Samut prakan ancient city

Cẩm Kim Bridge spans the Thu Bồn River to connect Hội An ancient town and Kim Bồng carpentry village. Hội An City rejected a proposal to build a cable car project in the area. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News HỘI AN — The central city rejected a proposal to build a 7km cable car route spanning the Thu Bồn River and connecting Hội An and Duy Xuyên District. Chairman of the ancient city’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Dũng confirmed to the Việt Nam News that the Quảng Nam-based joint-stock NVN company proposed to construct a car cable to connect Thanh Hà pottery village and Cẩm Kim carpentry village – two favourite destinations in Hội An – and Duy Nghĩa Commune in Duy Xuyên District, and develop a new tour service. Dũng said the investor asked the city to allocate an area of 100ha of land in return for their car cable investment of VNĐ2.1 trillion (US$93 million). “We offered the most favourable conditions for investors, but Hội An could not allocate land for the … [Read more...] about Ancient city reject car cable project

A pedestrian street in Hội An city. The ancient city plans to curb traffic noise from engine vehicle and over horning in creating more ’green’ and clean space for tourists. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News HỘI AN — Hội An plans to curb noise from motorbike and car horns and to encourage modes of transport without engines to create a peaceful environment for tourists visiting the city. Director of Hội An City’s Culture and Sports Centre, Võ Phùng told the Việt Nam News that the plan aims to restore tranquility of the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site. Phùng said the city will raise awareness of gentle manners, hospitality and environment protection to make the city a safe and ‘clean’ destination. “We have called for less ‘horning’ and reduced speed among motorbike, car and bus drivers in Hội An. Local residents are encouraged not to use plastic bags or single-use straws and cups, not to litter or encroach on public sidewalks for shopping,” Phùng said. “The city … [Read more...] about Ancient city eyes on safe and ‘green’ traffic

Hundreds of types of flowers bloomed on the 2018 Đà Nẵng City Spring Flower Street. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm Viet Nam News Đà NẴNG — A set of criteria to build a “livable city” was in the final stages at a consultation conference hosted by the Đà Nẵng City Commission for Publicity and Education on Tuesday. The set includes groups of criteria divided into six categories: human development, public management, public infrastructure, business environment, living conditions and socioeconomic affairs. A detailed blueprint to turn those criteria into reality was requested by some representatives from a related agency at the event. Questions of how to evaluate the effectiveness of the new policy caught the attention of most attendants. The city authorities plan to set up a smart city and preserve local heritage simultaneously. Đặng Việt Dũng, head of the commission, said that the term “smart city” implied cities which are built with good public management, becoming a … [Read more...] about Đà Nẵng to set “livable city” criteria

An old street in Hội An is reserved as a non-engine vehicle zone. The city plans to develop more spaces for pedestrians and bicycles. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News HỘI AN — The ancient city has developed a master plan to boost the mass use of bicycles among community members and tourists, as part of efforts to make Hội An a capital of eco-friendly tourism in Việt Nam. Architect Đinh Đang Hải from HeathBridge Việt Nam said at a workshop on the development of a comprehensive bicycle plan in Hội An on Wednesday that more than 100 parks, communal gardens and neighbourhood sites have been built to create favourable conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The workshop, a prelude to the "Establishing a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan and Free/low-cost Bicycle Sharing Programme in Hội An City" project, was held in co-operation with HeathBridge Việt Nam and the city with funding from the German development agency (GIZ). The project won the Global Urban Mobility Challenge Award … [Read more...] about Hội An set to become a bicycle city

Expatriates love Vietnam’s “city for bikes” By Nhan Tam A Spanish family cycling around town - PHOTOS: NHAN TAM Expat Life escorts expatriates riding bicycles around the ancient town of Hoi An—a paradise for cyclists to get around on their bikes Paul Thauvin, a Frenchman, together with his wife and three children, last week traveled to Hoi An after celebrating the New Year in the port city of Bordeaux, his hometown. They had planned to stay in the ancient town for one month in order to experience the local way of life. The French family had also heard praises of Hoi An from their friends. “Hoi An is so peaceful,” says Thauvin. “The green fields remind me of the French countryside.” Thauvin is taking a break on An Bang Bridge after cycling along the rice fields on Hai Ba Trung Street. Cycling along the Hoai River to discover local rice fields, visit Tra Que vegetables village, have lunch at An Bang beach and return to the hotel in the downtown area is their … [Read more...] about Expatriates love Vietnam’s “city for bikes”

