Bunkered down in Hanoi

The bunker was used to shelter guests from US air attacks from the mid 1960s to the early 70s. It was sealed some time after the war and the exact location forgotten. The hotel, built by the French in 1901, saw many foreign guests during the war, including actress Jane Fonda and singer Joan Baez. Guests at the recent opening ceremony included Australian diplomat Bob Devereaux, who scratched his name on the walls of the shelter in 1975. – DPA

 

Speedy on the tracks

South Korea has begun building a promised high-speed railway to shorten travel time between its main airport and the venue of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The construction will end in 2017 and cost $3.35 billion. The new railway links Wonju in the west of Gangwon Province and Gangneung in the east and includes a stop in Pyeongchang. The railway reduces travel time between Incheon International Airport in the west and Pyeongchang to one hour. – AP

 

Etihad to launch Sao Paulo service

Sao Paulo is the next stop for Etihad Airways, as the Arab Emirates’ flag carrier plans a daily direct flight between Abu Dhabi and Brazil’s largest city. The flights are scheduled to begin on June 1 2013 operated by a three class A340-600 aircraft, offering 12 Diamond First class, 32 Pearl Business class and 248 Coral Economy seats – a total of 2,044 seats per week. Visit www.EtihadAirways.com.

 

Easier routing to the US

United-ANA partnership makes air travel via Tokyo to more 220 destinations in the United States easier for travel from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. The partnership means that passengers in Thailand have price parity and inter-changeability on route segments. For example, passengers can fly to the US on ANA and return on United. United flies daily between Bangkok and Tokyo Narita. From its Narita hub passengers can fly non-stop to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, Houston New York and Honolulu.

 

Opening Beijing to the world

Beijing is considering allowing foreign tourists a 72-hour window to explore the capital without a visa. Fu Zhenghua, the city’s director of public security, has confirmed that authorities are mulling the move, saying it would represent a crucial sign that Beijing is open to the world.  The policy is expected to be similar to ones already being run in Shanghai (48 hours) and South China's Hainan province (21 days for tour groups). China expects the project will attract more tourists from abroad. – China Daily

 

Quick stop in Korea

Incheon Airport, South Korea, offers fun in a short time over its transit tour programs. The transit tour is designed for, of course, a transit passenger who stays at Incheon International Airport for less than 24 hours. The programs are varied from one hour to six hours, from shopping to peeping North Korean over DMZ site. It begins and ends at the airport. Your passport and flight tickets are required when contacting Transit Tour Desk between Gate 6 and 7. Visit www.omitravel.kr or e-mail [email protected].