Exploring the primitive beauty of Nam Du islands

Vietnam travel packages - Nam Du islands is in Kien Hai District, Kien Giang Province. With 21 islets and pristine beach, Nam Du has emerged as an inviting tourist attraction. VOV’s Lan Anh reports.

Tourists can hire a motorbike to discover the scenery and life of the local people on a 12 km road around Hon Lon Islet. From a height of 300 meters above the sea level, visitors can see the islets of different shapes and sizes under the blue sky of Nam Du. Along the coast are fishing villages, small houses nestled in green coconut trees. Nguyen Hue Linh is a tourist from Hanoi: “I love travelling and exploring new things. The first impression about Nam Du islands is the beautiful landscape with blue sea and green coconut trees. This makes Nam Du different from the others”.From Rach Gia City, Nam Du islands can be reached only by speed boat. After 2 hours, visitors reach Hon Lon or Cu Tron, the biggest islet in Nam Du. The pier is busy with sellers and buyers of seafood.

Coming to Nam Du, it is impossible to miss Men beach, the most beautiful beach in the area. Men has sloping sand with lines of coconut trees, clear and peaceful sea. Ms. Bich Ty, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said she escaped from the busy life and enjoyed the magnificent scenery here: “I am first impressed by Nam Du’s blue sea and greenness. It has a clean environment and magnificent ambience. The white sand and crystal blue water brings great pleasure to visitors. The unspoiled scenery makes Nam Du an attractive tourist destination”.

From there, visitors can travel to other islets such as Nom Ngoai, Nom Giua, Nom Trong, Hang, Moc, Tre, Nhan. Ngang Islet is the most visited where visitors can explore fishing villages, go fishing and diving to contemplate the coral reefs. Walking on zigzagging paths lined with small houses, visitors mix with local life and try local specialties. Duong Thi Phuong is from Ho Chi Minh City: “This is the first time I come here. Unlike Nha Trang, a popular tourist site in Nam Du, you can live the life of locals and eat their fresh seafood. The islands are green and clean and the local people are friendly. This place is for those who want a down-to-earth experience”.

Mau Islet is another attractive site in Nam Du. Ly Thua Loi, a guide for a travel company in Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Mau islet is richly endowed by nature. Only 10 meters from the main road, we can see black stone sea bank and on one side white sand bank on the other side”.

With its clear blue sea, delicious seafood and friendly people, Nam Du has become an attractive destination for visitors. Come and have a nice experience in Nam Du in the summer.

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New eateries opened in Saigon

Vietnam family holiday - Saigon is where people can discover a wide variety of dishes of Vietnam and some other parts of the world. Following are a couple of fresh eateries of ering authentic and fusion treats of Asia.

Palian café and restaurant in District 2, HCMC - Photo: Courtesy of Palian

Authentic Thai tastes at Palian

Thai food is a popular favorite of local diners. Palian café and restaurant, which offers authentic cuisine of Thailand, has been opened in District 2, HCMC. The restaurant’s manager, a veteran Thai food expert, tries to keep the original spicy and sour tastes of Thai food to serve Thais working and living in the city and local diners who favor Thai cuisine.

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The eatery uses original ingredients and herbs from Thailand to ensure the true taste of Thai food. Apart from imported materials, it plants some herbs at its yard to make sure that its dishes carry the true Thai tastes, including Kaffir lemon with its leaves served in most of Thai eatables.

The restaurant offers nearly 200 popular to luxury dishes, including grilled pork Thai-style, mango salad, Tom yum, shrimp paste, abalone and shark fin.

Palian is located at 86D Song Hanh Street in District 2.

Asian fusion treats at Qui - Cuisine Mixology

Located on the busy and shady Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, HCMC, Qui offers Asian inspired dishes and a range of seasonal cocktails.

A business set lunch served at Qui - Cuisine Mixology

The menu focuses on small plates, which are perfect for a quick bite before a night out or a full meal shared with colleagues and friends. The central bar is the heart of Qui with an oversized contemporary Asian street art adorning the walls offset by more traditional yet quirky furniture details. For those who want to celebrate their private events, Qui has a VIP area.

