Vietnam’s Top Ten Cultural, Sports and Tourism Events in 2011

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 27th 2011 has announced the list of top ten cultural, sports and tourism events in 2011.

Five cultural events include UNESCO’s recognition such as:

1. The Ho Dynasty Citadel as a world cultural heritage site.
2. Hat Xoan (Xoan Singing) as intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection.
3. A show of traditional costumes of all Vietnamese ethnic groups.
4. The 100th founding anniversary of the Hanoi Opera House.
5. The 1st International Tea Festival in Northern Thai Nguyen Province.

Three sports events are Vietnam’s third position assumption at the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia, with a total of 288 medals (96 gold, 92 silver and 100 bronze), gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh’s winning a bronze medal at the International Aerobics Championship in Japan, and swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc’s winning two gold medals for the 100m - butterfly event at the 26th SEA Games, both eligible for the 2012 London Olympic.

Besides, two tourism events include Halong Bay’s being listed among the world’s new seven natural wonders, and Vietnam’s six millionth international arrivals.

Source: English.vietnamnet.vn

Vietnam Jeep Tours (VJT) - organizer of adventure tours in Vietnam, featuring various types of activities including Jeep, motor biking, cycling, trekking, and culture exploration in Vietnam.

VJT also was the first company introduced used Jeep to international travelers, transforming the image of vehicles left from the war to a symbol of fun, friendly and active travel experience. Details of company and travel offers please visit www.vietnamjeeptours.com

Aerosvit Airlines Opens New Route from Kiev (Ukraine) to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Ukraine's Aerosvit Airlines has launched direct flights between Kiev and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), operating twice a week using wide-body Boeing 767 aircraft and starting Dec 23rd 2011, the carrier announced Thursday.

Flights will depart the Ukrainian capital on Wednesdays and Saturdays, returning from Ho Chi Minh City on Mondays and Fridays. It takes about 10 hours to fly.

Representatives of the airline held a press conference in HCMC on Thursday for the new service, which is said to "serve primarily tourist, ethnic and business traffic flows to Vietnam."

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest City in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can visit several tourist attractions as the major attraction sites of Saigon include Re-Unification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the War Remains Museum. Then from there travelers can easy visit some famous destination as Cu Chi Tunnels, Tay Ninh Holy See Temple, Mekong Delta and Cat Tien National Park about 200 km.

Related programs to Ho Chi Minh City:
Saigon City Tour by Jeep
Holiday in Saigon - Experience Old Saigon On Vespa

Related programs to Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta:
Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels by Jeep
Full Day Cu Chi Tunnels & Tay Ninh Holy See Temple
Biking to explore My Tho (Mekong Delta)
2 Days 1 Night Explore Rural Mekong Delta on Motorcycles
3 Days Deep into Mekong Delta

Vietnam Airline Opens New Route from Taiwan to Can Tho in Vietnam

The Director of the Vietnam Airlines office in Can Tho City said on Dec 15th 2011, that the national flag carrier will operate 11 direct flights from Taiwan - China to Can Tho - Vietnam and vice versa during the 2012 Lunar New Year.

There will be six flights from Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung to Can Tho and five flights from Can Tho to these destinations, with the first flight from Taipei to Can Tho on January 17, 2012.

Each flight is capable of carrying 100-130 passengers on Airbus 321 aircraft.

Can Tho City is the biggest city in Mekong Delta of Vietnam and it is about 169 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Can Tho is connected to the rest of the country by National Road 1A and Can Tho Airport. The Can Tho Bridge which is now completed and is the longest cable-stayed bridge in South East Asia.

Can Tho City is famous for its floating markets, Cai Rang and Phung Hiep, where people sell and buy things on the river, its bird gardens (Bằng Lăng), and Ninh Kieu port.

For more information about accommodation in Can Tho City, click here.

Related program to Can Tho City:
3 Days Deep into Mekong Delta
3 Days Discover Hidden Beauty of Mekong on Motorbike
5 Days Deep into Mekong Delta by Motorbike
6 Days Discover Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island

Asiana Airline Opens New Route Seoul - Danang City in Vietnam

The Republic of Korea's Asiana Airlines - under the Kumho Asiana Group, officially operated its first flight linking Seoul with Da Nang City on the evening of December 14th 2011.

The Central Airport Corporation said that the airline will operate two non – stop flights a week on Wednesday and Saturday, using the Airbus 321-200 with 177 seats.

Flights will depart from Incheon International Airport to Danang International Airport and from Danang International Airport to Incheon International Airport.

Asiana Airlines has been operating 37 flights a week between the Republic of Korea and Vietnam.

Source: en.baomoi.com

Danang is the largest City in Central Vietnam. From there travellers can easy visit several World Heritage Sites such as Royal Hue, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Holy Land about 100 km.

For more information about accommodation in Danang City, click here.

Related programs to Danang City:
8 Day Vietnam Abseiling Package
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi
25 Days Vietnam Expedition

Related programs to Royal Hue and Hoi An:
Full day - Cham Island Snorkeling
Hue - Paddling the Perfume River
3 Days Ancient Royal City Discovery
Biking Through The Ancient Paths - Hue & Hoi An

Royal Hue City Opens Night Street

Royal Hue City is located in the central of Vietnam and was listed as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Nowadays, Royal Hue is become a must-visit destination and attracts not only the local but also foreign travellers when travel to Vietnam.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street has been a pedestrian-only street since Hue Festival 2004 and through the numerous festivals that take place in the city; the street has always attracted a large volume of tourists to community activities, festivities and souvenir shops.

