Vietnam Breaking News

Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co among Top 40 resorts in Asia

Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co among Top 40 resorts in Asia
<p>Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co among Top 40 resorts in Asia</p>
<p>The Saigon Times Daily</p>
<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="" src="http://bit.ly/2l8eJwf" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">A Lagoon Pool Villa at Banyan Tree Lang Co</p>
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<p>Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co have been chosen among the Top 40 Best Resorts in Asia by the Condé Nast Traveler – Readers’ Choice Awards, released in February 2017, becoming the first ever integrated resort in Vietnam to enter the list.</p>
<p>Located in central Vietnam, Banyan Tree Lang Co is nestled in a crescent bay framed by a three kilometer beach on the central coast of Vietnam, an area renowned for its pristine coastline, tropical jungles and rugged mountain peaks. The all-pool-villa resort including 62 rooms makes a dip part of the destination. Each villa is furnished with Vietnamese details like pitched roofs and lacquered wooden furniture.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Angsana Lang Co is set in the midst of not one but three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in central Vietnam – the ancient town of Hoi An, the Imperial City of Hue, and My Son Sanctuary. All 222 rooms have a contemporary and stylish design with a Vietnamese twist, and views of either the surrounding Truong Son mountains or ocean.</p>
<p>Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co are located in Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien-Hue Province.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Angsana Lang Co – PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BANYAN TREE LANG CO AND ANGSANA LANG CO</p>
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Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co among Top 40 resorts in Asia

Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co among Top 40 resorts in Asia Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co among Top 40 resorts in Asia The Saigon Times ...

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VietJet officially lists 300 million shares on HOSE

VietJet officially lists 300 million shares on HOSE
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<p class="wp-caption-text">A VietJet Air plane (Photo: VietJet)</p>
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<strong>HCM City (VNA)</strong> – The VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company listed more than 300 million shares on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE) on February 28, becoming the first airline to debut on the southern bourse.
<p>With this listing, VietJet with the code VJC also became one of the 30 biggest companies on HOSE.</p>
<p>HOSE Deputy General Director Tran Anh Dao said VietJet has a charter capital of 3 trillion VND (131.79 million USD) and offered its shares at a par value of 90,000 VND (3.95 USD) per share.</p>
<p>With a market capitalisation value of 27 trillion VND (1.2 billion USD), VietJet accounts for some 1.5 percent of HOSE’s total capitalisation value – about 1,630 trillion VND (71.6 billion USD) as of February 15, she noted.</p>
<p>Statistics show that Vietnam’s air transport market grew by 29 percent in 2016. VietJet raked in more than 27.53 trillion VND (1.2 billion USD) in revenue and 2.39 trillion VND (105 million USD) in profit last year, when its earning per share was estimated at 8,762 VND.</p>
<p>Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen said VietJet is the first private carrier of Vietnam and also one of the few airlines which began to gain profit in the second year of operation. Its listing on HOSE is a notable event in the stock market, offering an attractive opportunity for domestic and foreign investors.</p>
<p>VietJet is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. The airline was also named as one of the Top 500 Brands in Asia 2016 by global marketing research company Nielsen and “Best Asian Low Cost Carrier” at the TTG Travel Awards 2015, which compiles votes from travelers, travel agencies and tour operators in throughout Asia. The airline was also rated as one of the top three fastest growing airline brands on Facebook in the world by Socialbakers.</p>
<p>Currently, the airline boasts a fleet of 45 aircraft, including A320s and A321s, and operates 350 flights each day. It has already opened 63 routes in Vietnam and across the region to international destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, China and Myanmar. It has carried nearly 35 million passengers to date.-VNA</p>
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VietJet officially lists 300 million shares on HOSE Related image(s)<br />
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VietJet officially lists 300 million shares on HOSE

VietJet officially lists 300 million shares on HOSE A VietJet Air plane (Photo: VietJet) HCM City (VNA) – The VietJet Aviation Joint St...

