Poster mash-up: ODDO made a propaganda look-a-like poster for turning Banana Island into a public park. — Photo courtesy of ODDO Architects Viet Nam News by Nguyễn Mỹ Hà We drive to Long Biên Bridge to get to Bãi Giữa, more commonly known as Banana Island, a 24ha stretch of land in the middle of the Red River. Running down from the centre of the bridge is a steel staircase leading to an island covered by a green canopy of banana, papaya and guava trees, interspersed with the cloudy-white flowers of the wild reeds. The area is vast with no roads, just beaten paths zigzagging behind gardens and trees. It’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city we left behind. "It’s very quiet down here," says Marek Obtulovic from ODDO Architects, as his colleague Nguyễn Hoàng Long nods in agreement. As we walk under the shade of numerous banana leaves, Obtulovic stops and says: “This is where our … [Read more...] about Nostalgic Future: Turning Banana Island into Green Lungs of Hà Nội
Wild explorers club
Cao Bang on its path to develop signature local tourist products
Enormous advantages to boost tourism Cao Bang province is the cradle of Tay, Nung, H’Mong, Dao, San Chi, Lo Lo and other tribes, each possessing a unique colour of its own indigenous culture. The province is the homeland of many popular festivals and rituals, including the Long Tong festival (Going to the Field), and the cap sac ritual (a rite of passage declaring the coming-of-age of Dao men within the community) as well as the charming melodies of folk singing, such as then, sli and luon singing. Cao Bang has also been bestowed many fantastic tourist attractions by Mother Nature, including Ban Gioc waterfall, Phia Oac – Phia Den National Park, and Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. Aside from its natural values, the land of Cao Bang also attracts visitors to explore its tangible and intangible cultural heritages and historical revolutionary sites. Prominent among them include the special national relic site of Pac Bo, where President Ho Chi Minh returned in 1941 to lead the … [Read more...] about Cao Bang on its path to develop signature local tourist products
Vietnam’s northwest region: A wild and charming retreat for travel lovers
Vietnam’s northwest region has long been an attractive destination for travel lovers as they are welcomed by rolling hills, dense forests, and magnificent waterfalls. Anyone who sets foot in the land is awed by its wild and charming beauty. Chasing the clouds on Ta Xua Peak Vietnam’s northwest region is famous for its long and winding roads perched along high mountain cliffs and over deep chasms. The terrain is even rougher and more rugged due to the height, after crossing Phu To to Bac Yen district (Son La province) and Mu Cang Chai district (Yen Bai province). The first stop for travellers is Bac Kien district’s Ta Xua Peak, which is known as the “heaven of clouds” in northwest region. Although the downtown of Ta Xua commune is just a few tens of kilometres from Bac Yen town, visitors will feel as if they are lost in a completely different world as they wander through the mountains under a shroud of white clouds. At 10 am, thick mists obscure … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s northwest region: A wild and charming retreat for travel lovers