The night street will be built on the busy Nguyen Dinh Chieu, running from Truong Tien Bridge to Phu Xuan Bridge. The vibrant area attracts many tourists as it runs along the stunning Huong River.

The night street will open from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m. daily with around 150 stalls selling fashion, fine art products, household products and foods.

The night street will open for the Christmas holidays and is expected to be a hot-spot for tourists.

For more information about accommodation in Hue, click here.

Related program to Royal Hue:
Hue - Paddling the Perfume River
3 Days Ancient Royal City Discovery
Biking Through The Ancient Paths - Hue & Hoi An

Marine Ferry Launch New Link From Cambodia To Phu Quoc Island of Vietnam

A marine ferry route linking Kep - one town of Cambodia to Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam, looks set to start next year - 2012, but the timeframe has still to be confirmed.

Kep is 180 kilometers south of Cambodian Capital - Phnom Penh. Kep - that borders with Ha Tien District in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam.

A new port has been put in use in Kep, while a customs office built by the Cambodian Ministry of Economics and Finance is also in place now.

Phu Quoc is considered as the Pearl Island of Vietnam, and located in Kien Giang Province. From Phu Quoc Island, tourists can continue to other destination of Vietnam by following ways:

By air: There are 2 ways:

• Flight from Phu Quoc Island to Hanoi about 2 and haft hours (by Air Mekong)
• From Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City, the flights take about 1 hour and there are 7-8 flights for this route daily. (by Vietnam Airline)

By sea: Morning hydrofoils take about 2 and haft hours leaving from Phu Quoc Island to Rach Gia City and Ha Tien Town (Kien Giang Province).

For more information about accommodation in Phu Quoc Island, click here.

Related programs to Phu Quoc Island:

• Full Day Trekking Phu Quoc National Park
• Fishing Trip at Thailand Gulf (Phu Quoc Island)
• Exploring Phu Quoc Island
• Full day - Snorkeling Boat Trip at An Thoi Archipelago

Air Mekong Launches New Route Vinh - Pleiku

The private airline - Air Mekong has launched its new domestic route Vinh (Nghe An Province) - Pleiku (Gia Lai Province) as of 1st December 2011.

Accordingly, the airline will carry out three flights per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday which is departing:

• From Vinh City at 6.45 pm (P8 - 557)
• From Pleiku Town at 5.00 pm (P8 - 556)

For more information about Air Mekong, click here or contact via phone in Hanoi: +84 4 37 188 199 / Ho Chi Minh City: +84 8 38 463 666.

Vietnam Jeep Tours have tour offers to Vinh City 11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge for more details about Vietnam Jeep Tours, click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

A New five-star Hotel Opens in Hanoi

The five-star boutique hotel, De l’Opera Hanoi part of the MGallery collection from Accor Group has officially opened to guests.

The hotel is located in 29 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, opposite to L’Espace, on the connecting street from Hoan Kiem Lake to the Opera House, is comprised of 107 rooms with 4 Food &Beverage outlets including banquet facilities.

Currently, Accor is managing 13 hotels in Vietnam with the trademarks of Sofitel, MGallery, Novotel and Mercure. Hotel De l’Opera Hanoi is the second one with the MGallery trademark after La Veranda Phu Quoc Resort.

Patrick Basset, Vice President of Accor for Vietnam, Philippines and the Republic of Korea market said that the group plans to raise the total of hotels managed by Accor in Vietnam to 25 after 2013 with more than ten new hotels with the trademarks of Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and MGallery to be introduced from 2011 to 2013.

For more information about accommodation in Hanoi, click here.

Related programs to Hanoi:
Good Morning Hanoi 
Good Morning Hanoi & Half Day Tour
Full Day Hanoi City Tour
14 Days Motorcycling Adventure in Northern Vietnam
25 Days Vietnam Expedition

My Khe Beach Listed in the World’s Six Most Attractive Beaches

The American leading economic magazine, Forbes, has recently honoured My Khe Beach in Danang City as one of the six most attractive beaches in the world.

According to the magazine, the beach has met all requirements, including easy traffic and access, free admission for tourists, long and flat sand shore, sunlight and waves for sea sports, a variety of high-class resorts and international standard villas.

The Australian magazine, Sunday Herald Sun, also ranked the 900m - long of My Khe Beach in the world’s top 10 Asian best beaches.

Many beautiful and well-known beaches, such as Nam O, My Khe, Tien Sa and Non Nuoc, are located in Da Nang City.

The beach became famous for smooth sand, peaceful waves, year-round warm sea water and romantic coconut-palm rows. Tourists can both swim and enjoy beautiful scenery of the Ngu Hanh Son Mountain and Cu Lao Cham Island.

More details about accommodation in Danang City, click here.

Related tours to Danang City:
8 Day Vietnam Abseiling Package
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort And Spa Opens In Vietnam

Hyatt Hotels announced Monday the opening of the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa on Vietnam’s central coast. The contemporary designed property features 200 guestrooms with oversized balconies and floor to ceiling windows. Additionally, there are 182 luxurious residences and 27 private Ocean Villas each with a private pool.

There are four Food & Beverage options at the hotel, led by the Beach House which offers Vietnamese seafood and Western grills on the beachfront. The Green House is an all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen concept offering Vietnamese comfort dishes and Mediterranean cuisine, while the lobby lounge and Pool House offer drinks and snacks.

Other resort facilities include the VIE Spa, with ten private treatment rooms including eight singles and two doubles, a fitness centre, swimming pools, tennis courts, badminton courts, and Camp Hyatt which offers a wide range of activities for children and younger guests.

