Ha Long Week aims at European market

 

 

The Ha Long Week 2012 will take place in the northern province of Quang Ninh from November 27-30, with a focus on European market. 

Co-organised by the provincial People’s Committee and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, the event expects to attract the participation of 140 international representatives from leading tourism companies and travel agencies from France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and the United Kingdom. 

During the week, a wide range of activities will be available for participants, including Ha Long Bay tours, Gala dinner, business meetings, a seminar on promoting potential of Ha Long tourism and cultural programmes.

Source: VNA

 

Trekking to highlands, sleeping in trees

Around 15 kilometers from Dalat City, Nui Voi-Da Tien Tourist Area in my opinion is a paradise for travelers, as it is unlike any tourist areas in the city of mist and pine trees.

 

Romantic scenery in Da Tien-Thac Voi Tourist Area in Dalat City 

I departed from the road from Prenn Pass through Truc Lam Zen Monastery, riding around Tuyen Lam Lake then upon the area. The windy and winding road is really interesting to conquer.

‘Da Tien’ (fairy rock) is two rocks in the shape of two male fairies playing chess. The greenness of the pine forest and grass-yards are dotted with some colorful wild flowers.

Tourists can hire a boat to take a cruise around the lake under the sunset to enjoy the romance and calmness of nature. To relax and put fun at the top of your agenda, travelers can hire a fishing rod at VND30,000 with bait to catch some fish for dinner. For others who want to explore the forest and winding roads, they can hire an elephant at VND30,0000 per hour

After that you can enjoy some specialties in some long stilt traditional houses of Ede people with gong shows or chat with K’Ho people around the fire. All will make you ignore the darkness coming over the misty city and the chill of the wind.

The amazing thing is that tourists will be taken to a little wooden tree-house halfway up a giant tree to sleep in overnight.

You might be a little apprehensive at first but it does have a toilet and bathroom. Lying in the house like a bird cage you will hear the whistles from the wind through the leaves and buzz of insects.

Early morning when you are awakened by the twitters of birds, you should take a visit to Voi Waterfall and stroll around the village to explore more of the ethnic culture there.

 

Tourists can stay overnight at a tree-house halfway up a giant tree - Photos: Cat Loc 

A night town to open in early December

 

 

The Duc Manh Joint Stock Company has been given permission by the local authorities to open a night town at Da Nang’s Vinh Trung Plaza from early next month.  The night town will open every day from 7.00pm to 12.00pm.

The Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade and the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will monitor the night town’s operation to ensure that it is in line with State regulations. 

In addition, local travel agencies are asked to launch new tours promoting the city’s night markets and the night town, in order to help them become popular tourist attractions in the city.

The Department of Industry and Trade will coordinate with local media and relevant agencies to advertise these new tourist attractions.

The Duc Manh Company will expect participating businesses at its new night town to sell products with a clear source of origin and at displayed prices.  The focus will be on selling trade name products, especially handicrafts.

Source: Danang Today

 

It’s tough to leave misty Sapa

For over a century people from all over the world have experienced the magnificent and misty mountains, splendid rice terraced fields, endless flower hills, vaporous layers of clouds and snow which makes Sapa the landscape of dreams.

A splendid view of Sapa - Photos: TL

And also in fell in love with the land and have been so sad to leave the picture-book area.

From its early days, the valley which is famous for having four seasons in one day, has become home to Ta Van plum and Sa Pa peach, specialties in Sapa.

In spring, Sapa wins peoples’ hearts with its thousands of pink peach blossoms overwhelming mountains, hills and valleys as well as the road to Fan Xi Pang peak and through Hoang Lien Son Range.

From Ham Rong Mountain peak, we can see the town colored like a giant pink carpet. Moreover, it looks more interesting dotted with the multicolored Mong girls’ dresses. In spring nights, they listen to flute sounds of village boys and follow the melodies to find their lovers.

In spring, time is counted by market times with traditional festivities, twitter of birds, laughter of kids and the echo of horses running wild.

In a silent way, Sapa sends the love of nature into each traveler’s heart. And of course, they themselves cannot deny the beauty of what they are witnessing with rivers, silver waterfalls, paddy fields, sunset over the town and Muong Hoa Valley.

That attractive scenery seduces them to explore daily life of ethnic people, old stilt houses, wild flowers, and wine drinking nights under a flickering camp-fire.

Images of ladies in weaving rooms are also an unforgettable sight in Sapa.

Vietnam, Japan discuss traditional wooden architecture

 

 

Vietnamese and Japanese experts gathered for a workshop in the central city of Hue on November 12 to discuss traditional wooden architecture in the preservation of architectural relics in the former imperial city of Hue. 

The workshop, the first of its kind, was jointly organised by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC), the UNESCO World Heritage Institute at Japan’s Waseda University and the Japan Architects’ Association. 

Participants said that traditional wooden architecture plays an important role in the Hue monument architectural system. They stressed that the thorough understanding of materials, manipulating methods, structures and factors that affect wooden architectural works is an important foundation for the conservation and restoration of relics. 

Researchers discussed the traditional wooden architectures of Vietnam and Japan and their similarities. 

The two sides shared experiences and proposed measures to conserve wooden architectural works, as the Hue relics are badly affected by global climate change. 

Waseda University is coordinating with HMCC a study of the restoration of the war-torn Can Chanh Palace , which was the second largest - after Thai Hoa Palace - in the Imperial Palace.

The project is estimated to cost 10 million USD. Funded by official development assistance (ODA), construction is expected to be completed in five years.

Source: VNA

 

Giant Cham temples of Po Nagar are spiritual heart of Nha Trang

Nha Trang's sun, sand and sea lured me away from other inland attractions when I came to the central coastal city for my honeymoon a couple of years ago. 

There are two lines of octagonal pillars on the second terrace of 
the temple complex. At the other end lies a steep staircase
 leading to the temple towers.

