Vincom Mega Mall Times City – Vietnam Travel

Vincom Mega Mall Times City is second only super center chain commerce ( shopping center ) continuous basement Southeast Asia’s largest Vincom Mega Mall by Vingroup development. 

On a weekend, our group agreed to meet at 458 Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung Street Hanoi – VMM Times city located, one of the prime locations of the gate southeast of Hanoi. Come with VMM Time City of New Era. VMM Times City has a total area of over 200.000 m2 of my friends!

 VMM Times City includes extensive functional areas, are located in the basement B1 connected building complexes, meet all shopping needs – interests – entertainment – entertainment – enjoy culinary modeled modern “ all in one “ in the developed countries. VMM center of Times City shopping area extremely scale hypermarkets with more than 11.500 m2 consumers ; extremely suitable for a shopper. Shopping center brings together hundreds of fashion brands, jewelery, accessories, cosmetics, home appliances, and electronics stores, furniture… famous domestic and international. How long had not gone we wanted any energy sought out food area Awesome! Food court with 90 retaurants with four local flavor, all kinds of food booths from all three regions North Central South of Vietnam but also no shortage of food meets foreign guests from near to far. Heartwarming everyone. 

 Quick to leave an opinion we quickly move to the Vinpearl Aquarium Aquarium – Modern auqrium first tunnel in Hanoi size 4.000 m2 with thousands of rare species, which with the creature first appeared in Vietnam as penguins, otters, King Crab… we are not only satisfied to discover fascinating ocean world but also enjoy the performances by mermaids, watching divers feed the fish. Besides a wealth of knowledge about the oceans with the model and compelling footage at the aquarium. Entering world amusement at Vinpearl VMM Time City also has modern Games almost 2.000 m2 wide array of games with new, modern like speed racing game new life; Games disco music; Countervailing modern Games every lever ; Game every lever; Games sports; martial arts , basketball, horse racing, the “ Fairy Garden “ , “intellectual Park “ or the gifted class leisure… suitable for all ages.

 Do you want to watch the latest movies velvet elephant best quality , look to Systems Platinum Cineplex cinema screening room 5.400 m2 with international standards bared !

VMM Times City also promises to be an attractive destination in Hanoi for its scenic beauties and extraordinary utility system, especially the beautiful square with a Musical theater stretching over the 400m artificial river showing unique water dances which first appear in Hanoi. Coming to VMM Times City every day, from 6:00p.m to 9:00p.m in winter, from 6:30p.m to 9:30p.m in summer, customers will be immersed in an amazingly magnificent party of water, music and splendid light, totally for free.

Flamingo Dai Lai resort TOP 10 hotels and resorts worldwide of 2014

Throughout 2014, a number of hotels and resorts have been established across the globe, occupying a variety of rural landscapes in unusual locations. the resorts form places of escape, often in remote or picturesque settings, offering a break from an ever more hectic world. although similar in function, the ten selected schemes are incredibly diverse in form, with intimate and expansive volumes utilized to great effect alongside a range of different materials and production techniques, providing guests with a tranquil and calming temporary residence. continuing our annual review of the year’s BIG stories, we take a look at the hotels and resorts that caught our eye in 2014.

yalikavak palmarina by emre arolat architects

Earlier this year, at a lagoon on turkey’s southwestern coast, emre arolat architects extended the region’s existing marina complex with a series of additional facilities. the development, entitled ‘yalikavak palmarina’ has been completed in stages, providing both visitors and the local population with a range of services. the ‘island’ part of the plan, which is the first phase, houses a selection of retail outlets and restaurants, in addition to amenities for yachts docking in the harbor.

aqua dome thermal resort in the mountains of austria

 A resort set amid the impressive austrian landscape has been redeveloped using angular and tapered forms to reflect its mountainous setting. the ‘aqua dome’, which accommodates 350,000 visitors each year, has been designed to be a distinctive landmark for the region, while simultaneously providing guests with a familiar alpine atmosphere.

la plage d’hôtel du pacifique by kristin green architecture

Designed by australian architect kristin green, this hotel contains 18 villas, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a spa facility. located on the coast, the scheme uses only exposed concrete, wood, and tile to compose classical elements with re-envisioned details. the arched openings that are carved out from a series of intersecting walls and planes make for abstracted colonnades and thresholds that freely ventilate the interiors and allow for a fluid circulation.

naka phuket resort by duangrit bunnag

In 2014, the NAKA phuket hotel and resort in thailand has opened its doors to guests as an exclusive getaway only accessible via an isolated mountain road. designed by thai architect duangrit bunnag of DBALP, the complex comprises tens of matchbox form villas featuring floor-to-ceiling glazed walls that protrude directly from the sloping terrain. the 94 private units are accompanied by a private beach, rooftop spa, fine-dining restaurant and an olympic-sized infinity pool.

