SolarBK, a leading renewable energy solutions provider in Vietnam, has just inked a co-operation contract with Empire Group on lighting up the latter’s entertainment mega-complex with its energy-efficient solar-powered electrical system, with the total capacity touching 1.5 megawatts peak. SolarBK and Empire Group signed a contract to light up Cocobay Danang through solar power Once completed, the iconic entertainment complex called Cocobay Danang will become the first mixed development featuring Vietnam’s largest solar-powered electrical system. The project will be handled by SolarESCO, a SolarBK member unit. In the first phase, within 80 days the QB4 terraced house building, a component of Cocobay Danang complex, will be kitted out with a 50.55 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar-powered … [Read more...]

Thanks to Summerfield Company Limited’s intention to take over, the long-delayed $2-billion Happy Land entertainment complex in the Mekong Delta province of Long An may be revived. Aerial view of the HappyLand complex At a recent working session with leaders of the Long An People’s Committee, chairman of Summerfield Company Limited from Hong Kong, Francois Da Pan Shih, expressed interest in investing in the project after initial research. In November 2011, Phu An Infrastructure Investment and Development JSC, a subsidiary of Khang Thong Group, broke ground for the HappyLand entertainment complex. Developed on a 338-hectare area in Ben Luc district, the multibillion-dollar project inspired by Disneyland would include a $600-million theme park, a 3.7-kilometre boardwalk, a shopping centre, three- to five-star … [Read more...]

NEW DELHI: McDonald's said Monday (Aug 21) it is shutting 169 restaurants in India after a legal row with a local franchise operator. A McDonald's in New Delhi pictured in June: the company is to shut 169 outlets in India AFP/CHANDAN KHANNA The fast food chain's Indian subsidiary said it was terminating its agreement with Connaught Plaza Restaurant Ltd (CPRL), alleging breach of contract and payment defaults. The move means all McDonald's outlets in north and east India including the capital New Delhi will close, although the company said it would look for a new partner. McDonald's outlets will remain open in south and west India, where it uses a different franchise operator. "We have been compelled to take this step because CPRL has materially breached the terms of the respective franchise … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – The central city officially put into operation its first open-top double-decker bus tour, connecting the airport and 25 stops in the city, on Saturday. A fleet of 12 double-decker buses offer tourists and commuters a chance to explore Da Nang. — Photo: Cong Thanh/VNS The tour is the first of its kind in Viet Nam, serving both tourists and commuters. The city tour on the 54-seat bus, which is being operated in co-operation with Empire Group, runs from 7am till 10pm on two routes from Da Nang International Airport to CocoBay – Da Nang’s largest entertainment and hospitality complex – and Son Tra Peninsula. The Coco bus tour ticket will be priced at VND250,000 (US$11) for a 24-hour jump-on jmup-off use. According to Empire Group, the bus tour will be offered free for tourists and commuters throughout … [Read more...]

The street is reserved exclusively for pedestrians from 7pm to 2am at weekends. During this time, vendors are allowed to display their merchandise on the pavement, but not on the road. Two stages for live music performances are also set up at the two ends of the street, promoting both Vietnamese folk songs and international music. In addition, tourists can enjoy free Wi-Fi services, public toilets and other tourist-related services. Foreign visitors have already praised the street for selling “cheap beer” and “providing good services”. Mahlet Christie from Australia said it was a very good idea to open the walking street. “We love it as everything here is so accessible. It was interesting to sit on the street watching everyone going past.” “The food is amazing as always. Vietnamese beer is very … [Read more...]

Bui Vien Walking Street (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - Thousands of local and foreign tourists flocked to Bui Vien Walking Street in the popular backpacker area of HCM City’s District 1 as it officially welcomed walkers at its grand opening on August 20’s night. The street is reserved exclusively for pedestrians from 7pm to 2am at weekends. During this time, vendors are allowed to display their merchandise on the pavement, but not on the road. Two stages for live music performances are also set up at the two ends of the street, promoting both Vietnamese folk songs and international music. In addition, tourists can enjoy free Wi-Fi services, public toilets and other tourist-related services. Foreign visitors have already praised the street for selling “cheap beer” and “providing good … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Dozens of quan ho (love duets) artistes in Bac Ninh Province – cradle of the traditional art form – are coming together every Saturday night to entertain audiences in a very special performance. Boat music: Quan Ho performances on the Nguyen Phi Y Lan Lake in Bac Ninh City every Saturday aim to promote the art form within and outside the northern province.  Instead of performing in the yard of a communal house yard, which is the typical venue, the singers perform on boats on the Nguyen Phi Y Lan Lake in Bac Ninh City. The boat performances are among activities aiming to preserve values of the traditional art form that was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2009.   Tran Quang Nam, director of the province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said quan ho has … [Read more...]

