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Dong Van Stone Plateau tourism development plan approved

Dong Van Stone Plateau tourism development plan approved
The master plan includes planning for the development of geo-cultural, geo-scientific and ecological parks in combination with preserving bio-diversity preservation.
The plan targets to welcome 800,000 visitors including 130,000 international tourists by 2020. By 2025 and 2030, the number of visitors is expected to reach 950,000 and 1.1 million respectively.
Revenues earned from tourism services is expected to reach about VND1.3 trillion, VND2.8 trillion and VND5 trillion by 2020, 2015, and 2030.
The main tourist products include geological tourism; community tourism; nature tourism; and some typical products such as one day of Pao, Khau Vai love market, one day farming with the Mong ethnic people in Meo Vac; a walking street and a festival of Dong Van Old Town, among others.
In addition, five main tourist areas will be formed including Youth Volunteers Cultural Park in Meo Vac district; Sport and Adventure Tourism site in Ma Pi Leng; Thai An hydropower reservoir tourist section Quan Ba district; Quan Ba resort and health care resort; and the Nam Dam ecological tourist area.
Dong Van Stone Plateau, which has remained untouched for hundreds of millions of years, is spread over the four districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van.
The plateau is 80% limestone and contains the fossils of thousands of prehistoric species from 400-600 million years ago. It is now home to 250,000 people from 17 different ethnic groups.
Since the plateau’s recognition as a member of the Global Network of National Geo-parks in 2010, Ha Giang’s tourism sector has enjoyed rapid growth.
 
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Dong Van Stone Plateau tourism development plan approved

Dong Van Stone Plateau tourism development plan approved The master plan includes planning for the development of geo-cultural, geo-scientif...

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Da Nang welcomes its first visitors of 2018

Da Nang welcomes its first visitors of 2018
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This is the first cruise ship carrying international visitors to arrive at Da Nang City in 2018. 
 
Last year, there was a rapid increase in the number of visitors travelling by sea to Da Nang. The Central City received 78 cruise ships carrying 120,000 tourists, a year-on-year rise of 46%, the highest level for years.
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Ngo Quang Vinh, director of Da Nang Department of Tourism, said that the new Tien Sa quay for cruise ships has come into operation in the hope that even more visitors will be welcomed to the city this year. 
 
2017 is considered to have been a successful year for the tourism sector in Da Nang with the number of foreign arrivals to the city jumping by 36.8%. This figure is expected to continue rising this year. 
The city will continue to diversify its tourism products, and encourage investors and businesses to organize more entertaining activities to stimulate visitors’ spending, Mr Vinh said.
 
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Da Nang welcomes its first visitors of 2018

Da Nang welcomes its first visitors of 2018 This is the first cruise ship carrying international visitors to arrive at Da Nang City in 2018...

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Hanoi: First foreign visitors of 2018 receive warm welcome

Hanoi: First foreign visitors of 2018 receive warm welcome
<div class="article-photo"> Lebreton Didier, a passenger on Vietnam Airlines’ flight VN18, became the first foreign visitor setting foot in Hanoi in 2018. (Photo: VNA)</div>
 
Hanoi (VNA) – Lebreton Didier, a passenger on Vietnam Airlines’flight VN18 which landed at Noi Bai International Airport on the morning of January1, became the first foreign visitor setting foot in Hanoi in 2018.
Didier and his group of 13 other visitors from France were treated to flowersand gifts and a music performance.
The French said that this is the third time he came to Vietnam and he plans tospend almost a month to discover the country’s beauty with his wife, addingthat he was surprised by the warm welcome on the first day of the year.
Present at the greeting ceremony, Tran Duc Hai, Director of the municipalDepartment of Tourism noted that the event aims to promote Hanoi as a safe,friendly, quality and attractive destination for visitors.
Last year, some 5 million foreigners came to the thousand-year-old city ofHanoi.
The northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, home to the World Heritage site ofHa Long Bay, also held a ceremony to greet the year’s first internationaltourists at Tuan Chau International Port in Ha Long city on January 1.
In 2018, the locality expects to welcome 12 million visitors, including 5million foreigners. Last year, nearly 10 million holiday-makers, comprising 4.2million foreigners, chose Quang Ninh province to spend their holidays.
Meanwhile, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai also enjoyed a good startfor 2018, with renowned Sa Pa town drawing 42,000 visitors during the three-dayNew Year holiday from December 30-January 1.
The crowds of visitors caused traffic jams and overloaded local hotels. Thetown’s nearly 500 accommodation facilities with more than 6,000 rooms werefully booked, but homestays are available at village or tourism site like CatCat and Ta Van.
A slew of cultural and sports activities are being organised in the town on NewYear occasion, including a photo exhibition, a street festival, and traditionalgames like tug of war and stick pushing.-VNA
 
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Hanoi: First foreign visitors of 2018 receive warm welcome

Hanoi: First foreign visitors of 2018 receive warm welcome Lebreton Didier, a passenger on Vietnam Airlines’ flight VN18, became the first ...

