Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January

Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January <p>Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January</p> <div><img alt="" src="http://bit.ly/2jQKcyf" /></div> <div>More than one million foreign visitors arrived in Vietnam in the first month of 2017, showing an increase of 12.3 per cent against December 2016 and a year-on-year increase of 26 per cent, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.</div> <div>Markets attaining high growths included China up 67.9 per cent, Laos up 41.7 per cent, Russia up 36.5 per cent, Belgium up 27.6 per cent, Sweden up 27.3 per cent, Spain up 27.2 per cent, the Netherlands up 24 per cent, New Zealand up 20.8 per cent and Finland up 18 per cent.</div> <div>The number of domestic travelers in January was estimated to reach 5.7 million, including 2.8 million staying guests.</div> <div>Vietnam gained VND38,600 billion from tourism, a year-on-year increase of 28.5 per cent.</div> <div>In 2017, the nation heads to welcome 11.5 million foreign visitors, serve 66 million domestic travelers and gain VND460,000 billion from tourism.</div> <div>Vietnam aims to receive 17-20 million foreign tourists and 82 million domestic ones, gaining US$35 billion from tourism and contributing to more than 10 per cent of the total GDP.</div> <div>VGP</div> <div><a href="http://bit.ly/2kmm49M">more news</a></div> <br /> Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jQKcyf" width="200" /><br />

Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January

Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January Vietnam Welcomes More Than One Million Foreigners in January More than one million foreign visitors arrived in Vietnam in the first month of 2017, showing an increase of 12.3 per cent against December 2016 and a year-on-year increase of 26…

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Kien Giang boasts huge tourism potential

Kien Giang boasts huge tourism potential <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="" src="http://bit.ly/2jP6gvT" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Tourists in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)</p> </div> <strong>Kien Giang (VNA)</strong> – Due to the region’s desirable natural conditions, the Mekong delta province of Kien Giang has marked out four key tourism development zones, in the hope of satisfying travellers’ demands for discovery, relaxation and sightseeing. <p>It is no exaggeration to say that Kien Giang is a natural ‘masterpiece’. The locality is home to plains, hills, forests, rivers, seas and islands, providing itself with a significant advantage for tourism development, even when compared to other areas in the Mekong Delta region.</p> <p>This is a solid basis, amongst favourable conditions, for Kien Giang province to make its otherwise lacking industry begin to thrive.</p> <p>As part of Kien Giang province, Phu Quoc island district is experiencing increased interest, as investors push to make it a high-end tourist destination. The district boasts Ngoc Island which features unique terrain, including a mountain range that is inhabited by many vibrant species of plants and animals.</p> <p>Its beautiful beaches and its system of 26 islets create a picture of breathtaking beauty.</p> <p>The province’s Ha Tien – Kien Luong region, with scenic spots such as Mui Nai, Hon Trem, Hang Pagoda, Binh San Mountain, and the mountains To Chau, Da Dung and Thach Dong, will make a lasting impression on visitors. Its islands are associated with fairy tales, many of which contribute to local beliefs.</p> <p>In coming to the Rach Gia – Kien Hai region, visitors cannot help but be surprised by the impressive sea encroachment work that has been completed to expand the town of Rach Gia.</p> <p>In addition, this coastal town is home to the sites of many valuable cultural and historical relics, along with unique architectural works by the three main ethnic groups: the Kinh, the Hoa and the Khmer.</p> <p>During folk festivals, the locality’s well-known destinations, such as Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, Tam Bao Pagoda, Phat Quang Pagoda, Quan De pagoda and Khmer Pagoda, attract millions of tourists every year.</p> <p>The Nam Du archipelago and Hon Tre Island (in the Kien Hai island district) are among travellers’ top choices for exploration, with their pristine natural landscapes and healthy environment.</p> <p>U Minh Thuong National Park is part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, where visitors are provided with the opportunity to discover globally rare ecosystems, such as submerged tropical forests and peat swamps, which still thrive in Vietnam.</p> <p>The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with around 254 species of vascular plants, 32 species of mammals, 188 species of birds and 64 species of fish. Many of these species are listed in both Vietnam’s and the world’s Red Book of endangered species.</p> <p>In order to make full use of the natural potential and inherent strengths in the four key tourist zones, Kien Giang province has mobilized all resources to invest in developing infrastructure that will serve tourism development.</p> <p>Major infrastructural works have already been put into use, including the upgraded Rach Gia Airport, the Phu Quoc International Airport, in addition to a number of sea ports such as Rach Gia, Bai Vong and Duong Dong, along with transport and power systems on the island of Phu Quoc.</p> <p>The province will invest further in the construction of infrastructure at many tourist attractions, as well as upgrading historical, cultural and scenic sites to serve tourists. These sites include Phu Quoc Prison, U Minh Thuong historical site, Binh San mountain, and Phat Quang pagoda.</p> <p>Kien Giang province has attracted more and more investment in tourist industries, even at a time when the island district of Phu Quoc has seen rapid development of tourist infrastructure and facilities.</p> <p>Tran Chi Dung, Director of the Kien Giang Tourism Department, said the province has so far attracted more than 270 projects which are being implemented in all four tourist zones, with a total registered capital of approximately 232 trillion VND.</p> <p>“Kien Giang province is focused on using tourism to develop a spearhead for its economic sector, which has experienced fast and sustainable growth. It is expected to become an attractive destination and tourist center, not only within the Mekong delta region and the country, but also across Asia and even the world,” said the director.</p> <p>He added that the province has set a target of welcoming 6.8 million tourists by 2020, including 450,000 foreign visitor arrivals. This represents a projected average annual growth of 9.5 percent.-VNA</p> <br /> Kien Giang boasts huge tourism potential Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jP6gvT" width="200" /><br />

Kien Giang boasts huge tourism potential

Kien Giang boasts huge tourism potential Tourists in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang (Photo: VNA) Kien Giang (VNA) – Due to the region’s desirable natural conditions, the Mekong delta province of Kien Giang has marked out four key tourism development zones, in the hope of satisfying travellers’ demands for dis…

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UK protests against Donald Trump’s immigration ban

UK protests against Donald Trump’s immigration ban <p>(VOVworld)- Tens of thousands of protesters from at least 30 cities across the UK took to the streets on Monday to protest against US President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="uk protests against donald trump's immigration ban hinh 0" src="http://bit.ly/2kPkbPT" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Some of the banners on display in London (Photo: bbc.com)</p> </div> <p>At least 25,000 people joined the protests in major streets of London and outside Downing Street, the headquarters of Prime Minister Theresa May. The protesters called on peace lovers to oppose the US top leader’s racial discrimination and xenophobia policy.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="uk protests against donald trump's immigration ban hinh 1" src="http://bit.ly/2jP5Zc8" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Large crowds gathered outside Downing Street (Photo: bbc.com)</p> </div> <p>The demonstrations took place when Prime Minister Theresa May is paying an official visit to Ireland.</p> <p>In a vote at the Iraqi parliament on Monday, a majority of parliamentarians supported the promulgation of an order to ban American citizens from entering Iraq in retaliation to the US’ immigration ban on Iraqi citizens.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="uk protests against donald trump's immigration ban hinh 2" src="http://bit.ly/2kPb0zh" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (AFP File Photo: DENIS BALIBOUSE)</p> </div> <p>On the same day, addressing the opening of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UN chief Antonio Guterres criticized the closure of borders “even in the most developed countries in the world”.</p> <p>Last Friday, US President Donald Trump signed an immigration ban on travelers from seven Muslim countries including Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan. The decision faced outrage and widespread protests from Muslim countries and even US politicians.</p> <br /> UK protests against Donald Trump’s immigration ban Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2kPkbPT" width="200" /><br />

