Ho Dynasty’s history on display in Thanh Hoa
Opening a series of activities to welcome the world cultural heritage recognition for the Ho Dynasty, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Museum has put about 500 items relating to the Ho Dynasty Citadel, Ho Quy Ly and the Ho Dynasty on display, reports VietnamPlus.
On display are photographs, books, literature, newspapers, magazines, scientific analysis and research by both domestic and foreign academics. The documents include four main themes of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, Ho Quy Ly, the Ho Dynasty and the Ho Dynasty Citadel’s recognition by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage last year.
Among the collection are documents written in French before 1954. Among the exhibits are photos of the citadel from the air as well as the camp where the stone masons lived during its construction, plus the book La Province De Thanh Hoa by French scholar Le Proton.
The exhibition is to allow the public access to the Ho Dynasty Citadel relics and the cultural history of Thanh Hoa Province and to meet demands from researchers.
Located in Vinh Tien and Vinh Long Communes in Vinh Loc District, the Ho Dynasty Citadel measures 870 meters by 883 meters and was built in 1397. The citadel’s construction was supervised by the Tran Dynasty’s top mandarin, Ho Quy Ly, who later occupied the citadel when he took the throne by force in 1400 and changed the country’s name from Dai Viet to Dai Ngu.
Also known as the Tay Do Citadel, the ancient building is famous for being strategically located where it could be easily defended. The citadel is protected by a mountain range to the north, while the Ma River runs to the west and the Buoi River to the south, creating a huge natural moat.
However, now almost all of the citadel’s main structures have been seriously damaged due to the ravages of time, while only the wall and four main entrances are still well preserved.
Although the Ho Dynasty only lasted from 1400 to 1407, Emperor Ho left a significant legacy. He is credited for pioneering the circulation of the first banknotes in Vietnam, expanding the network of schools and promoting the use of the Vietnamese Nom ideographic script.
On display are photographs, books, literature, newspapers, magazines, scientific analysis and research by both domestic and foreign academics. The documents include four main themes of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, Ho Quy Ly, the Ho Dynasty and the Ho Dynasty Citadel’s recognition by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage last year.
Among the collection are documents written in French before 1954. Among the exhibits are photos of the citadel from the air as well as the camp where the stone masons lived during its construction, plus the book La Province De Thanh Hoa by French scholar Le Proton.
The exhibition is to allow the public access to the Ho Dynasty Citadel relics and the cultural history of Thanh Hoa Province and to meet demands from researchers.
Located in Vinh Tien and Vinh Long Communes in Vinh Loc District, the Ho Dynasty Citadel measures 870 meters by 883 meters and was built in 1397. The citadel’s construction was supervised by the Tran Dynasty’s top mandarin, Ho Quy Ly, who later occupied the citadel when he took the throne by force in 1400 and changed the country’s name from Dai Viet to Dai Ngu.
Also known as the Tay Do Citadel, the ancient building is famous for being strategically located where it could be easily defended. The citadel is protected by a mountain range to the north, while the Ma River runs to the west and the Buoi River to the south, creating a huge natural moat.
However, now almost all of the citadel’s main structures have been seriously damaged due to the ravages of time, while only the wall and four main entrances are still well preserved.
Although the Ho Dynasty only lasted from 1400 to 1407, Emperor Ho left a significant legacy. He is credited for pioneering the circulation of the first banknotes in Vietnam, expanding the network of schools and promoting the use of the Vietnamese Nom ideographic script.
Source The Saigon Time.vn
Russian tourists visit central region
Nearly 800 Russian tourists have visited central coastal cities and provinces since early this year, Vice Consul to Da Nang Anton Golubev, confirmed yesterday.
"We expect that there will be more and more Russian tourists visiting the central region during the summer holidays," he said.
"Hoi An City and Da Nang's beautiful beaches are major destinations for visitors in coming years."
Russian tourists, who flew to Da Nang via six chartered flights from Irkutsk, Novorsibirk and Krasnoyarsk, joined familiarisation (FAM) trips in Hoi An, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet City.
As scheduled, there will be one chartered flight from Russia to Da Nang every 10 days and the central city will host a total 12,000 Russian tourists visiting its heritage sites this summer.
"We expect that there will be more and more Russian tourists visiting the central region during the summer holidays," he said.
"Hoi An City and Da Nang's beautiful beaches are major destinations for visitors in coming years."
Russian tourists, who flew to Da Nang via six chartered flights from Irkutsk, Novorsibirk and Krasnoyarsk, joined familiarisation (FAM) trips in Hoi An, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet City.
As scheduled, there will be one chartered flight from Russia to Da Nang every 10 days and the central city will host a total 12,000 Russian tourists visiting its heritage sites this summer.
Source VNS
Danes fund contemporary art project
Ten projects of contemporary art and cultural performances will get financial support from the Danish Vietnamese Cultural Development and Exchange Fund (CDEF).
Established in 2006, CDEF has recently approved the projects with a total funding of US$61,000 with a view to promoting Vietnamese artists as well as cultural exchange activities between Denmark and Viet Nam.
Three projects by artists including Phan Y Ly, Truong Que Chi, Ngo Thanh Phuong, Nguyen Trinh Thi and Ea Sola make up more than a half of total budget.
Ly's project entitled Visually Devised Theatre will be granted US$5,200 exploring the power struggle between men and women. It is a theatre performance that brings together theatre and visual arts to explore the theme of feminism.
Another theatre performance by Chi is a dream about a blind bird. Chi will get $3,600 for the solo performance. Through personal stories about experiences or unreal space of thought, the performance questions the relationship between women and the surrounding world.
A Singular Voice – the Contemporary Journey of Ea Sola in Viet Nam 1991 – 2012 is a presentation contributing to the appreciation of artistic innovation and the critical examination of contemporary and traditional dance and music in Viet Nam.
It presents two major contemporary music and dance works, Drought and Rain and The White Body. The project will get $15,000 along with other activities including seminars and discussions on the development of contemporary dance and music in Viet Nam.
Erasable by Phuong is an experimental art programme that combines contemporary dance, music, visual arts and audience interaction. The performance will involve the participation of the audience, helping them to gain a better understanding and a friendlier view towards contemporary art. Phuong will be granted $7,100.
Indie-documentary maker Thi's The Artist is a video installation and film project combining performance art, video art and cinema. Thematically, Thi is to continue with her deep interests in the history and development of the artists' role and position in Vietnamese society. The video will be funded about $5,000.
Others getting profit from the fund include Yxine Film Festival ($5,000), Ha Noi Grapevine - a group promoting contemporary art ($5,000), Ha Noi Recitals music project between Vietnamese and Danish composers ($8,600), the Crescendo Voice Echoes - a public art project ($3,000) and Cinema Bookshelf ($3,600).
Established in 2006, CDEF has recently approved the projects with a total funding of US$61,000 with a view to promoting Vietnamese artists as well as cultural exchange activities between Denmark and Viet Nam.
Three projects by artists including Phan Y Ly, Truong Que Chi, Ngo Thanh Phuong, Nguyen Trinh Thi and Ea Sola make up more than a half of total budget.
Ly's project entitled Visually Devised Theatre will be granted US$5,200 exploring the power struggle between men and women. It is a theatre performance that brings together theatre and visual arts to explore the theme of feminism.
Another theatre performance by Chi is a dream about a blind bird. Chi will get $3,600 for the solo performance. Through personal stories about experiences or unreal space of thought, the performance questions the relationship between women and the surrounding world.
A Singular Voice – the Contemporary Journey of Ea Sola in Viet Nam 1991 – 2012 is a presentation contributing to the appreciation of artistic innovation and the critical examination of contemporary and traditional dance and music in Viet Nam.
