June 2017 - Vietnam Breaking News

Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations

Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations
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<p class="Normal">Vietnam’s tourism industry is moving in the right direction, and the country’s 2016 visitor numbers rose at one of the fastest rates in the world, according to a new United Nations report.</p>
<p class="Normal">A global report published this week by the United Nations World Tourism Organization ranked Vietnam’s tourism growth as seventh in the world, and the country was the only des<span>tination in Southeast Asia to make the top 10. Indonesia was ranked in 20th place.</span></p>
<p class="Normal">Sierra Leone topped the list thanks to the eradication of Ebola in November 2015.</p>
<p class="Normal">Foreign visitors to Vietnam rose 26 percent to a record 10 million last year, earning the tourism industry VND400 trillion ($17.6 billion). Foreign arrivals<span> to the country in the first half of this year increased 30 percent from a year ago to more than 6.2 million, according to the General Statistics Office.</span></p>
<p class="Normal"><span>The country has been rising in popularity, with the </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2hcvC3x" style="font-size: 11.8pt" target="_blank"><em>New York Times</em></a> <span>late last year naming it a place to travel in your twenties.</span></p>
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<p class="Normal"><span>The central seaside town of Hoi An was selected as one the world’s top destinations in 2017 by <em>TripAdvisor</em> users, who also selected</span> <a href="http://bit.ly/2hKBfGy" style="font-size: 11.8pt" target="_blank">Da Lat and Sa Pa</a> <span>among the best vacation choices for the year.</span></p>
<p class="Normal"><em>The</em> <em>Telegraph </em>also recommended Hanoi for an amazing food experience, while Ho Chi Minh City has cracked various lists of top destinations for solo and retiree travelers. Both cities were named among the world’s fastest growing destinations by MasterCard last year, and more recently by <em>Price of Travel</em> as on of the cheapest cities for backpackers.</p>
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<p class="Normal">Vietnam has been working hard to promote tourism.</p>
<p class="Normal">With visa waiver policies for big markets in Asia and Europe, as well as a new e-visa system, the country hopes to welcome 17-20 million foreign visitors and make $35 billion per year from tourism by 2020, contributing 10 percent to the country’s economy, compared to the current 7.5 percent.</p>
<p class="Normal">Its top lawmakers have a brand new tourism development fund to boost tourism, which will be sourced from visa fees and an annual budget of $2.5 million the government sets aside for tourism promotions every year.</p>
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Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations

Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations

Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations Vietnam’s tourism industry is moving in the right direction, and the countr...

Hanoi trials double-decker sightseeing bus

Hanoi trials double-decker sightseeing bus
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<p>NDO – Hanoi’s leading bus operator Transerco has commenced with the trial of sightseeing bus tour services using double-decker buses, offering tourists a new choice to explore the capital city.</p>
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<p>Known as City Tour, the service follows a loop route that starts at the Hanoi Opera House and takes tourists to the city’s famous destinations such as the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Citadel, Tran Quoc Temple and the Old Quarter.</p>
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<p>The double-decker’s second storey is open and equipped with a retractable roof to shelter tourists from the sun or rain.</p>
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<p>Currently only one bus has been put into use and more will be provided in the next two months once the service is officially launched, according to Transerco representative.</p>
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<p>For easy recognition, the bus has red as its primary colour, supplemented by blue, green and yellow stripes and a stylised picture of the Temple of Literature’s Khue Van Cac Pavilion, a symbol of Hanoi.</p>
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<p>The double-decker bus is also equipped with a Wi-Fi system and devices to fix wheelchairs to the floor, making it accessible to those with disabilities.</p>
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<p>In Ho Chi Minh City, the entire fleet of buses servicing route 32 between Mien Tay Bus Terminal and Nga Tu Ga Intersection will be replaced with 26 new buses powered by clean natural gas as of July 1.</p>
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<p>The new buses will be added to the existing 170 environmentally-friendly vehicles servicing 5 routes.</p>
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<p>In its plan to replace 1,680 old and outdated buses, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on increasing the number of vehicles using clean natural gas and phase out diesel-powered vehicles.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile in the central city of Da Nang, a new bus service supported by the Toyota Mobility Foundation has been launched as part of the project to improve the city’s urban transport.</p>
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<p>The service will be free for a year, including free parking at a nearby parking lot, to encourage local residents to use public transport.</p>
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<p>The service is offered from 5h45 to 20h45 with a frequency of one bus every 10 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes throughout the rest of the day.</p>
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Hanoi trials double-decker sightseeing bus Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Hanoi trials double-decker sightseeing bus

Hanoi trials double-decker sightseeing bus

Hanoi trials double-decker sightseeing bus NDO – Hanoi’s leading bus operator Transerco has commenced with the trial of sightseeing bus tou...

Open-top buses rev up to cruise the capital’s top tourist sites

Open-top buses rev up to cruise the capital’s top tourist sites
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<p class="Normal">Hanoi’s first double-decker bus will be hitting the streets on a trial run this Friday to take tourists on a scenic route around the city where they can enjoy the Opera House, Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the capital’s famous Old Quarter.</p>
<p class="Normal">If the trial proves a success, Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco), the capital’s main bus operator, will officially put the service into operation in the next two months.</p>
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<td><img alt="A double-decker tour bus appeared on Hanoi streets for the first time on Thursday morning. Photo by Tuan Anh." src="http://bit.ly/2tnAD1U" /></td>
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<p class="Image">An open-top tour bus in Hanoi. Photo by Tuan Anh</p>
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<p class="Normal">In late 2016, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave permission to Hanoi and six other towns and cities to launch open-top tour buses on a trial basis.</p>
<p class="Normal">The buses can seat up to 45 passengers.</p>
<p class="Normal">Open-top tour buses are popular in major cities around the world, including London, New York and Singapore.</p>
<p class="Normal">Vietnam has set a target of welcoming 17-20 million foreign visitors and serving 82 million domestic travelers per year by 2020. If that target is hit, tourism should contribute over 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product.</p>
<p class="Normal"><span>This year, Vietnam aims to welcome 11.5 million foreign visitors and serve 66 million domestic travelers, pocketing VND460 trillion ($20.6 billion) in tourism revenue, said the National Administration of Tourism.</span></p>
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Open-top buses rev up to cruise the capital’s top tourist sites Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2tnAD1U" width="200" /><br />

Open-top buses rev up to cruise the capital’s top tourist sites

Open-top buses rev up to cruise the capital’s top tourist sites

Open-top buses rev up to cruise the capital’s top tourist sites Hanoi’s first double-decker bus will be hitting the streets on a trial run ...