I had been fooled into thinking Nha Trang, the south central province of Khanh Hoa, was just a beautiful beach.

When I recently returned, I discovered the city has more to offer, noticeably the giant Po Nagar Temples complex.

Known as the city's spiritual heart, this group of temples – just 4km from the municipal centre – is one of Nha Trang's most treasured historical sites.

Built in the 8th century by the Cham people in the then Champa Kingdom by the Cham people, the site was classified as a Vietnamese national relic in 1979.

When the Vietnamese peopl move southwards to this area in the 17th century, they soon realised the Cham people's worship of Lady Po Nagar was similar to their worship of the Mother Goddess. The temples soon became a place to worship both goddesses, and a symbol of ethnic integration.

I met Nguyen Tu Xuyen, a local guide and expert on the Po Nagar Temples. He took me to the second terrace of the temple complex which has two lines of five octagonal pillars. Outside of these are 12 smaller pillars, forming the remains of the main gate which leads to the main tower.

The main structure of the towers is square, 
while the pyramid-shaped roofs are often three-tiered.

"This was the meditation hall where offerings and rites were prepared and performed prior to the main rituals at the temples," said Xuyen.

Then Xuyen raised his hand, pointing upwards. I noticed that in front of the pillars, lies a steep staircase leading to the upper terrace where the main towers preside over the entire complex. Located on the Cu Lao Hill, the towers cast a protective eye over the city from their elevated peak.

"There were originally five towers, however one was completely destroyed leaving only four intact. Each tower has a pyramid-shaped interior and is dedicated to a different deity," he continued.

At first, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what characteristic makes these towers so unusual. But a closer look reveals that the stacked brick towers don't actually show typical brick joints, instead, the tower facades appear smooth and even.

"They were built without cement according to the Cham building techniques of precisely stacking bricks on top of each other. This effect was achieved as a result of the Cham people using high-quality bricks which were rubbed smooth during construction," Xuyen said.

Sitting proudly the highest point, the tallest tower is approximately 25m high. From here, visitors can feast their eyes on the beautiful nearby sights of mountains, rivers, sky, sea and fishing villages. 

Sculptor Xuan Hung puts the finishing touch to one of his pottery products.

A study by scholar Tran Ky Phuong found that the Po Nagar temples were one of the two major sanctuaries of the Champa courts, which also reflected the phenomena of the Champa cosmological dualist cult.

Phuong's study Historic Champa States in Viet Nam: Champa Origins, Reconfirmed Nomenclatures, and Preservation of Sites celebrated the typical architecture style of the temples.

"Champa temple-towers were built according to the following pattern: the body of the tower is square, while the pyramid- shaped roof is of three levels with a sandstone ridge. The tower doors are open to the east and west."

According to Ngo My Chau, head of the provincial Historical Sites Centre, the Po Nagar Temples complex received nearly 700,000 visitors in 2011 and another 570,000 in the first nine months of this year.

Today, visitors to the temples can experience first-hand the traditional dance and music of the Cham people. Tourists are given a taste of the hypnotic Cham dancing Apsara and music behind the tallest tower, which involves fans and ceramic pots. They also have the chance to witness the whole process of traditional brocade weaving andpottery making.

During my stay in Nha Trang, I came back to the Po Nagar Temple because it was the first day of the annual festival to honour the goddess Yan Po Nagar. People from all over southern central Viet Nam - both ethnic Cham and Kinh minority people - join together to worship the deity.

The four-day festival runs from the 20th day of the third month according to the lunar calendar, and features a diverse mix of traditional singing, dancing and worshipping ceremonies.

Each year about 70 delegations from all over the region attend the festival, bringing gifts of food, fruits and flowers to offer to the deity. These offerings continue throughout the three days of festivities.

The most anticipated part of the festival is the lantern ceremony which takes place on the evening of the first day. A mass procession parades from the main entrance of the temple to the banks of the Cai River below. Those in the parade are dressed in traditional costume and each carry two lanterns.

These lanterns are then released into the river, creating a moving tableau of candle-light which follows the flow of the river. 

Roughly 7,000 lanterns are released next to the temple, which is also lit-up as the city descends into darkness. 

Candles are released to pray for the spirits of the dead, including soldiers who died in battle and fishermen who lost their lives at sea.

It’s tough to leave misty Sapa

For over a century people from all over the world have experienced the magnificent and misty mountains, splendid rice terraced fields, endless flower hills, vaporous layers of clouds and snow which makes Sapa the landscape of dreams.

A splendid view of Sapa - Photos: TL

And also in fell in love with the land and have been so sad to leave the picture-book area.

From its early days, the valley which is famous for having four seasons in one day, has become home to Ta Van plum and Sa Pa peach, specialties in Sapa.

In spring, Sapa wins peoples’ hearts with its thousands of pink peach blossoms overwhelming mountains, hills and valleys as well as the road to Fan Xi Pang peak and through Hoang Lien Son Range.

From Ham Rong Mountain peak, we can see the town colored like a giant pink carpet. Moreover, it looks more interesting dotted with the multicolored Mong girls’ dresses. In spring nights, they listen to flute sounds of village boys and follow the melodies to find their lovers.

In spring, time is counted by market times with traditional festivities, twitter of birds, laughter of kids and the echo of horses running wild.

In a silent way, Sapa sends the love of nature into each traveler’s heart. And of course, they themselves cannot deny the beauty of what they are witnessing with rivers, silver waterfalls, paddy fields, sunset over the town and Muong Hoa Valley.

That attractive scenery seduces them to explore daily life of ethnic people, old stilt houses, wild flowers, and wine drinking nights under a flickering camp-fire.

Images of ladies in weaving rooms are also an unforgettable sight in Sapa.

One Billion Tourists: One billion Opportunities - new UNWTO campaign calls on one billion tourists to make their actions count

 

 

Small changes in travel behavior can contribute to positive change throughout the world. With one billion tourists traveling the world in a single year in 2012, transforming these one billion tourists into one billion opportunities is at the heart of the online campaign launched by UNWTO to celebrate this historic milestone.

