Photo: Collected

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko voiced their hope that the agreement on bilateral visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, signed during the visit, and the cultural cooperation program for 2023 - 2025, inked in May this year, will help tighten connections in terms of tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchange.

Welcoming his guest, PM Chinh said the official visit from December 6 to 9, the first trip to Vietnam by a Belarusian Government leader in 12 years, will create a new impetus for bilateral relations in all spheres.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko witness the signing of visa exemption agreement. (Source: Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy)

He affirmed that the Government and people of Vietnam attach major importance to the two countries’ traditional friendship, which has been nurtured by many generations, especially the visits to the Eastern European country by President Ho Chi Minh in the past.

Highly valuing Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, PM Golovchenko said his country treasures the traditional friendship and views Vietnam as a priority partner in Southeast Asia.

The two leaders shared the view on the importance of maintaining meetings at all levels, via all channels, and between their countries’ ministries, sectors, and localities, and on the need to bring into play existing cooperation mechanisms. They agreed to continue close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations.

Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge helping Belarus enhance cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the host said, calling on Belarus to support Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue.

Both sides spoke highly of the progress in economic, trade, and investment partnerships, including the implementation of the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Belarus is a member. They held that the two countries should further tap into their cooperation potential.

PM Chinh lauded the outcomes of the Vietnam - Belarus business forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 7 that gathered over 100 companies from both countries.

[...] PM Chinh took this occasion to thank leaders and the Government of Belarus for paying attention to the Vietnamese community in the country, asking the Belarusian Government to continue providing favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to live, work, and study there.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of some bilateral cooperation documents, namely an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and information sharing in the field of nuclear safety and radiation protection, and a cooperation deal on the official dissemination of Vietnam’s national standards in Belarus.

Source: VnExpress

Arriving in new or even familiar destinations is exciting! That is, of course, if the actual traveling part goes smoothly. By the time you stand in long lines, navigate crowded terminals and wait for hours in an uncomfortable waiting area, the excitement will have tampered significantly. 

The good news is that there is a respite from all the crowds and chaos, right inside the terminal. Airport lounges! These luxurious lounges help alleviate the small inconveniences travelers experience while navigating an airport. 

In this article, we'll share more about what you can expect when you enter an airport lounge and five compelling benefits you'll find inside them.

What are lounges and how do they work?

Lounges are separate areas inside the airport that are only accessible to those with certain credentials and their guests. They include amenities and comforts that you won't find in the regular terminal. 

Most airport lounges are based on a certain type of affiliation. Here are the main ones you'll see:

Credit card affiliation

Several premium credit cards come with airport lounge access. Through these cards, you'll receive complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership after enrolling and completing a one-time activation. Membership gives you access to over 1,300 lounges in more than 500 cities worldwide. Keep in mind these credit cards come with an annual fee.

Airline affiliation

Some airlines have their own lounges that travelers can use if they're a part of that airline's loyalty program. If you have a preferred airline that you use all the time, this type of lounge may be the optimal choice.

Alliance affiliation

Some lounges are part of a global alliance that includes major airlines. They have their own small network of alliance-branded lounges, such as Star Alliance Lounges.

Independent affiliation

This is a network of independently owned airport lounges around the world. This includes networks such as Priority Pass®, which offers access to any of their globally located lounges once you purchase a membership.

Why you might use an airport lounge

Not only are airport lounges a respite from the hustle and bustle of airport terminals, but guests get to enjoy a long list of amenities. From free snacks to spacious seating.

Here are 5 key benefits of airport lounges:

1) Airport lounges can be relaxing

Lounges often offer a quiet space to escape the hectic environment of the rest of the airport. You'll find comfortable, spacious seating and less crowded restrooms. Relax while you recharge your devices at your very own charging station. Free, fast Wi-Fi makes it easy to get work done or enjoy streaming a show or movie. Some lounges even have showers or other luxury services such as spa treatments. Who knows, you may even secretly wish for a delayed flight!

2) Airport lounges usually can be family friendly

We all know that traveling with kids takes a lot of effort, planning and entertaining. Airports might feel overwhelming to those with little legs and much-needed nap schedules. 

Many airport lounges are family-friendly and offer an array of helpful amenities the whole family can enjoy. Some may even allow kids under a certain age in for free. Once inside, you'll find a calmer space for kids to get some quiet time, catch a nap or watch the planes take off. 

Some lounges have "family rooms" which cater specifically to families with kids. This could include kid-friendly food and snacks, as well as toys and books.

3) Airport lounges generally have complimentary food and drinks

Some of the most popular amenities in any airport lounge are the complimentary self-serve meals, snacks and drinks (usually including alcohol). This can be where you get your money's worth in membership, as food and drink prices in the rest of the airport tend to be quite pricey. It may even off-set the price of a one-day pass! 

Either way, don't get on your flight hungry. Enjoy a meal in the lounge ahead of time.

4) Airport lounges can be great places to get work done

If you need to get some work done before or after a flight, lounges offer comfortable workstations, free Wi-Fi, charging portals and some even have printers or other business equipment. 

The usually quiet lounges offer a more ideal space to take a call or a Zoom meeting, and with plenty of room to spread out, you're sure to find a place to be productive.

5) Locations all over the world

Most major airports throughout the world have not just one, but multiple kinds of lounges. These include airline-specific loyalty lounges, as well as other network affiliated ones. Before you head to the airport, check out the airport's website to see what lounges are there. 

Not all lounges are created equal. They can vary greatly in size, amenities and features. For example, the Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport offers guests a wine cellar and cigar lounge – but you'll need to have an Emirates Skywards Platinum Elite status to get in. In Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, you'll find United Airlines Polaris lounge. This lounge features a light installation in the ceiling by artist Wolfgang Buttress, depicting Chicago's night sky. To access this one, you must be flying United Polaris, or business or first-class internationally via a Star Alliance member airline. 

It's important to know that lounge access can be determined by your airline ticket class (i.e. business or first class), your membership level within a loyalty program, or even the kind of credit card you have. Certain travel credit cards come with complimentary access to certain airport lounges. In other cases, you may be able to purchase access directly with the lounge for a year or just a day.

In conclusion

Photo: Collected

Lounges make your travel experience more enjoyable by taking away some of the pain points you face when navigating the airport. If you have some time to de-stress, get a bite to eat and a spacious place to relax, it may reduce some anxiety or discomfort before getting on the plane. 

If you're a frequent traveler, it's valuable to do some research on the airports you visit the most and which lounges they offer. Once you identify the lounge you're interested in, find out their membership requirements. You may find that your existing credit card or ticket class gets you in. Or it may be worth paying cash to get access. Either way, it's worth exploring as a viable sanity saver the next time you travel.

Source: chase.com

Photo: Freepik

Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) is the only territory in Vietnam that has granted foreigners free-entry without a visa for up to 30 days.

This policy has enormously contributed to the tourist development in general and Phu Quoc in particular during those years, seeing 700.000 foreigners in 2019 which grew 23% year-on-year. 

However, the above growth rate has shown signs of slowing down and according to Mr. Bui Quoc Thai - Director of the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang province, Phu Quoc needs to increase the visa exemption period for foreigners to 6 months to retain foreign tourists longer.

To help boost tourist growth on Phu Quoc Island, the local government should consider implementing a 6-month visa waiver policy. In addition, the role of the Vietnam government is extremely important such as promoting Phu Quoc through domestic and international media outlets or campaigns, while ensuring that the number of tourists is handled well with modern infrastructure, providing amenities, and facilitating the needs of visitors.

Beautiful sunset at a modern restaurant in Phu Quoc (Source: Vietnam Tourism)

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Photo: SASCO Business Lounge

Below are some airport VIP lounges in one of the largest international airports in Vietnam.

1. LE SAIGONNAIS LOUNGE (INTERNATIONAL)

1.1 Lounge information:

Opening hours: 24/7
Location: Airside - Tan Son Nhat Airport - International Terminal - Ho Chi Minh 
Gate, Level 3, behind Burger King 

Usage time: 4 consecutive hours

1.2 Facilities

1.3 General information

Asia’s Best Business Class Lounge 2020 – Experience Saigon’s identity, from the architectural, culinary, fashion and especially local people – the Saigonese

Le Saigonnais Lounge represents the local culture of Saigon – HCMC as every detail, every decoration of this Lounge can touch the feeling of every guest loving Saigon: the floating giant conical hat (non la) embracing the whole space or the local delicacies. Honoring the traditional beauty of Saigon ladies, Le Saigonnais introduces the collection of Ao dai by Designer Vo Viet Chung, who is awarded by UNESCO for his pursuit and enthusiasm for the traditional dress fashion and to reform Lanh My A silk.

The hospitality and welcoming spirits of Le Saigonnais staff have become a pleasant rhythm and leave such an unforgettable impression of Saigon culture to the heart of each passenger before leaving the city.

In 2020, within the framework of PAX International Readership Awards, Le Saigonnais was awarded the Best Airport Class Lounge in Asia by PAX International Magazine (Canada).

