Vietnam Tour Operator

Brazil, Costa Rica and Jamaica announce Miss Universe representatives

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:54:00 +0000

The three countries that have won high prizes at international beauty contests have just announced their representatives for Miss Universe 2008 to be held in Vietnam this July.

Natalia Anderle, 22, 1.80m, became Miss Universe Brazil on April 13. “Our people had great expectations on Natalia Guimaraes at Miss Universe 2007 but she only won the first runner-up title. I know that Brazilian people expect that I can make history this July,” she said after the enthronement.

On April 11, Costa Rica also unveiled its candidate for Miss Universe 2008. Though having a modest height, 1.68m, Maria Teresa, 21, possesses a beautiful face and charming style. With intelligent answers, Teresa won the support of the jury and audience and became Miss Universe Costa Rica 2008.

April Jackson has been crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2008 at the age of 18. “I’ve never been to Vietnam so I’m very enthusiastic and counting the days to go to this country together with other competitors to show my talent, meet people and introduce Jamaican culture to the Vietnamese audience,” she said.

S.Ha (Photo: GB, UOL, Outaroad)

Five more competitors for Miss Universe 2008 named

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:08:00 +0000

While Vietnam, the host of Miss Universe 2008 pageant, is preparing for Miss Universe Vietnam to find its representative, Albania, India, Paraguay, Estonia and Japan have just chosen their representatives.

Matilda Mecini, 19, a model, has become the new Miss Universe Albania 2008, and she will come to Vietnam to attend Miss Universe 2008. Mecini previously participated in Miss International Tourism Queen 2006 but she didn’t win a title.

Asked, “How to educate young couples to live happily together?”, Simran Kaur Mundi, 22, gave a convincible answer and won the first runner-up title in the Miss India 2008 beauty contest, and she will represent India at Miss Universe 2008.

Meanwhile, Giannina Ruffinelli, 21, became Miss Universe Paraguay on April 6; and Kadri Nogu, 21, has become Estonia’s candidate for Miss Universe 2008.

With an impressive face and professional lifestyle, Hiroko Mima, 21, was crowned Miss Universe Japan several days ago. She expressed her self-confidence at Miss Universe 2008 as current Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori will be a guest at Miss Universe 2008.

Son Ha (Photo: Postime and GB)

Vietnamese artifacts displayed online

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:07:00 +0000

Three Vietnamese museums have been chosen to display artifacts on a website established by Asemus, a network of museums in Asia and Europe.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts are among the 47 international museums chosen to participate in the online educational project.

Each museum will chose 25 objects from various fields including architecture, art literature and performing arts to display on the website. Further information is available at http://masterpieces.asemus.museum.

(Source: VNA)

Saigon tourist

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:52:00 +0000

The Vietnam Architecture Association has announced 20 outstanding architectural works of Vietnam during the renewal process, including hotel and resort complexes of Saigontourist in localities nationwide.

The hotel and resort complexes honored by the association are Saigon– Ninh Chu hotel, Saigon – Phu Quoc resort, Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang hotel, Saigon – Mui Ne resort, Saigon – Quy Nhon hotel and Saigon – Quang Binh hotel. The award ceremony will be held in Hanoi, on April 26, 2008.

The Vietnam Architecture Association’s criteria selected architectural and artistic works suitable with modern architecture trends, works making break-through changes to the urban image and living environment, improving people’s material and spiritual lives as well as the urban and rural environment.

Together with architecture and location strengths, hotels and resorts of Saigontourist have pioneerd good quality tourism products, meeting the abundant demand of both domestic and foreign tourists.

(Source: CPV/TT)

More budget air routes opened

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:43:00 +0000

In April, a lot of new air routes from Vietnam to regional countries will be put into operation by budget airlines.
The earliest budget airline in Vietnam, Indonesia’s Lion Air, first launched the HCM City – Jakarta air route in December 2003 with four flights a week.