Recalling the power of travel and tourism in driving economic growth and sustainable development, the One Billion Tourists: One Billion Opportunities campaign asks the public to vote for the travel tip they believe would have the greatest benefit for the people and places they visit, from using public transport to buying locally, and pledge to follow that tip when traveling.   

“Imagine the difference one tourist could make by adopting small changes, from using their towels for more than one day, to hiring a local guide or buying local products. Now imagine if these simple actions were multiplied by one billion; that is the power of one billion tourists,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, launching the campaign at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

“Every single person who has traveled in 2012, whether on holiday or business, is part of the one billion and can make a real difference,” continued Mr. Rifai. “I hope everyone will join our campaign and help us spread the message that one billion tourists really do mean one billion opportunities, for economic growth, job creation and the future of our planet.” 

The campaign will culminate on 13 December when the most popular tip will be revealed and sent out to millions via social media. The date, 13 December, has been chosen as the symbolic arrival day of the one-billionth tourist. While it is impossible to know exactly when and where the one-billionth tourist will arrive, UNWTO forecasts point to December. The arrival of the one-billionth tourist will be celebrated by the UNWTO Secretary-General in Spain, home to UNWTO headquarters.

UNWTO is encouraging all countries and the entire tourism sector to spread the word about the campaign by becoming official campaign partners and hosting their own celebrations on 13 December, raising awareness of the important contribution of one billion tourists.

Three ways to get involved: 

1. Which tip will you commit to on your next trip? Vote now http://1billiontourists.unwto.org/

2. Help us share the winning tip with millions. Join our Thunderclap campaign http://1billiontourists.unwto.org/

3. Were you one of the one billion tourists to travel internationally in 2012? Send a photo of yourself on your trip to comm@unwto.org or by tweeting @UNWTO with #1billtourists and we’ll upload the best ones in our Faces of the One Billion Facebook album.  Don’t forget to include your name, where you’re from and where the picture was taken.

Source: UNWTO

 

One pillar pagoda receives Asian recognition

 

 

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha hosted a ceremony on November 12 in Hanoi to receive a certificate of “the most unique architecture in Asia” awarded to the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi.

The Asian Records Organisation made the recognition in Faridabad of India on October 10. 

Originally dubbed Dien Huu, which means long-lasting happiness and good luck, the pagoda was built in 1049 at the order of King Ly Thai Tong. During the Ly Dynasty, it was the site where royal ceremonies were held to celebrate such Buddhist events as Vesak or Buddha’s birthday. 

The pagoda was built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25m in diameter, 4m high and resembled a great square-shaped lotus blossom, the Buddhist symbol of purity. 

With all its architectural and historical values, the pagoda was classified as a national historic site in 1962.

Source: VNA

 

The largest resort runs ahead of schedule

 

The Asian Coast Development (Canada) Limited (ACDL), the investor in the Ho Tram Strip Project, recently announced its largest tourist complex in Vietnam.

The first hotel tower with 551 rooms was completed ahead of schedule and will become operational in January 2013. Construction of the second five-star hotel tower was recently started ahead of schedule and it will include 559 rooms and an entertainment center to be linked with the first tower.

Project CEO Lloyd Nathan said the project had created about 6,000 jobs and had paid a large amount of taxes.

The project will cost over US$4 billion and take 10 years for completion. 

It is expected that the project will be completed by 2020 including 9,000 five-star rooms, 2,000 gaming computers, golf courts and entertainment facilities such as a casino targeting foreign customers.

The Ho Tram Strip spans along the coast in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. As the largest tourist complex in Vietnam, the project will include five five-star hotels, two of which will comprise of recreation and golf facilities.

Source: VEN

 

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA announces to launch Vietnam travel photo contest 2012 for travelers from across the world.

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA), one of the leading adventure travel companies in Indochina, has launched the Vietnam photo contest 2012 for travelers all over the world named “Vietnam in your heart is…”

The participants will have chance to win attractive awards by submitting the best travel photo of their holiday experiences in Vietnam.

This contest is aimed to encourage participants share their unique photos and unforgettable memories taken in Vietnam. The photo must show their impressive experiences that made holidays in Vietnam to be the time of their lives.

The prize will based on the amount of LIKE on each photo and photo’s evaluations by ATA experts. The highest prizes for the winners are TWO great tours on Halong Bay cruise (3 days/2 nights) for 2 persons at Oriental Sails Cruise and Halong Emotion Cruise. 

Entrants can send their photos to event@activetravel.asia  with title and a short description of where and how the photo was taken. Photos must be original works of the participants along with the entrant’s name, email, address, phone number.

All photos will be review by the ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA, photos which are eligible with the terms and conditions of this competition will be posted on ATA’s Facebook Fan page, and ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA Blog & Vietnam Adventure News.

This competition will start from November 12, 2012 to January 31, 2013 and the awards will be announced on January 10, 2013.

PRIZE

The highest prizes:

• A Halong Bay cruise 3 days /2 nights on Oriental Sails Cruise for two persons. The winners for this prize will be the person who has the amount of LIKE ranked highest on ATA Facebook Fan page
• The prize for outstanding photo selected by the ATA experts is a Halong Bay cruise 3 days /2 nights for two on Halong Emotion cruise. 

The second prize is a two day cycling tour of ACTIVE TRAVEL ASIA for photo that has the amount of LIKE ranked highest after the first.

Incentive prizes: Five coupons, each worth $50 will be awarded to five senders of submitting first photo to the contest.

For more information about Terms and Conditions to join the contest, please visit our official photo contest website at  http://blog.activetravel.asia/p/activetravel-asias-photo-contest-2012.html and the Fanpage www.facebook.com/Active.Travel

About ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA): launched in Vietnam in 2006, one of the Indochina's leading adventure travel companies, offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, kayaking, overland touring and family travel packages. ATA’s packages and tailor-made private itineraries will take travelers through exotic destinations to really experience the culture, history and nature of Asia. 

