VN-China border trade fair planned for November

The Vietnam – China International Border Trade Fair 2011 will take place from November 11-16 in Vietnam ’s northern border province of Lao Cai .

The schedule was agreed at a recent meeting between Lao Cai province’s centre for investment, trade and tourism promotion and representatives from He Kou district, the Chinese southern province of Yunnan .

The five-day fair themed “Cooperation – friendship for integration and development” expects to have 650-700 pavilions, including 200-250 pavilions of Chinese businesses.

This is an annual event that is hosted in turn by Lao Cai and He Kou.

At the previous exhibition in Lao Cai in 2009, 14 contracts worth 114 million USD were signed between Vietnamese and Chinese partners.

(Source: VNA)

Developing cultural industries.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) in coordination with the Danish Embassy and the British Council held a seminar in Hanoi on July 13 to devise a development strategy for the cultural industries in Vietnam.

Present at the seminar were representatives from the cultural organisations and arts and communication associations, cultural researchers and businesses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

MCST Deputy Minister Ho Anh Tuan said the seminar helps managers and law makers at both local and central levels to discuss practical and theoretical issues of the cultural industries, especially cinematography, performing arts, fine arts and photography in Vietnam as well as devising measures to support these sectors.

During the two-day seminar, delegates heard reports on the condition of the cinematography, performing arts, fine arts and photography sectors and discussed other issues related to intellectual property rights and the creative industry.

(Source: VOV

Developing sustainable sea tourism !

A scientific seminar was held in Da Nang city on July 9 to discuss the planning and management of construction and improvements to socio-economic conditions in the central coastal provinces.

The event was attended by representatives from relevant agencies in the central highlands provinces and international consultants.

The coastal central province have great potential for tourism with their many beautiful beaches such as Sam Son, Cua Tung, Lang Co, Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang. However, the construction of hotels, tourist sites and golf courses near the beaches is likely to have a negative impact on the environment.

At the seminar, delegates focused on developing public space in the central coastal provinces and discussed solutions for planning and construction in accordance with the characteristics of each locality. This will make great contribute to ensuring sustainable tourism development and improve the socio-economic environment in the region.

The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Institute of Architecture, Urban and Rural Planning and the Ministry of Construction.

(Source: VOV)

Vietnamese Food !

The Vietnam Records Book Centre (Vietkings) on July 5 announced the second publication in its S100 Records series – “100 Vietnamese natural and food specialities”.

Following the first publication which honoured 100 elderly people across the country who were aged over 100 years, this publication recognises specialities that met criteria in both popularity and origin, such as 13 popular dishes of noodles, porridge and vermicelli in the northern, central and southern regions.

In addition to 17 varieties of cakes, 14 types of special wine and 17 kinds of confectionaries, the publication also featured famous tea from the northern province of Thai Nguyen and the southern province of Lam Dong.

Many kinds of fruit from the three regions such as Xuan Dinh sapodilla, Luc Ngan lychee, Xa Doai, Bo Ha orange, Phuc Trach grapefruit, Soc Trang watermelon and Dong Nai jackfruit were also recognised specialties.

In a bid to fully promote the value of these specialities, the first festival displaying Vietnamese food specialities in the three regions will be held in Ho Chi Minh City this year.

(Source: VNA)

Lang Co Beach

The Lang Co Festival 2011 – the World Beautiful Bay will be held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on July 9-10 to promote tourism and encourage investment in the Lang Co-Chan May economic zone.

This year’s festival aims to honour cultural values, landscapes and eco-environment and affirm position and prospects of the Lang Co-Chan May economic-tourist zone in the province’s socio-economic development orientations in the coming years, said Phan Tien Dung, Director of the Thua Thien-Hue Culture, Sports and Tourism Department.

It also aims to evaluate to what extent the Bay can contribute to promoting tourism development two years after it was recognised by Worldbays Club as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Bays”, he added.

The festival includes various and diverse activities such as exhibitions, cuisine fair, fish spraying festival, traditional rowing race and other sportive activities.

Lying between Da Nang and Hue cities, Lang Co Bay, Hai Van pass, Bach Ma Natural Reserve and an ancient fishing village in this area present a wonderful view of people living in harmony with nature.

Lang Co Bay has a 13-km long beach with white sand and blue water. It has Lap An lagoon, a brackish water lagoon extended to 1,500 ha with rich natural resources.

The Bay adjacent to Hai Van Pass lies in the central area, where visitors can reach four world cultural heritages in Vietnam, namely Hue relics, royal court music, Hoi An ancient town and My Son relics, within a radius of 70 km.

(Source: VNA)

Can Tho with going House Hunting

Binh Thuy District in Can Tho City is famous for its primitive landscapes, canals, orchards, ancient pagodas and of course historical homes.

The most famous is Duong’s family house (also called Binh Thuy Ancient House or Binh Thuy Orchid Garden) which is a must for visitors to Can Tho.

Located at 26/1A Bui Huu Nghia Street, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City, it is one of the ancient houses in the city left completely intact.

Covering an area of 8,000 square meters, the house is not only attractive because of its design which combines Vietnamese and French architecture, but also due to its wonderful garden with various flowers and fruits. It hosts a wide range of orchids and a record cactus together with seven rocks symbolizing seven heroes. Built around the late 19th century or early 20th century, the outside appearance of the house is French in design while the interior is Vietnamese in character. In the front of the brick house is a wide yard made of square bricks and surrounded by flowers and ornamental plants.

The interior of the house has five rooms which are equipped with beautiful ancient wood furniture like the beds and a large ancestral altar. It also has valuable antiques such as lamps, a wash basin and jars.

The house has a mystique of glamour thanks to the numerous local and foreign film directors who have chosen the house to shoot movies like French flick L’amant directed by J.J Annaud and Vietnamese films Chan Troi Noi Ay, Nhung Neo Duong Phu Sa, Cong tu Bac Lieu and Cay Tre Tram Dot.

(Source: SGT)

Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange to be held in Hoi An ancient city !

Hoi An ancient city People’s Committee will coordinate with the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and the Japan Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam to organize the 9th Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange on August 21st and 22nd.

Diverse cultural activities and folklore games such as demonstrations of Kimono, Yukata and Vietnamese ao dai, boat racing and an exhibition on artistic and news photos will take place during the festival.

Tourists will also have an opportunity to watch artisans from traditional villages in Hoi An city making products.

Artisans from Japan will perform the art of making traditional cakes and packing gifts with the traditional Japanese Furoshiki scarf.

On this occasion, young people in Hoi An city will participate in the forum to change the bad habit of dropping litter and provide information to improve people’s awareness of responsibility to the environment.

(Source: BTA)

Ancient graves discovered in Quang Ngai

The central province of Quang Ngai has discovered ten ancient graves, dating back over 3,000 years.

After two months of archaeological excavations in Tra Tho commune, Tay Tra district, a large-scale burial site from the time of the Sa Huynh culture has been unearthed. Most of the people were buried in ceramic jars.

Dr. Doan Ngoc Khoi, a Quang Ngai museum official, said that this is the first time such artifacts have been discovered in Quang Ngai’s mountainous area. Previously, similar artifacts had been unearthed in river delta and coastal areas.

