This year’s festival aims to evaluate to what extent the Bay can contribute to promoting tourism development [...]]]> Halong Cruises – Lang Co Festival 2011 – the World Beautiful Bay will be held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on July 9-10 to promote tourism and encourage investment in the Lang Co-Chan May economic zone.

This year’s festival aims to evaluate to what extent the Bay can contribute to promoting tourism development two years after it was recognised by Worldbays Club as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Bays”.

Lying between Da Nang and Hue cities, Lang Co Bay, Hai Van pass, Bach Ma Natural Reserve and an ancient fishing village in this area present a wonderful view of people living in harmony with nature.

Lang Co Bay has a 13-km long beach with white sand and blue water. It has Lap An lagoon, a brackish water lagoon extended to 1,500 ha with rich natural resources.

The Bay adjacent to Hai Van Pass lies in the central area, where visitors can reach four world cultural heritages in Vietnam , namely Hue relics, royal court music, Hoi An ancient town and My Son relics, within a radius of 70 km.

It is also included in many travel tours and is the nucleus of four national tourism complexes as well as one of the three main points of Thua Thien-Hue Province ’s tourism.

Listed in a group of important natural resources, Lang Co Bay plays a decisive role in the development of the province’s tourism.

Source: VOV

The park was declared Vietnam’s first Ramsar site of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and the world’s 50th in 1989. More than one quarter of the park’s 12,000ha is covered with mangroves that support many aquatic [...]]]> Halong Cruises – Located in Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province; Xuan Thuy National Park is an interesting tourist destination.

The park was declared Vietnam’s first Ramsar site of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and the world’s 50th in 1989. More than one quarter of the park’s 12,000ha is covered with mangroves that support many aquatic species – including fish, crustaceans and mollusks. These species provide food and a livelihood for the poor, local people of the area.

The park houses the “Cá Mòi Co” (Clupanodon thrissa), a fish listed in Vietnam’s Red Book as vulnerable and at risk of extinction. It is also recognized as a platform for migratory water birds, including the “Cò thìa” (Black-faced Spoon-Bill), and eight other listed endangered species.

To date, more than 200 bird species have been recorded at Xuan Thuy. The site is the most important staging and wintering area for migratory water-birds in the coastal zone of the Red River Delta.

It regularly supports large numbers of commoner migratory water-bird species, including Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Eurasian Curlew.

Many rare species can also be found at Xuan Thuy, including the largest wintering population of Black-faced Spoonbill in Vietnam, with around 60 birds each winter in recent years.

Other rare species that regularly occur at the site include Saunders’s Gull, Spotted Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Asian Dowitcher.

In addition to its importance for waterbirds, Xuan Thuy is also an important migratory stop-over for non-waterbirds, with large numbers of passerines and cuckoos passing through the site during the spring and autumn migrations. During the summer months, small numbers of Painted Stork and Spot-billed Pelican occur as non-breeding visitors.

The park has a rich, bio-diverse coastal wetland environment that is home to about 110 aquatic plant species, 500 species of benthos and zooplankton. Many aquatic species of high economic value, like shrimp, fish, crabs and oysters, are also found in the area. Fish, shrimp and crabs provide the main income of the local community.

As a staging and wintering site on the East Asian-Australian flyway, the best time to visit Xuan Thuy is September to April. In August and September, it is still possible to see non-breeding Painted Stork, as well as early migrants, such as Black-winged Stilt. Later, from October onwards, it is relatively easy to find wintering Black-faced Spoonbills, particularly at their roost sites in the shrimp ponds.

In Xuan Thuy National Park, you can ask for the assistance from park staff, which know the site very well and are able to show us where to watch particular bird species. It will be very good if you can get a guide from the park. Basically, you can take the hiking routes or boating routes to the sites of interest. It means that you can travel by foot to some places of interest, or you can only be reached by boat at high tide.

Hiking routes: Walking through the natural and artificial habitats along the dike system in Con Ngan Island, where the park headquarters is located. Especially in the high tide time, when you can find numerous bird roosting in the shrimp ponds, including Black-faced Spoonbill, gulls, ducks and waders.