UK protests against Donald Trump’s immigration ban

UK protests against Donald Trump’s immigration ban (VOVworld)- Tens of thousands of protesters from at least 30 cities across the UK took to the streets on Monday to protest against US President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban. Some of the banners on display in London (Photo: bbc.com) A…

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Tourists flock to Da Nang, Da Lat during Tet holidays

Tourists flock to Da Nang, Da Lat during Tet holidays <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="" src="http://bit.ly/2jP8oDB" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Da Nang’s tourism officials welcome passengers on a cruise ship visiting the city during the Tet holiday. (Source: VNA)</p> </div> <p><strong>Da Nang (VNA)</strong> – A large number of tourists flocked to Da Nang and Da Lat cities during the Tet (traditional Lunar New Year) holidays, according to local tourism agencies.</p> <p>According to the Da Nang Department of Tourism, during the Tet holidays, the city welcomed more than 260,000 tourists, up 17.3 percent from the same period of 2016. Of them, 103,000 are international visitors, a year-on-year surge of 30.6 percent.</p> <p>The increase is attributed to the time of the Tet holidays as it falls on the tourism season of neighbouring markets like China, the Republic of Korea and Japan as well as overseas Vietnamese.</p> <p>Some new international air routes, which have been launched during the Tet holidays, brought more international visitors to Da Nang.</p> <p>Besides, favourable weather condition and various performance activities have helped draw more tourists to the city.</p> <p>Travel firms in Da Nang served 38,000 tourists during this occasion.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Da Lat city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong hosted around 300,000 tourists during the Tet holidays, a considerable increase from last year.</p> <p>The cherry flower festival became Da Lat city’s attraction during Tet days besides familiar sites such as Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, the Valley of Love, the Prenn Waterfall.</p> <p>Tours to hi-tech agricultural farms are also attractive to tourists.-VNA</p> <br /> Tourists flock to Da Nang, Da Lat during Tet holidays Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jP8oDB" width="200" /><br />

Tourists flock to Da Nang, Da Lat during Tet holidays

Tourists flock to Da Nang, Da Lat during Tet holidays Da Nang’s tourism officials welcome passengers on a cruise ship visiting the city during the Tet holiday. (Source: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – A large number of tourists flocked to Da Nang and Da Lat cities during the Tet (traditional Lunar New Year) ho…

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Asian shares rattled by Trump policy worries, dollar soft

Asian shares rattled by Trump policy worries, dollar soft <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="http://bit.ly/2klS8uO" width="500" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>A man walks past an electronic board showing Japan’s Nikkei average (top L), the Dow Jones average (top R) and the stock averages of other countries’ outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, January 26, 2017. — Photo REUTERS</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div><a href="http://bit.ly/24En4mq">Viet Nam News</a> <p>Asian shares slipped on Tuesday as stringent curbs on travel to the United States ordered by President Donald Trump brought home to investors that he is serious about carrying out his controversial campaign pledges.</p> <p>Global stocks posted their biggest loss in six weeks on Monday after Trump signed an executive order to bar Syrian refugees indefinitely and suspend travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries, sparking widespread protests.</p> <p>European bourse are expected to remain fragile after big losses on Monday, with spread-betters seeing opening losses of as much as 0.1 per cent in major indexes, including Britain’s FTSE, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC.</p> <p>“Investors are becoming worried as it appears as if he was setting fire to geopolitical risks that already exist,” said Yoshinori Shigemi, global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management.</p> <p>Trump’s move drew criticism from some US policymakers, and business leaders, with technology companies, which depend on talent from around the world, planning to discuss a legal challenge.</p> <p>“His stance is really inward-looking, making investors nervous about his ’moderateness’,” said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management.</p> <p>MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.5 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei dropped 1.7 per cent, its biggest fall in almost three months.</p> <p>On Monday, the US S&P 500 Index fell 0.6 per cent, its biggest fall in a month, though it remained well above levels seen before the November 8 presidential election.</p> <p>MSCI’s gauge of the world’s 46 stock markets shed 0.6 per cent, its largest loss in a month and a half.</p> <p>The mood soured further when Trump fired the federal government’s top lawyer after she took the extraordinarily rare step of defying the White House.</p> <p>US stock futures ESc1 shed 0.3 per cent on Tuesday and the dollar extended losses against the yen.</p> <p>Still, most share prices were up on the month, supported by signs of accelerating momentum in the global economy and hopes of large fiscal stimulus from Trump.</p> <p>MSCI’s ex-Japan Asian shares index was up 5.7 per cent this month while its index of world markets was up 2.5 per cent. They were also higher than their levels before the US elections.</p> <p>In the currency market, the dollar was broadly weak and fell 0.3 per cent against the yen to 113.49 yen. It was down 3.1 per cent so far this month, after three straight months of sizable gains.</p> <p>The Japanese currency showed no reaction after the Bank of Japan kept its policy on hold, as expected. A string of recent data has suggested the economy is slowly regaining traction.</p> <p>The euro edged up to US$1.0710, consolidating after its rebound this month from its 14-year low of $1.0340 set on January 3.</p> <p>In a possible sign of increased anxiety among investors, the safe-haven Swiss franc strengthened to a seven-month high of 1.0637 franc per euro on Monday.</p> <p>Worries are also growing about a political shift to populist leaders in Europe.</p> <p>French bond yields rose to the highest level since September 2015, on rising uncertainty over the Presidential election later this year.</p> <p>Conservative leader Francois Fillon, seen as the front-runner, is now battling to contain a scandal over allegedly unlawful payments to his wife while the Socialists on Sunday picked a hard-left candidate, possibly helping popular far-right leader Marine Le Pen.</p> <p>Italian debt yields climbed to 1 1/2-year highs partly as early elections could be called following a ruling from the country’s constitutional court last week.</p> <p>Italian assets have also been hit by worries over its banking sector after UniCredit, the country’s biggest bank, revealed on Monday it expects to book a net loss of around 11.8 billion euros ($12.6 billion) for 2016 and fall short of European Central Bank capital requirements.</p> <p>By contrast, the yield on German debt fell on Monday even as data showed inflation in Germany hit a 3 1/2-year high in January.</p> <p>News that Germany posted a national inflation rate of 1.9 per cent stoked talk of an unwinding of monetary stimulus by the ECB, even though the inflation outcome was below expectations.</p> <p>Elevated uncertainty about Trump’s policies, including a lack of detail so far on his plans for tax cuts and fiscal spending, offset optimism on the US economy.</p> <p>Data on Monday showed US consumer spending accelerated in December while inflation showed some signs of picking up last month.</p> <p>The core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, rose 1.7 per cent on a year-on-year basis after a similar gain in November.</p> <p>“We’ve seen a jump in US economic sentiment after Trump’s victory. But the improvement in hard economic data remains moderate,” said Haruka Kazama, senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute.</p> <p>“And if Trump takes more steps to limit permits for immigrants, that would surely boost inflation as the US is now near a full employment,” she added.</p> <p>The Federal Reserve, which will start its two-day policy meeting today, is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged as it awaits greater clarity on Trump’s economic policies.</p> <p>Oil prices dipped as rising US drilling activity offset efforts by OPEC and other producers to cut output in a move to prop up the market.</p> <p>Brent crude futures LCOc1, the international benchmark for oil prices, were trading at $55.14 per barrel, down 0.2 per cent from Monday’s settlement price. — REUTERS</p> </div> <br /> Asian shares rattled by Trump policy worries, dollar soft Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2klS8uO" width="200" /><br />

