250 compete in Ta Cu Mountain trek

Athletes trek to Ta Cu Mountain in Binh Thuan Province - Photo: Khai Nguyen

In the chill of the seventh morning of Lunar New Year on Wednesday, thousands of locals and tourists went to watch the trekking contest to Ta Cu Mountain in Ham Thuan Nam District, Binh Thuan Province.

The contest, organized for the fifteenth time, attracted 250 male and female athletes from Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Thuan provinces. The course covered 6,300 meters for males and 5,300 meters for females, of which are 2,300 steps to Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda.

After 40 minutes, Ta Thanh Xinh in Binh Thuan won in the men’s open division, while Nguyen Ngoc Quang in Dong Nai and Tran Cong Binh in Binh Thuan came second and third, respectively. In women’s division, Nguyen Thi Diem My of Binh Phuoc won the first prize while Nguyen Thu Hiep of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Nguyen Thi Dung in Binh Phuoc pocketed the second and third prizes.

Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau won the team prizes.

In the individual division for men, Ta Thanh Xinh won, Tran Van Cong and Nguyen Hoang Duy came second and third. In the individual division for women, Huynh Ngoc Bao Tuyen came first while Nguyen Thi Hong Lin won the second and Huynh Thu Thu Thuy won the third prize.

Phan Thiet City and Tuy Phong District of Binh Thuan Province won team prizes.

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Vietnam’s northernmost point

Lung Cu Town seen from Dragon Mountain

Standing on top of Dragon Mountain in the northernmost Ha Giang Province is the Lung Cu flag tower, flying the Vietnamese flag, delineating the border between Vietnam and China. 

Ly Thuong Kiet, a king in the 11th century, built the first tower to declare the nation’s sovereignty from neighboring China. The tower was rebuilt under the French and has been restored many times since. Twenty nine meters high, it has six relief patterns of the Dong Son drum on the base. The national flag is a massive 54 square meters in area, representing the 54 ethnicities of Vietnam.

Tourists take photos under Lung Cu Flag Tower - Photos: Pham Thai

In order to reach the peak at 1,700 meters above sea level, there are 283 stone steps.

Eight years after the previous restoration in 2002, the tower went through another massive change, including 283 new descending steps and an internal staircase. The reconstruction, however, meant that vehicles can no longer go to the top of the mountain so visitors have to take the stairs.

Dragon Mountain, 24 kilometers from Dong Van District, presents a clear view of Lung Cu town and the corn and vegetable farms of the LoLo ethnic people.

The climb from Lung Cu Town takes one and a half hours. The town itself has little to offer in the way of souvenirs or other attractions for tourists.

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Diver weddings give new meaning to ‘deep love’

Couples ready to take the plunge before their underwater weddings - Photo: Courtesy of Vietravel

The Vietnam Dive Center, Vinadive, will attempt a record for underwater group weddings on Valentine’s Day for nine couples simultaneously.

The official 30 minute ceremony will be held underwater with rings exchanged, signings, professional photographers and newlyweds exchanging kisses.

All the traditional rituals of a wedding ceremony, including Champaign opening and wedding cake cutting in front of families and friends will be held on board the Vinadive ship at Mun Islet in Nha Trang.

For Valentine’s Day, Vinadive, under Vietravel Marketing and Tourist Company, is offering the whole package for VND8 million per couple, a discount of VND2 million.

The costs include the wedding attire for the bride and the bridegroom, flowers, party for the newly weds at Con Se Tre restaurant, honeymoon suite at a five-star hotel, and two T-shirts. The day before, Vinadive instructors will teach the couples to dive.

In 2007, Vinadive set a record by celebrating the first underwater ceremony in Vietnam.

For more information, contact Vietnam Dive Center Vinadive at 23D Biet Thu Street, Nha Trang City, or call +84 058 3526 575 or hotline 0905 007 317 (Mr. Minh), email vietnamdive@vnn.vn, or access www.vietnamdive.com.

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Where to celebrate the day of love

A couple write their names on a heart-shaped cookie at the Valentines buffet at the Windsor Plaza Hotel Saigon’s last year - Photo: Courtesy of the Windsor Plaza Hotel Saigon

For Valentine’s Day, impress your partner with romantic dining, accommodation and gifts.

Caravelle Hotel (19 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3823 4999)

All afternoon on Valentine’s Day, the hotel’s Lobby Lounge will brew sweet nothings and a remarkable high tea. When the day wanes, both Nineteen and Reflections restaurants are set to prepare meals once enjoyed by Aphrodite herself. Each dinner comes complete with a flute of Mumm Champagne. Dinner at each of the restaurants costs nearly VND1.3 million++ while the high tea costs VND398,000++ per person.

Lobby Lounge & Restaurant Nineteen – Ground Floor – Caravelle Hotel

Reflections Restaurant – Third Floor – Caravelle Hotel

Duxton Hotel Saigon (93 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3822 2999)

Wine and dine your Valentine at the hotel’s The Grill Restaurant with romantic music by the Stroller Band, candlelit tables, heart-shape chocolates and flowers for the ladies. Valentine’s dinner buffet is priced at US$30++/person.

