Unique traditional arts rolled into one show

Foreigners who love Vietnamese traditional arts, now have the chance to watch a performance of Cai Luong, a kind of opera popular in the south of Vietnam combined with Ca Tru ceremonial singing and Cheo traditional opera, translated into English.

The performance of Ba chua tho Nom (the Queen of Nom Poetry) is scheduled for foreigners on the 22nd day of every month. The audiences will be provided with bilingual brochures, which will tell them more about the poet Ho Xuan Huong, as well as the play.

The show is also about how playwright Linh Huyen has come up with a new way of looking at the 18th century poet. She spent eight months studying Ho Xuan Huong, one of Vietnam’s most closely-analysed cultural figures.

The two hour performance is unique as the stage and costume designers Si Hoang and Kim B were both inspired by Dong Ho and Tu Binh traditional paintings.

Additionally, only traditional music instruments are used.

The show’s central character is portrayed by well-known northern Cai Luong performer Thanh Thanh Hien, who is also famous for traditional singing such as Ca Tru and Cheo.

The show is directed by Tran Minh Ngoc and premiered in May at the Ho Chi Minh Opera House.

(Source: VNA)

Kien An Cung Pagoda

If on a tour to Sa Dec Town, don’t forget to pass by Kien An Cung Pagoda of Huynh Thuy Le’s family, which is related to the French novel “L’amant” (“The Lover”) by Marguerite Duras

Located in Ward 2, Sa Dec Town, Dong Thap Province, the 1,000m² Kien An Cung Pagoda was built between 1924 and 1927 by Huynh Thuan, Huynh Thuy Le’s father, and a group of Chinese people from Phuc Kien Province living in Sa Dec Town at that time.

Kien An Cung Pagoda worships Ong Quach Thanh Vuong Cong (Quach Aristocrat), whose hometown was Fujian Province. Quach Aristocrat helped Tong Thai To (King Song) mount punitive expeditions against a smaller nation Nam Duong (Southern Tang), one of the ten kingdoms in south-central China created following the Tang Dynasty from 937-975, and establish the Song Dynasty.

The pagoda, whose front faces the Cai Son River, was built as the shape of the Chinese word meaning merit including three compartments of which the largest was used for the shrine. The roof was made meticulously with three layers, first tiles, second bricks and third more tiles. Most of the material used for building the pagoda was brought from Fujian Province.

Every year, the pagoda celebrates rituals on February 22 and August 22 of the lunar calendar. And every three years, Kien An Cung Pagoda sets up altars to celebrate requiems for the dead souls and pray for the peace of the country.

Inside the pagoda is an altar to worship Huynh Thuy Le and his wife. In April, 1990, Kien An Cung Pagoda was recognized as a national cultural and historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

(Source: SGT)

Airlines increases flights to Nha Trang during summer

The national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines and the low-cost Jestar Pacific airlines will increase flights to Nha Trang City of the central province of Khanh Hoa to meet tourists’ rising demand during the vacation season.

Between June and August, Vietnam Airlines will increase the number of flights on the Hanoi-Nha Trang route to four per day and from Ho Chi Minh City -to Nha Trang to five per day.

Meanwhile Jestar Pacific will reopen the Hanoi-Nha Trang route on June 1 with two flights from each destination per day.

(Source: VNA)

Victoria’s hotel and resort join annual boat race and kite competition

The Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, a member of Victoria Hotels & Resorts, will run its sixth annual Dragon Boat Races on the Bassac River in Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province on June 3.

Trinh Quang Man, General Manager of Victoria Chau Doc, said this year the hotel will collaborate with the Chau Doc Sports Center to organize the Dragon Boat Races which are held annually in celebration of the Lady Xu Festival. The festival is held annually at the Lady Xu Temple from the 23rd to the 27th day of the 4th lunar month.

Around 20 teams from neighboring Phu Tan, Chau Phu, An Phu and Tan Chau districts and Chau Doc Town of An Giang Province and from Dong Thap Province and Can Tho City will compete in three categories: 500-, 700- and 1000-meter races in teams of 10 male athletes and teams of 20 male athletes, and teams of ten female athletes.

Another sister of Victoria Chau Doc, the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa, located on the outskirts of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient port in Central Vietnam, is sponsoring its sixth annual Kite Competition on June 12.

The event is staged in cooperation with the Sports & Culture Department of Hoi An City to promote The Great Festival Day of 1,000 Years of Thang Long-Hanoi and advertise the culture, tourist, sports and trade activities of Quang Nam Province. As many 170 participants from Hoi An, Danang, Hue and other provinces are expected to participate in the colorful competition.

Participants receive travel expenses of VND200,000 for Quang Nam and Danang competitors, VND500,000 for those from HCMC and Hanoi and VND300,000 for the others.

(Source: SGT)

Nhat Tu Son – world of rocks

For people who think of abrasion of time when they see giant worn rocks, Nhat Tu Son, an island of millions of giant rocks in diverse shapes formed by breaking waves, would be an amazing place to admire some masterpieces of nature.

Belonging to Xuan Dai Bay and about 3km from Song Cau Township in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, Nhat Tu Son is a must-see destination in the province. As the island is not too far from shore it takes about ten minutes on a wooden boat to get there.

Once leaving the boat for the island, visitors enter another world, distinct from the outside world by its stillness and primitiveness. After several minutes of crossing through the trees, excursionists feel as if they were on a planet of rocks. Millions of rocks in various shapes lie along the beach for about one kilometer. These rocks have gradually changed their shape over the centuries as the ocean continues its game of tag with them.

Some rocks here are piled up and others stand imposingly, awesome for visitors to pose for photos to show off the journey to family and friends. However, some rocks are moss-covered and slippery, so be careful.

The island, although surrounded by mountains and covered with trees, gets hot so tourists should bring plenty of water to prevent the harsh summer sun from ruining the trip. There are no houses, no residents and no tourist services, just a deserted island, so good preparation is necessary.

Even if you are not a petrographer or geologist, Nhat Tu Son is a wonderful option. From HCMC, take a train to Tuy Hoa City, then a taxi for about 30 kilometers on National Highway 1A to Song Cau Cau Township. Then talk to local fishermen where to hire a boat and the way to get there.

(Source: SGT)

Sea and Island Week to take place in Quang Binh

Vietnam Sea and Island Week 2010, themed “The ocean of the life, preserve the life of the ocean”, will be held in the central province of Quang Binh from June 4-6.

Hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the event will include a number of activities such as a sea and island festival, a fair promoting the sea-based economy and a meeting in response to World Environment Day (June 5), World Ocean Day (June 8) and the International Year on Biodiversity.

During the week, a sand painting contest for students, an exhibition of photos on sea and islands and an exchange between young people from the Vietnam General Department of Sea and Islands and Quang Binh Province will be held.

Other activities will include visits to traditional craft villages and outstanding seafood processing companies in Quang Binh Province and exchanges among businesses.

Developing the island economy is one of the government’s priorities Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a ten year master plan for the island economy by 2020 that aims to boost the rapid, effective and sustainable development of the island system, create a breakthrough in developing sea and island economies and turn islands into bases strong enough to defend the nation.

The plan sets a target of raising the island economy’s contributions to the national economy to 0.5% from the current 0.2% and reaching an island economic growth rate to 14-15% per year by 2020.

To reach the goal, around VND162.5 trillion will be needed from now to 2020.

(Source: VNA)

Rare fruits to be displayed in HCMC

Some new and usual fruits will be on display at the Southern Fruit Festival which opens on June 1 at the Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Park in HCMC. They include trai than ky (miraculous fruit) from Tien Giang Province which is reputed to make everything else eaten subsequently taste sweet too, La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said.

