the 37 Issues of Travel Weekly

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07 Oct, 2010

16-21
International Travel Expo 2010
was biggest ever

22-23
Hanoi Ancient Citadel Relic Complex
1000 YEARS OF
THANG LONG - HANOI

33
Important ITB Asia 2010
Media Information

www.travelweekly.com.vn

Off
icia
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Par
tn
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07 Oct, 2010
16-21
International Travel Expo 2010
was biggest ever

Dear Travel Weekly readers! 22-23
Hanoi Ancient Citadel Relic Complex
1000 YEARS OF
THANG LONG - HANOI

33
Media Information

Welcome to the 37 Issues of Travel Weekly! www.travelweekly.com.vn

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Thursday 07.10.2010

VIETNAM NEWS 04 FEATURES
04. Hilton manages second property in

16 - 21
Vietnam 05 International Travel
05. Director recognises Ha Long Bay’s Expo 2010 was biggest
potential 06 ever
06 - 07. Major sailing event coming to International Travel Expo 2010, the largest tourism event
Nha Trang 07 in Vietnam, opened its doors on September 30 at the
Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. The Exhibi-
09. Elegant Villa FB introduces modern tion, was organised by the Vietnam National Administra-
fine dining through October offers 08 tion of Tourism; HCMC Department of Culture, Sports
and Tourism; VINEXAD; and IIR Exhibitions Pte Ltd, is
10 - 11. Countries of CLMV join hands for bigger and better than before.
tourism development 09
14. Ana Mandara Hue to open its doors
in Hue 10
SPECIAL
11
1,000 YEARS OF
THANG LONG - HANOI 12
24. Thua Thien Hue hosts photography
exhibition to celebrate capital’s 1,000th 14
birthday
25. Arts in spotlight as youth mark
millennium
16 22 - 23 Hanoi Ancient Citadel
Relic Complex
The relic complex of Hanoi ancient citadel is regarded
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 17 as the most significant historical and cultural relic in
Vietnam and has been officially added to UNESCO’s
30. Dubai talks over tourism solutions 19 world heritage list. It has brought honour and pride to
every Vietnamese citizen as part of the nation’s cultural
31. ITB Asia attracts nearly half new history.
buyers 22
32. Malaysia to be host the World Tourism
Conference 2010 23
34. WTM Thursday Programme Tackles
Biggest Headaches Facing Industry
24
AVIATION NEWS
36. SIA to offer Full in-flight connectivity
25
38. American Airlines traffic climbs in
September 27

33
39. Qatar Airways expands Flights to
Bangkok and Vietnam 29 Important ITB Asia 2010
Media Information
DESTINATIONS 30 The Trade Show for the Asian market – will take place
Wednesday, 20 October to Friday, 22 October 2010 at
40 - 41. Yen Island Suntec, Singapore. ITB Asia will feature hundreds of ex-
31 hibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe,
the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not
only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE
33 travel.

34

36

37

38

4 VIETNAM NEWS

Hilton manages second
property in Vietnam
Hilton International Manage LLC and its partner Bach Dang Ho-
tel Complex Trading Service Co announced a deal on manage-
ment of a hotel in the Bach Dang project in the central coast city
of Danang.
The U.S.-based hotel management firm will run the five-star
Hilton Danang Hotel, a second property in Vietnam’s hospitality
market under Hilton’s management after the one in Hanoi.
Than Ha Nhat Thong, board chairman of Bach Dang Hotel
Complex Trading Service Co, told a news briefing in HCMC on
Wednesday that the company had worked with various interna-
tional hotel management firms over the past three years, and
finally picked Hilton.
Thong said the company, a 70:30 venture between 508 Company
Limited and Bach Dang Guest House under the Command of
Military Zone 5, had invested some VND750 billion to develop
the project on 7,000 square meters along Bach Dang Street in Hai
Chau District in Danang.
The Bach Dang Complex Project has a 25-story hotel with 226
rooms, a 17-storey building with 15,600 square meters of office
space and serviced apartment, and 10,500 square meters of
retail podium.
Guy Phillips, vice president development of Hilton Worldwide
for Asia Pacific region, told the Daily that Hilton was looking
for a property in HCMC for management in the coming time to
expand its presence in the country.
He said Hilton wanted to bring to the country other hotel brands
among its ten to cater to different needs in the coming years.
Thong said the project was scheduled for completion by the last
Hilton Hanoi Opera House
quarter of 2012.

Vietnam firms attend New luxury hotel
French tourism expo launched in Hanoi
Vietnamtourism, Saigontourist, Viet- The five-star Grand Plaza hotel has
nam Airlines, and many other tour- opened in Hanoi. The property,
ism companies like La Palanche, which is owned by South Korea’s
Bai Tho Junks, and Vietventures Charmvit Group, will feature 620
took part in the 32nd International rooms in the city’s Cau Giay dis-
French Travel Market Top Resa trict. The hotel is part of the Grand
tourism exhibition held in Paris from Plaza Hanoi mixed-use develop-
September 21 to 24. The event at- ment, which also includes a depart-
tracted 600 companies from around ment store and office space.
the world operating in tourism,
transport, and hospitality. “Moscow Days” to be Famous
Binh Thuan to host sail- held in Hanoi
ing festival The Hanoi Municipal People’s stoneware showcased
Committee and Moscow authorities
The southern province of Binh will jointly hold “Moscow Days in
Thuan will host the international Hanoi” from 8-10 October to cel- The famous Bat Trang pottery village in Hanoi’s Gia Lam District
sailing festival from 8-11 December. ebrate Hanoi’s millennial anniver- is marking the capital’s millennium anniversary by producing
This event is to mark the National sary, and it’s as part of the activities and showcasing 1,000 stoneware items.
Tourism Year in the Southern Cen- to strengthen Hanoi-Moscow coop- The stoneware will be exhibited from 5-10 October at the village.
tral Coast – Phu Yen 2011 and the eration. During the event there will “The exhibition aims to celebrate Bat Trang Pottery’s cultural
15th anniversary of the establish- be a variety of activities including and artistic values and its talented potters,” said Gia Lam Dis-
ment of the Binh Thuan tourism a photo exhibition, a book exhibi- trict’s Culture and Information Department head Do Van Thinh.
industry, aiming to develop a world- tion, and an art performance by the Themed Bat Trang Pottery – Traditional and Contemporary, the
class sailing industry and promote world-famous Pyatnitsky Russian exhibition brings together antiques and commercial items, which
tourism in the province, seek to Folk Chorus. account for 30 and 70 per cent of the pieces, respectively.
showcase the attraction of travelling
by sea to Vietnam and Binh Thuan
The crafts are dragons from the Ly dynasty, which established
to local and foreign visitors. Hanoi as the capital; a carved portrait of King Ly Thai To’s histor-
ical edict to relocate the capital to Hanoi; and a 3.15m-tall vase.
Thursday 07.10.2010 www.travelweekly.com.vn

VIETNAM NEWS 5

Director recognises
Ha Long Bay’s potential
The Director of New7Wonders Founda- routines in campaigning while creating
tion, Jean-Paul De La Fuente, has called on special initiatives to attract public attention,
Vietnam to launch a national campaign to especially the young generation, to vote.
promote Ha Long Bay’s image and attempt
to gain the title of a New7Wonders attrac- He said pictures of the site were not con-
tion. vincing enough as his body had received
numerous beautiful pictures from 28 candi-
Jean-Paul made the statement in an inter- dates around the world.
view with The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports &
Culture) newspaper after concluding a These pictures should be accompanied
working session with the Ministry of Cul- with strong messages, he emphasised.
ture, Sports and Tourism on October 4.
Colourful figures should be invited to
He said the publicity campaign was neces- pose in the scene and take part in voting
sary in the final rounds of the competition and messages on Ha Long Bay should be
to increase public awareness of the elec- conveyed to international tourists, Paul
tion, which should involve the Government. advised.

