Travel News

Tourism industry still can live well in 2012
02:30 | 22/05/2012
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism VNAT proves to be reserved when setting modest targets for 2012: receiving 6.5 million foreign tourists, up by 8.3 percent over 2011, and serving 32 million domestic travelers, up by 6.67 percent over 2011.

However, service providers do not think that way. Vo Quoc Khang, the owner of a shop of cars for rent in Bien Hoa City keeps optimistic about his business in 2012.

“Local residents in the city now like traveling more than going to cinema. They would go traveling if they have one or two days off work. Therefore, I think that carrying travelers would bring good income to me in 2012,” he said.

“Ao dai” Festival, Hue Festival 2012: Being graceful with the national flower
01:14 | 12/04/2012
In the evening of 09 April 2012, the first night of “Ao dai” Hue Festival 2012 themed “Lotus in fine arts” in the attendance of 150 models took place at Quoc Hoc stele- Hue. It was truly an impressive program to viewers.

The outstanding feature of “Ao dai” Hue Festival 2012 was the combination of “Ao dai” with lotus image expressing the permanent beauty of the flower and the value of Vietnamese long dress.

In the music of Co La troupe and the mild wind of the summer along Huong river, more than 300 “Ao dai” patterns of such designers as: Xuan Hao, Quang Tan, Viet Bao (Hue); Thuong Huyen, Duc Hai, Viet Ha, Quang Huy, Quang Long, Ngoc Han (Ha Noi); Hong Vuong, Van Khoa, Bich Ha (Ho Chi Minh city); Viet Thang company, Tuan Huy, Quynh Paris, Cong Khanh, Si Hoang and Minh Hanh blowing with 150 models from Ha Noi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh city and Miss Vietnam 2008 Thuy Dung, Miss Vietnam 2010 Ngoc han were performed, contributing to affirm and enhance the gracefulness of “Ao dai” and lotus.

Free tickets to Ha Long Bay during holidays
02:58 | 09/04/2012
Entry to Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh will be free to all visitors from April 28 to May 1, as a way of saying thank you to visitors for voting the Bay as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

The free visits to the World Heritage site are being offered during Ha Long Tourism Week and the national holiday on the anniversary of the liberation of the south (April 30) and May Day, which always see a huge number of tourists.

Visitors to Ha Long Bay this year will also have the chance to enjoy a number of new changes at the site and improved services.

In the first three months of 2012, the newly-recognised wonder of the world attracted almost 420,000 visitors, of which 70 percent were overseas tourists, up by 19 percent over the same period last year.

During the peak of the 2011 Ha Long Tourism Week, Bai Chay Port handled 16,000 visitors to the Bay on May 1 alone.

Thai New Year
10:24 | 09/04/2012
2012 Thai New Year is known as the Songkran festival which means astrological passage. Thailand celebrates New Year in a very traditional way from 13th April to 15th April, every year. South and Southeast Asia also celebrates New Year as per the Thai calendar. The date was originally calculated as per astrological calculation. But with time the date got fixed. The 2012 Thai New Year will be celebrated during the weekend like every year. The New Year in Thailand falls during the summer month, right after the dry season. This day is considered to be a National holiday. Songkran festival is been celebrated since ages and the tradition of this festival is maintained. History says that the Thai New Year celebration and tradition has been influenced by the Indian culture. The Northern city of Chiang Mai celebrates the New Year for six continuous days.

The main attraction of the Thai New Year

2012 Thai New Year will be incomplete without the water game. As a part of the New Year celebration the Thais throw water at each other and get drenched in the streets and roads. At times they mix mentholated talc in the water. Water guns are vital for this occasion. The game was never played initially. However, this has been a recently added fun in the New Year celebration.

Earlier the Thai New Year was all about meeting and spending time with near and dear ones. During the New Year time people from the Thai community visit the Buddhist monasteries to pray and they also distribute food to the monks.

Cleaning Buddha during New Year

New Year time is a time for cleaning. In people from Thailand clean their house entirely. Cleaning the Buddha is also an important tradition during New Year. The Thais wash the idol of the Buddha with water and fragrance. This practice is considered to be auspicious. This brings good luck and prosperity in the household. From this tradition the water game has been introduced in the Thai culture.

New Year greetings in Thailand

During New Year the people from Thailand wish each other a Happy New Year in their own style which says sa-wat-di pi mai. Adding to it they also wish suk-san wan Songkran which means Happy Songkran.

Best time to visit Central Highlands
11:39 | 07/04/2012
VietNamNet Bridge – The Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) is always a mysterious destination for travellers who like to explore the pristine beauty of primeval forest, marvellous waterfalls and the rich cultural values of 44 local ethnic groups.

Bountiful: Tours to visit coffee plantations have been organised in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, especially in Buon Ma Thuot City, where tourists can admire and enjoy the national most flavourful products.

Yet in spring, especially during March and the third lunar month, the area seems to be even more beautiful than usual as the colours of nature awaken to the new season. One of the most prominent colours amid the vivid rainbow is the pure white of coffee flowers and waterfall foam, which are the inspiration behind the recently launched coffee tour by Dang Le Company.

National park draws anglers to fisherman's paradise
08:47 | 06/04/2012
Every weekend, hundreds of people flock to U Minh Thuong National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang to go fishing for different kinds of fish far beyond their wildest dreams.

There is a long line of cars queuing up along the road that leads to the park, most of them from HCM City, 365km away.

For many people, fishing in this remote area is a way to escape from the bustle of city life and enjoy the primitive cajuput forest, where they are greeted by birdsong and chirping insects.

Proclaimed as a National Park in 2002, U Minh Thuong covers 22,918 hectares of freshwater wetlands, peat forest, seasonally inundated grasslands and swamps. The central zone of the park is surrounded by a canal and dyke system, creating an ideal environment for aquatic species.

National flag carrier offers big discount
08:41 | 06/04/2012

A taste of Belgium at Hue festival
09:06 | 04/04/2012
HUE – Two Belgian artists will take part in the upcoming Hue festival, which is considered by many as the most important art festival in Viet Nam, starting this Sunday.

Singer Manou Gallo and composer Max Vandervorst are set to entertain the public with their original performances after being invited to participate by the Wallonie – Bruxelles delegation in Viet Nam.

"The Hue festival is one of the most important cultural events in Viet Nam. That's why the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation is very honoured and happy to take part in this year's festival in order to promote cultural diversity and globalisation, as well as the respect of the countries and cultural traditions," says Franck Pezza, head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation in Viet Nam.

Pedal along the backroads
03:59 | 02/04/2012
Biking through Viet Nam's central coastal provinces on backroads is an interesting way to explore beautiful landscapes and traditional life during the summer holidays.

It's a fascinating and enjoyable tour programme, which allows tourists to free themselves from crowds and traffic and wind through the villages along more isolated routes.

"We want to create a trip that highlights the natural landscapes of Viet Nam. Foreign tourists can take their time and really experience country life, since they can stop as often as they like on the quiet backroads," said Ngo Quang Nam, manager of Viet Nam Cycling.

"Tourists feel more carefree on cycling vacations because they don't have to worry about traffic, which is nervewracking for other foreigners who try to drive," Nam said.

He designed the routes for the tours, and said that a trip from Hue to Hoi An would take at least five days with different stages. He suggested that a team of 15 travellers was a comfortable number.

Ha Long Bay declared new world natural wonder
03:41 | 02/04/2012
The New7Wonders Foundation has officially recognised Ha Long Bay in Vietnam as a new world natural wonder, said a senior official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.