Then there would be Cau Duc pineapples from Hau Giang, Dac Lac avocados from Buon Me Thuot, and Cam Cao mangoes from Dong Nai.

There would also be the usual suspects like Go Cong watermelons, Nam Roi Hoang Gia pomelos, An Phuoc plums, Long Khanh rambutans, and Ba Den custard apples.

A floating market made of 70 boats would sell 45 kinds of fruits at much below market prices, including some from the US and China.

"This year's festival will be much more interesting; with boats and sellers dressed in traditional southern outfits evoking images of the famous floating markets in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

"The estimated cost of the festival is VND4 billion (USD210,500), 25% higher than last year."

Also on display will be processed fruit products like jam, dried fruits, and fruit wine.

The market will last three months after opening on Saturday, while the festival itself will go on for just 16 days.

"Tourism authorities from Yunnan Province in China have said they would like to learn from Vietnam how to use fruits to promote tourism," Khanh said.

A procession will be held in which fairies and the monkey king of the Chinese fable Journey to the West escort 16 fruit genies to the festival venue to wish success.

Around 100 artisans will take part in an artistic fruit-carving contest. There will be a contest for the most delicious and hygienic fruits for farmers, Pham Thiet Hoa, Director of the city's Centre for Agricultural Consultancy and Support, said.

"The first contest, held last year, attracted 214 contestants. We expected to have 350 this year but have already received 458 entries," he said.

City supermarkets are waiting to strike deals with the winners who will get assistance to have their products certified as following Viet GAP (Vietnam Good Agricultural Practices), he added.

Long Phung Suoi Tien Restaurant chain will treat visitors to 30 delicious and unusual dishes made from fruit, including mangosteen salad with fried cuttlefish and steamed chicken with plum.

(Source: VNA)

Om Beach – pride of nature

As modern development continues to devour the natural world, more and more people look for antiques or a pristine destination to experience life in a way more similar to the way our ancestors lived.

When mentioning famous beaches around the country, right away people think of Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Vung Tau. But these days, Phu Yen Province is more frequently mentioned by visitors and is listed in tours by local travel agents due to the province’s unspoiled destinations. In which, Om Beach is a stop that any tourist coming to Phu Yen Province should not miss in order to wallow in the temptation of nature.

Belonging to Xuan Dai Bay, Om Beach is rather an obscure name to tourists in Vietnam, which is why it has resisted industrial development, human settlement or any services. The beach feasts visitors a totally brand-new feeling different from other beaches with a natural world separated with outside world by peace, silence and primitiveness.

Om Beach is divided in two by an isthmus with the front beach boasts with an endless sandy beach under shade of coconut trees and the back beach hugged by two hills.

Just a meter or so under the salt water is sharp and jagged coral so swimmers must be careful to avoid injury. However, there is swimming and bathing in crystal-blue water and a chance to admire the colorful reef and schools of fish.

More importantly, there are many giant rocks in diverse shapes near the beach that are great background for girls in bikinis to pose for many photos.

Om Beach can be reached from the center of Tuy Hoa City by taking National Highway 1A to Song Cau Town. From here, ask a local the way to Vung La, a fishing village in Xuan Phuong Commune just 600m south of the beach. Boats can be hired from local fishermen at Song Cau Town or Nhat Tu Son Town about 6km south of the beach. The boat trip takes about 90 minutes.

(Source: SGT)

New air route between Danang and Dalat cities

The Danang City People’s Committee and Lam Dong Province have signed an agreement with Vietnam Airlines to re-open an air route connecting Danang and Dalat, a local paper has said.

Beginning in mid-June, the carrier will operate at least four flights per week from Danang to Dalat with ATR72 aircraft, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said.

The air route was re-opened to satisfy the demand of residents in the area as well as promote tourism development of two key tourism cities in the central and Central Highlands region.

(Source: VNA)

Trekking Up Nui Chua From Vinh Hy Bay

In spite of the baking heat of Ninh Thuan in April, visitors do not flinch from touring Nui Chua National Park, including making a 10km trek to the lake on the mountain

Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, occupies a total area of about 30,000ha, including 23,000ha of land and 7,000ha of sea, and is bounded by the sea. The highest peak is Co Tuy, also known as Chua Anh Peak, 1,039m above sea level. The attractions of Nui Chua are its terrain, climate, abundant and diverse biological elements, and tourism potential, especially for eco-tourism, discovery and adventure.

On the Nui Chua tour, a 45km-ride to Vinh Hy Bay from Saigon-Ninh Chu Resort, which is 7km from Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, is combined with a trek through the forest to reach the lake on the mountain and trek down to Thung Beach. A ride from Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Binh Tien Beach in Cam Ranh Peninsula is combined with a tour around Nai Lagoon by car.

The highlight of the tour is the trek up Nui Chua on the Vinh Huy-Thung Beach route. The easiest way to get there is to depart from the heart of Phan Rang-Thap Cham, head to Vinh Hy Bay then take a 10-km trek.

Si, a forest ranger of Nui Chua National Park, led our group to the lake on the mountain. Before embarking, Si warned that it took four hours to hike through the forest in order to enjoy the view of the lake before going on to watch the poetic beauty of Thung Beach.

Previously, if tourists wanted to reach the lake from Vinh Hy fishing village, they felt more exhausted after traveling along the narrow, bumpy forest paths. Recently, thanks to the new road linking Vinh Hy and Tien (Fairy) Beach, two of the most beautiful attractions in Ninh Thuan, the first three kilometers of the road are easy to travel.

However, walkers have to withstand the hot weather in Ninh Thuan. This is also the reason that some group members felt tired and looked for motorbike taxis to carry them the rest of the way.

Although there are motorbike taxis, it is not easy to continue the tour with them as they have to pass through narrow and unmarked paths. Tourists can hike through the forest under the shade of the trees and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the forest while listening to the birds singing. BR>

The road that tourists have just hiked opens onto a new road that slopes gently and is easy to travel. Halfway up the mountain, there is a view of a corner of Cam Ranh Peninsula with its blue seawater in harmony with the clouds, hills and mountains, creating an imposing and attractive natural picture.

Tourists may ask how attractive the lake on the mountain is. If they expect the scenery to be magnificent, they will be astonished and a little disappointed when they reach the lake. However, the lake features strange characteristics that are distinct from other tourist attractions. The diameter of the lake is 80m. Its water is blue, and, especially in rainy months, the lake amidst the immense forest creates a beautifully proportioned picture of a landscape in harmony between yin and yang. Around the lake there are a lot of old trees with roots hanging on to big stones. This is an attractive venue for eco-tourism and an exciting place to camp for the night.

Those who do not wish to visit the lake can followother roads to the sea to Vinh Hy Bay. Tourists will be amazed at the primal beauty of Nui Chua with its combination of trees and mountains, the white sands of Thung Beach and the blue water of the sea. At the beach, visitors can freely swim, or dive to directly touch the sand and see the coral at the bottom of the sea.

Tourists can escape the sunshine by staying at a cottage of a friendly local family near the seaside to enjoy the cool breeze from the East Sea. Then they can hop on a glass-bottom boat to begin the discovery of peaceful and poetic Vinh Hy, one of four bays in Vietnam, to view the coral.

(Source: SGT)

Mountains eager for Hanoi’s millennium anniversary

The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai will open a week of culture and tourism on May 29 to join the entire nation in preparation for Hanoi’s millennium anniversary which is four months ahead.

Tran Huu Son, Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlighted an open horse racing for the entire northwestern mountainous region, home to about 20 ethnic minority groups, as the core of the event.

