Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down

<p><a href="http://bit.ly/1FMiMPU"><img alt="1684840-avatar" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="225" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1FMiMPU" width="300" /></a></p> <p>Foreign visitors at One Pillar pagoda in Hanoi (Photo:VNA)</p> <p>The number of foreign arrivals in Hanoi rose a moderate 5 percent, reaching nearly 1.4 million in the first five months of this year, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.</p> <p>Domestic arrivals hit 6.7 million, up a mere 2 percent year-on-year.</p> <p>The visitor number increase in Hanoi is equivalent to the level recorded by the southern metropolis Ho Chi Minh City.</p> <p>In early May, the department submitted a report to the city authorities about the progress of a project turning Ba Vi – Suoi Hai area into a national tourism park by 2020. The department also conducted several activities to promote the world’s intangible cultural heritage Giong festival abroad while offering training in tourism to communities in the two outlying districts of Soc Son and Gia Lam where the festival takes place.</p> <p>The department is working on a Hanoi tourist product development strategy for 2016-2020, while preparing for the Hanoi cultural days to be held in Japan’s Fukuoka city in the near future.</p> <p>To create a safe and friendly environment, the municipal tourism sector will partner with agencies concerned to crack down on thief and scam targeting tourists.</p> <p>Training on guest reception and tour guide skills in craft villages, especially in outlying districts will be made available.-VNA</p> <br /> Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1FMiMPU" width="200" /><br />

Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down

Foreign visitors at One Pillar pagoda in Hanoi (Photo:VNA) The number of foreign arrivals in Hanoi rose a moderate 5 percent, reaching nearly 1.4 million in the first five months of this year, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Domestic arrivals hit 6.7 million, u…

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Putting sea and islands at the focal point

<p><b>The Ministry of Culture-Sports-Tourism has just announced and implemented the “overall scheming for developing Central South Coastal Region tourism to the year 2020, vision to 2030″, which has been approved by the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the main products for tourism development are of the sea and islands. This is also compatible with the scheme of developing Phu Yen tourism to the year 2020, vision 2025.</b></p> <div id="attachment_1684838" style="width: 442px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1crkgV7"><img alt="One eco-tourism zone in central south coastal region attracting lots of tourists" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="282" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1crkgV7" width="432" /></a></b> <p class="wp-caption-text"><b>One eco-tourism zone in central south coastal region attracting lots of tourists</b></p> </div> <p>The Central South Coastal region has the coastal line of nearly 1,200km, with the great concentration of bays, lagoons, long and nice beaches. All the provinces in the region possess nice space, islands with particular features. Therefore, there’s nothing surprising once the “overall scheming for developing Central South Coastal Region tourism to the year 2020, vision to 2030″ selects sea and islands the focal points for investment into development, forming the particular features, strength in comparison with the entire nation.</p> <p>According to the Deputy Minister of Culture-sports-tourism, Mrs. Dang Thi Bich Lien, in the past time, tourism in the Central South Coastal Region has gained development, making considerablecontributions to the nation’s tourism development, promoting the socio-eco development, making changes to the appearance of lots of localities. Among which, the Deputy Minister emphasized on the factors of sea, islands which are both the strong points for constructing particular-featured tourism products of the region and the significant factors in consolidating national defense-security, contributing to protecting the entire national coastal sovereignty.</p> <p>To gain the set targets, the scheme also determines the necessity to invest in developing 9 tourism zones, 6 national tourism spots and 4 tourism urbans of the regional provinces, including: the tourism zone of Son Tra archipelago, Ba Na (Da Nang), Cu Lao Cham (Quang Nam), My Khe (Quang Ngai), Phuong Mai (Binh Dinh), Xuan Dai Bay (Phu Yen), North of Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Ninh Chu (Ninh Thuan) and Mui Ne (Binh Thuan). The six national tourismspots include: Marble Mountains (Da Nang), My Son (Quang Nam), Ly Son (Quang Ngai), Truong Luy (Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh), Truong Sa (Khanh Hoa) and Phu Quy (Binh Thuan). The four tourism urbans are: Da Nang city, Hoi An city (Quang Nam), Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa) and Phan Thiet city (Binh Thuan).</p> <p>Within the scheme as well as to the assessment of leaders of the ministry of Culture-sports-tourism, tourism in the central South Coastal Region develops positively, making not little contribution to the overall achievements of the sector. However, the regional tourism development is neither stable nor sustainable. Deputy Minister of culture-sports-tourism, Mrs. Dang Thi Bich Lien, said, “Although there have been certain developments and contributions to the entire national tourism sector, tourism in the central South coastal region is remaining the state of lacking coordination, not compatible with the potentials”.</p> <p>As for natural factors, the provinces and cities in the region are still preserving the ecological systems, biological diversities with the natural preservation zones, national gardens, the factors are linked to sea and islands… These are precious natural resources for sea and islands tourism, ecology. As for geographical locations, the Central South Coastal Region is located on the trans-Vietnam tourism routes, forming the renowned tourism routes “Central region heritage roads”, “Green Central highlands road”, being the linking bridge, the gateway to the East Sea of East-West tourism corridor…</p> <p><b>Source: Phu Yen Newspaper</b><b>Translated by HAI LOAN</b></p> <br /> Putting sea and islands at the focal point Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1crkgV7" width="200" /><br />

Putting sea and islands at the focal point

The Ministry of Culture-Sports-Tourism has just announced and implemented the “overall scheming for developing Central South Coastal Region tourism to the year 2020, vision to 2030″, which has been approved by the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the main products for tourism development are of the sea …

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Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down

Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1FMiMPU"><img alt="1684840-avatar" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="225" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1FMiMPU" width="300" /></a></p> <p>Foreign visitors at One Pillar pagoda in Hanoi (Photo:VNA)</p> <p>The number of foreign arrivals in Hanoi rose a moderate 5 percent, reaching nearly 1.4 million in the first five months of this year, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.</p> <p>Domestic arrivals hit 6.7 million, up a mere 2 percent year-on-year.</p> <p>The visitor number increase in Hanoi is equivalent to the level recorded by the southern metropolis Ho Chi Minh City.</p> <p>In early May, the department submitted a report to the city authorities about the progress of a project turning Ba Vi – Suoi Hai area into a national tourism park by 2020. The department also conducted several activities to promote the world’s intangible cultural heritage Giong festival abroad while offering training in tourism to communities in the two outlying districts of Soc Son and Gia Lam where the festival takes place.</p> <p>The department is working on a Hanoi tourist product development strategy for 2016-2020, while preparing for the Hanoi cultural days to be held in Japan’s Fukuoka city in the near future.</p> <p>To create a safe and friendly environment, the municipal tourism sector will partner with agencies concerned to crack down on thief and scam targeting tourists.</p> <p>Training on guest reception and tour guide skills in craft villages, especially in outlying districts will be made available.-VNA</p> <br /> Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1FMiMPU" width="200" /><br />

Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down

Hanoi’s foreign arrival growth slows down Foreign visitors at One Pillar pagoda in Hanoi (Photo:VNA) The number of foreign arrivals in Hanoi rose a moderate 5 percent, reaching nearly 1.4 million in the first five months of this year, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tour…

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EU rejects travel ban imposed by Russia on European citizens

EU rejects travel ban imposed by Russia on European citizens <p>(VOVworld) – The European Union hit out Saturday at a travel ban imposed by Russia on 89 European citizens, calling it “totally arbitrary and unjustified”.</p> <div id="attachment_1684811" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1ByMT9v"><img alt="Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has faced criticism over his country’s 'sabre-rattling’ military exercises. (Photo: AFP)" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="313" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1ByMT9x" width="500" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has faced criticism over his country’s 'sabre-rattling’ military exercises. (Photo: AFP)</p> </div> <p>In a statement, the EU’s Foreign Service said beyond releasing the names of the blacklisted individuals to diplomats, Moscow has failed to provide “any other information on the legal basis, criteria and process of this decision”. The same day, European Parliament President Martin Schulz called on Russia to ensure the transparency of the decision. Some countries, whose citizens have been added to the list, such as Britain and Germany criticized the ban and expressed their hope that Moscow will explain more about the decision.</p> <p>Earlier, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that Russia issued Saturday a blacklist of politicians from Eu, barring them from traveling to the Russian Federation in reaction to the EU sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine. The list includes 46 citizens, parliamentarians, and defense and security officials from Poland, Switzerland, Britain, Germany, Finland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Latvia.</p> <br /> EU rejects travel ban imposed by Russia on European citizens Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1ByMT9x" width="200" /><br />

EU rejects travel ban imposed by Russia on European citizens

EU rejects travel ban imposed by Russia on European citizens (VOVworld) – The European Union hit out Saturday at a travel ban imposed by Russia on 89 European citizens, calling it “totally arbitrary and unjustified”. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has faced criticism over his country’s 'sabr…

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Singapore prefers to honor athletes, develop economy with SE Asian Games

