Travel to the Fairy Lake in Ha Tay Province Vietnam

Travel to Tien Sa Lake, located about 60 kilometers from Hanoi at the base of Tan Vien Mountain, is an ideal destination for a relaxing weekend in the fresh air and quiet atmosphere, which is hard to find in the city. There is much to see around this lake where, according to local legend, a fairy (tien) descended to earth and took a bath.

At 65-400 meters above sea level, the eco-tourism site in Tien Sa Lake has a total area of 150 hectares including 120 hectares of forest and 20 hectares of water, and the green forest covering part of the mountain and surrounding the lake has created a cool, pleasant and romantic atmosphere.

Young travelers can explore the lake by boat, while others may prefer a leisurely walk around the hills or sitting in the shade of a tree to read a book. The clear water lake is also ideal for fishing from the floating houses or the bank under the willows.

In the summer time, tourists enjoy bathing in Nhi Long waterfall nearby or playing at the water park, which has a total area of 3,000 square meters with three pools, nine slides and a sport area of two hectares suitable for many kinds of sports such as tennis, football, volleyball and badminton. A playground has also been set up in an area of 2,500 square meters with games such as electric cars and planes, and children can hardly resist visiting the troupe of monkeys being raised there.

Overnight accommodation is available in the houses on stilts surrounding the lake for VND100,000 to VND150,000 per room per night, or at Vien Son Hotel for VND200,000 to VND300,000 per night. The hotel is suitable for business meetings and company retreats, and the hotel restaurant can serve up to 150 guests with the specialties of this area, including wild pig cooked in a variety of ways.

Travel to Tien Sa Lake, at night, visitors can sit around a fire and mingle with other guests, or sing and dance with the Mong and Dao ethnic men and women while enjoying rural dishes such as baked sweet potato, corn and grilled meat.

Travel to Tien Sa Lake, Tien Sa Lake eco-tourism site is located at Tan Linh Commune, Ba Vi District, Ha Tay Province (Ba Vi National Park’s gate, turn left and walk for one kilometer), tel: (034) 388 1591-2.

(Source: SGT)

Halong Bay Wonder in Vietnam voting campaign launched

Halong Bay Wonder in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province, the home of Halong Bay launched a campaign in Hanoi Vietnam on Sunday asking people to vote for the bay as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Van Tho said this is an opportunity for Vietnam to advertise itself. He said that through this contest, the world will know more about Vietnam. He called for all Vietnamese people to do their part and vote.
At the ceremony, a 6-litre Hennessy Mathusalem bottle was auctioned off. The $25,000 proceeds were then presented to the Halong Bay Vietnam Management Board.
In 1962, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism arranged Halong Bay Vietnam as a National Renowned Landscape Vestige.
The bay was listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site at the 18th meeting of the Committee of World Heritage of UNESCO (in Phuket, Thailand on December 17th, 1994) for its outstanding universal aesthetic value.
Then again, on December 2nd, 2000 at the 24th meeting of the Committee of World Heritage held in Cairns city, Australia, Halong Bay Vietnam was again cited as a World Natural Heritage site for its outstanding universal geological and geomorphologic value.
Halong Bay Vietnam is a nominee of the New Open World Foundation as one of the World’s 7 Natural Wonders; voting will end and results announced on 08/08/2008.
(Source: NLD)

Vinpearl not obstruct ships: Nha Trang Khanh Hoa’s official

Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Chien Thang talked with Thanh Nien about some issues related to Vinpearl cable car system.

