Hanoi among world’s top destinations: TripAdvisor

Hanoi has recently been included on TripAdvisor's list of best destinations in the world for the first time.

Hanoi has recently been included on TripAdvisor's list of best destinations in the world for the first time.

The sixth annual Travelers' Choice awards has sliced and diced its users' reviews and ratings over 12 months into lists of its most highly recommended global and regional destinations.

 The capital of Vietnam ranked 8th among the world’s top 25 destinations.

Park Hyatt Saigon to close for upgrades next March

The five-star Park Hyatt Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City will close down for three months next year for upgrades.

 The hotel will close and work will begin on March 3, 2015.

The upgrades are expected to finish in June, its management board announced on Friday.

Work may continue, on certain rooms, through November.

The management board said the hotel will retain French architectural elements while adding Indochina-style decor features to the hotel, such as crystal chandeliers, white walls and a green garden.

BELL RING ACROSS VN FOR HOLY NIGHT

As chilly gusts of wind overwhelm the north of the country, people are preparing for the festive season.

 Lights appear on fake pine trees at offices, hotels and restaurants while Christmas melodies fill the air at cafes on every street corner.

The largest-ever Christmas festive nights at Hanoi's West Lake Waterpark on December 23 and 24 promise to host up to 40,000 people.

The night will contain various "surprising factors", according to the waterpark and Heartlink JSC, which co-organised the event.

Images of a white park and snowy road will be displayed and family members can try out Christmas-themed games, in addition to hitting the dance floor with hundreds of male and female Santas. A photo contest titled "Impressive Noel Moments" will select the Top 10 Christmas Beauties, Top 10 Christmas Moments and Top 10 Christmas Faces.

HUE TO OPEN GOLDEN TOURISM WEEK

NDO – The Golden Tourism Week, offering visitors and travel agencies promotions, will take place from December 24-30.

During the week, tourists will be offered a 50 percent discount on tickets to watch daytime Hue Royal Court Music performances, named by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

TRAVELING THROUGH WINTER SRING FLOWER SEASONS

Besides tours of popular tourist destinations, travelers can plan their own trips depending on flower seasons. A flower sightseeing tour is unlike a normal package tour. 

A new flowering season is different from previous ones since each flower has its own beauty and charm. It usually begins in winter and blooms in spring. Each region in the country has its own special flower, so adventurers are advised to come to the right place to see it.

DALAT FLOWER FESTIVAL 2014 -2015

DALAT FLOWER FESTIVAL 2014 -2015

The 6th Dalat Flower Festival will take place from 29th December 2014 to 5th January 2015 in Dalat city and Lac Duong District, Lam Dong province of Vietnam Highland

Located at the elevation of 1500m above sea level, Dalat hides itself amidst the immense pine forest on Lang Biang highland, Central Vietnam. The city is endowed with the fresh and mild climate. This is an ideal condition for all kinds of flowers to blossom all the year round. Arriving in Dalat city, tourists will surprised at a space of flowers. By the road sides, the wild daisy show their yellow flowers, the mimosa with their small lovely purple flowers or the climbing roses flashing beside the gates of hill villas.