For business travellers and event's organisers, event and meeting facilities include the Regency Ballroom accommodating up to 400 people for meetings, and seven function rooms that cater between 40 and 80 guests. All meeting rooms are equipped with the most up-to-date technologies, high-speed internet access and audiovisual systems.

Source: traveldailyasia.com

For more information about Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa please visit: http://www.danang.regency.hyatt.com or contact via danang.regency@hyatt.com / phone: +84 511 398 1234.

Hot Deal of Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa at Vietnam Travel Depot, please visit:
http://vietnamtraveldepot.com/vietnam-hotels/da_nang/Hyatt-Regency-Danang-Resort-and-Spa.html

More details about accommodation in Danang, click here.

Related programs to Danang:
8 Day Vietnam Abseiling Package
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi

Direct Air Route Links Taiwan to Hanoi

A new direct air route from Taizhong, Taiwan (China) to Hanoi, Vietnam has been launched by Mandarin Airlines.

A non-stop flight coded AE1855 from Ching Chuang Kang airlines landed at Noi Bai International Airport on November 7.

Using Aircraft Embraer E190 with 104 seats, Mandarin Airlines is the first agency to launch a direct air route from Taizhong to Hanoi and vice versa. It will conduct three flights a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Established in 1991, the airline has been operating as a branch of China Airlines - the biggest aviation agency in Taiwan. Since early 2006 it has run flights from Taizhong to Ho Chi Minh City.

The opening of the new air route aims to meet the growing demand of Chinese tourists and businesses who wish to visit Vietnam.

Source: news.chaobuoisang.net

For more information about accommodation in Hanoi, click here.

Related programs to Hanoi:
3 Days Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail
5 Days Motorcycling West to East Northern
7 Days Motorcycling Northwestern Trails
9 Days Bike North Vietnam
25 Days Vietnam Expedition

Malaysian Tourism Minister Proposes Helicopter Tourism For Ha Long Bay

Malaysian Tourism Minister Dato Sri DR. Ng Yen Yen suggested launching helicopter tourism services in Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province.

She made the proposal at a meeting with Nguyen Van Tuan, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and provincial officials on November 7.

She added that Malaysian budget airlines AirAsia will offer flight from Kuala Lumpur to Danang next month and Ha Long may be its next destination, so helicopter services will help to boost the provincial tourism sector.

According to the minister, Quang Ninh should also open specialised parks and sea museums to serve travellers.

Source: en.baomoi.com

About accommodation in Ha Long, click here.
Related programs to Ha Long Bay:

• Kayaking Halong Bay & Trekking Cat Ba National Park
  
• 25 Days Vietnam Expedition
  

Additional 19 Relic Sites Recognised As National Heritages In Vietnam

19 relic sites were recognised as national heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Seven artistic and architectural sites in Thai Binh Province were recognised as national heritages, including Chinh Temple, Son Temple, Vinh Phuc Temple, Can Tu Pagoda, Dinh Trinh Historical Temple, Luong Quy Chinh Grave.

Four relic sites in Hanoi recognised are Doai Khue Restaurant, Thac Qua Temple, Xuyen Duong Temple, Hanoi Opera House and August Revolution Square.

Four other architectural sites in Thanh Hoa Province, Bac Kan Province, Quang Tri Province and Tien Giang Province recognised include Cach Pagoda, a memorial site where Uncle Ho stopped on his way from Pac Bo to Tan Trao in May 1945, a historical site to start building Line 559 and My Luong Temple.

Also, four landscapes are recognised as national heritages, including Trang An Cave Complex in Ninh Binh Province, PUSAMCAP in Lai Chau Province, Hoang Su Phi terraces in Ha Giang Province, caves in Tien Pagoda in Hoa Binh Province.

Source: en.baomoi.com

For more details about accommodation in Hanoi, click here.
Related programs to Hanoi:
3 Days Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail
5 Days Motorcycling West to East Northern
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge

For more information about accommodation in Ha Giang, click here.
Related programs to Ha Giang Province:
9 Days Bike North Vietnam
14 Days Motorcycling Adventure in Northern Vietnam

Direct Flight From Russia To Vietnam

The Russian Airline, OrenAir has launched the first direct flight between Krasnoyarsk, Russia and Khanh Hoa, Vietnam - Cam Ranh International Airport on 30 October 2011.

Russian tourists on the first charter flight came to flee the cold weather in their own country and take shelter in the two cities of Nha Trang and Phan Thiet in Central Vietnam, where there are beautiful beaches with sunshine all day long.

According to local officials, there will be a charter flight a day during the first 10 days, starting from October 30th and then there will be one flight per day in each direction between Russia and Vietnam.

OrenAir said that the carrier was planning to establish other direct air routes between other Russian cities in the far-east like Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo to Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

Meanwhile, several other regional airlines have plans to increase direct flights between cities in the region and Nha Trang City.

Source: en.baomoi.com

Hanoi Is Open 6 Streets For Pedestrians

The authorities of Hoan Kiem District have submitted the project "Open 6 streets for pedestrians" to Hanoi administration for approval. These streets are expected to open for pedestrians in late November or December, to connect with Hang Dao - Dong Xuan, which are already roads for walkers at weekend nights, to create a complete route for discovering Hanoi's old quarters.

Located in the first-class preservation zone of Hanoi's old quarter, Hang Buom - Hang Giay - Luong Ngoc Quyen - Ma May - Dao Duy Tu - Ta Hien belong to Hang Buom and Hang Bac Wards, where host many architectural works of the 18th and 19th centuries and many cultural relics.