<p><strong>It is now less than a week from the biggest sports tournament in Southeast Asia and the host Singapore is all ready to kick it off, with the chairman of its organizing committee telling Vietnam’s <em>Tuoi Tre</em> (Youth) newspaper that the city state wants to both honor athletes and spur economic growth with this grand event.</strong></p> <a href="http://bit.ly/1HDKg8z"><img alt="The Lion City has chosen " and="" as="" asian="" celebrate="" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" close="" extraordinary="" games="" height="293" june="" lim="" of="" on="" open="" rel="lightbox" southeast="" src="http://bit.ly/1HDKg8z" teck="" the="" theme="" told="" which="" width="498" will="" yin="" /></a> <p><em>Tuoi Tre</em> (Youth) newspaper in an interview on Saturday.</p> <p>Lim is the chairman of the Singapore SEA Games Organizing Committee and chief executive officer of Sport Singapore, a statutory board of the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth.</p> <p>He said that the theme is partly related to 50 years of Singapore’s independence (August 9, 1965) in that the 28^th SEA Games is a chance for the city state and its people to look back on what they have done over half a century.</p> <p>Singapore wants to take this occasion to pay tribute to late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who built the country into what it is today, Lim said.</p> <p>Lee passed away on March 23 this year at the age of 92, grieving the whole tiny island.</p> <p>Lim underlined that what is really behind the “Extraordinary” is the stories of all athletes across Southeast Asia who will compete at the 28^th SEA Games, which is the most important multi-sport tourney in the region.</p> <p>“We want to honor the way they have made sacrifices and endured hardships,” the chairman said.</p> <p>Asked what the Singaporean government expects from the sports event, Lim said the city state always tries to make a difference when hosting a particular competition, combing commercial and tourism purposes with other activities.</p> <p>A series of big sports events will be organized in Singapore this year, such as a championship for young swimmers around the world in August, a Formula 1 race in September, and the WTA Finals tennis tournament in October, he elaborated.</p> <p>These are the events that will help bring many tourists to Singapore and the country will have to present a good image, he said, adding that the Singaporean government similarly wants the 28^th SEA Games to help promote the national economy.</p> <p>He pointed out what he considers a success that Singapore has found many sponsors, especially foreign brands, for the 28^th SEA Games, with a Thai firm providing T-shirts for his staff.</p> <p>Given a question on the referee issues many hosts have faced in the past years, Lim said Singapore will try its utmost to bring fairness to the competition in June.</p> <p>Officials will closely follow decisions made by referees as well as public reactions, he disclosed.</p> <p>The chief executive officer of Sport Singapore noted that what really matters at any sports event is the examples set by the athletes, not the medals they win.</p> <p>“You garner a medal and you celebrate it. But that’s not what it’s all about. What really counts is everyone will look at a specific athlete and say, ‘Wow, that’s a Vietnamese!” That comes from personal efforts, not medals,” he remarked.</p> <p>Explaining why Singapore does not build a village for athletes at this upcoming SEA Games, Lim said that would only do more good than harm for them as they will stay in hotels in the central area.</p> <p>He recounted that such a village was constructed on the campus of Nanyang Technological University, which is located in the suburbs, when Singapore hosted the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics so athletes found it very inconvenient to move from place to place as well as to go shopping or enjoy other forms of entertainment.</p> <p>The CEO of the Singapore SEA Games Organizing Committee added that Singapore is a small country and it now has no more land for such a village in the CBD area.</p> <p><em>Tuoi Tre</em> also raised a question about the arrest of four people on suspicion of fixing the Malaysia – Timor-Leste football (soccer) game at the SEA Games that took place on Saturday and Lim answered that match-rigging is no new to sports, especially football, and Singapore is well prepared to fight it.</p> <p>Orlando Marques Henriques Mendes, technical director of the Football Federation of Timor-Leste, was captured on Friday together with three others, including Moises Natalino de Jesus, 32, who is a former Timor-Leste football player; Singaporean Rajendran Kurusamy, 55; and his associate, Indonesian national Nasiruddin, 52, according to the <em>Straits Times.</em></p> <p>Orlando allegedly received $15,000 from Rajendran, Nasiruddin, Moises, and another unknown person as a reward to arrange for the Timor-Leste football team to lose in their opening match against Malaysia, the <em>Straits Times</em> reported<em>.</em></p> <p>The Singaporean government has made all preparations for such combat and the arrest of the four is evidence, Lim said, adding that any player found throwing any match at the upcoming SEA Games will be expelled from the sports tournament but his/her team will not.</p> <p>Matches in the men’s football category started on Friday with Vietnam beating Brunei 6-0 and Thailand routed Laos 6-0 in the group stage.</p> <p>Malaysia defeated Timor-Leste 1-0 yesterday after the four arrests.</p> <p>The men’s football category has two groups, with Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Laos, and Brunei in Group B. Group A, whose games will kick off on Monday, includes Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia.</p> <p>Countries are required to use under-23 players for the category.</p> <p>Asked if Singapore will like to organize any major sports event like the Asian Games or Olympic Games after the 28^th SEA Games, Lim said the country only hosts tournaments that will bring benefits to the development of its sports, adding that the Asiad or the Olympics are just like a ‘bang’ and will not benefit the city state in the long run.</p> <p><em><strong><a href="#http://bit.ly/1HWY43l">Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href="#http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/sports/28414/singapore-prefers-to-honor-athletes-develop-economy-with-se-asian-games/https://twitter.com/tuoitrenewsvn">follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam!</strong></em></p> <br /> Singapore prefers to honor athletes, develop economy with SE Asian Games Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1HDKg8z" width="200" /><br />

Singapore prefers to honor athletes, develop economy with SE Asian Games

It is now less than a week from the biggest sports tournament in Southeast Asia and the host Singapore is all ready to kick it off, with the chairman of its organizing committee telling Vietnam’s Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the city state wants to both honor athletes and spur economic growth wit…

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Why Vietnam struggles to attract tourists

Why Vietnam struggles to attract tourists <p>(VOV) -As countries in the ASEAN region step up efforts to attract inbound tourists, Vietnam is also trying to woo travellers – albeit unsuccessfully.</p> <p>The number of inbound tourists to Vietnam have fallen 12.8% year-on-year in the four months leading up to May of this year, data from the General Statistics Office (GSO) show.</p> <p>The downtrend began 10 months ago and is likely to continue, according to Vu The Binh, vice president of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA).</p> <p>Last year inbound tourism to Malaysia and Thailand shot up more than 20% to 27.4 million and 24.7 million visitors respectively, Binh said— while Vietnam welcomed only 7.8 million foreign arrivals.</p> <p>Tourism in Vietnam actually experienced a negative growth rate in terms of both volume and value for 2014 and lagged miserably far behind other ASEAN member countries, Binh stressed.</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1HDxUx7"><img alt="1684756-tourists" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="280" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1FULkbm" width="500" /></a></p> <p>To add insult to injury, the increasing numbers of outbound tourists suggest that even Vietnamese tourists prefer to travel to countries other than Vietnam, Binh added.</p> <p>“Last year only 136,000 Laotians visited Vietnam while more than 900,000 Vietnamese visited Laos.”</p> <p>“We are failing on our home playing field in attracting holidaymakers as Vietnamese have turned their back on domestic travel and prefer to spend their holidays abroad,” Binh underscored.</p> <p><strong>Limiting factors</strong></p> <p>A combination of global and domestic factors have diminished Vietnam’s attractiveness as a tourist destination recently, making the government’s aim of establishing tourism as a strategic economic pillar more difficult.</p> <p>International visitors have routinely reported that unseemly environmental pollution and traffic problems in major cities like Hanoi and HCM City have been major concerns hindering the inbound tourism market.</p> <p>In addition, Vietnam has failed to step up to the competition from regional countries, Binh stressed— as both Malaysia and Thailand have similar product offerings competing on cultural tours and Vietnam has failed to differentiate itself.</p> <p><strong>Going against the world’s common trend</strong></p> <p>Most notably, the Vice President of the VTA said more should be done to loosen visa regulations as the country needs to roll out measures to boost tourism with fast visa free policies for international travellers.</p> <p>Currently 95% of the world needs a visa to enter Vietnam and that goes against the grain of the rest of top tourist countries around the globe. The government needs to make the nation more readily accessible.</p> <p>Nguyen Thi Van Anh, director of Hanoi Red Tours, said Vietnam has been moving contrary to the direction the rest of the developed world’s tourism industry is moving.</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1HDxUx9"><img alt="1684756-tourists-2" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1HDxUx9" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Other countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines dole out visa exemptions to visitors from more than 150 countries. In contrast, Vietnam imposes strict visa requirements.</p> <p>Moreover, Vietnam’s visa procedures are overly complicated requiring completion of in excess of 10 documents and papers that much to the chagrin of travellers need to be certified.</p> <p>Tran Khang Thuy, director of EXO travel, says most tourists even have had to give money under the table to the staff at embassies and of the Vietnam government to procure visas.</p> <p>Thuy affirmed the complex visa requirements and related corruption in Vietnam negatively impact the image of the nation and the domestic tourism industry in particular.</p> <p><strong>Finding solutions</strong></p> <p>With its natural splendour and ancient history, Vietnam has marketed itself as a hotspot for cultural tourism. However, to entice more visitors, Vietnam needs to rebrand itself and learn the lessons from European cities like London or Berlin.</p> <p>The nation has modernized and foreigners need to know it can offer more than just blasé tours of ancient UNESCO historical sites.</p> <p>According to Vu The Binh of the VTA the tourism industry has demonstrably lacked innovation, which has hardly provided any compelling rationale for foreign tourists to return.</p> <p>In addition, there has been a definite lack of co-ordination among promotional activities at the national and local levels.</p> <p>Most importantly, Vietnam needs to formulate a long-term strategy to promote the tourism industry, solving its pathetically sad environmental pollution track record and traffic safety issues for tourists if it is too have any chance of a revival.</p> <br /> Why Vietnam struggles to attract tourists Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1FULkbm" width="200" /><br />

Why Vietnam struggles to attract tourists

Why Vietnam struggles to attract tourists (VOV) -As countries in the ASEAN region step up efforts to attract inbound tourists, Vietnam is also trying to woo travellers – albeit unsuccessfully. The number of inbound tourists to Vietnam have fallen 12.8% year-on-year in the four months leading up to M…

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Dirty business: Hotels on Phu Quoc Island discharge waste into the sea

Dirty business: Hotels on Phu Quoc Island discharge waste into the sea <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1cqFF0J"><img alt="1684708-phuquoc-dgdf-thumb" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="280" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1JaNSor" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Plastic bags and styrofoam boxes that tourists left on the beach in Phu Quoc. Photo: Dinh Tuyen</p> <p>Littering by tourists and waste discharges from hotels are taking away the appeal of Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam as a must-visit destination.</p> <p>Beaches on the island are now full of plastic bags, food containers and food waste left by tourists.</p> <p>Nguyen Xuan Hien, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said: “If one person eats and leaves their trash behind, others will just follow.”</p> <p>Local media has reported about the issue for months.</p> <p>But Hien said the beaches are still dirty and officials have not fixed the problem.</p> <p>Some locals have also criticized small beachfront restaurants for discharging wastewater directly into the sea and letting diners urinate on the beach.</p> <p>But those small restaurants are not alone. Luxury hotels have done the same.</p> <p>Along Ba Keo, one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on the southern island, there are 28 hotels and resorts. Most of them discharge their wastewater straight into the sea through pipes.</p> <p>Tourists who want to swim have to go far away from these hotels.</p> <p>Phung Xuan Mai, general director of a resort on the island, reckoned that only five hotels and resorts on the island have waste treatment systems, but whether these system meet the required standards is a different question.</p> <br /> Dirty business: Hotels on Phu Quoc Island discharge waste into the sea Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1JaNSor" width="200" /><br />

Dirty business: Hotels on Phu Quoc Island discharge waste into the sea

Dirty business: Hotels on Phu Quoc Island discharge waste into the sea Plastic bags and styrofoam boxes that tourists left on the beach in Phu Quoc. Photo: Dinh Tuyen Littering by tourists and waste discharges from hotels are taking away the appeal of Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam as a must-vi…

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Hanoi-HCM City-Binh Thuan tourist route expected

