(TITC) - National Tourism Year of the Red River Delta – Hai Phong 2013 with the theme “Red River Civilization” will be held in Hai Phong City and cities, provinces in the Red River Delta region.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Where things fall in place
By all accounts, the Con Son – Kiep Bac complex is a propitious place.
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| Con Son Pagoda, built during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400), is one of the most famous sites of the Con Son - Kiep Bac complex in the northern province of Hai Duong |
It has been recognized for centuries as a sacred, prime location by fengshui standards.
It is surrounded by four mountains named after four holy creatures (or parts thereof) common in many Asian myths, especially in East Asian countries: Phuong Hoang (phoenix), Ky Lan (qilin – a mythical unicorn), Rua (turtle), and Tran Rong (dragon’s forehead). It is also located next to Luc Dau Giang (six river heads), where six rivers – Cau, Thuong, Luc Nam, Duong, Kinh Thay, and the main stream of Thai Binh – meet.
It is small wonder, then, that the place has drawn the most famous people in the country’s history, from Nguyen Trai (1380-1442) – a Confucian scholar, politician, strategist and poet of the Le Dynasty (1428-1527) to Vietnam’s first president Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969). The “complex” has inspired them and evoked deep reflections on life.
For feudal generals, the complex in Chi Linh District was an ideal base for their forces.
However, it was during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400) that the natural complex transcended to a truly holy site with the building of the Con Son Pagoda on a 200-meter mountain of the same name. It became one of the three centers of Truc Lam Yen Tu - Vietnamese Zen Buddhism founded by one of the Tran kings, Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308).
When the next dynasty, Le, took over, the pagoda, also known as Hun, was upgraded into a magnificent building with 83 rooms and 385 Buddha statues.
The pagoda has undergone many changes over the centuries, and lost some of its old grandeur, but it is still a venerable structure watched over by the green canopies of giant, old trees.
Traces of the past in the pagoda include 3-meter high Buddha idols dating back to the Le Dynasty, a 600-year-old adenium tree in the yard and a 14th century stele with the writings of King Tran Due Tong (1372-1377).
It also has a separate house where statues of some feudal officials are worshipped. One is of Tran Nguyen Dan, an official in charge of land and personnel matters under several Tran kings, and others are of Nguyen Trai and his concubine Nguyen Thi Lo.
Close to the pagoda is a three-storied tower named Dang Minh Bao Thap, built under the order of King Tran Minh Tong (1314-1323) to worship the pagoda’s head monk Huyen Quang (1254-1334).
From the pagoda, visitors can climb some 600 stone steps located among a pine tree forest to reach the mountain’s top and see the “fairy chessboard.” The “board” is actually a big flat stone and the legend is that it was used by fairies to play chess.
On the mountain top stands a two-floor watch tower with an ancient architectural style that gives visitors a panoramic view of the complex.
Other sites around Con Son Pagoda that should not be missed include the Gieng Ngoc (jade well) believed to be the “breath of life” of the whole mountain, built by Huyen Quang, the third successor of Truc Lam Yen Tu, following a divine revelation that came to him in his dream. The well’s water stays pure and fresh throughout the year.
The Con Son Spring, which flows for three kilometers along the side of the mountain, is lined with trees, making it a picturesque spot.
The temple
Located some five kilometers from Con Son Pagoda, Kiep Bac does not boast as many legendary and holy sites, but boasts great history.
The temple, nearly 700-years-old, was built to worship Tran Hung Dao, a famous general from the Tran Dynasty, and also one of the greatest generals in Vietnam’s history.
In the 13th century, Dao, born as Tran Quoc Tuan, set up a base there for storing food and training his army to fight invasions by the Mongol Empire. He successfully fought the invading army three times.
The three-gate temple has three rooms with as many deities. The first room has Pham Ngu Lao, Dao’s son in law and also a general of the Tran Dynasty. The second one is for the great general, and the third one for his wife and two daughters.
Next to the temple is Vien Lang, a small hill believed to be the burial site of Dao.
Walking around the Con Son – Kiep Bac complex, it is difficult not to reflect on the historical importance of the place. More importantly, as we reflect on the spiritual antecedents of the place, there is a palpable sense of quiet and peace that makes the sightseeing trip acquire the status of a pilgrimage.
| Thanhniennews | January 09, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Hoi An's Lantern festival to light up lunar New Year
The ancient city of Hoi An will host a lantern festival to celebrate the lunar New Year on February 9-16, the city's culture and sport centre told Viet Nam News yesterday.
