Conversations on Vietnam Development
An amateur photographer recently took a drive through the Tua Chua Karst Plateau and shared these beautiful images of the scenic plateau sandwiched between the high mountains of north-western Vietnam.
 A view of the Tua Chua Karst Plateau seen from high above. Tiếp tục đọc “Tua Chua Karst Plateau scenic drive” |
LĐ – 110 12:55 PM, 16/05/2017
Hiện trên địa bàn thành phố Huế có hơn 50 nhà vệ sinh miễn phí như thế này. Ảnh: ĐẮC THÀNH
Hôm nọ về Huế “làm du khách” tới lui trên đường Lê Lợi, đang loay hoay chưa biết nhà vệ sinh công cộng ở đâu thì ngước lên bất ngờ thấy tấm biển đề “Free WC” cùng mũi tên chỉ hướng khách sạn Century. Vào tới nơi thì gặp lúc một đoàn du khách bước xuống xe hối hả cũng đi tìm nơi miễn phí như mình. Huế và nền công nghiệp du lịch của thành phố này đang có những chuyển động tích cực, bắt đầu từ việc mở cửa những nhà vệ sinh miễn phí cho du khách…
Vietnam Bear Sanctuary in Tam Dao National Park, Vinh Phuc, the first of its kind in the country, is opening for visitors to raise public awareness of protecting the endangered species.
 Operating since April 2008, the sanctuary spans 1.2 hectares and can accommodate 200 bears.  Two newly-inaugurated semi-natural outdoor enclosures linked with two double bear houses cover a total area of more than 5,600 square metres. Tiếp tục đọc “New home for rescued capitive bears in Vinh Phuc” |
Tha and Ha Thanh villages in Phuong Do commune, Ha Giang city, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, are well-known for thatched houses.
 Tha village is home to over 100 stilt houses with thatched-roof of the Tay ethnic group  A typical Tay wooden house on stilts in Tha village with palm roof and fish pond Tiếp tục đọc “Thatched houses village in Ha Giang” |
The Vietnam – Asia silk culture festival is scheduled to run in Hoi An silk village in the central province of Quang Nam between June 11 and 14.
The event aims at promoting and preserving the value of traditional silk villages across Vietnam, including Van Phuc (Hanoi), Hoi An and Ma Chau (Quang Nam), and Bao Loc (the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong), among others.
It will also connect craftsmen with potential business partners from Japan, India, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Europe. Tiếp tục đọc “Vietnam – Asia silk festival to take place in Hoi An”
Updated : 05/17/2017 16:50 GMT + 7
Two pedestrian bridges connecting Bach Dang riverside park in District 1 with the Thu Thiem peninsula in District 2 will be built to establish a pedestrian-friendly link.
The bridges are part of a plan to improve the appeal of Bach Dang Park and transform it into a cultural rendezvous for residents.
The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has tasked local travel firm Saigontourist and Saigon An Phat investment firm to complete planning for the park. Tiếp tục đọc “Two pedestrian bridges to connect Ho Chi Minh City’s D1, D2”
VietNamNet Bridge – Known as the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is teeming with ornate Buddhist temples, ancient citadels, war memorials, and French colonial architecture while traditional villages and national parks are just outside the city. From full-day excursions to UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay and Ba Vi National Park to evening cyclo tours and traditional water puppet shows in the city centre, these popular Hanoi tours cater to just about any budget and preference.
Hanoi nightlife walking tour
Ta Hien Street – the best place for Bia hoi in Hanoi
Spend an evening discovering the bustling nightlife in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Sample from popular Vietnamese foods, including pho and nem chua ran, before continuing to clubs and bars to drink Vietnamese beer and choose how you want to spend your night. Tiếp tục đọc “Top tours in Hanoi”
Updated : 05/14/2017 17:01 GMT + 7
A new program featuring street performances were opened on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday evening.
The Ho Chi Minh City Street Show was debuted at 7:00 pm, amazing local residents and tourists with a variety of gigs along the pedestrian street.
The program is set to take place from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday night on Nguyen Hue.
The show began with the sound of EDM (electronic dance music) that attracted nearby visitors to a total of six stages featuring different genres of street art. Tiếp tục đọc “Weekly street art show debuts in downtown Ho Chi Minh City”
Updated : 05/14/2017 16:01 GMT + 7
The Cat Ba ecotourism resort and entertainment complex in the namesake archipelago, developed by Vietnamese conglomerate Sun Group, was kick-started on Saturday, with total investment estimated at US$3 billion.
The project began with the construction of a seaport and station of an over-the-sea cable car system, 21km long, connecting Cat Hai and Cat Ba Towns.
The third terminal of the cable car is expected to be located near the administrative center of the Cat Ba National Park on the main island.
Aside from the transportation system, the project will also include three golf courses, an amusement park, and several components to leverage the tourism potential of local areas such as Qua Vang Cave, Lan Ha Bay, Viet Hai Village, and Cat Ong Island.