About Halong Emotion Cruise: The best way to discover the natural beauty of the bay is onboard Halong Emotion, designed to give you the best service you could possibly wish for. Halong Emotion combines charm and great comfort to meet the growing demand of travelers looking for luxurious cruises in the Bay

About Oriental Sails Cruise:

Supported by ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA – Actively explore the hidden land!

Hanoi Office:

Add: Floor 12 Building 45 Nguyen Son Street, Long Bien district, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: +844 3573 8569

Fax: +844 3573 8570

Email: info@activetravel.asia 

Website: http://www.activetravel.asia/

International tourism strong despite uncertain economy

 

 

 International tourist arrivals grew by 4% between January and August 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. The resilience of international tourism in a continuing uncertain economy is further confirmed by the positive data on tourism earnings and expenditure.

The number of international tourists worldwide grew by 4% between January and August 2012 compared to the same eight months of 2011 (28 million more). With a record 705 million tourists up to August 2012, UNWTO remains confident that one billion international tourists will have travelled the world by the end of the year.  

“This growth is a very positive result in view of the global economic situation. We must remain cautious, however, as we have also observed some weaker months during the year, a trend that might return in the remainder of the year,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Growth slowed down in June (+2.7%) and July (+1.4%) as compared the first five months of the year (average of 5%), yet recovered in August at 4%, a positive result for the month that accounts for the highest volume of international tourism in the year.

UNWTO expects growth of 3% to 4% for the year as a whole, while forecasting a slight slowdown in demand for 2013 (+2% to 4%). 

Source: UNWTO

 

Giant Cham temples of Po Nagar are spiritual heart of Nha Trang

Nha Trang's sun, sand and sea lured me away from other inland attractions when I came to the central coastal city for my honeymoon a couple of years ago. 

There are two lines of octagonal pillars on the second terrace of 
the temple complex. At the other end lies a steep staircase
 leading to the temple towers.

I had been fooled into thinking Nha Trang, the south central province of Khanh Hoa, was just a beautiful beach.

When I recently returned, I discovered the city has more to offer, noticeably the giant Po Nagar Temples complex.

Known as the city's spiritual heart, this group of temples – just 4km from the municipal centre – is one of Nha Trang's most treasured historical sites.

Built in the 8th century by the Cham people in the then Champa Kingdom by the Cham people, the site was classified as a Vietnamese national relic in 1979.

When the Vietnamese peopl move southwards to this area in the 17th century, they soon realised the Cham people's worship of Lady Po Nagar was similar to their worship of the Mother Goddess. The temples soon became a place to worship both goddesses, and a symbol of ethnic integration.

I met Nguyen Tu Xuyen, a local guide and expert on the Po Nagar Temples. He took me to the second terrace of the temple complex which has two lines of five octagonal pillars. Outside of these are 12 smaller pillars, forming the remains of the main gate which leads to the main tower.

The main structure of the towers is square, 
while the pyramid-shaped roofs are often three-tiered.

"This was the meditation hall where offerings and rites were prepared and performed prior to the main rituals at the temples," said Xuyen.

Then Xuyen raised his hand, pointing upwards. I noticed that in front of the pillars, lies a steep staircase leading to the upper terrace where the main towers preside over the entire complex. Located on the Cu Lao Hill, the towers cast a protective eye over the city from their elevated peak.

"There were originally five towers, however one was completely destroyed leaving only four intact. Each tower has a pyramid-shaped interior and is dedicated to a different deity," he continued.

At first, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what characteristic makes these towers so unusual. But a closer look reveals that the stacked brick towers don't actually show typical brick joints, instead, the tower facades appear smooth and even.

"They were built without cement according to the Cham building techniques of precisely stacking bricks on top of each other. This effect was achieved as a result of the Cham people using high-quality bricks which were rubbed smooth during construction," Xuyen said.

Sitting proudly the highest point, the tallest tower is approximately 25m high. From here, visitors can feast their eyes on the beautiful nearby sights of mountains, rivers, sky, sea and fishing villages. 

Sculptor Xuan Hung puts the finishing touch to one of his pottery products.

A study by scholar Tran Ky Phuong found that the Po Nagar temples were one of the two major sanctuaries of the Champa courts, which also reflected the phenomena of the Champa cosmological dualist cult.

Phuong's study Historic Champa States in Viet Nam: Champa Origins, Reconfirmed Nomenclatures, and Preservation of Sites celebrated the typical architecture style of the temples.

"Champa temple-towers were built according to the following pattern: the body of the tower is square, while the pyramid- shaped roof is of three levels with a sandstone ridge. The tower doors are open to the east and west."

According to Ngo My Chau, head of the provincial Historical Sites Centre, the Po Nagar Temples complex received nearly 700,000 visitors in 2011 and another 570,000 in the first nine months of this year.

Today, visitors to the temples can experience first-hand the traditional dance and music of the Cham people. Tourists are given a taste of the hypnotic Cham dancing Apsara and music behind the tallest tower, which involves fans and ceramic pots. They also have the chance to witness the whole process of traditional brocade weaving andpottery making.

During my stay in Nha Trang, I came back to the Po Nagar Temple because it was the first day of the annual festival to honour the goddess Yan Po Nagar. People from all over southern central Viet Nam - both ethnic Cham and Kinh minority people - join together to worship the deity.

The four-day festival runs from the 20th day of the third month according to the lunar calendar, and features a diverse mix of traditional singing, dancing and worshipping ceremonies.

Each year about 70 delegations from all over the region attend the festival, bringing gifts of food, fruits and flowers to offer to the deity. These offerings continue throughout the three days of festivities.

