Vietnam tourism accelerates to welcome super-rich guests

A 5-star cruise ship visiting Phu Quoc, an Indian billionaire holding a wedding in Ha Long Bay, and most recently Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his girlfriend visiting Da Nang... are events that show that Vietnam has the potential to welcome luxury tourists .

Bride Kulvin Kaur and groom Dilip Bhagwan chose Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa as the wedding venue from February 2 to 4 with the participation of more than 200 guests - Photo: THI DINH

Beautiful beaches and luxury resorts in Phu Quoc, Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang... are becoming attractive destinations for sightseeing, weddings and MICE tourism (conference, seminar...).

Luxury guests flock to the port

A delegation of more than 400 experts and doctors returned to Vietnam in early 2024 to attend a professional conference in Ho Chi Minh City and they had sightseeing trips with the highest service quality requirements. Or a delegation of more than 300 people from countries in the region returned to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the parent company's internal conference. They chose Vietnam and booked many luxury areas in the city. Phu Quoc City People's Committee said that from early 2024 until now, Phu Quoc has continuously welcomed 5-star Italian cruise ships and French super yachts bringing more than 3,000 foreign luxury guests to visit and learn about the cultural beauty and life of the islanders.

The super cruise ship AIDA Bella carrying more than 2,000 international passengers from Germany and Australia anchored at Duong Dong port (Phu Quoc city) on the morning of February 9, 2024 - Photo: HD

Speaking to Tuoi Tre , Mr. Bui Quoc Thai, Director of Kien Giang Department of Tourism, said that Phu Quoc has beautiful seascapes all year round and high-end resorts, so recently many Indian billionaire couples have come to organize weddings and vacations. At the same time, Phu Quoc airport currently has about 15-17 international flights bringing Korean, Chinese, Indian, British, French, American... tourists to the island to experience high-end tourism services such as the million-dollar show Kiss of the Sea, Proposal at Grand World Phu Quoc... The recent series of high-end, luxurious events choosing Vietnam is a testament to the increasingly perfect high-class service of the service supply chain in Vietnam. For example, at the recent Indian wedding in Da Nang, the unique features of Indian culture stood out in the blue, poetic beach of Da Nang, which is being broadcast around the world and receiving many compliments. Mr. Piotr Madej, General Manager of Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, said that to cater to the wedding of the Indian bride and groom, the hotel spared no effort to ensure a perfect and unforgettable experience for their guests. From the luxurious accommodation to the delicious cuisine combining Indian and Asian dishes, the dedicated team of the resort meticulously selected every detail.

The Celebrity Solstice cruise ship carrying more than 2,700 passengers from the UK, France, and the US became the first cruise ship to arrive in Hue by water in 2024 - Photo: HOANG HAI

Beautiful scenery, but service needs to be improved

Mr. David Ippersiel, general manager of Sheraton Grand Da Nang resort, said that for the Indian market, in addition to infrastructure, the novelty and reputation of the destination are also important criteria for the bride's family to decide on a wedding venue. As one of the luxury resorts located along Hoi An beach, Palm Garden resort (Hoi An city) has received many wedding contracts for the world's rich. A few months ago, a world-famous movie star chose the long white sand beach of Hoi An to invite 200 close friends to his wedding. Speaking to Tuoi Tre , a representative of Palm Garden resort said that the first requirement of these VIP groups is security and safety. "Before the event, the delegations all sent people to conduct a preliminary survey and assessment of the planned event location. They raised security and safety issues. Not only must the space be private enough, but all event service staff must have a background, a place to live, and their families must provide them with adequate support. Hotels and accommodation areas must also demonstrate backup plans in case of unexpected situations such as fire, bad weather, etc.," said a representative of Palm Garden resort. According to this representative, one of the reasons why many international weddings and events have been held in Hoi An and Da Nang recently is because of the long coastline and reasonable prices. In particular, due to long-term market preparation, including service infrastructure, accommodation areas have now raised their standards to welcome MICE groups, weddings, and vacations of the super-rich.