After three years of interruption for restructuring, the airline has decided to come back to Vietnam on April 18. Lion Air plans to open new air routes from HCM City to Singapore and Jakarta, using Boeing 737 – 900 ER planes.

On April 15, Malaysia’s AirAsia will provide the first flight of HCM City – Kuala Lumpur – HCM City route. The Hanoi – Kuala Lumpur route of the airline came into operation several years ago.

Thai AirAsia, a member of AirAsia, is also planning to fly between HCM City – Bangkok with two flights a week. The first flight is expected to take off in April.

Cebu Pacific of the Philippines is going to open two new air routes, Manila – HCM City (4 flights a week), Manila – Hanoi (3 flights a week), commencing as of April 10.

Prior to that, at the end of 2007, Viva Macau, which is considered ‘half budget, half traditional airline’, opened the direct route from HCM City to Macau with four flights a week.

(Source: Tien phong)

Perfume Pagoda

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:17:00 +0000

The organizing board of the Perfume Pagoda Festival in Ha Tay Province registered the 1 millionth tourist of the 2008 festival on April 5. Mr. Lai Phuc Hien, a photographer from Hanoi was the lucky tourist.

This is the first time the number of tourists to Perfume Pagoda reached 1 million during the two month festival, said Mr. Nguyen Van Hau, Head of the Perfume Pagoda management board. Perfume Pagoda expects up to 1.4-1.5 million tourists by the time the festival concludes.

BTA (Source: SGGP)

Thanh Hoa province hurries to complete Ho dynasty citadel profile for UNESCO

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:14:00 +0000

On April 9th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organize a conference to appraise the historical and cultural value of the Ho dynasty citadel in Thanh Hoa province.

Thanh Hoa provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is rushing to complete a supplementary profile according to UNESCO’s request for a general report to the ministry and scientific researchers.

As UNESCO requested, the Ho dynasty citadel relic Management Board, under Thanh Hoa Department of Culture and Information, has built a library and a scientific profile of 132 books and magazines about the Ho dynasty citadel; 18 historical relic sites and 7 plans and projects covering transportation, tourism and mining in Vinh Loc district which are related to the Ho dynasty citadel; 248 drawings and one map detailing the actual state of the relic site; and maps to establish the exact position of the proposed property.

According to researchers, this is the biggest, best preserve and most valuable stone citadel in Southeast Asia.

The citadel was built in 1397 by Ho Quy Ly. The citadel was also called Tay Do or An Ton citadel, and was the capital of the country at that time.

BTA (According to VietnamNet)

Hanoians flock to cherry blossom festival

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:55:00 +0000

A cherry blossom festival in Ha Noi on April 6 attracted thousands of local people who came to admire real Sakura flowers from Japan .

Three hundred branches of Sakura have been flown in from Japan for the festival, which is held for the second time in Ha Noi.

About 150 posters and pictures of Japan ’s landscapes, spring and cherry blossom were on display and short films about a modern Japan made by overseas Vietnamese students in Japan were also displayed at the festival.
Forty organisations and individuals in Japan have donated to the organisation of the festival, which is one of the activities to mark 35 year of Vietnam – Japan diplomatic relations

Vietnam Travel firms get inventive ahead of national holidays

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:52:00 +0000

With the two national holidays on April 30 and May 1 falling just before a weekend this year, the tourism market has become red-hot.

Operators have unveiled a clutch of new and interesting tours, many of them offering a chance to get off the beaten track.

Con Dao Island is on top of many tourists’ wish list thanks to its scenic and virgin coast and extreme sports like high-speed canoeing and deep-sea diving. Besides, the tour comes quite cheap at around VND2.9 million (US$180) all-inclusive.

For those wishing to experience the life of southern feudal lords of the past, Fiditour offers a new tour called Ba Gio Lam Dien Chu (Being a Landlord for Three Hours).

For three hours, visitors can reprise the luxurious life enjoyed by the landlords. The trip will include a fancy meal and a trip to a rice paddy or a performance of ca vong co, a popular southern folk music.

