| Angelina Jolie and Pax Thien say goodbye to Vietnam Posted: 16 Nov 2011 02:15 AM PST |
| Brad Pitt left Vietnam for S. Korea Posted: 14 Nov 2011 10:54 PM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  VIETNAM-Brad Pitt yesterday afternoon left Angelina Jolie and his six kids on Con Dao Island to fly for South Korea where he will promote his latest film Money Ball. The actor’s assistant had earlier been at the Con Son airport to prepare for Brad Pitt’s trip to South Korea.
At HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport where he would transit to South Korea, Brad Pitt was simply dressed in a black T-shirt and looked relaxed.
Brad Pitt didn’t walk through the VIP gate as local media expected. He used the common gate instead.
The Hollywood actor went through airport procedures like other passengers such as taking off his watch and going through the security gate.
He waved to people and agreed to pose for photos with some airport employees.
Angelina and their six kids are enjoying their holidays at the Six Senses resort on Con Dao Island and will leave on November 16.
According to a source, Brad Pitt will fly back to Con Dao after finishing the promotion of his new film in South Korea. The family will leave Vietnam soon after.
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| World Travel Awards names Vinpearl best resort Posted: 14 Nov 2011 09:02 PM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  VIETNAM-Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang recently was voted the Vietnam’s Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards (WTA,) the comprehensive voter-determined awards in the global travel and tourism industry. This is the fourth time Vinpearl has received the international program's accolade.
Previously, the WTA listed Vinpearl as Vietnam’s Leading Spa Resort - in 2004 and 2008. The resort also was chosen Vietnam’s Leading Resort in 2007.
The awards are processed on the WTA’s web site www.worldtravelawards.com, attracting the participation of global tourism experts, agencies and tourists.
Thousands of ballots are collected from more than 213,000 people and tourism organizations from 160 countries.
Beside Vinpearl, WTA also lists Sheraton Hanoi Hotel as Vietnam’s Leading Business Hotel, Intercontinental Asian Saigon Hotel as Vietnam’s Leading Hotel, and Furama Danang Resort as Vietnam’s Leading Spa Resort this year.
This is also the third honor given to Vinpearl this year, after two national awards including The Guide Award 2011, voted by the Vietnam Economic Times Newspaper, and Top Ten Vietnam’s Leading Five-Star Hotels chosen by the Vietnam Tourism Association.
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| Britney Spears rocks Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in spectacular style Posted: 14 Nov 2011 08:33 PM PST  UAE-American pop princess Britney Spears has treated her Middle Eastern fans to an unforgettable show in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Arena, Yas Island, as part of the celebrations surrounding the F1 Grand Prix. The femme fatal recording artist put on one of the most visually creative shows since Beyonce appeared on Yas Island two years ago.
Not only dazzling the crowd with her high-octane choreographed 90-minute show, she also allowed some fans to share the stage experience after inviting some lucky ones up to perform with her in front of a packed arena.
Hits such as ‘Big Fat Bass’, ‘How I Roll’ and ‘Gimme More’ kept the crowd swinging under the cool breeze during a night that brought plenty of surprises for her fans that had travelled from across the globe to see her.  Spears appeared on stage at 21:00 in Abu Dhabi, putting on a memorable show that opened up with ‘Hold it Against Me before’ she rolled out other favourites such as ‘Lace and Leather’ and ‘If U Seek Amy’.
Fans, many who had arrived early to form a line that snaked its way around Yas Arena, were warmed up by Australian duo NERVO who entertained the 30,000 of music lovers, who waited patiently to get a glimpse of the ‘Till the World Ends’ performer.
 Sharjah resident Mohammed Qassim, who comes from Iraq, said: “I drove all the way from Sharjah to attend Britney’s concert.
“We grew up listening to Britney’s music and I never imagined that I would see her live on stage.
“The evening was really amazing it like was a dream coming true.”
