Nguyen Van Tinh, head of the International Cooperation Bureau under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told the Daily on Monday that talks between the two sides had been finalized, and US$250,000 would be spent on this two-month publicity program.

The second publicity for Vietnam’s tourism on CNN’s Asian coverage, including Japan, will promote the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, plus other major attractions of the country, similar to the first program in late 2007.

“We’ve finished the discussion about the cost and the content for the program and are waiting for approval on the budget from the Ministry of Finance,” he said, adding the agreement would be signed in September.

“The two sides can ink the deal in this September if the ministry agrees on the budget,” Tinh said.

In late 2007, the country’s tourism image was advertised every day on CNN for the first time. The 30-second spot mainly promoted the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, plus other major attractions of the country such as the ancient town of Hoi An, HCMC, and the former capital city of Thua Thien-Hue. The program costs US$290,000 covered by the State Budget.

Tinh said his bureau was also discussing similar programs for the country’s tourism on other international networks. The bureau will also cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Vietnam in the U.S. on the occasion of the Vietnam Day in California in the fourth quarter of this year.

This year, Vietnam’s tourism will have a budget of around VND50 billion or nearly US$3 million to carry out activities to promote the country’s tourism. Half of the budget comes from the National Tourism Action Program, and the balance from the Investment, Trade, Tourism Promotion Fund of the central Government.

According to the National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam has received nearly 1.9 million international tourists in the first-half of this year, down more than 19% year-on-year while the domestic travel saw over 11.7 million tourists, up 13% year-on-year. Tourism revenue totaled VND32.4 trillion, up 8.7%.

SOURCE:vietnamnet.vn

A view on the way from Gia Luan Ferry to Tuan Chau island.

The ferry is a new option for travelers who want to approach the UNESCO-listed bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh after they have swum in the sea and toured Cat Ba National Park and other attractions on Cat Ba island in northern Vietnam.

Tuan Chau Group launched the ferry route earlier this year to cater to the increasing demand of people frequenting the two destinations and especially travelers interested in sightseeing.

The landscapes along the way are karst limestone rock formations that have been carved by sea winds, sunshine and time into eye-catching shapes. All nature lovers must appreciate these natural formations and open their eyes wide to enjoy one of the best sights they have ever seen in Vietnam.

We did the same when I was on the ferry as part of my recent trip to northern Vietnam, where breezes blowing through the karst rocks soothed our eyes and the beauty of nature inspired our senses during the ferry trip of more than 7.5 kilometers.

Amazingly, a lot of bonsai-shape trees dot the karst limestone rock mountains and hills, creating a beautiful water-color painting in which evergreen trees on mountains and hills highlight and breathe life into the space of blue water and azure sky.

The landscape is so marvelous that many passengers on the ferry can’t help asking other people to take pictures of them and the karst formations when the ferry is cruising by the surroundings.

For those who have cruised around the karst limestone rock formations in Halong Bay, the hills and mountains seen from the ferry are the last pieces of a jigsaw and an interesting addition to a trip to the World Heritage Site, as the ferry takes them to Halong Bay via a new entrance so they have an opportunity to view more mountains and hills in the bay.

To reach Gia Luan Ferry, get on a bus at the main wharf of Cat Ba island that leaves the station every half hour and costs VND10,000 per person. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the ferry.

You can buy a ferry ticket for VND30,000 upon arrival. Then you will wait for at least half an hour, more depending on the number of passengers, the availability of ferries, the tide and the time you arrive. It’s good if you come just as a ferry is approaching as you will wait long to begin the trip to a world of karst limestone rock formations.

You do not need advance bookings. The ferry runs frequently between Gia Luan and Tuan Chau from 6am till 6pm.

SOURCE:vietnamnet.vn