Qui - Cuisine Mixology managed by VISE Hospitality covers 500 square meters, and accommodates up to 300 guests at a time. The property at the Lancaster building at 22-22bis Le Thanh Ton Street is open from 11 a.m. till late. For further information, call 08 3828 8828.

Singapore delights at Bugis

Chili crab, roasted duck, chicken rice, frog porridge and dimsum are among favorite Singapore dishes which diners are highly recommended to savor at Bugis Singapore, a new eatery at B3-10c of Vincom Center in District 1, HCMC.

Chili crab at Bugis Singapore - Photo: Ngoc Minh

What makes the restaurant stand out is the chili crab dish which has a sweet and spicy sauce made from chili powder, ketchup, garlic and rice vinegar mingled with fresh and juicy crab meat. The roasted duck of Bugis with its soft and orange red skin deeply soaked in spices is different from the popular crispy Peking duck. It requires more techniques to soak the duck with special sauces in 60 hours before roasting time.

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Vietnam spends modestly for tourism promotion

Vietnam travel packages - Vietnam’s spending on tourism advertising in the international market is equivalent to 2.9% of that of Thailand's, according to Forbes.

Forbes said Vietnam spent $2 million a year to promote tourism on the international market. This number is very small in comparison to that of other countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

According to Forbes, the tourism industry of Vietnam is growing faster than that in the neighboring countries, while investment for the promotion of tourism in the international market is "modest".

With only $2 million a year, it is extremely difficult for Vietnam to advertise its tourism internationally, Forbes said.

The magazine also noted that $2 million/year was not enough to advertise frequently on the internationally renowned channels such as CNN.

Tourism has become a key industry of Vietnam. The industry was identified by the World Bank as an important sector contributing to the growth of Vietnam's economy in the 2016-2020 period.

At present, the countries leading for the number of foreign arrivals in the region are Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia; these countries invest in tourism promotion in the world market, Forbes said.

Forbes said the $2 million budget/year of Vietnam for the promotion of tourism on the international market is only equivalent to 2.9% of the budget for tourism promotion in Thailand, 2.5% of Singapore and 1.9% of Malaysia.

However, the tourism sector of Vietnam has grown around 6.5% on average over the last 5 years and will continue to grow, Forbes said.

The tourism industry of Thailand and Singapore increased 12% and 10% respectively over the same period. Even the tourism industry Laos increased by 15% - doubling the growth rate of Vietnam tourism.

Forbes said if Vietnam can not take advantage of its favorable geographical location, beautiful natural scenery, and invest more to promote tourism in the international market, its tourism industry will be surpassed by neighboring countries.

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Hon Mun fishing tour full day

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Banana blossom salad – a specialty of Vietnam cuisine

Nom Hoa Chuoi (Banana blossom salad) once a popular dish in rural parts of the country, is now a specialty of Vietnam cuisine.

It is a special experience when being exposed to the explosion of different flavors and amazing textural contrasts of banana blossom salad.

The cooking process begins with the tough, outer layers of the banana blossom peeled off and discarded. Banana blossom is crunchy with a subtle, slightly floral fragrance.

Next, slice it into fine julienne strips; soak it into large bowl of cold water and white vinegar or lemon juice to prevent it from browning.

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Then sliced boiled pig ears or boiled shredded chicken breast is prepared and let to cool. Sour star fruits are sliced thinly, combined with bean sprouts, banana blossom, sliced pig ear, mint, and cilantro.

To make the dressing, sugar and vinegar, along with garlic, lemongrass, chili, lime juice and fish sauce are mixed together.

When the dish is almost complete, the salad is placed into a banana blossom bowl, tossed finely with the dressing and topped with chopped roasted peanuts and fried shallots. It looks more like an artistic work than an edible dish.

One must enjoy every bite and make the most of the subtle flavor of herbs, the crispiness of banana blossom, and pig ear, the chewy and tender taste of chicken, the nutty flavor of roasted peanut and the delicate combination of the seasoning.

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“Northwest colours” selected as theme for National Tourism Year 2017

“Northwest Colours” was selected as the theme of the National Tourism Year 2017 at the organising board’s meeting in Hanoi on July 11.