Director of the Hội An Centre for Relic Preservation and Management Nguyễn Chí Trung. — Photo tuoitre.vn Director of the Hội An Centre for Relic Preservation and Management Nguyễn Chí Trung spoke to Tuổi trẻ newspaper on the imperative need to have strong legal documents to preserve the City. What has Hội An done to preserve its name as an ancient city? We have developed five rules to preserve it. First, the rule on effective city management; second is the rule on business law and order; third is the regulation on shops’ bill boards; fourth is regulation on tourism operation rules; and the fifth is the management and operation of activities on its river. In the past, all five rules were strictly implemented. Yet, the city authorities see that nowadays they are no longer appropriate and we should revise them. The city’s old quarters’ business operation is in bit of mess and many visitors have complained about it. That’s why we deem it necessary to revise the city’s … [Read more...] about Hội An must be protected

A view of the century-old palace of Mong King Vương Chí Sình in Đồng Văn District, Hà Giang Province. — Photo thanhnien.vn HÀ NỘI — Vương Duy Bảo, grandson of the last Mong King Vương Chí Sình, in late July wrote a letter to the Prime Minister to ask for the return of a century-old palace to his family. The palace, which was listed as a National Heritage Site in 1993 by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, was handed over to the Đồng Văn District’s culture department in 2002 for maintenance. By that time, six families with 40 people were still living in the property. The big family was given VNĐ500 million for expenses during the period of maintenance. Since then, the family has been unable to return. Two months ago, they learned that in 2012, Hà Giang authorities decided to hand over full ownership to Đồng Văn District’s culture department. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Bảo express his anger and confusion, because according to the culture ministry’s … [Read more...] about Privately owned heritages need different rules

Hundreds of ancient trees in Trà Vinh city, which is described as the "Green City" of the Mekong Delta region, could be at risk of death, experts warn.–Photo tuoitre.vn TRÀ VINH – Hundreds of ancient trees in Trà Vinh city, which is described as the "Green City" of the Mekong Delta region, could be at risk of death, experts warn. The warning came as a survey conducted by experts from the Australian Institute of Horticulture, HCM City University of Agriculture and Forestry, and other specialists showed that as many as 420 old trees weren’t growing well. The trees suffering include tamarind, dầu (dipterocarpus alatus), and sao ( hopea odorata) trees. Dầu and sao trees, valued for their wood, are threatened species in their natural habitat. Experts blame the construction of concrete pavements and improper care, which limit photosynthesis and water absorption, decreasing plant vitality. According to Phạm Tiết Khoa, chairman of Trà Vinh Urban Works Company – which manages … [Read more...] about Old trees in Trà Vinh threatened: researchers

Buddhist monks from the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha pray for war martyrs at a requiem ceremony held in the central province of Quảng Trị on July 21 to commemorate soldiers who died during an 81-day battle in the summer of 1972. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam News QUẢNG TRỊ — A requiem ceremony was held in the central province of Quảng Trị on July 21 to commemorate soldiers who died during an 81-day battle in the summer of 1972. Jointly held by the Quảng Trị Ancient Citadel Soldier Association and the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), the ceremony was among the events to mark the 71st anniversary of the Việt Nam War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27). It was attended by representatives from ministries, departments, armed forces, local officials and heroic Vietnamese mothers, and over 3,000 dignitaries, monks, nuns and Buddhist followers. Fierce fighting for control of the citadel, the central province’s symbol of power, started from June 28 and ended on September 26 of 1972, … [Read more...] about Requiem commemorates heroic martyrs in Quảng Trị

Korean ladies in ao dai By Hieu Truong Korean ladies in ao dai are seen in Hoi An - PHOTOS: HIEU TRUONG Hoi An ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam is appealing to foreign tourists because of not only its nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere and architecture but also its special services, including the rental of ao dai, the traditional Vietnamese long dreess. Two Korean girls in ao dai waiting for their drink orders at a coffee shop in Hoi An. How lovely they are when wearing the local traditional dress Donning ao dai and taking photos is a favorite part of multiple Korean tourists during their trips to Hoi An The service is to meet demand of tourists, especially those from South Korea, who love wearing ao dai for photo sessions in the ancient city. Rental outlet provides various types of ao dai in various sizes. Many Korean tourists have said wearing ao dai is among their interesting experiences in Hoi An. Korean … [Read more...] about Korean ladies in ao dai