The street is reserved exclusively for pedestrians from 7pm to 2am at weekends. During this time, vendors are allowed to display their merchandise on the pavement, but not on the road. Two stages for live music performances are also set up at the two ends of the street, promoting both Vietnamese folk songs and international music. Thousands of local and foreign tourists flocked to Bùi Viện Walking Street. Source: vietnamnews.vn In addition, tourists can enjoy free Wi-Fi services, public toilets and other tourist-related services. Foreign visitors have already praised the street for selling “cheap beer” and “providing good services”. Mahlet Christie from Australia said it was a very good idea to open the walking street. “We love it as everything here is so accessible. It was interesting to sit on the street watching everyone going past.” … [Read more...]

Quan Ho performances on the Nguy​en Phi ​Y Lan Lake in B​ac Ninh City every Saturday aim to promote the art form within and outside the northern province. (Photo: VNA) Bac Ninh (VNA) – Dozens of Quan ho (love duets) artists in the northern province of Bac Ninh – the cradle of the traditional art form – are coming together every Saturday night to entertain audiences in a very special performance. Instead of performing in the yard of a communal house, which is the typical venue, the singers perform on boats on the Nguyen Phi Y Lan Lake in Bac Ninh city. The boat performances are among activities aiming to preserve values of the traditional art form that was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2009.   Tran Quang Nam, Director of the province’s Culture, Sports and … [Read more...]

Dozens of quan họ (love duets) artistes in Bắc Ninh Province – cradle of the traditional art form – are coming together every Saturday night to entertain audiences in a very special performance. Boat music: Quan Họ performances on the Nguyên Phi Ỷ Lan Lake in Bắc Ninh City every Saturday aim to promote the art form within and outside the northern province. - VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thương Instead of performing in the yard of a communal house yard, which is the typical venue, the singers perform on boats on the Nguyên Phi Ỷ Lan Lake in Bắc Ninh City. The boat performances are among activities aiming to preserve values of the traditional art form that was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in … [Read more...]

NDO – The 2017 ASEAN Song, Dance and Music Festival kicked off at Vinh Phuc provincial theatre, on August 20, as part of the activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN. The festival features nearly 300 artists from seven ASEAN member states, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The artists will present around 90 performances highlighting each nation’s culture. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien stated that the event will help tighten solidarity between nations in the ASEAN Community and promotes each nation’s culture. Within the framework of the event, outstanding performances will be selected to entertain audience in Vinh Tuong district and Phuc Yen town. The festival will last until August 24, aiming to improve people’s knowledge of the ASEAN Community and increase their awareness of developing the … [Read more...]

Thousands of local and foreign tourists flocked to Bùi Viện Walking Street in the popular backpacker area of HCM City’s District 1 as it officially welcomed walkers at its grand opening last night. Hitting the street: Thousands of local and foreign tourists flocked to Bùi Viện Walking Street as it officially opened to tourists last night. - VNS Photo Bồ Xuân Hiệp The street will be reserved exclusively for pedestrians from 7pm to 2am at weekends. During this time, vendors will be allowed to display their merchandise on the pavement, but not on the road. Two stages for live music performances will also be set up at the two ends of the street, promoting both Vietnamese folk songs and international music. In addition, tourists will enjoy free Wi-Fi services, … [Read more...]

Empire Group, the investor of Cocobay, has officially lauched its Coco Bus Tour using open top double decker buses. The tour is expected to cross 25 popular and scenic stops from Danang International Airport to the southern part of the city. Empire Group's fleet of sightseeing double deckers will be a novel addition to Danang's tourism scene According to Empire Group, Coco Bus Tour will include two routes, Route 1 of which was launched on August 19 and Route 2 will come into operation in September 2017. Route 1 starts from Danang International Airport and goes to south Danang through a total of 25 bus stops, taking visitors for a sightseeing journey of scenic attractions and glorious beach resort views in the city before reaching Cocobay Danang. Route 2 is expected to head to the north, running from Danang … [Read more...]

A peaceful corner of Tien Yen town Tien Yen town on a summer afternoon. The roads and ancient houses had just been washed by a rain shower.  The town contains two types of ancient houses: those built by the Chinese in the early 20th century and those with French architecture. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern, like a chessboard. There are no sidewalks.  The 2-story tube houses are covered with clay roof tiles. The 40-centimeter-thick walls are made of rocks or of bricks made with lime, red soil, and sand, while the ceilings are made of wood.  Each house has a small wooden staircase, a balcony, and a backyard, making the house cool in summer and warm in winter.  Tien Yen’s residents are Kinh - the majority people of Vietnam –as well as Chinese and people of … [Read more...]