Asian shares rattled by Trump policy worries, dollar soft

Asian shares rattled by Trump policy worries, dollar soft A man walks past an electronic board showing Japan’s Nikkei average (top L), the Dow Jones average (top R) and the stock averages of other countries’ outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, January 26, 2017. — Photo REUTERS Viet Nam News Asian s…

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Tran Temple publication ceremony to be opened in Spring

Tran Temple publication ceremony to be opened in Spring <div><i>The Hanoitimes</i> – The expression lingered in the mind of the Viet people like a reminder of finding way back to the root in memory of Father and Holy Mother, who founded and protected the supernatural land. One of such traditional major festivals, serving as a pride of indigenous inhabitants as thinking about the kingly race of the Viet’s nation: Tran Temple Festival.</div> <div>Tran Temple publication ceremony is annually opened in the 15th of Lunar January. The cluster monuments of Tran Temple is located in the suburb of Nam Dinh Province with many communal houses, pagodas, temples, tombs, stone shrines. Temples of Thien Truong, Co Trach and Pho Minh Pagoda – the famous cultural historical relics dedicated to Tran reign, founded on the land where the regime of Tran was generated. It is Tran Temple. In which, Thien Truong Temple worships 14 Tran Kings, set up under the later Le Dynasty. Co Trach Temple worships Tran Hung Dao, set up under the Nguyen Dynasty.<br /> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Tran Temple publication ceremony is annually opened in the 15th of Lunar January" src="http://bit.ly/2kMLvm9" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Tran Temple publication ceremony is annually opened in the 15th of Lunar January</p> </div> In the odd years, the festival is launched more magnificently than in even years. Nevertheless, visitors all over the country do not wait for the very happening of the festival to join but eagerly go on pilgrimage far prior to the day. On their arrival, every people do expect the good and happy things. The large flag flutters in front of the temple – the traditional flag with striking colours standing for five basic elements, its square shape stands for earth (negative), the sickle-shaped tassels for heaven (positive). The word “Tran” is embroidered amidst the flag in Chinese characters by two combined words “Dong” and “A”. <p>Tran Temple Festival happens formally, consisting processions from neighbouring villages to Thuong Temple. The incense-offering rite involves in 14 virgins carrying 14 trays of flowers into the temple and placing them on thrones in the musical vibration. This act is the image of the former feudal courts.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Pho Minh Tower" src="http://bit.ly/2kOPAC3" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Pho Minh Tower</p> </div> The festival involves various cultural activities: cock fighting, five-generation fighting art performances, wrestling, unicorn dance, bai bong dance, sword dance, cheo singing, van singing and so on. According to historic records, under the rule of King Tran Nhan Tong, after the Mongolian invaders were defeated, the King offered feast through 03 successive days known as “Thai binh dien yen”. The Great tutor Tran Quang Khai composed the dance for the victory namely “bai bong” and taught the imperial singers to perform. The dancers were pretty ladies dressed in the ethnic clothes, putting on their shoulders a short pole hanging with flower baskets or paper-made lanterns at the two ends. The dancers also held on to a fan to enrich their performance. “Bai bong” dance contained acts of “bat dat”, “luc dat” and “tu dat”. Nevertheless, it was neatly adjusted under the Nguyen Dynasty. Currently, there is still a team of skilled dancers of the kind in Phuong Bong ward on the outskirts of Nam Dinh. It is said that Hat Van is derived from Hat Chau composed under the Tran Dynasty, popularised and trimmed under the Le Mat time. <p>Over the last years, branches and departments, especially the culture-information sector in Nam Dinh, have paid attention to preserving and enhancing such cultural identities. Nam Dinh Province takes pride in its reference of “national root”, giving birth and nursing hearts and souls of “Mother” and “Father” of the people. On the occasion of the festival, people across the country are warmly welcome to the place by the local friendly and simple residents.</p> <p>The unique cultural activities, especially the splendid and radiant atmosphere of “Dong A”, make Tran Temple Festival attractive to travellers everywhere.</p> </div> <div>By Tuan Minh</div> <br /> Tran Temple publication ceremony to be opened in Spring Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2kMLvm9" width="200" /><br />

Tran Temple publication ceremony to be opened in Spring

Tran Temple publication ceremony to be opened in Spring The Hanoitimes – The expression lingered in the mind of the Viet people like a reminder of finding way back to the root in memory of Father and Holy Mother, who founded and protected the supernatural land. One of such traditional major festival…

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Student charged with murder in Quebec mosque attack

