Rising Fuel Prices Force Jetstar Pacific to cut Flights to Vietnam’s Nha Trang
By phamha | August 20, 2008
Jetstar Pacific will be forced to cut flights to the central beach city of Nha Trang, Vietnam as of September 5 due to rising fuel prices.
Vietnam’s second-largest airline has announced it will be replacing this service with three flights in late October and early November to link Ho Chi Minh City, with Bangkok, Cambodia’s Siem Reap and Singapore.
Jetstar Pacific said it will gradually shift its fleet with Boeing 737-400 aircraft to fuel-saving Airbus planes under a plan to have 30 A320s by 2014, the first of which will be delivered late this month or in early September.
Qantas, which owns low-cost Jetstar Airline, bought an 18 percent stake in Vietnam’s Pacific Airlines last year and said it will increase its holding to 30 percent by 2010.
Pacific Airlines renamed itself to Jetstar Pacific after the share sales. For more details visit the website www.jetstar.com
Topics: Destinations, Expatriates, Family Travel, Flights, News, Stopover, Travel Tips, Vietnam | No Comments »
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Getting the best tour guides for Vietnam
By Daveexplorer | August 20, 2008
Hi There,
When I visited Vietnam from Sydney Australia I think the most important thing that helped to make my experience a unique adventure was having the services of a local tour guide.
Access to their local insight and wisdom is fantastic.
I had the services of Nguyen
Hanoi is a wonderful city!!!
Cheers
Dave C
Topics: Adventure, Cruises, Vietnam, Vietnamese | No Comments »
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Vietnamese Airline with Unlucky Name, Meaning Death and Grief Wants a Name Change
By phamha | August 20, 2008
Vietnamese Airline with Unlucky Name, Meaning Death and Grief Wants a Name Change
Song writer Ha Dung, the owner of Vietnamese private carrier, Air Speed Up said he planned to purchase the Viet Airways brand from Jetstar Pacific in order to rename Air Speed Up which has an unlucky Vietnamese meaning.
Although Air Speed Up was licensed in mid-May the airline has not advertised because of its name, which in Vietnamese - hang hang khong tang doc, without accents, means death and grief- a meaning which no airline would obviously want to be associated with.
The Viet Airways brand has been held by Pacific Airlines, which is now Jetstar Pacific Airlines, since 2006.
Pacific Airlines planned to refresh its name in 2005 and it invited a brand expert to design a new brand, Viet Airways. The brand was registered with the Vietnam Intellectual Property Office.
However, when Australia’s Qantas Airways invested in Pacific Airlines, the firm decided to buy the right to use Jetstar brand, a low-cost airline belonging to Qantas, instead of investing in a new brand.
If Ha Dung’s proposal is successful, the purchase of the Viet Airways brand would be the first brand trading case between two local airlines in Vietnam.
Vietnam now has 4 carriers: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, Vietjetair and eventual Viet Airways. Why Not New Airline Hanoi Airways www.hanoiairways.com will be managed and operated by Lux Travel Group?
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Vietnam tourism in lack of advertisement and marketing
By huongdo | August 20, 2008
Vietnam is now known as an attractive and safe destination in the region and is considered to have great potential for more development. However, the sector’s activities is still inefficient. This is due to the lack of professional marketing and advertisement.
Vietnam has not yet to set up a national tourism trademark. Even the current slogan “Vietnam-The Hidden Charm” is not powerful enough to attract visitors.
Professor, Doctor L K Jago, director of the research centre of tourism and hotel of the Victoria University in Australia held that such a slogan is not clear and transparent so it would fail to attract international visitors.
He took the example of other countries with more attractive slogan such as “Malaysia - Truly Asia” , “Uniquely Singapore” or “Incredible India”.
Ms Ton Nu Thi Ninh, former vice chairwoman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs, shared the same view with Doctor Jago “the current slogan of tourism sector is not a clear message and doesn’t feature Vietnamese characteristics.