Quang Ninh Province aims to develop Van Don into a dynamic economic centre with a focus on services, high-end tourism and high-tech industries. — Photo bnews.vn The northern province of Quang Ninh plans to turn Van Don special administrative-economic zone into a smart and green island urban area, Nguyen Van Doc, secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said. The zone, located in Van Don District, has a total land area of 581.13sqkm, a sea area of 1,620sqkm and a population of around 46,000. The district lies in a politically and economically important region, on the strategic transit route from East Asia to Southeast Asia and from ASEAN to China, in the Viet Nam-China “two corridors, one belt” co-operation area, in the Nanning-Singapore economic corridor, and in the extended Tonkin Gulf inter-regional co-operation area. Van Don is one of the three special administrative-economic zones … [Read more...]

The northern province of Quảng Ninh plans to turn Vân Đồn special administrative-economic zone into a smart and green island urban area, Nguyễn Văn Đọc, secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said. Quảng Ninh Province aims to develop Vân Đồn into a dynamic economic centre with a focus on services, high-end tourism and high-tech industries.-Photo bnews.vn The zone, located in Vân Đồn District, has a total land area of 581.13sqkm, a sea area of 1,620sqkm and a population of around 46,000. The district lies in a politically and economically important region, on the strategic transit route from East Asia to Southeast Asia and from ASEAN to China, in the Việt Nam-China “two corridors, one belt” co-operation area, in the … [Read more...]

Second pedestrian street flooded with cheerful visitors on opening dayHoang Phong The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of Bui Vien pedestrian street takes place on Sunday Thousands of local youths and foreign tourists on Sunday rushed to Bui Vien Street in the backpacker’s area in HCMC’s District 1 to enjoy the bustling, cheeful atmosphere on the opening day of the city’s second pedestrian street. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the pedestrian-only street, local and international visitors had wonderful moments to enjoy a wide range of entertainment activities such as magic and martial arts shows, music programs, musical instrument performances and dances. The country’s folk arts such as quan ho (love duet) and don ca tai tu (southern folk music) were also performed by artists in an effort to introduce Vietnam’s culture and traditional art to international … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - Painting exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional Tết celebrations are among activities being held in celebration of Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival, at heritage sites in Hà Nội's Old Quarter. To the Vietnamese, Tết is not only a festive occasion to enjoy entertainment activities, but is also an expression of the gratitude of the Vietnamese people and an occasion to commemorate ancestors and preserve the traditional customs that have been practiced for long, Trần Thúy Lan, deputy head of the Old Quarter Management Board, said. The activities are held to introduce, preserve and honour the traditional cultural values and the characteristic customs of traditional Tết celebration, Lan said. There is an exhibition of traditional folk paintings, a demonstration of the Tết celebration of a traditional Hanoian family and an exhibition of the Tết celebration in the olden days of the Việt Nam Scientific and Social Information Institute. These … [Read more...]

The Museum of Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups is coordinating with Thai Nguyen city Center of Culture, Information and Sports to organize activities to welcome Tet 2017 and the 87th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3rd). Activities include lion dance, exhibition on the rooster in Vietnam’s ethnic groups, studying culture and folk beliefs related to the rooster, and Dong Ho folk paintings. Seven traditional houses of six cultural regions will be decorated at No.1 Doi Can street, Thai Nguyen city, Thai Nguyen province to welcome Tet according to the style of ethnic minority groups. Especially, on January 31st, 2017 (the fourth day of the first lunar month), an art performance will be organized at 14h00 together with sports activities. These activities aim to meet the demand for visiting, entertainment, studying culture, nature, customs and Vietnamese people on the occasion of Tet./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

Novotel Phu Quoc Resort launches 96 new villas before Tet The Saigon Times Daily The Novotel Phu Quoc Resort will launch 96 new villas today on Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, making itself a good getaway for travelers in the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet. The villas in three, four and Presidential five bedroom configurations cover 200, 272 and 435 square meters respectively. They include en-suites in each room and feature the latest amenities as well as an open plan layout to maximize shared space for family and friends who want to spend some time together. All are fully equipped with modern furnishings, appliances in the kitchen, sound systems and a private pool for indoor-outdoor entertainment. Guests staying at the resort can enjoy poolside BBQ parties with a wide range of delectable dishes. The resort’s restaurant offers international cuisines and local seafood. There is a kid’s center in the resort, and a babysitting service available on … [Read more...]