Phong Nha Cave reveals further secrets

Experts from Phong Nha-Ke Bang Eco-tourism and Culture Centre have just discovered two lakes in Phong Nha Cave.

 

First image of the 70-square metre lake in Phong Nha Cave 

The centre Director Le Thanh Loi said the lakes were around 500 metres from each other. The first stretches 70 square metres while the other is over 300 square metres. Experts have yet to determine how deep Xuyen Son Ho Lake is.

This is the second discovery this year at Phong Nha Cave after a colour-changing stalactite was detected in July.

From October 1 this year, the centre will open the Xuyen Son Dong cave for tourists and will hold a contest to name the 300-square metre cave.

Buffalo fighting festival attracts over 30,000 visitors

The 2012 Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, often took place in Do Son district of the northern port city of Hai Phong, has attracted over 30,000 local people and tourists.

Buffalo fighting festival in Do Son

This year’s festival saw competitions among 16 buffaloes selected from qualifying rounds at ward and district levels.

After 15 matches with impressive performances, buffalo No. 25 from Van Son ward became the champion. Buffalo No. 01 from Minh Duc ward came in second and buffalo No. 11 from Van Huong ward, third.

Both the winners and losers are then killed to worship the God and their meat is equally divided to everybody.

The traditional festival, which is held annually on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, demonstrates the martial spirit of people. It helps promote the locality’s images and tourism potential.

Legends say that a long time ago, there was a severe drought. All creatures looked toward the sea, praying for the Creator’s favour. In the most miserable moment, suddenly, they saw two buffalos fighting fiercely on the wave crests and the rains started to pour down, reviving all creatures. People, therefore, organise the fighting performance annually to show their great gratitude to the Buffalo.

1,000-year-old Cham tower unearthed

The remains of a unique Cham tower have been found in Phong Le Village, Cam Le District in the central city of Da Nang, an area not known for Cham relics.

The remains of a unique Cham tower have been found in Phong Le Village, Cam Le District, Da Nang City.

Archaeologists from the city's Museum of Cham Sculpture and Faculty of History at the University of Social Sciences and Humanity discovered the site last year and earlier this month found that the foundations of the structure, which measure 16m by 16m, said Vo Van Thang, director of the museum.

"We have unearthed this vestige dating back 1,000 years ago and the foundations are still intact," he said. "Experts were surprised because this is the first archaeological vestige relating to Cham culture found in Da Nang and it's different from other Cham relics found in other regions."

"The discovery is very important," he said.

The excavation was prompted by the discovery of many valuable c at the same site last year.

The Champa Kingdom originated in India and spread along the coast of modern-day Viet Nam between the 4th and 13th centuries. Cham culture, including Cham towers, folk songs and dances and traditional festivals, are an important part of Viet Nam's cultural diversity.

Tourism year to highlight Red River civilization

 

The National Tourism Year 2013 themed “Red River Civilisation” will kick off in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 11 next year.

Following the opening ceremony, which will take place on the occasion of the 58 th anniversary of the city’s liberation day, there will be a festive week with a wide range of activities, announced the event’s steering and organising boards at a meeting in Hanoi on July 25.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said the National Tourism Year 2013 is organised in coherence with the implementation of a socio-economic development programme in the Red River Delta.

Hai Phong and other localities nationwide will join hands to promote the country’s tourism sector in the international arena, Anh said.

He expressed his hope that other cities and provinces in the region will closely work with the northern port city to successfully organise the National Tourism Year 2013.

A broad range of activities will be held during the event, including a cuisine festival, a photo exhibition, arts performances and seminars. All aim to promote the quintessence of the time-honoured Red River civilisation.

(Source: VNA)