A clam farm, previously owned by residents in Cat Ba Archipelago, has been backfilled for the construction of the massive resort. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Le Khac Nam, vice-chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that local authorities and Sun Group had carried out multiple surveys and pooled feedback before laying out a plan for the project.
The building of the cable car as well as other constructions will only take place in the outer areas and along the coast, Nam said, claiming that it would not affect the Cat Ba biosphere reserve, which has always been strictly protected.
The resort complex plays a very essential role in developing tourism on Cat Ba, the official elaborated.
“Upon completion, the project will surely transform Cat Ba into a world-class tourist destination,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hoang Van Thap, director of the Cat Ba National Park, affirmed that he had not been asked to give any advice on the construction.
Thap added he had not been aware that some structures would be built within the park, where many rare animal and plant species are being protected.
A map showing the ecotourism project in Cat Ba Archipelago. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Developing tourism in the area requires careful consideration by competent agencies to ensure that the wildlife habitat will not be subject to any damage, Thap asserted.
Local conservationists are concerned that the Cat Ba langur species, the most endangered species in Vietnam being protected at the national park, would face multiple threats.
As of April, only 56 langurs had been recorded on Cat Ba.
According to Tran Thanh Liem, vice-chairman of the People’s Committee in Dong Bai Commune, Cat Hai District, among the 720 hectares of land needed to implement the project, 500 hectares is located in Dong Bai.
Two out of three villages in the commune have been relocated in order for the construction to take place, Liem said.
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| Ông Nguyễn Sự, nguyên Bí thư Thành ủy, Chủ tịch HĐND TP Hội An (Ảnh: HC) |
Ông cho hay, mấy tháng qua ông theo dõi rất sát các diễn biến chung quanh vụ 40 móng biệt thự ở khu du lịch sinh thái biển Tiên Sa cũng như quy hoạch khu du lịch quốc gia ở Sơn Trà. Tuy nhiên ông đã từ chối đề nghị phỏng vấn của khá nhiều báo, vì ông nghĩ mình ở Hội An, không nên can thiệp vào việc của Đà Nẵng. Nhưng đến khi đọc bài tường thuật buổi làm việc của Tổng cục Du lịch với Hiệp hội Du lịch Đà Nẵng chiều 11/5 thì ông không thể im lặng được nữa mà gọi điện cho PV Infonet bày tỏ bức xúc: Tiếp tục đọc “Ông Nguyễn Sự: Tôi nổi điên vì phát biểu của lãnh đạo Tổng cục Du lịch về Sơn Trà”
VietNamNet Bridge – Besides the Presidential Palace, the University of Hanoi, Hang Dau water tower, there are many other beautiful French colonial works in Hanoi.The Government Guesthouse
This elegant building was built in the French architectural style. It is located on Ngo Quyen Street, a short distance from the Sofitel Metropole Hotel.
The Government Guesthouse was formerly the Residence of the French Governor of Tonkin. Tonkin is the historical name for northern Vietnam. Tiếp tục đọc “17 must-see sites in Hanoi”
Tuoitrenews Kim Van
Updated : 05/12/2017 16:48 GMT + 7
Should you come across luggage wrapped with sticky tape on a baggage carousel, chances are it is bound for Vietnam.
Kim Van, a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reader, recalls how she learned to protect her luggage from being rummaged through by screeners when traveling home to Vietnam – a revelation that Vietnamese have lost faith in airport services.
Vietnamese want to keep their luggage safe, but many feel being forced to resort to the ‘sticky tape method’ is a kick in the gut. Tiếp tục đọc “The bitter truth behind sticky-tape wrapped luggage headed for Vietnam”
Updated : 05/13/2017 09:59 GMT + 7
A taxi operator in Da Lat City in the Central Highlands’ Lam Dong Province has been fined and had its driver suspended from work for overcharging two foreign tourists earlier this week.
Vina Gold was slapped with a civil fine of VND7 million (US$308) after one of its driver charged two Israeli women VND510,000 (US$22.5) for a 3km ride on Wednesday. Tiếp tục đọc “Israeli tourists charged $22 for 3km ride in Da Lat”
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| Kids join a painting in the old quarter of Hội An city. — VNS Photo Công Thành |
Earlier this year, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site was voted among the best 25 destinations in the world by travel website TripAdvisor. Tiếp tục đọc “Ancient city celebrates the 10th millionth tourists”
About 30 km south of central Da Nang City, Hoi An is a well-preserved example of the important Southeast Asian trading port it was from the 15th-19th centuries.
The co-existence of indigenous customs and habits and those imported by foreign settlers creates a distinctive look which lures visitors to the ancient town.
Ideal weather and sun-drenched beaches are also bonus points for the town.
Yet, TripAdvisor recommends the locality to improve accommodation infrastructure to meet the continuously rising demand of visitors.
VNA
CVD 