Nguyen Thi Lam, institute deputy director cum head of the organizing board, said that from June 1 to October 31 consumers will vote for their favorite food products and favorite Hanoi and HCMC restaurant dishes.

Voters will be given foods, but not the brand names.

“The Award will be handed to a product or dish instead of a company or restaurant brand,” Lam said, adding that this will encourage enterprises to improve food quality instead of polishing their images.

Vo Quoc, deputy director of Mon Ngon Viet Nam, said that he expected 30,000 votes from Mon Ngon Viet Nam magazine readers. “After the vote, organizers and nutritionists will sample winning products and visit restaurants to confirm quality,” Quoc added.

Quoc also announced the new Vietnamese Delicious Food Fair 2009 at 23/9 Park in HCMC November 5-8 and at Giang Vo Convention Center in Hanoi December 10-13. Awards will be presented at the fairs.

Expected to draw at least 300 food display booths, Quoc said that the fair would include live cooking shows and lessons in cooking and grocery shopping.

The Saigon Times

Novotel Ocean Dunes & Golf Resort along with other hotels under the brand of Novotel in Vietnam registered with the Green Global organization, making a commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability.

Novotel Ocean Dunes & Golf Resort has demonstrated their commitment at the highest level, including meeting eight performance criteria that will guarantee, among other things, better waste management, less pollution, and energy and water consumption control. Staffs at all levels are encouraged to pass on what they have learned about environment protection to family members, friends and the local community.

“We are very pleased and proud to be the first Novotel resort in Vietnam to be Green Globe certified. It is a tremendous achievement for the hotel and our staff,” said Jon Bourbaud, general manager of Novotel Phan Thiet Ocean Dunes & Golf Resort, adding that hotel will utilize the certification to promote their hotel to raise awareness about the environment among hotel guests and the local community, starting the program “Earth Guests” of Accor Group.

Promotions offered until year’s end

To attract both international and local tourists to Phan Thiet City, travel agents, hotels and resorts in the city are offering promotions until the end of the year.

Vinh Hung Hotel, located on Thu Khoa Huan Street, is offering a 10% discount on room rates and other services and 20% discount at the hotel’s restaurant. Meanwhile, Truong Thinh on Tuyen Quang Street is treating its guests to a 10% discount on room rates, and a 50% discount is offered on room rates at Bamboo Village Resort.

In addition to the discounts some hotels and resorts are also presenting gifts. For example Tien Thanh Fishing Viillage Resort is offering a 30% discount and a fruit basket until June; White Sands Resort is giving a 20% discount on room rates as well as a 10% discount on services until September; Sea Horse Resort is offering 10%-35% discounts; Little Mui Ne Resort will give one free night for those staying seven nights and two free nights for 14 nights, along with a free city tour.

The hotels also have discounted packages on entertainment and sports services including spa, karaoke, sea beach games, swimming and gyms.

Some restaurants in the city are also planning promotions to entice summer tourists. Phuong Vy Restaurant has reduced its set menu by 10% and Cay Bang Restaurant has reduced its menu by 10% and parties over 16 people will get one free meal.

“The promotions are not only designed to attract tourists but also to express hospitality and to create an indigenous tourist product for the province,” said Le Thi Thanh Lien, deputy director of Binh Thuan Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Authorities approve new metro project in Phan Thiet

Binh Thuan Province’s authorities have licensed Suoi Cat Phan Thiet Company to develop a metro from Cham’s Poshanu Tower in Phu Hai Ward to Red Sanddunes (Mui Ne). The project, which is being implemented to meet the growing numbers of tourists to the city, will feature 10 metros with an investment of VND3 billion.

The Saigon Times

Just a few years ago it was a sleepy fishing village with a long stretch of white beach, nowadays the fishing village is still present on the east end of the beach. The beach and the road next to it has become a city in itself with resorts on the beach and restaurants across the road. A variety of resorts for all budgets can be found here and the food is quite a bit cheaper than in Saigon. The weather is normally fine all year around in Mui Ne and the people traveling here consists of a healthy mix of tourists, Vietnamese tourists, Saigon expats and backpackers.
To do in Mui Ne

Although most people, especially expats, go to Mui Ne to escape the hustle and bustle of Saigon, there are still some things to be done when you get tired of your resort’s swimming pool. On the way to Mui Ne or as a daytrip, you might want to check out the 49 metres tall Buddha taking a rest on the top of a mountain Ta Cu, 30 kilometres from Phan Thiet. Another tourist attraction in Mui Ne are the sand dunes of different colors, the best way to see them is to go on a halfday tour to see them all, and perhaps even try dune surfing which basically is you on a piece of plastic going down a sand dune. Normally these tours also include the fairy stream which is a small river that you walk upstream in, a relaxed and interesting experience.