Boating routes: In the high tide time, you can get boat to reach the offshore mudflats and sandy flats, where Spoon-billed Sandpiper can be found among large flocks of waders.

An alternative boat route involves visiting Con Xanh island, which supports some Casuarina forest, where is very suitable for the migrating non-waterbirds.

On the island, you can find the pittas and other passerines during migrating season. Another way, you can take a boat to the off shore mudflats and sandy flats areas of Giao Xuan Commune, where the best area for watching the shorebirds is.

In this site, you can find big flocks of waders and especially Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, many species of gulls, including Saunders’s Gull; duck species and sometimes Black-faced Spoonbill and Black-headed Ibis.

Located on the southern bank of the Cau River, Phu Lang pottery village (in Que Vo District, Bac Ninh Province) is well-known as northern Vietnamese [...]]]> Halong Cruises – With modern color, diverse forms and charming decoration and patterns which still maintain the sturdy style of traditional products, Phu Lang pottery products are exhibiting new vitality.

Located on the southern bank of the Cau River, Phu Lang pottery village (in Que Vo District, Bac Ninh Province) is well-known as northern Vietnamese pottery center. According to village elders, pottery making dates back for about eight centuries. Eel skin glaze is a trademark of Phu Lang pottery products. The typical traditional products include water jar, small coffins, bowls, plates and pots. Phu Lang pottery products used to be extremely popular, especially among farmers all over the country.

However, changes in consumer tastes and out-moded products saw the village lose its popularity. To overcome these difficulties, young people in Phu Lang Village have made enormous efforts to study and improve their products. According to Nguyen Tien Nen, the deputy chairman of the Phu Lang Commune People’s Committee, the first person who deserves credit for improving traditional pottery products is Vu Huu Nhung, a young artisan. Based on traditional eel skin glaze combined with diverse forms, Vu Huu Nhung has created attractive fine art pottery products which continue to preserve the popularity of traditional Phu Lang pottery.

After a decade, Phu Lang fine art pottery has strongly developed with many types of products, including flower vases, pot, decorative items, wine bottles and lampstands which are decorated with lotuses, landscapes, pagodas, old streets and different shapes. Apart from the domestic market, Phu Lang pottery products are becoming better known all over the world. Businesses from Japan, Australia, Republic of Korea, Canada and the US have made large orders, and every year, export revenue from 15 fine art pottery production facilities in Phu Lang village totals more than VND5 billion. The development of pottery production has led to improved living standards. In 2000, the income per capita of Phu Lang people was just VND10 million per year. This figure increases to VND15 million today.

However, according to Nguyen Tien Nen, rapid development has created difficulties in terms of the quality of human resources, challenging the sustainability of the village’s craft. At present, apart from 15 artisans who are being trained by Vu Huu Nhung, most of workers in the village can only produce basic products. They are not able to create sophisticated decoration. Workers are trained when producing at workshops, thus the quality and quantity of labor force remains limited. Some production facilities do not dare to take export orders or pass up export orders to other production facilities due to a lack of workers, thus losing opportunities to increase revenue and expand export markets. However many Phu Lang workers want professional training courses in order to continue preserving and promoting Phu Lang’s craft, and continue exporting their products all over the world.

Source: VEN

Reporter Phuong Hong of the Vietnam Economic News talked with Nguyen Van Cao, chairman [...]]]> Thua Thien Hue will host the National Tourism Year 2012 following recent prime ministerial approval. This will be a chance for Thua Thien Hue to promote its potential, economic achievements, culture and tourist attractions to domestic and foreign investors and tourists.

