Nguyen Hue flower street celebrates the Year of the Pig (Photo: sggpnews.org.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Various holiday activities have been scheduled to celebrate the lunar New Year (Tet) in Ho Chi Minh City. The 2019 Lunar New Year holiday will fall on February 4-8, meaning it will span nine days including the two weekends. On February 1, leaders of the HCM City Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Fatherland Front will lay wreaths and offer incense to pay respect to late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Ton Duc Thang at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ton Duc Thang Museum and Ho Chi Minh monument park. On February 5 (the first day of the year in the lunar calendar), the southern economic hub will treat locals and visitors to firework performances at five venues – the Dam Sen cultural park in District 11, the history-culture park in District 9, Can Gio district, Cu Chi tunnel in Cu Chi district and Hiep Phuoc industrial park in Nha Be district. In District … [Read more...] about HCM City plans big for Tet
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Ho Chi Minh City seeks permission for Reunification Day fireworks shows
Ho Chi Minh City is seeking government approval to hold fireworks shows throughout the city in commemoration of the 42th anniversary of Reunification Day on April 30. Ho Chi Minh City is seeking government approval to hold fireworks shows throughout the city in commemoration of the 42th anniversary of Reunification Day on April 30. The southern metropolis is petitioning the government to hold one high-range and three low-range shows, along with other commemorative and artistic activities, on the evening of April 30, according to a proposal signed by municipal chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong. This is the first time the Ho Chi Minh City administration has sought permission from the government for the traditional Reunification Day fireworks displays. Last year the Secretariat of the Communist Party, the constitution’s highest implementation body, requested that all provinces and cities refrain from fireworks displays during Tet, or the Lunar New Year, falling late January 2017, and … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City seeks permission for Reunification Day fireworks shows
HCM City spends $7.5 million to protect Cu Chi Tunnels
VietNamNet Bridge - To protect the famous historical site Cu Chi Tunnels, which is at risk of serious erosion, Ho Chi Minh City has decided to build embankments at the cost of VND155 billion (nearly $7.5 million). Ben Duoc Temple at the Cu Chi Tunnel relic site. Photo: Cu Chi Tunnel. The embankments will extend from the district of Trang Bang in Tay Ninh province to the end of the relic site in HCM City. This will be done to prevent expanding erosion that may directly damage the Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh Temples, part of the site. The total length will be 2.3km in the first phase of construction. In the second phase, over 1.5km of embankment from Cu Chi Tunnels to Ben Suc will be built. The city government has stressed that this is an urgent project. Early this year, HCM City officials made a field trip at the Cu Chi Tunnels and observed the severe situation of landslides and erosion in the bordering area between Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh, which is a major threat to the relic … [Read more...] about HCM City spends $7.5 million to protect Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City expects 10 pct rise in tourism revenues
Ho Chi Minh City is on track to post a 7 percent increase in the number of foreign visitors and a 10 percent rise in tourism revenues this year. A new statement from the city government said it is estimated to earn VND94.6 trillion ($4.19 billion) from tourism this year. Foreign tourists to Ho Chi Minh City in 2015 are set to hit 4.7 million while domestic tourists are expected to reach 19.3 million, up 13 percent. The city described the growth as “good." The city is one of the most popular Southeast Asian destinations and home to many colonial icons such as the Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Other top attractions include the War Remnants Museum, the Independence Palace and the Cu Chi Tunnel. Several new ones have been added to the list this year. Nguyen Hue walking street was opened in late April and many foreigners are visiting it every day. The boat tour on the eight-kilometer Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal has also been popular since it was launched in September. … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City expects 10 pct rise in tourism revenues
Cu Chi tunnel, a symbol of Vietnamese staunch spirit
Cu Chi tunnel, located 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, is a solemn symbol of the Vietnamese people’s staunch spirit during the war against the American invaders. Cu Chi tunnel is a complex tunnel system zigzagging for 250 km under the ground. It was dug by hand, deep enough to resist heavy American bombs, and since the war ended, it has become a popular tourist destination. The tunnel is situated beneath the Cu Chi Liberation Village, where the life of local residents during the war against the American invaders is recreated in tableaus which depict vegetable gardens, markets, and scenes of villagers digging the tunnel. Most impressive is the tunnel itself, with is fully functional field hospitals, meeting rooms, kitchens, supply caches, and living quarters.Cu Chi tunnel is now shaded by lush green trees, but traces of a savage war linger to move visitors’ hearts. Thu Huong, a visitor from Hanoi, said: "I was very surprised during my first visit to Cu Chi tunnel. … [Read more...] about Cu Chi tunnel, a symbol of Vietnamese staunch spirit