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Vietjet stock reaches ceiling price on first day of trading

Vietjet stock reaches ceiling price on first day of trading
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<p>Vietjet stock ended the morning trading session at VND108,000 ($4.74), 20 per cent higher than the initial price of VND90,000 ($3.95).</p>
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<p>At 11.30 am, there had only been three sales of VJC stocks, with total volume of 1,030 shares and price of VND108,000 ($4.74). At the moment there is no one registering to sell, only people registering to buy.</p>
<p>If the price of VND108,000 ($4.74) is maintained, by the end of the day, CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao would have direct and indirect (through her company Huong Duong Sunny Investment Ltd.) holding of VND10,058 trillion ($465 million) worth of Vietjet stock.</p>
<p>A few days ago Vietjet already registered price on the OTC of VND113,000 ($4.96) so the price may rise even more.</p>
<p>The first airline in Vietnam to be listed on HOSE, Vietjet has a chartered capital of VND3 trillion (VND90,000 per share). That would mean Vietjet’s capitalisation would stand at VND27 trillion (equivalent to $1.2 billion), accounting for 1.5 per cent of HOSE capitalisation as of February 15, 2017.</p>
<p>The airline will now join the ranks of ‘VN 30’, Vietnam’s biggest publicly-traded companies in terms of market capitalisation.</p>
<p>As a direct result of being hosted on HOSE, VJC will contribute positively to raise market capitalisation, offering immediate opportunities for local and foreign investors.</p>
<p>Vietjet is the first Vietnamese company to have completed an IPO that meets international standards and practices (Reg S). BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan are the IPO’s foreign joint global consultants. Twenty-four international investors subscribed to Vietjet’s offering, including Singapore sovereign fund GIC, Wellington, Morgan Stanley, Dragon Capital, VinaCapital, and many more.</p>
<p>According to 2016 statistics, Vietnam’s aviation transportation market grew by 29 per cent between 2012 and 2016, and the rate of customers using airplanes as their means of transportation increased from 0.5 per cent in 2012 to 0.8 per cent in 2016.</p>
<p>Vietjet, the first privately-owned commercial airline in Vietnam, and one of the most efficient carriers in the world, had started to generate profits in its second year of operations.<br />
Vietjet’s revenue in 2016 was VND27.532 trillion ($1.21 billion) with a net profit of VND2.394 trillion, ($105 million) with an earnings per share of VND8,762.</p>
<p>“Vietjet shall maintain a continuous and high growth rate and we believe that there will be a brighter future in the air for our passengers, the airline and its investors. Vietjet is leading the way in becoming an airline with high-quality services and efficient management and as a listed company that meets best standards and practices in Vietnam and internationally. In addition to delivering new values to our passengers, we wish to bring new added value to our investors, and for Vietnamese and international markets as well,” said Vietjet’s President & CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.</p>
<p>Established in 2007, Vietjet officially launched operations in December 2011. The airline is an official member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with IOSA certification. Vietjet’s high dispatch reliability is comparable to other airlines around the world.</p>
<p>In 2016, the airline operated 84,535 safe flights with a total of 121,213 flight hours. With an on-time performance rate of 83.6 per cent, and a technical reliability of 99.56 per cent, Vietjet is recognised as one of the best performing airlines operating an A320/A321 fleet in the region.</p>
<p>After five years of operations, the airline has flown over 35 million passengers, and been awarded 32 domestic and nine international accolades. Most recently, the airline was also named as one of the Top 500 Brands in Asia 2016, “The Best Asian Low Cost Carrier 2015” at the TTG Travel Awards 2015, and “The Most Favourite Airline in Vietnam”. Vietjet has also been named as “Vietnam’s Best Place to Work” and was nominated for “Best Employer Brand Development” in consecutive years.</p>
<p><em>By Van Khanh</em></p>
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Vietjet stock reaches ceiling price on first day of trading Related image(s)<br />
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Vietjet stock reaches ceiling price on first day of trading

Vietjet stock reaches ceiling price on first day of trading Vietjet stock ended the morning trading session at VND108,000 ($4.74), 20 per c...