While most of the new tours on offer take visitors to the deep south, Saigontourist takes them to the north to explore the ancient Dong Son Culture in Vinh and Thanh Hoa cities.

The Dong Son archaeological site, Lam Kinh Citadel, and Thanh Hoa Museum offer them a chance to admire the sculptures and charming dances dating back to the era of the Hung Kings.

The tour costs VND4.5 million for departure from HCM City and VND1.52 million from Ha Noi.

(Source: VNS)

Vietnam tour companies, Vietnam airlines set to showcase summer offers

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:48:00 +0000

HCM City’s Dam Sen theme park will host a three-day festival this month on the travel promotions on offer around the country this summer.

Travel agencies and tourism promoters from 15 provinces and Vietnam airlines will take part in Gap Go Dat Phuong Nam (Meeting at the South) that opens on April 18.

A bonanza of discounts, coupons, and gifts from travel operators awaits visitors.

Saigontourist will hold a lucky draw for locals, with two winners getting a free trip to the US.

Others like Ben Thanh Tourist plan to offer discounts on outbound tours.

But a feature of the exhibition will be the preponderance of tours to beach towns.

The event will also have musical performances, a food and drink festival, and a photo contest with HCM City as the theme.

(Source: VNS)

Lang Co beach

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:45:00 +0000

The Hanoi Golf Club will coordinate with several companies to launch a campaign to vote for Lang Co Beach in central Hue city as one of the World Most Beautiful Beaches.

The official ceremony will take place at the golf club office on April 6 with sponsorship from UNESCO Vietnam.

The voting takes place during a current working visit to Vietnam by Bruno Bodart, Secretary General of the World Most Beautiful Beaches Club.

Hotel Nha Trang

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:18:00 +0000

The Vinpearl Tourism and Trade Joint-stock Company in late March began the construction of a six-star hotel, the first in Vietnam, in coastal Nha Trang city, central Khanh Hoa province.

Located on Bai Soi, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Hon Tre island, offshore Nha Trang city, the hotel Nha Trang will include two presidential villas with world-class deluxe conveniences, and three super luxury villas.

It will also have 125 six-star suite rooms, a 3,200 sq.m swimming pool and two tennis courts.

The hotel, part of a project to build a 80,000 sq.m Vinpearl Land tourism and entertainment complex, is scheduled to be put into operation in January next year.

North-south train fare back to normal as of April 10

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:18:00 +0000

As of April 10, the fares for the north-south train will decrease by 7-15% to return to the previous prices, after just ten days of increase.

The Vietnam Railways Corporation raised the fares for the north-south train by 7-15% on April 1. However, after the Prime Minister issued his guidance on not raising the prices of ten essential goods, including train tickets, the corporation had to reduce the fares.

As a result, the train fares will back to normal as of April 10. However, passengers who have bought tickets from April 1-10 will have to pay the higher fares.

(Source: TP)

Vietnam images aired on Italian TV channel

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:16:00 +0000

Well-known Italian tourism TV channel Marco Polo has been broadcasting a series of lively reports from Vietnam since April 1.

The one-hour broadcasts, which are on air every day and hosted by popular presenter Corrado Ruggeri, captured the vivid images of Vietnam stretching from Hanoi to HCM City, including those of rice fields, beauty spots and ethnic groups as well as their languages and traditions.

With titles such as “the Dragon and the Butterfly”, “Rice Song”, “Hanoi, Uncle Ho and the Red River”, “Saigon-HCM City”, “the Kingdom of Sea”, and “Vietnam today”, they are expected to meet increasing Italian demand for knowledge about Vietnam.

A recent research report on Italy’s external strategy until 2020 by the Italian foreign ministry regards Vietnam as a “strategic link” between Italy and Southeast Asia.

(CPV/VOV)

Maxim Gorky Cruise carries 814 foreign tourists to Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:43:00 +0000

From April 1 to 5, Maxim Gorky Cruise (Russia) carrying 814 tourists from Germany, Russia and Ukraine came to Vietnam on the trans-Viet route of Ha Long Bay – Danang – Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao.

