Da Nang: Buddhist museum opened to visitors

A Buddhist Cultural Museum was inaugurated and opened to the public at the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Temple in the central province of Da Nang on December 24.

The museum, the first of its kind in Vietnam, displays around 200 Buddhist antiques, including a statue made of precious white jade in the shape of the Bodhisattvas holding a baby in her arms, and a set of eight Buddha statues made of bronze in the 9th century.

It is expected to become an attractive destination for tourists who visit Da Nang’s Ngu Hanh Son complex.

According to Superior Buddhist monk Thich Hue Vinh, head of the Quan The Am Temple, that apart from the exhibited, the temple has other 300 Buddhism-related objects dated back the 7th century to the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

Earlier, an exhibition showcasing more than 80 Buddhist antiques was also organised in Da Nang city.

Cham Island introduces new crafts

The ancient city of Hoi An has introduced new craft products made from Firmiana colorata, commonly known as the Chinese parasol tree, a big tree in Cham Island.

Different products have been made by islanders for years in serving tourists.

Local people produce hammock from tree bark, oil, cake, skin cream and lipstick.

The city has planned to restore the tree and develop craft industry in connection with tourism in Cham Island and Hoi An city.

Early this year, three Firmiana colorata trees, which started growing in the island 200 years ago, were recognised as Heritage Trees by the Viet Nam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment.

Cham Island, which was recognised as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2009, hosts around 100,000 tourists annually, of which 10 per cent are foreigners.

The island, 20km off the coast of Hoi An, has seen the first local in Viet Nam banning the use of plastic bags and promoting the 3-R (reduce, reuse and recycle) programmes since 2011.

Foreign experts’ community welcomes Christmas 2015

Dozens of foreign experts from many countries, including the US, Australia, UK, India, Canada, and Japan, an exciting and happy Christmas 2015 and New Year 2016 party at the Ruby Home serviced apartment chain in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

This is a community of professionals and foreigners working long term in Vietnam. Among them are English teachers, software engineers, writers, a professor of linguistics, computer experts, real estate projects consultants, banking consultants and entrepreneurs.

During the party, all the guests were touched by the gifts - lovely cups with their names that were presented to them by two girls in sexy Santa outfits.

Lori, an English teacher from London, said: "The party is very cute and funny. The food is delicious. I am really thrilled to receive the gift with my name on it. They (Ruby Home) were very thoughtful! "

Sandy, a Canadian mother who visited her two sons staying in Ruby Home serviced apartments, said: "I have had great moments here. I love this place! Great!"

Kyuma, a Japanese businessman, said: "This is an emotional moment. I was laughing throughout the evening. I have never attended a party this significant. I will still be here long. "

Swathi and Pradeep, an Indian couple, were excited to share their feelings: "We've come here for just a few hours, and are very surprised when receiving a very meaningful gift. I would definitely recommend my friends to Ruby Home! "

Le Thi Bich Ngoc (Ms. Ruby), CEO of serviced apartment chain Ruby Home, said: "We had to spend more than a week looking for ideas for this program. It is themed "Sharing Moments" since we want to listen to clients' sharing of their ideas and opinions so we can continuously improve our services and make the Ruby Home chain become the leading serviced apartments in HCMC and Vietnam."

Buffalo Tours offers private guides to tourists seeking hidden gems

The Buffalo Tours has launched its Essence private-guided tours for travellers who want to combine their experience of "must-see attractions with local connection and cultural experience", Matt Masson, managing director of Buffalo Tours, said.

"With the Essence line, we've taken the best of both worlds and created a product range that showcases special routes, hidden gems, innovative cuisine and in-depth cultural discovery alongside the highlights," he said. "Essence is our way of showcasing the beauty of Asia: the food, the culture, the architecture and the people."

With a special focus on local interaction, an Essence tour gives travellers the opportunity to experience the heart of Asia while enjoying the comforts of a dedicated guide and private transfers.

Kites to fill skies above Grand Ho Tram Strip on New Year's Day

The Grand Ho Tram Strip will host the first Ho Tram Kite Festival above its spectacular coastline from 10am to 5pm on January 1 and 2.

The event, held in partnership with the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Culture and Tourism Department, will also other interesting activities.

Ten groups of professional Vietnamese kite artisans will launch more than 150 unique and colourful kites from Ho Tram Strip's 2.2 kilometre beach.

Of particular interest is the "Rokkaku kite battle" that will bring more energy and excitement to the event as flyers try to knock their opponents' kites out of the sky.

Other activities will be offered between December 31 and January 2, including poolside games for kids, carnival girls, stilt walkers in holiday costumes, a street magic crew and balloon artists for kids. The event is free.

Mountains, islands in Viet Nam top Huffington Post ‘bucket list'

The Huffington Post, an American online blog and news aggregator, has published a list of five amazing adventures for your "Southeast Asia bucket list", including Hike Viet Nam's highest mountain (ranked first), Viet Nam's four-island boat tour (ranked fourth) and the sunset from Ham Rong Mountain (ranked fifth).

"If you like mountains and challenging hikes, Fansipan is a must-do while in Sa Pa," it said. "A cable car is under construction (to be completed in two years) that will travel from Sa Pa Town all the way to the top of Fansipan."

