Latest news with #PhuQuoc
CTV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘They started singing along': Vancouver musician plays the melodica for elephants in Vietnam
Vancouver concert pianist and composer Martin Mayer has plenty of fans around the world, especially in China, where he's known as 'Canada's Prince of Piano.' He's performed for sold-out crowds on several multi-city tours of the country and says he's been mobbed for autographs, followed by paparazzi, and was even woken up at 3 a.m. by a fan knocking on his hotel room door. And now Mayer has two new devotees in Vietnam—who happen to be elephants. The musician visited Vinpearl Safari in Phu Quoc on a recent vacation, and because you can't fit a grand piano in your pocket, he brought a melodica—a handheld keyboard you play by blowing into a mouthpiece. While feeding the elephants at the zoo, Mayer's partner suggested playing them a song. He went with the recognizable 'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran. 'These two elephants basically stopped what they were doing, stopped taking food from the other people, walked up and started listening,' he told CTV News. They flapped their ears, put their trunks together, and 'started singing along.' 'I've played for thousands of people in concert and millions of people on TV and the whole notion of playing for two elephants in the sanctuary—I can't think of any way to top that,' he said. Mayer was at a loss for words after the encounter and later ran back to see the elephants again. He whistled at them and the animals turned around to give him a final look. 'I remember feeling this innate sense this is beyond human-to-human, this is human-to-animal, and I'm able to communicate with these two in a way that is beyond language or anything like that,' he said. 'It's the best feeling to be able to provide joy and possibly the first music that they've ever heard.' Mayer is now considering continuing his new gig as an animal entertainer, floating the idea of performing at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, Vancouver Aquarium, or even bringing the melodica on a boat to play for the harbour seals and orcas. 'Human beings shouldn't be the only ones that get a chance to experience music,' he said. With files from CTV News Vancouver's Spencer Harwood
Reuters
13-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Sun PhuQuoc Airways to operate Airbus jets, in talks with Boeing for Dreamliner
HANOI, June 13 (Reuters) - Vietnam's newly established Sun PhuQuoc Airways will initially operate Airbus's narrow-body aircraft, including the A321neo, it said on Friday. The airline is also in talks with Boeing to purchase wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 787-10 jets, it said in a statement. State media reported last month the airline aimed launch its maiden flight in the fourth quarter of this year and to expand its fleet to 31 planes by the end of 2030. The company aims to begin ticket sales from the end of October, it said in its Friday statement. Sun PhuQuoc will focus on services between Phu Quoc Island and Vietnam's major cities, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, and also destinations in Japan, South Korea and China, it said.
Skift
28-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
First Creative Details Emerge for Vietnam's New 'Resort in the Sky' Airline
Putting Bill Bensley at the creative helm is a bold statement of intent for Sun PhuQuoc Airways, but turning a lifestyle concept into a viable airline remains a challenging task. A new Vietnamese airline is hoping to take flight by the end of the year: Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) will be operated by a subsidiary of local real estate and hospitality developer Sun Group. Much is still unknown about the venture, which intends to operate a hub-and-spoke network from Phu Quoc island in southern Vietnam. But attendees at the Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok this month heard some exclusive details from Bill Bensley, creative director of Bensley Design Studios. 'We're going to build – within three years – this 40-fleet airline,' Bensley told Skift CEO and co-founder, Rafat Ali. 'They want it to be very, very high-end … with half the plane in executive class and first class.' Bensley spoke of his love for Vietnam and explained how this will manifest itself on the aircraft: 'I've identified about 35 of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam. These parts [will] then be painted full-body on the plane. Instead of a stripe across or a swish, the entire image of these 35 places are painted on the outside of the plane.' Bensley said this imagery will 'carry through' into the aircraft. He will take a creative lead on numerous passenger-facing elements such as uniforms and menus. 'It's the whole deal, the whole imaging,' he added. Bensley previously worked with the Sun Group on seven hotels in the region. Watch Bill Bensley in Conversation with Rafat Ali at the Skift Asia Forum 2025: RECORDED MAY 2025. The investment case for the new carrier has received the green light from Vietnam's prime minister. Despite the ambitious timeline, there are no details about how SPA will source its aircraft. The Sun Group already operates a private jet business in Vietnam, however these planes are much smaller than those that will be needed for the new airline. A statement from Sun Group said that along with domestic routes, it is considering international destinations, including Japan, South Korea, and China. The company is using the term 'resort airline' to describe its vision: 'This innovative model combines transportation and tourism, where each flight is not merely a means of getting from one place to another but the beginning of a vacation, starting the moment passengers step on board and journey through the skies,' said a company statement. The wider ambition is to 'transform every aircraft into a resort in the sky,' with amenities and services designed to create a sense of leisure and relaxation. Sun Group already has a significant footprint in Phu Quoc through its hospitality and leisure portfolio. The company says it will package flights with these existing products. A First-Time Project Established as a go-to name for hotel, landscape, and interior designs, the world of aviation is new to Bensley and his team. 