Under the route, the cruise visited Ha Long Bay on April 1; Danang on April 2; Nha Trang on April 3; Ho Chi Minh City on April 4 and will travel to Con Dao Island on April 5.

According to Mr. Le Quang Thang, Head of Cruise and Maritime Agents of Saigontourist, this is the first time Maxim Gorky will take foreign tourists to Con Dao. Con Dao’s natural beauty attracted the cruise organizer to choose it as a destination under its route to Vietnam. In 2001, Saigontourist arranged a trip to Con Dao for Super Star Aries Cruise.

BTA (Source:TT)

Visiting citadel ruins in Binh Dinh

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:09:00 +0000

Thanh Hoang De, or Emperor Citadel, has stood the test of time as an historical witness through the ups and downs of history. Built in 1776, it was first called Do Ban Citadel, and later renamed Emperor Rampart. In 1799 the citadel was lost to the Nguyen Dynasty and the name was once again changed to Binh Dinh Wall.
The rampart is located in Nhon Hau Commune, An Nhon District in the central province of Binh Dinh. There are no signs to the citadel but travelers can ask any of the local residents for directions.

I had expected the ancient rampart to be restored and crowded, like the Royal citadel in Hue City, but on the contrary, it remains as it was. Thus, even though I was standing right in front of it I did not recognize it until I asked a local, who gave a nod!

During its 200 year history, two military leaders of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vo Tanh and Ngo Tung Chau, committed suicide at the citadel when it was lost. The two royal tombs are located here.

According to a monograph by Binh Dinh, the Emperor Wall was 7,400 meters in perimeter and was built with five gates: North, West, East, South (also called Ve gate) and Tan Khai.

Currently only the South gate is open for tourists. Despite being an historical monument, there are no railings or even doors at the entrance.

Surprisingly, visitors entered the rampart without being hindered. Tran Duc Tam, an old man who works as a guard there, followed," offering a tour with his own knowledge of the history of the citadel. There was a flag tower in the centre and on the right a damaged grave with flowers and incense. At one time, there were many ramparts here, the Imperial Citadel and Purple Forbidden City among others. However, now there are no soldiers, just the whistling wind.

Two semicircle lakes have been excavated where the imperial concubines bathed, but the excavation was never finished and one, which was only partially exposed, is now covered with grass.

It is believed that Hon Da Chem (the guillotine stone) is 1.58 meters long, 1.35 meters wide and 0.38 meters thick. It was a stone where Le Van Thanh, a general of Tay Son, cut off the head of generals and high-ranking officers. Now this stone is enclosed in Thap Thap Pagoda which is opposite the wall.

Leaving the rampart, I saw two elephant statues with broken ivories; they have witnessed the history. I have been to many historical monuments, but this time I had a unique, strange feeling.

(Source: SGT)

CAD asks Vinapco to explain fuel supply interruption

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:07:00 +0000

An official of the Competition Administration Department (CAD) on April 3 said that CAD has sent a document to the Vietnam Air Petrol Company (Vinapco), requesting that the company explain why Vinapco did not supply fuel to Pacific Airlines on April 1, which caused the delays of 30 Pacific Airlines flights.
As such, CAD has officially kicked off the preliminary investigation over the said case. The official said that CAD will follow the set procedures, based on the two laws, the Competition Law and the Ordinance on Protecting Consumers.

The official said that the interruption of fuel supply has indirectly affected the benefit of consumers, and CAD may investigate if Vinapco is taking advantage of its dominant position as the sole distributor of air petrol on the market.

On April 1, 30 domestic flights of Pacific Airlines were delayed for 2-3 hours as the exclusive petrol supplier, the Vietnam Air Petrol Company, Vinapco, interrupted providing fuel to the airline.