Hanoi-HCM City-Binh Thuan tourist route expected <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1eGqvWT"><img alt="1684657-avatar" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="225" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1eGqvWT" width="300" /></a></p> <p>Tourists enjoy themselves at a mineral water pool of the Mui Ne mineral mud centre (Photo: VNA)</p> <p>A tourist route linking Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan and Phu Quy island is likely under development following a familiarisation trip for tour operators and related media experts to the south central coastal province of Binh Thuan from May 28-31.</p> <p>They visited popular attractions, such as the Mui Ne sand dunes, the Ham Tien resort capital, and the wine castle and islets of Phu Quy island, testing accommodation and dining services in hotels and luxury resorts.</p> <p>During a working session, the provincial Tourism Association informed the delegation that the locality welcomed 3.8 million guests in 2014, with international tourists accounting for 12 percent. All in all, tourism generated 6 trillion VND (285 million USD) in revenue.</p> <p>In the first quarter of this year, over 1 million tourists arrived in Binh Thuan, up by 6 percent year on year, earning the province around 2 trillion VND (95.2 million USD), a 8.72 percent rise on a yearly basis.</p> <p>The main tourist route in the region is triangular and includes Saigon market, Da Lat flower gardens and Mui Ne beach, as well as the traditional festivals of Nghinh Ong (whale worshipping) and Kate, the association said.</p> <p>The delegation suggested offering free pick-up services at train and bus stations, maintaining vegetation surrounding hotels and resorts, and improving staff quality.</p> <p>Binh Thuan is currently home to 271 places of accommodation in 10,400 rooms. Out of these 271, 172 are accredited and three achieved the five-star standard.</p> <p>The locality is home to 44 travel agencies, including six outbound tour operators.-VNA</p> <br /> Hanoi-HCM City-Binh Thuan tourist route expected Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1eGqvWT" width="200" /><br />

Hanoi-HCM City-Binh Thuan tourist route expected

Hanoi-HCM City-Binh Thuan tourist route expected Tourists enjoy themselves at a mineral water pool of the Mui Ne mineral mud centre (Photo: VNA) A tourist route linking Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan and Phu Quy island is likely under development following a familiarisation trip for tour operat…

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Sepp Blatter’s Fifa re-election concerns Europe

<p><em>Many European football nations have reacted with concern to Sepp Blatter’s re-election as Fifa president.</em></p> <div id="attachment_1684604" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1AAkdSF"><img alt="Michel Platini (right) congratulated Sepp Blatter, despite telling him to resign days earlier" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="281" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Fg8t3j" width="500" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Michel Platini (right) congratulated Sepp Blatter, despite telling him to resign days earlier</p> </div> <p>Denmark’s Football Association chief called it “a defeat for transparency” while England’s FA Chairman said he might support a World Cup boycott.</p> <p>However, the tournament’s next host, Russia, said it was pleased with Mr Blatter’s re-appointment.</p> <p>Mr Blatter, 79, was re-elected on Friday, in a vote overshadowed by arrests and corruption allegations.</p> <p>The Fifa election has taken place against the backdrop of the US’s indictment of several Fifa officials and the launch of a separate Swiss criminal investigation.</p> <p>On Saturday, US tax official Richard Weber told the New York Times he was “fairly confident that we will have another round of indictments”.</p> <p><strong>‘European muscle’</strong></p> <p>Mr Blatter’s rival, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, had forced a second round of voting but then withdrew.</p> <p>The European football body, Uefa, had backed Prince Ali, with president Michel Platini describing it as “a movement for change at Fifa”.</p> <p>European FAs will meet at next week’s Champions League final in Berlin to discuss their next move.</p> <p>“We have to see how best we can use the European muscle,” Irish FA president John Delaney told RTE News.</p> <p>Europe’s seat at the next meeting of Fifa’s powerful Executive Committee is expected to be empty, as newly-appointed representative David Gill had said before Friday’s vote that he would resign if Mr Blatter was re-elected.</p> <p>England’s FA chairman Greg Dyke said that he would consider a boycott of the World Cup if joined by other European nations.</p> <p>“This is not over by any means. To quote the [US] Attorney General this is the beginning of the process not the end,” Mr Dyke told Sky News.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Jesper Moller of Denmark’s FA told reporters: “Blatter is too involved in all the allegations of corruption that have taken up much of his time as president. But we must, of course, respect the democratic vote.”</p> <p><strong>‘Let’s go Fifa!’</strong></p> <p>In the first round of the vote in Zurich, Mr Blatter won 133 to Prince Ali’s 73, just short of the 140 votes needed for an outright win.</p> <p>However, Prince Ali then withdrew from the vote.</p> <p>In his victory speech, Mr Blatter said: “I am not perfect, nobody is perfect, but we will do a good job together I am sure.</p> <p>“I take the responsibility to bring back Fifa where it should be… Let’s go Fifa! Let’s go Fifa!”</p> <p>He also hinted that this term in office, his fifth, could be his last, saying: “At the end of my term I will give up Fifa in a strong position.”</p> <p>Mr Blatter’s re-election was welcomed by the hosts of the next World Cup, Russia.</p> <p>“In general, of course we are pleased with the result. Russia was backing Blatter. We also believe… much needs to be done to change football,” Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told state broadcaster Rossiya24.</p> <p>Seven top Fifa officials were arrested in Switzerland on Wednesday as part of a US prosecution that indicted 14 people.</p> <p>Those indicted in the US inquiry are accused of bribery, racketeering and money-laundering involving tens of millions of dollars since 1991.</p> <p>The aim of the bribes was to influence the outcome of bids to stage football tournaments such as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2016 Copa America in the US, prosecutors say.</p> <p>The seven arrested in Zurich – Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo (both Fifa vice-presidents), Eduardo Li, Rafael Esquivel, Jose Maria Marin, Costas Takkas and Julio Rocha – remain in Swiss detention pending US extradition proceedings.</p> <p>They can appeal against their detention by 8 June, but Swiss justice officials told the Associated Press bail was unlikely.</p> <p>The first of the 14 to be arraigned in a US court, sports executive Aaron Davidson, pleaded not guilty through his lawyer on Friday.</p> <p>Swiss prosecutors have launched a separate investigation into the bidding process for the World Cup tournaments in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.</p> <p><em>Source: BBC</em></p> <br /> Sepp Blatter’s Fifa re-election concerns Europe Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Fg8t3j" width="200" /><br />

Sepp Blatter’s Fifa re-election concerns Europe

Many European football nations have reacted with concern to Sepp Blatter’s re-election as Fifa president. Michel Platini (right) congratulated Sepp Blatter, despite telling him to resign days earlier Denmark’s Football Association chief called it “a defeat for transparency” while England’s FA Chairm…

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VN young swimmers set for gold hunt in Singapore

<p><em>The predominantly young swimming squad has set a target to win at least 10 gold medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a first in the history of Viet Nam’s sport.</em></p> <p>“We have drawn a detailed preparation plan for the Games; our athletes have been attending a range of tournaments as a part of the plan. This helped them improve their results. Overall, they have maintained good performance and are ready for the Games,” said Dinh Viet Hung, head of the Swimming Department of the National Sports Administration.</p> <p>Many feel the target of 10 gold is believable as Viet Nam is home to some best swimmers, including Olympian Nguyen Thi Anh Vien.</p> <p>In the previous Games, Viet Nam made history by winning five gold, five silvers, and two bronzes, a result that none of the national sport officials had expected.</p> <p>Vien, who was a new name at the Games two years ago, contributed three titles in women’s 200m backstroke, 200m, and 400m medley events.</p> <p>This year, the Can Tho Province-born athlete is expected to win in six categories, after her remarkable show in international competitions.</p> <p>Vien will have to defend her crowns as well as conquer the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle titles.</p> <p>The 18-year-old has been training hard in the US under famous coach Cray Anthony Teeters. Her preparations are not only for the SEA Games but also for further tournaments, including the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and the Asian Games two years later.</p> <p>According to Vietnamese swimming officials and coach Dang Anh Tuan, her</p> <p>performance has been pretty good and it showed in her training and competitions in the US; they have been better than any of her rivals in ASEAN states.</p> <p>They believe that the insanely talented athlete can also vie for gold in 200m butterfly as her result is close to the top three.</p> <p>At the recent Arena Pro Swim Series in the US, Vien grabbed a bronze medal in 400m medley, with a time of 4:42.60.</p> <p>She also took part in different categories and successfully entered the final eight rounds.</p> <p>“Vien might not have competed against world-level swimmers in the American tournament, but she definitely is a star in Southeast Asia,” Nguyen Hong Minh, former head of the Elite Sports of the National Sports Administration, noted, adding that Vien can easily manage to perform in six to seven events at the SEA Games.</p> <p>Hoang Quy Phuoc is another golden hope of Viet Nam.</p> <p>Phuoc, 23, has prepared on his own by undergoing a training course in Japan, where he reached Standard B to compete at 100m (50.80sec) and 200m freestyle (1:50.94) in the coming Olympics in Brazil.</p> <p>Phuoc will defend his title in 200m freestyle and swim to reclaim his glory in 100m freestyle that he had lost in last Games in Myanmar.</p> <p>The Da Nang-born swimmer is also expected to change the colour of his medal from silver to gold in 400m freestyle.</p> <p>Two years ago, Tran Duy Khoi bagged only one silver medal (200m medley) and one bronze medal (400m medley).</p> <p>Following his outstanding performance at the national championships this year, with 11 gold and five records, 18-year-old Khoi is hoping to make a difference.</p> <p>Apart from Vien, Phuoc and Khoi, who compete in short-distance events, Viet Nam have Lam Quang Nhat who made a big bang in Myanmar as he secured a gold medal in men’s 1,500m freestyle in his SEA Games debut.</p> <p>Nhat successfully finished his race with a time of 15:39.44, leaving behind his nearest rival Kevin Yeap of Malaysia for a five-second gap. His victory was a strong boost for Viet Nam.</p> <p>Two years later, the HCM City-born athlete, who just returned home from China, improved his best result to 15:33.21, which is expected to keep him on the top of the podium.</p> <p>“I have no advantages of height or a full span of arms needed for swimmers of short-distance events. So, I focus on this category and I am hoping to shine in Singapore SEA Games,” said 18-year-old Nhat.</p> <p>The team’s biggest challenge will be the odd organising activities of the hosts.</p> <p>Athletes are not allowed to practise at the main venue (OCBC Aquatics Centre) two days before their competitions, which is not in line with the world swimming federation’s rules.</p> <p>Vietnamese coaches have sought permission for their athletes to train in the evenings, but they have yet to receive a reply.</p> <p>A tight competition schedule, asking swimmers to take part in consecutive events, will make it difficult for them to prepare for their next events, Hung observed, adding that Viet Nam strongly objected to the organisers’ rules and were waiting for a response from them.</p> <p>The eight-member swimming squad will leave for Singapore on June 2.</p> <p>Their competition will take place on June 6-11 at the OCBC Aquatics Centre.</p> <p><em>VNS</em></p> <br /> VN young swimmers set for gold hunt in Singapore Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

VN young swimmers set for gold hunt in Singapore

The predominantly young swimming squad has set a target to win at least 10 gold medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a first in the history of Viet Nam’s sport. “We have drawn a detailed preparation plan for the Games; our athletes have been attending a range of tournaments as a part of the pl…

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PM Nguyen Tan Dung works with Kazakh counterpart