Viet Nam's 4 Island Boat Tour is likely the best one-day experience in Nha Trang. Take a tour from beach to beach, snorkel and eat delicious food on the boat.

HCM City experiments with promoting tourism through film

Film induced tourism was the topic of discussion between Ho Chi Minh City leaders and Indian filmmakers from Bollywood on December 23 at a conference in the city discussing measures to promote tourism.

While there is little scientific research suggesting that films actually have the capacity to boost tourism figures, the phenomenon has received a lot of attention within the industry over the past decade.

At the meeting, the Indian film makers reported they had come up with several ideas and locations that may work during a week-long tour of the region and reps of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) expressed interest in the concept.  

It’s worth experimenting with said VNAT Market Department Director Dinh Ngoc Duc and we can use India as a test of the effectiveness of such an approach.  It’s sort of a nothing ventured nothing gained approach.

Catwalk shines at fashion college's graduate show

On the evening of December 21 the London College for Design & Fashion presented “Polygon”, a graduate fashion show featuring the collections of five students magnificently showcased by 30 models. About 1,000 people were on hand to view the expressive outfits designed by the college’s emerging talent in a two-year program.

“Sometimes modern life may seem more stressful, and this engenders a wish to escape to the comfort of nature, tranquility of mind, and a peaceful world,” said Ms. Ha Thi Hang, Managing Director of the London College for Design & Fashion. “Our future designers express their desire for a peaceful world through their creativity.”

The five designers presented their most creative works, meticulous craftsmanship, and vibrant palettes, with concepts ranging from tribal art to natural beauty and Japanese culture. Each collection had its own presentation video featuring the designer’s creative inspiration.

The show’s first collection, “Monster”, by Nguyen Phuong Thao, is a combination of bright, vivid colors through sexy outfits expressing youthful spirit. “Monster is targeted towards young men and women looking for something fun, creative, and unique,” she said.

“Crystal”, by Hoang Thuy Minh, followed, inspired by the shape and textures of its namesake. Its geometric, angular structure and lighting effects are elegantly represented through the garments’ 3D shapes and LED lights hidden within the outfit.

Designer Phung Nhu Mai presented her “Kabukimono” collection, featuring minimalist silhouettes and digital printing in the three main colors of black, white, and red.

“Wandering Nomad”, a collection by Pham Thanh Huyen, combines handmade traditional embroidery with beaded, fringing and applique, using leather, fur, silk and wool fabric, reflecting the spirit of nature and the value of traditional art in modern design.

Natural beauty is the creative inspiration behind “The Fantasy of Flowers” collection of Bui Linh Phuong. The layered prints on the fabric were created with rich and vivid watercolors.

The London College for Design & Fashion was established in 2004 and has provided many opportunities in the international design industry for graduates, such as Kelly Bui, Rue des Chats, L’atelier, and Km 109. Since last September the college has also held a course in graphic design and interior design.

Art exhibition opens in Lam Dong

An art painting exhibition themed “Mother and flower- Womankind” was opened at Labor Culture House of Lam Dong on December 24.

The painting exhibition under theme of “Mother and flower- Womankind” by artist Vi Quoc Hiep

The exhibition is the first activity to respond the sixth Da Lat Flower Festival.

The 45 paintings from various materials such as oil painting, Nepal paper, acrylic and pastel technique by artist Vi Quoc Hiep, focused on ancient villas of Da Lat, Da Lat’s women, landscapes, motherly love and others.

Through the event, the artists hope to express their love for Da Lat city.

Vi Quoc Hiep, a painter of the Tay ethnic group who drew a portrait of French doctor Alexandre Yersin from 10,000 peas and recognized as a Vietnam record, presents at the event.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until January 4, 2016.

Da Lat ready for 2015 flower festival

Da Lat has completed preparation work for the 2015 flower festival scheduled on December 29, 2015 to January 2, 2016 in Da Lat City.

Under the theme “Da Lat - Colorful flowers,” the upcoming festival includes nine key events and 19 response programs such as flower space, exhibitions, flower exhibition, Dalat flower carnival, flower fair, seminar on flowers, wine street, Lam Dong coffee, calligraphy space, fire-pen pictures as well as flower photography.

The opening ceremony plus a flower carnival is scheduled for 8 p.m. on December 29 at Lam Vien Dalat Square.

The biannual festival aims to promote the Da Lat trademark – a city famous for its tourism and relaxation, and to honour the flower planters and Da Lat’s flower value to domestic and foreign friends./.

Culture Village to host activities welcoming New Year

A string of activities will take place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the Dong Mo tourism area of Son Tay town, Hanoi from January 1-3, 2016 to celebrate New Year 2016.

Entitled ‘Salute 2016 – Vietnamese Cuisine and Cultural Features’, the programme will display cultural spaces and specialities of Vietnam’s regions across the country.

The traditional tugging rituals and games, which have been recently listed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO, will be featured at the event by Mong, Tay and Nung ethnic groups from the northern provinces of Ha Giang and Lao Cai.

Visitors will be invited to take part in folk games such as Con (cloth ball) throwing, blindfolded pot smashing, bag jumping and hopscotch while enjoying traditional spring songs and dances by artists from Viet Bac Arts and Culture College.

Traditional cultural practices by Muong and Thai ethnic people will also be introduced to visitors on the occasion.

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