It presents two major contemporary music and dance works, Drought and Rain and The White Body. The project will get $15,000 along with other activities including seminars and discussions on the development of contemporary dance and music in Viet Nam.
Erasable by Phuong is an experimental art programme that combines contemporary dance, music, visual arts and audience interaction. The performance will involve the participation of the audience, helping them to gain a better understanding and a friendlier view towards contemporary art. Phuong will be granted $7,100.
Indie-documentary maker Thi's The Artist is a video installation and film project combining performance art, video art and cinema. Thematically, Thi is to continue with her deep interests in the history and development of the artists' role and position in Vietnamese society. The video will be funded about $5,000.
Others getting profit from the fund include Yxine Film Festival ($5,000), Ha Noi Grapevine - a group promoting contemporary art ($5,000), Ha Noi Recitals music project between Vietnamese and Danish composers ($8,600), the Crescendo Voice Echoes - a public art project ($3,000) and Cinema Bookshelf ($3,600).
Source VNS
Rare documents of world cultural heritage on show
A collection of Vietnamese and French documents consisting of newspaper and research on the Ho Citadel are on display in central Thanh Hoa Province's Library.
The 500-piece collection includes literature and art works of Vietnamese and foreign scholars published before 1945.
The collection gives a panorama of the Ho Citadel, Ho Quy Ly dynasty (1400-07) and publications about the citadel when UNESCO recognised it as a world cultural heritage site in June 2011.
Valuable French photos of the Ho Citadel taken from the air by the Indochina Military Airbase, the stone exploitation of Vietnamese workers for the citadel construction, and a book entitled La Province de Thanh Hoa have been considered the most unique resources for study.
The exhibition is one of a series of cultural festivals held in the Ho Citadel as part of the June ceremony to receive official certification of a world culture heritage site.
The ceremony will be held at the Ho Citadel's Heritage Preservation Centre in Thanh Hoa on June 16
The 500-piece collection includes literature and art works of Vietnamese and foreign scholars published before 1945.
The collection gives a panorama of the Ho Citadel, Ho Quy Ly dynasty (1400-07) and publications about the citadel when UNESCO recognised it as a world cultural heritage site in June 2011.
Valuable French photos of the Ho Citadel taken from the air by the Indochina Military Airbase, the stone exploitation of Vietnamese workers for the citadel construction, and a book entitled La Province de Thanh Hoa have been considered the most unique resources for study.
The exhibition is one of a series of cultural festivals held in the Ho Citadel as part of the June ceremony to receive official certification of a world culture heritage site.
The ceremony will be held at the Ho Citadel's Heritage Preservation Centre in Thanh Hoa on June 16
Source VNS
Local authorities break tourism development master plan
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| Nha Trang Beach, Khanh Hoa. Photo by An Bui |
The lessons
When reviewing the tourism development in the last few years, experts all say the development has not been following the development plan set up by the government. As all localities want to develop tourism, they have been doing all the things they can instead of referring to the common development plan.
Pham Trung Luong, Deputy Head of the Tourism Research and Development Institute has noted that the overall development plan has been broken, and “every man for himself.”
The Tuan Chau tourism complex in Ha Long City is a typical example. When projecting the tourism site, experts pointed out that it would be better to build a bridge which connects the land and the island. However, instead of a bridge, a road has been built. Though the building of the road allowed saving money, this has spoiled the beautiful landscape in the area, thus leading to unsustainable development. As a result, the tourism site has not developed well as previously expected.
When projecting the development of the coastal areas in the central region, especially in Binh Thuan province and Nha Trang City of Khanh Hoa province, experts said it was necessary to build the winding roads in the coastal areas and leave the area for local residents to go to the open sea.
However, in some localities, land has been divided into plots which have been allocated to investors for resort development for profit, leaving no way for farmers to go. As a result, fishermen have to take roundabout to go to the open sea, while experts have warned that the prolonged conflicts between local residents and investors may cause bad consequences.
Khanh Hoa provincial authorities have recently thought of a solution under which a resort that blocks the view to the sea in the sea city of Nha Trang would be relocated, so as to give place to the city’s residents’ amusement site.
Also according to Luong, local authorities tend to ignore the overall development plan when developing tourism products. A senior official of the Thanh Hoa provincial department of culture, sports and tourism said when projecting the development of Sam Son beach, the department suggested developing some tourism sites.
However, the local authorities later approved the development of many different accommodation bases, both small and big.
The arising of many accommodation bases at that time helped satisfy the rapidly increasing demand in 1990-2000. However, this has led to the unsustainable development of the local tourism, which is now considered the barrier that hinders the development of Sam Son Beach into a key tourism site in the north of the central region.
A conductor needed
In the past, a principle that every locality followed was “every man for himself.” However, local authorities have realized that tourism should be the inter-provincial products. Therefore, local officials have been sitting together to discuss how to cooperate to develop tourism
Nevertheless, it seems that it’s really difficult for them to find a common voice. As neighboring localities have similar geographical conditions, they sometimes have similar tourism products, which makes tourists feel boring when enjoying the same products.
It would be better if every locality has the specific tourism products to attract travelers and fit their different tastes.
Luong has suggested that every region should have an outstanding tourism center. For example, in the south of the central region, it would be very good to form up the complexes of big sea resorts. Meanwhile, in Hanoi and HCM City, it is necessary to establish big trade centers and amusement complexes, suitable for the development of MICE tourism (meeting, incentives, conference and exhibitions)
Source Vietnamnet
The Au Co launches unique Vietnam cruise ship
The Au Co Cruises is proud to announce the launch of its first luxury Halong Bay cruise ship. Commissioned into service in March 2012, the new ship will offer travelers a truly authentic and unique experience deep in Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin. With this launch, The Au Co is taking standards of luxury to a whole new level and introducing a fresh and innovatively original cruising style to Vietnam.
After successfully completing her sea trials and shake-down cruises, The Au Co is ship-shape and ready to forge ahead on a new course for the world of cruising in Halong Bay and The Gulf of Tonkin.
With an exceptional cruise experience, designed to not only provide guests with superlative onboard services, but also to explore some of the most superb and least frequently visited areas of Vietnam’s premier travel destination.
The Au Co definitely sets itself apart from the competition. The culinary experience, inspired by the ‘five cuisine elements’ concept offers every palate the best of Vietnamese and Western taste sensations and flavors. Service excellence and elegance, and refinement in design and decoration are to the fore. The Au Co is undeniably a cruise experience to leave lifetime memories.
Eagerly awaited, The Au Co combines state-of-the-art safety and innovative Oriental Design, providing luxury and elegance in every detail. Each ship has 32 spacious cabins of 20m2 or larger, accommodating a maximum 70 passengers each. Cabins boast private balconies and ensuite bathrooms. Numerous activities onboard and enroute activities complement the culinary experience and the ambiance - sure to please both the active traveler and those seeking pure relaxation or leisure.
”We've spent the last four years working on the building, fitting-out and tour design for this unique ship and cruise experience. It has fantastic to see the success of the first shake-down cruises and receive the positive feedback they have generated. We believe this new type of cruise will differentiate us and help clearly define our Halong Bay and Tonkin Gulf cruises as one of the best possible vacations in Vietnam” said the CEO, Mr. Tran Thanh Nam.
About The Au Co
The operator of the youngest luxury cruise ships in Halong Bay and surrounds, The Au Co's fleet consists of two luxuriously appointed boutique cruise vessels with a maximum capacity of 70 guests each. The Au Co specializes exclusively in three day two night voyages through Halong Bay and deep into the heart of the Gulf of Tonkin.