(Source: VOV)

Vietnam welcomes more Japanese tourists !

Vietravel Marketing and Tourist Company said it will receive nearly 700 visitors from Japan on July 4-6.
This is the largest number of Japanese arrivals since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, marking the return of a tourism market with potential for development.

The delegation will make a Vietnam-Cambodia tour to explore Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom temples of Cambodia and popular destinations of Vietnam ’s Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong delta.

The recent natural disasters reduced the number of Japanese tourists by 40 percent on average from the same period last year, which was earlier expected to rise between 15 percent and 20 percent over 2010.

However, despite such damages, Japan remains Vietnam ’s promising tourism market, according to Bui Nguyen Tam Dang, Head of Vietravel Overseas Market Group.

Travel experts held that the market will completely recover from the third quarter of this year, he noted.

(Source: VNA)

Honouring Vietnam’s craft villages

The Vietnam Craft Village Association organised a ceremony to honour outstanding craft villages in Hanoi on July 2.

The event aimed to encourage craft villages and artisans to preserve and promote cultural traditions.

Nine craft villages, 47 artisans, 27 typical products and 22 businesses were honoured at the fourth annual event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vu Quoc Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Village Association, said the honours were based on the achievements and creativity of inviduals and collectives.

The Association aims to provide jobs for rural labourers, raise people’s living standards, and respond to the national movement to create new rural areas and realise the Government’s Resolution 11, Mr Tuan noted.

The Association has also published a book of introducing 100 outstanding artisans and their products from Vietnam’s craft villages.

(Source: VOV)

Tram Chim National Park – a green island of red-headed cranes !

If you visit Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap during the time of day when the highest tides occur, normally from August to November, you can take a motorboat ride through forests rich with plants and flowers and green cajeput trees.

Tram Chim National Park is an eco-tourist area known as a “green island” with a typical natural landscape of the submerged region of Dong Thap Muoi. The park is home to many botanical species and nearly 200 species of water birds which account for about a quarter of the birds in Vietnam. This includes many rare and precious species of water birds. Among them, the most well-known are the red-headed cranes, one of 15 endangered species of cranes in the world. Nearly 60 percent of the population of red-headed cranes resides in Tram Chim National Park.

Red-headed cranes at Tram Chim National Park

The red-headed crane is the tallest among the flying birds in the world. Many of them are nearly 2m tall. They have smooth grey fur, long legs and a long neck. They walk slowly and stretch their wings wide when flying. The cry of the crane is loud and can be heard far away, up to 2-3km. This is because the crane has a long windpipe that creates a sound resonance phenomenon, just like the tube of a trumpet.
Scientists say that red-headed cranes appeared on the earth 60 million years ago, during the time of the gigantic reptile, and lived on all the continents. Tram Chim National Park also has other species of birds, such as the white-winged duck and pelicans.
From late December to early May, flocks of cranes return to Tram Chim to live after migrating to evade the floods. They fly over a vast carpet of green cajeput trees, creating a fantastic scene. Visiting the park during that time people will enjoy the landscape of beautiful skies, rivers and cajeput forests. Hundreds of species of birds, such as storks, teals, grebes, herons and wild ducks perch on branches of trees seeking food.
Tram Chim National Park has the natural identity of the Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) region. There are cajeput forests that are 10-18 years old, various species of lotus (white, pink and half white and half pink, water lilies, rice and water morning glory.
In early 1999, Tram Chim was officially recognized as Tram Chim National Park by the Government. This brought a great source of joy and pride to local people in Dong Thap Muoi. Many international organizations for natural preservation have provided funds to protect this park.
Every year, thousands of tourists visit Tram Chim, of which about 30 percent are foreigners. Tourists will find a peaceful atmosphere and have a chance to watch flocks of cranes returning to live in this submerged area.

VOVNews/Vietnam Pictorial

Elephants, waterfalls and ruou can

Not many tourists make it to Dak Lak – Dak Nong, which is one of the reasons why it’s attractive. But it’s easy to get to from Saigon - eight hours by bus or 40 minutes by plane to Buon Ma Thuot, the spacious and relaxed regional capital.

Dray Nur Falls

Dak Lak – Dak Nong’s charms are waterfalls, elephants, and the milky fermented drink called ruou can. But coffee is what’s most in evidence - tall bushes growing, not in large fields, but in dense plantations clustered round small farmhouses. Vietnam is now the world’s second largest coffee producer after Brazil.

The best way to get around is to rent a motorbike for the day, with or without a driver. None of the main attractions is close by, and though there are buses, relying on them restricts your independence in a way that a sturdy bike never does. The cost with a driver should be around VND200,000 to VND300,000 per day.

Dak Lak – Dak Nong is part of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, and the road from Saigon is a gentle but continuous climb. It’s currently being made the first section of the new road from Saigon to Hanoi so you necessarily have to take the rough with the smooth. Even so, coming all the way by bike, as one lady I met said she’d done, seemed unnecessarily arduous.

The best waterfalls are to the south of the Buon Ma Thuot City, and you can easily see several in one day. The best I saw was Dray Nur Falls in Dak Nong Province, where a huge amount of water cascades down over a wide cliff, even in the dry season. There’s little you can do except be photographed against such scenic splendor, but it’s a fine experience nonetheless.

Less dramatic is Gia Long Falls, some 20 minutes’ ride from Dray Nur Falls. But this series of falls has the advantage that you can clamber over the rocks above and between them. It’s a different kind of experience, but in its way equally attractive.

To get to the elephants, head north to Buon Don in Dak Lak, around an hour’s drive away. You won’t see wild herds, but going for a ride on a tame one (two people per animal) is easily arranged. They wade through a fast-flowing river, and then climb back up onto the bank using their knees.

You can also take a boat trip on the same river, with around ten people to a vessel. Elephant and boat trips both last around 15 minutes, though longer excursions can be arranged. The elephant rides cost VND80,000 (for two people), while the boats are VND20,000 per person.

Dak Lak’s altitude of around 500m means that, like Dalat, it’s cold at nights. But during the dry season it’s sunny and crisp by day, so early to bed, and then an early start in the morning, is recommended. Besides, Buon Ma Thuot doesn’t have a lot to offer in the way of nightlife.

But there’s always ruou can. This fermented rice wine is around 20% alcohol per volume, and is drunk communally through long straws from large jars. But water is continually added, so the strength varies and, just when you feel you’ve had enough, more of the watered-down version is offered. Taken in moderation it’s a very congenial drink, with little in the way of unpleasant after-effects. It’s on sale everywhere in Dak Lak.

Biosphere reserve offers ideal summer holiday destination

Pu Mat National Park, located in the central province of Nghe An and classified as a World Biosphere Reserve (the largest in Southeast Asia) by UNESCO, has long been known for its bio-diversity.

Covering 1.3 million ha, the park includes the Pu Huong and Pu Hoat reserve zones, creating a 500km green corridor along side the Vietnam – Lao border.

Le Thanh Do, responsible for tourism promotion of the park, said that the park received around 9,000 visitors per year on average.

"The high peak tourism season falls between April and September," he said adding, "two thirds of tourists are foreigners."

