Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh is a coastal province in the Mekong Delta, bordering the provinces of Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Soc Trang and the East Sea. It has an area of 2292 square kilometers with a population of about 1.1 million people (of which the ethnic Khmer accounts for about 30%), including a provincial city and seven districts.

Tra Vinh is surrounded by Tien and Hau Rivers. The Tra Vinh land is s stretch of littoral delta with 65km of coasts, covered by lush green trees and a network of canals. Landscapes here are very attractive with rows of century-old trees intergrated with orchards.

Ba Om Pond

The nationalities living in the province comprise Kinh (majority people), Khmer and Chinese. For generations, nature and man have created many vestiges and original landscapes. Most well-known of them is Ba Am Pond which green and quiet water surface is shaded with century-old strees, and its roots emerged from the soil creating strange shapes.

Coming to Tra Vinh, tourist may enjoy to the full the healthy atmosphere and at the same time listen to strange and attractive legends related by local aged people. ‘Ngeu’ Dune, Ba Dong Beach are healthy resorts, well-known for its beauty and marine specialities.

Tra Vinh is also a land abundant in pagodas: 140 pagodas of Khmer people, 50 Vietnamese pagodas and 5 Chinese pagodas. The Buddhist pagodasbear ancient and solemn features imbued with each nationality’s special character.

Source: en.vietnam.travel.vn

The Culture of Betel and Areca

In the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, chewing betel is not only a habit and a custom but also an element of the traditional cultural values. Betel and areca are indispensable gifts in the engagement and wedding ceremonies as well as during conversations.

An age-old custom


Legend has it that the custom of chewing betel in Vietnam has existed since the reign of the Hung Kings. It is associated with the “Legend of Betel and Areca” about the faithfulness of a wife for her husband and the love between two siblings. Betel and areca are used to start talking and help people become closer and more open with each other. They serve as offerings in the important traditional ceremonies, such as the offering rituals, engagements and weddings, funerals and burials. They are a symbol of love, brotherhood, family and happiness.

Chewing betel is a popular practice of people from all walks of life, from normal people to the court and it has become a beautiful characteristic of the traditional culture. It is the custom of not only the majority Kinh group, but also other ethnic groups, such as the Tay, Nung, Dao, Thai, Muong and San Diu in the northern areas, the Khmer, Bru, Ede and Cham living along the Truong Son Range and in Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands), and the Khmer in southern areas. Apart from similarities, due to their different habitations and cultural spaces, the ethnic groups have their specific ways of chewing betel. The Muong, Thai and Ede people use the betel to entertain their guests while the Tay and Nung people use the betel in the ceremony of “tying the thread around the wrists of the bride and bridegroom”.
 

A betel quid consists of four materials: a wedge of an areca nut (which has a sweet taste), a betel leaf (spicy taste), a piece of bark of a special tree (bitter taste) and a little lime paste (hot taste). All of them are chewed together, providing a delicious taste with red juice and freshness. The high areca tree symbolizes the heaven (Yang). The lime symbolizes the earth (Yin). The custom of chewing betel is popular throughout Southeast Asia and the making of the betel leaves and areca wedges into beautiful shapes as well as the betel-inviting practice have become a form of artistic activities full of national identities.

A quid of betel with "Phonix wings". Photo: Tran Huan Some elements of a quid of betel. Photo: Tran Huan Betel and areca are indispensable in important ceremonies and show the behavior culture of the Vietnamese. Photo: Tran Huan Betel and areca have an important role in the traditional cultural life of the Vietnamese. Photo: Tran Huan Areca trees grow in many areas in Vietnam. Photo: Files. Betel trees creep up house’s wall. Photo: Tran Huan A traditional betrothal ceremony in Hanoi. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang Betel and areca are important offerings in the engagement and wedding ceremonies of the Vietnamese. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang, Tran Huan Artisan Vu Thi Tuyet Lan turns the betel leaves and areca wedges into beautiful shapes. Photo: Tran Huan

Eternal fragrance and beauty
The custom of chewing betel in Vietnam is mainly reflected in the betel kits since the Ly (1010 – 1225) and the Tran (1225 – 1400) Dynasties. They include a knife for splitting the areca nuts and shaping the betel leaves, a pot of lime, a tube of lime paste, a little stick used to spread lime on the betel leaf and all of them are diverse in variety. There are also trays, containers, baskets, boxes, bags and handkerchiefs to contain the betel, areca and small items. For the elder people with weak teeth, there is a little spatula and a mortar to pound the betel and areca. In the betel kit, the lime pot is an important and indispensable item. In the past, it was respected as a god, so it is called “the Lime God”.  

