This is part of preparations for Thang Long-Hanoi’s millennial anniversary celebrations in 2010.

The website, http://www.thanglonghanoi.gov.vn, offers citizens at home and abroad columns related to music and songs about Hanoi, images and documentary films about the capital in the past and at present, and information on Hanoi streets.

The site, entitled “Thousand-year Thang Long-Hanoi”, includes a column on the “Study and Follow Uncle Ho’s Example” campaign, a collection of studies on Thang Long-Hanoi, and preparative activities to celebrate the capital’s 1,000th birthday next year.

The theatre is also offering a boat cruise along the Huong River.

Two shows, performed from 7pm to 10.30pm every night, consist of dancing, nha nhac (royal music), poem recitation and a royal tea ceremony.

The theatre is also organising royal banquets for groups of more than 20 tourists on a royal boat.

The ticket price for the show and the boat cruise is VND 50,000 (USD 2.9) and VND 150,000 (USD 8.6), respectively. The musical performance and the banquet cost VND 500,000 (USD 28.6).

The exhibition, jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism is just one of activities being held to mark the 55th anniversary of the city’s liberation day on October 10 and the 10 years since UNESCO recognised Hanoi as a City for Peace. The event is also to celebrate Hanoi’s 999th founding day.

Philipe Chaplain is the first foreigner to create a website containing photos of Hanoi’s Old Quarter in the past.

He has also competed at the annual international contest on Thang Long-Hanoi since 2006 and won first prize in 2008.

Vice Mayor of Luong Prabang Province Khampheng Saysompheng said the new route will help develop tourism in the ancient capital of Luong Prabang, a world heritage site, and the historic city of Dien Bien Phu. According to him, the Lao government is waiting for Vietnam’s reply to this proposal.

There are already direct flights from Luong Prabang to Hanoi, Xiem Riep and three other Thai localities.

The Lao government has also licensed a construction project for a new international airport in Luong Prabang which has a total investment of USD 86 million. The work is scheduled to be launched next year and completed by 2013.