Discover the latent beauty of Que Son

Talking about Quang Nam province, probably many people would think about Hoi An street or My Son holy city; however, the beautiful landscape in the west of Que Son town, at the headwaters of Thu Bon River is also a very attractive destination.

Tay Vien hot spring brings enjoyment and relaxation

Distant from My Son vestige about three kilometers towards the west is Tay Vien hot spring. This place is taken form from some earthquakes in the entrails of the earth millions of years ago.
The water in these two streams is very clear, with the average temperature of about 85 degrees.
This is an ideal place for tourist to steam bath. The stream’s water contains many precious mineral substances such as calcium, potassium, sulphur and iron.Tourists can also have a mud – bath here, which can help them to relax and cure some sickness.
At a distance of about five kilometers from Tay Vien towards the east, there is a very beautiful stream, named Fairy Stream. This is one of the most beautiful streams in the Central region.
Located in two sides of the stream are the rocky mountains. In the afternoon, the sunset contrasts and creates miraculous colors, and makes the landscape become a natural painting, which is so beautiful and impressive.
About 2.5 kilometres from Tay Vien hot spring towards the west, there is a cultural village, Dai Binh village. It is located nearby Thu Bon River.
Coming there, tourists can totally feel comfortable when relaxing in the ancient houses and enjoy the countryside fruits. The gardens here are just like ones in the South with so many kinds of fruit such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan, langsat, orange and grapefruit.
There is also ferry – boats for tourists to enjoy the scene along Thu Bon River. On the two sides of the river, people grow many mulberry. Tourists would be very impressed with the immense green of these mulberry gardens.
Tourist can stop their ferry – boats at any white sand – banks along the river to enjoy the beautiful landscape around as well as swimming, catching fishes and the delicious baked fishes.
The flow crosses two mountains. The cliffs look just like the huge dykes that divide the water into two parts. The scene is just so imposing.
When the ferry – boat floats downstream, tourists would have chance to visit Le Pass, with a beauty that is not very different from Fairy Stream. On this way back, Que Chau village would welcome tourists with the traditional Vietnamese opera and Non village would make tourists interested with the process of making “non la” (conical hat)- the traditional hat of Vietnamee people.
| SGGP |

Beauty of Muong Vang

By Hong Dung, Duy Tien | dtinews.vn |
The villages of the Muong ethnic minority are surrounded by streams, mountains and stilt houses.

These villages not only provide for attractive scenery, but are also known for their hospitality.
Muong people account for over 60% of the population of Hoa Binh Province. There are four distinct groups of the Muong people in Lac Son District, including Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang and Muong Dong.
Lac Son, some 50km from Hoa Binh City to the South West of Hoa Binh Province, is a land which preserves many old features of Muong people’s culture.
At an elevation of 1,071m above sea level, Cot Ca Mountain in Quy Hoa Commune, is sometimes referred to as the roof of Lac Son District.
One of the most impressive sights of this hilly region is actually the houses of the Moung people, which are still built in the traditional way, on stilts. Each household resides on the peak of a mountain or a hill.
Modernity has partially affected their culture; more and more, the traditional dress is being discarded for more modern garb. Still, the mystery and natural way of the lifestyle here is worth seeing. In any case, there are still relics of the old ways: Ao Com (a traditional Muong shirt), old songs, and special foods are still to be found.
Photos of the Muong Vang:

The community revolves around houses on stilts, still to be seen

Muong Vang women are very hard-working

Thung Hill at sunrise

Fishing

The colour green symbolises vitality in the Doi Thung area

Returning home with mom

 

Hoi An old town to go eco

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched a pilot project to develop ecofriendly business models in the historic town of Hoi An, Lao Dong newspaper reported.
The project, launched Tuesday, is part of the “Policy Advice on Environmental Management: Green Industry Development” campaign, funded by the UN One Plan Fund, with technical assistance coming from the UNIDO Vietnam.
Under the plan, the Hoi An City People’s Committee will facilitate green industrial practices at small and medium sized enterprises, particularly in the tourism and crafts sectors.

Foreign tourists row traditional Vietnamese fishing boats called thuyen thung (basket boats) on a river in Hoi An.

Patrick J. Gilabert, UNIDO's chief Vietnam representative, said the pilot project will help solve environmental problems in key sectors while balancing business and community development.
Hoi An is located in the central-coastal province of Quang Nam.

Thanh Nien News 

Ho Chi Minh City gets new tourism slogan

"Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City" is the city’s new tourism slogan, announced the steering committee for Ho Chi Minh City tourism development .

The new slogan will be used in the city’s tourism publications at the International Travel Expo 2011 (ITE), which will be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) on September 14 – 17.