In co-operation with local tourism agencies, the park has developed a tourist map linking Cua Lo Beach, Kim Lien Village (hometown of President Ho Chi Minh) and Pu Mat National Park.

Do said that, apart from the 30 rooms for rent inside the park itself and hundreds of privately-owned hotels in nearby Con Cuong Town’s centre, additional accommodation and entertainment services were essential in managing greater tourist numbers.

Established in 2001, Pu Mat hosts 896 different species of plants, 220 valuable herbs, hundreds of vegetables and fruits, 241 types of mammals, 137 types of birds and 25 types of reptiles. The forest is also the habitat of the largest herd of elephants in Vietnam as well as endangered animals such as the sao la (a rare species of twin-horned wild cattle), tiger, panther and leopard.

Khe Kem Waterfall
Located 25km from Con Cuong Town, the 500m high Khe Kem Waterfall has always been popular among tourists, resembling a white silk scarf against the green canopy of the forest. "Although I've visited the forest during each season of the year," said Hai Nhu, a student from the central city of Vinh. "I am always freshly astonished by the plant life." Large, flat stones at the foot of the fall offer ideal resting places for tourists sheltering in a cooling 20ºC heat, Nhu added.

Violet flower valley
Lying 40km from the park main office along the Tuong Duong - Ky Son route, the peaceful valley is covered by thousands of 20-40m high sang le trees, which belong to the family of bang lang (Lagerstroemia speciosa).

"The valley, filled with violet blossoms in summer, has inspired countless poems and songs based on the romantic beauty of its green and whitish grey colours," Do said, adding that, "although many have called it the Green Valley, he preferred the name Violet Flower Valley."

The Sang Le forest hosts both recognisable and unknown trees, luring both domestic and foreign scientists, according to Do.

The forest, currently covering 70ha, will expand to 300ha under new park management plans, help protect local residents against flooding, prevent soil erosion and save water for community consumption.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Director of Pu Mat National Park, said that local Thai ethnic minority from nearby Quang Thinh Village, which tourists are allowed to visit along with close lying caves, have done much to protect the Sang Le forest.

According to Nhan, the park presents a perfect backdrop for preserving the traditional weaving art, dance and gong playing of the Thai; the art of playing lip instruments and bamboo flutes by the Mong; water rice agriculture of the Tay Poong; sitting-sleeping customs of the Dan Lai and traditional dancing and singing of the Kho Mu.

As many as seven ethnic groups with a combined population of more than 800,000 were currently living in the park, Nhan added.

Ho Duc Phoc, Chairman of the Nghe An Province People's Committee, admitted that local authorities faced a problem in creating a balance between preserving biodiversity and natural resources, promoting social economic development and maintaining the traditional cultural values of local ethnic groups.

A forest legend
Legend tells of a tree growing deep inside the forest whose bark cannot be destroyed by termites or insects such as cockroaches, spiders and mosquitoes that fear the smell of its wood, used by the Mong to build their extremely durable houses.

In 2004, Tran Xuan Cuong, head of the park's Science Research Department, conducted research into the characteristics of the sa mu dau (Cunninghamia Konishii Hayata), in order to obtain heritage status for these species of trees, of which 60 were discovered.

The largest among those discovered, designated as a Heritage Tree of Vietnam last December, reached 70m in height, its trunk 23.7m in circumference with a diameter of 5.5m.

Cuong confirmed that these trees, only appearing at 900m above sea level in humid hilly soil, were difficult to reproduce naturally, park scientists having tried but failed many times.

"Although we continue to try and grow more trees, we have still to succeed," Cuong said.

(Source: VNS)

Co Loa ancient citadel proposed as world cultural heritage

The Center for Preservation of Co Loa Relics – Thang Long Ancient Citadel has asked permission from the Hanoi authorities and related ministries to compile the file of Co Loa relic to submit to the UNESCO for recognition as a world cultural heritage.

The center’s director Nguyen Van Son said that if the proposal is approved, the center will compile the file immediately. The UNESCO will make a decision 18 months after it receives the file.

Son said many domestic and foreign experts highly appreciate the cultural and historical values of the Co Loa Relic so it is highly possible for the relic to be recognized as a world cultural heritage.

Co Loa Citadel is a citadel built about 20km to the north of Hanoi, during the end of the Hong Bang Dynasty (about 257 BCE). The fortress is a spiral-shaped complex of the then new capital. The site has been the source of various relics of the Dong Son culture of the Bronze Age.

According to folklore, An Duong Vuong defeated the last of the Hung kings in 257 BCE and founded the kingdom of Au Lạc, choosing the site of Co Loa as his capital.

Co Loa is a very large site and is the dominant presence in the northern floodplain of the Red River Delta, which would have required a large amount of labor and resources to have built in its time.

The site consists of two outer sets of ramparts and a rectangular citadel on the inside. The outer rampart comprises a perimeter of 8 km and is lined with guard towers. The ramparts still stand up to 12 m high and are 25 m in width at their base.

Archaeologists have estimated that over two million cubic meters of material were moved in order to construct the entire fortress, including moats that were fed by the Hoang River.

Excavations made by archaeologists have revealed Dong Son style pottery that had stratified over time under the walls, while a drum was found by chance. The drum included a hoard of bronze objects. The rarity of such objects in Southeast Asia and the range found at Co Loa is believed to possibly be unique.

The artifacts are numerically dominated by the ploughshares, of which there are 96. Sixteen spearheads, a dagger and eight arrowheads were also found.

Hanoi currently has four world heritages recognized by the UNESCO: Thang Long Royal Citadel, Van Mieu doctoral stone steles, ca tru folk songs and Saint Giong Festival.

Sapa

  Located 38km from Lao Cai City, Sapa is a mountainous district of Lao Cai Province. Sapa District is very well-known with Sapa Townlet, a beautiful and romantic resort.

At the height of 1,600m above sea level, the average temperature of the area is 15-18oC. It is cool in summer and cold in winter.

Visitor to Sapa in summer can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. In the morning and afternoon, it is cool like the weather of spring and autumn. At noon, it is as sunny and cloudless as the weather of summer. And it is cold in the evening. With no advance warning of a thunderstorm short and heavy rains may come at noon on any summer day. Subsequently, a rainbow appears, transforming Sapa into a magic land, which for years has been a constant source of poetic inspiration, lights up the whole region.

The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May, Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin air.

Sapa has many natural sites such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest and Ta Phin Cave.Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143m. Hoang Lien Mountain Range is also called the Alps of the North Sea area since Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations.

The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town are some detached wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside, behind thick pine forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning. Old and new villas with red roofs now appear and now disappear in the green rows of pomu trees, bringing the town the beauty of European towns.

Fresh and cool air in Sapa is an idea climate condition for growing temperate vegetables such as cabbage, chayote, precious medicinal herbs, and fruit trees such as plum, pear...

Sapa is home to various families of flowers of captivating colours, which can be found nowhere else in the country. When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival, comes, the whole township of Sapa is filled with the pink colour of peach blossom brought from the vast forests of peach just outside the town. Sapa is regarded as the kingdom of orchids. Here, orchid lovers are even amazed by the choice, when trekking in the forest filled with several hundred kinds of orchids of brilliant colours and fantastic shapes, such as Orchid Princess, Orchid of My Fair Lady's Shoe. Some orchids are named after lovely singing birds such as the canary, salangane's nest, and more.