Brazil’s President took part in voting for its The voting in the final round will be ex-
key natural attraction as it was part of the panded to telephone calls and messaging,
national pride and honour, said the chief in addition to the internet.
of the world body evaluating new world
wonders. He said he expected the Vietnamese
people would bring their national spirit,
He said he understood that at this point, all which he saw with his own eyes in the
Vietnamese considered Ha Long bay as Thang Long-Hanoi millennium anniversary,
the biggest wonder of the nation, which he to the Ha Long Bay campaign.
said needs massive promotion and election
campaigns to promote its image. The competition will not be decided by a
group of people but by a majority in the
Jean-Paul advised Vietnam to avoid world, Jean-Paul emphasised.

6 VIETNAM NEWS

Major sailing event
coming to Nha Trang

S
ome of the world’s most perfect finish line.” in 1996 and was resurrected in 2004, when
skilled yachtsmen will set a the biennial format was established — also
course for Nha Trang next Of course, Hodgetts is both biased and coincides with the full moon, which will
month, when the fifth Vina- privileged. The 30-story Sheraton, opened add to the atmosphere as the boats race
Capital Hong Kong to Viet- less than six months ago, stands astride the along at 20 knots during the hours of dark-
nam Race terminates on the bay and Nha Trang skyline like a glimmer- ness.
shores of this seaside city. ing titan. Guests and race officials perched
on any of the hotel’s 284 room balconies “Nha Trang has developed into a real tour-
Organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht will have first sighting of the winning boat, ist destination, with accommodation and
Club (RHKYC) and supported by Sheraton scheduled to come into view from around bars in reasonable supply, and ample an-
Nha Trang Hotel & Spa and Saigontourist Hon Tre Island on Oct. 23. chorage and shelter for the boats,” said
Travel Services, the four-day sailing event Lindsay Lyons, the race’s promotions man-
begins Oct. 20 and covers 656 nautical The VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam ager. “Plus, of all the destinations to which
miles, making it the longest Category One Race forms part of the renowned China we run races, Nha Trang is definitely the
race in Asia. Coast Race Week and is an officially ap- most family-friendly, attracting partners
proved and sanctioned qualifying com- and kids to travel down from Hong Kong to
“I can’t think of a better place for such a petition for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, make a holiday of it.”
gruelling offshore activity to end than in an iconic Australian sporting event that
one of the world’s most beautiful bays,” takes place every December and is widely Only boats at least 10 meters in length and
said Scott Hodgetts, general manager of considered one of the most difficult yacht crews with documented proof of sufficient
the Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa, the races in the world. offshore training are eligible to participate
event’s official hotel and site of the awards in the VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam
celebration. “Add Nha Trang’s nautical This year’s edition of the VinaCapital Hong Race.
heritage to the equation and you’ve got the Kong to Vietnam Race — which debuted

VIETNAM NEWS 7

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tal Hong Kong to Vietnam Race, visit www. ees at its owned and managed proper- wood Hotels is a fully integrated owner,
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accommodation at Sheraton Nha Trang owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, and residences with the following inter-
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nhatrang or call +84 58 388 0000. ing internationally renowned brands: St. The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®,
Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points®
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Helping guests make connections at more Points® by Sheraton, and the recently Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels
than 400 hotels in 75 countries around launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Star- also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership,
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the final stages of a $6 billion worldwide, tion Ownership, Inc., one of the premier operators of high quality vacation interval
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wide, Inc.
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the world with over 980 properties in more territories with 145,000 employees at its

VIETNAM NEWS 9

Canadian Thanksgiving set menu

Elegant Villa FB introduces modern
fine dining through October offers

V
illa FB, an elegant restaurant rants in town, while others may want to “We are very proud of our well-earned
which combines old-world charm be seated in the glass room, “where you reputation as a top-notch restaurant, creat-
from the restored 1930s French feel like dining in the middle of an exotic ing scrumptious dishes using only the
colonial villa with contemporary rain forest with the water running down on freshest local produce with an interna-
touches from its monochrome décor, is glass walls” as one gourmet visiting Villa tional flourish”, Mr. Nguyen Vy Minh,
introducing modern fine dining through FB has aptly put it. This palatable “all you Villa FB’s owner, said “These two special
its special October promotions, including can eat” deal costs $30 per person, and is events of Weekend barbeque dinners and
Weekend barbeque dinners and Canadian valid from now until 31 October 2010. Canadian Thanksgiving set menu will not
Thanksgiving set menu. only appeal to nostalgic expats, but also
In addition, Villa FB presents an exqui- to local food connoisseurs. Every dish we
With these first ever Weekend barbeque site Canadian Thanksgiving set menu, present, from five-spice barbequed pork
dinners, foodies could tuck into the most featuring meticulously presented dishes skewers to seared foie gras with berry
luscious spread of as much delicacies as including cream of pumpkin soup with compote and toasted brioche, is inspired
anyone could possibly manage. Taking seared Alaska scallop and green oil by classic cuisines but created with a
place every Saturday and Sunday from as entrée. Main course features deep modern flair”.
6pm to 10pm, Villa FB’s tropical garden fried scampi with passion fruit sauce,
beguiles on balmy evenings, complete mashed yam and seafood ravioli, or for With these tempting offers, October is the
with the tantalising smell of chargrilled the traditional-minded gourmets: roasted time to dine at Villa FB, to enjoy modern
mixed seafood skewers or succulent pep- turkey breast with onion puree, crushed fine dining at its best.
pered steaks wafting in the air. The entic- potato and cranberry jus. Canadians or
ing terrace beckons diners to sit down not, everyone would love the dessert For further information, please contact:
under the starry sky for an alfresco meal of maple syrup upside down cake with Villa FB
with a glass of vino or four, reminiscent of vanilla ice cream. This set menu, costing 79 Suong Nguyet Anh Street, District 1, Ho
laid-back summer nights in Europe and US$30 per person and runs on Monday, 11 Chi Minh City
North America. Or you could choose to October 2010, is real haute cuisine, a work Tel: +84-8-6290 6571
sit indoor, by the white shutters looking of art itself on elegantly laid table, and is a Email: csm@villafb.com
out to the yard, to appreciate the interior testament to the skills of the chef. Website: www.villafb.com
of one of the top 5 most beautiful restau-

H
igh-ranking tourism officials of
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and
Vietnam, often referred to as CLMV,
announced in HCMC that they had agreed
to join hands in many activities to develop
tourism in the four countries.

