These “businesses” sell their products at VND20,000 (USD0.95) per litre. Their competition are local petrol stations, who sell Ron 92 petrol at VND21,210 and Ron 95 at VND21,720 per litre.

Petrol retail stand on Le Hong Phong Street

Le Hong Phong Street has at least 15 stands which sell the same fuel. Some of them sell anywhere from between 20 to 40 litres per day, attracting a large number of customers.

Quality, however, is another issue. There have been complaints from consumers that this cheaper fuel is not up to standard. There have also been accusations that the measurements have come up short.

When asked about their businesses, most of operators of petrol stands avoided questioning. One of them did comment, “Times are hard at the moment, and I came here to earn a bit of money.”

Under the law, a license is required in order to sell petrol products, so as to ensure safety and fuel quality. On the other hand, many see the trade as an opportunity to eke out a living. This has led to the streets of Nha Trang being overrun by cheap and unlicensed petrol stands, which poses a problem for local authorities in monitoring fuel quality.

Nguyen Chi Thanh, from Van Thanh Ward said, “I only buy petrol reliable stations, never this cheap fuel. I have heard of the recent motorbike fire cases. Still a lot of people around here choose to use the cheap stuff.”

To date, local authorities have not yet taken any action to deal with the spreading illegal petrol market.

source form: dtinews

The Hon Tam Resort bought the balloon from France at 1.2 million euros (US$1.57 million).

Balloon flights were first offered at Hon Tam Island in February last year, charging each person $10 for a 15-20-minute flight with French trained pilots.

source form: thanhniennews

An unidentified ship collided with the Vietnamese vessel on January 2 while it was fishing at sea, according to Nguyen Van Hieu, captain of the unlucky ship who survived the incident.

Hieu said he was rescued and brought to Phu Quoc Island by a local fishing vessel. The remaining 15 fishermen remained missing.

On receiving the news, the Vietnam Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) identified the coordinates where the vessel sank and requested the Liberian ship which was en route to China to search for the fishermen.

At 08.10am on January 8, the Main Trader announced it had rescued all 15 fishermen from the sunken vessel.

An MRCC rescue ship is scheduled to bring the rescued fishermen to Nha Trang city at 08.00pm the same day.

source form: vietnamnet

By the time we departed from the city with a packed bus we were only nine hours from our destination, nine hours… how did I get talked into this one? It was also my first time on a bus in Vietnam. Normally I keep a close distance on the mean streets of Saigon.

This time, though, we were up above the streets wincing every time some crazy motorcyclists with a death wish took a chance, I don’t even want to remember the trucks and buses whizzing past us with only the space to swing a mosquito between us. I learned the best thing to do on a road trip, don’t look at the road, it’s not good for the blood pressure.

So we were off. The compere/bus organizer/singer Pham Dang Nguyen decided to get the ball rolling with a ten minute speech in Vietnamese, fair enough, 51 members of the bus tour could understand, I was in the minority not that for one second did I feel an outsider – this is Vietnamese people we are talking about.

Nga translated what she could. Then Nguyen burst into a sad song, of which all Vietnamese songs seem to be, stories of lost loves and soldiers going off to battle and leaving their beloved girls behind.

The thing that struck me was how a group of strangers immediately bonded, only the Vietnamese with their em (sister) anh (brother) community feeling extend their friendliness to westerners including myself. Nguyen announced a couple had just got married in the city that very day and they got a free night’s stay in the hotel as a present. Nga piped up and told Nguyen it was my birthday. Fair enough, thanks so much. Then a young girl handed the mic to me and I was forced to belt out some Frank Sinatra.

I felt sorry for my new friends having to listen to my rendition.

First stop was somewhere in Binh Thuan where we got to stretch our legs and go to the toilet before heading back on the bus.

As we drove around the dead of night it was strange to see the small plantations of thanh long(dragon fruit) lighting up numerous fields around Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan.

Next up and it was breakfast time in Phan Thiet, not the most glamorous part of the tourist resort it has to be said but it had a nice backdrop.

We were on our way onwards and upwards and within a few hours we reached Khanh Hoa Province and the beach.

