Rooms for the masses

VIETNAM?S popularity as a tourism destination is growing. It received 4.2 million international visitors in 2007, up 17 per cent from 2006. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has set a target of five million international arrivals for 2008, 5.7 million in 2009 and 6.5 million in 2010. It aims to achieve 75,800 billion dong (US$4.7 billion) in tourist receipts by 2010.

As a result, a wave of new hotel developments and refurbishments are sweeping across the land. Here are some of the latest developments in Vietnam?s hotel scene.

A 395-room luxury hotel perched on the edge of the fabled city lake. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Hanoi?s city centre.

A 193-room upscale hotel at Nguyen Van Troi Street in Tan Binh District, Vietnam. It underwent extensive refurbishment and rebranding.

A 317-room hotel offering scenic views of Hanoi and the Red River from every room. The hotel underwent extensive refurbishment.

A 150-room hotel in the coastal city of Nha Trang, which is known for its pristine beaches.

A 213-room hotel, and Halong Bay?s first international hotel.

A 160-room leisure and business hotel located in Halong Bay, a World Heritage site, and next to a casino and Halong Bay Promenade.

A 102-room mid-range hotel on Thuong Kiet Street, near Hanoi?s main corporate area and a short stroll from the Hanoi Train Station.

A 630-room upscale business, meetings and leisure hotel on Ngu Hanh Son beachfront, the property will also have a

collection of villas.

A 572-room luxury hotel in the upscale District One of Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel will be part of Asiana Plaza, a mixed-use complex with commercial, retail and dining outlets.

A 200-room hotel in Hoi An.

A 268-room leisure and business hotel on Nha Trang Boulevard. The 28-storey hotel will be the tallest building in Nha Trang and offers easy access to the popular beaches.

The 198-room luxury resort will see an addition of 1,100 more villas and rooms over 26 hectares of land. The first phase will add 135 villas by end-2009, the second phase will see a 500-room hotel complex open by end-2010 and the final phase of 200

villas will be added by end-2011. The resort is also adding a 10,000m2 tropical spa village.

A 380-room quality mid-range hotel on Cat Linh Street, just across from the Temple of Literature.

A 150-room villa-style accommodation modelled after a village and using wood, stone and bronze metals. Guests will enjoy views of nearby mountains.

A 360-room property in the seaside capital city of Ba Ria Province and is adjacent to a convention centre with a capacity of 2,000 people.

A 393-room upscale business, meetings and leisure hotel located in west Hanoi, the new urban centre of the capital city. It is close to the National Convention Center.

A 377-room property in Hanoi.

A 300-room leisure and business hotel which offers breathtaking views of Halong Bay.

A 200-room hotel 260km north-west of Hanoi, between the new city centre and the Lao Cai Train Station that serves the Haiphong Railway.

Sourced= TTG asia