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in Southeast Asia in general, although
Vietnam has always been a popular des-
tination for adventurous travellers and
history buffs.
I believe we are seeing a generation
of veterans of the American War who are
coming back to gain a new perspective.
However, the huge growth is cer-
tainly due to the simple fact that in-
frastructure is improving and there are
more accessible locations and many
more hotel rooms than there were even
five years ago.
Vietnam has world-class hotels
and resorts, beaches, and cuisine, in
addition to its natural beauty, rich his-
tory, and traditional culture. Also, Viet-
nam represents somewhat of a travel
bargain, even for those who don’t nor-
mally concern themselves with cost.
This has been truer since the downturn
in 2008.
What does a resort have to have to
make the grade for your clients?
First, as I mentioned, there is no one
hotel experience that fits all of our cli-
ents. However, any hotel we recommend
must do what it does to the highest level.
Simply saying you are a five-star
hotel will not make it so. There must
be no room for error as far as things
like cleanliness, basic amenities and nu-
merous food options are concerned.
Also, the hotel must provide what is
advertised. If it sells itself as a place for
honeymooners and romantic getaways,
it should not be filled with large families
and lots of children. And of course the
reverse is true.
What are the top destinations for
tourists visiting Vietnam?
While many of our clients don’t
want to feel like tourists and may want
to venture off the beaten path, there
is no denying that Halong Bay is top of
the list of places that foreigners know
about and want to visit.
Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An Old Town, and
Ho Chi Minh City are among the must
see places. Beach lovers go to Nha
Trang, Phan Thiet, and Phu Quoc Island
and, if you want to be among the first
vacationers on the island, venture to
Con Dao.
However, that makes some of these
spots crowded and a bit of a hassle on
group tours. The key for us is to explain
how we can take all that away, and
treat our guests to privacy and touring
LUXURY LIVING AND TRAVEL
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