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Unique cafe in Hanoi: “There is no wifi here, let’s talk like in 1992!”

Unique cafe in Hanoi: “There is no wifi here, let’s talk like in 1992!”

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Shrimp Salt

Shrimp Salt
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However, there is another speciality that every tourist enjoys in this region. That speciality is nothing else but the famous Shrimp Salt which has been gaining a worldwide popularity in the recent years.
Even though Tay Ninh Province has neither a coastline nor the best type of shrimp, Shrimp Salt there is still one of the most famous specialities. To make a full pan of Shrimp Salt, the cook has to follow an incredibly complex procedure. He must first choose the freshest and spiciest chilies which have a naturally red color.
Together with salt, garlics and radishes, these chilies are put into the mixer before shrimps, meat and the seasoning powder can be added. All of these ingredients must be measured according to a suitable ratio. For instance, to make 1 kg of Shrimp Salt, we need 500gr salt, and 100gr radishes, shrimps, meats, etc.
The next step is to fry this mixture on a hot pan without adding chemical substance. The cook must be really cautious not to make the final product too dried or too wet. When finished, the Shrimp Salt can be used as a companion of many dishes such as fresh fruits, rice cake, and rice paper wrap.
 
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Shrimp Salt

Shrimp Salt However, there is another speciality that every tourist enjoys in this region. That speciality is nothing else but the famo...

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Bac Lieu shows great tourism promise

