Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island among world’s top winter destinations

Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam has been cited among the world’s top winter destinations for 2014 thanks partly to its deep sand beaches and warm waters.

The Vietnamese National Administration of Tourism said Wednesday on its website that the island – known as the Southeast Asian country’s tourism haven – ranked third in a list of 15 recommended destinations for the best winter trips this year released by U.S. magazine National Geographic Traveler’s website, which promotes beautiful landscapes around the world.

“Some of Vietnam’s best beaches are on heart-shaped Phu Quoc Island… Located in the Gulf of Thailand … Phu Quoc once housed the so-called ‘coconut tree prison’ where prisoners of war were held through 1973,” the site said about the island.

“What’s bringing international travelers and, so far, restrained development to Phu Quoc today are its warm, turquoise waters; secluded, deep sand beaches; and lush, mountainous interior (protected as a national park),” it explained when discussing why foreigners love the island.

Renowned globally as a paradise-like island, Phu Quoc covers 589.23 km² off the southern province of Kien Giang. Administratively speaking, the island is classified as a district administered by the Kien Giang administration.

Besides giving general information about Phu Quoc, National Geographic Traveler’s website also recommended that travelers visit it from December to March, which is the dry season with ideal average daytime temperatures between 77°F (25°C) and 82°F (28°C).

Other suggestions including accommodation and must-eat food were also cited on the site.

“Pull up a plastic chair and sit under the stars at the bustling Dinh Cau Night Market to try whatever local fishermen hauled in that day,” it said.

National Geographic Traveler ended its description with a fun fact about Phu Quoc that the island is Vietnam’s nuoc mam (fish sauce) capital.

Its signature (and powerfully pungent) sweet-sour Phu Quoc sauce is the essential Vietnamese condiment and, in 2013, became the country’s first product to receive European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.

The Phu Quoc fish sauce production line has been developed for 200 years, and this specialty of Vietnam has become more popular at home and abroad since it is exported to the U.S., EU, and a number of Asian countries.

On February 14 this year, Phu Quoc Island welcomed its first international flight, carrying 290 Russian passengers.

The island’s new airport, which was officially opened in 2012, is capable of handling 2.6 million visitors and expected to serve its development for the next 15 or 20 years, according to Dao Viet Dung, director of Phu Quoc airport.

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Vietnam a popular Argentina tourist destination

A dialogue, touting Vietnam and Southeast Asia as a top holiday destination, recently attracted a large gathering in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Those in attendance at the event included Vietnam Ambassador to Argentina Nguyen Dinh Thao along with Viviana Castro, director of Viditerra 1915 and Martin Lo Coco, director of the Argentina Chamber of Commerce.

Ambassador Thao spoke about many of the top tourist destinations and the thousands of interesting places to visit in Vietnam. He focused on the inherent natural beauty of the landscapes from its lush green rice fields in the north to the fascinating Mekong Delta in the south.

He also spoke about the country’s long history, cultural traditions and its famous UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Castro in turn echoed Ambassador Dinh’s sentiments and said that on her visit to Vietnam she was most impressed with the nation’s beautiful landscapes.

She said her organization plans to organise a tour to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand early next yearand work to increase the awareness of the people of Argentina about the Vietnamese people’s fascinating history and culture.The tour will provide, opportunities for travellersto discover Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and HCM City, she said. Vietnam has become an attractive tourist destination for Argentinean visitors in recent years. Each year, the country is expected to welcome 10,000 visitors from the Tango nation.

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Vietnam impresses Europe with tourism highlights

Vietnam’s best and newest tourism sites are currently being presented at the World Travel Market 2014 (WTM 2014), which kicked off in London, UK, on November 4.

During the three-day event, the National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam Airlines, travel agencies, and relevant local authorities are introducing some of their new services, including tours through Son Doong – the world’s biggest cave – and Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, as well as seaplane tours of Ha Long Bay.

These sights are predicted to become new magnets for European tourists in 2015, joining other popular hotspots including Hanoi, Sapa, Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK will also conduct a press briefing to promote Vietnam as a continually safe, friendly, and attractive destination.

Last year, WTM 2013 was attended by nearly 50,000 key tourism players from around the globe and had an estimated transaction value of 3.5 billion USD. It is hoped that participation in this year’s WTM will reap positive benefits for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

Europeans are quickly becoming a key tourism demographic to Vietnam. In 2013, the country welcomed more than 1 million European tourists, accounting for 14 percent of all international visitors, a 24 percent increase from 2012.

During the first nine months of this year, the number of European arrivals has already increased sharply from 2013; visitors from the UK have increased by 16 percent, Germany by 75 percent, Spain by 24 percent, and Italy by 15 percent.

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VN claims Southeast Asia top spot on Conde Nast Traveler list

Viet Nam has won the No 1 spot on a list of the Top Hotels in Southeast Asia in the Readers Choice Awards of one of the world’s most prestigious magazines, Conde Nast Traveler.

 

Hyatt Regency Danang - File photo

Announced in New York last week, the results of Conde Nast Traveler’s 27th annual survey placed five hotels and resorts in Viet Nam on the list of top hospitality properties.

The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi climbed five spots from last year’s No 5 position to stand supreme as the hotel in the Southeast Asia most favored by the magazine’s readers.

La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue also earned a spot on the list for the first time, placing No 19, besting the likes of such storied brands as the Four Seasons and the only other Viet Nam hotel on the list, the Park Hyatt Saigon (No 21).

The Nam Hai placed among the top 10 resorts in all of Asia for the second year in a row. The magazine praised the hotel for encouraging “a Zen-like serenity”.

The Hyatt Regency Danang also won a place among the top 10 resorts in Asia.

Nearly 77,000 participants voted for the properties nominated in this year’s Readers Choice Awards. About the same number of readers participated in last year’s survey, up from 46,000 readers in 2012.

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