Hung King Festival 2014 recalls heroic era

Annually, on the 10th day of the third month in lunar calendar, people from everywhere in Vietnam and international tourists come to Phu Tho to join Hung King Festival. This is one of important festivals in the country.

Bronze Drums

Hung Temple historical relic is located in Co Tich Hamlet, Hy Chuong Commune in Viet Tri City (Phu Tho) where Hung kings founded Vietnam country. This temple is considered the oldest temple in Vietnam, in according to historical studies. For thousands of years, in legend, Lac Long Quan and Au Co, parents of Hung Kings are seen as the ancestors of Vietnamese people. Hung Temple is not just the place of ethnic and national origin, but also a reverent icon, spiritual convergence and national unity. Hung Festival is an anniversary of Hung Kings’ death. This is an important national festival in Vietnam to memorize and gratitude the merits of Hung Kings, the first emperors of the nation. This festival is held on the 10th day of the third month in lunar year in Hung Temple, Phu Tho province. However, it often takes place for about one week previously with traditional customs of Muong ethnic people like hitting bronze drums, pilgrimaging to commemorate Hung Kings until the main festival with rituals of offering incense and procession on Upper Temple.

Cake Making Contest

Hung King Festival 2014 took place within 5 days, from 6th day to 10th day (April 5-9 in 2014) in almost everywhere in Phu Tho province as Hung Temple, Viet Tri City, communes, wards near the temple, and historical relics of Hung Kings and celebrities under Hung Empire in Phu Tho. The Hung Temple Festival 2014 was organized by Phu Tho People’s Committee cooperating with four provinces: Bac Ninh, Quang Binh, Vinh Long, and Long An with many interesting and featured activities.

The activities in this traditional festival in Vietnam consisted of important rituals such as offering incense to commemorate Hung Kings, Lac Long Quan and Au Co- the great national ancestors of Vietnam, and other celebrities, and festive activities like cultural camping, art performances, exhibitions of specialties, and culinary cultures of 13 districts and towns. Moreover, in Hung King Temple, many shows of hitting bronze drums and dragon-dancing, competitions of making Chung Cake, and exhibitions of unique pictures on rituals of worshiping ancestors attracted a large number of people in this festival. Besides, there were exhibitions of typical artworks on the beauty of country, people taking place in the historical relic, Hung King Temple.

Hung King Festival

In Viet Tri City, many programs were held to celebrate King's Death Anniversary 2014 with the theme on "Coming to rural heritage". For example, Xoan Singing Festival, exhibitions of artifacts at Hung Vuong Museum, architectural model of Hung Vuong Tower, paintings were programs having great meaning in recalling history and promulgating to tourists. In addition, exhibition of images on "Vietnam Sea and Island Sovereignty", Hung Vuong Fair, and other contests such as Tennis Friendship Tournaments, and Fireworks performance in Hung Vuong Square fascinated a lot of people, and created exciting atmosphere. The new feature in the festival in 2014 is that the board management of Hung King Temple staffed the People’s Committee to ask localities to offer incense at the same time with ritual time in Nghia Linh Mountain (Hung King Temple). Besides, in the festival, provincial counterparts brought featured regional performances of Vietnamese traditional music, such as Don Ca Tai Tu (a traditional music of southern Vietnam, literally "music of amateurs") of Vinh Long and Long An, Quan Ho singing of Bac Ninh, and Ho Khoan of Quang Binh.

Performance

The organization of Hung Temple Festival, one of the traditional festivals in Vietnam has purposes of educating traditional morality of gratitude to Hung Kings, the predecessors of national foundation, and strengthening unity in the national construction and the Fatherland protection. Besides, honoring the cultural values ​​of Hung dynasty, continuing to promulgate two heritages of "Xoan singing of Phu Tho" and "Hung Kings worship belief" have been recognized by UNESCO, which contributes to raising the value of the cultural life of Vietnam in ethnic communities.

Source: http://www.alotrip.com

 

 

 

MICE Tourism in Da Nang to be enhanced

Numerous of perfect attractions makes ideal conditions to secure MICE tourism in Da Nang. The city has expectation to put resources into nature of tourism item, prepare proficient staff, and dispatch more appealing MICEs.