<p><a href="http://bit.ly/1dD7IM1"><img alt="1684573-avatar" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="200" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1dD7IM1" width="300" /></a></p> <p>Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) met with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Masimov (Photo: VNA)</p> <p>Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a working session with his Kazakh counterpart, Karim Masimov, on May 29 on the margin of the signing ceremony on the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU).</p> <p>The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the sound political ties between Vietnam and Kazakhstan thanks to their coordination and mutual support in the international arena.</p> <p>They agreed that the economic ties between the two countries have seen positive changes over the past time, with two-way trade reaching 240 million USD in 2014, up 1.5 times against the previous year.</p> <p>It is necessary for the two countries to further improve the efficiency of the Vietnam-Kazakhstan inter-governmental committee on economic, trade, science-technology cooperation, they said.</p> <p>This will help enhance the bilateral partnership in potential fields, including the oil and gas processing and exploiting coordination between the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and the Kazakhstan National Oil and Gas Company (KazMunaiGaz) in Kazakhstan as well as in other countries, they added.</p> <p>They also suggested increasing bilateral trade exchanges and facilitate the exports of Vietnamese farm produce and seafood to the Kazakh market.</p> <p>During the meeting, the two Prime Ministers exchanged cooperation orientations in the field of national defence-security and increasing cooperation at local level.</p> <p>Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung confirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing its traditional friendship with Kazakhstan – a key partner of the Southeast Asian country in middle Asia .</p> <p>He extolled the role and initiative of Kazakhstan at international forums such as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).</p> <p>He asked Kazakhstan to support the maintenance of peace, stability, navigation and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, and the settlement of any disputes via peaceful means and in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).</p> <p>For his part, Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov described the signing of the Vietnam-EAEU free trade pact as an important progress in the multilateral cooperation between Vietnam and other regional countries.</p> <p>He expressed his belief that Vietnam and Kazakhstan in particular will implement effectively the contents featured in the agreement.</p> <p>He affirmed that the Kazakh Government always supports the expansion and development of cooperative ties with Vietnam, and vows to double its efforts to deepen the bilateral relations.</p> <p>After the working session, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a minutes on the exchange of documents ratifying the mutual judicial assistance agreement between Vietnam and Kazakhstan, a cooperation programme in the 2015-2017 period between the Vietnamese and Kazakh Ministries of Justice, and a cooperation agreement on culture and sports between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports.-VNA</p> <br /> PM Nguyen Tan Dung works with Kazakh counterpart Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1dD7IM1" width="200" /><br />

PM Nguyen Tan Dung works with Kazakh counterpart

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) met with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Masimov (Photo: VNA) Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a working session with his Kazakh counterpart, Karim Masimov, on May 29 on the margin of the signing ceremony on the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the…

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Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month

Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month <p><em>May marks the 12th monthly decline in international visitors to Vietnam as 576,000 foreigners have visited the country, down 16.4% year-on-year.</em></p> <p>Data of the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that international arrivals in the first five months of this year have gone down by 12.6% year-on-year to over 3.27 million.</p> <p>Guests from most of Vietnam’s major visitor-generating markets have dropped, except for Japan and Taiwan with modest increases of 5-7%.</p> <p>Now is the off-peak travel season for inbound tours in Vietnam. However, local travel companies worry about their performance in the coming months as their foreign partners said the situation would not improve anytime soon.</p> <p>According to the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), the depreciation of some foreign currencies like the euro, yen and Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar have made U.S. dollar-denominated Vietnam tours more expensive. The economic malaise in some major visitor-generating markets for Vietnam is also to blame.</p> <p>Therefore, VITA has proposed the Government exempt all international visitors from the visa fee of US$45 from July to December as this would help them save not only the visa fee but also other associated service charges when applying for visas.</p> <p>The organization has also suggested the Government approve value added tax (VAT) breaks and delay corporate income tax payments for travel enterprises and hotels for six months or one year so that they can have money for promotion programs to attract foreign travelers.</p> <p>But the Government has yet to approve the proposals and apply unilateral visa exemptions to tourists from more major visitor-generating markets.</p> <p>Nguyen Van Nen, minister-chairman of the Government Office, told the Government’s regular monthly media conference in Hanoi on Wednesday that the Government discussed visa exemptions for travelers from some countries at its recent cabinet meeting but more time would be needed to decide as there were differences over this matter.</p> <p>Nen said the Government would create favorable conditions for foreign tourists based on relations between Vietnam and their nations. The Prime Minister will issue a directive to remove hindrances in the tourism sector to spur its development.</p> <p>In a related development, the Government has approved setting up the Tourism Development Fund to support this sector.</p> <p>But the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has suggested collecting an accommodation service charge of VND10,000-20,000 per night (45-92 U.S. cents) from international visitors but has yet to detail the collection method.</p> <p><em>SGT</em></p> <br /> Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month

Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month May marks the 12th monthly decline in international visitors to Vietnam as 576,000 foreigners have visited the country, down 16.4% year-on-year. Data of the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that international arrivals in the first five months of this year ha…

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VRC launches quality train for Hanoi-Dong Dang route

VRC launches quality train for Hanoi-Dong Dang route <p><strong>Vietnam Railway Corporation yesterday officially launched high-quality express railway for the route Hanoi- Dong Dang of the northern province of Lang Son.</strong></p> <p>As scheduled, there are four trains everyday between Hanoi and Dong Dang. The time for the route will be 3 hours and 35 minutes, cutting 3 hours compared to other train in the route. The Railway Corporation uses made-in-Korean trains with air conditioner and luxury decoration materials and TV. There is a wagon serving meals and beverage.</p> <p>The highest fare for the train is VND105,000(US$4.8). The railway is offering discount of 30 percent for those who buy tickets for June trains.</p> <p>Representative from the Railway Corporation said that as the route Hanoi-Dong Dang has few passengers so the company focuses on upgrade services for the route.</p> <p>If it achieves success, the company will develop other routes too.</p> <br /> VRC launches quality train for Hanoi-Dong Dang route Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

VRC launches quality train for Hanoi-Dong Dang route

VRC launches quality train for Hanoi-Dong Dang route Vietnam Railway Corporation yesterday officially launched high-quality express railway for the route Hanoi- Dong Dang of the northern province of Lang Son. As scheduled, there are four trains everyday between Hanoi and Dong Dang. The time for the …

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Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month

<p><em>May marks the 12th monthly decline in international visitors to Vietnam as 576,000 foreigners have visited the country, down 16.4% year-on-year.</em></p> <p>Data of the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that international arrivals in the first five months of this year have gone down by 12.6% year-on-year to over 3.27 million.</p> <p>Guests from most of Vietnam’s major visitor-generating markets have dropped, except for Japan and Taiwan with modest increases of 5-7%.</p> <p>Now is the off-peak travel season for inbound tours in Vietnam. However, local travel companies worry about their performance in the coming months as their foreign partners said the situation would not improve anytime soon.</p> <p>According to the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), the depreciation of some foreign currencies like the euro, yen and Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar have made U.S. dollar-denominated Vietnam tours more expensive. The economic malaise in some major visitor-generating markets for Vietnam is also to blame.</p> <p>Therefore, VITA has proposed the Government exempt all international visitors from the visa fee of US$45 from July to December as this would help them save not only the visa fee but also other associated service charges when applying for visas.</p> <p>The organization has also suggested the Government approve value added tax (VAT) breaks and delay corporate income tax payments for travel enterprises and hotels for six months or one year so that they can have money for promotion programs to attract foreign travelers.</p> <p>But the Government has yet to approve the proposals and apply unilateral visa exemptions to tourists from more major visitor-generating markets.</p> <p>Nguyen Van Nen, minister-chairman of the Government Office, told the Government’s regular monthly media conference in Hanoi on Wednesday that the Government discussed visa exemptions for travelers from some countries at its recent cabinet meeting but more time would be needed to decide as there were differences over this matter.</p> <p>Nen said the Government would create favorable conditions for foreign tourists based on relations between Vietnam and their nations. The Prime Minister will issue a directive to remove hindrances in the tourism sector to spur its development.</p> <p>In a related development, the Government has approved setting up the Tourism Development Fund to support this sector.</p> <p>But the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has suggested collecting an accommodation service charge of VND10,000-20,000 per night (45-92 U.S. cents) from international visitors but has yet to detail the collection method.</p> <p><em>SGT</em></p> <br /> Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Int’t arrivals slide for 12th month

May marks the 12th monthly decline in international visitors to Vietnam as 576,000 foreigners have visited the country, down 16.4% year-on-year. Data of the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that international arrivals in the first five months of this year have gone down by 12.6% year-on-year t…

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Veteran shows shooting is more than violence

