Vietnam Tourism

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Quang Binh invites investment for 34 tourism projects

Central Quang Binh province is calling for investments in 34 local tourism projects between 2015 and 2020 with a combined estimated cost of VND20 trillion (USD921.4 million).

Kayaking in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in central Quang Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

The projects, including 12 in Dong Hoi city, are intended to improve infrastructure for the province’s tourism sector by 2020.

They focus on establishing urban residential areas and building centres for entertainment, cuisines and shopping in order to meet the increasing tourism demand. Several aim to preserve and develop the local ecosystem.

Highlights of the list are the 300-hectare Da Nhay–Ba Trai Resort Complex in Bo Trach district requiring 1.5 trillion VND (69.1 million USD) in investment capital, the 200-hectare Hai Ninh Golf Course in Quang Ninh district at a total cost of one trillion VND (46 million USD) and the 500-hectare Bao Ninh–Hai Ninh Luxury Resort with an estimated investment of 2.5 trillion VND (115.2 million USD).

Quang Binh has created various preferential policies to support investors.

Boasting a long coastline riddled with beaches, historic and spiritual sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - Quang Binh has plentiful opportunities to develop tourism into one of its economic pillars.

The Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park with its world-famous caves is said to be as popular as Ha Long Bay with adequate investment.

The province has created a number of tours, without overlapping, at cave systems around the province, as well as seaside eco-tourism and spiritual tours to Vung Chua – Dao Yen, General Vo Nguyen Giap’s final resting place.

One of the province’s weaknesses is the lack of accommodation due to a limited number of hotels and guesthouses.

In 2014, Quang Binh welcomed 2.7 million visitors, up nearly 100 percent, 60 percent of which were international tourists, a 26 percent increase.

Source : dtinews[dot]vn

French Village’ opens to tourists at Ba Na Mountain

Located about 45 kilometres west of Danang – Ba Na Mountain – nearly 1,450 metres above sea level, was once the location of a luxury resort village with 200 French-styled villas, hotels, a market, opera house and stadium.

It was built by French colonialists in 1901 for military officials and high-ranking civil servants but was destroyed during the 1945 August Revolution.

Until recently there wasn’t much left of the resort but the remains of a few French villas with moss covered walls and some well-trodden pathways.

However all that has changed as investors have now completed and opened a US$70-million restoration project, which is destined to become a top travel destination of Vietnam.

The ‘French Village’ spans six-hectares and is replete with 20th-century French-styled castles, houses, a hotel, shopping mall, restaurants and indoor theme park.

Here are some images of the beautiful village we hope you’ll enjoy:

Source : dtinews[dot]vn

Khau Vai love market festival attracts crowds

Thousands of domestic and international tourists gathered for the 2015 Khau Vai Love Market Culture-Tourism Week, which kicked off on May 13 in Meo Vac district of the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.

A young couple at the love market (Photo: VNA)

The week, which will run through May 16, features a wide variety of activities including the northernmost beauty contest, cow fighting festivals, horse races, traditional dish exhibitions, and incense offerings at two temples in Khau Vai commune.

Vice Chairman of the district People’s Committee Tran Kim Ngoc, who is also head of the organising board, said the week aims to preserve and uphold the traditional ethnic minority culture in the province.

The Khau Vai Love Market has its origins in a legend about a couple who were deeply in love but were forbidden to be together because they hailed from differed ethnic groups. The two promised to meet once every year in Khau Vai on the 27th of the third lunar month.

The “Phong Luu” market of Son Vi commune is also a highlight of the event, drawing crowds of local residents and neighbouring Chinese people to join and enjoy the event’s art performances and games, according to Ngoc.

During the event, tourism service quality, social order and traffic safety have been ensured to serve tourists, he added.
The century-old festival, which is held annually in the third lunar month, is a popular meeting place for ethnic groups in the locality, particularly those in love.

Source : dtinews[dot]vn

Ban Gioc among world’s top 15 amazing waterfalls

Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam’s northern Cao Bang province has been listed among top 15 most amazing waterfalls in the world, according to Thrillist-a leading US food, drink and travel website.

Ban Gioc Waterfall

In the article’s introduction, the author described that waterfalls have been an awe-inspiring sight ever since the first man walked down river, peered over the edge, and then wildly exclaimed to his tribe-bro "I think we can jump off of this!".

“Trickling majestically down the rocks, Ban Gioc waterfall only drops a measly 98ft, but is super awesome looking, so size doesn't really matter” said the Thrillist.

The website also stressed that the waterfall is a treasure that is still being unearthed in the cliff's caves.

Rounding on the list include Victoria Falls on Zambezi River at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Ventisquero Falls of Chile, Pearl Shoal Waterfall of China, Sutherland Falls of New Zealand, Niagara Falls of Canada, Palouse Falls of the US, Angel Falls of Venezuela, Iguazu Falls on Iguazu River at the border of Brazil and Argentina, Kaieteur Falls of Guyana, Taughannock Falls of the US, Gullfoss of Iceland, Yosemite Falls of the US, Large Waterfall of Croatia, and The Faroe Islands- an archipelago between Norway.

Source : dtinews[dot]vn

Admiring starry sky on Bach Moc Luong Tu mountain top

Bach Moc Luong Tu range which is 3,046m above the sea level has become an attraction to many adventurous tourists because of its primary and breathtaking beauty.

It is the fourth tallest mountain in Vietnam, trailed by Fansipan (3,143m), Pu Ta Leng (3,096m), and Pu Si Lung (3,076m). Lying between two northern provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai, the mountain with hasty and rocky terrain was discovered by adventurous tourists in 2012.

To climb to the top of the mountain, visitors must travel 30km of forest road and experience different types of terrain like bare hills, wood and bamboo forest and high, adventurous and sheer rock.

Visitors can conquer the Bach Moc Luong Tu’s peak from two ways: Departing from Den Sung hamlet in Sin Suoi Ho village, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province or from Ki Quan San hamlet in Sang Ma Sao village, Bat Xat district in Lao Cai province.

Source : dtinews[dot]vn

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Ba Vi : Red-headed Trogon encounter

Back to Bavi NP. My main target was the Red-headed Trogon, which I suspected to breed somewhere, not far from the Red-vended Barbet nest. I finally found them and had some poor shots in the foggy condition of the morning. Not so long after, I found the nest. After gathered some food, the female stay all the day in the cavity.

The nest is really in danger. It is too close from the road. At midday, tourists like to stay there, making a lot of noise. I told to some of them I was a snake expert, there were some cobras in the area blablabla… and at the breeding season they can attack without warning... They left immediately!

Le Viet Tuan Hoang

Small Niltava - male and female

Red-headed Trogon

at nest

male Scarlet Minivet

Source : vietnambirdnews[dot]blogspot[dot]com

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Terracotta park opens in Hoi An with mini famous landmarks

HOI AN (VNS) — Thanh Ha Terracotta Park, designed in the shape of a potter's wheel and featuring miniatures of various world wonders, opened earlier this week in Hoi An.

Spread over an area of 6,000sq.m in Thanh Ha Pottery Village, the park cost VND20 billion (US$930,000) to build and features Britain's Stonehenge, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramids, and the Sydney Opera House besides old and contemporary terracotta works.

The park is expected to apprise tourists about the famous pottery village. — VNS

Source : vietnamnews[dot]vn