The itinerary will include art programmes illustrating local ethnic groups’ cultural identities and a culinary art festival. It is part of a programme of cooperation in trade and tourism between Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Phu Tho provinces, said Son.

(Source: VNA)

Vietnam Airlines launches Hanoi-Vinh service

Vietnam Airlines and the People’s Committee of Nghe An Province announced the launching of the Hanoi-Vinh route last week.

Five flights will be offered each week to the central province on an ATR72 aircraft. Promotional fares are available until May 31. A one-way ticket will cost VND300,000 (USD15) for travel from May 12 to June 30.

Vietnam Airlines also plans to increase the number of flights from HCMC to Vinh by offering daily flights.

(Source: VNA)

Fifth European Food Festival to cook up a storm in Hanoi

The fifth European Food Festival will be held in Hanoi on May 22 on the garden grounds of the National Library of Vietnam. Speaking at a press conference on May 14 in Hanoi, Preben Hjortlund, Deputy Chairman of EuroCham, said Eurocham began the festival in 2005 to promote cooperation between the European and Vietnamese communities.

According to organisers, this will be EuroCham's prime social event this year, combining a unique culinary experience while celebrating the worldwide cultural event Europe Days.

This year's food festival will offer authentic European food and beverages, activities for children and live entertainment from en-vogue bands to the best dance troupes in town.

Food specialties include paella, beef Zurichoise with spatzle, the Metropole's Chef clay pot, Italian lasagna, spaghetti Bolognese and assorted baguettes and pizzas.

The event will feature a broad variety of European beverages, including one of the most famous German beers, Bitburger.

Chefs from the Metropole, Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Melia, Sunway Hanoi, Mercure and Panee Vino will also attend the festival.

A kids' corner will be set up for children with games and entertainment activities, including a giant jumping castle, house of balls, face painting and more.

Tickets are available at the EuroCham Hanoi office, Pane e Vino restaurant or at the gate on the day. Ticket price is VND 200,000 (USD 10.5) per person, including six coupons for food, beer and drinks of all kinds. Entrance is free for children under 10.

(Source: VNA)

Binh Chau-Ho Coc one heat up and one cool down

In the steamy summer heat, Binh Chau Hot Spring and Ho Coc Beach complex is a nice option for tourists. Binh Chau Ho Coc tourist complex is in Bung Rieng Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, about 150km from HCMC.

Ho Coc Beach has smooth sand that slopes gently and is lined with poplar trees. The beach remains unspoiled and its blue and white rolling waves are a chance at cool comfort.

Beach volleyball, surfing and even canoes are all available to tourists. Simple huts can be rented that overlook the sands and are great for relaxing meals and a view of the Pacific for VND400,000 for ten camp beds. There is plenty of pristine coast line to explore by foot and clear water for swimming. Behind the beach is a primitive forest of large, shady trees and a variety of smaller flora.

Overnighters can pay VND160,000 for one of the 28 beachfront bungalows at resorts or much less to rent a tent at the camp ground.

After swimming and relaxing at Ho Coc Beach, Binh Chau Hot Springs covering 33ha is endowed with forest, sea, springs and cool weather year-round.

Visitors are usually surprised by the giant natural hot spring. There is a cluster of 70 pools of water varying in temperature from 40 to 82ºC.

The spring is also famous for its hot mud baths, which world scientists have recommended as one of the best elements for man’s immune system and health recovery.

Visitors should take the opportunity to have a hot spa bath and mud bath for smoother skin and to reduce chronic diseases and nervous tension. Morning and evening foot baths help reduce rheumatism and improve circulation.

In addition to providing traditional physiotherapy, the springs have been developed with many relaxing recreational activities including fishing, crocodile angling, excursions on ox-carts and horse-carts, a musical dance and singing program and karaoke. For those wanting something more active there is a tennis court, a golf driving range, badminton and basketball.

(Source: SGT)

Strolling in wonderland of ethnic minority people

In the words of the local Thai ethnic people, Pu Luong means the "highest peak". Its loftiest zenith towering 1,700m above the valleys of Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts, in the northern province of Thanh Hoa, about 250km south of Hanoi.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is close to several other favoured tourism attractions, including Cuc Phuong National Park in the neighbouring province of Ninh Binh and Mai Chau tourist area in Hoa Binh. The close location combined with lush wildlife make Pu Luong an ideal destination.

Thai and Muong ethnic people in the hamlets surrounding Pu Luong lead lives steeped in tradition and customs, and they remain largely uninfluenced by modern means.

Their cultural observances are celebrated in every season of every year and the natural setting inspires musical performances particular to the area.

When travellers come to visit Pu Luong, they don't expect high standard accommodation, but certainly can expect the famous hospitality of Thai and Muong people and homestays in ethnic village.

From the moment you arrive in Pu Luong, you are treated as a guest of honour, and a jar of local rice wine will be on hand to celebrate. A few drams of rice wine are sure to enhance the collective spirit, and are an important observance for local people.

Kho Muong Village nestles in a scenic valley, and greets its visitors with views of stilt houses. Drawn on the valley with brisk strokes, springs gush from the earth, and rice paddies puddle at the foot of mountains, shrouded in cloud.

A brisk walk leads to Hang Doi, the Bat Cave. Just one of many caves that riddle Pu Luong, Bat Cave is a roost for several of the 24 species of bats that live in the area.

Several thousand individuals roost here, filling its nooks and crannies, the bats giving a deliciously mysterious and eerie character. Pu Luong is a universe of experiences and sights, with the cool waterfalls of Hin Village, the spectacular views from Son Ba Muoi Village, and the water wheels of Cong and Co Lung villages. Visiting a Thai village, you should sample the local delicacies and drink, as these aspects run deep in local culture. Com lam (sticky rice, steamed in a bamboo tube) has long been a staple in the area, and makes for a satisfying meal.

Simply put the rice into a hollow bamboo or reed tube heat over a fire. Rotate the tube to cook evenly, and the rice will soon be ready to eat. Simply crack the tube open, and peel it like a banana. Proper, well-mannered and dextrous, Thai girls know how to prepare a delicious meal in a flash.

Every evening the Thai people will welcome you to join their party. The local wild tree symbolises a longing for spring. So when the tree begins to bud and fruit fills the garden, it's time to celebrate the abundance of food once again. The flower folk dance is particular to the Thai of Pu Luong. They dance to thank heaven and earth for the seasonal return of their prosperity.

When invited to dance, it is hard to refuse the offer to jump into the traditional bamboo pole dance. There as you make friends, and learn the dance, you may get more than your ankles caught. Long-lasting memories are forged for guests, as they are welcomed into the fold with open arms.

Local villages lie hidden in the clouds, where people live simply, unaffected but excited and fond of meeting strangers. These rustic folk are enthusiastic and genuinely wish to please their guests. They are happy to receive you and hope you will come again.

There are a bevy of interesting things to see in Pu Luong, and its future tourism potential is easy to see.

Promotion of tourism and raising living standards in the community are synonymous with increased efforts to protect the forest. In order to continue attracting visitors, the forest itself must be as protected as a priceless resource. In 1999, the Government set aside Pu Luong as a nature reserve, thereby preserving and protecting the lush forests and traditional way of life in the area.

Experts discovered that this unique limestone area is one of the last resorts for some very rare animals like the dotted leopard, muntjac, Asian black bear and serow. The area is also famous for its butterflies and orchids. Pu Luong was picked for preservation as it lays claim to a rich ecosystem, in which a multitude of plant and animal species thrive among Limestone Mountains. More than 1,000 plant species thrive in Pu Luong, in a lush floral cascade, and providing refuge for 39 endangered plant species.

The best time for a visit is between October and November or between February and March when the paddy fields ripen.

