Vietnam’s tourism potential introduced in Russia

RUSSIA-A ceremony to introduce Vietnam’s tourism potential was held in Moscow on September 22 as part of a series of activities marking the Vietnam Culture Days festival in Russia.

The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VAT) and the Vietnamese embassy in Russia.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh highlighted the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in all fields, especially in the field of tourism. Mr. Anh emphasised that Russia has always taken the lead in the number of tourists to Vietnam in recent years, especially last year, when 82,000 Russians visited the country. The Government of Vietnam has always created favourable conditions to develop the industry and signed tourism related agreements with Russia, which have laid a firm legal foundation for travel companies’ activities.

Mr. Anh expressed his belief that the ceremony will offer an opportunity for both Russian and Vietnamese companies to learn more about tourism products and to generally strengthen tourism activities across all markets for both nations.

Deputy Head of the Russian National Tourist Office, Grigori Xarisvili said that apart from advantages in developing tourism, Vietnam is also member of international organisations such as UNWTO, ASEAN, and APEC. Therefore, in the coming time, Vietnam is likely to become one of the most visited nations in South East Asia.

He emphasised that Vietnam is a beautiful nation with friendly and hospitable people which has made remarkable changes in economic development, tourism and infrastructure. He added that the event will be a perfect opportunity for all Russian travel agents and visitors to come to Vietnam. He expressed his belief that with the robust development of Vietnam’s economy, there will be more and more Vietnamese tourists visiting Russia in the future.

At the ceremony, Russian friends also watched a documentary film to introduce Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes and learn about its tourism policies. In addition, they will hear solutions in tourism activities in Vietnam and enjoy the country’s traditional dishes and a music performance imbued with national identity.

Vietnam keen to promote cooperation with Singapore and Malaysia

VIETNAM-Vietnam affirms relations and multifaceted cooperation with Singapore and Malaysia in bilateral aspects as well as at regional and international forums.
State President Truong Tan Sang will pay state-level visits to Singapore and Malaysia from September 26-30.

These visits will be made at the invitation of Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Billah Shah.

This is the first overseas trip by Mr. Sang since he was elected by the National Assembly as State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The tour affirms Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening the ties of friendship and all-round cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore and Malaysia.

Vietnam-Singapore relations are currently bearing fruit through the regular exchange visits of their senior leaders. Singapore is always considered as Vietnam’s top investment and trade partner.

Two-way trade turnover has seen consistent year-on-year increases in recent years, reaching US$5.8 billion in 2009 and US$6.2 billion in 2010.

By July 2011, Singapore has had 938 projects with a total investment capital of US$23.2 billion, putting the country third among 92 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam has invested 38 projects in Singapore, totaling US$464 million.

Since 2005, both countries have effectively implemented a framework agreement on collaboration in six fields and organised annual ministerial level meetings to assess the implementation of the agreement.

Four Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) are also running smoothly in Binh Duong, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong.

As many as 9,000 Vietnamese students are working and studying in Singapore.

Bilateral cooperation in national defence and security, culture, healthcare and tourism has been strengthened.

During President Sang’s visit, the two sides will review and set orientations for developing comprehensive bilateral cooperation in many important fields.

They will also discuss measures to promote bilateral cooperation at regional and international forums and compare notes on regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Malaysia - Vietnam’s third biggest trade partner

The Vietnam-Malaysia friendship and cooperation continue to develop in a stable manner through the exchange of bilateral visits.

Malaysia is Vietnam’s third biggest trade partner in ASEAN with two-way trade turnover posting steady annual growth.

In terms of investment, Malaysia ranks fifth among 92 nations and territories investing in Vietnam.

By July 2011, Malaysia has had 386 projects in Vietnam with a total investment capital of US$18.78 billion.

Labour cooperation between the two countries continues to develop strongly. Malaysia is seen as Vietnam’s third biggest guest worker importing market, employing around 70,000 Vietnamese workers.

On the occasion of President Sang’s visit, both countries will discuss ways to promote the ties of friendship and cooperation in politics, national defence and security, and economics, as well as coordinate activities at regional and international forums including ASEAN.

TravelWeekly

Homestay - attractive tourism type in Da Lat

In a short time, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the romantic highlands of Da Lat (Lam Dong) and are also able to approach, understand, and learn more about culture, custom, and people… of the locals there. That is the reason for homestay tourism type in Da Lat is attracting many visitors, especially international ones.