The four Tourism Ministers agreed on the
cooperation in a meeting as part of the
sixth International Travel Expo in HCMC,
which kicked off in HCMC September 30.

Tran Chien Thang, Vietnamese Deputy
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism,
said that the four sides would join hands in
marketing activities, in organizing tourism
investment forums, and developing human
resources.

The four ministers also agreed on con-
certed efforts to make transport easier for
citizens and international tourists to travel
to and from the countries, and would seek
ways to links tours between the four des-
tinations. Efforts would also be made to
open air routes linking the region’s world
heritage sites.

The four ministers also agreed to organize
the ministerial meeting in every two years
to further discussions about the coopera-
tion.

“We want to use the tourism industry as a making transport easier for citizens and in- region. We should help them get visas in
lever to reduce poverty,” said Somphong ternational tourists. international border gates. We are talking
Mongkhonvilay, tourism minister of Laos. with Governments to build more highways
“The number of flights between the three for better transportation,” said Thong Khon,
Tourism cooperation among the three destinations is increasing. Overland trans- Cambodia’s tourism minister.
countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam portation is easier. We are talking with the
was formally initiated in 2007, when the Governments to open more border gates The tourism ministers of Laos and Cam-
three tourism ministers signed an agree- for tourists to travel through,” he said. bodia said that international tourists to the
ment to this effect. The cooperation is now two countries can make visa procedures
further widened with the participation of Tourism officials said transportation is very at international gates. Meanwhile, for Viet-
Myanmar this year. important to help develop the tourism in- nam, tourists can get visa at the embassy
dustry. or at international gates, but in the second
The Laos minister said that the three coun- way local travel firms must be there to as-
tries were doing well in joint promotion “Making transport easier is very impor- sist such visitors.
activities, in organizing caravan tours, and tant especially for visitors from outside the
The travel expo kicked off on Thursday at
the Saigon Convention and Exhibition Cen-
ter in District 7. Along with the exhibition,
buyers and sellers are continuing business

Countries of CLMV meetings there.

join hands for
tourism development

12 VIETNAM NEWS
artists from traditional ceramic villages, in-

Hanoi ceramic mosaic cluding Phu Lang, Bat Trang, Chu Dau and
Binh Duong.

sets Guinness World Record At the ceremony, the Guinness Book of
World Records Representative, Beatriz
Fernandez, presented the certificate and
confirmed that the similar record, held by
China, covers 1,494.4 m2, has been bro-
ken.

Now, with its one section alone from An
Duong Terminal to Tan Ap Terminal on Yen
Phu Street, covering 1,570,2m2, the Hanoi
mural has set a new Guinness World Re-
cord.

Hanoi has held its inauguration ceremony painter who works for the Hanoimoi news-
for the city’s ceramic mosaic mural and re- paper. She was then given full support by
ceived a Certificate for the largest Ceram- the city authorities.
ic mosaic by the Guinness Book of World
Records, on October 5. The work of art was made from 2007-2010,
involving 20 Vietnamese and 15 foreign
The mosaic mural came from an idea by artists, and 500 children from across the
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, a journalist and country and around the world plus 100

Work starts on tourism property
project in Vung Tau

Hoa Anh Dao Tourist JSC held a ground las. The plans include a convention centre,
breaking ceremony for a tourism complex restaurant, spa, swimming pool and marina.
project in the southern coast province of Ba
Ria-Vung Tau over the weekend, adding to Speaking at the event, Ho Van Nien, vice
the province’s growing list of resorts under chairman of the province, elaborated on Ba
construction. Ria-Vung Tau’s plan, saying the province has
done everything possible to exploit its 100km
The developer said it invested some coastline.
VND1,150 billion to develop the Oceanami
Resort & Luxury Home project in Phuoc Hai Nien said the investment environment has
Town in Dat Do District, near historic Minh improved with a lot on offer to attract interna-
Dam mountain, where the Vietnamese mili- tional investors to the province. There about
tary base used to be. 100 tourism property projects underway in
the province, including the Oceanami Resort
The project, covering 21 hectares on nearly & Luxury Home.
one kilometre of beach, is designed with a
five-star hotel with 200 guest rooms, 28 bun- The project is scheduled for completion by
galows, two blocks of five-story buildings 2012, with villas priced between US$364,000
with 100 apartments and some 180 luxury vil- to US$1.3 million per unit.

14 VIETNAM NEWS
Ana Mandara Da Lat

Ana Mandara Hue
to open its doors in Hue
A Vietnam Premier Resort extends its brand to the Ancient City of
Hue. This coming October will see the inauguration of the exclusive
Ana Mandara Hue, located directly on Thuan An Beach just a scenic
20-minute drive from central Hue. The quiet sounds and vistas of the
sea will welcome guests to this establishment, distinguished as the
only beach resort with pool villas in the area.

With an extension of 2.8 hectares and 400 metres of beachfront, Ana
Mandara Hue offers an open sensation of space, with the largest vil-
las and rooms in the area. The property has a total of 78 keys, includ-
ing beach pool villas, beach villas, duplex rooms and deluxe rooms
in a wide range of styles and décor designed with the most complete
and modern facilities. Unique experiences available include private
rice paddy dinners, beach BBQ’s and cruises through the local fish
farms.

Located in a recondite enclave, Ana Mandara Hue offers a unique
spa area, a piece of paradise that offers a wide selection of pleasing
therapies, including facial and body massages, exotic body exfolia-
tion, aromatherapy and the recognised Ayurveda therapy. Inspired in
Asiatic rituals, these treatments help recuperate energies as well as
relax mind and spirit in one of Hue’s most original spas.

Guests will also enjoy the close proximity to Hue City where a dy-
nastic citadel still stands untouched. The old imperial city along the
legendary Perfume River contains the tombs of the Nguyen kings,
recognised by Unesco Heritage of Humanity.

This is the first project managed by Hotel Collection Indochine, a
new hotel management company in Vietnam which strives towards
delivering the latest in hospitality concepts. The company plans to
inaugurate its second resort in January 2011, Ana Mandara Ninh Binh,
located south of Hanoi, and it also has other projects planned in dif-
ferent locations along the country.

VIETNAM NEWS 15

Foreign
tourists
granted
visa
exemption
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung has
approved the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism’s suggestion to grant visa exemptions to
foreign tourists from October 1 to the end of the
year.

It is hoped this will attract more foreign visitors
to Vietnam, and ensure the stable development of
the country’s tourism industry, especially in view
of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The normal cost of a tourist visa to enter Vietnam
was US$25 per person. Last year, the Government
allowed visa exemptions for tourists joining the
“Impressive Vietnam” programme from mid-May
to the end of 2009.

The program consists of seven campaigns, in-
cluding the “Impressive grand sale 2010” in Ha-
noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City; “Friendly Viet
Nam welcomes you”; and the “Back to the origin”
for overseas Vietnamese in Australia, France, the
UK and the US.