Vietnam's terrace fields

The northwestern province of Lao Cai will host the year, with the participation of other provinces in the region, while other provinces and cities nationwide such as Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hue, Danang, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh city are to hold supporting activities for the national event.

Ha Van Thang, Director of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai province said the inaugural ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2017 Lao Cai- Northwest is planned for February 2017.

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Eight typical tourist products of the northwest region are expected to be introduced during the National Tourism Year 2017, including community-based tourism, terraced rice fields, mountain markets, flower seasons and mountain trekking, and a tour tracking the routes of Vietnam People’s Army units during the historic Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Thang said.

The organising committee has also chosen the logo of the National Tourism Year 2017 Lao Cai- Northwest, featuring a stilt house – the most typical architecture in the region- on background of blue sky and mountain.

The northwest region is home to more than 30 ethnic groups, a slew of tangible and intangible cultural heritages and famous historical sites and imposing landscapes.

In 2015, the region received 8.9 million tourists, including 1.6 million foreigners, while the country received 7.94 million international arrivals.

The northwest region comprises eight provinces, namely Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Son La and Phu Tho.

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Tourism village to showcase life in northwestern region

Vietnam family holiday - A series of activities based on life in the northwestern region will be showcased in the Viet Nam Culture and Tourism Village on the western outskirts of the capital.

Entitled “A Month of Northwestern Echo”, the programme includes an exhibition of tools for fishing of various ethnic groups from the northwestern provinces, a photo exhibition and a one-day homestay for tourists who want to experience the daily life of the Thai, Muong and E De people.

The exhibition of tools for fishing will take place from July 15 to 31, while the local people will showcase their fishing skills from July 29 to 31.

The photo exhibition will feature more than 100 photos of people and landscapes of the northwestern region such as the Muong Hoa Valley, Ta Van and Cat Cat Villages, the season when rice matures in terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi and Ha Giang Province, besides Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai Province.

The homestay event will take place every weekend till the end of the month.

The village is located in Son Tay District, 45km west of the centre of Ha Noi.

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Cai Rang Floating Market named cultural site

Vietnam travel packages - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has awarded a certificate recognising Cai Rang Floating Market in the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho as a national intangible cultural heritage site.

The Cai Rang Floating Market is on the 185-kilometre Hau River which is a part of Mekong Delta river basin.

The market is a top tourism destination in Can Tho City, where local and foreign tourists go to learn about the colourful life on the river.

The UK’s Rough Guide has just elected the Cai Rang Floating Market as one of ten most impressive markets in the world.

The market, which has thrived for over a century, has been a centre for commerce in the city and its neighbouring provinces, such as An Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang.

They traditionally sell all kinds of fruits and vegetables, and recently added coffee, breakfast dishes and even lottery tickets.

On boats, products are hung on bamboo poles so tourists and locals can easily know which products each boat is selling.

At 5am to 6am, the market is filled with 350 to 400 boats carrying tourists, local people and vendors in a rush.

Preservation

Can Tho City’s authorities in April approved to preserve and develop the market.

Under the preservation project with total capital of VND63 billion (US$2.8 million), marking buoys will be installed to limit boats for anchoring.

Wharfs, public toilets and 5,000-metre warehouses for storing products to serve tourists will also be built for the market.

Garbage discharged by residents living on boats near the markets or sellers will be paid more attention to in order to ensure hygiene.

The project will be carried out by the city Economics and Society Institute.

According to the Can Tho City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, more than 931,000 local and foreign tourists came to the city in the first half of this year, an increase of 22 per cent compared to the same period of last year.

This increasing number of tourists raised the total tourism revenue in Can Tho City to nearly VND1 trillion ($44 million).

Most tourists to Can Tho City chose tours that include the Cai Rang Floating Market.

Cai Rang Floating Market Tourism Day on Saturday was also launched to advertise tourism.

On that day, 20 models of boats with fruits and other farm produce were displayed. A photo exhibition highlighted the market’s beauty. A boat race and the southern cultural heritage traditional music Don Ca Tai Tu was also performed.

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Le Le Hotel

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Alova Cruise

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Phu Quoc Northern Island day tour

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Sunset BBQ & Night Squid Fishing in Phu Quoc

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Phu Quoc Southern Island day tour

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