Images using for advertising the land and people of Vietnam is not impressive while souvenirs selling at shops are not unique.
It’s reported that the sector will spend around VND 16 billion (US $ 1milllion) in late months of the year on advertising tourism on international media. This is not the first time the sector has spent such an amount for the advertisement. However, the amount is unable to ensure the efficiency of advertisement.
Last October the image of Vietnam was broadcast on CNN for three months with a 30 second long clip. This cost US $30,000. However, it did not bring a high result as Vietnam’s potential tourists from the Republic of Korea, Japan and China did not see this English channel. While European audiences could not access the information as the it was broadcast on CNN for Asia.
Patrick Gaveau, marketing director of Focus Asia tourism company held that Vietnam tourism is still week in advertisement. “Strengthening image abroad is an active movement to attract international guests,” he said.
In the coming time, Vietnam will host many international events such as the ASEAN tourism forum 2009. This will be a good chance to advertise Vietnam image to international friends.
Topics: Destinations, Expatriates, Family Travel, News, Travel Articles, Vietnam | No Comments »
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Halong-Hanoi air taxi service launched
By huongdo | August 20, 2008
air taxi serviceVietnam, the Northern Air Service Company in cooperation with the Royal International JS Company has put into operation an air taxi service, using EC130 B4 helicopters.
This service only serves passengers travelling between Hanoi and Halong city (Quang Ninh province).
The heliport in Halong is the Royal International Park (in the Bai Chay-Halong tourist site). It takes around 40-45 minutes for a flight. Round-trip airfare is $550/passenger and a one-way ticket is $350.
To enjoy a tour of Halong Bay from helicopter, travellers have to pay $110/person.
Such flights are available every 15 minutes, with up to 5 passengers and 2 pilots per flight. Vietnamnet.vn
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L’Anmien Muine Resort & Spa Phan Thiet Will Be Opening 15 Oct 2008
By phamha | August 18, 2008
On the webwsite of the resort at http://www.lanmienresort.com we find the annoucement of L’Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa Phan Thiet Will Be Opening 15 Oct 2008
The “L’Anmien” name was inspired by the Vietnamese words “An – peaceful” and “Mien – sleep”, in reflecting this meaning, the L’Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa offers a truly relaxing experience which blends both its unspoiled nature and beauty to create your dream holiday get-away.
Mui Ne, Phan Thiet is located 200km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City on the coast of the South China Sea. Recognized as one of the most idyllic seaside resorts in Vietnam, the Mui Ne area of Phan Thiet is famous for its long endless beautiful beaches, stunning mountains, deep red canyons, its desert like sand dunes and the numerous types of rare flora and fauna.
Beautifully situated along the beach front of Mui Ne, the L’Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa is blessed with a fresh water lagoon amidst serene lush tropical gardens that highlight the resort’s enormous swimming pool and 20 luxurious Villas, each with its individual private pools and outdoor shower.
The Resort’s main building has 69 rooms, which were designed and built with a modern contemporary look that has been blended in harmony with Vietnamese culture in a well crafted décor. Every traveler of all ages will experience supreme luxury combined with the utmost relaxation, while being surrounded in exceptional natural beauty.
Vietnam is not a myth, but a truly legendary place that you will love.
A new luxury property in Mui Ne has just opened in June is the Princess D’Annam Resort and Spa. Check it out at http://www.princessannam.com/
Topics: Beach Vacation, Bespoke Holidays, Destinations, Expatriates, Family Travel, Golf, Hotels and Resorts, News, Vietnam | No Comments »
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Vietnam Airlines to increase domestic fares
By phamha | August 18, 2008
Vietnam Airlines to increase domestic fares
Domestic flights on Viet Nam Airlines are set to increase following a fuel price hike made on August 8 by the Ministry of Finance.
The increase in fares for a one-way ticket will range from a minimum of VND50,000 (US$3.2) to a maximum of VND180,000 ($11.3) and will be effective August 15.
