The sadness of heritage

‘Sa sung,’ a common species of sea worm in several Vietnamese coastal provinces, have been the primary source of income for fisherwomen in the northern province of Quang Ninh for a long time. Known in English as peanut worms, sa sung were first cataloged in 1827 by a French zoologist.  So far, over 140 different species of peanut worm have been discovered around the world, with some measuring as short as two millimeters and others as long as 70 centimeters. In Vietnam, sa sung are raked from the sand by fisherwomen working the tidal flats in Van Don District and Mong Cai City in Quang Ninh, in the south-central province of Nha Trang, as well as on Con Dao Island in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau. According to Pham Van Hoc, chairman of the Farmer Association in Dong Xa Commune in Van Don District, sa sung have been a popular source of income in the district for several generations, valued primarily for the intense flavor they add to soups, … [Read more...] about Vietnamese fisherwomen rake in big bucks with local sea worms

  National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân bangs the gongs to mark the opening of the Culture and Tourism Week in the northern Hoà Bình Province yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức HÒA BÌNH – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân attended the opening of the Culture and Tourism Week in the northern Hoà Bình province yesterday evening. The opening ceremony was broadcast live nationwide on VTV2. Speaking at the event, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bùi Văn Khánh said the week was an important cultural event to introduce the land, culture and people of Hòa Bình, as well as promote its tourism potential. Tourists would also have the chance to learn more about the province's tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and enjoy local specialties and tourist … [Read more...] about NA leader attends opening of Hoà Bình culture, tourism week

  Motorcycle taxi driver Trần Văn Quí, 32, of the Mekong province of Đồng Tháp, was honoured by Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) Newspaper and the National Traffic Safety Committee during the Civilization Trip campaign, which urged residents to be aware of traffic safety, order and civilized behaviour on public streets.  VNS Photo Gia Lộc HCM CITY — Motorcycle taxi driver Trần Văn Quí called "a crazy man" by some people because he he attached a small board with the words "Free Charge for Students and People with Disadvantages" on his motorbike. “In the beginning, I was sad because I was called that name. And then, I thought that the nickname was fun,” Quí said.  Quí, who is from the Mekong province of Đồng Tháp, became a motorcycle … [Read more...] about Civilization Trip campaign honours people with good behaviour

Nguyen Nhat Huyen, the commercial deputy director of the Northern Helicopter Company, noted that with the launch of the "Red River HeliTour" from Gia Lam airport, visitors will be able to experience flying on a light, modern helicopter which was manufactured by the US firm Bell. The Red River HeliTour offers visitors the chance of viewing beautiful landscapes through the spacious glass of a Bell 505 aircraft from a height. Notable landmarks on a tour include Long Bien bridge, Bat Trang pottery village, the Ecopark urban area, and Vinhomes Riverside residential area. Le Quoc Khanh, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, said that operating in the field of aviation sector under the Ministry of Defense, the firm has great potential to help develop the tourism industry nationwide due to the country’s numerous beautiful landscapes which are internationally recognised as "natural wonders" and sites of "world cultural and natural heritage". The enterprise has … [Read more...] about New air service offers spectacular views of Red River

By Công Thành Pomelo are ready for harvest in Đại Bình Village in Quảng Nam Province's mountainous Nông Sơn District. The village has been designed as a farm-based tourism site. VNS Photo Thanh Hòa  Sitting on the banks of the Thu Bồn River, Đại Bình Village used to be known for its bumper fruit harvests in the central province of Quảng Nam, but now it has been transformed into a sustainable community-based farm tourism destination. Just 20km from the Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, the village with a population of 1,200 earned a living for three centuries from growing fruits, but now it's day-trippers who are bringing in the cash.  The village was established in 1778 during the country’s southward border expansion journey under Lord Nguyễn Hoàng. The emigration settled the village on the banks of the Thu Bồn River, and the first villagers began growing fruits to make a … [Read more...] about Fruit farms offer rural life experience