The Yasalam after-race concerts are exclusively for 2011 F1 Etihad Airways Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders. 
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| My Khe listed in the world’s six most attractive beaches Posted: 14 Nov 2011 08:12 PM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  VIETNAM-The American leading economic magazine, Forbes, has recently honoured My Khe Beach in Da Nang City as one of the six most attractive beaches in the world. According to the magazine, the beach has met all requirements, including easy traffic and access, free admission for tourists, long and flat sand shore, sunlight and waves for sea sports, a variety of high-class resorts and international standard villas.
The Australian magazine, Sunday Herald Sun, also ranked the 900m-long My Khe Beach in the world’s top 10 Asian best beaches.
Many beautiful and well-known beaches, such as Nam O, My Khe, Tien Sa and Non Nuoc, are located in Da Nang City.
The beach became famous for smooth sand, peaceful waves, year-round warm sea water and romantic coconut-palm rows. Tourists can both swim and enjoy beautiful scenery of the Ngu Hanh Son Mountain and Cu Lao Cham Island.
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| Anantara to launch on Thailand’s Koh Phangan Posted: 14 Nov 2011 08:04 PM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  THAILAND-Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has announced the launch of a new property on the Thai resort island of Koh Phangan. Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa, located on the island's Thong Nai Pan Noi beach, includes 44 private pool suites and villas in seven different ocean-facing layouts. Ranging from 100 to 250m², each villa includes a 32-inch flat screen TV with home entertainment system, Wi-Fi and a private plunge pool.
Resort facilities will include an outdoor infinity-edged pool, boutique gift shop, gym and an Anantara Spa with teak wood treatment suites and salas surrounding a lagoon.
F&B offerings include the resort’s signature Bistro @ The Beach, which sits between a white sandy bay and the resort’s water gardens and pool, and The Lounge, which offers the island’s only seaview wine cellar.
Guests can also explore the Gulf of Thailand aboard the resort’s 37-foot ocean cruiser, with a variety of day trips available.
Over the next six months, the resort will expand with an additional 20 villas being developed on a plot of land adjacent to the resort.
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| Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie return to Vietnam with son Pax Posted: 14 Nov 2011 02:06 AM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  VIETNAM-Pitt and Angelina Jolie, accompanied by their six children, are on a visit to Vietnam, where adopted son Pax was born. The famous family were spotted Friday eating lunch at a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, renowned for its traditional Vietnamese food.
It was their first trip back to the country since 7-year-old Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt was adopted there at the age of three four years ago.
Jolie, who is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, told: "We owe Vietnam a visit, because Pax is due."
They arrived in Vietnam after stopping off in Japan, where Pitt was promoting his new baseball film “Moneyball.”
The whole family are expected to pay a visit to Pax's orphanage in Binh Duong, before enjoying the country's popular coastal vacation spot, Con Dao.
Pitt, 47, and Jolie, 36, have three biological children and three adopted from Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.
Jolie told that she and Pitt emphasize the importance of educating their children about their native countries.
"They are all learning about each other's cultures as well as being proud of their own. They all have their flags over their beds and their individual pride,” she said.
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| Boathouse Phuket reopens after refurbishing Posted: 14 Nov 2011 12:08 AM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  THAILAND-The Boathouse Resort on the Beach, Phuket, has reopened following a five-month, US$6 million renovation. The 37-room property, formerly known as Mom Tri’s Boathouse, now includes extended family suites, a new two-bedroom beachfront Penthouse Suite, a rooftop Sunset Lounge, the Re Ka Ta Beach Club, a new spa and a large boutique with a gourmet café.
The Boathouse Wine and Grill has been totally refurbished, with several new additions including a show kitchen and a new wine cellar.