The festival's organising committee said that around 50 lantern centres in the city would take part in the annual cultural event.
"The best lanterns with traditional designs will light up for lunar New Year's eve on February 9. The 500m long road from An Hoi bridge to the
"We will also host a series of cultural and art performances to celebrate across the seven days. We hope domestic and foreign tourists will flock to the town during the lantern festival."
The city, which was included on a list of the top ten Asian cities decided by the US magazine Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards, will also host boat racing on the Hoai River, bonsai, calligraphy and flock performances.
The main roads of Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Hue and Hoang Dieu will be transformed into a flower display for the new year celebrations.
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(Source: VNS)
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"Feeling the pulse" of Vietnam tourism
VietNamNet Bridge – The gloomy picture of the development of the tourism industry of Vietnam has been defined at the consultation meeting on the state management of tourism recently, held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi. How to stimulate tourism in the difficult economic context is still a difficult problem for the non-smoke industry.
In the current context of economic difficulties, tourism is considered the highlight with around 6.7 million foreign visitors (up by 11 percent), 32.5 million domestic visitors (up 7 percent) and the total revenue of VND160 trillion (up 16 percent).
However, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said that the growth rate of tourism industry was relatively high in the last three years, but its development is unsustainable, unstable and not commensurate with the potential, particularly the competitiveness is low compared to many countries in the region.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky, General Director of Vietravel, resource planning for tourism development is not good, leading to more resources being destroyed, especially marine ecotourism. Ky also pointed out the lack of connection between localities that causes a waste of resources.
Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association said that travel firms are called for cutting down the charges for hotel rooms, transport fees and food prices nobody pays adequate attention to the legitimate request for preferential policies to tourism stimulus.
According to Director of Hoa Binh Hoa Le Tourism, the state should exempt or reduce import tax rates on tourism cars, reduce land tax to encourage businesses to invest in tourism, develop infrastructure in the remote areas that are rich in tourism potential.
The panorama of the smokeless industry in recent years reveals many inadequacies. State management in tourism is not good enough, proved in the decrease in tourism environment, for instance: Many small travel firms imitate famous brands to cheat customers; tour guides of different companies are in collusion to exchange tourists; the qualification of tour guides in Vietnam is still low; fraud, robbery, environmental pollution still occur in many localities, especially in the key areas of tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky warned: "This is an alarming problem. If we do not handle it firmly, it will affect the image of Vietnam's tourism, and decrease the number of tourists to our country. The environmental tourism protection policy must become a major policy, which is inseparable from the Vietnam's tourism development strategy."
Tourism promotion program of Vietnam is so small compared to other countries in the region. According to Mr. Luu Duc Ke, Director of Hanoitourist, in many countries, when the number of tourists increases, the budget for tourism promotion also rises. In Vietnam, it is contrary.
The revenue of the tourism industry increased in the last three years but the funding for tourism promotion shrank, from VND40 billion ($2 million) in 2010 to VND35 billion ($1.7 million) in 2011 and only VND30 billion ($1.5 million) in 2012 (equivalent to $0.25/visitor while in Thailand and Singapore the rate is $10-15/visitor). On the other hand, tourism companies are not permitted to open representative offices abroad.
However, tourism promotion is not just the money, but also depends on the promotion measures. It is very important to answer the question “what are the things that make a difference for Vietnam’s tourism?”
Many tour operators believe that, in order to promote tourism it is necessary to build the national tourism brand as quickly as possible.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky said that Vietnamese cuisine is very attractive to international visitors. Many cuisines such as pho (noodles) and nem cuon (spring rolls) are frequently among the top world's most attractive dishes. Vietnamese food, therefore, can be considered as the focus of the national tourism brand.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan asked the tourism industry to promote cultural and human strengths in building the brand; to consider safety for visitors as top priority; tourism firms must accompany the State in promoting tourism image.
The Deputy PM also asked the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to have the answer for the question--whether local travel firms are allowed to open overseas representative offices in the first quarter of 2013.
"The master plan for Vietnam tourism development to 2020, vision to 2030" will be approved before December 20, 2012, and will be immediately implemented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Compiled by Le Ha
In the current context of economic difficulties, tourism is considered the highlight with around 6.7 million foreign visitors (up by 11 percent), 32.5 million domestic visitors (up 7 percent) and the total revenue of VND160 trillion (up 16 percent).
However, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said that the growth rate of tourism industry was relatively high in the last three years, but its development is unsustainable, unstable and not commensurate with the potential, particularly the competitiveness is low compared to many countries in the region.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky, General Director of Vietravel, resource planning for tourism development is not good, leading to more resources being destroyed, especially marine ecotourism. Ky also pointed out the lack of connection between localities that causes a waste of resources.
Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association said that travel firms are called for cutting down the charges for hotel rooms, transport fees and food prices nobody pays adequate attention to the legitimate request for preferential policies to tourism stimulus.
According to Director of Hoa Binh Hoa Le Tourism, the state should exempt or reduce import tax rates on tourism cars, reduce land tax to encourage businesses to invest in tourism, develop infrastructure in the remote areas that are rich in tourism potential.
The panorama of the smokeless industry in recent years reveals many inadequacies. State management in tourism is not good enough, proved in the decrease in tourism environment, for instance: Many small travel firms imitate famous brands to cheat customers; tour guides of different companies are in collusion to exchange tourists; the qualification of tour guides in Vietnam is still low; fraud, robbery, environmental pollution still occur in many localities, especially in the key areas of tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky warned: "This is an alarming problem. If we do not handle it firmly, it will affect the image of Vietnam's tourism, and decrease the number of tourists to our country. The environmental tourism protection policy must become a major policy, which is inseparable from the Vietnam's tourism development strategy."
Tourism promotion program of Vietnam is so small compared to other countries in the region. According to Mr. Luu Duc Ke, Director of Hanoitourist, in many countries, when the number of tourists increases, the budget for tourism promotion also rises. In Vietnam, it is contrary.
The revenue of the tourism industry increased in the last three years but the funding for tourism promotion shrank, from VND40 billion ($2 million) in 2010 to VND35 billion ($1.7 million) in 2011 and only VND30 billion ($1.5 million) in 2012 (equivalent to $0.25/visitor while in Thailand and Singapore the rate is $10-15/visitor). On the other hand, tourism companies are not permitted to open representative offices abroad.
However, tourism promotion is not just the money, but also depends on the promotion measures. It is very important to answer the question “what are the things that make a difference for Vietnam’s tourism?”
Many tour operators believe that, in order to promote tourism it is necessary to build the national tourism brand as quickly as possible.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky said that Vietnamese cuisine is very attractive to international visitors. Many cuisines such as pho (noodles) and nem cuon (spring rolls) are frequently among the top world's most attractive dishes. Vietnamese food, therefore, can be considered as the focus of the national tourism brand.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan asked the tourism industry to promote cultural and human strengths in building the brand; to consider safety for visitors as top priority; tourism firms must accompany the State in promoting tourism image.
The Deputy PM also asked the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to have the answer for the question--whether local travel firms are allowed to open overseas representative offices in the first quarter of 2013.
"The master plan for Vietnam tourism development to 2020, vision to 2030" will be approved before December 20, 2012, and will be immediately implemented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Compiled by Le Ha
6th national tourism photo contest launched
The Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism on Friday launched the 6th national tourism photo contest called "Viet Nam – Timeless Charm”.
The move aims to engage both Vietnamese and foreigners living and working in Vietnam to demonstrate their creativity in introducing Vietnam’s timeless charm to friends worldwide.
Ms. Hoang Thi Diep, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourim said each photo sent to the organizing committee will be a message of the country’s tourism sector.
Ms. Hoang Thi Diep, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourim said each photo sent to the organizing committee will be a message of the country’s tourism sector.
Photos in this contest must depict the unusual excellence and diversity of local life, unique cultural features, tourism resources, landscapes, the profound feelings of the photographers about national tourism and cultural constructions, national and regional tourism sites and the world heritages recognized by UNESCO.
The photos must also reflect the cultural activities of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities, festivals and traditional craft villages.
Local and international professional or amateur photographers are all invited to take part in this contest with no limitation on the quantity of photos.
Photos should be sized at 30 cm x 45 cm. Two addresses to send photos are Vietnam Tourism magazine, 30A Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, 51 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi.
The deadline is May 31. The prize-awarding ceremony is scheduled to be organized in July on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam tourism sector.
Source:VGP
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