The national tourism stimulus program “Impressive Vietnam” will be extended to continue paving the way for a recovery of the downturn-hit tourism industry next year. But local tourism service providers will no longer enjoy big discounts on air tickets like this year, according to Vu The Binh, head of the travel department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Binh said VNAT would hold a meeting next month to gather opinions from tourism professionals to draw up more effective measures for the national tourism stimulus program. “The program will definitely be extended but we will have different approach to assist local tourism businesses,” he told Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon Online (Saigon Economics Times Online) on Tuesday. “Previously, we had to do everything we could to attract tourists due to the slumping tourism industry but now we need a program to increase our competitiveness,” Binh said. Launched since January this … [Read more...] about Vietnam to extend tourism stimulus package next year
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Economists urge Vietnam to relinquish 2019 Asian Games
Vietnam should relinquish the 2019 Asian Games (Asiad), economists said, citing poorly made plans and its inability to make use of the economic opportunities it would throw up. Le Dang Doanh, former chief of the Central Institute for Economic Management, told Thoi bao Kinh te Sai Gon (Saigon Times) Online newspaper that Vietnam bid for the Games based on poor planning. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's plans were not carefully reviewed or debated, especially from the economic angle, he said. The estimated cost of hosting the event is still unclear. Hoang Vinh Giang, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee, told online newspaper Dan Tri earlier this week that the ministry had calculated the cost of the event at over VND4.16 trillion (US$196.5 million), and the government will cover over 76 percent of it, or $150 million. After winning the bid, the ministry sent another proposal to the Ministry of Finance, saying the total cost would be around $255 million, … [Read more...] about Economists urge Vietnam to relinquish 2019 Asian Games
Vietnam Imports 73,000 Tons of Sugar Since Early 2010
Vietnam Imports 73,000 Tons of Sugar Since Early 2010 Vietnam has imported 73,000 tons of sugar so far this year, accounting for 36% out of a full-year import quota of 200,000 tons, the Vietnam Sugar and Cane Association said. The import volume will not be enough for both domestic consumption and production, Vo Thanh Dang, chairman of the association was cited by the Thoi bao kinh te Sai Gon online newspaper as saying. He said local refineries are predicted to produce 948,000 tons in the 2009-2010 crop, down 5,000 tons from the pervious crop, while the country will need around 1.2 million tons. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said it will propose to raise the import quota of sugar for 2010, forecasting that Vietnam will lack around 300,000 tons of sugar this year. (Saigon Economic Times) more news … [Read more...] about Vietnam Imports 73,000 Tons of Sugar Since Early 2010
Danang hopes festival will bring more visitors
The central beach city of Danang will hold several water sports and events for a tourism festival from June 19 to 27. The “Danang Tourism – a Summer Destination for 2010” event will feature waterskiing and aerobics performances, a swimming contest, a boat race, and a bartending contest among others. The local tourism authority will offer including scuba diving, fishing trips with fishermen, and short trips to explore Son Tra Peninsula, a lush tropical getaway, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon Online (Saigon Economic Times Online) reported. Nguyen Duy Quang, deputy director of the Danang Tourism Promotion Center, said the city spends VND1 billion (US$ 52,728) every year to host the event. Last year’s event resulted in a 30 percent increase in the number of visitors during the summer holidays, he said. The city has teamed up with the neighboring provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien – Hue to promote festivals and summer activities in the three localities through … [Read more...] about Danang hopes festival will bring more visitors
Online hotel booking service going strong
The online hotel booking service is becoming a lucrative business for investors in the hospitality industry in Viet Nam. With the number of domestic and overseas tourists visiting different locations in the country increasing every year, many of those looking to reserve accommodation find it convenient to do so online. According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), the number of international arrivals in Vietam in June 2013 was 567,291, up 1.5 per cent over the previous month and 29.9 per cent year-on-year. In the first six months of this year, in spite of the global economic recession which has strongly impacted Vietam's source markets, the tourism sector has managed to take advantage of its strengths and gain positive growth, the report says. Total international arrivals during the first six months reached 3,540,403, a 2.6 per cent growth over the same period of 2012. The number of domestic tourists was 24 million, up 12 per cent, and total tourism revenues rose 23.5 per … [Read more...] about Online hotel booking service going strong