“3.28″ Investment Trade Fair and Zhongshan, Zhongshan Vietnamese economic cooperation and trade exchange enterprises in Zhongshan City, yesterday Expo Centre. Zhongshan and Vietnam more than 20 companies in 10 projects were signed letter of intent, cooperation amounted to nearly 30 million U.S. dollars. According to preliminary statistics, in 2010, Zhongshan, “3.28″ Investment and Trade Fair Trade transactions entered into investment agreements 67 billion yuan. The event will continue until 30.

“No one in Vietnam, Zhongshan lighting did not know”

Yesterday, “3.28″, held the opening ceremony, the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh side so guests, in the mayor, accompanied by red Nicholls, visited the Zhongshan Vietnam Enterprise Product Exhibition. Lighting in the booth on Zhongshan Qi Lang, Nguyen Thanh Hung side happy to Nicholls said it brought the whole Vietnamese lighting, will think of Zhongshan, Vietnam, Zhongshan Hall lighting products used in all lighting decoration, he hopes to be more friendly in the trade together.

Zhongshan yesterday afternoon Vietnam Recommendation meeting, the Vietnamese Ministry of Trade and Industry Secretary Taochen Ren said the Asia Pacific, in 2009 the international financial turmoil, Vietnam and other places of trade are the decline in co operation with China alone achieved 5.8% growth in total trade volume reached 200 million, while the Guangdong Province and Vietnam account for 21% of total trade. He said that this year China and the ASEAN Free Trade Area launched, the tariff rate to 0 ~ 5% are excellent cooperation between the two sides time.

Mr. Feng Yurong, Vice Mayor introduced to the Vietnamese delegation, Zhongshan in lighting, hardware, mahogany furniture, clothing, games, entertainment, wind power equipment and other aspects and advantages have a good foundation, he expects the two sides will continue to maintain friendly cooperation in various areas. Promotion after the two sides also held economic and trade cooperation of enterprises intent on site ceremony. 10 projects signed, involving lighting, furniture, appliances, locks, seafood etc, the contract amounting to 29.5 million U.S. dollars.

Vietnam Handicraft Products, the Most Popular

In yesterday’s Zhongshan Product Exhibition on Vietnamese enterprises in Vietnam nearly 60 exhibitors. Into the harbor, the Chief Executive of research showed that a large restaurant in the concept of development, the Chinese and the Vietnamese Ho Chi Minh City Ocean Foods seafood. She was pleased, told reporters: “If cooperation is successful, is expected to increase in the Vietnamese market, Zhongshan diet food in this section, and greatly reduce the price of eating seafood in Vietnam.

The general manager of Ocean Food Company Mr Yuen said the company had previously imported from China aquatic equipment, but this is his first to China. In addition to the public to introduce them to the Zhongshan specialty products, they also wish to identify a good supplier in Zhongshan, the Vietnamese do not have crabs, sea cucumbers, etc. to take home, so the public can benefit both sides.

100 Billion Next Year to Build New Energy Cluster

“The new energy industry in the current annual output of 30 billion yuan from last three years will exceed 100 billion yuan.” Yesterday, Zhongshan Municipal Committee, mayor of Zhongshan in 2010, Red Nicholls Investment Trade Fair and Zhongshan Vietnam economic and trade cooperation and exchange between enterprises conference that the next few years, Zhongshan efforts to nurture new energy 5 to 10 over 5 billion yuan output value of enterprises, 2 ~ 3 Chaobai Yi yuan business in 2012 over 100 billion yuan to build a cluster, so that Zhongshan City, a major growth point for sustainable development.

This “3.28″ large scale projects and more investment into new energy, equipment manufacturing, such as China National Offshore Oil Corporation will invest 20 billion yuan and build a clean energy production base in Zhongshan, investment 65 million U.S. dollars of the total use of magnetic vertical wind turbine project, 200 million U.S. dollars of investment in the railway equipment manufacturing base project, Shaxi invest 3 billion yuan of cogeneration project. Among them, the CNOOC Zhongshan most compelling new energy projects, CNOOC next 5 years, 20 billion yuan investment in the Zhongshan plant expansion project construction Yoshiaki God Bay power plant, the regional natural gas pipeline construction project for the formation of Zhongshan the core base of the western Pearl River Delta Power Centre.

Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam is a tougher nut to crack where visas are concerned. The rules and costs vary widely depending on the issuing embassy or consulate.

The Bangkok embassy, for example, can take your payment and process your visa on the very same day charging 1000 Baht (US$50 in its dollar equivalent; no other currency is accepted). The San Francisco consulate takes five days and $65 to do the same thing.

The information presented here may change without prior notice, so double-check with the nearest Vietnamese embassy before applying for your visa.

Visa Exemptions

Most visitors to Vietnam will need a visa to enter the country, with a few exceptions. Citizens from ASEAN countries are permitted to enter without applying for a visa, and other countries have made similar arrangements for their citizens.

Citizens of the following countries may stay, visa-free, for no more than 30 days: Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore Citizens of the Philippines may stay, visa-free, for no more than 21 days. Citizens of the following countries may stay, visa-free, for no more than 15 days: Denmark, Finland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Sweden

If you are not a citizen of any of these countries, you must apply for a visa at a nearby Vietnamese embassy.

In the United States, you may apply at the Vietnamese embassy in Washington, DC if you’re on the East Coast, or at the Vietnamese consulate in San Francisco if you’re on the West Coast.

Vietnam Tourist Visas

Tourist visas are available for a maximum 30-day stay, with the option to extend your visa for another 30 days upon your arrival in Vietnam.

To get a Vietnam tourist visa from your nearest Vietnam embassy or consulate, download the visa form from the local embassy’s website and fill it up.

At the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S., you’ll be required to present:

Your original passport – valid for six months more after the planned trip, and with vacant pages for the full-page visa stamp One completed visa application form One 2″x2″ passport-sized photo attached firmly to the space provided on the application form A money order or Cashier’s check payable to the processing mission. The Embassy asks that you call them to ask for the current fees, although the rates are common knowledge among travelers .

More details are available on their website: http://www.vietnamvisasupport.com ,

Vietnam Business visas

Business visas are available for business visitors (if you’re investing in a business in Vietnam, or if you’re arriving for work). Vietnam business visas are valid for six months and allow multiple entries.

The requirements for a Vietnam business visa are identical to those for the tourist visa, with the addition of a Business Visa Approval Form from your sponsor in Vietnam. You cannot get this form from the Embassy or the Consulate – your sponsor must get it from officials in Vietnam.

Other Vietnam Visas

Diplomatic and official visas are issued for visitors with government and diplomatic business. Holders of diplomatic and service passports will be granted these visas, which are free of charge.

The requirements for these visas are similar to those for the business visa, with the addition of a note verbale from the concerned agency, foreign mission, or international organization.

Luxury Travel Vietnam will participate in the ATF 2009 as Exhibitor. The aim is to promote the Vietnamese tourism product in the luxury segment, which is addressed to people who want to live a unique experience, with personalized service, privacy, tranquility and simplicity. All this in a different destination combining history, culture and cuisine or an exotic destination with an excellent service and unique experience.

Ha Pham, founder and CEO of the Luxury Travel Company believes the time is ripe for high-end travelers worldwide. They are keen to visit and discover the country in lap of luxury. However, many travel companies in Vietnam still sell the same tourism products since 10 years ago, and there are no niche products for this upscale market,’ www.luxurytravelvietnam.com

According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) statistics, most foreign luxury travelers come from Western European countries. 170,000 French tourists from the UK (100,000) and Germany (100,000). The upscale market is new, has potential for Vietnam tourism, but has not been fully tapped.

Luxury Travel Co., Ltd (Vietnam) is Vietnam’s first luxury tour operator founded in 2004 to catch this new trend and promote niche tourism products to high end travelers. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations, nothing is impossible in the whole luxury travel meaning.

Last year, Luxury Travel Vietnam Company served 10,000 satisfied customers. Among Luxury Travel’s clients are ambassadors, senators, Russian millionaires, CEOs and presidents of Oman Oil Company, royalty and Oman Royal Government ministers, French ministers, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada-and others.

‘With our head office in Hanoi, ASEAN Tourism Forum 2009 is a golden chance for us to establish our business relationship with all of you who look a reliable full travel service agency and a tour operator in Vietnam and beyond’ Ha adds.

