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| Bánh bột lọc is named among top 35 world’s tastiest dumplings by CNN |
According to CNN, when cooked the tapioca flour becomes clear, giving the dumpling its appearance, while the wrapper has a chewy texture.
“There are two major variants, those which are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, and those which are boiled,” it noted.
The US news site revealed that the dish originates from Hue in the central region of Vietnam where tapioca dumplings are typically eaten as appetizers or small snacks.
Rounding off the list of the top 35 tastiest dumplings was Xiaolongbao of China, Manti of China, Mandu of the Republic of Korea, Pelmeni of Russia, Empanada of Argentina, Ravioli of Italy, and Bryndzové halušky of Slovakia.
Earlier, CNN also released its list of the world’s 20 best soups, including Beef pho (Phở bò) of Vietnam.
Hanoi’s tourism revival boosted
Hanoi welcomed about 6.54 million tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, of them some 1.4 million international, representing year-on-year rises of 10.9% and 40%, respectively, VNA reported data by the municipal Department of Tourism.
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| Hanoi welcomes 1.4 million international visitors in the first quarter of this year. (Photo: VNA) |
The office reported that the capital city earned 25.48 trillion VND (1.02 billion USD) from tourism activities, up 17.8% from the corresponding time last year, attributing the increase to the ongoing peak season in Hanoi.
To attract more visitors, the sector is developing products associated with heritages, relic sites, and craft villages, and others based on strengths of each locality like sports tourism in the outskirts district of Soc Son, and community and medical tourism in Soc Son and Ba Vi districts.
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| Tourists to Hanoi (Source: CPV) |
The city has also set up connectivity with other cities and provinces such as Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Son La, Lao Cai, and Lai Chau to form travel routes where their key, reciprocal products are brought into full play.
At the same time, the department has coordinated with districts and township to boost tourism at pedestrian streets like those in Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, and Son Tay, while opening new ones.
Attention has also been paid to tourism digitalisation, covering information about tourist sites, services, and market.
Tuyen Quang int'l hot-air balloon festival to return next month
According to VNA, the third International Hot-air Balloon Festival will take place in Tuyen Quang city, the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang from April 27 to May 2, heard a media conference held in the central city of Da Nang on March 29.
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| The third International Hot-air Balloon Festival to take place in Tuyen Quang from April 27 to May 2 - Illustrative image (Photo: laodong.vn) |
The festival will kick off a series of cultural, sport and tourism activities to popularise the locality’s potential for tourism development, cultural and natural heritage values as well as tourism offerings. This is a bold step to stimulate tourism, helping lure more international and domestic visitors and investors to the province.
Scores of colourful balloons will take flight at this spectacular event, with the participation of pilots from Australia, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, the UK and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, there will be an opening ceremony for the Tuyen Quang Tourism Year 2024 at 8pm on April 27.
Booths will be arranged at the tourism fair from April 25 to May 1, introducing local crafts and community-based tourism products.
At the conference, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Hoang Viet Phuong said that preparation is under way for the two festivals, adding the province welcomes domestic and foreign investors to come and seek tourism opportunities.
Tuyen Quang commits to accompanying and creating favourable conditions for businesses to effectively carry out projects in the province, he stressed.
Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2024 launched
The Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2024 officially kicked off on March 29, accepting entries from amateur and professional photographers living locally and abroad from April 1 to July 31, reported VOV.
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| Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2024 launched (Source: VOV) |
This marks the 10th year that Heritage Magazine of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has organised the reputable award.
The award has contributed to elevating the image of Vietnamese people and its land, while improving the professional quality of journalistic photography.
Entries can be submitted in four categories under the themes of Culture-Heritage, Landscape – Destinations (both domestic and international), Lifestyle-Portrait of People - Vietnam Airlines’ Moments, and Special shooting techniques.
The submitted entries must be a photo reportage series. Each author can submit a maximum of 10 sets of images for all categories.
The works must have been taken in the last three years and cannot have already taken part in other photo competitions.
Detailed information of the photo contest can be found via Heritage Magazine's website at http://heritagevietnamairlines.com/giai-thuong- heritage/the-le-giai. Photographers can also send their submissions directly to the website at https://giaianh.heritagevietnamairlines.com.
Organisers will present a total of 12 awards for all four categories, including four special prizes, four prizes for collection, and four prizes for cover photo.
The awards ceremony and photo exhibition’s opening ceremony will be held in Hanoi this September./.