The above campaigns have helped to rev up the
number of foreign arrivals to the country by 34.2%
in 9 months against the same period last year, or
some 3.73 million arrivals.

Besides, Vietnamese tourist firms have also
launched a series of impressive promotion cam-
paigns on the occasion of the 1000th birthday an-
niversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

International
Travel Expo
2010
was
biggest
ever

Travel Weekly’s Partner: Defenit Journey Co., Ltd.

Travel Weekly & Ms. Tue Trinh - Sales & Marketing Manager
of Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa

Vietnam Airlines Pavilion

Vietnam Crafts Village Pavilion

Exotissimo Pavilion

I
nternational Travel Expo 2010, the largest tourism event in Vietnam, opened its doors on
September 30 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. The Exhibition was orga-
nized by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; HCMC Department of Culture,
Sports and Tourism; VINEXAD; and IIR Exhibitions Pte Ltd. This year’s ITE HCMC was
spread across 4,500 square meters at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho
Chi Min City. A total of more than 180 exhibiting companies from 14 countries and regions
participated at this year’s show.

Said Mr. La Quoc Khanh, vice director at the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism,
“I am very pleased with the performance of this year’s exhibition, which has grown 5 percent from
last year despite the challenging environment.”

This year marked the 6th edition of ITE HCMC. The exhibition is respected as the platform for the
Greater Mekong sub-region to showcase its newest tourism and travel products and services, as
well as to network with fellow peers. Thailand was the guest country for this year’s ITE HCMC.
However, the groundbreaking news of at the exhibition was the inception of Myanmar, which joins
Cambodia, Lao, and Vietnam to form the new “4 Countries One Destination Bloc.” The agreement
between all four countries was inked at the ITE HCMC ministerial press conference, which was
held just after the opening ceremony. The tourism bloc is aimed at promoting the countries of
Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar, and Vietnam as a singular tourist destination.

In total, ITE HCMC 2010 had 5 country pavilions and 11 provincial pavilions. The country pavil-
ions included Cambodia, Lao, China-Macau, Malaysia, and Thailand, while provincial pavilions
included An Giang, Baria-Vungtau, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Dong Nai, Khanh Hoa, Lam
Dong, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, and Tien Giang. Major exhibitors for ITE HCMC 2010 included
Vietnam Airlines, Saigon Tourist, VNAT, Ministry of Tourism Cambodia, Nagaworld, Tourism Au-
thority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, Turkish Airlines, Macau Government Tourist Office and the
Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Thuan, Baria-Vungtau, and Dong Nai among
others.

Among the other notable features of the exhibition were the hosted buyers program consisting of
a select group of more than 120 internationally-renowned tour operators, and the hosted media
program, whereby the different trade publications around the world were invited to publicize Viet-
nam’s largest tourism event through their respective media channels. These special visitors of ITE
HCMC had the opportunity to go to their respective pre- and post-show tours, whereby they were
able to see the special sights, sounds, and unique cultural influences of Vietnam.

ITE HCMC 2010 concluded on October 2 in Ho Chi Minh City at the Saigon Exhibition and Con-
vention Center.

days to come 1,000 years of Thang Long - Hanoi

Hanoi Ancient Citadel Relic Complex – The
Trace from Time Immemorial

Now that Thang Long Citadel has been officially added to help raise the prestige of the city in particular and of Vietnam in
UNESCO’s world heritage list, experts hope the site will get the general,” said historian Le Van Lan. “This is also a big tribute
necessary backing to turn it into a well-preserved tourist site to our ancestors who established and constructed the soul and
When an announcement was made at 8.30pm on July 31 in body of Thang Long- Hanoi,” he said.
Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil, people in Hanoi were jumping The site was recognised for its long-lasting cultural and histori-
for joy. It would have been sometime after 6.30 in the morning cal values, its continuity as the country’s power centre and its
when people officially heard that the Thang Long Imperial Cita- multi-layered foundations, which offer insights into the many dif-
del’s central complex site had been inscribed on UNESCO’s ferent dynasties that ruled in feudal times. Located at 18 Hoang
World Heritage List as the world’s 900th heritage. Dieu, a substantial part of the Thang Long Royal Citadel was
“This is a great honour and pride for all Vietnamese people. accidentally discovered in December 2002 during the initial
There is a big potential for Hanoi to develop the site and will phases of construction on the new National Assembly building.



Voices of the past ings were the two storeys Dragon
The excavations have uncovered a House, the D67 House and the T78A
complex of foundations for palaces, House. The first two houses were used
pavilions, water wells and drainage by the Politburo, General Vo Nguyen
systems and several million artefacts Giap and General Van Tien Dung, dur-
such as ceramic, porcelain and metal ing Vietnam’s decades-long struggle
wares and human bones, some of for independence. Here historic de-
which date back to 1,300 years ago, cisions were made, marking brilliant
when Vietnam was known as An Nam milestones of Vietnam’s revolutionary
and under the rule of the Chinese history, strategising the 1968 General
Tang dynasty. Tet Offensive, the 1972 General Of-
All the overlapping architectures from fensive and the April 30, 1975 Ho Chi
the ensuing periods were built with Minh Campaign, which led to reunifi-
the most high-end materials of the cation of Vietnam.
times. It is estimated that the site used
to be home to 36 palaces and 49 pa- Preservation issues
vilions in the Ly dynasty (1010 - 1225), However, preserving and protecting
22 palaces and 13 pavilions in the Tran the Thang Long royal citadel is a big
dynasty (1225 – 1400) and six palaces challenge. Seven years after being
and 32 pavilions in the Le dynasty discovered, the excavation pits are
(1533 - 1789). protected only by makeshift roofs,
“The artefacts reflect the long his- while some of findings are temporar-
tory of Thang Long-Hanoi between ily stored.
the seventh and 18th centuries,” says But, Son says that the solutions are just
Nguyen Van Son, director of the Co temporary, because scientists have
Loa – Hanoi ancient citadel preserva- yet to decide on a preservation plan
tion centre. “The finds also show that and the citadel is now still being exca-
the past’ palaces and pavilions had vated and studied. “A permanent plan
sophisticated decorations. Assorted to preserve the relics and a master
tiles, ceramics, porcelains and stones plan to preserve the whole citadel will
were used. The construction skills be made. We hope that UNESCO will
were very high.” help us to preserve the relics,” Son
By the late 19th century, Vietnam was says.
already under French rule, and parts He says that the relics are being af-
of Hanoi citadel were destroyed to fected by the environment, because
enlarge Hanoi’s streets. Now, only the they have been underground for cen-
foundation of Thang Long citadel’s turies and now are exposed to light
Kinh Thien Palace and Doan Mon and air.
(main gate) and the Hanoi citadel’s Moreover the finds are made from
Bac Mon (north gate) and Ky Dai (flag different materials, each of which re-
tower) can be seen. quires different methods of preserva-
“All the artefacts have proved that tion. Regardless, the citadel complex
Thang Long – Hanoi has been consis- will be open to visitors during the
tently a political, cultural and econom- celebration of 1,000 years of Thang
ic centre of Vietnam for 13 centuries, Long – Hanoi.
with very special cultural and histori-
cal values,” Lan said.

