Work has commenced on an extensive refurbishment of Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Prince Hotel, which opened in 1996. Plans are underway to redecorate the guest rooms with contemporary Vietnamese furnishings and stylized art objects. Construction is now complete on four new meeting rooms, bringing the total function area to 570 sqm with a seating capacity of 420 people. The completion of phase one sees the addition of a sun deck offering guests an outdoor oasis while enjoying the sights and sounds of Ho Chi Minh City. Commencement of phase two, scheduled for the last quarter of 2001, will see the relocation of the business centre to level one, an upgraded gymnasium and installation of a new in-house property management system.

Tourism officials from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand met recently to discuss ways to prevent a tourism industry recession in South-East Asia. The Vietnam National Administration for Tourism plans to study the possibility of a joint tour of Indochina including Central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta. The three countries also plan to boost co-operation and combine road and air tourism by simplifying entry-exit formalities. Laos will pave the way for the development of road tourism between the three countries by completing upgrade work on Highway 9 from the Lao Bao border crossing to Savanakhet. Officials hope to entice Asian tourists, those from ASEAN member states in particular, to travel by road from Thailand, through Laos to Vietnam.

Vietnam has been rated the most stable and safe country in the Asian-Pacific region, according to a survey by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy or PERC in Hong Kong. The survey polled ninety executives from the tourism and hotel industries on the safety levels of regional countries after the 11th September terrorist attacks on the US. While business executives are increasingly uneasy about security risks in Asia-Pacific countries which they previously considered safe, they selected Vietnam as a safer place than anywhere else in the region.

Cho Lon looks set for a facelift

Finishing touches are being put to a plan to re-vitalize Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, officially known as Cho Lon. Plans include re-arranging the traditional herbal medicine shops, restaurants and souvenir shops to attract more visitors. Night markets selling clothes and handicrafts will be set up and visitors will be able to watch old men playing chess, learn about lantern-making, watch traditional dances and drink tea while chatting with the Chinese-descended local residents.

Furama’s Diana Diving Base

The Furama Resort’s renowned Diana Diving Base, with certified diving experts from Germany, is fully operational and welcomes divers of all levels. The waters in and around the Furama Resort Danang off China Beach are full of exotic marine life, making this an excellent dive spot for beginners and experts alike. Beginners and advanced courses in diving leading to PADI certification are also available