Tourism year to focus on Highlands, VietNam

Tourism year to focus on Highlands, VietNam

The mountains and forests of the Central Highlands will come into sharp focus at the year-long National Tourism Year 2014 event, organisers said last Friday.

 Riding elephants is a popular tourist pastime in Central Highland provinces. - Photo Sy Huynh

Accordingly, the event, held in Lam Dong and other provinces in the region throughout next year beginning December 27 this year, will have "High Mountains and Thick Forests of the Central Highlands" as its main theme, said Nguyen Van Huong, director of the province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
He was speaking at a meeting held in Da Lat on Friday between representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the organisers of the national tourism year.
The tourism year will comprise nine programmes and 17 events, 13 of which will take place in Da Lat, the capital city of Lam Dong, and four others in Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces.
Major events of the National Tourism Year 2014 will include the Cultural Week to Celebrate the UNESCO Viet Nam Heritage Festival, a festival of brocade arts, a Central Highlands fashion show, a festival of Central Highlands wooden statues; and an international gong festival.
A festival marking the 120th founding anniversary of Da Lat City and the Fifth Da Lat Flower Festival will also be held to promote tourism in Lam Dong province, Huong said.
A series of sporting events including an elephant race, a boat race, and several folk games will also be held during the year.

A Central Highlands Ethnic Minority Food Festival will be the gastronomic highlight of National Tourism Year 2014.
The Central Highlands has been recognised as a land of mysterious mountains and forests with a significant population of ethnic minorities whose varied customs and lifestyles are an anthropologist's delight.
The region is also home to some of the most endangered species in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia, such as the Indochinese tiger, the gaur, the wild Asian water buffalo and the Asian elephant.

Its rich and unique natural beauty and cultural diversity make it an ideal site for tourism development.
Hoang Thi Diep, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, said the National Tourism Year 2014 aims to encourage localities in the region to develop tourism as a way to boost the economy and improve the living standards of local residents.

Speaking at the Friday meeting, Hoang Tuan Anh, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said National Tourism Year 2014 will be an international event that introduces images of the natural landscape and people of Viet Nam's Central Highlands in general and Lam Dong - Da Lat in particular, to local and international friends.

Anh asked organisers of the event as well as Lam Dong authorities to enhance tourism management and stop fraud and overcharging for products and services provided to tourists, making Da Lat City and Lam Dong Province a safe and attractive destination in 2014 and the years to come

SOURCE: VNS

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Inauguration of world's largest dragon-shaped steel in Da Nang (Dragon Bridge)

This morning, March 29, the Dragon Bridge over the Han River in Da Nang was inaugurated and opened for traffic on the occasion of Da Nang’s 38th anniversary of the liberation. Located 1km away, the sail-shaped Tran Thi Ly was also put into operation.

The Dragon Bridge.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang, head of the Central Committee for Internal Affairs – former Chair and Party Secretary of Da Nang Nguyen Ba Thanh and Da Nang’s officials cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Dragon Bridge.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highly praised Da Nang’s synchronous development of infrastructure of Da Nang, especially the rise of the city's traffic system after 38 years of liberation that anyone can notice.

 

Dragon Bridge - Da Nang

"This achievement is the result of the determination of Da Nang’s leaders and the consensus of the local people. The Government always supports Da Nang to become the center of economic, cultural, and economic development in the central and Central Highlands region as well as the country", the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

Being kicked off in July 2009, the Dragon Bridge has a total length of 666 meters and 37.5 meters in width, with six lanes. The total investment is more than VND1.7 trillion (around $85 million). The dragon simulates the shape of the dragon in the Ly Dynasty, which flies to the East Sea with steel spans totaling 568 meters in length and nearly 9,000 tons in weight. This is the architecturally unique bridge designed by the Louis Berger Group (USA). It is also the only the bridge with single steel arch design in Southeast Asia at present.

More photo about Dragon Bridge in Da nang city

 The Dragon Bridgeat night

The news by Vietnamnet, Source Picture by People.

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Bai Tu Long Bay: A national treasure

Located in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Bai Tu Long National Park comprises 40 islands, either earth or limestone, scattering across three communes, Ha Long, Van Yen and Minh Chau of Van Don district. 

