Vietnam Breaking News

Tourism to Vietnam grows 21 percent to 4.7m

Tourism to Vietnam grows 21 percent to 4.7m
<p><em>International arrivals to Viet Nam reached more than 4.7 million in the first half of 2016, a year-on-year increase of 21.3 per cent.</em></p>
<p><em><br /></em></p>
<p><img alt="Tourism to Vietnam grows 21 percent to 4.7m, travel news, Vietnam guide, Vietnam airlines, Vietnam tour, tour Vietnam, Hanoi, ho chi minh city, Saigon, travelling to Vietnam, Vietnam travelling, Vietnam travel, vn news" src="http://bit.ly/29ipOWo" /></p>
<p><em>General Statistics Office of Viet Nam</em></p>
<p><em><br /></em></p>
<p>The figure for June was 700,446, down 7.5 per cent from the previous month but up 29.8 per cent from one year ago.</p>
<p>Foreign arrivals by air reached over 3.92 million, up 26 per cent year-on-year while arrivals by road saw a yearly rise of 31.3 per cent to 710,000. However, arrivals by sea declined 27.8 per cent to 75,000.</p>
<p>The number of tourists visiting Viet Nam from several Asian countries and territories saw strong growth: mainland China, up 48 per cent; Thailand, up 35 per cent; South Korea, up 34 per cent; Hong Kong, up 28 per cent and Laos, up 21 per cent.</p>
<p>Growth was also recorded in the number of tourists from Italy, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as Russia, Germany and France.</p>
<p>According to the General Statistics Office, the local tourism sector also served some 32.4 million domestic travellers in the six-month period.</p>
<p>Total revenue for the period was estimated at VND200.3 trillion (US$9.1 billion), up 22.1 per cent year-on-year.</p>
<p>This year, Viet Nam has set a goal of 8.5 million foreign and 60 million domestic travellers, which is expected to bring in VND370 trillion for the sector.</p>
<p>Viet Nam is considered one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, driven by the entrance of international hoteliers, an improved visa policy and investment in key infrastructure.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="http://bit.ly/29bdEuE" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Concern in Thailand</strong></p>
<p>The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is concerned that Viet Nam, a rising star in ASEAN, will draw more South Korean tourists away from the Kingdom, <em>The Bangkok Post</em> reports.</p>
<p>South Korea is a top-five East Asian tourist market for Thailand, while Thai tourists are ranked fourth among outbound tourists to South Korea.</p>
<p>In 2015, South Korean tourist arrivals to Thailand grew 22 per cent to 1.37 million, while Viet Nam welcomed 114,740 South Korean travellers, a surge of 131 per cent. Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director of the TAT’s Seoul office, said the average hotel room rate in Viet Nam was higher than in Thailand because of limited supply.</p>
<p>“Viet Nam will be Thailand’s key rival for the South Korean tourist market in the next five years. Its tourism infrastructure is developing so fast, its products are fresh and tourist safety is good. Moreover, Viet Nam is an investment destination for South Koreans,” she told <em>The Bangkok Post</em>.</p>
<p><em>VNS</em></p>
<br />
Tourism to Vietnam grows 21 percent to 4.7m Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/29ipOWo" width="200" /><br />

Tourism to Vietnam grows 21 percent to 4.7m

Tourism to Vietnam grows 21 percent to 4.7m International arrivals to Viet Nam reached more than 4.7 million in the first half of 2016, a ye...

+ Read more »

Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb

Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<h1>Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb</h1>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>By <a href="http://bit.ly/1ZWi4Z7">Phieu Linh</a> &nbspJuly 1, 2016 | 03:22 pm GMT+7
<div><a href="http://bit.ly/1ZWi4Z7"></a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1ZWi4Z7"></a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1ZWi4Z7"></a></div>
</div>
<h2>Bulbs are a lot more than just lighting! In Saigon and Hanoi, they have become a quirky new trend that has taken teenagers by storm this summer.</h2>
<p>The idea originates from Taiwan and quickly spread among Asian teens, and Vietnam has not been late for the party.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="forget-the-mug-drink-tea-from-the-bulb" src="http://bit.ly/29ipWFA" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>The bulbs are bigger than your average light bulb. Photo by foody.vn</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="forget-the-mug-drink-tea-from-the-bulb-1" src="http://bit.ly/29bdKTa" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Photo by foody.vn</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>In Vietnam, the craze first touched down in Saigon, and quickly spread to Hanoi.</p>
<p>The unusual way of drinking tea has made many try it… just to take selfies.</p>
<p>To take the “cute trend” to a higher level, Hanoi and Saigon’s cafes are printing pictures on the bulbs, tying bows around their necks and customizing them for patrons.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="forget-the-mug-drink-tea-from-the-bulb-2" src="http://bit.ly/29ipyXF" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Photo by Bepcuachau</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong><i>Where to find the bulbs?</i></strong></p>
<p><i>In Saigon:</i></p>
<p>– Boo Coffee – Ninth floor, 42 Nguyen Hue</p>
<p>– Open Coffee – 75 Nguyen Kim, District 10</p>
<p>– Bep caa Bau – a An Quang, District 10 and 42 Binh Tay F1, District 6.</p>
<p><em>In Hanoi:</em></p>
<p>– Leu Coffee – 1A Ta Hien, Hoan Kiem District</p>
<p>– Fresh Element – 95 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem</p>
<div><a href="http://bit.ly/1Ous6QF">Follow us on Facebook</a> <a href="http://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/https://twitter.com/vietnamenglish">Follow us on Twitter</a></div>
</div>
<br />
Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/29ipWFA" width="200" /><br />

Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb

Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb Forget the mug, drink tea from the bulb By Phieu Linh &nbspJuly 1, 2016 | 03:22 pm GMT+...

+ Read more »

Vietnam renews visa waiver program for Europeans

Vietnam renews visa waiver program for Europeans
<div>The Vietnamese government has extended a visa exemption program for Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain for another year, local media reported Friday.</div>
<div>It will enable citizens from the five countries to continue to travel to Vietnam for tourism or business without obtaining a visa for stays of up to 15 days, news website Vietnam Plus said, citing a decree dated June 30.</div>
<div>Vietnam introduced the visa waiver program to people from those countries on June 30 last year. It expired on Thursday.</div>
<div>The new decree extends the policy until June 30, 2017.</div>
<div>More than 4.7 million foreigners visited Vietnam in the first six months of this year, a 21.3 percent year-on-year increase, according to the General Statistics Office.</div>
<div>Tourism revenues rose 22 percent year-on-year to more than VND200 trillion (US$9 billion). Officials are confident that the country can achieve the targets of 8.5 million foreign visitors this year and $370 trillion in revenues.</div>
<br />
Vietnam renews visa waiver program for Europeans Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Vietnam renews visa waiver program for Europeans

Vietnam renews visa waiver program for Europeans The Vietnamese government has extended a visa exemption program for Germany, France, the UK...

+ Read more »