Vinapco unilaterally stopped providing fuel to Pacific Airlines aircrafts since the two sides could not reach an agreement on the petrol price increase as of April 1as requested by Vinapco.

However, by late afternoon April 3, CAD still had not received a petition from Pacific Airlines about the case.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) Lai Xuan Thanh said that the new Aviation Law stipulates that airport development enterprises have the right to provide air services, which means that Vinapco will not be the only supplier of air petrol anymore. Currently, CAAV is restructuring companies that provide air services at airports. However, the requirements on air petrol provisions are really very strict.

On the afternoon of April 3, General Director of Pacific Airlines Luong Hoai Nam sent further documents to the Ministries of Transport, Industry and Trade, Finance and Vinapco. Nam wrote that though Vinapco is a one-member limited company, belonging to Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Vietnam Airlines and Vinapco are two independent companies which operate under two different laws.

Vinapco operates under the Enterprise Law, while Vietnam Airlines under the State-owned Enterprise Law. Vinapco and Vietnam Airlines are two legal entities, and each of them has to take responsibility for its production and business results.

Vinapco provides fuel to Vietnam Airlines based on the economic contracts between the two enterprises, though Vinapco is now a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines.

Prior to that, Nam expressed Pacific Airlines’ protest against Vinapco’s unfair treatment. Vinapco did not stop providing fuel for Vietnam Airlines, though the air carrier also did not accept the fuel price increases requested by Vinapco.

Pacific Airlines is a joint stock airline, in which the state holds 82% of stakes through the State Capital Investment Corporation and Saingontourist.

(Source: Tien phong)

Vietravel launches tour to Cambodia this month

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:40:00 +0000

Vietravel is launching a four-day caravan tour to Cambodia from April 30-May 3 in celebration of Liberation Day.
From HCMC, the caravan will travel to the to Moc Bai border in Tay Ninh Province. After going through customs, tourists will head to Phnom Penh to see the city's sites including the Royal Palace and Penh Lady Pagoda. Guests will then spend the night at the Cambodiana-Sunway Hotel.

Tourists will travel to Siem Reap on day two. Upon arrival, tourists will visit a fisherman on Tonie Sap Lake, shop at the market and enjoy a dinner buffet while watching Apsara dancing.

The following day will be spent exploring the temple complex with stops at Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, Preup, Bayon and Angkor Wat. Tourists will then be treated to a gala dinner.

The tour will stop at Kampong Thom Province before crossing the Moc Bai border into Vietnam.

The tour is priced at US$319 and should be booked at least 15 days prior to the departure date. For more information, contact Caravan Center of Vietravel, 190 Pasteur Street, District 3, HCMC, tel: (08) 8228898, ext: 293 or website: www.travel.com.vn.

(Source: SGT)

Co Loa Citadel

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:55:00 +0000

In Co Loa Commune, Dong Anh District, about 18 km from Hanoi, the Co Loa Citadel, or ancient walled city, continues to fascinate domestic and foreign visitors.

After leaving Hanoi , tourists quickly end up in beautiful, open countryside on both sides of the road. As our bus stopped at its destination, the citadel looked like any small traditional village – with temple, wide well, and banyan trees.

Co Loa is the most ancient citadel found in Vietnam . It was built by King An Duong Vuong between 214 and 208 BC as the capital of Au Lac, one of the earliest Vietnamese kingdoms.

The citadel was built in three concentric circles – an 8km exterior wall, a 6.5 km, polygon-shaped, inside wall; and a central, 1.6 km, rectangular wall.

Passing through the central gate, tourists access the pillared Co Loa Communal Hall where officials once held court. Next to it is Am Ba Chua, a small temple to worship My Chau, a princess who died tragically. Burning incense for the princess’s soul, tourists listening passionately to the old legend. Walking up a short distance, an upper temple is dedicated to King An Duong Vuong.

