Hồ Tràm

Ho Tram Beach
Village
Hồ Tràm (Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu)
Traditional Vietnamese Fishing Boat on Ho Tram Beach
Country	Vietnam
Region	South East
Province	Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu
District	Xuyên Mộc District
Capital	Phước Bửu
Time zone	UTC + 7 (UTC+7)

Hồ Tràm is a small beach town located in Vietnam's Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, in Xuyên Mộc District. It is situated about 125 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).

Ho Tram’s pristine, undeveloped beachfront sits at just 2 hours from HCMC by car or 90 minutes via the ferry from HCMC to Vũng Tàu.^[1] For over a century now, the Vung Tau cape (Cap St Jacques) has been known as a sea-side sanatorium for treatment of diseases with climate and sea water, and it has rapidly become the earliest tourism city of Vietnam. Ho Tram is poised to become a major resort destination as the region develops along with its "sister" beach destination Ho Coc, which is located at close proximity. Ho Tram provides for the nicest beach in the area combining unspoiled waters with a large and wide beach of clear sand and is an increasingly week-end destination for wealthy Ho Chi Minh City residents as well as emerging as a resort destination for international tourists. Ho Tram also provides local excursions to Binh Chau Hot Springs famous for its relaxing mud baths and curative hot mineral springs said to improve blood circulation and mental disorders. The area is also home to an 11,000-hectare rainforest that was designated as a nature reserve in 1975. Most of the larger wildlife was exterminated or moved for safety reasons (most of the elephants were sent to Thailand), but plenty of beautiful birds and monkeys can be spotted in the forest.

Ho Tram Beach is mentioned by Lonely Planet Guide as the #3 of the Top 5 Places to visit around Ho Chi Minh City Lonely Planet Top 5 Around HCMC.

Tourism growth and development

Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa (formerly known as Osaka Hotel) opened in 2006 – and is currently the only operational hotel on Ho Tram Beach. The 4 star resort is managed by Cam Ly joint stock company.^[2]

Current developments include the Ho Tram Project (developed by Asian Coast Development Ltd.),^[3] Sanctuary Resort and Residences (development by REFICO),^[4] and a Small Luxury Hotel of the World (development by Dynasty Investments)^[5]

The Grand Ho Tram Strip^[6] (Formerly MGM Grand Ho Tram Beach Resort) is the first phase of the Ho Tram Project managed by Asian Coast Development Ltd. ACDL is a Canadian-based company specializing in the creation and development of integrated resort and hotel properties. The US$4.5 billion project will comprise five resort-casinos, luxury entertainment, spa, retail facilities, restaurants, a golf course and conference space.

Open in July 2013, The Grand Ho Tram Strip consists of 541 rooms, spa, restaurants, pools, an 18-hole golf course The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip^[7] designed by Greg Norman,^[8] conference meeting rooms, spa, a kid center, a nightclub and a casino area. The casino area at The Grand Ho Tram Strip, one of the two biggest licensed in Vietnam,^[9] has more than 500 slot machines and 90 live table games. The name The Grand Ho Tram Strip was changed from MGM Grand Casino & Resort after MGM withdrew from its contract to manage the property due to various reasons in February 2013.^[10]

Sanctuary Resort and Residences is being developed by REFICO, a Vietnam based, internationally focused property developer known principally for their commercial and residential developments. Sanctuary will be their first 5 star plus beach resort development. Phase one of development is complete and includes 24 villas for sale and a restaurant.

Dynasty Investments is preparing to begin construction on a SLH boutique hotel project as the first phase of their development on Ho Tram beach followed by several residential and hospitality projects along the main beach.

The current development plans in this temperate climate of southern Vietnam parallels the early growth of Phuket, Las Vegas and Macau into premier tourist destinations. The yearly average temperature is 28 °C (82 °F) which is more moderate than other South Vietnamese provinces, the annual rainfall is only 1,500 millimetres (59 in) which makes it one of the driest in the country. The temperature of the sea surface is about 25 °C (77 °F) all year round.

References

Coordinates: 10°29′N 107°26′E / 10.483°N 107.433°E / 10.483; 107.433