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Vietnamese citizens can travel to 48 countries and territories without visas

Vietnamese citizens can travel to 48 countries and territories without visas
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<p>According to the latest released Passport Index report, Vietnamese citizens can travel to 48 countries and territories without visas.</p>
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<td><img alt="The report also shows that the Vietnamese passport was ranked 76th among the world’s most powerful passports." src="http://bit.ly/2m0sXyt" title="The report also shows that the Vietnamese passport was ranked 76th among the world’s most powerful passports." /></td>
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<p>The report also shows that the Vietnamese passport was ranked 76th among the world’s most powerful passports.</p>
<p>The Passport Index has rated the German passport as the most powerful one in the world as Germans do not need to apply for visas when entering 175 countries and territories around the world.</p>
<p>Mozambique, Rwanda, Chad, Gabon, Egypt and Bhutan share the same rank (the 76th) as Vietnam.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, passport holders from Pakistan and Afghanistan are exempted from visas by only 23 and 26 countries, respectively.</p>
<p><em>Source Dtinews</em></p>
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Vietnamese citizens can travel to 48 countries and territories without visas Related image(s)<br />
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Vietnamese citizens can travel to 48 countries and territories without visas

Vietnamese citizens can travel to 48 countries and territories without visas According to the latest released Passport Index report, Vietna...

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Bản in : Phan Boi Chau contributes to Vietnam-Japan affiliations

Bản in : Phan Boi Chau contributes to Vietnam-Japan affiliations
<p>Relations between Vietnam and Japan have come a long way since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, let alone a century ago.</p>
<p>Today, Japan is one of Vietnam’s largest investors with hundreds of thousands of enterprises operating all over the country in sectors ranging from electronics to the apparel industry.</p>
<p>Travel between the two countries has become significantly easier with numerous flight options connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to cities in Japan.</p>
<p>The first affiliations between two countries, however, can be traced back to over a century ago when the world was caught in the throes of imperialism and colonialism.</p>
<p>At the outset of the 20th century, with aspirations to save the Vietnamese nation from slavery, prominent intellectuals at the time felt that significant reform was the only way to turn the tide.</p>
<p>Phan Boi Chau, pioneer of Vietnamese 20th century nationalism, formed a revolutionary organisation called Duy Tan (Reformation Society) with the aim of ‘restoring Vietnam and forming an independent government.’</p>
<p>Chau and his Reformation Society sought assistance from Japan, a nation with similar culture and close proximity, well on its way to becoming a prosperous country. The Society agreed to send Chau to Japan to ask for their help in fighting against French colonialists.</p>
<p>Initially Japan agreed to help by training human resources, so Chau and his comrades called for young Vietnamese to study in Japan. It soon evolved into a large social movement, called Dong Du, or Travel East for Study.</p>
<p>Just as the movement was gaining strength with 200 intellectuals studying in Japan, France signed a Treaty with Japan, forcing the group to disperse.</p>
<p>Professor Chuong Thau, who has studied Chau for more than 50 years, said despite its relatively short four-year duration, the Dong Du movement is widely considered the greatest achievement in the revolutionary career of Phan Boi Chau and his Reformation Society.</p>
<p>“The movement trained new revolutionary personnel, fostering high enthusiasm and remarkable endurance. They always strove to learn for progress,” Thau said.</p>
<p>“The movement also represented a historical landmark for the relationship between Japan and Vietnam, treasured in the pre-modern history between the two countries,” Thau added.</p>
<p>According to Thau, Chau was Vietnam’s greatest reform-minded revolutionary in the early 20th century.</p>
<p>“Phan Boi Chau advocated for the establishment of ‘a new Vietnam’, he was the first to look out to the high sea with Pacific Ocean vision, the first to entertain thoughts of an international coalition to save the country from colonial powers,” said Thau.</p>
<p>According to Dao Tien Thi from the Educational Publishing House, the Dong Du movement not only ignited a patriotic flame and the will to gain independence but also contributed to changing the course of Vietnamese history in many aspects, especially by inspiring a shift in people’s thinking.</p>
<p>“The movement helped rid of dogmatic thinking, changing instead to focus on reality, integrating the country into the regional community and the world at large. It also stimulated the transition from monarchist thought to democracy,” said Thi.</p>
<p>“Culturally, this was Vietnam’s first non-Chinese cultural contact,” Thi added.-VNA</p>
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Bản in : Phan Boi Chau contributes to Vietnam-Japan affiliations Related image(s)<br />
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Bản in : Phan Boi Chau contributes to Vietnam-Japan affiliations

Bản in : Phan Boi Chau contributes to Vietnam-Japan affiliations Relations between Vietnam and Japan have come a long way since the two coun...