MICE is a specific sort of tourism consolidating gathering, motivating force, assembly, and display. MICE remains for meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition. This sort of tourism draws in countless, and brings extraordinary benefit to nations pushing it. Recognizing this pattern, Da Nang has plan to put resources into nature of tourism item, prepare proficient staff, and dispatch more appealing MICEs.

MICE tourism in Da Nang

Currently, there are a number of ideal attractions in Da Nang, creating favorable conditions to increase MICE tours in the city. Firstly, Da Nang is a home to various natural resources to develop tourism. The city has many wonderful beaches listed in reputable world magazines and websites. For example, My Khe Beach was voted as one of six most beautiful beaches in the world by Forber (US). Besides, Bac My An, Pham Van Dong and Xuan Thieu beaches are considered the most stunning beaches in Vietnam. In addition, Son Tra Peninsula, Ngu Hanh Son Mountain, Hai Van Pass, and Ba Na Hills are most attractive places in Da Nang.
Secondly, Da Nang tourism appeals investors by its advantages of favorable position. Da Nang City is located in the central Vietnam, near several World Heritages. Thus, it is convenient to combine MICE Tourism and trips to these heritages. Many city-tours are launched to create conditions for visitors to explore from the beach city to My Son Holy Land, or Hoi An Old Town. In addition, a number of tourism products, such as Son Tra ecotourism, Linh Ung Pagoda and Da Nang Museum are invested to develop tourism in Da Nang in general and MICE tourism in particular. Traditional value is focused in MICE development in Da Nang. For instance, “Tuong” singing is one of the most unique traditions of Da Nang in particular and Vietnam culture in general. According to leaders of Da Nang City, Tuong singing with good promotions will be a striking product of tourism in Da Nang, especially, in international MICE in the near future. Shows of “Tuong” will be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays to serve visitors.

MICE tourism in Da Nang

Thirdly, Da Nang has about 400 accommodations with world-class services, including five-star hotels and resorts, and other high standard hotels, hostels along the beach and central area; Intercontinental Resort, Furama Resort, Vinpearl Luxury Da Nang, Crowne Plaza, and Pullman, for example. The city has many experiences on holding important international events, such as Asean Inter-Parliamentary Organization in 2002, and other conferences of ASEAN. Thanks to many awards on tourism and organizing supreme international conferences, Da Nang is becoming an ideal destination for MICE Tourism in Asia and in the world.
What is more, the infrastructure in Da Nang is modern and comprehensive with harbors and international airport, which facilitates different MICE’s visitors, both domestic and international. To boost this kind of MICE tourism in Da Nang, more direct regular flights to important MICE markets like China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia should be launched to meet different needs of MICE’s visitors. Besides, amusement parks, nightclubs and special tourism product should be developed to become ideal spots in the city.
Being highly appropriated with great potentials for MICE Tourism development, Da Nang is one of the best destinations in Vietnam bringing visitors a plenty of best services. Coming here, MICE visitors have opportunities to join fascinating tours to neighboring beauty spots with convenience; or entertain and invest. MICE will be definitely strength of tourism in Vietnam.
Source: http://www.alotrip.com

Destination in Phu Quoc Island

Taking Vietnam tours, you do not miss opportunity to investigate Phu Quoc Island. Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam and it is depicted as an excellent pearl in the south of Vietnam. Phu Quoc Island has numerous attractions that will provide for you heavenly encounters.

Pepper Garden

Phu Quoc pepper is renowned for its sweet-smelling taste. The neighborhood individuals here constantly welcome you to their green pepper enclosures. In the wake of going to the arrangement, you can purchase some dry pepper as a blessing for your loved ones.

Nguyen Trung Truc Temple

Nguyen Trung Truc Temple

 

Nguyen Trung Truc Temple is built to commemorate the hero of the country. On 28^th, the eighth month of lunar year, people arrive here to organize great celebrations with interesting activities.

Ganh Dau Cape

Ganh Dau Cape

 

Ganh Dau Cape attracts visitors by its pristine beauty and unique characteristic. From here, you can see the sea boder between Vietnam and Cambodia. This place is also a wonderful paradise for those who love enjoy delicious seafood

Tranh Stream

Tranh Stream

 

Tranh stream is created by the combination of many small streams. Here, you can enjoy beautiful natural landscapes with flowers, mountains, trees. Tranh stream is also an ideal place for camping, and going picnic for Vietnam holidays. Coming here, you can set a tent beside the stream to rest, relax and take part in many outdoor unique activities.

