The Saigon Central Post Office, at 2 Paris Commune Street opposite Notre-Dame cathedral is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful examples of French colonial architecture. Tran Minh Hai, a tour guide said "The Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral are the most visited sites in Ho Chi Minh City. They are recommended in virtually every guidebook. The Post Office is special because it exemplifies French architecture." There are many stories about the architect of the Saigon Central Post Office. Some sources say the building was designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel, the man who built the Eiffel tower and New York’s Statue of Liberty. Some other sources say the Post Office was designed by architect Villedieu and his assistant Foulhoux. One account says … [Read more...] about Saigon Central Post Office- unique architectural complex in HCM City
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Floating and careening down Giang River
VietNamNet Bridge – Before my trip to Con Cuong District in central Nghe An Province, I expected something natural and wild, far different from the usual resorts that I visit. River trip: Passengers enjoy a boat trip on the Giang River. — VNS Photos Hong Minh It took more than two hours to drive the 120km from Vinh City to Con Cuong District and then half an hour to drive another 20km to Mon Son Commune. The excitement began with a boat trip on the Giang River inside Pu Mat National Park, one of the richest and most diversified ecosystems in Viet Nam. It really made my day. For VND1.8 million (US$80), a group of five to seven tourists can make a round trip by boat to Ban Bung Village on the Giang River. Shorter trips cost as little as VND300,000. Our journey started at Pha Lai (Flower of the Sky in Thai language) dam in Mon Son … [Read more...] about Floating and careening down Giang River
Finding a true taste of indigenous Sa Pa on the roof of Vietnam
Sa Pa is a small town in Vietnam's northern province of Lao Cai. Set in what have been dubbed "the Tonkinese Alps", the town boasts a cool climate and green scenery, and is home to ethnic hill tribes who farm the lofty terraced rice fields. For years Sa Pa has been one of the top tourist attractions in Vietnam, and just last year it was named among the best destinations for 2017 by TripAdvisor reviewers. But that fame comes at a cost: More and more concrete buildings have gone up, replacing forests and paddy fields and stealing the town's wild side. This is how Sa Pa looks today. Photo by Tuan Dao Some tourists who visited Sa Pa years ago can no longer recognize this once beautiful town now, saying the town in the clouds is more like a city these days. Luckily, some parts of Sa Pa have escaped the tourism boom. One of them is Ta Van Village, some 10 kilometers (5 miles) from the center of town. Ta Van Village. Photo … [Read more...] about Finding a true taste of indigenous Sa Pa on the roof of Vietnam
I know why free birds sing
VietNamNet Bridge – A trip to Lang Co Beach in central Viet Nam can stir your soul and rekindle your romantic spirit, Bui Quynh Hoa discovers. Serene beauty: A romantic sunset at Lang Co. — Photo courtesy of Thua Thien-Hue Portale Midnight is an odd time to arrive at a beautiful beach. It had taken a two-hour flight from Ha Noi and an hour’s drive from Da Nang airport to the Lang Co Beach Resort, but we were in thrall. The bay was glimmering golden in the light of a full moon. Thousands of stars twinkled in the high sky, playing some kind of lighting game with the thousands of lamps of fishing boats anchored on the shore. It was cool and fresh, and most importantly, there were no mosquitoes to distract us from our awestruck contemplation of the scene before us. We could not resist entering the cool water, and many little … [Read more...] about I know why free birds sing
Writing contest launched to promote tourism
In the first nine months of this year, Vietnam welcomed more than 9.4 million international tourists, up 28.4 percent year-on-year (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and Lao Dong (Labour) Daily launched a writing contest themed “Vietnam: Endless beauty” in Hanoi on October 13. The contest aims to promote tourism towards turning the sector into an economic spearhead of Vietnam, said VNAT Director General Nguyen Van Tuan at the launching ceremony. It is open to all Vietnamese people at home and abroad who want to share their experience in travelling to tourist destinations across Vietnam and raise initiatives for sustainable tourism development. Entries must be in Vietnamese with a maximum 1,500 words in length accompanied by at least one photo, and have not been published in any mass media outlets … [Read more...] about Writing contest launched to promote tourism
Vietnam named Asia-Pacific’s best golf destination in 2017