(Source: VNA)

Legend Saigon launches attractive weekend getaway package

The Legend Hotel Saigon is offering Vietnamese people and expatriates residing in Vietnam the Weekend Getaway Package for stays on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or public holidays at the price of nearly VND1.9 million++ (US$ 99++) for single or double occupancy in a Deluxe Room for the first night.

The package includes complimentary buffet breakfast (two persons) at the renowned Atrium Café, 10% discount on food and beverage consumption, 10% discount on massage, welcome drink, fruit basket, high-speed internet and use of the fitness center and swimming pool.

The package also offers flexibility and more time for relaxing with early check-in time from 11 a.m. (instead of after 2 p.m. as normal) and late check-out until 3 p.m. (instead of by 12 p.m.)

Guests who request more than one room per night or additional nights during the weekend or holiday will pay only VND1.6 million ++ per night for an additional room and around VND1.6 million ++ per night for following nights.

(Source: SGT)

National Fine Arts expo to be held in capital city

About 700 best fine arts works will be selected to be displayed at the National Fine Arts Exhibition 2010 in Hanoi. The exhibition is held every five years by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review the work of Vietnamese artists over the last five years.

Vietnamese artists both domestically and foreign-based will be encouraged to send their paintings, graphics, sculpture and installation works created since 2006 to the organisation board.

Each artist can be send three examples of their work in photos measuring 18cm by 24cm. Three dimensional sculpture works need to have photographs taken from all four perspectives. Installation works need to be snapped from five angles (panorama, front, right, left and behind).

Jury members will select the works by photograph in the first round. After the first round the works will be viewed in Hanoi, Danang and HCMC by the judging board with a view to select the best ones for award and display.

Paintings, graphic works and reliefs should measure 60cm by 200cm. Works larger than 200cm should be able to be disassembled for ease of transportation.

Sculptures should measure 40cm by 200cm not including pedestal and weigh not over 200kg. The artists will be responsible for paying for transportation and display fees for their larger works.

Installation artists have to send a map of space and a short introduction which will be displayed at size 300cm by 400cm by 400cm.

Gold, silver, bronze and consolation prizes will be awarded to three categories painting, graphic works and sculpture and installation.

"There are regulations for new categories such as installations in this exhibition. It is a good sign for artists. I remember that last time there was one installation displayed at the National Fine Arts Exhibition 2005," said Nguyen Do Bao, Chairman of Hanoi Fine Arts Association.

The national exhibition was first held in 1946 to display painting and graphic works. After the end of the anti-French war in 1954, first sculpture appeared at the exhibition. Last time, about 3,000 works were sent to the organisers to select 739 works for display, according to Tran Khanh Chuong, Chairman of Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

"After exhibitions to display works by the artists of the Indochina Fine Arts School and artists during the French and US wars, now we will display works by artists during the period of renewal, and I hope the artists continue to develop," Chuong said.

Photos of the works can be sent to Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, 38 Cao Ba Quat Street, Hanoi, before August 25.

(Source: VNS)

Da Bia Mountain rewards all trekkers

Nature inherently keeps many secrets that challenge human curiosity to conquer and discover. In Hoa Tam Commune, Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, there is a mountain called Da Bia just off National Highway 1A with a large stone jutting straight up off the peak that looks like a “thumbs-up” sign and accounts for this mountain’s nickname, God’s Finger.

About 23km from south Tuy Hoa City and standing over 700m above sea level, Da Bia Mountain is the highest peak of the Ca Pass Mountain Range. The mountain is also well-known as a historical relic. When King Le Thanh Ton ordered his soldiers to cross Cu Mong Pass and head to Ca Pass, the King made a stop here and carved some words on the rock.

A hike to the top of the mountain and back down again takes about three hours. The pain in the legs is compensated satisfactorily by the splendid surroundings, the amazing feeling of victory and the awesome view capturing everything below.

The stone steps are rather sinuous and some are shaky, so trekkers have to make a good preparation. Sturdy shoes, comfortable clothes, water, bread and tissues to clean up the sweat are essential. As the way is long and tortuous, trekkers should not step fast, but slowly and steadily in order to control heart beats. Long rests do not help as the next start will send the heart beats back to racing speed, so short frequent rests are better.

The path is also scattered with flat sections where tourists can have a seat and a little water to enjoy the surroundings and regain strength. There are many kinds of trees and large rocks that defeat the scorching summer heat of the central region. Wild flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and melodic birds round out this slice of wilderness.

Reaching the top and touching the “thumb” is followed by a heavenly view of Van Phong Bay and Dai Lanh Beach, Ca Pass, Nha Trang City glistening with its numerous islets and Hoa Tam Commune with its red-tiled roofs and waving rice fields.

(Source: SGT)

Monuments of the Cham culture still stand

Tucked away just 2km from the center of Nha Trang City, Thap Ba, a Po Nagar Cham Tower, is one of the significant destinations for enthusiasts of culture, old architecture and ethnic Vietnamese peoples.

The Cham towers complex is the only relic of the Cham culture. The towers have a long history of establishment, existence, preservation and development from the eighth century to now. The towers were built when Hinduism prevailed in the land.

The tower is about 23m high and holds statues of goddesses and animals. Striking inside the tower is a giant statue of a goddess sitting on a lotus flower and leaning her back on a large rock in the shape of a bodhi tree leaf.

The outside stone wall of the tower is covered with images of dancers in traditional costumes, sailors, farmers husking rice and hunters with bows and arrows. There is an altar with a statue of Po Nagar with 12 hands, two hands on her knees and five embracing weapons on the right side and five more holding bells, plates, bows and horns on the left side. Scattered around the temple are statues of humans and animals that augment the ancient Cham architecture and décor.

The complex also puts on traditional dance performances by Cham ladies.

(Source: SGT)

Summer Promotions

Saigontourist Travel Service Company and Fiditour under Saigonntourist Holding Company are offering promotion programs for summer.

Special summer promotions are offered at Saigontourist Travel Service. The company is launching a special promotion program, “Be a winner, you deserve to win convincingly – Enjoy summer tours with Saigontourist, win tours of Asia, Europe, Africa, America and Australia!” The program applies to customers of Saigontourist this summer.

In addition to increasing insurance benefits to US$30,000/tourist/case for foreign tours and VND60 million/tourist/case for domestic tours, applicable since April 1, the special promotion program belongs to a series of special programs to thank its customers and mark the 35th anniversary of Saigontourist (August 1, 1975 – August 1, 2010).

With the special promotion program, customers have a chance to win valuable and attractive gifts and tours from Saigontourist, including five tours of Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia worth VND195 million (including a four-day Beijing tour, priced at VND10 million; a seven-day France tour, priced at VND45 million; an eight-day South Africa tour, priced at VND50 million; a seven-day America tour, priced at VND52 million; and an eight-day Australia tour, priced at VND38 million) for the first prize; a seven-day America tour priced at VND52 million for the second prize; a seven-day France tour priced at VND45 million for the third prize, an eight-day Australia tour priced at VND38 million for the fourth prize, and 30 other prizes including travel vouchers worth VND1 million each.

Customers will have a chance to join in the program when buying package or partial inbound or outbound tours, air tickets, overseas study services, or travel vouchers from Saigontourist and its branches nationwide at the price of at least VND2 million/person from 8 a.m. on May 5 to 5 p.m. on August 1. The program only applies to customers over 12 years old. Customers under 12 will receive special gifts from Saigontourist.