Student charged with murder in Quebec mosque attack <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="http://bit.ly/2jOpGAP" width="500" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Flowers at a makeshift memorial near the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City, Canada on January 30, 2017 Flowers at a makeshift memorial near the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City, Canada on January 30, 2017.—VNA/AFP Photo</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div><a href="http://bit.ly/24En4mq">Viet Nam News</a> <p>QUEBEC CITY — A Canadian political science student known to have nationalist sympathies was charged Monday with six counts of murder over a shooting spree at a Quebec mosque — one of the worst attacks ever to target Muslims in a western country.</p> <p>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned as a “terrorist attack” Sunday night’s assault on the Islamic Cultural Center in a busy district of Quebec City, which sent terrified worshippers fleeing barefoot in the snow.</p> <p>Eight people were also wounded in the crossfire, and five of them remained in critical condition in hospital Monday.</p> <p>Alexandre Bissonnette, who made a brief court appearance after surrendering to authorities, was charged with six counts of premeditated murder and five of attempted murder, police said.</p> <p>More indictments are expected later, police added.</p> <p>“There are search warrants underway,” a spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told a press conference.</p> <p>“We hope to obtain the evidence to reach the point where we will be able to lay terrorism and national security charges,” she said.</p> <p>So far, authorities have shed no light on what may have prompted the attack.</p> <p>Local media said Bissonnette is a Quebec nationalist and anti-feminist who recently “liked” US President Donald Trump’s page on Facebook. He also has reportedly expressed support for French far-right politician Marine Le Pen.</p> <p>Both police and witnesses had initially described two masked men opening fire inside the mosque, where worshippers were gathered for evening prayer.</p> <p>But authorities said Monday that a second person detained had only been questioned as a witness.</p> <p>Explaining how one suspect was eventually let go, the RCMP said: “This morning and last evening we had reason to believe that two individuals should be arrested, that two people had participated.”</p> <p>After investigating, they said: “we reached the conclusion that we should focus on one single suspect. And there was no reason to believe that the other individual had participated.”</p> <p><strong>Victims are dual nationals</strong></p> <p>Some 50 people were in the mosque at the time of the attack.</p> <p>The dead are all dual Canadian nationals: one Moroccan, two Algerians, one Tunisian and two Guineans.</p> <p>Quebec has traditionally attracted Muslim immigrants from North Africa.</p> <p>Bissonnette, who is a student at Laval University, surrendered 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the city after calling an emergency services hotline an hour after the attack to reveal his location.</p> <p>“It is a domestic investigation at this time,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police Inspector Martin Plante said.</p> <p>Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the nation’s security threat level remained at medium — requiring security forces to be on guard but having no specific information about an imminent threat.</p> <p>It was raised to this level in October 2014 after a lone gunman attacked parliament.</p> <p><strong>Open door to Muslims</strong></p> <p>Police are continuing to collect evidence in a bid to “identify exactly who is involved and what was their motivation,” Goodale said.</p> <p>Authorities, he added, don’t have “sufficient, hard facts yet to be able to draw conclusions.”</p> <p>The Quebec mosque had already been the target of hate: a pig’s head was left on the doorstep last June during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.</p> <p>Other mosques in Canada have been targeted with anti-Muslim graffiti in recent months.</p> <p>Police stationed near the mosque told AFP that they had feared this type of attack “because it’s happening all over the world.”</p> <p>The shooting came as Canada vowed to open its arms to Muslim refugees after Trump’s controversial immigration ban prompted travel chaos and outrage around the world.</p> <p>“Last night’s horrible crime against the Muslim community was an act of terror committed against Canada and against all Canadians,” Trudeau said.</p> <p>To the one million Canadians who profess the Muslim faith, he said “36 million hearts are breaking with yours,” alluding to the country’s total population.</p> <p>“Canadians will not be intimidated,” Trudeau added. “We will not meet violence with more violence. We will meet fear and hatred with love and compassion.”</p> <p>Trump telephoned Trudeau to offer his condolences following the attack, which was condemned around the world including by leading Sunni Muslim body Al-Azhar, as well as Egypt and Jordan.</p> <p><strong>’Senseless violence’</strong></p> <p>Mohamed Ali Saidane, who lost a relative in the shooting, joined elected officials at city hall Monday to denounce escalating hate.</p> <p>“The Arab-Muslim community has become the victim of populist politics,” he told AFP.</p> <p>People fleeing the mosque — where custom requires worshippers to remove their shoes during prayer — did not have time to collect their winter boots.</p> <p>“They arrived in a panic,” said Louis-Gabriel Cloutier, the manager of a cafe across the street who saw them fleeing the rampage.</p> <p>Some took refuge at the cafe.</p> <p>“I never thought that such a thing could happen,” said a man who frequents another of the city’s 10 mosques. He had ventured to the scene because “I know people who were inside.”</p> <p>Hamid Nadji learned of the shooting from a friend and rushed to the mosque area.</p> <p>“For us Muslims, Quebec and Canada had been a safe zone,” he said.—AFP</p> </div> <br /> Student charged with murder in Quebec mosque attack Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jOpGAP" width="200" /><br />

Student charged with murder in Quebec mosque attack

Student charged with murder in Quebec mosque attack Flowers at a makeshift memorial near the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City, Canada on January 30, 2017 Flowers at a makeshift memorial near the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City, Canada on January 30, 2017.—VNA/AFP Photo Viet Nam News QUE…

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Trump fires acting attorney general who defied him on travel ban

Trump fires acting attorney general who defied him on travel ban <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="http://bit.ly/2jOmV2x" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump and his administration’s ban of travelers from 7 countries by Executive Order, during a rally outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on January 30, 2017. Trump’s executive order suspended the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely — and bars citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. Protests are taking place at airports across the country in opposition to the ban. —VNA/AFP Photo</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div><a href="http://bit.ly/24En4mq">Viet Nam News</a> <p>WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Monday fired the acting attorney general, a holdover from the Obama administration, after she ordered Justice Department attorneys not to defend his controversial executive order on immigration.</p> <p>“The acting attorney general, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States,” the White House said in a statement.</p> <p>“President Trump relieved Ms Yates of her duties and subsequently named Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve as acting attorney general until Senator Jeff Sessions is finally confirmed by the Senate.”</p> <p>In remarks at the White House and on Twitter, Trump variously tried to play down the impact of the order he signed Friday and defended the White House’s decision not to give advance warning to border guards, diplomats and travelers.</p> <p>But after a weekend of chaos at airports, mass protests and diplomatic outcries, criticism of Trump’s proposal even came from his predecessor Barack</p> <p>Obama, who broke his silence for the first time since leaving office.</p> <p>“President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country,” spokesman Kevin Lewis said, adding that</p> <p>“American values are at stake” and noting Obama rejects faith-based discrimination.</p> <p>Obama’s foray back into politics will only add to the White House’s sense of besiegement. For much of the last 48 hours, the embattled Republican president has been on the defensive.</p> <p>“We actually had a very good day yesterday in terms of homeland security,” Trump insisted as he met with small business leaders early Monday.</p> <p>But in a defiant rebuke late in the day, acting US Attorney General Sally Yates, a holdover from the Obama administration, ordered Justice Department lawyers not to defend the travel ban, casting doubt over its legality.</p> <p>“At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful,” Yates wrote in a memo to department lawyers.</p> <p>Yates’s directive means that the US government has no authorized courtroom representation in lawsuits and other legal challenges currently pending in the courts against Trump’s order and its ensuing implementation.</p> <p>The order — which affects nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — caused confusion among US officials and has so far led to at least four federal court injunctions.</p> <p>“If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the ’bad’ would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad ’dudes’ out there!” Trump claimed.</p> <p>The new president moved up a decision on his pick of Supreme Court justice to Tuesday — two days earlier than planned — as he sought to change the topic.</p> <p><strong>– ’I’m stuck here’ –</strong></p> <p>Eltirmizy Mohamed, a 34-year-old Sudanese doctor, was traveling back to the United States when the order was rolled out.</p> <p>After three years training at the Atlanta Medical Center, he was returning to Georgia to take up a full-time post, but was stopped while trying to catch a connecting flight in Qatar.</p> <p>“I have served many homeless and poor Americans,” he told AFP in Khartoum.</p> <p>“My plans were to work in a rural area of Georgia where there are many such Americans in need of a doctor. But now I’m stuck here.”</p> <p>Trump, a property tycoon who has never previously held elected office, sees the ban as making good on a promise to subject travelers from Muslim-majority countries to “extreme vetting.”</p> <p>Around 48 percent of Americans support a freeze on immigration from “terror prone” regions, even if it means turning refugees away, according to a Quinnipiac poll released Monday.</p> <p>Senior national security officials from the Obama and George W. Bush administrations warned in a letter to top Trump cabinet members that the order “will do long-term damage to our national security.”</p> <p>Calling the measure a tragically “unnecessary” move that will fuel violent extremist propaganda, they said it “sent exactly the wrong message to the</p> <p>Muslim community here at home and all over the world: that the US government is at war with them based on their religion.”</p> <p>Counterterrorism experts warn that the ban could make essential cooperation with governments in Muslim-majority countries more difficult, while doing little to prevent attacks.</p> <p>Iraq’s parliament backed reciprocal restrictions if Washington does not change course.</p> <p>“It’s going to be a recruitment boon for ISIS,” said former CIA acting director Mike Morell, an outspoken critic of Trump, referring to the Islamic State group.</p> <p><strong>– Mounting problems –</strong></p> <p>Moral outrage over the ban has been amplified by criticism of the White House’s competency — a potentially much more damaging charge for Trump’s reputation as CEO-in-chief.</p> <p>Firms from Goldman Sachs to Google voiced their concern and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.1 percent — below the 20,000-point threshold lauded by the president just days ago.</p> <p>Starbucks said it planned to hire 10,000 refugees worldwide over the next five years, while Airbnb said it would offer free accommodation “to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US.”</p> <p>Late Monday, a few thousand people chanted slogans and held up banners in front of the Supreme Court, which could ultimately rule on the measure.</p> <p>“No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here,” they chanted. One sign read “Impeach Trump Now,” while another read “Immigrants make America great.”</p> <p>Speaking on the Supreme Court’s steps, top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said the ban was “against what we believe in in America,” and would encourage “lone wolves” to attack the country.—AFP</p> </div> <br /> Trump fires acting attorney general who defied him on travel ban Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jOmV2x" width="200" /><br />