A set of betel trays is inlayed with delicate patterns. Photo: Tran Huan A Quan ho singer in Bac Ninh invites foreign guests to enjoy a quid of betel. Photo: Tran Huan Billionaire Bill Gates enjoys a quid of betel. Photo: Hoang Ha Betel inviting, a Quan ho song, is performed at  Lim Festival in Bac Ninh Province. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang Areca is a familiar image in the rural areas in Vietnam. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

The betel and areca not only serve as offerings in the traditional ceremonies, but also have become a typical image of Vietnamese culture. They usually appear in the folklore, folk verses, folk songs and festivals. Cao Nhan Village in Cao Nhan Commune, Thuy Nguyen District in the northern city of Hai Phong is known as an areca village. During harvest time, bunches of areca nuts are piled up and the village is busy with many trucks carrying areca to many parts of the country. In Phu Le Village, Lam Kiem Commune, Thach That District, Hanoi, plates of betel and areca and lime pots can be seen everywhere, from the houses to the communal houses and the fields. During the Lim Festival in Bac Ninh held when Spring comes, the local girls wearing a kerchief (tied in a triangle on the forehead), a four-flap gown and a pink brassiere open their betel handkerchiefs to invite the men with betel and areca.

In the South, 18 betel garden villages were established in the beginning of the 17th century, associated with the time of reclaiming land to build the villages. They specialised in growing betel to provide for the six southern provinces. The betel and areca market on Le Quang Sung in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City which provides the specialties from Ba Diem, a garden in the noisy and beautiful urban area, is a unique cultural feature beautifying the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Story: Vinh Hung - Photos: Tran Huan, Tran Thanh Giang, Hoang Ha, Files

Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn

Unforgettable Truong Sa

Under the bright sunshine of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, the soldiers, who are defending Truong Sa Lon, Truong Sa Dong, Da Tay and Phan Vinh Islands, were excited to receive us. They shared with us the happiness and optimism of their life on the islands. On each island we visited, we witnessed a great zeal and strong vitality of these soldiers and local people with their simple aspirations for a new bright future. We were left with a long-lasting impression.

Having lived and worked on Truong Sa Lon Island for over three years, Pham Gia Huy, a soldier and a teacher, has a special attachment to the place. In each lesson, he bequeaths his love for the islands and the pride of a rich, beautiful Vietnam to his students. On the day of seeing off his beloved student, Quynh Huong, who left the island for the mainland to go to school, Huy quietly stood near the sea for hours, looking towards the mainland with both a sad and happy feeling.
 

A reunion on the island. Photo: Phuong Hoa The temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh on Truong Sa Lon Island. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang Soldiers on Truong Sa are prepared to protect Vietnam’s sea sovereignty. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang A plot of vegetables grown by soldiers on the island. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang Going fishing on Truong Sa. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang Happy to visit Truong Sa Lon Island. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang The children on Truong Sa Lon Island. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang Saying goodbye to our beloved Truong Sa Archipelago. Photo: Phuong Hoa

Here, we also visited many local people, such as the families of Chung Tinh and Nguyen Thi Hoa. We witnessed the meeting between the soldiers and local people with their relatives from the mainland. We were so moved to see the happy tears, smiles and the love of mothers for sons; the love of wives for their husbands. All of them showed the belief of the mainland in the islands.
The life on Truong Sa Lon Island now is similar to the life on the mainland thanks to modern infrastructural facilities. It has a telecommunications network to contact the mainland, a solar electricity network, a commemorative house for President Ho Chi Minh, a monument to the soldiers who laid down their lives to protect the country and a sacred pagoda.
Time passed quickly and we had to say goodbye to the soldiers and local people. However, the sweet memories of the island and the images of the soldiers and local people will live forever in our mind.
 