Reporter Phuong Hong of the Vietnam Economic News talked with Nguyen Van Cao, chairman of the Thua Thien Hue People’s Committee on this issue.
Tourism development is considered an important factor for Thua Thien Hue’s socio-economic development. What achievements has tourism sector brought to the city and how is the city’s sustainable tourism strategy likely to develop in the future?
For years, Thua Thien Hue’s tourism strategy has obtained many encouraging achievements. The number of domestic and foreign tourists has increased year-on-year. Specifically, the province received 360,000 tourists in 1998 while in 2010, the figure had increased to 1.49 million tourists. The average tourism growth rate recorded is some 12-13 percent a year. Of this, domestic and foreign arrivals increased by 13.48 percent and 11 percent respectively. Tourism revenue grows at an annual rate of 22 percent which accounts 35 percent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product (exclusive of indirect tourism revenue). In 1998, the tourism sector had 2,115 workers. The current figure has increased to 8,100 direct workers and 180,000 indirect workers. Some forty investment projects have been invested in tourism sector with total registered capital of VND25 trillion. The tourism sector has changed remarkably, thanks to state and private investment in infrastructure, technical facilities, tourist sites and strong development of tourism businesses. As the tourism sector has increased in the province’s structure, it is now considered a key economic sector in the province’s policies.
However, the growth in the tourism sector has not met provincial development expectations if compared to its potentials and tourism advantages. Meanwhile, social awareness on tourism development is different and can be summarized by weak infrastructure, poor and simple products, low quality, efficiency and a lack of competitiveness.
To resolve these weaknesses, sustainability is considered a key point in the province’s tourism development strategy until 2020. Tourism products will focus on high quality, renowned brand names so as to effectively exploit the province’s advantages and resources. The tourism sector targets to firstly ensure economic development on a sustainable basis or in the other words, the stable development and growth of businesses and tourism sector to actively contribute to the socioeconomic development of the province and community; secondly, ensure sustainable natural resources and environment which means the proper use of natural resources and environment protection; thirdly, sustainable society and culture which means that tourism development should actively contribute to society development and equitable development.
What is the theme of the National Tourism Year 2012? What plan does Thua Thien Hue have to promote the image of an economic, cultural, scientific and technological, tourism center as part of moves to become a centrally-governed city?
The National Tourism Year 2012 is Hue-old capital city- new experiences” will be held during 2012 in parallel with the implementation of socio-economic targets of transforming Hue into a centrally-governed city, a center of central region, and a major cultural and tourism national center.
The National Tourism Year 2012 will affirm the tourism advantages of Vietnam and Thua Thien Hue’s cultural heritage which are considered a unique tourism resource. It is also aimed at promoting cultural heritage, unique natural and cultural heritage originated from the development of former capitals in which Hue is a typical example, to polish the image and status of Vietnam and Thua Thien Hue in foreigners’ eye. Thua Thien Hue will focus on developing unique, high quality and competitive tourism products which have a national and international brand name while fostering the connection with other national provinces/cities and neighboring countries.
National Tourism Year 2012 and the Hue Festival 2012 are major national events drawing the attention of foreigners. The events are both an opportunity for Hue to develop its economy, attract investors and challenges for the city regarding transport infrastructure, hotels, tourism services and more. How will the city make the most of these opportunities and deal with the challenges?
Thua Thien Hue is making great efforts to fulfill its target of building Hue into becoming a national and international festival city with Vietnamese features based on ideas that consider culture as the foundation for social development and bring into full play the cultural features of Vietnam and Thua Thien Hue. Leaders of Thua Thien Hue consider the Hue Festival as a focal point of the National Tourism Year 2012.
Thua Thien Hue’s tourism sector will concentrate on the three following tasks: firstly, improving and developing tourism products, services and infrastructure; secondly, promoting tourism, developing and promoting Thua Thien Hue’s tourism brand, thirdly, issuing tourism policies and developing human resources.
Regarding the first task, the province will strengthen investment in infrastructure and facilities to prioritize key areas to a build several regional and international tourist sites. Priority will also be given to advantageous localities and those who develop the community in parallel with economic restructuring. Meanwhile, the province intends to enhance the efficiency of management and consultation activities to tourism development projects through planning, and management and assessment of tourism projects. In addition, it will strive to finish incomplete projects and consider the development and improvement of significant tourist attractions. Moreover, it will develop an open mechanism to further attract domestic and foreign investors in order to mobilize effectively investment sources.
In short, Thua Thien Hue’s tourism development strategy is aimed at raising the quality of tourism services, enhancing cooperation and partnership to improve efficiency and sustainable competitiveness while inheriting and preserving unique cultural features and the environment.