Sapa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are splendidly beautiful. Markets are crowded and merry, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods and products. Market sessions are also a chance for locals to promenade and young men and women in colorful costumes to meet, date or seek sweethearts.

Visitors to Sapa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the local residents.

Almost VND13 billion raised for Japanese victims !

By March 21, the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) had received VND12.7 billion in donations from organisations and individuals to support Japanese victims overcome difficulties.


Many provinces and organisations on March 21 launched campaigns to raise funds for Japanese victims.

Within only one day, the Ministry of Education and Training collected more than VND230 million; the Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex), over VND55 million; the Northern province of Phu Tho, almost VND40 million.

Individuals and organisations from Quang Nam central province raised over VND500 million for support to Japanese people.

In other movement on March 21, Vietnamese Ambassador in the Republic of Korea (RoK) Tran Trong Toan visited the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and offered condolences to the Japanese people.

On this occasion, the Ambassador also handed over the donations from the Vietnamese Embassy staff to support Japanese quake victims.

VOVNews/VNA

Love in the mountainous north

(VOV) - Spring has sprung in the far north of Vietnam. In the villages dotted amongst the mountainous peaks of Lang Son province it’s time to honour the gods and spirits.

In Huoi Vai village in Trang Dinh district’s Cao Minh commune, Loc Thi Ninh is selecting her best attire for the occasion.

The local genie here is believed to give strength and motivation to all the villagers by protecting their crops and homes from wild beasts and enemies.

The 16-year-old girl dresses in a traditional black shirt and trousers decorated with colourful hems and adorned with a silver necklace. Walking out of her stilted house which sits against a high green mountain, she stops to pick some leaves from an apricot tree, which she will use as a musical instrument at her village’s spring festival.

This is where the Na Mieo dwell, a lesser known hill tribe branch related to the H’Mong ethnic group. Cao Minh commune is home to 27 houses with some 70 people who live off planting rice and growing maize.

Ninh’s grandmother cannot remember when their apricot tree was planted but she says many generations of Ninh’s family have used its leaves to express their feelings and joy in the village’s festivals.

“The leaves can make interesting sounds and songs”, “for people to seek their lovers”, says Ninh. Ninh quotes the lyrics from a local ballad: “I grew an apricot tree by the stream. Its leaves helped me find you my love. On the first day of the lunar year, I fetch fresh water from the stream, while listening to the ballad of the wind. Then I think of you…”

Her suitor is a 19-year-old man from the next village. Unlike other ethnic minorities in which parents arrange marriages, young Na Mieo people are free to find their own path when it comes to love and marriage. Last year, Ninh Met her sweetheart at a festival with the help of their romantic melodies. It’s a family rite of passage. Her parents and grandparents also met in a similar situtation.

The engagement party will be organised in the second lunar month. There are three parts to a Na Mieo engagement ceremony and like everywhere else, ruou (rice and maize liquor) feature prominently and chicken is also an obligatory present.

“My boyfriend’s parents will bring nothing but a big pot of ruou and 15 chickens to my family home,” says Ninh. “Traditionally, they walk, no matter how far they have to show they are quite capable of overcoming difficulties in their marriage life.

The first visit is essentially an introduction as each family sounds the other out. The second meeting is simpler and livelier. At that time, only ruou must be carried to the bride’s home and plenty will get drunk!

On the third visit, the two families select a day for the wedding with the assistance of a local female fortuneteller. In the past, the man’s parents would bring three buffaloes, five pigs and jewelry as gifts but nowadays, only cash and jewelry are required.

“At least VND12-15 million is handed over. If your family is poor, you will have to get a loan. Otherwise, there will be no ceremony,” says Loc Thi Nhinh, Ninh’s 50-year-old aunt.

The wedding ceremony will be held one month later. Both families have to prepare many things as the whole village will attend the ceremony and it goes on for three days!

Ninh and her husband will exchange silver objects as wedding gifts. On the wedding day, the bridegroom, a best man, the bridegroom’s aunt and a child carrying a basket of cakes made from glutinous rice, will come to the bridal home along with three chickens and two large pots of ruou.

After traditional music is played and songs are sung, the gifts are placed on the home’s ancestral altar in the middle room and the ancestors are asked to accept the bride into their home.

The wedding procession must be followed by as many children as possible in the hope that the newlyweds will have many children. Once the bride is introduced in the wedding ceremony and walks over the threshold of her husband’s home, she becomes a member of his clan.

Then, the chinking party then starts in earnest. “Everyone likes to have a few too many and all wish for a happy life!” says Ninh.

Tourism in the economy

Tourism is increasingly important in Vietnam. For backpackers, culture and nature lovers,

beach-lovers and veterans touring the country for a long time, Vietnam has emerged itself as

a new tourist destination in South-East Asia and on is now on lists in magazines worldwide.

Hotel investors especially the potential of the 3000-kilometer-long coast line and the big

cities. The tourism offer has been increasingly diversified. Local and international tour

operators offer tours to ethnic minority groups, walking and bicycle tours, kayak trips and

multi-country trips in particular in connection with neighboring Cambodia, Laos and

Thailand. In addition, thanks to the lift of several movement regulations, foreign tourists

have been able to travel freely in the country since 1997.

The economy of Vietnam has transformed from an agrarian to a service economy. More than a

third of gross domestic product is generated by services, which include the hotel and

catering industry and transportation. The manufacturing and construction (28 percent),

agriculture and fisheries (20 percent) and mining (10 percent) have much smaller shares.

Meanwhile, tourism contributes 4.5 percent to gross domestic product (as of 2007). More and

more foreign direct investment has been focused on tourism. After the heavy industry and

urban development, most foreign investment has been concentrated in tourism, especially in

hotel projects .

Visiting East Asia with one visa !

(VOV) - Tourists will soon be able surf in Bali, shop in Singapore and eat spicy street food in Thailand before crossing into Cambodia and cruising the Mekong in Vietnam with a single tourist visa.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is working on a plan that would open the region to foreign tourists in the same way Europe's unified visa system has streamlined travel.

Eddy Krisneidi, an official of the ASEAN Secretariat, said in its Tourism Strategic Plan for the next five years, foreign tourists who just have to apply for one visa to one ASEAN member country can visit all other countries, ranging from Angkor Wat in Cambodia to five-star beach resorts in Bali.

ASEAN countries recorded more than 65 million foreign visitor arrivals in 2009. Malaysia led the field, followed by Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei.

Analysts said that one visa for all ASEAN member countries will help attract more tourists to the region.

Ba Be National Park recognised as Wetland of Int’l Importance

The Ba Be National Park in the northern mountainous province of Bac Can has been named on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands List as a Wetland of International Importance.

The biodiverse 10,048-ha park is home to 1,268 species of flora and fauna. The site earlier was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2004.

As summarised by Marian Gwilliam, Regional Assistant Advisor for Asia-Oceania, Ba Be National Park supports the only significant natural mountain lake in Vietnam. It is the most important wetland in the country's protected area system because it is the only site that has a natural lake surrounded by a mountainous karst ecosystem.