<p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – “Many people think shooting an air gun is a form of violence, but actually the sport is like Japanese kendo, which teaches people discipline and patience, and how to remain calm under pressure,” war veteran Le Hai Vu told his trainees at a recent session of his air gun club held in HCM City.</em></p> <div id="attachment_1684524" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1SIcY0B"><img alt="Aiming straight: Trainees Chu Manh Khanh and Nguyen Hong Binh, who have a serious interest in learning to be sharpshooters, practice at the indoor shooting range in HCM City." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="294" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Fl5ZBA" width="500" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Aiming straight: Trainees Chu Manh Khanh and Nguyen Hong Binh, who have a serious interest in learning to be sharpshooters, practice at the indoor shooting range in HCM City.</p> </div> <p>The co-founder of the Sai Gon Sniper Club, an indoor shooting range that offers classes, rentals of air guns and pellets, has never forgotten the feeling of first shooting a gun when he joined the army after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from University of Economics.</p> <p>“It was really exciting,” he recalled.</p> <p>In the army, Vu led a military regiment based at Vi Xuyen battlefield near the northern border in 1979. The war taught him how to handle a gun, but now he encourages young people to view amateur shooting as a sport, and tells them never aim to kill, even a bird.</p> <p>“Instead of investing a lot of time and money on online games, they can choose this sport for relaxation,” Vu said.</p> <p>Retired from the military, Vu, 60, is a teacher at National University-HCM City, where he and other veterans offer air gun training to thousands of students.</p> <p>Last year, he and two other people invested VND500 million (US$23,800) in the indoor shooting range, which is located within Nguyen Binh Khiem Sport Club.</p> <p>His first indoor shooting range was set up at HCM City National University in 2012. As the sport was not popular in the country at the time, Vu faced major financial losses.</p> <p>However, his Sai Gon Sniper Club, the only private air gun club in Viet Nam, receives roughly 50 to 60 visitors on the weekend, bringing in enough income to pay his staff and cover equipment costs.</p> <p>“My aim is to promote the sport to youth, so profit is not an issue. As long as the club does not face a loss, we’re happy,” said Vu. “I do this because I’m still passionate about sharpshooting.”</p> <p>Vu, who visits schools in the city to select teenagers with potential to become professional sharpshooters, has enrolled 60 students who receive several days of free training each week.</p> <p>If the students do well at official shooting competitions, they would then have the opportunity to receive funding from the state as full-time professional athletes.</p> <div id="attachment_1684525" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1SIcY0E"><img alt="Locked and loaded: Le Vu Hai teaches sixth grader Chu Manh Khanh and fifth grader Nguyen Hong Binh of HCM City's Tran Van On High School how to shoot properly. — VNS Photos Van Dat" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="319" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Fl5ZBC" width="500" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Locked and loaded: Le Vu Hai teaches sixth grader Chu Manh Khanh and fifth grader Nguyen Hong Binh of HCM City's Tran Van On High School how to shoot properly. — VNS Photos Van Dat</p> </div> <p>Most of the trainees are girls.</p> <p>“They do really well. For females, there is no physical difference between girls from Viet Nam and from other countries in the region,” he said.</p> <p>Recently, he recruited eight new trainees. One of them was 13-year-old Nguyen Hong Binh, whose performance at the shooting range was so impressive he asked her to make a serious commitment to train as a professional shooter.</p> <p>No contract was needed, Vu said. Binh agreed to pursue the sport by hooking her little finger around Vu’s.</p> <p>Now in the fifth grade, Binh said her parents allowed her to attend a summer military course a few years ago. At the shooting range, she learned how to hold a gun and stand still for a long period of time.</p> <p>Another recruit, Chu Manh Khanh, a sixth grader at Tran Van On High School, said that he had learned how to shoot an air gun with rubber pellets. He was one of the few students at his school who were proficient at shooting.</p> <p>“It’s an interesting sport. I want to become a professional,” he said, pointing to his good results at target practice.</p> <p>Though he has several trainees with high potential, Vu said he was concerned they would eventually quit and focus on careers with higher pay.</p> <p>“I’m thinking of going to the countryside to recruit trainees from poor families. I’m afraid that trainees of wealthy families have more choices, so they can more easily quit,” he said.</p> <p>“We have trained several young sportspeople. Just four years after our private air gun shooting range was built, two members of my club won silver medals at a municipal competition last year. Some have been selected as members of the HCM City shooting team,” he said.</p> <p>Vu hopes that within three years, at least three of his recruits will be selected for the national sharpshooting team.</p> <p>In HCM City, air gun shooting as a sport did not exist before 1975, when the Southern region was liberated. In the north, the sport has been popular since 1958.</p> <p>The situation in the south improved when the City government decided to develop the sport, and several clubs opened in districts Go Vap, Binh Thanh, Thu Duc, 1, 5, and others.</p> <p>Vu and his friends have now made the sport even more accessible. His shooting range is open to anyone physically able to handle a gun, while it also trains people who want to be professionals.</p> <p>“Vietnamese are very skilled at this sport. There’s nothing preventing HCM City from investing in air gun shooting. No law forbids the establishment of private shooting ranges in the country,” he said, adding that the real obstacles are the paperwork required and the purchase of supplies.</p> <p>As gun imports are strictly controlled by law, Vu must buy the air guns from an authorised agent in Viet Nam. A gun bought in the country costs about $4,600, but only $2,000 abroad.</p> <p>“I’m willing to pay for this now from my own pocket, but there are many challenges for me in purchasing equipment such as air guns, pellets and uniforms,” he said. Most of the air guns used at his club are older models.</p> <p>But Vu may no longer have to be the primary supporter.</p> <p>“We’re encouraging the city to establish a shooting association, along with the other city sports organisations,” Vu said. “With our students’ achievements and increasing interest in the sport, the federation is expected to be set up soon.”</p> <p><em>VNS</em></p> <br /> Veteran shows shooting is more than violence Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Fl5ZBA" width="200" /><br />

Veteran shows shooting is more than violence

VietNamNet Bridge – “Many people think shooting an air gun is a form of violence, but actually the sport is like Japanese kendo, which teaches people discipline and patience, and how to remain calm under pressure,” war veteran Le Hai Vu told his trainees at a recent session of his air gun club held …

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Vietnamese striker Cong Phuong shall be under the spotlight at SEA Games

<p><em>Footballchannel.asia has named Vietnamese striker Nguyen Cong Phuong as one of 10 players to watch at the coming Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.</em></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1LTBZ3H"><img alt="1684474-20150530122711-1" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="300" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1LTBZ3H" width="450" /></a></p> <p>The website’s reporter Eric Noveanto said these youngsters might outshine the more well-known players if they maintained their impressive form and grabbed their opportunities. As the tournament approaches, there is a sense of anticipation in the region regarding many youngsters who could make a name for themselves.</p> <p>These under-23 players, selected from their respective teams, could become sensations at the Southeast Asian biennial multi-sport event.</p> <p>Phuong, 20, is a former member of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai-Arsenal JMG Academy. The ‘Vietnamese Messi’ is undoubtedly one of the most promising football talents in Viet Nam. He made the breakthrough in the 2013 ASEAN Football Federation Cup U19, helping his team to reach the final, and later became a key player of the U-23 team under Toshiya Miura’s guidance.</p> <p>The other players are midfielder Evan Dimas of Indonesia, winger Faris Ramli of the host nation, Cambodia’s attacking midfielder Prak Mony Udom and midfielder Sithu Aung of Myanmar, as well as defender Narubadin Weerawatnodom and striker Chanathip Songkrasin from Thailand, forward Faiq Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, Malaysian midfielder Nazmi Faiz and midfielder Lembo Saysana of Laos.</p> <p><em>VNS</em></p> <br /> Vietnamese striker Cong Phuong shall be under the spotlight at SEA Games Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1LTBZ3H" width="200" /><br />

Vietnamese striker Cong Phuong shall be under the spotlight at SEA Games

Footballchannel.asia has named Vietnamese striker Nguyen Cong Phuong as one of 10 players to watch at the coming Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. The website’s reporter Eric Noveanto said these youngsters might outshine the more well-known players if they maintained their impressive form and grab…

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VN trounce Brunei in regional opener

<p><em>Vietnam began their quest for the elusive gold medal in the men’s football competition at the Southeast Asian Games with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Brunei.</em></p> <p>Le Thanh Binh, Mac Hong Quan, Tran Phi Son, Pham Manh Hung each scored one and Nguyen Cong Phuong got a brace when the four-time finalist routed their opponent.</p> <p>It was one-sided game in the Group B opening match at Bishan Stadium on May 29.</p> <p>During the first minutes, despite numerous clear-cut chances, Vietnamese side failed to put the ball into the net.</p> <p>The breakthrough only came after 24 minutes when striker Le Thanh Binh capitalized on a cross from the right wing to shove the ball past Bruneian goalkeeper from a close range.</p> <p>The score was kept unchanged until the break in spite of Vietnam’s complete domination both in possession and goal-scoring chances.</p> <p>With the heat waning entering the second half, Vietnamese players even pushed the Bruneian team to their own half and it was just a matter of time for Vietnam to add more goal to the score sheet.</p> <p>Just two minutes after the break, Tran Phi Son rose high to head home Vietnam’s second goal and the score could have been 3-0 if Nguyen Cong Phuong had been successful with his penalty in the 63th minute.</p> <p>After many opportunities missed, on the 75th minute, Mac Hong Quan extended the score to 3-0 with a shot right on the edge of the box.</p> <p>With Bruneian players seeming to be physically drained, Vietnam easily scored three more goals through Pham Dung Huy, Phuong and Pham Manh Hung to complete the rout.</p> <p><em>VNA</em></p> <br /> VN trounce Brunei in regional opener Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

VN trounce Brunei in regional opener

Vietnam began their quest for the elusive gold medal in the men’s football competition at the Southeast Asian Games with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Brunei. Le Thanh Binh, Mac Hong Quan, Tran Phi Son, Pham Manh Hung each scored one and Nguyen Cong Phuong got a brace when the four-time finalist rout…

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Online shops declare war with traditional shopping malls

<p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – The existence of shopping malls has been threatened by the rise of online shops.</em><a href="#http://bit.ly/1GadDof"></a></p> <p><a href="#http://bit.ly/1GadDof"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/1GadDoj"><img alt="1684405-1684405-20150528065034-retailer13-500x329" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="329" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1GadDoj" width="500" /></a></p> <p>JC Penney and Macy’s, two large retail chains in the US, have announced they will close some of their shops. The robust development of e-commerce in the digital era is believed to be the reason behind the retailers’ decisions.</p> <p>In China, Li Ning, the sportswear manufacturer, is expected to take a loss for the third consecutive year. It has closed 1,000 shops since 2012. Anta Sports has also shut down many shops, partially because of e-commerce.</p> <p><strong>The collapse of the traditional retail model?</strong></p> <p>In Vietnam, analysts say, shopping malls have also been threatened by online shops. According to CBRE, a real estate service provider, 25 percent of polled consumers said they plan to shop less at traditional shops, while 45 percent said they would shop online more regularly in the next two years.</p> <p>Older people tend to like doing their online shopping more than younger customers, with 69 percent of consumers aged 55-64 planning to buy more non-food goods through their smartphones and tablets.</p> <p>The 2014 e-commerce report released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) showed that the total revenue of 217 e-trading floors in the year reached VND1.662 trillion, a twofold increase over 2013.</p> <p>However, this means that every trading floor gained VND7.7 billion on average only, a very modest figure, which shows that online shopping in Vietnam is in its early development stage.</p> <p>A survey by Google and MOIT showed that there are 35 million internet users in Vietnam, 56 percent of whom have bought goods online, while 34 percent are willing to buy online.</p> <p><strong>Direct online sales to continue</strong></p> <p>Though admitting the strong rise of e-commerce, which has become a formidable rival to traditional retail, analysts believe it is still too early to talk about the “doomsday” of the traditional retail model.</p> <p>A branding expert noted that “seeing is believing” is a principle that all Vietnamese consumers follow. They would rather go to shops to select goods themselves rather than stay at home and place orders through computers.</p> <p>He believes that it would be a wise move for retailers to boost sales through both traditional and online shops.</p> <p>Duong Thuy Dung from CBRE Vietnam noted that though prospects for traditional commerce are still optimistic, retailers have begun spending money to develop online sales.</p> <p>Vingroup, a multi-field group, after jumping into the retail sector, has set up VinE-com, to create an online retail channel which distributes Vingroup and its partners’ products. The Gioi Di Dong, the largest mobile phone distributor, has also said it would try to increase online sales.</p> <p><strong><em>Duy Anh</em></strong></p> <br /> Online shops declare war with traditional shopping malls Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1GadDoj" width="200" /><br />

Online shops declare war with traditional shopping malls

VietNamNet Bridge – The existence of shopping malls has been threatened by the rise of online shops. JC Penney and Macy’s, two large retail chains in the US, have announced they will close some of their shops. The robust development of e-commerce in the digital era is believed to be the reason behin…

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Iconic cuisine festival back to town