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Raw fish salad: VIP dish by Vietnam’s Thai people

Raw fish salad: VIP dish by Vietnam’s Thai people
<p>The people of Thai minority group in northern Vietnam prepare the tasty and painstaking dish for special family unions or beloved guests.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Thai people in Dien Bien Province in the northern highlands, more than 300 miles to the northwest of Hanoi, live close to rivers and lakes which their diet largely depends on.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Among their favorite dishes is raw fish salad, which is prepared for every major family reunion or treating a special guest or for Tet, the Lunar New Year festival. Carps selected for the dish are larger than one kilogram (2.2 lb) and caught from a nearby stream or a pond in the backyard.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">The fish is mixed with sliced banana blossom and different herbs.</p>
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<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="raw-fish-salad-vip-dish-by-vietnams-thai-people-3" src="http://bit.ly/2m2sqfR" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">The fish is filleted, and the cuts are sliced into smaller pieces, which according to locals will reduce the stink and help them absorb the spices better.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Wild banana blossom is sliced and then mixed with salt for two hours to get rid of the resin. The slices do not just add crunchiness to the dish, but their slightlybitter taste also helps one avoid stomachache for they are not used to raw fish.</p>
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<p>Thai people often call their raw fish salad the “gathering” dish as it is made by many people, and for many to eat together.</p>
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<p>The juice from bamboo shoot pickle is added to extra taste and to ripen the fish a bit. The best Thai raw fish salad brings a perfect combination of tastes. There is the crunchiness of the bamboo blossom, the fragrance from different herbs, the fish’s sweetness, the sour pickle juice, and the spiciness of garlic and pepper.</p>
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<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="raw-fish-salad-vip-dish-by-vietnams-thai-people-7" src="http://bit.ly/2m2tXCK" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">A typical Thai food tray has salad, steamed, boiled and grilled dishes. But the raw fish dish is not for everyone because it takes a lot of time to prepare, locals said.</p>
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<p><em>Photos by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh</em></p>
<p><em>Related news:</em></p>
<p>><a href="http://bit.ly/2mvLNeL">Top chefs name Hoi An Vietnam’s food capital</a></p>
<p>><a href="http://bit.ly/2m2jE1y">Fancy one of the world’s greatest food experiences? Try Hanoi</a></p>
<p>><a href="http://bit.ly/2mvIft0">5 Saigon restaurants that prove size doesn’t matter</a></p>
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Raw fish salad: VIP dish by Vietnam’s Thai people Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2mvIdkS" width="200" /><br />

Raw fish salad: VIP dish by Vietnam’s Thai people

Raw fish salad: VIP dish by Vietnam’s Thai people The people of Thai minority group in northern Vietnam prepare the tasty and painstaking di...

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Da Nang to host golf travel event in May

Da Nang to host golf travel event in May
<p>The 6th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (ATGC) will take place in the central city of Da Nang, from May 7th to 10th, with the participation of representatives from 36 countries around the world.</p>
<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Photo for illustration" src="http://bit.ly/2lXwMVc" title="Photo for illustration" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Photo for illustration</p>
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The event will also attract 650 attendants including 236 buyers who are representatives of famous golf companies and courses from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong (China), Thailand, Australia, Belgium, Austria, Finland, France and Western Europe.
<p>ATGC 2017 will combines numerous activities, including a three-day golf tourism meeting, international conference about the value of golf tourism in Da Nang, and a famtrip program.</p>
<p>It also combines meetings between buyers and sellers with great networking opportunities, including the Welcome Reception, Business Lunches and Golf Tournament.</p>
<p>The event is expected to create great opportunities for Da Nang to promote tourism and culture to participants, who are prestigious tourism representatives.</p>
<p>With fantastic golf courses designed by Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Collin Montgomerie and Luke Donald, Da Nang is a terrific golf destination, with many direct international flights and frequent domestic flights every day from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city./.</p>
<p>BTA</p>
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Da Nang to host golf travel event in May Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2lXwMVc" width="200" /><br />

Da Nang to host golf travel event in May

Da Nang to host golf travel event in May The 6th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (ATGC) will take place in the central city of Da Nang, from Ma...