Coi Nguon museum

Coi Nguon Museum

 

Phu Quoc museum is the 9^th private museum in Vietnam. This is seen as a place to keep the soul of Phu Quoc with many mysterious story and legends. Coi Nguon Museum stores more than 3000 artifacts, including 300 precious folders about Phu Quoc in English, France and Kanji. Besides, you can enjoy the exhibition areas with driftwood art, marine crafts, and shop many lovely souvenirs such as luxury pearls and beautiful seashells

Star Beach

Star Beach

 

Star beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc. This place possesses creamy white sand stretching over 7 kilometers long. Here you can immerse in cool clear water to refresh and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
Besides these attractive destinations, you can visit Long beach, Da Ba Stream, Khem Beach or Phu Quoc prison to explore the beauty and learn about the culture and the history of this lovely island. Spending a Vietnam vacation in Phu Quoc will give you unforgettable memories.
Source: http://www.vietnamtour.alotrip.com/

Nha Trang Attractions

Nha trang is a delightful seaside city in Khanh Hoa , on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. The city is something like 1300km from Hanoi and 500km from Ho chi minh City. Owning one of world's most excellent sounds, Nha Trang city now turns into an imperative spot for explorers to Vietnam.

The weather in Nha Trang :

Nha Trang climate is quite warm and comfortable during the year with average temperature of approximately 23 degree Celsius . In general, the ideal time for a trip to Nha Trang is from late January to late October. It is always wet in November and December.
Spring months from February till April are the best time to dive here. Some coral-rich dive sites as Small Hill, South Reef, and Moray Beach After, all around Mun Island (Hon Mun). Travelers making a plan to visit the Nha Trang from September till December should keep eyes on the local weather forecast.

Transportation in Nha Trang:

Vinpearland

- Air: Nha Trang has Cam Ranh International Airport (the main carrier is Vietnam airlines). Therefore, you can easily book flights to Nha Trang from Hanoi Capital, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang City.
- Train: You can take train from stations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City easily but the services are not always in good conditions. For high-class express trains, you should book package tour from travel agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.
- Bus: there are a lot of high-quality buses available from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, such as Phuong Trang, Mai Linh Sinh Café, etc. It may take you about 9 hours to travel.

Sightseeing in Nha Trang:

Sightseeing Nha Trang

Regarded as the coastal paradise, Nha Trang has many tourist attractions that you hardly explore all within a few days. However, if the time available is too limited, you can choose following places:
- Nha Trang Bay is recognized as one of 29 most beautiful bays in the world with clean and blue water such as Tranh Beach, Doc Let Beach and so on.
- Vinpearl Land: In addition to the luxury world-class hotels and resorts, beautiful gardens, ideal freshwater pools, visitors will be attracted to the games with thrills and spectacular 4D cinema.
- Hon Mun Island is very attractive with activities as floating Bars, scuba diving and snorkeling to explore coral, glass bottom boats, etc.
- Hon Tre Island is 36km2 and belongs to a group of islands located southwest of Nha Trang. It takes two hours to reach Hon Tre Island by rowboat and only 20 minutes by ferry.
- Nha Trang Oceanography Institute is one of the first centers for scientific research in Vietnam and is an important location for tropical oceanographic research. There are more than 20,000 samples of 4,000 marine and rural creatures collected and preserved for years.
- Po Nagar Cham Towers is Cham’s ancient architecture, 2km far from Nha Trang center to the north. It includes four towers, two temples (the largest temple of Po Nagar).
Other interesting places such as: Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Fishing Village, Con Se Tre Village, Nha Trang Cathedral, Long Son Pagoda, Alexandre Yersin Museum, etc.

