Activities to celebrate 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary, Vietnam

Domestic and foreign visitors will soon have the chance to learn more about Hanoi and its history by joining in activities designed to celebrate of the capital’s forthcoming millennium anniversary.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Activities to celebrate 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary, Vietnam:

1. Opening day (October 1)

The opening ceremony will be held by the Hanoi authorities and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Ly Thai To statue, Dinh Tien Hoang road and the space around the Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning of October 1.

- The exhibition of economic and social achievements of Vietnam and Hanoi will open in the afternoon October 1 at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre.

- The exhibition of literary works of Vietnam through various periods at the Cultural and Art Exhibition Centre, 2 Hoa Lu, Hanoi.

- “The country with Hanoi” special show on the Vietnam Television in the evening of October 1, with the direct participation of many people in different sites in Vietnam and abroad.

- A general cultural and art performance organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi in the evening on October 1. The show will have the contribution of foreign experts.

2. Activities from October 2, 2010

a. Cultural and art activities:

- Cultural exchange festival for ethnic groups in Vietnam to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary in Hanoi

- A week for historical films in Hanoi

- “Thang Long impetus and the song for the country” music show at the Hanoi Opera House

- Performance of selected new songs to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary at the Ba Kieu Temple stage

- Street festival and cultural-art programme of young Hanoians at various places in Hanoi

- The first international festival for young bands in Vietnam at the My Dinh National Convention Hall

b. Tourism activities

- A tourism festival in Hanoi

- An exhibition of antiques, documents and objects about Thang Long – Hanoi in the Thang Long ancient citadel, Hanoi

- Exhibition of ornamental trees and flowers in the Thang Long ancient citadel

- Festival for craft villages in Hanoi

3. Other activities to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary in Hanoi from October 1, 2010

- A special circus show entitled “Hanoi – The city for peace” at Thien Quang Lake, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square and the National Circus.

- Music concerts by famous Vietnamese artists at the Hanoi Opera House.

- Performance of ancient dances of Thang Long – Hanoi at the Ly Thai To Flower Garden.

- International music and stage festival with the participation of art troupes from some 1000 year-old cities in the world (around 29 troupes).

- A big concert performed by Vietnamese and foreign orchestras at the Hanoi Opera House.

- A parade and performance by contestants in the Miss World 2010 pageant in Vietnam.

- The national press awards ceremony about 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary.

- The awards ceremony of the international competition on knowledge about Thang Long – Hanoi, entitled “Hanoi – Your Rendezvous”.

- The awards ceremony of the contest on knowledge of Thang Long – Hanoi for Vietnamese citizens.

- Photo exhibition of Hanoi at 93 Dinh Tien Hoang street and 45 Trang Tien street.

- A calligraphy exhibition and festival at Van Mieu (Temple of Literature).

- Bat Trang ceramic – Tradition and Modernity exhibition on Yen Phu road, Bat Trang village.

- Exhibition of famous battlefields and campaigns in the military history of Vietnam at the Vietnam Military History Museum.

- Exhibition of national heroes and famous scholars of Vietnam at the Revolution Museum.

- Exhibition entitled “Hearts to Thang Long – Hanoi”, which will display products of individuals and organisations presented to Hanoi on the occasion of the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary at the Hanoi Friendship Palace.

- Ancient Thang Long – Hanoi exhibition at the Hanoi Museum.

- Performance of traditional ao dai.

- Hanoi food festival.

- A kite-flying festival.

- The launching ceremony of a collection of books about Thang Long – Hanoi

- The announcement ceremony of a national research work about 1000 years of Thang Long – Hanoi.

Source: yahoo

Read More

Halong Bay Vietnam

A pleasant city in Northeastern Vietnam, Halong City is perhaps best known for the UNESCO World Heritage listed Halong Bay on it's doorstep. The bay is truly a natural wonder. Thousands of limestone islands tipped with thick jungle rise dramatically from the ocean, like the dragons fabled to have made their homes here thousands of years ago.

As the number one tourist attraction for the Northeast, Halong Bay attracts thousands of foreign tourists every year. Halong Bay is at it's best in the warm months, when a cruise will give you that perfect holiday feeling. The food on the boat is delicious, the cabins large and comfortable, and lounging on the top deck with a cold drink with the magnificent backdrop of the bay is an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset .

One of the great natural wonders of Asia, Halong Bay is the single most popular side trip from Hanoi. The beauty of the bay and its 3000 islands is so awesome that an excursion there should be considered an essential part of any visit to Northern Vietnam. A one or two day trip also makes a delightful and inexpensive romantic getaway if you meet someone special.

After five hours on a hellish road (which is slowly being repaved), you will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular and memorable sightseeing of your trip. Hire a boat in Halong City or Hong Gai to take you as far from shore as possible, and simply meander among the islands, fjords and inlets. There is plenty to explore in the 4000 square kilometer body of water, and it is easy to find peaceful places to swim, fish, or just relax without seeing another soul, yet surrounded by majestic scenery.

Despite what geologists may claim, the bay was actually created when an immense dragon plunged to Earth here before recorded history. Its mighty tail carved the great stone seabed violently before the creature flew away to the place where legends are born. This fable does not seem so far fetched as you sail among thousands of limestone outcroppings, which look like so many blades thrust deep into the mist from below the sea. Many are barren, weathered and rocky. Others are cloaked in vegetation so dense that it is impossible to see the stone beneath. At dusk, they all take on mysterious shades of gray, mauve and olive.
Several of the larger islands have extensive caves, which are open to visitors for about a dollar. Although they are poorly lit and have slippery pathways, they offer a little adventure to liven up a long, lazy day of boating.

The water is warm, clean and clear, so swimming is always a pleasure here. Be prepared with swimwear and a towel. (Going au naturalle will be horrifying to your boat crew and should not be considered an option.) On most boats it is necessary for you to bring your own beverages, even though the crew may cook your lunch aboard.

Travel agencies in Hanoi offer an overnight trip, including all transportation, two days of sailing on the bay, accommodations in a modest hotel and four good meals, all for under $25. If you have an extra day, you can add a night the wildlife sanctuary on nearby Cat Ba Island.
Abbreviated excerpt from The Men of Vietnam.

Read More

Vietnam targets 1 million Chinese visitors

The Vietnamese tourism authority said it expected about 1 million Chinese holidaymakers to visit the country this year, double last year's number.

Nguyen Van Tuan, general director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) attributed the rise to a series of promotional campaigns run in major Chinese cities over the last two years. He said China was a key market for the country's tourism industry.

According to VNAT, in the first six months of this year, 437,000 tourists from China visited Vietnam, 92.5% more than the same period last year.

La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the HCM City Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the number of Chinese holidaymakers visiting the south of the country was rising by 25% annually.

Travel firms have also reported significant growth in visitor numbers from China. Lien Bang Travelink said the number of tourists using the company's services had increased by 30% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2009.

Tu Quy Thanh, the company's director, said Chinese tourists previously used to spend three to four days primarily in the north of the country but that now they were fanning out and travelling to the central and southern regions.

Thanh added that high-end travellers from China were now spending more money than their counterparts from the West.

However, Thanh said that communication problems were a source of concern and that Vietnamese travel firms were finding it difficult to find Chinese partners.

He also said that Vietnam could not compete with regional countries such as Bangkok or Singapore in terms of shopping malls or medical facilities. He also said that other countries such as Indonesia , offered a greater array of cultural attractions, and that Japan was a better destination for luxury products.

However, he said that Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and HCM City were holding their own in terms of cultural appeal and proving increasingly attractive to Chinese holidaymakers.

(Source: VNA)

Read More

Seductive Dung Quat Bay

VietNamNet Bridge – Behind the boiling living rhythm of a deep-water port, Dung Quat Bay in Quang Ngai province is a lovely natural landscape.

Dung Quat bay is 45km northeast of Quang Ngai city and oil tankers anchor in the bay to take products from Dung Quat Oil Refinery.

Making a survey of Dung Quat in September 1994, late PM Vo Van Kiet uttered: “Dung Quat is beautiful like a sleeping princess” and he chose it as the home for Vietnam’s first oil refinery.

Big vessels enter Dung Quat Bay to get plywood from Gemadept Dung Quat port.

The sunset in Dung Quat Bay

The 1.6km dike, the longest dike in Southeast Asia.

Source: VNE

Read More

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 8/8

Mountaineers to conquer Fansipan peak

The northern mountain province of Lao Cai is preparing for the Mountaineering Championships to conquer Fansipan Mountain and plant a flag to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Hanoi.

The event is scheduled for October 26-30, said Hoang Thi Vuong, an official from the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The championship falls under the national action plan for tourism in the 2006-2010 period and Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Phu Tho provinces’ “Tracing the Roots 2010” programme.