The roads for pedestrians will serve Hanoi people and tourists three nights a week - Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 7pm in summer and 6pm in winter until 12pm.

These streets are also the home for famous cuisines of Hanoi and Chinese Vietnamese. Therefore, many foreign tourists come here to enjoy food and learn about Hanoi's old quarters.

Source: en.baomoi.com

Related programs to Hanoi:
3 Days Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail
5 Days Motorcycling West to East Northern
7 Days Motorcycling Northwestern Trails
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
14 Days Motorcycling Adventure in Northern Vietnam

Etihad Signs Code-share with Vietnam Airlines

Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines have announced the signing of a new code-share agreement. From 30 October 2011, the agreement will enable Etihad passengers to connect from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, on Vietnam Airlines’ daily flights.

Likewise, Vietnam Airlines passengers from either destination will be able to connect through Bangkok to Abu Dhabi. Etihad operates a double daily service from the UAE capital to Bangkok.

Travellers will have 2 ways to fly from Bangkok:

• To Hanoi: there are 2 flights per day that depart at 12.50 pm (VN830) and 19.05 pm (VN832) about 2 hours.
• To Ho Chi Minh City: there are also 2 flights per day which depart at 11.30 am (VN850) and 19.30 pm (VN852) about 1 and half hour.

For more information about the flight please click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Direct Flights from UK to Vietnam

The first flight from UK to Vietnam is now accepting reservations for its first direct flights. The inaugural flight from London’s Gatwick to Hanoi airport will take-off on 8 December 2011, with the route being operated twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) that depart at 12.00 am (VN 144) about 7 hours.

The airline will also operate a twice weekly service between Gatwick and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), with flights operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays that depart at 12.00 am (VN 140) about 7 and half hours.

The new flights, which will both be operated using a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, will become the first direct air connections between Vietnam and the UK.

Crowne Plaza Opens In Danang

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced opening of its second Crowne Plaza in Vietnam - Crowne Plaza Danang. The 535-room beachfront hotel is the largest hotel in Central Vietnam by room count and offers a 2,500m² of meeting and event space catering for up to 640 people.

Previously known as Silver Shores International Resort, the seafront hotel is 15 minutes’ drive from the Danang International Airport.

The opening of Crowne Plaza Danang brings tourists more options of accommodation and shopping when they visit Danang or Hoi An.

For more information about Crowne Plaza Danang visit www.crowneplaza.com/danang or more details about Danang accommodation, click here.

Related programs to Danang:
8 Day Vietnam Abseiling Package
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi

Second Nikko Hotel To Open In Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Nikko Saigon, a new five-star addition to the Nikko Hotels International group, will open 18 December and is now accepting reservations.

The hotel, in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, has 334 spacious guest rooms occupying 25 floors of the new commercial complex, Royal Centre Project. Restaurants will include La Brasserie, offering all-day dining with Western-style and Japanese cuisine, Chinese restaurant Ming Court and a Japanese restaurant. Banquet and meeting facilities include a grand ballroom that holds 600 guests, a smaller meeting room and six function rooms. In conjunction with its business centre, the hotel offers 14 temporary offices to cater for people preparing to open businesses in Vietnam.

More details about accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City, click here.

Related programs to Ho Chi Minh City:
Holiday in Saigon
Saigon City Tour
Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels
Full Day Discover the rural of Mekong Delta by Jeep
Discover Rung Sac Guerilla Base
Biking to explore My Tho (Mekong Delta)
2 Days 1 Night Explore Rural Mekong Delta on Motorcycles

Cham Kate Festival To Be Celebrated

The Brahman Cham community in Ninh Thuan Province will celebrate its annual Kate festival on September 27 (the first day of the seventh month in the Cham calendar).

Kate, one of the most significant Cham festivals, is held annually to commemorate their gods, heroes and ancestors.

The three-day festival will feature ritual offerings, a palanquin procession, folk songs and dances, as well as performances on Paranung drums and Saranai panpipes, two traditional Cham musical instruments.

A Trade, Tourism and Craft Villages Fair opened today as part of the festival. Nearly 300 booths at the fair display products from local enterprises and traditional craft villages as well as other specialties of the province. The week-long event will also include seminars on business and trade promotion with the aim of attracting more enterprises, investors and visitors to the locality.

Ninh Thuan Province is home to nearly 68,000 Cham people, who earn their living mainly by farming, brocade weaving and running small businesses. They make up 11.3% of the province's population, and 41,000 are followers of the Brahman religion.

Source: tuoitrenews.vn

For more information about tours to Ninh Thuan Province, please contact Vietnam Jeep Tours via www.vietnamjeeptours.com or adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Explore Ancient Phuoc Tich Village

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 21 September 2011, Vietnam Jeep Tours has launched new biking tour to Explore Ancient Phuoc Tich Village for biking lovers.

This short biking trip will bring you around Phuoc Tich Village with average bike about 40 km per day. The ancient village is well – known for its traditional pottery crafts and ancient houses and temples that have been preserved for 500 years in the traditional style.

In this trip we will bike along the Tam Giang lagoon to reach Phuoc Tich village, then have some stops of visit and photo-hunt at few ancient houses, family chapel, and communal house and find Cham culture vestiges still existing only in this village. Continue to handicraft village Thuy Lap where famous at the bamboo and rattan weaving for learning how the locals make their traditional production. The first day’s final biking stop is at local market to behold the beautiful moment of local daily. Overnight at a local old-style traditional house “Nha Ruong” is also a highlight of this trip.

