Viet Nam News reported, earlier this week, National Tourism Year 2012 will adopt a theme of heritage.

The signature event “Ancient Hue – New Experience”, will be promoted year-round through festivals and culture, said Pham Dang Khanh, a representative from the province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department.

“This is the first time the province will host a national tourism year event,” Khanh said.

“It aims to promote Vietnam’s tourism products and cultural heritage to both international and domestic tourists.”

Vietnam uses national tourism themes annually and hopes it will bring 7 to 8 million tourists to Vietnam by 2015.

Statistics from the General Statistics Office shows the success of the national tourism year 2010 in Hanoi helped to draw 5 million tourists.

The central province expects around 2.5 to 3 million visitors by 2015, earning more than VND3 trillion (US$145 million) and contributing to 47% to 48% of its gross domestic product.

Hue Festival 2012 will feature events mainly in January, February, April, June, July and December.

The first component “Travelling to the heritage region,” will take place at the Huyen Tran Culture Centre in Hue with cuisine and art activities.

The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for 7 April at Hue’s Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) Square inside the ancient Royal Citadel.

A range of events are lined up including Charming Vietnam, 1st Cuisine Festival of Central Coastal, Southeast Asia Chess Contest, and U18 International Tennis Tournament.

The national tourism year 2011 has a theme of exotic beaches and islands hosted by Phu Yen, a province in the central coast region about 400 km from Danang.

With the theme a Cultural Heritage with Integration and Developments, this year Hue Festival, from June 5-13, attracted nearly 70 groups of performers from both inside and outside of the country.

The performers from nearly 27 countries throughout the world brought hundreds of unique shows to the festival. More than 5,500 local artists, actors and actresses, also took part in the event, which saw 668 journalists from 73 local media agencies and 32 reporters from 22 international media agencies.

The 2010 Hue Festival welcomed over 3 million people, including 130,000 tourists. More than 6 million people visited the festival’s website while it was running. – VOV

TOURISM industry stakeholders are urging the government to repeal a new rule stipulating that tourists must enter and exit the country at the same checkpoint when using border crossings.

The number of tourists entering the country by land rose almost 150 percent in the first half of 2011 year-on-year, but approvals for border entry permits have come to a virtual standstill since the directive was issued in June.

Industry stakeholders say the government should be making it easier rather than harder for tourists to enter the country at border checkpoints, particularly from China and Thailand, and have warned the change could damage the industry’s competitiveness.

“It’s been hard to get permits for [border areas] since June,” confirmed aspokesperson at a leading Yangon-based tour operator.

“When we recently submitted an application for a border entry permit the office of the Union Government replied that the permit could not be given as it did not follow the procedure that tourists enter and exit from the same border checkpoint,” he said.

“This means tourists who enter at Ruili/Muse or Tachileik now need to go all the way back to those gateways when they leave.

“We cannot just sell trips to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake any more. We need to diversify our products. Tours combining Myanmar with China and Thailand are attractive … but these tours can no longer be promoted because of this new regulation. Our competitiveness and attractiveness in the region are at stake.”

Previously permits were issued by the respective Bureau of Special Operations and the application process took 10 to 14 days through the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. However, the new government has shifted responsibility for the permits from the Ministry of Defense to the office of Union Government.

From January 1 to the end of June, 18,073 tourists entered the country via border checkpoints, up from 7236 in same period in 2010.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism confirmed the change. He would not disclose why the border permit system had been tightened, but it is thought to be because of security concerns.

Ko Aung Naing, managing director of EPG Travel in Yangon, said the new rules had had a noticeable impact on his business.

“Previously many of our guests came from Muse and exited Yangon by air, or came in at Tachileik and left from Yangon,” Ko Aung Naing said.

“But now my guests can’t come in from the border and leave Yangon by air or vice versa. For most people it’s not possible to do sightseeing and go back out the same check point,” he said.

The spokesperson from the Yangon travel agency said the government needed to look at the situation elsewhere in the region, where crossing land borders was getting easier rather than more difficult.

He cited the example of Thailand, where tour operators sell packages combining Thailand with Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar.

“Operators in Cambodia and Laos do the same,” he said. “They sell tours combining their products with Thailand and Vietnam.”

In May, Thai state news agency MCOT reported that the Thai government was seeking Myanmar’s cooperation to open the Singkorn border crossing, which would speed up travel between Myeik in Tanintharyi Region and Prachuap Khiri Khan on the Gulf of Thailand, less than 300 kilometres south of Bangkok.

The report stated that the then-Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot planned to lead a delegation to the Singkorn checkpoint to inspect its readiness in anticipation that would be developed into a permanent border crossing.

