Posted by admin on February 26, 2011 under Attractions, Vietnam Travel in the Central, vietnam beauty, vietnam hotel | 
Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Visitors who want to escape from city life when they visit the coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province often go to Ninh Van Bay on Hon Heo Peninsula.
Ninh Van Bay is remote and untouched, yet easily accessible by boat from Nha Trang in about 20 minutes. Its known for its fabulous coral reefs, white sand beach and impressive mountain backdrop.
The natural setting is not disrupted by any large resort structures. Only a few small bungalows covered by leafy roofs are observable from the bay. The sea, mountains, streams and forest all combine to create picturesque landscape. From a distance, Hon Heo Mountain looks like a dragon lying in a pine forest, with its head directed out towards the ocean.
The facilities strive to protect the environment, with tree branches salvaged to cover structures, and organic rubbish composted for trees. Electric cars and bicycles are the primary transportation on the peninsula. Visitors can enjoy the setting by trekking in the forests and up the mountain, with vendors along the way serving drinks and snacks. Jungle fowl, squirrels, dormouse, monkeys and other wildlife are abundant. Investors in the Six Senses Ninh van bay have received many awards for environmental protection. The bungalows are built in traditional Vietnamese style, close to nature, with wood and stone than blends with the environment, making it an ideal hideaway from the noises of modern life. A short walk from the bungalows, tourists can touch to the water or view the coral reef.
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay presents the reality of the destination, with an architectural style reflecting the traditions of Vietnam. This is very evident in the reception champa and dining pavilion, which are classic Vietnam structures transported across the water and assembled at the site. The emphasis here is on privacy, space and luxury making this as a most luxurious nha trang hotel without doubt.
Alyssa Landon from California spent her honeymoon at Ninh Van Bay, saying that she and her husband had an amazing experience that they didn’t want to end and will never forget.
“From the spectacular lush green mountains to the sparkling blue bay waters, the natural setting and views from our rustic yet luxurious poolside villa and from the dining on the bay were absolutely breathtaking,” Landon said. “Ninh Van Bay gave us a sense of peace and total relaxation. It let us really unwind and just have a great time with each other.”
Ninh Van Bay not only offers the perfect location for relaxation, but its proximity to the popular destination of Nha Trang and its prime position in a calm and sheltered bay means that visitors can enjoy a multitude of activities and excursions, including windsurfing, hobiecat sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, waterskiing, fishing trips and boat charters, as well as scuba diving lessons.
Sheltered from winds, Ninh Van Bay area is usually calm from March to October. The rainy season sets in in November and December, when diving is not always possible. Most local diving takes place on the coral reefs, so the majority of dives are between 12-16m in depth.
Just a short boat ride from the resort, the surrounding islands and coral reef offer the chance to explore different and interesting sites. An inviting water temperature averaging 26-30oC throughout the year adds to the pleasure of diving in the bay.
After a relaxing day, tourists can visit Ninh Hoa District’s centre to enjoy nem chua (fermented pork roll), the speciality of the region. It’s grilled, served with vegetables and pineapple, wrapped in rice paper and eaten with sauce.
The road connecting Ninh Van to the land is still rough and under construction, so the bay remains only accessible by boat, said Tra Thai Lam, chairman of Ninh Van Commune’s People’s Committee. He expected that the road would be completed soon to bring more tourists to the site.
Source: VNS
Posted by admin on February 25, 2011 under Attractions, Vietnam Travel Guide, Vietnam Travel in the South, vietnam beauty |
The economic centre of Southeast Asia’s rising economic star, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the planet’s most exciting cities, where influences from France collide with the Orient, and where the Vietnam War is remembered like it was yesterday. And with skyscrapers, landmarks and fashion cenres galore, never has there been a better time to head to a place that, despite the global recession, is still very much alive and kicking.
