Wednesday, 30 May 2018

Travel tours, craft villages paired to promote Vietnamese goods

Ha Noi craft shop
An official has said Ha Noi’s tourism products should be associated with advertising high-quality goods, especially those which are the signature of craft villages.

The efforts aim to develop the city’s high-quality tourism products while contributing to implementing the ‘Vietnamese prioritise Vietnamese products’ campaign,” said Tran Duc Hai, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism (DoT).

In 2017, Ha Noi took steps to promote local tourism, instructing local travel agencies to offer tours including shopping for locally-made products.

The tours taught foreign tourists about Vietnamese high-quality goods, particularly the products of Hanoi-based traditional craft villages, Hai said.

Hanoi is home to more than 1,350 craft villages, 45 percent of the nation’s total number.

The villages offer many unique products in terms of technique and design. Bat Trang, for example, is famous for its ceramics with white glaze and blue patterns, considered an “East-meets-West” product.

The city has also selected 15 craft villages to set up inter-village tours including Thang Loi, Ha Thai, Phu Vinh, Van Phuc, Son Dong, Bat Trang and Kieu Ky.

Made-in-Ha Noi crafts have also been introduced to a wide range of festivals and trade fairs at home and abroad.

In 2018, the promotion of locally-made products will be continued on social media and in the city’s cooperation strategies with the US-based CNN channel and TripAdvisor-the US's premier travel website, among others, according to Hai.

Chairman of the Ha Noi Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee Vu Hong Khanh stressed the need for Hanoi to increase the production of local products.

As the head of the municipal Steering Committee for the “Vietnamese prioritise Vietnamese products” campaign, Khanh said “we need to ensure domestic production toward better quality and more diverse designs.”

He requested local firms, district steering committees, and the DoT make greater efforts to introduce Vietnamese products to tourists.

“The point is to connect supply and demand via publicity and promotion, thus boosting tourism in association with Vietnamese high-quality products,” Khanh said.

He suggested the DoT develop a magazine introducing local tourism products, services, goods and tours to Ha Noi-based craft villages and local production and distribution establishments.

“Local craft villages should offer tourism services and products at reasonable prices and in an environmentally-friendly manner,” Khanh said.

The craft villages have consolidated their foothold in Ha Noi’s socio-economic structure, shipped their products abroad and have created jobs for 740,000 workers.

The Hanoi People’s Committee recently issued a plan on craft village development for 2018.

The city will provide funds for 12 villages to build trademarks, 20 craft production establishments to hire experts for designing products and 14 other establishments to apply advanced technologies.

The capital will also train 24,000 rural labourers and 1,500 managers of rural production establishments.

A silk shop in Van Phuc silk village 
The movement, “Vietnamese prioritise Vietnamese products”, started in 2006 and has since built trust in the quality of Vietnamese goods.

At a recent conference reviewing the campaign in 2017 and launching tasks for 2018, Tran Thanh Man, President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front said the campaign received good responses from people and local businesses.

“The campaign contributed to raising people’s awareness of selecting and using Vietnamese products while helping businesses be aware of their role and responsibility in manufacturing quality products to meet demands of consumers,” he said.
Source: VNA

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

KING VAJIRALONGKORN’S BIRTHDAY (THAILAND)

King Maha Vajiralongkorn
The birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also called King Rama the Tenth, arrives every 28 July and is a public holiday in Thailand.

Rama X has been king over Thailand only since 2016, when his father King Bhumibol died after a 70-year reign. Vajiralongkorn was a clear successor since he was Bhumibol’s only son. Vajiralongkorn was already 64 years old upon ascending the throne.

Thailand long kept Bhumibol’s birthday every 5 December, and they continue the tradition with a new king and a new date. Many Buddhist temples have special events and receive alms for the monks. Some also release birds or turtles to bring good luck.

Date - 28/07/2018
Sources.

