Recognition for fast-growing Vietjet

Vietjet is an airline on the rise.

Vietnam’s leading low-cost carrier, with many flights to and from Australia, has just been honoured in the Forbes Vietnam magazine's list of the 50 best companies in 2024.

This list includes leading enterprises across various sectors that have been listed on the stock market for many years.

Based on audited financial reports in 2023, Vietjet ranked 5th in revenue with VND58,300 billion (approximately $US 2.35 billion), marking a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

This reinforced the company’s strong post-Covid recovery and sustainable growth strategy.

To celebrate the recognition, Vietjet is offering a 20% discount on Eco tickets (excluding taxes and fees) from now until September 15 with the travel period running from now until November 15. Use the code VJ200 when booking through Vietjet's website or apps.

Vietjet has been rapidly expanding its fleet and flight network, with a plan to receive an additional 10 new aircraft in 2024.

The airline is committed to sustainable growth, expanding its routes across Vietnam and internationally destinations in Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Taiwan.

I will be flying with Vietjet in October and will present a full report. 

 
Image: Vietjet director/vice president Ho Ngoc Yen Phuong (green Ao dai) receiving the award. 

 

The world's best vineyards? Or a complete sham?

For those who thought that Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do pretty well when it comes to producing good wines and offering excellent cellar door experiences, it turns out we were wrong.

According to the mob who collate the World’s Best Vineyards 2022, those nations are not even in the race.

The top 50 list is "compiled from all the nominations by the global academy of voters".

Each academy chair is responsible for recruiting 36 wine and travel experts and each member of the voting academy must vote for seven vineyards.

Except this lot do not mean vineyards - they mean wine tourism experiences.

And the organisers admit there is "no pre-determined checklist of criteria or predefined list to choose from". Each vote is a nomination for a vineyard experience open to the public that voters deem to truly be the best in the world.

Italy tops the list for the first time as Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Tuscany (below) was voted number one.

 
Spain’s Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal second place for the second time in a row.

Chilean vineyards, Montes and VIK Winery, achieved third and fourth place.

Montes also took continent winner for South America, with Robert Mondavi Winery topping the North American nominations.

The best in Africa was apparently Creation in South Africa, whilst Henschke in Australia topped the Australasian list - but could only manage 36th spot overall.

France and Portugal had the highest overall split of vineyards with each taking 11 spots on this year’s Top 100 list. 

Penfolds Magill Estate limped in at No.49 for two Australian entries in the top 50.

Quite how this list was put together authoritatively with much of the world in lockdown until recently is hard to fathom.

Here's what Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at organisers William Reed had to say: “The World’s Best Vineyards highlights wine tourism destinations around the globe and now that travel is back on the cards, this year’s list is more important than ever for raising profiles with tourists and those looking for authentic and unique trips."

"Best" here seems to mean "with expensive architecture".  

See www.worldsbestvineyards.com if you are intrigued, or appalled.