The charms on the borderline By Huu Long Ban Gioc Waterfall - PHOTOS: HUU LONG HCMC - The northern mountainous borderline province of Cao Bang is beautiful all year round relying on its highland terrain. August and September are said to be the best time to visit Cao Bang, a northern province bordering China. During this period, Ban Gioc Waterfall, which is a natural borderline separating Vietnam and China, fully exposes its beauty. The waterfall is one of the 10 most spectacular cascading scenes in the world, according to Touropia in 2015. Moreover, tourists will be enchanted by the peaceful views of sunset in the smoky air from local kitchens and the yellow rice fields. In the end of the year, buckwheat flower fields stretching from mountains to valleys are in full bloom. Meanwhile, blooming wild sunflowers are blowing in the wind. Aside from Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang also offers other attractions which are arguably equally beautiful. Thang Hen Lake, Nguom Ngao Cave and Thung Na Ma Valley all boast mountainscapes so idyllic that tourists may feel they are lost in paradise. Thung Na Ma, also known as Thung Nam Tra or Mat Than (God’s Eye) Valley, is a must-see destination when somebody travels to Cao Bang. Thang Hen Lake To reach Thung Na Ma, which is roughly 30 kilometers from the heart of Cao Bang City, tourists have to get over Ma Phuc Pass. Then, they follow a path lined by stone fence meandering serpentine-fashion to the valley. It takes visitors about 15 minutes to walk on the 1.5-kilometer path. The short walk gives tourists a chance to enjoy scenic and peaceful views along the way where terraced rice and corn fields, stilt houses and herds of grazing cows and buffalos are among the best offers. The valley is walled by Phja Piota and Doc Nhan (One Eye) mountains overlooking a big lake with crystal clear blue water. Especially, Doc Nhan Mountain highlights a 50-meter diameter hollow through it the view of the bright …
Travel
The return of the bicycle
The return of the bicycle By Nguyen An Nam Bicycles have returned during the time of Covid-19 - PHOTO: THANH HOA Bicycles now suit well the diverse demand of urbanites during the time of the pandemic, speeding up changes in lifestyles and cultural practices. Needless to say, it is impossible for the bike to replace other transport means as long as life becomes normal again. However, as far as the benefits a bike can do to physical and mental health are concerned, the return of the bike is so meaningful right at this moment. Before the outbreak of Covid-19 in Vietnam, Mr. Tan’s wife gave birth to the couple’s second child. Mr. Tan then took a driving test. He had to repeat it three times to get the driver’s license. The whole family went together to car showrooms to buy a Mazda 3. But hardly had he driven the brand-new car for only a few months while still unfamiliar with the streets in Saigon being on the wheel than the city experienced social distancing, one time after another. The car therefore had to sit in the garage. Swimming pools, gyms and yoga classes were closed. Having to be confined to his house for a while, Mr. Tan began to feel restless and frustrated. His son, too, was about to face the problem of obesity and became much more nasty because of psychological distress. So, he led the kid to a bike shop to take home two bikes at reasonable prices. The pandemic-time bicycles On the first days after they had got their new bikes, the father and his son woke up early and rode their bikes around his house. The distance was about five kilometers. Afterwards, the little boy had become used to being early to rise. The two went for longer distances to new routes. Now, on the weekend, they were able to travel up to 30 kilometers. One day, they rode their bikes to Can Gio District, some 50 kilometers from downtown HCMC. Mr. Tan noticed that both the physical and mental health of him and his kid had significantly improved since the buy of …
New Covid-19 infections soar by 94
New Covid-19 infections soar by 94 The Saigon Times Medical workers conduct Covid-19 tests. Vietnam reported 94 fresh locally-infected Covid-19 cases in five provinces and cities this evening, June 20 - PHOTO: VGP HCMC - Vietnam reported 94 fresh locally-infected Covid-19 cases in five provinces and cities this evening, June 20, raising the daily total to 311, according to the Ministry of Health. Among the latest infections, 57 cases were detected in HCMC, 23 in Bac Giang, nine in Danang City, three in Bac Ninh and two in Nghe An. Since the current fourth wave of the coronavirus emerged on April 27, the country has reported 9,943 domestic Covid-19 cases in 42 provinces and cities. This afternoon, the ministry also reported two more Covid-19 deaths, taking the country’s Covid-19 death toll to 66 as of today. They were a 53-year-old man in Vinh Phuc Province and a 80-year-old male resident of Bac Ninh Province. The resident of Vinh Phuc Province tested positive for Covid-19 while being treated at the Department of Internal Hematology at K Hospital’s Tan Trieu Campus. He was transferred to the national hospital for tropical diseases for Covid-19 treatment and was put on a ventilator on May 31. He was pronounced dead on June 19 due to septic shock, pneumonia caused by Covid-19, hypertension and kidney failure. Meanwhile, the resident of Bac Ninh had a medical history of hypertension, kidney failure and asthma. On April 25, he tested positive for the virus and was admitted to the Bac Ninh General Hospital and then transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Due to his old age and underlying health conditions, he responded poorly to treatments. He passed away on June 19 due to multiorgan failure, pneumonia caused by Covid-19, kidney failure, hypertension, asthma and heart failure. On the same day, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health worked with the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam to take delivery of 500,000 doses of …