Dogs’ day out at national show

Best dog in show went to this German Shepherd from Hanoi. He is 26 months old and has only lived in Vietnam for three months. Previously, he won several prizes in Germany - Photos: Kieu Giang

Phan Dinh Phung Sports Club in HCMC’s District 3 was packed with dogs and their owners on Monday morning for the second national dog show.

Dogs belonging to nearly 20 different breeds including Tibetan Mastiff, Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, bulldog, Golden Retriever, Chihuahua, St Bernard, Bull Terrier and Dachshund  were there to compete at the show run by Vietnam Kennel Association (VKA). For most people at the show it was the first time they’d seen dogs the size of  two Tibetan Mastiffs that were there, weighing in at more than 50kg.

The top animals were awarded certificates and cups for best of breed, best of group and best in show.

This Pomeranian came to the show just for fun

A 10 month old Siberian husky entrant in the dog show with his teenage owner

A baby girl plays with her pet Chihuahua.

Thien Long (heaven dragon), one of two Tibetan Mastiffs from Hanoi, won best of breed and third place in the best in show category.

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Vietnam announces new tourism plans

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has announced that “Exotic Beaches and Islands” will be the theme of the National Tourism Year 2011.

The National Tourism Year is considered the most important aspect of the country’s tourism calendar and is intended to encourage investment in infrastructure, tourism facilities and services.

In 2011, the government’s series of organized events designed to woo tourists will focus their attentions on Phu Yen Province. Da Nang City and other provinces in the region will also participate, VNAT announced.

Major events of the National Tourism Year 2011 will include an international mountaineering tournament at Da Bia Mountain in March 2011, the Vietnam-South Korea Cultural Exchange in April, and the ASEAN Traditional Music Festival in June.

Prior to the announcement, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism released a list of provinces and cities that will share the honor from 2012 to 2017.

Thua Thien-Hue will be the host in 2012, Hai Phong City in 2013, Lam Dong in 2014, Thanh Hoa in 2015, Kien Giang in 2016, and Lao Cai in 2017.

Launched in 2003, the designation has focused on cities all over the country - from Can Tho to Dien Bien. This year it focused on Hanoi to mark the city’s millennial anniversary.

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Sea Links City hosts Miss Earth national costume contest

Phan Thiet holds legendary magician festival

Sea Links City will hold a series of events to promote environmental protection during the Miss Earth national costume contest- Photo: Khai Nguyen

Authorities in Binh Thuan Province have announced the national costume category of Miss Earth will be at Sea Links City in Phan Thiet City November 12-14.

The events over the three days, including the national costume contest, a flower painting contest, a golf buggy parade and tree planting will be dedicated to saving the environment. The beauty contest was first launched by the Philippines Carousel Production Company in 2001 to promote environmentally-friendly activities. Vietnam is second only to the Philippines in hosting the annual pageant. HCMC, Hoi An and Nha Trang cities will also host parts of the pageant.

*Thay Thim Cultural Festival, an annual festival worshipping a legendary magician, will take place at Thay Thim Palace and tourist sites such as Mom Da Chim, Doc Ong Bang, Cam Binh and Doi Duong Beach in La Gi Town, Phan Thiet City from October 21-23 (the 14th to 16th days of the ninth lunar month).

The festival will start at 5 a.m. on October 21 with incense burning, a procession, a drama of the legend of the magician Thay Thim, lion dances and ethnic dancers.

Visitors can join traditional singing contests, Ong Bang hill trekking, sand dune runs, beach volleyball, fish net weaving and the tug of war.

The event also includes dragon dances, martial arts, folk games, a cooking contest, and an ethnic music show. The organizers will also hand out medicine at Thay Thim Palace.

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Where to hang out on National Day

The bumper boats at Suoi Tien Park. HCMC’s tourist parks are putting on extra entertainment for the holiday - Photo: Tuong Vi

Local tourism parks will host heaps of activities to celebrate National Day next week.  Dam Sen Park in HCMC’s District 11 and Suoi Tien Park in District 9 will organize fireworks displays on Sep 2 from 8.30-9p.m.

Dam Sen Park will present two new comedy and puppet shows for kids by Idécaf called Son Tinh Thuy Tinh and Beauty and the Beast - two sessions everyday from Sep 2-5. HCMC circus troupe, local singers, hip hop and break dancers will also be performing.

Lotus is on the menu at Huong Sen restaurant at the park with a selection of dishes made from the Vietnamese vegetable priced around VND20,000. Visitors can also purchase souvenirs such as jewelry, paper products, bamboo, wood, stone or porcelain and calligraphy works.

Entrance for adults is VND45,000 and VND30,000 for children.

Suoi Tien is also welcoming tourists for the holiday. You can relax at Tien Dong beach, and play in the machine generated waves. The prices for an adults and children are VND55,000 and VND35,000 respectively. Dolphin and sea lion performances cost VND20,000-30,000.

Other activities include a laser gun battleground, treasure hunts and crocodile fishing with prices ranging from VND5,000 to VND15,000. You can also watch a 4D movie, Wild Africa, for VND40,000.

National Day tickets will be the same as every other day - VND25,000 per child and VND 45,000 per adult.

As well as the regular attractions, Dai Nam Tourism Park in Binh Duong Province will have shows with magicians, circus troupes and swimsuit fashion shows. The entrance tickets for kids and adults are VND25,000 to VND40,000.

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