Binh Thuan Tourism - Trade Fair 2009

Binh Thuan Tourism - Trade Fair 2009 organized by Ho Chi Minh City Trade Fair & Advertisement Joint Stock Company and Binh Thuan Province Information Culture Center is taking place from June 17 to 23, 2009 in Binh Thuan Province.

The fair has over 200 pavilions for fields: agriculture, sylviculture, aquiculture, mechanical equipments, industrial consumer goods, tourist products, handicraft goods... This is opportunity to meet, exchange experience between local businesses and their partners in the whole country, promote trademark, recommend products, and develop trade production activities to consumers and tourists.

On this occasion, Binh Thuan Province will develop a city-tour to serve tourists. The province will invest to upgrade 5 tourist sites exploited in the last time such as: Duc Thanh School Relic and Ho Chi Minh Museum, Van Thuy Tu Temple, Suoi Tien Tourist Site and Sand Dune - Mui Ne. In addition, the province also calls investment and exploits well new tourist sites to meet demand of tourists such as: golf course, tourist itinerary in Ca Ty River, sea gastronomy...

(Source: TITC)

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Vietnamese attend cultural festival in Germany

The overseas Vietnamese community living in many cities around Germany attended the 13rd cultural festival of Sachsen-Anhalt State in Thale City from June 12-14.

The traditional event was aimed at promoting cultural exchanges between the German people and the overseas communities living in the state.

On display in Vietnam’s pavilion were traditional dishes, handicraft products, photos and books on display to introduce the country’s image and people to the German people and international friends.

Hundreds of overseas Vietnamese living in the region, especially Vietnamese women in their traditional dress (ao dai), joined a march along the streets of Thale City, carrying the Vietnamese national flag and the late President Ho Chi Minh’s portrait.

On the occasion, Vietnamese ambassador to Germany, Do Hoa Binh, met with the mayors of Thale and Wernigerode cities. Both mayors spoke highly of the great contribution made by the overseas Vietnamese community to the socio-economic and cultural development of localities, affirming their continued support for the community’s efforts to stabilise their lives in the second homeland.

Meanwhile, Le Thanh Huong, deputy chairman of the Vietnam-German Association of Wernigerode City was presented with the "Goldene Thalix" medal by MDR Television for her efforts to help other overseas Vietnamese integrate into German society.

(Source: VOV)

(Source: VNA)

Halong Bay - one of Vietnam’s two UNESCO natural world heritage sites - had by May 25 risen to the first place in Group G in the voting for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The bay, twice recognised by the UNESCO for its landscapes and geological values, surpassed Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar Beach to lead the 25-entry group, which includes sea landscapes and beaches.

A total of 261 national and international sites, divided into seven groups, are vying to enter the top 77. In this second stage, each country is allowed only one entry for selection, except for those entries that are located on a common border shared by two or more countries.

As scheduled, the voting will last until July to choose the top 77. Then 21 sites will be selected by the organising board for the final stage, slated for between 2010 and 2011.

During this time, the New7Wonders World Tour will visit all 21 sites. The New 7 Wonders of Nature will be unveiled in the summer of 2011.

During the first phase of the campaign, which ran from July 2007 to December 31, 2008, three of Vietnam’s tourist hot spots were nominated, including Halong Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - another UNESCO Natural World Heritage, and Mount Fansipan.

(Source: VNA)

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Central Quang Nam Province is racing to preserve Hoi An City to ensure the historic city’s tourism potential and aim luring more tourists to the UNESCO-listed site in the future.
The project, worth about $60 million, will be implemented this year and scheduled to conclude in 2020. Under the plan, the province will seek to restore and preserve the historic residences at the city centre, as well as to limit urbanisation around the preserved areas.

"We are witnessing a rapid downgrading and urbanising process in Hoi An that could make this site less attractive to tourists. Therefore, it is our key task to urgently preserve the cultural features of Hoi An," said Vo Phung, director of the Hoi An Culture and Sport Centre.

Hoi An was recognised as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999, with buildings that display a unique blend of local and foreign influences. During the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An was an important trading port, welcoming Indian traders, all of whom left their stamps on the city’s development. Over the past decade, this well-known site has won the hearts of both foreign and domestic tourists alike. Quang Nam authorities’ estimates put the number of tourists visiting Hoi An City in 2009 at about 1.2 million, and the number of visitors is forecast to reach 2.6 million by 2015.