Does the Vinpearl system encroach on the Nha Trang Port?
According to the planning to 2020 approved by the Transport Ministry, Nha Trang Port is a tourism port. Its wharfs can receive cargo ships of 20,000 tonnages and passenger ships of 30,000 GRT. Considering Nha Trang Port’s planning and development strategy, responsible authorities have approved the construction of the Vinpearl cable car system, and the investor has followed the approved design. Thus, the Vinpearl system doesn’t encroach on Nha Trang Port Vietnam.
Does the Vinpearl system obstruct ships moving in and out of Nha Trang Port?
The height of the Vinpearl cable car system was based on Nha Trang Port’s planning and approved by Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee and related agencies. Ships suitable to the technical conditions and capacity of the port can move in and out of the port easily and aren’t obstructed by Vinpearl. Ships with sizes surpassing wharfs’ capacity can stay outside the port and use other means to land passengers.
Will Nha Trang Port be expanded to receive large-sized ships?
Some people suggest that in order to receive such big-sized ships as the Aurora, Nha Trang Port should be expanded to the north or the east. The issue of expansion is a macro issue, which requires careful research and consideration since it can’t be separated from the sceneries of Nha Trang Port and several sites with great historical and cultural values like the Institute of Oceanography and the Dao Dai Palace Complex.
Besides Nha Trang Port Vietnam, in the future, Khanh Hoa will have other tourism ports such as Ba Ngoi and Van Phong which will be able to receive large-sized ships.
(Source: Thanh Nien)

Arabian prince to build hotel in Da Nang

Representatives of the Kingdom Hotels Investments group (KHI, which has the prince of Arab Saudi Alwaleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud as its chairman, Wednesday signed an agreement with the Da Nang authorities on the construction of a five-star hotel in the city in 2007 ( hotels in Da Nang).

Patricia Lee, Vice Chairwoman of the KHI group in Asia - Pacific, said that KHI will replace KDL Vegas to build the five-star Raffle hotel with initial investment capital of US$60 million in the central city of Da Nang.
Raffle Hotel will located on My Khe beach, with around 150 luxurious rooms, 15 villas (600sq.m per villa), and a high-class spa zone.
Hotels in Vietnam
(Source: Tuoi Tre)

Vietnam - Fansipan mountain conquest

The tourism firm Vietmark is organizing an eight day trip for participants to conquer Mountain Fansipan at 3,143 meters high on March 23-30 by trekking new trails rather than following previously traveled routes. Fansipan tours

The trip will begin on the western side and the return journey comes down the eastern side for trekkers to challenge their strength and will, and to enjoy the diverse landscape.

Porters will carry tents, food, drinks and other necessities as well as the luggage of the participants. Professional guides will be available to help trekkers through the difficult, but enjoyable, trip to Sapa.

Mount Fansipan of Sapa Vietnam is considered the roof of Indochina and is nine kilometers south-west of the hilly town of Sapa Vietnam as the crow flies. It takes days to trek to its summit and return to Sapa Vietnam.

As one of Asia's most challenging adventures, the trek takes participants through isolated villages, rain forests and deep valleys of beautiful landscapes.

Experienced mountain climbers say the summit of Fansipan can be conquered during winter months from December to April at the right the time between cold and rainy spells caused by northeast monsoons. However, the best time for the trek is from February to March, because of dry and sunny weather and carpets of brilliant blossoms.

The trip cost, for a group of at least five people, is VND4.33mil per person and does not include airfares, expenses in Hanoi and personal expenses.

Sapa tours
Sapa Travel Pictures
Hotels in Sapa

(Source: SGT)

Hai Phong Travel Festival to have beauty queen

Hai Phong will organise a travel festival in Do Son Town from April 24 to May 1 with various activities, including a sea beauty contest, buffalo fighting, boat racing and water-skiing.

According to organisers, the sea beauty contest will attract candidates from coastal areas throughout the country, not only from Hai Phong Vietnam as in previous years.
An international sculpture camp will be part of the festival. Forty-two works by Vietnamese and foreign sculptors will be exhibited.
Hai Phong festival, During the festival will be performances by artists from China’s Yunnan, Hong Kong and Macau and the Republic of Korea’s Inchon.
Gourmets will be happy with a food festival, where the atmosphere of a fishing village with sea specialties will be re-created.
The festival is expected to be the largest cultural and travel activity in 2007 in HaiPhong city Vietnam.
On May 1, Quang Ninh province will also hold the Ha Long tourism festival with a great parade on the streets of Ha Long city.
(Source: VNE)

Nha Trang festival: Sea festival in Nha Trang

The sea festival this year, named Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Vietnam, Civilization and Friendliness, will be held from April 28 until May 4. This is a cultural event with many cultural activities and special festivals.

