Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Christmas And New Year With Saigontourist

Many hotels, restaurants and resorts under Saigontourist Holding Company will hold parties to welcome Christmas and New Year

Palace Saigon Hotel (56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38292860)

The Christmas party, called “Angels’ Dances,” will take place at the ballroom (on the sixth floor) from 7:30-11:30 on the night of December 24. The program includes a masquerade, display of smoke and snow in the colorful laser light, and performances of a jazz band, singers and a children’s chorus. At the party, guests will enjoy European and Asian dishes coupled with wine; they will also dance as well as get masquerade prizes at the end of the party. Guests will each have to pay US$55++ to join the party.

Apart from the Christmas party, the New Year buffet party will also be held at the hotel’s ballroom on the night of December 31, from 7:30-11:30. The party goes with more than 50 European and Asian seafood dishes, wines, liquors and draft beer. It is accompanied with music and comedy shows. Guests can dance together with Philippine singers and are given prizes at the end of the party. Each diner is charged US$50++.

Bong Sen Hotel (117-123 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38291516)

On the nights of December 24, 25 and 31, the Buffet Ganh Restaurant of the hotel will hold Christmas and New Year parties with its traditional European and Asian dishes such as salmon paste, shrimp with bean sauce and grilled seafood. In particular, dishes from black Mong chicken are served for the first time. A glass of cocktail is given free to each diner. The party goes with violin and guitar melodies and a magic show. In particular, on the night of December 31, guests can join a lucky draw.

The parties will run from 6:00-10:00 p.m., with ticket prices of VND600,000 (US$30) for an adult and VND300,000 (US$15) for a child.

Lion Restaurant (11-13 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38238514)

Buffet parties will take place at the restaurant from 7:00-10:00 on the nights of December 24 and 31, with more than 40 dishes of different styles, especially smoked turkey, grilled calf thighs and grilled pig ribs. The parties goes with music shows of Filipino singers and a chorus for Christmas, and circus and magic performances, games, dances and comedy performances for the New Year’s Eve. Participants will get lovely gifts from Santa Claus and be able to take part in a lucky draw.

Ticket prices are VND579,000 for adults and VND379,000 for children. Those who buy tickets before December 15 are given a 10% discount. Tickets are also delivered to the customers’ door.

Lemongrass Restaurant (Floor 14, Palace Saigon Hotel, 56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38291520)

On the nights of December 24 and 31, Lemongrass Restaurant will hold Christmas and New Year parties with special dishes such as shrimp and cashew nut salad, grilled sheep ribs with mustard, and spaghetti with shrimps and lemongrass-chilli sauce. Desserts include fresh fruits flavored with chocolate and ice cream of four colors.
The parties run from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Ticket prices are VND680,000++ for adults and VND380,000++ for children. A 10% discount is given to those who buy a ticket before December 15. A 10% discount and one ticket are given to those who buy 10 tickets before December 15.

Vietnam House Restaurant (93-95 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38291623)

On the occasion of Christmas and the New Year of 2011, Vietnam House Restaurant serves its special set menu with six dishes from December 23, 2010-January 1, 2011. These dishes are shark fin soup, basa catfish fillets spiced with salt and chilli, grilled pepper-spiced lobster, crispy half-burnt rice with coconut milk, cauliflower sautéed with beef and steamed banana cake with coconut flesh juice. Customers will be offered one glass of cocktail free. A set menu is priced at VND890,000++.

Saigon-Quy Nhon Hotel (24 Nguyen Hue St., Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: 056.3829922)

Ghenh Rang Resort (Han Mac Tu St., Quy Hoa Slope, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: 056.2241119)
Christmas and New Year will be celebrated at Seaview Restaurant (on the eighth floor of Saigon-Quy Nhon Hotel) and Hoang Hau Restaurant of Ghenh Rang Resort from 6 p.m. of December 24 and December 31.

At Seaview, buffets with more than 40 European and Asian dishes go with music and magic shows, and lucky draws. Ticket prices are VND239,000 for adults and VND139,000 for children.

Meanwhile, Hoang Hau holds barbecues with more than 40 dishes and free drinks. The events are accompanied with music and magic shows and conclude with a lucky draw. Ticket prices are VND209,000 for adults and VND119,000 for children.

Santa Claus talks with children and gives them Christmas presents at the two places. At Saigon-Quy Nhon Hotel, guests will also have an opportunity to take photos of impressive designs and decorations set for the festive season.

Yasaka-Saigon-Nha Trang Hotel (18 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province)

Yasaka-Saigon-Nha Trang Hotel will hold a Christmas night for its guests and locals from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on December 24. The program consists of a party with traditional dishes, a music show with Christmas songs and dances, studying Christmas customs, and playing with Santa Claus and Princess Snow.

In addition, the hotel will also celebrate the New Year by a dinner with delicious dishes on December 31. The meal goes with a music show, a masquerade dance and a performance of its bartenders. By midnight, 2,011 balloons carrying best wishes are released from the top floor of the hotel and guests count down the last seconds of the year 2010, propose a toast to each other to welcome the new year and dance together. The dinner party begins at 9:30 p.m. on the second floor.

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Monday, January 3, 2011

Ha Long Bay receives 11,000 tourists on New Year days

Ha Long Bay receives 11,000 tourists on New Year days

Over 11,000 tourists flocked to Ha Long Bay in the northern province
of Quang Ninh during the first two days of 2011, up 10 percent over
the same period last year.


Of the total, foreign visitors made up of 80 percent.


