those who have air ticket booking agents. If so, small and medium travel firms will face difficulties because they cannot obtain low cost air tickets. If tour fees go up as expected, it would be more costly to travel domestically from the north to the south than to go to According to Nguyen Cong Hoan, Deputy Director of Vietnamese travelers have to pay $250-300 only for a tour to Dung argues that airfares should be raised step by step in order to avoid shocks to clients. For example, the return ticket on Dung affirmed that if air carriers agree not to raise fares too sharply, other service providers and hotels will also not raise their rates rapidly. Ha Yen
Stampede in the Highlands!
On the morning of the elephant races in Buon Don village, Krong Na commune, Buon Don district of Dak Lak province you can feel the excitement on the streets of Buon Ma Thuot. The city is just 36km away but a convoy of vehicles sets off in the early morning to get the punters to Buon Don on time for the first race. Buon Don district has always been famous for its wild elephant hunters and trainers from the M’Nong hill tribe. The event is one of the biggest festivals in the The elephant races start in the forests near the Serepok River. The elephants trundle down a mile long racetrack that is wide enough to accommodate 10 elephants racing side by side. On the big day, 20 elephants from different villages are gathered. Locals will support elephants that come from their village. The elephants are recognisable by their colourful individual costumes. The elephant trainers line their elephants up at the starting line. A buffalo horn is sounded again, signaling the start of the race, and the elephants all rush forward amidst frenzied cries from spectators and the banging of gongs. Each elephant is often ridden by two jockeys; one steers the elephant, while the other manages the animal’s speed. Elephants can move at a surprisingly fast clip (up to 40kmph). After the race the elephants will swim across the Serepok River to cool off. The lucky winner is rewarded with sugar cane and bananas as a snack! There are other events such as tug-o-war and a polo match. The festival is also a chance to honour and worship elephants as the animal is an important spiritual symbol for Central Highlanders. While attending the races, we also visit an Ede Long house and discover more about the culture and lifestyle of Central Highland tribes. We’re invited to try delicious specialties and drink ruou can (sweet rice liquor drunk from a large gourd through bamboo straws). When night comes, the music and dancing begins. Sitting around a campfire people play bronze gongs and bamboo instruments. After a day of elephant racing and a night of dancing, we will sleep deeply in our VietNamNet/Timeout
200 new boats to serve Huong Pagoda Festival-goers
Tourists travel by boats along the Yen Stream leading to Huong Pagoda in My Duc District, Hanoi. Each boat offers plastic chairs and umbrellas for tourists, along with a storage area for their belongings. The vessels will also be registered with numbers plates and licenses. Boatmen will possess certificates outlining their professional qualifications and knowledge of local waterways. The boats will transport visitors in both directions along three routes including Yen wharf-Thien Tru, Yen wharf-Long Van, and Cong Vai-Tuyen Son. The annual Huong Pagoda Festival takes place from January to March of the lunar calendar. VietNamNet/SGGP
National tourism agency to launch new promotion campaign
The new campaign will last several months and increase the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism sector, VNAT said. Vietnam has set a foreign arrivals target of between 4.5 and 4.6 million for this year with revenues of up to VND78 trillion (US$4.2 billion). Last year, more than 100 travel agencies, hotels and transport operators in the country participated in the year-long Impressive Vietnam campaign, reducing their prices by 30 to 50 percent. According to VNAT, the campaign proved effective amidst the economic slump and the industry was still able to post more than a 6.5 percent growth in total revenues. Although foreign arrivals fell 11 percent to 3.8 million last year, the number of domestic tourists increased 19 percent, reaching 25 million, the administration said. VietNamNet/VNA
Farmers open homes to tourists In some parts of the Cuu Long (
With people getting increasingly tired of the hustle and bustle of urban life, the farmers are realising that the streams, farms, orchards, and backyard gardens, while commonplace to them, can be special to city-dwellers and earn them more than their crops. Some farmers on Tiger Islet in the middle of the Hau River, one of the two main tributaries of the Mekong in Viet Nam, have been offering their houses for homestay since the Central Association of Farmers embarked on an agricultural tourism project four years ago. Although part of Long Xuyen, the capital of An Giang Province, the islet continues to have a traditional farming lifestyle typical of the delta. "We began to receive guests last year [2009]," Nguyen Thanh Tung of the provincial association of farmers, who is in charge of executing the project in the province, said. The project is funded by the Dutch Association of Farmers through its Vietnamese counterpart, receiving VND8 billion (US$450,000) in the first phase. An Giang is one of