Southern heat escaped; Inter-ASEAN travel eases; Park to host seasonal market; Few locals head to Laos for games

One-Pillar Pagoda in Ha Noi. (Photo: Internet)

The tour will end with an excursion to Ha Noi’s attractions including the West Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, One-Pillar Pagoda and shopping at the Dong Xuan Market. Those interested can contact 083 9143921 for more details.

Inter-ASEAN travel eases

HCM City-based Lua Viet Travel Co has adopted “ASEAN Under the Same Roof” as its theme for 2010, focusing strongly on tours to Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.

Apart from Myanmar, travelling to these countries have become easier due to the visa exemption granted for Vietnamese people and the cultural similarities they share with ASEAN people, the company said. The cost of each tour will be competitive, ranging from US$500 to 700 per guest, according to Nguyen Van My, director of Lua Viet.

Park to host seasonal market

Provincial authorities in Binh Thuan have approved a plan made by the Phan Thiet-based Dat Viet Trading Co to build a night market in Ham Tien Tourist Park. The night market will be located on 4,000sq.m and feature 150 booths selling cookings and souvenirs including sand paintings, embroidery works and accessories made from clam shells or coconuts.

The market, which is scheduled to open in time for this Chrismas season, will also sell typical products from other tourist destinations like Ha Noi, Ha Long, Hue city, Hoi An and Da Lat.

Few locals head to Laos for games

Even though the 25th Southeast Asian Games in neighbouring Laos is drawing near, few Vietnamese tourists have registered for tours to attend the event citing high costs.

According to Saigontourist Travel Service Co, only 50 people have booked tours to Laos on this occasion. The SPSC Tour under the Sai Gon Petroleum Service Co said around 40 people are expected to register to go to Laos for this edition of the SEA Games. Meanwhile, Ben Thanh Tourist’s Outbound Division said though many people have asked for information, few have registered for the tour to Laos until now.

It is the first time that Laos is hosting the SEA Games. The games will take place in Laos’ capital of Vientiane, and the provinces of Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, from December 9 to 18. Athletes from the 10 nations that form the regional grouping will compete in 25 sporting events.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News