This is why Saigon cracks into the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon cracks into the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers
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<p class="Normal">Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming more popular among globetrotters, and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is a rising star on the list of places to visit.</p>
<p class="Normal">New data from Airbnb, an accommodation service that allows people to list their homes and hotels for holiday rentals, show that the city is one of the friendliest destinations for solo travelers.</p>
<p class="Normal">Solo bookings for HCMC surged 146 percent in 2016, second only to Cancun in Mexico, as reported by the U.K. lifestyle site <em>Good Housekeeping</em>.</p>
<p class="Normal">The Vietnamese city is one of two Asian destinations to make the top 10, besides Busan in South Korea.</p>
<p class="Normal">Mexico proved the most friendly country, with Playa Del Carmen and Mexico City also making the list.</p>
<p class="Normal">The rest of the top 10 is made up of Cologne in Germany, Johannesburg in South Africa, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Auckland in New Zealand and Charlotte in North Carolina, U.S.</p>
<p class="Normal">Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s top tourist destination for foreigners. The megacity plans to add 1,000 rooms this year and expects tourist arrivals to climb 15 percent to six million for 2017, according to a report released last month by the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.</p>
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<p class="Normal"><em>Price of Travel</em>, a travel cost database, in April ranked HCMC the world’s third cheapest city, where backpackers only need $18.33 a day for meals, beer, a place to stay, public transport and an entrance fee to a top attraction.</p>
<p class="Normal">The city still has certain problems such as traffic and street attacks, but it is proving to be a destination that has something for everyone.</p>
<p class="Normal">Last month it was hailed by top U.S. lifestyle magazine <em>Food and Wine</em> as an ideal place for retiree travelers, thanks to the luxury facilities it has to offer.</p>
<p class="Normal">Tourists also enjoy the contrast of a modern commercial center and historical sites such as the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace.</p>
<p class="Normal">Its wartime Cu Chi Tunnels and the 130-year-old Central Post Office were recently named by <em>TripAdvisor</em> users among the top landmarks in Asia.</p>
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This is why Saigon cracks into the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

This is why Saigon cracks into the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon cracks into the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon cracks into the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is beco...

This is why Saigon cracks the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon cracks the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers
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<p class="Normal">Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming more popular among globetrotters, and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is a rising star on the list of places to visit.</p>
<p class="Normal">New data from Airbnb, an accommodation service that allows people to list their homes and hotels for holiday rentals, show that the city is one of the friendliest destinations for solo travelers.</p>
<p class="Normal">Solo bookings for HCMC surged 146 percent in 2016, second only to Cancun in Mexico, as reported by the U.K. lifestyle site <em>Good Housekeeping</em>.</p>
<p class="Normal">The Vietnamese city is one of two Asian destinations to make the top 10, besides Busan in South Korea.</p>
<p class="Normal">Mexico proved the most friendly country, with Playa Del Carmen and Mexico City also making the list.</p>
<p class="Normal">The rest of the top 10 is made up of Cologne in Germany, Johannesburg in South Africa, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Auckland in New Zealand and Charlotte in North Carolina, U.S.</p>
<p class="Normal">Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s top tourist destination for foreigners. The megacity plans to add 1,000 rooms this year and expects tourist arrivals to climb 15 percent to six million for 2017, according to a report released last month by the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.</p>
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<p class="Normal"><em>Price of Travel</em>, a travel cost database, in April ranked HCMC the world’s third cheapest city, where backpackers only need $18.33 a day for meals, beer, a place to stay, public transport and an entrance fee to a top attraction.</p>
<p class="Normal">The city still has certain problems such as traffic and street attacks, but it is proving to be a destination that has something for everyone.</p>
<p class="Normal">Last month it was hailed by top U.S. lifestyle magazine <em>Food and Wine</em> as an ideal place for retiree travelers, thanks to the luxury facilities it has to offer.</p>
<p class="Normal">Tourists also enjoy the contrast of a modern commercial center and historical sites such as the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace.</p>
<p class="Normal">Its wartime Cu Chi Tunnels and the 130-year-old Central Post Office were recently named by <em>TripAdvisor</em> users among the top landmarks in Asia.</p>
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This is why Saigon cracks the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

This is why Saigon cracks the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon cracks the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon cracks the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming ...

This is why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers
<div style="float: left;width:100%">
<p class="Normal">Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming more popular among globetrotters, and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is a rising star on the list of places to visit.</p>
<p class="Normal">New data from Airbnb, an accommodation service that allows people to list their homes and hotels for holiday rentals, show that the city is one of the friendliest destinations for solo travelers.</p>
<p class="Normal">Solo bookings for HCMC surged 146 percent in 2016, second only to Cancun in Mexico, as reported by the U.K. lifestyle site <em>Good Housekeeping</em>.</p>
<p class="Normal">The Vietnamese city is one of two Asian destinations to make the top 10, besides Busan in South Korea.</p>
<p class="Normal">Mexico proved the most friendly country, with Playa Del Carmen and Mexico City also making the list.</p>
<p class="Normal">The rest of the top 10 is made up of Cologne in Germany, Johannesburg in South Africa, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Auckland in New Zealand and Charlotte in North Carolina, U.S.</p>
<p class="Normal">Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s top tourist destination for foreigners. The megacity plans to add 1,000 rooms this year and expects tourist arrivals to climb 15 percent to six million for 2017, according to a report released last month by the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.</p>
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<p class="Normal"><em>Price of Travel</em>, a travel cost database, in April ranked HCMC the world’s third cheapest city, where backpackers only need $18.33 a day for meals, beer, a place to stay, public transport and an entrance fee to a top attraction.</p>
<p class="Normal">The city still has certain problems such as traffic and street attacks, but it is proving to be a destination that has something for everyone.</p>
<p class="Normal">Last month it was hailed by top U.S. lifestyle magazine <em>Food and Wine</em> as an ideal place for retiree travelers, thanks to the luxury facilities it has to offer.</p>
<p class="Normal">Tourists also enjoy the contrast of a modern commercial center and historical sites such as the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace.</p>
<p class="Normal">Its wartime Cu Chi Tunnels and the 130-year-old Central Post Office were recently named by <em>TripAdvisor</em> users among the top landmarks in Asia.</p>
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<div id="video-138479"></div>
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This is why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

This is why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

This is why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming m...

Here’s why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

Here’s why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers
<div style="float: left;width:100%">
<p class="Normal">Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming more popular among globetrotters, and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is a rising star on the list of places to visit.</p>
<p class="Normal">New data from Airbnb, an accommodation service that allows people to list their homes and hotels for holiday rentals, show that the city is one of the friendliest destinations for solo travelers.</p>
<p class="Normal">Solo bookings for HCMC surged 146 percent in 2016, second only to Cancun in Mexico, as reported by the U.K. lifestyle site <em>Good Housekeeping</em>.</p>
<p class="Normal">The Vietnamese city is one of two Asian destinations to make the top 10, besides Busan in South Korea.</p>
<p class="Normal">Mexico proved the most friendly country, with Playa Del Carmen and Mexico City also making the list.</p>
<p class="Normal">The rest of the top 10 is made up of Cologne in Germany, Johannesburg in South Africa, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Auckland in New Zealand and Charlotte in North Carolina, U.S.</p>
<p class="Normal">Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s top tourist destination for foreigners. The megacity plans to add 1,000 rooms this year and expects tourist arrivals to climb 15 percent to six million for 2017, according to a report released last month by the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.</p>
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<div id="video-135625"></div>
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<p class="Normal"><em>Price of Travel</em>, a travel cost database, in April ranked HCMC the world’s third cheapest city, where backpackers only need $18.33 a day for meals, beer, a place to stay, public transport and an entrance fee to a top attraction.</p>
<p class="Normal">The city still has certain problems such as traffic and street attacks, but it is proving to be a destination that has something for everyone.</p>
<p class="Normal">Last month it was hailed by top U.S. lifestyle magazine <em>Food and Wine</em> as an ideal place for retiree travelers, thanks to the luxury facilities it has to offer.</p>
<p class="Normal">Tourists also enjoy the contrast of a modern commercial center and historical sites such as the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace.</p>
<p class="Normal">Its wartime Cu Chi Tunnels and the 130-year-old Central Post Office were recently named by <em>TripAdvisor</em> users among the top landmarks in Asia.</p>
<div style="text-align: center">
<div id="video-138479"></div>
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Here’s why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Here’s why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

Here’s why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers

Here’s why Saigon is in the world’s top 10 cities for solo travelers Taking a solo trip to explore exotic parts of the world is becoming mo...