Not only that, Hoi An and Da Nang have almost all the conditions for a luxury event. Not only are the beaches beautiful, the locations beautiful, but the food sources, especially seafood (which is favored by luxury guests) are also very rich. Da Nang is also located between the world cultural heritages of Hoi An, My Son and the ancient capital of Hue. This meets the requirements for a vacation, a party event combined with sightseeing and sightseeing. Ms. HT - in charge of business of an international standard accommodation in Quang Nam, which often welcomes groups of super-rich guests - said that the service requirements of rich guests are very high. For them, price is not a big problem, but mainly whether the conditions set out can be met or not. In particular, this group of guests strictly requires quietness, privacy, and information security. Food and dishes must also be controlled and meet absolute standards. "VIP delegations that are politicians often coordinate with local authorities to ensure security. Meanwhile, civilian delegations and normal conferences choose luxurious spaces near the sea to combine attending events and relaxing. Civilian delegations such as billionaires, actors, and world-class stars are mostly very secretive about information. Although they are hosting the same delegation, very few people in the organization area know the delegation's information. They work through travel agencies, show organizers, and brand management units," said Ms. T.

Billionaire Bill Gates and his girlfriend took a photo with artisan Hoang Anh Suong (right) after meditating on Ban Co peak (Da Nang) on ​​March 6 - Photo: Facebook Hoang Anh Suong

Get ready to welcome VIPs

Mr. Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Duy Nhat Dong Duong Tourism Company, said that any locality wants to welcome large groups of visitors. This is not only proof of the ability to meet strict service standards but also a good opportunity to promote tourism image, business opportunities, and introduce oneself to the elite. "Wherever VIPs go, the first factor is that the place must meet humane, environmental, and cultural requirements. In addition to the advantages of nature, the State's policies must also gradually improve the destination to attract more elites," said Mr. Thuy. To attract elites to Vietnam, Mr. Thuy said that visa regulations need to be loosened. Currently, some countries have preferential visa policies specifically for VIPs such as Thailand and Malaysia. Businessmen and celebrities with different standards are given special priority by the governments of these countries. "I think Vietnam is an attractive destination, so we can absolutely consider this policy," said Mr. Thuy. Meanwhile, Director of Jack Tran Tours Hoi An Tran Van Khoa, a company that many VIP guests choose to book services, said that not only the service but also the community and people of each locality have a suitable reception. "Luxury guests pay a lot of attention to ecological, humane and environmental factors. Wherever they go, that place must be special and unique. The people providing services and products there must really know how to tell stories. In particular, the products must be related to culture, people and the environment. Moreover, when guests attend events or go on tours, we must maintain privacy and respect their private space so that they do not feel disturbed. If they are noticed too much, it will be difficult for them to come back next time," said Mr. Khoa.

Da Nang has repeatedly "tested the waters" with the elite.

According to the Da Nang Department of Tourism, in the first months of 2024, there are expected to be about six wedding events of Indian brides and grooms held in this city with a scale of 200 - 350 guests, lasting 3-5 days. In addition, hotels also receive dozens of wedding events of other international couples. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, said that in recent years, the city has had a series of promotional events targeting many customer markets. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, the promotion has not only focused on expanding and diversifying the market but also specifically targeting high-end customers. A typical example is the continuous attraction of weddings from wealthy Indians to the city in recent times. "Da Nang has many advantages and has affirmed the quality of its services through a series of large-scale events. In our promotional activities and events, we have incorporated publications and films that emphasize the strengths of Da Nang's nature and landscape and its ability to meet the most demanding services of the high-end customer market," said Ms. An.

Phu Quoc will develop eco-tourism

Mr. Bui Quoc Thai - Director of Kien Giang Department of Tourism said that in addition to promoting in the markets of India, Japan, Thailand, Korea ..., the locality is working on a project to develop high-quality eco-tourism in Phu Quoc, at national and international level; expanding Phu Quoc airport and urgently completing Phu Quoc International Passenger Port to conveniently welcome this high-class international tourist market. "We think the locality will soon complete Phu Quoc International Passenger Port to better welcome luxury foreign tourists. Tourists traveling by cruise ship will have more time to explore and shop in Phu Quoc", said Mr. Du To Tuan - Director of Vietravel Rach Gia City branch. Mr. Huynh Quang Hung - Chairman of Phu Quoc City People's Committee - said that Phu Quoc will soon coordinate with businesses to organize many cultural events at national and international level to serve a diverse domestic and foreign tourist market.

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