Vung Tau is a popular destination for Saigonese tourists sick of the hectic city life who fancy a short trip to the beach and to breathe in some fresh sea air.

There is of course the usual swimming at Bai Truoc and Bai Sau (the Front and the Back beaches) or seafood and coffee at various shops in the coastal city and visiting pagodas.

But there is a place not many people know of on the peak of Big Mountain which was opened in 2010 and linked to the ground by cable car.

A tourist makes a wish at a stream called Three wishes’ stream at the front of Buddha’s cave

That’s Ho May (Cloud Lake) Cultural and Ecological Park, a venue that’s suitable for people of all ages.

To get to the site, tourists are advised to take a five minute cable car ride which rises 250 meters above sea level instead of a 90 minute trek.

During the 500-meter cable car journey tourists can enjoy a panoramic view of the Front Beach with numerous boats anchoring on the sea surface, the spacious Tran Phu Street with colorful houses and villas and other high buildings and hotels in the distance.

Those who love adventures can challenge themselves in an alpine coaster

With a package price of VND200,000 for adults and half price for children, tourists can enjoy a two-way cable car ride and access to entertainment activities of the 400,000 square-meter site.

Young people or team-building groups can choose a camping location in the Caribbean pine tree forest or challenge themselves on a hiking trail and join in an alpine coaster, formula 1 race and kayaking. For families and children, the farms of ostriches, peacocks, deer and wild pigs and some games of merry-go-round and high-speed swing chair must be ideal choices.

Older people can visit Buddha’s cave, an orchid garden or a giant historical radar station. Couples should not miss a chance to take a horseback ride in the lagerstroemia forest or pray for their loveds one at the stream of three wishes. You can have a private talk in a swan cycle on Cloud Lake which is located in the center of the tourist site. The Cloud Lake has a nine-meter waterfall and thirty-meter Happy Buddha statue.

A foreign tourist admires a bronze statue of a bending unicorn over an arhat – Photos: Kieu Giang

Nguyen Duy Anh, a well-known Vietnamese photographer, said: “My family and I have come to Vung Tau 100 times but this is the first time I have seen Cloud Lake Cultural & Ecological Park. The green environment, great view and diversified entertainment activities are what will see me come back for more.”

“I love the alpine coaster here as it gives me both a thrilling and exciting feeling,” said Phuong Ha, a tourist from HCMC.

Tired of playing games, tourists can order some food and drink at restaurants in the site and enjoy the sunset and a sparkling Vung Tau City at night. Those who wish to spend a night on the peak of Vung Tau can rent a room at Binh Minh Hotel.

For more information, contact the Cloud Lake Cultural and Ecological Park at 1A Tran Phu Street, Vung Tau City, tel: 0643 856 078, website: www.vcct.com.vn.

The cable car opens daily from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., except Wednesday (for maintenance). During the peak holiday season it operates seven days a week.

source from: thesaigontimes

This according to a supporting industries development policy which was green-lighted by the government in early 2011.

In early 2012, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province gave the nod to the supporting industries development planning scheme to 2020 with a vision towards 2025.

Under which, supporting industries will become a foundation for industrial growth and a chain in the production network of trans-national groups (TNGs).

The provincial authorities are committed to propelling supporting industries growth through making the most of support and potential from assorted economic sectors, TNGs and enterprises.

The scheme will focus on mechanical manufacturing, electrical and electronic and chemical industries.

In respect to mechanical manufacturing, the province set to lure investment into areas it has comparative advantages including household appliance, auto-motorbike manufacturing, household electronics and then take advantage of local seaports to promote exports.

Priority shall also be given to petroleum extraction and processing, and shipbuilding industry supporting industries development.

By 2015, mechanical manufacturing supporting industry should represent 70 per cent of supporting industries’ total industrial production value in the province. This proportion will slightly go down to 60 per cent in 2020 and 50 per cent in 2025.

The electrical-electronic supporting industry is designed to not only service electrical and electronic sectors but also supplies components for other industries.

Accordingly, by 2015, electrical and electronic supporting industry should contribute around 12 per cent of supporting industries’ total industrial production value in the province, rising to 24 per cent in 2020 and 34 per cent in 2025.