System of presidential bunkers under Independence Palace

System of presidential bunkers under Independence Palace
<p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – Designed with concrete solid, and armored wall, resistant from 500 to 2,000kg bombs, the bunker system is an important part of the Reunification Palace where President Nguyen Van Thieu of the former Saigon regime worked.</em></p>
<p>The bunker system was designed by Lieutenant Colonel, Engineer Phan Van Dien. The tunnel is 72.5m long, 0.8m- 22,5m wide and 0.6 – 2.5m deep. The rooms in the tunnels are linked together by a small concrete entrance, 5mm wall armored and equipped with a ventilation system.</p>
<p>The tunnel is divided into two areas. The region 1 is 0.66m deep, with 0.6m thick walls against 500kg bombs. The region 2 is the bunker, 2.5 m deep, with 1.6 m thick concrete walls against 2,000 kg bombs. In case of emergency, the president will go down by connecting stairs from his office at floor 2. On August 4 1975, when the Reunification Palace was bombed, Nguyen Van Thieu’s family took shelter in the basement section.</p>
<p>Reunification Hall, also known as Reunification Palace or Independence Palace, is located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It is where the collapse of the Saigon regime in 1975.</p>
<p>Under French domination, after completing the conquest of six provinces in Southern Vietnam, including Bien Hoa, Gia Dinh, Dinh Tuong, Vinh Long, An Giang and Ha Tien, in February 1868, Governor Lagrandiere of South Vietnam ordered a new palace to be built in Sai Gon to replace the old wooden one built in 1863.</p>
<p>The complex covered an area of 12ha, including a palace with an 80-meter-wide façade, a guest-chamber capable of accommodating 800 people, and spacious gardens covered by green trees with a lawn.</p>
<p>In 1873, the work was completed and named Norodom Palace after the then king of Cambodia (1834-1904). The avenue in front of the palace bore the same name.</p>
<p>In March 1945, Japan defeated and replaced France in the Indochina. Norodom Palace became the headquarters of Japanese colonial officials in Vietnam.</p>
<p>In September 1945, Japan surrendered to the allied forces and France returned to Vietnam and Norodom Palace was restored to its position as the office of the French colonists.</p>
<p>In 1955, President of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, renamed the building, Independence Palace. At that time, the authority and soldiers of the army of South Vietnam often called it “Phu dau rong” (literally Dragon’s Head Palace).</p>
<p>During the coup in February 1962, two pilots of the Republic of Vietnam’s Air Force, Nguyen Van Cu and Pham Phu Quoc, flew aircraft above the Palace and bombed it. As a result, almost the entire left wing of the Palace was destroyed.</p>
<p>After the event, Diem ordered it demolished and commissioned a new building in its place. The new palace was constructed according to a design by Ngo Viet Thu, a talented Vietnamese architect who had previously won the First Grand Prize of Rome – an annual prize for talented artists granted by the Beaux-Arts school in Paris.</p>
<p>The new palace was built on July 1, 1962 and it was completed on October 31, 1966. When designing the palace, the architect wanted the building to have a cultural significance so both the inside and the outside of the Palace were designed with both traditional and modern features. For this reason, Independence Palace has the harmony of both modern and oriental architectural characteristics.</p>
<p>The building is a magnificent example of 1960s architecture – airy and open, with spacious chambers and tasteful modern decorations. It was built in the shape of the Chinese script for “Cat”, meaning good luck.</p>
<p>It is 26m high with a total area of 20,000m2, consisting of three main floors, two mezzanines, two basements and one terrace for a helicopter pad. Over 100 rooms in the palace, including a stateroom, a cabinet council meeting room and work rooms for the president and vice president were decorated differently, depending on the use.</p>
<p>There are also many other auxiliary places such as a semi-circular lotus lake, two corridors leading to the main hall and warehouses.</p>
<p>The unique architecture of the palace is clearly seen from the system of ventilation and windows letting in sunshine that were styled as curtains with elegant- bamboo sections, surrounding the front of the second floor.</p>
<p>This architectural feature originated from a kind of door with wooden bars seen in palaces in the old capital of Hue.</p>
<p>When the Palace was opened, it became the headquarters of the authority of the Republic of Vietnam. It served as the home and working place of Nguyen Van Thieu, who was then President of the Republic of Vietnam, from October 1967 to April 21, 1975.</p>
<p>On April 8, 1975, Nguyen Thanh Trung, a pilot of the Vietnamese Air Force and an undetected communist spy, flew an F-E5 aircraft to bomb the Palace, but caused no significant damage.</p>
<p>At 10.45 on April 30, 1975, a tank bearing number 843 struck the auxiliary gate of Independence Palace. Following that, a tank bearing number 390 knocked down the main gate and advanced directly to the Palace. At 11.30 of the same day, a flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam fluttered proudly on the palace roof, ending 30 years of war.</p>
<p>In November 1975 after the negotiating convention on unifying the South and the North was completed, the Provisional Revolutionary Government renamed the palace, Reunification Hall. Today, Reunification Hall is one of the most fascinating sights in Ho Chi Minh City because of its striking architecture and historical values, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists.</p>
<p>On June 25, 1976, Reunification Hall was ranked as a special national relic by the Ministry of Culture (present-day Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). In August 2009, the Prime Minister recognized Reunification Hall as one of ten special national relics.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/29wfZA6" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/2992kQY" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/29wfEgU" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/2992lo1" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/29wgfzd" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/2992aco" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/29wg9rd" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/2992Nmf" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/29wgavA" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/2992Aj0" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/29wfGp2" /></div>
</div>
<div><img alt="Hệ thống hầm bọc thép chống bom dưới dinh Độc Lập" src="http://bit.ly/2992gRm" /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>Compiled by <strong>Pha Le</strong></em></p>
<p><em>Photo: VNE</em></p>
<br />
System of presidential bunkers under Independence Palace Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/29wfZA6" width="200" /><br />

System of presidential bunkers under Independence Palace

System of presidential bunkers under Independence Palace VietNamNet Bridge – Designed with concrete solid, and armored wall, resistant from ...

+ Read more »

Korean cooking contest takes place in Hanoi

Korean cooking contest takes place in Hanoi
<p>The event was open to all Vietnamese people as well as cooks and students from cooking schools and who are interested in cuisine from the RoK.</p>
<p>The contest attracted ten competitors, each of them had to create a famous traditional dish from the RoK including such dishes as Bibimbap (mixed rice), Japchae (mixed noodles), Gulgogi (grilled beef) and Tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cake). After cooking their selected dish, each contestant will have five minutes to introduce it to audience members.</p>
<p>Nguyen Dang An has been selected as the most outstanding competitor, who will have the chance to join a training course teaching cooking methods of RoK cuisine, then attend the final round of the 2015 Korean cooking contest in the RoK along with contestants from 19 other countries around the world.</p>
<p>The first prize winner will receive US$10,000. The winner will also be accredited as the official Ambassador of Korean food.</p>
<br />
Korean cooking contest takes place in Hanoi Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Korean cooking contest takes place in Hanoi

Korean cooking contest takes place in Hanoi The event was open to all Vietnamese people as well as cooks and students from cooking schools a...