The special promotion program is being carried out by travel agents of Saigontourist nationwide. The results of the program will be announced at 3 p.m. on August 10

“Enjoy the Summer, Surf the Web, Get Double Prizes”

Along with the introduction of a new website that features various new columns, itineraries and summer promotions, Fiditour is holding an “Enjoy the Summer, Surf the Web, Get Double Prizes” program with more than 200 attractive awards for customers who register at Fiditour and access the website, www.fiditour.com, from May 3 to July 15.

From May 3, customers purchasing air tickets and booking inbound and outbound tours at Fiditour will receive a code to participate in the “Enjoy the Summer, Surf the Web, Get Double Prizes” program introducing many choices of tours to tourists in the summer. The results will be announced on its website. Customers who are not lucky in the first round will be able to join in the final round to win pairs of tickets for inbound and outbound tours.

In addition, the program offers customers who access the Fiditour website during the promotion a chance to win prizes. Customers simply access the website at www.fiditour.com and click on the game show on the home page. After registering, customers can explore destinations and famous tourist areas in Vietnam and around the world. Daily and weekly awards include pairs of tickets for tours of Korea, Singapore and Hanoi in this summer.

“Enjoy the Summer, Surf the Web, Get Double Prizes” game show is a new program designed with beautiful images of famous landscapes.

Saigontourist Travel Service

Add: 45 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC.

Tel: (84-8) 3827 9279

Fiditour

Add: 129 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC

Tel: (84-8) 3914 1414.

Vietnamese week to kick off in Cuba, Mexico

A Vietnamese week will take place in Cuba and Mexico from May 21 to June 5, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The evens are jointly organised by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Culture and Arts Exhibition Centre and the National Song, Dance and Light Music Theatre.

Main activities, including traditional art performances, a Vietnamese film week and exhibitions highlighting the land, people and culture of Vietnam will be held in Cuba’s capital city of Havana and Mexico’s capital city of Mexico City and Acapulco City.

Vietnam’s cultural heritage, tourism resources, culinary delights and the national defence and construction as well as the country’s achievements in industrialisation, modernisation and international integration process will be on display.

(Source: VNA)

Firework to be set off to mark Uncle Ho’s 120th birthday

Firework will be set off as part of the Sen Village Festival 2010 to mark Uncle Ho’s 120th birthday in his home province of Nghe An in central Vietnam, on May 15.

According to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cao Dang Vinh, the festival 2010, which is named after President Ho’s birth place of Sen Village, is to express the nation’s respect and gratefulness to Uncle Ho and at the same time to promote the image of Nghe An to domestic and international friends.

A variety of activities will be held during the event from May 15-19.

A flower offering will be held at President Ho’s monument in Vinh City and his portraits paraded all the way from Vinh to Sen Village.

There will be photo and painting exhibitions as well as film screenings on the nation’s beloved leader. Twenty amateur art troupes will performed at the festival, and national and provincial sport competitions will take place.

On the occasion, the Ho Chi Minh National Politics Publishing House, the Party Central Committee for Education and Training and the National Academy of Politics and Administration on May 11 introduced new publications providing valuable documents on President Ho Chi Minh’s life, revolutionary cause and his example of morality.

(Source: VNA)

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village witness to centuries gone by

With its gentle O Lau River, Phuoc Tich Ancient Village in Phong Hoa Commune in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue’s Phong Dien District seems cut off from the outside bustling world by its stillness.

This quaint village has the typical features of the region with a river wharf, temples and their yards, old pagodas and a winding path lined with green tea trees. The scenery is like a step back in time and each temple and house wears a coat of green moss.

Lying silently 40km north of Hue, the ancient village is well-known for its traditional pottery crafts and ancient houses and temples that have been preserved for as many as 500 years, making them invaluable architecturally and culturally.

Most houses in the village are between 100 and 500 years old and are so well preserved as to astonish cultural anthropologists, architects and historians alike.

Phuoc Tich houses are mainly made of breadfruit wood and are adorned with exquisite and lively carvings, most of them undamaged despite being surrounded by so many wars through the years. The interiors usually include parallel sentences, a horizontal lacquered board, wooden scrolls, a plank bed and an altar. The moss covered tile roofs sag a little under the weight of time and brick walkways, wind screens and old water wells complete the picture. Green lines of Chinese tea trees are a charming green substitute for walls.

Traces of Cham culture remain in the village. Recognition of these national cultural relics brings opportunities for development of the village’s tourism potential. Local authorities have organized many activities and folk games for tourists to learn more about the ancient village as well as ancient ceramics.

Phuoc Tich was a famous pottery village in its heyday, supplying the entire central region. The village always boasted the bustling ambiance of trade as during the Nguyen Dynasty when trade was brisk throughout the land. Boats and ships from Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon and South Vietnam all sailed here to buy pottery.

The pottery has no enamel but a simple and natural beauty. Starting in 1989, the craft began fading and then vanished as it could not compete with Chinese ceramics and many local young people started heading to the cities to earn money.

In the village is a canal called Ha Cat which winds along O Lau River. This is where souls settle after returning to dust.

In the center of the village is a 1,000 year old tree standing in front of an old temple. The village is also famous for its old gardens with many precious kinds of flowers.

(Source: SGT)

Saigontourist promotes weekend-summer tours

Saigontourist Travel Service Company introduces new weekend tours for this summer

The tours include a one-day Can Gio Mangrove Forest tour, priced at VND432,000/tourist, and the two-day tour, priced at VND1,320,000, departing on weekend; a Vung Tau City tour, lasting two days, priced at VND1,550,000, departing from HCMC on Saturdays; a one-day Visiting Pagodas tour, priced at VND350,000, departing from Hanoi. Particularly, from April 1, Saigontourist increases domestic insurance premium for tourists that make domestic package tours departing from all over the country with the maximum insurance premium of VND60 million/tourist.

Over the past years, one- to two-day weekend tours of Saigontourist have attracted quite a few tourists. For more attractions in this summer, Saigontourist has launched three new journeys departing from HCMC and the Visiting Pagodas tours on weekend departing from Hanoi. The schedules are designed upon request or on Saturdays for groups of four tourists or more.

Weekend tours departing from HCMC and Can Gio feature attractive tourist destinations such as 25m-high Tang Bong Tower and Can Gio Forest to learn about mangrove forests and crocodile raising farm.

Vung Tau is also an ideal venue for relaxation on weekend. Tourists can take cable car to Lon Mountain to have a panoramic view of the coastal city with the sea, mountains and forests.

The north is endowed with famous sceneries, including well-known pagodas. Saigontourist-Hanoi introduces one-day Visiting Pagodas tours with a variety of selections, departing upon request, such as Mau Lang Son Temple, Bai Dinh-Trang An-Hoa Lu pagodas, Truc Lam Zen Monastery-Tay Thien-Biet Phu Thanh Chuong-Non Nuoc-Soc Temple, Tam Coc-Phat Diem and craft villages.

Saigontourist Travel Service Company

Add: 49 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC

Tel: (84-8) 3827 9279.

(Source: SGT)

International cuisine festival to open in Ba Ria-Vung Tau

The World Culture and Cuisine Festival 2010 will take place in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau from May 21-25.

According to organisers, 50 countries have so far registered to participate in the large festival that features not only the cuisine but also the culture of those countries.

Also, visitors will have a chance to enjoy artistic performances by domestic and foreign actors and actresses, said the organisers.

The event is expected to set a world Guiness record for being held on the longest site stretching up to 3km along the coast.

(Source: VNA)

Doc Let Beach – primitive beauty beckons

Ninh Hoa, a coastal district in the central province of Khanh Hoa, is well-known for its ocean temperate climate and as a land of sunshine and cool winds. In which, Doc Let Beach is suggested as ideal for summer vacation, especially for Saigonese to flee the heat and the ear-splitting noises of urban life.