Source: VEN

More than 120 travel agents and three-five star hotels in Ho [...]]]> Halong Cruises – The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a campaign on April 9 to promote tourism and voting for Ha Long Bay as a natural wonder of the world.

More than 120 travel agents and three-five star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City joined the campaign.

The VNAT has sent two million brochures promoting Ha Long Bay in Vietnamese, English, French, Russian and Chinese to travel agents, tourism sites, embassies, international organizations in Vietnam and domestic and foreign airline agents.

According to the New Open World, the voting will end on October 31, 2011 and the seven chosen natural wonders of the world will be announced on November 11, 2011.

Din Ky Cau Ngang Tourism Area in Binh Nham Commune, which manages the port, has also had its restaurant services along the Saigon River put [...]]]> Halong Cruises – Authorities in the southern province of Binh Duong have suspended an unlicensed port where a boat accident killed 16 people on Friday, according to a local official.

Din Ky Cau Ngang Tourism Area in Binh Nham Commune, which manages the port, has also had its restaurant services along the Saigon River put on hold as well, said Tran Van Nam, vice chairman of Binh Duong Province’s People’s Committee.

Dam Trong Cuong, vice director of Binh Duong’s Department of Transport, said local authorities didn’t grant license to the business for operating the port, because it was situated at a dangerous location.

However, the tourism area has still operated the port for years despite warnings and punishments, Cuong said.

Previously police have arrested Le Van Duc, captain of the double-decker boat, which sank from strong winds and a heavy rain on the Saigon River Friday night. Le Van Quang, manager of the boat, and Dinh Van Quan, manager of floating restaurants in the tourism area, were also arrested for investigations.

Initial investigations found that Duc was disqualified for plotting the vessel, designed as a floating restaurant, while the vessel’s register certificate expired in February.

The accident took place 15 minutes after the boat departed. A birthday party of a three-year-old boy was being held on the boat with the participation of 21 passengers.

While five passengers and seven crewmembers managed to swim to safety, 16 others, including four Chinese, drowned together with the boat. All the bodies, including five children and seven women, have been found as of Monday.

Investigations into the case are now under way In the meantime, Chau Hoan Tam, owner of the tourism area, said they have sent apologies and financial supports to the victims’ families.

“We know that it’s hardly possible to compensate a human life no matter how much money we spend, but we’ll try our best. We really hope that the victims’ families will forgive us,” he said.

Asked about some experts’ opinions that the boat capsized quickly partly because the crew members closed all the doors during strong winds, Tam said they had never been warned by the register agency about keeping windows open in such case.

He said the crew did so for the sake of customers without being aware of the risk.

Tam blamed Quan for failing to have the boat checked and registered again after its certificate expired.

While criticizing Quang for letting Duc, who wasn’t eligible to plot the vessel that fatal night, drive it, Tam explained that Duc was the only captain to be available then.

“The accident wasn’t intended […] The mistakes were caused by people who were in charge but failed to complete their responsibilities properly.“We won’t avoid it, but will cooperate at our best with police to clarify related people’s responsibilities,” Tam said.

On the other hand, Pham Ninh, director of Register Agency No.6, which is in charge of registering tourist boats on the Saigon River, including Din Ky’s boat, said the boat’s register documents showed that it satisfied all requirements.

However, it is unknown if the boat was modified after registering or not, Ninh said in response to recent allegations that the boat’s design wasn’t proper and that an imbalance in the parts remaining below and above the water put it at risk of capsizing in strong winds.

He also said that whether to open a boat’s windows in strong winds depends on specific conditions of where it is operating.

