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Feb 24, 2015

Phong Nha-Ke Bang greets over 15,000 tourists on New Year days

Over 15,000 holiday-makers visited the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh during the first five days of the Year of the Goat (February 19-23), up over 10 percent against the same period last year.

Phong Nha and Tien Son caves were the most attractive destinations in the park, drawing nearly 8,900 visitors.

Le Thanh Loi, Director of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Tourism Centre, said his agency offered a 10 percent discount on food and services at the centre’s restaurants, while adding traditional dishes to restaurant’s menu during the holiday.

During the occasion, historical and spiritual tourist sites in the province such as Than Dinh Mountain, Tam Co cave, Lieu Hanh princess temple also attracted a large number of tourists.

Established in 2001, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is among the 238 most important ecological zones in the world. It was recognised by the UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site on geological and geomorphologic criteria in 2003.

Recently, the Vietnam Records Organisation listed four tourism sites in Quang Binh amongst the top 50 must-see travel destinations in Vietnam, including Phong Nha Cave, Ngang Pass, Nhat Le Beach and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

With the opening of Son Doong Cave in 2013, Quang Binh was instantly catapulted onto the bucket lists of travellers all over the world.

The New York Times named Quang Binh as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia and ranked it eighth out of the world’s 52 must-see sites for 2014, while US magazine Business Insider included Son Doong Cave in its list of the 12 most impressive caves.

VNA/VNP

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Son Doong Cave: A top 10 lifetime trip

When caught with a case of wanderlust, Viet Nam’s Son Doong Cave is one of the few particular places that stand out among the crowd on this beautiful planet, the Huffington Post said on its website.

Until about six years ago, nobody had EVER explored Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest by most counts - but now it is one of the top 10 trips on our ultimate shortlist of places we’d absolutely love to see, the website added.

Located approximately 500km south of Ha Noi, the cave is more than 200m wide, 150m high and about 9km long. It houses a jungle and a river and could fit a 40-storey skyscraper within its walls.

Source: VOV

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The world's most breathtaking waterfalls

Waterfalls aren't just cascading tons of water over the edge of a cliff, they are an example of the power of nature, an earthly wonder and a reminder that something as dainty as water has the power to erode something as tough as rock.

The falls are majestic beauties, sure, but they're more than that. Many cultures have legends that surround major waterfalls, ranging from supernatural tales of witches haunting the pool beneath Yosemite Falls to a deity forming Iguazu Falls to stop his former love from getting away with her new lover in a canoe. Other waterfalls are sites of recorded historical happenings, like the wartime crossings over Ban Gioc-Detian Falls or when Jimmie Angel was the first to fly his plane over his namesake falls.

These spots are more than simple water features and each of them has it’s own backstory to accompany the beautiful sights. Even when it comes to the remote falls of Venezuela or the Faroe Islands, these magnificent waterfalls are worth the trip.

1. Nohkalikai Falls—India

Described by visitors as “magnificent and serene,” Nohkalikai Falls is 1,115 feet tall, making it the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Though visitors today enjoy the calm pouring of water over the cliff, the falls are named for a morose legend. According to the tale, a woman named Likai was driven mad and ran off the edge of the cliff when she discovered her second husband had murdered and cooked her infant, then fed her the child’s remains.

2. Yosemite Falls—California, U.S.

At 2,425 feet tall, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and either the sixth or seventh tallest in the world. Set in the infamous Yosemite National Park, visitors can enjoy views of the falls from many spots around the park or they can hike one of several trails to get a better vantage point. The hike to the top of the falls is tough and will take all day, but another hike will bring you to the base of the falls, which is shorter and easier.

3. Niagara Falls—Between the U.S. and Canada

Straddling the U.S.-Canada border, Niagara Falls is home to some of the best known waterfalls on Earth. Formed by receding glaciers at the end of the last ice age, this natural wonder is composed of three separate falls: Horseshoe Falls (which is the largest and most powerful of the three), the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall on the continent.

4. Bøssdalsfossur Falls—the Faroe Islands

One of the most remote waterfalls out there, Bøssdalsfossur Falls cascades off an archipelago that is set about halfway between Norway and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are an independent country, among the least populated in the world with less than 50,000 total residents to date—the town near the falls was home to only 16 people in 2002. The Islands are best known for fresh fish, wildlife and stunning natural beauty and though the waterfall is one of many beautiful features on the island, it’s one that people love to visit and photograph.