Story: Bich Van - Photos: Tran Thanh Giang - Phuong Hoa

Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn

HUSBAND & WIFE CAKE - Banh Phu The / Banh Xu Xe

Banh Phu The or Banh Xu Xe is a traditional cake that is normally served at Vietnamese weddings (Conjugal cake). On the engagement or wedding day, the groom's family visit the bride's house and offer many presents as a proposal. Beside Betel and Areca "trau cau", wine and tea, which are the must-haves, husband & wife cake is also a very popular gift choice because of its beautiful meanings. At weddings, the cakes are wrapped in tiny square boxes made from coconut leaves. The upper part of the box fits perfectly with the lower part, which symbolizes a perfect couple match. The stickiness of the cake symbolizes the stickiness of the marriage ties. The golden filling embodies the loyalty &  faithfullness of husband &  wife, like a golden heart. 
In normal days the cakes are sold at many snack shops, and they are normally wrapped in a less fancy form with plastic wrap, so more colors are added to make them more attractive.

Video by: Helen

Ingredients
For the fillings: (yield 18 balls)
100g peeled split mung beans (1/2 cup)
120ml water (1/2 cup)
4 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract / 1 pack vanilla sugar 9g
For the dough: (yield: 9 cakes)
125g tapioca starch ( 1 cup)
240ml water (1 cup)
1 tbsp mung bean starch
1 tbsp water
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vegetable oil
20g shredded young coconut (1/4 cup)
Optional: 
a few drops food coloring
roasted sesame seeds

Full recipe (cong thuc day du) http://danangcuisine.com/?p=1097
More video recipe for Vietnamese Cakeshttp://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...

Items in my kitchen and pantry http://danangcuisine.com/store/

Suoi Tien Amusement Park

Suoi Tien Amusement Park in Ho Chi Minh City is famous at home and abroad for its airy and fresh space and the harmonious combination between nature and human creativeness, between old and contemporary architecture. All these create a fascinating tourist site which is modern and full of the cultural identities of the Vietnamese people.

«Some of Vietnam’s records set by Suoi Tien Amusement Park: -  Tien Dong Sea: The only salt water lake in the water parks in Vietnam (2004). - Thien Dang Bao Thap: The highest tower in Vietnam (2005). - Goddess of Mercy Statue made of ebony: The heaviest statue in Vietnam (2005). - Avalokitesvara Statue: The biggest statue in Vietnam (2010). - The Southern Fruit Festival 2011 is a festival which has the greatest number of artworks made from fruits and the greatest number of fruit in Vietnam (2011).                     »

Suoi Tien Amusement Park is situated on an S-shaped hilly area and covers about 200,000m² in Tan Phu Ward of District 9, nearly 20km from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.

In the past, the area where Suoi Tien is situated now was a small forestry farm on a wild and swampy area with luxuriant vegetation. In the middle of this area there was a winding stream which was nearly 2km long. Near the stream there was a shrine. According to the local people, in the old days seven girls went to the stream to swim and unfortunately they stumbled and drowned. Thinking that these girls became sacred fairies, the villagers set up a shrine to worship them. Since then the stream has the name Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream).

Since the tourist site was officially opened for tourists in 1992, each year it receives 1.5-2 million tourists.
The unique feature of Suoi Tien is that the construction of the works in the park was inspired by the legends of the Vietnamese people and the ideas of Oriental mysticism. With a dream of peace and prosperity the designers built the park into four sections according to the legend of four sacred animals; the dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix.

Mingling with the recreational facilities are historical works, such as the Hung King’s Templeand monuments of national heroes, all are significant in stirring up the visitors’ love and pride of the history and traditional culture of the Vietnamese people.

Also, the designers have skillfully integrated the religious and legendary works into the community’s recreational space. Some of them have become Vietnam’s records, such as the Thien Dang Bao Thap which is the highest tower in Vietnamand the Goddess of Mercy Statue made of ebony which is the heaviest in Vietnam.
  

The Avalokitasvara Statue with a thousand of hands and a thousand of eyes has been recognized as the  biggest statue in Vietnam (2010). Part of the “Phuc cung Tam phuoc” area in Suoi Tien Amusement Park. Thien Dang Bao Thap - the highest tower in Vietnam (2005). Every year, major cultural events, such as the Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary and the Southern Fruit Festival are held at the site.  Boat-rowing area in the Amusement Park. Tourists go around Suoi Tien Amusement Park by electric train.  Each year, the tourist site receives 1.5-2 million visitors.

Going to Suoi Tien, visitors also have an opportunity to contemplate and discover many interesting things at over 150 superb and unique entertainment works which are worthy of the man-made wonders. For example, the Dai Cung Lac Canh Tien Ngu where there are impressive performance of the mermaids, sea lions and dolphins from Indonesia; the 4D Cinemax which introduces many interesting films; the Snow Castle with temperatures from - 50C to - 150C and the cute polar bears and beautiful snowflakes that make visitors feel lost in the North Pole.