Mövenpick Hotel Saigon (253 Nguyen Van Troi St., Phu Nhuan Dist., tel: 3844 9222)

There will be romantic dinner menus at all the hotel’s restaurants.

The first 15 couples to book a table on this special day will receive a complimentary stay at the hotel’s brand new deluxe rooms. The price is at VND620,000++ per person including free flowing house wines, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Valentine’s dinner is available from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Legend Hotel Saigon (2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3823 3333)

For this cupid celebration, the hotel’s executive chef Romeo Bantiling and his team will prepare a sumptuous international buffet serving an array of fresh seafood and a lavish spread of gourmet dishes at the Atrium Café. Ladies will be surprised with a special gift attractively arranged by the chefs for the night. The Valentine’s Buffet is priced at VND500,000++ for lunch and VND960,000++ for dinner. Children from 6 to 12 are half price.

Deli Corner from Feb. 12-14 offers a range of delicious chocolates and heart-shaped cakes for you to take away.

Park Hyatt Hotel (2 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3824 1234)

Create precious memories over a private dinner at Opera Restaurant with Italian dishes prepared by Chef Michele Gulizzi, including a bottle of champagne and a special Valentines Day chocolate. The price is VND3.7 million++ per couple. A distinctive evening for two at Square One Restaurant is another choice at the hotel.

Renaissance Riverside Saigon Hotel (8-15 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3822 0033)

The hotel’s Kabin Chinese Restaurant offers Valentine’s Day dinner with an eight-course “couple menu” and a bottle of sparkling wine while Poolside Terrace and Riverside Café have their own ways to delight couples. Also includes roses and chocolates during dining.

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers (88 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, tel: 3827.2828)

The hotel’s Signature Restaurant offers a delectable seven-course degustation in truly intimate ambiance while Libai Chinese Restaurant offers a romantic dinner with a traditional flair. Saigon Café and Mojo coffee shop have something special for guests.

Sofitel Saigon Plaza (17 Le Duan Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3824 1555)

Until Feb. 28, the hotel has the “Magnifique Romance” offer - a touch of French elegance to mark Valentine’s Day including a Valentine’s accommodation promotion, with double A/CLUB points, a bottle of champagne on ice and a romantic gift.

Windsor Plaza Hotel Saigon (18 An Duong Vuong St., Dist. 5, HCMC, tel: 3833 6688)

Sit down together to a magnificent Valentine’s buffet dinner with over 170 Western dishes at Café Central An Dong plus a gift from an angel and delectable heart-shaped cookies to decorate and declare your love for each other. The buffet price is only VND350,000++ per person. Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant’s chefs will prepare special dishes for one evening only on Valentine’s Day, including two glasses of wine and live music for around VND1.2 million++ per couple. TTOT Bar & Restaurant on level 25 also offers a lavish multi-course set menu for only VND550,000++ per person.

Vinpearl Nha Trang Resort & Spa (Hon Tre Island, Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang City, tel: 058 3590 611)       

There will be a special program named “A moment of love – Speak for love” on Valentine’s Day featuring special buffets from Asian to Western cuisines for guests at Vinpearl Nha Trang Resort & Spa. The resort will be transformed into a paradise of multicolored flowers from the bedroom to dining table. Guests will receive a chocolate box from the resort to make their Valentine’s Day sweeter.

Saigon Domaine Luxury Residences (1057 Binh Quoi, Ward 28, Binh Thanh Dist., tel: 3556 6163)

This Valentine’s weekend, Saigon Domaine, a luxury serviced residence complex on the banks of the Saigon River on Thanh Da Island offers a special package. Guests who book a four-night stay (Feb. 11 -15) will get a special low rate of US$169 per night, with the fourth night for free. The package also includes a bottle of chilled champagne and fresh flowers in the room upon arrival.

The chef’s special Western set menu in the intimate al fresco setting of the River Garden is just US$19++ per person, and don’t miss the 25% discount off a romantic moonlight Thanh Da island boat tour.

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Eco-tours offer green experience to visitors

Local residents offer tourism services and visitors can turn into
fishermen – that’s the ethos on the eco-tours initiated in 2006 by Hoian
Eco-tour Director Tran Van Khoa, who was born into a fishing family and
used to work in Hoi An’s Victoria Hotel as a receptionist.

A coracle (type of small boat) is dropped into the sea and Khoa
skilfully jumps aboard. He then explains to the tourists onboard that
local fishermen use coracles to catch fish and squid offshore.

He demonstrates how to steer it through the waves and receives a clap from five year old Ally Chris from Singapore .

Other members of the group are invited to try rowing the coracle. Many
of them are intrigued by the local fishing methods. Little Ally’s
mother, Elliott, insists on trying to cast a net into the sea. She draws
it back with only weeds, but she looks delighted, saying: "I have now
learnt how to net fish."

