Vietnam may add small airport near Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam may add small airport near Ho Chi Minh City

The airport in Ba Ria-Vung Tau will serve domestic flights with a designed capacity of 100,000 passengers a year



A rendering of Long Thanh Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai

The Vietnamese government is considering a new airport in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, according to a national plan for transport infrastructure development by 2020.

The domestic airport will be located on Go Gang Island, about three kilometers off the beach town of Vung Tau, local media reported, citing the plan.

With a designed capacity of 100,000 passengers and 500 tons of goods a year, the airport will be specific for helicopters and small planes which operate on short routes such as those connecting oil rigs, besides tourist trips.

Under the plan, the government also designates Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to continue to serve as the southern region's hub, even though Long Thanh Airport in the nearby province of Dong Nai will replace it as the country's biggest airport.

Tan Son Nhat will be expanded to serve 25-26 million passengers and 1 million ton of goods a year, according to the plan.

Last month the transport ministry approved VND6.4 trillion (US$283.12 million) project to expand the airport, which has been operating far above its capacity of 20 million passengers a year since 2013.

On the other hand, Long Thanh Airport is slated to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of goods a year during its first stage.

According to the latest official estimates, the construction of Long Thanh's first stage will start some time between 2018 and 2019, at a cost of US$15.8 billion.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

Ho Chi Minh City Bus - 胡志明市巴士地图

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点击放大

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999 Doa Hong

Lắng Nghe Nước Mắt

tiên học lễ ,hậu học văn

tiên học lễ ,hậu học văn

先学礼，后学文

巴域木牌边界关口‧將扩大车道减堵塞

巴域木牌边界关口‧將扩大车道减堵塞

柬埔寨政府和亚洲开发银行合作，计划扩大柴楨省（Svay Rieng）巴域（Bavet）和越南木牌（Moc Bai）国际口岸的车道，以解？关口检查站堵塞现象，进一步促进两国商业和旅客往来。

据財经部通告指出，公共工程和运输部要求把巴域和木牌关口的车道，由现有的两条增加於四条，以解决因交通流量激增而出现的交通堵塞现象。

据巴域关口移民官员指出，由於现有关口车道狭窄，导致许多卡车大排长龙，目前估计每天有多达100辆卡车由越南入境我国。

公共工程和运输总局总监肯波雷指出，该局將利用亚洲开发银行提供的援助项目，以扩大关口车道至4车道，工程估计將於明年竣工。

他说，接下来，关口海关大厦也將扩大，由现有的一公顷扩大一倍，以解决堵塞和加快通关速度。

（柬埔寨星洲日报）

Ho Chi Minh City launches boat tour in downtown canal

Ho Chi Minh City launches boat tour in downtown canal



Cruise boats traveling along the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in a new tour launched on September 1, 2015. Photo: Minh Hung

Cruise boats traveling along the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in a new tour launched on September 1, 2015. Ho Chi Minh City to add rowboat tours to downtown canal

The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department Tuesday launched a boat tour of the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal in and around the downtown area.

The three-hour tour, offered by the Saigon Boat Company, covers a total distance of 4.5 km (2.8 miles) and takes visitors from a pier near Thi Nghe Bridge to Le Van Sy Bridge and back.

Thi Nghe Bridge is situated near Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1. Le Van Sy Bridge is located near Nguyen Van Troi Market on Le Van Sy Street in District 3.

The tourist boats also dock by a boat to see performances of don ca tai tu, a traditional southern music genre, and modern music.

Tourists also learn about the history of the city, especially the canals.

Tickets cost VND220,000 per person for row boats with six passengers, and VND110,000 for cruise boats with a capacity of 20. The former boats are rowed by Vietnamese women in ao dai, the traditional tunic.

A snack is served during the 4.5-kilometer trip through districts 1, 3, Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan.

Tickets are sold at the two terminals near Thi Nghe Bridge and Le Van Sy Bridge.



People take a boat tour of the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal launched by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department on September 1, 2015. Photos: Pham Huu

Nguyen Thi Hong, the city deputy mayor, hailed the canal tour as an effort to improve tourism products to attract locals and foreigners.

“This is a new model that the city's government should expand, based on privatizing the service. The city will also invest in improving destinations along the canals. The main aim is to give the city’s tourism a facelift.” The Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal runs for around eight kilometers through seven districts.