After successfully completing her sea trials and shake-down cruises, The Au Co is ship-shape and ready to forge ahead on a new course for the world of cruising in Halong Bay and The Gulf of Tonkin.
With an exceptional cruise experience, designed to not only provide guests with superlative onboard services, but also to explore some of the most superb and least frequently visited areas of Vietnam’s premier travel destination.
The Au Co definitely sets itself apart from the competition. The culinary experience, inspired by the ‘five cuisine elements’ concept offers every palate the best of Vietnamese and Western taste sensations and flavors. Service excellence and elegance, and refinement in design and decoration are to the fore. The Au Co is undeniably a cruise experience to leave lifetime memories.
Eagerly awaited, The Au Co combines state-of-the-art safety and innovative Oriental Design, providing luxury and elegance in every detail. Each ship has 32 spacious cabins of 20m2 or larger, accommodating a maximum 70 passengers each. Cabins boast private balconies and ensuite bathrooms. Numerous activities onboard and enroute activities complement the culinary experience and the ambiance - sure to please both the active traveler and those seeking pure relaxation or leisure.
”We've spent the last four years working on the building, fitting-out and tour design for this unique ship and cruise experience. It has fantastic to see the success of the first shake-down cruises and receive the positive feedback they have generated. We believe this new type of cruise will differentiate us and help clearly define our Halong Bay and Tonkin Gulf cruises as one of the best possible vacations in Vietnam” said the CEO, Mr. Tran Thanh Nam.
About The Au Co
The operator of the youngest luxury cruise ships in Halong Bay and surrounds, The Au Co's fleet consists of two luxuriously appointed boutique cruise vessels with a maximum capacity of 70 guests each. The Au Co specializes exclusively in three day two night voyages through Halong Bay and deep into the heart of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Source Au Co Cruise
U.S. investors sign tourism MOUs with Ninh Thuan
Billionaire Mike Ryan from the Cayman Islands, who is the owner of the five-star Ritz Carlton Hotel, clinched the agreement with Ninh Thuan to develop tourism service facilities there, including a hotel similar to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, said Ho Si Son, vice director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Son said this MOU was signed after U.S. entrepreneurs had explored sites for building high-end resorts including areas around Vinh Hy-Nui Chua and Ca Na beauty spots. The trip to Ninh Thuan was arranged by a Vietnamese American.
Meanwhile, Bob Livingston, founder and chairman of Livingston Group LLC, also struck an MOU promising to introduce more U.S. investors to the province.
Besides the two MOUs, these investors also pledged to draw more visitors to Vietnam.
“This is the first time such big American investors have come to Ninh Thuan to sound out tourism potentials and sign MOUs with the local government,” Son told the Daily on Monday.
The south-central province is home to 50 tourism projects, but only two of them are foreign-invested ones. Now it is focusing on calling for investment into high-quality projects from foreign investors but the result is still modest.
“Given the small number of tourism investors and the inactiveness of a number of registered schemes, we are trying to appeal to large investors who are strong enough to realize the projects,” Son added.
Ninh Thuan last year attracted around 820,000 travelers, most of them being locals.
Source SGT
Son said this MOU was signed after U.S. entrepreneurs had explored sites for building high-end resorts including areas around Vinh Hy-Nui Chua and Ca Na beauty spots. The trip to Ninh Thuan was arranged by a Vietnamese American.
Meanwhile, Bob Livingston, founder and chairman of Livingston Group LLC, also struck an MOU promising to introduce more U.S. investors to the province.
Besides the two MOUs, these investors also pledged to draw more visitors to Vietnam.
“This is the first time such big American investors have come to Ninh Thuan to sound out tourism potentials and sign MOUs with the local government,” Son told the Daily on Monday.
The south-central province is home to 50 tourism projects, but only two of them are foreign-invested ones. Now it is focusing on calling for investment into high-quality projects from foreign investors but the result is still modest.
“Given the small number of tourism investors and the inactiveness of a number of registered schemes, we are trying to appeal to large investors who are strong enough to realize the projects,” Son added.
Ninh Thuan last year attracted around 820,000 travelers, most of them being locals.
Source SGT
Vietnam expects to boost exports with VAT refund scheme
Vietnam now has the great opportunity of earning billions of dollars a year more from exports thanks to the value added tax (VAT) immunity policy applied to the foreigners and overseas Vietnamese passing through the country's two biggest airports.
Deputy General Director of the General Department of Customs Hoang Viet Cuong has said that taxation bodies, customs agencies, treasuries, the two chosen commercial banks and enterprises have been making hectic preparations for the implementation of the pilot plan on refunding VAT to foreigners.
From July 1, 2012, the people who leave the country will be reimbursed 85 percent of the VAT they have paid. The remaining 15 percent of the refund value will be used as service fees to pay banks that handle tax repayments.
Cuong said that the tax refund to foreigners upon their exit has been implemented in the world for the last tens of years. However, Vietnam can only carry out the tax refund at this moment.
In the immediate two years, commencing from July 1, 2012, the tax refund would be applied only to foreigners and Vietnamese people, who settle down in foreign countries and show entry-exit documents granted by foreign countries at the two international airports of Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat airports in HCM City.
Also according to Cuong, if the pilot program runs smoothly, Vietnam would not have to wait two years as previously planned to begin applying the scheme in a large scale. By that time, the tax refund scale would be enlarged, and the tax refund would be carried out at many international border gates - the air, road and sea border gates.
However, experts have warned that it would be very difficult to implement the tax refund because of the large number of people subject to the tax refund, with the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam increasing rapidly by 15-20 percent per annum.
Besides, the tax refund would need the close cooperation among relevant branches including customs agencies, treasuries, taxation bodies, banks and enterprises.
In the immediate time, customs agencies would take the initiative in cooperating with relevant branches to build up the customs examination and reimbursement procedures and set up necessary regulations, to ensure that the formalities would not cause inconvenience to foreigners.
Nevertheless, Cuong admitted that there always exists a big gap between the will and the implementation. Even the countries with developed economies which have been carrying out the tax refund scheme for the last tens of years such as South Korea, the US or Germany, troubles still occur.
The General Department of Customs has estimated that with six million foreigners traveling to Vietnam (in 2011), and each of them buys the goods worth 200-300 dollars, Vietnam’s export turnover would increase by 1.5 billion dollars at least.
“The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam increases by 15-20 percent year on year. Therefore, the turnover of the exports through hand luggage would be relatively big,” said Lo Thi Nhu from the customs department.
Especially, the new policy would help develop tourism and encourage the development of many relating economic fields.
The enterprises to be chosen to sell free-duty goods to foreigners would be able to enjoy big interests. Especially, they can seek bigger profits thanks to boosting sales to foreign tourists.
In order to be chosen to sell duty-free goods, enterprises just need to have head quarters or branches, shops or agents located in Hanoi, HCM City or the handicrafts villages which are the key points in the tour routes.
Despite a lot of benefits, Vu Van Truong, Deputy General Director of the General Department of Taxation, said not many enterprises want to join the pilot program.
“As businesses anticipate the complicated procedure and technique in selling duty free goods, they would listen to the news before making decision,” Truong said.
Deputy General Director of the General Department of Customs Hoang Viet Cuong has said that taxation bodies, customs agencies, treasuries, the two chosen commercial banks and enterprises have been making hectic preparations for the implementation of the pilot plan on refunding VAT to foreigners.
From July 1, 2012, the people who leave the country will be reimbursed 85 percent of the VAT they have paid. The remaining 15 percent of the refund value will be used as service fees to pay banks that handle tax repayments.