three provinces chosen for the project – and the most successful – along with Tien Giang also in the delta and Lao Cai Province in the north. "Agricultural life here [on the islet] has not changed much in hundreds of years," Tung said to explain why the islet has been chosen as one of the province’s homestay destinations along with Tinh Bien District’s Tra Su cajeput forest where guests can sample ethnic Khmer culture. The islet is characteristic of the delta’s riverine civilisation. The Mekong’s annual floods bring a wealth of fishes and sediments, and its inhabitants have long learned to adapt to life above the water. All sorts of crops grow in its fertile soil – paddy, tropical fruits, vegetables. Then there are fish ponds, pigsties, and poultry in backyards while on a floating village in the middle of the river fish are farmed in underwater cages. Homestay While travelling along the peaceful, tree-shaded roads lined with stilt houses, guests can easily spot huge signs indicating the locations of hosts who take in homestay guests. Tung, who said five households were chosen from 20 candidates, explained the selection criteria: "They should have adequate facilities for guests, reflect the southern agricultural lifestyle, and be enthusiastic about joining the project." Every family was provided VND10 million ($540) to renovate bathrooms, raise passageways, and stock up on mosquito nets, blankets, and pillows. "The farmers could not do much with such a meagre amount and had to spend from their own pockets," he admitted. "They’re supposed to do courses in English, steering boats, hospitality, food hygiene, sales, and marketing," he said, adding the farmers have learned things like how to set dining tables. Just in case they did not learn English, he has also hired 10 final-year tourism students from Can Tho University to act as guides and help hosts and guests communicate. Clean enough "I was not really confident at first," Ho Minh Quang, one of the farmer-hosts, said. "I kept wondering if the toilet is clean enough and the food matches foreigners’ tastes." He admitted to being at sixes and sevens when he first received foreign guests and said his family scrambled to do all kinds of things after they had arrived. "Now we make preparations like decorating the house in advance," he said. But despite his new vocation, he still leads an essentially agricultural life. "I have not abandoned the fields inherited from my parents and grandparents. We will either hire people to share the work on the farm or just send guests to other households during busy periods." Quang was not the only farmer involved in the project to say this. "We were not looking for such a project, but the project just landed in our lap," Ton That Dinh, another farmer-host, said. "So we do not have high expectations and continue to live off our farm and pond." Dinh has not signed contracts with travel agencies since he cannot put farming aside and wait for guests to arrive and also wants to have the right to decide whether to take someone in or not. "Working in an orchard and fish-farm does not allow me to receive guests any time," he explained. Guests are treated with sincere hospitality. They can stay, work, and cook with their hosts given that the farmers "are receiving visitors, not handling a tour professionally", as Dinh said. Picking fruits, watering vegetables, feeding fish, and fishing in rice fields submerged in waist-deep floodwaters are some of the activities guests can join in. Although the islet is attracting tourists, it remains completely rustic with no large building that can accommodate dozens of guests or souvenir shops. "The project is still in its fledgling stage," project coordinator Tung said. "So we’re not organised and professional enough." As the only official in the province, he is in charge of everything from marketing, sales, and organising tours to ensuring quality and accounting. "We print some flyers advertising our services and put them in hotels in Long Xuyen and HCM City," he said, noting that he is developing an exhaustive price list for all the households. Islet homestay can be combined with an array of tours that also take guests to the border town of Chau Doc or a Khmer village near Tra Su cajeput forest. "We need a motorboat to ensure guests can go straight to the households and to the nearby Long Xuyen Floating Market which are still largely unknown to tourists," he said, pointing out that ferry boats are the only mean to reach the islet. "We cannot afford it since it costs around VND150 million ($8,000)." In an evaluation they did last October, Dutch experts praised the effectiveness of the project as evidenced by the number of guests and increase in the farmers’ incomes, Tung said, and pledged more funding this year. "I have met lots of people from different parts of the country and the world, which has helped broaden my mind and improve my His income has risen by 40 to 50 per cent, he added. VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Farmers need to be trained as tour guides Craft villages produce one of the strategic tourist products of many countries in the world. Apart from socio-economic benefits, craft villages also help preserve the cultural characteristics of each locality. However, the development of craft villages not only needs tourist investment but also locals’ awareness of preserving traditions.
