VITM Hanoi travel mart to offer 45,000 low cost air tickets

Over 45,000 low cost air tickets and 15,000 discounted tours will be offered for sale at Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2017 themed “Hanoi-destination of Vietnamese tourism”.

The announcement was made by Mr. Vu The Binh, deputy chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association at a press conference in Hanoi yesterday.

The 450-stall mart will take place from April 6-9 with the so far attending registration of 652 businesses and management agencies from 43 provinces and cities and 25 nations and territories. Fifteen US travel companies have registered to take part in the mart.

The organization board says that this year the tourism industry targets American market. Vietnam receives about 500,000-600,000 American visitors a year most of them are overseas Vietnamese.

Within the framework of the mart, Vietnamese and US Travel Associations will sign some cooperation agreements, opening opportunities for Vietnamese companies to attract visitors from the north American market and facilitate Vietnamese’ travel to the country.
For the first time, the mart will host international street cuisine festival joined by many well known chefs to advertise Vietnamese food and introduce street cuisine of other countries in the Asian region.

Visitors to the mart will also enjoy cultural and music performances comprising Vietnamese religious practice of “Mau Tam Phu” (Worship of Mother Goddesses) recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

On April 7, the Vietnam Travel Association will launch Vietnamese cuisine study, preservation and development center.

By SGGP

Paradise found: Con Dao Island is a mong 12 crowd-free Asia island escapes

(Insight Asia Travel) Finding an empty beach in Asia was a breeze a few decades ago, but it's not quite so easy anymore. As zealous souvenir hawkers follow busloads of tour groups to Asia's most famous islands, discerning travelers must look farther afield for more authentic getaways. The good news? Whether your idea of paradise involves a tropical beach framed by palm trees, or wildlife encounters in the woods, Asia has an island for you. From Indonesia to India, we've singled out a dozen of the best throw-back islands -- places where traditional cultures and unspoiled landscapes will transport travelers back in time.

Among these 12 crowd-free Asia island escapes is Con Dao Island., Vietnam
Once a penal colony known as the Devil's Island of French Indochina, this 16-island archipelago off the Mekong Delta has turned to more peaceful pursuits in modern times.
Reachable by flight from Ho Chi Minh City or ferry from Vung Tau, Con Dao offers coral reefs, palm-shaded beaches, rainforest trails and chic beach hotels like the Six Senses Con Dao. History buffs will revel in the island's role in the age of ocean exploration -- Marco Polo allegedly stepped ashore at Con Dao on his long return journey to Venice. To learn more about the island's war-plagued past, travelers can explore the Revolutionary Museum -- located in the former French commander's residence -- or tour the old prisons on the main island. The best way to get around Con Dao is via motorbike, easy to hire from most hotels or a local rental outfit. Con Dao is a haven for outdoorsy types too, with plentiful scuba, snorkeling and fishing opportunities. Between May and October, visitors can watch sea turtles lay their eggs, while the infants hatch and scramble into the sea.

By Joe Yogerst, CNN