The temple, rebuilt in the 20 th century, has two rock dragons guarding a three-step entrance through a gate, relics of the Tran and Le dynasties that ruled from the 13 th to the 16 th centuries. Inside the temple, there is a statue of the king himself cast in bronze, a metal ancient Vietnamese craftsmen were skilled in using. In front of the temple there is a wide pond, referred to in local terms as the Pearl Well. Presumably fed from a subterranean spring, it contains fresh water for the whole year.

In 1962, Co Loa was recognised as a major cultural and historical relic at the State level. Many priceless artifacts have been unearthed in and around the old city, such as a bronze drum, bronze currency and a bronze axe.

Every year, there is a festival in the first lunar month. People from eight villages in the commune form a traditional palanquin procession to the old royal courtyard, where they show their respect and gratitude to the historic king.

It is a long procession, at a show space, and to the beat of ancient music provided by a band, followed by the chief notable and the eight village notables. Finally come the villagers, who carry various offerings to King An Duong Vuong.

The religious ceremony and the procession are held on the same day. However, the festival itself continues until the fifteenth of the same month with various traditional games and activities.

Looking forward to the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi in 2010, Co Loa is in the process of improving the site through the project Restoring, Improving and Developing the Effect of Co Loa Citadel, set up by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

According to the plan, Co Loa Citadel, An Duong Vuong memorial and other cultural buildings and relics will be the central attraction in a park on over 830ha of land. Other new works, such as parks, a flower garden and a lake will be also set up to revivify the scenery.

Hue Festival to highlight children’s fairy tales

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:28:00 +0000

This year, the Hue Festival is targeting a new demographic: children. For the first time in its history, artists from all over will converge to celebrate the magic of fairy tales.

"Children will become primary festival participants," said Nguyen Le My Hoan, the event co-ordinator.

Organised at the 3.2 Park in front of the Hue Teachers University, the festival will have themed decorations such as the garden of the golden goose, based on the Grimm fairy tale of the same name.

Contributing to the ambience, thousands of Vietnamese children along with children of foreign diplomats across the country will draw pictures based on a Fairy Dream theme.

Members of the Hue Kite Club are expanding festivities to the windy spaces near Trang Tien bridge, teaching children how to make traditional kites in the shapes of colourful butterflies or eagles carrying princesses (like in the Vietnamese folk tale entitled Thach Sanh).

After that, children and artisans will release their kites to watch their fairy tale dreams take flight as onlookers cast their gazes upward.

Costumed children will parade, sing and dance in the streets. French artist Thoma Vuille, specialising in cat–shaped masks will provide feline displays.

He will teach children how to make the cat masks or even cat kites that will be exhibited.

Dreams come true

According to Hoan, the programme is original not only due to its subject and scale but because of its humanitarian approach.

"We wish everybody would show their love for children and encourage their talents," said Hoan.

"The goal of the fairy tale activities is to show the interest of the community towards children". During the festival’s closing ceremony on June 11, all the artistic works created by children will be auctioned.

"The money collected from the auction will be devoted to 28 children who have defective hearts," Hoan said.

"The money will also help build a school for San Diu, San Chay ethic minority students in Chang Hamlet, Dinh Thoa District, Thai Nguyen Province, right after the closing ceremony.

"Each year we plan to have an exhibition of children’s art work and have the money from the auction of the works on display go towards building a school for children in remote regions.

"The money will also help pay for operations for poor children suffering from heart diseases."

"We hope the children will enjoy the activities while also contributing to the humanitarian cause in their own way."
(Source: Viet Nam News)

Vietnamese stage French music, dance in HCM City

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:25:00 +0000

French music and dance will be staged by Vietnamese artists during a concert next week at HCM City’s Opera House.
Conductor Tran Vuong Thach and the HCM City Theatre Ballet and Symphony Orchestra (HBSO) will open the event with Offenbach’s overture Orpheus in the Underworld.

Violinist Tang Thanh Nam will play Saint-Saens’ Havanaise.

Among the other works to be featured will be Faure’s Pelleas and Melisande, Op.80.

The concert will end with an extract from the ballet Le Corsaire, a popular work by Leo Delibes.

