Vietnam tourism and leisure developer focuses on new projects during COVID-19 disruption

While one of Vietnam's premier developers of tourism and leisure complexes, Sun Group, has announced the temporary closure of some of its amusement parks in Vietnam, they are also actively preparing many new developments, to be rolled out when Covid-19 is considered no longer a threat, to help Vietnam's tourism industry recover.

From now until the end of 2020, a number of “game-changing” tourism projects and products will be launched by Sun Group. Specifically, phase 1 of the luxurious Yoko Onsen (a hot spring resort pictured above) in Quang Hanh, Cam Pha, Quang Ninh will officially come into operation. This investment by Sun Group is the first Japanese-style 'onsen' resort to be opened in Vietnam. Attracting tourists through all four seasons, Yoko Onsen will solve a perceived seasonal weakness for tourism in Quang Ninh. Before the end of the year, Premier Village Halong Bay Resort, located right at the heart of Ha Long city, will also officially open after a soft opening period.

In Hai Phong, a three-wire cable car route on Cat Hai Island is scheduled to open in the second quarter. The cable line will have a length of 3,955metres and stretch from the commune of Dong Bai to Phu Long (Cat Hai district), which is home to a Biosphere Reserve with stunning mangrove ecosystems and evergreen forests. The cable car will have 60 cabins (each can accommodate up to 30 guests) and operate with a capacity of 4,500 guests an hour.

Meanwhile in Da Nang, Sun World Danang Wonders is already undergoing a renovation that will help transform the complex as an attractive destination for nightlife. Representatives of Sun Group have revealed that the renovation of Sun World Danang Wonders is also in preparation for the Danang International Fireworks Festival - DIFF 2020, which is scheduled to be held from July to the end of September 2020, as long as Covid-19 is under control.

Also in Danang, a new cable car route at Sun World Ba Na Hills will be opened along with the much-anticipated Ravenstone Castle, where ancient European fairs, fetes and festival will be recreated.

It is also expected that in July and August, 2020, Sun World Fansipan Legend in Sapa will bring the show "Dancing on the Clouds" back due to popular demand. The show was previously acknowledged by the Vietnam Guinness Record for being an "art show showing the most unique Northwest culture in Vietnam".

All hotels operating under the Sun Hospitality Group (SHG) system (under Sun Group) and each of the Sun World complexes, have developed a cooperation plan with Vietnam Airlines to offer various products and services packages at extremely attractive prices. These product packages will also be launched as soon as Coronavirus is under control.

Throughout the Coronavirus crisis, Sun Group has taken the decision to ensure maximum safety for the community as well as tourists and staff working at amusement parks. Accordingly, in Sa Pa (Lao Cai Province), Sun World Fansipan Legend has suspended operations until 31st March. Meanwhile, the Aquatopia Water Park, part of the Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park in Phu Quoc, has also closed its underwater games area until further notice. The operating hours of Hon Thom cable car have also been adjusted. The cable car will stop running at 18:30 daily (30 minutes earlier than usual).

Earlier, in Quang Ninh province in the northeast of Vietnam, Sun World Halong Complex had stopped receiving guests as of 9th March. Ba Na Hill Golf Course in Central Vietnam's Da Nang also stopped serving golfers on the same date.

Sun Group Chairman, Dang Minh Truong advised "the temporary closure of these amusement parks and entertainment facilities is a major loss for us but Sun Group has always put the health and safety of communities, visitors and our employees first and now, more than ever, every enterprise and every individual in Vietnam must strive to help the government and our country to fight this disease. We believe that when we all unite, we will overcome all difficulties.

"With all of the aforementioned plans in the pipeline for our enterprise, and together with the timely and practical support policies of the Vietnamese government and ministries, we believe that Sun Group will soon overcome this difficult period and make a significant contribution to tourism in Vietnam and help our country revive and grow in the post-Covid-19 period.”

Image: Yoko Onsen invested by Sun Group is scheduled to come into operation in 2020. Courtesy of PRNAsia