Saint Giong Festival – On the way to become an Intangible Heritage of Humanity

Following to the two former Intangible Heritages of Humanity, Nha nhac (the Royal Refined Music) and The Cultural Space of Gong, Giong Festival now “meets enough standards to be recognized as a new intangible cultural heritage”, affirmed by Katherin Muller-Marin, head of UNESCO’s office in Hanoi. At the present, Giong Festival passed the UNESCO’s first round.

Saint Giong Festival in Phu Dong Village, Gia Lam, Hanoi

Saint Giong Festival is a unique traditional event in Vietnam, held annually from the 6th-12th of the fourth lunar month in many places in Vietnam. However, the 9th of the fourth lunar month is the major day for the biggest Saint Giong festival at Phu Dong village in Gia Lam district of Hanoi where this national hero, called Emperor Phu Dong was born. Legend has it that, at the age of three, he smashed a powerful army of invaders and protected peace for the country (defeated the An invaders). After the victory, he rode his iron horse up to the sky. In order to show their gratitude to the hero of Giong Village who sacrificed his life to fight invaders, the people proclaimed him Saint Giong.

Saint Giong

Saint Giong Festival has the attraction in perfecting mankind’s personality, folks acknowledge about this festival by folk poetry:

“Ai ơi mùng chín tháng tư
Không đi Hội gióng cũng hư mất người”

(Known as: “If anyone does not join Giong Festival on the 9th April, he will not become a good person”)

The festival is a chance for attendants to watch the performance of traditional rituals and artistic activities which have been handed down from generations to generations./.

Six provinces and cities in Vietnam and cities selected for national tourism years

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has chosen six provinces and cities to host the National Tourism Year, including Thua Thien – Hue in 2012, Hai Phong in 2013, Lam Dong in 2014, Thanh Hoa in 2015, Kien Giang in 2016 and Lao Cai in 2017.

The 2011 National Tourism Year will be held in Phu Yen province and central coastal provinces.
The National Tourism Year has become the largest event of the Vietnamese tourism industry for several years and will feature different themes.
The event is also synchronous with popular events in Vietnam and the world in order to promote tourism, social-economic development, and Vietnam’s foreign relations.
A quick travel note: Before visiting Vietnam, you should apply for a Vietnam visa.

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Time required to issue visa:
Contact nearest Consulate for further information.
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What is the cost of a visa?
Category – Visit
Single, double and multiple, valid up to 6 months £65
Longer term multiple entry (1, 2, 5 and 10 years) £205
Academic visitor, up to 12 months £65
Family £65
Business £65
Marriage/civil partnership £65
Medical treatment £65
Student visitor, up to 6 months £65
Child visitor £65
Agreed Destination Scheme (ADS), up to 30 days only £65
Joining ship/aircraft £45
Transit £45
Direct Airside Transit (DAT) £45
Visit Overseas Territory £44
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Student nurse £99
Prospective student £99
Writing up a thesis £99
Chevening Scholarship Free
British Marshall Scholarship Free
Rhodes Scholarship Free
Fulbright Scholarship Free
Chevening Fellowship Free
Exchange student £99
Resitting exams £99
Sabbatical Officer £99
Student dependant £99
Parent of a child at school £205
Category: Employment
Clinical attachment and dental observation £205
PLAB Test £205
Postgraduate doctor £205
Postgraduate dentist £205
Work Permit Holder £205
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) £205
Training and work experience (TWES) £205
Overseas qualified nurse/midwife £205
Work permit dependant £205
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6 months or longer, depending on type of visa obtained
Other information:

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This will depend on which category you are applying for entry under. In all cases you will need to make your application online or fill in an application form. You will also need the following.
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- A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself.
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What will happen when I make my application?
The Entry Clearance Officer will try to make a decision using your application form and the supporting documents you have provided. If this is not possible, they will need to interview you.
Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:
- your personal details are correct
- it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
- it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, contact the visa section immediately.
Can I extend my stay in the UK?
In some circumstances you may be allowed to stay longer. For example, if you are entering the UK to marry or to enter into a civil partnership with someone who is already present and settled in the UK, you can apply to stay as a husband or wife or civil partner after your marriage or civil partnership has been registered. The UK Border Agency will deal with your application and they can provide more information.
Can I work in UK?
If you are an overseas national who is not settled in the UK and you intend to work in the UK, you must have a work permit unless you are:
- an EEA national
- a Swiss national
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- a person given permission to stay as the dependant of a person settled in the UK
- a dependant under another category (in some cases), or
- a student (in some cases).
If you are on a Student Visa, you can take part-time or holiday work, but you must not:
- work for more than 20 hours a week during term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has been agreed with your educational institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body
- do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or
- work full-time in a permanent job.
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest UK Embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter the UK.
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The viewer/user of this web page should use the above information as a guideline only, and should always contact the above sources or the user’s own government representatives for the most up-to-date information at that moment in time, before making a final decision to travel to that country or destination.

About 450 kilometers north of HCMC, on National Highway 1A, Nha Trang City is known for its eucalyptus trees, white sand dunes, lagoons, beaches and Islets. It’s the home of aloe wood trees and yen sao (bird’s nest).
Tourists to Nha Trang should not miss a cruise around Nha Trang Bay to explore the four islets: Mun Island, Mot Island, San Island and Mieu Island.
The Mun Island is popular for scuba diving. Formed by piles of giant black rocks, the islet looks amazing surrounded by pure blue water, white sand and millions of pebbles.
Tourists can dive to eight to ten meters to admire colorful corals and fish. Scuba diving, along with diving instructions and equipment, costs about VND500,000 per person.
A motor boat trip or a parachute trip costs VND300,000. For those unafraid of heights who have a bigger budget a balloon will take you up to see an amazing birds-eye view of the Bay.
The next stop is Mot Island where boats anchor together like a large floating raft. Tourists can enjoy some local specialties and attend a wine party. A wine party is a drinking game where you throw a buoy into the sea and put some bottles of wine on it. The aim is to get the bottles of wine out of the buoy. The game is usually played with loud music playing and is lots of fun.
After Mot island the cruise goes to Soi Island for a lazy break on the beach’s deck chairs. Wooden boats are available to rent to drift along the beach and collect colorful pebbles.
The cruise ends with a visit to Tri Nguyen Aquarium. For ticket cost of VND25,000, follow the tour around the mountain to a gate in the shape of a giant fish’s mouth. Designed as an eighteenth-century battle ship, the aquarium has a wide array of fish, corals and other marine species. The souvenir shop offers handicrafts such as mother-of-pearl encrusted paintings, pearl-made jewelry, brocade cloths and scarves.
Come to enjoy, you will like it very much. Please be kindly advised that  you should apply for  visa before coming to Vietnam.
VietNamNet/SGT

Latest news about Visa Fee Exemption

Agreements on Vietnam visa exemption has been signed with 55 countries (56 agreements), among 54 agreements has entered into effect except 2 agreements (With Angola and Brazil). Tourists in these countries will be exempted visa for entry, exit and transit. The duration of stay subject to visa exemption begins from the date of entry.
On October 10^th to create advantages for tourists come to Vietnam, the latest policy of the visa fee exemption took effect after the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) had issued guidelines on the policy over weekend.

Ngyen Manh Cuong, Director General of VNAT’s signed a document, said that visa fee exemption would be granted between October 10, 2010 and December 31, 2010 to foreigner visitors.
However, it is just granted for those tourists who buy packaged tours from international travel companies who have registered to join the country’s tourism marketing campaign named Viet Nam – Your Destination.
Last month the new policy for international travelers to the country following a request from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
was announced by the central Government.
The traveler purchase “Vietnam- Your destination” will not be entitled to Vietnam Visa exemption if they purchase “Vietnam – Your Destination” program’s tours but make their tours after December 31.
Last month, over 383,000 tourists in the entire world came to Vietnam, so the total number of foreigners’ arrivals rose more 3.73 million in January and in September it increased more 34.2% year on year.
Visa service:
http://myvietnam-visa.com/

Miss Earth contestants visit Vietnam

Maricelle Rani Wong from Singapore said she was surprised to see such as big waste treatment site. As the second-year student at the National University of Singapore, Wong has visited several rubbish dumps in Singapore but they are much smaller than the one in HCM City in Vietnam.

Other contestants and Miss Earth 2009 showed their interests in the introduction of Kevin Moore, general director of the Vietnam Waste Solutions, the investor of Da Phuoc rubbish dump, about the waste treatment process.
During the trip, the contestant from South Africa consistently took notes in her small notebook while the contestant from Guatemala raised many questions about the treatment process.
After the field trip, contestants met with local women.
Tonight, November 9, 20 out of nearly 90 contestants will perform their talents in the Talent Show at the Diamond Palace in HCM City.