Photo credits – Colin Purrington
Authentic Vietnamese
Vietnamese cuisine is taking off around the world, but there is still no better place to find it than in the country’s gourmet capital. Join the likes of Bill Clinton at Pho2000 near Ben Thanh Market, which proudly proclaimed “Pho for the President” along with various photos of the then President of the United States enjoying a bowl of pho at the iconic restaurant. The menu here is long and varied, and is packed with locals and tourists alike. Those looking for something a little more fusion should head to Xu Bar, which is not only one of the cornerstones of night life in the city, but is also the place where the celebrated Chef Nguyen is attempting to revamp traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
Photo credits – Kirk Siang
Coffee & Cafe
The Ho Chi Minh City is brighten up by various lights at night, giving it a laid-back atmosphere that give rise to the prevalence of cafes dotted along the streets. Vietnam is one of the world’s most renowned producers of coffee, and caffeine lovers will find themselves in aromatic heaven trying out the varied local brews here. For a sure-fire way to refresh and relax, pick a random cafe at a bustling street corner and order a local brew. Sit back and enjoy as you laze yourself and watch the various pedestrians passing by.
Photo credits – alex.ch
Hitting the Town
Other than a pick of bustling cafes to relax and sip your time away, the Ho Chi Minh City also plays host to numerous trendy bars that is a favorite of both locals and expats. The Q Bar, Saigon Saigon Bar, Xu Bar, Lush and Velvet are but a few in the long list of popular hangout spots for the party crowd, each with their own distinct trendiness and appeal.
Photo credits – Wilson Loo
Iconic Landmarks
It’s pretty easy to navigate the sprawling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City on foot, particularly since most of the places of interest is located in District One. Start with the Notre Dame Cathedral, an outstanding red-brick building adorned with staiend glass, then move on to Saigon Central Post office, a French colonial building with a classic interior. This also operates all postal services from the city and is the best place to buy a phone card. The Opera House typifies the city, showing both western operas and traditional Vietnamese performances. The Reunification Palace was the home of the former Viet Cong leader who the city is named after and is a grand colonial building overlooking the city centre.
Photo credits – Lynt
Bikers Gang
After exploring the iconic landmarks of District One by foot, rent a motorbike and cruise along the streets for a way of transportation that has become ingrained into the fabric of society. Throngs of Vietnamese commuters travel by motorbike, and although it may not be one of the safest way to travel, it is certainly one of the most authentic.
Photo credits – nerdcoregirl
War Remnants
One of Vietnam’s biggest tourist attractions, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground caverns built during the Vietnam War. About 121 kms long in total, visitors can take a tour of the tunnels and see for themselves the conditions in which the Vietcong waged a bloody war against the machineries of US. The War Remnant Museum, also known as the Museum of American Atrocities, is another tourist attraction worth visiting. It’s extremely biased and one sided, but still an important insight nevertheless into the Vietcong’s reaction to the war.
Photo credits – martywindle
Shopping Seasons
Aside from eating most visitors to Vietnam’s number one city find themselves spending most of their time here shopping. Ben Thanh Market is a major market in Ho Chi Minh City and is the place to find souvenirs. There is a wide selection of t-shirts sporting the likes of “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Miss Saigon” to lacquerware and embroidery, and for those that love a good brew, some of the best coffee beans in the region. Ladies will want to try out the Ao Dai, the Vietnamese national dress, which is one of the most exquisite in the region, combining trousers and a dress.
Find hotels ho chi minh city, vietnam hotel, please visit the website http://Vietnamhotels.net/
(Source:unearthingasia.com)
Tags: ao dai, Ben Thanh market, Cu Chi tunnel, Cu Chi tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City, ho chi minh hotels, ho chi minh tour, ho chi minh vietnam, hotels ho chi minh, Notre Dame Cathedral, saigon attractions, things to do in saigon, travel to ho chi minh, travel vietnam
Posted by admin on February 16, 2011 under Vietnam Travel in the Central, Vietnam travel News, vietnam beauty |
Spanish writer Mark Jenkin has extolled the wonderful beauty of Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave) in the world natural heritage site Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s central Quang Binh province.
In a reportage entitled ‘Vietnam Cave’ published in the National Geographic magazine in January 2011, M. Jenkin wrote “There is a jungle inside Vietnam’s mammoth cavern.”
”The passage to Hang Son Doong is perhaps 300 feet wide, the ceiling nearly 800 feet tall: room enough for an entire New York City block of 40-storey buildings”, he wrote, adding that “And the end is out of sight.”
M. Jenkin cited his teammate Jonathan Sims, who was a member of the first expedition to enter the cave, as saying that his team could explore two and a half miles of Hang Son Doong before a 200-foot wall of muddy calcite stopped them. They named it the ‘Great Wall of Vietnam’.
Measuring 200m high and 150m wide, the cave is believed to be almost twice the size of the current record holder, Deer Cave in Sarawak Malaysia.
