Vietnam among must-visit destinations in 2015

Vietnam among must-visit destinations in 2015

Vietnam ranked fourth on the list of five must-visit destinations in the world next year, according to the travel online agency Destinia.com.

Dubai, the most populous city　in the United Arab Emirates, is at the top of the list, followed by Namibia and Burma. Papua New Guinea is ranked fifth.
The travel site said that Vietnam will celebrate National Tourism Year 2015 under the theme "Connecting world heritage" in the central province of Thanh Hoa, to celebrate the cultural legacy of the country.

All the provinces and cities with UNESCO recognized world heritage sites and practices will host various artistic and cultural performances and events during the year.

At present, Vietnam is home to 22 world heritages recognized by the UNESCO, including two natural heritages, five cultural heritages, nine intangible cultural heritages, four documentary heritages, one geological heritage, and one mixed heritage

http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/90/vietnam-among-must-visit-destinations-in-2015 

Vietnam home to Southeast Asia’s five longest lava caves

Vietnam home to Southeast Asia’s five longest lava caves

Vietnamese and Japanese scientists last week announced the discovery of a lava cave system, believed to be the longest in Southeast Asia, in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong.

Among a dozen of caves discovered, three caves have been surveyed in detailed.

The three caves named C7, C3 and A1 measure one kilometer, 594 meters and 456 meters in length, respectively, ranking the longest, the second longest and the 5th longest in Southeast Asia.

The third longest and fourth longest lava caves in Southeast Asia are also located in Vietnam: the Doi (Bat) Cave No. 1 and 2 in the southern province of Dong Nai (discovered in 2013).

So, Vietnam is now home to the top 5 longest lava caves in Southeast Asia.

Gua Lawah or Bat Cave in Indonesia ranks the sixth longest, at 400 meters.

http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/95/vietnam-home-to-southeast-asias-five-longest-lava-caves 

Famous centennial construction works in Vietnam

Famous centennial construction works in Vietnam

Vietnam Record Association has announced Top 100 famous centennial construction works in the country, with the aim of promoting preservation and upholding cultural and historical values.
Typical centennial works in Vietnam include One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi, Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, Giac Lam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, HCM City Opera House, and Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) in Hue.

The One Pillar Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It is regarded alongside the Perfume Temple, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples. The temple is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter, and it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity, since a lotus blossoms in a muddy pond. In 1954, the French Union forces destroyed the pagoda before withdrawing from Vietnam after the First Indochina War, It was rebuilt afterwards.

Thiên Mụ Pagoda is a historic temple in the city of Huế in Vietnam. Its pagoda has seven stories and is the tallest religious building in Vietnam. The temple is often the subject of folk rhymes and ca dao about Huế, such is its iconic status and association with the city. It is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital.

Giác Lâm Pagoda is a historic Buddhist pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. Built in 1744, it is one of the oldest temples in the city. It was officially listed as a historical site by the Vietnamese Department of Culture on November 16, 1988 under Decision 1288 VH/QD. The pagoda is located at 118 Lạc Long Quân, in the 23rd ward of Tân Bình district, in the Phú Thọ Hòa region of the city. It stands on Cẩm Sơn, and is also known as Cẩm Đệm and Sơn Can.

The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon Opera House, is an opera house in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is an example of French Colonial architecture in Vietnam. Built in 1897 by French architect Eugène Ferret as the Opėra de Saigon, the 800 seat building was used as the home of the Lower House assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. It was not until 1975 that it was again used as a theatre, and restored in 1995.

The Ngọ Môn, also known as the Gate of Noon, is the main gate to the Imperial City, Huế, located within the citadel of Huế. Constructed in 1833 in the traditional Vietnamese Nguyen style under the rule of Emperor Minh Mạng, it was used by the sovereign as an observation point for troop movements and ceremonies. The gate is divided into two levels: the stone and brick fortress-like base structure, and the more elaborate, palace-like upper level. The ground level has five entrances, of which the centre one was always reserved for the monarch's use only. The two, slightly smaller, side entrances were reserved for mandarins, soldiers and horses. The two small arched entrances on the side were for the rest and commoners.

The ever-lasting works, which mostly keep its original architecture despite tropical weather condition and devastating wars, require thorough preservation by the community.
http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/94/famous-centennial-construction-works-in-vietnam

Central Highlands welcomes 6 million visitors in national tourism year

Central Highlands welcomes 6 million visitors in national tourism year

The Central Highlands-Da Lat National Tourism Year 2014 has attracted 6 million visitors and generated revenues of over VND10 trillion to the tourism sector, a 12% increase over last year.