Da Lat has been considered as a Little Paris in Vietnam for a long time. Besides the types of tourism that have become familiar to visitors in Da Lat such as outdoor tourism, eco- tourism, adventure tourism, culture tourism..., the homestay tourism is emerging as an innovative and attractive type.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nam - Branch Director of Grand Circle Corporation (an American company specializes in developing cultural tourism) in Vietnam explains that customers participating in homestay tourism are often the old ones and desire to enjoy the tranquil and happy atmosphere, while families in Da Lat have a warm and emotional style of living, and are very hospitable, therefore this type of tourism has attracted these customers.

Homestay tourism has attracted more and more international visitors to Da Lat, and also increasingly contributes to the goal of "every Da Lat citizen is a tourist guide." Joining homestay tour, visitors have opportunity to learn about daily life, custom of the locals, participate in their daily activities such as shopping, cooking, farming... while being guided by the locals to visit landscapes, cultural and historic relics of Da Lat and the surrounding areas in their trips.

Ms. Mae Thu, a Chinese American tourist said, she was pleased with the homestay tours in Da Lat. Da Lat City in Vietnam has many similarities with China and the locals here are very close and friendly. While the couple from the United States - Maken and Tim, revealed that Da Lat was real great. They felt living in Da Lat as at home. In addition, information on travel services to reference, such as tours, sightseeing routes in the surrounding areas, air booking offices, and foreign newspapers... are very adequate.

Right from homestay tourism begins to be developed in Da Lat; the local tourism-related businesses have been aware that this is a type of tourism associated with environmental protection. This is one of the criteria that visitors are very cared. To more and more develop homestay tourism, Lam Dong tourism authorities will organize training courses on communication and reception skills, tourism knowledge... for organizations and individuals working in community tourism in Da Lat.

Vietnam food week held in Thailand

THAILAND-A Vietnam food week was held in the four-star Novotel Bangkok Fenix Ploenchit hotel in Thailand on September 11-18, attracting crowds of local and international visitors.
The display space was decorated with Vietnamese flags and a menu board introducing traditional dishes.

Most of food, including beef noodle soup, spring rolls, braised fish and seafood, was made by Vo Tung Lam, a cook from the Novotel Nha Trang hotel in Vietnam.

Vietnam ranks third on Aussie list of best value destinations

Vietnam ranks third on the list of top ten destinations for the increasing number of Australians travelling abroad following an increase in value of the Australian dollar against the local currency, The Daily Examiner has reported.
The Australian daily newspaper last week quoted the list of top ten best-value destinations revealed by online travel company Expedia.

It also cited the National Australia Bank as saying that the Australian dollar had climbed 16 percent against the Vietnamese dong over a 12-month period.
Vietnam is considered  a short-haul favorite for tropical beach breaks, the newspaper said.
Over the past 12 months the number of Australian Internet searches on Expedia for Vietnam has increased by 73 percent, it added.
Many other countries are also seeing increases in the Australian dollar against their currencies.
Amee Evans, marketing manager for Expedia Australia and New Zealand, was quoted as saying that Australian currency is at “near-record highs” against many of the world's major and minor currencies, including the US dollar.
In fact, the US, which is always on the most loved destination list for Aussies, ranked eighth with the currency increase of ten percent, the newspaper said. Turkey topped the list with the Australian dollar soaring 20 percent against the Turkish Lira, it said.
Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that overseas departures are at near-record highs, up more than 10 percent in the first seven months of the year over the same period last year.

Thanh Nien News  

Hanoi by pedal power

When I moved to Vietnam, everybody told me that I would need to get a motorbike. As I had never driven a motorbike – or, in fact, even sat on one! – I was extremely hesitant. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have the necessary skill to ride in traffic with a nation of people who are practically born on Hondas. 

I decided instead to catch the bus. Commuting by bus was a fantastic experience: it was extremely cheap, passengers were always very friendly, and from the bus window I was able to observe and familiarize myself with the Hanoi traffic.

After a couple of months of watching Hanoians on the road, I was resolved to try two-wheeled commuting. But not on a motorbike. I had been keenly observing the school children, the street vendors and the grandparents, and was inspired by them to get a bicycle.

It did not take long for cycling to become my favourite thing about living in Hanoi.