Located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto system, the cave is a limestone region of 2,000 sq.km.
Source: vietnamplus
Posted by admin on February 15, 2011 under Attractions, Vietnam Travel Guide, Vietnam tour, Vietnam travel News, vietnam beauty |
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 Snuggle with your sweetie in these spots from Bora Bora to Croatia |
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While we tend to think most of romance around Valentine’s Day, our favorite romantic getaways are guaranteed to rekindle a long-standing romance, or kick a new one up a notch, all year long. Whether you choose to cuddle up on a gondola ride in Venice; snuggle under a blanket on a caleche ride in Quebec City; dance cheek-to-cheek in Buenos Aires; spend long days canoodling on spectacular islands like Bora Bora, Santorini, and Nevis; cruise magical Halong Bay; or discover breathtaking Dubrovnik together, you’re bound to feel a renewed (or new) sense of intimacy with your partner. Of course, no list of this sort would be complete without a nod to Paris, the epitome of romantic getaways (and site of countless marriage proposals), but dear Santa Barbara, closer to home, is just as ripe for a tryst, with countless spas and vineyards in the vicinity that are sure to help you and yours relax — and lose your inhibitions.
1. Buenos Aires, Argentina
 As the old saying goes, it takes two to tango — and there’s no better place to practice your moves with your partner than on a romantic getaway to Buenos Aires, the birthplace of this incredibly sexy dance. Watching expert tango dancers spin around the dance floor at one of the local venues here is already hot stuff — women dress the part in fishnet stockings, heels, and high-slit dresses, while men don tailored suits and cravats — but taking to the floor with your honey can make the temperature go higher still. Play the voyeur at neighborhood spots like Bar Sur (www.bar-sur.com.ar), or, put on your dancing shoes and trot your stuff at Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso (www.torquatotasso.com.ar), which also offers lessons for first-timers. When you need to rest your feet, this Paris of South America has a lot more to tempt visiting lovebirds, from elegant turn-of-the-century mansions and tree-lined boulevards reminiscent of European cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, to cozy bistros in trendy neighborhoods where diners linger over long meals. Plus, with the peso so low nowadays, this city — which once rivaled Manhattan in terms of price — is extremely affordable.
2. Bora Bora
If there’s one destination to blow your savings on in the name of love, this tiny, pricey South Pacific island is it. Novelist James A. Michener described Bora Bora as, “the most beautiful island in the world” and visitors to this romantic getaway’s far-flung shores rarely disagree. So small that the island road is a mere 19 miles long, this Polynesian idyll sits 143 miles northwest of Tahiti and boasts the best that nature can offer: a high-mountain center cloaked in jungle, a superb cobalt lagoon, a colorful coral reef, and pristine stretches of bone-white sand dotted with fallen coconut husks. When you’re not discovering the many bounties of this island paradise, hang out at the local watering hole, Bloody Mary’s (www.boraboraisland.com/bloodymarys), where Pierce Brosnan has been known to woo his leading lady, or send off the sun with a sunset catamaran cruise. Come nightfall, few can resist bedding down at a lavishly appointed over-the-water bungalow.
3. Dubrovnik, Croatia
 Couples in search of romance are flocking to this wondrous city on the southernmost stretch of Croatia’s coast, as enchanted by its beauty today as the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, who once proclaimed, “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.” The city has been magnificently restored to its former glory to emerge as one of the most fashionable vacation spots in all of Europe. Dubrovnik’s resurgent popularity should come as no surprise, however — this “jewel of the Adriatic,” as the coastal resort town is often referred to in tourist brochures, is breathtakingly beautiful and a magnet for dreamy-eyed lovers in search of a romantic getaway. The city’s fortified old town overlooks the dazzling Adriatic from a shelter of limestone cliffs and its marble-paved streets are lined with marvelously preserved churches, stately palaces, squares, and terracotta-roofed townhouses. Meanwhile, down below, along the seaside coast, fine beaches beckon — as do a slew of offshore islands — making Dubrovnik uniquely appealing to just about any taste.