The bay covers a total area of 15,783 hectares, including 6,125 hectares of land, and is home to 1,090 species of fauna and flora. The park is considered a priceless national treasure.

According to Dr. Bui Tat Thang from the Strategic Development Institute of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Bai Tu Long includes all three fundamental ecosystems: forest, wetlands and sea – a diverse area for different species to live and develop.

Ha Long Bay – a lifetime must-go destination

In the park, 102 rare and precious species, including 72 species of fauna and 30 varieties of flora listed in Vietnam’s red book of endangered species can be found.
The park also has 1,000 hectares of wetlands, which includes mangrove forest, sandy and rocky tidal banks and seaweed that provide food and shelter for animals.

The wetlands ecosystem, with its impressive scenery and biodiversity, has attracted many eco-tourism, environmental education and research activities.
The area of coral accounts for only a minor section of the park, but has an important role to play as an aquatic resource. It has high biological productivity and is a gene bank for many types of sea species.
Besides the extremely diverse biological environment, the park also has archeological value, with evidence of ancient Viet people residing here 14,000 years ago.
Operational since April, 2002, Bai Tu Long National Park is a stunning tourism spot with a rich ecosystem, therefore it should receive sustainable protection, conservation and development.

VNA/VOV online  

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Tourism stimulus programme launched

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Deputy General Director Nguyen Manh Cuong has announced the launch of the agency’s 2013 stimulus programme, designed to increase the number of international tourists visiting Vietnam.

The domestic tourism stimulus programme aims to improve the quality and the competitiveness of domestic air travel, transport, hotel, and restaurant services.

 Tourism stimulus

The tourism sector will collaborate on Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2013, this year themed “Discovering the Red River Delta – the Origin of Vietnamese Culture”.
The industry event is a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese and foreign travel operators to establish connections and sign contracts with the potential to expand Vietnam’s foreign visitor markets.
According to the VNAT, 570,000 foreigners visited Vietnam in February, down 18.3 percent from February 2012 and 11.2 percent from January 2013.
In the first two months of this year, the total number of international visitors was estimated at 1.213 million—a 9.6 percent decrease on last year’s arrivals.
The number of visitors from Germany fell by 69 percent, Hong Kong by 55 percent, Laos by 39 percent, and Denmark by 36 percent.
The number of Russian tourists surged a surprising 38 percent. The next biggest increases were from New Zealand  (24.8 percent), Indonesia (21.9 percent), Thailand (18.8 percent), and the Republic of Korea (10.4 percent).
Vietnam recorded 7.8 million domestic tourists in the first two months of 2013, up 11.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
The tourism sector’s total revenue is expected to hit VND35,000 billion, 7.9 percent higher than 2012.

 SOUCE: VOV

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Travel Buu Long, (Bien Hoa)Dong Nai city

For those seeking the tranquility and mystery of nature for a nice weekend, Buu Long Park could be a good place to relax.
About five kilometers from the center of Bien Hoa City in the southern industrial province of Dong Nai and about 30 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, Buu Long Park attracts tourists with its harmonious combination of lake and mountains and ancient pagodas, like the oriental philosophy of yin and yang.

Visitors then can escape the noise and air pollution in the industrial city and enjoy the fresh air and poetic scenery of Long An Lake (Hidden Dragon Lake) nestled in the park. The 20,000-square-meter lake is an artificial reservoir formed after hundreds of years of stone exploitation by humans.
The water in the lake is blue and shaded with huge trees which hang down on stone “islands” and by the lakeshore, making the air cooler. The lake is often referred to as a “miniature Ha Long Bay”.
In the center of the lake is a suspension bridge from which tourists may contemplate the panorama of the lake. Or they can take a trip around the lake on a motorboat.

Next to Long An lake are two low mountains. Nearly 100 steps must be climbed to reach the peak of Binh Dien Mountain and the ancient Buu Phong Pagoda, looming behind a big bodhi tree. Built in the 17th century the pagoda was renovated and enlarged in 1829 and again more recently. From the top of the mountain, tourists are rewarded with a panoramic view of the city, boats and activities in Dong Nai rivers.
The second mountain is Long An Mountain where Long Son Cave is positioned upward like a vaulted shape with stalactites hanging down mysteriously.