Nha Trang Cuisines:

Nha Trang Cuisines

Beside charming beaches and islands, Nha Trang also gets benefits from natural mother with mountains, and deltas. West of Nha Trang possesses endless mountain ranges in which a wide various animals and birds are preserved.
Beside delicious and tasty seafood, Nha Trang has a lot of specialties. Especially, bird's nest soup, or swallow's nest soup is very famous not only in Nha Trang but also around Vietnam.
With such advantages, Nha Trang has been more and more attractive to local and abroad visitors and become Vietnam’s pride to international friends.
Source : http://www.vietnamairlines.travel/

Con Dao- Beautiful place dips in my memory

Con Dao with shivering historical prisons and breath-taking natural scenery will leave deep impression with any tourists once coming right here. It will be an some unforgettable experience in life.

There are two methods for getting to Con Dao from Vung Tau Town: by plane or ship. We chose the second. After a night by sailing, we landed at Ben Dam of Con Dao when the sun had just risen.

Con Son Beach

Source: Panoramio

Con Dao appeared in front of our eyes in a green shirt of coconut trees and coastal casuarinas. On the way from the port to the center, I had the opportunity to contemplate the picturesque beauty of Con Dao City. On the right of my hand were spotless white sandy beaches and the deep blue sea. On the left were superb green forests, fresh young grass and red-roofed houses hidden in the early morning mist. The natural picture with refresh colors and pure air of Con Dao quickly helped me to forget the tiredness of a night with seasick.

Con Dao National Park

Source: Panoramio

The roads of Con Dao City were covered with hundreds-of-years tropical almond trees. The first place I visited was an ancient house of French architectural style in Le Duan Street. After 113 years used as a place to live and work of 53 Island Lord, the house became the Con Dao Gallery of historic revolution. We visited Con Dao prison system after that. The relic was a huge area which consisted of 127 rooms, 42 cells, 504 tiger cages and many other areas. Therefore, we were taken to visit three main prisons which were Phu Hai, Phu Son and Phu Truong. Although 30 years passed, I was still shivered when taking a firsthand look at atrocities of the enemy in prisons. On the way out, we visited Hang Duong Cemetery, the resting place of more than 20 thousand revolutionary soldiers including anonymous ones.

Ben Dam port

Source: Panoramio

Con Dao also had many beautiful natural landscapes, however. In the next days, we visited Con Dao National Park, which was recognized as one of the most diverse biological reserve in the world. It was truly an enormous land with a wide variety of animal and plant species, many of which I had never seen before. In the afternoon, we took a ship to a minor beach, not far away from Dam Trau Bay. There, after being tired of swimming, we climbed cliffs, visiting wild freshwater lake behind the bay and diving to watch the undersea world of splendid corals and colorful fishes. Then we wandered in primeval forest to watch rare animals which could be found nowhere apart from Con Dao such as Nicoba pigeons, or fire storks.

Former Prison

When the sun was going down, we gathered with the beach to contemplate an exciting natural phenomenon: purple sunset. The purple sunset was so strange and fantastic which it created many different feelings inside me. It was also our last image of Con Dao. Regardless of having been many destinations in Vietnam and also on earth, it seems that nowhere results in deep impression in me such as Con Dao Island.

Cu Chi Tunnels Wonderful maze underground

The desire of visiting one of the primary works in Vietnam War constantly urges me. Cu Chi Tunnels is where I chose to discover in my holiday in Ho Chi Minh City. I had a chance to know more about the hardest lifetime in war of Vietnamese.

Meeting Space

The Vietnam War is always there in my mind, even before I decided to travel Vietnam. Like other visitors, I was captivated by the wonderful beauty of such destinations as Mui Ne beaches, I also have a dip in the cool water in Cat Ba Island, was traveling through the road from Hanoi to Lao border. However, the idea to visit one of the greatest works in the Vietnam War was always inspire me. I do not know how, but I was very interested in a war that it began and ended even before I was born.

With this attention, I traveled to Cu Chi Tunnels. Tunnels of this relic were built in 1940s as a camouflage protecting Vietnamese soldiers in the struggles against French colonists. Local people and soldiers together gradually extended the tunnels. They just used simple tools and bare hands to create the maze of tunnels. This work is particularly significant in the period of Vietnam War and the escalation of the United States in 1960s. Cu Chi Tunnels is not simply an underground tunnel system. It looks like a complicated maze existing under Cu Chi ground, or a town with a strong vitality. I believe that Chu Chi Tunnels is not just important for its role in Vietnam War, but it is also a great symbol of Vietnamese volition to live and to fight. 