4. Halong Bay, Vietnam
 Now that you’ve found your knight in shining armor, put his dragon-slaying skills to the test in this ancient dragon’s lair near the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. Indeed, “Ha Long” means “where the dragon descends into the sea” and, once you’re sailing the enchanting emerald-green waters here, you’ll easily understand why the bay is believed to have been formed by the thrashing of a dragon’s tail. It’s a sight that confirms this corner of Vietnam’s status as one of the most romantic getaways in Asia; undoubtedly the country’s most mesmerizing natural setting, this UNESCO-protected area is dotted with grottoes, some 3,000 limestone islets (only one of which is inhabited), and often shrouded in mist, which only adds to its mystique. While day trips are available, we strongly recommend booking an overnight cruise to experience the bay’s phenomenal sunset and sunrise, as well as more of its splendid landscapes. Our favorite agencies for 2-day cruises are Emeraude Classic Cruises. To book halong bay cruises, please check out at the website http://Vietnamhotels.net/.
5. Nevis
 If you’re craving a Caribbean getaway that’s just as high on romance as it is on R & R, look no further than darling Nevis (pronounced n-EE-vis), the sister island of St. Kitts. A quiet, old-Caribbean charm reigns on this 36-square-mile patch of land that famously produced Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Nowadays, cocooning lovers can hole up on romantic getaways in converted plantation houses — rather than sterile high-rise beach resorts — where atmospheric verandahs, louvered windows, and four-poster beds guarantee your hours, if not days, will be spent canoodling. Should you decide to leave your room, the island’s scenery is equally entrancing: Disused stone sugar mills are now overgrown with vines, lush island paths invite hiking and horseback riding, and sugarcane fields lead to remarkable restaurants serving fine Creole fare. Add in the fact that Nevis is still relatively difficult to get to (you have to change planes in St. Maarten, Antigua, or Puerto Rico), and you’ll be looking at spending serious quality time with your sweetie — without having to share him or her with other vacationing sun worshipers.
6. Paris, France
Parisian culture seems inherently designed for romance, with countless settings tailor-made for those only-in-the-movies-type kisses: manicured gardens with perfect make-out benches lie around every corner; lamp-lit pedestrian quays along the Seine invite stolen smooches; and majestic plazas and tucked-away squares like Place des Vosges offer storybook backdrops for marriage proposals. A perch atop any of the city’s famous ponts (bridges) are also sure to get your heart racing: linger on Paris’s oldest bridge, Pont Neuf; check out the animated arts-and-music scene of Pont des Arts; or take in the phenomenal views of the Eiffel Tower from the elaborate Pont Alexandre III. Undoubtedly, for some, the height of a romantic getaway here can be found at the top of the Eiffel Tower itself; coordinate your viewing with one of Paris’s lovely sunsets, and the city will blush pink right along with you.
7. Quebec City, Canada
With its homegrown French language, colonial architecture, and horse-drawn carriages, Quebec City is inherently designed with romantic getaways in mind. Encircled by ancient stone ramparts, and speckled with lovely squares, quaint cafés, and striking historical buildings, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also blessed with a phenomenal natural setting above the mighty St. Lawrence River, with plenty of vantage points from which to view the coursing waters. Each season brings its own special charms, too: While summers encourage late-night lingering over wine at outdoor cafés, the chilly winters give lovers all the more reason to snuggle up under a blanket in a horse-drawn caleche or get cozy with a delectable fondue for two at a first-rate French restaurant. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, stay in a quaint 17th-century auberge (inn), complete with wood-beamed ceilings and exposed brick walls to round out the otherwordly experience.
8. Santa Barbara, California
Bona fide beach town, the Santa Ynez wine-producing region next door, and loads of spa retreats within driving distance . . . it’s no wonder California’s Santa Barbara gets our nod in the romantic getaways department. Its splendid location, between palm-fringed Pacific beaches and the evergreen Santa Ynez Mountains, quaint Spanish- and Mediterranean-style architecture, gourmet fare, and posh hotels have attracted West Coast residents for quiet weekends for decades. And no wonder: From wine-tasting in one of the country’s largest wine-producing regions and supping on sublime organic foods, to enjoying massages for two and strolling barefoot on the beach at sunset, a visit here is an undeniably heady experience. Tack on an outing in a hot air balloon — a favorite local activity — and you’ll be guaranteed to swoon over the scenery, as well as your companion!
