The list of Vietnam Tourism Award 2008 winners has been released, with many familiar names like Saigontourist, Fiditourist, Ben Thanh – Rex Hotel and De Nhat – First Hotel.

Foreign visitors to Vietnam so far this year reduce by 18% year on year.

This is an annual award for tourism firms in Vietnam. Its previous name was the Top Ten Hotels and Travel Firms in Vietnam.

Ten tourism companies are honoured as the leading international travel firms in Vietnam in 2008, including: Saigontourist, Exotissimo – Cesais, Vietnam-Hanoi Tourism JS Company, Tan Dinh Tourism JS Company, Ben Thanh Tourist, Hoa Binh Tourism Company, Vitours, Vietnam Tourism JS Company in HCM City, Huong Giang Tourism Co, Ltd., and Oriental Tourism Trading Co., Ltd.

The five top domestic travel firms are: Saigontourist, Ben Thanh Tourist, Youth Tourism JS Company, Hanoitourist and An Giang Tourism JS Company.

Instead of choosing only ten top hotels, the Vietnam Tourism Association selected 30 hotels based on star standards.

The top ten five-star hotels: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Melia Hanoi, Ben Thanh - Rex Hotel (HCM City), Renaissance Riverside Sai Gon (HCM City), Nikko Hanoi, Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Sunrise Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Vinpearl Resort & Spa Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) and Furama (Da Nang).

Top ten four-star hotels: Dong Khoi - Grand Hotel (HCM City), De Nhat - First Hotel (HCM City), Sunway Hanoi, Yasaka Sai Gon Nha Trang, Palace Sai Gon, Hoan Cau - Continental Hotel (HCM City), Grand Palace (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), Hoi An (Quang Nam), Sai Gon Morin (Thua Thien – Hue city) and Sai Gon Phu Quoc (Kien Giang).

Top ten three-star hotels: Que Huong 4 - Liberty 4 (HCM City), Que Huong 1 - Liberty 1 (HCM City), Hoa Binh (Hanoi), Vien Dong (HCM City), Petro Song Tra (Quang Ngai), Rex (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), Thang Long Opera Hotel (Hanoi), Phuc Long (HCM City), Festival Hue (Thua Thien - Hue) and Cuu Long (Can Tho).

The Vietnam Tourism Association will also present the “Reputed Transporter 2008” title to Hoa Binh Tourism Company and “Reputed Shopping Address 2008” to Yaly Tourism Service, Trade and Fashion Company (Quang Nam) and Minh Anh Company (Hai Duong).

The awards ceremony will be held on July 2 at the Hanoi Opera House.

PV