International visitors to Vietnam increase over 30%

International visitors to Vietnam increase over 30%
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<p>NDO – According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of foreign tourist to Vietnam reached 6.2 million, in six first months of 2017, up 30.2% year-on-year.</p>
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<p>However, June saw some 949,400 international arrivals, dropping 2.4 percent compared to the previous month.</p>
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<p>During the six-month period, arrivals by air reached 5.21 million, up 33% year on year while the numbers of visitors coming by sea and land rose by 25% and 15.8%, respectively.</p>
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<p>The number of Chinese tourists has highest increase, 56.7%. The Russia market came second with a rise of 53.4%, followed by the Republic of Korea, 43.9% and Cambodia, 35.5%.</p>
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<p>The African market showed a yearly increase of 27% with 17,000 arrivals in the reviewed time.</p>
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<p>From January to June, the tourism sector served 40.7 million domestic travellers, earning VND 254.7 trillion (US$ 11.1 billion) in revenue, a 27% yearly surge, the administration noted.</p>
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<p>In the reviewed time, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism held many promotion events. In particular, the agency opened Vietnam’s booth at the Korean World Travel Fair (KOTFA) 2017 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, to promote Vietnamese tourism and attract more foreign visitors.</p>
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<p>The administration has chosen 2017 as the Travel Year, aiming to enhance service quality of travel agencies and government’s management over travel operation. Accordingly, it will focus on advertising work and providing trainings to improve human resources quality.</p>
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International visitors to Vietnam increase over 30% Related image(s)<br />
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International visitors to Vietnam increase over 30%

International visitors to Vietnam increase over 30%

International visitors to Vietnam increase over 30% NDO – According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of foreign to...

Visit Thu Cuc Village to get in touch with nature

Visit Thu Cuc Village to get in touch with nature
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<p>Writer Nguyen Van Toai, a relative of mine, says his native village of Thu Cuc, in the northern province of Phu Tho’s Tan Son District, is one of the most beautiful locations in the country because of its untouched forests and wild natural landscapes.</p>
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<td><em><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size: 14px">Sacred space: A temple built to worship Thu Cuc, a Muong girl who brought new rice to her village.</span></span></em></td>
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<p>He can’t help but praise the stunning scenery every time we meet. Last week he invited my family to visit his hometown. I jumped at the chance to breathe some fresh air and set off to the countryside.</p>
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<p>Just 130 kilometres from Ha Noi, the hamlets of Soi and U appear among the green fields, their distinctive palm-leaf roofs are particular to the Muong ethnic group. The landscape opened up in front of my eyes, with fresh fields stretching to the Bua River and hundred-year-old trees standing proud along the road.</p>
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<p>Toai told us that the river was full of fish, saying that when he was little, his father often grilled the fish straight from his net. “Oh, it was so fattysweet and fragrant. I haven’t eaten fish that fresh since.”</p>
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<p>When we arrived at the hamlet of U, Toai explained that it’s the most remote part of Thu Cuc Village. Nevertheless, we wanted to see the U Dam, which is an wooden structure built in the 1960s on the Bua River. Water wheels work all day and night to bring water to the fields.</p>
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<p>“The Muong ethnic group earn a living from wet rice, so the dam plays an important role in bringing water for the rice fields. During hot days in summer, local people often visit the dam and spots along the Bua River to enjoy fresh air and cool water,” said Toai.</p>
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<p>My two sons raced out of the car and towards the dam, intending to wade across the dam, but Toai told them it would be dangerous. The boys settled for a seat on the bank, dipping their feet in the stream. “It’s very cool, mother. Please let us get in the water, don’t worry I know how to swim,” my older son insisted.</p>
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<p>Toai promised that he would take the boys down the river on a bamboo raft.</p>
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<p>In the afternoon, Toai took us to his parents’ home, which is now owned by his 80-year-old aunt, Nguyen Thi Ngo. We immediately felt at home in the palm-roofed house. We were welcomed not only by the aunt but also by a dozen neighbours who were happy to receive visitors.</p>
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<p>Soon it was time for lunch, and aunt Ngo invited us to enjoy some of her food. The spread of traditional foods was delicious, and even with little appetite I enjoyed tasting the fermented cassava leaves, steamed snails gathered from the stream, and grilled goby marinated in spices.  </p>
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<p>Even my sons, usually wary of strange foods, enjoyed the dishes here, saying they particularly liked the steamed snails which were crispy, tasty and very fresh.</p>
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<p>Ngo said these foods are specialties of Thu Cuc Village.</p>
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<p>After the meal, Ngo led us to Cuc Temple to worship the Muong girl name Cuc.</p>
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<p>Legend has it that a group of Muong people from Hoa Binh Province, travelling to find a place to live, discovered Thu Cuc, a fertile piece of land. They decided to stop and settle right here.</p>
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<p>However, several years later, the villagers found themselves struggling with prolonged drought. “No trees or livestock could be raised and the people suffered,” Ngo told us.</p>
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<p>At that time, there had a beautiful and intelligent girl named Cuc. She had a lot of farming experience and was ready to help others. Seeing her neighbours suffering with hunger and poverty, Cuc wandered up hills and down the valleys to find a rice seed to rescue her fellow villagers.</p>
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<p>She managed to overcome many dangerous situations, such as crossing deep streams and thick jungles, but when she found the rice seeds and started making her way home she was killed by a wild animal, leaving the rice seeds which her villagers later brought home to grow in their field.</p>
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<p>Thanks to Cuc, local people’s living standards started to improve day by day.</p>
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<p>Villagers built a temple in the area where she died, in order to remember her sacrifice and worship her.</p>
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<p>Every year on the seventh and eighth days of the first Lunar month, Thu Cuc villagers begin a festival to welcome the soul of the rice to the village, wishing for good health and bumper crops all year round. They bring new rice and specialties for the gathering and perform rituals for the girl, said Ngo, adding that after the rituals have been completed, the villagers begin growing rice in the field.</p>
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<p>Sorcerer Hoang Van Ta said the people who join the festival and the welcoming of the rice’s soul should be supported by Cuc. “They will have full baskets of rice and maize for themselves and their livestock breeding too.”</p>
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<p>“I myself regularly join the traditional sacred festival. Ta is right, now no one in my village faces hunger or poverty,” said Ha Manh Hung, deputy chairman of Thu Cuc Commune’s People’s Committee. </p>
<p style="text-align: right;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px"><em>Source Vietnamnet</em></p>
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Visit Thu Cuc Village to get in touch with nature Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2tVIQIb" width="200" /><br />

Visit Thu Cuc Village to get in touch with nature

Visit Thu Cuc Village to get in touch with nature

Visit Thu Cuc Village to get in touch with nature Writer Nguyen Van Toai, a relative of mine, says his native village of Thu Cuc, in the n...