On this occasion, streets, restaurants and hotels in Ha Long city are
decorated with banners of Happy New Year and several major hotels such
as Ha Long Plaza, Grand Ha Long and Novotel organised a wide range of
attractive activities for visitors.


In late 2010,
the Ha Long (Quang Ninh) – Fangchenggang ( China ) cruise officially
reopened after a long suspension, joining other international cruise
ships to bring foreign tourists to Ha Long Bay.


Last year, Quang Ninh welcomed 5.4 million visitors, up 12 percent as
compared to the previous year and earned 2.9 trillion VND from the
tourism, a year-on-year increase of 11 percent.


In
2011, the province’s tourism sector planned to receive 5.4 million
holiday makers, including 2.5 million foreigners and achieve a turnover
of 3 trillion VND./.

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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Plan a great Saigontourist night for New Year

The garden at the Continental Hotel Saigon where you can enjoy a gala diner on New Year's Eva - Photo: Courtesy of Saigontourist
As this weekend is the New Year, Saigontourist is holding special food programs at many of its restaurants and hotels in HCMC.

Continental Hotel Saigon (132 Dong Khoi Street, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3829 9201)

Enjoy a gala dinner with Western food in the hotel garden from 10:30 p.m. on December 31. A Flamenco band and singers from the Philippines will keep you bopping. Also be entertained by dancers Phuong Linh and Dang Hung and a dance group, circus, juggling and a lucky draw with a trip for two prize.

Tickets are VND990,000 per adult and VND590,000 per child, inclusive of drinks.

Dong Khanh Hotel (2 Tran Hung Dao Street, HCMC District 5, tel: 3923 6404)

New Year’s Eve will have a set menu with four main dishes including grilled beef with salted cream; barbecued lamb ribs and steamed cabbage done French style; and chem fish roasted with butter and lemon. To round off the meal there will be twenty dishes to select from for appetizers, soups and deserts.

Tickets are VND332,000 per adult and VND273,000 per child. In addition the hotel will hold a buffet lunch on that day. Tickets are VND176,000 per adult and VND137,000 per child.

Thien Hong Hotel (52-56 Tan Da Street, HCMC’s District 5, tel: 3855 3472)

A buffet will be prepared from 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve with more than 30 Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, accompanied with a music show.

Tickets are priced at VND229,000 per adult and VND149,000 per child.

Saigon Hotel (41 Dong Du Street, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3822 4845)

A buffet featuring specialties of Japan, Thailand, Italia, Russia, Germany, Singapore and Malyasia as well as three regions of Vietnam will start at 7 p.m. on December 31. You could win the lucky draw.

Tickets are VND399,000 per adult and VND199,000 per child.

Lion Restaurant (11C Lam Son Square, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3823 8514)

Buffet parties from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec 31, with more than 40 dishes. The parties will rock along with Filipino singers, a Christmas choir, circus and magic performances, games, dances and stand-up comedy with a chance to win a lucky draw. Ticket prices are VND579,000 for adults and VND379,000 for children.

Lemongrass Restaurant (14th floor in the Palace Hotel Saigon, 56 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3829 1520)

The party to welcome the New Year has a set menu from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on December 31. Tickets are VND680,000++ per adult and VND380,000++ per child.

Van Thanh Tourist Area (48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street, Binh Thanh District, tel: 3512 3025)

A buffet including many delicious dishes such as grilled veal, and grilled chicken wings with honey will be served from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on December 31. Dance the New Year in with Flamenco Gipsy Fire.

Tickets are VND220,000 per adult and VND140,000 per child.

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Cable car to Cloud Lake in Vung Tau

The cable car up to Cloud Lake is European designed - Photo: Kiet Tran
The day trip to Cloud Lake Cultural and Ecotourism on Big Mountain in Vung Tau City left us enjoyably confused and a bit dizzy from all the carousel rides. It is one of those places that makes you wonder? How did the South African ostriches and Caribbean Pine trees end up there? What role did the radar play in the war? All the questions have answers in the brochure about Nui Lon, Nui Nho (Big and Small Mountain) in Vung Tau.  

As you approach Vung Tau via hydrofoil (VND200,000 one way) or mini bus (VND60,000 with TV entertainment) from Saigon you will notice the cable car ride up Big Mountain. The European designed cable cars offer a smooth ride and their colorful lights can be seen at night from all over Vung Tau. It is the most convenient way to access one of Vung Tau’s main attractions for VND100,000 return including a car tour around the mountain and a brief introduction.

It is difficult to categorize Cloud Lake because it has a bit of everything but not much of anything. It is not a theme park because there are only a few rides including a Rocking Boat and a traditional merry-go-around for VND10,000 a ticket. It is not a zoo because it’s only got ostriches and monkeys. Neither is it a natural reserve as the forest is small and the lake and waterfall are artificial. But it does have a few coffee places, outdoor festival area and bar and restaurant.

Cloud Lake is suitable for a half-day trip in the morning or the evening to avoid the hot sun. The staff are friendly, and the car cable ride was brief but enjoyable as we got a great view of the coastal city. The only disappointment was the coffee places that looked more like canteens than to the amazing cafes that Vietnam usually offers. 

You can walk up the mountain by road. It’s a 1.5 hour climb and you will meet many locals on their daily exercise routine. There is a resting place halfway for a healthy fruit juice or lunch before carrying on to the top. From the top there’s an amazing view of Vung Tau including Cloud Lake. However, Cloud Lake is only accessible by the cable car.

 Cloud Lake:

Car cable return ticket: VND100,000, www.vcct.com.vn, tel; 064 3856078

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