Sep
14
|
Con Co Island – a floating green pearl
|
|
Located not far from the coast of Quang Tri province, the small island of Con Co has its own long and interesting history.
Con Co looks like a plump green pearl rising from the ocean and experts consider its geology, biology and scenery a museum of biodiversity.
The evergreen island is 80 percent natural primeval forest, which has remained in pristine condition despite the passage of time. It was formed by a volcano which left behind giant, strange shaped basalt rocks and many stunning beaches that have turned the island into a charming and splendid place.
The flora on the island is very diverse, with many giant trees, measuring 15 to 20 feet across. Some are unique to islands, such as the striped-trunk trees and many kinds of wild potatoes with huge leaves.
The island is also home to a rich array of marine life with 113 types of coral, 57 kinds of seaweed, 19 different crustaceans, and 224 saltwater fish species, as well as 164 species of flora and 68 types of fauna and seafood such as oysters, lobsters, crabs and mussels.
There are two endangered species of crabs on the island that are able to live on the ground or in the water and are strictly protected.
The island also has some historical relics including a 20-kilometer-long military tunnel, a number of blockhouses along the beaches
People have come from the mainland to settle on Con Co for hundreds of years and many soldiers have sacrificed their lives to protect it.
Local authorities plan to invest about VND300 billion to develop infrastructure on the island to improve local living standards and tourism.
If you had seen the island of Con Co a few years ago, you would be taken aback now to see. In addition to the heaving rocks, dense primeval forests and military barracks, many tall buildings, including the headquarters of the district People’s Committee, police and tax offices, a health center, power and water services, as well as television and telecommunications systems.
|
|
|
|
Sep
14
|
Plough casting of the Mong ethnic people
|
|
For a long time, the Mong people in Dong Van Karst Plateau in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang have preserved a technique of casting a special kind of plough that is suitable for rocky soils.
With its high geological value, the plateau was officially recognised as a Global Geo-Park by the UNESCO Global Geo-parks Network (GGN) in 2010. It is the first certificate ever issued in Vietnam and only the second in Southeast Asia.
Over the years, the plateau has been home to several ethnic groups, but primarily the Mong people who survive by farming in rare plots scattered on rocky mountainsides.
The image of the plateau is one of an immense, rugged, rocky, mountain area with occasional strips of rocky earth dispersed between mountainous creeks and rivers. Predictably, it is no easy task for local people to farm here.
They cannot use the normal ploughs that are typically used in the plains because the ploughs simply break or are quickly damaged by rocks.
|
|
|
|
|
Sep
14
|
Ao dai set to shine in France
|
|
Designer Minh Hanh has introduced the national Ao Dai costume at the International Festival of Extraordinary Textiles held in Clemont Ferrand from September 12 to 15.
Miss Vietnam 2010 Ngoc Han, Vietnam Next Top Model 2010 winner Huyen Trang and Miss Photogenic 2002 Phuong Lien have joined with designer Minh Hanh to produce an amazing photographic showcase of the Ao Dai in France.
In the festival, designer Minh Hanh will present a Vietnamese ethnic costume collection to the world.
The International Festival of Extraordinary Textiles aims to revive old skills and provide a platform for artisans and weavers to demonstrate their skills and latest innovations.
|
|
|
|
|
Lao dancers display talent in regional spotlight
|
|
14/09/2012 11:06:03
|
|
|
|
Mayor apologises for road repair delays
|
|
14/09/2012 10:44:06
|
|
|
|
Dien Bien hosts Vietnam-Lao tourism and trade fair
|
|
14/09/2012 10:35:46
|
|
|
|
Human remains found at Cambodian pagoda
|
|
14/09/2012 10:01:02
|
|
|
|
TOURS & DETOUR: Voluntourism opportunities this fall and winter
|
|
14/09/2012 09:51:25
|
|
|
|
International tourism expo opens in Ho Chi Minh2
|
|
14/09/2012 09:49:24
|
|
|
|
Two international standard amusement parks for Da Nang
|
|
14/09/2012 09:46:23
|
|
|
|
City beefs up waterway transit system
|
|
14/09/2012 09:42:08
|
|
|
|
Vietnam proposes Southeast Asian heritage network
|
|
14/09/2012 09:39:35
|