Cam Ranh Bay’s Ba Ngoi beach was certainly fresh at seven in the morning. The weather was too cold for a swim but it was okay to have a bit of fun in the water and go for a nice stroll.

Then it was time for more food, that’s what I most love about the Vietnamese always eating. Crab and tiger beer was a good call for a second breakfast and a banana treat pizza-style Banh Chuoi Nuong topped it off.

After having no sleep at all the whole journey now it hit me hard but the bumpy roads put paid to my chances of catching some shut eye. Still the compere duo’s singing and what appeared to be good jokes judging by the laughter all around me, kept us in good spirits for the end was in sight.

A nice eaterie in Nha Trang for lunch and at noon we finally reached our holy grail…the hotel.

source form: thesaigontimes

Some people go on holiday to put their feet up and do absolutely nothing. But on a trip to Khanh Hoa Province with Nha Trang Tourist I admit I was absolutely shattered as I’ve never done so much in such a short space of time in my life.

This company certainly knows how to fit it all in. I was commenting to some Vietnamese people on trip, I was the only foreigner out of 52 Saigonese, that I did more in three days than I would normally do in three weeks.

However, I admit it was exactly what I needed, a break from the norm in the city.

And I couldn’t have picked a more amazing place than Nha Trang which was packed with things to do.

I was always moaning to my girlfriend that I hadn’t seen enough of the country; well this was a good start to my voyage of discovery.

Saigon was a mere nine hours away but the madness seemed light years away as on our arrival we visited firstly Ba Ngoi beach in Cam Ranh Bay, then the majestic Po Nagar towers at the mouth of Cai River, walked around the street markets and took in some of the nightlife of the vibrant tourist location.

The next day, though, it was go go go as at 6 a.m. Nga and I were up for breakfast at our hotel and a nice panoramic view of the city.

First stop was down to the tourist sector where we got our boat out to see some coral from one of those glass-bottomed boats, which was a bit of a disappointment as we had bypassed Vinpearl Land for this. There was the chance to go snorkeling but it was around 9 a.m.  and too cold even for a Scotsman to brave the water.

Then we stopped off at a speedboat center where we had some wine and food for an early lunch and a spin around on a boat. What a buzz.

We just had time to catch our breaths and we were off in the boat this time we didn’t bypass the highlight of the day.

We stopped off at Vinpearl Land around 1 p.m. and I was wondering how we were going to fill seven hours. It flew in as we headed straight for the mini rollercoaster and amusement arcade and stayed there for hours. Then it was down to the beach and a dip in the water which was absolutely freezing but it had to be done.

The rain was coming though and we just got up to the shopping mall in time for some gifts before heading back to the amusements, which I couldn’t believe had a karaoke machine but then again this is Vietnam. My new friends were belting it out as sat smiling pretending I knew some of the words.

There was time for food before we witnessed the spectacular water light show to finish the day, back on the cable car in the dark of night before having a spot of late dinner and bed knowing it was another six am rise for the bus home.

I must be getting old, no discos for me this time.

Being a cheapskate Scot the cost of the trip was the bargain of a lifetime much to my delight. For two of us, bus, two nights in hotel, food and drinks for three days, free entrance to all the main attractions, free singing on the bus and banter VND3.5 million, which is about US$170 . If you fancy a trip to Nha Trang or Dalat this month contact organizer Pham Dang Nguyen of Nha Trang Tourist, based in Go Vap District on 0915067579.

source form: thesaigontimes

I have to admit I’m not the most adventurous person in the world but on a recent trip to Nha Trang my eyes were opened to the buzz of watersports.

I was on a boat trip as part of a tour package from Saigon when we stopped off at a speedboat center. Around 50 of us were there but it seemed there would be no takers going out for a spin and everyone else was content to wash down some seafood with Dalat wine.

I looked over to see Nga’s eyes light up when she sat on the speedboat for a photo and I thought here we go in for a penny… When we paid our money, a snip at VND475,000 for 15 minutes, she sat at the front as the attendants tried to tell her they wanted to give me the instructions, because I was the man. They picked the wrong gall as my feisty better half soon told them who was boss. Then we were flying.

What a buzz, honestly I have to admit if you’d told me beforehand I was going to have the bottle to do it, I would have said ‘no chance’. I didn’t want to let my girl down though and she stood up on the speedboat and went full throttle as I sat down and held on for my dear life.

We were bobbing up and down at some speeds and it felt amazing, I was just glad I didn’t fall off.

Then it was my turn in the hot seat and I just wish we’d hired it for longer.

You can see how people get addicted to these kinds of rushes and I didn’t want to come back to the center. I was quite happy to head towards the distant islands but the boss dragged me back to the floating center, I swear I heard one of the Vietnamese guys shout ‘come in number one, your time is up’.

Honestly, what a buzz, I was completely drenched but as high as a kite after it and next time I won’t hesitate for a second.

source form: thesaigontimes

I don’t know if Thap Ba Hot Spring Mudbath made our skin glow or not but it was good fun that’s for sure. I recall the organizer telling us we had half an hour to be back on the bus, but most of our gang returned about 90 minutes later as there was so much relaxing to be had. First of all we got changed into our swim suits and showered before heading to our own private mud spa. After a long trip from Saigon it was the perfect way to wind down before dinner. Being in a spa, mud or otherwise, is more enjoyable in the evening I find.

So we got completely covered in the stuff and did the customary photo taking and even got a nice calendar.

Then we showered off once we got bored and met our bus mates in the hot bath of mineral water where we all managed to squeeze into. Apparently the hot mineral water and mud has magical health benefits.

So we had had our fun and it was time to get washed and dried off and get back to the others after collecting our calendar and more souvenirs completed an enjoyable day.

Thap Ba Hot Spring Mudbath costs VND100,000 each, with VND20,000 for swimwear and towel hire. The spa is located near Cham Towers Po Nagar in Nha Trang City.

source form: thesaigontimes

The Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa was directed Tuesday to assess a new treatment methodology to treat the hand-foot-mouth disease by the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Khai (standing, in white shirt) and Vo Dai, deputy chairman of Ninh Thuan People’s Committee examine a child recovering from HFMD

The Ministry of Health ordered a hurried assessment of the new methodology to cure the hand-foot-mouth disease, created by Dr. Nguyen Van Khai, former director of an energy-saving  center under the Institute of Science in Hanoi.

Dr. Khai has flown to the central province of Ninh Thuan, the first province in the country to declare a hand-foot-mouth epidemic, to treat affected patients with concentrated active solutions of Anolyte and Catolyte. His new methodology has so far proved effective in treating hand-foot-mouth patients.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health has also ordered a scientific   assessment of Khai’s methodology in as short a time as possible.

The ministry said it applauded all individuals who have created effective cures to fight the disease, however, this is a matter of life and death hence it needs scientific proof of confirmation.

With more than 2,600 children contracting hand-foot- mouth disease last week in 56 provinces and cities, the total number of patients in Vietnam this year has increased to 87,434 including 147 fatalities, according to the Ministry of Health.

source from: saigon-gpdaily

She couldn’t imagine how Vietnamese women manually created those exquisite silk pictures that had gained an international reputation.

The 45-year-old Yvette got an inkling of how it was done when she and 31 other Australians visited the renowned XQ Embroidery Company’s workshop in Nha Trang late last month for some free lessons taught by XQ’s finest embroiderers.

Founded in 1996, XQ has many imitators these days, but none of the competition comes close to matching it for quality.

That’s why hordes of foreigners visit the company’s workshops to see silk pictures being produced by unrivalled hands, and why some of the visitors spend a few days taking XQ’s free embroidery lessons.

To date, nearly one hundred visitors from abroad have learned the rudiments of mixing colored thread and working with needles to produce silk pictures, according to XQ Vietnam’s general director, Vo Van Quan.

“XQ Vietnam’s workshops always have their doors wide open to welcome visitors who want to learn free of charge,” said Quan, who co-founded the company with his wife Hoang Le Xuan.

“We feel great pride in Vietnamese embroidery when foreigners come to learn how to embroider pictures by hand. That’s why I always welcome any tourist to XQ for training.”