The event this year will introduce a street festival including pedicabs of flowers, tandems, carriages decorated with flowers which will parade the streets, a beer festival with the participation of the beer firms present in Vietnam.

In addition, a festival of picture (Vietnam picture, Nha Trang picture) embroidering will be held with unique rites by the XQ Nha Trang Company, which has built a house to worship embroidering ancestors at 64 Tran Phu Street.

Kite flying with the participation of traditional kite clubs from Hue City, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh Province will also join the event at the April 2 Square.

In addition, exhibitions on pottery, calligraphy as well as artistic performances and fashion performances will take place during the Nha Trang sea festival. Ending the Nha Trang festival will be the day of walking.

(Source: SGT)

Phu Quoc Island popular destination for seekers of relaxation at resorts or on the beach

Phu Quoc Island Vietnam is a popular destination for seekers of relaxation at resorts or on the beach, swimming in the sea and fresh seafood. But the island off mainland Kien Giang Province has recently attracted a large number of tourists who want a holiday combining energetic games and experiences for survival and teambuilding

The travel firm Dau An Viet, or Vietmark, offers a special Vietnam tours that requires participants to use almost all their energy and face risks before they can enjoy themselves to the full.

The tour really starts from an isolated islet called Doi Moi (tortoise shell), where participants are provided with bamboo, ropes and other materials to make a raft in which to cross a 3-kilometer-long section of the sea. Of course, they are taught how to make the raft on the beach and to row it on the waters.

After less than an hour, the raft is launched and the sea-crossing journey starts. A group of five to seven people get on the raft and row it from the islet to Phu Quoc Island Vietnam. They have to push their raft hard to go forward on the waves, which are big enough to capsize the flat-bottomed craft.

But, do not be worried; participants are also provided with life jackets and they are taught how to keep calm and survive in the event that they overturn.

Upon arriving ashore, they have to join energetic games that require good teambuilding techniques from all the participants to complete the games before crossing the forest.

In the dense forest, the game participants have to look for signals as instructions for them to proceed rather than following a tour guide as normal tours often go. Just in case they lose their way Vietmark staff hide themselves in the forest to assist them with signals to keep going forward until they reach the finish.

Crossing the sea and forest is not an easy job and the participants will be tired and probably exhausted after the journey. Some people may wonder about the benefits of the tour.

Vietmark director of marketing Truong Hoang Phuong says the tour is to help participants get a better understanding of teambuilding, as well as techniques for survival.

The tour is also for company executives to determine the leadership skills of their employees and then train them into corporate leaders in the future.

The immediate rewards of the tour are a seafood party, drinking spree, singing and dancing on the beach or at a resort as the happy ending of the strenuous trip to one of the most beautiful islands of Vietnam.

Hotels in Phu Quoc Phu Quoc Travel Pictures

(Source: SGT)

Ho Chi Minh Tourism Festival opens

The 2007 Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival begins today at the Dam Sen Cultural Park. According to La Quoc Khanh, the Director of Ho Chi Minh City's Tourism Department.

This year’s Ho Chi Minh festival will feature promotional activities worth more than VND100 million in total. Along with their entry tickets, visitors will be given lucky draw numbers with winners receiving trips to local and foreign destinations.
Cultural activities have also been planned such as a tourism fair, the “Southern Tasty Food” fair, the “Southern Amateur Music” Festival, a floating market, folk games and more.
The festival will end on April 22.
(Source: SGGP)

Da Lat: “Valley of love” worth just USD44,000

Da Lat Youth Tourism Service Company, the manager and developer of the “Valley of Love”, a famous tourist site in Da Lat city Vietnam, on April 23 announced it would perform initial public offering (IPO) on May 19.