Some of the city’s most talented ballet artists, including To Nhu, Bao Trung, Phi Diep and Kim Thoa, will be performing pas de deux and pas de trois in a mazurka and valse choreographed by Marius Petipa, who is well-known in France.

Begun in 1994, HBSO’s concerts with young artists, who studied in Belgium, Russia and France, are becoming more and more popular with local audiences.

The show is part of French Culture Week launched by the French Cultural Exchange Institute, which opens on April 6 featuring music, movie and the visual arts.

The concert will begin at 8pm on April 9 at the Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, District 1, HCM City.

Tickets, ranging from VND60,000 (US$3.5) to 150,000 ($9), are available at the theatre’s box office.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

African musical performances to take place in Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:00:00 +0000

The Nyacha band from Mozambique will perform in northern Vietnam from April 8-15.

It will give two performances in Thai Nguyen province, one in Nam Dinh province, and one in Hai Phong city. Its final destination, which is scheduled on April 14, will be at the Hanoi Youth Theatre. All the performances are free entry.

Formed in 2002 in Beira - the second largest city in Mozambique, the Nyacha band consists of eight young students coming from a low income neighborhood of Beira.

Vietnam Airlines inks deal with Virgin Blue

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:41:00 +0000

Vietnam Airlines on March 1 officially announced a code share contract with Virgin Blue on April 1.
Under the contract, Virgin Blue will collect passengers in 22 destinations in Australia and fly to Vietnam through Sydney and Melbourne.

The above agreement will also allow passengers not to deal with check-in procedures and luggage transfers.

“This co-operation will help Vietnam Airlines provide diversified and convenient services to satisfy the increasing need for flights between the two countries,” said head of Vietnam Airlines’ branch in Australia , Nguyen Quang Phong.

According to Virgin Blue’s managing director, Brett Godfrey, passengers would enjoy many flexible services during flights from Vietnam to Australia .

Vietnam Airline offers flights between the two countries all days of the week, using B777 aircraft, with four from Sydney and three from Melbourne .

Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier that was established in 1989, has signed many developing contracts with large partners, such as Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Qantas Airways, l China Airlines, China Southern Airlines and several others.

(Source: VNA)

Hue: online guest registration

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:22:00 +0000

An online guest registration system has been in operation at 75 hotels and guest houses in the central city of Hue since February 1, 2008.

Around 95% of the total guests who are foreigners and overseas Vietnamese and 65% of local guests are registered online every night.

This system was built by the Hue Police Agency and the Hue IT Centre. To register, hotels and guest house staffs only have to visit the website http://www.catphue.vn to fill in registration forms, they do not have to bring passports or identity papers of guests to local police stations. The online registration service is available 24/7.

The system provides two-way information between the local police agency and hotels and guest houses and assists both police and hotels.

(Source: Dan Tri)

Luxury train on Saigon-Quy Nhon route to begin running

noreply@blogger.com (em petit) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:16:00 +0000

As of April 14 tourists can go from HCM City to Quy Nhon and vice versa on a high-quality train.

The Saigon Railway Transportation Corporation has signed a contract with the Golden Train Tourism Transportation JS Company to put a tourism train into operation on the HCM City-Quy Nhon route.

In the first phase, the train will run every other day, departing from Quy Nhon. As of June 2008, another train will be put into operation, departing from HCM City for Quy Nhon everyday.

According to a representative of Golden Train, the firm has invested VND40 billion ($2.5 million) in the first phase.

There is currently no high-class train running between HCM City and Quy Nhon.

The fares will range from VND395,000 to VND495,000 per ticket, double the normal fares for train tickets from Saigon to Quy Nhon.

The fares for children of 5-10 years old will be 75% of normal tickets; tickets will be free for children of under 5 years old.

Passengers can visit the website www.goldentrains.com.vn, call (84-8) 5261683/ 5261684/ 5261685 or go to the Saigon Railway Station to book tickets.

Booking online: Vietnam Railways