Tourism year sets sights on south central region

Picturesque: Da Nang is one among leading coastal destinations in Southeast Asia. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung

HA NOI — The 2011 national tourism year will focus on promoting tourism in the south central coast region, it was announced at a press conference held in Ha Noi yesterday.

This year's events will for the first time be hosted by not one, but eight central and southern coastal provinces and cities including Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Phu Yen.

Phu Yen, celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, will host a range of events including the Da Bia mountain climbing competition (March); a Viet Nam-South Korea cultural exchange and the Viet Nam Sea and Islands tourism month (April); ASEAN folk music festival (June) and the 17th Viet Nam Film Festival (November).

Many other activities have been lined to take place throughout the year in co-hosting provinces and cities including the International Firework Exhibition in Da Nang, the fifth Nha Trang sea festival.

"The tourism year will be professionally organised. It is expected to help take full advantage of the coastal provinces and cities as well as promoting the heritage of the Cham people and provide a new image for Vietnamese tourism," said Huynh Vinh Ai, deputy minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Phu Yen will host the opening ceremony on April 1st. — VNS

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Singer Y Moan dies of cancer

People's Artist: Singer Y Moan has died after a long fight with stomach cancer at his home in Buon Ma Thuot city in the Central Highlands of Dac Lac Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI — People's Artist and pop singer Y Moan died yesterday at the age of 53 after a long fight with stomach cancer.

His funeral will be held in the Central Highlands city of Buon Ma Thuot in Dac Lac Province on Tuesday.

Born in 1957, Y Moan was discovered in 1976 after reunification. He left his home in the mountains of Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) and headed for Ha Noi when he was recruited for the Song and Dance Troupe.

He studied at the then Ha Noi Conservatory of Music from 1979 until 1986.

He is noted for singing songs about the Central Highlands' mountains and forests written by people like Nguyen Cuong, Tran Tien, Linh Nga Nie K'dam, and Ama No, making sure the land became well-known to millions of people both within and outside the country.

The Central Highlands singer who dedicated his life to panegyrising his homeland was conferred the title of People's Artist by President Nguyen Minh Triet this year.

It is the highest honour given by the State for artists. — VNS

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Central region targeted for global tourism

Hue, the former imperial city in the central region, is one of Vietnam's favorite tourist destinations

A plan to develop the tourist and aviation infrastructures in the central region was discussed at a conference on developing the central region’s tourist industry in Da Nang Thursday.

The plan is one of several efforts to develop the central region into a popular tourist destination.

The conference, jointly held by the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines and the People’s Committees of Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Thua Thien-Hue, attracted representatives from leading travel agencies around the country and Vietnam’s key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Russia, Australia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The Vietnam Airlines representative pledged to play a major role in the plan by developing charter services directly to Da Nang in the near future.

In the past, Vietnam Airlines has liaised with foreign travel agencies to operate flights to the central region. In 2009, the airline ran 15 flights from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Cambodia to Da Nang, which were praised by passengers.

As the demands for this service are increasing, Vietnam Airlines plans to operate between 20-25 flights to the region.

In the domestic market, the airline operates 50 flights a day on 24 routes between Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City and the central region and the Central Highlands.

Vietnam Airlines also has 25 flights a week on routes from Da Nang to the Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong and to the central province of Khanh Hoa, to link up with large economic centers in the central region.

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Charity Cycle Adventure in the Central

Saigon Children’s Charity is appealing for people to join a three-day cycling adventure in Central Vietnam starting November 18.

Instead of spending the weekend at home, you are invited to raise money for charity by cycling 150km through small villages near Hue City. The ride slowly climbs to the naturally beautiful Ba Na Mountains of central Vietnam. Riders will also discover some of the most exquisite coastlines in South East Asia.

Participants will pass temples, colorful pagodas and stunning beaches before the route takes them off the beaten track. The end destination is Hoi An, where you can explore the ancient town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a US$450 registration fee, which will cover all costs of the ride, including transportation, equipment, meals and accommodation. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of US$500 in sponsorship, which will go to support Saigon Children’s Charity (SCC).

 The money raised for SCC will play a vital role in supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Vietnam, helping to provide educational opportunities that they otherwise could not afford. SCC was founded in 1992, operating in the South of Vietnam, around HCMC, extending to the Cambodian border and down into the Mekong Delta.

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Charity Cycle Adventure in the Central

Saigon Children’s Charity is appealing for people to join a three-day cycling adventure in Central Vietnam starting November 18.

Instead of spending the weekend at home, you are invited to raise money for charity by cycling 150km through small villages near Hue City. The ride slowly climbs to the naturally beautiful Ba Na Mountains of central Vietnam. Riders will also discover some of the most exquisite coastlines in South East Asia.

Participants will pass temples, colorful pagodas and stunning beaches before the route takes them off the beaten track. The end destination is Hoi An, where you can explore the ancient town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a US$450 registration fee, which will cover all costs of the ride, including transportation, equipment, meals and accommodation. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of US$500 in sponsorship, which will go to support Saigon Children’s Charity (SCC).

 The money raised for SCC will play a vital role in supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Vietnam, helping to provide educational opportunities that they otherwise could not afford. SCC was founded in 1992, operating in the South of Vietnam, around HCMC, extending to the Cambodian border and down into the Mekong Delta.

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