Opening hour: 24/7

Location: Level 3, Airside, International Departure, Tan Son Nhat Airport (Behind Burger King)

2. PRIME LOUNGE

2.1 Lounge information

+ Opening hours: From 04:30 to last flight

+ Location: Domestic Terminal - Tan Son Nhat International Airport Gate. Near Gate 11 - Domestic Terminal - Tan Son Nhat International Airport 

+ Usage time: Maximum 3 hours until Scheduled time of departure

+ Price: from 800,000 VND

Prime Lounge (Image: SASCO Business Lounge)

 2.2 Facilities

 
2.3 General information

Located at the Domestic Departure Terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Prime Lounge is a recently inaugurated lounge by SASCO.

Prime Lounge offers a distinctive and exclusive experience, accommodating limited seats for better privacy. It is designed to provide a refined and elegant ambiance that prioritizes tranquility and seclusion. The lounge exhibits an aesthetic composition that harmoniously blends elements of Western British colonial design with traditional Vietnamese ornamental artifacts, including ceramics, Bat Trang blue enamel, Ha Dong silk, and exquisite lacquer.

The lounge delivers a culturally enriched experience by integrating the art of painting within the lounge, showcasing a distinctive collection of artworks created by contemporary Vietnamese artists.

Prime Lounge also features a diverse culinary experience, featuring a carefully selected menu that draws inspiration from both Asian and European cuisines. Passengers may indulge in a selection of delectable meals, ranging from the buffet section to the exquisitely crafted Alacarte menu that showcases the use of premium, fresh ingredients sourced daily. Before their departure, passengers can also enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail at the lounge’s modern bar while listening to jazz music.

One of the distinct dishes served for the first time at Prime Lounge is the SASCO Pho Sen. In 2021, the dish was awarded as Golden Anise in “Finding a Good Pho Cook” contest hosted by Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper.

3. JASMINE HALAL LOUNGE

3.1 Lounge information

+ Opening hours: 24/7

+ Location: Departure Hall - International Terminal - Tan Son Nhat International Airport - Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam, Gate 2nd Floor, beside escalator to Gate 10-14 

+ Usage time: 4 consecutive hours

+ Price: from 900,000 VND

Jasmine Lounge (Image: SASCO Business Lounge)

3.2 Facilities

3.3 General information

The first exclusive Halal lounge for Muslim passengers at Tan Son Nhat International airport 

Located on the 2nd floor of the Departure Hall of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City; Jasmine Halal Lounge is the first airport lounge in Vietnam that meets international standards to serve Muslim First & Business class passengers, certified by the International Halal Integrity Alliance, Malaysia Halal Consultation & Training Company (MHCT).

Taking inspiration from the jasmine flowers that represent ethereal and pure beauty, Jasmine Halal Lounge with the main color of beige reflects a warm and courteous atmosphere. Moreover, the jasmine essential oil with a gentle, passionate fragrance gives passengers a relaxing experience.

With a floor area of 300m2 and serving capacity limited to only 70 guests, the Jasmine Halal Lounge is divided into many functional subdivisions such as: office area, leisure and entertainment area, food lounge that are well equipped with modern equipment and facilities, meeting various needs of passengers. Especially to meet the international standard for serving Muslim passengers, Jasmine Halal Lounge also has a private prayer room which is divided into 2 areas for men and women with a solemn atmosphere.

In addition, the buffet dining area at Jasmine Halal Lounge serves Halal dishes of high standards in ingredients and quality, meeting the requirements of Shariah law for Muslim diners and certified by the International Halal Integrity Alliance, Malaysia Halal Consultation & Training Company (MHCT).

4. SUN COAST LOUNGE

4.1 Lounge information

+ Opening hours: 08:00 - 03:00 next day

+ Location: Cam Ranh Airport – International Terminal Gate 2nd Floor, opposite Gate 1-2-3 

+ Usage time: 3 consecutive hours

+ Price: From 800,000 VND

Sun Coast Lounge (Image: SASCO Business Lounge)

4.2 Facilities

4.3 General information

You feel like enjoying a relaxing afternoon and immersing yourself in the tranquil sunset of Cam Ranh and instantly feel relieved as your spirit seems to be more cheerful.

Inspired by the beautiful dusk on the golden sands of Cam Ranh Bay, combined with the distinctive local decor pattern, Suncoast Lounge re-creates a magical sundown setting.

The front desk is highlighted by a light pendant simulating birds flying in the afternoon sun. Such decoration shall make the passenger feel relaxed and detached from the usual busy terminal.

The coffee area offers an overlooking view of the runway and is very well lit for reading purposes and working alike. Moreover, passenger can find a diverse range of food from all over the world not to forget the special local taste of Nha Trang fish cake thick noodle (Banh Canh Cha Ca)

Opening hours: 08:00 – 03:00 next day

Location: Cam Ranh International Airport – Departure Terminal, opposite Gate 1-2-3

Source: SASCO Business Lounge