Pageant unveils Phu Yen’s beauty

Pageant unveils Phu Yen’s beauty
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<div class="lead-post" style="font: bold 15px/1.5 arial;color: #333;margin-bottom: 10px">
<p>Phu Yen is emerging as a hot new destination for tourists in Vietnam on the back of hosting the Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017 pageant.</p>
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<td><em><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:14px">Phu Yen is home to untouched natural beauty and a variety of scenic features</span></span></em></td>
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<p><br /></p>
<p>During the sunny summer days, the province welcomed hundreds of tourists to Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017, a beauty pageant for the Southeast Asian region. The pageant presents an opportunity for Phu Yen to create a breakthrough in local tourism, surpassing other coastal central provinces.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Phu Yen is one of the most unspoiled and untouched region in Vietnam. Every tourist to Phu Yen is amazed at its natural beauty and diverse landscape. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Phu Yen is the gateway to South Central coast and the Central Highlands. The province boasts a prime location with 189 kilometres of coastline. Thanks to a mix of forests, mountains, cliffs, lagoons, and ocean, the region’s wild natural beauty makes it an especially intriguing place to visit.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Phu Yen has ample potential for tourism development including beaches, hospitality, and eco-tourism projects.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Over the last few years, the province has focused on the development of its tourism sector with top destinations like Vung Ro Bay, Xuan Dai Bay, Ghenh Da Dia, O Loan Lagoon, Mui Dien Lighthouse, and  White Marble and Luong Van Chanh temples.</p>
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<p>Sustainability is one of the most important values in tourism. Most of  the heritage and tourist attractions in Phu Yen are now protected.</p>
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<p>The province has upgraded its infrastructure to attract investment in eco-tourism, hospitality, and entertainment projects like the high-end tourism complex New City Vietnam in An Phu town, Tuy Hoa city, as well as resorts in Song Cau, Tuy An, and Dong Xuan.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>These projects will help Phu Yen to diversify its tourism sector to include sightseeing, shopping, accommodation, and culinary discovery.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017, launched at the beginning of this year, has captured the attention of the public.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Many models have since gathered at top tourist attractions throughout Phu Yen to impart their beauty on pictures and films. These activities have helped Phu Yen to broadcast its local tourist attractions to the world.</p>
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<p style="text-align: right;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px"><em>By Thuy Linh</em></p>
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Pageant unveils Phu Yen’s beauty Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2sgCH7p" width="200" /><br />

Pageant unveils Phu Yen’s beauty

Pageant unveils Phu Yen’s beauty

Pageant unveils Phu Yen’s beauty Phu Yen is emerging as a hot new destination for tourists in Vietnam on the back of hosting the Miss ASEA...

Can Tho tourism revenues up by 16%

Can Tho tourism revenues up by 16%
<div class="ndcontent ndb">
<p>NDO – In the first half of this year, the southern city of Can Tho reported tourism earnings of over VND1.12 trillion (over US$49 million), an increase of 16% year-on-year.</p>
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<div class="ndcontent">
<p>There were over 1 million visitors to the city, including over 140,000 foreign tourists, up 9% compared to the same period last year.</p>
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<p>According to Director of the municipal Culture, Sports and Tourism Department Tran Viet Phuong, the city plans to promote tourism activities as well as diversify ecological, cultural and river tours to meet the demands of visitors.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The city will cooperate with the Mekong delta provinces of An Giang and Kien Giang to establish a “tourist triangle”, developing river, island and mountain tourism services.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Can Tho will also upgrade infrastructure in more than 20 eco-tourism parks covering an area of approximately 300 hectares, and develop models of environmentally-friendly tourism on Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets and at other tourist sites.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Can Tho city is located in a traffic junction linking the provinces in the region to Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia. It is well known for its bird gardens, picturesque canals, Ninh Kieu wharf in Ninh Kieu district and Cai Rang floating market, the biggest fruit and agricultural wholesale market in the Mekong River delta.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The city is also famous for My Khanh tourist village where visitors can sample local fruits and admire various types of bonsai trees and animals such as birds, turtles, snakes, crabs and shrimp. It is home to historical and cultural relics including the Ong pagoda, Nam Nha pagoda and Binh Thuy temple.</p>
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Can Tho tourism revenues up by 16% Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Can Tho tourism revenues up by 16%

Can Tho tourism revenues up by 16%

Can Tho tourism revenues up by 16% NDO – In the first half of this year, the southern city of Can Tho reported tourism earnings of over VND...

Quang Nam province launches new destinations

Quang Nam province launches new destinations
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<p style="text-align: justify">NDO/VNA – The central province of Quang Nam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism department has introduced eight new tourist sites this year.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">According to Director of the department Dinh Hai, the province now operates tours to a forest of centuries-old Po Mu trees in Tay Giang district.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">He said these trees, some of which are about 1,000 years old, have been included on the national heritage register.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Triem Tay village in Dien Ban town was recognised as a community-based tourism site, across the Hoai River only ten minutes from Hoi An city.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Huong My organic farm village and beach of Binh Minh in Thang Binh district – along with rural market in Tien Phuoc district – also offer a rural lifestyle and farm produce.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Tourists can explore and practice with local residents in farming, and enjoy a homestay in the two districts.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Tam Hai island – off the coast of Nui Thanh district – has been linked with Cham Island and Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai province in a sea route.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Recovered mangrove forest in Tam Giang commune in Nui Thanh will offer a tour of sea and wetland biodiversity as well as fishing villages.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Travel agencies in the province also launched a cruise service along the Thu Bon River connecting rural villages with Hoi An, nipa palm forest of Cam Thanh and craft villages of Kim Bong, Ban Thach and Duy Vinh.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Mountainous district of Nam Tra My, where is known for farms of Ngoc Linh ginseng offers a tour to ginseng farms and ethnic hamlets in the district.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The mountainous districts in Quang Nam province including Tay Giang, Nam Giang, Bac Tra My, Nong Son, Que Son and Nam Tra My are favourite destinations for motorbike rides and off-the-road adventures that give a glimpse of the lifestyle of ethnic minorities at 1,500m above the sea level.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Last month, the province in cooperation with Da Nang city and Thua Thien-Hue province hosted a promotion programme in Bangkok, introducing new tourism services and destinations to travel agencies in Thailand.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Quang Nam, home to world heritage sites Hoi An and My Son sanctuary, and Cham Island-Hoi An biosphere reserve, hosted 4.4 million tourists last year.</p>
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Quang Nam province launches new destinations Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Quang Nam province launches new destinations

Quang Nam province launches new destinations

Quang Nam province launches new destinations NDO/VNA – The central province of Quang Nam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism department has intro...