Trump fires acting attorney general who defied him on travel ban

Trump fires acting attorney general who defied him on travel ban Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump and his administration’s ban of travelers from 7 countries by Executive Order, during a rally outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on January 30, 2017. Trump’s executiv…

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Cambodian tourists in love with Vietnam’s Lunar New Year

Cambodian tourists in love with Vietnam’s Lunar New Year <p><strong>Visitors from Cambodia have been rushing to Vietnam to become a part of the country’s traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.</strong></p> <p><strong>Visitors from Cambodia have been rushing to Vietnam to become a part of the country’s traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.</strong></p> <p>The number of Cambodian tourists entering Vietnam via border gates at southern Vietnamese provinces, namely Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang, Kien Giang, and others, have been increasing significantly.</p> <p>Although they do not celebrate the Lunar New Year in their home country, the Cambodian visitors have been amazed and attracted by the festive atmosphere in the neighboring nation.</p> <p>According to Major Luu Dac Nhanh, chief of the border guard office at the Ha Tien Border Gate in Kien Giang Province, about one thousand people from Cambodia visit Vietnam every day during Tet.</p> <p>The tourists mainly come from Kam Pot and Ta Keo Provinces, which border Vietnam’s Kien Giang, while a few others come from further localities such as Shihanuok Ville and Phnom Penh, Maj. Nhanh continued.</p> <p>The immigration procedures were simple, allowing travelers to have a pleasant stay in Vietnam to enjoy the local celebration of the Lunar New Year, the officer stated, adding that most tourists arrive on their personal cars.</p> <p>The Vietnamese Tet is very interesting, Rot Ky, a visitor from Kam Pot Province remarked, stating he often took his family members to the country to welcome the Lunar New Year.</p> <p>They have visited several famous destinations, from local beaches to sacred pagodas, in Ha Tien City, located in Kien Giang, the Cambodian man elaborated.</p> <p>Aside from partaking in the festive activities, tourists from Cambodia also enjoy shopping in Vietnam during this period, with their favorite items being processed food, plastic products, tailored clothes, and electronic devices.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="A group of visitors from Cambodia arrive in Vietnam at the Ha Tien Border Gate in Kien Giang Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre" src="http://bit.ly/2kbhKrM" title="A group of visitors from Cambodia arrive in Vietnam at the Ha Tien Border Gate in Kien Giang Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">A group of visitors from Cambodia arrive in Vietnam at the Ha Tien Border Gate in Kien Giang Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre</p> </div> <br /> Cambodian tourists in love with Vietnam’s Lunar New Year Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2kbhKrM" width="200" /><br />

Cambodian tourists in love with Vietnam’s Lunar New Year

Cambodian tourists in love with Vietnam’s Lunar New Year Visitors from Cambodia have been rushing to Vietnam to become a part of the country’s traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. Visitors from Cambodia have been rushing to Vietnam to become a part of the country’s traditional Lunar New Year (T…

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Nghia Dan Sunflowers Valley Attracts Beauty Seekers

Nghia Dan Sunflowers Valley Attracts Beauty Seekers <div> <div> <p>Since 2010, sunflowers have been growing in an area of nearly 100ha in Phu Quy Plateau (Nghia Dan, Nghe An). The sunflower field has become an attractive destination for tourists and is regarded as the biggest sunflower field in the country.</p> </div> </div> <div>Nghia Dan is a mountainous district in the western area of Nghe An province, 100km away from the city of Vinh. The area has become well-known thanks to its sunflower field. <p>The 100ha field of sunflowers that stretches over several hills in Phu Quy Plateau is under the management of TH True Milk Company. At present, it is the biggest sunflower field in Vietnam. Normally sunflowers blossom twice a year, from April-May and November-December. The most beautiful blossom period falls late in the year, sometimes lasting until early January of the next year.</p> <p>Sunflowers are grown in fields along the Ho Chi Minh Trail that passes Nghia Son commune, Nghia Dan district. There is a wide valley in the middle of the field and numerous 1m-wide pathways dividing the field into small rectangular areas.</p> <p>These pathways are a great convenience for visitors who want to wander around, admire the flowers and take pictures.<br /> Seen from above, the field with millions of stunning flowers in the daylight, or sometimes forming huge flower waves when it is windy is awesome. The sunflower field adds much vibrance to the mountainous Nghia Dan district.</p> <p>In recent years, looking at sunflowers during blossoming season in Phu Quy has become a tourism product of Nghia Dan district in particular and Nghe An province in general.</p> <p>The “Sunflower Festival” which took place from December 25-27 of 2016 held in Nghia Dan by the People’s Committee of Nghe An province attracted much attention from domestic and foreign tourists. According to the statistics of the organiser, the festival had attracted more than 150,000 visitors.</p> <p>The sunflower festival is expected to become an opportunity for investors and generate new tourism products. Local firms hope the sunflower festival can help them draw the attention of flower lovers from other places to other diverse local attractions through connection with nearby craft villages, farms, and garden houses. This year sunflower season is a favourable opportunity for Phu Quy to introduce local specialties.</p> <p>Nowadays, to meet the high demand for looking at sunflowers in western Nghe An, several domestic travel agencies have launched different types of tours to Nghia Dan. Local authorities in Nghe An have held different tourism activities for both domestic and foreign tourists to encourage foreign travel agencies to pick the sunflower field as their destination./.</p> <div> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxdnp8" width="500" /> <div><em>Sunflowers are grown in fields along the Ho Chi Minh Trail that passes Nghia Son commune, Nghia Dan district.<br /> There is a wide valley in the middle of the field and numerous 1m-wide pathways dividing the field into small rectangular areas.<br /></em> <em>Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></div> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2kld59e" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>Since late November, when the first flowers blossomed, the field has been overrun with youngsters enjoying<br /> the beauty of the biggest sunflower field in Vietnam. Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxvvz7" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>Sunflowers are grown to supply food for the animals on the farm, but in order to please visitors, flowers are carefully<br /> grown and formed into beautiful rows. Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img src="http://bit.ly/2kld45a" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Taking a selfie shoot.</p> </div> <em>Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxkZYX" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2kleqNg" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxmZ3n" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>Visitors can rent a step ladder from nearby households to have a better view and provide a more convenient position<br /> for photographing. Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2klikWC" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>Many young people from cities travel a long way to take pictures with sunflowers.</em> <em>Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxpxyb" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2klnt0E" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>Honey bees are attracted to the field. Photo: Tri Duc</em></p> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxn1s1" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>A unique image with sunflowers created by young people. Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img src="http://bit.ly/2kltv1H" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">A Reuters reporter was filming the</p> </div> <em>field.</em> <em>Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em> <p><em><img src="http://bit.ly/2jxkyh3" width="500" /></em></p> <p><em>The biggest sunflower field in Viet Nam welcomes thousands of visitors each year.</em> <em>Photo: Tran Hieu/VNP</em></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div><strong>By Tran Hieu</strong></div> </div> </div> <br /> Nghia Dan Sunflowers Valley Attracts Beauty Seekers Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jxdnp8" width="200" /><br />