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
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Guy Troughton - Hidden Places

Hidden Places
Hidden Places, a solo exhibition by acclaimed master watercolourist GUY TROUGHTON takes the viewer on an intimate journey into the natural world and features stunning evocative watercolours, mostly painted en plein air (outdoors) in national parks and bushland along northern Sydney’s foreshore.

Drawing inspiration from the shapes and form of the ancient rocks, trees and gullies, together with the birds and animals that live there, each compelling work exudes energy, originality and a sense of spirit and mystery inherent in the primeval subjects themselves. With a naturalist’s eye of observation, the paintings echo the artist's passion and skill and often draw the viewers' attention to a particular element in the landscape rather than the ‘big picture’ view.

Describing his work GuyTroughton says: “I am absorbed by the lyrical and abstract textures of the bush - a gnarled branch, a jagged rock, a shaft of light or a pool of water. Equally, I am inspired to explore man’s intrinsic relationship to these elements.” Although Guy says that painting outdoors presents many challenges, he relishes the spontaneity and vitality it brings to his work: “I conceived and painted much of the work perching on a rock or cliff. Painting quickly, I was intent on capturing the light, mood and transience of the moment. At the same time, I was deeply conscious of the timelessness of the landscape and the stories and history that lay hidden within.”

On now  to Sunday, 3 June 2018 - 4:00pm - 10:00am

Guy Troughton - Artist
Phone: 0427 236 533
Email: guy@guytroughton.com
Website: GUY TROUGHTON

Location - Creative Space, Abbott Road, North Curl Curl NSW 2099

www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/whats-on/event-calendar

Japanese summer festival to kick off in Ha Noi

Japanese festivals 
A variety of festivals showing off the rich culture of Japan will be held on weekends in Ha Noi over the coming months, visitors can register online or call the organizing board’s hotline to reserve tickets.

Tanabata love festival will kick-start the series of Japanese festivals on May 20, where visitors will have the chance to enjoy a traditional Yosakoi performance and Sake rituals, with other exciting games at the event.

A Japanese lantern festival is scheduled to take place on the evening of June 3 after International Children’s Day (June 1). The attending children will be entertained by Japan’s traditional games, making Koinobori kites, drawing Daruma dolls, or making Bento rice. Some lucky children will receive lovely gifts from the organizing board when participating in life skills training courses.

A Japanese culinary festival will be held on June 17, bringing the series of Japanese cultural events to a close. At the event, visitors will be treated to Japanese foods such as mochi cakes, sushi, pancakes, and rice rolls. There will also be expert led lessons in the preparation of various Japanese foods. The country’s traditional handicrafts such as ceramic products, lanterns, and masks will also be on show at the event.

The Japanese summer festival is organized by the Viet Nam Trading Engineering Construction Joint Stock Corporation (Vietracimex), the main investor in high end apartment project Hinode City.
Source: VOV

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

CELEBRATE YOUR PARK

2018 is a special year as it’s not only Centennial Parklands Foundation’s 20th birthday, but it’s Centennial Park’s 130th birthday too!

Thanks to the foresight of Sir Henry Parkes, ‘The People’s Park’ has been here, protected for the community, for 130 years.

Thanks to you, the Foundation proudly continues this important work by raising money to safeguard the Parklands’ environment, extend education programs and protect the Parklands’ heritage.
To celebrate we’re giving the Park a birthday present. Here’s how you can help and celebrate too!

Give yourself a present and celebrate your connection to Centennial Park by participating in Phase II of The Celebration Steps. Don’t miss this opportunity to donate to your very own engraved paver in beautiful Centennial Park.

By donating to a paver at The Celebration Steps you will not only celebrate your own personal occasion but you will Celebrate YOUR Parklands too.

All funds raised will go towards a birthday gift for Centennial Park.

https://www.yourparklands.org.au/pavenow

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

COUNTRY AND OUTBACK NSW LAUNCHES DMP

Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, Minister for Tourism
and Major Events, Adam Marshall and Chair of
Destination Country and Outback NSW, Stephen Bartlett
Destination Country and Outback NSW has launched their Destination Management Plan (DMP) this week.