The old Hanoi Citadel area
After bulldozing many parts of the old
citadel complex, the French used the
138,657sqm area as a military com-
pound. In 1886 they razed the Kinh
Thien Palace, which was the most im-
portant and sacred palace of the kings
to build a two-storey artillery com-
mand post.
Between 1954-2004, the area served as
the Vietnamese Army’s central head-
quarters. The most important build-



Thua Thien-Hue hosts photography exhibition to
celebrate capital’s 1,000th birthday

The Thua Thien-Hue municipal People’s
Committee organised a photography
exhibition on 4 October to celebrate
the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-
Hanoi.
The exhibition aims to show the close
solidarity between Hanoi, Hue and
Saigon.
On display were 100 black-and-white
and colour photos, including 70 of Thang
Long-Hanoi and 30 of Thua Thien-Hue.
The exhibition will last until October 15.



Arts in spotlight as youth mark millennium

Young people will hold many activities from art performanc-
es to exhibitions and street festivals across the country on
Oct. 8 to celebrate the 1,000th birthday of Hanoi.

At a press briefing in Hanoi on Oct.5, the Ho Chi Minh Com-
munist Youth Union Central Committee said celebrations
start in Hanoi with an incense offering ceremony at the King
Ly Thai To statue in Hanoi and an art performance of 3,500
children and young people of Hanoi and 65 young foreigners
around the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi.

The programme continue with a performance of drums and
clarinets as well as singing and dancing at the same time in
Hanoi, the central city of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Also in the morning of the day 1,000 children drew paintings
following the theme “I love Hanoi” around the Hoan Kiem
Lake, while performances of songs and dances took place at
universities, colleges and senior high-schools nationwide.

As part of the programme, an exhibition of photos and ob-
jects held around Thien Quang Lake in Hanoi. Over 600
photos, documents and objects displayed under the theme
of “Vietnamese Youth – proud of 1,000 years of Thang Long-
Hanoi and National Construction”.

A three-day festival of young people of ASEAN+3 (ASEAN
countries and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) held
from Oct. 6. Participants of the festival plan to take this occa-
sion to boost exchanges and establish cooperation in many
fields.

Young people from the northern province of Bac Ninh bring
a collage painting, the largest of its kind in Vietnam, to the
festival.

In the evening of Oct. 8, a street festival will be held with
singing, dancing and a parade around the centre of Hanoi.

An exhibition of Bat Trang ceramic craft village of Hanoi
opened from 5-10 October to celebrate Hanoi birthday. Also
on display at the exhibition are products from other tradi-
tional ceramic craft villages in the country.

In the same vein, an artistic photo festival of 15 northern
mountainous provinces also opened on Oct. 5 in Dien Bien
Phu city, Dien Bien province.

Exhibits are 205 photos selected from 1,219 entries to the
festival, capturing the beauty of nature, the people and their
daily lives. Of these photos, 24 were awarded with prizes.

Also, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the northern prov-
ince of Thai Binh jointly opened an exhibition of 120 photos
of Hanoi and Thai Binh.



Calligraphy exhibition to open in Hanoi

A
major exhibition of calligraphy takes place at the Temple of Literature
in Hanoi to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi
from 4-14 October.

Two hundred and fifty calligraphic pictures on paper, pottery and bamboo
will be shown.

The exhibition also displays a 217-kilogram book which is 1.6 meters long,
1.1 meter wide and a bronze work “Chieu doi do” (Proclamation on moving
capital) which is three meters long.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to watch artists perform calligraphy;
listen to legends and historical stories about calligraphy.

Many famous Vietnamese calligraphers will participate in the exhibition.



Gatherings have been held by many
Vietnamese in Germany Celebrate Hanoi’s millennium

overseas Vietnamese associations in
Germany to mark the 1000th anniversary
of Thang Long-Hanoi.
On October 3, the capital’s 1000th birth-
day was celebrated at the Dong Xuan
Trade Centre in Berlin, with represen-
tatives from the Vietnamese Embassy
in Germany, the Association of Fellow
Countrymen, the Business Association
and the Vietnamese Servicemen’s As-
sociation attending the event along with
hundreds of members from the Hanoians’
Association.
After the salute to the flag, the partici-
pants observed a minute of silence to
commemorate their predecessors who
had laid down their lives to build Hanoi-
Thang Long over the past 1000 years.
In his speech, Vice Chairman of the Ha-
noians’ Association in Germany, Nham
Huu Phuong, highlighted important land-
marks in the 1000-year-old history of
Thang Long Hanoi since King Ly Thai To
transferred the capital to Dai La Citadel,
opening up new opportunities for nation-
al construction and development.
Counselor and Head of the Committee
for Community-based Activities, Phan Y
Nhi, praised the Hanoians’ Association
for launching a variety of activities to
celebrate the capital’s millennium which
bear all the hallmarks of Hanoians.
Earlier the same day, a fourth get-togeth-
er was held by the Kinh Bac Association
of Fellow Countrymen in Germany to
mark the anniversary, in the presence of
the Vietnamese Ambassador to Germa-
ny, Do Hoa Binh, and his wife.
During the meeting, participants enjoyed
folk songs and performances of Vietnam-
ese arts recognised by UNESCO as part
of humankind’s intangible culture.


30 INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Dubai talks over
tourism solutions
Dubai government is using the power of debate to boost the
tourism sector following the launch of The Dubai Partnership
Agenda (DPA).
The DPA launched by the Executive Council of Dubai is an
open platform to encourage interaction between the private
and public sectors to ultimately produce policy recommen-
dations to support the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, Khaleej
Times reported.
Crowned Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Execu-
tive Council Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum said he is in complete support of the project and is
proud to launch the platform and receive useful and con-
structive responses.
“We are looking forward to the first outcomes of the DPA on
the tourism industry,” he said.
“We will review and initiate action on appropriate recom-
mendations.”
General Secretariat Secretary General Abdulla Al Shaibani
said the two groups now have a forum to work together to
reach one shared goal.
“The DPA will foster collaborative interaction, encourage
out-of-the-box thinking, and build consensus by exchange of
knowledge and expertise,” he said.
However Mr Shaibani said the communication efforts will
not just go without purpose, hoping the feedback from both
sectors would “generate concrete recommendation for our
leadership to review and facilitate action”.