This company will auction 534,000 shares at the starting price of VND13,000 per share.
The company’s director, Nguyen Hoang Vinh Quang, said that this company now managed more than 133ha of forest and a 10ha lake (Da Thien Lake) as tourism facilities.Remarkably, the famous tourist site in the plateau city of Da Lat, the “Valley of Love”, which is recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a national landscape, is valued at just VND700 million (US$43,700).
Hotels in Da lat
Da lat Travel Pictures
Tours to Da lat
(Source: Tuoi Tre)

Vietnam sea travel

Vietnam is expecting sea travel to strongly recover and develop by leaps and bounds in the coming years, and will make stronger efforts to realize the country’s big potentials in this sector, said a tourism official.

Vu The Binh, head of the travel department under Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), told the Daily yesterday that the number of cruise passengers would return to the peak recorded in 2002 and surge in the coming years to one million a year.
Last year, international cruise ships brought in 140,000 tourists, which despite the year-on-year increase of 11% showed a steep fall from 350,000 cruise-ship passengers the country welcomed in 2002. The nosedive was then attributed to the SARS and bird flu epidemics.
But Binh said the recovery would be quick.
“We believed that we can recover the lost number in the next few years, and even boost the number of cruise passengers to one million in the foreseeable future given new promotion and investment activities being made,” he said.
He noted that the country has 4,000 kilometres of coastline, which is the greatest potential for the sea-tourism development.
Cruise ship operators are increasingly choosing Vietnam because it is a safe destination after SARS and bird flu. Furthermore, the country is located near two centres of cruise travel in Asia, namely Hong Kong and Singapore.
However, the key to optimism is greater efforts being made to design new routes and to make Vietnam better known to well-to-do tourists worldwide, according to Binh.
This year the VNAT department and tour operators will survey dozens of new sea tourist routes linking Vietnam with neighbouring countries and territories, including China’s Hainan Island, Singapore, Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Cambodia. These routes will take in famous stopovers in Vietnam, including Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Vinh, and Halong.
Binh said VNAT would combine with Vietnam tours operators to open new sea tourist routes, go outside to meet with cruise lines to promote the potential of Vietnam, and invite them to the country for the promotion purpose.
“VNAT will help tour operators strongly promote the country’s images to partners during promotion trips,” he said.
Binh said VNAT would also support local companies to cooperate with foreign partners to establish joint venture companies to attract cruise passengers.
VNAT will also ask the Government to give visa exemptions to these visitors,” he said.
Vietnam also is working closely with other ASEAN countries to boost cruise travel in the region.
Currently, many famous cruise lines in Europe, the U.S, and Asia such as Costa Crocieres, Star Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, P&O Princess Cruises are regularly calling on the country.

(Source: SGT)

Cua Lo beach ready for new travel season

Travel to Cua Lo beach Vietnam, the festival of 100 years of Cua Lo town, Nghe An province will open on May 2, the town’s biggest ever tourism event with a view to turning Cua Lo into a typical sea travel centre of the central region.

Annually, the sea travel season is traditionally inaugurated in coincidence with the Cua Lo River VIetnam and Water Festival of local fishermen. The festival originated from the Van Loc Temple Festival dated back about 500 years to remember high-ranking mandarin Nguyen Su Hoi, the general who made great contribution to restoration of the country and cultivation and founding of Van Loc village, today Cua Lo.

The festival kicks off a fishing season of local fishermen with the hope of favourable rain and wind. This year, the river and water festival coincides with the time when Nghe An central province and Cua Lo town organise the 100-year anniversary of Cua Lo sea travel Vietnam.

Basically, the preparatory work for the 100-year anniversary has been completed in terms of art performances, logistics, security and activities taking place during and after the anniversary such as a boat race, a beach volleyball tournament, a football tournament for children and a tennis competition.

Since early 2007, the town’s authorities have urged travel agencies and hotels to improve and decorate accommodations to meet the needs of tourists. There are now 202 hotels with 5,200 rooms in the town, including the four-star Saigon-Kim Lien Hotel, the three-star Xanh Hotel and two-star hotels of Thai Binh Duong, Hon Ngu, Viet Anh, Nghe An Guesthouse, Hanoi hotels , Trade Union and Vinamoto.