The most anticipated part of the festival is the lantern ceremony which takes place on the evening of the first day. A mass procession parades from the main entrance of the temple to the banks of the Cai River below. Those in the parade are dressed in traditional costume and each carry two lanterns.

These lanterns are then released into the river, creating a moving tableau of candle-light which follows the flow of the river. 

Roughly 7,000 lanterns are released next to the temple, which is also lit-up as the city descends into darkness. 

Candles are released to pray for the spirits of the dead, including soldiers who died in battle and fishermen who lost their lives at sea.

5 free things: Vietnam’s capital is a city of beauty

Hoan Kiem Lake

At first glance, Hanoi is a hornet’s nest of motorbikes swarming Vietnam’s capital city. But look beyond the sea of roaring engines and beeping horns and a land of old-world Asian charm awaits, with wide tree-lined streets shading old French colonial-style villas.

Vietnam remains very cheap by Western standards, so it’s possible to grab a big steaming bowl of pho — a brothy, aromatic beef or chicken noodle soup that serves as the country’s staple dish — off a sidewalk cauldron for the price of a cup of coffee.

Still, in a city dotted with sleepy lakes and Buddhist temples where much of life is lived on the street, some of the best experiences truly are free. Here’s five picks:

STROLL AROUND HOAN KIEM LAKE

The lake is the centerpiece of central Hanoi. Its shady banks are a meeting place for young teenagers chatting on mobile phones alongside aging war veterans playing chess. Early in the morning, the lake comes alive with crowds of Vietnamese doing an array of exercises, ranging from serene tai chi to booming aerobics. Take a walk around the water and look for the famous turtle that many Vietnamese believe is sacred. If you spot it surface, make a wish because it’s considered good luck!

HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM

The embalmed body of Uncle Ho, as Vietnamese affectionately call their late founding president Ho Chi Minh, can be viewed inside an enormous granite mausoleum. For many Vietnamese, the trip to Hanoi to see the famous revolutionary who liberated them from French colonial rule is considered a must-do. The mausoleum offers regular changing of the guard ceremonies, but is only open during certain hours and days. Proper dress and a respectful attitude are required. Cameras are not allowed inside.

OLD QUARTER WALKING TOUR

The 36 ancient streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter are a maze of madness filled with treasures. The streets are narrow and so are the houses, but that doesn’t stop the constant crush of motorbikes and the increasing number of cars mixing with bicycles, tourists and rickshaws known as cyclos. Despite the chaos, the Old Quarter should not be missed. Its lanes are overflowing with everything from touristy trinkets to fine silks, along with the wares for which each street is named. Locals still go there to buy everything from bamboo to buttons. Tuck into a small traditional market within the Old Quarter or a big one, such as Dong Xuan, for another colorful glimpse of daily Vietnamese life and foods.

TEMPLES AND CATHEDRAL

Hanoi is packed with beautiful Buddhist temples, many of them ancient. Just follow the scent of burning incense and step away from the chaotic streets to take a moment to reflect and soak in the calm. The One Pillar Pagoda is among the city’s most famous sites, but many Vietnamese flock to the Tay Ho Pagoda overlooking the city’s large West Lake to leave offerings and pray, especially on auspicious days. Another option is to visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral or attend a mass inside the landmark neo-gothic Roman Catholic church with its weathered facade and stained glass windows.

FRENCH ARCHITECTURE

Close your eyes on many wide, leafy streets in Hanoi, and it’s easy to be transported to another century. A short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake stands the French-built grand Hanoi Opera House, which has been beautifully restored and is a favorite spot for young brides and grooms posing for wedding pictures. Just across the street is the landmark Sofitel Metropole Hotel — where Graham Greene penned parts of his famous novel, “The Quiet American” — and the nearby Government Guest House, both great examples of French colonial-style architecture full of history. The stately Presidential Palace near Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum is another popular site located not far from many elegant foreign embassies and villas.

Thua Thien-Hue to assist travel firms during airport shutdown

 

 

Thua Thien-Hue Province will help tour operators carry tourists from Danang Airport to Hue City during the eight-month shutdown of Phu Bai Airport starting from March next year.

Vietnam Airlines will launch more flights to Danang during this period to meet the transport demand of tourists.

Ngo Hoa, vice chairman of Thua Thien-Hue, said when Phu Bai Airport was temporarily closed for runway repair, the province would send coaches from Hue to its neighboring city of Danang to pick up tourists. The province will soon inform travel firms of this plan, Hoa told the Daily on the sidelines of a meeting with the aviation authorities on Thursday.

Earlier, Vietnam Airlines Corporation sent a dispatch to the government of Thua Thien-Hoa, informing the province about a plan for shutdown of Phu Bai Airport. As planned, the airport will be closed in March 2013 for runway repair in 6-8 months.

Hoa said the provincial authorities had met a number of tour operators to discuss how to serve tourists during the shutdown of the airport.

At present, Phu Bai Airport receives three round-trip flights from HCMC and three others from Hanoi every day. On the peak days, there can be up to 3,000 tourists traveling from Hue to HCMC and Hanoi and vice versa.

“We will seek ways to further support enterprises so that they will not incur much loss and can maintain the growth rate of the tourism industry,” said Hoa.

Phu Bai Airport was once shut down for runway repair in May and June last year. Back then, travel firms were displeased at the local authorities for the airport shutdown upon short notice.

Thua Thien-Hue with the word’s heritage Hue Ancient Capital is one of the main destinations for tourists in the central region. The province last month welcomed nearly 2.2 million foreign and local tourist arrivals.

Source: SGT

 

Hanoi girls enjoy the romance of yellow flowers

As winter is approaching, yellow flowers are in full bloom on the outskirts of Hanoi. 

Young people often gather on weekends at Thanh Tri bridge pier, Phu Dong-Gia Lam dyke, in Yen Vien fields, or along the embankment of the Duong River to pose for beautiful photographs that make use of the romantic atmosphere.

The yellow flowers reach full bloom in March and November.