The chemical sector supporting industry development should match the provincial industrial development planning, the country’s overall development strategy and that of the southern key economic zone.

Priority will be given to stimulating hi-tech petrochemical industry growth to create competitive products and reduce imports, meeting ever-growing demands for chemical, plastic and synthetic rubber products.

By 2015, chemical sector supporting industry should make up around 20 per cent of supporting industries’ total industrial production value in the province which will be slightly decreased in the following years to around 15 per cent.

source from: vir

The Con Dao prison system in Ba Ria – Vung Tau is like hell on earth in the French colonial period, the period of Vietnam invaded by U.S. imperialism with 8 major prisons, each has an area of 10,000 – 25.000m2 together with tens of additional prisons which had exiled thousands of prisoners … The Con Dao prison system was recognized as historical prison system on the largest island of Asia.

The Museum of Ancient Weapons built and managed by Mr. Robert Taylor and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bong was established in 2010 at No. 14 Hai Dang, Vung Tau City is also recognized as the largest ancient weapon museum in Asia. The museum covers an area of ​​1.500m2, displays 1200 kinds of guns, 1000 swords, 500 mannequin in uniforms, military uniforms of countries in the last century…

The statue of Christ atop Tao Phung mountain – Vung Tau City is the largest statue of Jesus in Asia, was built in 1974, with a 32m height.

source from: baobariavungtau

Talking to Ba Ria – Vung Tau newspaper’s reporter, Director of Vung Tau Port Authority Le Van Chien said after the meeting with the agencies and units involved in the morning of April 13 Vung Tau Port Authoriy requested the ship owners, Vietnam Savalge Single Member Limited Liability, Sao Mai Marine Co., Ltd. continue supporting, completing the salvage plans to Truong Hai Star, which particularly focus on keeping environmental sanitation and preventing oil spills, ensuring maritime safety. After the above units complete the savalge plans, it is expected today April 16, Vung Tau Port Authorities will collect, classify and report to Ba Ria – Vung Tau’s leaders to seek for instructions.

As reported by Truong Hai Star’s captain, when the ship sank, the oil tanks in the ship were carrying 40 tons of fuel oil, 10 tons of diesel oil and more than 1 ton of lubricating oil of all types. Under the action of the tides and the impact of the waves, the oil tanks and oil pipeline system on the Truong Hai Star will probably be cracked, broken at the joints, connections, leading to oil spills. Besides, in the cargo hatches of the Truong Hai Star also contain 41 containers of goods (automobiles and parts). In addition, the delay in salvage of Truong Hai Star also affects to the works of ensuring maritime safety on the Vung Tau – Saigon and Vung Tau – Thi Vai flows.

Related to the work of ensuring maritime safety, on the morning of April 15, Mr. Le Van Thuc – Deputy Director of Vung Tau Port Authority had an urgent report to the Ministry of Transport and the provincial People’s Committee on two fishing boats collided on the Truong Hai Star. Accordingly, at 19:00pm, April 10, while sailing on the Front Beach area (Vung Tau City), the ship SG 91 387 (owned by Mr. Ho Van Buu, resided at Thanh An commune, Can Gio commune, Ho Chi Minh City) suddenly crashed into the Truong Hai Star ship”s container muster, causing the ship SG 91 387 SG sunken, 6 crews were rescued, including a crew who was wounded in his foot. Then, at 20:00pm, April 11, the ship BV 8659TS (owned by Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, resided at Ward 5, Vung Tau City) was surprisingly crashed into containers in the Truong Hai Star (which were gathered at the coastal area of Sao Mai – Ben Dinh), causing the ship destroyed, all crews of the ship BV 8659TS were rescued to shore safely. Confronted with this situation, Vung Tau Port Authority is mobilizing forces, facilities to continue searching and salvaging 3 missing containers to ensure maritime safety.

source from: baobariavungtau

A construction unit that is building Pham Van Dong Park in Con Dao Island District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, has found five skeletons collectively buried in a grave underground.