For more information visit? http://www.vietnamairlines.com.vn/default.aspx?tabid=98
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the Mom Da Chim Resort & Spa renamed the ‘Exotica Playa Resort’ by Celadon International
By phamha | August 18, 2008
Celadon International, Vietnam’s first international hospitality and real estate management company, is launching its first 4-star ‘Exotica’ branded resort near to Phan Thiet, a traditional fishing village and now an increasingly popular golfing resort destination on Vietnam’s southern coast.
Formerly known as the Mom Da Chim Resort & Spa, the ‘Exotica Playa Resort’ is located between the beautiful stretch of beach and Phan Thiet’s famous sand dunes beside the East China Sea, 200 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City.
Celadon currently also manages the luxury Celadon Palace Hue, The Imperial Hotel & Apartments Vung Tau, the Celadon Green Island Hotel Danang (opening 2010), and Le Indochine Apartment Hotel Hue (opening 2009).
Topics: Destinations, Expatriates, Family Travel, Hotels and Resorts, News, Vietnam | No Comments »
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The World Luxury Travel History
By phamha | August 18, 2008
The luxury travel market is bigger today than ever before. Increasing affluence in the late 1990s and 2000s has greatly expended the market and there appears to be no end in sight.
The recent economic climate has increased the wealth and purchasing power of many reflected in the arrival of luxury brands such as Gucci, Vertu, Louis Vuitton and Lacoste.
As Vietnam’s economy strengthens, the tourism industry is inevitably expanding its own horizons. Once considered a backpacker destination, Vietnam is now attracting a different kind of tourist with growing high-end options.
Golfing holidays have developed fast over the last couple of years, with fourteen golf courses already in place from the north to the south and more under development. Spa, wine and food, beach vacation, family travel, cruises, honeymoon and romance moved up to the top notch and favorites for upscale travelers.
Historically, travel was synonymous with luxury. Travel for the sake of curiosity and fun was the domain of the wealthy. The average family rarely ventured beyond their own village. How things have changed!
Thomas Cook started what is arguably the first modern travel agency in the 19th century, selling cruise ship tickets to leisure travelers.
In the early 20th century, Vietnam in the colonial time known as a poor country, luxury travel has raised and shined, we enjoyed and experienced the first luxury with Emeraude Cruise Ship to Halong Bay at that time for leisure and wealthy French tourists coming to Indochina and beyond.
It is mean the first stage of luxury travel, for a small percentage of the population. Real luxury travel as we think of it today was only for the very elite until 1950s. business travel become more common and popular. Business travelers took car or train. With airplanes, travel made it easy but still expensive, exotic and dangerous.
The whole idea of luxury moved up a top notch. After all, what was a luxury just a few years before was now a mass product for everyone in the 21st century.
Branded hotels, cruises lines, international resorts and luxury tours companies created new products to meet the demand of the discerning travelers. VNAT should focus on this market segment, how much they spend on their vacation instead of number of tourists.
Mr Pham said, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Vietnam, “tourism authority must think outside of the box and must get out of the image crisis about Vietnam destination and aim to promote a luxury image of this country”
Vietnam has the first luxury tour company in 2004 to satisfy the raised number of luxury travelers come to the country for leisure and business.
“We recently returned from our wonderful 15 day journey to Vietnam and Cambodia arranged by Luxury Travel Vietnam,” said Pamela Solvang, Shark TV, Texas, USA. “We have used the best luxury travel companies in the US and elsewhere and can attest that Luxury Travel Vietnam provides excellent services!”
Copywrite 2008 Luxury Travel Vietnam, ALL RIGHT RESERVED
05 Nguyen Truong To Str., Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84.4.9274120 Ext 108 Fax: +84.4.9274118 www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com
Topics: Lifestyle, Luxury Travel University, News, Press Room, Travel Tips | No Comments »
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Even billionaires like bargains
By phamha | August 18, 2008
Want to travel in style and comfort, but concerned about how far your dollars can go? Despair not— travel experts agree: there are many ways to stretch your budget and still take a five-star trip. Using a top-notch travel agent can be key.