1 . Visa authorization service:
- 1 month single = 15usd
- 3 month single = 25usd
- 3 month multiple = 45usd
Single Entrance: Pay extra 25 usd at the airport for Visa stamp
Multiple visa multiple, Pay extra 25 usd at the airport for Visa stamp

2. Visa Extention & Re New Visa, ( Passport will be handed over Vietnam Authorization for 7 days or 5 working day.
- 1 Month single = 25usd
- 3 Month single = 45usd
- 1 month New Single = 55usd
- 3 Month New single = 65usd
- 3 Month multiple = 99usd
For visa 3 month multiple, when expired we can have new one, so call as NEW visa.

Note: There are some countries which could not get visa upon arrival, you need to contact Vietnam Embassy right in your country or region.

- Pakistan, Afghanistan, Srilanka…Middle East Countries.
- Africa countries such as: Nigeria, Marok, Algerie, South Africa

Need help?
Email: isales5@asianatravelmate.com

Located 320km to the north of Ha Noi on the border with China, the district at an elevation of 1,000m above sea level and with its fresh, cool climate, typifies the beauty of Ha Giang. From there, we set out for the Quan Ba Pass and Heaven’s Gate. The imposing, formidable landscape had us in awe as our car snaked along the treacherous roads, clinging to the side of the mountain. With a sheer drop on one side and cliffs rising up into the clouds on the other, it was as if God had chalked a line across the harsh terrain.

Reaching Heaven’s Gate, the mist enveloped us, and the biting breeze rushed into the car as soon as the door was opened. The temperature in the early morning was very cold, even though we were wearing warm clothes.

Heaven’s Gate is about 1,500m above sea level, and in 1939, the French built a stone wall and a wooden gate to block the pass, in order to prevent access to the Dong Van plateau and beyond. From the top of the mountain pass, we looked down across a large valley of unending terraced fields, displaying a charming beauty like a paradise dimly visible through the clouds. They carpet the ground in a patchwork of yellow rice, green shoots and brown mountain earth, with small houses nestled in between.

Standing out from this colourful valley is Twin Mountain, certified as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism last year.

Its twin peaks rise up like the breasts of a giant woman, lying on the valley floor. The mountain is truly a product of leaching and erosion, combined with tectonic movement from a fault line below that last occurred around 5 million years ago. In actual fact, Quan Ba boasts an extensive karst landscape, but many regard Twin Mountain as its most beautiful feature, due to its picturesque setting.

We ventured down to Quyet Tien Commune, where the weather is very cool. With its temperate climate and fertile soil, locals can grow vegetables such as kohlrabi, cabbages, mustard greens, tomatoes and potatoes, as well as flowers including roses, daisies and violets, that they sell in the town.

“My family used to grow rice, but now we grow high-quality vegetables and flowers. Thanks to this, my family’s income has increased significantly,” said Vang Thi May from Vinh Tien Hamlet.

Heading to Lung Tam Commune over the rolling hills and bumpy roads, we saw a valley of lush, green flax. This kind of plant provides the main raw material for brocade weaving. The village has a long-standing tradition of brocade weaving that contributes to preserving the traditional culture of the Mong who live in the area.

Around the Hop Tien Flax Weaving Co-operative established in the village in 2001, clanking sounds emanate from the looms and sewing machines.

The organisation started with 20 members, but today, 110 members each enjoy an average income of VND1 million (US$48) per month.

The co-operative now has 120 looms with products exported to 20 countries including France, Italy, the US, Japan, Germany and Denmark, following orders from export companies in Ha Noi.

“I am very impressed with the local products, not only with the traditional patterns and colours, but also the diversity of what’s on offer,” said American Bill Savage, adding that he had bought handbags, purses and hats to give to his relatives as souvenirs of his time in Ha Giang.

Vang Thi Mai, 48, chairwoman of the Hop Tien Co-operative, said: “The Mong in Lung Tam are very happy now and have peace of mind, having restored and successfully developed their traditional handicraft, and shared it with visitors from home and abroad.”

Leaving Lung Tam in the afternoon, we felt a little happier that the residents were finding a way to work their way out of poverty, but despite all this, the remote rocky environment makes life hard for the 7,000 households of various ethnic groups – Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Giay and Pu Y – who live there, and Quan Ba remains one of the poorest districts in Viet Nam. — VNS

(Source: Vietnam News)

The programme is based on past Sino-Nom training programmes, which aims to provide trainees with a basic knowledge of Chinese characters and Nom (Vietnamese ideographic script derived from Han Chinese) in a short period of time. After finishing the class, students will be able to read Sino-Nom documents and write Chinese and Nom letters using a traditional pen brush.

Learners interested in the art can join the calligraphy group with calligraphers from Viet Nam, China, Japan and South Korea.

The training programme is divided into three levels and lasts for three years.

First educational products fair gives on site discounts

HA NOI — A book and educational equipment fair will be held at the Viet Nam Fair and Exhibition Centre in Ha Noi from August 3-8.

