Archive for September 28th, 2006
Those of you who wish to know how much you should spare for the taxi fare from the hotel in downtown to Suvarnabhumi Airport should read this!
We had tried taking a local taxi from the downtown in Bangkok (at around mid day) and end up paying around THB 200.00 plus the express way at THB 65.00 (THB 40.00 for the first and THB 25.00 for the second express way). So this total fare of around THB 265.00 is based on mid day when traffic is not so bad so be prepared to pay more in case you depart during the rush hours (7.00-9.30 a.m. and 3.30-6.00 p.m.).
Some of the taxis who insist not to use meters for this particular routing so avoid these ones!
September 28th, 2006
You probably have heard of news on the first day of full operation at the Suvarnabhumi Airport on the computer glitches causing delays in collecting the baggage and at the check-in counters.
Just like the opening of the new airports all over the world - we expect the teething problems should go on for at least 3 months of its first operation date. Therefore, our best advice to those of you arriving and departure at Suvarnabhumi Airport is to prepare for all the delays that can happen at any time. So it might be best to prepare early departure from the hotel (say at least 3 hours before scheduled departure time). Those of you who are on the business trip to Bangkok should also be prepared for late in arriving at the hotels you have booked.
September 28th, 2006
Vietnam Airlines has recently announced that they would be operating 4 flights a week on the routing Hanoi-Luang Prabang-Hanoi as of October 29 2006. Schedules are:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Depart Hanoi at 16.55 hrs.
Arriving Luang Prabang at 18.25 hrs.
Depart Luang Prabang at 19.05 hrs.
Arriving Hanoi at 2.025 hrs.
Aircraft used will be ATR-72 and the airfare is estimated around US$ 100-150.00 (one way).
Source: VNA
September 28th, 2006
According to Sai Gon Railway Transport Company, the second tourist train between Ho Chi Minh City and Phan Thiet, number sign of PT 4/3, has launched its operation on September 16 2006.
The train is well-equipped with air-conditioning, seats and bunk beds.
The trip takes 4 hours for 200-kms. routing and schdules are:
Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 5.30 p.m. and arrive at Phan Thiet at 11.20 p.m.
Source: SGGP - Vietnam
September 28th, 2006
In preparation for Vietnam joining the WTO and the ASEAN agreement for visa exemtion “ASEAN OPEN SKY” - many international airlines have opened new flights routes and extended flights to Vietnam. Up to now, 30 international airlines have been running into Vietnam.
Korean Airlines has increased from 4 to 7 flights a week on Ho Chi Minh City - Seoul - Ho Chi Minh City routing.
Air France also increased from 5 to 7 flights a week from France to Vietnam with the transit in Bangkok. There are currently 3 flights Paris-Hanoi-Paris and 4 flights Paris-Ho Chi Minh City-Paris on a weekly basis.
Areoflot continued to run flights Moscow-Hanoi-Moscow after 10 months of suspension due to lack of aircraft.
Royal Brunei has officially opened the new routings Banda Seri Begawan-Ho Chi Minh City-Banda Seri Begawan.
China Airlines has opened the first routing Beijing-Ho Chi Minh City-Beijing.
Vietnam Airlines will also increase flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt (Germany) to 5 flights a week in October (3 flights for Hanoi-Frankfurt-Hanoi and 2 flights Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt-Ho Chi Minh City).
Pacific Airlines is also planning to launch flights Ho Chi Minh City-Bangkok by the end of 2006.
As for the low-cost carriers, after Tiger Airways (Singapore), Thai Air Asia (Thailand), Air Asia (Malaysia), Jet Star (Australia) will also start operating direct 3 flights Sydney-Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney per week.
September 28th, 2006