After years of being badly polluted, it was cleaned up last year through a World Bank-funded city renovation project.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

hươu cao cổ

 Giraffe

长颈鹿

3国加强旅游合作‧设路线畅游柬越泰

3国加强旅游合作‧设路线畅游柬越泰

柬埔寨和泰国及越南加强旅游合作，一起推出“柬泰越三国游”旅游配套。

柬泰越三国旅游部日前在国公举行旅游合作会议，就开拓跨越三国旅游路线达成了共识，並设立了三条联合旅游路线。

在三条联合旅游路线中，有一条“三国旅”和二条“两国游”路线。

第一条旅游路线是从泰国的曼谷、罗勇府、达叻府、柬埔寨的国公、卜哥山、西港、嗊吥、白马、越南的富国岛和胡志明市。

第二条路线是从曼谷、罗勇府、达叻府、国公、西港和暹粒省；第三条路线是从胡志明、富国岛、白马、嗊吥、卜哥山、茶胶省、金边和暹粒省。

我国旅游部长唐坤表示，今后柬泰越三国旅行社会推出这三条旅游配套，让游客一次消费就可以尽情的享受三国旅游服务。

~以上新闻转自柬埔寨星洲日报~

sân vận động

sân vận động

运动场

Stadium

5-star hotel shaped into traditional musical instrument

Southern province to have 5-star hotel shaped into traditional Vietnamese musical instrument

An artist's impression of the 5-star hotel of Bao Toan which will cost some VND140 billion (US$6.3 million)

A Vietnamese firm has secured the green light from officials in southern Vietnam to build a five-star hotel in the shape of a musical instrument used in don ca tai tu, a form of traditional Vietnamese music recognized by UNESCO.

Construction of the Bao Toan hotel will start next month in Bac Lieu City, which is the capital of the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, the cradle of don ca tai tu, according to Ngo Xuan Pha, chairman of Bao Toan Automobile JSC, the developer of the project.

Don ca tai tu is a genre of chamber music in the traditional music of southern Vietnam.

The architectural design of the 5-star hotel has been approved by the provincial Party Committee and People's Committee, Pha told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday.

Upon completion, the hotel will have 16 stories and be 50 meters in height.

According to the developer, the proposed hotel will cost some VND140 billion (US$6.3 million) and include five floors designed in the shape of a boat carrying the main part of the project that is shaped into the don kim, a two-cord musical instrument used in don ca tai tu.

The hotel will have two elevator systems designed as the two ‘strings’ of the don kim with the top end to feature an observatory and a coffee lounge.

Don ca tai tu was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in early 2014, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The Vietnamese music genre was selected as one of the 11 new inscriptions on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage, held in Azerbaijan on December 5, 2013.

Stemming from the Hue court music and folk music of the southern region, don ca tai tu has been developing since the 19th century, changing according to local taste. It thrived in the early 20th century and remains crucial to the country’s traditional culture.

The music is typically performed at festivals, death anniversary rituals, and celebrations by farmer-artists.

~News courrtesy of Tuoi Tre~

Ha Long Bay will become Asia’s emerald in 2035

Vietnam's Ha Long Bay will become Asia’s emerald in 2035

Hoang Thi Thu Nga, a 31-year-old woman from Hanoi, pictures the UNESCO-recognized Ha Long Bay, secluded in the northern province of Quang Ninh, as an Asian gem in 2035 in her submission to the “Ky Vong Viet Nam 20 Nam Toi” (“My Expectations for Vietnam in 20 Years”) writing contest.

I first visited Ha Long and fell in love with the city in 2006. Over the past nine years, I’ve always spent time each year in the gorgeous city and realized its abundant potential to take off in the future.

I aspire that in the next 20 years, Ha Long will grow into a green, dynamic city which is ranked among the world’s most worth-living cities, and an alluring tourist attraction to domestic and international tourists alike.

I’d also like to suggest “Ha Long - An emerald of Asia” as the city’s slogan.

A luxury scenic spot

Ha Long Bay is already a unique heritage and an astounding place of interest among local and foreign holidaymakers. In my dream, Ha Long in 2035 would make even more amazing breakthroughs compared to the present and turn itself into a topnotch tourist spot which draws travelers in their own aircraft and yacht.

Ha Long City would then be free from air pollution and wow tourists with its lush greenery, turquoise sea and blue sky. The space dedicated to trees would occupy up to half of the total area. The on-sea and underground space would make up between one fourth or one fifth of the city’s entire area.