Unlike Sydney, where I’m from, Hanoi is perfectly designed for the cyclist. Sydney is geographically enormous, extremely hilly, and with fast-moving traffic. To cycle in Sydney you need to be really fit, and a bike with gears is almost essential to cope with the steep hills.

Most trips in Hanoi, by comparison, cover only short distances on flat ground. And while there is a lot of traffic here, at least it’s slower, which makes it much safer for a cyclist. Bicycles are cheap to buy and comfortable to ride, designed for city cruising, not tackling mountains.

With Hanoi offering conditions so favourable to cyclists, it’s surprising that there aren’t more bicycles on the roads.

My Vietnamese friends and colleagues express shock when I say that my partner and I travel everywhere by bicycle and don’t own a motorbike. I’m never sure if they are impressed or if they just think we’re crazy.

I know for certain that many Vietnamese people think I’m crazy for wearing a helmet on my bike, because they point and laugh, and tell me I don’t have to. I know it’s not legally required (like in Australia, where it is), but whether I’m on a motorbike or a bicycle, my head is just as valuable to me!

Cycling keeps me fit, saves me money, and whenever I think about how much I dislike the air and noise pollution in Hanoi caused by traffic, I can at least feel that I’m not contributing to the problem.

On the weekends, I enjoy a slow, peaceful cycle around West Lake or along the Red River, some of the most picturesque bike rides I’ve ever experienced, and they’re right here in the city. Every time I go, I’m amazed that the roads aren’t jam-packed with other cyclists.

While a motorbike is a much more convenient form of transport for most people, and an especially cherished one given that bicycles were so recently the only affordable transport, owning a motorbike doesn’t mean you have to forego cycling altogether.

Replacing some short motorbike trips with bicycle rides can help to improve the city’s air quality, and save considerable amounts of money spent on petrol. Cycling recreationally can keep you fit and allow you to experience some of Hanoi’s most beautiful places without the rumble of an engine.

I know I’ll dearly miss cycling when I leave Hanoi, and will always fondly remember riding alongside the school children, street vendors and the grandparents down the city’s tree-lined streets. At least I will know that I made the most of it while I was here.

Water, Rice festivals in Soc Trang

Oc Om Boc, the annual Water Festival of the Khmer people, will this year coincide with the Vietnam Rice Festival in Soc Trang Province, home to a large community of the ethnic minority group.

The nation’s second Rice Festival will take place in the Mekong Delta province on November 8-11 this year to glorify the commodity, which is the lifeblood of the nation. 

Oc Om Boc, the most important annual event of the ethnic minority group, is dedicated to the moon and organized in the province every year on the fifteenth day of the tenth lunar month. The main purpose of the ritualistic ceremony is to pray to the Moon God for abundant crops and fish from the rivers, as well as good health for villagers.

The three-day cultural event features a traditional boat race with dozens of long and narrow boats competing. The navigation of the boat, called ghe ngo, requires great skills because it can easily be capsized. The boat is long enough for about 40 rowers sitting in two lines and the team leader. The final sees dozens of ghe ngo race to the finish line amidst cheers, claps and clamor of the thousands of people lined up on the banks in Soc Trang City.

The race attracts visitors from both Soc Trang and other provinces and cities.

The second Vietnam Rice Festival, hosted by Soc Trang, will include exhibitions, fairs, seminars and scientific workshops; activities to promote investment, trade and business relations among domestic and foreign partners, cultural and sports activities which are typical of the southern province.

Involved in organizing the national event are the ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development; Industry and Trade; Culture, Sport and Tourism; Information and Communications; Vietnam Food Association and other Government agencies.

Organizers have confirmed that more than 20 countries have agreed to join the festival, including Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Russia, Thailand and the U.S. The foreign partners will take part in food pavilions, exhibitions, cultural activities and workshops.

Soc Trang City, the capital of the province, is 60 kilometers south of Can Tho City – the Mekong Delta’s hub. Some of the places to visit are Kh’leng Pagoda, Clay Pagoda, Im Som Rong Pagoda and the Khmer Museum. Soc Trang is 230 kilometers from HCMC.

(Source: SGT)

Vietnam named the best-value destination for Australian tourists

Research conducted by the National Australia Bank (NBA) and the online travel company Expedia has shown that Turkey, Tanzania and Vietnam are the best-value overseas destinations for Australian people. 