Last but not least, due to good winds kite-surfing & windsurfing are very popular in Mui Ne and if you want to learn there are almost always instructors on the beach. Overall there are quite a few water sports to try out in Mui Ne.

What about Phan Thiet

Neighboring Phan Thiet has one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in the country, at the Ocean Dunes Golf Club. The new Sea Links Golf Course opened in 2008 offers an additional 9 holes.

Expat VN

Starting on June 3 is a five-day tour priced at VND6 million per foreign guest which will go to Hue, Phong Nha, Danang and Hoi An.

Starting on June 4 is a four-day tour priced at VND5.1 million per foreign guest which will go to Hue, Ba Na, Danang and Hoi An.

Starting on June 5 is a three-day tour priced at VND4.8 million per foreign guest which will go to Danang, Ba Na and Hoi An.

Prices include airfare.

The festival will celebrate the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Relics as world cultural heritage sites and honor the central region in general.

The Saigon Times

Patrick Regis, CEO of Rolls Royce Vietnam and chairman of the British Business Group in Vietnam complained that Rolls Royce a year ago applied for an investment license in Vietnam’s electricity sector and that the procedures went smoothly at first but turned complicated leaving the company to knock on ministry or department doors.

He was speaking at a conference of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and foreign-invested companies in Hanoi on Monday.

Michael J. Pease, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi (Amcham), approved of simplifying the business mechanism as Amcham’s enterprises show interest in power and deep-water port projects in the country.

VCCI should set up an agency to deal with foreign direct investment (FDI) business associations instead of giving different instructions at different offices, Regis added.

VCCI chairman Vu Tien Loc shared their views, saying Vietnam should improve its investment environment and help FDI enterprises.

Ashok Sud, vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham), said that Vietnam has too much paperwork. The matter is serious with Unilever who make nearly 20,000 orders a month.

FDI enterprises in the country’s distribution industry asked for more administrative transparency and for more objective criteria to license international retailers. Vietnam must answer to the World Trade Organization to establish retail chains.

Harry Beirnaert, president of the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said that Vietnam’s universities are not prepared to meet the demand for human resources of FDI enterprises. Foreign investors, Belgian companies in particular, have found it necessary to re-train local manpower who should have been trained at university, he said.

Andrew You, chairman of Singapore Business Association Vietnam, offered to design curriculum for local economic universities to make graduates more useful to Singapore-based companies.

The Saigon Times

The event will not only mark the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi but will also be of international interest, attracting tourists from around the world to Hanoi, according to the orchestra.

The symphony will be performed by 90 artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, 30 artists from local bands, three sopranos, two contraltos, one baritone and one basso, accompanied by a chorus of 1,000 local and foreign members, among them 140 children and two 430-member adult choirs. The event will be conducted by well-known Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji.

The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra is seeking assistance from individuals and organizations in support of the program which is expected to cost about US$200,000,

In 2007, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra began a series of ten symphonies by the composer G. Mahler. The program will wrap up in 2011 to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of the composer.

The program will be broadcast live. For more information about the event, visit www.vnso.org.vn.

Symphony of a Thousand was written during the summer of 1906 by Gustav Mahler. Its 1910 premiere in Munich was the greatest success of the composer’s career. The symphony includes two parts: the first uses the Latin Pentecost hymn “Veni, creator spiritus”, and the second the conclusion of Goethe’s Faust, Part II. The symphony is famous worldwide and is often performed at international ceremonies and festivals.

Ha Tien is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, 8 kilometers from the Cambodian border. The town and its surrounding area are endowed with a cluster of landscapes called the Ten Sights by people in bygone days, including Dong Ho Lake, Binh San Mountain, Thach Dong Grotto, Hon Chong Islet, Mui Nai Beach and Giang Thanh River.