Ha Long tourism would stand out for its specialities, with a system of lavish undersea system and hotels being a key highlight. Apart from current floating houses and cruisers, tourists would feel pampered inside houses boasting two submerged floors and one floating floor. Vacationers would be served delectable seafood, go fishing and diving or engage in thrill-packed adventure games.

Tours would be offered to allow tourists to explore hundreds of untouched islands within Ha Long Bay.

Adventure seekers would row their kayaks on the lakes in the islands, and scale the mountains. They would also be treated to picturesque sunsets over sand strips which stretch as far as the eyes can see. Some hundred manmade islands would also be built and scattered between Ha Long Bay and the islands of Co To, Quan Lan,and Minh Chau. Apart from culinary and entertainment delights, these islands would also be home to marine museums and commercial port models.

Visitors to Ha Long would be indulged with premium, hospitable services and benefit from dedicated, professional tour guide assistance. Rips-off would definitely be a thing of the past.

Orientations for a future green city

In 2002, the Prime Minister issued Decision 142 regarding preserving, zoning and tapping into Ha Long Bay’s values into the year 2020.

However, for Ha Long to soar in 2035, the State needs a new zoning plan, with particular orientation to turn Ha Long into a green city. Leading local and international experts in urban development would be summoned for opinions.

The key to this zoning plan is a switch from the mining and electricity industries to tourism. State and provincial budget allocation would be prioritized for the development of tourism infrastructure. The need to turn the city into a green one will be publicized to every household.

The State should also issue special policies to draw investment for the implementation of mammoth projects in the city. Major global tourism groups would also be wooed to contribute to the city’s growth by building streets and sea-crossing floating house complexes which would be scattered from Hon Gai and Bai Chay to the islands of Co To, Minh Chau and Quan Lan.

The government would keep the construction under strict surveillance to ensure that there are no adverse environmental impacts and good scheduling. The government must also request construction units to pay due respect to the bay’s natural assets and build sustainable ecological tourism.

It’s also advisable that “tourism complexes” be established, and Ha Long Bay and its core and peripheral areas be “circled” and high fees be charged to visitors to the UNESCO-recognized natural heritage. Teams of foreign reconnaisance and tourism reporters should also be set up to provide counseling on how to design unrivalled tours which are unique only to Ha Long.

Such tours may include luxury programs meant for just one or two persons or a family who would spend their time on a pristine island. There they would be pampered with lavish hotel services, along with once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as diving and coral exploring, beholding Ha Long from above, mountaineering and exploring islands, going angling at lakes, and relishing their drinks inside caverns.

Ha Long Bay’s peripheral areas, sea ports, and coastal residential areas would be zoned into clean agricultural and aquatic product raising supplies of fresh, hygienically ensured food, the tastes of which would linger in tourists’ minds.

In addition, human resources also require urgent attention. Local youth who wish to join the smokeless industry would be sent to such countries as Thailand, Singapore and Switzerland for training in tourism and hotel and catering management.

Catering and tourism services also need to be further computerized. Hotels and travel firms are supposed to have their own websites which offer specific, helpful information. Staff should also be arranged to work around the clock to receive room and tour bookings from guests the world over and be willing to pick up their feedback and provide answers to their queries.

It’s also desirable that the tourism sector organize carnivals on an annual basis to lure more international tourists to the islands. The city is also advised to facilitate the organization of other uniquely alluring tours which allow tourists to explore fishing villages, participate in traditional crafts and relish mouth-watering delicacies.

~News courtesy of Tuoi Tre~

Reasons to visit Hoi An, in French photographer’s opinion

Reasons to visit Hoi An, in French photographer’s opinion

A French photographer living in central Vietnam has recently caught the attention of foreign tourists and photo lovers with his beautiful shots published on an international website.

Hoi An-based Rehahn C, who is known for his huge collection of photos of Vietnam, especially portraits of minority people, recently had his work displayed at http://www.boredpanda.com/, which has more than two million followers on Facebook.

Several photos capturing Hoi An, in the central province of Quang Nam, and its people by Rehahn have been showcased in a post titled “15 photos that will make you want to visit Hoi An.”

The Frenchman, who has lived in Vietnam for more than three years, told Tuoi Tre News that tourists said they visit Hoi An because the town is not noisy or crowded and they can appreciate the food, traditional lifestyle and old architecture there.

