Travellers' Notes

(04-06-2005)

HCM City needs more hotel rooms

HCM City’s tourism authority is seeking investment to build 10,000 more hotel rooms over the next five years.

The city now has only 9,500 rooms and received about 1.58 million international tourists last year. The average occupancy of international standard hotels hovers around 80 to 90 per cent.

The deputy director of the HCM City Tourism Department, Le Nhut Tan, said in the high season, when the city receives some 200,000 international guests per month, all four to five-star hotels are fully booked.

Ancient Cham tower to be preserved

The German government has donated 100,000 euros (US$126,000) to a project to restore a Cham tower in Binh Dinh province.

Built in the 12th century, Canh Tien Tower’s architectural style is typical of ancient Cham structures in the central province. Preservation is to start late this month.

City to build port for cruise ships

A VND92 billion (US$6 million) passenger terminal will enable HCM City to receive more cruise ships, according to the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

The HCM City-based Saigontourist Holding Co will be the primary investor for the District 7 project, which includes a 1,800sq.m terminal and park.

Da Lat mounts flower festival

The Central Highlands resort city of Da Lat is doing its best to prepare for the largest-ever floral festival in the city.

The eight-day Da Lat Floral Festival 2005 is set to begin on December 10. This year’s festival will be extended to 16 events with a total investment of nearly $1 million, said Nguyen Tri Dien, chairman of the Da Lat People’s Committee.

After this one, the renowned floral festival will be held every two years.

Agency launches rock climbing tour

The HCM City-based travel agency Lua Viet has launched a new rock-climbing tour of Buu Long Park in Dong Nai Province.

The tour is aimed at young people looking for a unique gift or way to celebrate a special occasion. The one-day tour is priced at VND279,000 per person.

Springs draw visitors to Nha Trang

A large number of tourists to Nha Trang visited Thap Ba Hot Springs to relax and de-stress with mineral mud baths and water massages during the Liberation Day (April 30) holidays.

Located 10km from the city centre, the hot springs are surrounded by beautiful landscapes and make an ideal retreat for people looking for serenity and silence.

The hot springs complex also has a mineral waterfall and swimming pool. An admission ticket costs VND50,000. — VNS

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