Posted on: Friday, August 1, 2003

Vietnam resort plan gets government OK

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Vietnamese government has approved a resort master plan designed by two Honolulu companies and a Vietnamese construction firm, which could lead to one of the first master-planned resorts for the communist nation.

Group 70 International, a local architectural firm, and Pacific Management Resources, an economic development and business consulting company also based in Honolulu, have been working with Vietnamese construction giant Vinaconex for a little more than a year on the project on the island of Cat Ba, a national park in northern Vietnam in picturesque Halong Bay.

The three companies now plan to work on a feasibility study in hopes of advancing the project, which would consist of several hotels, a national aquarium, marina, time-share units, shopping, restaurants and entertainment attractions.

Construction is expected to begin within two years, according to representatives of Group 70, which expects to be involved in the architectural design of the hotels and commercial areas. No estimated project cost was available.

Vietnam opened the door to tourism in the 1980s. Since then, direct flights from Europe and Asia have helped make Vietnam a growing travel destination. In 1996, officials from Vietnam's national tour and travel agency visited Honolulu to enlist Hawai'i businesses to help develop the country's tourism industry.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the country's visitor industry hopes to attract 2 million foreign tourists this year, and 3 million to 3.5 million by 2005.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.