Friday 26 April 2013

Vietnam Tourism Players Score with Sports Events

A host of international sport events will take place in Vietnam this year, bringing with them hopes of stronger foreign arrivals into the country.

The inaugural Laguna Lang Co Triathlon kicked off the year’s race calendar on April 11. Held over four days at the new Laguna Lang Co integrated resort, which sits some 55km from Da Nang International Airport, the race was attended by 246 people, most of whom were foreigners who stayed onsite at Angsana Lang Co and Banyan Tree Lang Co.

Mui Ne in south-eastern Vietnam will host an off-road triathlon this month, an event that is expected to draw 350 participants.

Jean-Luc Voison, joint founder of race organiser, VietAdventure, said: “We have two other events, the Madagui Trophy and the Mountain Bike Forest Challenge, which are both based out of our new Talai Eco-Lodge. These events have been key to the success of (the Talai Eco-Lodge) as it is based in an area where there has been almost zero tourism until now.”

Later in the year, Danang will host the new Danang International Marathon, managed by US-based World Marathon Tours.

Ben Thanh Tourist in Ho Chi Minh City has been appointed official tour operator for Vietnam, and its vice director, Nguyen Minh Quyen, said the company had already secured 500 entrants from the US alone.

“This (event) is huge for Danang. We are working with many of the city’s five-star hotels, including Furama Resort Danang and Fusion Maia Resort, as well as three- and four-star options,” said Nguyen, adding that the company has developed a series of packages, including a 10-day tour that will drive business to hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen added that Vietnamese consumers are also set to travel for the event.

He said: “We are seeing a lot of interest from locals who will take part in the fun run and make a holiday out of the event.”

Meanwhile, more events are being planned for Vietnam, including an ultra mountain race, golf tournaments and a multi-discipline race in Ninh Binh, a city in the north.

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