Cuong said that the tax refund to foreigners upon their exit has been implemented in the world for the last tens of years. However, Vietnam can only carry out the tax refund at this moment.
In the immediate two years, commencing from July 1, 2012, the tax refund would be applied only to foreigners and Vietnamese people, who settle down in foreign countries and show entry-exit documents granted by foreign countries at the two international airports of Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat airports in HCM City.
Also according to Cuong, if the pilot program runs smoothly, Vietnam would not have to wait two years as previously planned to begin applying the scheme in a large scale. By that time, the tax refund scale would be enlarged, and the tax refund would be carried out at many international border gates - the air, road and sea border gates.
However, experts have warned that it would be very difficult to implement the tax refund because of the large number of people subject to the tax refund, with the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam increasing rapidly by 15-20 percent per annum.
Besides, the tax refund would need the close cooperation among relevant branches including customs agencies, treasuries, taxation bodies, banks and enterprises.
In the immediate time, customs agencies would take the initiative in cooperating with relevant branches to build up the customs examination and reimbursement procedures and set up necessary regulations, to ensure that the formalities would not cause inconvenience to foreigners.
Nevertheless, Cuong admitted that there always exists a big gap between the will and the implementation. Even the countries with developed economies which have been carrying out the tax refund scheme for the last tens of years such as South Korea, the US or Germany, troubles still occur.
The General Department of Customs has estimated that with six million foreigners traveling to Vietnam (in 2011), and each of them buys the goods worth 200-300 dollars, Vietnam’s export turnover would increase by 1.5 billion dollars at least.
“The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam increases by 15-20 percent year on year. Therefore, the turnover of the exports through hand luggage would be relatively big,” said Lo Thi Nhu from the customs department.
Especially, the new policy would help develop tourism and encourage the development of many relating economic fields.
The enterprises to be chosen to sell free-duty goods to foreigners would be able to enjoy big interests. Especially, they can seek bigger profits thanks to boosting sales to foreign tourists.
In order to be chosen to sell duty-free goods, enterprises just need to have head quarters or branches, shops or agents located in Hanoi, HCM City or the handicrafts villages which are the key points in the tour routes.
Despite a lot of benefits, Vu Van Truong, Deputy General Director of the General Department of Taxation, said not many enterprises want to join the pilot program.
“As businesses anticipate the complicated procedure and technique in selling duty free goods, they would listen to the news before making decision,” Truong said.
Source: TBKTVN
New luxury bus to service HCM City- Phnom Penh
A luxury bus service between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh has started in HCM City as a private-public co-operation effort to have more Vietnamese tourists visit Cambodia .
The service was launched on May 18 by the Cambodian Tourism Ministry and NagaWorld Group.
"This is one more effort to strengthen the good relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia in tourism sector," said Thong Khon, Cambodia 's Tourism Minister.
By opening a representative office in HCM City and a fleet of 20 28-seat luxury buses (video, massage seats, toilets) at a cost of 3 million USD, NagaWorld will provides six trips a day from HCM City to Phnom Penh and back.
In the future, the company will expand the bus service to two other Cambodian destinations, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
NagaWorld also launched a three day-two night Free&Easy Tour for just 125 USD a person, which includes luxury bus transportation from HCM City and back, accommodation at the five-star NagaWorld Hotel in Phnom Penh, six meals and a half-day city tour.
In 2011, Vietnam ranked first in terms of the number of tourists visiting Cambodia at 600,000, or 21 percent of all international visitors.
In the first quarter of this year, 179,000 Vietnamese visited Cambodia a year-on-year increase of 18 percent.
"The service will also contribute to increasing the number of Cambodians visiting Vietnam for tourism, education and healthcare," said Nguyen Thi Hong, vice-chairwoman of the HCM City People's Committee.
It is estimated that the number of Cambodians visiting Vietnam has increased by 30 percent annually over the last several years.
Vietnam and Cambodia now have eight border checkpoints on land and two on water. The two nations have reached a cross-border transportation agreement under which 19 companies are operating 39 trips with 300 buses that travel to and from HCM City to Phnom Penh every day.
Source VNA
The service was launched on May 18 by the Cambodian Tourism Ministry and NagaWorld Group.
"This is one more effort to strengthen the good relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia in tourism sector," said Thong Khon, Cambodia 's Tourism Minister.
By opening a representative office in HCM City and a fleet of 20 28-seat luxury buses (video, massage seats, toilets) at a cost of 3 million USD, NagaWorld will provides six trips a day from HCM City to Phnom Penh and back.
In the future, the company will expand the bus service to two other Cambodian destinations, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
NagaWorld also launched a three day-two night Free&Easy Tour for just 125 USD a person, which includes luxury bus transportation from HCM City and back, accommodation at the five-star NagaWorld Hotel in Phnom Penh, six meals and a half-day city tour.
In 2011, Vietnam ranked first in terms of the number of tourists visiting Cambodia at 600,000, or 21 percent of all international visitors.
In the first quarter of this year, 179,000 Vietnamese visited Cambodia a year-on-year increase of 18 percent.
"The service will also contribute to increasing the number of Cambodians visiting Vietnam for tourism, education and healthcare," said Nguyen Thi Hong, vice-chairwoman of the HCM City People's Committee.
It is estimated that the number of Cambodians visiting Vietnam has increased by 30 percent annually over the last several years.
Vietnam and Cambodia now have eight border checkpoints on land and two on water. The two nations have reached a cross-border transportation agreement under which 19 companies are operating 39 trips with 300 buses that travel to and from HCM City to Phnom Penh every day.
Source VNA
Travelling by hydrofoil boat wrought with dangers
Hydrofoil Station in Vung Tau. Photo by An Bui
Travelling by hydrofoil boat between Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province is wrought with many dangers, as most of the boats are almost 20-years-old and badly in need of repairs and with several serious accidents having occurred in the past.
On May 13, 2012, the Green Lines 2 Hydrofoil boat belonging to the Dong Song Xanh Company left Cau Da Harbour in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau only to break down at the Ganh Rai Bay, after crashing into the Song Chau 01 oil tanker belonging to Song Chau Petroleum Company that was anchored at the bay.
The crash caused the bow of the Hydrofoil to crack and break its glass, causing panic among the 70 passengers on board who had been scattered to seek life-jackets to wear, in case of an accident.
Another incident occurred in March 2011. The Green Lines 2 Hydrofoil boat belonging to the Dong Song Xanh Company caught fire in the southern coastal resort of Vung Tau while refueling. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The accident occurred when the boat was returning from Vung Tau to HCMC and stopped to refuel 400 litres of petrol enroute.
On June 6, 2011, the Vina Express 3 boat belonging to the Vina Express Company suddenly burst into flames while enroute from downtown Ho Chi Minh City to Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. 132 passengers had a narrow escape.
Similarly, 120 passengers of the Vina Express 02 boat leaving Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province to HCMC on June 26, 2011 missed a beat as the boat lost direction and hit a sand dune under rainy weather. A power outage made the situation worse.
According to statistics from the Department of Transport, three companies running Hydrofoil boats along the Vung Tau-HCMC route transport around one million passengers annually.
Phan Cong Bang, head of the River Transport Unit from the Department of Transport, said there is not much left in the Hydrofoil mode of transport, what with engines constantly breaking down and risking passengers’ lives, just to exploit income from old run down vessels.
Accordingly, to protect passengers, related agencies must strictly monitor the activities of these companies and conduct periodic inspections of their vessels from time to time. Any violators found breaking the law should be severely penalised.
Source SGGP
Domestic airlines leave, foreign airlines flock to Vietnam
Finnair, a Finnish air carrier, the member of One World, the international airline alliance which provides more than 800 flights daily to 149 countries, has made its official presence in the Vietnamese market, choosing Bien Dong travel firm as the general agent.
