This is Bac Ha District’s annual activity to respond the tourism programmer “Returning the Roots” of three provinces: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho. Besides tourism advantages such as: landscape, Tam Hoa plum, Bac Ha Market,… the horse-race is one of important tourism activities of Bac Ha District to attract tourists.

Before the race, 61 race-horses and 100 horses performed an imposing parade. 12 jockeys and race-horses were qualified for the semifinal after tournament. In the final, from 3 excellent jockeys and race-horses, the organization board awarded first prize to Mr. Vang Van Thuc and race-horse No. 27.

The race attracted thousands of locals, domestic and international visitors.

The Deputy Director of Hoi An Relics Preservation and Management Centre Nguyen Duc Minh told that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNSECO) commended Vietnamese craftsmen on the chapel’s conservation as its traditional values have been kept in line with other preserved sites in the ancient city.

The chapel was restored at a cost of more than VND 537 million, of which 605 was provided by Hoi An’s local authority.

“The restoration project demonstrates the commendable commitment by private individuals to cooperate with the local authorities in the conservation of a World Heritage property. As one of Hoi An’s key landmarks, the newly-refurbished chapel now stands out as living landmark in the heritage city, serving clan members, the local population and visitors alike,” said UNESCO about the chapel.

Located about 50m from the japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An City, the Tang Family Chapel is typical of 18th and 19th -century overseas Chinese clan halls, with a succession of smaller entry halls leading to a large central hall for worshipping ancestors.

The chapel is now still in use by the Tang Clan as a place of worship, while also serving as a tourist attraction.

This year, UNESCO granted 13 awards to cultural heritage conservation projects in the Asia-Pacific region, including three awards of distinction, four awards of merit, four honourable mentions and the jury’s commendation for innovation.

This is the third time Vietnam has received a UNESCO award for this reason. Vietnam took the award for excellence for the Hoi An preservation project in 2000 and the award of merit for a project to preserve the architecture of six old traditional Vietnamese houses.

Thuy Linh, a Saigontourist official, said her company has made more than 4,500 bookings since the end of March.

Rach Gia - Phu Quoc, Vung Tau, Ha Long, Con Dao, Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, and Tay Nguyen are the most popular destinations, she said.

IKO Travel, her company’s economy tour, is the most popular because of its attractive price, she said.

Other tour operators also said tours to Phu Quoc and Con Dao are fully booked.

Hotels and resorts in Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Phan Thiet are also almost full up, they said, with some keeping a few rooms in reserve to get high prices during the holiday period.

Many hotels and resorts in Nha Trang and Mui Ne have doubled their normal room tariffs.

The number of bookings for foreign tours is also high.

Instead of charging higher prices, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai of Fiditour said her company is offering discounts of US$100-300 during the holiday period.

It only costs $435 for a four-day tour of Beijing, $375 for a four-day tour of Shanghai, $490 for a five-day tour of Kunming, and $460 for a four-day tour of Brunei and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Vietravel has announced many tours, including a seven-day trip to Japan and a six-day trip to South Korea at $910.

Saigontourist said Korean Air is offering a five-day tour package from HCM City to South Korea at only $699 that includes three-star accommodation and airport transfers.

On the opening day September 1, a series of performances were given by nearly 200 professional and amateur H’Mong artists from several districts and towns in the province.

Selections in praise of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Uncle Ho, the fatherland, as well as the land and people of Lai Chau drew the attention of thousands of spectators.

Other activities, including crossbow shooting, tug of war, stick thrusting, pao throwing, and other folk games also took place on September 2-3 in the provincial stadium.

Alongside these activities, original dishes of the H’Mong people and a photography exhibition will be on display.