Initial studies show that the drum which has a surface diameter of 55cm and a height of 35cm belongs to the Heger type.

Its surface is carved with a 12-pointed star and centred circles. In particular, the pattern of flying cranes on the outside circle and standing cranes on the inside circle is different from other known bronze drums of Vietnam.

The ancient drum is on display at the provincial museum as from July 3.

Also on July 3, a set of stone musical instruments with 30 bars was brought to the museum. The stone instruments, the largest set of its kind, were found in the Di Linh Plateau in the district of the same name.

Around 18 carriages, decorated with colourful flowers and the symbols of Nha Trang such as the conical hat and the crane, carried the beauties, many of them dressed in the Vietnamese traditional ao dai for the parade, waving and smiling at the crowds.

A number of art performances such as the dragon dance were also held during the parade with many artists from HCMC and Nha Trang taking part.

The contestants’ first event will be in the swimsuit show on July 2 at the Vinpearl Resort.

The ministry also assigned its International Cooperation Department to conduct negotiations with other TV channels such as France’s Fashion TV, the Republic of Korea’s Ariang and the US’s Discovery channel and to explore the possibility of running advertisements on Japan’s NHK and China’s CCTV channels, as well as in a popular Russian newspaper.

MoCST Minister Hoang Tuan Anh also directed the administration to consider re-broadcasting a trailer on Vietnam on CNN and organizing road shows in Australia, Taiwan and China.

The advertisement campaign is part of the national trade-investment and tourism promotion programme which was adopted by the Government with a total capital of VND 30 billion.

According to an official from Ben Thanh Tourist – a large travel agency in Vietnam - the Vietnam National Tourism Administration spent VND 4.7 billion promoting the national image on CNN Asia. However, the programme did not meet the expectations as few Asian people watched the channel to book tours, while none in Europe and America could watch it.

DUBAI, U.A.E., 5th May 2010: Eager to check out a wide choice of exciting holiday destinations, close to 6,000  people and 400 industry professionals attended Emirates Holidays World at the Events Centre, Intercontinental Dubai Festival City this weekend.

Hosted annually to support the launch of Emirates Holiday’s A World of Choice brochure, local travel experts from over 30 countries across Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean, Asia and Australasia showcased a range of holidays with something to suit everyone – from family holidays to city breaks, beach holidays and safaris to cruises and spa breaks.

The three day travel event has become a firm fixture in Dubai’s annual calendar, offering something for everyone looking for that perfect summer break. The number of public visitors who attended the consumer day represents an almost 50 per cent increase compared to the number of people who visited last year.

Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), John Felix, Senior Vice President, Emirates Holidays commented, “People have become far more careful about the type of holiday they want to take this year.  They are not compromising on quality but they do want to make sure they get the break they need.  Emirates Holidays World offers the perfect solution. It’s a chance for people to actually talk to international representatives and travel experts as part of a fun day out.  We get fantastic feedback from everyone who comes and this is reflected in the increasing number of people who return every year.”

He added: “The response we have had from our colleagues within the travel and tourism industry is equally encouraging.  We expect the market to continue to improve throughout the year and we are already seeing strong growth in enquiries and actual bookings.”

Whilst parents got the chance to explore the world without having to leave Dubai, the event proved to be the perfect day out for the whole family too, with a variety of family entertainment including clowns, mascots and face painting, all in a dedicated children’s activity area. Ben Southall, who was chosen for the ‘Best Job in the World’ to help promote to the world, the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia – was also at the event as Tourism Queensland’s ambassador. He was likewise guest speaker on the first day of the trade sessions.

In addition to the main A World of Choice brochure, which is being distributed to Emirates Holidays shops and travel agents across its international network, there is a dedicated brochure on Dubai, an Arabic-language brochure for exclusive distribution in the Middle East and North Africa as well as a tailored edition for Russia.

(Source : Travel Daily Asia)