The presence of Finnair in Vietnam marks a milestone in the development of the air carrier’s plan to expand the air routes to South East Asia. Retteri Kostemaa, South East Asia Business Director of Finnair, said the Asia with 11 destination points, now bring 65 percent of the total turnover of Finnair, while Vietnam is one of the most important markets.
He said that the airline is considering opening a direct route from Helsinki in the near future. Stemming from Vietnam, Finnair would team up with other airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Jetstar to create transit points--connecting with the airline’s flights to Helsinki, other domestic destinations in Finland and 60 European destinations.
Prior to that, a lot of other well-known airlines had announced the increases in the number of flights or the opening of new air routes to Vietnam. Filipino Cebu Pacific, for example, has opened the new air route Manila – Hanoi (2 flights a week).
In late March 2012, the US’ United and Japanese ANA announced the expansion of the trans-Pacific joint venture, which allows the two airlines to cooperate in terms of airfares, the networks on the Vietnam-US air route since April 1, 2012.
Cargo air carriers have also been eyeing Vietnam. In March 2012, Saudi Airlines Cargo (Saudi Arabia) began providing the cargo carrying service from HCM City to the Middle East and Frankfurt in Germany with the frequency of two flights a week.
Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) Lai Xuan Thanh said the increase of the foreign airlines’ presence in Vietnam shows that they have been convinced by the Vietnamese potential market and attracted by the offered preferences.
Regarding the market potentials, Vietnam has a market with a relatively high growth rate. CAAV said in 2011, the Vietnamese market witnessed the growth rate of 14 percent. Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association IATA has predicted that Vietnam would become the third fastest growing cargo and passenger carrying market in the world by 2014, just after China and Brazil.
It is expected that the Vietnamese market would have 34-36 million passengers by 2015, 52-59 million passengers by 2019. Meanwhile, the cargo transport would see a rapid increase to 850,000-930,000 tons by 2015 and 1.4-1.6 million tons by 2019.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has decided to slash the fees for some kinds of services, with the 50 percent reduction at the highest, applied to the airlines which for the first time open air routes to and from Vietnam; the airlines which exploit air routes to and from Vietnam during non-peak hours; and the Vietnam airlines which for the first time join the air transport market.
A paradox exists that while more and more foreign airlines have been flying to Vietnam, domestic airlines have given up the home market. Indochina Airlines has disappeared, while Trai Tien Air Cargo has had the license revoked because it could not prove its financial capability. Meanwhile, Air Mekong and Vietjet Air are still struggling to build up their brands.
Most recently, Jetstar Pacific has belonged to Vietnam Airlines with the 70 percent stake transfer. Prior to that, Jetstar Pacific had continuously taken loss. Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines itself is also undergoing a restructuring process and planning for the equitization.
Source: TBKTSG
The presence of Finnair in Vietnam marks a milestone in the development of the air carrier’s plan to expand the air routes to South East Asia. Retteri Kostemaa, South East Asia Business Director of Finnair, said the Asia with 11 destination points, now bring 65 percent of the total turnover of Finnair, while Vietnam is one of the most important markets.
He said that the airline is considering opening a direct route from Helsinki in the near future. Stemming from Vietnam, Finnair would team up with other airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Jetstar to create transit points--connecting with the airline’s flights to Helsinki, other domestic destinations in Finland and 60 European destinations.
Prior to that, a lot of other well-known airlines had announced the increases in the number of flights or the opening of new air routes to Vietnam. Filipino Cebu Pacific, for example, has opened the new air route Manila – Hanoi (2 flights a week).
In late March 2012, the US’ United and Japanese ANA announced the expansion of the trans-Pacific joint venture, which allows the two airlines to cooperate in terms of airfares, the networks on the Vietnam-US air route since April 1, 2012.
Cargo air carriers have also been eyeing Vietnam. In March 2012, Saudi Airlines Cargo (Saudi Arabia) began providing the cargo carrying service from HCM City to the Middle East and Frankfurt in Germany with the frequency of two flights a week.
Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) Lai Xuan Thanh said the increase of the foreign airlines’ presence in Vietnam shows that they have been convinced by the Vietnamese potential market and attracted by the offered preferences.
Regarding the market potentials, Vietnam has a market with a relatively high growth rate. CAAV said in 2011, the Vietnamese market witnessed the growth rate of 14 percent. Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association IATA has predicted that Vietnam would become the third fastest growing cargo and passenger carrying market in the world by 2014, just after China and Brazil.
It is expected that the Vietnamese market would have 34-36 million passengers by 2015, 52-59 million passengers by 2019. Meanwhile, the cargo transport would see a rapid increase to 850,000-930,000 tons by 2015 and 1.4-1.6 million tons by 2019.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has decided to slash the fees for some kinds of services, with the 50 percent reduction at the highest, applied to the airlines which for the first time open air routes to and from Vietnam; the airlines which exploit air routes to and from Vietnam during non-peak hours; and the Vietnam airlines which for the first time join the air transport market.
A paradox exists that while more and more foreign airlines have been flying to Vietnam, domestic airlines have given up the home market. Indochina Airlines has disappeared, while Trai Tien Air Cargo has had the license revoked because it could not prove its financial capability. Meanwhile, Air Mekong and Vietjet Air are still struggling to build up their brands.
Most recently, Jetstar Pacific has belonged to Vietnam Airlines with the 70 percent stake transfer. Prior to that, Jetstar Pacific had continuously taken loss. Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines itself is also undergoing a restructuring process and planning for the equitization.
Source: TBKTSG
France to remain main partner at Hue Festival 2014
HUA THIEN HUE — France will remain the main partner of the Hue festival, which will next be held in 2014, said Segolene Royal, president of the Poitou-Charentes Regional Council in France.
She recently signed a co-operation agreement with Nguyen Van Cao, chairman of Hue People's Committee. They both plan to promote co-operation projects in culture and tourism for the next festival.
Under the agreement, the Poitou-Charentes region will support Thua Thien Hue Province preserve its heritage and boost training of human resources in the tourism sector. It will also help the province develop ecological tourism by upgrading Hue traditional houses for homestay visits.
The Poitou-Charentes region has been the main partner of the Hue festival since 2000, when it was launched.-
Source VNS
Authorities debate festivals' role
HA NOI — Many traditional festivals have been banned from taking place due to culture managers considering them as superstitious, researcher Nguyen Van Huy has told a workshop on awareness and management in Ha Noi.
Huy, deputy director of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Research and Promotion, gave many examples of traditional rituals practised by some ethnic groups, such as hau dong (mediumship), which have been absent from people's lives because of opinions built up against them during the 1960s-70s.
"Since the doi moi (renewal) period (in mid-1980s) opinions have changed. Now is the perfect for researchers to study and restore traditional and unique festivals," he said.
"We don't have a particular definition for superstition, so I suggest setting up concepts to identify such cultural activities and festivals while using the term sensibly when we assess traditional rituals."
The researcher pointed out that events such as the Saint Giong Festival, was once lost due to incorrect interpretation, but that it had been restored as a symbol for patriotism and recognised as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the UN culture agency UNESCO.
Researcher Dang Van Bai, from the National Heritage Council, agreed with Huy in that there is no superstition present in traditional festivals and religions.
"Some individuals use superstition and take advantage of beliefs for personal purposes to cause a bad influence on the community," he said.
The researchers highlighted modern festivals adapted from abroad that have no long-standing traditions and held for promotional purposes alone such as the Flower Festival in Da Lat, the Hue Festival, the Tea Festival in Thai Nguyen and the Coconut Festival in Ben Tre.
