Vietnam Breaking News

Vietnam dives into the deep to generate more cash from precious cave kingdom

Vietnam dives into the deep to generate more cash from precious cave kingdom
Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Binh has given the go-ahead for local firm to start three new tours into the country’s world-renowned cave kingdom in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
Jungle Boss Ltd. Co will offer the tours on a pilot scheme into caves that have been named Dai Ai, Over and Pygmy.
The company will report to local authorities regarding the success of the tours.
Dai A Cave is 1,616 meters long and 46 meters deep, while the respective figures are 3,244 meters and 104 meters for Over Cave, and 845 and 94 meters for Pygmy Cave.
Tourists face a 20-kilometer trek to explore these caves, that will take three days and two nights.
UNESCO Heritage Site Phong Nha – Ke Bang is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back  400 million years. Around 30 caves are now open to visitors, which have created a tourism boom and lifted the poor, war-torn province.
Among them are En (Swallow) Cave, which was catapulted to global fame when it was aired live on U.S. talk show Good Morning America in May 2015, and the world’s largest cave Son Doong.
En Cave stretches 1,645 meters (5,397 feet) into the mountain, and has been named one of the most captivating caves on earth by National Geographic. It is also believed to be the world’s third largest cave, according to CNN.
Discovered in 1991, Son Doong, or Mountain River, stretches more than six kilometers (3.7 miles), was first opened to tourists in August 2013, and tours are usually fully booked a year in advance.
In August, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc triggered a significant debate on the internet when he “agreed in principle” over a <a href="http://bit.ly/2A19LaO">plan</a> proposed by Quang Binh to build a cable car into the cave kingdom.
Unlike previous plans, it did not include the world’s largest cave, Son Doong. Instead, it will run 5.2 kilometers (3.2 miles) from a section of the Ho Chi Minh Highway to En Cave.
The cable car controversy in Quang Binh started in 2014 when the province announced plans to build a $212-million gondola lift into Son Doong.
Widespread opposition, including an online petition signed by thousand, and concerns from UNESCO, eventually prompted the government to ask the province to scrap the project.
Yet earlier this month, Tran Cong Thuan, the deputy chief of Quang Binh’s Communist Party unit, said failure to build a cable car in Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park would be tantamount to a “waste of natural resources”, hampering local tourism and economic growth.
Son Doong, En and many beautiful caves in the park have made Quang Binh famous, helping it become the fourth most popular tourist destination in Vietnam, after Hanoi, Saigon and Hoi An, according to rankings released by travel site TripAdvisor last August.
Foreign visitors to Quang Binh surged 75 percent from a year ago to 60,000 in the first nine months of the year, according to the province’s tourism department.
 
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Vietnam dives into the deep to generate more cash from precious cave kingdom

Vietnam dives into the deep to generate more cash from precious cave kingdom Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Binh has given the go-ahea...

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Sixth conference on tourism cooperation with Taiwan held

Sixth conference on tourism cooperation with Taiwan held
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<div class="article-photo">At the event (Source: VNA)</div>
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<div class="ExternalClass0D13B46489A84E3EAB781234A047C298">Quang Ninh (VNA) – The sixth conference on Vietnam – Taiwan (China) tourismcooperation took place in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh onNovember 23. 
Both sidesdiscussed ways to popularise Vietnamese and Taiwanese tourism markets, with afocus on marine tourism, human resources training, and gastronomy exchange.
Since theMemorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation was signed between Vietnamand Taiwan in 2012, Taiwan has issued favourable visa policy to Vietnam.Tourist arrivals of the two sides soared from over 517,000 in 2012 to anestimated nearly 1 million in 2017 with Taiwanese tourist arrivals in Vietnamnearing 600,000 and around 400,000 Vietnamese people visiting the territory.
ViceChairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Vu Thi Thu Thuy said QuangNinh’s major tourist markets include the North East Asian countries, China,Taiwan, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
As of the lateOctober, more than 8.5 million tourists arrived in Quang Ninh, up 18 percent,3.8 million of them are foreigners from 140 countries and territories, up 21percent annually. Taiwan is among the top three sources of tourists in theprovince.
Thuy hoped thatTaiwan will facilitate bilateral travel, contributing to popularising Ha LongBay, land and people of Quang Ninh.
In recentyears, Quang Ninh has improved the business climate and attracted non-Stateresources to upgrade local tourism, socio-economic infrastructure.-VNA
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Sixth conference on tourism cooperation with Taiwan held

Sixth conference on tourism cooperation with Taiwan held At the event (Source: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) – The sixth conference on Vietna...