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Number of foreign visitors to Vietnam increases by 33 percent

Number of foreign visitors to Vietnam increases by 33 percent
<div><i>The Hanoitimes</i> – In the first two months of this year, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 2,206,659 arrivals, up 33 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.</div>
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<div>According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam welcomed about 1,199,421 international tourists in February, increasing 19.1 percent from the previous month and 42.2 percent year-on-year.<br />
In January and February, Vietnam received 2,206,659 international visitors, up 33 percent from the same period last year, marking the first time Vietnam welcomed more than one million foreign visitors per month.<br />
This shows positive tourism growth in the context of implementing Politburo Resolution 08-NQ/TU on making tourism a key economic sector.<br />
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<p>According to figures unveiled by the General Department of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed more than 10 million international visitors in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 26%; and served 62 million domestic tourists, up 9% over the previous year. The country earned 400 trillion VND (over US$17.5 billion) from tourism past year, an increase of 19% compared to 2015.<br />
The sector is expected to welcome 11.5 million foreign visitors and 66 million domestic ones, generating 460 trillion VND (20.3 billion USD) this year.<br />
The tourism sector also targets to receive 17-20 million international tourists and serve 82 million domestic visitors by 2020, contributing 10 percent to gross domestic product. Tourism revenue is expected to reach 35 billion USD.</p>
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<div>Translated by Thu Minh</div>
<div>Source: Ho Ha-Kinhtedothi.vn</div>
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Number of foreign visitors to Vietnam increases by 33 percent Related image(s)<br />
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Number of foreign visitors to Vietnam increases by 33 percent

Number of foreign visitors to Vietnam increases by 33 percent The Hanoitimes – In the first two months of this year, the number of internat...

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Top chefs name Hoi An Vietnam’s food capital

Top chefs name Hoi An Vietnam’s food capital
<div><img alt="The street, canals, bridges and the distinctive yellow houses of Hoi An. Photo by Réhahn." src="http://bit.ly/2mlmoHP" title="The street, canals, bridges and the distinctive yellow houses of Hoi An. Photo by Réhahn." width="500" />
<div>The street, canals, bridges and the distinctive yellow houses of Hoi An. Photo by Réhahn.</div>
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<p>Foreign travel sites seem to have gained an appetite for the ancient town.</p>
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<p>Recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1999, Hoi An has now been honored by the World Association of Chefs as Vietnam’s Capital of Culinary Arts and Cuisine, the government online news portal reported.</p>
<p>Last year, travel site <em>Lonely Planet</em> dubbed Hoi An a global food paradise while American travel website <em>TripAdvisor</em> chose the town as one of the top 10 Asian food destinations in 2011.</p>
<p>Located on Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An is known for its well-preserved ancient buildings and diversified cuisine.</p>
<p>The old town is a culinary hot spot with many local specialties like “Banh Mi Hoi An” (Vietnamese baguette), “Mi Quang” (Quang-style noodles) and “Banh Dap” (smashed rice pancakes).</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Banh Mi Hoi An. Photo by Tran Viet Anh</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Banh Dap. Photo by Ga Con</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text">Mi Quang. Photo by Tieu Phong</p>
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<p>The new title was bestowed ahead of the opening of the Hoi An International Food Festival, which will take place from March 20-26 with the participation of 12 international chefs.</p>
<p>Local authorities said that the festival will help promote Hoi An and give a chance for local chefs to exchange experiences with international experts.</p>
<p>The charming town attracted 2.3 million tourists last year, up more than 18 percent from 2015.</p>
<p><em>Related news:</em></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2mlqMGV">Go green: Electric buses to hit Hoi An streets next year</a></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2lfugW9">An open-air studio: French photographer bathes Hoi An in gold</a></p>
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Top chefs name Hoi An Vietnam’s food capital Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2mlmoHP" width="200" /><br />

Top chefs name Hoi An Vietnam’s food capital

Top chefs name Hoi An Vietnam’s food capital The street, canals, bridges and the distinctive yellow houses of Hoi An. Photo by Réhahn. Fo...

