For many years Vietnam has lived in the shadow of more established Asian destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. And, while it may never experience the kind of visitor numbers found in these cities and destinations, it most certainly has its place, particularly in the incentive travel market.
Vietnam is proving that it has what it takes to attract high-profile events. Hosting events such as the APEC Summit in 2006 in Hanoi’s 60,000 square-metre National Convention Centre was certainly a step in the right direction.
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), visitor arrivals in 2006 were 3,583,486, just over three per cent on 2005. Up until July of 2007 the country had seen a 16.2 per cent jump in visitor numbers over the same period in 2006 to close in on 2.5 million overseas arrivals. VNAT said business travellers account for 11.5 per cent of the traffic, with delegates attending MICE events included in this segment.
The growth will continue with a concerted effort, and thankfully that is happening in Vietnam. In 2002, Vietnam Airlines joined with the country’s top hotels, tour operators and industry leaders to establish the Vietnam Meeting & Incentive Club (VMIC), better know as the Vietnam MICE Club. The VMIC has been actively participating in regional trade shows together with leading hoteliers, and is already pushing for strong MICE visitor growth of upwards of 20 per cent per annum.
In terms of accommodation, Vietnam has a wealth of facilities but does lack capacity in many instances, and operators have seen quite large room rates. Even so, other land-based prices are good. Transport and tours, for example, are well priced, helping to make up for any higher-than-expected accommodation costs.
High hotel prices are particularly noticeable in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
As Saigon tourist inbound department manager, Hoang Loc, explains, it is not really fair to compare destinations and make decisions based solely on hotel rooms rates. He says Vietnam should appeal to buyers who are looking for fresh ideas and a new destination choice.
He says Vietnam is politically stable, free from natural disasters, and boasts many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its cuisine is particularly of a world-standard. It is, in fact, a destination to inspire and delight.
Hanoi
Situated beside Hanoi’s largest lake, the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is around 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and about 25 minutes from the airport. This prime position offers the peaceful solitude of lush gardens, sweeping lawns, and tranquil courtyards while having the convenience of downtown Hanoi only minutes away. The hotel reflects many of the cultural features of Hanoi along with a French colonial influence. Combining western convenience with traditional eastern style and grace, Sheraton Hanoi Hotel has a total of 299 rooms, each boasting a spacious 37 square metres, said to be the largest in Hanoi. The hotel has four bars and restaurants including both formal and informal facilities, and caters wonderfully well to the conference market. The grand ballroom has state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, is divisible by three, and features a large pre-function area. In addition, the hotel provides three meeting and function rooms that can be combined into one large room, also with a large pre-function area. The Lakeside Terrace provides an additional meeting and function area with another pre-function area overlooking West Lake. Visit www.sheraton.com for further details.
The Sofitel Plaza Hanoi commands panoramic views of the lake, river and the city of Hanoi from each of the 322 well-appointed rooms. The Sofitel Plaza Hanoi is not only a great leisure venue but is excellent for conference and incentive groups, and also business travellers. The Sofitel Plaza Ballroom accommodates up to 500 guests, making it ideal to host grand banquets, cocktails, meetings and conventions. There are also four meetings rooms of various sizes suitable for seminars, conferences or company meetings, with a wide range of audio-visual equipment available. The property is also a mecca for innovative cuisine and relaxed dining with facilities including the Brasserie Westlake - Asian and western cuisine; the Ming Palace - Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine; the Pool Garden Cafe; the Wave Bar & Club and the Summit Lounge. Leisure facilities include a fitness centre with aerobics studio and gym, an all-weather outdoor swimming pool, and beauty/health therapeutic treatment facilities. Visit www.sofitel.com for further details.
Located in the heart of Hanoi near Hoan Kiem Lake and the Opera House, this famous French colonial-style hotel is one of the region’s few remaining properties of its era. Boasting a classical white facade, green shutters, original wrought iron detail, wood panelling and a lush courtyard lawn, the Sofitel Metropole has been a legendary landmark in Hanoi since its establishment at the turn of the last century, and has always proved a popular rendezvous for both business and leisure travellers. The property has 232 rooms and suites with personalised services and amenities, two restaurants, three distinctive bars, and a range of function rooms with modern facilities and professional supportive staff. The Metropole is also home to the famous French restaurant Le Beaulieu, which has been the scene of many social gatherings and lively entertainment over the years. The restaurant is renowned for its French culinary delights with a Vietnamese touch. The Vietnamese restaurant Spices Garden is another top pick at the property. For details visit www.sofitel.com.