Following are several photos snapped by reporters:

Developing community-based tourism with Giay ethnic people in Ta Van Village

 

 

Located within the area of Muong Hoa valley, about 8 kilometers from Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, Ta Van Commune is a popular destination for those who love to experience a memorable homestay in a local ethnic people’s house and share the dinner with them as a member of their family. 

Being at the altitude of 1,200 – 1,500m, annual average temperature of Ta Van is 15 – 16ºC. Ta Van is home to H’mong ethnic people (occupying nearly 45%) in Den Thang, Xeo Mi Ty and Ta Van Mong villages, Giay people (35%) in Ta Van Giay village, and Dao people (20%) in Giang Ta Chai Dao Village.

Ta Van Commune lies within a picturesque valley with ancient rock field, falls, spring and terrace fields... It is convenient for tourists to travel from here to other well-known destinations in Sa Pa as Lao Chai, Ta Phin, Cat Cat… Ta Van thus is the first choice of tourists on the way to discover Sa Pa. 

Thanks to available potential, Ta Van has become an important community-based tourism commune of Sa Pa District with the participation of 3 - 4 households in 2001, 28 ones in 2008, and now 45. Noticeably, Ta Van Giay is village of more than 20 households of Giay people, mostly taking part in community-based tourism. 

Crossing the suspension bridge over Muong Hoa spring, visitors come to Ta Van Giay. In the early morning, mist and cloud covers the spring making bridge bobbed in cloud. The two sides of the road to the village are fertile terraced fields offered by the green of young corn and rice. Upon arrival at Ta Van Giay Village, visitors are surprised at the beauty from simplicity mixed nicely, courtesy of the houses on stills in the village.

The houses are made of wood with three compartments: the middle one is use to lay altar and receive guests, the right one is bedroom, the left one is kitchen with a garret to keep food. In the middle of door, there is red amulet with yellow paper and a sentence in Chinese script in order to dispel evil spirits.

Giay people in Ta Van cultivate wet rice, forge tools of production, engrave silver and weave fabric. Coming here, visitors will have chances to witness Giay woman making sophisticated jewelry, brocade products.

Under the direction of local government, the village has built spacious houses with full bed cushions, blankets, bathroom, toilets to welcome guests who want to stay here. Besides, Giay ethnic people also learn to communicate with foreigners and do various services to serve tourists. Thanks to community-based tourism development, their lives have been improved, contributing to poverty alleviation.

Visiting Ta Van Giay village, tourists have a chance to enjoy special dishes of Giay ethnic people (Muong Hum grilled fish, Muong Khuong thang co, Bac Ha pork, Van Ban five-color sticky...), local festivals (Nao Cong ceremony, Roong Pooc ceremony), folk games (nem con, danh yen…). 

In order to diversify community-based tourism activities, the village has set up performance team with 30 artists to show special dances, songs of Giay ethnic people as: then dancing, ken dancing, giao duyen singing (dual love songs)…

The friendliness and hospitality of Giay ethnic people in Ta Van are among most memorable things which make visitors desire to go back... 

Source: VNTNews

 

Phan Rang is tourist heaven

I have visited Phan Rang several times but each trip gave me a new experience and brought me to new cool places of this coastal central city of Ninh Thuan Province.

 

The memory of passing through a sand dune on the way to Dinh Cape in Ninh Thuan Province will be unforgettable

People who love to swim in the sea, to bathe in a stream, to trek to a mountain, to explore a forest can find all these things in this ideal destination.

Apart from popular destinations in Ninh Thuan such as Vinh Hy Bay, Ca Na and Binh Tien beaches, Poklong Garai Tower, Bau Truc Pottery Village and My Nghiep Brocade Village, tourists are advised to visit Nam Cuong sand dunes, Hanging Lake on Nui Chua National Park, Mui Dinh Lighthouse, Chapor Waterfall, fossilized coral reef and Rai Cave.

To get to Phan Rang, which is about 330km away from HCMC, tourists can either take a train or bus/car. The best option is a two-way journey in an air-conditioned train to Thap Cham Railway Station in Phan Rang which costs VND900,000.

The first destination should be the red Nam Cuong sand dunes in Tuan Tu Culture Village in Ninh Phuoc District’s An Hai Commune. The 700 hectare Nam Cuong sand dunes amazingly shine in different color tones depending on the sunlight. The perfect time to admire the sand dunes is at sunrise when the first rays of the sun from the horizon reflect its light onto the place and gradually spread its light.

A tourist poses in front of a pre-historic fossil reef

Tourists can then visit Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Hai District which is 7km from Phan Rang-Thap Cham City at around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. to avoid the heat and humidity. The park has a unique semi-arid flora and fauna, sea turtle nesting beaches, protected prehistoric coral reef which faces the sea. Some might think that its surface looks like Mars as there are a lot of holes in different shapes and depth.

Especially, tourists cannot imagine that there’s a Hanging Lake on the peak of the park which is full of water from streams and underground springs in the area all-year round. The diameter of the lake is 80 meters. Its water is blue, and, especially in rainy months, the lake amidst the immense forest creates a beautifully proportioned picture.

The next day you can discover Chapor waterfall which is located in Ma Lam Hamlet in Phuoc Tan Commune of Bac Ai District and is 60km from Phan Rang City. This is a natural waterfall and stream and falls down from a height of 50m to the ponds below. Tourists can freely relax on the pure and cool water of the stream below the waterfall or find a flat rock under a shade to enjoy a meal or take a snap in a very quite and peaceful space.

Mui Dinh (Dinh Cape) in Son Hai Village in Phuoc Dinh Commune which is 40km south of Phan Rang City and 10 km from the popular Ca Na beach is the perfect ending to your trip. However, this is not an ideal place for those who are not physically strong as you have to pass a sand dune in strong winds. The wind power can extinguish even a brave tourist’s will. If you can pass it, you are treated to a fantastic landscape of primitive, beautiful, white sand beach with rock cliffs at the foot of Dinh Mountain and a romantic lighthouse on the peak.

