World's 2nd largest zoo to be built in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Island is set to get the second largest zoo in the world.

It will spread over 500ha in the two communes of Ganh Dau and Cua Can.

Vingroup is expected to start construction at the end of this year.

Artist's drawings in HCM City combine art and architecture

A series of drawings by artist and architect Trong Le will be on show at VinGallery in HCM City's District 2 from early next month.

A Fictional Journey will be held from September 7 to October 18.

A release of the gallery says, "Trong Le's drawing style is distinctive. Swirling lines are elaborated by an art nouveau style which describes recognisable Sai Gon buildings – both old and new.

"An architectural background mixed with a great deal of imagination has allowed Trong Le to generate his series of watercolours and ink drawings."

His highly acclaimed book Sai Gon Xua: The Colour of Nostalgia was published earlier this year.

Quang Binh approves tours to legendary cave

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the central province of Quang Binh on Thursday announced it has approved tours to Tien (Fairy) cave in Ca Quang Commune, Tuyen Hoa District.

Tien, the rearmost one in the Tu Lan cave system, is 3km in length and dry except during the flood season when a stream flows through it.

The department said there would be one- and two-day tours, which would be suspended in September and October every year due to the annual flooding.

Quang Ninh town listed as ‘insanely beautiful'

Cua Van, a fishing village in the northern province of Quang Ninh, has been named one of the "11 insanely beautiful small towns from around the world" by online US newspaper The Huffington Post.

The newspaper said "located six hours from Ha Noi, this 700-person floating fishing village in Ha Long Bay is stunning, thanks to teal water, colorful raft houses, limestone hills and winding streets."

Some of the other towns in the list are Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia, Bled in Slovenia, Franschhoek in South Africa, and Anneccy in France.

Five best markets in Ha Noi for snacking

Nam Dong, Nghia Tan, Dong Xuan, Thanh Cong, and Ngo Sy Lien have been named the five best destinations for snacks in Ha Noi by www.dulichvietnam.com.vn.

Eateries at these places offer many traditional Ha Noi dishes including all kinds of sweet soup, spring rolls, cakes, and noodles at very low prices.

Snacking is such a Hanoian feature that it is not difficult for one to find places serving light foods at any time of day or night.

Must-do list on a visit to Nha Trang

Vietnamese online website www.zing.vn has listed the various activities that visitors must do unfailingly when visiting Nha Trang.

The first is a swim in Dai Beach, arguably the most beautiful natural beach in the country. It then urges a visit to Van Phong Bay, around 80km away, and Ponagar Temple and eating can cake, a traditional delicacy of the Cham ethnic people.

It also recommends riding along Tran Phu Street, a long road along the sea, eating seafood, and visiting Vinpearl Land and playing games on the beach there.

Book reveals a golden generation

A book on 20 of his contemporaries by late scholar Vu Dinh Hoe (1912-2011), the first minister of education in the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, has just been released.

Titled Guong Mat Nhung Nguoi Cung The He (Faces of Same Generation People), the book has been published by Tre (Youth) Publishing House to celebrate the 70th anniversary of August Revolution and Independence Day on September 2. It features people the author met during his life.

The subjects included people who died for the country during the fight for independence, including the first national Assembly chairman, Nguyen Van To (1889-1947).

Some were close friends who acted as advisers to President Ho Chi Minh, including diplomat Hoang Minh Giam (1904-45), architect Nguyen Cao Luyen (1907-87), revolutionist Hoang Huu Nam (1911-47), and playwright Doan Phu Tu (1910-89).

"President Ho Chi Minh was mentioned in most of the articles," said Professor Tran Huu Ta, chairman of the HCM City Association for Research and Teaching Literature, at the book lauching ceremony held in HCM City on Wednesday.

"Each time President Ho Chi Minh is mentioned, another side of his nature is revealed to readers. Young people will be able to understand more about the country's history by reading the book."

Historian Duong Trung Quoc, secretary of Viet Nam Historians' Association, said the subjects were of a "golden generation" led by Ho Chi Minh.

"Time flies, many historic figures have been forgotten," said Vu The Khoi, one of Hoe's sons. "My father witnessed many occurrences to those figures. That's why he was determined to write the book on these people so that no one can forget such people, who devoted their lives for the country."

Professor Hoe was born in 1912 in the northern province of Hai Duong. He worked as a lawyer and journalist before being nominated as the first education minister of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam in 1945.

During six-months in the position, he made significant changes to the revolutionary education of the young republic. He initiated the Mass Education Department to help eradicate illiteracy.

He joined a team of people compiling the constitution in 1946, advising for changes in education. He believed children should not be treated with violence, that education should be compulsory and free of charge. Hoe then worked as Minister of Justice until 1960.

When he stopped his political work, Professor Hoe did research on law until 1975 and then retired. He left behind two important books, Vu Dinh Hoe Memoirs, and Righteous Justice of Ho Chi Minh.