Standing on the peak of Binh San Mountain, Ha Tien Town looks like a painting either at dawn or sunset. Visitors can catch a unique panorama with a magnificent view of Voi Phuc Mountain on one side and the immense crystal waters of the East Sea on the other.

Thach Dong Grotto is like a man-made carving masterpiece, with mysterious stalactites of many shapes and sizes inspiring the imagination of all who see them. Visitors to Ha Tien should be sure to add Hon Chong Islet, also called Phu Tu Islet, to their itineraries. Here on can get lost in the peace and tranquility of nature and hear the sounds of waves crashing onto the shore. Hang Pagoda, an ancient pagoda filled with legends, is near Hon Chong Islet.

Watching the sunset over Mui Nai Beach is another must-do. Mui Nai is one of Vietnam’s most popular beaches with clean water and endless white sand. As the sun sets blazing red rays at the end of the horizon shine on the surface of the ocean harmonious rippling waves.

On weekends Mui Nai is filled with tourists enjoying the immense territorial waters.

For a panoramic view of the sea Nai Vang Hill is an ideal choice. On the top of the hill, passers-by can contemplate the splendid landscape while enjoying a cup of coffee, talking with friends and even dancing as there is a dancing stage here. At night, one may stroll around Ha Tien markets, especially Dong Ho night market, to buy indigenous specialties. Dong Ho night market is always busy and is one of the most popular attractions of Ha Tien Town.

For coffee aficionados, Phuong Thanh Café is the place to appreciate a flavorful cup while enjoying the sweet melodies of swallows in harmony with folk songs. Many nests of swallows live in the roof of the coffee shop.

A tour of Ha Tien should always include the mausoleum of Mac Cuu, the founder of the area. Built 300 years ago, the mausoleum is located on a large hill surrounded by giant old trees, and the tombs of many of Mac Cuu’s family members are near the mausoleum. Carved figures of dragons, phoenixes, lions and guardians decorate all of the tombs.

The Saigon Times

“Windsor Plaza is happy to see there will be many different beer brands at Beer Fest Saigon. Hopefully, the event will introduce the public to beer culture and promote beer quality,” said Mr. Duong Duy My, General Director of the hotel.

Over 2,000 beer drinkers are expected to attend this festival which is sponsored by Foster’s, Gold Ben Thanh (a product of Tan Hiep Phat Group), San Miguel Beer and Indochina Airlines. Over 15 beer companies are expected to exhibit.

Tickets to Beer Fest Saigon are VND400,000 and are on sale at the Windsor Plaza Hotel and at the following District 1 restaurants: Café Central Nguyen Hue (115 Nguyen Hue Boulevard), Gartenstadt (34 Dong Khoi Street) and Amigo Grill (57 Nguyen Hue Boulevard).

Each attendee will get a sample from each booth. VND10,000 beer tokens will be available for those who are still thirsty.

For more information about Beer Fest Saigon, call (848) 3833 6688, ext: 2824 or 0122.263.0179 (Ms. Maria) or visit www.beerfestsaigon.com.

Sofitel Saigon introduces new dishes of Michelin star chef

Hotel Sofitel Saigon Plaza will introduce the fine French flavors of Michelin guest Chef Julien Machet till May 23.
Machet was born in Savoie (Bourg-Saint-Maurice), France. After his training, he set off for the U.S. to work with a French chef and on his return to France he spent time in Les Bories Restaurant (one Michelin star) in Gordes, the Luberon, working with Philipe Calendri, followed by three seasons with Jean-Pierre Jacob at Le Bateau Ivre (two stars) in Le Lac du Bourget who often accompanied him on trips abroad to teach local chefs. He then took over “Le Farçon”, which was then a pancake restaurant owned by his parents.

Recommended at the hotels’ L’Olivier Restaurant is duck liver, snowball egg, asparagus and morel, green pea soup, sea bass on crunchy skin, small potato, xeres and brown butte, rabbit saddle stuffed with beaufort cheese, Swiss chard and light potato. The dessert menu includes chocolate mousse soufflé, vanilla ice cream, chocolate and more.

A-la-carte is from US$9++ to US$24++ per dish. Daily business set lunch, (Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm) is US$23++ and signature six course meals US$65++.

For more information or to make reservations, call (08) 3824 1555 or email: fb@sofitelsaigon.com.vn.

The Saigon Times