Besides, many private guesthouses have been built. The town’s people’s committee is also calling on investors to invest in building two five-star hotels.

To diversify tourism products, Cua Lo town is trying its best to become a centre linking tours and cultural-historical sites of Nghe An province with other neighbouring provinces such as Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh.

The town has set up a centre introducing and selling tourism products and a centre giving consultancy to tourists so that tourists can visit places of interest and landscapes in Nghe An in the quickest way.

In terms of security and safety for tourists, the Cua Lo town has built a warning system for tourists and a rescue centre, including excellent swimmers. High-speed boats have also been bought to serve tourists.

With such efforts, the Cua Lo town is able to meet the needs of a large number of tourists during the upcoming summer and bring comfortable and relaxed days to tourists.

Related:

• Cua Lo Nghe An, Central province looks to beach tourism boom
• Song Ngu Island in Cua Lo, Vietnam tours

(Source: ND)

AirAsia to increase flights to Vietnam, launch new service

More flights to Vietnam, airAsia will add seven more flights to its Kuala Lumpur - Hanoi schedule from next month and launch service between Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and the Malaysian capital.

Bui Duc Hanh, Hanoi station manager of AirAsia, told the Daily on Wednesday that the Malaysian low-cost carrier would begin one more daily Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur flight from June 19 in addition to the existing daily flight on the route.

AirAsia will use the 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft for the additional flights, which are launched in response to an increasingly strong demand for air travel on the Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur run.

To mark the inauguration of the extra flights, AirAsia will implement its airfare promotion from May 8 to 10 with a single trip from Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur and Thailand’s capital of Bangkok starting from US$15, exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

The discount airfares will account for 25% of the seats on the daily flights that AirAsia currently operates between Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. The airfares will apply from June 19 this year to March 29 next year.

Hanh said passengers would pay the US$14 airport fee at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi with the tickets they purchase online at www.airasia.com and the airline’s agents.

AirAsia has carried nearly 105,000 passengers on the Hanoi-Bangkok flights since the service began in October 2005 and nearly 32,000 passengers on the Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur flights since October last year, Hanh said.

Airlines reported high growth in the number of Vietnamese traveling by air to Malaysia and other regional countries during Vietnam’s Reunification Day and International Labor Day holidays.

Malaysia Airlines in Vietnam said tourists accounted for 80% of the almost-full flights the carrier operated from Hanoi Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam during the longer public and weekend holidays.

General manager Terence Krish Swampillai told the Daily yesterday that the airline was working on increasing frequency from the 23 weekly flights between the two countries.

Jetstar Airways estimated passengers made up for 95% of the 180 seats on the Airbus A320 plane the low-cost carrier runs on the Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore route during the holidays.

Jetstar started on Wednesday to give passengers one ticket for every one ticket they book until May 8 for departing from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore from July 1 to September 30.

Viet calculated the return tickets of the "1 To Buy - 2 To Fly" program for two persons cost some US$298 nett.

The weekend and public holidays also saw a surge in passengers on domestic flights run by Vietnam Pacific Airlines, Vietnam Airlines and its subsidiary Vietnam Air Services Co. (VASCO).

The airlines said their domestic flights were fully occupied by holidaymakers but did not compare the number of passengers with that of the same period last year. Vietnam Airlines has added more than 40 domestic flights from April 26 to May 3.

(Source: SGT)

The Highlands: travel to Nha Trang and Dalat

Bac Ha culture festival, Bac Ha in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai will hold a three-day festival of culture and entertainment starting on June 8 to promote the district’s people and sights and advertise its economic and tourism potential.

The formal activities will include offering incense at Bac Ha Temple, music concerts and other stage shows, exhibitions and parades of ethnic costume, and sports competitions like horse racing and mountain climbing.

Situated 70 kilometers from the town of Lao Cai Vietnam, Bac Ha is known for its bracing air, wild scenery, historical places, and diverse ethnic cultures.

The Bac Ha district is often called the “White Plateau” because of the many blossoming plum trees. It also has a reputation for fine wine made from corn grown on the steep hillsides.