Hanoi has about 256 traditional craft villages. About 25% of them are over 100 years old and filled with age-old cultural and historical features. They are considered abundant tourism resources for tourism. Except for the two renowned names of Bat Trang Pottery Village and Van Phuc Silk Village, most of these villages, such as Chuong My Bamboo Weaving Village, Quat Dong Brocade Village, Chuong Hat Village and Ha Thai Lacquer Village, seem to be neglected. The global Some people, despite the ups and downs of life and the stiff competition with modern manufacturing technologies, still lead their life with their compassion for crafts in an effort to preserve the traditions handed down from generation to generation. However, farmers need to be trained professionally in tourism. They People often remember Bat Trang and Van Phuc as local farmers are clever in doing business. When sales decline, they allow tourists to make ceramic products by themselves or offer buffalo carts for tourists to stroll around the craft village to discover local attractions. Meanwhile, artisans in Van Phuc are always willing to perform how to weave for tourists. To them, selling products is important but allowing tourists to know their products is more important. Today, Vietnam’s craft villages face many uncertainties in organizing ability, financial resources, equipment, marketing skills, technology and infrastructure. Product quality is not the same among the villages and some products are not suitable with contemporary styles. It is hard to make these traditions harmonize with modern styles. “The craft village is a specific characteristic of Vietnam’s tourism in collaboration with traditional festivals and regional customs. Therefore, farmers need to be trained into tour guides who can promote typical characteristic of their own country,” said Pham Trung Luong, deputy director of the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research. VietNamNet/SGT
TRAVEL IN BRIEF 8/1 Cruise passengers visit Hoi An
Some 2,000 cruise tourists from Germany, Hung Kings feted in Phu Tho A wide range of activities will take place in the northern province of Phu Tho to celebrate the death anniversary of the Hung Kings and the opening of the Hung Temple Festival, to take place from April 14 to 23. The inauguration of the Hung Vuong Museum will be on April 14, and the seventh culture, sport and tourism festival for northeastern provinces will be held from April 14-17 in the Hung Temple complex. Provinces and cities will participate, including Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. A festival "Getting Back to the Roots" will also take place in Phu Tho to boost tourism cooperation between Phu Tho, Yen Bai and Lao Cai. Other activities include a swimming contest, and an exhibition of books and research on xoan folk songs, which will be submitted to The Mekong province of Tien Giang will host Viet Nam’s first fruit festival to take place from May 19 to 24. With 750 booths showcasing fruits from around the country, the event aims to promote domestic fruits and honour local fruit farmers, researchers and businesses as well. More overland tours to The Da Nang-based Vitours Co will double the tours from Viet Nam to Laos and Thailand from two to four trips per month to meet customers’ rising demand. The tour, which will depart tomorrow and last five to six days, will take tourists to scenic sites in Tha Khet, Northwest to end Viet Nam flights Delta Air Lines’ subsidiary VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Binh Thuan welcomes 2.2 million tourists in 2009 Binh Thuan Province welcomed 2.2 million tourists in 2009, up 10% year-on-year, including 222,000 foreigners, up 13.7% year-on-year, most of them from
Provincial authorities have mapped out a project to build a tourism center in the Mui Ne area in Phan Thiet City. The project will cover 1,007 hectares, of which 957 hectares are land and 50 hectares are sea surface, and will serve tourists and locals as a tourism, trading and entertainment service center. The project aims to lure project investment into luxury resorts, seaside urban areas and high-tech entertainment areas and is expected to commence this quarter.
VietNamNet/SGT
Cherry apricots put Da Lat in the pink Cherry apricot blossomed during the Da Lat Flower Festival 2010. The resort city’s streets were turned pink.
VietNamNet/VNE
Sa Dec’s flower village gets ready for Tet Tan Quy Dong Flower Village, located in Sadec Town in the
When the swallows start mating in the spring air, the village is in its festive time with thousands of flowers blossoming and long lines of vehicles to collect ornamental plants to transport to HCMC and other provinces to beautify the traditional holiday. If you plan to visit the Here lies a real regional floral paradise in the new spring season. The Tan Quy Dong Flower Village is busy now in the peak flower-growing season to be ready for the coming Tet holiday. VietNamNet/SGT
Passengers hoping for Tet flyaway without cancellations or delays Passengers planning to fly with Jetstar Pacific during Tet could face holiday misery including delays and cancellations.
