Vietnam Information

Countryside bowls

I jolt at the sound of the terra-cotta splitting wide open. All it took was one quick strike and the pot broke in half. The waiter smiles as he pulls away the It’s definitely a novel way of serving up the rice, though I’m not broken pot. sure my mother would approve . She certainly would smack her lips at the enticing fragrance which wafts across the table after the pot has been removed. This, by the way, is com nieu, a classic rural dish that has suddenly become quite hip in the...

Turning Sam Son town to sea tourism urban

Since the early years of the 20th century when the town was first planned as a sea resort, there have been now 400 hotels, guests’ houses with 6,000 rooms, with a capacity of 20,000 visitors per day. Each year, the town receives around 1.2 to 1.3 million of visitors. In the coming time, when the Nghi Son economic zone is operational, more people, including foreigners will come to the town for conference, seminars, tourism and also sea bathing. Therefore, the town’s administration is...

Punching and kicking, for health and relaxation

VietNamNet Bridge – Following instructions, a young girl in rubber gloves starts punching with both hands, aiming at a man standing opposite her in a defensive position. At the same time an instructor, who dodges the blows as well as kicks from the girl, gives guidance by repeatedly counting one, two, three and four. That is part of a lesson for an exercise called KickFit, which the fitness center California Wow Xperience has recently introduced to diversify the programs at...

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 9/5

All-natural resort bans plastic, styrofoam Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort&Spa are making an effort to reduce the use of plastic bags and styrofoam containers by delivering all loose goods in rattan or fibre bags. Styrofoam containers in the canteen have been replaced by reusable containers and items are carried in recyclable containers within the resort. The dustbins in the kitchen are being replaced by reusable containers to eliminate the use of plastic bags. Overall, the use of...

Joining two large cultural events in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – After experiencing the two recent holidays, National Liberation Day (Apr. 30) and May Day, tourists will have another chance to learn about cultural values at two upcoming festivals; the fifth United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrations, or Vesak 2008, held on May 13-17 in the capital city of Hanoi, and the annual Festival Hue 2008, in the central city of Hue on June 3-11. To facilitate this, tour operators are launching special tours for the two events...

Ha Tien boasts eclectic mix of sun, sand, gemstones

VietNamNet Bridge – Despite having no major natural attractions or even facilities like quality hotels and resorts, Ha Tien Town in the southern province of Kien Giang is an extremely attractive place thanks to its primitive beauty. Ha Tien, around 300km from HCM City, sprung up in the late 17th century amidst mountains, seas, and islands. The town sits on Dong Ho Lagoon near To Chau Mountain’s green pepper gardens and the famous pagodas of Phu Dung and Tam Bao. Legend...

Hotels to dish up feasts for moms

VietNamNet Bridge – On the occasion of the traditional custom of Mother's Day, which falls on May 1, children once again have a special day to honor and thank their mothers for their dedication to taking care of the family. Small gifts, a phone call, a bundle of flowers or simply a short moment beside their beloved moms make them feel happy on that day. Hotels in town are introducing programs to create a venue for children who want celebrate the special day with their moms....

Rising early to reach Cai Rang market

Foreigners tour Cai Rang floating market. VietNamNet Bridge - Pham Hoang Anh Dao discovers the old and new of Cai Rang market, the bustling centre of Mekong Delta trade. Visiting Long Bien market, the famous wholesale market in Ha Noi, 25-year-old Minh Phuong is happy. "It will sound strange and a little crazy when I explain why I come to Long Bien market," Phuong said with a smile. I come to the market to recall memories of my trip to Cai Rang floating market in the...

Summertime is coming, sandy beaches are beckoning

VietNamNet Bridge – As summer approaches one can feel the calling of the blue-sky sea and the sandy beaches of Vietnam. The country has in excess of over 3,000 kilometers of coastlines, providing excellent location for scuba diving and relaxing seaside holidays. Among the most popular destinations from the central to the south of the country are the coastal city of Nha Trang, Phan Thiet City and Phu Quoc Island. Tourists heading to Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and Phu Quoc can book...

Tourism industry in need of new motto

VietNamNet Bridge – A new motto is needed to promote the nation’s tourism industry and help Vietnam come closer to its goal of becoming one of Asia’s top tourist destinations over the next two years, says Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, deputy director of the Tourism Promotion Agency. A new motto, as well as a comprehensive plan to boost tourism, remained in the planning stages, said Huong. "We haven’t yet been able to identify all of our unique tourism products or more...

Let’s swing at La Fenetre de Soleil

VietNamNet Bridge – Despite its central location on the comer of Le Thanh Ton and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia streets, La Fenetre de Soleil Coffee Shop might still be a little difficult to find as it is on the first floor of an old apartment building, up a set of narrow and dark stairs off Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street. But that small inconvenience is what sets La Fenetre de Soleil apart from other coffee shops, as it is separated from the hustle and bustle of the busy, modern city, treating...

Many promotions for low season

VietNamNet Bridge – From now till the end of September is the "low season" for Vietnam's hospitality industry. Consequently a variety of special promotions have been launched for this season to attract tourists, especially in the Central and the South, where most of Vietnam's deluxe hotels and resorts are located. The promotions are also an opportunity, according to some hoteliers, to express appreciation to their customers, which is possibly why some promotions last until...

More than 20 million USD offered for GMS tourism

VietNamNet Bridge - Asian Development Bank (ADB) will continue to finance the second phase of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) sustainable tourism development project in Quang Tri, Thua Thien – Hue, Quang Binh, Bac Kan and Cao Bang provinces, with total initial capital of more than 20 million USD from 2008 to 2013. This was announced by Mr. Nguyen Huy, Head of the management board for tourism areas in Quang Ngai Province. According to Mr. Huy, after the first phase of the GMS...

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 4/5

Chairman of Do Son district People’s Committee, Hoang Dinh Binh said the 2008 Do Son tourism festival will be a chance for the district to attract both investors and visitors. Bus service between City, Siem Reap to start The Kumho Samco Express Transportation Co Ltd will start a coach service from HCM City to Siem Reap, Cambodia this May. The service targets tourists who fly on Kumho Asiana Group’s Asiana Airlines, which has fights from South Korea to HCM City and Siem Reap....

Betting on tourism

The area was their only escape from the social prejudice inflicted on them in the cities and towns of the country. That was then, and this is now. And now dictates that the thatched huts will likely be torn down to make way for luxury hotels and the whirr of the roulette table. A number of developers are eyeing the long stretch of powdery beaches and rolling hills as the next tourism hot spot, complete with luxury hotels, brand name stores, golf courses and casinos....


Copyright ® 1998 - 2007 Vietnam Opentour Co., Ltd. All right reserved. Vietnam Travel - Vietnam Open Tour