(Source: SGGP, Pata Vietnam)

Joint heritage fest opens in Quang Nam Vietnam

The oldest district in Hoi An Town, will set the stage for the heritage Journey Festival, a joint programme organised by Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, at the end of June.

The third biennial event, held between June 26-30, is a chance for visitors to understand more about the geographical and cultural similarities of these three neighbouring countries and promote the destinations as a whole, said organisers.

The 2007 festival is the biggest one yet with more abundant and original activities in the works, they said.

The five-day festival begins in the ancient Hoi An Town where audiences will get a taste of the nature, culture and history of each country, as well as their neighbours. Visitors will get new insight into heritage sites like the My Son complex, Cham towers Tower and old Hoi An's district via singing, dancing and special feasts prepared as part of the celebrations.

Similar events are being planned in Angkor, the temple city near Siem Riep in Cambodia and Luang Prabang in Laos at the same time.

One of the highlights of the programme is a month-long travelling exhibition of 400 artefacts from 10 world cultural heritage sites located in the three countries. They will be on display from June 26 to July 26.

At exchanges and a traditional food fairs showcasing specialities prepared by the Viet, Cham and Co Tu ethnic groups who live in Quang Nam province are other family events to be enjoyed in addition to watching artisans weave mats and silk in An Phuoc Village, Duy Phuoc Commune and Dong Yen Village.

Cultural dances, performances and costumes will amaze visitors as far as the eye can see with help of fantastic feats performed by Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Ninh and Phu Yen acrobatic and cultural troupes plying their trade throughout the week.

These activities can also been seen in Tam Ky town and Cham Island.

Other highlights of the festival include nights dedicated to each major city participating, small and large festivals, folk games and events dedicated to communities and their history in the region.

For beach bums, Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An is the perfect place to watch boat races, volleyball competitions, cycling tournaments as well as kite flying.

The festival will end with an artistic show in Cham Island, comprised of legends, historical stories and explanations on the cultural significance and nuances regarding Ngoa Long Island in the East Sea.

Organisers said the festival will allow people from the region to meet tourists artists and business people simultaneously.

(Source: VNA)

Natural feelings on Orchid Stream Island in Vietnam

Orchid Stream Island in Vietnam, visitors looking for an island with five-star services and accommodation won’t find them here, but for those who want a back-to-nature experience, Orchid Stream Island is one of the best choices.

Located on Ninh Phu Commune, Ninh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province Vietnam, the island is formed by many small streams flowing down Hon Heo Mountain, winding through rocky hills for six kilometers and across the plain before emptying into Nha Phu Lagoon.

Until recently there were few services available for tourists, but today there are many activities, for example ostrich riding, an animal circus, mountain climbing or sea-sports such as parasailing and jet skiing.

There are 12 large, tall male ostriches ready to lend their backs to visitors. They are very friendly and travellers are welcome to watch and feed them. Some shops on the island also sell ostrich eggs with little paintings on them, priced around VND200,000 per egg.

The most famous animal on the island is an elephant named Lan (Orchid). Seven years ago the 25-year-old female elephant left her homeland in Ban Don Village in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak Vietnam. She is very friendly and allows visitors who want to take photos with her to sit on her trunk or back.

Her keeper usually has some sugar-cane to offer to Lan when she finishes her performance. From this month, Lan will perform two circus shows, at 9.30am and 1pm every day, each lasting about 15 minutes. Her show will usually be followed with a performance by the four bears.

Last month the island launched a mountain climbing service for tourists, arranged by the owner in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City - based Hong Bang Travel Company.

Tours originating in the province’s Nha Trang City cost just VND450,000 per person for a one day climbing tour on the island with expert guides from Hong Bang.

As suggested by the name, the island has many beautiful orchids gathered from across the northern and central regions, as well as plants native to the central coast. In the “Cave of Orchid Flower” visitors can see more than 3,000 beautiful specimens of 39 orchid species.

Two houses on stilts with a capacity of 40 people each are always available for visitors who want to enjoy the natural atmosphere of the island.

Tours to Orchid Stream Island can be purchased from Long Phu Tourist Company, which offers a province-based tour, or from a number of travel firms in Ho Chi Minh City.

In Nha Trang, call (058) 527 022 for more information on tours to the island.

In Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can contact Ben Thanh Tourist Travel Service Center to book a tour to Orchid Island.

(Source: SGT)

Ho Chi Minh City offers tourism training courses

Ho Chi Minh City tourism training courses, Germany 's Europe Indochina Institute of Tourism (EIT) and Sao Viet computer and Language Training Centre will establish a variety of new hospitality and tourism training courses in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.

Under an agreement signed recently, course for tour guides, restaurant operators, front office agents and hotel managers will be offered. Most of the courses will be taught in English and will be specific to the Vietnamese industry.
Special courses on tourism and hospitality-industry English also be provided as well as computer training courses based on the demands of the sector.

Student, graduates and hospitality industry employees are all eligible to register for the classes. Dr. Peter Seidel from Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam German Consulate General said that an increasing number of foreign tourists are visiting Vietnam everyday and the domestic tourism and hospitality industry must improve to meet rising demands.

"These training courses are expected to help the domestic industry have a staff with highly professionally skills and to build a strong sense of protecting the tourism environment among tourism workers," he said.

(Source: VNA)

Nha Trang Bay development in Khanh Hoa Vietnam

Nha Trang Bay development in Vietnam, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Province, Nguyen Chien Thang, talked more about the province’s plan to withdraw Nha Trang Bay from recognition as a national landscape.

Why does Khanh Hoa Province not want Nha Trang Bay recognised as a national landscape?

If Nha Trang Bay is recognised as a national landscape, every activity of repair and construction in protection zone 1 (strictly protected area) of the bay is banned under the Law on Cultural Heritage. Even the government doesn’t have the right to permit such activities.The Khanh Hoa People’s Committee has reported to the provincial Party Committee about this case and the Khanh Hoa Party Committee has agreed to ask the Ministry of Culture and Information to withdraw Nha Trang Bay VIetnam from the list of national landscape sites as this title may affect the development of the bay.

Is this decision one way of approving activities that could harm the scenery of Nha Trang bay Vietnam ?

Why harm the landscape? We aim to make it more beautiful, not destroy it. For example, islands in the bay now have wild trees only. We will replace wild trees by varieties of higher value. It is necessary and we will do so. Khanh Hoa Vietnam will design a plan for the bay to attract tourists. Those tasks are necessary but under the Law on Cultural Heritage, they can’t be performed.

Is it a contradiction when the province’s policy is protecting the environment of Nha Trang Bay but plans to withdraw it from recognition as a natural landscape?

I don’t think it’s a contradiction. For example, if Hon Tre Island is left neglected, what is its value and who will visit it? But when the island has Vinapearl Land, it has become a destination of many visitors. Khanh Hoa has a plan for the bay and the Ministry of Culture and Information has agreed with the plan. But under the Law on Cultural Heritage, the ministry’s agreement is meaningless.

So Khanh Hoa is planning to destroy Hon Tam Island as it levelled Hon Tre and Vung Me islands?

We have already begun, but the works on Hon Tam Island haven’t been finished yet so how can we call it destruction? For example, they had to level Hon Tre Island to build Vinapearl Land, otherwise how could they grow trees, build the resort and entertainment centres? Here I want to talk about investment to improve the site, which needs levelling…But construction measures must be suitable to avoid destroying the ecological environment.

Construction activities on Hon Tam and Hon Tre islands, which are in protection zone 1, have violated the laws. What do you think about this?

The removal of Nha Trang Bay Vietnam from the list of national landscapes must be approved by the Ministry of Culture and Information with an official decision. So frankly, construction activities in protection zone 1 since the Law on Cultural Heritage took effect are illegal but Khanh Hoa has a plan for the bay as I have said.

(Source: Tuoi Tre)

Dragon-shaped boat races in Mekong Delta town of Chau Doc

Dragon-shaped boat races, the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel will run its third annual dragon-shaped boat races on the morning of June 6 in collaboration with the Chau Doc Sports Center to promote the Mekong Delta town of Chau Doc Vietnam as a destination for tourists and pilgrims.