Nghia Dan Sunflowers Valley Attracts Beauty Seekers

Nghia Dan Sunflowers Valley Attracts Beauty Seekers Since 2010, sunflowers have been growing in an area of nearly 100ha in Phu Quy Plateau (Nghia Dan, Nghe An). The sunflower field has become an attractive destination for tourists and is regarded as the biggest sunflower field in the country. Nghia …

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Railway sector strives to compete with airlines

Railway sector strives to compete with airlines <p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – With a small transport market share, the railway sector does not have money to upgrade infrastructure, locomotives and wagons. With poor infrastructure and facilities, it cannot attract many passengers.</em></p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Regarding transport market share, a report shows that railways account for 3.2 percent of passenger market share and 1.9 percent of cargo market share." src="http://bit.ly/2klqdey" title="Regarding transport market share, a report shows that railways account for 3.2 percent of passenger market share and 1.9 percent of cargo market share." /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Regarding transport market share, a report shows that railways account for 3.2 percent of passenger market share and 1.9 percent of cargo market share.</p> </div> <p><em><br /></em></p> <p>Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung, after a fact-finding trip to Hanoi and Giap Bat Stations, came to the conclusion that the problem is the lack of investment capital for infrastructure development.</p> <p>It is difficult to allocate state capital for railway infrastructure with a tight budget, or call for investment from non-state sources.</p> <p>An analyst said it is possible to call for private investments to upgrade trains, locomotives and wagons, but the investments may not be worth it in such poor infrastructure conditions.<br /></p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>It is difficult to allocate state capital for railway infrastructure with a tight budget, or call for investment from non-state sources.</strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Vietnam’s national railway is single-track with total length of 2,609 kilometers of backbone. There are two sizes of railway, 1000mm and 1435mm. The average travel speed is 50 kilometers per hour for passenger train and 25 kilometers for cargo train.</p> <p>In the last 10 years, only 5.6 kilometers of Ha Long – Cai Lan railway and Cai Lan Station have been built.</p> <p>The State every year has to spend VND1.4 trillion on the infrastructure maintenance, while the receipts from the infrastructure use (8 percent of transport revenue, about VND400 billion), and from leasing infrastructure items (storehouse, ground and premises, about VND6 billion) just can cover 21-24 percent of the total money needed for the work.</p> <p>Officials reports showed that the capital allocated to implement the maintenance work just satisfy 38.6 percent of the demand, which explains why passengers complain about the service quality.</p> <p>The investment capital allocated to develop railway infrastructure in 2005-2014 was VND23.504 trillion, or VND2.612 trillion a year, which only accounted for 10.3 percent of the total investment capital allocated to the entire transport sector.</p> <p>The low service quality makes it less competitive than other means of transport.</p> <p>High income residents would rather travel by air with airfare that is competitive thanks to the state’s high investment in the aviation sector and development of air carriers – Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vasco and Vietjet.</p> <p>Meanwhile, travelers would choose coach for short-distance trips. Private run transport firms nowadays are very competitive with large-scale marketing campaigns and high-quality services.</p> <p>The monopoly of the Vietnam Railway Corporation in the last many years has been blamed on the underdeveloped railway services. However, analysts believe that even if the monopoly is eliminated, the problem will still not be settled if the government does not pour capital into infrastructure.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>related news</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <ul> <li><a href="http://bit.ly/2jxatRu"></a> <p>Deputy PM urges study on north-south express railway</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2kll5am">Railway investment lags far behind road expenditures</a></p> </li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><em><strong>Kim Chi</strong></em></p> <br /> Railway sector strives to compete with airlines Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2klqdey" width="200" /><br />

Railway sector strives to compete with airlines

Railway sector strives to compete with airlines VietNamNet Bridge – With a small transport market share, the railway sector does not have money to upgrade infrastructure, locomotives and wagons. With poor infrastructure and facilities, it cannot attract many passengers. Regarding transport market sh…

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Trump fires top government lawyer for defiance on immigration order

Trump fires top government lawyer for defiance on immigration order <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Trump fires top government lawyer for defiance on immigration order" src="http://bit.ly/2jPsfAm" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">U.S. President Donald Trump fired the federal government’s top lawyer Sally Yates.</p> </div> <p>Yates said she did not believe defending the order would be ‘consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right.’</p> <div> <p>U.S. President Donald Trump fired the federal government’s top lawyer Sally Yates on Monday after she took the extraordinarily rare step of defying the White House and saying the Justice Department would not defend his new travel restrictions targeting seven Muslim-majority nations.</p> <p>The White House said on Twitter that Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, would replace Yates, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, as acting U.S. attorney general.</p> <p>Yates on Monday told Justice Department lawyers in a letter that they would not defend in court Trump’s directive that put a 120-day hold on allowing refugees into the country, an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and a 90-day bar on citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.</p> <p>Yates said she did not believe defending the order would be “consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right.”</p> <p>Trump has argued tougher vetting of immigrants is needed to protect America from terror attacks but critics complain that his order unfairly singles out Muslims and defiles America’s historic reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants.</p> <p>Yates was days away from being replaced by Trump’s pick for the top spot at the Justice Department, Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, who is awaiting Senate confirmation.</p> <p>The White House dismissed her comments as rhetoric and said Trump acted within his presidential powers.</p> <p>“I think that’s a further demonstration of how politicized our legal system has become,” said Stephen Miller, a policy adviser to Trump, in an interview on MSNBC.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="trump-fires-top-government-lawyer-for-defiance-on-immigration-order" src="http://bit.ly/2jNClUP" width="500" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>People participate in a protest against President Donald Trump’s travel ban at Columbia University in New York City, U.S. January 30, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Stephanie Keith</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>There have been only a handful of instances in U.S. history of top Justice Department officials publicly breaking with the White House. The most famous example was in 1973, when then-Attorney General Elliot Richardson resigned rather than obey President Richard Nixon’s order to fire a special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal.</p> <p><em>Related news:</em></p> <p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2jPzBnl">Trump immigration ban loses first legal battle</a></p> <p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2kE5GP6">Trump defends restricted entry for Muslims</a></p> </div> <br /> Trump fires top government lawyer for defiance on immigration order Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jPsfAm" width="200" /><br />