“I meet tourists every day, and 99 percent of them love Hoi An more than other cities,” he said. “They can ride bicycles around without any danger. Some international magazines call Hoi An the Venice of Asia.”

Rehahn added that he has captured 10,000 photos of Hoi An and is thinking about publishing a book on the town in the future.

“I like the lifestyle and the peaceful daily life here,” he said. “Yellow walls make a perfect background.”

He said Hoi An is an open air studio where each person is a potential model, calling it a paradise for photographers.

“My favorite models are the old people in small villages around here,” he added.

Last year, he released a book titled “Vietnam – Mosaic of Contrasts,” featuring 150 of the best portraits of people across Vietnam among the 30,000 Rehahn said he has taken over the last six years.

In March, Rehahn held his first exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, starting his world tour through France, Toronto, San Francisco, London and other locations.

Besides putting his works in exhibitions and books, Rehahn also displays his photos on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Rehahn.Photography, where he has more than 217,000 followers.

Below are photos of Hoi An provided by Rehahn:



A street vendor walks by a yellow wall, the typical feature of Hoi An.



Hoi An's Cua Dai Beach



A hidden smile from Hoi An. This photo has been used on the cover of Rehahn's book "Vietnam – Mosaic of Contrasts"



Hoi An seen from the sky



Beautiful lanterns in Hoi An



Morning sunlight



Morning work



Old couple



Sunset



Sunset in Hoi An



Hoi An's Tra Que Village



A woman dressed in “ao dai” walks by a yellow wall, the typical feature of Hoi An



Tranquility



Rehahn's gallery in Hoi An

~News courtesy of Tuoi Tre~

chợ đêm

chợ đêm

夜市

night market

chợ 市场 market

đêm 夜晚 night

My Son Sanctuary delays plan to hike entrance fees

My Son Sanctuary delays plan to hike entrance fees amid criticism


Tourists visit My Son in the central province of Quang Nam.

Tourism firms concerned over entrance fee hike at My Son Relic

The management of My Son Sanctuary has delayed a plan to increase entrance fees following complaints from tourism agencies that send tourists to the UNESCO heritage site in central Vietnam.

Huynh Tan Lap, who manages the site, said the popular tourist destination with a cluster of 4th century Hindu temples needs more money to improve infrastructure and services.

“We will increase ticket prices in September, two months later than previously planned,” he said.

My Son in Duy Xuyen District is some 40 kilometers from Hoi An, an old town and another favorite place in Quang Nam Province and nearly 70 kilometers southwest of Da Nang.

Last month, the management of My Son announced that it would increase entrance fees by up to 70 percent from July. Accordingly, the fees would go from VND100,000 (US$4.60) to VND150,000 for foreigners, and from VND60,000 to VND100,000 for locals.

Many tourism agencies have complained about the short notice, arguing that such a hike is unreasonable considering the unimproved services.

Lap said his team is carrying out a VND20 billion project to improve relevant services, including preserving a church, building roads, ticket booths, toilets, buying electric vehicles and hiring Cham music performers.

My Son welcomed 132,000 tourists in the first half of this year, a 4.8 percent increase over last year.

The site, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999, is expected to attract 250,000 tourists this year.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

trung tâm thế đức thế thảo

trung tâm 中心 Centre

thế đức 运动 Exercise

thế thảo 体育 Sports

cơm gà

cơm gà

鸡饭

Chicken Rice

cơm 饭 Rice

gà 鸡 Chicken

Street vendors fined for overcharging foreign tourists in HCMC

Street vendors fined for overcharging foreign tourists in HCMC


A street vendor follows two foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City downtown.

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 have fined five street vendors VND150,000 (nearly US$7) each for selling coconuts to foreign tourists at prices five to 20 times what locals pay.

Nguyen Vo Phuong Quynh, chairwoman of Ben Thanh Ward, said the vendors said they are migrants from the Mekong Delta and mostly sell their coconuts around the Independence Palace.

“We’ve asked them for a written commitment they will not repeat [it].

“Now there are no vendors following and harassing foreign tourists into buying coconuts around the palace.”

Tuoi Tre newspaper reported earlier this month that around 30 members of a family from the delta tried to sell coconuts to foreigners at high prices near the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum.

They would target those who look confused, and charge them VND100,000-200,000, or $5-10, for a coconut, it claimed.

Quynh said her ward is trying to impose “strict penalties” to stop the problem of street vendors harassing tourists.

The problem is most common in the downtown area near the palace, war museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market.

Tourists can call a hotline at 08 39826371 to meet officials from District 1 for assistance if they have trouble with street vendors or for other security concerns.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

Saigon cyclo drivers rip foreign tourists: report

Saigon cyclo drivers rip foreign tourists: report


A cyclo driver snatches money from a Australian tourist in Ho Chi Minh City after she refused to pay his high price.

Hung and another cyclo driver each quickly took a US$50 note from the wallets of an Australian couple after dropping them with their two children at the Independence Palace last Thursday.

The couple gesticulated, asking for their money back, but Hung and his friend just smiled and rode away.

The Australian man said they had been brought from Ben Thanh Market, a kilometer away.

He said it was their first time in Vietnam and so did not know prices or directions.

“We feel unhappy because they took a lot of money,” he told a Tuoi Tre reporter.

An investigation by Tuoi Tre found Hung is one of 10 freelance cyclo drivers stationed around Ben Thanh Market. They charge foreign tourists exorbitant prices, usually 10 times what is agreed in advance.

They would grab money straight from customers’ pockets if the latter are reluctant to pay.

Last Tuesday Hung allegedly snatched $200 from another Australian tourist after driving 1.2 kilometers from Ben Thanh.

The woman said he had agreed to take $20.

“I was shocked and angry,” she said.

Sometimes the rip-off is accompanied by violence.

That happened last Wednesday when Minh, a driver in the same group, took Chang Lee, a 28-year-old Taiwanese, from Ben Thanh to Tran Hung Dao Street in District 1.

Minh called a colleague named Long to wait for him there.

When he arrived, he announced a huge fare and quickly took some notes from the customer’s bag.

They quarreled and Lee grabbed Minh’s arm to drag him to a police station.

Long showed up and rescued his friend and they both left.

Lee said Minh had agreed to take VND150,000, but took VND1 million.

On another occasion, four tourists from New Zealand were in four cyclos from the group.

When they stopped at a café to pay money, Long and Minh named a number and the tourists refused. They

argued and the drivers snatched VND100,000 notes from the tourists, screaming “More, more.”

They only left after one of the male visitors was furious and slammed a table.

The tourists said VND6 million, or around $300, had been taken.

“We found the cyclo interesting and we wanted to try them; we did not expect that to happen,” one of them said.

A woman in the group said the drivers had been very friendly at first, telling them about popular places in the city and showing them where to shop.

A local man living on Tran Hung Dao Street said he sees the cyclo drivers arguing with tourists every day.

When some female tourists said they did not have enough cash, the drivers would escort them to a nearby ATM to withdraw money, he said.

A representative of District 1 Cyclo Association said their members sign an agreement to charge tourists only VND50,000, around $2.5, an hour and wear uniforms.

But he also said they only serve clients of travel agencies. So tourists traveling on their own end up with thugs like Hung and his gang.

A police officer said the District 1 police have photos of several drivers notorious for cheating customers in the area, and so victims can go to any police station to report.

It is not clear if the tourists have been given their money back.

One day after Tuoi Tre published the story, it cited a city official as saying that local authorities will look into the issue and deal with violations strictly.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

There is no short cut to success

A motorbike jaunt to Tay Ninh Province

No-plan vacation: A motorbike jaunt to Tay Ninh Province



A Sunday noon worship service at the Cao Dai Holy See in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

The city of Tay Ninh lies in the heart of Tay Ninh Province, almost an even 100 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City.

The ride is along well-travelled highways, and there are many buses back and forth if you choose to watch the scenery roll by, instead of getting a super sexy farmer’s tan.

But a rando weekend getaway on a bus? Nopers. Nuh-uh. Not when it’s so close!

It’s time for a motorbike trip!

The scenery isn’t that special for most of the trip. The first 70 km is pretty monotonous, with small houses, a burning field glimpsed behind a marble statue workshop, small stores of all kinds, bike repair stops, and hammock cafes featuring relaxing dudes watching Vietnamese soaps.

Honestly, it really feels like you’re never leaving outer HCMC for much of it, except for glances of rice paddies and larger-than-usual palm trees. It’s only once you get within the last 30-35 km that the people step back and let the beauty of this low-lying agricultural region come to the fore.

Eventually, though, you’ll reach Tay Ninh. Welcome!

The city unfortunately is nothing special – which is actually rather unusual given the inordinate amounts of tourists that come through here.

It’s surprisingly large, and yet almost impossibly dull. How is it possible that a city big enough to have city buses, several large hotels, and be the home to an entire religion could be so boring? (Actually, on second thought, that last point might be self-explanatory.)

Having said that, a trip to Tay Ninh has 2.5 things worth seriously investigating.

1. Ba Den or Black Virgin Mountain



The Black Virgin Mountain towers like Kilimanjaro over the plains of Tay Ninh

The Black Virgin Mountain towers like Kilimanjaro over the plains of Tay Ninh, most of which is just a few meters above sea level. The mountain is a different story altogether. This extinct volcano rises almost 1,000 meters out of nowhere and is a popular tourist destination for Vietnamese people, both secular and religious.

It was a focal point of conflict during the American War – it was coveted because of its status as the highest point in southern Vietnam, and because of the many local legends surrounding it.

Two-thirds of the way up the mountain is a temple complex, and it’s beautiful.

But don’t worry – although you can take the walking route to the summit (at six hours up and down, it’s a hefty time investment and a serious workout), you don’t have to exercise if you don’t want to.

There’s a modern cable car/gondola ride that takes you directly to the temple. From there, it’s a mere 1-1.5 hour hike to the summit. Fortunately we visited in the dry season, because these stairs looked like they’d be treacherous wet. But the most fun thing about this has to be the slideway. Yes, my friends. There’s a little slide car thing that lets you coast 1,700m down the side of this mountain. Yes!

Unfortunately, we were in relax mode in getting to the mountain, and the slide closes at 4 p.m. We arrived just before 4. Pretty much the only disappointment of the trip!

There are many vendors at the base of the mountain as well as within the temple grounds themselves. Hats, fish, snacks, or just a cold coconut, make sure you’re hydrated and have some calories in you! (Just in case your cable car breaks and you’re stranded on the mountain for days with no one but monks to take care of your broken body and mind. You know.)

Costs are minimal. To get into the mountain area, it costs VND16,000. 

A round trip in the cable car/slideway is VND150,000. 

Water can be found for VND10-15,000, and food is available everywhere. 

2.0. Caodaism



The Cao Dai Holy See

Cao Dai, the religion, is so colorful, so joyful, and so... Vietnamese, for lack of a better word (well, "absurdly optimistic" might work equally well), that actually visiting and witnessing a temple ceremony in progress was a revelation.

This new-ish faith contains a multitude (literally) of deities – in fact, it was founded in the anticipation of a time when all religions would unite and universal peace would reign on Earth.

It incorporates aspects of Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism into a syncretic whole. Despite having at least 4-6 million adherents globally, this church was only begun in 1926!

The grounds of the Holy See are peppered with colorful structures and gardens (with monkeys!), as well as helpful Caodaist groundskeepers, many of whom know a bit of English and love to talk.

Architecturally, the church walks the walk – these temples, which are remarkably consistent in design around the globe, marry Eastern and Western design ideas to create something new and weird. The temples are part-church, part-pagoda, and all color.

Of course, the music I love to hate (most traditional Vietnamese music) gets center stage in the upper balconies, where you can ascend to see the temple and faithful from above. Here’s a short video I took of the choir members and musicians:

It was a fascinating and brilliant first glimpse of Cao Dai. If only every religion included Victor Hugo as a founding saint, maybe we’d get along better.

2.5. Sidetrip: Cu Chi Tunnels

I mentioned 2.5 things to do here, right?

Ok, this is cheating. But really, despite the sheer numbers of people that come to visit Ba Den Mountain and the Cao Dai Holy See (and it’s a lot), there just isn’t much more to do in the city proper, despite how pretty and relaxing it is.

However/meanwhile, around 50 km south, on the same highway…

The Cu Chi Tunnels await!

If you do have time on your way back, do stop and check it out. You shouldn’t need more than 3-4 hours, and, since all these sights are all very close to each other, you should have no problem packing them all into a single weekend getaway.

All told, we spent a measly VND600,000 (US$30) for a fantastic weekend, at at least half of that was food and beer. Go team!

And did I mention my super sexy farmer’s tan? Because hot damn, my neck and arms! No really, so hot.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

Tourism firms concerned over entrance fee hike at My Son Relic

Tourism firms concerned over entrance fee hike at My Son Relic


Tourists visiting the My Son Relic in the central province of Quang Nam. 

