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He pointed out that although Thai-
land and Singapore are a lot more de-
veloped in terms of venue options and
have larger pools of talented people
staff, the two destinations have their
own issues to contend with.
“Singapore has lost its appeal in
terms of value for money, while Thai-
land has past political issues that arise
from time to time,” said Robinson.
Jessica Koh, director of sales and
marketing of InterContinental Hanoi
Landmark 72 said: “MICE is definitely
our key focus. We aim to establish Inter-
Continental Hanoi Landmark 72 as the
premier MICE venue in Hanoi, in both
the local and international markets.”
InterContinental Hanoi Landmark
72 is expected to open in the fourth
quarter this year in the heart of Hanoi’s
new business district and next to the
National Convention Centre which the
hotel will work closely with to target in-
ternational congress and conventions.
Koh said a quest for work-life bal-
ance among meeting delegates was
changing the way InterContinental Ho-
tels Group caters for meetings. Bleasure
– combining business with pleasure – is
the new trend in MICE and the hotel will
offer delegates the chance to unwind,
for example in its 8,000 sqm of fitness
and spa facilities.
“We will focus on MICE business
from regional markets like Singapore,
Malaysia, Greater China, Hong Kong
and Australia,” added Koh.
Koh also said delegates will have
the opportunity to experience twin
destinations with a combination of a
city and a resort stay at InterContinen-
tal Hanoi Landmark 72 and its sister
property, the InterContinental Dan-
ang Sun Peninsula Resort. These, she
said, are ideal for incentive groups or
for team building and corporate so-
cial responsibility activities. There are
also outdoor options for theme din-
ners within the integrated Landmark
72 complex.
Robinson pointed out that while
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have es-
tablished themselves as two centres for
this type of business, over the next
couple of years Danang will become
the center for MICE in Vietnam due the
increase in venues, ever improving in-
frastructure and plenty of good quality
hotels, not to mention the number of
historic sites close by.
New resorts in Danang and the cen-
tral coast, such as Laguna Lang Co,
have also incorporated leisure offerings
into meeting facilities and programmes.
Laguna Lang Co is a destination in
itself, with two resorts located in the
complex – Banyan Tree and Angsana
Lang Co, extensive outdoor venues, and
an 18-hole championship golf course
designed by Nick Faldo.
Apart from meeting rooms and the
golf course, Laguna Lang Co offers ex-
tensive recreational activities like water-
sports, cultural tours, guided mountain
biking and hiking tours, archery, bun-
gee trampoline and a lot more which
help meet the demands of today’s MICE
groups.
Albert Lafuente, area director of
sales and marketing of Banyan Tree
Lang Co, said: “MICE is a market that
we pursue as we believe that Central
Vietnam has the potential to become
a popular destination for this segment,
eventually competing on a level with Bali
and Phuket.”