Southern Fruit Festival kicks off in HCM City

A fruit parade marked the start of Southern Fruit Festival at the Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Park in Ho Chi Minh City on June 1.

The festival is expected to help promote the potential for fresh fruit of Vietnam , especially of the southern region, contributing to upholding the unique culture of the country and promoting the image of Ho Chi Minh City as a tourist destination.

Outbound tour for Tet – new trend for Vietnamese travellers

Many Vietnamese people are choosing outbound tours during the lunar new year festival (Tet) instead of celebrating the holiday at home or joining domestic traditional festival tours.

The Saigon Tourist Company (Saigontourist) attributed the trend to diversity in culture and custom more evident now than before, allowing the Vietnamese experience how Tet is celebrated in different countries.

Int’l cuisine festival to open in Ba Ria-Vung Tau

The 2010 World Culture and Cuisine Festival will take place in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau from May 21-25.

According to organisers, 50 countries have so far registered to participate in the large festival that features not only the cuisine but also the culture of those countries.

Ballots available for City poll

Foreign tourists and expatriates in the city can participate in a poll of the 100 most existing sites or activities in HCM City from now until the middle of next months.

Ballots can be obtained at the airport, at a selection of high-profit hotels, and attractions and shopping venues across the city. Votes can also be cast online at www.hcmc100e.info.

The hotels include Kim Do, Huong Sen, Bong Sen, Continental, Rex, Majestic, Caravelle, Vien Dong, First Hotel and May Hotel.

Tourists take cultural tour of Vietnam’s ceramic villages

Tourists on a “Cultural journey through the Red River Delta’s ceramic villages” on Nov. 13 stopped at Tho Ha village in Viet Yen district, in the northern province of Bac Giang, during their current trip.

The journey is part of a six-year (2003-09) project between the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Belgian community of Wallonie-Bruxelles aiming to establish a cultural itinerary for Vietnam.

The project not only helps local people preserve and promote the traditional values of small craft villages, but helps tourists, both domestic and foreign, learn more about making ceramics as well as locals to market their products.

Central province develops craft villages to lure visitors

In addition to historical relics, beautiful beaches and landscapes, central Quang Nam province also attracts visitors with traditional craft villages.

The province now has over 40 traditional craft villages, with the weaving village of the Ca Tu ethnic people getting special attention from tourists.

By promoting such villages in combination with tourism development, Quang Nam reaps benefits not only in terms of economic value but it also nurtures and preserves the unique characteristics and culture of the land.