Ba Be National Park is the third Wetland of International Importance in Vietnam, joining the Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province and Bau Sau in the Nam Cat Tien National Park across the provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc.

According to Director of the Ba Be National Park, Nong The Dien, the decision will mean that the site will join an international network of wetlands that are important for the conservation of global diversity.

The Convention on Wetlands - known as the Ramsar Convention - is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territories.

Vietnam first participated in the Ramsar Convention in 1989.

Vietnam takes part in Berlin international tourism fair

More than 30 Vietnamese companies are participating in the International Tourism Fair ITB, which opened in the German capital city of Berlin on March 9. The year’s five –day fair drew over 11,000 exhibitors from 188 counties across the world.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ho Anh Tuan said in an interview with the ASEAN magazine that in the recent past, the Vietnam’s government, tourism sector and localities strived together to improve the country’s tourism infrastructure as well as technical facilities to lure more holiday makers.

The tourism sector has over the past five years attracted a large amount of foreign direct investment. To date, 190 tourism projects worth USD4.64 billion in registered capital have been implemented in 29 provinces and cities throughout the country, according to Tuan.

(Source: VNA)

Accor to add new operational hotels to Vietnam network this year

The global hotel management group Accor is rolling up its sleeves to put into service at least four new properties under different brands in Vietnam this year.

Patrick Basset, Accor’s Vice President for Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea, said that the new hotels would go online given a strong rise in both inbound and domestic travelers last year and bright future prospects.

“This year is an exciting year for us as we are looking forward to opening at least one Pullman, one MGallery, one Novotel and one Mercure by the end of the year,” Basset said. “Accor carefully selects its products and brands to meet the demands of each destination.”

Basset cited major cities and tourist sites as destinations for the new hotels to be up and running, as the influx of international travelers and the increase in domestic travel indicated that the top segments for Vietnam in the coming year would be business travel and those travelers looking for affordable international-quality accommodations.

“We see that the cities such as Hanoi, HCMC and Vung Tau have a potential of welcoming more business-related travelers, and therefore Accor has plans to introduce its upscale Pullman brand to these destinations. Accor also plans to introduce its leisure family-oriented Novotel and Mercure brands to more leisure destinations such as Danang and Phu Quoc,” Basset said.

International visitor arrivals in Vietnam soared to an all-time high of over five million last year, up 34.8% compared to the year before, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Inbound travelers in January increased 17.4% year-on-year to more than 506,000.

“A record increase in the numbers of international visitors and especially the rise of domestic travelers show that the tourism trend in Vietnam is strong and has potential to grow,” Basset said.

To further tap the potential and the growing demand of international standard economy scale accommodations for both local and international travelers, Basset said Accor would also launch its economy hotel brand, ibis, throughout Vietnam in the coming years.

Basset said Accor had established a partnership with Benthanh Group to develop a network of ibis throughout Vietnam. Late last year, the world’s leading operator of hotels announced the partnership to manage at least eight ibis hotels developed by Benthanh Group in Hanoi, HCMC, Danang, Binh Duong and other major destinations in this country.

“With incremental growth and positive elements of a successful tourist destination, Accor has considered Vietnam a strategic market to expand its hotel network,” Basset asserted.

Currently Accor operates 11 hotels with nearly 2,200 rooms with brands ranging from luxury Sofitel, upscale MGallery, and mid-scale Novotel and Mercure. Basset said last year was a record year for Accor in Vietnam as the group found five hotels committed to development in Vietnam, adding up to more than 1,000 hotel rooms.

The five were among the over 70 new development contracts in Asia Pacific that Accor signed in 2010 to add more than 16,000 hotel rooms to its network. This record number of new contracts for a single year consolidates Accor’s leading position as the region’s largest operator of hotels with over 430 hotels and 83,000 rooms under management.

The Paris-based group said it was committed to expansion in the region including in the key markets of China and India and further into markets such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, where Accor is already a market leader.

Hoi An lists among world’s top 10 tourism areas

Hoi An Ancient City in the central coastal province of Quang Nam, ranked second among the world’s top 10 leading tourism cities, according to a selection by readers of the UK’s Wanderlust.co.uk/magazine.

 With a voting percentage of 96%, the town was listed at second place, following Lao’s Luang Prabang with 96.89% votes.

Together with Luang Prabang and Hoi An Ancient City, Asia also had three other representatives in the top ten, including Kyoto and Tokyo (both from Japan) at third and sixth place, respectively and Aleppo (Syria) at tenth.

Stockholm (Sweden), Perth (Australia), San Francisco (USA), Vienna (Austria) and Cuzco (Peru) made up the top 10.

(Source: CPV

Women featured in Hue photo exhibition

Pictures by 34 woman artists opened in Hue on March 8, to commemorate Women’s Day.

Forty-two pictures feature various aspects of women’s lives.

Painter Dang Mau Tuu, former chairman of Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Literature and Arts Association, said, “These pictures might help to make viewers more sympathetic to the plight of Vietnamese women. Many of the artists have had to overcome great hardship.”

This exhibition is 16 years running, Tuu added.

Taiwan vocal band performs in Hai Phong

(VOV) - The Semiscon Vocal Band from China’s Taiwan on March 6 gave a performance in the northern city of Hai Phong, reported the Hanoi Moi daily.

The art programme was jointly held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hanoi and the Taiwanese Businessmen Association (TBA) in Vietnam.

During the event, the band performed special items with a unique acappella style (singing without musical instruments), in combination with dances and limelight.

The programme aimed to help Vietnamese spectators to enjoy special characters of Taiwan’s music and culture as well as promote exchanges with the Taiwanese community in Vietnam.

VNA/VOVNews

Vietnam attends Asia Pacific Choral Summit

Vietnam is taking part in the 9th Asia Pacific Choral Summit (APCS) in Macau, China from February 24-27.

Over 30 delegates who conduct choral societies in the Asia-Pacific region are attending the event. Pham Hong Hai, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Opera and Ballet Theatre, was elected as a member of the Asia-Pacific choral executive committee.

In addition to Vietnam, other representatives came from Southeast Asian nations including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Myanmar.

At the event, delegates reported on choral activities in each country, and discussed plans for international choral activities in the future. Vietnam’s representative proposed to establish an Asia-Pacific children’s chorus.   

During the event, the Asia Pacific Youth Choir (APYC) with 32 singers from 14 countries gave its first performance. They were conducted by Saeko Hasegawa from Japan and Jonathan Valesco from the Philippines.

Denmark-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Fund debuts

The Denmark-Vietnam Cultural Development and Exchange Fund (CDEF) for the 2011-2015 period made its debut in Hanoi on February 25.

Danish Ambassador John Nielsen said cultural development assistance is an important part in Danish development assistance to Vietnam. He said he hopes to further promote and enhance the two countries’ cooperative ties and the fund will encourage new and creative projects of Vietnamese artists and cooperation projects between the two countries’ artists.
The diplomat also revealed a plan to organise cultural events to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnamese-Danish diplomatic ties this year.
The US$1.2 million fund will provide support to Vietnamese artists’ contemporary arts projects, consolidate cooperation between Danish and Vietnamese artists and promote mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Ambassador Nielsen is the President of the fund’s new management board.