New destinations launched in Quang Nam

New destinations launched in Quang Nam
<div class="entry-content clearfix">
<div class="lead-post" style="font: bold 15px/1.5 arial;color: #333;margin-bottom: 10px">
<p>The central province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism department has introduced eight new tourism sites in the province this year.</p>
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<td><em><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size: 14px">Local residents go farming in Nam Tra My District in Quang Nam Province.</span></span></em></td>
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<p><br /></p>
<p>Director of the department, Dinh Hai told Viet Nam News that the province now operated tours to a forest of centuries-old Po Mu trees in Tay Giang District.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>He said these trees, some of which are about 1,000 years old, have been included on the national heritage register.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Triem Tay Village in Dien Ban Town was recognised as a community-based tourism site, across the Hoai River only 10 minutes from Hoi An City.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Huong My organic farm village and beach of Binh Minh in Thang Binh District – along with rural market in Tien Phuoc District – also offer a rural lifestyle and farm produce.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Tourists can explore and practice with local residents in farmin, and enjoy a homestay in the two districts.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Tam Hai Island – off the coast of Nui Thanh District – has been linked with Cham Island and Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai Province in a sea route.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Recovered mangrove forest in Tam Giang Commune in Nui Thanh will offer a tour of sea and wetland biodiversity as well as fishing villages.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Travel agencies in the province also launched a cruise service along the Thu Bon River connecting rural villages with Hoi An, nipa palm forest of Cam Thanh and crafts villages of Kim Bong, Ban Thach and Duy Vinh.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Mountainous district of Nam Tra My, where is known for farms of Ngoc Linh ginseng offers a tour to ginseng farms and ethnic hamlets in the district.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The mountainous districts in Quang Nam Province including Tay Giang, Nam Giang, Bac Tra My, Nong Son, Que Son and Nam Tra My are favourite destinations for motorbike rides and off-the-road adventures that give a glimpse of the lifestyle of ethnic minorities at 1,500m above the sea level.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Last month, the province in co-operation with Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue Province hosted a promotion programme in Bangkok, introducing new tourism services and destinations to travel agencies in Thailand.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Quang Nam, home to world heritage sites Hoi An, My Son sanctuary and Cham Island-Hoi An biosphere reserve, hosted 4.4 million tourists last year.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px"><em>Source Vietnamnet</em></p>
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New destinations launched in Quang Nam Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2rSpgeb" width="200" /><br />

New destinations launched in Quang Nam

New destinations launched in Quang Nam

New destinations launched in Quang Nam The central province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism department has introduced eight new tourism site...

Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City

Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City
<div class="entry-content clearfix">
<div class="lead-post" style="font: bold 15px/1.5 arial;color: #333;margin-bottom: 10px">
<p>Known as a popular attraction for visitors, especially those from abroad, Ho Chi Minh City has a lot to discover, particularly on weekends.</p>
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<p><br /></p>
<p>Entertainment programs and shopping malls are among the activities which tourists should explore. Following are some suggested destinations.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Saigon Flea Market, 107 Ton Dat Tien Street, District 7, HCM City</strong></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Saigon Flea Market, a bimonthly event in HCMC’s District 7 where local and foreign artists and shopaholic come to trade and exchange ideas, takes place every second and fourth Sunday of month.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The market will come back this Sunday, June 25 at Boomarang Bistro Saigon, 107 Ton Dat Tien, District 7, HCM City. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The weekend bazaar features 50 booths selling fashion items of local and foreign brands, clothes, accessories, and vintage items at negotiable prices. Entrance to the market is free.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Hello Weekend Market: September 23 Park in District 1, HCMC</strong></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Expatriates and young people in HCMC are advised to visit the weekend bazaar which will be open to the public on two weekend days, June 24-25 at Sense Market at Zone B of September 23 Park in downtown HCMC. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Furthermore, visitors to the bazaar will have the opportunity to buy fashion items, cosmetics, shoes and bags with price discounts of up to 50%. Especially, visitors also can watch interesting art performances by street artists at night.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The weekend market will be available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with free admission.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Saigon Water World, 10 Mai Chi Tho Street in District 2, HCM City</strong></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>A music event called “Saigon Water World” will take place on two weekend nights, June 24-25 at Sala urban area in HCMC’s District 2, featuring many international artists including Korean singer Jessica Jung and Barbadian singer-songwriter Shontelle, Switzerland-based DJ and music producer Sean Tyas.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>More than 20 food stands and numerous interesting activities will be available at the two-day event. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Apart from foreign artists, music enthusiasts will have a chance to meet and exchange with local aritsts such as singer Min, DJ Thien Hi, and DJ King Lady. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Further information on ticket price can be found at http://bit.ly/2tBeAlI.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Music concert by German DJ Alex Bau, 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4, HCM City</strong></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Heart Beat Saigon, a HCM City-based group of DJs from different countries, will join hands with Goethe Institut in HCMC to host a concert featuring German DJ and music producer Alex Bau in HCMC’s District 4 on Friday 23.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>This is the fourth time the crew of Heart Beat has teamed up with Goethe Institut to run a music show. Heart Beat has nearly eight years active in Saigon introducing techno culture to Saigon’s nightlife.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The show will take place at The Observatory, a nightclub that is focused on underground music and culture associated with it, at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh in District 4 in HCM City. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>There is a free entrance before 11 p.m. Attendees will be charged VND150,000 each afterwards.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px"><em>Source SGT</em></p>
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Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2t21ctD" width="200" /><br />

Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City

Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City

Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City Known as a popular attraction for visitors, especially those from abroad, Ho Chi Minh City ha...

Number of visitors soars 50% during Da Nang firework festival

Number of visitors soars 50% during Da Nang firework festival
<div class="ndcontent ndb">
<p>NDO – The number of visitors to the Da Nang International Firework Festival (DIFF) 2017 has surged by 50% in the two months of festival.</p>
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<p>The information was announced on June 22, by the organising board of the 2017 DIFF, at a press conference outlining the programme during the festival’s final round and the result of the 2017 Firework Display on Computer Competition.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Themed “Shining Marble Mountains”, the 2017 DIFF has offered a lot of activities to entertain visitors, in addition to the eight nights of fireworks on display from April 30 to June 24.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The festival featured the participation of eight teams from different eight countries – Switzerland, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria and Vietnam.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Over 6,000 artists and actors have also participated in the event. Up to now, the investment cost for the event stands at nearly VND130 billion, with nearly 100,000 tickets being issued. In particular, the amount of funding from donors (including artifacts) is around VND37.5 billion.</p>
<p></p>
<p>According to General Director Le Quy Duong, the final round of the fireworks festival promises to bring spectacular performances combining harmony and light. During the final round, three fireworks teams from the UK, Australia and Italy, who are considered as the “players” in the world of fireworks, will showcase their most modern techniques.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The winners of the 2017 DIFF Championship will be awarded a US$ 10,000 prize after the final round.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As part of the press conference, the organising board honoured the three most outstanding works in the 2017 Firework Display on Computer Competition.</p>
</div>
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Number of visitors soars 50% during Da Nang firework festival Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Number of visitors soars 50% during Da Nang firework festival

Number of visitors soars 50% during Da Nang firework festival

Number of visitors soars 50% during Da Nang firework festival NDO – The number of visitors to the Da Nang International Firework Festival (...