The information was released yesterday by the provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, which has reported the finding to concerned agencies.

The grave, which was made of solid materials, was 2,5 meters wide, 2.5 meters long and 2.2 meters deep.

According to local authorities, the five skeletons might be of foreigners, possibly French or other nationals who worked for the French, who died on Con Dao.

Bui Van Binh, chairman of the district People’s Committee, said the remains are being kept intact pending handling by concerned agencies and the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

The area where the remains were found was the same spot where 43 French bodies were uncovered several years ago, local authorities said.

In 2005, after getting approval from concerned agencies and the French Consulate General in HCM City, the Con Dao authorities transferred the 43 sets of remnants to the Lai Thieu Cemetery in southern Binh Duong Province.

The Con Dao Islands are an archipelago and a district of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in southeastern Vietnam. Situated at about 185 km (115 miles) from Vung Tau City and 230 km (143 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City, the group includes 16 islets, with a total land area of nearly 76 square meters.

source from: tuoitrenews

Two South Korean men drowned while they were bathing in the sea at Nghinh Phong beach, Vung Tau city Thursday.One of the two bodies remains unfound, authorities reported.

The victims are 34-year-old Son Yongin and 52-year-old Jung Sung Kyoon, who were among a group of about 10 South Korean tourists who came to the beach for sea-bathing at 8 pm March 29.

After swimming in the sea, the group returned to their hotel and at 10 pm they found Son and Jung missing.

They then returned to the beach to look for them and reported the incident to rescuers at the beach.

After a couple of hours of search, rescuers found Jung’s body floating on the sea near the shore.

The body has been taken to the France-Vietnam Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Rescuers are continuing their search for the other victim.

source from: tuoitrenews

A ceremony to transfer the Tam Dao 3 rig to owners, Vietsovpetro, was held on Mar. 30 at the PetroVietnam Marine shipyard in the southern city of Vung Tau.

With a 145m jacket, the Tam Dao 3 is able to drill wells up to a depth of 6,100m.

As a project of national importance, the construction of the rig has been recognised by the Vietnam Shipping Registration Agency and the American Bureau of Shipping.

Following this success, which marks a milestone for maritime construction in Vietnam, Vietsovpetro have placed another order with the yard for a second jack up drilling rig.

The company will also build a drilling barge able to drill up to 10,000m, ordered by PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corporation.

source from: qdnd

At 15.00pm the same day, the system was centred at 10.4 degrees north and 107.4 degrees east, moving at a speed of 39-49 km/h at its centre.

It is expected to travel between west-northwest and continue to weaken over the next 24 hours.

The low pressure system has caused strong winds and heavy rains in coastal areas of Khanh Hoa to Ben Tre provinces.

source from: vov

The facility is the only representative office of a fully foreign-owned bank in this economically important locality, providing corporate clients with a central liaison point for their dealings with HSBC Vietnam.

Sumit Dutta, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, said: “HSBC Vietnam sees excellent potential for its corporate banking business in Vung Tau. We very much look forward to promoting the development of FDI and the growth of domestic firms in the area by offering them HSBC’s comprehensive range of banking products and services and connecting them to our vast international customer base all across the world”.

Vung Tau is 100 kilometres south of Ho Chi Minh City and has excellent road and sea links to the metropolis and was designated by the Vietnamese government as a focal economic zone.

Its main sectors include petroleum, petrochemicals, and steel and cement production while tourism and fisheries also play a significant role in the local economy.

source from: vir

Vung Tau City’s Thang Tam Ward has asked local eateries and restaurants on 2 major streets to hang a plate to warn tourists to check prices before using services.

The plate should read, “Please check prices and quality of products and services in advance. Feel free to contact the hotline: 0918581755 or 0913783809.”

Owners have to hang the plate at visible places so that everybody can see.

Tran Ba Viet, current provisional Chairman of Thang Tam Ward’s People’s Committee, said the regulation would apply to eateries, restaurants and hotels on Hoang Hoa Tham and Vo Thi Sau streets.

Viet said the ward was considering applying the regulation to other service providers on other major streets as well.

source from: tuoitrenews