Trump fires top government lawyer for defiance on immigration order

Trump fires top government lawyer for defiance on immigration order U.S. President Donald Trump fired the federal government’s top lawyer Sally Yates. Yates said she did not believe defending the order would be ‘consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand fo…

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Highlights of Da Nang tourism in 2017

Highlights of Da Nang tourism in 2017 <p>In 2017, the central coastal city of Da Nang will launch new tourist products and upgrade infrastructure in order to ensure the progress of 2017 APEC week and meet the travel demand of domestic and foreign tourists.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="" src="http://bit.ly/2jNwvT3" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">The Dragon bridge in Da NangThe city is making great efforts to upgrade infrastructure and will launch diversified tourism activities related to utility technology application, hotel system, high-end resorts, transport infrastructure, new tourism programs, festivals imbued with national character and cultural events in keeping with the international integration tendency.</p> </div> <p>Specifically, a mobile application called “Da Nang fantastic city” which aims to provide visitors with useful tourism information about the city will be put into use in early 2017. The application can help users make detailed travel plans for their trip to the city. In particular, if they select their travel dates, budget and hobbies, the application will automatically suggest suitable travel schedules. The schedules can be downloaded onto their smartphones, which allows them to be viewed later even without Wi-fi or 3G.</p> <p>In addition, Da Nang Pass Card, which is to create statistics about the number of tourists to the city and their spending level, improving convenience and safety in payment, will be put into use in the first or second quarter of the year.</p> <p>Regarding transport infrastructure, the new international terminal of Da Nang airport will be completed and put into operation in March 2017 with 40 procedure counters, 20 check-in counters, 22 check-out desks and 10 boarding gates. It is expected to greet 4-6 million passengers a year.</p> <p>In 2017, Ba Na Hills will open two more new cable routes, restaurants, meeting rooms and organize more special cultural festivals.</p> <p>As of November 2016, the central coastal city has 575 accommodation establishments with 21,648 rooms. Aiming to ensure the progress of 2017 APEC week and meet the demand of tourists, an array of new projects will be put into operation, such as Diamond Tower Da Nang, Ariyana international convention center (Furama), Alphanam Luxury shopping centre, offices and apartment hotel complex and JW Marriott hotel./.</p> <p>BTA</p> <br /> Highlights of Da Nang tourism in 2017 Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jNwvT3" width="200" /><br />

Highlights of Da Nang tourism in 2017

Highlights of Da Nang tourism in 2017 In 2017, the central coastal city of Da Nang will launch new tourist products and upgrade infrastructure in order to ensure the progress of 2017 APEC week and meet the travel demand of domestic and foreign tourists. The Dragon bridge in Da NangThe city is making…

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During Tet, expatriates get into the holiday spirit too

During Tet, expatriates get into the holiday spirit too <div> <p>The years of every store closing during Tet are long past, with a brave few expatriates keeping their doors open for the community in aid of a prosperous Tet holiday.</p> </div> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s Tet market gathers many of the holiday’s essential traditions" src="http://bit.ly/2kaQmug" title="The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s Tet market gathers many of the holiday’s essential traditions" width="500" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s Tet market gathers many of the holiday’s essential traditions</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>From his narrow storefront on Xuan Dieu street in Hanoi, Marco Sarli, the owner of Oasis Deli, has been busy arranging goods and processing orders for his customers.</p> <p>The Oasis Western grocery is well known to most of the expats who call Hanoi home. Sarli is proud that Oasis offers Hanoi’s largest selection of fresh cheese, cold cuts, imported and local groceries, sandwiches, daily special homemade pasta, ravioli, lasagna, sauces, freshly baked bread, and other gourmet items that appeal to the eclectic international tastes expats bring with them.</p> <p>Having lived in Vietnam for more than 15 years, Sarli has always stayed in the country for Tet with his Vietnamese wife. He likes the quiet atmosphere during Tet, the couple days without noise and traffic.</p> <p>Tet time is always good for business at Oasis Deli, when households need many things to prepare for the long holiday ahead.</p> <p>“Our location at 24 Xuan Dieu will be open according to our normal trading hours. The other locations will close for the two New Year days,” Sarli told VIR.</p> <p>“We are also selling quite a few Tet baskets, which we put together upon request. The customer tells us what they would like to have in the baskets and we prepare them.”</p> <p>Tet is also a special occasion for hotel managers. Vincent Gernigon, executive assistant manager at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, has been in Vietnam for four years. He has had the pleasure to experience Tet indirectly, staying on duty so his Vietnamese colleagues are able to celebrate with their families.</p> <p>“I have therefore had the pleasure to observe it in Hanoi and at the hotel. Large families regrouping together and enjoying a delectable meal,” Gernigon said.</p> <p>Gernigon was impressed the first year he discovered the Tet culture in Vietnam. “It is a celebration shared among family, friends, and colleagues. You feel the energy of Tet coming in the streets, a special moment that you cannot explain but need to experience,” he told VIR.</p> <p>Tet is one of the most important days of the year for managers and staff at the hotel. At this time of year, the hotel is beautifully decorated with Tet ornaments, lanterns, peach blossoms, and kumquat trees.</p> <p>“We have also been organising our traditional Tet market for more than 10 years now to offer a unique Tet experience for locals, expats, and our in-house guests. Visitors are also welcomed to savour our authentic Tet menus at Spices Garden during these festive days,” Gernigon said.</p> <p>The Tet market aims to bring an authentic and traditional Tet experience to the hotel’s in-house guests as well as residents in Hanoi.</p> <p>“We have managed to incorporate the most important customs of a country market, such as dragon dance, calligraphy, banh chung making. We hope that through this market, foreign visitors will have a better understanding of Vietnamese culture and also an unforgettable experience while travelling and living overseas,” Gernigon said.</p> <p>There are many foreigners who go to restaurants, bars and pubs, and hotels and recreation areas throughout the country during Tet.</p> <p>And those who serve them have a good understanding of the country’s traditional customs, and have been doing their best to make the foreign community in Vietnam feel that they are at home and part of the Vietnamese community.</p> <p><em>By Bich Ngoc</em></p> <br /> During Tet, expatriates get into the holiday spirit too Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2kaQmug" width="200" /><br />

During Tet, expatriates get into the holiday spirit too

During Tet, expatriates get into the holiday spirit too The years of every store closing during Tet are long past, with a brave few expatriates keeping their doors open for the community in aid of a prosperous Tet holiday. The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s Tet market gathers many of the holiday’s…

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Chinese tourists remain key driver of Vietnam’s tourism boom