The places to come at night in Saigon

The places to come at night in Saigon
<div class="entry-content clearfix">
<div class="lead-post" style="font: bold 15px/1.5 arial;color: #333;margin-bottom: 10px">
<p>Nightlife in HCM City means very different things depending where you are in the city.</p>
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<p></p>
<p>Downtown in District 1, rooftop bars, high rolling casinos and smooth jazz bands are the choice forms of nightlife entertainment in Saigon. But move a few kilmoetres west into District 3 and the backpacker street of Pham Ngu Lao, with its boisterous street bars, cheap eats and good time vibe, is certainly the place to be when night falls.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Here are some places for you to try.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Lush Nightclub</strong></p>
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<p><br /></p>
<p>Lush Nightclub is a premier nightlife hotspot in the city. It is the place to see the young and beautiful of Saigon, dressed to impress and not afraid to spend a little cash. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The venue is kitted it out in an industrial chic style, with space to dance and an upstairs area with ample seating. Music ranges from house to hip hop and a bit of mainstream party pop, depending on the night.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>On Fridays and Sundays Lush is taken over by some of the best hip hop DJs in the city while Saturday night is the real highlight of the week with International funky house ensuring Lush is packed by a crowd of locals and foreigners. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Lush Nightclub is located at No2 Ly Trong Street in District 1, close to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The club is open seven nights a week and is consistently busy. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Dinner Cruise down the Saigon River</strong></p>
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<p><br /></p>
<p>For a romantic night in HCM City there is nothing better than taking a leisurely cruise down the Saigon River. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The Bonsai Dinner Cruise combines a slow river journey aboard a beautiful wooden barge with a sumptuous feast of western and Vietnamese favourites. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Along with dinner and the views of Saigon at night, there is a live jazz performance on board and a traditional Vietnamese dance to enjoy.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Ben Thanh Night Market</strong></p>
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<p><br /></p>
<p>Ben Thanh Market plays a central role in HCM City from early morning until late at night. Although busiest during the day, night time brings many food vendors onto the streets serving a wide variety of seafood, as well as many fashion stalls and souvenir type stalls. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Ben Thanh Market is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs. Here, you’ll find eating stalls inside the market where you can get a taste of hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or simply cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes too much.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>When night falls, restaurants around the perimeter of the market open their doors creating a vibrant street side scene filling the air with the scents of wok-fried noodles, barbecued fish and meats. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>One of Saigon’s oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh Market offers a great atmosphere that is absolutely authentically Vietnamese.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Save your appetite and head to Ben Thanh Market in the evening where you can be served some real street style local food at one of the 20 or so eateries that surround the market building. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Chefs will cook in front of you with an endless array of cuisine choices including vegetarian noodles, fresh seafood, crispy rice pancakes and steamed cakes. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>You will be in great local company as most of the places thrive with locals enjoying a bite to eat and a quick drink on their way home from work.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>For shopping heaven head to the market preferably early morning to pick up some bargains including lacquer ware, bamboo goods, arts and crafts. Also on sale are clothes, textiles, luggage, watches and an assortment of electronic goods. Spices, nuts and local fruits heavily scent the air which is also filled with the chatter of tourists and locals haggling for bargains. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Opening Hours: Daily 6:00 –24:00</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1</p>
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<p><strong>Apocalypse Now</strong></p>
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<p>Apocalypse Now is a legendary nightclub in District 1, attracting a healthy mix of backpackers, expats, and Vietnamese. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Set over two floors, it isn’t the most sophisticated of clubs, but its lots of fun, with cheap drinks promotions, western pop tunes and plenty of space for dancing or chilling out with a few drinks and playing some pool. </p>
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<p><strong>Saigon Opera House</strong></p>
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<p>The Saigon Opera House is a beautiful colonial building in the city’s centre with a stunning facade of ornate winged statues and curved window frames. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Inside the opera house the culturally inclined are able to witness the best of the fine arts that visit Vietnam seasonally, and although there are no consistent performances, events are common. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The restored three-storey 800-seat Opera House was built in 1897 and is used for staging not only opera but also a wide range of performing arts including ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance and plays. Performances are advertised around the building and information can be found in the state-operated tourist information centre close by.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Location: 7 Lam Son Square, District 1</p>
<p style="text-align: right;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px"><em>Source Vietnamnet/ VNguide</em></p>
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The places to come at night in Saigon Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2sHG3Sr" width="200" /><br />

The places to come at night in Saigon

The places to come at night in Saigon

The places to come at night in Saigon Nightlife in HCM City means very different things depending where you are in the city. Downtown i...

Architect blends nature and heritage

Architect blends nature and heritage
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<p>The tourism services and cultural centre at the historic Yen Tu site in the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh has become a spiritual and artistic masterpiece of the renowned architect Bill Bensley.</p>
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<td><em><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:14px">Cross-section of the project’s reception area</span></span></em></td>
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<p>The work attests to the strong commitment of developer – private firm Tung Lam Development JSC – to build an upscale work that preserves and brings forth the values and natural beauty of Yen Tu, its surrounding pagodas, and relics.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>But only with support from provincial leaders, several well-known architects, and the help of Bill Bensley – designer of some of the world’s most iconic resort and spa venues, did the strict artistic requirements for the Yen Tu project materialise.</p>
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<p>The Harvard-educated, Bangkok-based architect has satisfied the developer’s aspirations of bringing ‘the soul of the Tran Dynasty’ into the work to create a truly cultural, historical, and monumental spiritual masterpiece.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Bill Bensley and the journey to Yen Tu</strong></p>
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<p>Named among the world’s top architects, Bill Bensley is a highly sought after individual. Having Bensley’s input in a project is a challenge for any investor who desires his unique touch.</p>
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<p>Unlike the other resort venues in the central city of Danang or Phu Quoc Island which carry Bensley’s exotic fingerprints, the project to form a tourism and cultural centre at the Giai Oan bus station is unique because of its cultural and historical significance. </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>In light of the Yen Tu relic site’s expansion and development plan, which was approved by the prime minister via Decision 334/QD-TTg dated February 18, 2013, the site is now a protected area. The work, therefore, required specific architecture that respects the inherent restful values of Buddhism.</p>
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<p>That was a large challenge for Tung Lam Development JSC to overcome initially. It took more than three years for Tung Lam to find a solution. The company met many well-known architects, such as French architect Paul Andreu, the designer of Beijing’s Opera House; Spanish architect Salvador Perez Aroyo, who left his imprints on a string of Quang Ninh-based works; and Japanese-Canadian architect Colin K. Okashimo. But only after Bensley got on board with the project were the problems gradually resolved.</p>
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<td><em><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:14px">Typical ancient Viet architecture sits within the grounds of the project</span></span></em></td>
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<p><strong>Tracing the Tran Dynasty’s 700 year-plus history</strong></p>
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<p>After arriving in Quang Ninh, Bensley asked Tung Lam’s employees to lead him around the entire Yen Tu area. The distinct architecture of Hue Quang tower garden, which dates back more than 700 years, left a strong impression on the talented architect. Bensley decided to incorporate the Tran Dynasty’s distinct architecture, with a lightly curved roof and thick walls, to his work at Yen Tu.</p>
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<p>According to Bui Dinh Tuan, Tung Lam JSC chairman and also the project’s director, it is no easy task to combine historical architectural designs with contemporary construction requirements.</p>
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<p>Bensley’s design made it challenging for Tung Lam to complete the project. For example, the materials for the job had to be made manually, under specific orders strictly adhering to Bensley’s requirements.</p>
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<p>Tuan said that the project’s management staff had to visit craft villages nationwide to place orders for each specific component, such as hand-made bricks, wooden window frames, beds, tables, and pillows. Tung Lam was very dedicated to meet Bensley’s all requirements. For instance, brown tiles used on the roof have three tints, from light to dark, to enrich the rustic authenticity of the buildings.</p>
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<p>The project also includes 88 Mgallery-branded, high-end apartments in which visitors can stay.</p>
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<p>The apartments are under the management of well-known hotel group Accor, and feature interiors that are complementary to the historical motif of the area, including hand carved wood and stone, and stylised fabrics and tapestries with botanical themes of lotus flowers and whirling calyxes. </p>
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<p>The rooms are designed to maximise space, with a wide balcony overlooking Yen Tu mountain’s abundant greenery. The doors and walls are designed to emulate the traditional style of the ancient Vietnamese.</p>
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<p>Each apartment is inspired by the distinct architectural aspects  of northern villages, yet remains consistent with the architectural style of the area as a whole. Rows of houses in the high-end service area include interconnected balconies, following styles seen in ancient pagodas.</p>
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<p>This style encouraged community relations in the past, and promotes visitor connectivity in the modern day – as opposed to the current closed-off style in modern architecture.</p>
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<p>Because the project consists of different architectural modules covering more than 15 hectares of land, it was a challenge for Bensley to find a way to construct the buildings without detracting from the natural tranquility of the surrounding area.</p>
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<p>To tackle the conundrum, Bensley chose to build each unit based on the site’s sloping terrain. The way tiled roofs were oriented made Truc Lam Palace – the central building of the Yen Tu tourism area covering 5,500 square metres and an ability to accommodate 3,000 visitors – look like ancient northern villages where houses are constructed side by side.</p>
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<p>The area also features a peculiar architectural style that was popular across ancient villages nestled amid bamboo growths.</p>
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<p>Zen, the spirit, and other Buddhist concepts are also leading architectural traits used throughout the complex to engender tranquility and allow people to get lost in the harmony of nature. </p>
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<p>The space is arranged symmetrically through a central spiritual axis, starting from Giai Oan pagoda to Ha Kieu slope. Diverse architectural works run along the two sides of the central axis, with their major faces overlooking a 1.28ha-wide courtyard.</p>
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<p>A welcoming gate and reception area was constructed at the front of the area. The highlight of this area is a lake with an ivory bamboo bush in the middle.</p>
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<p>This is also the starting point of a metaphorical journey to enlightenment along the right side of the square. A typical scene in routine daily life of ancient villages is also apparent through the architectural works on the left side of the square.</p>
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<p><strong>Striving for perfection</strong></p>
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<p>The project’s director Bui Dinh Tuan at Tung Lam Development JSC recalled a story about Bensley striving for perfection during his time at the project. According to Tuan, after sitting in a state of contemplation for two hours in the high-end accommodation service area, the architect felt that he was not satisfied, and amended his design and implored the investor to make the changes.</p>
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<p>To ensure quality and consistency, the investor did exactly as Bensley requested, and the result was better than one could have expected.</p>
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<p>Bensley’s technical blueprint did not allow room for big construction works, and the height of the buildings remained low. Small gardens were arranged amid the buildings, creating nice views and botanical aromas for the reception area.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Most of the architectural works here is from six to 12 metres high, with a construction density between 25-36 per cent. The remaining space is dedicated to the natural and historic environment.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>During the construction process, Bensley also insisted that no tree with a diameter greater than 10 centimetres should be chopped down. More than 800 types of trees and flowers are now growing on the site, ensuring the perfection of Bensley’s work at the Yen Tu historic relic site.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px"><em>By Thu Le and Thanh Son</em></p>
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Architect blends nature and heritage Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2tV6jIt" width="200" /><br />