Tourists can buy friends and relatives some Ninh Thuan souvenirs like fish sauce, garlic and products made from grape. As for local specialties, banh can (a cake made from rice flour served with seafood) and banh canh (rice noodles with fish paste) are a must.

A tourist poses in front of a pre-historic fossil reef

A tourist poses in front of a pre-historic fossil reef

   

Puppeteer makes a splash with home-made homage to his art

 There are no ticket booths at the door or any ticket collectors hanging around, and visitors are simply led upstairs inside what appears to be a normal, three-storey Vietnamese home on a small lane deep off the capital city's bustling Kham Thien Street.

 

On the upper floor, a homemade tank ringed with bamboo trees and with water ferns floating in it sits in front of a model of a traditional communal house, and this is where noted water puppeteer Phan Thanh Liem has erected a small stage and museum to his art.

The house recently began welcoming foreign tourists to take a look into the old artform, which originated in the rural countryside of northern Viet Nam.

The tour includes a brief history of water puppetry and of Liem's family tradition. His grandfather Phan Van Huyen and father Phan Van Ngai laid a foundation for Viet Nam's present day water puppetry theatre. The tour continues with a puppet show by Liem himself and a demonstration of puppet-making before ending with a meal of traditional dishes.

Liem said he had the idea of turning his home into a tourist destination after many years as a solo puppeteer travelling around the country as well as abroad.

"When travelling giving performances, I could not show off my family's tradition," he said. "And I hoped to entertain tourists with the unique experience of visiting a family engaged in a traditional art form right at the heart of the city."

With the floating water ferns, which he bought from the countryside, and records of countryside sounds including roosters crowing, dogs barking, cows mooing, and the chirping of insects and croaking of frogs, he creates a rural ambience for his shows.

"This is the second time I have seen a water puppet show in Viet Nam," Canadian visitor Emma Brian told Viet Nam News, wiping water droplets from her face. "I like this show more than the other one since I can not only see the performance but also learn how the puppets are made and even work them on the water myself."

Indochina Travelland's Le Thuy Thu Thuong said that a group of students and teachers she guided from an international school in Malaysia enjoyed the visit greatly.

"The museum is new and the special brain-child of an artisan," Thuong said. "He doesn't need to be too professional in receiving the guests, just remain natural, friendly and cosy in the way he and his family have done, and his house will become a top destination. My company will now choose Liem's house to entertain tourists travelling in small groups rather than handicraft villages further out of the city in Hai Duong."

"I think this model is suited to small groups of tourists of fewer than 15, especially tourists travelling with their families and children," said Dao Trong Duc from Vido Tour Co. "It is a good choice for tourist companies in peak season, when the big, professional puppet theatres like the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre are too crowded."

The zig-zagging lane leading to Liem's house was also enjoyable to Western guests who wanted to experience more of the everyday life of Vietnamese people, Duc added.

In this experimental stage, Liem said he did not care much for profit. He just hoped to invite more tourist agencies to come to see his museum so that he can perfect his special tourist destination.

"Though turning my home into a tourist attraction has affected my family's privacy, my priority is introducing my family's pride to more people from around the world," he said.

"Tourists coming here can see everything dealing with water puppetry in a very intimate space, something they can't find in the big water puppetry theatres," said Mai Thanh Huyen from Exotissimo Travel Co.

Source: VNS

 

Lang Son Then festival gets underway

 

A national festival featuring Then singing and Tinh lute music got underway in the northern province of Lang Son on November 4. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, themed ‘the origin of Then singing’, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai said that the festival, the fourth of its kind to be held in the country so far, is part of the ministry’s campaign to gain UNESCO recognition of the art as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

The festival aims to honour the culture of Then singing and Tinh lute music and promote the region’s cultural heritages, to boost economic development and improve the material and spiritual lives of local people, he said. 

It also offers Then singers and musicians from northern localities the chance to meet and learn from each other, he added. 

According to Deputy Director of the Lang Son provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Phuc Ha, this year’s festival will see nearly 800 artists from Lang Son and its neighbouring provinces taking part. 

Traditional Then singing is common to the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minority groups in northern Vietnam and is most popular in Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang and Dien Bien provinces. It is a unique combination of music and song accompanied by the handmade Tinh guitar, which has only two strings.

Source: VNA

 

Trying medicinal bathing with the Dao people

Medicinal bathing is a local feature of the indigenous Red Dao in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai . In Ta Phin Commune (Sa Pa District), tourists can spot many families drying herbs in their front yards.

                             

Legend has it that on the last day of the year the Dao boiled leaves from the forest for medicinal bathing before welcoming the new year in. As this practice proves both effective and salubrious, a majority of Kinh people have considered it a unique feature of Red Dao culture. Each barrel of water usually contains at least 10 types of herbs, even up to 120. Every bathroom has a wardrobe to keep personal belongings and visitors feel quite relaxed to bathe in the typical wooden tubs filled with hot water and the aromatic smell of different herbs.

There are two types of bathrooms: a single for one wishing to bathe alone and a double for couples to share.

Stepping out from a steam-filled bathroom, Christine Smith—an American tourist—says; "I feel so relaxed, like being full of energy". Christine is no exception. Other Western tourists also feel the same about medical bathing in Sa Pa after a long trip through north-western provinces. Ly Ta May, 30, says bathing with medicinal herbs is a traditional practice of the Red Dao.

“In our village, either in winter or summer, the whole family boils a big pot of medicinal herbs to fill wooden tubs for themselves to bathe in the hope of curing ailments such as knee, hand, and foot pain, muscle pain, headache, back pain, excess alcohol, fatigue, poor blood circulation, and skin diseases.

“If women take to bathing with these herbs after giving birth, they will recover quickly and have a better blood circulation and beautiful skin”, she says.

