Travellers Notes

      Lang Co Bay gets world recognition
The World’s Best Bay Club has recognised Lang Co Bay in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue as one of the world’s most beautiful, the World Bays’ secretary general Bruno Borda has said.
The bay will be honoured at the International Conference on the World’s Most Beautiful Bays in Setubal, Portugal, today, as will Mozambique’s Pemba and Columbia’s Cartegena.
Lang Co becomes the country’s third bay, after Ha Long and Nha Trang, to be listed in the top bays in the world by World Bays.
New tour discovers secrets of citadel
HA NOI �" A new team-building style tourist activity called "The Emperor’s Secret" was recently launched by Vietran Tour, offering tourists the chance to explore the history of Thang Long Citadel.
Aimed at MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourists, the tour encourages participants to work together at solving clues that will lead them to their next destination. The clues could be found in architecture, cuisine, or the lifestyle of the local community.
The tour, which begins at the Hilton Hanoi Opera, could last anywhere from a half-day up to even six days depending on participant demand. The price starts from $50 per person.
Hoi An prefers preservation tourism
QUANG NAM �"Hoi An has said it will give priority to tourism development projects that also help preserve the culture of this UNESCO heritage town.
Hoi An is becoming an attractive investment destination due to its many relic sites and festivals. Sofitel Hoi An Resort, Vinpearl Hoi An Ecological Tourism Resort, and Novotel Imperial Hoi An Resort have all received licences.
There are already more than 20 hotels and resorts including Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An, Palm garden Resort, and Victoria Resort.
Phan Thiet hosts fish-praying fest
Cau Ngu (Fish Praying) festival opened on Wednesday in conjunction with Phan Thiet Tourist Summer Week 2009 in Binh Thuan Province.
The fish-praying festival has a traditional procession of Ong Sanh (Whale), followed by an elaborate funeral to welcome the spirit of the fish. The procession attracted 12 fishing boats and five boat teams on the Ca Ty River along with a parade of 500 visitors.
Canadians to shoot documentary
A film crew from VTTH Department of Entertainment in Canada has arrived in Viet Nam to make a 50-minute documentary film featuring the splendid landscapes, culture and history of the country and the hospitality of Vietnamese people. They will be filming in HCM City and Tien Giang, Da Lat, Quy Nhon, Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang, Ha Long and Ha Noi.
The film is scheduled to be broadcast on Canada’s Outdoor Life Network and City TV channels, and on the US National Geographic channel. Saigontourist will sponsor the film, which will promote Viet Nam and Saigontourist to Canadian and foreign tourists, says the company’s deputy general director Tran Hung Viet.
Kite-flying contest to take the skies
Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort&Spa is sponsoring its fifth annual kite - flying competition next Sunday.
The 4th Quang Nam Heritage Itinerary promoting activities related to culture, tourism, sports and trade in Quang Nam Province is staged in co-operation with the Hoi An Sport and Culture Department. The event is expected to receive 140 participants from Quang Nam, Da Nang, Hue and other central provinces. The first prize is VND6 million, with two second prizes worth VND3 million each, and three third prizes VND2 million each.