Vietnam has been selected as the best golf destination in the Asia-Pacific region in the 2017 Asia Golf Awards on-line poll conducted by the Asia Golf Magazine. Vietnam has been selected as the best golf destination in the Asia-Pacific region in the 2017 Asia Golf Awards on-line poll. (Source:2017 Asia Golf Awards ) Vietnam created good impression on regional and international golfers, thus received the largest number of votes to become the most favourable golf destination in the region, said Mike Sebastian, CEO of the Asia Pacific Golf Group (APGG) – the governing body of the Asia Golf Magazine. The result was spurred by Vietnam’s meticulous investment in golf tourism. The country is currently home to 40 operating golf courses while other courses which are under construction will be put into use in 2018. The courses are of top-notch quality as they have been developed by the world’s leading golf … [Read more...] about Vietnam named Asia-Pacific’s best golf destination in 2017
Bangkok – Phu Quoc air route launched
The new service aims to meet the high travelling demand of passengers between the two countries and boost tourism potential of Phu Quoc island. Phu Quoc, also known as Dao Ngoc ( Pearl Island ), is the biggest island in Viet Nam, located in southern Kien Giang province. It is 593.05 square kilometers. Duong Dong town is the main town of Phu Quoc, around 120 km northwest of Rach Gia city and 45 km from Ha Tien town. Phu Quoc has been named as one of the top 10 most beautiful Asian islands to visit by the tourism site www.topinspired.com in 2015. Bai Dai Beach on the island has been ranked as one of the leading five most beautiful "hidden beaches" in the world by Australia’s ABC News. The island is described as a peaceful tropical paradise and a must-visit destination in Vietnam. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, a best place for fishing, diving and watching coral. Phu Quoc is well-connected with international airports, home to luxurious resorts and … [Read more...] about Bangkok – Phu Quoc air route launched
Hop-on Hop-off bus service introduced in Hanoi
The bus will allow visitors to hop on and hop off at any stop during the city tour, which is conducted in Hanoi for the first time. The bus will make 15 stops for visitors to visit Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem (Sword Lake), Ngoc Son temple, Hoa Lo prison historical relic site, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Quan Thanh Temple, West Lake, Temple of Literature, Thang Long Royal Citadel and Hanoi Opera House. From the stops, visitors will walk about 500 metres to popular restaurants and hotels in the city. Visitors can buy a ticket at the price of VND130,000 and select any destination during the city tour. The ticket is only valid during the day. The hop-on and hop-off bus is part of the Golden Tour, which has recently been launched in Hanoi to connect the Temple of Literature and Vietnam Fine Arts Museum to other tourist attractions in the capital city. … [Read more...] about Hop-on Hop-off bus service introduced in Hanoi
Campaign promotes Greater Mekong Subregion’s tourism
The Trang An cave complex in Ninh Binh province as introduced on the Facebook page of Mekong Moments. — (Photo: courtesy of Mekong Moments) Hanoi (VNA) - A new campaign aimed at discovering the beauty of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) has been launched with experiences and stories of travellers. The Travel Department, under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), worked with co-ordinators of Mekong Moments to present the campaign in Hanoi on October 12. Mekong Moments is a turn-key digital campaign and travel inspiration platform that will allow any business in the GMS, regardless of size and type, to develop its own campaign by encouraging consumers, staff, and stakeholders to share their Mekong Moments. These will be aggregated into MekongMoments.com to inspire people to research and book travel to China, Cambodia, Laos, … [Read more...] about Campaign promotes Greater Mekong Subregion’s tourism
What to do at weekends in HCM City
Visitors are advised to take a look at the following recommended destinations in Ho Chi Minh City that can enrich one’s living experiences on two weekend days. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 On the occasion of weekend holidays, book enthusiasts can spend a little time dropping by the book street on Nguyen Van Binh Road in District 1, HCMC to participate in the “Reading Day” program at 8 a.m. this Sunday morning. The event is an effort by the management board for the book street to promote reading culture among local youths and children and create a healthy playground for kids after stressful school hours. Furthermore, visitors can join the closing ceremony of the New Year 2018 Calendar exhibition at 9 a.m. on the day. After nearly one week on display, the exhibition featuring hundreds of creative … [Read more...] about What to do at weekends in HCM City