Next day before return Hue city, we cannot miss a nice cruise on the O Lau River to behold the charming & peaceful scenery of the village, and pause at a hand-made pottery shop to learn how local artisans produce pottery item which is not so popular in common market. All about this trip is to make you break away from daily busy urban life.

This trip is available in the dry season (from January to September) and suitable for individual or small group of travelers to travel to Phuoc Tich Village. For more information about this tour, click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

About Vietnam Jeep Tours (VJT)
Organizer of adventure tours in Vietnam, featuring various types of activities including Jeep, motor biking, cycling, trekking, and culture exploration in Vietnam.

Vietnam Jeep Tours is also the centre for community travel where we together with our local partners and travellers are promoting sustainable tourism both in eco terms and social responsibilities. Leave behind only footprint and bring some contribution to the local communities where we operate. Details of company and travel offers please visit www.vietnamjeeptours.com

Hanoi Flower Festival 2012 To Open In December

The Hanoi Flower Festival 2012 will open in the capital city of Hanoi from December 30, 2011 to January 2, 2012.

According to Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Khac Loi, the festival aims to honour the Cultural Heritage Sites and values that were recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), especially those of Hanoi through the means of flower.

It is part of activities to promote cultural tourism in the capital city and respond to the National Tourism Year 2012, which takes the theme of “Heritage Tourism”

This year’s festival will be held in streets of Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thai To, Le Lai, Le Thach, the downtown, on the surface of Hoan Kiem lake and in popular sites of Ngoc Son temple, Tran Ba temple, The Huc bridge and Hoa Phong towers.

In the framework of the event, a wide range of activities such as flower arranging competitions, traditional games, exhibitions of ornamental plants, handicraft and tourism products will be also organised.

Source: en.baomoi.com

Related programs to Hanoi:
3 Days Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail
5 Days Motorcycling West to East Northern
7 Days Motorcycling Northwestern Trails
9 Days Bike North Vietnam
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
14 Days Motorcycling Adventure in Northern Vietnam
25 Days Vietnam Expedition

Dalat To Host Flower Festival

Dalat, a Vietnam’s well – known tourist attraction will hold its fourth annual flower festival at the end of this year. It will take place from December 12, 2011 to January 3, 2012 in Dalat.

“Dalat – The Flower Festival City” will have activities like flower exhibitions, photo displays and flower – decorated floats marching around the Central Highland city and its neighbouring areas.

The festival’s main venue whose total area covers 12,000 meter square will be located near its Ho Xuan Huong lake and decorated with four large flower beds, Dalat’s seasonal flower displays and installations and miniatures made of flowers of Europe origin.

Locals citizen are also encouraged to grow and decorate their houses with flowers, as authority said they had prepared at least 30,000 flower seedlings to give out.

Related programs to Dalat:
Full Day Biking to North of Dalat
Full Day - Biking Off-road to South of Dalat
2 Days Trekking & Camping in Isolated village
Hardcore Trekking at Tiger Cave Falls
Full Day Dalat - Tuyen Lam Lake Kayaking
Full Day Dalat - Rock Climbing at Datanla
Full Day Dalat - Datanla Waterfall Canyoning (Water Abseiling)

Ho Chi Minh City To Host Indochina Expo

Tourism industry representatives from 31 countries and territories will fly to HCM City next week for an annual travel expo on Viet Nam and three other Indochina countries.

Travel Expo 2011, titled Four Countries, One Destination, will be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7 from September 14 to 17.

According to the city Tourism Promotion Division, the four – day event will see a sharp increase in the number of local and foreign exhibitors, including some for the first time from Australia, China, South Korea, Russia, and the US.

The event will feature a conference on tourism in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
To attract locals, organisers have arranged a dozen free buses from the city centre to the exhibition site.

Related programs to Ho Chi Minh City:
Holiday in Saigon
Saigon City Tour
Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels
Full Day Discover the rural of Mekong Delta by Jeep
Discover Rung Sac Guerilla Base
Biking to explore My Tho (Mekong Delta)
2 Days 1 Night Explore Rural Mekong Delta on Motorcycles

The Forgotten “A Xoo Tunnel” In Quang Nam Province

Deep down towards the east of the Truong Son Mountain Range in the central province of Quang Nam lies a forgotten historical tunnel named by the local ethnic people as the A Xoo Tunnel.

Located in A Nong Commune of Tay Giang District this tunnel was built in 1968 – 1970 by soldiers and the K’tu ethnic people as a hiding spot, a place to store food and weapon caches and serve as a temporary hospital during the American war.

This 100 metre long tunnel runs through the mountain and has seven off shoot tunnels. Some sections of the tunnel were damaged during the “carpet bombing” by American troops.A Lang Dan, chairman of the Tay Giang War Veteran Association, was one of the people who took part in building the tunnel. The Tay Giang authorities rediscovered the historical tunnel and have restored it in many damaged places.

Now, the tunnel has become a historical site for schools in the district who take students there on field trips, in the hope of imparting knowledge of past revolutionary heroes to the younger generation.

Efforts are also being made to advertise the site so that more national and international visitors can view this culturally historical site in future.

Source: saigon-gpdaily.com.vn

Related programs to Quang Nam:
Half Day Highlights Of Ancient Hoi An
Half Day Hoi An Environs
Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & My Son
Biking Through The Ancient Paths - Hue & Hoi An 4 Days 3 Nights
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge
19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi
25 Days Vietnam Expedition

Slovakia TV Promotes Vietnam Tourism

TA3, one of the biggest TV channels of Slovakia, aired a 30 – minute program introducing Vietnam’s landscapes, history, culture, daily life, gastronomy, customs and policies.

