The ceremony was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and was attended by Politburo member Pham Quang Nghi, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu, and Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh. Participants also included representatives of diplomatic corps.

Addressing the event, Mr. Anh affirmed the Hanoi Opera House is an icon of the capital city and deserves to be honored as an indispensable part of Vietnamese cultural heritage.

Construction of the Opera House began in 1901 and was completed 10 years later. Since then, the original architectural work has helped beautify the capital city and has seen many historic events of both Hanoi and greater Vietnam. It has also contributed considerably to the country’s international integration process by hosting many art programs and friendship meetings between Vietnamese people and their international friends.

On this occasion, the Publishing House of the Writers Association debuted a book on the theater, which clarifies the position, role, and contributions of the theater over the past 100 years. The book is comprised of 100 photos featuring the Hanoi Opera House.

(Source: VOV)

Because Phan Thiet does not have a sea port so Orion II ship had to anchor pass a 2 nautical miles offshore, then transported by self-propelled rubber boat (Zodiac). The majority of the tourists on board were American, England, Canada citizens. The Orion II is a cruise ship is specializing in supplying, organizing unique travel products, bringing a new feel, be risky to explore nature in a unique way, unlike the regular tour. The interior is quite luxurious with modern amenities such as a 4 star hotel with bar system, coffee, bedrooms are scientifically designed to give visitors a comfortable holiday.

After leaving the Orion II ship, half of the visitors will visit Bau Trang (Bac Binh), Suoi Tien (Mui Ne). The other tourists will play golf at Ocean Dune Phan Thiet. /.

Mui Ne can be one of the best tourist destinations in the Southern part where tourists can have their long holiday in Vietnam.

Types of visa to Vietnam
1. Diplomatic and official visa:
No fees unless otherwise agreed upon between Vietnam and applicant’s country. On applying this visa, you must submit an official letter from the concerned agencies of local government, foreign embassies or consulates accredited to the country, international organizations, or other accredited organizations based in that country.
2. Business visa:
On applying this visa, you should obtain an approval through your sponsor in Vietnam. It’s generally much easier to apply once in Vietnam. Multiple entry and stay of three-month or six-month is possible.
3. Tourist visa: (short staying time)  It’s what you need to enter Vietnam!
Available one-month single-entry visa (maximum stay in Vietnam of one month). Tourist visa may be extended one time for 30 days after your arrival in Vietnam.
If you plan to spend more than a month in Vietnam, or if you plan to exit Vietnam and re-enter from Cambodia, Laos or China, you will need a three-month multiple-entry visa with the approval from local agents.

How to apply visa to Vietnam?
You can either apply yourself at Vietnamese embassies or consulates in your country or have a local travel agent (your sponsor) to do a part or full its procedure.

By yourself:
Required documentations:
You have to submit:  passport of six months’ validity,  visa application forms, and  probably some others required by Vietnamese embassy or consulates in your country. Visa forms are available by getting directly or by mail with a stamped, self-addressed envelope addressed to their Visa section. Request by email is perhaps acceptable (in some cases).
See  Visa application form  and list of  Vietnamese Embassies and Consulates abroad (also available  Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Vietnam).
Time: processing tourist visa application typically takes four or five working days.
Cost: fees vary from embassy to embassy; about $50 in Bangkok and $85 in Washington, for example.

By local agent: Provide two types of visa services: Visa Application letter and Full-packaged service (visa on arrival).

Currently, the project has been completed and approved by the city, late in November or next December, Hanoi residents and visitors will have a new pedestrian space, pedestrian connections to Hang Dao-Dong Xuan and product opportunities rather than town deep in the night; enjoy the value of history, culture and cuisine of the ancient land.

Upon entering the service of the people of Hanoi and tourists, pedestrian space expansion will operate 3 nights a week, including Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively with pedestrian Hang Dao -Dong Xuan. The time from 19h00 – 24h00 in the summer and 18h00 – 24h00 through the winter.

Located in the level 1 protected area, the Hang Buom – Hang Giay – Ma May – Luong Ngoc Quyen – Dao Duy Tu – Ta Hien belonging to Hang Buom and Hang Bac wards preserved many buildings built in the century 18-19 and many historical and cultural relics.

One other feature of this neighborhood, a place of gathering the special dishes of the famous Hanoi of the Vietnamese and Chinatown. Therefore, the neighborhood attracts many customers, especially foreign visitors; just enjoy the exquisite cuisine, just to find out characteristic of the old town.

Mr. Do Xuan Thuy, general director of Dong Xuan Company, the unit responsible for developing projects, said: “Considering the above aspects, we found the old town is rich in potential to expand and conditions restoration and development of food culture ancient land. By fact, food is culture, is one factor to attract residents and tourists to the ancient streets. So, the walking space of the Old Quarter extension is built towards developing food culture, creating a different aspect. “

A survey of open street frontage shops on the streets Hang Buom – Hang Giay – Luong Ngoc Quyen – Ma May- Ta Hien, in total 47 159 shops open every family catering business, accounted for 29.5%. On the sidewalks of streets have 50 sales people at night.

Dong Xuan Corporation also plans for the placement of key points, the layout of the static traffic, security and order, sanitation … hotel after sightseeing, shopping in the pedestrian Hang Dao-Dong Xuan, can enjoy snacks in the street extension.

Mr. Do Xuan Thuy said: “Unlike the layout like Hang Dao-Dong Xuan, the expanded pedestrian areas arranged in small clusters to sell food products, food beverages constitute the whole point is not time. “

The unit also managed to mobilize the people on the street to open restaurants and cooking spot. This means, in addition to the family on the streets, the store will hold the remaining processing at other offers for sale, to avoid affecting the environment of this region. On the pavement about 1.5 m wide; the shops are only allowed to use half the space walk to be spacious, and some other areas that can be sold in clusters at the edge of the road.

The streets Ta Hien – Luong Ngoc Quyen are home to many foreign visitors, will be organized into the booth like “Western Market” at the An Quang ward. Products sold here are mostly traditional foods bring bold traditional culture, which focuses dish of old Hanoi.

Currently, Dong Xuan Corporation has held many meetings with representative groups and people in the street extension to create a consensus of the people. Most people are enthusiastic supporters and that needs to urgently implement the project.

A resident on Hang Buom said: “We are agreed with the policy of the country and city, because that is the restoration of traditional values ​​inherent in the old quarter of Hanoi and we also have conditions for development of additional services and trade “

Hanoi is ranked equal sixth with Shanghai, China while Hoi An was jointly rated seventh with Rajastan, India and Seoul, Republic of Korea, according to the poll organized by the magazine which is regarded as a leading authority on the regional travel industry.

The Metropole Hanoi and The Nam Hai shared the first position in the travel magazine’s list of Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts.

Last year, the Nam Hai ranked second while the Metropole was third.

Coming second this year is the Peninsula in Hong Kong . The Amandari Hotel and the Bulgari Resort, both on Indonesia ’s island of Bali , shared third.

In addition, the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City claimed 23rd on the list of top business hotels in Asia .

Aside from being named Asia’s Top Leisure Hotel and Resort, the Metropole was also ranked 18th on the list of Asia’s Top 25 Business Hotels and 8th among Asia ’s Top 25 Conference Hotels. The Nam Hai collected an additional award as one of Asia ’s three Top Spa Hotels and Resorts.

A total of six Vietnam properties made the poll lists, including the Park Hyatt Hotel Saigon, the Furama Resort Danang, and Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa in Ke Ga Bay of Binh Thuan province.

(Source: VNA)