The DMP is a new document designed to guide and assist Destination Country and Outback NSW in their ongoing efforts to stimulate growth in the region’s visitor economy sector.

Destination Country and Outback NSW was established by the NSW Government in 2017 with the key objective to drive the growth of the region’s visitor economy. The Destination Network covers 61.2 per cent of NSW and supports 38 local government areas plus the Unincorporated Far West Region of NSW.

Chair of Destination Country and Outback NSW Stephen Bartlett said, “The DMP is based on extensive research and analysis of visitor and consumer trends and significant consultation with key stakeholders, Destination NSW and Local Government.”

The Destination Country and Outback NSW Destination Management Plan can be downloaded here.

SYDNEY.COM | VISITNSW.COM | DESTINATIONNSW.COM.AU

ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 to take place in Quang Ninh

Ha Long Bay – one of the must-see
destinations in Quang Ninh.
The annual ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2019) is scheduled to take place in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh from January 14-19 under the theme “ASEAN: The Power of One”.

First launched in 1981 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ATF is the biggest annual and alternated event under the ASEAN tourism cooperation umbrella with a view to promoting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as one tourist destination.

It involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The hosting of ATF in 2019 creates a golden opportunity for Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh in particular to promote tourism.

A wide range of activities will be held as part of the forum such as formal meetings between officials of ASEAN National Tourism Organisation (NTO) and meetings between ASEAN tourism ministers and their counterparts from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and India.

Other events include association meetings involving ASEAN Tourism Association, Federation of ASEAN Travel Association, ASEAN Airlines Association, and ASEAN Hotel & Restaurant Association, exhibition and business appointments seeking to facilitate the trade of regional and individual tourism products of ASEAN member states, and a tourism conference.

The unique and specialised ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) is expected to make it easier and more convenient for suppliers of ASEAN tourism products and services and international buyers to conduct business.

Vietnam boasts a long coastline, forests and mountainous regions with numerous magnificent landscapes. The country also has a long history and diverse culture with a variety of ancient architecture construction and wonderful legends.

In 2017, Vietnam welcomed nearly 13 million international tourists and 74 million domestic ones. In the first three months of 2018, the country greeted over 4.2 million foreign visitors, a year-on-year rise of 30.9 percent.

Quang Ninh has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and over 2,000 islands and islets which account for two-thirds of the total number in Vietnam.

The province is hosting the National Tourism Year 2018 themed “Ha Long-Heritage, Wonder, Friendly Destination”, which will open in Ha Long city on April 28.

Ha Long Bay literally “descending dragon bay” is a must-see destination in Quang Ninh. It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000.

The bay spans 1,553 square kilometres and includes 1,969 islands of various sizes. It features thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes. The limestone in the bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The geo-diversity of the environment has created biodiversity, including a tropical evergreen biosystem, oceanic and sea biosystem. Ha Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.

Located 80 kilometres from the mainland, Co To island is another attraction in the. The island district comprises Co To Lon (large Co To island), Co To Be (small Co To island) and 15 smaller islands. Besides enchanting beaches, the island has natural forests, lighthouses, parks, wharves, fishing villages, bays and a rock garden.

Yen Duc Village in Quang Ninh’s Dong Trieu district is one of the few villages in Vietnam that still retains its authentic lifestyle. Located along the highway between Ha Noi and Ha Long city in the Red River Delta, Yen Duc Village is the epitome of Vietnamese rural living with its charming rice fields, traditional houses and gardens and friendly locals.

Located about 70km from Ha Long city, Binh Lieu district is ranked top of Vietnam National Radio Station’s list of best 2016 travel destinations. It is renowned for its fresh air, beautiful landscapes and ethnic minority groups. Visitors could admire great mountains, green rice fields and blooming reed fields of white flowers in late autumn and early winter.

As Quang Ninh’s most famous mountain, Yen Tu (meaning Bronze Pagoda) is appreciated not only for its natural landscape and stature but also for its significance as a historically preserved relic. It is located about 50 kilometres from Ha Long city.