9. Santorini, Greece
 Some may think island romance is overrated, but then they’ve probably never been to Santorini. The most visually stunning of all the Greek Cyclades, this beguiling honeymoon spot has all the trappings of a dream vacation: Postcard-perfect cliffside villages, exotic black-sand volcanic beaches, transcendent sunsets, luxurious cave-rock hotels, dramatic striated red-and-gray cliffs stretching to the sky, and the Aegean’s finest wineries. Built atop volcanic ashes — on the ruins of what some theorize to be the lost city of Atlantis — the resplendent whitewashed beauty’s remarkable physical characteristics — its jagged cliffs, dark volcanic rock, and crescent shape carved out by the sea — are manifestations of its eruptive history. These days, romantic getaways to Santorini are more likely to incite personal passions, whether on a visit to the enchanting cliff-side village of Oia, gazing at mesmerizing sunsets over the Aegean, or simply absorbing the best of Mediterranean romance in all its glory.
10. Venice, Italy
An extraordinary waterfront wonderland where ancient palazzi seemingly float above water, Venice manages to be both serene and seductive all at once. While its labyrinthine cobblestone streets certainly encourage lovers to stroll hand in hand, it’s the city’s iconic gondolas that really up the romantic ante. Picture yourself, a due, tucked in an intricate, hand-carved boat, and punted along dreamlike canals by a young Italian gondolier who serenades you as you glide under delicately arched bridges — the aptly-named Bridge of Sighs among them — and past flower-laden balconies. Other Venetian draws sure to set your heart aflutter include sipping Bellinis to the sounds of classical music in the majestic Piazza San Marco or catching a view of spires and rooftops from atop the Campanile di San Marco.
Theo msnbc
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Posted by admin on February 14, 2011 under Vietnam Travel Guide, Vietnam Travel in the North, vietnam beauty |
Travelers 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 terraced fields in Sa Pa, Vietnam
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.
Cherries blossom in Sapa, Vietnam
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.
Travelers to Sapa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the local residents.
For Sapa hotel recommendations, please check out at the website http://Vietnamhotels.net/
Posted by admin on February 12, 2011 under Vietnam Travel Guide, vietnam beauty |
Straddling the Hoai River, the peaceful, ancient town of Hoi an (formally known as Faifo) in Quang Nam Province is rich in cultural history and the pride of people nation wide. In 2000, the nearly 600-year-old town was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Visitors often comment that the feeling of stepping into the past is overwhelming as they stroll along quiet Bach Dang, Le Loi and Tran Phu Streets with their wooden houses topped with moss-covered yin – yang tiles and wooden doorsills worn shiny; fragrant incense burns in temples, homes and pagodas as confetti flower pedals fall from trellises. In some areas neighbours congregate around the well to fetch water and honest people preserve their family traditions.
Standing at the bridge pagoda late in the afternoon and surveying the Hoai River as it gently flows toward the Cua Dai estuary one can imagine when merchant ships from Japan, Spain, China, Holland or India sailed into the town, ready to do business.
The present-day Hoi An Town is furthermore attractive to visitors due to fragrant cups of delicious Vietnamese coffee in the morning, or scrumptious bowls of noodles or dumplings full of the local gastronomy talent.
Hoi An is renowned for being home to many talented artists and tailors and for silk lantern making. Huynh Van Ba has been making silk lanterns from a very young age and now in his 70’s, he is a proud man knowing his products are in homes all over the world. Tailor shops like Thu Thuy Silk are scattered around the town ready to provide made-to-measure suits and dresses in 24 hours or less.
Hoi An Town is considered “a live museum”. According to the data compiled in 2000, the World Cultural Heritage Site has 1,360 relics, including 1,068 ancient houses, 11 ancient wells, 38 family ancestral houses, 19 pagodas, 43 worshipping alters for saints, 23 communal houses, 44 especially ancient tombs and one ancient bridge. This shows the ancient town’s extensive cultural past which has been well preserved for sustainable development by the town citizens.
Visiting Hoi An Town, visitors can see the local people’s efforts in maintaining and developing the town’s potential. They help not only in keeping this World Cultural Heritage Site intact, but also providing visitors with a good feeling of the famous locality, i.e. quiet and clean streets without motorized vehicles, restaurants always wide open to visitors, houses sparkling with colourful lanterns at night, and friendly smiles of the hospitable local people.
After 10 years being recognised as a World Cultural Heritage Site, Hoi An Town has not only preserved its original features, but also carved new imprints in the hearts of visitors. In recent years, it has welcomed millions of visitors a year and has become a “must” destination for those who visit the Central region of Vietnam abounding with potential and cultural heritage relics.
source: vietnam.vnanet.vn
Posted by admin on February 11, 2011 under Vietnam Travel in the Central, Vietnam travel News, vietnam beauty |
In Hoi an, spring is announcing itself, in all its living pomp and majesty.