Bac Lieu shows great tourism promise
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<td>Twitter: Fledglings at the Bac Lieu Birds Reserve which is home to more than 40 bird species. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Hai</td>
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Nguyen Long from HCM City thought one day would be enough to explore the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, but when he arrived, he realised he was wrong.
So he booked into a hotel and decided to experience the unique cuisine, beautiful landscapes and the culture of the province.
“I had believed that the Mansion of the Bac Lieu ’Playboy’ was the only place to visit and that the sea in the province was muddied by rivers,” said Long. “But the facts proved that I was wrong.”
Bac Lieu is located to the south of the Mekong’s main outflow. The province shares borders with Hau Giang in the north, Soc Trang in the northeast, Kien Giang in the northwest — and Ca Mau in the west and southwest. The sea is on the southeast. 
Bac Lieu has more than 5,500ha of forests, mostly mangroves, and offers boat tours along canals and rivers, swimming in the sea, tours to learn about the diversified culture of different ethnic groups and extraordinary food with local specialities.
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<td>Worship: Pilgrims flock to the festival dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Limitless Compassion. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Liem</td>
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In the past, Bac Lieu was known for its rich landlords, whose sons extravagantly spent money and time enjoying themselves. They built luxurious homes that tourists still gape at today, even though they are 100 or more years old. 
One of the best known buildings in the region is the mansion of “Cong tu Bac Lieu’, who was a famous playboy of his time. 
“If you don’t visit the mansion, you haven’t been to Bac Lieu,” said Long.
“Those who visit the province generally like to stop at the mansion, now Bac Lieu Dude Hotel, either for an overnight stay or a quick look. The residence, located at 13 Dien Bien Phu Street, was built in 1919 and designed by a French architect with many materials and furniture imported from France. Many valuable objects are still housed in the building.”
It is a two-storey building with spacious bedrooms and splendid halls. The mansion belonged to Tran Trinh Huy (1900-1973).
In 2003 the mansion became a hotel and a tourist site.
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<td>Palatial: One of the best-known buildings in the region is the mansion of ’Cong tu Bac Lieu’. VNA/VNS Photo Van Khanh</td>
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Tourists also visit the Bird Reserve covering 160ha. It is home to more than 40 bird species. Many endanged species have been born and bred there.
Located at Hiep Thanh Commune, the sanctuary is considered one of the most attractive eco-tourism spots in the Mekong Delta. It was recognised as a Nature Reserve in 1984.
Tourists can also see rich flora and fauna. In August and September, flocks of birds gather at the sanctuary to build nests and breed. The forest comes alive with their songs and trees overflow with hundreds of birds’ nests. 
The best time for tourists to visit the Bird Sanctuary is in the early morning, when most birds leave their nests to begin a day of feeding. Alternatively, at sunset the birds can be seen easily flock after flock returning to their nests.
“This is the most spectacular sight at the sanctuary,” said tourist Long. “Photographers wait to capture breathtakingly beautiful birds.”
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<td>Heavenly: A flower garden in Vinh Trach Dong Commune. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Thanh Liem</td>
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Long and his friends also spent a day on an ecological tour to longan orchards covering 230ha. 
The orchards were planted 200 years ago by the first migrants to wild land along the coast. Their age and unique location lends the fruit a distinctive sweetness.
The gardens sit atop an underground stream. Local people say the water source has kept the trees alive for centuries despite encroaching saltwater.
Locals dry the fruit and also brew the fresh fruit into wine. Producing dried fruit and wine to sell for tourists and export has become a good job for many.
Other cultural and religious destinations are worth a visit, such as Phuoc Duc Pagoda built in the 18th century by Chinese immigrants, Xiem Can Pagoda built in the 19th century by the ethnic Khmer people inspired by Angkor architecture.
There is also the ancient Vinh Hung Temple which houses many items belonging to Oc Eo Culture (from the first to seventh centuries), the conical hat-shaped Cao Van Lau Theatre and Nha Mat ecotourism and cultural site with 11m-high statue of the Bodhisattva of Mercy.
In recent years, tourists can visit a wind farm with hundreds of turbines. The long bridge leading to the wind turbines in the sea is an ideal place to enjoy spectacular views and brisk wind.
The provincial People’s Committee and related agencies have strived to make tourism a key economic sector.
Before 2016, Bac Lieu welcomed 600,000-650,000 tourists a year, according to Thai Quoc Luu, vice director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. But when authorities began to promote the attractions, numbers increased rapidly.
“We plan to attract 1.4 million tourists to the province this year,” he said.
“There are now about 50 hotels and guest houses with a total of 1,200 rooms. We are calling for investment to upgrade the infrastructure and services to meet increasing demand.”
“We also focus on preserving traditional performing arts, such as don ca tai tu (southern music and songs), and Khmer ethnic drama and dance.”
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<td>Land, sea: Nha Mat offers tourists a place to enjoy the view of sea and the breeze. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Phan</td>
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Duong Minh Binh, director of CBT Travel Company, said Bac Lieu tourism potential and advantages had not been exploited effectively.
“There are various types of tourism products in Bac Lieu, such as eco-tourism, religious tourism (visiting temples and pagodas), culinary trips and cultural tourism (exploring the culture of different ethnic groups),” said Binh.
Binh said he would carry out a project to link destinations in Bac Lieu to Soc Trang and Ca Mau through Quan Lo — Phung Hiep National Road. He spent many months surveying the area by motorbike.
“This is a very special route which nature favours with beautiful sights,” he said. “Local people preserve unique cultural activities, religious practices and traditional handicrafts. Their culture represent a southern identity that tourists are eager to discover.”
“As I know from field trips, people living along the route are aware of protecting the environment, however, they need to be given more knowledge to work in the tourism industry professionally.” 
Source VNS
 
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Bac Lieu shows great tourism promise

Bac Lieu shows great tourism promise Twitter: Fledglings at the Bac Lieu Birds Reserve which is home to more than 40 bird species. VNA...

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Quang Binh welcomes over 3.3 million visitors in 2017

Quang Binh welcomes over 3.3 million visitors in 2017
NDO – The central province of Quang Binh received over 3.3 million visitors in 2017, up 70.9% over the same period last year, as reported by the provincial Department of Tourism.
International arrivals reached 100,000, an annual increase of 120%. The province’s earnings from tourism this year topped over VND3.7 trillion (US$162.8 million), 64.7% higher than the same period last year.
Quang Binh has a 116.04-km coastal line and a 201.87 km border line with Laos. The province is famous for its cave systems, incredible mountain scenery and sprawling beaches.
It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and the world’s largest cave, Son Doong.
The biggest cave in the world, Son Doong, is hidden in the park. Since the cave was discovered in 2009 by a group of scientists from the British Cave Research Association, it has become internationally known and has drawn tourists from all over the world.
 
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Quang Binh welcomes over 3.3 million visitors in 2017

Quang Binh welcomes over 3.3 million visitors in 2017 NDO – The central province of Quang Binh received over 3.3 million visitors in 2017, u...

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