The park authorities can assist anyone interested in climbing the mountains after trekking around the park. Adventurers will be equipped with a helmet, gloves and other safety equipment as well as instruction on how to have a safe and interesting adventure.

However, it is necessary to register in advance so that the operators may prepare security forces, instructor and relevant equipment. At reasonable prices, depending on the number of climbers, tourists can have a unique and amazing experience.
Tran Van Thuong, director of Buu Long tourism site, said that tourists are interested in taking a trip around the lake and climbing the mountain. Those trips are exciting because they offer a chance not only to experience the beauty of nature but also to get some exercise in the pure air and tranquil space.
Buu Long Park is around 80 hectares in size. It was honored as a national cultural tourism site in 1990.

Travel Buu Long

More the picture in Buu Long Park

Long An Lake

 

SOURCE: Hồng Hạnh

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Travel at Lang Sen Wetland Reserve

Ensconced in Dong Thap Province, Lang Sen Wetland Reserve is already a destination for people who love nature and could soon become a hot-spot for couples as well. Tran Trong Trung reports.

Dong Thap, Lang Sen Wetland Reserve, Dong Thap Muoi, delicious food

Teaming with life: Lang Sen is home to thousands of rare birds, hundreds of species of freshwater fish, 156 species of wild plants and many amphibians, reptiles and other plankton.

When dusk fell, the wind glided across each twig and blade of grass. In the sunset, the birds came back to their nests, their chirp echoing melodiously in the mystical landscape. Water rippled, each cajeput leaf rustled, their flowers radiated a fragrance.

Travel Lang Sen Wetland Reserver

All these elements create a peaceful natural scene that draws thousands of tourists to Lang Sen Wetland Reserve.

The reserve is located in Dong Thap Muoi (The Plain of Reeds), a vast swampy region stretching across the three provinces of Long An, Tien Giang and Dong Thap. In the past, this was a harsh land full of sun and wind, covered in wild grass and wild rice, alum soil and mud, mosquitos, leeches, fish, birds, snakes and rats. It was famous as a "sacred forest where the water is toxic".

Travel Vietnam. Today, Dong Thap Muoi has formed many natural preservation areas including Tram Chim National Park, Gao Giong Ecological Tourism Site and Dong Tam Snake Farm as well as Lang Sen Wetland Reserve.

Lang Sen literally means "wetland with many lotus flowers." The reserve includes 50ha of lotus plants as well as 40ha of wild rice. Covering a total area of more than 5,030ha in Vinh Loi and Vinh Dai communes of Tan Hung District, Long An Province, Lang Sen creates a microcosm of the natural landscape of the pristine Plain of Reeds. The area is home to thousands of wetland birds, hundreds of species of freshwater fish, 156 species of wild plants and many amphibians, reptiles and other plankton.

The bird population includes many rare species in need of conservation such as white-winged ducks, brown-backed owls and kingfishers. Lang Sen provides an ideal ecological environment for birds because there are many sources of food and abundant trees that create a quiet and safe space for them.

 Dong Thap, Lang Sen Wetland Reserve, Dong Thap Muoi, delicious food

Boatloads of promise: Lang Sen looks set to become a romantic destination for tourists.

At dawn, when dew drops still dotted the grass, we sat on a motor boat looking at both banks. Many birds were flying in search of food, chirping happily. A herd of hundreds of wild ducks, hearing the motor boat engine, soared up and flew toward the far green cajeput forests.

The food is another highlight of the experience. Visitors can sample a variety of local specialties including grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaves, rice steamed with lotus seeds, snails steamed with pepper, baked snakes and frogs fried with salt, as well as various kinds of fresh fish cooked with local vegetables. Wash these down with rice wine mixed with pure, aromatic honey.

"After a stressful business day, my family and I and our friends often come to Lang Sen to relax because this area has fresh air and a diverse ecosystem with many species of rare birds and animals - it's known as the "green lungs" of the surrounding cities," said Tran Ba Thuan, a businessman who processes and trades timber in Long Dien B Commune, Cho Moi District, An Giang Province. "We also love the rustic but delicious food".