While investors are flocking to Hoi An to develop high-end resorts in order to meet this increasing demand, Phung admitted that the local tourism industry could be seriously affected due to the deterioration of the city centre and the urbanisation of surrounding areas.

According to the project on preserving Hoi An City, the province will call on local residents and private companies to participate in preservation activities. In the first phase of the project, about 700 ancient houses will be upgraded. The province will also upgrade the wharves at the ancient port, along with preserving and developing the traditional craft villages surrounding the city.

A buffer zone will be created between Hoi An City and surrounding areas in order to mitigate the impact of urbanisation on the city. Improving local infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure, is another important part of the project.
(Source: VIR)

Vinh Hy is blessed with unique beauty and charm; no matter how often you visit Vinh Hy and the surrounding areas, you will discover a new attraction every time.
First time visitors typically choose to take a cruise in the bay in Ninh Thuan Province to see the coral reefs and the many islands and rocks with their fascinating shapes, like an ear or a turtle, or a hand with fingers stretching to the sky.
Travelers on their second or third visits tend to opt for the boat voyage to the off-the-beaten-track areas. The pristine beaches and beautiful rocks will impress even the most seasoned traveler.
There many beaches to choose from suitable for both amateur and strong swimmers, such as Ba Dien (crazy woman), Tien (fairy) and Coc (cup) beaches in the bay, and Thung, Hoi, Binh Tien beaches which slope gently to the sea.
It takes more than an hour to reach these tranquil beaches, but the scenery on the way is breath-taking and the reward once you arrive is gentle waves, breezes blowing in from the sea and the sweet sound of waves lapping against the shore, especially if you are willing to take the 30 minute boat trip to some of the more remote beaches.
A boat driver called My told the Daily that he has transported numerous groups of tourists through the walls of high and rocks perched by the sea, all of whom have been overwhelmed by the picturesque beauty of the area.
The waves are constantly crashing against the walls of rocks. Over time the scene may change as the rocks are transformed by the waves, however the beauty and magnificence of Vinh Hy continue to attract visitors from near and far.
A one-day free-and-easy cruise is priced from VND2.8 million (around US$157) for a glass-bottom boat which can accommodate 50 passengers in a time. The rate is around VND1 million if you want a boat to cruise within Vinh Hy Bay and nearby sites of interest.
It is advisable to book the sea cruise at least one day ahead of your arrival during off-peak season and one week ahead during holidays.
(Source: SGT)

Danish ambassador in Vietnam Peter Lysolt Hansen inaugurated ceramic picture made by Michael Geertsen artist and Vietnamese artisans in April 16. It's a part of "Ceramic road along the banks of Red River" project
The ceramic picture which covers an area of 60m² is in front of the Long Bien bus station. It has lay-out of bright colours such as red, orange, blue, yellow and be created by geometric shapes that Michael Geertsen cut from vases, bowls and plates in all shapes and sizes which he made.
At the invitation from the project chairman of "Ceramic road along the banks of Red River - the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi", Michael Geertsen artist arrived Hanoi in late February, 2009 and worked in Bat Trang Pottery Village.
He is the first foreign artist who show his work for this project in Hanoi with assistance of Cultural Development and Exchange Fund (CDEF)
(Source: TITC)

World’s largest jade statue of Buddha on display in Vietnam
Phat Tich Pagoda in the northern province of Bac Ninh will be home to the world’s largest jade Buddha statue from May 16 to 22 in celebration of Buddha’s 2553rd birth anniversary and the 2553rd year of the Buddhist calendar.
"The jade Buddha statue for Universal Peace" was carved from an 18-tonne jade boulder – nicknamed the "Polar Pride", which was discovered in Canada in 2000. The 4.8m-tall statue weighs 5,000kg, and is considered the world’s largest and most solemn Buddhist jade statue. It was competed after eight years by more than 30 sculptors and Buddhist researchers from Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar and India.
After arriving in Vietnam, the jade statue has been on display in Danang, Vung Tau and Dong Thap allowing Buddhist nuns, monks and followers to contemplate and pray for a peaceful world.
(Source: VOV)