5. Gullfoss—Iceland

Gullfoss, Icelandic for “Golden Falls,” is a top tourist destination in Iceland. The falls that seem to drop directly into the earth have become so iconic that they have appeared on the cover of an album, in a novella and in a music video.

6. Ban Gioc-Detian Falls—Bordering China and Vietnam

A subject of a longtime border dispute between China and Vietnam, Ban Gioc-Detian Falls is currently marked on China’s side. The falls are teeming with history—from serving as a crossing point in the Sino-Vietnamese War to hosting outlaws and their treasure in nearby tunnels and legend has it some of the treasure is still lying undiscovered in one of the gorges.

7. Angel Falls—Venezuela

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the highest waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls stands at a breathtaking 3,212 feet tall. The falls are one of Venezuela’s biggest tourist attractions, but getting there is no easy feat. Angel Falls is located in a jungle and is only accessible by river from June to December, when the river is deep enough for boat travel.

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Costumes of Mong women

There are a number of Mong ethnic groups, White Mong, Black Mong, Flowery Mong, and Green Mong, living in Vietnam’s northwestern mountain provinces. Their costumes are colorful. The women make the clothes for all the family members. Although they are starting to modern social values, Mong people still wear their traditional colorful costumes, which are now made of more modern materials.

The Mong women wear colorful costumes. A women’s suit includes a skirt, shirt, belt, headscarf, and a pair of leggings. The upper part of the skirt hugs the hips while the lower part spreads out in wide pleats. The shirt is fastened on the left front by a single button. The sleeves, collar, and edges are embroidered. Mong women’s costumes stand out colorfully against the green forests and grey mountains.

Mua A Tru, a Flowery Mong man who lives in Son La says he has watched his mother and sisters make clothes since he was small and now watches his wife. Tru says every single item is unique. “It takes a long time to make a garment. There are many decoration patterns and my mother and sisters have told me about them since I was small. Clever girls attract many suitors. At festivals, it’s fun to watch Mong people in colorful embroidered clothes throwing a Pao ball. In the spring, flowers blossom and Mong girls wear colorful embroidered dresses to match the atmosphere.”

The skirts of the Flower Mong women are for sale at Bac Ha Market (Lao Cai Province)

The Mong people decorate their clothes with colored pieces of cloth. They embroider geometric patterns such as diamonds, crosses, triangles, squares, curves, and spirals. The Mong people say these patterns represent the sun, the moon, the weather, time, and space. The main colors are red, green, and yellow. Tru again: “Making skirts is one of our customs. We use many colors of thread to embroider things we like. The design is in our heads. We use many embroidery patterns on one skirt. Mong people like red, green, and yellow which represent flowers and leaves.”

Flower Mong girls in their linen skirts on festival days

A Green Mong girl is making her skirt

The Mong women spend their leisure time making skirts. Their rough hands are clever and quick in needle-work. Without any fixed design, they create harmonious embroidery patterns from their imagination. Hang Thi Nghenh, a Flowery Mong living in Son La province, says they are free to embroider any shapes or patterns they enjoy. “We teach our older daughters needle-work, progressing from simple to more sophisticated techniques. Once we could only make 1 or 2 skirts a year. Now we use sewing machines and can complete a skirt in a month.”

The skirt she wears characterizes a Mong girl, Nghenh told us: “Our skirt expresses our patience or liveliness. A wife or mother shows her positive attitude in the skirts she makes. At a wedding or funeral, we are criticized if we wear too simple a dress. We’ll be praised as resourceful and dexterous women if we wear nice skirts.”

Tru talks about the custom of wearing leggings: “Mong people often go to the forest and we have to wear leggings to protect against insect bites or sharp brush scratching our legs. The leggings also protect our skin against cold and sunburn.”

Despite their evolving lifestyle, young and old Mong people still wear their traditional hand-made clothes for daily work as well as festivals.

Pao ball

Lan Anh - VOVworld

A sophisticated cuisine, simply served

Reasonable prices, tasty dishes, good service and a prime location accounts for the rapid rise in popularity of the newly opened Bun Bo Ganh restaurant in HCM City list, reports Xuan Hiep

The former royal city of Hue in the central province of Thua Thien - Hue is noted for its rich cultural traditions, serene landscape and charming people, but few people outside Viet Nam are aware of its distinctive cuisine, considered by some to be one of the most sophisticated in the country.