"Managers should survey the 8,000 traditional and modern festivals held in Viet Nam every year," said Luu Tran Tieu, chairman of the National Heritage Council.
"While many new festivals are organised successfully and help promote local tourism and culture, some waste money," he noted.
The workshop was organised by the National Heritage Council with the participation of many researchers and representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Huy, deputy director of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Research and Promotion, gave many examples of traditional rituals practised by some ethnic groups, such as hau dong (mediumship), which have been absent from people's lives because of opinions built up against them during the 1960s-70s.
"Since the doi moi (renewal) period (in mid-1980s) opinions have changed. Now is the perfect for researchers to study and restore traditional and unique festivals," he said.
"We don't have a particular definition for superstition, so I suggest setting up concepts to identify such cultural activities and festivals while using the term sensibly when we assess traditional rituals."
The researcher pointed out that events such as the Saint Giong Festival, was once lost due to incorrect interpretation, but that it had been restored as a symbol for patriotism and recognised as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the UN culture agency UNESCO.
Researcher Dang Van Bai, from the National Heritage Council, agreed with Huy in that there is no superstition present in traditional festivals and religions.
"Some individuals use superstition and take advantage of beliefs for personal purposes to cause a bad influence on the community," he said.
The researchers highlighted modern festivals adapted from abroad that have no long-standing traditions and held for promotional purposes alone such as the Flower Festival in Da Lat, the Hue Festival, the Tea Festival in Thai Nguyen and the Coconut Festival in Ben Tre.
"Managers should survey the 8,000 traditional and modern festivals held in Viet Nam every year," said Luu Tran Tieu, chairman of the National Heritage Council.
"While many new festivals are organised successfully and help promote local tourism and culture, some waste money," he noted.
The workshop was organised by the National Heritage Council with the participation of many researchers and representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Source VNS
Norway Constitution celebrated
On the occasion of Norway's National Day today, Viet Nam News features an article by the Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam, Stale Torstein Risa.
Today, on Norway's National Day, I extend my best wishes to all Norwegians and friends of Norway in Viet Nam. On May 17, Norwegians all around the world celebrate the adoption of Norway's Constitution of 1814, the democratic society that we have built since then, and the freedom and opportunities that we now enjoy.
On July 22 last year Norway experienced an abominable act of terror. It was a brutal attack; many lost their lives, others were severely injured, and families and friends were left grief-stricken. Still, Norwegians came together, making clear that the attack on our values had failed. Norwegian democracy grows stronger when under pressure, and our commitment to working for a better world, with our many partners, remains unwavering.
Our community of nations is experiencing much uncertainty after the severe financial crisis which continues to impact the global economy. Climate change, with includes a warming planet, rise in the sea level and an increase in extreme weather conditions, will also pose a challenge in the years to come.
I am, therefore, pleased to see co-operation between Norway and Viet Nam continuing to develop and strengthen. Our development co-operation today has an emphasis on technical assistance and institutional capacity building, with a focus on certain key areas such as natural resource management, clean energy, water and sanitation, climate issues and disaster risk management, humanitarian disarmament, as well as community support, primary education and healthcare.
Some 40 years after our first bilateral projects were put in place, a considerable portion of our funding is channelled through the many Norwegian NGOs that work in Viet Nam and UN agencies; and less through bilateral assistance. This shift in our way of funding also enables us to provide needed support for the UN reform process; and Viet Nam has proven to be a very dedicated and most successful pilot country for this important "Delivering as One" reform process.
We see a substantial increase in trade and commercial ties, although our bilateral trade figures are still relatively modest, totalling close to US$500 million annually.
I am encouraged by the number of Norwegian companies that have recently joined with local partners to strengthen trade and investment between our two countries.
Traditionally, enterprises within the maritime industry sector have dominated, but in recent years we have seen a growing interest in areas such as hydropower, oil and gas, aquaculture, information technology, and the environment.
We also now see expanding co-operation between our academic institutions.
This is an exciting development, with the most recent collaboration being a Masters Degree Program, in human rights protection between the University of Oslo and the National University in Ha Noi, launched just last year.
As our political, economic and academic relations have developed over the years, so too has the people-to-people contact between our two countries, through a vibrant cultural exchange. The project Transposition, which brings together 12 of our leading music institutions – seven Norwegian and five Vietnamese – and young musicians, is at the core of this co-operation.
I take this opportunity to thank all our friends in Viet Nam for the invaluable support which the embassy receives – helping us to enhance and further strengthen the bilateral ties between Norway and Viet Nam.
Today, on Norway's National Day, I extend my best wishes to all Norwegians and friends of Norway in Viet Nam. On May 17, Norwegians all around the world celebrate the adoption of Norway's Constitution of 1814, the democratic society that we have built since then, and the freedom and opportunities that we now enjoy.
On July 22 last year Norway experienced an abominable act of terror. It was a brutal attack; many lost their lives, others were severely injured, and families and friends were left grief-stricken. Still, Norwegians came together, making clear that the attack on our values had failed. Norwegian democracy grows stronger when under pressure, and our commitment to working for a better world, with our many partners, remains unwavering.
Our community of nations is experiencing much uncertainty after the severe financial crisis which continues to impact the global economy. Climate change, with includes a warming planet, rise in the sea level and an increase in extreme weather conditions, will also pose a challenge in the years to come.
I am, therefore, pleased to see co-operation between Norway and Viet Nam continuing to develop and strengthen. Our development co-operation today has an emphasis on technical assistance and institutional capacity building, with a focus on certain key areas such as natural resource management, clean energy, water and sanitation, climate issues and disaster risk management, humanitarian disarmament, as well as community support, primary education and healthcare.
Some 40 years after our first bilateral projects were put in place, a considerable portion of our funding is channelled through the many Norwegian NGOs that work in Viet Nam and UN agencies; and less through bilateral assistance. This shift in our way of funding also enables us to provide needed support for the UN reform process; and Viet Nam has proven to be a very dedicated and most successful pilot country for this important "Delivering as One" reform process.
We see a substantial increase in trade and commercial ties, although our bilateral trade figures are still relatively modest, totalling close to US$500 million annually.
I am encouraged by the number of Norwegian companies that have recently joined with local partners to strengthen trade and investment between our two countries.
Traditionally, enterprises within the maritime industry sector have dominated, but in recent years we have seen a growing interest in areas such as hydropower, oil and gas, aquaculture, information technology, and the environment.
We also now see expanding co-operation between our academic institutions.
This is an exciting development, with the most recent collaboration being a Masters Degree Program, in human rights protection between the University of Oslo and the National University in Ha Noi, launched just last year.
As our political, economic and academic relations have developed over the years, so too has the people-to-people contact between our two countries, through a vibrant cultural exchange. The project Transposition, which brings together 12 of our leading music institutions – seven Norwegian and five Vietnamese – and young musicians, is at the core of this co-operation.
I take this opportunity to thank all our friends in Viet Nam for the invaluable support which the embassy receives – helping us to enhance and further strengthen the bilateral ties between Norway and Viet Nam.
Source VNS
Fishing in a marine reserve in Nha Trang
Nha Trang Bay Reserve in central Vietnam allows fishermen to catch fish but only using a rod and a line.
The 160-square-kilometer protected area, including 38 square kilometers of islands, the country’s first marine reserve, was created last year.
Netting or any kind of large-scale fishing is prohibited even for fishermen, while tourists can only watch.
It was first named Hon Mun Marine Reserve, after its major island, Mun, which is covered in black rocks.
