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| A view of Ha Long Bay (Source: NDO) |
In an article published in early April, the magazine described that Ha Long Bay is famous for its limestone karsts and islets of various sizes that rise above jade-green waters.
It hailed that while boat tours offer a quick glimpse of Ha Long Bay, the mystical beauty of the bay extends far beyond its karsts and islets.
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| Visitors kayaking in Ha Long Bay (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) |
The article suggested visitors staying in the nearby city can kayak through the serene lagoon, explore the network of caves hidden under the islets, rock climb over the hanging karsts, or soak in the quiet way of life at one of the many fishing villages floating deep inside the bay.
The other nine destinations honoured in the list were Atauro Island (East Timor), Bagan (Myanmar), Nusa Islands (Indonesia) Champasak (Laos), Taman Negara (Malaysia), Kyoto (Japan), Paro (Bhutan), Kerala (India) and Batanes (Philippines).
Nine more Asian records for Vietnamese dishes, specialties recognised
The Asian Record Organisation has officially recognised an additional nine Asian records for famous Vietnamese dishes/food groups and specialties nominated by the Vietnam Records Organisation (VietKings), marking the milestone of 50 Asian culinary records in Vietnam in conformity with the "Asian Culinary Value" criteria, reported VNA.
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| Illustrative image (Photo: Internet) |
The newly-recognised dishes and specialties include traditional cakes of Can Tho city; dishes made from pineapple in the southern province of Hau Giang; fried puffed sticky rice cake in the southern province of Dong Nai; Dinh Bang “Phu The” (husband and wife) cake in the northern province of Bac Ninh; dragon fruit in the south central province of Binh Thuan; Phan Thiet fish sauce from Binh Thuan province; Luc Ngan lychee in the northern province of Bac Giang; Lam Dong artichoke in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong; Long Xuyen broken rice in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang.
As scheduled, the Asian records certificates will be awarded to the localities at a meeting in June in Ho Chi Minh City.
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| Long Xuyen broken rice in An Giang province. (Photo: Internet) |
According to a VietKings representative, VietKings has taken a journey to seek and promote the unique values of Vietnam, especially its culinary and specialty values, since 2012. With 63 cities and provinces, the Vietnamese cuisine and specialties in each region have their own distinctive flavors, ingredients, ways of using and combining spices, among others. Via media cooperation with international record organisations to which that VietKings is a member, such journey will continue in order to popularise these exquisite values.
Quang Nam named among Asia’s most sustainable destinations
UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust has named the central province of Quang Nam among Asia’s top four sustainable destinations, reported VOV.
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| Quang Nam named among Asia’s most sustainable destinations (Source: vov.vn) |
Quang Nam is listed among Asia’s most sustainable destinations by Wanderlust
The magazine stated that the list features places which are all well worth a visit if visitors are seeking an eco-friendly escape.
By putting local businesses at the heart of tourism, Wanderlust noted that Quang Nam is proving sustainability starts at home.
“Hoi An Kayak Tours takes visitors on a paddle through the Nipa mangroves, navigating fishing boats and stilt village,” the magazine shared.
“In town, Refillables sells eco-friendly travel necessities, from shampoo to toothbrushes, while nearby zero-waste restaurant The Field uses wild and organic local produce to create rustic dishes, such as its aubergine and tofu broth,” it added
It also suggested that visitors should spend the night among the blossoming trees at An Villa, which provides filtered drinking water to guests, thereby reducing the need for plastic use.
Three other sustainable destinations on Wanderlust’s list include Bhutan, Singapore, and Ataúro Island in Timor-Leste.