VNA/VOVNews

Hai Duong, Suwon cooperate in culture, tourism

Vietnam’s northern province of Hai Duong and Suwon City from the Republic of Korea (RoK) will cooperate in developing culture, sports and tourism under a memorandum of understanding signed on February 24 in the Hai Duong Province.

Signatories were representatives from the Hai Duong provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Suwon municipal Department of Culture and Welfare.

At the ceremony, the two sides agreed to step up the training of cultural, sports and tourism management staff, send athletes to Suwon City for further training as well as invite coaches from Suwon to the province to help improve athletes’ skills.

In the field of culture, the two sides will exchange traditional art troupes as well as promote mutual images and tourism products, contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperative ties.

(Source: VNA)

Photograph exhibition on cultural life opens

A photograph exhibition, entitled “All people unite to build a cultural lifestyle” opened at the Exhibition House, 45 Trang Tien, Hanoi, on February 20.

Among 3,000 entries sent to the contest by 600 artists, 8 photographs and 3 collections were awarded by the jury at the opening ceremony.

The first prize went to Trinh Te Ha’s “Telling the story” and the second prize to Vu Thi Huong’s “Ca Kheo performance”. Three third prizes and 3 consolation prizes were presented to other photographers.

Nguyen Thi Huyen (Hanoi) won the first prize for her collection, entitled “Cu Da Mien Village”, Vo Thi Huynh Chau (Tien Giang) got second prize for “Boi singing”, and Hoang Ngoc Thach (Hanoi) third prize for his “Buffalo thrusting festival”.

150 other photos were also chosen for the exhibition which will last until February 26.

Hue Palace gets royal restoration treatment

German restorers are using traditional Vietnamese methods to restore the facade of the Imperial Palace in Hue. Restoration work is currently being carried out on Buu Thanh Gate and screens around King Tu Duc's tomb.

The Germany foreign ministry has commissioned experts from the German Conservation, Restoration and Education Project (GCREP) to renovate six murals dating from the Nguyen Dynasty in the lobby of An Dinh Palace.

The artwork is magnificent, but heavily damaged. Before attempting to restore the murals, team leader Andreas Teufel sent samples back to Germany for chemical analysis.

The team is using traditional mortar made from molasses, lime and sand to restore the works. Teufel said the restored parts of the palace will be indistinguishable from the original work.

"Previous restorers tried to preserve the original works but they didn't know how to do it properly and didn't have access to modern technology," she said.

"That was why relics at the site have largely been left unrestored. The work they did was far from perfect and bore little resemblance to the original. People in the past used different painting techniques. The Vietnamese restorers used modern pigments and techniques," she said. "I discovered that the original painting technique was similar to that used in Italy."

The German restorers have used traditional pigments, which are applied to the wet mortar. The colour will be fixed when the mortar dries. Bacteria will grow on the walls during the drying process, which helps to make the artwork more durable.

The restoration work is in keeping with UNESCO's 1964 Charter.

According to Phan Thanh Hai, Vice Director of the Centre for Restoration of Hue Relics, the techniques used to restore the palace will be applied to other sites.

(Source: VNA)

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The heart of resistance

Tan Trao is a historical site in the midland province of Tuyen Quang in the North that was the heart of resistance forces during the French war and against the Japanese.

The stilt house where General Vo Nguyen Giap stayed for three months from May to August 1945 to conduct the attack on Hanoi

Tan Trao is in the Northwest of the province about 200 km from Hanoi. It is a small valley where military leaders under Uncle Ho commanded operations in 1945. Modern Vietnam’s first provincial government was born there.

One of the sites of military history significance is the Tan Trao Tree, where General Vo Nguyen Giap ordered the first attack to free the capital Hanoi from the French colonists in 1945. The famous tree was almost knocked down by a storm a year ago and is still recovering.  Na Lua bamboo house was home to Uncle Ho, and Hong Thai and Tan Trao communal houses were where other key members of the resistance force worked on their battle plans. The small village of Tan Trao is bound by beautiful lakes and a forest of “nua” – a kind of small bamboo.  

A tourist takes photos of the lake on the way to the bamboo house of Uncle Ho

The native people live in stilt houses that are typical of midland villages. They cultivate the land and raise cattle. During the war, they helped hide the guerrilla fighters from the enemy. Tour guides are available at the information center, near the Tan Trao tree, but it’s even better to sit down with an old local and listen to his stories about the resistance. 

Two days are enough to have a good look around. Rooms are available in Tuyen Quang city for about US$15-20 per night.

(Source: SGT)

Northern provinces map out tourism events

The Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Yen Bai, Lao Cai and Phu Tho provinces on February 15 announced new tourism programs for 2011.

Tours included relics along the Red River from Thuong Temple-Bao Ha Temple in Lao Cai, Dong Cuong Temple in Yen Bai and Au Co Temple in Phu Tho.

The terraced rice fields of Lao Cai and Yen Bai also featured along with various traditional festivals.

Major events included the opening ceremony for “Back to the Root 2011” from February 26 to 28 in Nghia Lo Commune, Yen Bai Province, Thuong Temple Festival from February 16 to 18 in Lao Cai City, Sapa Cloud Festival from April 30 to May 4 in Sapa Town, Hung Temple Festival from April 6 to 12 at Hung King Temple in Phu Tho, Bac Ha traditional boat race in Bac Ha District in Lao Cai, festival at the Ba Waterfall in Yen Binh Commune, Yen Bai Province in June, a contest to conquer Fansipan Mountain in Sapa District from October 27 to 29, Muong Tourist Cultural Week in October in Nghia Lo Commune, Yen Bai and a Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields culture week and discovering Pu Luong in Yen Bai in October.

(Source: SGT)

Poetry Day in Ha Noi, Nghe An and HCMC

The annual Poetry Day will take place on February 17 in Ha Noi, Nghe An and HCMC. Huu Thinh, chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, said the occasion would also be used to mark the 100th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh who left the country in 1911 to seek ways for national salvation from the French colonists.

"There will be a soil and water procession at Hanoi's Temple of Literature," Thinh said. "A delegation of writers from the central region will bring some soil from President Ho's home in Sen Village to the temple." They will also bring some water from the source of the historical Pac Bo Cave's Lenin Stream, where the president lived and worked in the 1940s, in the northern province of Cao Bang to the temple. The soil and water will be housed at the association's museum in Hanoi.

Poetry readings will take place in President Ho's homeland, Nghe An province, and at Nha Rong Wharf in HCMC.

At Hanoi's Temple of Literature the busts of 30 famed writers will be displayed. Lanterns bearing 100 verses will also adorn the temple.

The first Poetry Day was held in 2003 at the Temple of Literature.

(Source: VNA)

Foreign visitors to Vietnam rise sharply during Tet

The Noi Bai International Airport received over 1,000 foreign holidaymakers during the first three days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, according to the airport’s Border Customs Agency. Travelers were mostly from Europe and overseas Vietnamese who visited their homeland for the Tet holiday. On the occasion, the airport’s 82 flights brought nearly 8,000 visitors to countries and territories worldwide. Meanwhile, the number of tourists to Hue on these days increased sharply, reaching about 50,000, some 20,000 higher than last year. A large number of arrivals came from European countries, Japan and Thailand . The ancient capital city celebrated the Tet festival with a wide range of activities and festivals launched in different localities, opening an array of this year’s cultural, sports and tourism events to welcome the National Tourism Year to be organised in the city in 2012. Tourism destinations of the Hue ’s relic site opened for free during the first three days of the Lunar New Year.