Walking through the old town, visitors will be treated to the site of moss covered roofs and houses green with creepers.
Each house owner grows a particular kind of creeper, but the plants manage to make their way to neighbor’s houses for a visit. The result looks something like a tapestry.
These images give an idea of why Hoi an has long been a major stop on many tourists’ agenda.
Images of Hoi An:
Source: dtinews.vn
Collected by Vietnam hotel
Posted by admin on February 9, 2011 under Attractions, Vietnam Travel in the North, Vietnam travel News, vietnam beauty |
Northern Vinh Phuc province hopes to be a “must” for tourists by 2015 and then become the country’s number one tourism and services hub by 2020.
VIR talks with Vinh Phuc Information and Tourism Promotion Centre director Duong Quang Ung about these ambitious targets.
Abounding with scores of picturesque landscapes and historical sites Vinh Phuc is seen as a fertile land for tourism development. Could you shed some light on this?
First and foremost, Vinh Phuc boasts a strategic position which adjoins Hanoi and it is near Noi Bai International Airport. The province also has the passage of arterial roads such as National Highway 2A and the Hanoi-Lao Cai-Yunnan railway.
Particularly, in the near future the trans-Asia road and the Kunming-Hanoi-Haiphong expressway will go across the province, creating an impetus to spur economic cooperation and development as well as cultural exchanges among countries and territories in the Mekong Subregion.
Transport conveniences will significantly bolster the province’s tourism and services development.
Second, geographically Vinh Phuc features highlands, midlands and plain terrain with extremely diversified lake, river and stream systems and scenic natural charms which are ideal locations for relaxation and refreshment. They are Tam Dao, Dai Lai and Tay Thien tourist sites.
Third, Vinh Phuc has bountiful tangible and intangible cultural values through nearly 1,000 relics such as Ha Tien Pagoda, Binh Son Tower, Huong Canh Temple, Hai Ba Trung Temple and Dong Dau archaeological site. Visitors will also be fascinated with local traditional feasts, peculiar crafts, melodious folk songs, traditional popular games as well as tasteful local dishes.
Fourth, in recent years more investments were poured into ameliorating the province’s tourism and service infrastructure, ranging from postal and banking system to hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities, alongside rapid economic development. This is a catalyst to lift services development in the province.
Vinh Phuc’s tourism sector has experienced a turnaround which was reflected through the number of visitors and the sector’s total revenue in the past few years. What are major achievements?
In recent few years, Vinh Phuc has planned and deployed scores of tourism infrastructure development projects with investment capital taken from the state coffers to build roads, water supply and sewer systems and improve public lighting systems.
Apart from this, the province has magnified efforts to woo investments into tourism infrastructure and services facilities. In 2010, investments from province-based firms rose 150 per cent compared to 2009’s, mainly focusing on infrastructure development, hotels, holiday homes and golf courses, creating a facelift to the tourism industry.
Particularly, the building of a 2.5 kilometre long cable car system costing VND258 billion ($12.9 million) at Tay Thien cultural and festival site developed by the Lac Hong Investment Joint Stock Company is on the development progress.
According to statistics, Vinh Phuc is currently home to 152 tourism facilities, including 50 hotels with 2,650 rooms to satisfy visitors’ need.
With proper investments, the province’s tourism sector has been developing phenomenally in the recent years and attracted an ever-increasing number of visitors. In 2005, the province welcomed 986,000 visitors of whom 18,500 were foreigners.
The figures climbed to nearly two million visitors and 26,500 foreigners in 2010, respectively. The province raked in VND757.6 billion ($37.88 million) in tourism revenue last year, jumping 12 per cent against 2009.
Some said the local tourism sector had not developed on par with its prevailing potential and advantages. Is it true?
The tourism sector is still facing multiple challenges. For example, the demand for capital from tourism projects is enormous, far exceeding actual investments from the private business community and the state budget every year. Besides, tourism infrastructure has lagged behind growing development requirements.
In addition, the local tourism human resources are skill-strapped and technical infrastructure, particularly hotels, entertainment facilities and tourism services remains poor. Tourism offerings are limited with peculiar tour packages almost absent. Travel activities are underdeveloped with a single business offering outbound tours in the whole province currently.