Located 20 minutes away by speedboat from Nha Trang, the reserve has an explosion of marine fauna and flora, thanks to the meeting of warm and cold currents. It includes 340 coral species out of around 2,000 found worldwide. They are strictly protected, and divers have to pay VND40,000 (US$2).
Boats have to anchor at marked spots and follow fixed routes to avoid disturbing the fish too much. Many tourists prefer to watch the fishermen work their rods, saying the tranquil setting gives them a feeling of total relaxation.
They can also buy fish fresh from fishermen. But the latter mostly sell their catch to restaurants. I experienced one such leisurely day on a beautiful morning. There was a lot of sunshine and the water was very calm. The fishermen went out in wooden boats, sailing slowly instead of anchoring, with their fishing rods out.
The 160-square-kilometer protected area, including 38 square kilometers of islands, the country’s first marine reserve, was created last year.
Netting or any kind of large-scale fishing is prohibited even for fishermen, while tourists can only watch.
It was first named Hon Mun Marine Reserve, after its major island, Mun, which is covered in black rocks.
Located 20 minutes away by speedboat from Nha Trang, the reserve has an explosion of marine fauna and flora, thanks to the meeting of warm and cold currents. It includes 340 coral species out of around 2,000 found worldwide. They are strictly protected, and divers have to pay VND40,000 (US$2).
Boats have to anchor at marked spots and follow fixed routes to avoid disturbing the fish too much. Many tourists prefer to watch the fishermen work their rods, saying the tranquil setting gives them a feeling of total relaxation.
They can also buy fish fresh from fishermen. But the latter mostly sell their catch to restaurants. I experienced one such leisurely day on a beautiful morning. There was a lot of sunshine and the water was very calm. The fishermen went out in wooden boats, sailing slowly instead of anchoring, with their fishing rods out.
If visitors want to buy, they have to scream out to the fishermen, “Have anything to sell?” One fisherman that day, Bao, had caught 10 flower crabs. Locals said fishing at the reserve is not a particularly lucrative job. Luck is a decisive factor and the fishermen usually earn just enough for a living.
They catch three to four fish a day on average, and sell each at VND100,000 ($5). Sometimes they catch fewer, even nothing at all.
By Khue Viet Truong,
They catch three to four fish a day on average, and sell each at VND100,000 ($5). Sometimes they catch fewer, even nothing at all.
By Khue Viet Truong,
Source Thanh Nien News
Da Nang targets improved airport taxi service
The Da Nang City administration has instructed taxi companies operating at its international airport to post notices about fares from the airport to popular tourist destinations both within the city and nearby provinces.
Taxi fares will be announced from the airport to Ba Na and Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Hoi An and My Son in Quang Nam Province and Lang Co in Thua Thien-Hue Province.
The hotline of the municipal People’s Council, 0511 3 888 888 will be displayed in every taxi.
Each taxi firm will have to provide customers with a card with the taxi number, the name of the driver and phone number of the firm’s director in case the passengers want to report any violation or problem created of the drivers.
The taxi association will also cooperate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to open classes for their drivers in communication skills, English and the region’s tourism destinations.
Source Thanh Nien News
Taxi fares will be announced from the airport to Ba Na and Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Hoi An and My Son in Quang Nam Province and Lang Co in Thua Thien-Hue Province.
The hotline of the municipal People’s Council, 0511 3 888 888 will be displayed in every taxi.
Each taxi firm will have to provide customers with a card with the taxi number, the name of the driver and phone number of the firm’s director in case the passengers want to report any violation or problem created of the drivers.
The taxi association will also cooperate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to open classes for their drivers in communication skills, English and the region’s tourism destinations.
Source Thanh Nien News
Vietnamese offered special rates at Six Senses Con Dao Resort
The luxury Six Senses Resorts and Spas is offering discounts on ocean front villas at southern Vietnam’s remote Con Dao Island.
Six Senses Con Dao, which is a 45 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City, lies along 1.6 km of sandy beach, surrounded by mountain landscapes and turquoise waters with 50 private luxury pool villas.
The promotion valid until the end of June charges VND5.5 million+++ (US$) per night for an ocean view deluxe villa, VND6.5 million+++ at an ocean front villa, VND7.2 million+++ for an ocean front deluxe villa, VND20.3 million+++ for three and four bedroom villas.
Complimentary services include breakfast and a welcome drink upon arrival.
The rates are only applied to Vietnamese residents. ID cards will be required at check in at the resort, which is located at Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Source Thanh Nien News
Six Senses Con Dao, which is a 45 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City, lies along 1.6 km of sandy beach, surrounded by mountain landscapes and turquoise waters with 50 private luxury pool villas.
The promotion valid until the end of June charges VND5.5 million+++ (US$) per night for an ocean view deluxe villa, VND6.5 million+++ at an ocean front villa, VND7.2 million+++ for an ocean front deluxe villa, VND20.3 million+++ for three and four bedroom villas.
Complimentary services include breakfast and a welcome drink upon arrival.
The rates are only applied to Vietnamese residents. ID cards will be required at check in at the resort, which is located at Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Source Thanh Nien News
Sunrise hotel offers tempting Nha Trang summer package
With one of the most beautiful bays in the world and abundance of fresh seafood, not to mention delicacies like the swallow bird's nest, Nha Trang in central Vietnam is a favored destination for both local and foreign visitors.
Tran Phu Boulevard is Nha Trang’s most famous thoroughfare, running along the length of the beach with several major hotels located within a few steps from the beach.
One of the most outstanding hotels among these is the 5-star hotel - Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa, which is offering a Fantastic Summer Package for wonderful family moments at the beach.
The package includes excellent guest services, allowing families with one child under 12 years old to enjoy two nights in Superior room with private balcony facing Nha Trang Bay, which is considered one of most beautiful bays in the world.
As the hotel is located just steps from the beach, families can relax with sundecks, umbrellas and sand toys for a day of outdoor fun.
The Roman style outdoor swimming pool on the first floor that is embedded in a lush green garden is also an ideal place to share happy moments with the loved ones.
Apart from daily a breakfast, the package also includes a special set menu dinner, complimentary transportation to and from the hotel and a 10 percent discount on laundry and tour services.
For longer summer breaks, Fantastic Summer Holiday package gives a 10 percent discount on extended nights for families who wish to extend their summer in Nha Trang. The package costs VND5,850,000++ (US$281) and is valid from May 5 to October 31, 2012.
The hotel offers babysitting services and also runs a Kids Club.
Reservations can be made by calling + 84 (0) 58 3820 999 or email to rsvn@sunrisenhatrang.com.vn.
But summer is not the only time you can enjoy at Sunrise hotel, which has been designed and furnished to maximize customers’ at all times and all seasons.
Being the only Nha Trang hotel built in a colonial style, Sunrise at 12-14 Tran Phu Boulevard, is right in the heart of the city and has 120 sea balcony rooms and suites with magnificent views of Nha Trang Bay.
Each room of 35-79 square meters is luxuriously furnished and elegantly styled to cater to the most discerning business or leisure travelers. Romantic souls can ask for a room with their very own outdoor Jacuzzi facing the bay.
The diverse culinary fare is another specially attractive feature of the hotel.
Customers can enjoy elegant dining serving European and Asian delicacies amidst the ambience of colonial splendor at the Imperial Restaurant.
The Vietnamese restaurant, “Huong Viet,” meaning Vietnamese fragrance, is an ideal place to get the real taste of local cuisine. The restaurant is located in the lobby area, with indoor and outdoor dining options.
Japanese cuisine lovers are recommended to try the Hanabusa Restaurant in the Annex Building on the ground floor, which is set in traditional Japanese surroundings. Just across from Hanabusa is Nha Trang’s only pub with an authentic Irish design and ambience – “Jolly Leprechaun.”