Source: VN+

20,000 people visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

(VOV) - More than 20,000 people, half of them foreigners, have visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during the Lunar New Year Festival (Tet), said the mausoleum’s management board.

The board has beautifully decorated the Ba Dinh Square, taking care of the yellow apricot trees presented by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.
The number of foreign visitors to the mausoleum has increased by 3-4 times over the previous year, during the Tet holiday.
The mausoleum was temporarily closed from February 4-7 and reopened on February 8, said the management board.

Diverse activities of the National Tourism Year

Diverse activities of the National Tourism Year

The launching of the National Tourism Year in the South Central Coastal province of Phu Yen and a special art performance to celebrate the province’s 400th anniversary will be held on April 1.

The information was released at a press briefing in Hanoi on January 25.
Accordingly, more than 30 cultural, sports and tourism events will take place in eight provinces and cities of Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Phu Yen in 2011. They include an International Yacht Festival in Mui Ne, Binh Thuan on March 17-20, a Firework Display Festival in Da Nang on April 29-30, ASEAN Traditional Music Festival in Phu Yen from June 1-7, Nha Trang Sea Festival on June 11-15, and Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival of Vietnam’s ethnic groups in the central and highland provinces in Phu Yen in July.
To prepare for the National Tourism Year 2011, Phu Yen has worked with other provinces and cities and the National Administration of Tourism to conduct fact-finding tours of the south-central coastal region to develop tourism products and services. Phu Yen also focused on building cultural, sports and tourism projects to mark its 400^th anniversary and developed its infrastructure and transportation to meet the increasing demand of visitors.
The tourism year entitled “Sea and Island Tourism” will provide an excellent opportunity to promote Vietnam among international tourists.

Vietnamese in Canada and Thailand get together for Tet

Vietnamese in Canada and Thailand get together for Tet

The Vietnamese Embassy in Canada hosted a Tet-get together for overseas Vietnamese on January 22.

Nearly 200 people attended the event including the embassy staff, Vietnam’s representative agencies, students and post-graduates, and their international friends.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Le Sy Vuong Ha reviewed major achievements of Vietnam’s Doi Moi (Renewal) process which helped maintain high economic growth and improve people’s living standards. The ambassador briefed participants on the success of the 11^th National Party Congress and highlighted active contributions of the generations of Vietnamese living in Canada to help the disadvantaged people from the regions in Vietnam hit by natural calamities in Vietnam.
Recently, the Vietnamese community in Canada has raised more than CAD30,000 to flood victims from Vietnam’s central region.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese Association in Nakhon Phanon province, Thailand also held a Tet-gathering for overseas Vietnamese.
The ceremony was attended by more than 1,500 overseas Vietnamese representing 18 Vietnamese associations in Thailand, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang, Consul General in Khon Kaen, Tran Nguyen Truc, and leaders from the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association.
Addressing the opening ceremony, mayor of the Nakhon Phanom province highlighted the importance of the Thailand-Vietnam relations and the active role of overseas Vietnamese in Thailand. He added that the friendship between the two countries had been nurtured for a long time as both nations are ASEAN members and share the Mekong River. In addition, Nakhon Phanom province is very close to Vietnam’s central region. Overseas Vietnamese in Nakhon Phanom in particular and people in Thailand in general have played an increasingly important role in the development and prosperity of Thailand.
Ambassador Thang expressed his wish that Vietnamese Association in Thailand would develop further and make as great contributions as other communities and that the association’s executive committees would become the key force to boost solidarity between the two nations and promote the local Vietnamese community’s development.

Vietnam elected as President of Asia-Oceania Software Park Alliance in 2011

Vietnam elected as President of Asia-Oceania Software Park Alliance in 2011

Quang Trung Software Park has been elected as the President of Asia-Oceania Software Park Alliance in 2011 at an annual conference held recently in Malaysia.

The Quang Trung Software Park has been a member of the alliance for two years.
Assuming the new post, the Software Park will contribute to promote Vietnam’s software industry to the world, offer cooperative opportunities and attract investment to the country’s new industry

Vietnam’s tourism industry: a successful year past

Vietnam received a record high of 5 million foreign visitors in 2010, far exceeding the set target of 4.2 million, and about 28 million domestic visitors.

The tourism industry earned as much as VND96,000 billion, accounting for 5 percent of the country’s GDP, and provided employment for 1.4 million people.
According to the World Tourism Organisation, Vietnam ranks fourth in terms of tourism growth in the world, with its tourist arrivals increasing by 20 percent year by year. This means that Vietnam is sparing no effort to become a safe, friendly, and hospitable destination for tourists coming from all parts of the world.
Tourism in full swing

2010 was considered a golden year full of cultural and tourism events, the biggest of which was the Thang Long – Hanoi millennial anniversary. In response to the National Tourism Year 2010, all provinces and cities in the country actively carried out different programmes to arrange for tourists to join in planting the flag of Thang Long Hanoi on top of Fansipan, the nation's highest mountain, and attend the incense ceremony to honour Hung Kings, the Lam Kinh Festival, the Hue Festival, the Da Lat Flower Festival, and many other activities. Hoang Thi Diep, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), attributed the success of the tourism industry to its effective promotion campaigns carried out throughout the year.
Following its impressive performances in 2009, the VNAT launched a special tourism stimulus programme called “Vietnam – Your destination” including discounts in August and September and local promotions under the slogan “Friendly Vietnam welcomes you”
In addition, many other promotions took place in key markets such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Western Europe, and other ASEAN countries. As a result, in 2010, Vietnam welcomed the highest number of foreign tourist, including 900,000 from China and 400,000 from Japan, up 20 percent against 2009.
According to Vu The Binh, Director General of the Travel Department, the discount campaign offered a good opportunity for the hotel sector to strengthen cooperation with the travel sector.
Strategy to develop tourism in Vietnam

In 2010, the VNAT drafted a development strategy for the 2011-2020 period, under which the tourism industry will strive to increase the number of foreign visitors to 8 million and its earnings to US$8.9 billion in 2015 then to 12 million and US$15.9 billion in 2020. However, there are still shortcomings in the tourism industry that need to be overcome to improve professional skills and quality of tourism products.
VNAT Vice Chairman Nguyen Manh Cuong said it is necessary to make tourism managers fully aware of the need to train human resources for the sake of sustainable development.
Vietnam’s tourism industry needs a reform

Dr. Ha Van Sieu, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research, suggested Vietnam change the ways of advertising tourism products, offer more services, and regularly update information about Vietnam’s land and people, and its strong tourism brand names. Marketing and advertising should be carefully designed to sharpen the competitive edge of the tourism industry, first and foremost, to improve the quality of tourism products.
The success of the tourism industry in 2010 will give fresh impetus for stronger growth in the near future.

11th National Party Congress opens

11th National Party Congress opens

The 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) opened at the My Dinh National Convention Centre in Hanoi at 8 am on January 12.

