The Hanoitimes - Vietnam’s Topas Ecolodge named among list of unique lodges around the world, according to National Geographic, the official magazine of the National Geographic Society. Earlier, National Geographic also named Topas Ecolodge top of its list of “21 places to stay if you care about the planet”. These lodges have unique designs and architecture with creative solutions and wonderful food. They are located in spectacular areas, according to National Geographic. Topas Ecolodge. High on a hilltop outside Sa Pa in north Vietnam, Topas Ecolodge is an amazing mountain hideaway. As one of the longest-running and most philanthropic lodges in the region, Topas Ecolodge has nurtured strong relationships with the local hill tribes and with each passing year, the lodge conceives new ways to give back to these communities that are so integral to their operation. Opened in 2005 on a mountaintop far from the emerging tourist hub of Sa Pa Town, Topas … [Read more...] about Sapa’s Topas Ecolodge named among list of unique lodges around the world
Around the world in 50 years
Vietnam leads the world in coffee exports and is targeting sustainable
(VOVworld) - Since 1997, Vietnam has been among the world's top four coffee exporters. Now it has surpassed Brazil to become the world's top exporter. VOV's To Tuan reviews the country's achievements in the field. Over the past decade, coffee has been Vietnam's second largest hard currency earner after rice. In the first months of this year, coffee exports continued to grow. August revenues rose 20 million USD, following a growth of 250 million USD in July. Vietnam has earned more than 2.7 billion USD from exporting nearly 1.3 million of coffee this year. According to the International Coffee Organization, in the first half of this year, Vietnam's coffee export value reached USD2.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 25%. This was 13% more than the earnings of Brazil, which for decades led the world in coffee exports. … [Read more...] about Vietnam leads the world in coffee exports and is targeting sustainable
Travel Picks: Top 10 bridges around the world
Suspension bridges, covered bridges, wind-and-rain bridges, rope bridges, ornamental bridges. There's a practical purpose to every bridge; that river has to be crossed or that gorge spanned. But it's the romance, legend and spectacle of a bridge that led online travel consultants Cheapflights.com (www.cheapflights.com) to create its list of the Top 10 most impressive bridges around the world. Reuters has not endorsed list: … [Read more...] about Travel Picks: Top 10 bridges around the world
Travel Picks: Top 10 fire festivals around the world
As clocks turn back, days get shorter, temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere plummet and 2012 draws to a close, there's no better time to strike a match and light those dark skies up with color. That's why online travel consultants Cheapflights.com (wwww.cheapflights.com) have come up with a list of Top 10 fire festivals around the world. Reuters has not endorsed this list: … [Read more...] about Travel Picks: Top 10 fire festivals around the world
Travel Picks: Top 10 wacky sports around the world
All eyes will be on London this summer for the 2012 Olympic Games. But while waiting for the world's elite athletes to take the stage, online travel adviser Cheapflights has come up with a top 10 list of no-frills, high-adrenaline and wacky sports which might be entertaining. Reuters has not endorsed this list: 1. Camel Racing Forget horse racing at Ascot. Camel racing in the United Arab Emirates is now the place to be seen. Popular throughout the Middle East as well as Mongolia and Australia, the sport takes place every year from late October to early April. In the dusty desert, camels race along a sand track up to 10 miles long while their owners drive alongside shouting and honking their horns to urge the camels forward. The louder the shouting, the faster they run. But be careful not to get in their way: anywhere from 15 to 70 camels race at a time and onlookers will want to avoid the stampede! Unlike horse racing, there's no betting in camel racing, but, if the sport tickles … [Read more...] about Travel Picks: Top 10 wacky sports around the world