EuroCham urges visa exemption for more markets
The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has insisted Vietnam visa exemption to more markets as a measure to attract more international visitors in 2010 to take full advantage of global travel recovery

Sports, Culture and Tourism week opens in Thai Binh 
An incense-burning ceremony opened the Sports, Culture and Tourism Week 2010 at the Tran Dynasty Temple relics in Hung Ha District of northern Thai Binh Province.

Legend Hotel Saigon voted one of the Top 10 Boutique services hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
Legend Hotel Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City’s luxury river-front five-star international hotel, has been awarded one of the top 10 Vietnamese boutique services hotels for international tourists in the “Ho Chi Minh City – One Hundred Excitements”, the program by the city government and its Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Airfares for domestic air routes will increase by VND100, 000-180, 000 starting March 1, according to a recent decision of the Ministry of Finance.

The announcement ceremony of the “Ho Chi Minh City--100 Excitements” program, launched three months ago by the HCMC Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, was held at the municipal Opera House on February 25.

Vietnamese people are proud of their traditional attire, an Ao dai with a turban, not unlike the Japanese with their kimono and the French with their smart suit. The combo of Ao dai and turban make the wearer look serious and elegant and it is usually worn at festivals and ceremonies.

When spring comes, apart from travelling, Vietnamese people usually go on a pilgrimage at the beginning of Lunar New Year – or called ‘go to pagoda’ to pray for safety, health, good luck, prosperity and happiness during the year. Going to pagoda has become a custom of many people from all walks of life in Vietnam.

In the minds of the Vietnamese people, New Year is an occasion to express their wishes. The calligraphy market, where old scholars write calligraphic scripts with a Chinese brush and ink, has become a typical cultural feature of Vietnamese people during Tet.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is planning to engage professional event companies in its promotion programs in major foreign markets this year to make sure they will succeed.