Destination resorts in Vietnam have launched promotion campaigns, hoping to fill rooms in the face of the economic downturn, but Hanoi hotels cling to high rates.

At the Yasaka Saigon-Nha Trang Hotel, guests who book rooms for one night will get a second night free, a 50 percent reduction for the third night and a 60 percent reduction for the fourth. Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort has announced a 30 percent reduction in room rate and offers guests up to 10 free services, including baby-sitting or medical examination in their rooms.

The Saigon-Ha Long Hotel has also announced room rate reductions of $30-45 per room, and discounts for meal service and the tour fee to Ha Long Bay.

Nirvana Spa, a 5-star resort near Hue city, has announced 45-60 percent reductions for hotel room rates and 60 percent off on spa services.

Hoi An Riverside Resort is offering $317 package for a two night stay for two clients. The package includes rooms with a river view, breakfast, fresh fruit, a dinner at Song Do restaurant, and a trip on a river boat to admire the sunset.

By contrast, it is difficult to find a hotel or resort in Hanoi that offers price reductions for travelers.

The participants at a recent workshop discussing how to attract travelers in 2009 heard that Hanoi hotels still hesitate to slash room rates to attract travelers.

“The hotel room rate in Hanoi remains firmly high compared to Danang or Saigon, which has made it hard for us to book clients to Hanoi and the north,” said a Vietravel tour designer.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), occupancy rates in Hanoi, including elite hotels, is 20 percent below last year’s pace. VNAT forecasts that this situation will persist for some months to come as a consequence of the global economic downturn.

Though they have fewer guests, some high class hotels in Hanoi have pushed up room rates by 30-50 percent. The average hotel room rate at Sofitel Plaza Hanoi has surged from $90 to $160/night, Bao Son from $70 to $100, Nikko Hanoi from $130 to $170

A VNAT official said that many hotels which agreed they would reduce room rates have not fulfilled their commitments. “They do not act for the long term development of the Vietnam’s tourist industry, thus causing difficulties to the implementation of the “Impressive Vietnam” campaign to attract more travelers,” he said

Experts have pointed out that hotel room rates in Vietnam are still 10-15 percent higher than that in some Southeast Asian countries, and just a little lower than in Shanghai, Bangkok and Singapore.

VietNamNet/VnMedia