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Saigon sisters spark travel debate after driving up Vietnam in 40 hours

Saigon sisters spark travel debate after driving up Vietnam in 40 hours
<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Saigon sisters spark travel debate after driving up Vietnam in 40 hours" src="http://bit.ly/2lpyKKG" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Vo Huyen Thien Thu (R) with her sister in Ninh Binh Province, not far from Hanoi, during their recent north-south trip in a photo from her Facebook page.</p>
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<p>Local travelers said covering 1,150 miles in such a short time is either impossible or dangerous.</p>
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<p>When two young women from Ho Chi Minh City announced that they had completed a south-north road trip in 40 hours, they did not receive the plaudits they expected.</p>
<p>Many people said they had either lied or put themselves in a very dangerous situation.</p>
<p>Vo Huyen Thien Thu, a HCMC college student, said she and her younger sister set out on a motorbike on January 31 and arrived in Hanoi two days later. They had planned to finish the 1,850-kilometer (1,150 miles) in 36 hours, but thunderstorms stretched the journey out by four extra hours.</p>
<p>Thu said they only stopped to rest, eat and sleep. They used toilets at gas stations and put on extra plastic raincoats on cold days.</p>
<p>From Hanoi, they spent a week traveling back south, stopping en route in Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Da Nang, Hoi An, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.</p>
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<p>Vo Huyen Thien Thu poses in Phu Yen Province in central Vietnam during her journey, as shown in a photo on her Facebook page.</p>
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<p>When their story was shared on local travel forums, many people said they were not convinced.</p>
<p>Several travelers said Thu’s story totally made sense, as they had done a similar journey in 29 hours.</p>
<p>But others did not think so.</p>
<p>A male traveler named Thanh Duy said the women must have had to drive more than 900 kilometers a day. “I could only do 600 kilometers on my best day,” he said.</p>
<p>One said completing more than a thousand miles in 40 hours is possible, but “you wouldn’t have the energy to travel the whole week after that.”</p>
<p>Many commented that it was dangerous trying to do a long trip in such a short space of time, and that they would not have been able to enjoy the scenery.</p>
<p>Thu said her focus on the trip, which cost them around VND8 million ($350), was to test her spirit and strength.</p>
<p>She had already completed the same journey in 48 hours.</p>
<p>“I will make a third trip because each time brings different joy and experience,” Thu said.</p>
<p>This is not the first time a Vietnamese journey story has triggered debate among fellow travelers.</p>
<p>In 2014, a 30-year-old Hanoian man also became a topic of discussion after he spent 10 days driving his motorbike more than 4,400 kilometers to reach all four tips in the north, south, east and west of Vietnam.</p>
<p><em>Related news:</em></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2lpGHQ7">Getting lost and found in Phu Yen</a></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2lKPq26">Vietnamese beaches tipped by travelers among best in Asia</a></p>
</div>
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Saigon sisters spark travel debate after driving up Vietnam in 40 hours Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2lpyKKG" width="200" /><br />

Saigon sisters spark travel debate after driving up Vietnam in 40 hours

Saigon sisters spark travel debate after driving up Vietnam in 40 hours Vo Huyen Thien Thu (R) with her sister in Ninh Binh Province, not f...

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Vietnamese sisters raise eyebrows after claims of 40-hour Saigon-Hanoi motorbike trip