After visiting Nha Trang City and other famous destinations such as Hon Tre Islet, Hon Tam Ecotourism Park, Bai Dai Beach and Cham Towers, tourists should take a trip on National Highway 1 to the north to stop by Ninh Hoa which pledges to put a nice impression in tourists’ eyes and memory by its stunning Doc Let Beach.

About 40km from Nha Trang City, passing over Banh It Pass and taking a turn onto Road 635 for just over 10km, Doc Let Beach will appear full of surprises and beauty.

In recent years the beach has gained the attention of many locals and foreigners. Doc Let Tourist Park covers about 14ha, of which five have been developed into resorts under the shade of a eucalyptus forest by Khanh Hoa Tourist Company.

These resorts feature bungalows at three-star standard priced from VND150,000 to VND300,000. The park also serves entertainment and recreational needs with tennis courts, swimming pools, massage rooms, karaoke, underwater games, beach volley ball, boat cruises, surfing and balloon flying.

Some parts of Doc Let are still primitive with endless sand dunes separating the beach and the land. In order to get to the beach you must first drag through the sand dunes which are dozens of meters high, that is why people call the beach Doc Let (Dragging Hill).

After playing with the waves and wallowing in the crystal blue water, swimmers can lie under the shade of green trees along the beach and listen to the whispers of the wind in harmony with the sounds of the waves crashing onto shore. The next must-do thing is to hire a boat for VND50,000 to cruise to Van Phong Bay to discover the daily life of the local offshore fishermen.

Shopping in Doc Let is another fantastic experience of the trip. Sellers stand in lines at the market gate and invite guests. Doc Let’s seafood market is inside Doc Let Tourist Park and sells fresh seafood such as crab for VND90,000 per kilogram, shrimp for VND100,000 per kilogram or snails for VND20,000 per kilogram.

An overnight stay at Doc Let Beach on a clear star-studded night is wonderful. The surface of the sea shimmers with the lights of the fishing boats. Indulging in the vaporous lights of the boats, the twinkling lights of the stars and the soft sounds of the waves and winds, daily stress is swept away. At the park or on the beach, tourists also can enjoy seafood prepared by fishermen.

(Source: SGT)

Ready for summer tours

Summer is coming and domestic travel agencies are ready for summer tours. Saigontourist introduces tours to the Mekong Delta departing every Thursday and Saturday with many attractive destinations.

The two-day tour to Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho is VND1.4 million, the four-day tour to Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho-Bac Lieu-Ca Mau is VND3.2 million and the four-day tour to Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho-Chau Doc-Ha Tien-Rach Gia is VND2.1 million. The six-day tour to Phu Quoc-Can Tho-Chau Doc-Ha Tien is VND4.8 million excluding air fare and departs every Tuesday and the six-day tour to Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho-Chau Doc-Ha Tien-Phu Quoc is VND4.8 million excluding air fare and departs every Thursday and Saturday.

Fiditour offers nearly 250 domestic tours and promotions for those to the north and the central with discounts from VND1.3-2.9 million. The four-day tour to Hue-Danang-Ba Na-Hoi An is VND3.7 million, the five-day tour to Danang-Hoi An-Ba Na-Hue-Phong Nha is VND4.6 million, the five-day tour to Hanoi-Bai Dinh-Trang An-Ha Long-Tuan Chau-Yen Tu is VND6 million, the six-day tour to Hanoi-Sapa-Ha Long-Tuan Chau-Yen Tu is VND7 million and the three-day tour to Phu Quoc is VND3.8 million. These tours depart by air.

Tour operators also offer overseas tours for summer vacation. Vietravel has a four-day tour to Singapore departing on May 7, 10, 12, 18, 24 and June 7 for VND7.2 million and a tour to China departing on May 11 and 18 for VND7 million. Lua Viet Tours opens Cambodian journeys at US$200 for three days and two nights and at US$550 for seven days and six nights. Lua Viet also conducts tours to Brunei-Kota Kinabalu for four days and three nights for US$700 and a tour to Sambor Preikuk-Preah Vihear for four days and three nights for US$300.

(Source: SGT)

Japan’s contemporary fine arts to be introduced in Vietnam

An exhibition of Japanese contemporary fine arts will be held for the first time in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City from May 14-15.

The exhibition, themed “Journey to the Future: Fine Arts – New Generation of Japan”, will be organised by the Japan Foundation to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

On display will be 42 painting, sculpture, photography and video works by 11 Japanese contemporary artists that draw inspiration from the daily life of Japanese people.

The organising board said it hoped the exhibition will bring fresh impressions about on the Japanese contemporary fine arts in particular and the art in general to Vietnamese audiences.

(Source: VNA)

Sweeping away tetchiness of blazing heat in Vung Tau

When everyone flocks to the beach to escape the blazing summer heat of Saigon, Vung Tau is one of the nearest beach city that tourists can visit on short weekends. Anyone swimming or strolling around Bai Truoc (Front) Beach will see a magnificent white palace standing imposingly in front of the beach. People call that palace Bach Dinh (White Palace).

Bach Dinh used to be called Villa Blanche, based on the name of the beloved daughter of a French general named Paul Doumer. The villa was built in 1898 as a resort for his family and French colonial governors. The French colony razed Phuoc Thang Fortress to build the palace.

The palace is located at 10 Tran Phu Street, Vung Tau City at the height of 30m above sea level. The palace faces the sea and leans on Lon (Big) Mountain. There are two ways to reach the villas. One is an asphalt road winding along the forest for motorbikes or cars and the other is a stone path between two lines of milk flowers.

The palace is 19m high, 25m long, 8m wide and includes three floors. Once visiting the palace, tourists can admire the European architecture of the late 19th century with elegant designs and meticulous decorations. The entire palace is painted white and decorated with many nice patterns, bas-reliefs and statues depicting Greek gods. The red tile roof is striking against the white paint of the structure.

The palace is also considered a museum displaying two statues of phoenixes, two blue-jade statues of peacocks spreading their wings as dancing, ceramic works made during the time of Chinese Emperor Kangxi and historical relics found in excavations such as guns and bullets.

The surroundings are romantic and peaceful with green trees, the endless red and white of flamboyant flowers and the fragrance of milk flowers. Standing in the palace, visitors have a panoramic view of Vung Tau Sea and Vung Tau City.

The heat day by day is getting crazy, making humans hot-tempered and easily furious. Why not take a short trip to relax, balance the soul and leave the scorching heat? Prepare a backpack and go to Vung Tau, not only to indulge in the cool sea but also to relax with old architecture, splendid landscapes and historical and cultural relics.

(Source: SGT)

Germany helps fund four restoration projects

The German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City has announced four cultural conservation and training projects in Vietnam, an indication of the support and cooperation in culture between the two countries.

The projects are part of a programme by the German Foreign Ministry to preserve Vietnam’s cultures, including the conservation and restoration of the An Dinh Palace, King Tu Duc’s Tomb in the imperial ancient city of Hue, the Tran Dang communal house in Hanoi and the tower at Canh Tien in the central province of Binh Dinh.

The An Dinh Palace was the first site that the German restorers (the Germany Conservation Restoration and Education Project - GCREP) developed an on the job training/certification scheme for restorers. The 290,000 EUR project was carried out in several phases from 2003–2008 by two German not-for-profit organisations, said Andrea Teufel, the project’s director and head of the restoration team.

The conservation and restoration at the An Dinh Palace was conducted strictly to UNESCO standards and mainly focused on wall and ceiling paintings.

The project also ran a training course for 15 Vietnamese trainees.

Another project in Hue City was the restoration of the gate and panels of King Tu Duc’s tomb at a cost of EUR 110,000. This project also included training for Vietnamese workers.