One of his guests was Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who in November 2009 stopped by XQ Da Lat Su Quan, the company’s founding workshop in Da Lat Town in the Central Highlands.

XQ DA LAT SU QUAN
258 Mai Anh Dao Street, Da Lat
Tel: (063) 383 1343
XQ NHA TRANG SU QUAN
64 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang
Tel: (058) 352 6579

Email: xqsuquan@gmail.com or vodinhhoc@yahoo.com
Website: http://tranhtheuxq.com

Quan well remembers her words of praise. “Here, you retain the precious skill of hand-embroidery that I believe contributes to enriching the art as well as the renaissance of Vietnam’s old cultural values,” the Danish monarch said.

The Nha Trang workshop that Yvette’s party visited gets a lot of foreign attention thanks to the cruise ships that call at Nha Trang with increasing frequency. Often the company is the first stop on the passengers’ tour of the town.

It was a scene of hectic preparations when the 32 Australians arrived on the morning of October 28 to learn how to embroider by hand.

They were given a formal reception and made to feel welcome by XQ Vietnam’s co-founders, Vo Van Quan and Hoang Le Xuan, in the presence of two thirds of the workshop’s 150 embroiderers.

The most eager-looking of the Australian party included art dealers who busied themselves taking picture after picture.

Before the lessons began, four Australians representing their group dressed up in traditional costume and took part in a ceremony at the shrine dedicated to the embroidery sector’s founders, as all new learners must do.

The knowledge and skills they gained from their lessons were priceless.

“Learning how to embroider pictures by hand at XQ is not easy but it is a great experience for us during our visit to Nha Trang,” said tour party member Jeanne Hermans, who was surprised to learn that some of the silk pictures on display had taken a year to make.

Another grateful student, 50-year-old embroidery teacher Leanne Beasley, expressed similar sentiments.

One of XQ’s most successful students was an American painter who lived in Mexico.

Rueffert Daniel went to the Nha Trang workshop in June this year and applied himself to learning embroidery for 10 hours every day for a week.

When asked what he liked about Vietnamese hand-embroidered pictures, he replied that he wouldn’t use the word like.

“I was deeply impressed by your artistic embroidered paintings. As a painter, I use paint to mix the colors. You don’t use paints, but your work with color yarns produces very impressive pictures. When I saw them, I decided to learn how to mix colors with colored yarns,” Rueffert said.

Some 3,000 embroiderers work for XQ Vietnam in Hue, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

XQ Vietnam’s co-founder Hoang Le Xuan, a veteran artisan from the famous embroidery village Thuan Loc in Hue, has built up a strong team of hand-embroiderers, many of whom worked together to create the massive silk picture Thang Long – Hanoi’s 1,000th Birthday Anniversary in a thousand days.

One of them, 26-year-old Vo Thi Ngoc Ha of XQ Da Lat, said the work had transformed her and made her “really gentle”.

Similarly aged Nguyen Le Hoai Nhi of XQ Nha Trang extolled the artistic side of her work. “An artist’s movements of needles and yarns are not ordinary. They are the soul of life. Each of our embroidered pictures at XQ is a reflection of our emotions,” she said.

source from: thanhniennews

Previously, the WTA listed Vinpearl as Vietnam’s Leading Spa Resort – in 2004 and 2008. The resort also was chosen Vietnam’s Leading Resort in 2007.

The awards are processed on the WTA’s web site www.worldtravelawards.com, attracting the participation of global tourism experts, agencies and tourists.

Thousands of ballots are collected from more than 213,000 people and tourism organizations from 160 countries.

Beside Vinpearl, WTA also lists Sheraton Hanoi Hotel as Vietnam’s Leading Business Hotel, Intercontinental Asian Saigon Hotel as Vietnam’s Leading Hotel, and Furama Danang Resort as Vietnam’s Leading Spa Resort this year.

This is also the third honor given to Vinpearl this year, after two national awards including The Guide Award 2011, voted by the Vietnam Economic Times Newspaper, and Top Ten Vietnam’s Leading Five-Star Hotels chosen by the Vietnam Tourism Association.

source from: thanhniennews