Suoi Tien has a reserved space for children called “Kingdom of Childhood”. Here there are Tien Dong and Ngoc Nu Seas which are the only models of artificial beaches in Vietnamwith a gigantic statue of Lac Long Quan on a 70m-high mountain facing Au Co Mountain.

Visitors to Suoi Tien are also interested in a world of plants and flowers overshadowing all the paths can see many rare animals, such as aquatic species, chimpanzees, tigers and bears. There is also a pond with nearly 2,000 crocodiles and a beautiful aquarium with hundreds of species of fish.
Every year, Suoi Tien Amusement Parkorganizes many major cultural events. The most prominent events are the Hung King’s Death Anniversary on the 10th of lunar March and the Southern Fruit Festival.

With the motto “Constant renovation, constant development”, every year Suoi Tien Amusement Park puts 2-3 new projects into operation to serve visitors. The park has become a destination which visitors cannot ignore when they visit Ho Chi Minh City.

Suoi Tien Amusement Park: Address: 120 Hanoi Highway, Tan Phu Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (+84)8 38 964 703 - (+84)8 38 960 260 Fax: (+84)8 38 964 705 Website: www.suoitien.com Email: info@suoitien.com

Story: Thanh Nhan - Photo: Le Minh

Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn

PM hails new Binh Duong towers as symbol of remarkable success

HCM CITY (VNS)— Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday attended a ceremony held to mark the opening of Binh Duong Province's new seat of government and the start of construction of Binh Duong New City.

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is flanked by provincial leaders as he visits the Centralised Administrative Centre in the southern province of Binh Duong yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu

The Centralised Administration Centre, which comprises twin towers 104 metres high, has 21 storeys for offices and two for parking and a heliport on the roof, according to the province People's Committee.
The 104,000sq.m centre will house most local agencies' offices, including the province Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee and most departments and sectors in the province.
Dung praised the province's efforts in overcoming difficulties to achieve economic growth that was double the national average.
He said Binh Duong has successfully striven to transform itself from a farming-reliant province to one of the leading industrial hubs in the country while ensuring commensurate cultural and social development.
He said the opening of the new Administration Centre is of great significance, since it is the most modern of such facilities in the country thus far.

The Centralised Administration Centre was built by Becamex IDC at a cost of more than VND1.4 trillion ($66.4 million) under the BT (build-transfer) model.
There is an exhibition and convention centre built at a cost of VND416.7 billion ($19.76 million) inside the complex.

The Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, the Departments of Planning and Investment and Natural Resources and Environment, and industrial park managements have already moved in, and by March more than 50 other government offices will move in.
The centre would play an important role in improving the province administration and the development of Binh Duong New City would attract high-quality human resource and investors, Tran Thanh Liem, deputy chairman of People's Committee, said.
Covering an area of 1,000 hectares, Binh Duong New City, located in the 4,196ha Binh Duong industrial, urban, and service complex, will be developed into a modern urban area and Binh Duong city's central business district by 2020 under a Government master plan.
At the inaugural ceremony, the province gave away investment certificates to several investors and certificates of merit to outstanding businesses and announced projects that will kick off this year.
The event was attended by some 1,500 people, including officials and local and foreign investors.

New city to bring FDI

The construction and development of Binh Duong New City has created favourable conditions for the province to attract more foreign investment.
So far this year it has attracted $715 million, Mai Hung Dung, director of the local Department of Planning and Investment, said.
This includes $189 million in 20 new projects and $525 million in 19 existing projects, according to the department.
The investments are mainly in technology and highly competitive products. The investors include Nexfil (South Korea), which has invested $30 million in insulating film production, Tanaka Ai Viet Nam (Japan), which has invested $20 million in production of raw materials for cosmetics and Yamazaki (Japan), which has invested $15 million in manufacture of appliances.
Binh Duong has over the years attracted $19.4 billion in over 2,250 FDI projects. This year it targets $1 billion. — VNS

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Don ca tai tu Receives UNESCO's Certificate

On February 11, a ceremony to receive UNESCO’s certificate recognizing Vietnam’s Don ca tai tu (southern folk music) as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity was held at Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

Originating from Hue court music and folk music of the southern region, Don ca tai tu has been developing since the 19^th century and changing according to local taste. It thrived in the early 20^th century and remains crucial to the country’s traditional culture. The music is performed at festivals, death anniversary rituals, and celebrations by farmer-artists.