Architect blends nature and heritage

Architect blends nature and heritage

Architect blends nature and heritage The tourism services and cultural centre at the historic Yen Tu site in the north-eastern province of...

Emirates Seeking Pilots in Vietnam

Emirates Seeking Pilots in Vietnam
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<strong>Emirates, recognised as the Best Airline in the World in the inaugural TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® Awards for airlines, will be holding pilot recruitment roadshows to recruit experienced and technically proficient commercial pilots to fly its growing network of international routes.</strong><br /></font></p>
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<p><font size="2">The roadshow offers interested pilots and their partners a great opportunity to learn more about the recruitment process, and talk to Emirates’ staff about the extensive training, career development pathways and progression plans Emirates’ pilots are entitled to. Pilots attending the roadshow can also obtain more information on the opportunities to join Emirates’ passenger and freighter fleets.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2">Emirates pilots enjoy the opportunity to fly with one of the fastest growing airlines in the world that operates a modern fleet of over 250 wide-bodied aircraft. With over 200 aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing, Emirates will continue to increase its fleet size and extend its network, which already stands at over 150 destinations in 83 countries and services 23 destinations in 13 countries within the Asia Pacific region.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2">In addition, Emirates pilots also enjoy a competitive tax-free salary, medical and dental insurance, annual leave and company accommodation, whilst living in one of the world’s leading cultural and business hubs – Dubai.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2">From Vietnam, Emirates operates daily passenger services from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From Ho Chi Minh City, the airline has served daily direct flights to Dubai since 2012 while the route Hanoi-Dubai will be a non-stop one from July 2nd this year. Both of these services are operated with two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. In terms of freighter service, Emirates provides a weekly capacity of over 580 tonnes through 18 flights including four weekly freighter services in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.</font></p>
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<strong>TKD</strong><br /></font></p>
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Emirates Seeking Pilots in Vietnam Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Emirates Seeking Pilots in Vietnam

Emirates Seeking Pilots in Vietnam

Emirates Seeking Pilots in Vietnam Emirates, recognised as the Best Airline in the World in the inaugural TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice...