Vietnamese sisters raise eyebrows after claims of 40-hour Saigon-Hanoi motorbike trip
<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Vietnamese sisters raise eyebrows after claims of 40-hour Saigon-Hanoi motorbike trip" src="http://bit.ly/2lpyKKG" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Vo Huyen Thien Thu (R) with her sister in Ninh Binh Province, not far from Hanoi, during their recent north-south trip in a photo from her Facebook page.</p>
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<p>Local travelers said covering 1,150 miles in such a short time is either impossible or dangerous.</p>
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<p>When two young women from Ho Chi Minh City announced that they had completed a south-north road trip in 40 hours, they did not receive the plaudits they expected.</p>
<p>Many people said they had either lied or put themselves in a very dangerous situation.</p>
<p>Vo Huyen Thien Thu, a HCMC college student, said she and her younger sister set out on a motorbike on January 31 and arrived in Hanoi two days later. They had planned to finish the 1,850-kilometer (1,150 miles) in 36 hours, but thunderstorms stretched the journey out by four extra hours.</p>
<p>Thu said they only stopped to rest, eat and sleep. They used toilets at gas stations and put on extra plastic raincoats on cold days.</p>
<p>From Hanoi, they spent a week traveling back south, stopping en route in Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Da Nang, Hoi An, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.</p>
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<p>Vo Huyen Thien Thu poses in Phu Yen Province in central Vietnam during her journey, as shown in a photo on her Facebook page.</p>
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<p>When their story was shared on local travel forums, many people said they were not convinced.</p>
<p>Several travelers said Thu’s story totally made sense, as they had done a similar journey in 29 hours.</p>
<p>But others did not think so.</p>
<p>A male traveler named Thanh Duy said the women must have had to drive more than 900 kilometers a day. “I could only do 600 kilometers on my best day,” he said.</p>
<p>One said completing more than a thousand miles in 40 hours is possible, but “you wouldn’t have the energy to travel the whole week after that.”</p>
<p>Many commented that it was dangerous trying to do a long trip in such a short space of time, and that they would not have been able to enjoy the scenery.</p>
<p>Thu said her focus on the trip, which cost them around VND8 million ($350), was to test her spirit and strength.</p>
<p>She had already completed the same journey in 48 hours.</p>
<p>“I will make a third trip because each time brings different joy and experience,” Thu said.</p>
<p>This is not the first time a Vietnamese journey story has triggered debate among fellow travelers.</p>
<p>In 2014, a 30-year-old Hanoian man also became a topic of discussion after he spent 10 days driving his motorbike more than 4,400 kilometers to reach all four tips in the north, south, east and west of Vietnam.</p>
<p><em>Related news:</em></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2lpGHQ7">Getting lost and found in Phu Yen</a></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2lKPq26">Vietnamese beaches tipped by travelers among best in Asia</a></p>
</div>
<br />
Vietnamese sisters raise eyebrows after claims of 40-hour Saigon-Hanoi motorbike trip Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2lpyKKG" width="200" /><br />

Vietnamese sisters raise eyebrows after claims of 40-hour Saigon-Hanoi motorbike trip

Vietnamese sisters raise eyebrows after claims of 40-hour Saigon-Hanoi motorbike trip Vo Huyen Thien Thu (R) with her sister in Ninh Binh P...

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Top spots for a weekend getaway near Saigon

Top spots for a weekend getaway near Saigon
<p><em>Can Gio, located roughly 50km from Saigon, is one of the favourite weekend holiday spots for Saigoneers.</em></p>
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<p>In Can Gio, visitors always have tons of fun on Monkey Island, home to more than 200 naughty primates that are fond of stealing food and other items from guests.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 2" src="http://bit.ly/2mB2LYp" /></p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 3" src="http://bit.ly/2m0LE5y" /></p>
<p>Visitors to the Oyster Fishing Village say it’s fascinating to see how the molluscs live and how farmers raise and harvest them.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 4" src="http://bit.ly/2mAXksu" /></p>
<p>There is always a vibrant and bustling atmosphere at the Dong Hoa Wharf where fishermen anchor their boats.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 5" src="http://bit.ly/2m0O58b" /></p>
<p>The Dong Hoa Seafood Market is a live market that seems untouched by the modern world. Prices of seafood here are very inexpensive.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 6" src="http://bit.ly/2mBg3ny" /></p>
<p>At the dried fish processing factories located in Can Gio guests can buy delicious food at extremely affordable prices.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 7" src="http://bit.ly/2m0EkHi" /></p>
<p>The Fruit Gardens in Can Thach town is an ideal spot for a stroll through fruit orchards and garden patches to observe the famers care for trees and harvest fruit.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 8" src="http://bit.ly/2mB0pJ9" /></p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 9" src="http://bit.ly/2m0IxdZ" /></p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 10" src="http://bit.ly/2mB26WS" /></p>
<p>Thach An island still retains its centuries-old wild and natural beauty.</p>
<p><img alt="top spots for a weekend getaway near saigon hinh 11" src="http://bit.ly/2m0IKhl" /></p>
<p>Thieng Lieng Island is one of the most unique tourist destinations in Can Gio, where mounds of natural salt are manually harvested from shallow fields.</p>
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<p><em>Zing/VOV</em></p>
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Top spots for a weekend getaway near Saigon Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2m0Sqbx" width="200" /><br />

Top spots for a weekend getaway near Saigon

Top spots for a weekend getaway near Saigon Can Gio, located roughly 50km from Saigon, is one of the favourite weekend holiday spots for Sai...

