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| The drink is traditionally prepared with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and robusta coffee. Photo credit: YOUTHOPIA/FARHANA SUBUHAN |
If visitors are travelling on a budget but would still like to get the authentic local experience, here are some things they can do or buy in Hanoi for under US$10, equivalent to VND237,000, the author Farhana Subuhan wrote.
A trip to the Vietnamese capital is barely complete without a piping hot bowl of pho. The noodle dish, usually made from beef or chicken bones, is garnished with cilantro and typically costs no more than VND100,000, she noted.
The famed ca phe trung, also known as egg coffee, can be bought for VND55,000 and is often served in small cups which can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
Discovering artefacts and paintings in the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, a site which exhibits sculptures, traditional applied art, folk art, and various mediums of paintings such as lacquer, oil, silk, and paper is another suggestion during a trip to Hanoi.
Admission to the museum costs only VND40,000 per person, with each group limited to a maximum of 25 people.
The media outlet also recommends visiting the Temple of Literature which is a symbol of Vietnamese cultural heritage, serving as a reminder of the country’s long-standing commitment to education.
At just VND30,000, travelers are able to marvel at the 54,000 sqm architecture that is surrounded by an ancient brick wall and five courtyards that come in differing styles.
Strolling along West Lake and renting a pedal boat around the lake for VND80,000 can be a fun activity, especially when visiting family or friends.
Buying a pack of 100g of Vietnamese ground coffee in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a good suggestion for any traveler.
Each pack of 100g ground coffee can retail anywhere from VND150,000, with the coffee being filtered through a traditional Vietnamese coffee filter called a “phin”.
Condensed milk is then added to the brewed coffee, with this combination of strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk creating the famous Vietnamese iced coffee, also known as “ca phe sua da”, the article adds.
Vietnamese airlines resume Da Nang – Guangzhou/Hong Kong routes
Vietnamese airlines have resumed two direct air routes connecting the central city of Da Nang to Guangzhou and Hong Kong (China) after a period of temporary suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Guangzhou touirsts are welcomed at Da Nang International Airport (Photo: Tuoi Tre) |
The first VN-549 charter flight of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, departing from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, landed at Da Nang International Airport at midnight on July 3.
According to Vietnam Airlines, it operates three weekly flights on the route on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using Airbus A321s. The flights are scheduled to depart from Guangzhou at 9:40 p.m. and land in Da Nang at 22:55 p.m.
This is a positive signal for Da Nang’s tourism industry as its main source market is China.
Previously, budget carrier VietJet Air relaunched its direct services from the beach towns of Da Nang and Phu Quoc to Hong Kong (China) amid a tourism rebound.
There are three weekly flights running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on the Phu Quoc-Hong Kong route, with a one-way fare starting at VND90,000, equal to US$3.80.
There are four weekly flights between Da Nang and Hong Kong (China) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays with fares starting from VND70,000.
Mekong Delta attracts visitors with eco-tourism
According Vietnam News Agency, localities in the Mekong Delta region have developed products and services based on local natural advantages in eco-tourism in order to attract more holiday-makers during this summer.
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A corner of the Mui Ca Mau (Ca Mau Cape) National Park in Ca Mau province.
(Photo: VNA) |
Many localities reported rises in the number of visitors and tourism revenues in the first half of the year. According to the Statistics Office of Can Tho city, the locality earned 159.7 billion VND (6.77 million USD) from tourism activities in the period from January to June, 20% higher than that reported in the same period last year.
An Giang province, with its abundant resources in eco-tourism and agricultural tourism, welcomed approximately 6 million visitors in the period, representing a year-on-year increase of 15%, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Popular destinations in the province include Tra Su Tra Su Melaleuca forest and Long Xuyen floating market.
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Many localities reported rises in the number of visitors and tourism revenues
in the first half of the year. (Photo: VNA) |
Bac Lieu and Ca Mau also recorded positive signs of tourism development. In the first half, Bac Lieu served 2.76 million visitors and raked in about 2.44 trillion VND in revenue, up 40% and 43% compared to the same period last year, respectively.
The Mui Ca Mau (Ca Mau Cape) National Park in Ca Mau province, a Ramsar site - wetlands of international importance - recorded a 30% increase in tourism revenue compared to the same period in 2022. During the peak tourist seasons such as holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), the site receives an average of 4,000 to 6,000 visitors per day.
The regional tourism sector is making efforts to fully tap the potential for tourism development and the strengths of destinations to lure more tourists during the summer.
A series of events have been organising in Can Tho city. The Cai Rang floating market culture tourism festival, which is slated for July 7 – 9, will feature activities that reflect the essence of the region's waterway culture.
According to the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang, there have been a series of day and night events at Grand World Phu Quoc in June and July, featuring lively music performances by street bands, circus shows, magic tricks; and introducing street foods from different continents. These offer a good chance for visitors to enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with a wide range of entertainment options and culinary delights.
According to Director of C2T Media and Tourism Co., Ltd Vo Van Phong, the firm has designed tours that offer experiences in the countryside and highlight local heritage to attract visitors to Ben Tre province./.
Deputy PM urges to complete "Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Islands" application for UNESCO recognition
According to information from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has requested the People's Committees of Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province to urgently study the recommendations of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to review and update a nomination dossier for seeking UNESCO’s recognition of “Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago” as a world heritage site.
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| Cat Ba Islands (Source: NDO) |
According to a document No. 4877/VPCP-KGVX, dated July 3 by the Government Office on the opinion of Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha, regarding the recommendations of IUCN concerning the nomination dossier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is required to closely collaborate with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, to instruct the authorities to finalise the explanatory reports, and complete the nomination dossier in line with regulations, and promptly submit to IUNC for the World Heritage Committee’s assessment, reported NDO.
The ministry will be also responsible for coordinating with ministries and relevant agencies to guide the localities on proposing, making and evaluating projects within the heritage areas in the coming time, to ensure that there is no risk of affecting the outstanding global value of the UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites following Vietnamese laws and guidelines, on the implementation of the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the National Heritage Law.
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| Boat visiting Cat Ba Islands. (Source: NDO) |
Cat Ba archipelago in Hai Phong City is the largest limestone archipelago in Vietnam. It includes over 360 islands, including Cat Ba Island in the south of Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province has been recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site twice for its aesthetic values, geology and caves.
Seeking world heritage status aims to maintain and conserve the endemic value of biodiversity of the Cat Ba archipelago, to boost the socio-economic and cultural development of the locality and promote the image of the country.
The nomination of Cat Ba Islands as a World Heritage Site aims to preserve, conserve and maintain the endemic value of biodiversity for future generations, and at the same time help us realise that Cat Ba Islands are priceless gifts of nature for people, is the pride of every Vietnamese people./.