APEC reiterates significant role of tourism in economic growth

APEC reiterates significant role of tourism in economic growth
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<p style="text-align: justify">The following is the full text of the statement.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><strong>2017 APEC HIGH LEVEL STATEMENT</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Promoting Sustainable Tourism for an Inclusive and Interconnected Asia-Pacific</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">“We, APEC Tourism Ministers and senior representatives, met at the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism in Ha Long, Vietnam on June 19, 2017. The Dialogue, held in conjunction with, and support of the United Nations 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, was chaired by H.E. Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Under the APEC 2017 theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, we focused our deliberations on “promoting sustainable tourism for an inclusive and interconnected Asia-Pacific” with a view to further enhancing APEC cooperation on sustainable and inclusive development in the region.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">We welcome the implementation of the Lima Declaration on Connecting Asia-Pacific Tourism through Travel Facilitation, the APEC Travel Facilitation Initiative and the APEC Connectivity Blue Print for 2015 – 2025. We support a more connected Asia-Pacific region that facilitates efficient and secure travel in order to reach the target of 800 million international tourist arrivals in APEC economies by 2025 advocated at the eighth APEC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in 2014. We note with satisfaction that in 2016, APEC destinations received 415 million international tourists – an increase of 24 million tourists or 6.1% from 2015, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">We appreciate the dedication of the Tourism Working Group (TWG) to effectively implement the APEC TWG Strategic Plan 2015 – 2019 (ATSP), especially in the four priority areas: (i) Promote better understanding and recognition of tourism as an engine for economic growth and prosperity in the APEC region; (ii) Ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the travel and tourism sector by encouraging socially and culturally responsible tourism; (iii) Promote labor, skills development and certification through increased cooperation in order to develop the tourism workforce in the region; and (iv) Promote competitiveness and regional economic integration through policy alignment and structural reform. </p>
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<div class="dbox"><a title="Trái"><img alt="left" src="/image/images/left.png" /></a><a title="Giữa"><img alt="center" src="/image/images/center.png" /></a><a title="Phải"><img alt="right" src="/image/images/right.png" /></a><a title="Xóa"><img alt="del" src="/images/red-error_16px.gif" /></a></div>
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<div class="alt_imgEditor" style="text-align: center">Delegates of the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism</div>
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<p style="text-align: justify">We reiterate the significant role of tourism, and particularly high value tourists, in stimulating economic growth and fostering connectivity. In 2016 travel and tourism directly contributed USD 1.3 trillion to the APEC region’s GDP, supported 67 million jobs directly and contributed 6.1% of the region’s exports. Moreover, every 10% increase in tourist arrivals in APEC economies is associated with a 1.2% increase in exports and a 0.8% increase in imports in the destination economy. Travel and tourism stimulates entrepreneurship and the growth of MSMEs, supporting economic diversification and creating jobs across sectors. Tourism generally has a positive effect on poverty reduction and inclusive growth by creating jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities across a wide spectrum of skills and producing a positive impact on the development of remote areas.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">The Asia-Pacific is at a crucial juncture of transformation amidst a fast changing global landscape. The digital age and the fourth Industrial Revolution are having an unprecedented impact on the way people live, work, travel and recreate. As APEC is starting to shape its post-2020 vision, we underscore the significance of sustainable tourism as an important driver for regional economic integration and sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth. Sustainable tourism helps strengthen connectivity, including to sub-regions and remote areas; promote economic, financial and social inclusion; address environmental degradation and pollution; conserve and manage natural resources and biodiversity; improve waste management; and promote investment and cultural exchange.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">In this connection, we strongly support the principles and proposed actions that follow:</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Acknowledge that sustainable tourism development is a continuous process that requires constant impact monitoring, introduction of preventive or corrective measures when necessary, and full consideration of its current and future economic, social and environmental implications, while addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Foster regional and domestic tourism policies that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 8, 12 and 14 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production, and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine environment noting that sustainable tourism can contribute to all SDGs due to its cross-cutting nature.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Encourage viable, long-term economic contributions of travel and tourism in providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders, including stable employment, income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contribute to poverty alleviation.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Respect socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural features and resources, and biodiversity.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Encourage a consumer-led demand for sustainable tourism practices and products; promote public-private partnership as a key instrument to develop sustainable tourism infrastructure and services, and foster local communities and private sector participation in the tourism value chains.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">– Create competitive and enabling environments for all tourism-related enterprises, and particularly MSMEs, who are more likely to hire locally and generate jobs that are less skill-intensive, thus helping to promote inclusiveness in the tourism sector. MSMEs can also help promote innovation in tourism when provided with access to adequate finance, skills and global markets.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Conduct further studies to enable APEC economies to adapt to, and capitalize on, the changes made by the new advanced technologies for smart, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, especially in tourism human resource development and tourism management.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">– Encourage the TWG to: (1) focus on economic, financial and social sustainability and inclusion in its future work, as travel and tourism is uniquely able to provide opportunities across APEC economies;  (2) leverage connectivity to increase inclusive growth by allowing tourism to reach more geographic areas within economies; (3) consider the establishment of a network of sustainable, inclusive and integrated tourism destinations among APEC member economies; (4) work with other APEC fora and relevant international and regional organizations to share best practices and foster synergies in promoting sustainable tourism growth; and (5) highlight best practices of APEC economies in measurement and monitoring methodologies that are undertaken to enhance sustainable tourism.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Encourage the TWG to explore and develop further policy directions to promote sustainable tourism to enhance the awareness of the benefits of sustainable tourism among businesses, host communities and tourists.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">– Recognize sustainable tourism as a relevant and important area of cooperation in APEC’s current and future agenda, and encourage the TWG to work closely with other APEC fora during the development of an APEC post-2020 vision.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">We seek APEC Leaders’ consideration to include in their 2017 Declaration a statement on the importance of sustainable tourism as a driver for regional economic integration, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and an important means for promoting further business development and job creation, economic, financial and social inclusion, enhancing connectivity with a view to building a peaceful, stable, dynamic, resilient, inclusive and seamless Asia-Pacific community for the people and businesses. </p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">We stress the importance of pursuing closer collaboration with relevant international and regional organizations related to sustainable tourism development, particularly the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the International Air Transport Association.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">We appreciate the efforts and contribution of the APEC Secretariat, the TWG Lead Shepherd and Deputy Lead Shepherd in ensuring the success of the Dialogue. We sincerely thank Vietnam for the warm hospitality and arrangements for the Dialogue. We look forward to the 10th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting hosted by Papua New Guinea in 2018.”</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>Source: VNA</em></strong></p>
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APEC reiterates significant role of tourism in economic growth Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2slWqpz" width="200" /><br />

APEC reiterates significant role of tourism in economic growth

APEC reiterates significant role of tourism in economic growth

APEC reiterates significant role of tourism in economic growth The following is the full text of the statement. 2017 APEC HIGH LEVEL STAT...

Quang Binh cave festival kicks off

Quang Binh cave festival kicks off
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<p style="text-align: justify">The title-granting ceremony was held last weekend under the framework of the Quang Binh Cave Festival 2017, themed Vuong Quoc Hang Dong – Ky Vy va Huyen Thoai (Cave Kingdom – Glamorous and Legendary), at Bao Ninh Square in the province.</p>
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<div class="dbox"><a title="Trái"><img alt="left" src="/image/images/left.png" /></a><a title="Giữa"><img alt="center" src="/image/images/center.png" /></a><a title="Phải"><img alt="right" src="/image/images/right.png" /></a><a title="Xóa"><img alt="del" src="/images/red-error_16px.gif" /></a></div>
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<img alt="" class="imgtelerik" src="http://bit.ly/2rQAfUE" /></p>
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<div class="alt_imgEditor"> Part of Son Doong Cave in Central Quang Binh Province. Photo: Phuong Anh Jim Le</div>
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<p style="text-align: justify">The festival, held every two years, aims to introduce and promote Quang Binh and its outstanding resources, with more than 300 alluring, unique and grand caves, which have unique geology and rich biodiversity, along with making Quang Binh’s tourism a spearhead industry of the locality.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">The festival kicked off on June 17, attracting the participation of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan, leaders of Quang Binh province, locals and tourists.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of Quang Binh province’s People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai highlighted Quang Binh as a new destination attracting both local and international tourists with its unique tourism products.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">“With its charming mystery and grandeur, unspoiled beauty, Quang Binh is truly ‘the kingdom of caves’ and a paradise for visitors,” Hoai said.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Also at the opening night, famous artists such as My Linh, My Tam, Anh Tho, Trong Tan and Dinh Huong performed to the audiences.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Quang Binh Cave Festival 2017, which runs until June 25, features a range of activities, including Quang Binh cave discovery, a parade, boat and kayak racing, sports contests and an EDM Beach Party.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Quang Binh is famous for its cave, incredible mountain scenery and sprawling beaches. Its Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 thanks to its impressive scenery and archaeological value.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Quang Binh is also where American fantasy movie “Pan in Neverland” and American blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” was filmed.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>Source: VNA</em></strong></p>
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Quang Binh cave festival kicks off Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/2rQAfUE" width="200" /><br />

Quang Binh cave festival kicks off

Quang Binh cave festival kicks off

Quang Binh cave festival kicks off The title-granting ceremony was held last weekend under the framework of the Quang Binh Cave Festival 20...

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