The information was unveiled at the closing ceremony held in Da Lat city in the central highlands province of Lam Dong on December 27.

With 74 events held across Da Lat city and five central highlands provinces, tourism potential, tourism products and unique culture of indigenous ethnic groups were introduced to both local and foreign tourists.

According to the organising board, the Central Highlands-Da Lat National Tourism Year 2014 attracted some 6 million visitors, including 400,000 foreigners, up by 7% against last year.

Da Lat city alone welcomed 4.8 million visitors, grossing VND8.5 trillion.

In his closing address, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh attributed the Tourism Year’s success to positive contributions of Central Highlands and other localities.

He emphasised the need to develop tourism in line with environmental protection, sustainable development and the conservation of cultural identities.

The organising board also handed over the flag to representatives from Thanh Hoa province for the National Tourism Year 2015.

Lying on a series of contiguous plateaus up to the height of 500-800m, the Central Highlands region consists of Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong and Lam Dong provinces. These localities are rich in biodiversity with primeval forests, valleys and fantastic scenery in mild climate all year-round.

The Central Highlands cultural space boasts hundreds of cultural, art and architecture identities, enabling the development of a range of ecological, resort, religious, cultural and adventure tours.
http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/93/central-highlands-welcomes-6-million-visitors-in-national-tourism-year 

My Son tower complex falling into disrepair

Fifteen years after it was recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the My Son Sanctuary continues to languish at the mercy of the elements, and a breakthrough solution to preserve its structures still eludes authorities.
The rainy season is the worst time for local authorities tasked with protecting the complex of Hinduism-influenced temple towers built between the fourth and 13th centuries.
The complex, which is located in the mountainous border district of Duy Xuyen in Quang Nam Province, central Viet Nam, consists of dozens of towers that are vestiges of a culture deeply influenced by Indian spiritual traditions, particularly Hinduism.
Of the 70 towers in the complex when the French archaeologists discovered it, 20 are severely dilapidated.
Nguyen Cong Khiet, deputy head of the My Son Relic Site's managing board, said that they are on high alert whenever it starts raining, preparing to deal with the "worst situations".
But, he said, the task is very difficult. For now, the board takes temporary measures like checking each tower's surroundings again; building supports for trees that are likely to fall down and cutting down those that are too weak.
"This year, we have cleared all debris from the Khe The stream so that water can flow freely and the complex will not be flooded, as has happened in previous years," he said.
The complex has received a lot of international support since 1982.
Various research teams from Poland, Japan, India and the US have visited the site and offered important constancy.
In September last year, cracks were seen in the B3 and B5 towers and there were signs that the structures were tilting and sinking. The management board has examined the structures and reported the problem to higher authorities. Though experts from the Ministry of Construction's Science and Technology Institute have visited the site, no feasible solution has found.
"For the B3 tower, the most important thing is to deal with its foundation and find out the main reason for inclination and sinking," said Ho Xuan Tinh, deputy director of Quang Nam's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
During his visit to India in October, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on preserving and renovating the My Son Sanctuary towers

http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/80/my-son-tower-complex-falling-into-disrepair 

Ha Noi, Da Nang rank eighth among top tourist attractions in the region this year.

A leading online tourism magazine, Smart Travel Asia, has named Da Nang and Ha Noi among the Top 10 attractive destinations in the region this year.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the second most populous city in the country with approximately 4 million people. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional and refined. Teeming with culture, history, great restaurants and nightlife, Hanoi offers a fantastic introduction to Vietnam. High-rise buildings are rare in this city which is striving to retain its character. Instead, grand colonial buildings, tranquil lakes and a maze of narrow streets provide the intriguing contrasts. Hanoi is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Following years of rampant inflation, poverty and repression, the government introduced economic reform or doi moi in 1986, allowing people to own their own businesses. Now Hanoi has been totally transformed and visitors are entranced by the city and its residents.
The wide boulevards and large colonial buildings reflect Hanoi’s period as a French Protectorate, whilst other areas are truly Vietnamese with a muddle of narrow streets which bustle from dawn to dusk.

This is the second consecutive year that Viet Nam's two cities have won spots on the list.

The criteria included the quality and responses to tourism products, trademarks and destinations. Da Nang, Ha Noi and Singapore all placed eighth on the list. Bali placed first.

About 70 per cent of the magazine's voters were based in Asia, 15 per cent in the UK and Europe, and 15 per cent in the US and North America
http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/79/ha-noi-da-nang-rank-eighth-among-top-tourist-attractions-in-the-region-this-year