The 700-year-old communal house in the ancient village of Tran Dang in suburban Hanoi was restored and preserved by the GCREP and Vietnamese architect Ly Truc Dung. The restoration process received 90,000 EUR in funding from Germany.

The fourth project is the restoration of the tower at Canh Tien in Binh Dinh which dates back to the XII century.

Dang Huu Tho, the Director of the provincial Conservation Centre, said Canh Tien, which is located in Do Ban citadel, is an outstanding example of Binh Dinh Cham architecture and attracts many tourists.

The project, which costs a total of 8 billion VND, is scheduled to be competed by December this year. Germany provided financial assistance to the tune of VND 2 billion (EUR 100,000), added Tho.

(Source: VNA)

Vinaconex-ITC introduces Cat Ba Amatina project

Vinaconex Investment & Tourism Development Joint Stock Co., or Vinaconex-ITC, has launched the Cat Ba Amatina tourism urban area project in Haiphong City with a total investment of US$1 billion.

The project will cover more than 170ha in Cat Hai District with seven resorts, 800 villas, two cruise wharfs, a convention center and international commercial center, sports and entertainment areas and five-star hotels. The tourism urban area is designed under world-class environment protection standards.

The project is designed by U.S.-based group 70/Pacmar, Inc., Vinaconex R&D Joint Stock Co. and French Land Design Group. The area is expected to accommodate about 7,000 people.

In addition, Vinaconex-ITC has also announced that it will trade 30 million shares on the Hanoi Stock Exchange on May 10 under the code VCR.

The enterprise earned VND50 billion in revenue and VND19 billion in after-tax profits in 2009. The company has obtained over VND20 billion in pre-tax profits in this year’s first quarter, 30% of 2010’s target.

The enterprise has plans to issue six million shares to existing shareholders to increase its chartered capital to VND360 billion this year to develop the Cat Ba Amatina project and other real estate projects in Hanoi and Haiphong cities.

(Source: SGT)

Discovering the Mekong Delta tours

To mark the inauguration of the cable-stayed Can Tho Bridge that has the longest main span in Southeast Asia, Saigontourist Travel Service Company is launching new tours of the Mekong Delta

The tours include a four-day Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho-Bac Lieu-Ca Mau tour, priced at VND3,215,000-VND3,995,000, departing on Thursdays and Saturdays; and a two-day Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho tour, priced at VND1,415,000-VND1,775,000, departing on Thursdays and Saturdays. Tourists will discover the local village life with visits to floating markets, islets, orchards and a chance to listen to amateur southern opera.

From April 1, Saigontourist has increased the domestic insurance benefit it provides for tourists that take domestic package tours departing from all over the country with a maximum insurance benefit of VND60 million/tourist.

With the new Can Tho Bridge across the Hau River opened to traffic on April 24, linking Can Tho and Vinh Long, the overland journeys in the new tours arranged by Saigontourist, which have been departing every week since late April, will help tourists discover the attractions and distinctions of the Mekong Delta. On the Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho-Bac Lieu-Ca Mau itinerary, tourists will visit famous floating markets of the Mekong Delta, including Cai Be floating market in Tien Giang Province, which is held all day with hundreds of boats full of fruits; Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho Province, where tourists will enjoy local specialties on a friendly local boat; and Ca Mau floating market, a crowded market that is filled with the aroma of cakes and the green color of fruits and vegetables.

Along with “Discovering the Mekong Delta,” Saigontourist has recently introduced a four-day Chau Doc-Rach Gia-Phu Quoc tour, priced at VND3,359,000-VND3,529,000, departing on April 30, helping tourists enjoy the scenery and specialties of the Mekong Delta and relax on Phu Quoc Island.

(Source: SGT)

A VND100,000 trip to Giang Dien Waterfall

If you want to go to a place to escape the hot weather and enjoy comfortable moments under a cool waterfall but spend only VND100,000, don’t forget to take a trip to Giang Dien ecotourism and service urban town. Only 50km from downtown HCMC on Highway 1A, the ecotourism of Giang Dien Waterfall is located in Hoa Binh Hamlet, Giang Dien Commune, Trang Bom District, Dong Nai Province.

First, you catch bus No.12 at Ben Thanh Bus Station at Cong Xa Paris Roundabout in HCMC’s District 1 with the fare VND15,000 per person to go straight to the gate of Giang Dien Fall Ecological Tourist Park. Second, you have to buy an entrance ticket for VND35,000 for an adult or VND25,000 for a child. Along the way to the waterfall there are trees, flowers and green lawns planted carefully. Those create beautiful scenery and fresh air for a day to relax. In order to get to the waterfall, you can walk one kilometer or catch an electronic train for VND10,000 per person one way.

With an area of nearly 68ha, the park is ideal for camping over the weekend, especially in the hot and muggy weather. If you want to save money, prepare food at home, bring cooking devices to make a barbecue and enjoy a happy time with friends and relatives. Giang Dien has camping areas and also rents tents for VND100,000 and VND120,000 or you can use a canvas on the green lawns along the way to the fall.

In the summer, everyone wants to bathe in the sea or soak the body in a waterfall to escape the heat and enjoy cool water. In addition to swimming under the waterfall, tourists can rent a single or a double bicycle to go around. Single bicycles rent for VND10,000 each and double bicycles for VND20,000 each for 45 minutes. It is a kind of entertainment loved by the young. Two people can also rent a boat to enjoy Heart Lake for VND30,000 per hour.

You can have a place to relax on the weekend and enjoy a natural friendly atmosphere but at a low cost.

(Source: SGT)

Vietnam Gift Festival to take place in Vung Tau

Vietnam’s first-ever Gift Festival will be held from November 17-21 in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ho Van Nien announced on April 14.

The event will feature over 300 stalls, offering products of both domestic and foreign makers, seminars on the theme of gift-giving and a gift exhibition.

100 unique gifts from 100 craft villages nationwide will be auctioned on the occasion while 50 famous craftmen will showcase their gift collections.

(Source: VNA)

Hue to host Buddhist culture week this month

The Week of Buddhist Culture 2010 will be held in the ancient capital of Hue from May 16-22 in the lead up to the millennial anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

During the week, that is also aimed at celebrating Buddha’s 2554 birthday, a range of events will take place, including an exhibition showcasing close to 100 antiques dating back to the pre-Thang Long period (Dai La), the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties, the Thua Thien-Hue Buddhist Sangha announced on May 3.

Scholars such as Cao Huy Thuan, Tran Dinh Son, Thai Kim Lai and Ho Tan Phan will deliver speeches related to the royal citadel of Thang Long and the country’s Buddhism.

(Source: VNA)

Discovering distinction of Vinh Long ceramics

Vinh Long Province is known for its orchards and interlacing canals as other provinces in the Mekong Delta. Vinh Long is also famous for a pottery craft village running 20km along the Co Chien River.

Vinh Long ceramics are popular not only by their elegant shapes but also by their distinguished color, pink, that makes it different from other ceramics of other regions. This is also the reason Vinh Long ceramics are easily found in homes around the country as well as overseas markets.

“The color is not made from the process of producing or techniques of baking, but on the character of the clay which has a high concentration of alum that also is available in Vinh Long,” said Ho Minh Trung, owner of a local pottery factory.

Strolling along Co Chien River, tourists will see egg-shaped pottery-kilns between the industrial factories. These kilns are not only to produce pottery works but also are dedicated as tourist destinations to show the work and how it is done.

