Travel Notes

Liberation Day celebrations planned
HCM City will let off fireworks at six places for 15 minutes beginning at 9pm on April 30, to celebrate Liberation Day.
Many other activities will be held to mark the 35th anniversary of liberation of South Viet Nam. Exhibitions of photos and documents about HCM City's achievements over the last 35 years will take place at Lam Son Park and Youth Cultural House. The September 23 Park will host the Tourism Festival 2010 and a music festival while the HCM City Youth Union will organise various activities at industrial zones on April 30 and May 1 to serve workers.
The city Television Station and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organise a national cycling tournament named HTV Cup 2010. A marathon attracting 10,000 people will take place on April 30.
International airlines to promote City
Eight international airlines are promoting HCM's most popular tourist destinations on flights to the southern hub.
The city's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the carriers, including Air France, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, have signed an agreement to show a 3.5-minute video promoting HCM City's 100 Exciting Places and Activities on their flights.
The campaign will last through at least the end of this year.
The city announced in February its list of 100 recommendations, including top hotels, restaurants, favourite foods, city tours and events. The top 100 was voted on by tourists and experts over a three-month period.
Tours fill up for upcoming holidays
Although there are still three weeks left until Liberation Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1) holidays, most tours for the long weekend are fully booked.
With more than 150 overseas and domestic options, including tours of Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Europe and the US, Saigontourist has booked about 5,000 tourists, up by 20 per cent against last year.
Viet Nam Travel Company in Ha Noi reported 1,000 bookings, including 400 for overseas tours while Viettravel has booked more than 1,200 tourists.
Construction of jade pagoda begins
The management board of Quan The Am Pagoda has broken ground for the country's first jade pagoda in the 32ha Ngu Hanh Son Park in the central city of Da Nang.
The groundbreaking ceremony was part of the Quan The Am Festival that took place in the park from April 2 to 4. The jade pagoda, which is located on 2ha and will be built at a cost of some VND60 billion (US$3.1 million) and completed in four years, will include two floors designed in jade and spacious areas for worshipping services.
Malaysia Air offers new direct fights
Malaysia Airlines has added five flights from HCM City to Kuala Lumpur, bringing the total number of flights to 19 weekly non-stop flights to the capital city of Malaysia.
The new additional flights depart daily (except for Fridays and Sundays) from HCM City at 7.35pm and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 10.30pm (local time).
Metropole opens luxurious spa
The 109-year-old Sofitel Legend Metropole Ha Noi is offering its guests, as well as expats and local residents, a new leisure service with the opening of Le Spa du Metropole.
The spa mirrors the hotel's well-established charm, seducing guests with an indulgent 400sq.m across two floors, including two treatment rooms, two themed spa suites for couples and three for individuals.
"The spa is designed to provide an experience of soulful renewal and rest in an atmosphere of elegance," said the hotel's general manager, Kai Speth.