Gia Lai, Kon Tum exhibitions display Uncle Ho's signatures

Ho Chi Minh Museum's branches in the central highland provinces of Gia Lai and Kon Tum have launched an exhibition entitled The Collection of Late President Ho Chi Minh's 79 Signatures in 1945-1969.

The exhibition is one of the activities being organised to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

Eighty-eight pictures and documents related to the life and revolutionary career of the late president from 1890 to 1969 will be displayed at the exhibition.

The highlight is a collection of 79 signatures of Uncle Ho, selected from thousands of documents dating from the early days of the establishment of the country in 1945 till 1969 before he passed away.

The collection aims to offer viewers better insight into his thoughts, morality as well as modest lifestyle.

The Ho Chi Minh Museums in Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces will also present a collection of poems, entitled Loi Tho Dang Bac, by 53 poets. The sincere and simple verses convey their deep affection and gratitude to the Old Father of the nation.

The exhibition will run till September 10 at the two museums.

Caravelle hosts two-day wedding exhibition

The five-star Caravelle Saigon will host the two-day Wedding Exhibition – Start your life voyage with us – from 9 a.m. on August 25 to 4 p.m. on August 26.

This is a good chance for lovebirds to make use of promotions including a honeymoon trip to Korea, and take in the new trends in wedding themes and décor to inspire each other in setting in motion the perfect occasion for their most important day.

All couples who book their big day at Caravelle between August 25 and September 8 will receive the following for their celebration: 10% off wedding reception cuisine and beverages, an exclusive setup of photo gallery and shooting corner with the Royal Blue theme, an exclusive gift card of VND15 million from Joli Poli Fashion, and a gift card of VND4 million from Bliss Wedding Planner for their Blissful package, among others.

But this is applicable to weddings with 200 guests or above held from now until March 31, 2016 and are not in conjunction with other promotions and benefits.

For a booking of a wedding party for 400 guests or above as the earliest birds from August 25 to September 8, guests will have an additional benefit of a three-night stay in Executive Suite with daily breakfast, inbound airport transfer and 60-minute spa treatment for two persons at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Paintings on old newspapers

An exhibition of 24 pastel paintings on old newspapers created by 13 artists from Hanoi, Haiphong and Hoi An is on in Hoi An City.

The paintings reflect images of the ancient town of Hoi An.

Old newspaper is a familiar material for creating paintings and has been used by painters since the 1960s and 1970s, said Le Thiet Cuong, one of the 13 painters.

“The exhibition is a reminder of the past and an expression of gratitude to artists of the previous generation,” he said.

Opened at 6 p.m. every day since last weekend, the exhibition lasts until August 29 at Silk Village, 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Hoi An City.

Vietnamese cuisine introduced in Beijing

A four-day festival of Vietnamese culinary delights is taking place in Beijing, China through August 24.

According to the organising board, online registration for attendance has far exceeded expectations, showing the popularity of Vietnamese food.

The festival will serve mainly traditional dishes, such as pho, spicy beef noodle soup and fried and fresh spring roll.

At the opening ceremony on August 20, Head of the Vietnam Centre for Women and Development (CWD) Pham Thi Huong Giang said through the event, the Vietnam Women’s Union hopes to promote Vietnamese culture and advance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The event is co-organised by the Vietnam Embassy in China, the CWD and its Chinese counterpart.

Six destinations named in Lonely Planet’s travel bucket list

Six Vietnamese destinations have made it to the list of top 500 places that Lonely Planet says you must visit.

Two of the destinations are located in the north – the Hanoi Old Quarter, ranked 31st, and Ha Long Bay, ranked 65th in the Ultimate Travelist 2015.

Two places in the central region listed in the top 500 are the historic town of Hoi An, ranked 83rd, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, ranked 168th.

The tunnels of Cu Chi, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Cu Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc Island off southern Vietnam coast are also in the list, at 306th and 418th places.

In comparison, Malaysia has three spots on the list, Singapore has two, and Thailand has eight.

Last year foreign arrivals to Vietnam hit more than 7.8 million, up 4% from 2013.

Between January and July this year, the figure was around 4.4 million, a 9.4% decrease annually.

Lonely Planet said the rankings were compiled from the highlights found in every one of its famous guidebooks throughout the years.

The list was whittled down to a shortlist and the publication then asked readers to vote for their top 20.

The Temples of Angkor in Cambodia topped the list this year. Described as the “Hindu heaven on earth,” this complex of more than 1,000 temples, shrines and tombs that form a virtual city of spires in the jungles of northern Cambodia, takes the crown.

In response to a question about the appeal of Vietnam to travelers, a Lonely Planet spokesperson pointed out the fact that the guidebook dedicated to Vietnam, with many recommendations, is currently in its 14th edition, with the next edition due for publication in July 2016.