Designed by the Cowan Design Company, the new slogan aims to promote the image of a friendly, lively and charming Ho Chi Minh City.

(Source: Nhan Dan )

Rediscovering Hanoi

My New Year’s resolution is to rediscover Hanoi. Having lived here for more than a year, I’ve already laid down a set of well-worn tracks through the city. On a map, I can easily trace the geometric patterns formed by major roads to and from my office, to and from my favourite restaurants, art galleries, and museums. Don’t get me wrong, to reach this point has required a significant amount of effort in itself, and of that I am rather proud. Lately, though, I’ve noticed that my daily routine has reached dangerously high levels of contentment and complacency, a lifestyle ever so slowly hardening into stone, fixing itself like iron cable car rails that still cut their way through neighbourhoods downtown.

A French-style villa in Hanoi. Photo by Huu Nghi - DTiNews

All too often I find myself driving in a rushing current of commuters, hurriedly passing by hundreds of shops that seem to blur into one another as a mess of mixed colors and neon lights. After a time, I get the impression that the world around me is somehow reproducing itself via a monotonous cycle of generic storefronts, unidentifiable merchandise and multitudes of featureless residents strolling down endless lines of sidewalk. The feeling is not unlike a Flintstones character running through an absurdly long stretch of stone house with the same chair and end table repeatedly whizzing by in the background.

This is really too bad because in actuality Hanoi is a city of particulars and, when given the opportunity for closer inspection, there is little that can be labeled as identical. Economically, this carries its own set of implications and is another topic altogether, but culturally speaking, it’s a very special and unique characteristic that tourists and residents alike should take advantage of. Not even a week ago, I spent a day walking around Hoan Kiem district, the heart of Hanoi. There, dozens of galleries, cultural spaces and exhibit halls are within mere walking distance. Painters, historians, and connoisseurs socialize in the varied languages of artistic expression. The 21st century seems to clash strongly and at the same time fit perfectly with ancient temples and soviet-era monuments. An urban landscape of colonial architecture and green lakes make for a strangely timeless experience that attracts tourists in large numbers. And it was there, in the city center, that I first came up with the idea to rediscover Hanoi.

How does one begin to rediscover Hanoi? There are many roads that lead to a destination and in this particular city, well…there are just many roads. The point of my inaccurate use of analogy is that my destination was Hanoi, a different Hanoi than the one I had become accustomed to, and my road of choice was the road less traveled, literally. That day, nearly a week ago, I deliberately chose a route I had never before trod, at least not that I could remember. I edged my way through streets so narrow that motorbike drivers heading in opposite directions brushed shoulders with each other, and ended up in front of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. I wound through lunchtime crowds overflowing onto the sidewalk, and soberly approached the “Maison Centrale” of Hoa Lo prison. With camera in hand, I captured images of the National Library, August Cinema, and bustling tree lined Lê Thái Tổ street. Initially, I felt accomplished for having conquered Hanoi; however, I realized shortly after that I had actually just begun to rediscover it.

Our relationship with Hanoi should not be viewed as an ongoing battle, or where concepts like victory and defeat can be applied. Sadly however, this theme echoes throughout the stories of many expatriates here, both visiting and established ones. I myself admit to having once enlisted in the psychological war against Hanoi almost immediately after my arrival. I struggled against the supposed evils of cultural differences including but not limited to a general disregard for traffic laws and appointed meeting times, divisions in social hierarchy, and inefficient waste management. It was one fateful day, however, that I was converted by a truth that has resonated deeply within me ever since, changing my perspective and ultimately my entire relationship with the city. It is this; Hanoi is a lot like my hometown. The bay whose shallow waters delicately penetrated the inland historic neighborhoods where I grew up had now become the Red River, spanned by the industrial Long Bien bridge. The ten speed bicycle I once rode through rush hour traffic transformed into my black Honda motorbike. The movie theatre I frequented almost every weekend to watch low budget, highly acclaimed independent films from around the world was now Megastar Cinema where I was recently moved by “Cánh Đồng Bất Tận”. Although Hanoi may never be quite the same as my childhood home, it is fast becoming my second home.

For me, Hanoi is a city of opportunity not limitation, of adventure not intimidation, and of evolution not deterioration. Then again, it’s all a matter of perspective, of discovery and constant rediscovery; that is, if you choose to do so. Hanoi cannot be understood in a day. Understanding often requires time, patience, experience and reflection. After all has been said and done, Hanoi may never be understood anyway! But that’s not to say that it cannot be loved after one day. My New Year’s resolution is to rediscover Hanoi. It is a lifelong commitment and an endless progression leading to nowhere in particular. Does this discourage me? On the contrary, it inspires me.
By Zac Herman | dtinews.vn |