Although you will probably have to pay a service fee for the agent’s expertise, it could well be worth it.
Agents who belong to consortia of high-end travel agencies like the Ensemble Travel Group and Virtuoso have access to special offers you couldn’t get if you were booking the trip on your own.
Case in point: Travelers who book cruises through Ensemble get free shore excursions on select sailings; that’s worth between $125 and $350 per person. Crystal Serenity offers passengers who have booked through Ensemble a sunset kangaroo and koala watch when the ship stops in Melbourne; it includes a rustic bush dinner.
Or if travelers book a room at the posh Hotel Danieli in Venice— again, through Ensemble— they’ll receive a full buffet breakfast each day plus a bottle of wine in their room. Similar goodies are offered by Virtuoso.
According to Forrester Research analyst Henry Forrester, renting a villa, not a hotel room, is another way to stretch your travel budget. If you’re traveling with a group of friends or family, the cost of the villa rental can be divided among travelers, and therefore will probably be cheaper than hotel accommodations.
Another advantage of staying in a villa is that you can cook your own meals, a great way to save money, particularly in Europe. Some upscale villa rental companies even offer concierge services, so you can still get help from knowledgeable, local experts.
For travelers who choose this path, Harteveldt recommends they do their homework. “You want to make sure that the property meets your standards of great,” he says.
Many services and websites can help you navigate the mysteries of discounted first- and business-class air fares and flight upgrades. They include First Class Flyer, an online newsletter that also has a new blog, www.FlightBliss.com. Flyer Talk.com is an online community of frequent flyers who can help you make the most of travel loyalty programs run by airlines, hotels and car rental companies.
Even luxury travelers aren’t immune from the eBay bug. At LuxuryLink.com, hotel and resort packages are discounted as much as 40 percent in the daily auctions. But, says, Diane McDavitt, the website’s president and founder, these purchases are nonrefundable. If your plans could change, consider buying travel at fixed prices, which are also available at LuxuryLink.
Evelyn Sandstede, vice president of U.S. leisure operations for Navigant Vacations, a travel agency that is a member of Virtuoso, is a firm believer in pre-booking and prepaying for as much of your trip as possible. This way, you can protect yourself against any fluctuations in the value of the dollar. “When you get the price in advance,” she says, “you know what it will cost you.” She recommends pre-booking and prepaying for your hotel accommodations and train tickets, even meals and theater tickets.
Another way to get more luxury bang for your buck, Sandstede says, is to book hotels that offer rates guaranteed in U.S. dollars. The Gritti Palace in Venice, Hotel Eden in Rome and Hotel Cala di Volpe in Costa Smeralda currently offer rates guaranteed at the fixed exchange rate of $1.3 to the Euro. (These rates are not available online; contact the Luxury Collection Reservation Desk at 1-800-325-3589 and request promotion code BTE.) The Stafford, a Small Luxury Hotel in London, is offering all accommodations at a fixed dollar rate of $1.80 to the British pound, with rates starting at £250. Likewise, Leading Hotels of the World is doing its part to promote international travel by offering rates guaranteed in U.S. dollars at various properties (imagine $590 instead of $896 at the Hotel Raphael in Paris). The booking code to ask for is L09.
Although the dollar is weak in many travel destinations, it’s still possible to find luxury bargains overseas. Particularly, in Eastern Europe, Latin America and several Asian countries. When traveling to these spots, McDavitt suggests “looking for properties that are willing to extend special offers or promotions.” LuxuryLink has a special three-night package at the five-star Hotel Savoy in Prague starting at $1,315; that’s nearly half off the normal price.
McDavitt and Hartveldt offer another reason to consider going abroad for your vacation: American luxury is attracting foreign travelers with strong currencies. That means stiff competition when it comes to finding domestic bargains. ForbesTraveler
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