Huynh Thi Ha, a retired teacher in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, organises a family trip every year to see various sights in the province. This year, her family visited the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve.

"The area is very quiet and peaceful, so we felt we were lost in a wonderland!" she said. "Seeing the water fields, filled with aromatic lotus flowers, reminds me of the immortal verse of poet Bao Dinh Giang that many people think is a popular verses: 'The Plain of Reeds' most beautiful thing is lotus, Viet Nam's most beautiful name is Ho Chi Minh.' I hope my family comes back to Lang Sen next year."

Thanks to the efforts of local people who have worked hard to establish the reserve, the area provides a peaceful country escape for city dwellers. As Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh from Can Tho City said: "Living in urban areas, we're used to the noise of engines and constant smoke and dust. Visiting Lang Sen, I felt relaxed. I could breathe fresh air, admire each tree, blade of grass, lotus and lily, watch the birds flying and chirping... It was so wonderful!"

Source: VNS

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Travel a rainy spring day in My Son Sanctuary

This was an unforgettable celebration as I found a peaceful place to review the past and ponder my future plans.

My Son Sanctuary on a rainy day

Travel Majestic My Son

The bus carried around 12 guests, mostly foreigners from Hoi An ancient town, to the site in about an hour. Traffic to My Son is quite convenient on a flat road with some beautiful landscapes of rivers, bridges and fields where tourists can see local people with gentle smiles on their faces.
A tourist takes pictures of the headless Siva statue

A tourist takes pictures of the headless Siva statue

Our troupe was greeted by a local humorous tourist guide aged around 40. He spoke English fluently and made his guests laugh at his jokes so I didn’t feel it was a long distance at all. While presenting briefly about the sanctuary he collected entrance fees which are priced at VND100,000 for foreigners and VND60,000 for Vietnamese.

My Son located in Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District of Quang Nam Province is about 70km away from Danang City and is a complex of Champa architectural constructions and towers. The sanctuary which was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1999 is a worshipping place and has royal tombs from the Champa dynasties.

A dog raised by security guards is seen at My Son Sanctuary - Photos: Kieu Giang

It is in between a 2km valley surrounded by mountains and hills so from the front gate tourists are taken to a parking lot by bus then they have to walk about 400m to get to the relics. I myself find this is the most romantic path under the shades of high trees swinging their leaves in spring breezes. Looming under the shades and bushes are winding streams with sparkling pure water. Those who come in pairs may find an ideal place to have good pictures for their albums.

The tourist guide’s loud voice woke me up from my daydreaming and made me focus on a small board featuring the map of My Son Sanctuary which consists of six stone construction complexes affected from Hinduism named A to H. Group A is still in its original shape while others were mostly destroyed during wartime. They were built from the 7th century to the 13th century during the splendid time of the Champa kingdom. Tourists can find many huge statues of linga, yoni and especially a headless Siva in the site. Thanks to the tour guide our troupe knew that Siva is both man and woman but his original shape is man.

Numerous artifacts, including statues of apsara, holy animals and daily activities of ancient people found at My Son are displayed at Champa Museum at the corner of Bang Dang and Tran Phu streets in Hai Chau District of Danang City.

Travelers My son can register a tour to My Son Sanctuary by bus and boat at numerous agencies in Hoi An ancient town at VND150,000 per person with lunch served on a boat drifting on dreamy Thu Bon River. Furthermore, guests will be taken to some local sightseeing spots on their way back to Hoi An like Kim Bong wood carving village or Thanh Ha pottery village which is 3km away from the ancient town.

SOURCE: TALKVIETNAM

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Visit the “royal garden” - Nhat Tan village, Hanoi, Vietnam

Royal Garden Nhat Tan Village

Flower gardens in the Nhat Tan village, Hanoi, have suddenly turned into natural parks with many ornaments and all sorts of brightly colored flowers. Young people flock to these gardens to pose for photos, though they have to pay VND20,000 ($1) a visit.