Last but not least, the province’s tourism sector is yet to establish effective linkages with other localities’, particularly in promoting waterway tourism.
What are Vinh Phuc’s 2011 tourism development targets as well as solutions to spur growth?
Following the province’s the 15th Party Resolution, Vinh Phuc continues to push up socio-economic development, gradually raise service quality and take tourism as a development spearhead.
Great efforts will be made to further ameliorate local investment climate, effectively handle compensation and site clearance and woo investments from different sources into tourism development.
The province is set to promote investments into building tourism infrastructure with priority given to developing a sewer system at Tam Dao resort (second phase) in Tam Dao district, building Dam Vac spillway in Vinh Yen city and a road connecting to Thanh Lanh Lake in Binh Xuyen district. In the meantime, around VND300 billion ($15 million) will be pumped into golf courses, holiday homes, villas and hotels with investment capital from the private sector.
In respect to business targets, the province strives to attract nearly 2.2 million tourists with 27,800 foreigners and generate revenue of around VND847.7 billion ($42.3 million) from tourism, hotel and restaurant services in 2011. The revenue figure is expected to hit VND2.1 trillion ($105 million) by 2015 and VND3.5 trillion ($175 million) by 2020, respectively.
To make these goals come true, the province will come up with a raft of measures.
Firstly, efforts will be made to check up and draw detailed planning of pivotal tourism sites to effectively utilise state investments earmarked for tourism infrastructure, call for further private investments into the local tourism sector with emphasis placed on building four to five-star hotels as well as high-end resorts and entertainment facilities.
Particularly the province welcomes investments into promoting Dam Vac tourism, upgrading the Minh Quang-Thanh Lanh route and building Tay Thien cultural and festival site in Tam Dao district to lure visitors.
Besides, local authorities will take an iron hand on delayed tourism projects, particularly those at Tam Dao resort and timely introduce a tourism master planning and incentive policies so as to encourage investments from the private sector into the local tourism development.
Source: VIR
Collected by Vietnam hotels
Posted by admin on January 30, 2011 under Vietnam Travel in the North, Vietnam travel News, vietnam beauty |
It is said that the peach flower is the symbol of Tết in the north, then the yellow apricot flower is its counterpart in the south. But today, the apricot is no longer unique to the south. A rare kind of apricot was discovered on Yen Tu Mountain in Quảng Ninh province.
The yellow apricot trees blossoms on the height of 1,000 metres above sea level. In 2007, some of locals and tourists accidentally discovered this precious species of apricot trees while visiting Yên Tử Mountain. They called them “Yên Tử yellow apricot flowers” to distinguish with the apricot flowers in the south.
According to several scientists, the Yên Tử apricot trees and other species of apricot trees in the South have the same origin: they belong to Ochna integerrima (Lour. Merr.) It is questioned whether the Yen Tu apricot trees or apricot trees in the south appeared earlier.
Up to now, there is no research about the time of appearance of these apricot trees. A theory says that apricot trees at Yên Tử Mountain were transferred from the south of Việt Nam and they grow until today. Other theory says that the apricot trees at Yên Tử Mountain travelled from the mountain of southwest China then they went to the south of Việt Nam and other Indochinese countries.
Source: quangninh.gov.vn
Posted by admin on January 28, 2011 under Vietnam Travel Guide, Vietnam Travel in the North, Vietnam travel News, vietnam beauty |
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| Located 22km from south of Bãi Cháy Tourist Wharf, Ba Trái Đào (Three Peaches) is a famous tourist attraction in halong bay with three nice fairy beaches and romantic landscape.
This island consists of three small mountains with the height of 23m. It features three small sand beaches embracing small islands. Seen from afar, these islands resemble three peaches.
The island connects to a legend of about the romantic love between a youngest fairy, who was very pretty with a young and poor fisherman. Because of feeling in love with him, she stole three peaches from Heaven for him, which if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever.
The King of the Heavens got angry when discovering the robbery and turned the peaches into three stone islands. Chastised, the young fairy had to return the heaven and could never meet the fisherman again.
Despite of its sad love story, thousands of travelers, especially lovers, visit this island each year because of its fairy and quiet natural beauty.
Source: quangninh.gov.vn
Collected by Vietnam hotel
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