New passenger record Upgrades planned for
for Shanghai Metro Bali Museum
The Shanghai Metro system car- Bali Museum is in line for a IDR3
ried more than 7 million people on billion (US$330,000) renovation
Sunday - a record for the 15 yearold project. According to the Antara
underground transport network. news agency, the 100 year-old facil-
The number exceeded the 6.96 ity in Denpasar will undergo repairs
million passengers carried on 21 to its three main buildings, while
September, the previous peak day. new audio-visual exhibits will also
be created to enhance the visitor
TAT starts Middle East experience. Toilets will also be up-
medical tourism road- graded to international standards,
the report added.
show
The Tourism Authority of Thailand Work starts on major Centara Grand Beach Resort
(TAT) conducted its first ever Medi- Cambodian tourism
cal Health & Wellness Road Show
in Muscat. The event, hosted at the project Phuket to open this month
Majan Continental Hotel, was the A major new tourism development Centara Hotels & Resorts latest property in Phuket will open
first of seminars & presentations the has broken ground on the south its doors at Karon Beach on 15 October. Centara Grand
TAT plans to hold in GCC countries coast of Cambodia. The US$5 bil-
Beach Resort Phuket features 262 rooms and villas all offer-
from 4-11 October to promote Thai- lion project in Koh Kong, being un-
land’s medical tourism products. dertaken by the Chinese Union De- ing views across the Andaman Sea.
The Oman edition of the roadshow velopment Group Co, covers 36,000 The family resort features 90 Deluxe Ocean-Facing rooms
included discussions with leading hectares of land in Botum Sakor and which can accommodate a family of two adults and two
Omani specialists, medical tourism- Kiri Sakor districts, and will include children, while the Deluxe Pool Suite – The Club offers a
focused operators. Similar events an airport, seaport, golf course, private pool and space for a family of four. For larger groups,
will now be held in Doha, Bahrain eco-tourism site, hotels, restaurants the One-Bedroom Pool Villa can accommodate up to five
and Abu Dhabi, before participates and retail stores. The company has people, while the Two-Bedroom Pool Villa can accommodate
in the 3 days Kuwait Medical Tour- allowed up to 25 years to complete
up to seven. The newly-built resort also offers a tennis court,
ism Conference & Exhibition. the development.
fitness centre and a 10-treatment room SPA Cenvaree.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 31

ITB Asia attracts
nearly half new buyers
M esse Berlin (Singapore) has an-
nounced that 47% of hosted buyers
at ITB Asia 2010 will be new buyers. The
from four continents, representing over
17 countries are expected to attend ITB
Asia, which takes place in Singapore in
majority of them have been recommended October.
by exhibitors. Messe Berlin (Singapore) this year
Some 62% of all hosted buyers scheduled emphasized the importance of quality
to attend will represent travel markets in buyers. In addition, the diversity of buyers
Asia Pacific. ITB Asia organizer, Messe and sellers at ITB Asia and the insights
Berlin (Singapore), expects Europe will they bring will create ideas and strategies
supply 26%, up from 16% last year. Some for new business.
7% of buyers will come from the Middle “At ITB Asia we plan to get updated on
East, 4% from the United States and 1% trends which will help us provide strate-
from Africa. gic direction for our future,” said Charles
A full 43% of buyers will represent the Tee, CEO of T3E Global Singapore.
MICE sector, up from 32% last year. Some Another new buyer, Beverley Pridmore,
47% of all buyers will represent leisure Regional Product & Contracts Manager
travel companies and 10% are primarily for TUI UK, highlighted the importance of
interested in corporate travel. Asia as a driver for global travel growth.
“We listened to our exhibitors,” said Nino “We are seeing a big upsurge in travel
Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia demand from consumers in Asia. I believe
(left). “They told us they wanted more ITB Asia has an important role in show-
MICE buyers and more buyers from Eu- ing the latest world travel products to the
rope this year.” Asian travel market,” she said.
Gruettke said that MICE buyer repre- Asian buying power and the new products
sentation had spiked this year due to ITB in the region were a key factor in attract-
Asia’s Association Day, 20-21 October. ing Asia Escape Holidays from Australia to
The specialist event will focus on best ITB Asia for the first time.
practise, the latest operational realities
and new opportunities in the association
event sector. Association Day attendees


Malaysia to be host
the World Tourism
Conference 2010
The World Tourism Conference 2010 (WTC2010) will
be hosted by Malaysia after its record breaking suc-
cess in 2007, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen
Yen said.

She said hosting the international event again proved
that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO) – a United Nations agency – had great con-
fidence in the country.

“It is indeed an important event for our country to
be hosting an international conference. It provides a
platform where world leaders can share with us their
successful tourism stories,” she said.

“We believe that by sharing the experiences with over
43 countries, it will help increase total world tourism.
It is about creating opportunity,” she added.

Ng said the WTC2010 entitled “Tourism Success
Stories and Rising Stars” would bring together a wide
range of world leaders from the tourism industry,
high-level policymakers, specialists and experts to
put forward ideas and provide guidance for future
tourism development.

“The conference aims to uncover the secrets of tour-
ism’s leaders, learning from those destinations and
organisations which have succeeded in tourism plan-
ning, development and marketing,” Ng told reporters
at PWTC yesterday.

WTC2010 is organised by the Tourism Ministry, the
Government of Sabah and UNWTO from Oct 4 to 6 at
Magellan Sutera, Sutera Harbour, in Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah.

Ng added that Sabah was chosen as the venue as it is
an established eco-tourism state.

The conference will be graced by Deputy Prime Min-
ister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin.

WTC was held for the first time in Manila, the Philip-
pines, in 1980, followed by Acapulco, Mexico, in 1982.
After an absence of 25 years, the WTC returned for
the third time in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 33

Media Information

T
he Trade Show for the Asian mar- Registration hours are: Tuesday 19 to Friday 22 October
ket – will take place Wednesday, Pre-registration online from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
20 October to Friday, 22 October Legitimate travel and business journalists Your contacts for all information, photo mate-
2010 at Suntec, Singapore. The are welcome to enjoy free access to ITB rial and interview requests are Astrid Ehring,
show is being organised by Asia, all official ITB Asia social functions, Press Officer ITB Asia, and her team.
Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd, and is the Convention, WIT and ACTE events. Press Conferences
supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Please register before 8 October to enable A series of Press conferences will take place
Convention Bureau. ITB Asia will feature us to prepare your press badge and to avoid in the Press conference room (room 208)
hundreds of exhibiting companies from the queuing onsite at Suntec. Your media regis- adjacent to the media centre. Full details
Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, tration form is available at www.itb-asia.com/ will be sent to media soon. Event organizer
Africa and the Middle East, covering not press under “Accreditation”. Messe Berlin (Singapore) and the host city,
only the leisure market, but also corporate Press registration onsite at Suntec Singapore Tourism Board, are among the or-
and MICE travel. Press registration is open onsite at Suntec ganisations that will hold Press conferences.
WIT - Web In Travel 2010 will be held in from Tuesday 19 October until Friday 22 Important dates for the Press
partnership with ITB Asia in Suntec. Lead- October. Members of the press may register 20 October 2010
ers in the travel distribution, marketing and at the media registration counter on level 8.30 a.m. Access to Suntec Singapore,
technology sectors will gather to discuss the 1 (ground floor) at the main entrance of level 2
latest trends and debate the hottest top- Suntec. You will need to present a Press Ribbon Cutting and Guided show tour:
ics that are driving change in this dynamic pass or a business card, or an appropriate 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., starts in front of the
environment. letter of authority from an editor or publisher. main exhibition hall entrance, level 6.
This year’s WIT will comprise the WIT Con- Your registration is not transferable and is Opening Press Conference
ference (19-22 October) and the WIT Ideas valid only when presented together with 11.00 a.m. on level 2 in the press conference
Lab (8.30-11a.m., 21 & 22 October) and the the holder’s ID. Press passes are strictly for room (room 208).
WIT Clinics (3-5p.m., 21 & 22 October). journalists and not for advertising or publish- Updated Press information
In a first in Asia, more than 25 speakers will ing representatives. The latest Press material, such as Press
address Association Day (20-21 October). Media Centre releases with coverage of the ITB Asia Con-
The specialist event is dedicated to under- The media centre of ITB Asia is located on vention and photos are also available online
standing and growing the association meet- level 2 of Suntec in room 209, and is open at “www.itb-asia.com under “Press Service”
ing sector in Asia. to editorial representatives. Journalists can and “Press Releases & News” and “Photos”.
Journalists attending ITB Asia can also use the available computers and receive the Please visit the ITB Asia online media centre
attend Association Day and WIT free of latest ITB Asia Press releases, photos, cata- for latest information (www.itb-asia.com)
charge. logues and exhibitor news here. Opening