Vietnam sport activities

ycling
Vietnam is ideal for long-distance cycling as much of the country is flat and the shortage of vehicles makes for light traffic. Caution is needed, however, especially on busier roads as traffic can be much undisciplined. Bicycle hire is widely available.
Water sports
In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of coastline. The most popular beaches are Vung Tau, just north of the Mekong Delta; and Nha Trang, near Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise waters offer good snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be hired at most beach resorts. Other good beaches can be found at Phan Thiet (south central coast); Mui Ne (noted for its large sand dunes); and the magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with beaches and grottoes, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Access to the islands is by boats, which can be hired in Ha Long City.
Hiking
There is good hiking and horse riding in the beautiful countryside around Da Lat. Guides are recommended and can be hired locally. Generally, the northwest is the best region for hiking. Other good destinations include Bach Ma National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park (near Hanoi) and Lang Biang Mountain (in Da Lat), where guides are compulsory. In the north, Ba Be Lake National Park (which contains several lakes, waterfalls and caves) and Cat Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island also offer beautiful scenery.
Other
Caving enthusiasts may head for the spectacular Pong Nha river caves, northwest of Dong Hoi. Boat trips are particularly popular in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southernmost region, which consists of an intricate network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers. River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Ho Chi Minh City) or the Perfume River (near Hue).
There are opportunities for visitors to see some of the Vietnam War sights. It is possible to walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a series of roads, trails and paths used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war. It ran from North Vietnam southward through the Truong Son mountains and into western Laos. The claustrophobic network of tunnels used by villagers and guerrillas during the war at Cu Chi (35km/22 miles from Ho Chi Minh City) and Vinh Moc can also be visited.
ycling
Vietnam is ideal for long-distance cycling as much of the country is flat and the shortage of vehicles makes for light traffic. Caution is needed, however, especially on busier roads as traffic can be much undisciplined. Bicycle hire is widely available.
Water sports
In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of coastline. The most popular beaches are Vung Tau, just north of the Mekong Delta; and Nha Trang, near Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise waters offer good snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be hired at most beach resorts. Other good beaches can be found at Phan Thiet (south central coast); Mui Ne (noted for its large sand dunes); and the magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with beaches and grottoes, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Access to the islands is by boats, which can be hired in Ha Long City.
Hiking
There is good hiking and horse riding in the beautiful countryside around Da Lat. Guides are recommended and can be hired locally. Generally, the northwest is the best region for hiking. Other good destinations include Bach Ma National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park (near Hanoi) and Lang Biang Mountain (in Da Lat), where guides are compulsory. In the north, Ba Be Lake National Park (which contains several lakes, waterfalls and caves) and Cat Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island also offer beautiful scenery.
Other
Caving enthusiasts may head for the spectacular Pong Nha river caves, northwest of Dong Hoi. Boat trips are particularly popular in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southernmost region, which consists of an intricate network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers. River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Ho Chi Minh City) or the Perfume River (near Hue).
There are opportunities for visitors to see some of the Vietnam War sights. It is possible to walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a series of roads, trails and paths used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war. It ran from North Vietnam southward through the Truong Son mountains and into western Laos. The claustrophobic network of tunnels used by villagers and guerrillas during the war at Cu Chi (35km/22 miles from Ho Chi Minh City) and Vinh Moc can also be visited.ycling
Vietnam is ideal for long-distance cycling as much of the country is flat and the shortage of vehicles makes for light traffic. Caution is needed, however, especially on busier roads as traffic can be much undisciplined. Bicycle hire is widely available.
Water sports
In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of coastline. The most popular beaches are Vung Tau, just north of the Mekong Delta; and Nha Trang, near Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise waters offer good snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be hired at most beach resorts. Other good beaches can be found at Phan Thiet (south central coast); Mui Ne (noted for its large sand dunes); and the magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with beaches and grottoes, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Access to the islands is by boats, which can be hired in Ha Long City.
Hiking
There is good hiking and horse riding in the beautiful countryside around Da Lat. Guides are recommended and can be hired locally. Generally, the northwest is the best region for hiking. Other good destinations include Bach Ma National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park (near Hanoi) and Lang Biang Mountain (in Da Lat), where guides are compulsory. In the north, Ba Be Lake National Park (which contains several lakes, waterfalls and caves) and Cat Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island also offer beautiful scenery.
Other
Caving enthusiasts may head for the spectacular Pong Nha river caves, northwest of Dong Hoi. Boat trips are particularly popular in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southernmost region, which consists of an intricate network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers. River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Ho Chi Minh City) or the Perfume River (near Hue).
There are opportunities for visitors to see some of the Vietnam War sights. It is possible to walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a series of roads, trails and paths used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war. It ran from North Vietnam southward through the Truong Son mountains and into western Laos. The claustrophobic network of tunnels used by villagers and guerrillas during the war at Cu Chi (35km/22 miles from Ho Chi Minh City) and Vinh Moc can also be visited.

 http://myvietnam-visa.com/