aro hā wellness retreat by tennent + brown architects

       located on new zealand’s south island, ‘aro hā‘ is a purpose built, self-sufficient retreat offering its guests access to yoga, hiking, strength training, meditation, therapeutic massage and detoxifying vegetarian cuisine. designed by local practice tennent + brown architects, the timber dwelling provides accommodation for only 32 guests at any one time, encouraging group interaction. providing views across the 21 acre site, an open terrace is oriented to face lake wakatipu.

richard branson opens mahali mzuri safari camp in kenya

part of sir richard branson’s portfolio of distinctive retreats, ‘mahali mzuri‘ is a luxury safari camp located 240 kilometers west of nairobi in kenya’s motorogi conservancy. situated within the maasai mara ecosystem, the development has been configured to minimize environmental impact with lightweight structures that promote low density tourism. established in collaboration with the neighboring community, the sustainable approach sees the promotion and hiring of local workers and the use of regionally sourced materials.

flamingo dailai resort by Vo Trong Nghia architects

flamingo dailai resort, a residential retreat located one hour away from hanoi in vietnam, was planned for city dwellers to enjoy their weekends in a more natural environment. the complex, located in the middle of forests between dailai lake and the surrounding mountains, consists of two contrasting buildings both designed by vo trong nghia architects – ‘dailai conference hall‘ and ‘bamboo wing‘.

ecork hotel by josé carlos cruz

one hour outside of lisbon, in the portuguese region of évora, architect josé carlos cruz has completed a spa and resort complex clad with a natural brown cork. the project, named the ‘ecork hotel‘, boasts 56 private residences, fine dining facilities, and a spa and gym complex. the program is organized around a central courtyard that connects various public spaces with hotel services. an outdoor pool and its adjacent bar are positioned at roof level, ensuring a reduction is the projects overall footprint.

whitepod eco luxury hotel in switzerland

at the heart of the swiss alps, an unconventional accommodation experience awaits. the ‘whitepod eco-luxury hotel‘ situated in les giettes, houses its guests within 15 geodesic dome-shaped tents (10 standard, 5 family) which serve as rooms that are immersed into the natural landscape of the mountains. each pod is anchored to a wooden platform offering a furnished terrace in which to enjoy the views beyond


perched 2,000 metres above sea level, in the central section of the al hajar mountains ‘alila jabal akhdar‘ overlooks a dramatic gorge, surrounded by spectacular views of the expansive omani landscape. the LEED certified resort’s 78 suites are either located within the main hotel building or arranged in individual clusters. the villas are generously organized around the cliff-top, maximizing privacy and providing uninterrupted views over the mountains and down into the adjacent gorges.

Hanoi listed among top 10 culturally rich cities

Hanoi capital of Vietnam has been listed among the world’s top 10 culturally rich cities that travellers need to visit at least once in their lifetime, according to Lifehack – a website specializing in providing tips for a better life.

The Huc Bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake- Vietnam travel 

“Cultural treats in the friendly capital of Vietnam include the highly popular Dancing Water Puppets Show which depicts ancient fables with an impressive display of lighting, song and dance,” the site said about Hanoi.

It added some more activities for tourists, “...shopping for everything from shoes and souvenirs to traditional medicinal oils in the Old Quarter of the city, having suits and dresses tailored for a bargain from one of Hanoi’s world famous tailoring shops, hanging around the glittering Hoan Kiem Lake in the evenings and visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex”.

Lifehack noted, “Eating in Hanoi’s street kitchens is a fun and offbeat way to truly experience the culture of communal dining that’s so typical of the locals.”

Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (the first university in Vietnam) - Vietnam travel 

Apart from Hanoi, the site also lists 9 other destinations, including Chiang Mai (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), Udaipur (India), Berlin (Germany), Prague (the Czech Republic), Florence (Italy), Melbourne (Australia), Amman (Jordan), and Marrakesh (Morocco).

Vietnam travel : Muslim tourists flock to Vietnam for delicious food, cheap prices

More and more Muslim tourists have chosen to visit Vietnam travel  on account of delectable food and cheap prices, with airlines from the Middle East offering direct services to the Southeast Asian country and Vietnamese restaurants improvising to serve their special diners.

A group of Muslim tourists are seen visiting a candy stall in My Tho City in southern Vietnam.

The Muslim tourists mostly come from Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and the Middle East. 

One day, a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter followed a group of Muslim visitors from Indonesia, a country where 90 percent of the population practices Islam.

Most of the tourists have visited Vietnam more than once.

Affordable goods, delicious food - Vietnam travel

The majority of the Indonesian tourists said that they love Vietnam because of its high quality, affordable products, and flavorful food.

An Indonesian man, who was waiting for a car in front of a hotel in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City with a group of people, decided to pay VND100,000 (US$4.72) for a wallet from a peddler.

The man immediately put his money and cards from his old wallet into the new one.

Sartina Kendari from Sulawesi Tenggara, a province of Indonesia, said that she bought some T-shirts at Ben Thanh Market in District 1 on her first day in Vietnam.

“A T-shirt here costs only VND400,000 ($18.83). In Indonesia we couldn’t buy such good-looking T-shirts at this price,” the woman said.

Yanti Makassar, another Indonesian who visited My Tho City, in the Mekong Delta, said that she loves Vietnam more than other countries she has traveled to because it is a good shopping venue, in addition to its beautiful landscapes and delicious food.

Makassar, who has visited Vietnam a few times, added that she even had to buy extra suitcases to fit all the clothes she has bought here.

Nguyen Xuan Thinh, a guide at a tourism firm in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the number of Muslim tourists from Indonesia and Malaysia has risen rapidly in recent years.

Five to six Indonesian tourist groups arrive in Vietnam each month, together with several others from Malaysia, Thinh said.

The Muslim visitors from Indonesia love buying items such as clothes, bags, and cloths at Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square Center, a small shopping mall in District 1.

They also prefer “banh pia,” a Vietnamese cake filled with durian, shredded lard, salted egg yolk, mung bean paste, and coconut.

“They buy a lot of ‘banh pia’ during their time in Vietnam. They often buy around 10 pockets of ‘banh pia’ each time, but sometimes a person can buy 40 pockets,” Thinh shared.

Vietnamese hospitality

Lam Duy Phong, the owner of a candy factory in My Tho, was seen introducing, serving and selling his durian-flavored candies to tourists in Indonesian. Phong said he learned the language from tour guides to communicate better with his customers.

“Most of the Muslim visitors like candies, so being able to speak their language could facilitate my sales,” Phong said.

Vietnamese restaurants have also put forth great effort to serve Muslims.

Bach Tung Vien, a restaurant in My Tho, has put aside not only an eating area that uses separate drinking glasses, bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and utensils for Muslims but also a praying space in accordance with the minimum standards of their religion, although the food is not Halal, a certificate indicating that food meets Islamic dietary codes.  

Pham Thi Bach Tuyet, a restaurant representative, said that they never serve pork in the designated area, and sometimes they help customers order food from eateries in Ho Chi Minh City – about 70km away – that have Halal certificates.

“The number of Muslim tourists has soared in the last three years. We are finding chefs who can cook meals following the Halal requirements, and are trying to get the certificate,” Tuyet said.

The restaurant also serves such fish plates as ca kho to (fish braised in a clay pot), ca tai tuong chien xu (deep fried gourami fish), andcanh chua ca dieu hong (Vietnamese sour fish soup) to Muslim visitors.

Yanti Makassar told Tuoi Tre that Muslim people are not allowed to eat pork, so she and her friends really like fish dishes.

Vietnam – A shopping paradise

La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said that the number of tourists from Muslim countries, especially Indonesia and Malaysia, has gone up considerably in recent years.

“When I talked to 17 Malaysian tourism firms in Kuala Lumpur the other day, they told me that Vietnam is a safe destination and also a shopping paradise, as the goods are cheap, catchy, and easy to buy,” Khanh said.

Most Indonesian and Malaysian tourism firms have said that tourists choose to visit Vietnam because the country offers affordable tours and commodity prices that fit their budget.

Many carriers from the Middle East – including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines – have opened direct routes to Vietnam, helping to raise the number of Muslim tourist arrivals to the Southeast Asian nation.

A representative from Vietnamese tourism firm Saigontourist said Qatar Airways has even established a division specializing in serving Muslim tourists in Vietnam travel.

Dato’ Syed Mohd Razif Al Yahya, a representative of Malaysian tourism corporation Sutra, observed that Muslim tourists create a potential market for Vietnam and many other countries, as the Muslim population in the Asia-Pacific region is now more than 972 million people.

“Vietnam is currently considered one of Muslim tourists’ ideal tourism destinations. There will be more restaurants, hotels, and tours that mainly serve this type of customers in the near future,” the Malaysian said.

Vietnam travel news : Da Nang receives 3 million visitors in 9 months

Central Da Nang City- Vietnam travel - welcomed 3.02 million tourists over the recent nine months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 19%.

The number of foreign visitors reached 657,600, up 18.4%, with one thirds from China.

The city has attracted 71 projects in tourism with a total investment of US$8.1 billion, including 15 invested by foreigners, worth US$1.6 billion and 56 domestic projects, worth US$6.5 billion.

As many as 36 hotels have come into operation in the city over the past nine months, raising the total to 427 with 15,465 rooms. 

Daily launched tours enthuse busy travelers in Vietnam

Many Vietnamese tourism firms have recently organized tours departing on a daily basis to tap into the expanding segment of busy travelers or those deciding to take a trip on the spur of the moment.

UNESCO-recognized Ha Long Bay in central Vietnam's Quang Ninh Province

Due to a time limit, tourists tend to hit the road on weekends or during holidays.

Tour operators thus typically offer packages targeting individual travelers with a preference for these periods of time.

Many have arranged more tours which start daily to cater to the rising demand from retired people and office workers who combine business with leisure on their trips.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper suggests the following daily offered tours.

Con Dao Island - Vietnam travel news

Package tours of two or three days to Con Dao, administered by Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province located in southern Vietnam, cost VND2.2 to VND4 million (up to US$188) each, exclusive of airfares.

Apart from its stunning beaches, the island – about 185km from the provincial capital city of Vung Tau and 230km from Ho Chi Minh City – also appeals to tourists for its rich historical significance.

During the French colonial era that ended in 1954, Con Dao Island was notorious for its penal facilities and punishing inmate treatment system, including "tiger cages." The phrase refers to prison cells used to keep Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers in torturing conditions during French rule.

Some other tourist attractions include Hang Duong Cemetery and Pier 914.

The Mekong Delta - Vietnam travel news

Tours of one to three days, including homestays, are also launched on a daily basis to several Mekong Delta city and provinces, including Vinh Long, Can Tho, Ben Tre, and An Giang.

The tours, which cost from VND210,000 to VND990,000 ($46.6) each, offer tourists opportunities to indulge in rustic landscapes – including rivers, creeks, and ponds of lotuses – and relish local delicacies.

Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands) - Vietnam travel news

Cham Islands in central Vietnam’s Quang Nam Province form a part of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park – a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

The islands' pristine landscape offers gorgeous beaches and forested hills.

Scuba diving services give tourists a chance to explore the corals and rich marine life in the turquoise waters.

Tours depart from Da Nang City in the central region.

They cost VND600,000-700,000 ($33) and now appeal to a large number of local and international tourists.

Ha Long Bay - Vietnam travel news

The costs of tours to UNESCO-recognized Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province in the north vary from VND1.2 to VND9.9 million (up to $466).

The tours offer a wide range of choices in accommodation and services, including nights spent aboard luxury cruise ships.

Sapa - Vietnam travel news

Tours departing from Hanoi to the Eden-like Sapa town in northern Lao Cai Province cost from VND2 million to VND2.5 million ($118) each, excluding transport fares.

Sapa town in northern Vietnam's Lao Cai Province

 Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam travel news

Travelers pay only VND500,000- 800,000 ($38) for tours around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The tours offer tourists an opportunity to explore the cities’ scenery, culture, and cuisine in a limited amount of time.

Four ideal areas for cycling during Hanoi’s fall season

Vietnam travel - Hanoi, a city over 1,000 years old, is more attractive in the fall. Cycling to discover the city is an exciting new experience. Below are the best places for a cycling tour.

1. The Old Quarter - Vietnam travel 

Taking a bike ride around the old streets, you will be surprised. Instead of the noisy, bustling, and cramped alleys that you usually see, the everyday life of the people here takes place like a slow-motion movie, which is real and as lively as ever.

Cycling around the old quarter in the evening, you will enjoy lots of delicious famous dishes on the sidewalk.

2. The beautiful streets in the city center - Vietnam travel 

Cycling between two rows of ancient trees on the roads of Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Phu, Hoang Dieu, Thanh Nien, the most beautiful streets of the capital, you will feel the romance, and the charm of Hanoi’s autumn. You will not just enjoy the fresh air, but also see a lot of old villas built in the French colonial era, and famous works such as Cua Bac church, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Tran Quoc Pagoda, among others.

3. West Lake - Vietnam travel

cycling tour, bike, hanoi, old quarter

The West Lake is also a popular romantic rendezvous in the evening for couples. On a beautiful day, you should try to take a bike ride around the lake. You will feel to grow young again. If you want to have a longer stop, park on the roads of Xuan Dieu, To Ngoc Van, and Dang Thai Mai.

4. Long Bien Bridge - Vietnam travel 

cycling tour, bike, hanoi, old quarter

Cycling on the oldest bridge in the city, sometimes you will be startled by trains running through. It is also an interesting experience for your trip. In the evening, you can stop near the bridge to taste baked sweet potatoes or sip hot or iced tea.

Useful information:

Bike rent: VND80,000-VND100,000/day; VND60,000/bike for those who rent 10 bikes upward.

Electric bicycle rental: VND15,000/hour.