crisis have all proven that the directive is simply not
working. “It has become a nightmare of non-stop
confusion, a complete muddle that is causing con-
siderable hardship and heartache to both consumers
and the industry.
The EU says that more than half of all people who
buy flights, hotel rooms and hire cars online risk
being left without compensation if companies fail
under outdated law. A total of 56% of travellers are
estimated to use the Internet, rather than high street
travel agents to organise their own trips, but protec-
tion safeguards have not been put into place to deal
with the digital age.
ABTA director John De Vial is chairing the debate
and confronting the difficulties are law professor,
David Grant, Nikki White, ABTA’s Head of Destination
Strategy and Services, insurer, Alan Lumsden and
Sue Hurdle, Chief Executive of The Travel Founda-
tion.
The session ‘Sustainable Excursion’s’ is at ExCeL
London NG Room 4/5 at 11.00 am on 11 November.
Although the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day
keynote events will take place on the actual day,
Wednesday 10 November, an expanded Thursday
programme will also challenge and examine some of
the problems facing responsible tourism.
The question of how the industry can be sure that
the economic benefits of travel and tourism go to
the communities that most need them will be dealt
with in ‘Poverty Private Sector, Beyond Trickledown
(12.30, NG Room 6/7, Thursday 11 November).
Chaired by Prof. Harold Goodwin, speakers are;
Adam Stewart, CEO, Sandals Resorts International;
Richard Hearn, Village Ways; Gavin Bate, founder of
Adventure & Alternative and the Moving Mountains
Trust; and Amy Carter-James, of Galudo.
Later in the day, the WTM World Responsible Tour-
ism Thursday Programme will delve into an equally
controversial subject which, unlike the EU Directive,
has received little publicity.
Tourism to Sacred Sites
Tourism to sacred sites is a fast growing sector, often
related to ancient places of worship. Sacred destina-
tions and places of pilgrimage associated with the
mainstream faiths such as Christianity, Islam, Hindu-
WTM Thursday Programme ism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism will be exam-
ined in this important and intriguing session, chaired

Tackles Biggest Headaches
by Dr. Simon Woodward, International Centre for
Responsible Tourism (‘Travel to Sacred Sites’,14.00 ,
NG Room 8, Thursday 11 November).

Facing Industry
Joining him will be The Very Reverend Michael
Sadgrove, The Dean of Durham Cathedral and a
noted theological author, talking about the cathe-
dral and surrounding World Heritage Site; Nayef Al
As evidence mounts about the failure of the EU Package Travel Directive, WTM Fayez, Managing Director, Jordan Tourist Board on
World Responsible Tourism Day’s Thursday programme is to try to unravel the the Baptism Site in the Jordan Valley; Ozgul Ozkan
problems causing what is described as “a nightmare of non-stop confusion, a com- Yavus, Director for Tourism & Promotion, Istanbul
plete muddle.” 2010 on the principal mosques in Istanbul; and Fleur
A pile of evidence has been collated by the EU on the issue with countless submis- Burrows, Consumer Marketing Manager, Tourism
sions by industry associations. Northern Territories, Australia, who will speak about
World Travel Market hopes that by highlighting it at the event, attended by more Uluru, the ancient Aboriginal site, better known as
than 100 tourism ministers, the session will help play a part in its resolution. Ayers Rock.
“Time and again consumers are coming unstuck about what are their rights, while For more information or to apply for a WTM World
at the same time, the industry is not even sure who should be paying refunds when Responsible Tourism 2010 logo, log on to www.wtm-
travel companies go bust”, said Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market. wrtd.com. Alternatively contact the WTM WRTD co-
“The failure of struggling companies, the ever present threat of holidaymakers who coordinator Araminta Sugden on the WRTD hotline
go online to buy several travel products and incidents such as the volcanic ash telephone +44 (0) 1892 535943.

27

Tailor-made Travel Specialist Add: 130 Pho Duc Chinh - Ba Dinh District Fax: +84-4 3715 3540
in Hanoi - Vietnam Email: info@littleorienttravel.com
VIETNAM - CAMBODIA - LAOS Tel: +84-4 37153538 www.littleorienttravel.com

36 AVIATION NEWS

C
ustomers travelling on Singapore Airlines flights
will soon be able to stay connected at all times,
even at 35,000 feet.
The multi-million-dollar collaboration with inflight connec-
tivity provider OnAir includes a full suite of onboard com-
munication offerings, providing the Airline’s customers with
access to Wi-Fi Internet and mobile telephony services. The
mobile telephony services will enable customers to send
and receive SMS text messages with their GSM-compatible
mobile phones, send and receive email messages easily on
smartphones and Blackberry devices, and make and receive
voice calls.
With plans to roll out the services from as early as the first
half of 2011, Singapore Airlines will be the first major airline
in Asia to launch a full suite of inflight connectivity services.
These will be introduced progressively on flights operated
by the Airline’s Airbus A380, Airbus A340-500 and Boeing
777-300ER aircraft.
“Singapore Airlines was in fact one of the pioneers to intro-
duce Internet connectivity on board its Boeing 747-400 air-
craft in 2005. Today, with the increasing importance of re-
maining connected, and the more affordable charges made
possible by the higher usage and more advanced technol-
ogy, we are now fitting all our long-range aircraft with the full
suite of telephony and Internet features so that our customers
can stay connected. Unlike the earlier trial introduction of an
Internet service, this suite of features is for full implemen-
tation and we are pleased to offer this as an added choice
to our inflight programme,” said Singapore Airlines’ Senior
Vice President Product & Services, Mr Yap Kim Wah.
“The environment that our customers have gotten used to on
the ground can soon be replicated in the air, when they fly
with Singapore Airlines on aircraft fitted with this new con-
nectivity platform. Travelling on business or pleasure, they
are just a click or an SMS away, with access to live informa-
tion, social networking and news updates, as well as inflight
shopping.”?????
Singapore Airlines’ connectivity partner OnAir is jointly
owned by Airbus and SITA, the world’s leading provider of
global IT and telecommunication solutions for the air trans-
port industry, offering global satellite coverage including for
the Asian region. One of the most established companies in
the field of onboard connectivity, OnAir has roaming agree-
ments with about 200 telecommunications companies glob-
ally.
“We are absolutely delighted to have come to an agree-
ment today with an airline of the stature and reputation of
Singapore Airlines. The agreement is extremely significant.
It sends a strong signal to the industry that inflight passenger
communications has come of age - and is a must-have for
airlines looking to remain competitive in the future,” said Ian
Dawkins, CEO of OnAir.
Customers who use the mobile telephony services will see
their usage reflected in the monthly bills from their telecom-
munications provider where international GSM roaming
rates apply. For Internet access, customers can sign up for
an access package upon logging in to the system. Details of
the charges will be announced closer to the launch.