Chinese tourists remain key driver of Vietnam’s tourism boom <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Chinese tourists remain key driver of Vietnam's tourism boom" src="http://bit.ly/2kK06yw" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Chinese tourists in the coastal resort town of Nha Trang. Photo by Vietnam News Agency</p> </div> <p>The number of international arrivals surged 23.6 percent in January, following a strong year.</p> <div> <p>Arrivals from China in January increased 67.9 percent from a year ago, accounting for a quarter of Vietnam’s total international tourist number, according to the General Statistics Office.</p> <p>The country welcomed more than 1 million foreign visitors in the first month of 2017, a 23.6 percent increase, official data showed. Nearly 70 percent of the arrivals were from Asian countries.</p> <p>China continued to maintain its place as the biggest feeder market with a record high 247,621 visitors. The number of Chinese tourists hit 2.5 million last year, out of the total 10 million visitors, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.</p> <p>Vietnam’s proximity to China has made it a popular destination to many Chinese who want a vacation overseas without a long haul journey.</p> <p>Most Chinese tourists come in through northern border provinces, particularly Quang Ninh, home of the famous Ha Long Bay, arguably the country’s top sightseeing attraction. Quang Ninh has recently allowed Chinese travelers in groups to stay up to three days without a tourist visa.</p> <p>Vietnam has also offered visa exemptions to visitors from South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian neighbors. Since mid-2015 it has also attracted more tourists from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. with a similar policy, which is expected to be extended this summer.</p> <p>Hoping to give the tourism industry a major push, the Vietnamese government has launched the much-touted <a href="http://bit.ly/2kL0uJ4">online visa system</a> for travelers on short holidays or casual business visits.</p> <p>Tourism authorities are eyeing a 15 percent increase in international tourists this year.</p> <p>Tourism is expected to contribute 10 percent to Vietnam’s gross domestic product, becoming a key driving force of the economy by 2020, when the country is expected to receive up to 20 million foreign visitors and earn $35 billion in tourism revenue.</p> <p><em>Related news:</em></p> <p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2kJPKii">Amid Chinese tourism boom, Vietnam’s prime beach province diversifies</a></p> <p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2kL7eXy">Why Vietnam should care about how much Chinese tourists splurge</a></p> </div> <br /> Chinese tourists remain key driver of Vietnam’s tourism boom Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2kK06yw" width="200" /><br />

Chinese tourists remain key driver of Vietnam’s tourism boom

Chinese tourists remain key driver of Vietnam’s tourism boom Chinese tourists in the coastal resort town of Nha Trang. Photo by Vietnam News Agency The number of international arrivals surged 23.6 percent in January, following a strong year. Arrivals from China in January increased 67.9 percent from…

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Tourism expected to drive Haiphong forward

Tourism expected to drive Haiphong forward <p>Cat Bi International Airport and the Hanoi-Haiphong expressway, which were put into service in early 2016, have helped cut travel time from Hanoi to Haiphong.</p> <p>Direct flights between Haiphong and foreign countries like Thailand and the Republic of Korea, or localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc island district in Kien Giang province in the south, Da Lat city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, and Nha Trang city in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, have been launched.</p> <div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="tourism expected to drive haiphong forward hinh 0" src="http://bit.ly/2k8s0Bn" width="500" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">A corner of Cat Ba town in Haiphong</p> </div> Along with favourable transport infrastructure, efforts made by agencies in tourism and the involvement of big investors have turned Hai Phong into a popular tourist destination. <p>At a workshop on Hai Phong tourism held by the municipal Department of Tourism, leading experts in this field across the country discussed promoting local tourism through social communication and developing standard tourism products.</p> <p>Various tourism promotion activities have been conducted in Cat Hai district, which is the administrative management unit of Cat Ba archipelago – an attractive tourist site with leisure, exploration and ecological tourism in the Cat Ba National Park in the island commune of Viet Hai.</p> <p>Firms like Vingroup, Sungroup and Him Lam have invested in luxurious resorts in Cat Ba and Do Son. Once operational, the projects are expected to become ideal destinations for both domestic and foreign holiday-makers.</p> <p>According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Hai Phong, particularly Do Son beach town, has experience in tourism development.</p> <p>The northern port city welcomes a large number of visitors every year. In 2016, the locality is expected to greet 5.7 million tourists, the agency said, noting that the target is within reach as about 5.6 million tourists visited Hai Phong last year.</p> <p>Nguyen Quy Phuong, head of the VNAT’s Travel Department, at a recent workshop on tourism development in Hai Phong said the city should make breakthroughs in tourism and consider the sector a driving force for local economic development.</p> <p>He also suggested the city step up State management to synchronously conduct tourism activities.</p> <p>To that end, Hai Phong should revamp the municipal Tourism Department, ensuring it has enough human resources capable of implementing the city’s guidelines and plans, Phuong said.</p> <p>At the same time, it is necessary to develop spearhead tourism products like leisure tourism on Cat Ba island in a sustainable manner, he added.</p> <p>Nguyen Thi Ha, Director of Viettravel Hai Phong, described tourism products as decisive to tourism promotion, saying Hai Phong should connect with other localities to promote tourism products for the northern coastal region.</p> <p>Travel companies will introduce products to their customers, she said, underlining the need for Hai Phong to turn itself into an attractive and safe destination different from others in culture and landscape.</p> <p>Channels should be built and updated with new mechanisms, policies and information about tourist attractions and Hai Phong’s connection with foreign and domestic localities, Ha suggested.</p> <p>In particular, information about Ca Bi International Airport needs to be updated more regularly for partners and tourists, she added.</p> <p>Tran Thi Kim Quy, Deputy Director of Hung Vuong Investment JSC – the investor of international brand names like Cat Ba Resort and Flamingo Dai Lai in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, said Cat Ba archipelago has advantages for tourism development with the most noteworthy being its biodiversity and Cai Beo, the most ancient fishing village in Vietnam.</p> <p>However, Cat Ba has failed to fully tap its potential, she said, suggesting Hai Phong extend the duration of tourism projects in the islands to 70 years and shorten the time for administrative procedures while upgrading infrastructure in Cat Ba.</p> <br /> Tourism expected to drive Haiphong forward Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2k8s0Bn" width="200" /><br />

Tourism expected to drive Haiphong forward

Tourism expected to drive Haiphong forward Cat Bi International Airport and the Hanoi-Haiphong expressway, which were put into service in early 2016, have helped cut travel time from Hanoi to Haiphong. Direct flights between Haiphong and foreign countries like Thailand and the Republic of Korea, or …

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US, South Korea to strengthen joint defense

US, South Korea to strengthen joint defense <p>(VOVworld) – The White House said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump and South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn vowed to strengthen their joint defense capabilities against North Korea. Trump reiterated the US commitment to defend South Korea, including the provision of extended deterrence and use of full military capabilities.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="US President Donald Trump (L) and South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn (R) (Photo: Manila Bulletin)" src="http://bit.ly/2jJh9yU" title="US President Donald Trump (L) and South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn (R) (Photo: Manila Bulletin)" width="500" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>US President Donald Trump (L) and South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn (R) (Photo: Manila Bulletin)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>US Defense Secretary James Mattis is due to travel to South Korea on Wednesday and Japan on Friday. The trip comes amid worries of the two American allies about the US policy change under Donald Trump administration. During his campaign, Trump threatened to withdraw US forces from South Korea and Japan if they did not increase financial support for their defense.</p> <br /> US, South Korea to strengthen joint defense Related image(s)<br /> <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2jJh9yU" width="200" /><br />

US, South Korea to strengthen joint defense

US, South Korea to strengthen joint defense (VOVworld) – The White House said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump and South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn vowed to strengthen their joint defense capabilities against North Korea. Trump reiterated the US commitment to defend South Korea, …

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