Hue finds donor to restore royal court music instrument

The Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank) will grant 300 million VND (nearly 14,300 USD) to the restoration of “Bien chung” (brass bells) - a music instrument which used to be played at musical performances for the Hue royal court in the 19th and 20th centuries.

An agreement on the funding was signed between the Hue Relics Conservation Centre and Vietinbank’s Thua Thien-Hue branch on August 22nd.

Dr Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Centre said “Bien chung” consists of a set of bronze bells arranged under a certain position of sound levels and is an instrument of royal court music bands of many countries, including Vietnam . However, the instrument fell into oblivion since early 20 th century, and no one is able to play or make these bells at present.

An artisan specializing in traditional musical equipment from the Republic of Korea will help with the pilot production of a set of “Bien chung”.

Since the Hue royal court music (Nha nhac) was recognised by UNESCO in 2003 as part of the world intangible cultural heritage, the Hue Relics Conservation Centre has actively implemented several projects to preserve and restore the music and related equipment.

Source: CPV

Grand Palace Hotel (Ba Ria - Vung Tau)

Grand is the first ever hotel with pub cum restaurant Vung Tau ever had. Built before a century - was a favorite place for the soldiers who would unwind their stress in the evenings flocking together in the Grand pub during war times. The renovations and restorations over years have changed the shape. But the soul of the architecture and the heart soothing landscape still carries the heritage. To meet the modern living style, the upgradations of facilities are done with care to meet needs of every customer and the treasure of the vintage architecture is also maintained.
In the destination of the new millennium Viet Nam, 125 km from the historic city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) located in the port city of Vung Tau on the most picturesque location facing the beach is the vintage heritage hotel The Grand. With the elegance of the French architecture, the heart soothing landscape makes the Grand a distinctive place for your stay. The enchanted ambience and the most attentive personalized service will make your stay a memorable one. May it be a business trip or a week end escape from the hectic city life , we offer you the comfort and convenience with dedicated service to become your favorable home in Vung Tau.

Grand Hotel
Address: 02 Nguyen Du Str., Ward 1 Vung Tau City, Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, Vietnam
Email: info@grandhotel.com.vn
Tel:(+84-64) 3856 888 / 3856 787 - Fax: (+84-64) 3856 088

New road to improve access to northern tourist attractions

The nation's Roads Directorate is planning a new 78km road to take in My Dinh, Ba Sao and Bai Dinh. It will pass through the northern cities and provinces of Hanoi, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh and Ninh Binh.
Nguyen Van Quyen, the Acting Director, said that the four-lane road, with a speed limit of 100kph, was an extremely large project that required complicated techniques and careful calculations.
The most economical approach would cost VND3.4 trillion (US$161.9 million) but this would require taking land from the Van Long nature reserve. The other option would cost VND4.3 trillion ($204.7 million).

The road would help the North-South transport network and link up tourist destinations, such as Bai Dinh and Huong pagodas, to Hanoi.

Located 93km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh has a diverse landscape, with the Trang An eco-tourism complex boasting mountains, caves and lakes.

Roughly 3.6 million people have visited the province in the first six months of this year. Tam Coc-Bich Dong and the Bai Dinh Pagoda have also created quite an impression.

Ninh Binh aims to welcome 6 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, by 2015, an annual growth rate of 10 per cent

Huong Pagoda, better known as the Perfumed Pagoda, is said to be Vietnam's most famous pilgrimage site for Buddhist followers.

Every year, the site welcomes more than 1 million pilgrims and tourists from across the country, who arrive at the sacred cave to pray for a happy and prosperous year, or simply to admire its picturesque beauty.

Built in the late 17th century, the pagoda is located in My Duc District, 70km southwest of Hanoi.

Source: Vietnam Investment Review

Golf 3 Da Lat Hotel

Located at the heart of the city, with one side being Xuan Huong Lake, and the other side, the busy trade center of Da Lat. Here, the visitors will have the opportunity for contemplating the landscapes of the city, or dropping by Da Lat market for buying some special products of the locality. More important upon their rest at Golf 3 Hotel is that the visitors may enjoy the care from a professional services system, contributing a part in bringing back to the visitors the inspiration for starting a new day. And those have made Golf 3 Hotel become a choice hotel as a leading stop for the merchants, the delegation of Vietnamese and international high-ranking visitors upon each time of their coming to Da Lat.

Rooms each come with a fan and offer a flat-screen TV with cable channels. A minibar and tea and coffee-making facilities are provided. Bathrobes and slippers are included.

Guests can have a singing session in the karaoke room. Translation and ticketing services are offered. Child care and currency exchange services are also available.

Golf 3 Restaurant serves a variety of European and Asian dishes. Refreshing drinks can be enjoyed at Skyview Bar.

VINAGOLF - Da Lat Branch (Golf 3 Da Lat Hotel****)
No. 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Viet Nam
Phone: (84-63) 3826 042 - Fax: (84-63) 3830 396
Email: golf3.dalat@vinagolf.vn

Da Lat tourism map to better serve visitors

A tourism map for the Central Highlands city of Da Lat is being completed to better serve visitors to the Lam Dong culture-festival week scheduled for late 2013 in the city.
According to the festival’s organising board, the map will provide detailed and exact information on the city’s tourism infrastructure.
It will also show tour routes, typical local tourism products, certified accommodation and restaurants.
The maps will be provided free to tourists and travel businesses in and out of the locality to serve tourist demand for information.

Current maps and guide books on Da Lat are not up to date, thus the new standardised one is a must.

Later this year, Da Lat city will host the culture-festival week, including big events like the fifth Da Lat flower festival, the first Vietnam-ASEAN UNESCO heritage festival, Da Lat city’s 120 th anniversary, and the announcement of the 2014 National Central Highlands – Da Lat Tourism Year.

The events are expected to attract many visitors, from both home and abroad.

In 2012, the Culture, Tourism and Trade Exchange Week took place in Da Lat city from December 30 to January 5, comprising of a trade fair, a cuisine festival, an exhibition on Da Lat history and an arts and culture exchange programme with Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: VNA