1. Accommodation service:
The
standard of accommodation in Vietnam is, by and large, excellent. In the main
tourist areas the range caters to all budgets, and though prices are a little
expensive by Southeast Asian standards, the quality is generally quite high.
Competition is fierce and with the construction boom still ongoing rooms are
being added all the time – great for the traveller, as it keeps prices low and
service standards high. There has been a massive increase in the number of
luxury resorts along the coast (mainly aimed at the Asian package tour market),
while budget travellers and those travelling off the tourist trail will find
good budget accommodation throughout the country.
Moreover,
due to increasing volumes of tourism, accommodation in Vietnam has also
expanded to cater to the demand of this sector. You can find a wide range of
service here, from budget hostels to five stars hotel. As a rule of thumb, big
cities have a large number of choices while in small towns; it is harder to
find upscale accommodation.
Unlike
many countries in Europe and South America, there is no central square where
most tourist attraction and accommodation concentrate. Instead, they spread out
in several districts. For example, in Hanoi, while the Old Quarter provides a
range of accommodation with historic attachment, hostels and hotels near West
Lake offer scenic view of the largest lake in Hanoi.
Expect
to pay at least 5 dollars for budget option and 150 dollars for luxury. Many
hostels and hotels have a check in and check out time so make sure you check
that in advance to avoid paying unwanted cost. Some of them also offer city
tours or trips to surrounding areas. It is better, however, to shop around and
ask for opinion from other experienced travelers to avoid scams. Luggage
storage is available in most places.
2.
Food service:
Food
service has been striving for a more secure future; of which, nutrition is key
to achieving the long-term goal of accomplishing food security and good health
throughout the country. This requires paying special attention to access by all
segments of the Vietnamese population to adequate supplies of foods that
contribute to better diet and nutrition. Although Viet Nam has reached the
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,
malnutrition among children under five remains a major public health challenge.
Therefore through the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) fund, some big
oraganizations such United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF),
World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) are coordinating and leading some joint nutrition and food
security programmes to end malnutrition and stunting in children and vulnerable
groups in Viet Nam.
As
far as we are concerned, cuisine plays a central role in the highly social
culture of the people, making the F&B services sector all the more
significant. Noted for its diversity and unique blend of fresh and tasty
ingredients, Vietnam's cuisine is internationally famous and a significant
motivation for international travellers to visit the country. Fittingly,
cuisine holds a central component of Vietnam's international tourism marketing
strategy.
Furthermore; consumers today not only base their
food and beverage purchases on taste and price, but are increasingly concerned
about where their food comes from, how its production has impacted the
environment, how close the final product is to its raw ingredients, and how a
purchase will affect the income of the producers down the supply chain.
Adopting a responsible approach to F&B operation therefore makes business
sense. Some of the other benefits of being more responsible in F&B services
include: Reduced operating costs through savings in water, energy and waste;
Improved staff productivity and morale; Creation of a point of difference from
competitors and the attraction of new markets; Improved customer satisfaction;
Contribution to the protection of the local environment and community.