In the program, a Slovak man named Branislav Stefanik, who has visited Vietnam many times, said Vietnam has a high economic growth rate, and its people are industrious, friendly and dynamic.

Vietnam is home to many beauty spots, including Hoàn Kiếm Lake, One-Pillar Pagoda, Củ Chi Underground Tunnels, Hạ Long Bay, Nha Trang Beach, Huế Ancient City, it said.

According to the TV program, hotel services in big cities are very good. In some Northern Mountainous Provinces, tourists can stay in houses on stilts comfortably at very low prices.

On August 20, The Gulf News, a daily major newspaper of the United Arab Emirates, ran the 3 – page article “Discover Vietnam” featuring many photos about Vietnam’s landscapes and people.

Vietnam’s National Highway - World’s Best Cycling Route

Vietnam’s 1A National Highway has been nominated as the world’s best cycling route by ‘Lonely Planet’, a travel guidebook owned by BBC Worldwide.

“This iconic road runs the length of the narrow country from North to South. It is the most popular cycling route in Vietnam, a long but immensely rewarding trip along the best parts of Vietnam’s coastline. The route has some reasonable hills, climaxing in the mighty Hai Van Pass (496m) (the border of Thua Thien – Hue Province and Da Nang City in the Central) – with a breathtaking descent as pine-clad mountains loom to the West and the sea vanishes into the east. Take the time along the way to gaze at networks of lush rice fields blanketing the hidden valleys below; fish, snorkel or dive the turquoise waters of the coast; and soak up the atmosphere of delightful rural hamlets”, the book described.

Other cycling paradises mentioned are in Isle of Wight, England; West Coast, Tasmania, Australia; Luberon and Mont Ventoux, Provence, France; San Juan Islands, Washington, USA; County Clare, Ireland; La Farola, Cuba; Otago Peninsula, New Zealand; Cape Breton Island, Canada; Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

Vietnam Jeep Tours have offer a biking tour 19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi from South to North of Vietnam, for more Vietnam biking tours, click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Plans For Ten Major Tourism Areas To Be Outlined

Vietnam will devise a master plan for ten major national tourist areas between: 2013 – 2015 to boost tourism development, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

The ten selected areas include: Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in the northern province of Ha Giang; Lang Co - Canh Duong sea tourism area in the Central Coastal Province of Thua Thien - Hue; Hai Van - Son Tra eco-tourism in Da Nang and Thua Thien – Hue Province; and Da Krong eco-tourism area in the Central Province of Quang Tri, as well as Thac Ba Lake in the Northern Province of Yen Bai and Yok Don in Dak Lak in the Central Highlands. The mangrove forests in the Southernmost Province of Ca Mau; Xuan Dai Bay in the Central Province of Phu Yen; Pa Khoang Lake in Dien Bien Northwestern Province; and the Con Son historical and cultural tourism site in the Northern Province of Hai Duong are also on the list.

The country plans to have 39 national tourist areas by 2030. The master plan for key national tourism areas aims to draw investment for them and promote national tourism products and services.

Vietnam Jeep Tours is professional at organizing tour packaged for individual or small group of travellers from North to South of Vietnam. For more details about Vietnam Jeep Tours, click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Hue Festival To Open In April

As many as 23 art troupes from 12 countries around the world have registered to participate in the Hue Festival, scheduled to take place April 7-15, 2012.

Deputy Chairman of the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee and head of the Festival’s organising board, Ngo Hoa, said the event, with the theme "Cultural Heritage Combined with Economic Development and International Integration," will open National Tourism Year 2012.

Highlights of the festival will include the Nam Giao Offering Ritual, an Ao Dai (Traditional Dress) Grand Show, Royal Night, Legends of the Huong River (Perfume River) and Oriental Night.

The 13th plenary meeting of the Association of Historical Cities will also coincide with the festival.

Related programs to Hue:
3 Days Ancient Royal City Discovery
Hue - Paddling the Perfume River (3 Days 2 Nights)
Biking Through The Ancient Paths - Hue & Hoi An 4 Days 3 Nights
19 Days on Bike from Saigon to Hanoi

More details about Hue accommodation, click here.

Explore The Gulf Of Tokin On The 5 – Star Yacht

In March 2012, Halong Bay’s premier cruise provider ‘Bhaya Cruises’ will be launching two unique, new vessels dedicated to the ‘Mother of Vietnamese Civilization’, which will soon become legends themselves.

The vessels combine state of the art safety standards and innovative Oriental Design, providing luxury and dedication in every detail. Each ship has 32 spacious cabins of minimum 20 square meters each. It also boasts private balconies and well-equipped bathrooms. The numerous activities en route, the culinary experiences and the atmosphere will please both the active traveller and those just seeking pure relaxation.


Whether you enjoy the stunning scenery, a wellness treatment or a glass of wine from the Chef’s exclusive selection, the trip promises to be an unforgettable one.

For more information about Au Co Cruise, click here.

Vietnam Travel Depot have offer cruise tours to Halong Bay, for more details about tours click here or contact via sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Air Mekong To Launch Hanoi – Con Dao Flights

Air Mekong has announced plans to launch flights connecting Hanoi with the Southern Vietnamese Con Dao Island. From 6 September, the airline will serve the route four times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays), departing Hanoi at 9.40 am, and returning from Con Dao at 13.40 pm. The flights will involve a short stop in Ho Chi Minh City.