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Fancy one of the world’s greatest food experiences? Try Hanoi

Fancy one of the world’s greatest food experiences? Try Hanoi
<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="Tourists eat out late at night in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy" src="http://bit.ly/2lVVFAy" title="Tourists eat out late at night in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Tourists eat out late at night in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy</p>
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<p>The Telegraph gets its teeth into Hanoi cuisine, and it’s not the famous ‘pho’ or Obama’s ‘bun cha’.</p>
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<p>Many people are drawn to a destination just because of how well it triggers their appetite, and for that reason, Hanoi is one of the world’s greatest cities to visit, <em>The Telegraph</em> recommends.</p>
<p>The U.K. newspaper published a list of “the world’s 17 greatest cities for food” on Sunday and the Vietnamese capital grabbed second spot, after Tokyo.</p>
<p>“Hanoi’s compact old center is arguably the better place to sample the balance of salt, sweet, sour and spice in Vietnamese cuisine,” it said, comparing the city with the popular southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, which is “more international”.</p>
<p>Hanoi is where one can take to the streets and eat like a local, it said.</p>
<p>The city offers some of the most popular Vietnamese dishes such as “banh mi”, a baguette usually filled with grilled pork, meatballs or cold cuts, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrots, liver pâté and a swipe of mayonnaise, or “com tam”, which is broken rice with grilled pork, pig skin, egg and fish sauce.</p>
<p>But tourists can also jump into more exotic dishes like “pho tiu”, a sweet and sour noodle dish originating in China and arriving in Hanoi via Ho Chi Minh City. It is an assortment of roasted pork slices, bean shoots, herbs, crushed nuts and dried shallots on a bed of noodles, topped off with fish sauce, vinegar, thickened pork bone broth and light brown oil.</p>
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<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="fancy-some-of-the-worlds-greatest-food-experience-try-hanoi-1" src="http://bit.ly/2lVD5Zg" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">“Pho tiu” in Hanoi. Photos by Ngoi Sao/Shironeko</p>
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<p>For dessert, the newspaper recommended egg coffee, an unlikely beverage favored particularly on cold days. It is a blend of coffee and egg whites, folded with sugar and drunk hot or cold. Say “café trung” and you will be served.</p>
<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="fancy-some-of-the-worlds-greatest-food-experience-try-hanoi-2" src="http://bit.ly/2mtYF5c" width="500" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">Egg coffee in Hanoi. Photo by Ngoi Sao/Nguyen Chi</p>
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<p><em>The Telegraph</em> did not mention “pho” or “bun cha”, although both are among tourists’ favorite things to try in Hanoi.</p>
<p>U.S. news site <em>Business Insider</em> last October published a bucket list with 50 attractions, foods and experiences one must try in Asia, and among them was “a steamy bowl of pho in Hanoi”.</p>
<p>In May last year, a plastic stool restaurant near Hanoi’s Old Quarter also earned global fame after serving “bun cha”, a combination of grilled pork patties, cold dipping sauce, fresh vegetables and rice vermicelli, to Barrack Obama, which made him “so happy,” according to his companion celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.</p>
<p><em>The Telegraph</em> list mostly focuses on Europe and America. Other Asian cities that made the list are Jaipur in India, Bangkok in Thailand, Singapore and Chengdu in China.</p>
<p><em>Related news:</em></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2e2NHPT">US news site names Vietnam’s pho, Ha Long Bay must-try experiences in Asia</a></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2mu7ZG4">Saigon’s banh mi hailed among the kings and queens of street foods</a></p>
<p>> <a href="http://bit.ly/2lVUGR5">Celebrity chef relives Obama’s street food experience in Hanoi</a></p>
</div>
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Fancy one of the world’s greatest food experiences? Try Hanoi Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2lVVFAy" width="200" /><br />

Fancy one of the world’s greatest food experiences? Try Hanoi

Fancy one of the world’s greatest food experiences? Try Hanoi Tourists eat out late at night in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy The T...

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