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Colombia wishes to cooperate with Can Tho in waterway tourism

Colombia wishes to cooperate with Can Tho in waterway tourism
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She told Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Dung at a meeting in Can Tho on November 22 that she was impressed by Cai Rang floating market in the city. 
Colombia and Can Tho share similarities in the waterway system, the diplomat said, adding that her country has experience in plantation tourism while Vietnam has strength in eco-tourism, which creates a foundation for their tourism links.  
For his part, Dung said trade collaboration between Vietnam and Colombia has yet to match their potential, noting his hope that businesses of the two countries will easily access information and opportunities to invest in the respective markets. 
He said the ongoing International Agricultural Fair in Can Tho, which sees the participation of Colombian firms, would pave the way for both sides’ enterprises to explore investment opportunities in the respective markets. 
According to the Can Tho Department of External Affairs, as of October 2017, Can Tho had exported US$3.8 million worth of garments-textiles and seafood to Colombia.
 
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Colombia wishes to cooperate with Can Tho in waterway tourism

Colombia wishes to cooperate with Can Tho in waterway tourism She told Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Dun...

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Dining goes digital for Thailand’s street food vendors

Dining goes digital for Thailand’s street food vendors
Bangkok’s famous street-food vendors have joined the digital revolution, embracing payment via Quick Response (QR) barcodes that can be read using smartphones.
Thailand is famous for its traditional street stalls that offer everything from stir-fried noodles to clothes and for many Thais eating out at a pavement stall is part of their daily routine.
Now, some vendors in the capital Bangkok are offering digital transactions after the Bank of Thailand (BOT) last week gave the green light for five banks including Bangkok Bank and Siam Commercial Bank to implement electronic payment systems using QR codes.
“The global trend is towards a ‘cashless society’ as it is more convenient and there is proof of transaction. The QR code system would be most practical in Thailand as less investment is needed on behalf of vendors,” Somsak Khaosuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, told Reuters.
At Samyan Market, a market and shopping area in Bangkok that sells everything from vegetables to handbags, vendors said QR codes were taking off although some shoppers still prefer to use cash, particularly those who are less tech-savvy.
“I don’t need to worry about finding change,” said Kitti Khoonphisitwong, 40, a dried-fruit vendor.
“But most customers, especially older people, find the app a hassle,” he said.
Shoppers in their 20s and 30s said they were more inclined to use the system.
“I often shop online so I have no issue with digital transactions,” said Thanachanok Teesakul, 20, a student.
Scams using fraudulent QR codes are on the rise in China, where digital payments are booming. Somsak said Thailand needs to ensure QR payment systems are secure.
“We need to make people feel comfortable in using the system,” he said.
 
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Dining goes digital for Thailand’s street food vendors Bangkok’s famous street-food vendors have joined the digital revolution, embracing pa...

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Sapa winter festival 2017 set for December 23

Sapa winter festival 2017 set for December 23
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This is the second year such an event to be held, showcasing diverse cultural and art activities of ethnic minority groups.
Coming to Sapa on this special occasion, international and local visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy the festival and traditional art performances, folk games, and local specialities.
The highlight of the event is a fire dancing festival of the Red Dao ethnic minority group. In addition, the district of Sapa is making preparations for a street festival with parades and performances of the traditional costumes of ethnic groups, with dragon dances on main streets on December 31.
It is forecast that winter in Sapa will get extremely cold this year. Snow, ice, and sleet will likely blanket the mountainous district of Sapa, thus attracting a lot of tourists to the stunning landscapes reminiscent of Europe.
 
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Sapa winter festival 2017 set for December 23

Sapa winter festival 2017 set for December 23 This is the second year such an event to be held, showcasing diverse cultural and art activit...

