Alphanam Group and IHG Hotels & Resort (IHG) on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation with the witness of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his working visit.

This MoU is the two sides’ confirmation to develop international hotel brands in Viet Nam, and specifically in Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces. The group is committed to working together, to complete existing projects as well as look at new opportunities that contribute to developing Viet Nam's tourism industry further, for both domestic and foreign visitors.

They also agreed to jointly conduct research and expand the market share of international tourists in Viet Nam through resorts associated with national scenic spots, experiential activities, and sustainable and responsible tourism.

The project, Muong Hoa Cultural Park (Sa Pa, Lao Cai), with a scale of 83 hectares, is being created by Alphanam. The development will include InterContinental Resort Sapa and Holiday Inn Resort Sapa hotels which combined have 475 high-class rooms and benefit from the natural and cultural identity of the area. The integrated development also includes botanic gardens, gallery, climbing track and cultural park – making this area an attractive tourist destination, and at the same time a key driver of local employment, sourcing, spending, investment and business facilitation.

Nguyen Ngoc My (Ms. Sylvia Nguyen), member of the Board of Directors, General Director, Alphanam and Michael Cockcroft, Chief Financial Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa of InterContinental Hotels Group signed a a Memorandum of Understanding. — Photo courtesy of Alphanam

Kenneth Macpherson, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, IHG, said: “As the world’s first international luxury travel hotel brand, we have been pioneering new international destinations for decades and it’s wonderful to add Sapa in Viet Nam to our growing portfolio of world-class residences. It’s exciting to partner with the Alphanam team on this project and we look forward to continuing to expand our partnership beyond Sapa.

“As the recovery continues, we know there is pent-up demand for travel, and where people can travel, they are travelling. So, it’s wonderful to hear plans of borders reopening in Viet Nam and Asia and to discuss ways of collaborating to build confidence and inspire guests to stay at our hotels again.”

Nguyen Ngoc My, member of the Board of Directors, General Director, Alphanam, said: "Alphanam always wishes to contribute to Viet Nam's tourism industry with world-class products. This is not only to elevate the Vietnamese brand on the world tourism map, but directly creates jobs and economic development opportunities for our people and communities. With experience working with many prestigious partners in the world, any developments we instigate must be sustainable, preserving the local cultural identity. Muong Hoa Cultural Park will be a must visit place for those who enjoy local culture and breathtaking scenery. "

The developments, being researched and implemented by IHG and Alphanam Group, in Sa Pa and Thac Ba Lake are highly appreciated and will complement the tourism industry in Viet Nam as a world-class destination, supporting local communities. — VNS