It is not difficult to find a
coracle or a buffalo on the Internet but if someone wants to experience
both interesting and exiting feelings when he/she tries the coracle or
rides a buffalo they need to have some experiences, said Erica Rubbs,
who is working for a non-governmental organisation in Myanmar , after
joining the eco-tour.

Every day, Khoa takes tourists
on cruises to try the coracles. They also visit the Bay Mau palm forest,
where soldiers sheltered in their fight against US invaders. Later they
can enjoy seafood delicacies served up by Khoa’s father.

Khoa also co-ordinates with the five-star Victoria Hotel to offer
special eco-tours, where tourists are encouraged to join in clean-up
activities in Bay Mau palm forest.

"Eco-tourism is
associated with no pollution, greenery and beauty," said Khoa, "There is
too much rubbish in the rivers, along the beach and in the forest. All
my customers are willing to join in a 15-minute clean-up and even the
other tours pick up rubbish to put in the bins on the boats." Within a
day, the tourists can experience farming techniques in Tra Que vegetable
village and then ride bicycles to Cuu Dai beach and try fishing from
Cua Dai Fishing Wharf .

"It’s an excellent way
to see the countryside and meet the people," wrote Tarja Halonen,
President of Finland , who took a tour in February in 2008,
together with her husband and their bodyguard.

Khoa’s
eco-tours have resulted from his own initiative and his whole family and
neighbours have helped. After graduating in English from Da Nang
College , Khoa worked in the Victoria Hotel . He soon realised that
foreign tourists were interested in his fishing village and its
surrounding natural beauty.

So he started the tour
business with 100 million VND (over 5,000 USD) capital. He designed his
own itineraries, and he was the sole guide, his father and mother help
to gear up the boats and serve the food.

Now there are
10 guides who speak mainly English and French and around 30 fishermen
provide and row coracles to serve big groups, earning up to 3 million
VND (more than 150 USD) a month.

"Eco-tourism is successful, because it requires little investment, but results in a higher financial turnover.

"Our eco-tours are especially appreciated as Hoi An has beautiful
scenery, many historic sites and hard-working, warm-hearted people,"
Khoa said.

The Business Traveller magazine has run an article
to commend Tran Van Khoa and his company. Together with the rich
cultural heritages, the efforts to preserve traditional values and
environment is the certificate of the young man on his love for people
and land in Hoi An where he was born and grew up, said the Asian Pacific
tourist magazine.

Hoian Eco-tour has become a famous tourist
trademark of Hoi An which received around 4,000 international tourists,
making up around one-third of the total foreigners to the city in
2010./.

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New appointment at Victoria Hotels & Resorts

Hanno Stamm

Indochina’s luxury hotel group, Victoria Hotels & Resorts (under EEM group), has announced a key appointment for their head office based in HCMC.

Hanno Stamm has taken over the position of managing director previously held by Eric Simard since 2002. At the same time, Stamm will keep his current position as General Manager of the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa.

With almost 20 years experience in hotel groups such as Accor and Radisson, the German national joined Victoria Hotels & Resorts in July 2002 as Rooms Division Manager of Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa. In 2003, he held the position of General Manager of Victoria Chau Doc Hotel followed by Victoria Can Tho Resort in 2004 and Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa in 2007. Hanno Stamm has been Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa’s General Manager since May 2009. He is also a graduate of the Swiss hotel management school, Les Roches.

The group operates six luxury Indochina retreats embracing off–the-beaten-track mountain and beach spa resorts in Vietnam, two colonial-style hotels in the Mekong Delta, and an elegant spa resort at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The agreement with Thien Minh Travel Joint Stock Company under which EEM was to sell its five hotel properties in Vietnam has been cancelled early January.

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Can Tho gardener with golden thumb

Tran Thanh Liem tends to one of his golden watermelons that will be harvested on Friday

Farmer Tran Thanh Liem in Binh Thuy District in Can Tho City has a special talent growing gold in his garden. Liem has used his gardener’s green thumb to grow 100 pairs of yellow watermelons in the shape of gold ingots.

A pair of watermelons which weigh 2 to 2.5 kg each is priced from VND5 million to VND5.5 million. This is a new product for ancestral altar worshipping during Tet.

Liem told the Daily, “To shape the watermelons, I put them into a special mold 20 days prior to the harvest time.”

The talented farmer has also molded nearly 20 pairs of watermelons in cube shapes priced from VND2.5 million to VND3 million a pair. They have

A pair of watermelons molded into the shape of gold ingots is priced from VND5 million to VND5.5 million - Photos: Le Hoang Vu

already sold out so next year Liem will double the number of melons carved with “Van su nhu y” (everything to your liking), “Phuc Loc Tho” (happiness, prosperity and longevity) and “Chuc mung nam moi) (Happy new year) in the shape of gold ingots.

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