Bun bo Hue (beef-rice vermicelli soup Hue style) is undoubtedly the most well-known local product and is served not only in the central region but also in every corner of the country. But, many other Hue dishes, like banh beo chen (steamed rice cakes in small cups) and banh bot loc nhan tom thit (shrimp and pork rice dumplings), are also regularly featured on menus that specialise in the city's highly respected cuisine.

Opened only a few weeks ago, the Bun Bo Ganh restaurant in downtown HCM City has already lured a regular clientele, especially from 11:30am to 1:30pm when staff from office buildings nearby come for lunch.

Bun Bo Ganh Restaurant Add: 88 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCM City Tel: 08 - 66844446 Opening hours: 6:30am-10pm Price range: VND22,000 - 39,000 (US$1-2)

Generous serving: A server prepares a hot bowl of bun bo Hue, a specialty of Hue and the main dish of the restaurant

Located on a prime location on Ho Tung Mau Street in District 1, only a few minutes walk from the 68-storey Bitexco Financial Tower, the city's tallest building, the two-storey restaurant is easy to find.

When my friend and I entered the restaurant last week, we discovered an old French colonial building that had once housed nearly 50 families.

The ground floor had been partitioned into three spaces, one of which housed the restaurant's downstairs area. Upstairs, where we decided to dine, was an airy, large al fresco area covering the entire first floor, surrounded by leafy trees and potted plants.

On the walls were photos of Sai Gon and Hue in the old days, inspiring diners, both local and foreign, to learn more about the country's history and people.

The dark bamboo tables and chairs were simply designed, which added to the cosy, comfortable atmosphere.

Nguyen Vu Quynh Anh, 29, the restaurant's owner, told me that she and her husband have a great passion for food and hospitality.

From 2002 to 2006, when they were students, they worked at the famous Nha Hang Ngon (Delicious Restaurant) and learned a great deal about gastronomy and customer services.

Then in 2012, they opened their first restaurant on Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3.

Accompaniments: Bun bo Hue is served with sides like bean sprouts, shredded banana flowers, chilli, limes and basil leaves. — VNS Photos Xuan Hiep

Anh, who is also the chef, said that bun bo Hue is the restaurant's main dish. Though famous as a specialty of Hue, it is popular throughout the country.

"Of course, we need to adjust the taste so that it can satisfy the taste of people in the south and north," Anh said.

Ingredients for the dish are imported from the central region to ensure authenticity.

Unlike the traditional and more famous pho soup from Ha Noi, bun bo Hue is more pungent, with lemongrass and a bit of shrimp paste.

My foreign friends, especially Westerners, dislike the smell of shrimp paste, but only a tiny amount of shrimp paste is needed to enhance the dish.

The Hue style beef vermicelli soup is served with sides like bean sprouts, shredded banana flower, chilli, line and basil.

To make the broth, cooks use pork or beef, and lemongrass is crushed and put into boiling water, which enhances the flavour and aroma.

The menu, in Vietnamese and English, includes a variety of Hue traditional cakes, each of which costs VND22,000 (US$1). To sample a variety of these small dishes, I recommend a mixed plate for only VND36,000 ($1.5).

The restaurant also offers sweet Hue soups, served either hot or cold, for only VND13,000.

For our lunch, we ordered a bowl of bun bo Hue for VND39,000 and che suong sa hat luu (agar-agar with pomegranate seeds) for VND13,000 each.

There were other sweet soups we would have loved to try, but because we were already full, we decided to save it for our next visit.

Instead, we ended on a refreshing note, with iced green tea, spiced with fresh ginger.

A staff of 15, many of whom can speak English, offered excellent customer service, which nicely complemented what was an already highly satisfying afternoon.

Bun Bo Ganh Restaurant

Add: 88 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCM City

Tel: 08 - 66844446

Opening hours: 6:30am-10pm

Price range: VND22,000 - 39,000 (US$1-2)

Comment: tasty Hue cuisine in an old French colonial building in downtown HCM City. Attentive staff, affordable prices.