Tourism companies have complained about a sudden hike in entrance fees at the My Son Relic, an ancient Hindu religious site recognised as a UNESCO heritage site and a popular tourist destination in central Vietnam.

The My Son Relic management this week notified many tourism companies that it would increase by up to 70 percent ticket prices for the cluster of Hindu temples built in the 4th century some 40km from modern-day Hoi An.

From July the fees will go up from VND100,000 (US$4.6) to VND150,000 for foreigners and from VND60,000 to VND100,000 for locals.

“The hike is high and on short notice while the destination has no new products or services” the director of a tourism company in Hoi An, who wanted to remain unnamed, said.

“There should have been a gradual increase under a carefully considered plan. Tourism companies now have to pay the difference for tours already booked.”

Another tourism company director in Quang Nam, who too asked for anonymity, said the site management should have discussed with tourism companies before increasing entrance fees, just like Hoi An town does.

“A plan to increase the entrance fee to Cham Island off Hoi An by VND20,000 has been delayed due to criticism following a survey of tourism firms.”


The My Son relics complex is a cluster of ancient Hindu temples dating back to the 4th century.

Not the right time

Many experts said it is not the right time to increase the entrance fee at My Son, which has already been criticized for not attracting many tourists like other nearby UNESCO heritage sites in Vietnam like Hue and Hoi An.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam received 7.87 million international visitors last year, a 4 percent increase over 2013.

However, the number of arrivals in the first five months this year dropped by nearly 13 percent to 3.27 million.

Nguyen Van Tuan, VNAT director, said the ticket price increase at My Son is unreasonable.

“Generally, entrance fees at destinations in Vietnam are much lower than at many places abroad and can be adjusted.

“However, the adjustment needs to be made at the right time, with improved services and under a rod map with prior notice of at least six months.”

VNAT has recommended careful consideration before increasing entrance fees at UNESCO heritage sites, he said.

“Increasing the fee at this time when the sector faces difficulty in attracting tourists is not reasonable. They have the authority to hike the fee but will be responsible for it.”

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

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Visa wavies for 5 more European countries

Vietnam waives visas for 5 more European countries, including Germany, UK


Foreign tourists walk in the backpackers' area in Ho Chi Minh City.

In an explicit gesture to resuscitate the ailing tourism sector, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed off on visa waivers for five more nationalities, a move highly welcomed by industry insiders.

Under a decision dated June 17, Vietnam will offer visa exemptions for single-entry visits of up to 15 days for visitors from Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain starting this July, Nguyen Van Tuan, general director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said at an international tourism convention that opened Thursday in the central city of Da Nang.

"This is certainly very good news for Vietnam’s tourism industry,” Tuan said at the convention. “This is one of the new policies by the Vietnamese government aimed at creating an environment conducive to the development of the sector.”

At a recent meeting between PM Nguyen Tan Dung and the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) -- a consortium of international and local business associations and chambers of commerce -- members of the Tourism Working Group said issuing visas with a fee is a “short-sighted” policy that hinders tourism development.

The warning came at a time the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam through May dropped 13 percent from the same period last year to about 3.3 million.

'More to follow'

Insiders are gung-ho about the latest development.

“We hope this is just the first step and there will be more to follow,” Kenneth Atkinson, chairman of the Tourism Working Group, told Thanh Nien News over the phone.

Currently, citizens of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries do not need a visa to enter Vietnam.

The country also waives visa for single-entry visits of up to 15 days for Danish, Finnish, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, South Korean, Belarusian, and Swedish nationals starting this year until 2019.

Tourism industry insiders in Vietnam have pushed for the easing of visa requirements, arguing that the country will benefit much more with an increase in foreign arrivals.

They have proposed that PM Dung add nine more countries -- France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the UK, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand -- to the list.

Although India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were not included this time, “five countries is better than nothing,” Atkinson said.

Tourism contributes about 6 percent of Vietnam’s gross domestic product. The country is looking to notch up economic growth of above 6 percent this year.

Insiders had expressed concern that the current arrival decline would not be able to talk the authorities concerned into relaxing visa regulations. The matter was clearly very complex as it involved several different ministries whose interests were not always aligned, they said.

But given the latest move, "obviously different ministries are starting to realize the gains of visa waivers,” Atkinson said.

“One of my mentors in Vietnam said many years ago: ‘The only time you get decision is when there is crisis'," he said.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~