This genre of Vietnamese traditional music was announced as one of the 11 new inscriptions on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage, held in Azerbaijan on December 5th of last year. Don ca tai tu is the 6^th Vietnamese art form to have won UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The others include the Worship of Hung Kings in Phu Tho Province (2012); the Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples in Gia Lam District, Hanoi (2010); Quan ho (love duets) singing in Bac Ninh Province (2009); Nha nhac (Court music) in the imperial city of Hue (2003); and Gong culture in the Central Highlands (2008).

Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller-Marin, presents UNESCO's certificate honouring Don ca tai tu to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh (Source: VNA) Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung addresses the ceremony. Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller-Marin, congratulates Vietnam on receiving UNCESCO’s certificate honourning Vietnam’s Don ca tai tu as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller-Marin, presents UNCESCO’s certificate honouring Don ca tai tu to representatives from 21 provinces and cities where the art form is popular.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that UNESCO’s recognition of Don ca tai tu reflects the appreciation and respect of the international community for the Vietnamese art form, stressing that the acknowledgement not only brings pride to Vietnamese people in general and southerners in particular but also contributes to the preservation of the cultural treasures of the world.

He called for joint efforts from the MoCST, local authorities, artists, particularly those living in the homeland of Don ca tai tu, to uphold their responsibility in protecting and promoting the art form.

Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller-Marin highly appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in protecting intangible cultural heritages of humanity and pledged that UNESCO would accompany the Vietnamese Government on the journey of protecting intangible cultural heritage.

After receiving UNCESCO’s certificate honouring Don ca tai tu, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourists announced a national action programme to call for every Vietnamese citizen to make joint efforts to preserve and develop the music form.

At the ceremony, a special show of Don ca tai tu was held with the participation of famous artists, such as People’s Artists Bach Tuyet, Minh Vuong Phuong Hang and Don ca tai tu artists and orchestras from 21 provinces and cities nationwide.

The stage of the ceremony to receive UNCESCO’s certificate recognizing Vietnam’s Don ca tai tu as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity reproduces the southern cultural space. A scene reproduces the performance of Don ca tai tu on a moonlit night. The performance of Don ca tai tu attracts the participation of famous artists from 21 provinces and cities nationwide. A scene of Don ca tai tu performance in the watery area. Don ca tai tu artists wear bandanna, a traditional shawl of southerners. People’s Artist Bach Tuyet performs at the ceremony to receive UNESCO’s certificate recognizing Vietnam’s Don ca tai tu as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The space of performing Don ca tai tu is closely matched to the simple natural scenery in the South. Don ca tai tu artists perform at the ceremony. A performance of Don ca tai tu by young artists. The show of Don ca tai tu entertains the audience with many famous ancient songs

Story: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat - Photos: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat, Phuong Vy

Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn

Tuyen Quang

Tuyen Quang owns 300 historical cultural vestiges. The famous one is Tan Trao Historical Site. It was used as a resistance base before the August 1945 Revolution. The main places of interest include Tan Trao Communal House, Hong Thai Communal House and small jungle hut where President Ho Chi Minh lived from June to August 1945.

Tuyen Quang is a North of Vietnam’s mountainous province with total natural area of 5,860 square kilometers, and total population of 727,751 people (in 2005).

In the August Revolution, Tuyen Quang province had the honor to be the Capital of Liberated Zone and was chosen as the revolutionary centre of the whole country by the Central Party and Uncle Ho. In Tan Trao commune, Son Duong district, there happened such historical events related to destiny of the country as: the National Conference of the Central Party deciding to lead the General Uprising to seize the national power and electing the National Uprising Committee; the National Congress meeting at Tan Trao Communal House to establish the National Committee for Liberation, i.e. the Provisional Government headed by Uncle Ho.