Source: VNS

Viet Nam's first luxury train launched

Viet Nam Railways has launched the first five-star express train after upgrading its service and the skills of the staff to meet the growing numbers of domestic and international passengers.

The railway organisation operates the north-south railway system.

During the four-month-long upgradation process, the luxurious train was equipped with the modern facilities, including clean and attractive interiors, an efficient ticketing counter, news bulletins and cafeteria, as well as televisions, free wi-fi, and souvenir and newspaper kiosks.

The train will offer passengers with professional staff and five-star services of an international standard.

With professional staff and offering five-star services of an international standard, the train can meet the increasing demands of both domestic and international passengers.

The train takes 31 hours to travel from Ha Noi to HCM City. Two trains will depart from the two cities daily. The train has 13 cars, 11 passenger cars, two service cars and 31 trained personnel, including the driver.

The luxurious train was equipped with the modern facilities, including clean and attractive interiors, an efficient ticketing counter, news bulletins and cafeteria, as well as televisions, free wi-fi, and souvenir and newspaper kiosks. — Photos vnexpress.net

The ticket costs about VND1.2 million to VND1.7 million (US$56–$80)

During the peak season, the luxurious train can accommodate 508 passengers per trip.

Source: VNS

Some more photos (source: Dan Tri)

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Visit the shortest street of Hanoi in Hanoi Old Quarter

Ho Hoan Kiem street in Old Quarter is the shortest street in Hanoi. It's 52 m, connect Cau Go street and Dinh Tien Hoang street.

Under French domination, it's named: Phiharmonique. But Hanoian is familiar with the name Hang Che street.

Because, it 's too short street so many people don't realize it.

48 of the world's most striking World Heritage sites

THE RIDEAU CANAL, CANADA

Over 124 miles in length, this waterway joins the Canadian cities of Ottawa, on the Ottawa River, and Kingston, on Lake Ontario. Operated by Parks Canada, the canal encompasses sections of the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers, along with a few lakes. Originally built with military purposes in mind, today it is mainly used for boating and was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

MOSI-OA-TUNYA / VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Mosi-oa-Tunya are regarded among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Part of Zambezi River, the 354-foot falls produce the largest curtain of falling water anywhere on the planet and were declared a World Heritage Site in 1989.

IGUAZÚ NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA

Iguazú National Park is surrounded by the subtropical forest and is centered around the mighty Iguazú Falls, whose name is derived from the local language meaning "big water." The falls are composed of 275 individual drops, running nearly two miles along the border of Brazil and Argentina. The park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA

At over 2,700 square miles, Los Glaciares National Park is situated in the southern Argentinian Andes. This park is exceptionally beautiful with mountains, lakes and woods. After Antarctica and Greenland, the park plays host to the planet's third largest ice cap. TIt was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981

TIMBUKTU, MALI

A major spiritual center for the propagation of Islam in Africa during the 15th and 16th centuries, this site contains three globally renowned mosques, Sidi Yahia, Djingareyber and Sankore. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

HISTORIC SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Machu Picchu is the unique testimony of the urban Inca Empires power and achievement from the middle of the 15th century. Situated almost 8,000 feet above sea level, the terraces and ruins of this once-great city look over the mountain forest below and is considered to be the most beautiful locations in the Peruvian Andes. This was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1983.

ACROPOLIS, GREECE

Acropolis in Greek means “the sacred Rock, the high city”. Dating from the 5th century BC, The Acropolis of Athens is a complex of ancient building and structures, the most famous of which is the Parthenon (pictured above). This was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

One of the most ambitious man-made structures on Earth, the Great Wall of China has a history that dates back to 220 BC, when it was built for the protection of the Chinese Empire by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Estimates place the entire length of the wall at over 13,000 miles, and construction continued until 17th century, making it the largest military structure in the world. In 1987, it was designated as World Heritage Site.

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR

Situated nearly 600 miles off the west coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos are an archipelago of 18 major volcanic islands that are host to a unique collection of flora and fauna. Central to the studies of the naturalist Charles Darwin, the Galápagos and the waters that surround them are now part of a national park. This spectacular location was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1978.

HAMPI, INDIA

Lying 217 miles from Bangalore, Hampi is situated amid the ruins of Vijayanagar, the former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Believed to have been the second most-populous city on Earth around 1500 AD, Vijayanagar plays host to numerous monuments to the city's former glory, the best-known of which is Virupaksha Temple. The ruins have been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1986.

GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA

Featuring 400 types of coral, 4,000 types of mollusk and 1,500 species of fish, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on earth. It was made a World Heritage Site in 1981 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia.

GOREME NATIONAL PARK AND THE ROCK SITES OF CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY

Nestled among the fairy chimney rock formations, with dwellings (dating back to the 4th century AD) carved directly into the rock faces, the historic Turkish town of Cappadocia is famed for its early Christian churches and Byzantine art. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

RICE TERRACES OF THE PHILIPPINE CORDILLERAS, PHILIPPINES

Hugging the topography of the local mountains, this complex series of tired rice fields is more than 2,000 years old. Representing a delicate balance between local farming heritage and nature, the site was given World Heritage status in 1995.

ANGKOR, CAMBODIA

Angkor is an archaeological site which contains the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire from the ninth to 15th century AD. Best known of its historic treasures are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple. It was designated as World Heritage Site in 1992.

PETRA, JORDAN

As famed for its stunning carved architecture as it is for it archaeological importance, the city of Petra is located between the Red and Dead seas. Dating to pre-historic times, it is undoubtedly the Al Khazneh (pictured here) that is best-known among its historic marvels, having beem featured in such film as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The city was given World Heritage status in 1985.

SIAN KA'AN, MEXICO

Once the home to a Mayan civilization, the name of this place means “Origin of the Sky.” Situated on the eastern coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this rich biosphere of marshes, tropical forests and reef play host to a variety of flora and fauna. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987.

RAPA NUI NATIONAL PARK, CHILE

Also known as Easter Island, this location is best known for the monumental statues called moai, which were created by early Polynesian settlers between the 10th and 16th centuries AD. The park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA

The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

MEMPHIS AND ITS NECROPOLIS – THE PYRAMID FIELDS FROM GIZA TO DAHSHUR, EGYPT

This archaeological site on the Giza Plateau includes the three pyramid complexes known as the Great Pyramids, the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village and an industrial complex. This was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY CANAL RING AREA OF AMSTERDAM INSIDE THE SINGELGRACHT, NETHERLANDS

Built during the late 16th and early 17th centuries AD, this ensemble consists of a wide network of canals in concentric arcs that were intended to extend the city of Amsterdam by way of draining the local swampland. Designated a World Heritage Site in 2010.

ANCIENT CITY OF SIGIRIYA, SRI LANKA

These are the ruins of the capital city built by King Kashyapa I (473-495 AD). With portions of the ancient city located atop a 590-foot-high granite peak known as the Lion's Rock, the city is famed for its staircases and galleries. This site was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982.

GIANT'S CAUSEWAY AND CAUSEWAY COAST, UK AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Made up of 40,000 black basalt columns jutting from the sea on Northern Ireland's Antrim plateau, the Giant's Causeway has been as encapsulated in local legends as it has been studied by geologists. Formed by volcanic activity during the Tertiary period, 50-60 million years ago, it was declared as World Heritage Site in 1986.

TEMPLE OF APOLLO EPICURIUS AT BASSAE, GREECE

Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1986, this temple is said to have been built during the middle of the 5th century BC and is dedicated to Greek God Apollo. It represents a combination of Archaic and Doric styles.

PALACE AND PARK OF VERSAILLES, FRANCE

This palace-ppark residence of French kings, starting with Louis XIV and ending with Louis XVI, is considered to be the archetype royal residence and features contributions from sculptors and landscape architects from several generations. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1979.

MAYAN SITE OF COPAN, HONDURAS

The ruins of Copan were discovered by Diego García de Palacio in late 16th century, and are regarded among the most significant remains of the Mayan civilization -- especially the public squares and ruined citadel. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1980.

TAOS PUEBLO, NEW MEXICO

Still a vibrant community hub for the local tribe of Pueblo Indians, the adobe settlements of Taos Pueblo are located on a small tributary of the Rio Grande. Established as a settlement in the late 13th century, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1992.

STONEHENGE, AVEBURY AND ASSOCIATED SITES, WILTSHIRE

Arguably the best-known groups of megaliths in the world, these standing-stone structures have intrigued astronomers and archaeologists for years. A testimony to both the beliefs and mechanical ingenuity of prehistoric man, the sites were given World Heritage status in 1986.