And with
City’s tourism pins high hopes on New Year Tour operators had a happy first day of the New Year as thousands of international visitors arrived in HCMC in the morning of January 1 amidst the vivid welcoming ceremony right at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
The first group of 180 guests arrived from Frankfurt, Germany on a Vietnam Airlines itself transported nearly 3,200 visitors from Europe, Australia and North Asia on the first day of 2010. Many of the visitors showed interest in the folk music performance and stayed a while at the airport to take pictures of the musicians and to applaud their work before going through customs to enter the city. One couple from the Netherlands, Theo Jansen and Trudy Jansen, were surprised at the welcoming rituals at the airport. “Like the queen or something,” Mrs. Jansen said. “I’ve heard this holiday (Solar New Year Day) is not for Vietnamese to celebrate, that’s why I am surprised with the ceremony with flowers and presents like this.” “Our daughter was here for three months last year. She loves being here. As what she told us about Vietnam, we like the culture of the country too and want to explore more,” Mr. Jansen said. Several travel firms were busy welcoming their first guests of the year. Vietravel received 10 tourists, Asian Trails Co. Ltd. 38 guests, and Saigontourist Travel Service Co. welcomed an American couple to the country for their luxury honeymoon. The special guests were two among 1,000 international tourists from La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was pleased with the international arrivals. “We had a tough year in 2009 and we are pinning high hopes on a recovery of the inbound sector this year,” he told the Daily. The city received around 2.6 million foreign visitors in 2009, down by around 200,000 compared to 2008. This is the first decline of international visitors since the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. The city’s tourism sector is asking the city government for higher budget for tourism promotion in 2010. Last year, HCMC spent VND9 billion on such activities. VietNamNet/SGT
Delta Air Lines to stop flights to Vietnam late March
On January 1, the flight frequency decreased from seven days a week to four days – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Explaining the reason, the world leading airline said in a statement that “the global economic downturn has made the company to make decision to restructure the Pacific network plan for next summer schedule.” The carrier said Delta/ Northwest customers would continue to have uninterrupted access to Vietnam via SkyTeam partners to their destinations in the US. Delta added that “the alternative flights will be informed to you soonest.” Delta became the second US airline to fly to HCM City in June 2009, five years after United has transported more than 700,000 passengers in the past five years, contributing into fostering trade and tourism ties between the two countries, said Ms. Clodelsa Ty, United country manager in Vietnam. The carrier said it has recorded average yearly growth of 20% in passenger traffic to Vietnam over the past five years. VietNamNet/SGGP
Exploring Cham culture Looking at a visitor concentrating on a sculpture, I set aside my intention to make her acquaintance and ask her feelings about the Cham Sculpture Museum, which stands silently facing the Han River in the central coast city of Danang. Like the others, she stopped for a long time at every Cham sculpture to read the historical notes. I understood that was not a time for talk as she was indulged in the world of Cham sculpture.
Not seen as a cradle of Cham culture, Danang is known with a Cham museum built in 1915 and housing some 2,000 artful Cham sculptures that were made of sandstone, terra-cotta and copper from the seventh to the fifteenth centuries. Those works are organized by location, such as My Son, Tra Kieu and Dong Duong, to make it easy for visitors to identify the provinces with Cham communities. Walking through the corridors and display rooms, one may feel the color of time through artful sculptures which were carefully collected from ruins. Photo stories tell of the In other words, the museum is where Cham cultural features It is better to have an experienced guide because many of the sculptures have a mysterious legend which you may otherwise miss. If you go in a group of five, the museum can arrange a guide to lead you through the history of Cham people via sculptures featuring activities of their daily lives. If you go alone, you can also ask for a guide give him/her a tip that is more or less up to you. Or you can explore by yourself and read the historical notes for information. If you are visiting the city, save two hours for the Cham Sculpture Museum to explore Cham cultural features. The museum is located on 2/9 Street in Danang City. Entrance is VND30,000 per adult, VND5,000 for students and free for high school students. VietNamNet/SGT
News for Wednesday 06 January, 2010
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