At an altitude of 1,900 metres, the highest mountain of the northwest province of Cao Bang sported a white snow cover. Mount Phia Oac, situated in Cao Bang Geopark, was one of the main tourist attractions of the province. The rare phenomenon of icy snow coating the mountain top was reported twice since the beginning of this winter. Visitors flocked to the geopark to admire the snow and ice at the peak. Due to the low temperature and the heavy rain, travellers were strongly recommended to bring warm clothes and high-friction footwear. Winter 2017, one of the harshest winters in history, struck the northwest region. In less than one month, the temperature at the peak of Mount Phia Oac reached near 0 degrees Celsius. Previously, snow cover first appeared on the peak of Mount Phia Oac in November 1977, in a record-low one degree Celsius. The snow coating, however, only lasted for less than 24 hours as it melted the very next day. … [Read more...] about Mount Phia Oac dons white snow coating
Visitor attractions northern ireland
Vietnam sees surge in foreign tourists
Vietnam attracted 2.7 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of this year, representing an on-year rise of 29.7 times. According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam welcomed 895,400 foreign arrivals in March, raising the country’s total number of foreign visitors to 2.7 million. However, the figure only accounted for 60 percent of the first quarter of 2019 pre-Covid-19-pandemic. Foreign tourists in Vietnam Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy, said the number of foreign travellers to Vietnam was on the rise. The figure would continue sharply increasing as summer nears. Thuy strongly believed that Vietnam would surpass eight million foreign arrivals this year. Between January and March, Vietnam served 140,233 Chinese tourists. The stronger recovery is expected to start from April as more programmes to promote tours to Vietnam would be carried out. In the first three months of this year, 81,000 … [Read more...] about Vietnam sees surge in foreign tourists
Vietnam considers issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories
The relaxation of visa requirements is an urgent necessity for the attraction of more tourists and the recovery of Vietnam's tourism industry. The Government of Vietnam is seeking approval from the National Assembly to issue electronic visas to citizens of all countries and territories. International tourists on the way to the sandy beach in the southern province of Khanh Hoa's Cam Ranh Coastal City. Photo: Trung Vu/ The Hanoi Times Accordingly, Vietnam would extend visa validity from 30 to less than 90 days for single or multiple entries and stay from 15 to 45 days for foreign visitors from Vietnam's Visa Waiver Program countries and territories. The measure is seen as a boost for the development of Vietnam's "smokeless industry", which will enhance the competitiveness of national tourism in Southeast Asia. The country reinstated the visa waiver policy for citizens of 24 countries after three years of border closures due to Covid-19. Despite being one … [Read more...] about Vietnam considers issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories
Hanoi determined to preserve its “green lung”
Hanoi is known to have more rivers, lakes, ponds, and lagoons than any other city in Vietnam, acting as natural air conditioners to maintain a balanced ecology or being the city's green lung. The Hanoi People's Committee has recently approved a comprehensive list of 3,164 lakes, ponds and lagoons that are now off-limits to reclamation activities, demonstrating the authorities' unwavering commitment to preserving the capital's greenery and environmental sanctity. Cau Giay Lake in Dich Vong Ward, Cau Giay District. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times There are 30 districts and towns on the list. Among them, the inner-city district of Hoan Kiem has the lowest number of protected lakes, with only one, while Quoc Oai District has the highest number of protected water bodies, with an impressive 276 lakes, ponds, and lagoons. Other areas with notable numbers include Cau Giay (29), Dong Da (15), Hoang Mai (40), Long Bien (53), and Son Tay Town (199). Drastic actions … [Read more...] about Hanoi determined to preserve its “green lung”