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE COMPOUNDS, INDONESIA

This Buddhist temple, dating back to the eight and ninth centuries AD,, was constructed in three tiers composed of base in the shape of a pyramid featuring five concentric square terraces and a stupa at the top. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

TOWER OF LONDON, LONDON

Exemplary of Norman military architecture, this tower started life as a castle, constructed on the Thames River, designed to safeguard London by William the Conqueror. Over the years, as the structures purpose changes became a symbol of Britain's royal history and now plays host to the famed crown jewels. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.

COSTIERA AMALFITANA, ITALY

Nestled between cobalt-blue waters of the Mediterranean and the Lattari Mountains lie picturesque hillside towns such as Amalfi and Ravello. Prized for the dazzling versatility of the inhabitants in adapting to their environment, this region of the Italian coastline is as rich in local cultural history as it is in citrus and olive groves. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1997.

KREMLIN AND RED SQUARE, RUSSIA

Straddling both cultural and political importance, the Kremlin and Red Square have become global icons of the city of Moscow. The city itself can trace its roots back to the time when the Finno-Ugric people settled here in the 2nd century BC. This site was declared a World Heritage Site in 1990.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, USA

Located in Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park is famed for its vast forests and geothermal features such as Old Faithful. A natural habitat for a vast number of unique species, it was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1978.

BRYGGEN, NORWAY

This unique series of commercial buildings that line the eastern side of a Norwegian fjord is famed for its historic and cultural importance. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979.

TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

The Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum, built in Agra by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is widely recognized as the jewel of the Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. This site was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983.

VENICE AND ITS LAGOON, ITALY

Home to a blend of maritime power and stunning architectural beauty stretching back to the middle ages, the city of Venice, with its splendid piazzas, bridges and palaces, has long been a cultural European hotspot. The city and its lagoon were declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

SOCOTRA ARCHIPELAGO, YEMEN

Described as the most alien-looking place on Earth, Yemen's Socotra Archipelago is blessed with an incredible richness of plant and animal life. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008

PRE-HISPANIC CITY OF CHICHEN-ITZA, MEXICO

A blend of cultural influences and architectural styles, UNESCO describes Chichen-Itza as one of the important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula. Occupied for a millennia, the site boasts several stunning structures such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo (pictured) and the circular observatory known as El Caracol. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, USA

Yosemite National Park is well known for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and wildlife. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.

ROCK ISLANDS SOUTHERN LAGOON, PALAU

Spanning nearly 400 square miles, the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon is composed of 445 densely vegetated limestone islands surrounded by coral reefs. Located to the south of Babeldaob, in the western Pacific Ocean, the lagoon network boasts a dazzling mixture of local wildlife as well as the remains of island communities that date back 3,000 years. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 2012.

HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

Ha Long Bay is a popular destination in Vietnam's Quảng Ninh Province. Ha Long Bay includes some 1,600 islands and islets, most of which are limestone. This exceptionally beautiful and appealing site was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994.

HIERAPOLIS-PAMUKKALE, TURKEY

Formed from thermal springs in the cliffs, the naturally occurring terraced basins of Pamukkale ("Cotton Palace") have long attracted visitors. The thermal spa of Hierapolis was founded at the site in the second century BC, and offers today's visitors a chance to marvel at the natural geological formations created by the calcite-laden waters -- as well as the ruins of the once great baths. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1998

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK, NEW ZEALAND

Famed for its spectacular landscape and diverse ecosystem, Tongariro National Park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1990 and three years later it became the first site to be inscribed in the revised list of cultural landscapes.

TRINIDAD AND THE VALLE DE LOS INGENIOS, CUBA

Founded as a staging point for the further conquest of the Americas, the Cuban city of Trinidad is located in the central province of Sancti Spíritus. Despite its exploratory origins, the city owes it wealth and architecture to rapid expansion of the region's sugar industry in the late 18th century, prompting to the construction of notable buildings such as the Palacio Brunet and the Palacio Cantero. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.

NATURAL AND CULTURO-HISTORICAL REGION OF KOTOR, MONTENEGRO

With is natural harbor on Montenegro's Adriatic coast, Kotor has long been a center of excellence, known for its masonry and religious iconography. Made a World Heritage Site in 1979, UNESCO helped with the restoration of four of the town's Romanesque churches following an earthquake the same year.