VNAT targets to lure 6 millions of international tourists and 21 millions of domestic tourists in 2010, the Luxury Travel Company only wants 3% of these figures. For further business discussion with Luxury Travel book an appointment in advance at marketing@luxurytravelvietnam.com, check website at www.luxurytravelvietnam.com or visit the company booth number B13 in Vietnam Section at ATF 2009 Hanoi.

Luxury Travel

26 Dong KHoi Street, Dist 1, Saigon
5 NGuyen Truong To Street, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi

Contact Person:
Tony Pham
PR and Marketing Executive

Phone: 84439274120
email: email

Web: www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

If you’ve done business in Vietnam, you know that the entire system is totally and discreetly corrupted. I guess to find out how rich these top vietnamese gov’t officials are, I just have to look in their bank account. Anyone know the art and the how to of digging up these hard to find info?

If you’ve done business in Vietnam, you know that the entire system is totally and discreetly corrupted. I guess to find out how rich these top vietnamese gov’t officials are, I just have to look in their bank account. Anyone know the art and the how to of digging up these hard to find info?

Vietnam’s economy didn’t grow as expected in the following decade, mainly because of corruption and inefficient implementation of state programs as well as various restrictions imposed on the economic activities. Its economy further suffered because of the economic embargoes implemented by many European countries and United States of America. In 1986, after the fall of the communist government, significant steps were taken to revive the economy. Because of better management of economy, Vietnam experienced 8% annual GDP growth throughout the 1990’s.

In 2007, the GDP per capita for Vietnam was US$ 835.31, which increased by 24.55% in 2008. US$ 1,040.35 of GDP per capita was recorded for Vietnam in the year 2008. With this Vietnam achieved 148th position in the world in terms of GDP per capita for the year 2008. Its GDP per capita is above the world’s average in 2008. GDP per capita for Vietnam in 2009 is expected to be around US$ 1,018.95, which is 2.06% less than what was recorded in 2008.

The industrial sector is a major contributor in the GDP of Vietnam. Major industries of Vietnam include paper, cement, steel, building, food processing, garments, glass, shoes, oil, tires and coal. The agriculture sector is the other significant contributor in its GDP with paddy, corn, soybeans, potatoes, rubber, pigs, poultry, tea and coffee being the major agricultural products.

Vietnam has experienced both balance of payment and trade deficit over a number of years. It enjoys trade surplus position with most of the countries it has trade ties including Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Belgium, Germany and Philippines. On the other hand, it has a trade deficit with some of the countries like China, India, Korea, Thailand, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.

The rapid growth of exports in Vietnam is spurred by renovation process (doi moi) and the Foreign Investment Act. Before adopting them, Vietnam usually traded with countries belonging to the communist bloc. Significant growth was seen when US lifted the trade embargo in the year 1995. Exports got further boost when it was accepted in ASEAN and signed a Bilateral Trade Agreement with United States of America in the year 2000 and became the member of WTO in 2007. Vietnam has trade ties with more than 200 countries across the globe.

The major exports from Vietnam include crude oil, footwear, tea, coffee, electronic products and components, textiles, clothing, rubber and marine products. Major countries that import goods from Vietnam include USA, Germany, South Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The major items imported by Vietnam include motorcycles, machinery and related products, steel goods, petroleum products, fertilizer, cement, grain and cotton. Major countries that export goods to Vietnam include France, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore.

Vietnam has witnessed significant growth in investments in recent times from America and other countries from Asia and Europe.

DEMOGRAPHY. Vietnamese (also known as Viet or Khin) is the major ethnic community accounting for nearly 86% of the country’s population and reside mainly in the eastern half of the country. Minorities include Chinese who live mainly in the urban areas, Khmer Crom (related to the Khmers of Cambodia), Tays and Montagnards who live in the mountainous regions of the country.

In a government census, about 80% of the population do not subscribe to any religion but among those who do, 9% are Buddhist and 7% are Christians. Other religions practiced include Islam, Cao Dai and Hoa Hao. The national language is Vietnamese and languages spoken among the minorities include Tay, Muong, Khmer and Chinese (mainly Cantonese and Mandarin). English is the preferred second language but generally understood and spoken among the educated elite

The majority of the Vietnamese population live in the rural areas but the proportion of the urban population is gradually increasing from 19.7% in 1990 to 26.0% in 2004. Vietnam’s largest city is Ho Chi Minh City (population 5.0 million) and Hanoi (population of 3.5 million) followed by Nai, Haiphong and Dac Lac.