In the years of resistance war against the French aggressors, Tuyen Quang remained as the Capital of Liberated Zone of Viet Nam, where fellow-citizens of the whole country "directed their mind to Viet Bac to nourish their great and long-term ambition". People of all ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang already fulfilled their sacred duties of establishment and protection of the Safety Zone (ATK), protection of President Ho Chi Minh, Central Party, National Assembly, Government, National Front and other Central Ministries as well as protection of many nerve centres of the brotherly Laos Revolution. The Provincial Party and people of Tuyen Quang made an important and great contribution to the Revolution to seize the national independence. They made a lot of resounding feats in battle, and prevented French enemy from attacks to the North. The historic names of Binh Ca, Khe Lau, Cau Ca etc, evidenced the courageous, wise and creative fighting spirit of Tuyen Quang people and armed forces during "Viet Bac” Campaign (Autumn - Winter 1947).

A lot of important conferences were convened here by the Central Party and the Government, including the Second National Representative Congress held in Vinh Quang and Kim Binh communes, Chiem Hoa district from 11 February 1951 to 19 February 1951, which was also the first Congress of the Vietnamese Central Party domestically organized. The Congress supplemented and completed the strategies for deployment of the resistance war, foundation of the state, proposed duties of building up the powerful Labor Party of Vietnam, and decided important policies and measures to lead the long term resistance war to the glorious victory. After the success in the resistance war against the French, the Provincial Party and people of Tuyen Quang continued building up the firm rear, fulfilled the duties of the big rear for the large front line, helped to win the US Empire and contributed to the success of the People's Liberation Cause for the national unity. With their traditions of patriotism, great unity, revolutionary and heroic struggle spirit, Tuyen Quang people have made valuable lessons and examples for the next generations to learn.

In the innovation cause, the Provincial Party and people of Tuyen Quang continue to bring into play their glorious traditions of the revolutionary land to determine to overcome difficulties and make full use of their potentials and strengths for active economic integration to create a great breakthrough in socio-economic development. In this regard, Tuyen Quang calls for support and assistance from the Central Government, Ministries and other cities and provinces as well as international organizations in order to successfully achieve the goals and objectives set by the 14th Congress of the Provincial Party, striving to drive the province to comprehensive development and improve both material and spiritual life of the people, aiming at actively contributing to the cause of construction and defense of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Attractions

Tourism and historical relics

Tuyen Quang has a total of 467 places of interests including such nation-wide important sites as Tan Trao, Kim Binh, Kim Quan, and Lang Ngoi - Da Ban. Rich in revolutionary traditions and diversified ethnic identities, Tuyen Quang is not only the starting point but also the place for gathering and exchanging cultural features of ethnic minorities in the North of Vietnam through festivals, legends and folksongs, etc, to attract tourists.

With its diversified tourism resources which create favourable conditions for development of tourism, the province will focus on historical and cultural tours, eco-tours, and sanatorium tours. There are great potentials for development of eco-tours in combination with historical and cultural tours.

The planning for development of tourism to 2010 and the orientation up to 2020 have been approved by the Provincial People's Committee. As such, focus will be put on development of 3 main tourism regions, including: (i) historical and cultural tourism region covering all historical and cultural relics in the Safety Zone (ATK) in Trung Yen, Tan Trao, Minh Thanh, Binh Yen, Hop Thanh, Tu Thinh communes of Son Duong district, Kim Binh commune of Chiem Hoa district, and Kim Quan, My Bang communes of Yen Son districts as well as Tuyen Quang township; (ii) sanatorium tourism region covering the hot spring in Yen Son district and other sites in Tuyen Quang town; and (iii) eco-tourism region covering Na Hang, Chiem Hoa districts and Tuyen Quang town with such places of interests as natural conservation area of Tat Ke - Ban Bung, Pac Ban water fall, Tuyen Quang hydroelectricity reservoir, Cham Chu jungles, Thien Dinh and Fairy caves, Dat stream and Dum mountain, etc.

Main tours include Tan Trao - ATK historical and cultural tours; My Lam hot spring tours; Na Hang eco-tours; historical and cultural tours in Tuyen Quang town; Chiem Hoa historical and ecological tours; and Ham Yen eco-tours.

Focus to be put in tours inside the province, tours by boat and inter-provincial tours.

Priorities will be given to such activities as: advertisement of Tuyen Quang tourism; finalization and issuance of incentive policies to attract investors from different economic sectors in tourism development; mobilization of all available resources to embellish the historical remains and put more investment in historical and cultural, eco and sanatorium tourism sites; planning and construction of infrastructure system including roads, electricity, communication lines, clean water and environmental pollution treatment in tourism sites; fast but firm development of tourism services such as hotels, restaurants, resorts, entertainments, etc with suitable sizes and forms.

Source: en.vietnam.travel.vn