AVIATION NEWS 37

Visa application made virtual with Etihad Airways
Forget long lines in council waiting rooms Etihad Airways
and TT Services have developed a new online visa process-
ing system for passengers flying with Etihad from India to
the United Arab Emirates.

Indian travellers are able to research the range of visas us-
ing the family computer, submit applications online and pay
for the submission via PAYPAL.

The service is useful for both business and pleasure trav-
el with a selection of visas ranging from 90 days to hourly
trips.

“Our passengers can now benefit from the new visa service
which will greatly simplify travel and access when travelling
with Etihad Airways,” Etihad Airways General Manager of
India Neerja Bhatia said.

Air France to resume direct HCMC
flights in November

Air France has announced plans to relaunch direct flights
from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to Ho Chi Minh City
(HCMC) on 2 November, six years after pulling out of the
route. According to the VNAT, the French national carrier will
offer three weekly flights on the route, operated by Boeing
747-400 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The new services
will be in addition to the two weekly flights operated on the
route in a codeshare agreement with Vietnam Airlines.


38 AVIATION NEWS

American Airlines traffic climbs in September

American Airlines has reported its performance results for
September 2010, with passenger traffic rising 5.6% year-on-
year on a 4.8% rise in capacity. This pushed load factor up
0.6 points to 80.1%. The performance was driven by inter-
national traffic, which surged 12.2% year-on-year on a 10.1%
rise in capacity. Year-to-date, American’s systemwide traffic
climbed 1.2%, while capacity grew 0.3%, leading to a 1.5 rise
in load factor, which averaged an impressive 82.0%.
The International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) has
launched its own Facebook page. The page will provide
a central information source for the cruise industry, with
regular news postings from the organisation and its mem-
bers. ICCA has also established a ‘members only’ page,
which will allow it to communicate directly with members.
To follow ICCA, go to Facebook and search for International
Cruise Council Australasia.


AVIATION NEWS 39

Qatar Airways expands Flights
to Bangkok and Vietnam
Qatar Airways is to launch a between Bangkok and both
third daily flight to Bangkok, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
effective 1 November 2010. on Qatar Airways.
The increase in capacity Beginning 12 October 2010
comes just three weeks after , Qatar Airways introduces
the airline launches sched- six-flights-a-week to Phuket
uled flights to the popular via Kuala Lumpur. With the
Thai resort of Phuket. Bangkok flights, the airline’s
The Bangkok service will Thai operations will step up
facilitate increasing de- from 21 to 27 flights a week
mand from many parts of across two destinations.
the world, particularly Eu- By 2013, Qatar Airways
ropean and North and South plans to serve 120 key
American customers for business and leisure des-
travel to Thailand. tinations worldwide with a
The additional Bangkok modern fleet of 120 aircraft.
service will continue to Today, the airline’s fleet
Vietnam with four of the stands at 88 aircraft, flying
flights heading onwards to to 92 destinations across
the capital Hanoi and three Europe, Asia, Middle East,
onto Ho Chi Minh City. Africa, Asia Pacific, North
Passengers originating in and South America.
Thailand or Vietnam can
also purchase tickets to fly

Myanmar Airways to launch Direct air route between
Bangkok-Singapore flights HCM City and Istanbul
launched
Turkish Airlines has announced that it will launch a direct air
route from Istanbul in Turkey to HCM City with four flights de-
parting every week.
The airline said that passengers can connect Eastern and West-
ern Europe, West Europe, the East, Africa and the US.
The flights will depart at 20:55 o¬n Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
and Sunday and transit at Bangkok in Thailand.

Myanmar Airways International (MAI) will launch daily flights be-
tween Bangkok and Singapore from 31 October 2010, Xinhua re-
ported airline sources as saying on Saturday. Operated by an Air-
bus A320 aircraft, the Singapore flights will mark an extension to
MAI’s Yangon-Bangkok flights. The airline also plans to start ser-
vices to Guangzhou at the end of November, the report added.


F From the central coast city of Quy
Nhon, the towering cliffs of Yen Is-
land look like a giant dinosaur de-
fending the city from storms and
heavy seas.
The picturesque island, which is also called
Phuong Mai Peninsula, is famous for its cliffs
and caves where birds build the nests used
in the much-prized health-giving birds’ nest
soup. To visit the island in Nhon Ly Com-
mune, Quy Nhon City take a two hour boat
from the wharf on Tan Islet in Hai Cang Ward.
The long journey will be rewarded when you
see the caves, ten thousands of years old and
stone cliffs rising vertically from the waves.
The floors of the caves are large but strewn
with rocks making it the perfect place for
swallows to make their nests.

O
nce inside the caves you will be overawed
by their size of the interior. The bird nests
are everywhere, strung about in chains. The
mothers feed their hungry young and fan
them with their wings, while the little ones
chirp loudly. The sounds of the birds, the dripping of water
and the waves below are amazing.
there are 30 caves on Yen Island, mainly located in two vil-
lages of Nhon Hai and Nhon Ly. In small caves such as Rung
Cao, Doi, Ba Nghe, Can and Ham Xe, every year, people col-
lect from 100 to 300 bird nests. For the large caves such as
Ca, Doi Trong, Doi Ngoai, Luong and Kho, especially, the
caves whose mouths open toward the East or Southeast, that
are cool and airy and have fresh water dripping from the ceil-
ing, locals can collect 14,000 to 15,000 bird nests per year.

In spring when the weather becomes warmer, visitors can see flocks of birds fill-
ing the sky. To take the nests from the walls of the cliff and from the cave ceilings,
people build bamboo scaffolds often using them like bridges. Some caves are very
high so that people use up to 300 lengths of bamboo to make each scaffold that may
be five lengths of bamboo tall to reach the ceiling. The way to take the nest is very
meticulous. For a nest that is out of reach, people use a stick with a nail on the top for
a hook. In the dry weather, before taking the nests, the locals inject water into it to
soften it and avoid it breaking.
The harvest season starts from April in the lunar calendar as the breeding season
is lunar January and February. In lunar April they take the first harvest. The second
harvest starts when the nestlings become strong enough to fly. People can collect a
few nests in the third harvest stage which has the best quality nests.

VIETNAM NEWS


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