 

One of the “royal gardens” in the peach flower village of Nhat Tan (Tay Ho district) - only a few hundred meters from the Red River. In the last days of the year, this place is always crowded with young people who come to relax and pose for photos.

But to be in the garden, each person must pay VND20,000 for the garden’s owner.

The favorite flowers of the youth are present in the garden, but many of them are artificial flowers such as apricot, plum, peach...

The "royal garden" has many props for photography service for couples. The fee for this service is VND100,000 ($5).

A corner of the garden is adorned with fake peach flowers.

Amaranth and butterfly flowers.

The fake flower trees of a few meters high besides thatched houses and colorful flower beds with beautiful walkways have attracted young people to have fun.

SOURCE: VNE

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Foreign visitors flock to local attractions during Tet

Some of the nation’s most popular places of interest reported a marked rise in the number of foreign visitors over the Tet holidays.

Foreign visitors visit Ngoc Son Temple in the capital city’s Hoan Kiem District during the Tet holiday. About 27,000 foreign visitors arrived in Ha Noi during the first three days of the Year of the Snake.

The historic Ba Dinh Square received crowds of visitors from all corners of the country and abroad as people flocked to visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh.

According to the site’s management board, nearly 29,000 people, including more than 9,700 foreigners, visited the mausoleum on the first four days of Tet.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Ha Noi welcomed close to 20,000 visitors, mostly foreigners, over the same period.

Nguyen Van Son, Director of the Ha Noi-Thang Long Heritage Conservation Centre, said that the numerous cultural activities organised by the site had proved popular during the first days of the Lunar New Year, especially an exhibition showcasing ornamental plants and spring flowers.

Also successful was the opening to the public of a newly-excavated archaeological site located behind the Doan Mon southern gate. Son said that visitors can admire remnants of buildings and a water supply system dating from the time of the Ly dynasty.

The central city of Da Nang welcomed 1,500 foreign tourists during the first five days of the holiday, signalling a promising outlook for its tourism sector.

The cruise ship Gemini was the first tourist vessel to dock at Tien Sa port in the Year of the Snake. Its passengers, mainly from China, toured Da Nang and nearby Hoi An.

According to the Saigontourist travel service company, as many as 47 cruise ships with 42,000 tourists aboard will dock at Tien Sa port in the first quarter of this year, up 31 per cent from last year.

On February 10, an Air Asia flight carrying 152 passengers safely landed at Da Nang international airport to become the first arrival of the year.

The airport subsequently welcomed over 4,000 visitors on 40 domestic and international flights during the first five days. The number of foreign tourists is expected to grow by nearly 20 percent this year thanks to more direct flights linking the city with Russia, Macao and China.

Many passenger buses travelling between Da Nang and Laos, along with other destinations nationwide, resumed operations on February 11.

According to a report from Lao Cai Province, over 7,000 foreign tourists, mostly Chinese, entered Viet Nam through the Lao Cai International Border Gate during the first seven days of the Lunar New Year.

Tran Vu Hoang, chief of the customs office at the border, said a large number of Chinese families chose to visit Viet Nam over Tet.

The province, home to Sa Pa, expects to receive one million tourists this year.

The southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, which boasts popular beaches and hot temperatures, also welcomed a 10 per cent year-on-year increase of tourists during the nine-day holiday.

Among the visitors, many came from countries experiencing chilly weather, including Russia, South Korea and Japan.

Source: http://vietnamnews.vn/social-issues/236446/foreign-visitors-flock-to-local-attractions-during-tet.html

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Ba Be Lake awarded national special relic status

The title of national special relic site was awarded to Ba Be Lake in the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan at a ceremony on December 29.

Ba Be Lake. (Photo: Internet).

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung attended the ceremony. Addressing the event, he affirmed that the title will help the province make the most of its natural heritage to promote socio-economic development, culture and tourism.

The lake covers an area of around 500 hectares and is located in the 10,000 hectare Ba Be National Park. It has been listed among 20 freshwater lakes in the world in need of protection.

Its new status not only brings pride, but also challenges to the locality to maintain and promote the lake’s value that will encourage socio-economic and tourism development.

At the event, a special arts programme was performed to showcase the cultural identities of the local mountainous ethnic groups.

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