Documents on the Cham Islands and Ca Mau Cape have been submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for recognition as global biosphere reserves.

The two spots have been officially nominated for biosphere reserve status by UNESCO’s Vietnam Committee.

The nomination will be part of the 21st session of the International Coordination Council of Man and the Biosphere Programme, to take place on the Republic of Korea’s Island of Jeju from May 25-29.

According to the UNESCO Vietnam Committee, the two sites are likely to be added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves as conservation areas that focus on sustainable development as well as environmental protection.

Truong Van Bay, vice chairman of Hoi An and a member attending the session, said the recognition would enhance the appeal of nearby Hoi An, a World Heritage site.

The Cham Islands consist of eight small islands and are about 20km offshore from Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province.

In the seabed of the archipelago there are 135 species of coral, including six species that were first recognised in Vietnam, and nearly 950 other marine species, including many endangered species in the Vietnam Red Book list.

The southern point of Vietnam in southern Ca Mau Province is well-known for its bird sanctuaries and is home to the cajeput and mangrove ecosystems.

Vietnam currently has six UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserves, including Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Cat Ba National Park, Cat Tien National Park, Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve and the Tay Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

(Source: VNA)

The grace of ao dai (traditional long dress of Vietnamese women) shines at a show held by a Vietnamese photographer in Berlin, Germany.

The Sang, member of the Vietnamese Photographers’ Association in Germany, brings to his photo exhibition opening on May 13 more than 50 photos out of a collection he made during his tours of Hanoi, Hue City, HCMC, and cities in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany.

The photos feature middle-aged Vietnamese women wearing traditional ao dai during their visits to pagodas, and young Vietnamese and foreign girls in innovated ao dai during festive days and beauty feasts.

The photo show will last until July 31.

(Source: VOV)

Hanoians will have a chance to taste European cuisines at the 4th European Food Festival to be held on May 16 in capital city.

The event, part of the month-long celebration of the Europe Days, is the fourth European food festival hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham), which attracted over one thousand visitors last year.

Addressing a press conference on May 8 in Hanoi, Thomas Felber, director of EuroCham Hanoi said the festival aims of promoting the diversity of Europe through a showcase of its culinary arts, as well as at promoting cooperation and deepening understanding between the European and Vietnam communities.

This year, the event is expected to attract a bigger crowd with some well-known European F&B exhibitors and hospitality providers, said the organising board, adding that it would also help raise public awareness of protecting a clean and green Hanoi.

The festival will also include numerous cultural and art activities such as performances by DJ Bruno from the Blue Glasses Experiment and The Van Ho Ba music group, among other entertainments.

(Source: VNA)

The National Tourism Year 2010 will be held in Hanoi along with many activities to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the capital city.

The event will be an opportunity for Hanoi’s tourist industry to increase its profile and become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region and the world.

In preparation for the event, Hanoi’s tourist industry has introduced a number of new tours and special tourist products and will put on more events to attract more tourists throughout the year.

(Source: VOV)

“Quang Nam – Heritage Journey” Festival 2009 will take place in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province from June 4 to 7, 2009 with many special programmes.

Song Hoai Square: “Painters and Hoi An Old Quarter” fine art festival; “Prize-winning works about Hoi An” photographs exhibition; “Vietnamese eyes – Vietnamese smiles” exhibition for competition photos

Old house – 46 Nguyen Thai Hoc St: The movie week on Hoi An; “Hoi An Landscape” photographs exhibition; “Chu Dau Pottery” exhibition

An Hoi Sculpture Park: “Hoi An – in a Ha Noi artist’s heart” photographs exhibition

In additional, “Quang Nam – Heritage Journey” Festival 2009 also has promotional activities and special tours to meet tourists’ demand

(Source: TITC)