A sweet little mystery in the highlands

If you set off from Hanoi in the early morning, you can be in another world by the afternoon – Dong Van town sits over 1,000 metres above sea level in a green valley surrounded by rocky mountain ranges in the awe-inspiring province of Ha Giang, one of the most spectacular rural destinations in all of Southeast Asia – truly, a far cry from the bewildering heat and hectic streets of Hanoi at the height of summer. The town is the capital of Dong...

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Tourism connected communities around the world

World Tourism Day (WTD) 2011 under the theme "Tourism - Links cultures" will be held in Aswan (Egypt) on 27 September. In his broadcast message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: "Tourism has made great contributions to the global solidarity, as an instrument of peace, connecting communities around the world. This is also the industry to create more job opportunities, help shorten the gap in wealth, contributing to the economic growth of...

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Fifth Ha Giang Sports and Cultural Festival opens

The fifth sports and cultural festival for ethnic minority groups opened in the northernmost mountainous province of Ha Giang on August 17. The fifth sports and cultural festival for ethnic minority groups opened in the northernmost mountainous province of Ha Giang on August 17. 11 local sports teams and art troupes have registered to take part in different programmes, including shows of traditional costumes of ethnic groups, folk songs, and...

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Travelers flock to beaches to avoid summer heat

After a quiet June, the number of domestic travelers keeps increasing in July. Islands, tourism sites and beautiful beaches these days receive more travelers who want to relax on brine. Choosing nearby beaches In Long Bien district in Hanoi, many 30-40 seat coaches are present early in the morning of Saturdays and Sundays, which come to pick up travelers to beaches. Two weeks ago, local residents were eager to register trips to Cua Lo, Tuan...

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Northern village preserves rich architectural heritage

Located by the Nhue River, 15km west of Hanoi, the ancient village of Cu Da is famous for its soya sauce and glass noodles. The suburban village has been attracting an increasing number of tourists in recent years, not only for its local specialities, but its traditional houses which reflect both the architectural and cultural values of the northern rural region. Home to more than 100 wooden houses, the village is a popular tourist attraction...

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Italian architects help preserve Hanoi’s old quarter

The Italian embassy in Vietnam and the Genoa Architects Association held a conference in Hanoi on June 3 to introduce Genoa’s experience in preserving its old city after it was recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage site. The event, one of the activities to mark Italy Independence Day (June 2), said the Italian ambassador, Lorenzo Angeloni. Architecture is one of the major issues of concern for the Italian...

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"Slow" photography depicting the depth of life

Leica Vietnam Club this week opened an exhibition with the theme of “Sống” (To Live) in Hanoi, which featured photos depicting very real life. Members of Leica photographer club prefer slower, quieter way of working. Most members had been established professionals before they moved over to Leica. The main challenge for many of them in doing so was to change from the fast-paced methods of modern digital cameras, taking large numbers of pictures....

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Should Hanoi ban cyclos?

The Hanoi traffic police’s suggestion to ban cycle rickshaws, or cyclos, from traveling on local streets has created a strong opposition among the capital’s travel firms. Vietnam's cyclo is on show at a tourism fair in France Speaking at a recent meeting, Hanoi police voiced their concerns about cyclos, saying they appear to be chaotic in the...

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Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple

The Giong Festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples which has officially been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the UNESCO since November 2010, is held annually from the seventh to the ninth days of the fourth lunar month in order to commemorate the mythical hero Saint Giong at Phu Dong temple in Gia Lam District (his birth place) and from the sixth to the eighth days of the first lunar month at Soc Temple in Soc Son District...

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Visitors enjoy ‘queen of beaches' plus island and battle site tours

Located in the coastal district of Vinh Linh in the central province of Quang Tri , Cua Tung Beach is the nation's "Queen of Beaches", awaking the curiosity of many visitors to come and experience its beauty. Cua Tung Beach The kilometre-long beach is neither long nor wide, but the water is gentle and clear. Two underground rock formation, Mui Si and Mui Lai, encroach on...

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Shopping for love in Vietnam's mountains

Once a year, with his wife's blessing, Lau Minh Pao gets to have a guilt-free tryst with his ex. Ethnic San Chi girls giggle while attending the "love market" in Khau Vai village in Vietnam's northern Ha Giang province, 500 km (310 miles) north of Hanoi May 9, 2010. Credit: REUTERS/Kham The love market village of Khau...

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Imposing beauty of Dray Nur waterfall

Sparkling Dray Nur waterfall in Dak Lak Province has a natural beauty that is shrouded in the mystique of legend. The 30-metre falls, which are also known as Cai or Vo (wife), originate from the Krong Ana River. The story is that, a long time ago, a man of Kuop Hamlet fell in love with a girl who lived on the other side of the Serepok River. Their love remained hidden from their parents until they were inseparable. Unfortunately, they were in a...

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A quiet side of Hanoi

Hanoi is often seen by visitors as a bustling city but there is a more secluded and quiet side to it that not many people discover. Life is happening right here and right now in many dark small alleys in the Old Quarter, where serenity represents the quiet endurance of the local people living around the area.This, in fact, has added a charm, one that is indispensable to make the 36 streets of Old Hanoi a beautiful and ancient place.The narrow...

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Fireworks approved for opening National Tourism Year 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has agreed to allow the People’s Committee of Phu Yen Province to organize a fireworks display during the celebration of the 400th founding anniversary of Phu Yen and the opening ceremony of National Tourism Year 2011 in the evening of April 1. According to the organizing board, an art program to welcome the two events will have the participation of more than 400 artists, including more than 100 professional...

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Da Lat’s take on terraced fields

Visitors to Dalat City in southern Vietnam will find transfixing views of terraced fields which will bring to mind the mountainous Northwest. Travelling around the outskirts of Da Lat, tourists can enjoy viewing terraced fields of vegetables and flowers, like the work of an artist. In Da Lat, terraced fields surround small houses and winding roads curve around wooded hills, creating a romantic and peaceful space. Many local vegetable and flower...

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