Vietnam will pour money into four bridge and flyover projects which are expected to open for traffic by 2021 and help reduce pressure on the worsening traffic in capital Hanoi.

The Hanoi People’s Committee has announced plans to spend a total of 30 trillion dong (Bt43 billion) on building bridges and flyovers to comprehensively connect the capital’s traffic system and reduce traffic congestion during rush hour by 2021. The first project will be the construction of the Tu Lien Bridge and flyover from Tu Lien Bridge-Hanoi Highway to Thai Nguyen province. The bridge is 3 kilometres long and the flyover is 9 kilometres. Total investment capital for the public-private partnership project is about 17 trillion dong and is expected to be completed by 2021. – Viet Nam News

Malaysia woos Brunei visitors to Perak

Malaysia launched the “Visit Perak 2017” tourism packages yesterday in Brunei.

Five packages were introduced targeting local visitors keen on experiencing the many interesting places across the city of Perak. Perak State executive councillor for tourism, arts, culture, communications and multimedia Ashilin binti Mohd Radzi detailed the tourism products Perak has to offer to its local and international visitors.

“Perak has everything ranging from diverse cultures, art and creative platforms, nature parks and valleys, beaches and theme parks, extreme and adventure trails and a range of accommodation to suit your needs,” she said.

Over the past three years, Malaysia has become one of the top travel destinations chosen by Bruneians.

According to the departing visitor survey conducted by Tourism Malaysia in 2015, 91 per cent of Bruneians visited Malaysia for shopping, she explained. – Borneo Bulletin

Lao assures locals won’t be hurt by foreign businesses

Foreign-owned tour agents, hotels and restaurants are unlikely to have a serious negative impact on local business operators in Vangvieng because they offer a variety of choices for foreign tourists from different regions, a Lao district tourism official has said.

But people have recently been expressing concerns on social media about the possible closure of local operations in the tourist hotspot if local authorities don’t give them privileges.

“I have observed that a lot of foreign-owned hotels, restaurants and cafes are catering to customers from their own countries as they have strong links with travel agents there,” said an observer familiar with the local situation, who asked not to be named.

The man, who is closely connected to a business operator in Vangvieng, added that many local businesses are unable to fulfil their potential because of the strong competition that exists between domestic and foreign enterprises.

Meanwhile, Vangvieng district’s Information, Culture and Tourism Office Head, Bounmy Phommavongsa, told Vientiane Times yesterday that foreign-owned businesses are operating in line with government policies and laws. – Vientiane Times

Vientiane restaurant target young crowd

Eat Me Caf is a small restaurant, which opened only two years ago, serving popular snacks and dishes very popular with teens and young adults.

The venue sees its main point of difference as serving delicious food and also offering the latest menu that’s a hit with teenagers. Of course, all people are welcome to come and enjoy its menu with great service, irrespective of age.

The restaurant is located in the central business district of Vientiane, and serves up ice-cream, spaghetti, beverages, coffee, Lao and modern style international food in a contemporary atmosphere to attract the cool teen crowd.

The restaurant is owned by local businesswoman Malilin Phommala, also known as Lilin. Lilin told Vientiane Times that the price of dishes at the restaurant start from US$ 0.950 (about Bt30) and go up to $ 7.

The restaurant provides a relaxed and happy venue while the menu has something to attract everyone, including workers, family groups, friends and other Vientiane residents.

Lilin said her restaurant received a lot of interest and attracted many customers after she posted pictures and prices of the snacks and food served at her restaurant on their Facebook page. – Vientiane Times