Taking actions

Following the accident, warnings have been issued among waterway agencies in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong.

Tran The Ky, vice director of HCMC Department of Transport, said the department will start inspecting float restaurant-designed boats, tourist boats and hydrofoils.

At the moment seven floating restaurant boats and hundreds of tourist boats are operating on the Saigon River’s section in HCMC.

The Ministry of Transport’s inspection teams will start checking passenger boats in the two localities Tuesday, according to Nguyen Van Thuan, chief of the ministry’s Transport Safety Department.

The inspection’s findings will be the base for standards to be set up exclusively for passenger boats, said Do Trung Hoc, chief of Vietnam Register’s waterway department.

According to Hoc, currently both passenger and cargo boats follow the same register procedures, while the former needs stricter ones to prevent accidents.

Source: Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre

TravelDaily ( www.traveldaily.cn ), China’s leading online publisher and event organizer with emphasis on distribution, marketing, and technology in [...]]]> Vietnam tours halong – The 2011 China Business Travel Summit will bring together some of the world’s and China’s most influential travel industry leaders and Chinese corporate travel buyers to discuss core issues affecting business travel.

TravelDaily ( www.traveldaily.cn ), China’s leading online publisher and event organizer with emphasis on distribution, marketing, and technology in the travel and tourism industries, announced today the 2011 China Business Travel Summit is now open for registration.

“Participants in our summit seek solutions that can help transform, drive efficiency, and improve their business travel practice,” said TravelDaily’s He, “With the support from China’s leading corporations, such as Haier Group, ZTE, Lenovo Group, and Smartcom, we are confident we can create a truly interactive and inspiring event for travel decision-makers and travel buyers.”

In one day of keynote speeches and panel discussions, industry leaders will explore how travel suppliers and travel management companies can utilize innovative technology to improve the business travel experience and help corporate travel buyers to manage their travel spending.

The 2011 China Business Travel Summit will be held at the Beijing GeHua New Century Hotel, July 14, 2011. The conference is now open for registration and the super early bird rate will be valid through June 15. For more information, please visit the event website:

http://www.traveldaily.cn/go/231.html .

ABOUT TRAVELDAILY

TravelDaily ( www.traveldaily.cn ) is China’s leading online publisher and event organizer focusing on distribution, marketing, and technology developments in the travel and tourism industries. The China focus, up-to-the-minute news and feature stories, and in-depth analysis by leading industry experts, will keep you up-to-date on the latest industry trends.

ABOUT CHINA AIR SERVICE

China Air Service Co. Ltd. ( cas.china.com ) is the top ticketing agent in China, as well as one of China’s leading travel management companies.

Source: eTurbonews/traveldaily.cn

With blue clouds all around, glistening sunlight on the smooth golden sand dunes and colorful lotus flowers, it is a beautiful spot.

From small clusters, the lotus starts to blossom around [...]]]> Vietnam tours halong – Bau Trang Lake is a spectacular sight nestled in the middle of baking hot sand dunes in early summer.

With blue clouds all around, glistening sunlight on the smooth golden sand dunes and colorful lotus flowers, it is a beautiful spot.

From small clusters, the lotus starts to blossom around the lake when the season changes from spring to summer.

Bau Trang Lake is a famous landmark in Hong Lam Hamlet, Hoa Thang Village, Bac Binh District, about 65km north-east of Phan Thiet City.

It is a fresh-water lake from long ago and is located amid the endless hills of sand. Bau Trang, covering about three hectares, has a depth of 19m at its deepest point and is blessed with lotus growing all around.

The appearance of lotus with its green leaves and pink flowers brings cool and peaceful surroundings to tourists, who can blank out the scorching heat of the south central region, especially in the red-hot sand dunes.

But there is also some fun to be had in the sun. There are off-road vehicles for hire at VND450,000 per hour to give the adventurous visitors a chance to conquer the sand dunes. There is also the opportunity to take an ostrich trip around the dunes for just VND30,000, a must to complete an amazing experience in the coastal area.
(Source: SGT)