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