Read full article at VietNamNet: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/travel/199700/asean-tourism-forum-2019-to-take-place-in-quang-ninh.html

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
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www.mekongtourism.org/

Free snow equipment hire with Falls Creek ski lodge booking

Pretty Valley Lodge at Falls Creek Alpine Resort
Family-friendly Pretty Valley Lodge at Falls Creek Alpine Resort has value-for-money, all-inclusive tariffs, plus guests are offered complimentary snow equipment, snow jackets, pants, and helmet. whilst they are staying at this well-located property.

A two-night weekend stay (In Friday out Sunday) costs $500 per adult and $375 per child under 14 (sharing a 4-6 person room}. However, the real value of all-inclusive Pretty Valley Lodge tariffs is a swag of Free extras offered to guests. There’s Free hire of snow equipment, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily are included. Another attribute the lodge guests really appreciate is its children's early dinner followed by supervised entertainment programs. And a huge outdoor heated pool and four spas plus an in-house 22-seat cinema are also available for guests.

The Pretty Valley Snow Sports shop offers top quality gear. Guests can choose between Rossignol, Dalbello, and Salomon alpine boots. Rossignol Skis (from carving to twin tips and to high performance), Burton Snowboards and boots.

The value of the Free snow equipment hire is a substantial saving. About $100 per person for three days hire of skis/boots/poles.Snowboard and boots close to $125 and jackets/pants and helmets about $45.

For more information call Pretty Valley Ski Lodge 03 5758 3210 or book online www.prettyvalley.com

Five Yakitori Restaurants You Don’t Want to Miss

Although Fukuoka is famous for its motsunabe and mizutaki, yakitori is also a Fukuoka specialty.

It houses many popular yakitori restaurants with varied menus that include not just classic flavors, but also skewers that use pork belly – something that you can only find in Fukuoka, uniquely flavored skewers, and even ones that have rolled ingredients!

In this Wow!Japan article there are five particularly recommended restaurants that serve great yakitori.
  1. Yakitori no Hachibei - Upscale and Creative!
  2. Honke Fujiyoshi - Over 60 Years and Great for Offal!
  3. Murasaki Yakitori Kenkyujo - Suitable for Anyone and Always Busy!
  4. Nobuhide Main Shop - Creator of Cabbage and Vinegar Sauce!
  5. Yakitori Kojiro - A Varied Menu That's Improved On Daily!

Wow!Japan article
www.jnto.org.au
www.facebook.com/VisitJapanAU/

Mural paintings enlighten humble valley in Da Nang

mural paintings in  Da Nang
The first fresco valley which has been relived with glamorous mural paintings in the central city of Da Nang has opened to public after four months of implementation.

Mural paintings depicting cultural life, natural landscapes and people of Da Nang painted on the walls along alley No. 75 on Nguyen Van Linh street in Hai Chau district have attracted a large number of visitors to the place.

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, a visitor to Da Nang told reporters: "This is the first time I visited the place. I am very impressive. This is a venue for young people to come for entertainment and check-in."

A group of artists from Da Nang city’s Fine Arts Association and the Architecture University participated in the art project worth over 2.5 billion VND, since January.

The images of Da Nang’s signatures, such as the red shanked douce langur, Da Nang beach, Dien Hai temple, Son Tra mountain and the whale worshipping festival are showcased in the paintings.

Truc Hanh, a local resident said: "I’ve visited Tam Thanh – Tam Ky mural village in the neighbouring Quang Nam province. It’s a pride of Da Nang to have such a mural valley. I hope the city will have more models like this to remind visitors of a friendly Da Nang."

According to Duong Huynh Trang who is working on the project, her group has delivered leaflets and layers at the airport and tourism promotion centres to introduce the fresco valley and created a fan page for tourists. "I hope more people will know about the valley.", she added.

Apart from enjoying the beauty of the paintings, visitors also have a chance to take part in cultural activities, including folk games, held at weekends.
Source: VNA

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism