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2014 will see a lot of potential
for luxury travel with solid growth ex-
pected across all of the key market in-
dicators. First, beach break tours along
Vietnam’s coastline will touch tourists’
senses with plenty of historical and
cultural treasures from the capital of
Hanoi, to the limestone caves in Ha
Long Bay to the mausoleums in Hue
and the ancient town in Hoi An and
on to the pristine beaches of Danang,
Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and
hustling and bustling Ho Chi Minh City.
Furthermore, Phu Quoc’s beaches are
fringed by coconut palms and the sands
often stretch as far as the eye can see
with hardly a person in sight.
Second, geology tours will guide
tourists on an adventure through Viet-
nam’s stunning landscapes. Dong Van
Geopark, with its spectacular natural
landscape, offers the culture of local
ethnic minority groups. The Luc Yen
gem market is an excellent place to
buy and sell precious stones. Last but
not least, Paradise Cave was formed
around 300 million years ago and is sur-
rounded by underground streams and
mountains. Nearby, Son Doong Cave
is the world’s largest cave and very fa-
mous for its adventurous tours.
Although the inbound tourist re-
turn rate so far has been very low, Evi-
va Tour Vietnam believes that we and
the Responsible Travel Club will build
a foundation of high quality service to
sustainably increase the return rate in
the future.
NGUYEN THUY DUONG
Vice director of EVIVA TOURS
ALEXANDER LEVEN
Product manager of
HG Travel
Vietnam, nowadays is more than
just Ha Long bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
City, Hue, Hoi An and the Mekong delta
with occasional trips to Sapa or Dalat.
At HG we would never recommend
a tour before we know the traveler and
what they expect from their holidays.
For a backpacker from Australia
who likes to see unspoiled places and
have a good time I would recommend
they follow the Banana Pancake trail.
I would recommend the semi-touristic
destinations and tell him to go to Phu
Quoc as it is not yet developed and Hoi
An as he will find like minded people
there as well.
For a couple interested in culture
in their 40s from northern Europe
visiting for the second or third time
wishing to go off the beaten track
and be active during their tour I would
recommend the north. They should
go hiking in Ha Giang province and
discover places like the Dong Van high
plateau and stay in villages like Meo-
Vac or Hoang Su Phi.
For a company from Germany
looking to spend a meaningful time in
Vietnam and get involved in socially
responsible activities, I would recom-
mend a community based tourism pro-
ject. I would send them to Tu Ne in Hoa
Binh province to stay in a quality home-
stay and get to know the fascinating
culture of the Muong people.
NGUYEN TIEN DAT
Deputy director of
Transviet Travel
There are many reasons I believe
Japan will be the most visited destina-
tion in 2014. The tour prices for Japan
are now much lower than several years
ago, with many more interesting pro-
motion campaigns, so this is a chief
reason that the country will become
one of the hottest spots.
The best tour is to Kyoto which is
famous for Kinkakuji - the Golden Piv-
illion Temple. This is a Zen temple in
northern Kyoto whose top two floors
are completely covered in gold leaf. It is
an impressive structure built overlook-
ing a large jade pond. Next is Kiyomi-
zu-dera, the oldest temple which was
registered as a UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage in 1994. Water from a spring
in the mountain has been flowing there
since it was established. The beauty
of Kiyomizu-dera is enhanced by the
cherry blossom in spring and coloured
leaves in autumn. It is well known as a
landscape that represents Kyoto.
Nagoya is Japan’s fourth most pop-
ulated city, but there you can enjoy a
romantic and tranquil ambience by sail-
ing the Ashi lake or travelling by cable
car up to Owakudani peak. Owakudani
was created during the last eruption of
Mount Hakone some 3000 years ago.
Today, much of the area is an active vol-
canic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot
springs and hot rivers can be seen. Ad-
ditionally, Owakudani has good views
of Mount Fuji on clear days.
Tokyo is also a must-see capital of-
fering a seemingly unlimited choice of
shopping, entertainment, culture and
dining to its visitors. The city’s history
can be appreciated in districts such as
Asakusa, and in many excellent mu-
seums, historic temples and gardens.
You cannot miss such historical sites as
Asakusa Kannon or Sensoji temple, the
Imperial Palace and the Imperial East
Garden. Alongside this there is modern
entertainment at Disneyland.
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Yokohama