+ Read more »

Vietjet, RoK’s tourism agency sign co-operation deal

Vietjet, RoK’s tourism agency sign co-operation deal
<p>As outlined in the document, the ITO will provide quality services and organise events at attractive tourism destinations in Incheon city for Vietjet’s customers, while the Vietnamese budget carrier will offer promotional ticket fares as well as arrange entertainment activities and promotion campaigns to attract tourists to the RoK’s city.</p>
<p>Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vietjet’s commercial director Nguyen Thanh Son said his firm hopes the agreement will help open more co-operation opportunities to meet customers’ demands in the field.</p>
<p>Available routes from Hanoi, central Da Nang city and Ho Chi Minh City to Incheon are meeting the increasing travel demand between Vietnam and the RoK.</p>
<p>VietJet is the first airline in Vietnam to operate as a new-age airline at low-cost offering diversified services to meet customers’ demands. It provides not only transport services but also uses the latest e-commerce technologies to offer various products and services for consumers.</p>
<p>Currently, the airline boasts a fleet of 40 aircrafts, including A320 and A321, operating nearly 300 flights each day. It has opened over 50 routes in Vietnam and from the country to international destinations such as Singapore, the RoK, Taiwan (China), China, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia, carrying around 25 million passengers to date.</p>
<p>The airline plans to expand its network across the Asia Pacific region over the coming time. It has signed aircraft purchase contracts with prestigious plane manufacturers in the world.</p>
<br />
Vietjet, RoK’s tourism agency sign co-operation deal Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200" /><br />

Vietjet, RoK’s tourism agency sign co-operation deal

Vietjet, RoK’s tourism agency sign co-operation deal As outlined in the document, the ITO will provide quality services and organise events ...

+ Read more »

Tourism to VN grows 21 per cent to 4.7m

Tourism to VN grows 21 per cent to 4.7m
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://bit.ly/29eAgxW" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Number of international tourists coming to Việt Nam in the first half of the year. Source: General Statistics Office of Việt Nam</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div><a href="http://bit.ly/24En4mq">Viet Nam News</a>
<p>HÀ NỘI <strong>–</strong> International arrivals to Việt Nam reached more than 4.7 million in the first half of 2016, a year-on-year increase of 21.3 per cent.</p>
<p>The figure for June was 700,446, down 7.5 per cent from the previous month but up 29.8 per cent from one year ago.</p>
<p><strong>Foreign arrivals by air reached over 3.92 million, up 26 per cent year-on-year while arrivals by road saw a yearly rise of 31.3 per cent to 710,000. However, arrivals by sea declined 27.8 per cent to 75,000.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The number of tourists visiting Việt Nam from several Asian countries and territories saw strong growth: mainland China, up 48 per cent; Thailand, up 35 per cent; South Korea, up 34 per cent; Hong Kong, up 28 per cent and Laos, up 21 per cent.</strong></p>
<p>Growth was also recorded in the number of tourists from Italy, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as Russia, Germany and France.</p>
<p>According to the General Statistics Office, the local tourism sector also served some 32.4 million domestic travellers in the six-month period. Total revenue for the period was estimated at VNĐ200.3 trillion (US$9.1 billion), up 22.1 per cent year-on-year.</p>
<p>This year, Việt Nam has set a goal of 8.5 million foreign and 60 million domestic travellers, which is expected to bring in VNĐ370 trillion for the sector. Việt Nam is considered one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, driven by the entrance of international hoteliers, an improved visa policy and investment in key infrastructure.</p>
<p><strong>Concern in Thailand</strong></p>
<p><strong>The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is concerned that Việt Nam, a rising star in ASEAN, will draw more South Korean tourists away from the Kingdom,</strong> <em>The Bangkokpost</em><strong>reports.</strong></p>
<p><strong>South Korea</strong> <strong>is a top-five East Asian tourist market for Thailand, while Thai tourists are ranked fourth among outbound tourists to South Korea.</strong></p>
<p><strong>In 2015, South Korean tourist arrivals to Thailand grew 22 per cent to 1.37 million, while Việt Nam welcomed 114,740 South Korean travellers, a surge of 131 per cent.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director of the TAT’s Seoul office, said the average hotel room rate in Việt Nam was higher than in Thailand because of limited supply.</strong></p>
<p><strong>“Việt Nam will be Thailand’s key rival for the South Korean tourist market in the next five years. Its tourism infrastructure is developing so fast, its products are fresh and tourist safety is good. Moreover, Việt Nam is an investment destination for South Koreans,” she told</strong> <em>The Bangkokpost</em>. <em><strong>–</strong></em> VNS</p>
</div>
<br />
Tourism to VN grows 21 per cent to 4.7m Related image(s)<br />
<img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/29eAgxW" width="200" /><br />

Tourism to VN grows 21 per cent to 4.7m

Tourism to VN grows 21 per cent to 4.7m Number of international tourists coming to Việt Nam in the first half of the year. Source: Gen...

+ Read more »