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

Dong Van stone plateau: Beauty of harmony with stone

Dong Van stone plateau lies at the northernmost point of our country and spreads through 4 districts of Ha Giang province: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac, . It has long been known as a remote land with extremely craggy and majestic terrain. In 2010, the profile “Dong Van Plateau Geopark" has been officially recognized as a global geological park by Global Geoparks Network Advisory Council of UNESCO. This is the first title in Vietnam and the second one in Southeast Asia.

With the landscape and typical geological characteristics, unspoiled and purity beauty, and the presence of ethnic groups with their own identity, Dong Van Plateau always pays attraction a large number of visitors, especially those who prefer to experience type of adventure tourism.

The first impression when coming to the plateau is that travelers will pass the 100km road with zigzag bends, one side is the deep, one side is mountain rocky. In that backdrop, the plateau appears majestically in the dim clouds. Ma Pi Leng is the name which makes many people want to explore and try. Ma Pi Leng is connected with Dong Van and Meo Vac, lied on steep rocky mountain ranges. On sunny days, visitors will have felt like you are in the sky because it is covered with layers of white clouds ... The feeling of sitting by the roadside, on the slopes or cliffs to welcome sunset makes many tourists be vibrational. Therefore, Ma Pi Leng makes many people who never come want to visit once and people who have visited want to come back again.

From the Trang Huong Bridge, you come to the river at the foot of Ma Pi Leng. Visitors will be surprised at the majestic scenery here. The color of water is as blue as the sky; you can still hear the wild sound of the jungle echoing from the mountains. in March, the river banks are covered with brilliant red from rice flowers which makes Nho Que is more.

The tiny houses in halfway up the mountain also contribute to make Dong Van plateau more beautiful pristine plateau. On the spring day, almost every campus has a cherry tree with pink highlights among blue rocks. Smoke spreads into the air space and creates a poetic view. On the winding roads, you may meet girls of Mong ethnic group wearing colorful scarves and skirts. The life here is very peaceful and people here are very open and hospitable. Coming here, you will enjoy a lot of famous specialties, such as: Men Men, Thang Co,….
In late autumn, early winter, Dong Van stone plateau is filled wit Tam Giac Mach flowers. The fields of Tam Giac Mach are as beautiful as the picturesque. This is one of the highlights of this plateau.

Through Pho Bang, visitors will admire the panorama of Sung La- the most beautiful valley of the plateau. From the road on the mountains, looking down, visitors will see Sung La like a serene and beautiful natural picture. Sung La Valley is considered as the "the oasis" because it enclosed in Dong Van stone plateau.

The beauty of Dong Van stone plateau is priceless gift that nature has bestowed for Ha Giang in particular and is the pride of the country of Vietnam because it has become an important part of the system of global geological park. Come and experience the pristine beauty of nature and people here.

Pilgrimage Village (Thua Thien Hue)

Pilgrimage Village is ideally located in the quiet countryside in rustic village setting surrounding by lush tranquil gardens, yet near to famous historical landmarks. The resort embodies the subtle connection of traditional stylish and modern art concept.

The nearest airport is Hue airport – just 20 minutes away, whilst Danang international airport is 90 minutes by car.

Pilgrimage Village offers the harmony of soothing natural environment and local culture. Delicious meals, sound sleep, and the peaceful life of our quiet countryside combine to refresh your spirits and help to forget the troubles of life. It is also a place where skillful artists carve, polish and weave to create authentic works that are beautiful remembrances reflecting the traditional culture of Hue.

With 99 rooms & villas, the resort is as warm and inviting as it is fresh and full of vision. Each of categories is individualized, has private gate and garden, and 02 private balconies that leads out onto the lakes and countryside. The essence of Pilgrimage Village flows into the Vedanā spa.

Standing in the heart of this historic and picturesque region, visitors can visit Hue and Danang – two favorite tourism cities in Vietnamese central. Hue has various points of ecological & historical interest, such as the Citadel, the royal tombs of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, and Minh Mang, Thien Mu pagoda, Dong Ba market, and Thanh Toan tile roof bridge,… other attractions near the resort include Bach Ma national park, Lang Co beach, Truc Lam zen monastery, and Thuan An beach. The hotel offers a shuttle bus service to and from Hue city centre.

Unwind with renowned Vietnamese fusion cuisine or delight in specialties of Hue in Junrei restaurant, a breakfast in the open space and fresh air beginning a new day of your journey in Valley restaurant or enjoy famous spirits in the candle bar, peanut bar or slope lounge. Pilgrimage Village will bring you an exquisite dining experience.

Vedanā spa at Pilgrimage Village blends ancient traditional healing wisdom from the east with therapies from the west. Meditation, Jacuzzi, sauna & steam bath, tai chi or yoga classes help you find balance and peace in your mind and soul. A private or group class is provided upon request.

Pilgrimage Village
130 Minh Mang road, Hue, VietNam.

t:+84 54 3 885 461, f: +84 54 3 887 057

email: info@pilgrimagevillage.com