Khamphan (centre) at the project's groundbreaking ceremony in Vientiane province.
VIENTIANE: A new tourist attraction, a nature-based tourism industry project including a golf course, is planned for Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, targeting visitors from across Asean and the Asia-Pacific region.
A groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the project took place on Wednesday (Dec 18), attended by the Governor of Vientiane province, Khamphan Sitthidampha, representatives of the developer Vang Villy Hill Co., Ltd., relevant government officials from central and provincial authorities, and the business sector.
The developer expects to spend about US$700 million on the project, which will cover 522 hectares around the Nam Them reservoir in Pakpor and Phoudindaeng villages and promises that it will open to visitors within the next two years.
The President and Founder of Vang Villy Hill Co., Ltd., Dr Chanthone Sitthixay, said the project will include a golf course, a 5-star hotel, a resort, a cultural and green tourism area, a small industrial and handicraft area, a culture hall, training centre and sports complex, car and horse racing tracks, an entertainment centre, shopping area, educational and financial facilities, a hospital, vocational training centre and other facilities and services that meet the needs of tourists and the general public.
The project will take tourism to new heights by attracting visitors from across the region to enjoy the wide range of facilities and services on offer, he added.
When the project is complete, it will open up numerous job opportunities and bolster the socio-economic growth of Laos and the local area, Khamphan said.
The company aims to draw at least 3 million visitors to the site each year, which will raise the profile of Laos as a top notch tourist destination and an important tourism centre in Asean and the Asia-Pacific region, Dr Chanthone said.
Also speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Khamphan said the Party and state attach great importance to tourism as a robust income generator.
The tourism industry is a priority of national, provincial and district socio-economic development plans.
Tourism holds great potential for development and the generation of revenue, and Laos has a great many opportunities in this sphere, contributing to the overall goal of attracting large numbers of tourists, he added.
Party and state are actively promoting tourism and encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in the industry and create more attractions that will boost tourist numbers.
The planned development by Vang Villy Hill Co., Ltd. will enable visitors to experience Laos’ natural beauty, warm hospitality, top quality accommodation, play golf, sample the local cuisine, and enjoy a relaxing time among the splendours of nature, Khamphan said.
On the same occasion, Vang Villy Hill Co., Ltd. signed strategic partnership agreements on project development with companies that specialise in various fields, such as Genler, Kunming architectural design and research institute Co., Ltd., Inthira Group, and Kunming Yumantiianxia Hotel Management Co., Ltd.
The company also plans to develop the ethnic primary school in Vangvieng district as a vocational training centre and donated 100 million kip to the school in assistance. - Vientiane Times/ANN