Con Dao, which actually consists of seven small islands, is home to pristine beaches, as well as the historic colonial-era prisons and infamous ‘tiger cages’ used in the Vietnam War. Six Senses also recently opened a luxury resort on the islands.

For more details about Air Mekong, click here.

Vietnam Travel Depot have tour offers to Con Dao Island Con Dao Island Snorkeling and Trekking Package (3 Days 2 Nights) for more information about Vietnam Travel Depot, click here or contact via sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Hanoi Sets To Expand Tourist Electric Bus Fleet

Hanoi’s local government has approved a plan to expand the operation of electric powered tourist buses to the city’s famous beauty spots. The buses will be allowed to operate in the entire Hoan Kiem District, instead of just the Old Quarter.

The new routes will include stops at the Temple of Literature, the citadel, One-pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square. Other places include Quan Thanh Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Turtoise Tower, Presidential Palace, West Lake, Truc Bach Lake, and Bach Ma Temple.

The city earlier granted the Ho Tay One-liability Limited Company the right to import 30 buses for a pilot project around West Lake.

In July 2010, Hanoi began operating tours of 40 streets in Hoan Kiem District to serve tourists who want to travel around the Old Quarter.

The buses have capacity for eight to 10 people and charge of 0.7 USD per person.

More related programs to Hanoi:
3 Days Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail
5 Days Motorcycling West to East Northern
7 Days Motorcycling Northwestern Trails
9 Days Bike North Vietnam

Air Mekong To Fly To Vinh

Air Mekong, a private airline, will operate the route Ho Chi Minh City-Buon Ma Thuot-Vinh as of October 1st after its adjustment for flights to Dalat City.

Truong Thanh Vu, Air Mekong’s representative, said that the new route extends the current route of Ho Chi Minh City-Buon Ma Thuot to meet demands in air travel between Buon Ma Thuot and Vinh.

Air Mekong plans to operate 3 flights a week for the new route on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Currently, Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific are operating daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh, and passengers want to travel between Buon Ma Thuot and Vinh must stop in transit in HCM City.

Air Mekong is now operating around 36 domestic flights a day. There will be 16 flights a week to Dalat City as of September 6th, instead of the current 10 flights.

More detail about the Air Mekong, click here or contact via phone in Hanoi: + 84 4 37 188 199 / Ho Chi Minh City: +84 8 38 463 666.

Vietnam Jeep Tours have tour offers to Vinh, 11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge more detail about Vietnam Jeep Tours, click here or contact via adventure@vietamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Building Tourism Trademarks For The Northwestern Region

Son La Province is located in Northwest of Vietnam. Son La have cold and fresh climate that very suitable for relax trips. This place is full of cultural objects and factors, which can impress any visitor. And the ace of this province is Moc Chau Plateau.

A press conference was held in Hanoi on August 3 to introduce a tourism programme in the Northwestern region, with particular emphasis in Son La Province, this year.


The programme, the first of its kind for the Northern Province of Son La, aims to introduce and develop trademarks for tourism products for the region, strengthen cooperation among localities, and take full advantage of the natural landscapes, historical relics, and cultural identities of ethnic groups.

It is also expected to turn the tourism industry in the region - and in Son La in particular - into a tourism centre for the Northwestern area in order to greatly contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

The programme will last from August 27 to September 2 this year.

More related programs to Moc Chau Plateau:
3 Days Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail
4 Days Motorcycling Adventure in Northern Vietnam
5 Days Motorcycling West to East Northern
7 Days Motorcycling Northwestern Trails
11 Days Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge

New Border Gates To Cambodia Opened

Vietnam and Cambodia yesterday opened another pair of border posts, Hoa Lu in Vietnam's Binh Phuoc Province and Trapeang Sre in Cambodia's Kratie Province.

This is the fifth of seven pairs of border posts the two countries agreed to open under a road transport agreement signed in 1998 and a protocol signed in 2005.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong said the gates would not only facilitate trade and economic development between the two border provinces, but also improve co-operation between the two countries.

The four border points currently open for road transport between the two countries are Moc Bai - Bavet (Tay Ninh and Svay Rieng Provinces), Tinh Bien-Phnom Den (An Giang and Takeo Provinces), Xa Xia - Prek Chak (Kien Giang, Lork, Kam Pot Provinces), and Xa Mat -Trapeing (Tay Ninh and Kampong Cham Provinces).

Two other pairs of border crossings are expected to open later this year, including Le Thanh - Oyadav (Gia Lai and Andong Pich - Ratanakiri Provinces) and Bu Prang - O Raaing (Dak Nong and Mundulkiri Provinces).

Last year, two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia was US$1.83 billion. At present, Vietnam is the fourth biggest importer of Cambodian goods and Cambodia is the 16th largest importer of goods from Vietnam.

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Vietnam Jeep Tours have tour offers to Cambodia. For more details about these tours, click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / hotline: +84 909 602 370.

Bike Through The Ancient Roads with Vietnam Jeep Tours

Hochiminh City, August 2nd 2011 – Vietnam Jeep Tours (VJT) has introduced a 4 day 3 night biking program in the two cities of Hue and Hoi An for biking enthusiasts.

The trip is a combination of both historical, cultural explores and the adventure challenge for active travelers to the country.

Start pedaling in Hue to discover monuments, pagodas, citadel, and royal tombs and bike the peaceful city by the Perfume River. The challenge comes when set off to Hoi An up to the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass), one of the best coastal road in the world as words of BBC presenter Jeremy Clarkson in the 2008 show featured Special Vietnam.