Household income in Ho Chi Minh City is nearly three times the national average – the city accounts for nearly half of all the motorbikes in Vietnam. An estimated 20% of the population live below the poverty level and mainly from rural households. 10%-15% of the households are middle to high-income households while 65%-70% are lower-income households.

INFRASTRUCTURE. Vietnam’s telecommunication systems lag behind many neighbouring countries in the region and therefore government puts great emphasis on its modernisation. Digital exchanges now connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City and main lines have increased while the use of mobile telephones is growing. The national road system stretches from the northern to southern tip of Vietnam. Northern and southern Vietnam are served by two international airports and two main sea ports serving international shipping.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE. Vietnam’s major trading partners are the US, Japan, China, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea. Major exports include oil, seafood, rice, coffee, cashew nuts, rubber, tea, garments and shoes. Major imports include machineries and equipments, petroleum products, fertilisers, steel products, cotton, grains, cement and motorcycles.

CONSUMER USAGE OF TECHNOLOGY. There were nearly 10.1 million telephones installed in Vietnam and nearly 5.0 million mobile phone subscribers in 2004. The government is putting considerable efforts to modernise and improve the country’s telecommunication system but still lags compared to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Computer penetration is low; estimates vary from 2% to 4% of the population in 2004 and an estimated 5.8 million internet users. The penetration of television is only 20% and concentrated to homes in the cities and towns. Similarly, installation of refrigerators is concentrated in the cities where 60% of the homes have refrigerators.

RETAIL MARKET. Retail sales in Vietnam grew by 8%-12% annually from 2000 to 2004 brought about by increasing disposable income due to the country’s strong economic growth. Vietnamese consumers spend two-thirds of their income on retail purchases amounting to US$16.3 billion in 2004. Traditional wet markets and the “mom and pop” shops dominate the retail industry accounting for 95% of the total retail trade. Many of these retail shops measure no more than five square metres (54 square feet). Modern retail establishments are limited but gradually emerging in the country and generally locally owned businesses concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

FOOD CULTURE. Rice and noodles are the staple food of the Vietnamese but taste preference differs by region. Foods in central Vietnam are spicier while foods in northern and southern Vietnam are less spicy and tend to be saltier. The Vietnamese often dip their foods with chilli, garlic or fish sauce to add flavour. The French colonialists introduced European style bread and bakeries into the Vietnamese food culture. Western style fast food service establishments are beginning to emerge alongside the traditional snack bars, cake shops and mobile food carts.

Asian Travel Vietnam ( www.asiantravelvietnam.com) is a leading independent travel company offering unbeatable value for Vietnam travel. Asian Travel Vietnam offer an unique luxury experience for discerning travellers who desire quality, style and gracious service. Asian Travel Vietnam offer a full range of in-store and online services catering for both the leisure and corporate business traveller in Vietnam.

Our experienced staff also have personally travelled to hundreds of destinations in Vietnam and Asian . Their first hand knowledge of the Vietnam’s most exciting cities, remote beaches and hotels ensure that your tailor made holiday is perfect in every way. Utilising Asian Travel Vietnam’s special rates impressive savings on flights, hotels, tours and insurance can be realised.

Whether you want to book a package holiday, build your own tailormade holiday, plan a wedding or honeymoon, travel for a special anniversary, or simply book a flight, hotel,  cruise or train, or rent a car we can help you. With access to thousands of flights and hotels in Vietnam and Asia (many at discounted prices), stacks of special offer holidays, we are confident we will find you just what you are looking for, backed by friendly, knowledgeable service and full financial protection.

Do you have a requirement for corporate travel ?  Why not join the increasing number of companies who enjoy a fast, reliable and competitive service, from our Business Travel Service .

Customer Care is Asian Travel Vietnam’s key to success and the Company is proud of its reputation. Asian Travel Vietnam’s clients can travel in the knowledge that detailed personal care and attention has been given to their arrangements.

We understand that your need for “independence” is as important as your need of “belonging”. We never forget you have a choice and will always “listen” to your needs and ensure every holiday we plan for you is perfect in every regard and far exceeds your holiday expectations.

For more information, please visit our website: www.asiantravelvietnam.com