'It's a totally new thing for me. First time ever, but that's the thing that I like to do... We are asked to do a new project about once a day, so it's a great honor to be able to be very choosy about what we do,' he told the Skift Asia Forum. Vietnam's Golden Visa Ambition to 23-Million Tourist Target More Chinese tourists are now choosing Vietnam over Thailand. Smart visa policies could help keep it that way. The easier it is to get in, the more likely travelers, and their wallets, will follow. Read More If realized, Sun PhuQuoc Airways will join Vietnam's five other major airlines. As well as flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, these include low-cost operators Vietjet Air and Pacific Airlines. An initial investment of 2.5 trillion Vietnamese dong ($96m) has been allotted to the project. An undertaking of SPA's scale will require a figure many times higher, however additional sources of capital are currently unclear. Major airlines already serving Phu Quoc include AirAsia, China Eastern, Korean Air, and Scoot. Skift analysis of data from Cirium Diio suggests around 25 carriers fly to the island, although some of these are only on a seasonal or charter basis. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Escape to Paradise: Experience an Unforgettable Summer at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc
PHU QUOC, Vietnam, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Set against the breathtaking beauty of Bai Dai Beach, Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc invites guests on an unforgettable coastal escape, where luxury meets the island's vibrant natural charm. Balanced Bliss in a Tropical Beach Retreat Set along the unspoiled shores of Bai Dai Beach, the award-winning Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc invites international travelers to experience Vietnam's island paradise. Bask in the sun with turquoise waters, soft white sands, and lush greenery, all paired with the comfort of 514 contemporary rooms, suites, and luxurious pool villas with private pools and ocean views. All rooms are fully-equipped with contemporary interiors, cutting-edge amenities and a private balcony overlooking tropical gardens, ocean and the pool. Guests enjoy complimentary airport shuttle service, free Wi-Fi and easy access to top island attractions - perfect for seamless global travel. Located in the vibrant resort complex, the resort connects you to Corona Casino, VinWonders amusement park, Vinpearl Safari, and the Grand World City via free buggy service. Whether kayaking on the sea, exploring tropical gardens on a guided Botanical Tour, trying traditional Vietnamese folk games, or joining Art Time – Tea Time, a beginner friendly art class, Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc blends authentic local charm with international comfort for a summer getaway you won't forget. A Culinary Journey Through Dining Signature Venues Savor an extraordinary culinary journey at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc's dining outlets. Avenue presents an enticing selection of Vietnamese and international cuisines through live cooking stations and sumptuous buffet spreads. Annex Lounge sets the tone for refined relaxation with handcrafted cocktails, premium wines, and comfort bites in an elegant ambiance. Azure Bars offers expertly crafted cocktails by the lagoon pool and the beach, enhanced by sunset DJ performances (seasonal). For private events, Alumi provides an intimate venue for exclusive gatherings and celebrations. Discover the perfect tropical retreat where elegant, adventure, and culinary excellence come together. Book your summer getaway and experience the ultimate coastal escape at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc! Book now from VND 2,900,000++ / room / nightContact us: - +84 297 366 0000 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Radisson Blu Resort, Phu Quoc Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Vietnam approves establishment of Sun PhuQuoc Airways
HANOI, May 21 (Reuters) - Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has approved the establishment of a new airline, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the official Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the approval in an email to Reuters on Wednesday, without giving further details. The airline, the parent company of which is real estate and hospitality developer Sun Group, will begin operations with an initial investment of 2.5 trillion dong ($96 million) and plans to launch its first flight by the fourth quarter of 2025, VNA reported. The aviation market in Vietnam, a country with a population of 100 million, is growing rapidly since recovering from the COVID pandemic, prompting businesses to vie for market share. Sun PhuQuoc Airways - set to operate alongside national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, low-cost carrier VietJet, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines - aims to expand its fleet to 31 aircraft by 2030, the VNA report said. The new airline will provide both commercial and charter flights. Sun Group has previously launched Sun Air, a high-end airline offering premium private jet services to wealthy customers, according to its website. Vietnam saw a 23% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers in the first four months of this year, with 7.7 million tourists arriving in the country, according to official data.