Trinh Quang Man, general manager of the hotel of the Victoria Hotels and Resorts group, told the Daily that the upcoming boat races will be bigger and more festive than last year as more teams will compete on the Chau Doc River.

The boat races will take place from 10am until noon on a section of the river from the Park of Basa Fish Statue to just past the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang Vietnam.

The organizers will present VND2mil to the winning team of the 1,000 meter race, VND1.5mil to the runners-up and VND1mil to the third place team.

As for the 500 meter category, the organizers have announced a first prize of VND1.5mil, a second prize of VND1mil, and a third prize of VND700,000.

Like the first and second successful dragon boat races, this year's event will coincide with the Festival of Ba Chua Xu (Lady of the Country), which kicks off annually from the 23rd night to the 27th day of the 4th lunar month, or from June 8 to 12.

Also called the Via Ba ceremony, the festival takes place every year at Ba Chua Xu Temple, which was built in the early 19th century on the well-known Sam Mountain, about five kilometers south-west of Chau Doc Town Vietnam.

Locals say in the early 1800s villagers discovered a statue of a lady dating to the 6th century in the forest and more reminiscent of statues found in India, Cambodia or Laos rather than Vietnam. Hoping that she would bring them better lives, they built a temple in her honor. This is why the marble statue of Ba Chua Xu is worshipped.

The washing and dressing of the statue on the night of the 23rd is the focal point of the festival. The bathing water is perfumed and the statue's old clothes are torn into small pieces that are distributed to pilgrims. They are considered lucky charms that keep the possessor in good health and drive away evil spirits.

At midnight on the 25th, the Tuc Yen ritual takes place. It is an imposing procession including dragon dances and banners. The imperial chair is taken to Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb for a chanting ritual before being returned to Ba Chua Xu Temple.

The festival attracts many pilgrims and tourists to the Mekong Delta Vietnam and other parts of Vietnam. The pilgrims bring various kinds of offerings, hoping that the deity will grant luck and wealth to them.

(Source: SGT)

Marine tourism hot topic in Nha Trang Vietnam

Hot topic in Nha Trang, sustainable development of Vietnam’s most important tourist sector – marine tourism – is the topic for discussion at a national workshop to be held in Nha Trang today.

The Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), a technical sponsor of the workshop, says that because marine tourism constitutes about two-thirds of Vietnam’s overall tourism industry and was a strong contributor to the nation’s socio-economic development, it was important all coastal stockholders put their heads together on the issue.

"Vietnam is a coastal country, with many beautiful beaches, bays, islands and coral reefs," MCD Vice Director Ho Thi Yen Thu said, adding "every year, millions of visitors travel to Vietnam to enjoy the coastal areas – and the numbers are growing."

Nha Trang tourism, the workshop "The Nature – Tourism Resources: Focusing on Sustainable Marine Tourism in Vietnam" is aimed at sharing national and international experience in the area with focus on environmental conservation, which, according to Thu, was intrinsically linked to ensuring the industry’s continued success. Talks will touch on ways to involve local communities in efforts to protect the environment.

Tourism in Nha Trang Vietnam, more than 100 organisations are taking part including the Ministry of Culture and Information, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Economics and Planning (VIFEP), Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, local and international NGOs, experts and tourism enterprises.

Speakers include Nguyen Chu Hoi (VIFEP, MoFI) who will highlight the advantages of coastal areas and marine resources in Vietnam’s tourism development. Le Trong Binh (VNAT) will present the government’s strategy and vision of marine tourism development.

Visiting Professor Ernst Sagemueller (Europe – Indochina Institute of Tourism) is to talk about the roles and economic value of tourism, and highlight some important issues for Vietnam.

The workshop is part of The Guide Awards 2006-2007 organised by Vietnam Economic Times and Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, with technical sponsors Hoa Nhan PR Company and the Centre of Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD).

• Hotels in Nha Trang
• Nha Trang Travel Pictures

(Source: Viet Nam News)