Its all about cats

/ February 8, 2021

Can’t-miss spots for Cat Ba sightseeing tour (photos)

Cat Ba is the largest island among 1,969 islands on Lan Ha Bay. (Photo: Vietnamplus) An aerial view of Lan Ha Bay. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Located adjacent to Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay encompasses Cat Ba archipelago. This is a calm, arc-shaped bay with about 400 large and small islets. (Photo: Vietnamplus) A cruise ship visits Lan Ha Bay. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Kayaking on Lan Ha Bay is an interesting activity for sports lovers. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Tourists go kayaking to explore Lan Ha Bay. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Small islands still retain untouched and pristine beauty. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Visitors cycle under forest canopies to explore an ancient village of Viet Hai, in Cat Hai island district. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Cat Ba archipelago consists of 367 islands, including Cat Ba island in the south of Ha Long Bay. Cat Ba archipelago was officially recognised by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve on December 19, 2004. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnamplus) VNA …

/ February 24, 2021

Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway to be handed over in late March

The Ministry of Transport will hand over the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway to Hanoi authorities on March 31 for commercial use under the direction of the Prime Minister. A representative of the Ministry of Transport’s Railway Project Management Board told VietNamNet that the concerned parties are working hard to complete the acceptance and safety assessment to report to the State Acceptance Council. For the Chinese experts who are present in Vietnam now to perform the acceptance work, if necessary, the General Contractor will send more experts to Vietnam in the coming time. The railway project of Cat Linh - Ha Dong has been delayed many times. In addition to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, problems occurring during the implementation process are the cause of the tardiness. According to the Prime Minister's approval document and the Ministry of Transport's decision to adjust the progress of the project issued in December 2020, the deadline has been adjusted to March 31, 2021. Vu Diep …

/ February 11, 2021

Bustling Trang Cat in dong leaf harvesting season

As Tet draws near, Trang Cat villagers enter their main harvesting season of dong leaves (Stachyphrynium placentarium) – used as a wrapping for various food items in Vietnamese cuisine, especially chung cake (glutinous rice cake) – the traditional and indispensable Vietnamese dish during Tet. Ms. Huong , a Trang Cat local, said that this year, the green leaves have enjoyed quite a good season and have the best quality and colour, so the price is slightly higher than average, ranging from VND700-1,000 per leaf. To supply the market in a timely manner, Trang Cat locals often have to begin cutting the leaves half a month before Tet. Traders will come to buy and then distribute them to other provinces and cities. “Trang Cat dong leaves are very popular for their beautiful natural colour, as well as long, soft, big and round leaves. Wrapping banh chung with these leaves will give an eye-catching green colour to the cake. When boiled, it will also create a soft attractive aroma,” Huong shared. Immediately after being harvested from the garden, dong leaves are gathered and bundled up, with 40 to 50 leaves per bunch. "Normally, we take them home to wash off the dust before the shipment," said Phuong, a villager. The leaves are classified and washed carefully before being delivered to traders. The large and beautiful leaves are arranged separately and sold at a higher price. Traders come to Trang Cat to buy dong leaves. “Dong leaves here are famous throughout the country. Every year I go to Trang Cat Village to choose the leaves myself. If you choose beautiful round leaves, the selling price will be higher than usual,” said Mr. Binh, a trader. Right from the middle of the last lunar month, many have visited local markets to buy dong leaves to wrap banh chung for Tet. …