The Hilton Hanoi Opera is located adjacent to the Hanoi Opera House, and has become one of the city’s leading venues for corporate meetings and events. The seven-storey, colonial styled Hilton offers guests a warm and friendly atmosphere combining traditional Vietnamese hospitality with the elegant charm of a bygone era. Each of the Hilton’s 269 deluxe or executive guest rooms is attractively furnished and fitted with individually adjustable air-conditioning, IDD telephone, satellite TV with in-house movies, mini bar, in-room safe and tea/coffee making facilities, and high-speed internet access in all rooms. A wide choice of dining experiences awaits guests at the hotel’s various outlets. Chez Manon offers international cuisine, while drinks and snacks are available at JJ’s Sports Bar. Cafe Opera offers irresistible pastries, cakes, and chocolates. The hotel’s latest offering is Ba Mien which features the authentic flavours of Vietnamese cuisine from three regions of Vietnam. The hotel offers a complete meeting service with facilities catering to groups of up to 500 in the 409 square metre Grand Ballroom. An additional two boardrooms and five function rooms offer flexible options for meetings of between eight and 90 people. Visit www.hilton.com for further details.
Saigon
The Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is one of Vietnam’s most popular venues for meetings, incentives and events. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business and entertainment district, the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is described as “a tranquil oasis” providing the utmost in comfort and convenience. Business guests and MICE groups will appreciate the Sheraton’s unique three-level executive lounge located on floors 20, 21 and 22, offering spectacular views of the city and the Saigon River. Benefits for guests staying on the executive floors include complimentary executive breakfast, pre-dinner cocktails, facsimile and copying services, high-speed broadband internet access, private work areas and 24-hour butler service. The venue offers 1800 square metres of combined space on the second and third floors of the hotel plus, at 759 square metres, the largest Grand Ballroom in the city. The Grand Ballroom is fully equipped with the latest in audio-visual and lighting systems. There are an additional 11 meeting rooms, a dedicated business centre and a secretariat. Visit www.sheraton.com for further details.
Describes as “the epitome of five-star luxury”, the Caravelle Hotel is located opposite the Opera House and beside the main commercial, shopping and entertainment areas of Ho Chi Minh City. The Caravelle prides itself on offering traditional refinement in an ambience that is at once welcoming, warm and elegant. Guests can choose from stunning city views or views of the Saigon River from the Caravelle’s 335 modern and tastefully decorated rooms and suites, while the hotel’s signature floors and lounge offer every convenience for the discerning traveller. The restaurants are an exquisite culinary experience. From the buffet at Port Orient to the quintessential cuisine of Asian Reflections, dining at the Caravelle is said to always be a memorable experience. And the historic rooftop “Saigon Saigon Bar” remains from the original Caravelle building and is said to be the number one bar in Ho Chi Minh City. Conference and incentive guests are spoilt for choice at the Caravelle which features stylish and elegant ballrooms focussing on function and efficiency. The hotel is renowned for sumptuous cuisine and immaculate service which is why many major international corporates have used the Caravelle for their meetings and events. Visit www.caravellehotel.com for further details.
The five-star Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon is located in the heart of the city’s central business district overlooking the Saigon River and offers guests some of the finest hotel facilities in the country. The property has 349 rooms and suites, with more than half enjoying spectacular views across the Saigon River. The venue also has a choice of four restaurants, and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre, sauna, massage and steam bath. For business visitors the hotel boasts a fully-equipped business centre while meetings, seminars and conferences can be hosted in style in the hotel’s Grand Me Linh Ballroom which can accommodate up to 220 guests. Sit down banquets for up to 136 guests are professionally catered for by the hotel’s banqueting team while cocktail receptions will accommodate up to 200 guests. Visit www.marriott.com for further details.
One of Asia’s most experienced destination management companies, Destination Asia, has a wealth of experience of group travel in Vietnam. Below are a few of their recommended options when visiting Vietnam.
Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh is a city of amazing contrasts: elegant new international hotels, exclusive restaurants and trendy bars side-by-side with roadside noodle stalls, street children and vociferous cyclo drivers. Golf courses, bowling alleys and shopping malls vie for space with fruit and vegetable markets, pagodas and karaoke rooms. A great way to experience Saigon is on a half-day city tour. Visitors can take a tour of the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American war, and a tour of the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Alternatively, tours can visit churches including the See Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963. Visits can also take in the impressive Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas.
Journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare. Visitors will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.
About three hours out of Ho Chi Minh city visitors can visit the Mekong River town of Cai Be where they can board a motorised sampan for an introduction to life on the river. Cai Be is best known for its large floating market where displays of food produce are hung from bamboo poles over the host boat in order to attract custom. From here the journey continues across the upper reach of the river to a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Barges ply the route, overloaded with rice husks used as fuel for the region’s numerous brick kilns. Depending on the season, a sample of local tropical fruit can be served with lunch in the shade of a local farmer’s home. Tours can be held over three or four days, depending on time available, taking in more sights, tastes and sounds of this amazing destination.
Halong Bay is often called Vietnam’s eighth wonder of the world and once visited, it is hard to dispute the claim. More than 3000 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an area that is without doubt one of the most outstandingly naturally beautiful regions in the country. Visitors can hire a traditional Chinese-style sailing junk and meander through the area whose name translates as “Where the Dragon Descends into the Sea”, stop off at an islet and climb through a series of breathtaking caves and grottoes, marvelling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations in the world.
For details on tours and additional ideas about Vietnam contact Destination Asia on email vn.res@destination-asia.com, or visit www.destination-asia.com.
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