Field Hospital

As being one of the unique Ho Chi Minh City attractions, Cu Chi Tunnels is about 70 km to the northwest of the city. I travelled to this place by bus, which is favored by most of tourists as its cheap price. With only US$4, I entered Cu Chi Tunnels. I was so astonished at the system of three floors with nooks and crannies like a cobweb. The first floor is able to against tanks and artillery. While, the second floor of five-meter depth can avoid small bombs. The last floor, the deepest one (from 8 to 10 meters), can withstand bombs with a large-scale destruction. In the tunnel, there are areas for living, meeting, and fighting with a total length of over 200 kilometers. Interestingly, there was no support of machines in constructing this tunnel, with simple tools as hoes and spades for exception. It is an important work of Vietnamese soldiers in 30-year fierce resistance to regain independence.

Cu Chi Tunnels

I spent nearly all of time touring around the tunnel and taking photos. However, I did not dare go further for that fear of meeting traps unexplored. Though I had no chance to visit all around the tunnel, but the image from it is beyond my imagination. Only by moving down a shorter distance in this tunnel do I understand the true reason for the victory of Vietnam, a little country that defeated a strong country. Apart from visiting the actual tunnel, I also tasted local tapioca in the natives. This dish has been popular considering that the wartime. In addition, I had time to see documentary films about the actual tunnel. I collected a wide range of interesting information about history, which allows you clarify my questions about Vietnam in the war. I was so pleased, as finally I reached essentially the most stunning defensive system in the entire world, witnessed an underground city however existing, and understand more in regards to the patriotism of Vietnamese.

Ninh Binh stand by for United nation Day of Vesak Vietnam 2014

With the press conference on United Nations around the world Day of Vesak Vietnam 2014 from Bai Dinh Pagoda, authorities of Ninh Binh province declared that most preparations for Vesak 2014 were being completed.


Vesak is a holiday organized traditionally by Buddhists in many countries world wide, informally called “Buddha’s Birthday”. That actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment as well as the death of Buddha. The official dates with this year Vesak last from May possibly 8th to 10th.

At in 2010 Vesak, Ninh Binh expectedly welcomes critical national and international representatives of government and organizations with the United Nations, thousands of Buddhists and tourists as well. Accordingly, preparations including security, flame prevention, and traffic management are completed for the opening ceremony of Vesak which will take place on May 9th. In addition, organizers have also finished evaluating the content of programs, licensing art activities, exhibitions, fairs, and preparing intended for procession.

Previously, the health agencies have tested the water supply for delegates, Buddhists in addition to tourists. Bai Dinh Pagoda and nineteen hotels where official delegates stay are disinfected to prevent a myriad of disease. 3 groups responsible for overseeing food safety and 10 mobile emergency groups are established. Provincial hospitals have fully prepared medicines, emergency equipments in addition to beds to promptly handle almost all incidents.

By May 7th, the guts hall in possession of 3, 500 seats continues to be basically completed. Xuan Truong Construction Company is rushing to accentuate toilets, technical areas, and guests rooms. The center hall involves 4 halls which have full equipments for symposiums, 54 green rooms for delegates. The company also arranges electric powered vehicles serving transportation demand of Buddhists and tourists absolutely free. Maps and traffic signposts inside pagoda are organized to help the transportation and reduce visitors congestion.


The organization of Vesak Vietnam 2014 possesses lately completed the decoration upon main roads in Ninh Binh Town and on roadsides of Trang A road towards Bai Dinh Pagoda. Sanitation Companies of Ninh Binh have increased their amount of workers and vehicles to often collect and process domestic waste products in areas where main activities with the celebration take place.
This could be the second time Vietnam hosts Vesak. The former which also was the 5th Us Day of Vesak was held in May 2008 at the National Conference Center of Vietnam. It left a greatly heavy impression on international tourists regarding the culture, people and religious living in Vietnam. This year celebration is also the anniversary of 15 years of Us Day of Vesak. It is organized by Vietnam Sangha of Buddhism within the auspices of Government of Vietnam, from Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh State, the largest Buddhist Pagoda in Southeast Asia.