Vietnam looks to entice higher-spending visitors

Vietnam is seeking to appeal to foreign visitors who spend more and stay longer, as the south-east Asian county shifts its tourism strategy from visitor numbers to higher-value travel.

The plan may involve preferential visas for high net worth tourists.

A resolution, signed by President To Lam on behalf of the Politburo, also introduces a requirement for compulsory insurance covering international visitors to Vietnam.

The initiative calls for more flexible entry policies, expanded visa exemptions and special treatment for international travellers considered particularly valuable to the tourism economy, the VN Express news site reports,

But Vietnam has yet to determine how much visitors will need to spend to qualify, what the preferential treatment will include, or when the new system will begin.

The country will also pilot measures designed to attract long-stay visitors and remote workers, potentially opening a new avenue for digital nomads and other travellers seeking longer stays.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang will serve as the country’s principal tourism growth poles, while Phu Quoc is being positioned as a high-end international beach resort and events destination.

Vietnam welcomed a record 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4% year over year.

Through the first seven months of 2026, arrivals had reached nearly 13.92 million, up 13.8%.

By 2045, Vietnam is keen to attract 70 million international visitors and rank among the world’s 30 most competitive tourism destinations.

Image: Hanoi

Sofitel unveils some special sweet treats

Sometime it is the little things that define an enjoyable hotel stay. 

Sofitel, a pioneer of French luxury hospitality, has just unveiled a global collaboration with Nespresso running from September until November 26 at 20 selected Sofitel properties worldwide. 

A new bespoke croissant and coffee combo is being delivered through the Please Disturb experience, a fun in-room taster. 

Building on the international success of La Haute Croissanterie by Sofitel, the limited-edition collab stars the café-croissant combo. 

Each pairing features freshly baked pastries meeting roasted Nespresso coffee. 

“Partnering with Nespresso for this latest limited-edition run of La Haute Croissanterie has allowed us to elevate one of gastronomy's most iconic pairings, the inimitable café-croissant, into a truly harmonious moment," says a very excited Anne-Cécile Degenne, corporate executive chef, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts.

"By combining the creativity of our pastry chefs with the expertise of Nespresso's coffee experts, we have crafted a fresh expression of French art de vivre that guests can enjoy in the privacy of their own room. 

"The final coffee touch adds theatre and flair, celebrating this perfect French pairing and ensuring every element feels uniquely personal.” 

The pairing menu invites guests to discover three signature La Haute Croissanterie creations: Le Brulé: cappuccino mousse brûlée and crispy honey cream croissant; L'Epicé: spicy chocolate coffee and  coffee-choco exotic croissant and Le Tonique: iced orange espresso tonic and Paris Brest croissant. 

The pairings are available on demand throughout the day via room service. 

The Croissant & Coffee Pairing Menu will be available at selected Sofitel properties worldwide, including Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Brisbane Central. 

See sofitel.com

Cooking up a storm in the Barossa

Casa Carboni Italian cooking school is a long-time favourite in the Barossa wine region.

Matteo Carboni's gourmet hub and Enoteca is located n the historic town of Angaston, just under an hour’s drive from Adelaide’s CBD.

It was established in 2012 by the Italian chef and his Australian wife Fiona, after he migrated to Australia from northern Italy in 2011.

It remains family-owned and -operated, Visit Barossa reports in its newsletter.

Matteo offers intimate weekly cooking classes featuring seasonal Barossa produce to create authentic Italian dishes. All classes include a welcome coffee and cake, tuition and a four-course lunch with wine.

Guests can also enjoy Matteo’s  food by booking in for his fresh pasta and vino lunches with a limited daily menu created with local produce such as potato gnocchi with ragu alla Bolognese.

The chef's long table dinners are promoted as a fabulous way to experience his cooking.

Offered on selected Friday nights and for private events, this multi-course chef’s choice menu features seasonal local produce. Bookings are essential.

See https://www.casacarboni.com.au/

An affordable new way to Europe via KL and Istanbul

Looking for an affordable trip from Australia to Europe?

If you don't mind a couple of stopovers, AirAsia is expanding its international connectivity with the launch of its first-ever codeshare partnership with Türkiye’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, opening up seamless connections between south-east Asia and Europe via Istanbul.

The partnership brings together two LCC powerhouses from Asean and Europe, connecting AirAsia’s extensive network across Asean and Asia with Pegasus’ broad European network through its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub.

What does this mean for Australian travellers?

* Affordable travel from Australia to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe - kicking off with five European destinations - Stansted (London, UK), Vnukovo (Moscow, Russia), Esenboga (Ankara, Türkiye), Zurich (Switzerland) and Athens (Greece)

* Greater access to destinations across Asean and Europe via the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub.

* Special promo fares for flights from Kuala Lumpur to the first five destinations via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, from $276*, all-in-one-way. That can connect from Perth to Kuala Lumpur from $180 or Melbourne from $387 all-in-one-way

* Flexibility to tailor your trip and only pay for the things that matter to you - seat selection, baggage, food and beverage.

# Flights from Australia onwards to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen require a transfer in Kuala Lumpur. I'd stay a night or two.

Book through AirAsia MOVE between September 2-6 for travel from today to March 2027. Fares include passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, other applicable fees, and 20kg checked baggage allowance.

Morris set to release limited-edition flagship whisky

Sometimes you just have to be quiet. 

Like when you taste an outstanding drink that has not been released yet. 

And the distillery had imposed an embargo and you are sworn to silence, much as you'd like to spread the word. 

Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky is releasing its new flagship expression: the Single Barrel Sherry Cask, a whisky drawn from a single ex-sherry cask from Morris of Rutherglen and hand-selected by head distiller Darren Peck and chief winemaker Madden Morris.

The limited-release aims to embody more than 165 years of winemaking heritage, transformed into a single barrel whisky of complexity and character. There will be only 270 bottles available (RRP $298).

The sneak peek I enjoyed recently was full of flavour and super smooth. 

Peck (below) said the release represents a unique whisky experience.



"We selected this specific ex-sherry cask for our Single Barrel release because I wanted to share a whisky unlike anything we've released before," he said. 

"At Morris, we're renowned for our fortified wines, and exploring the potential of this sherry cask has been a project I've loved to nurture and develop over six years of maturation here in Rutherglen. 

"The climate has delivered the perfect maturation conditions, allowing the whisky to develop a level of maturity far beyond its age. The result is an exceptional single barrel whisky with incredible complexity from oak extraction as a result of the unique climate."

Describe by Peck as "bold yet beautifully balanced" the whisky was bottled at a cask strength of 51.8% ABV.

Each bottle is individually numbered and allocated at random.

You can register for exclusive early access from today at morriswhisky.com.

General sales commence on September 15 online and at the Morris cellar door.

So you fancy a serious weekend session by the beach?

Fancy a serious session overlooking one of the most famous beaches in the world?

September will see the return of North Bondi Fish’s Saturday and Sunday Bottomless Brunches, with a refreshed offering following a winter hiatus.

From 12pm each weekend day, guests can settle in for a long, leisurely brunch in the sun overlooking iconic Bondi Beach, with a soundtrack by DJs throughout the afternoon.



Two set menu options ($95pp/$119pp) feature NBF favourites including ceviche tostadas, cured ocean trout, sesame prawn toast and grilled lamb skewers.

Add to that free-flow prosecco, wine and beer to slake the most serious thirsts.

Those looking to make a full afternoon of it can add freshly shucked oysters, fish tacos or cocktail jugs to the mix.

Bookings HERE.