(VEN) - As one of the three biggest foreign direct investment (FDI) businesses in Vietnam, the Asian Coast Development Limited (ACDL) from Canada is constructing the Ho Tram Strip Resort Complex in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The project's first phase is expected to be completed in 2013. Vietnam Economic News' Truong Vu spoke with ACDL Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Nathan to learn more about the project.
Why did ACDL choose Ho Tram in Ba Ria-Vung Tau to locate its project?
The Ho Tram Strip Resort Complex's location is one of elements that makes this project unique. Vietnam is endowed with a picturesque landscape with a long mild coast. Our project is located along a beautiful 2.2 kilometer long beach. A protective forest lies close to the golf course. The weather here is ideal all year round. All of these in addition to Vietnamese hospitality and cultural beauty have created an ideal place for us and for visitors that we will bring to Vietnam. Many resorts just have artificial beaches and lakes but here we have completely natural beach and much more.
What makes Ho Tram Strip better than resorts in other countries?
Our project has an ideal location. It is situated on a gulf and is surrounded by a protective forest and welcoming beach. The project is 2.5 hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City which attracts about eight million visitors each year so we believe that we will make a great success with this project. There are few resorts in the world that are comparable with Ho Tram Strip in terms of service diversity and quality and natural beauty.
Could you tell us about the project's pace?
The project's first phase - the MGM Grand Ho Tram Hotel - will be open in 2013. The hotel will have 541 deluxe rooms, international standard restaurants, a convention center, a shopping center and entertainment facilities. The hotel is being completed. For more information, one can visit website www.asiancoastdevelopment.com/blog that is updated weekly. It is a big project that is facing many challenges daily. We're working very hard to surmount these challenges. The global financial crisis beginning in 2009 challenged the development of companies worldwide. We have survived that storm while many other companies surrendered and we continue coping with difficulties. I am satisfied that the project will be implemented on time. Under the plan, the first resort will be open in the next nine months.
Could you share your environmental protection and brand management experiences with readers?
We have undertaken many environmental protection activities at Ho Tram. We recycle wastewater in the resort and use this recycled water to water gardens while assuring that rain water in the construction site and roofed areas not only goes to the sea but also underground water sources, aimed at protecting underground water sources and minimizing the danger of salt intrusion. We will introduce to customers environmentally friendly programs while handling, classifying, recycling and treating all kinds of waste. Our MGM Grand brand is famous worldwide. Apart from our first resort - the MGM Grand Ho Tram, our second resort will be constructed through cooperation with Pinnacle Entertainment and will have a different and attractive brand name./.
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