Travel in brief 18 Feb 2011

US television news broadcast promotes travel to Viet Nam
KPVI News 6, a National Broadcasting Company-affiliated television station in the US' Idaho state, has advised Americans to tour Viet Nam to get to know "Southeast Asia's rising star".
As the world discovers more of Viet Nam's treasures, the country is climbing higher on travellers' must-see list, it said.
"A Viet Nam tour is often the most effective way to take in the best of this fascinating country's attractions including the highlands of the far north and the beaches of the south."
In its website, KPVI News 6 said travellers will not want to miss Ha Noi, Hue, Da Nang and HCM City.
Residents compete in legendery Ha Noi rice cooking festival
People living in Thi Cam in Ha Noi's Tu Liem District gathered in the yard of the local temple on February 10 for the village's traditional rice-cooking festival.
According to legend, it originated during the 18th Hung King's rule, when General Phan Tay Nhac led troops through the village, and many villagers volunteered to join. The General organised a rice-cooking contest to choose the best cooks.
Four groups of 10 members compete. After receiving the rice and other materials, they have to pound the rice and cook it in clay pots using straw. The group with the most delicious rice is declared the winner.
Air Mekong to begin direct Ha Noi-Phu Quoc service
Air Mekong has unveiled plans to operate a daily service between Ha Noi and Phu Quoc Island this summer, making it the longest domestic air route.
Truong Thanh Vu, the carrier's director of commercial services, said the service will begin on April 28, with 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft being put into operation. The aircraft will leave Ha Noi at 6am and Phu Quoc in the early afternoon.
Both business and economy class seats will be available, with economy fares starting at VND2.27 million (US$116) before tax.
More flights to be offered between VN, Australia
Australia and Viet Nam have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to operate more flights between the two countries, according to a press release from the Australian Embassy in Ha Noi.
The MoU will add up to 3,300 additional seats a week.
Carriers from the two countries will now be allowed to operate 14 services a week with 4,200 seats to and from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, an increase of 1,200 seats.
They can operate seven additional services a week with around 2,100 seats to and from these destinations if the flights stop over at regional airports.
Growing number of Japanese visitors opt for incentive tours
More and more Japanese are choosing incentive tours to Viet Nam. According to local travel firms serving Japanese visitors, the trend has changed since the last decade when most Japanese visitors were young women and elderly people who chose to shop and sightsee in Viet Nam.
But now fewer young Japanese are coming while more guests are choosing to come on incentive tours.
Nguyen Ngoc Giang of OSC Travel said demand for incentive tours has been on the rise since mid-2010 and the increase will continue this year.