Travellers Notes

      Son My War Vestiges Memorial welcomes 30,000 visitors
The Son My War Vestiges Memorial in the Central province of Quang Ngai’s Son Tinh District, site of a brutal massacre by the US army on 16 March 1968, has attracted nearly 30,000 visitors so far this year, a year-on-year increase of 300 per cent.
To commemorate the 41th anniversary of what is known the world over as the My Lai Massacre, Quang Ngai authorities are building a bell-tower in front of the Son My Memorial. It will have a bronze bell that will be rang 504 times at 6 am every morning in memory of the murdered victims.
Hong Kong travel agencies tour central provinces
Twenty five leading travel agencies from Hong Kong wrapped up last Sunday a five-day trip to tourist attractions in Central Viet Nam including Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and My Son. The familiarisation (FAM) trip, which was jointly organised by the departments of culture sports and tourism of Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang, as well as Vietnam Airlines and Hoi An Tourist Service Company, aims to promote tourism in the central region.
Le Tien Dung, director of Hoi An Tourist Service Company, said he will find a partner for Vietnam Airlines to open direct flights from Hong Kong to Da Nang. Provincial authorities in the central region also supported a plan to open a Hong Kong-Da Nang-Siem Reap route and said they would promote the region at a tourism fair to be held in Hong Kong in June.
Da Nang prepares for 2009 International Firework Competition
The central city of Da Nang will host the International Firework Competition 2009 next Friday and Saturday with the participation of Spain, Australia, China, the Philippines, and host team Viet Nam.
The shows are all around 21 minutes long and are titled as follows: Australia - "The Southern Stars"; the Philippines - "Da Nang-new epoch"; China - "Freedom for Love"; and Spain – "Happy Melodies". Viet Nam will express the beauty of the nation as well as the friendliness of Vietnamese people via "Han River’s Echoes".
Visitors to the fireworks competition can also enjoy cultural activities and games including garland and flower ship festivals, boat races, water sports, culinary programmes, music shows, circus and exhibitions.
Impressive Viet Nam highlights attractions at Berlin trade fair
Twenty five Vietnamese companies joined the 43rd international tourism fair in Berlin, Germany from March 11-15, offering visitors the "Impressive Viet Nam" programme.
The deputy chief of the Tourism Market Agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen The Thang, said the Impressive Viet Nam campaign aims to publicise the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long (as the capital city of Ha Noi used to be known); and Ha Long Bay, a potential candidate for selection as one of the seven new wonders of the world.
The International Tourism Fair in Berlin featured more than 11,000 stalls from 187 countries. After the fair in Germany, some Vietnamese companies went to Russia.
Outdoor massages tempt tourists on Phu Quoc beach
Many visitors to Phu Quoc Island are attracted by the massage services offered right on the beach.
About 100 women offer massages both on the beaches and in resorts at about VND60,000 (US$3.2) per hour, earning from VND200,000 to VND350,000 a day during the high season. While they may not be professionally trained, they have learned from experience and been taught by skilled practitioners and by some visitors themselves.
They are required to adhere strictly to regulations, and are not allowed into hotel or guest rooms.