https://www.scmp.com/rss/321411/feed The Go-Asia series offers a quick update on some of the attractive destinations in Asia for travel and investment, such as Malaysia and Vietnam. Topics covered include economic development, business environment, investment opportunity and the property market. The series is also packed with useful information for both business and leisure visitors; such as city life, arts and culture, transportation, hotels, foods and restaurants. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong has strengthened rapidly, especially in trade and investment, and the two will work even more closely in the future, says Hoang Chi Trung, former consul general in Hong Kong who returns to Vietnam this month after three years in the city. “Vietnam and Hong Kong have close relationship, not only geographically, but also in the way of life, and people in the two places have been doing business for centuries,” he says. Trung says Vietnam is Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120794/ties-between-vietnam-and-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120794/ties-between-vietnam-and-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:26:11 +0000 Foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in export-oriented manufacturing, has driven Vietnam’s economy in the past decade, and is poised to play a greater role by bringing in capital and expertise to transform the economy from low-cost manufacturing into value-added industries. The Foreign Investment Agency of Vietnam says registered FDI totalled US$26.8 billion in 2016, of which US$15.8 billion was used. Total FDI since records began until February this year was US$297 billion across 19... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120793/fdi-has-pivotal-role-play-vietnams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120793/fdi-has-pivotal-role-play-vietnams?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:24:41 +0000 Back in 1992, the launch of Visit Vietnam Year marked the start of the country’s first concerted drive to attract tourists. A quarter of a century later, Vietnam has been firmly established as a holiday destination, with pulsating cities, beautiful beaches and rolling countryside. The capital, Hanoi, lies a little over two hours’ flight from Hong Kong, making it one of the city’s most convenient getaways. The classic way to get about the city is by cyclo – a combination of armchair in front and... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120792/why-vietnam-irresistible-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120792/why-vietnam-irresistible-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:23:00 +0000 With economic growth topping 6 per cent annually for more than 15 years, it’s no surprise that Vietnam’s cities are flourishing as never before. From Da Nang to Hai Phong, and from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, tourism is booming along with the country’s economic fortunes. In Da Nang, local tourism officials estimate that over five million people visited in the first nine months of this year, one-third of which were international guests. Growth in Hai Phong is up a stunning 40 per cent, while Hanoi... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120789/vietnams-tourism-industry-surges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120789/vietnams-tourism-industry-surges?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:19:58 +0000 Vietnamese cuisine, like many cuisines, has regional distinctions, yet there is one defining feature that unites all dishes and differences, the love of homestyle cooking. Peter Cuong Franklin, executive chef of Anan Saigon, says that Vietnamese cuisine can be divided into three countrywide categories. An Com (eating rice) home cooking, which has Chinese influences; An Choi (fun eating) that involves eating outside the home, including between meals and street food, with some French influences,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/2120790/why-vietnamese-food-journey-sure-tantalise-diners-north?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/2120790/why-vietnamese-food-journey-sure-tantalise-diners-north?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:15:30 +0000 Some of Vietnam’s emerging destinations, such as Hue and Phu Quoc Island, offer guests unique insights into the country. Hue hosts around 2.2 million visitors per year and remains an ideal destination to combine cultural exploration with exceptional beaches, according to Phan Trong Minh, general manager of La Residence Hotel and Spa – Hue, Vietnam. The city is popular with international travellers, notching more than one-third of the area’s total tourism. In higher-end hotels, such as La... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120788/vietnams-emerging-destinations-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120788/vietnams-emerging-destinations-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:15:15 +0000 Open spaces and breathtaking waterside views have become highly coveted as commercial and low-density residential areas continue to develop along Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon River. One such upscale residential development is Saigon Pearl, at 92 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, in Binh Thanh District, about a 10-minute ride from the city’s central business district. A joint venture developed by SSG Group and Vietnam Land (Hong Kong), the Saigon Pearl complex consists of six 37-storey apartment buildings... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120786/saigon-river-views-demand-developers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120786/saigon-river-views-demand-developers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:15:00 +0000 Just under two hours’ flight from Chek Lap Kok, Hanoi is one of the most intriguing and convenient getaways from Hong Kong. The Vietnamese capital is a classic blend of ancient and modern, centred around Hoan Kiem Lake and spreading out to encompass temples, museums, multifarious eateries, malls, and bustling shopping streets that have changed little over the years. The Old Quarter is the most logical place to start exploring as the Opera House, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, Ba Dinh... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045115/take-cyclo-ride-around-hanoi-see-sites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045115/take-cyclo-ride-around-hanoi-see-sites?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:30:15 +0000 Vietnam’s on a roll. In the first nine months of this year, the economy grew by approximately 6 per cent, and analysts are predicting further improvements are on the horizon. Growth has been boosted by a number of factors. Firstly, foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports have risen, and there is a stronger demand for credit. Agriculture, following a serious drought, is experiencing a respectable recovery. And the republic has benefited vastly from foreign companies like the Korean... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045120/stars-align-economic-growth-vietnams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045120/stars-align-economic-growth-vietnams?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:30:00 +0000 Investors from Hong Kong have been playing an important role in economic construction in Vietnam since the country opened up to foreign investment some 30 years ago. The bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong is now stronger than ever, according to Hoang Chi Trung, Vietnam’s consul-general in Hong Kong and Macau. Hoang says foreign investment has helped Vietnam to transition from being a poor country to being the middle-income nation it is today. “Over the past 30 years, Vietnam... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045118/forging-stronger-ties-vietnam-welcomes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045118/forging-stronger-ties-vietnam-welcomes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:25:19 +0000 While Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, remains the top destination for many first-time visitors to Vietnam, because of its historical background and colonial architecture, an increasing number of visitors are heading to the north and central parts of the country, particularly to places such as Hanoi and Danang and their surrounding regions. This has led to a growth in the hotel business in those areas. Hanoi in northern Vietnam has seen an increase in business and leisure travellers. According... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045113/far-madding-crowd-growth-visitors-vietnams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045113/far-madding-crowd-growth-visitors-vietnams?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:18:55 +0000 One of the greatest wonders of the natural world, Unesco World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, makes for an exhilarating day’s excursion from Hanoi – or an even longer exploration on a luxury live-aboard cruiser. The bay shelters a dense cluster of more than 1,600 limestone monoliths up to 100 metres high topped by thick jungle vegetation, which rise majestically from the sea. Many of the islands are home to enormous caves, such as Hang Dau Go – meaning Wooden Stakes Cave – which is the largest... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045112/northern-wonder-explore-ha-long-bays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045112/northern-wonder-explore-ha-long-bays?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:15:30 +0000 Several skyscrapers under construction will dramatically alter the look of the Ho Chi Minh City skyline as the city’s real estate development continues at a feverish pace. Headlining the property development boom is the 460-metre-high Vincom Landmark 81 skyscraper, on the banks of the Saigon River. The developer of the mixed-use tower is conglomerate Vingroup. Atkins is the lead architect working in collaboration with Arup on the structural design. On its scheduled completion in 2017, Vincom... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045108/and-away-ho-chi-minhs-skyscrapers-continue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045108/and-away-ho-chi-minhs-skyscrapers-continue?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:13:03 +0000 Unconventional architectural designs will ensure that several soon-to-be completed buildings in Ho Chi Minh City are instantly recognisable. River City is a large-scale, undulating elliptical-shaped structure designed to alternate from 37 to 12 storeys and vice versa. The project has 4,800 residential units and is located between the Phu My area and District Two’s Thu Thiem neighbourhood. The complex will offer residents exclusive amenities and recreational facilities, including elevated... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045107/new-look-edgier-designs-are-changing-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2045107/new-look-edgier-designs-are-changing-face?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:02:45 +0000 Forty years after the end of a war, which was one of the defining events of the 20th century, Vietnam is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in Asia and on the world stage. Much of the country was laid waste by years of conflict; however, by adopting a succession of five-year development plans, Vietnam has made its way along the long road to recovery. In August, Vietnam reached an agreement in principle with the European Union (EU) for a ground-breaking free-trade deal. The aim is to... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875279/country-enjoys-strong-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875279/country-enjoys-strong-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:32:52 +0000 The speed of Vietnam's property market's turnaround has been described as startling. What was, only four years ago, a sector on its knees is now the rising star of Southeast Asian real estate. The fillip is largely due to improving fiscal conditions. Real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle reports that Vietnam's economy grew by 6.8 per cent in the third quarter of this year, climbing from 6.4 per cent in the second quarter, and 6.1 per cent in the first, supported by foreign direct investment... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875274/property-market-inspires-belief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875274/property-market-inspires-belief?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:32:38 +0000 Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the railway line that links Hanoi and Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City. Running some 1,700km beside the coast, its completion was a minor miracle of engineering.  It was closed due to hostilities in 1954, but reopened two decades later, and, at present, does a lot to live up to its nickname: The Reunification Line. For visitors, it's a great way to see Vietnam. Fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and let the train take the strain out of... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875272/train-ride-offers-amazing-scenery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875272/train-ride-offers-amazing-scenery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:32:31 +0000 Central Vietnam is one of the country's best-kept secrets. There are sandy beaches with stylish hotels, Unesco World Heritage Sites and top golf courses. Da Nang International Airport has flights to a growing list of domestic and regional travel destinations. According to Zulki Othman, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa, the region started to see a spike in tourism when the airport's new terminal opened in 2012.  "Since then, we have seen Dragonair, Hong Kong Express,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875270/central-voyage-discovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875270/central-voyage-discovery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:32:11 +0000 The tourist market in Vietnam is constantly evolving to match the ever-changing demands and interests of travellers, according to Tran Gia Bach, Indochina regional manager of Buffalo Tours in Hanoi. "These days we find a lot of travellers wanting to get beyond the standard highlights and experience the real life of the destinations they visit," Tran says. "That could be through people, food or culture - exploring markets, meeting a priest at a small monastery or tasting the cities' best-kept... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875234/tours-offer-local-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/1875234/tours-offer-local-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Nov 2015 07:45:00 +0000