TRAVEL NEWS IN BRIEF 28/6 Tri An Lake offers visitors a chance to enjoy pristine nature Visitors to Tri An Lake can enjoy pristine nature, fresh water and the sight of mountains in the Nam Cat Tien National Park seen on the horizon. The lake, which is a reservoir containing 3 billion cu.m of water, is a favourite destination for visitors to Dong Nai Province and the park. Cruising around the lake is a must-do activity. When visiting islands in the lake, tourists are advised to take snacks and water, and not forget to sample the lake's specialties, especially lang fish. Many restaurants, guest houses, tents and hammocks serve visitors to the island on the lake. Student groups and families try to stay overnight on the island to gather by the flickering camp fire at night and wait for the dawn shining on the smooth water surface of the lake. Tourism revenues reach 105 trillion VND in first half-year The tourism sector reported total revenues of 105 trillion VND in the first half of 2013, up 23.5 percent from the same period last year. In the period, the country recorded more than 3.54 million foreign arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 2.6 percent. The number for June alone was 567,000, an increase of 1.5 percent from May and 29.9 percent from one year ago. Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists is estimated at 24 million, an increase of 12 percent compared to the same period last year. Executives and experts from the local tourism industry recently gathered in Hanoi to debate how the lucrative and fast-growing industry can become more successful. At the event, Vietnam National Tourism Administration Director General Nguyen Van Tuan called for the establishment of Vietnamese tourism representative offices in Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russia , as well as further co-operation with important partners of Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and France. Such moves are expected to help promote Vietnam ’s tourism in international markets, thus contributing to attracting more foreign visitors to Vietnam. RoK tourist destinations introduced in HCM City A programme to introduce tourist destinations in the Republic of Korea (RoK) was held in Ho Chi Minh City last week to help the two sides’ travel agencies seek cooperation opportunities and create new tourism products. The programme, which was co-organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) in Vietnam and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, brings about general views on the RoK and its tourism sector in particular. As an attractive tourist destination, RoK welcomed 11 million foreign visitors last year and one million in the first three months of this year. According to Chief Representative of the KTO in Vietnam Kang Sungghil, tourism exchanges between the RoK and Vietnam have seen a remarkable increase in recent years. Last year, the RoK received 106,000 Vietnamese tourists while 700,000 Korean visitors came to Vietnam. Hoang Lien Son National Park recognised as heritage spot Hoang Lien Son National Park, which is always attractive to tourists with a multitude of unique and unusual floral species, has been recognised by the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as ASEAN Heritage Park. The tour to conquer the 3,143m Fansipan Mountain - the roof of Viet Nam and Indochina - always attracts tourists to Sa Pa. There are several trails opened for tourists to enter the park. Visitors will explore the wonderful natural beauty of the park, with many exotic plants, beautiful flowers blooming on Hoang Lien Mountain at the height of 2,000-3,000m or more. Local travellers spend more on overseas tours Many local travellers are favouring tours to regional countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Long-haul tours to Europe, the US, Australia and Canada have also seen high sales. According to the Viet Nam Tourism Association, some 3.5 million Vietnamese spent about US$3.5 billion on overseas travel last year. Each year, around 1.1 million Vietnamese citizens travel to China, 1 million to Cambodia, 500,000 to Thailand, 300,000 to Singapore, 200,000 to Malaysia and 110,000 to South Korea. Sales of outbound tours have risen by around 20 per cent this year, the association said. Eighty to 90 per cent of the Vietnamese visitors to the US, Europe and Canada self-finance their visits, according to Nguyen The Khai, director of Perfect Tour Travel. Handmade fair fosters originality, creativity Mintown Handmade Fair – an event that gathers young people who love originality and creativity, will open on Sunday from 9am until 5pm at the Tran Phu High School, 8 Hai Ba Trung Street. Themed Summer Spirit, the fair will present unique handmade items designed and created by young artisans. Visitors will also be able to take part in handicraft classes and savour mouth-watering homemade food at the event. Tickets cost VND20,000 and can be pre-purchased at Handymoon Handmade Shop, 409 Kim Ma Street. Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/SGGP