PORTOVENERE, CINQUE TERRE AND THE ISLANDS (PALMARIA, TINO AND TINETTO), ITALY

In 1997, Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) were designated as a World Heritage Site. Terraced extensively for the cultivation of vines and olive trees, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands are known as much for their extraordinary landscapes as they are for the settlements that have evolved despite the topographical challenges of the area.

BUTRINT, ALBANIA

A melting pot of cultures and civilizations, Butrint had been inhabited since prehistoric times. Transforming from a Greek colony, through Roman occupation and then down through history, the site was finally abandoned in the late Middle Ages by its Venetian rulers. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1992.

ITCHAN KALA, UZBEKISTAN

Surrounding the Khiva oasis, the inner town of Itchan Kala, with its 32-foot-high adobe walls, was a vital resting place for caravans preparing to cross the desert to Iran. Despite there only being a few of the city's original monuments remaining, the site is still regarded as an excellent example of central Asian Muslim architecture, with the Djuma Mosque and the 19th-century palaces being of particular note. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1991.

By MSN Travel

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Da Nang destined for 7th int’l fireworks competition

The 7th Da Nang International Fireworks Competition (DIFC 2015) will take place on April 28-29 in the central coastal city of Da Nang.

Five guest teams from the US, South Africa, Australia, Poland, and the host team of Da Nang will join this year’s event themed “Da Nang – A symphony of Colours.”

Other activities will be held during the event, including a food festival, a decorative lighting show, a flower boat parade and beach sports games.

The 7th Da Nang International Fireworks Competition (DIFC 2015) will take place on April 28-29 in the central coastal city of Da Nang.

Organizers said the Da Nang International Fireworks Competition will be advertised on StarWorld, National Geographic and BBC Asia.

Through the six previous very successful fireworks competitions, Da Nang has raised its image as a tourist city and an attractive destination for arrivals from both home and abroad.

By Ngoc Van- Source: Chinhphu.vn

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"Banh Chung" - the soul of Vietnamese New Year!

"Banh Chung" (Chung cake) is a traditional and irreplaceable cake of Vietnamese people in the Tet Holidays and King Hung’s anniversary (10th March Lunar). For the Vietnamese, making "Banh Chung" is the ideal way to express gratitude to their ancestors and homeland.

The legend of " Banh Chung"

Chung cake was invented by the 18th Prince of Hung Emperor in the contest of looking for new Emperor. According to the legend, 3,000-4,000 years ago, Prince Lang Lieu, made round and square cakes, the round Day cake symbolizing the sky and the square Chung cake symbolizing the Earth (under the ancient Vietnamese perception), to be offered on the occasion of Spring.

In the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Chung cake's shape is square, too, to reflect the Earth shape. Since the cakes he offered were of special meaning and delicious taste, Lang Lieu was selected to be the next Emperor. Since then, in honor of this 18th Prince, Vietnamese people always make and have Chung cake in the Lunar New Year. Up to now, Chung cake has become the most famous and irreplaceable traditional Vietnamese food in Tet Holiday. This legend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient tradition as well as the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasizes the important role of rice and nature in water rice culture.

How to make a "Banh Chung"?

In contrast to the fast food in modern life, the process of making Chung cake is time-consuming and requires the contribution of several people. Main ingredients are glutinous rice, pork meat, and green beans wrapped in a square of bamboo leaves that will give the rice a green color after boiling. The sticky rice must be very good and was soaked in water in the previous day. Rice cake is wrapped in square shape, and the wrapping power must be neither tight nor loose. Then the cake will be boiled in about 12 hours by wood. The Green Chung cake has nutrition with an original tasty flavor and may be kept for a long time. Eating Chung cake with vegetable pickles will bring you unforgettable taste!

In the traditional conception of Vietnamese people, the process of making Chung cake is the opportunity for family to come together. Sitting around the warm fire, all members in the family tell one another the past stories and are ready for a New Year with wishes of best things. Nowadays, in some big cities, the business lifestyle of modern society prevent people from preparing the cake, however, the habit of worship ancestors with Chung cake never changes. It is the evidence of the Vietnamese loyalty and deep gratitude to ancestors.

Soure: Vietnam beauty

Here are the detail of each step: