2011 VIETNAM RICE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN SOC TRANG

The second Vietnam Rice Festival will take place in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang from November 8-11, announced the event’s organizing board on October 24.

The festival aims to advertise Vietnamese rice and honour outstanding farmers, rice exporters and scientists who have contributed to the country’s rice production. It will also promote a trademark for Vietnamese rice and boosting tourism and socio-economic development in Soc Trang province.

The event coincides with the much anticipated Khmer “Ngo Boat Race” in the Mekong Delta, which is part of the annual Ooc Om Boc Festival – the ethnic minority group’s most important festival of the year.

Soc Trang expects to attract a large number of tourists for the occasion where they can take part in folk games, enjoy traditional food and learn more about the province’s cultural identity.

(Source: VOV)

12 NATIONAL RECORDS SET IN BA RIA - VUNG TAU

The Vietnam Record Book Centre (Vietkings) on October 20 unveiled 12 Vietnamese records set in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

This is a result of the search for Vietnamese records that have been broken since 2009.

These new records include: Vietnam’s first tourism city in Vung Tau; the first and biggest oil and gas centre in Vung Tau; the first dictionary which explains ethnic languages in Vietnamese script; a project to install new solar energy light bulbs in the provincial Martyr Cemetery; the biggest national flag-shaped kite; a locality with the most sea port systems; the biggest private ancient weapon museum; an island with the longest history of revolutionary struggle in Con Dao; the biggest marine defense platform DK1; the biggest deep-water port; the longest gas pipeline; and the eco-tourism resort with the largest artificial mountain lake.

VietKings has co-operated with the province to compile Ba Ria - Vung Tau Record Book from 2009-2011 which lists 108 World and 12 Vietnamese records in the areas of human, nature, historical events, culture-tourism, festivals, art, architecture, construction works, economics, science and technology, education-health-sports, and social life.

(Source: VOV)

CONDE NAST TRAVELER HAILS SEVEN VIETNAMESE RESORTS AND HOTELS

Seven of Vietnam’s top hotels and resorts gained recognition in the 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, published by one of the world’s most renowned travel publication, Conde Nast Traveler.

The country’s resorts which made the greatest impression on travellers were Life Heritage Resort Hoi An, The Nam Hai, La Residence Hotel & Spa Hue and Evason Hideaway, which each scored top-20 finishes in the Asian region. Only one other Asian destination - Bali - boasted as many resorts in the top-20 list.

In the hotel category, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City each ranked among Asia’s top 100. The Majestic in Saigon ranked among the top 125 hotels.

The Readers' Choice Awards polled 28,876 responses from readers who rated resorts and hotels across a range of categories, including food and dining, location and overall design.

With its top-20 finish, La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue earned its first listing in the vaunted Readers’ Choice Awards. Life Heritage Resort Hoi An again cracked the top 10, claiming the No. 9 spot on a list that included a Four Seasons hotel at No. 10.

None of Vietnam’s cities made the grade as one of Asia’s top 10 city destinations, though Luang Prabang in Laos came in at No. 8. Likewise, none of Vietnam’s islands won a place in the top 10.

(Source: CPV)