In Vinh Long, tourists can see many outstanding works in diverse types such as vases, pots, jars, bas-relief, paintings and statues. The most interesting thing for tourists is the process of making ceramic works. First, the artisans have to dig clay from under the river and then mix it with sand. The mixed clay is then carefully kneaded. The kneaded clay is put into molds and then into kilns. Finally, artisans have to whittle till the products are perfect.

Coming to the village, tourists will also learn how local artisans make bricks. “The village has a tradition of making bricks for over 100 years,” said Ho Van Vang, chairman of Vinh Long ceramics craft association.

For living and for passion for the craft, most craftsmen make both pottery and bricks as well as develop passion and creativeness for the village. Tourists will see the combination of ceramics and bricks in houses in the village. One of these houses will surprise visitors as the pillars are made from pottery while the roof is made from red-tile and the floor by bricks. The house is decorated with bas-relief and paintings made by pottery.

(Source: SGT)

Ponagar Festival opens in Khanh Hoa

The Goddess Ponagar Festival 2010 opened in Nha Trang City of the central province of Khanh Hoa on May 5 or the 22nd day of the third lunar month, attracting more than 5,000 pilgrims of 100 delegations from surrounding provinces. At the opening ceremony, various traditional dances of Cham people were performed to honour the beauty of the Cham culture.

According to the province’s relic and landscape management centre, the Goddess Ponagar Festival is the biggest religious festival held from the 21st to 25th day of the third lunar month every year to commemorate the Goddess Thien Y A Na – Holy Mother of the Cham community in the central region.

Earlier, the night of May 3, more than 7,000 flower garlands and coloured lanterns carried on 22 boats were released to the Cai River near the foot of the Ponagar Tower to pray for people and soldiers who laid down for the cause of national construction and defence.

(Source: VNA)

Five-star resort gets off ground in Danang

The five-star residential-commercial-hotel complex Le Meridien Danang Resort & Spa got off the ground on May 4 in the central coast city of Danang for completion in 2013, said the investor Saigon-Danang Investment Corporation.

The 12ha resort project in Son Tra-Dien Ngoc Beach in Ngu Hanh Son District comprises of deluxe villas, residences and five-star hotels with a total investment of approximately US$110 million. Key components include some 350 five-star hotel rooms, 149 apartments and 48 villas for sales and rent.

Other auxiliary facilities in the complex include a gymnasium, swimming pool, groceries, beverage restaurants, indoor recreational center, and spas among others. The total floor space of the complex is over 125,000m².

The project is the ideal destination for tourists since it serves as the connection between Ngu Hanh Son and the three world cultural heritage sites namely Hoi An Ancient City, My Son Sanctuary and Hue Ancient Capital.

Kinh Bac City Development Share-holding Corporation (KBC), under Saigon Invest Group, is the biggest shareholder of Saigon-Danang Investment Corporation, investor of the Le Meridien Danang Resort & Spa.

KBC is also the biggest shareholder of Saigon-Dalat Tourism JSC, investor of the would-be Sheraton Dalat Resort complex consisting of deluxe villas, residences and the Sheraton Hotel in Dalat City.

KBC last year signed a letter of intent with the leading international hotel management company Starwood Group under which the latter would manage the two five-star hotels including Le Meridien Danang Resort & Spa.

According to the agreement, KBC would have Starwood manage its Le Meridien Danang Resort & Spa in the central city of Danang and Sheraton Dalat Resort in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Meanwhile, Sheraton Dalat Resort with total investment of some US$40 million is located on an 18ha area near the center of the resort city of Dalat.

The development of deluxe resorts is a further bold step of KBC into the tourism industry following the company’s initial investment in several other hospitality projects, including Robin Hill Resort in Dalat, Lagi Resort & Spa – Ham Tan in Binh Thuan, and Danang Luxury Resort in Danang.

(Source: SGT)

“Europe Days” return to Vietnam in May

The Japanese Satsuki Festival will take place in the capital city of Hanoi for the first time. The two-day event, starting on May 8, will include Yosakoi dances performed by four famous Japanese troupes and seven Vietnamese troupes, tea making, sword performances, Japanese cuisine and traditional games.

Several Vietnamese and Japanese firms in healthcare, foodstuffs and garments will also display their products at the festival.

The Happy Town Lap Joint Stock Company, the event organiser, said that it will hold the event annually in Vietnam and part of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to disabled children in the Peace Village.

Previously, in 2007 and 2009, several Japanese dance troupes came to perform at cherry festivals in Hanoi.

(Source: VNA)

Sapa holds “Walking in a Cloud” tourism festival

A tourism festival dubbed “Walking in a Cloud” was held in Sapa, one of Vietnam’s top holiday and relaxation destinations, on April 30.

The festival, jointly held by the Sapa District People’s Committee and the Ham Rong Tourism Joint Stock Company, is part of the Sapa Tourism and Culture Week.

The festival is designed to lead visitors from one delight to another with a series of activities highlighting the rich and distinctive aspects of Sapa’s diverse ethnic cultures.

Visitors can join local ethnic minority people to discover how they dye, weave and decorate their garments, or make their sandals.

They will have the chance to take part in forest tours to pick medicinal herbs and learn how to use the plants as well as prepare the traditional meals eaten by the various ethnic minority groups and explore the customs of the Dao ethnic minority people.

The festival’s organisers also plan to make the famous lover’s market as authentic as possible.

Throughout its history, lover’s market every Saturday night in Sapa has been a destination and opportunity for young, single Hmong, Dao, Tay and Ray ethnic minority people in the surrounding areas to go and find their true love.

Those already married also seldom miss the event, as it offers them an opportunity to revisit old flames and relive the experience of young love.

Other events including a photo exhibition and fairs of Northwestern cuisine and orchids will also be held as part of the festival, said the organisers.

(Source: VNA)

More than 500,000 tourists enjoy Halong Festival

More than 500,000 visitors flocked to the Halong Tourism Festival 2010, which was held from April 29-May 2 in the World Heritage site of Halong Bay. On this occasion, hotels and hostels in Halong City run at full capacity.

During the four day festival, nearly 50,000 tourists visited Halong Bay, five times over the normal day. On May 1 alone, 16,000 visitors toured around the bay.

This year’s Ha Long Tourism Festival took the theme of Hanoi to celebrate the 1,000 birthday of the capital city.

Highlight of the festival was a street carnival when symbolic images of Hanoi were paraded alongside thousands of professional and amateur artists from both inside and outside the country.

The festival, was held at nigh for the first time, including a series of diverse activities, including fireworks, boat races, a conference of the world’s most beautiful bays, an international tourism-trade fair, exhibitions, concerts and a beauty pageant.

Quang Ninh’s tourism sector expects to welcome 5.2 million visitors, including 2.5 million foreigners this year.

(Source: VNA)

Festival promotes lagoon tourism in Hue

The tourism and fisheries potential of Southeast Asia's largest lagoon, Tam Giang, was highlighted at a festival organised by Quang Dien District in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on May 1 and 2, 2010.

The two-day festival was named Song Nuoc Tam Giang (Water and Waves of Tam Giang).

Locals and visitors participating in the festival had the opportunity to take tours and enjoy the natural beauty of the lagoon as well as observe daily life in the region. They could also take part in folk games, or try their hand at several traditional handicraft vocations of communities living nearby the lagoon.

Nguyen Giai, Deputy Chairman of the district people's committee and head of the festival's organizing board, said the festival sought to "awaken the potentials of lagoon tourism and attract investment to develop hotels and resorts around the lagoon."

The 52km² wide Tam Giang (three rivers) lagoon is the confluence of three major rivers – Huong (Perfume), Bo and O Lau. It is rich in terms of breakage water biodiversity and of great significance in preventing salination of agricultural land.

(Source: VNS)