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| Winterfest Sprinkles Sparkling Christmas Joy Over Hong Kong Posted: 13 Nov 2011 11:49 PM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  HONG KONG-This festive season the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will showcase a program of special activities for visitors to celebrate Christmas and the new year during ‘Hong Kong WinterFest’, from November 25, 2011 to January 1, 2012. The focal points of the celebrations will be Hong Kong’s popular tourist districts of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, where dazzling lights, themed decorations and fun activities will capture the spirit of the festive season. The continued strength of the Australian dollar means Hong Kong is the perfect destination for visitors to indulge in Christmas shopping and they can also take advantage of the dollar to dine and sightsee their way round Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has gained an international reputation for its colourful Christmas celebrations and CNN.com has selected the city as one of the ten best destinations to visit during the festive season. The city’s Christmas celebrations will culminate with its spectacular New Year Countdown to 2012 on December 31.
Hong Kong WinterFest, in its 10th year, will include celebratory activities in many districts and highlights are the outdoor ice-skating experience under the city’s famous Christmas lights in East Tsim Sha Tsui and A Holiday of Tiffany Treasures in Central.
1. Central: A Holiday of Tiffany Treasures
Sponsored by Tiffany & Co, the centrepieces will be an 18-metre tall Christmas tree and a fairytale-inspired carousel at Statue Square in Central. There will also be a photo booth for capturing precious Christmas memories, customised Tiffany & Co postcards and stamps for sending seasonal greetings to friends and families, a candy cart, as well as glistening decorations and special programs.
Part of the proceeds generated, after deducting operational costs, will go to Make-A-Wish® Hong Kong to help make the wishes of children with serious medical conditions come true.
2. East Tsim Sha Tsui: Ice Wonderland
Presented by Sino Group Limited, the Ice Wonderland at the UC Centenary Garden is set to further enhance the festive ambience of East Tsim Sha Tsui, which has long been famous for its signature Christmas lights. In addition to the visual treats from festive motifs and special snow effect, visitors can enjoy the fun of ice-skating in the Ice Wonderland, while the surrounding Christmas lights will provide a perfect backdrop for memorable holiday photos. Admission to the venue is free and part of the income generated from the rental of skating equipment will go to the Hong Chi Association, spreading the seasonal joy to those in need.
Supporting Hong Kong WinterFest will be festive season events hosted by a number of attractions, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s trade partners will offer themed travel itineraries.
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| HK’s MICE arrivals exceed one million Posted: 13 Nov 2011 08:42 PM PST + Click Image to Enlarge  HONG KONG-The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced that overnight MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) visitor arrivals to Hong Kong for the first nine months of 2011 have exceeded the one million mark for the first time ever. The figure, which totalled 1,028,989, represented a 15.0% increase over the same period last year. Strong growth was recorded from short-haul source markets. Mainland China (+19.9%) and South & Southeast Asia (+18.2%) recorded the biggest growth. The mainland was also the largest MICE visitor source market, contributing over 440,000 or 42.9% of all overnight MICE arrivals to Hong Kong.
As for the long-haul markets, notwithstanding the slowdown in the European and American economies, there was no immediate impact on the MICE arrivals, given that many of the international conferences and exhibitions held in Hong Kong were confirmed last year or even earlier. Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific was the best performer (+13.0%), followed by Europe, Africa and the Middle East (+12.1%).
HKTB Chairman Mr James Tien said; “Numerous large-scale conventions and exhibitions have already been lined up for next year, including the FDI World Dental Congress 2012, the Asia-Pacific Conference of the Junior Chamber International in 2012 and the Asian Attractions Expo 2012. Riding on these events, the HKTB will pull out all stops and work closely with the organisers to draw as many Mainland and overseas participants to Hong Kong as possible.
“We will also sustain our collaboration with the MICE and travel trade sectors to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness and appeal as a MICE destination. Just recently, we have joined a number of Lantau-based MICE and related trade partners to roll out a new campaign designed for promoting Lantau as a MICE hub. Through this campaign, we aim to attract a greater number of MICE events to the island, and generate more business for the tourism sector.”
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