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| Mui Ne beach, which boasts a warm climate, is popular among surfers from the UK, France, Russia, Germany, and Australia. (Photo: Internet) |
The website delved into its bank of over 28 million listings across more than 155 destinations to showcase a few of the best budget-friendly breaks this autumn in different countries based on low-priced activities which are highly recommended by Booking.com travelers.
According to Booking.com, Mui Ne boasts a string of beach resorts which have fused into one long coastal strip. A popular spot with both backpackers and those seeking a luxury vacation on a budget, it’s also a highly-recommended destination for those looking to enjoy kitesurfing.
“With world-class wind conditions between October and March, tropical weather all year round and several excellent kitesurfing schools, this old fishing village is the place for a sun-drenched fall adventure break,” says the travel website.
It went on to suggest that travelers bring their own kitesurfing gear and try their hand at this adrenaline-fueled activity, or even learn from a pro with an introductory lesson at one of the many great-value schools locally.
“With a cheaper cost of living in Vietnam, other affordable beach activities include kayaking, jet skiing and surfing. Early risers can experience Mui Ne’s famous red and white sand dunes on the affordable Mui Ne Sand Dunes Sunrise or Sunset Jeep Tour, opting for the sunrise excursion when the still sand lays untouched by the quad biking activities of the day,” Booking.com stressed.
Other budget-friendly fall escapes for World Savings Day were Cartagena de Indias of Colombia, Valencia of Spain, Vienna of Austria, Pigeon Forge in Tennessee of the United States, and Blackpool of the UK.
Night tour to Hanoi's Temple of Literature officially launched
Tourists and locals in the capital city of Hanoi will have an opportunity to enjoy a feast of dazzling light and traditional music and a taste of quintessence of Vietnamese educational history while engaging in the night tour to the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in the heart of Hanoi, reported VNA.
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| Delegates cut the ribbon to launch the night tour to the Temple of Literature. (Photo: VNA) |
The service was officially launched on October 29 by the Centre for Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities.
This is the fourth tour of this kind in Hanoi, following those the Hoa Lo Prison Relic, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Vietnam Museum of Literature.
The Temple of Literature's night tour offers tourists an entirely different experience as compared to the visit to the UNESCO heritage site during the day since it uses technology and lighting, rather than the theatrical format applied to other tours.
Visitors are taken to different areas in the Temple of Literate, from the gate to various key places inside the complex.
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| The 3D-mapping presentation at Thai Hoc Hall tells stories about Confucianism and the history of the first Vietnamese imperial university. (Photo: VNA) |
A centerpiece of the tour is in the Thai Hoc Hall, which is transformed on the theme of “Tinh hoa dao hoc” (Essence of Education) by the sparkling lighting system and 3D-mapping technology, telling the stories about Confucianism as well as the history of the first Vietnamese imperial university.
Meanwhile, Khue Van Cac (Constellation of Literature Pavilion) serves as a venue for stellar traditional music performances, Vuon Bia Tien Si (Laureate Stelae Garden) gives visitors a better insight into the list of scholar figures with support of the mapping presentation, and Dai thanh spolights images of examination hall through the virtual reality technology.
At the launching ceremony, Director of the Centre for Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities Le Xuan Kieu said that it is necessary to make a change to suit the current situation as the cultural industry is being developed in the capital city.
New tourism offerings have been set up to satisfy tourists’ cravings, he said, adding the centre will work to complete the night tour, making the heritage site become more attractive.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the National Council for Cultural Heritage Dang Van Bai said the Temple of Literature is a historical relic site and a hub for innovation in the capital city, stressing the launch of the night tour is a standout example of the private-public cooperation that will bring benefits to both locals and tourists.
Besides, it will help local heritage sites glow with new vitality, he added.
The night tour is open from 19:20 to 22:30 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the 3D Mapping presentation available at 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00.
Hanoi is a pioneer in developing night-time tourism and now there are various options for visitors to do in the capital city at night.
Night tours are often fully booked, proving their popularity. Many travel businesses have included them in the journeys of domestic and international tourists. Hanoi night tour products have brought great experiences to visitors, creating a unique feature of the capital's tourism.
Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision 1894/QD-BVHTTDL on a project to develop various models of night tourism products, offering a wide variety of activities such as cultural and art shows, sport and health-beauty care, shopping and food.
Hanoi mosaic bricks spotlighted on German travel site
The capital city of Hanoi, boasting a treasure trove of historical and cultural values and impressive cuisine, is where all tourists can satisfy their cravings for history, art or natural landscapes, VNA reported the German travel news site reisreporter.de.
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| Hanoi mosaic bricks spotlighted on German travel site (Photo: VNA) |
Temples with great historical values and unique architecture which is the intricate blend of tradition and contemporary design have added charm to the city, the article said.
The Hanoi Old Quarter, with its colourful-hue houses and labyrinthine lanes, is described as a “gem” that attracts travelers from all over the world. Visitors can feel the unique vibrancy when strolling around the bustling street markets where they find a wealth of local products, from fresh fruits to hand-made souvenirs, and have a talk with hospitable locals.
A culinary adventure will truly impress visitors as they are guided by the temping smells from food stalls along the streets. Reisreporter.de also suggests foreigners try local specialties such as Banh mi (sandwich), Pho (noodle soup), and bun cha (vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs).
Beyond a place to shop and eat, the Old Quarter offers visitors an ambience of the city’s hustle and bustle, as well as a rich cultural experience that will linger in their memories for a long time.
The article goes on to highlight Hanoi’s cultural treasure with a kaleidoscope of historical sites. Among them, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) constructed in 1070 as the first university in Vietnam is a vivid illustration for the country’s tradition of valuing education. Besides, the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh is described as an impressive architecture.
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| Long Bien Bridge is an iconic structure of Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) |
Other iconic structures in the capital city include One-Pillar Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple, Long Bien Bridge and St Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown Hanoi.
The capital city is also a cultural and art hub as it houses a wide range of terrific museums such as the Vietnam National Museum of History, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the article said./.