The event this year will be divided into three stages and the winner of the second stage will carry the symbolic flag of the 1,000th year of Thang Long-Hanoi in the third leg to the peak of Fansipan Mountain.

During the journey, climbers will spend time taking photos of Fansipan and Hoang Lien national forest, then choose 3-5 photos to send to the organising board for prizes.

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is the main sponsor of this event.

Artists from four countries join friendship music performance

A music performance entitled “Friendship Autumn” was held in Ninh Binh province on August 7 with artists from China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in the spotlight.

The performance, organised by the Ministry of Public Security, to mark the 65th anniversary of the People’s Public Security Force (August 19), featured musical numbers extolling patriotism and friendly relations between Governments, peoples and public security forces of the four countries.

Vietnamese beer honoured at Berlin Beer Festival

Hanoi Beer and Saigon Beer have been chosen as the official beer at the 14th Berlin International Beer festival which opened on Karl Marx Boulevard in the centre of Berlin, Germany, on August 6.

At the opening ceremony, Beer King Gambrinus, and the Vietnamese minister counselor to Germany, Bui Duc Cuong, emphasised the significance of Vietnam becoming a key participant at the festival to mark the 35th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic ties and Vietnam Year in Germany.

After the main ceremony, Vietnamese artists presented special cultural items which left a deep impression on international friends.

This is the 10th time Vietnam has attended the festival.

The festival attracted 300 beer agents from 86 countries around the world, and displayed around 2,000 kinds of beer on 2.2km of the street. It is considered the world’s biggest beer village with around 800,000 participants during the three-day festival.

Incense-burner url cast for Temple of Literature

The Chan Tam Association, under the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, on August 6 began casting a large-size incense-burner in Hanoi, which will be placed at the Temple of Literature in honour of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The url is cast in bronze and weighs 1.2 tonnes, it has a diameter of 1.55m and is 1.85m tall. It will be in the style of the Ly dynasty with three dragons on its body and lid.

The url will be made by artisans from Y Yen craft village in the northern province of Nam Dinh.

Previously, on the 990th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi in 2000, the Chan Tam Association cast the Dai Hong Chung bell weighing 1.3 tonnes and it was also offered to the Temple of Literature.

Hanoi focuses on preserving craft villages

Many artisans in Hanoi have raised concerns about how maintain and develop craft villages, which are at risk of being lost from the impacts of socio-economic development.

Speaking at a seminar entitled, ‘Hanoi Craft Villages – Potential for Tourism Development’ held in Hanoi on August 5, Director of Hanoi University’s Tourism and Culture Department, Duong Van Sau, said that developing tours to craft villages is one way to preserve their cultural values as it offers economic and cultural exchange opportunities for the villages.

He suggested that the Government should have policies to encourage and facilitate sustainable development in the villages, give tax preferences for them to export their products, and do more tourism promotion for the villages.

According to jewellery artisan Le Ba Trung, the material value of the craft villages’ products may no longer be suitable to modern life but their cultural value will exist forever.

“Therefore, we must preserve our crafts and transmit those valuable cultural values to following generations,” he said.

Hanoi (formerly Thang Long) boasts the largest number of craft villages in the country. According to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, the city now has 1,264 craft villages, attracting nearly 1 million workers.

In 2009, the craft villages reached a total production value of VND 7 trillion, accounting for nearly 10% of the capital city’s industrial and handicraft production value.

However, Hanoi’s traditional craft villages have been declining because young generations are not well trained, leading to lower quality of the products. In addition, there are fewer people who want to learn and spend a lifetime working in traditional crafts.

To maintain their operations, many craft villages have expanded their production to new fields in order to meet market demands.

The Hanoi Craft Week 2010 entitled ‘A Thousand Years of Quintessence’, is taking place from August 4-9, is expected to be a channel to promote the traditional cultural values of craft villages and boost exports of their products.

Exhibition features Agent Orange victims

A photo exhibition entitled ‘Agent Orange – Message from the heart’ opened yesterday at the Chi Lang park in Ho Chi Minh city to celebrate the Day for Vietnamese AO victims (August 10).

The exhibition displays thirty photos on large size (50 x 70 cm) featuring the physical and spiritual pain of AO victims suffering from the consequences of chemical dioxin and their efforts to overcome their disadvantages. The photos also depict social support for the victims to help them integrate into the community.

It is the first photo exhibition on the topic held in Ho Chi Minh city.

The event, held by the Ho Chi Minh city Association for Victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin, will run until August 8.

PV

Read More