Northern Mountainous Market Fair opens in Hanoi

The annual Northern Mountainous Market Fair, featuring the unique cultures of different ethnic minority groups in Vietnam, opened in Hanoi on April 19.

Visitors can see Dao and Mong women weaving and embroidering textiles, drink corn wine, and taste delicious grilled pork and thang co (a mixture of pork, beef, buffalo and horse meat).

They can also play traditional musical instruments and join in ethnic folk games.

The event runs until April 21.

http://travel.org.vn

Dao Co - beautiful and attrective natural destination in Hai Duong Province

Dao Co - beautiful and attrective natural destination rises like a jewel blessed by nature! Welcome to eco-tourism, you fell comfortable after long tours and to go on board to see many stork species.

Location: In Chi Lang Nam Commune, Thanh Mien District, Hai Duong Province.
Characteristics: It's home mainly to a mere nine varieties of storks, Chinese pond herons, jabirus, buff-backed and grey herons, and the grey, blue and black bitterns.


To the growing list of places in Vietnam that claims to have discovered eco-tourism, add the name of Dao Co (Stork Island). It will have to take its chances for the claim along with all the others but certainly they won't be lessened by its celebrated Island of Storks.

It nestles in Chi Lang Nam Commune and has been quietly pulling bird-watchers - around 15,000 annually, to an out-of-the way part of Hai Duong Province - since the early 1990. That's a modest figure but local tourist officials are hoping to spread its attractions wider without trampling on the very nature that attracts visitors in the first place. Welcome to eco-tourism - welcome to the problem.

Dao Co, one writer enthused "rises like a jewel blessed by nature" in the middle of the 2,832km2 in Chi Lang Nam. Few ornithologists - those birdwatchers - would disagree. It's home mainly to a mere nine varieties of storks, Chinese pond herons, jabirus, buff-backed and grey herons, and the grey, blue and black bitterns, stopping off on their way to China, Myanmar, India and Nepal. But don't forget the common teal, wild ducks, moor hens, the pelicans or the snipes - all faithfully recorded in the Vietnam's nature bible, the Red Book. But it's this time of year that most excites visitors and locals as spring heralds the arrival of tens of thousands of storks. Local experts somehow seem to have deduced that each flock of storks numbers 70, arriving in clusters as night falls to take up residence on their island.

In 1996, the Vietnam office of the UN Development Programme proposed turning Dao Co into an environmental education centre in a two-year, a project which would see planting of bamboo trees and introducing teaching programmes to raise awareness of environmental protection. There are plans to make Dao Co part of an eco-trail starting from Hanoi, winding through Hien Street to Stork Island and on to Con Son, Kiep Bac and Haiphong, and back to the capital.

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hai Duong Procinve, Stork island is a must-see place that should not be missed!

NOTHING INTERSTING AS “HOMESTAY” SERVICE IN TA VAN GIAY VILLAGE, SAPA

Being 8 kilometers from  Sapa town, Lao Cai province, the way to Ta Van village curves round the mountain-side.

The pristine beauty of mountain and forests Ta Van Giay village, Sapa On the way to Ta Van Giay village, tourists can contemplate terraced fields, May bridge crossing Muong Hoa stream. Especially, tourists can visit a forest belonging to Hoang Lien national forests. That is the itinerary to visit Ta Van Giay village, located in Muong Hoa valley, Ta Van commune. Standing in the halfway of the mountain before reaching the village, you will see beautiful houses on stilts along the valley. There are more than 140 households in the village with about 40 households in the model of “homestay”. Tourists can stay and do daily activities with local people and explore the local culture. In addition, visitors also can hire ethnic costumes to wear and take some photos. There are some ancient houses in the village like Mr Hoang Din’s house, Lo A Muc’s house… The most ancient house is Mr Lo A Muc’s house, built in 1934. This is the typical house of Giay people. Traditional food here is quite simple but impressive. Having a meal with local people, tourists will feel closer and more understanding local people’s life. As simple as Ta Van Giay people Local people are quite familiar with strange tourists visting their house. They are always friendly and hospitable. Entering a house, you can see the decorations that are typical cultural products of Tay Bac ethnic group. Many foreign visitors said they like to stay in rustic houses of local people because they can learn many things like culture, custom, and traditional food. Especially, they can live in an environmentally friendly space and enjoy delicious dishes. That is the reason why they choose homestay service instead of luxurious hotels. May bridge                                                                                    Provide by Travel to Vietnam

Van Don prepares for peak summer season 2013

Local authorities of Van Don district in northern Quang Ninh province are joining hands with travel agencies to make the district a maritime eco-tourism centre.

Illustrative image (Source: quangninh.gov.vn)

In the meantime, they are gearing up for the upcoming peak summer season, to increase the number of visitors to its untouched landscape.

Van Don district boasts 600 islands and islets scattering in Bai Tu Long Bay, which is near the world heritage site of Ha Long Bay. With amazing fresh air and stillness today, the site was once home to a bustling commercial port.

In 2012, more than 540,000 people took their vacations in the district. They reportedly spent at least a night in the islands.

Le Quang Thach, Vice Chairman of Van Don island district People’s Committee, said carnival will be a prime activity during this peak summer season and it will become the trade name of not only Van Don but also Quang Ninh province.

The district plans to cater for 620,000 tourists, including 23,000 foreign visitors, this year.

                                                                                              Provide by  Vietnam travel guide