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Banh giay cakes, ancient symbols of gratitude

Banh giay cakes, ancient symbols of gratitude
VietNamNet Bridge – Been to a Vietnamese wedding banquet? If so, you must have tried banh giay, a white, flat round cake made of glutinous rice with or without mung beans inside.
The white, “chubby” cakes, which are packed neatly in either green dong leaves or banana leaves, are often served on special occasions, including New Year.
The best product is said to be from Quan Ganh Village, about 15 kilometres from central Hanoi. Villagers deliver their specialty all over the country, where it is served up in restaurants, parties or used as a quick and convenient item for breakfast.
Nowadays, when one has a chance to pass by Quan Ganh on Highway 1A, they will notice booths displaying layer upon layer of banh giay.
Quan Ganh was once the place where students from different regions rested before heading to the royal capital to take the national exam, the most anticipated and important one in the life of students in feudal time. This cakes formed part of the diet of students before they took the exam.
How the villagers acquired the skill of making these cakes is a moving story about the warm hearts of the people here.
It is said in the old days, there was a beggar passing by Quan Ganh. He rested in the village to seek accommodation. Despite the beggar’s dirty and tattered appearance, villagers treated him very well. Being moved by the warm welcome, the beggar taught the villagers to make banh giay.
Over the years, the villagers have not only preserved the tradition, but boosted the reputation of Quan Ganh banh giay in other parts of the country.
Banh giay is made from glutinous rice.
It is tedious work and the villagers must wake up early. The work requires several people. One is in charge of steaming the glutinous rice, the other mashes steamed mung beans by hand with a mortar and shape it into small balls.   
The rice is soaked overnight then steamed in the morning and ground and shaped into flat, round patties. These are finally stuffed with the mung bean ball and wrapped in dong leaves. 
Each step must be done quickly so that the cakes are ready for sale in the morning. In the old days, locals had to ground steamed rice by hand yet now it is done by machine.
There are three types of banh giay – a sweet one with sugar, mung beans and dried coconut inside; a salted one with salted mung beans, pork fat and pepper inside; and one without filling. The last is often served with Vietnamese pork sausage.
The aroma of glutinous rice blended with dong leaves lingers when after the first bite.
An old version of origin of banh giay dates back several centuries. The story is so well known because it is mentioned in textbooks for secondary schools.
Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, the sixth Hung King wanted to find a person to succeed him. He gathered the princes and said he would give the throne to the one who could offer him a dish that would delight him and expressed filial piety.
Many princes sought a dish that could delight their king. Among them was, Lang Lieu, the 18th prince, whose mother died when he was small and had to struggle without help.
One day Lang Lieu dreamt of a saint instructing him to make a square and a round cake made from rice, as rice is the indispensable staple of Vietnamese people.
Lang Lieu followed his dream, offering the king the two cakes (one square-shaped and one round-shaped), which symbolised the sky and the earth and depicted the great gratitude of the child to his parents.
While others siblings offered the king luxury food, Lang Lieu won the heart of the king with his simple dishes. He was chosen to be the next emperor.
Since then, Vietnamese people have offered the two cakes at New Year and special occasions. This are also two indispensable cakes presented on the altar on the memorial day of the Hung Kings.
Making banh giay is a tribute to the ancestors and parents of Vietnamese people. Banh chung (square cake) and banh giay symbolise the simplicity and deep appreciation of the descendents to heaven … and their ancestors. 
Hong Van
Source: VNS
 
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Accessible travel website for the disabled launched

Accessible travel website for the disabled launched
<div class="article-photo">The tourism portal for people with disabilities (Photo: dangcongsan.vn)</div>
Hanoi (VNA) – A tourism portal dedicated topeople with disabilities (PWDs) was launched by the Hanoi Disabled PeopleAssociation on November 22.
Through the website http://bit.ly/2BdGKqL and facebook page dulichtiepcan, the disabled can search information about destinationsin Hanoi to actively organise their tours.
On the website, 22 destinations, eight hotels, sevenrestaurants, and bus stations are clarified. PWDs can also gain access to legaldocuments related to them such as the UN Convention of the Rights of Personswith Disabilities, and a project supporting people with disabilities during2012-2020.
The project on development of accessible travel website hasbeen implemented by the Bright Future Group of People with Disabilities sinceDecember 2016 with the assistance from Finland’s Abilis Foundation.
To build the website, which runs in Vietnamese and English,group members made fact-finding tours to tourist attractions, several hotelsand restaurants, railway stations and bus stations in the capital city.-VNA
 
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Accessible travel website for the disabled launched

Accessible travel website for the disabled launched The tourism portal for people with disabilities (Photo: dangcongsan.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – ...

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