Getting medicinal herbs

Red Dao people in Sa Pa are famous for curing bone, joint, and muscle pains, common cold and flu symptoms. Collecting medicinal herbs is no easy task, says Chao Man May from Ta Van Village. “Medicinal herbs grow along the streams or in the forest. If you want to pick them, you’d rather go deep into the forest”, she says.

                                               

Like other Dao women, May has spent time teaching her young daughter about how to pick medicinal herbs where they often grow, and how to tell  the difference between the medicinal plants and poisonous varieties.

“This is very important because some poisonous herbs look much like medicinal ones. Only after about five or six trips to the forest, can my daughter find the right herbs”, she says.

She says the best time for picking medicinal herbs is in the early morning, as the dew preserves the essence of the sky and earth in them.

The Dao only take the branches and leaves, leaving the roots intact for growth until the next time of pruning.

The final step is to chop and dry the herbs in the sun so that they can be used for a long time. However, according to May, using fresh herbs is better than dried herbs.

The Red Dao’s treatment secrets have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, some medicinal remedies are given in Sa Pa as a special tourist service

Preparing water for medicinal bathing is time-consuming. It is boiled with both fresh and dried herbs in liquid form for people to soak up through the skin.

Dr. Tran Van On from Ha Noi University of Pharmacy says: “Each remedy of the Red Dao usually consists of between 10-120 different kinds of herbs, depending on regular or irregular medication”.

After many years of research, On has helped other Red Dao people process several kinds of herbs into pulverized substance for future use. The Red Dao’s medicinal bathing has become one of the northern mountainous province‘s attractions, even though it is still a mystery to foreign tourists who first set foot in Sapa.

Vietnamese booth at Mexican festival

 

 

During last week’s La Nao Festival in Acapunco City in Mexico a booth displayed Vietnamese cultural products, fine arts works, lacquer paintings and images of the nation and people, reports VietnamPlus.

Thousands of visitors came to the Vietnamese product area and were interests in goods such as ao dai (Vietnamese long dress), conical hats, lacquer art as well as images depicting Halong Bay and the country’s achievements in the mission of renovation and development.

Many tourists also lingered to ask more about the nation’s history, custom, weather and specialties in each region.

Luis Walton Aburto, major of Acapunco City, stressed that Vietnam is one of only a few countries who have taken part in the festival every year since 2007. This year saw one million visitors.

The Fair of Colors, Sound and Flavors also featured two booths of fine arts products and traditional cloths from the nation last week. The association of Vietnamese students in Mexico dressed themselves in traditional costumes to parade from Zocalo Square to the Revolution Monument and joined many cultural exchange activities to promote Vietnamese culture to international friends.

Source: SGT

 

Spratly flowers blossom in HCM City

Barringtonia asiatica, a tree taken from Truong Sa, or Spratly Islands, are blossoming along HCM City’s Hoang Sa Street.

 

This specimen of arringtonia asiatica grows under Thi Nghe Bridge

According to HCM City’s Farmers Association, the tree is indigenous tropical coastal wetlands and island ecosystems, and is also endangered.

In addition, this species of tree is of great significance to Vietnamese people, as they represent a symbol of the disputed islands and of the soldiers encamped there.

The tree was a gift from Spratly to HCM City, and was planted ten years ago by former President Nguyen Minh Triet and HCM City’s Party Committee.

There are plans to grow more of these trees in HCM City along the newly-built Hoang Sa and Truong Sa streets.

Some pictures of the flowers produced from the tree

Spratly flowers blossom in HCM City

Flower buds

Blossom

Stamens

From flowers to fruits

The tree on Hoang Sa Street is plentiful in fruit

Ripe fruits

New little tree

Chapor Waterfall appeals to adventurers

If you love walking, trekking and swimming, Chapor Waterfall located inside a primeval forest in the coastal province of Ninh Thuan promises an exciting trip.

 

From the main street, tourists have to wade across a stream to walk to Chapor Waterfall 

The waterfall is located in Ma Lam Hamlet in Phuoc Tan Commune of Bac Ai District and is 60km away from Phan Rang City.

The waterfall is full of water all year round, running through villages of the ethnic minority people Raglai. The name Chapor in Raglai people’s language means flying waterfall. People also call it Cha Pang or Piago waterfall.

This is a natural waterfall and stream and falls down from a height of 50m to the ponds below. It looks like a giant white silk cloth covering Ma Lam Mountain’s cliffs.

Tourists cannot resist the pure and cool water in the stream with a depth of about five feet. If tired of swimming, tourists can take some snaps or enjoy food on some huge flat-surface rock on two sides of the stream.

It’s quite difficult for tourists to get to the site as the local authority is currently trying to improve the road’s quality. There’s a bridge under construction, so there is no access to the site by car or coach, so tourists have to be prepared to walk three to four kilometers on a rough red soil street or ask local residents to take them to the site by motorbike for VND50,000 two-way for one person.

Sitting on the back seat of a high-speed bike through dusty roads in strong winds and being chased by barking dogs and tumbling down a sloping street inside the forest can be a thrilling memory to travelers.

It’s recommended to visit the waterfall during the dry season, as during the rainy season the road’s surface will be turned into mud. Tourists should prepare water, light clothes, sandals instead of flip flops to walk on rocks and anti-insect lotion to protect your skin from large leeches and poisonous mosquitoes in the tropical forest.

Since last year, the local authority has called on investors to develop the venue into a tourist site where travelers can enjoy better road facilities to visit the spectacular landscape of a primeval forest with diversified fauna and floral.

Despite the road’s poor quality, there are busloads of tourists from HCMC, Nha Trang and Binh Thuan rushing to discover the waterfall. So, why do you have to hesitate to make a trip to this new but very cool place with family and friends?

 

Rumbling white water from the lowest level of Chapor falls down a pure lake where tourists can freely swim and relax on some huge rocks 

 

Ethnic minority children swim on a stream on the way leading to the site