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| Foreign tourists arrive in Thua Thien-Hue in early 2024 (Photo: baovanhoa.vn) |
Recently, at a meeting with the Royal Caribbean Group, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh proposed the US-based cruise company include Chan May port in its scheduled destinations for 2024 and the following years.
Additionally, he requested support and advice from the group for Thua Thien–Hue in the development of related tourism connectivity and products that highlight the province's distinctive strengths in cultural heritage, cuisine, and landscapes.
The province is implementing various measures to enhance partnership with cruise corporations, investment in infrastructure, and streamlining procedures to develop this tourism segment. The authorities have also established coordination mechanisms with neighbouring localities such as Da Nang city and Quang Nam province to develop more tour packages serving those coming by sea.
According to Wendy Yamazaki, a regional vice president for government relations (Asia) at the Royal Caribbean Group, Vietnam, one of the top three favorite destinations for international cruise tourists in Southeast Asia, is considered among strategic and popular stops on the group’s cruise itineraries.
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| A cruise ship docked at Chan May port. (Photo: sdl.thuathienhue.gov.vn) |
The Royal Caribbean Group wishes to enhance cooperation with Thua Thien-Hue to promote the building of attractive products, inviting visitors to go on shore to explore the local ancient capital of Hue, she said.
Yamazaki stated that the group will continue to choose Hue as a scheduled destination and partner with the province in cruise tourism development.
According to the provincial Department of Tourism, in 2024, the number of cruise ships docked at the Chan May port is forecast to be double the figure recorded last year.
15 Vietnamese dishes listed among top 100 Asian noodles
Rice noodle bowls with pork and spring rolls (“Bún thịt nướng chả giò”) and Beef pho (“Phở bò”) are among the 15 Vietnamese dishes to feature on the list of the 100 best Asian noodle dishes, reported VOV.
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Quang-style noodles (“Mì Quảng”) is placed in 21st position among the top 100 Asian noodles.
(Photo courtesy of Taste Atlas) |
The list was announced in March by Taste Atlas, a website which is dedicated to discovering fresh ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurants from around the world. The voting results were based on evaluations given by both culinary experts and readers globally.
The fifth position among the top 100 Asian noodles went to rice noodle bowls with pork and spring rolls (“Bún thịt nướng chả giò”) of Vietnam.
The Vietnamese dish combines marinated grilled pork, rice vermicelli noodles, crispy fried spring rolls, vegetables, and herbs. The dish is served in bowls and is typically accompanied by nuoc cham fish sauce for dipping, according to the website.
Taste Atlas ranked Beef pho (“Phở bò”), Southern Vietnamese beef noodle salad (“Bún bò nam bộ”), and Phở in 11th, 12th, and 13th positions, respectively.
Quang-style noodles (“Mì Quảng”) was placed in 21st position among the top 100 Asian noodles.
This Vietnamese classic consists of a combination of flat rice noodles and yellow egg noodles which are served with a small amount of flavourful meat broth and crispy fresh vegetables and herbs such as banana blossoms, lettuce, cilantro, scallions, and Vietnamese coriander, the website wrote.
Other local delicacies to feature in the list include grilled pork and rice vermicelli (“Bún thịt nướng”) at 23rd, grilled pork meatballs with vermicelli noodles (“Bún chả”) at 33rd, northern beef pho (“Phở bò tái chin”) at 39th, chicken pho (“Phở gà”) at 46th, and tomato and crab noodle soup ("Bún riêu”) at 53rd.
Taste Atlas also named other Vietnamese dishes spanning the country’s three regions, including mixed pho (“Phở trộn”) at 59th, vegan pho (“Phở chay”) at 60th, roasted pork with noodles (“Cao lầu”) at 86th, stir-fried pho (“Phở xào”) at 89th, nam vang noodle soup (“Hủ tiếu nam vang”) at 90th, and thick noodle soup (“Bánh canh”) at 98th.
Son La, Laos’ Houaphanh province hold tourism, cultural festival
The northern province of Son La and Laos’ Houaphanh province jointly held a tourism and cultural festival in Houaphanh on March 21-23 to promote their popular destinations and the cultures of ethnic groups in the two provinces, reported VNA.
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| An art performance at the festival |
The event helped connect and promote tourism development links between Son La, Houaphanh, and other Vietnamese localities. It offered a chance for the two provinces to together develop unique and attractive tourism products, create jobs, and increase income for their people, especially those in ethnic minority and border areas.
Festival goers enjoyed art exchange programmes, typical products of the two provinces, and learn about their cultural features, including folk games and cuisine.
The festival took place at a time when the Lao people are preparing to celebrate their traditional New Year Bunpimay, which is held annually in mid-April./.
Vietnamese photographer wins Hong Kong international photo contest
Local photographer Nguyen Duy Hau picked up a gold medal in the Portrait category of the Longteng International Salon of Photography 2024 in Hong Kong (China) for his photo “Chi em gai”, known as “Sisters” in English, reported VOV.
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| Hau's photo “Chi em gai”, known as “Sisters” in English, wins a gold medal in the Portrait category. |
Furthermore, his work “Cuoc song cua cau be”, “Little Boy’s Life”, also won an Honorable Mention prize.
Moreover, several works by Duy Hau were also showcased at an exhibition held at the Photographic Society of Hong Kong (China).
Born in 1977, Nguyen Duy Hau is currently residing in Tan Chau town of Tan Chau district in the southern province of Tay Ninh.
Hau has had dozens of photos exhibited both domestically and internationally. His works have contributed to introducing and promoting the image of Tay Ninh and the nation to international friends./.