Iconic cuisine festival back to town <p>Tien Dat</p> <div id="attachment_1684354" style="width: 415px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1coPr3y"><img alt="Diverse dishes are advantages of the annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="269" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1coPr3y" width="405" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Diverse dishes are advantages of the annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST</p> </div> <p>The festival features more than 100 booths from some 50 exhibitors that are restaurants, hotels and resorts based in HCMC and localities from Thua Thien-Hue to Ca Mau. Every booth has its exclusive design, featuring special gastronomic characteristics of the central coast region, the Central Highlands, the southern land and Saigon.</p> <p>As regards gastronomy and entertainment activities, the festival introduces more than 250 specialties of every region at Cho que Phuong Nam (Southern Countryside Market), the most impressive booth competition and the imitative Chol Chnam Thmay festival of the Khmer people. Guests also have a chance to experience music shows, traditional art shows and circus performances, and play folk games such as passing cau khi (shaky one-handrail bamboo bridge), angling and cricket fighting.</p> <p>It costs VND200,000 each to attend the festival. The ticket is inclusive of the entrance fee and dining voucher worth VND200,000. Those who buy full package tickets (to attend the festival and play games at the park) will enjoy a 50% discount. Free delivery is available for those buying from five tickets while 5% discount is for those buying 10 tickets or more.</p> <p>The annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival is co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the HCMC Department of Tourism, the HCMC Tourism Association and Phu Tho Tourism Service Co. This festival is aimed to diversify the city’s tourism and culture activities, and to promote specialties of different regions across Vietnam. This is also a chance for hospitality businesses to promote their products and services and seek collaboration.</p> <p>The opening ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on May 29 and the closing ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on June 1.</p> <p>Dam Sen Park: 3 Hoa Binh St., Dist. 11, HCMC. Tel:(08) 39632483, email: info.pkd@damsenpark.vn</p> <br /> Iconic cuisine festival back to town Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1coPr3y" width="200" /><br />

Iconic cuisine festival back to town

Iconic cuisine festival back to town Tien Dat Diverse dishes are advantages of the annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST The festival features more than 100 booths from some 50 exhibitors that are restaurants, hotels and resorts based in HCMC and localities fr…

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U.S. official ‘fairly confident’ of more FIFA indictments: NYT

<p><strong>A senior U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official said on Friday he is “fairly confident” there will be another round of indictments in the criminal investigation into alleged corruption within soccer’s governing body, FIFA, the <em>New York Times</em> reported.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1eEYTBr"><img alt="1684375-ppgq2qby" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1eEYTBr" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Several senior FIFA figures have been indicted in bribery and kickback schemes, although no charges were brought against FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was re-elected on Friday.</p> <p>“I’m fairly confident that we will have another round of indictments,” Richard Weber, the chief of the IRS unit in charge of criminal investigations, was quoted as saying by the Times.</p> <p>The newspaper reported that Weber would not identify the remaining targets of the U.S. investigation or say whether Blatter was among them.</p> <p>“We strongly believe there are other people and entities involved in criminal acts,” Weber was quoted as saying by the Times.</p> <p>U.S. authorities said on Wednesday that nine officials and five sports media and promotions executives were charged in cases involving more than $150 million in bribes over a period of 24 years. They said their investigation exposed complex money laundering schemes, millions of dollars in untaxed incomes and tens of millions in offshore accounts held by FIFA officials.</p> <p>The IRS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p> <br /> U.S. official ‘fairly confident’ of more FIFA indictments: NYT Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1eEYTBr" width="200" /><br />

U.S. official ‘fairly confident’ of more FIFA indictments: NYT

A senior U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official said on Friday he is “fairly confident” there will be another round of indictments in the criminal investigation into alleged corruption within soccer’s governing body, FIFA, the New York Times reported. Several senior FIFA figures have been indi…

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Vietnam opens SEA Games campaign with resounding win

<br /> Vietnam opens SEA Games campaign with resounding win Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1coPrjT" width="200" /><br /> <table> <tr> <td><b><br /> <br /></b> <div id="attachment_1684370" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1coPrjT"><img alt="Tran Phi Son player (left) and his teammate enjoyed the goal. (Photo: VNA)" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="248" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1coPrjT" width="300" /></a></b> <p class="wp-caption-text"><b>Tran Phi Son player (left) and his teammate enjoyed the goal. (Photo: VNA)</b></p> </div> <p><b>Vietnam</b> <b>began their quest for the elusive gold medal in the men’s football competition at the Southeast Asian Games with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Brunei.</b></p> <p>Le Thanh Binh, Mac Hong Quan, Tran Phi Son, Pham Manh Hung each scored one and Nguyen Cong Phuong got a brace when the four-time finalist routed their opponent.</p> <p>It was one-sided game in the Group B opening match at Bishan Stadium on May 29th.</p> <p>During the first minutes, despite numerous clear-cut chances, Vietnamese side failed to put the ball into the net.</p> <p>The breakthrough only came after 24 minutes when striker Le Thanh Binh capitalized on a cross from the right wing to shove the ball past Bruneian goalkeeper from a close range.</p> <p>The score was kept unchanged until the break in spite of Vietnam’s complete domination both in possession and goal-scoring chances.</p> <p>With the heat waning entering the second half, Vietnamese players even pushed the Bruneian team to their own half and it was just a matter of time for Vietnam to add more goal to the score sheet.</p> <p>Just two minutes after the break, Tran Phi Son rose high to head home Vietnam’s second goal and the score could have been 3-0 if Nguyen Cong Phuong had been successful with his penalty in the 63th minute.</p> <p>After many opportunities missed, on the 75th minute, Mac Hong Quan extended the score to 3-0 with a shot right on the edge of the box.</p> <p>With Bruneian players seeming to be physically drained, Vietnam easily scored three more goals through Pham Dung Huy, Phuong and Pham Manh Hung to complete the rout./.</p> </td> </tr> </table>

Vietnam opens SEA Games campaign with resounding win

Vietnam opens SEA Games campaign with resounding win Related image(s) Tran Phi Son player (left) and his teammate enjoyed the goal. (Photo: VNA) Vietnam began their quest for the elusive gold medal in the men’s football competition at the Southeast Asian Games with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Brun…

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Blatter wins fifth FIFA term as challenger concedes

<p><strong>Sepp Blatter was re-elected president of FIFA for a fifth term on Friday after his only challenger conceded defeat in an election overshadowed by allegations of rampant corruption in world soccer.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1eEYTl3"><img alt="1684362-c2bgsxih" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1eEYTl3" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Blatter won despite demands that he quit in the face of a major bribery scandal being investigated by U.S., Swiss and other law enforcement agencies that plunged soccer’s governing body into the worst crisis in its 111-year history.</p> <p>Yet his mandate, which was far from convincing, raises fresh questions over his leadership with the possibility of civil war in international football, unhappy sponsors demanding reform and prosecutors looking to widen their investigations.</p> <p>Neither Blatter nor Jordanian opponent Prince Ali bin Al Hussein received the necessary two thirds of votes in the first round, with Blatter securing 133 votes against 73 for Prince Ali. However, Prince Ali swiftly conceded.</p> <p>“I congratulate you if you voted for Prince Ali, he was a good candidate, but I am the president now, the president of everybody,” the 79-year-old Blatter said in his victory speech, knowing he faces a barrage of criticism and countless problems.</p> <p>UEFA, the powerful European confederation, has been staunchly opposed to another term for the Swiss official and UEFA president Michel Platini has even raised the possibility, albeit unlikely, of Europe boycotting the World Cup.</p> <p>There has also been talk of UEFA breaking away from FIFA, which is also unlikely, but nothing can be ruled out.</p> <p>Blatter’s future could yet depend on the reaction of FIFA’s major sponsors and stakeholders who have been deeply dismayed by the dawn arrests in Zurich on Wednesday of several FIFA officials and U.S. prosecutors announcing indictments of officials and companies.</p> <p>One top sponsor, Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, said after Blatter’s win that: “We expect the next FIFA presidency to resolve internal issues, install positive change and adhere to strong ethical standards and transparency.”</p> <p>FIFA, ruled over by Blatter since 1998 and long been subject to suspicions of corruption and internal probes, has had a traumatic week with law enforcement stepping in with allegations of financial wrongdoing stretching back 24 years.</p> <p>Blatter has batted away the controversy, relying on his network of friends to hold onto power at FIFA, (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).</p> <p>Prince Ali, in his pitch for votes, had pledged an open, more democratic FIFA, saying: “We have heard in recent days, voices which described our FIFA as an avaricious body which feeds on the game that the world loves.</p> <p>“There are no easy answers. And no blame that can be cast that will wash away the stain that marks us all,” he said.</p> <p><strong>Embrace reform</strong></p> <p>Blatter told FIFA TV that he knows how to create a better image for the organization and promises to unveil surprising plans on the first working day of his new term.</p> <p>“It was a very difficult Congress due to the circumstances of these events,” Blatter said. “I would say also kind of tragic events, Wednesday and Thursday in Zurich and all with the media in the world, what they said about FIFA.”</p> <p>While Asian, African and Latin American states had been expected to rally around Blatter, Europe, which accounts for all but three of the countries that have ever made it to the final of the World Cup, had been keen for him to step aside.</p> <p>European soccer chiefs said after the vote that FIFA had to embrace reform. “Change in my opinion is crucial if this organisation is to regain its credibility,” said Platini.</p> <p>In federal court in Brooklyn, New York on Friday, one of the people accused, the American head of a Brazilian sports marketing company, pleaded not guilty to bribery-related charges.</p> <p>Aaron Davidson, 44, head of Traffic Group’s U.S. unit in Miami, is accused by prosecutors of securing contracts worth more than $35 million for the unit he ran and of arranging bribes for Jeffrey Webb, a FIFA vice president. A judge granted Davidson bail but ordered him to be put under house arrest in Miami and to wear an electronic monitoring device.</p> <p>The United States, which last hosted the World Cup in 1994, is interested in hosting the 2026 edition but has not yet formally applied. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement after Blatter’s re-election that it would “continue to push for meaningful change within FIFA.”</p> <p>Swiss prosecutors are investigating the award of the World Cup finals to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Russia and Qatar deny wrongdoing in their bids to host the tournament.</p> <p>Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said it was examining possible corruption at FIFA and authorities in Argentina and Brazil have also opened investigations.</p> <p>A judge in Argentina has ordered the arrest of three businessmen accused of using bribery to obtain soccer media rights, and the Brazilian Senate moved to open a formal inquiry into soccer bribery allegations.</p> <p>Marco Polo Del Nero, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, dramatically flew back to Brazil from the FIFA Congress before the vote. Former Brazilian soccer chief Jose Maria Marin was arrested this week in the case.</p> <p>Del Nero told a press conference on Friday he did not plan to resign and “had nothing to do” with corruption.</p> <p>FIFA takes in billions of dollars in revenue from television marketing rights and sponsorships, making it one of the wealthiest and most powerful sports bodies in the world.</p> <p>When asked after the vote if he could guarantee the next World Cup would still be staged in Russia, FIFA’s secretary general Jerome Valcke told reporters: “Yes, yes. I mean now today, if you ask me the question at twenty to eight, yes the World Cup will be played in Russia and Qatar.</p> <p>Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of meddling in an effort to force Blatter out.</p> <p>Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told state broadcaster Rossiya24 they were happy with the outcome of Friday’s vote and added that the timing of the arrests had been chosen to complicate Blatter’s re-election.</p> <p>“In general, of course we are pleased with the result. Russia was backing Blatter. We also believe… much needs to be done to change football,” Mutko said.</p> <p><strong>Qatar’s defence</strong></p> <p>Qatar on Friday issued a further defence of its bid and said it would carry on with plans to stage the 2022 event.</p> <p>The decision to host the world’s biggest soccer tournament in a small desert state where daytime summer temperatures rarely fall below 40 degrees Celsius startled many in global sport, and went against the advice of FIFA’s own technical committee.</p> <p>Many of Blatter’s opponents have spoken of steps they can take against him. English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke, who has suggested that England might back a possible boycott of the 2018 World Cup, said FIFA’s crisis was not over.</p> <p>“This is the beginning, not the end. I think there is a lot more of this to play out,” Dyke told Sky News.</p> <p>Blatter had repeatedly promised not to stand for re-election again, but as his fourth mandate drew to a close he changed his tune and said he needed yet another term to complete his work.</p> <p>The newly-constituted FIFA executive committee meets for the first time on Saturday to discuss slots for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.</p> <p>Platini has warned Blatter he will not tolerate losing any of Europe’s 13 places. If Blatter attempts to do that and Europe is outflanked in an executive committee vote, international football could be plunged into civil war.</p> <p>Most of Africa, Asia and parts of Central America and the Caribbean are happy that FIFA under Blatter has guaranteed them annual grants and bonus payments in World Cup years.</p> <p>Addressing the Congress on Friday, Blatter promised to boost the profile of Pacific island soccer federations grouped in Oceania, and said more had to be done to promote women in the game. The FIFA Women’s World Cup starts in Canada on June 6.</p> <p>“Let’s go FIFA, Let’s go FIFA,” Blatter said to a standing ovation.</p> <br /> Blatter wins fifth FIFA term as challenger concedes Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1eEYTl3" width="200" /><br />