Final destination, bike to Hoi An ancient town with narrow streets and tiny houses existed for centuries. The tour ends with a visit to the local fisherman to understand their daily lives as well as to try your fish catching skill after a short brief and training.

Day to day activities of the trip can be found at Biking Through The Ancient Paths – Hue & Hoi An 4 Days 3 Nights or contact adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / phone: (+84) 8 629 06577 -hotline: (+84) 909 602 370.

About Vietnam Jeep Tours (VJT)

Organizer of adventure tours in Vietnam, featuring various types of activities including army Jeep, motorcycling, biking, trekking, and culture exploration in Vietnam.

VJT was the first company introduced used Jeep to international travelers, transforming the image of vehicles left from the war to a symbol of fun, friendly and active travel experience. Details of company and travel offers please visit www.vietnamjeeptours.com

New Railway To Connect Cambodia And Vietnam

It is part of the Singapore-Kunming railroad project, so it will be a key railroad for Cambodia to transport commodities to regional and global markets, especially in the framework of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area.

The feasibility study for the construction was implemented by the Chinese Railway Ministry’s Third Railway Survey and Design Institute since July 2009 with a cost about 3 million USD funded by China.

As planned, the railroad is 257 kilometers in length, starting in Kampong Speu Province’s Oudong District, pass by Kratie Province’s Snuol District and end at Vietnam’s Loc Ninh District in the Southern border Province of Binh Phuoc.

Experts have finalized the total cost for the construction of the Vietnam – Cambodia is about 686 million USD, according to a feasibility study for the construction begining from Kampong Speu Province (Cambodia) to the Southern border Province of Binh Phuoc (Vietnam).

However, this money is not including the settlement compensations for residents affected by the project.

“The project will provide huge economic benefits to Cambodia, especially on the development of agriculture and mineral resources, as well as tourism sector”, experts said. The study result will be submitted to Prime Minister Hun Sen to make decision.

The railway will be part of an intra-Asian railway that runs from Singapore to China via Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is expected to be complete within 30 months.

Source: vietnambusiness.asia

Vietnam Jeep Tours have tour offers to Cambodia. For more details about these tours, click here or contact via adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com or hotline: +84 909 602 370.

25 Days Grand Adventure With Vietnam Jeep Tours

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 26 July 2011, Vietnam Jeep Tours (VJT) has launched grand adventure in Vietnam for the adventure passionate.

Almost a month journey starts in Hanoi capital and end at Saigon, covering most of exotic destinations of Vietnam, the mountainous Northwest with colourful ethnic tribes, ancient historical Hue and Hoi An of the centre and down to the Mekong delta discovering lives on the water and finally experience the bustling Saigon once named as pearl of the orient.

If one wonders what can be done in 25 day time the answer is all the activities you can think of and it is a long list of enjoyment: culture discovery and home stay at locals’ houses, adventure activities of all types: trekking, biking, cruising, kayaking, paddling, snorkelling, travelling on army Jeeps etc. all sort of things that we can hardly make it in our busy daily lives.

The trip is set to be a private and can be done at any time of the year.
Details can be found at 25 Days Vietnam Expedition or contact at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com / phone: (+ 84) 8 629 06577 or hotline (+84) 909 602 370.

About Vietnam Jeep Tours (VJT)

Organizer of adventure tours in Vietnam, featuring various types of activities including Jeep, motor biking, cycling, trekking, and culture exploration in Vietnam.

VJT was the first company introduced used Jeep to international travellers, transforming the image of vehicles left from the war to a symbol of fun, friendly and active travel experience. Details of company and travel offers please visit www.vietnamjeeptours.com

New Sea Route Links HCMC To Vung Tau

An express ship service linking Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau city has been launched.

Duong Dong Express, with seating capacity of 250 people will depart from Sai Gon Passenger Port at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4 of HCMC at 8am and at Cau Da Wharf in Vung Tau City at 3.30 pm every day.

The cruise ship has a restaurant, café, game area, internet services, and deck area for passengers can have a view of sceneries along the Saigon River, the Can Gio Mangrove Forest and the coastal city of Vung Tau.

More information about Duong Dong Express, click here or contact via phone: 08 - 3517 3917.

Golfing Events Organised For Binh Thuan This Summer

Vietnam’s golfing events are scheduled for the Central Binh Thuan Coast this summer.
In Phan Thiet, Ocean Dune Golf Club is gearing up for the Vietnam instalment of the Faldo Series Asia, scheduled for August 5-7. Regarded as the premier junior tournament circuit in Asia, the Faldo Series sees youngsters from around the continent vie for a place in the grand final at the Mission Hills complex in Shenzhen, China.

Ocean Dunes will also play host to the Vietnam Open on October 14-16, while Sea Links will host the prestigious 2011 Guide Awards on July 29. Here, 400 will attend the ceremony in the grand ballroom, which will be followed by a golf tournament the next day.

Earlier, on July 9-10, the Vietnam final of the Mercedes Trophy was organised in Mui Ne’s Sea Links Golf & Country Club. The event saw more than 4,000 players completing in order to secure a spot in the finale at Sea Links. On Sunday July 10, seven golfers from a field of 128 qualified for the Asian Final, scheduled for late August in Australia.

More related programs to Phan Thiet and Mui Ne:
Four Days Mui Ne Escape By Jeep
Phan Thiet Tour And Boat Trip Half Day
Sand Dunes Tour Half Day
Ta Ku Mountain And Boat Trip On Ca Ty River