As many as 67 publishing houses and enterprises will display their products in 100 stalls and four play areas.

Children attending the fair can learn English through songs, read comics and play traditional games in English.

All products on display will be reduced in price by 10-20 per cent.

The Ministry of Information and Communications said if the fair succeeded, it would be held regularly at the beginning of the new academic year, which starts in early September.

Cartoon exhibition reveals world of “ignored” artists

HA NOI — A cartoon exhibition, gathering nearly 100 works throughout the country, is on display at the Exhibition House, 16 Ngo Quyen Street, Ha Noi.

The paintings cover various topics including corruption, traffic safety, urban allocation, environment and other burning social issues.

The works have been produced by ball pens, pastels and oil on canvas.

There are about 100 amateur and professional cartoonists throughout the country.

“This exhibition is a valuable chance for us, who contribute works everyday in print and online newspapers,” said cartoonist Ly Truc Dung, “yet our works are mostly printed small, and in black and white, in newspapers.

“We hope to bring laughter to audiences through the exhibition.”

A workshop on cartooning will be held at the exhibition at 9am on August 5, where cartoonists and audience can exchange views.

Puppetry and folk games on show in HCM City

HCM CITY — More than 650 children from HCM City and southern provinces are taking part in a two-day puppetry and folk game festival that opened in HCM City yesterday.

The sixth Puppet Festival and the second Folk Game Festival for Children in the Southern Region has attracted 36 provincial and city teams.

Each team has to perform a puppet show featuring Vietnamese or foreign folk tales, or stories eulogising love for the country and family.

They also have to play a folk game, with its members demonstrating to the audience how to play it.

The participants are divided into four groups that are based in districts 4, 12, Thu Duc, and Nha Be.

Pham Ngoc Tuyen, director of the city Children’s House, said the festival enables children to meet and play in summer and brings interesting performances for children in suburban areas, and promotes puppetry and traditional games. — VNS

(Source: Vietnam News)

The dredging, done at a cost of VND26.3 billion (US$1.2 million), will remove about 200,000cu.m of silt from the bed of the 3.5km long canal.

The canal was built for irrigation and waterway traffic by the Nguyen dynasty’s kings Gia Long and Minh Mang between 1805 and 1825. Its historical significance in the Hue Monuments Complex is reflected in its name, Ngu Ha, meaning the King’s River.

Firms to get guide awards for tourism services

HCM CITY — The Guide Awards given away annually by the Viet Nam Economic Times magazine to the year’s best tourism products and services will be presented to 134 winners in Mui Ne on Friday.

The awards recognise excellent performances by hotels, resorts, restaurants, transporters, and other tourism services who make contributions to tourism by protecting the environment, supplying sustainable travel services, promoting national identity, and being responsible towards local communities.

This year’s recipients include 76 hotels and resorts, 38 restaurants, seven travel firms, five healthcare and beauty-care services, 15 transport services, and several entertainment services.

One of them, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Ha Noi hotel will receive the award for the 12th consecutive year, while it will be the 11th for the Melia Ha Noi Hotel and Buffalo Tours.

The awards ceremony will also feature a dinner, a jazz music show by saxophonist Quyen Van Minh, singer Tung Duong and the band Bigband, and the Guide Golf Tournament for the Environment.

Anyone scoring a hole-in-one will win a Mercedes automobile. — VNS

(Source: Vietnam News)

According to VNAT’s tourism development plan for 2011-2020, with such an investment, Vietnam will be able to increase the number of local tourists from 28 million people in 2010 to 47-48 million tourists by 2020 and international visitors from 5.05 million to 10-10.5 million arrivals.

Hoang Thi Diep, VNAT’s deputy director said, of this investment, 20 percent would come from the state budget and the remaining, from state-owned enterprises, private firms and foreign investments.

Nguyen Van Tuan, VNAT’s general director told the Voice of Vietnam, said the local tourism industry would spend the investment on 6 areas: attracting human resources for investment and tourism, developing unique and highly competitive products, building solid trademarks, promoting tourism activities and developing key tourism zones.

For his part, Tran Tuan Viet, general director of a joint stock tourism company in the southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau, emphasized the need for cooperation among tourism companies.

Viet said local companies have not worked together to promote tourist activities and create unique products. To encourage cooperation, the role of tourism associations is very important, he said.

According to VNAT, till the end of November 2010, Vietnam had 625 investment projects in tourism, including tourism real estate with a total registered capital of nearly $12.3 billion. Last year’s income from tourism was VND98 trillion, or nearly $5 billion.

The tourism sector has attracted strong investment flows in recent years. Only in three years, from 2007 to 2010, the number of investment projects in tourism increased by 4-5 times.

(Source: Tuoi Tre News)