Blatter wins fifth FIFA term as challenger concedes

Sepp Blatter was re-elected president of FIFA for a fifth term on Friday after his only challenger conceded defeat in an election overshadowed by allegations of rampant corruption in world soccer. Blatter won despite demands that he quit in the face of a major bribery scandal being investigated by U…

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Iconic cuisine festival back to town

<p>Tien Dat</p> <div id="attachment_1684354" style="width: 415px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1coPr3y"><img alt="Diverse dishes are advantages of the annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="269" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1coPr3y" width="405" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Diverse dishes are advantages of the annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST</p> </div> <p>The festival features more than 100 booths from some 50 exhibitors that are restaurants, hotels and resorts based in HCMC and localities from Thua Thien-Hue to Ca Mau. Every booth has its exclusive design, featuring special gastronomic characteristics of the central coast region, the Central Highlands, the southern land and Saigon.</p> <p>As regards gastronomy and entertainment activities, the festival introduces more than 250 specialties of every region at Cho que Phuong Nam (Southern Countryside Market), the most impressive booth competition and the imitative Chol Chnam Thmay festival of the Khmer people. Guests also have a chance to experience music shows, traditional art shows and circus performances, and play folk games such as passing cau khi (shaky one-handrail bamboo bridge), angling and cricket fighting.</p> <p>It costs VND200,000 each to attend the festival. The ticket is inclusive of the entrance fee and dining voucher worth VND200,000. Those who buy full package tickets (to attend the festival and play games at the park) will enjoy a 50% discount. Free delivery is available for those buying from five tickets while 5% discount is for those buying 10 tickets or more.</p> <p>The annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival is co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the HCMC Department of Tourism, the HCMC Tourism Association and Phu Tho Tourism Service Co. This festival is aimed to diversify the city’s tourism and culture activities, and to promote specialties of different regions across Vietnam. This is also a chance for hospitality businesses to promote their products and services and seek collaboration.</p> <p>The opening ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on May 29 and the closing ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on June 1.</p> <p>Dam Sen Park: 3 Hoa Binh St., Dist. 11, HCMC. Tel:(08) 39632483, email: info.pkd@damsenpark.vn</p> <br /> Iconic cuisine festival back to town Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1coPr3y" width="200" /><br />

Iconic cuisine festival back to town

Tien Dat Diverse dishes are advantages of the annual Dat Phuong Nam gastronomic festival - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST The festival features more than 100 booths from some 50 exhibitors that are restaurants, hotels and resorts based in HCMC and localities from Thua Thien-Hue to Ca Mau. Every bo…

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Cultural program boosts Da Lat tourism

<p>The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong will be bustling with tourists from all over Vietnam and foreign countries thanks to an exciting cultural program being organised in Da Lat city.</p> <a href="http://bit.ly/1LNX14g"><img alt="Foreign tourists at the Da Lat Summer Festival " city="" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="338" in="" mountain="" rain="" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1LNX14g" the="" width="450" /></a> <p>The highlight of the event will be the Da Lat Summer Festival “Rain in the mountain city”, which kicks off at the beginning of August. The vibrant festival, the second of its kind, boasts a number of activities, such as speed dating in the rain, pedalo and tandem races, a raining flashmob and other games in the rain.</p> <p>During the two months of summer, an art performance program is being organized in Lam Vien square every weekend. Furthermore, other cultural events are also planned, such as photograph exhibitions and the National Chess Championships to celebrate the 70 th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.</p> <p>Visitors to Da Lat will have the chance to watch free revolutionary movies at theatre.</p> <p>The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has asked local businesses to upgrade their facilities and stabilize commodity prices while ensuring visitors’ safety at tourism sites. The move aims to provide the best possible services for holiday-makers in summer 2015.</p> <p>Famous for its mild climate all year round, Da Lat has two distinct seasons, the rainy and the sunny season. The rainy season usually begins in May and finishes in October. Da Lat never has storms, which makes it ideal for hiking or leisurely walks.</p> <p>It is also well-known for its beautiful French colonial architecture, such as King Bao Dai’s Palace, Ngo Dinh Diem and Nguyen Cao Ky’s villas, and the Hang Nga villas.</p> <p><b><i>Source: VNA</i></b></p> <br /> Cultural program boosts Da Lat tourism Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1LNX14g" width="200" /><br />

Cultural program boosts Da Lat tourism

The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong will be bustling with tourists from all over Vietnam and foreign countries thanks to an exciting cultural program being organised in Da Lat city. The highlight of the event will be the Da Lat Summer Festival “Rain in the mountain city”, which kicks off at t…

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Singapore arrests alleged match-fixers ahead of SEA Games

<p>A Singaporean and several foreigners have been arrested on suspicion of trying to fix football matches at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), the city-state’s anti-corruption agency said Friday.</p> <p>The 36-sport biennial Southeast Asian Games was set to kick off informally late Friday with group stage football ties ahead of the opening ceremony on June 5 at the National Stadium of Singapore.</p> <p>In a statement, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said it had been “proactively monitoring football match-fixing activities” and acted on information it received to arrest “a Singaporean alleged match-fixer and several co-conspirators of different nationalities.”</p> <p>“Some members from the Timor Leste SEA Games football team are also assisting the Bureau in its investigations,” the CPIB said.</p> <p>The agency did not provide further details about the suspects arrested or those being investigated.</p> <p>It said the suspects were being probed under the city-state’s tough Prevention of Corruption Act.</p> <p>The swoop follows a string of match-fixing scandals which have tarnished the wealthy, gambling-mad island’s reputation for clean government and low crime.</p> <p>Singaporean businessman Eric Ding is currently serving a five-year jail sentence for providing prostitutes to Lebanese football referees in a bid to influence international matches in April 2013.</p> <p>In September 2013, police detained 14 people believed to be members of a global match-fixing syndicate, including the suspected mastermind Dan Tan.</p> <p>Tan, also known as Tan Seet Eng, is currently being held under a law that allows for indefinite detention, which is typically used against key gangsters.</p> <p>Experts have said that easy international transport, a passport accepted around the world and fluency in English and Mandarin have helped Singaporean fixers spread their influence with the support of external investors, most believed to be from China.</p> <p>The SEA Games, which Singapore is hosting for the first time since 1993, involve all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — plus East Timor which first participated in the Games in 2003 and is also known as Timor Leste.</p> <br /> Singapore arrests alleged match-fixers ahead of SEA Games Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Singapore arrests alleged match-fixers ahead of SEA Games

A Singaporean and several foreigners have been arrested on suspicion of trying to fix football matches at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), the city-state’s anti-corruption agency said Friday. The 36-sport biennial Southeast Asian Games was set to kick off informally late Friday with group stag…

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Viet Nam’s golden hopes riding on gymnast squad

<p><b>Phan Thi Ha Thanh is not the only gold medal hope of Viet Nam at the SEA Games, but other gymnasts are also aiming to snatch at least eight titles in Singapore.</b></p> <div id="attachment_1684225" style="width: 460px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1RunRSl"><img alt="High hopes: Gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh is Viet Nam's top gold medal hope at the 28th Southeast Asian Games. Photo: thethaohcm.vn" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="618" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1RunRSl" width="450" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">High hopes: Gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh is Viet Nam's top gold medal hope at the 28th Southeast Asian Games. Photo: thethaohcm.vn</p> </div> <p>Gymnastics has made it back to the SEA Games after disappearing from its schedule in Myanmar two years ago.</p> <p>Viet Nam are the No 1 gymnastics team in the region after winning 11 (out of 14) gold medals at the 2011 Games. Viet Nam will send 10 contenders, both seniors and juniors, to the 2015 Games.</p> <p>Thanh is Viet Nam’s top gold medal hope after she overcame many leading world athletes to claim her place in balance beam at a World Cup event in Bulgaria early this month.</p> <p>She won a gold medal in the same event in the Qatar World Cup in March.</p> <p>Thanh has reached a level where she does not have a worthy rival in the region.</p> <p>The Olympian will compete in five events: vault, balance beam, uneven bars, floor exercise, and individual all-around. According to her coach, she will win all the events without much difficulty.</p> <p>“I am really excited as I will have a chance to compete in the SEA Games again; gymnastics was not organised in the 2013 Myanmar edition. I have been working hard and training courses have helped improve my technique,” said 24-year-old Thanh.</p> <p>“The SEA Games is one of my important competitions this year. After two World Cup titles, my next goal is to win in this Games and then seek a ticket to Rio Olympics next summer,” Thanh noted.</p> <p>In the 26th Games in Indonesia in 2011, Thanh won three titles (vault, all-round, floor exercise), while her teammate Nguyen Thi Ngan Thuong bagged the remaining two. After Thuong retired this year, it is Thanh’s responsibility to win all the five titles. At the Asian Games (ASIAD) in 2014, Thanh took a silver and a bronze.</p> <p>Young teammate Dinh Phuong Thanh will share the responsibility for the whole squad.</p> <p>Thanh who pocketed a bronze at the ASIAD is expected to shine in the men’s pommel horse category, parallel bars, and horizontal bars.</p> <p>Coach Truong Tuan Hien said that despite his young age, Thanh is strong enough to compete for titles in Singapore.</p> <p>According to Hien, Thanh has the potential to enter world-level athlete groups.</p> <p>Le Thanh Tung who bagged a bronze medal at the Bulgarian World Cup’s vault is expected to triumph in the SEA Games.</p> <p>Dang Nam is the medal hope in the men’s rings event as he is the defending champion.</p> <p>Thanh, Tung, Nam, and two-time winner Pham Phuoc Hung are targeting gold medals in team events also.</p> <p>“Basically, almost all the athletes of Viet Nam, including Thanh, Hung, and Nam, are experienced (in different international competitions). There are also some new faces who are our promising stars,” said Nguyen Kim Lan, deputy head of the Elite Sports Department of the National Sports Administration.</p> <p>“The coaching board has been paying a lot of attention to their athletes, especially in the form of sport nutrition and food, since the beginning of this year. We can see it reflecting in their good achievements,” head coach Nguyen Thanh Thuy noted, adding that in general, they were all at their peak.</p> <p><i>(Vietnamnews)</i></p> <br /> Viet Nam’s golden hopes riding on gymnast squad Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1RunRSl" width="200" /><br />