The congress, themed “Continue enhancing the Party’s leadership capacity and combativeness, promoting the nation’s synergy, comprehensively boosting the doi moi (renewal) process, creating the fundamentals for Vietnam to basically become a modern-oriented industrial country by 2020,” is attended by 1,377 delegates representing more than 3.6 million Party members along with local and international guests.

The congress sees the attendance of the former Party General Secretaries, former State Presidents, former Prime Ministers, former National Assembly Chairmen, former Politburo members, former Party Secretaries, former Vice State Presidents, former Vice National Assembly Chairmen, and former Deputy Prime Ministers.
It is also attended by representatives of Vietnam Heroic Mothers, outstanding professionals, young people and members of the 10th Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission
Politburo member and State President Nguyen Minh Triet delivered the opening speech.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh presented the 10th Party Central Committee’s report on documents of the 11th National Party Congress at the opening session, while Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat will read a review report on the CPV’s leadership and guidance during the 10th tenure.r
Party leader: Vietnam to become modern industrial country

The report was presented by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh at the opening session of the 11^th National Party Congress in Hanoi on January 12. Reviewing five years of implementing the 10^th Party Congress’s resolutions, the report identified advantages brought about by the renewal process and international integration, as well as mentioning difficulties and challenges caused by deep-rooted weaknesses of the national economy.
It also mentioned natural disasters, disease epidemics, complicated developments in the region and the world, impacts from the global economic recession and financial crisis, as well as subversive and violence-incited activities and the “peaceful revolution” undertaken by hostile forces.
By looking into those, the report affirmed that in such circumstances, the entire Party and the entire people had exerted efforts to fight off difficulties and challenges and attained important achievements in implementing the goals and tasks set forth by the 10th Party Congress.
The national economy surmounted an array of difficulties and challenges to basically maintain stability of the macro economy and maintain a high growth rate, with all sectors posting steps of development, so the potential, strength and scale of the national economy has been enlarged.
Improvements were made in the fields of education and training, science and technology, culture and other social domains while due attention was given to the protection of natural resources and the environment.
The people’s living conditions were made better, politics and society stabilised, national defence and security reinforced, and national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity maintained.
The country’s external relations and international integration have been expanded, and its prestige and position in the international arena has been heightened.
Progress was made in promoting democracy and the national great unity bloc continued to be consolidated.
The building of the law-ruled socialist state has been stepped up to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation.
The building and rectification of the Party has been boosted and gained positive outcomes.
After mentioning the achievements, the report pointed out existing problems, including economic development that is not yet sustainable, competitiveness remaining low, and the slow pace of economic restructuring.
There were limitations and weaknesses in education, training, science and technology, culture, social affairs, environmental protection, as well as in the fight against bureaucracy, corruption, waste, and social evils.
The report spoke frankly about objective and subjective causes, studying theories and summing up reality failing to meet requirements, a proportion of State officials, Party members, and civil servants having poor capacity and quality, forecasting capacity in many fields staying weak, the Party’s leadership and the State’s management and execution over a number of areas lacking focus and resolve, and the organisation of implementation work being inadequate.
Looking back over ten years of implementing the 2001-10 socio-economic development strategy, the report said the country seized opportunities and advantages, overcoming numerous difficulties and challenges, reaped extremely important and huge achievements, and fulfilled a host of major goals of the strategy.
The economy grew quickly at an annual average rate of 7.2 percent and its structure shifted positively. Institutions for the country’s market economy to operate with socialist orientations continued to be perfected.
In 2010, the country’s GDP recorded a 3.4-fold rise over 2000 as calculated in real prices.
There was a five-fold rise in state budget collection and export value in the year over the past ten years while GDP per capita stood at US$1,168 last year.
Cultural and social fields recorded important gains in a wide range of aspects, socio-political stability maintained, defence and security reinforced and external relations and international integration boosted.
“After 20 years of implementing the 1991 Platform, we have gained huge achievements of historical significance,” the report underlined.
It affirmed the country initially carried out the renewal successfully to escape its less-developed status. The political system and the national great unity bloc were strengthened and enhanced.
The country maintained its independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and its position and prestige on the international arena was elevated.
Vietnam’s synergy was amplified, creating a premise for the country to continue to grow more robustly on the socialist path.
From the reality mentioned above, the 10^th Party Central Committee drew five major experiences.
They included persisting in implementing the guidelines and goals set for the renewal, being consistent, creatively applying and developing Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, and firmly pressing ahead with the goal of national independence and socialism.

Due attention must also be given to growth quality and effectiveness and sustainable development.
Economic growth must be associated closely with the promotion of social advancement and justice, cultural development and the strengthening of defence and security.

In particular, the Party must be developed and strengthened in all spheres with its leadership and instructions must be sharp, resolute, creative and keep abreast with reality in the country. On the transitional period to socialism in Vietnam, the report confirmed the 1991 Platform on National Construction bore values that served as orientations and guidelines leading the Vietnamese people through the past two decades.
It underscored the need to “continue study, supplement, and develop the Platform”.
On the basis of inheriting the valuable viewpoints and ideologies of the 1991 Platform and at the same time keeping abreast with reality in the country and the time, the Platform should be supplemented with issues that prove to be true and adjustments for the contents that are no longer suitable.
The overall goal set for the country when it accomplishes the transitional period to socialism will be a fundamental base completed for a socialist economy with suitable political, ideological and cultural superstructure so as to lay a foundation for the country to become a prosperous and happy socialist country.
Between now to mid-21^st century, the entire Party and the entire people must do the following tasks:
-Step up national industrialisation and modernisation in combination with developing a knowledge-based economy and protecting natural resources and the environment.
-Develop a market economy in line with socialist orientation.
-Develop an advanced culture, deeply imbued with national identity, promoting human development, raising the people’s living conditions, and implementing social progress and equality.

Hanoi attracts 1.2 million foreign visitors in 2010.

 

   The number of foreign visitors to Hanoi in 2010 is estimated at 1.2 million, up 18.42 percent against 2009, while the number of domestic tourists to the city is expected to increase by 15.22 percent to 10.6 million.

The figure was given at a revision conference by the Hanoi Municipal Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 23.
In the National Tourism Year, Hanoi has launched various campaigns to improve the quality of tourism products such as the “Hanoians welcoming visitors” and “Green tourism year”. The city also held the Thang Long-Hanoi international tourism and cuisine festivals and a contest for outstanding tourist guides.
However, there remain shortcomings to the city’s tourism sector. Hanoi has not yet taken full advantaged of its potential, especially in cultural tourism and the cooperation between related agencies is still very weak.
To meet the target set for tourism development in 2011, Hanoi should focus more attention on managing tourist activities; promoting advertisement, both domestically and overseas; and improving staff training and tourism inspection, said Truong Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the city’s Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnam airlines opens more international flights .

Vietnam airlines opens more international flights

Vietnam Airlines will open five more international flight routes from Da Nang City to Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Guang Zhou and Singapore. 

There will be one flight per week to and from Taipei , two flights per week for travel to and from Hong Kong, Guang Zhou and Seoul , and four flights per week to and from Singapore .

This increase is expected to welcome 1,000 passengers. Vietnamplus