The list also named other destinations such as Argentina, Thailand, Iceland, Hong Kong, the US, Pakistan and Philippines.

Vietnam made the top of the list based on currency fluctuations against the Australian dollar to find the best-value destinations for travellers.

Over the last year, the AUD increased by 22 percent against Turkey’s lira, 18 percent against Tanzania’s shilling and 16 percent against the Vietnamese dong.

The number of people searching expedia.com.au over the past 12 months rose by 33 percent for Turkey, 54 percent for Tanzania and 66 percent for Vietnam.

Figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that the number of Australian tourists travelling overseas increased by nearly 10 percent in the first seven months of 2011.

(Source: VNA)

Hanoi flower festival 2012 to open in December

The Hanoi Flower Festival 2012 will open in the capital city of Hanoi from December 30, 2011 to January 2, 2012.

According to Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Khac Loi, the festival aims to honour the cultural heritage sites and values that were recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), especially those of Hanoi through the means of flower.

It is part of activities to promote cultural tourism in the capital city and respond to the National Tourism Year 2012, which takes the theme of “Heritage Tourism”

This year’s festival will be held in streets of Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thai To, Le Lai, Le Thach, the downtown, on the surface of Hoan Kiem lake and in popular sites of Ngoc Son temple, Tran Ba temple, The Huc bridge and But and Hoa Phong towers.

In the framework of the event, a wide range of activities such as flower arranging competitions, traditional games, exhibitions of ornamental plants, handicraft and tourism products will be also organised.

(Source: VNA)

First cruise port opens in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Marina Co Ltd yesterday launched into operation its Duong Dong – Phu Quoc Marina cruise port in Phu Quoc island district of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang for the first stage of operation.

The first of its kind on the island, the port can receive and dock around 50 high-class cruise ships.

A VND100 billion (US$5 million) investment project, the port includes a terminal, a coffee bar, a five-star floating restaurant and a five-star hotel.

Truong Ngoc Hanh Khuyen, director of Phu Quoc Marina, said the port’s capacity will be expanded in its second stage of operation to accommodate 100 cruise ships.

It would also receive international tourism ships to Phu Quoc and integrate local sea tourism with that of neighboring countries, she said.

Source: tuoitrenews.vn

Lam Kinh Festival honours national hero Le Loi

Every year on August 22 of the lunar calendar, people in Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province, and visitors from across the country flock to the Lam Kinh Festival honouring the death anniversary of national hero Le Loi, also known as Le Thai To, the first king of the Vietnamese Le dynasty.

This year's festival will be held at the Lam Kinh historical site in Tho Xuan, Le Loi’s homeland, on September 18-19 (lunar August 21-22). The annual event aims to educate the younger generations the national tradition of ‘when drinking water, remember its source’ and commemorate Le Loi who, more than five hundred years ago, defeated the Chinese Ming invaders to win independence for his people and become the first king of the Le dynasty.

The first Lam Kinh festival was held after King Le Thai To's death on August 22, 1433. His body was taken to his hometown and worshipped at the Lam Kinh citadel, which was built the same year. The citadel eventually became an imperial temple of the late Le dynasty kings.

However, over time and through wars, many architectural structures inside the citadel have been destroyed. In recent years, the State has invested tens of billions of VND to restore and upgrade some of the most significant relics such as the main palace, tombs, King Le's temple, the temple for the national hero Le Lai, and the exhibition house.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also joined hands with the Thanh Hoa provincial authorities and local people to revive the Lam Kinh Festival, which has been held annually on a large scale since 1995, spreading to many other areas and attracting increasing numbers of visitors from home and abroad.

The festival features many ceremonial rites from the Le dynasty as well as art performances representing historical events such as the ceremony at which Le Loi and his soldiers expressed their faith in the country; Le Loi’s battles and his coronation; the liberation of Dong Quan citadel; and a procession of the ancestral tablet of General Le Lai, who sacrificed himself to save Le Loi. Numerous folk games, martial arts and wrestling competitions are held during the festival, as well as bronze and leather drum performances and exhibitions of fine art and Le dynasty antiques.

Thanh Hoa provincial authorities are now working hard to prepare for the upcoming Lam Kinh Festival. A well organised event will help promote the historical and cultural traditions of Thanh Hoa and its people and offer visitors a chance to learn about a part of the country’s glorious history.

(Source: Nhan Dan)