The beach is a great place for guests who want to relax on a sundeck, watch the waves and spacious blue bay while enjoying a variety of cocktails and snacks.
For a fully refreshing experience, the Sunrise Spa which is a short wander from the hotel, is a must visit destination. The cozy spa is built into two separate floors for men and women, including a gym, a sauna, a steam room, Jacuzzi and VIP rooms especially designed for couples. Its interior deco of balance and harmony ensures a superbly relaxing, rejuvenating experience.
Both leisure and business travelers will find necessary services, amenities and facilities served by professional staff exceeding your expectations.
Source Thanh Nien News
Tran Phu Boulevard is Nha Trang’s most famous thoroughfare, running along the length of the beach with several major hotels located within a few steps from the beach.
One of the most outstanding hotels among these is the 5-star hotel - Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa, which is offering a Fantastic Summer Package for wonderful family moments at the beach.
The package includes excellent guest services, allowing families with one child under 12 years old to enjoy two nights in Superior room with private balcony facing Nha Trang Bay, which is considered one of most beautiful bays in the world.
As the hotel is located just steps from the beach, families can relax with sundecks, umbrellas and sand toys for a day of outdoor fun.
The Roman style outdoor swimming pool on the first floor that is embedded in a lush green garden is also an ideal place to share happy moments with the loved ones.
Apart from daily a breakfast, the package also includes a special set menu dinner, complimentary transportation to and from the hotel and a 10 percent discount on laundry and tour services.
For longer summer breaks, Fantastic Summer Holiday package gives a 10 percent discount on extended nights for families who wish to extend their summer in Nha Trang. The package costs VND5,850,000++ (US$281) and is valid from May 5 to October 31, 2012.
The hotel offers babysitting services and also runs a Kids Club.
Reservations can be made by calling + 84 (0) 58 3820 999 or email to rsvn@sunrisenhatrang.com.vn.
But summer is not the only time you can enjoy at Sunrise hotel, which has been designed and furnished to maximize customers’ at all times and all seasons.
Being the only Nha Trang hotel built in a colonial style, Sunrise at 12-14 Tran Phu Boulevard, is right in the heart of the city and has 120 sea balcony rooms and suites with magnificent views of Nha Trang Bay.
Each room of 35-79 square meters is luxuriously furnished and elegantly styled to cater to the most discerning business or leisure travelers. Romantic souls can ask for a room with their very own outdoor Jacuzzi facing the bay.
The diverse culinary fare is another specially attractive feature of the hotel.
Customers can enjoy elegant dining serving European and Asian delicacies amidst the ambience of colonial splendor at the Imperial Restaurant.
The Vietnamese restaurant, “Huong Viet,” meaning Vietnamese fragrance, is an ideal place to get the real taste of local cuisine. The restaurant is located in the lobby area, with indoor and outdoor dining options.
Japanese cuisine lovers are recommended to try the Hanabusa Restaurant in the Annex Building on the ground floor, which is set in traditional Japanese surroundings. Just across from Hanabusa is Nha Trang’s only pub with an authentic Irish design and ambience – “Jolly Leprechaun.”
The beach is a great place for guests who want to relax on a sundeck, watch the waves and spacious blue bay while enjoying a variety of cocktails and snacks.
For a fully refreshing experience, the Sunrise Spa which is a short wander from the hotel, is a must visit destination. The cozy spa is built into two separate floors for men and women, including a gym, a sauna, a steam room, Jacuzzi and VIP rooms especially designed for couples. Its interior deco of balance and harmony ensures a superbly relaxing, rejuvenating experience.
Both leisure and business travelers will find necessary services, amenities and facilities served by professional staff exceeding your expectations.
Source Thanh Nien News
A Mediterranean retreat in Saigon
Au Parc restaurant
23 Han Thuyen street, Ho Chi Minh City
Au Parc is one of the most elegant restaurants in one of Ho Chi Minh City's most historic and beautiful areas near the Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace and the lovely April 30th Park.
The restaurant has an atmosphere of Parisian café with a touch of Mediterranean art. There are tables on the sidewalk outside the eatery facing the park and the ground floor is always a bit more crowded than upstairs.
Upstairs is divided into two dining rooms (smoking and non-smoking ). The non smoking room has vibrant Moroccan atmosphere with yellow walls, domes and colorful cushions, plus paintings featuring middle eastern ladies napping to avoid the heat outside.
But the best view belongs to the second upstairs dinning room.
There is a big glass wall-window offering sight of the park's giant old trees and the grass below.
From this window, life in Saigon suddenly becomes more romantic as the small streets surrounding the park don't teem with traffic the way they do in other parts of downtown.
From a distance, the motorbikes are almost swallowed by the park's small forest of trees.
Sometimes I stay until late afternoon reading and writing, watching the light gradually disappear atop the trees to be finally replaced by the darkness of the peaceful evening.
In the afternoon, Au Parc is a quiet, perfect place to chill out with camellia tea or a coconut. The friendly staff fills my cup of water whenever the glass is empty.
Au Parc offers Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices. You can choose a two courses menu (VND190,000) or a three-course menu (VND230,000). One of my favorite three-course menus includes a lentil salad with roasted tomatoes and feta cheese, sea bass with fennel confit couscous and petit pois, and a cup of Earl Grey-flavored crème brulee.
Cuisine at Au Parc is a journey around Mediterranean countries. The restaurant's highlights are a Greek salad with roasted tomatoes and feta (VND87,000-side, VND130,000-main); marinated lamb with chickpea salad with lemon-coriander-olive, oil dressing (VND210,000); and the lahmacun-Turkish pizza with chopped salad and cucumber yoghurt sauce (VND68,000).
By To Van Nga
23 Han Thuyen street, Ho Chi Minh City
Au Parc is one of the most elegant restaurants in one of Ho Chi Minh City's most historic and beautiful areas near the Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace and the lovely April 30th Park.
The restaurant has an atmosphere of Parisian café with a touch of Mediterranean art. There are tables on the sidewalk outside the eatery facing the park and the ground floor is always a bit more crowded than upstairs.
Upstairs is divided into two dining rooms (smoking and non-smoking ). The non smoking room has vibrant Moroccan atmosphere with yellow walls, domes and colorful cushions, plus paintings featuring middle eastern ladies napping to avoid the heat outside.
But the best view belongs to the second upstairs dinning room.
There is a big glass wall-window offering sight of the park's giant old trees and the grass below.
From this window, life in Saigon suddenly becomes more romantic as the small streets surrounding the park don't teem with traffic the way they do in other parts of downtown.
From a distance, the motorbikes are almost swallowed by the park's small forest of trees.
Sometimes I stay until late afternoon reading and writing, watching the light gradually disappear atop the trees to be finally replaced by the darkness of the peaceful evening.
In the afternoon, Au Parc is a quiet, perfect place to chill out with camellia tea or a coconut. The friendly staff fills my cup of water whenever the glass is empty.
Au Parc offers Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices. You can choose a two courses menu (VND190,000) or a three-course menu (VND230,000). One of my favorite three-course menus includes a lentil salad with roasted tomatoes and feta cheese, sea bass with fennel confit couscous and petit pois, and a cup of Earl Grey-flavored crème brulee.
Cuisine at Au Parc is a journey around Mediterranean countries. The restaurant's highlights are a Greek salad with roasted tomatoes and feta (VND87,000-side, VND130,000-main); marinated lamb with chickpea salad with lemon-coriander-olive, oil dressing (VND210,000); and the lahmacun-Turkish pizza with chopped salad and cucumber yoghurt sauce (VND68,000).
By To Van Nga
Source Thanh Nien News
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