Viet Nam’s golden hopes riding on gymnast squad

Phan Thi Ha Thanh is not the only gold medal hope of Viet Nam at the SEA Games, but other gymnasts are also aiming to snatch at least eight titles in Singapore. High hopes: Gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh is Viet Nam's top gold medal hope at the 28th Southeast Asian Games. Photo: thethaohcm.vn Gymnastics …

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Vietnam crushes Brunei 6-0 at 2015 Southeast Asian Games

<p>Vietnam had an easy 6-0 win over Brunei as the 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games’ men’s football kicked off at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore on Friday afternoon.</p> <p>Facing a weaker Brunei with most players are young students, Vietnam easier dominated the match right from the beginning.</p> <p>In the 25th minute, Thang Binh scored a goal for Vietnam from an easy pass from Ngoc Thang.</p> <p>Brunei mostly played defensive with long passes in sudden attack, which led to a dangerous shot over the bar by Hamir in the 43rd minute.</p> <p>Vietnam’s coach Toshiya Miura sent Cong Phuong to the field in the second half and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker had a good free kick for Phi Son to score with a header in the 47th minute.</p> <p>Vietnam had a chance to score a goal with a penalty in the 62nd minute, when Cong Phuong’s shot failed.</p> <p>In the 64th minute, Mac Hong Quan was sent to the field as Coach Miura wanted more goals.</p> <p>In the 75th minute, Quan scored the third goal for Vietnam after defeating Brunei goalkeeper Ahsanuddin.</p> <p>Only two minuts later, Duc Huy, who has been playing actively on the left side, scored the fourth goal for Vietnam.</p> <p>In the 82th minute, Cong Phuong scored his first goal at the 2014 SEA Games, increasing goal difference to 5-0.</p> <p>Manh Hung scored the sixth and final goal for Vietnam from a long distance shot in the 89th minute.</p> <p>Vietnam will play against Malaysia in its next Group B match on June 2.</p> <br /> Vietnam crushes Brunei 6-0 at 2015 Southeast Asian Games Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Vietnam crushes Brunei 6-0 at 2015 Southeast Asian Games

Vietnam had an easy 6-0 win over Brunei as the 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games’ men’s football kicked off at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore on Friday afternoon. Facing a weaker Brunei with most players are young students, Vietnam easier dominated the match right from the beginning. In the 25th min…

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Quang Binh Makes Tourism Key Economic Sector

<p><a href="http://bit.ly/1HA9hkX"><img alt="1684168-201552917302-dl-3" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="300" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1HA9hkX" width="400" /></a></p> <p><b>Quang Binh intersects various cultural flows and holds many historical and cultural values created in different ages. The province is typical of the north central region where numerous ethnic groups reside with various cultural traditions and significant diversity. Ahead of the Quang Binh Tourism Promotion Conference 2015, Vietnam Business Forum has an interview with Mr Luong Van Luyen, Director of Quang Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Duy Binh reports.</b><b><em>Could you please introduce remarkable results the Quang Binh tourism sector has achieved in recent years? What are the core factors that brought in those results?</em></b></p> <p>In 2014, the tourism sector of Quang Binh province enjoyed tremendous growth and affirmed the “Quang Binh tourism” brand name in domestic and international markets. In the year, the province welcomed 2,748,369 tourists, an increase of 99.76 per cent over 2013, including 43,253 international tourist arrivals, up 26.39 per cent. Tourism revenue reached VND2,748 billion in 2014, up 99.76 per cent.</p> <p>In the first four months of 2015, tourist arrivals to the province reached 881,000, including 17,400 foreigners. During the National Reunification Day and May Day holidays, the province welcomed over 221,000 tourists, up 34.1 per cent over the same period in 2014, including almost 7,000 international visitors, up 65 per cent year on year. Until now, the province has 270 tourist accommodation establishments, including 55 hotels ranked 1-5 stars, and has 24 domestic and international tour operators. Quang Binh certified standard restaurants to serve tourists in a bid to develop a professional and sustainable tourism.</p> <p>In the past years, tourism potential in Quang Binh is rated high by domestic and international media. Particularly, The New York Times (US) voted it as eighth out of the 52 most attractive destinations in the world and the first out of 12 destinations in Asia. Business Insider, a travel magazine in the US, named Son Doong Cave among the 12 most magnificent caves in the world.</p> <p>To obtain these results, first of all, Quang Binh province certainly has huge potential and advantages for tourism development. Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is recognised as the World Natural Heritage by UNESCO – a strong motivation for its tourism development. Vung Chua – Dao Yen, where legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap rests in peace, has attracted a large number of tourists to the holy site to pay tribute to him.</p> <p>Besides, the tourism sector of Quang Binh province has received a lot of effective support from the Government, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), and central agencies; the close and timely guidance of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Council and the Provincial People’s Committee; the positive cooperation of provincial and local authorities and the Steering Committee for Tourism Development; the effective management of tourism authorities; more focused and professional tourism promotion; dynamic, creative and professional operations of tourism companies and their employees; and the friendliness and hospitality of Quang Binh people. These are important foundations for tourism development in recent years.</p> <div id="attachment_1684169" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1KCgPdj"><img alt="To become a spearhead economic sector and create sustainable development, what will the Quang Binh tourism sector do in the coming period? The Resolution of the 15 th" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="263" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1KCgPdj" width="400" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">To become a spearhead economic sector and create sustainable development, what will the Quang Binh tourism sector do in the coming period? The Resolution of the 15 th</p> </div> <p>Provincial Congress Party states that tourism will be developed into a key economic sector. From this guidance, Quang Binh worked out the tourism development master plan to 2020, with a vision to 2025, in order to effectively tap local tourism potential and create a base for the development of appealing tourism products. Also, the province has issued tourism development programmes and directives, applied investment attraction policies with a lot of incentives and supports for tourism investors, adopted socialised tourism development to diversify tourism forms and products; and encouraged the development of high-grade tourism services.</p> <p>The tourism sector of Quang Binh has carried out consistent tourism development solutions like planning, managing and implementing tourism plans; training human resources and improving tourist service quality; effectively improving and implementing tourism investment incentive policies; stepping up tourism propagation and promotion, with focus placed on the cooperation with VNAT, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other localities to develop the Quang Binh tourism brand; protecting natural resources and environmental tourism; raising awareness and effective participation of local communities in sustainable tourism development; developing tourism infrastructure and services; pushing scientific and technological research and application to tourism development; strengthening tourism cooperation with provinces in the northern central region, along the Central Heritage Itinerary and the East-West Economic Corridor, in central Laos and northeast Thailand.</p> <div id="attachment_1684170" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1HA9hl1"><img alt="What are important tasks in Quang Binh tourism promotion and development in the coming time?" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="264" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1HA9hl1" width="400" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">What are important tasks in Quang Binh tourism promotion and development in the coming time?</p> </div> <p>Future important tasks in Quang Binh tourism promotion and advertisement activities include professional tourism promotion engaged by authorities and businesses at domestic and international tourism events, exhibitions, fairs and fam-trips. The province will also coordinate with central and local communication agencies to advertise local tourism in both domestic and international tourism markets. Specifically, in 2015, the province will step up tourism promotion in Ho Chi Minh City, southern provinces, Hanoi and northern provinces; host tourism promotion conferences in South Korea; and participate in tourism fairs and tourism promotion events in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.</p> <p>Quang Binh will also compile and issue tourism publications in various languages like English, Korean and Thai, local tourism maps and local tourism handbooks; create Quang Binh tourism logo insignias to serve tourism promotion; effectively operate the tourism websites <a href="#http://bit.ly/1KCgQxQ">http://bit.ly/1KCgQxQ</a> and <a href="#http://bit.ly/1KCgPtz">http://bit.ly/1KCgPtz</a>. In May 2015, the US media giant ABC aired live footage from Son Doong Cave to a worldwide audience. In July 2015, the Quang Binh Province People’s Committee held tourism promotion conferences for 2015 expected to be attended by potential investors, big travel companies, leading experts and prestigious speakers in Vietnam and the world.</p> <div id="attachment_1684171" style="width: 190px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://bit.ly/1KCgPtB"><img alt="Would you mind telling us about investment support policies to attract tourism investment?" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="270" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1KCgPtB" width="180" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Would you mind telling us about investment support policies to attract tourism investment?</p> </div> <p>It is certain that Quang Binh province very much needs investment for socioeconomic development, especially in tourism development. Therefore, the province has many incentive and support policies to lure investors. Quang Binh province issued Decision 04/2014/QD-UBND dated April 3, 2014 on investment incentives and supports in the province, stating that “Investors are entitled to receive the highest incentives in tax and land in the regulatory framework”. Investors will also receive assistances for site clearance, technical infrastructure and labour training.</p> <p>For tourism investors, the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision 38/2014/QD-UBND dated December 31, 2014 on policies on investment supports for accommodation and restaurant establishments. Thus, apart from tourism infrastructure investment in Quang Binh, investors will receive investment preferences concerning land rent, tax, site clearance and technical infrastructure development. Besides, the province will also provide the following supports.</p> <p>Providing a construction support of at most VND500,000 for a square metre of large-scale restaurant infrastructure construction capable of serving 300 guests at the same time in Dong Hoi City and 150 guests in Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Bang tourist sites.</p> <p>Providing construction support of at most VND10 million per room for 3-star hotels and VND15 million per room for 4-5 star hotels in Dong Hoi City; providing support of VND10 million per room for 2-star hotels, VND15 million per room for 3-star hotels and VND20 million per room for 4-5-star hotels in Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Bang tourist sites.</p> <p>Providing labour training aid of at most VND1 million per labourer working in new hotels and restaurants in the province.</p> <br /> Quang Binh Makes Tourism Key Economic Sector Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1HA9hkX" width="200" /><br />

Quang Binh Makes Tourism Key Economic Sector

Quang Binh intersects various cultural flows and holds many historical and cultural values created in different ages. The province is typical of the north central region where numerous ethnic groups reside with various cultural traditions and significant diversity. Ahead of the Quang Binh Tourism P…

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