IV - Danang International Paramotor Competition 2012 - DIPC will be held at East Sea Park, Son Tra district, Da Nang City within 5 days (from May 23 to 27, 2012) with the participation of about 50 international athletes.
Information is given on February 14, at the meeting of Da Nang city Vice Chairman Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh and Mr. Shinji Kake, General Manager of AiREA Company (Japan) - consultancy agency, and representative of C.A.T.I JSC (Da Nang) which organizes the competition.
Expected to have 50 athletes in 8 international teams from Japan, Korea, China, Spain, Germany, Britain, France, the United States participate.
The teams will participate in 4 examinations: point counting flying, speed flying, fomation flying and rescue flying.
The privately funded budget spending on the contest is estimated to be around VND 15 billion.
This is the first time Danang hosts an international paramotor event. The city has been expreriencing a busy year with an abundant amount of visitors and international recognition. My Khe, the most renowned beach of Danang has been listed as one of the six most attractive beaches on the planet.
Dive in central Vietnam with Furama Resort Danang - Dive Center offers a new and exciting destination for divers in Asia. With its crystal clear waters, coral formations and white sandy beaches, this region of Vietnam has just being discovered by dive enthusiasts from around the world.
All photos were taken at on Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain) where crystal blue waters reveal magnificent corals and an amazing variety of sub-tropical sea-life.
Your 5-star Gateway to “World Heritage Road” in central Vietnam and four UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites
The luxurious Furama Resort Danang is a true icon of Vietnam tourism. This 5-star haven on world-famous China Beach is celebrated as Vietnam’s most prestigious resort – counting royalty, presidents, movie stars and international business leaders among its celebrity guests.
A multi-award winner for its unfaltering commitment to world-class service and facilities, the Furama is not only consistently voted Vietnam’s No 1 resort, leading international polls also rank it among the very best resorts in Asia.
But the Furama is much more than an idyllic tropical retreat, it is also a premier base for exploring one of Asia’s most exciting new destinations – in the early days of being “discovered” by international tourism.
Just a short drive from Danang lay four UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites: the former imperial city of Hue (2 hours), the ancient ‘Silk Road’ trading port of Hoi An (30 minutes away), the spiritual centre of the Champa civilization, My Son (90 minutes) and the mystical Phong Nha Caves in Quang Binh province (7 hours), considered by some an access to the inner earth!
Da Nang has its own International Airport with daily domestic flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Buon Me Thuot, Pleiku, Nha Trang and Quy Nhon. There are international direct flights from Bangkok and Singapore with plans for future flights from Macau, Tokyo and Korea. Furama Resort Da Nang is just 15 minutes drive from Da Nang International Airport.
Furama Danang Resort & Spa has become the first five-star beach resort in Vietnam to provide in-room high speed internet access since August 25, 2006. The installment was just before the 3rd APEC Senior Official Meeting (APEC SOM 3) organized in Danang and Furama was selected as the host for the meeting. Before that, Furama Danang provide free wireless internet to its all public areas including lounges, restaurants, bars, ballrooms and meeting rooms.
Furama Resort & Spa has created a lasting impression for both local and international visitors. This is not only due to the government’s confidence in its attentive care for dignitaries such as Jiang Zemin – People's Republic of China's former Secretary General, Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin, Queen Sophia of Spain, Prince Henrik of Denmark, but it is also because the Furama is a place that has been selected to host significant events at both the national and international level.
Our “Diving Base” is meanwhile pioneering international-standard scuba diving in Vietnam – as the resort also develops as a renowned venue for events, conference and incentive travel.
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Awards & Accolades
Awards received in 2009
- Top Ten five-star Hotels Vietnam 2008 Award presented by Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) for the 7th consecutive year. - Golden Dragon Award 2008 from Vietnam Economic Times and Ministry of Planning and Investment for the resort’s excellent business performance and outstanding social contribution. - Top Trade Services Award from Vietnam’s Ministry of Trade and Industry which recognized the resort’s invaluable contribution to the country’s tourism industry. - The Guide Award 2008 - 2009 by Vietnam Economic Times and its tourism and hospitality magazine The Guide that noted the excellent performance of Furama Resort Danang with the appended remarks: "Efficient and reasonably priced resort at one of Vietnam’s best beaches, gold standard"
Awards received in 2008
- Third place of Top 10 Dream Hotels from the WorldHotels portfolio. - The Guide Awards 2008 by Vietnam Economic Times’ The Guide Magazine. - Vietnam’s Leading Resort by World Travel Awards, the most prestigious awards in the international travel industry. - One of the top 10 beach resorts in Southeast Asia by Singapore-based online hotel booking site Agoda Company. - One of the 20 most outstanding architectural works in Vietnam during the country’s “doi moi” process selected by the Vietnam Architecture Association on April 26. - Perfect Quality - Services Award from the City’s Youth Newspaper on Jan 15 for the resort’s invaluable contribution to the country’s tourism industry. - Top Trade Services Award from the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Jan 6 for its high growth speed, excellent business performance, and competitive ability and affirm its strong trademark in the market. - Best Conference Hotels in Asia, 2007 by readers of online travel magazine SmartTravel Asia.com.
Awards received in 2007
- Top Ten Hotels in Vietnam 2006 Award on July 9, 2007 from the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA). - This is the sixth year in succession Furama Resort Danang has received a Top Ten Hotels Award in Vietnam. - The Guide Awards 2007 on June 15, 2007 by The Vietnam Economic Times’ The Guide Magazine noting the excellent performances of the Furama Resort Danang. - "Vietnam the Best" award on May 26, 2007 by the e-newspaper Vietnamnet, in cooperation with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for outstanding brand name in tourism industry in Vietnam. - Century International Quality Era Award on April 23, 2007 in the Gold category by the Spain-based Business Initiative Directions (B.I.D) for Excellence and Business Prestige. - Winner of the Trophy for the year 2007 on January 2007 by the Selection Committee for the 32nd International Award for Tourist, Hotel and Catering Industry, an award created by Spain-based Editorial Office’s Publishing House in collaboration with the Trade Leaders’ Club to honour the most outstanding establishments in the tourist, hotel, restaurant and catering fields. - "Seven Stars and Stripes® Award" on January 31, 2007 by Seven Stars and Stripes Inc., based in New York, USA. The exclusive award recognizes the Furama Resort Danang as having best services in Vietnam.
Awards received in 2006
- The Furama Resort Danang is honorably awarded “The resort that has the best marketing and sales team” at the APEC Tourism Fair which is organized by APEC member economies to remark the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Hoi An, Quang Nam province on Oct 16-18. - Top Trade Services Award by the readers of Vietnam Trade Newspapers, February 2006. Awards received in 2005
- "Da Nang Beach is one of the six most luxurious beaches in the World"-voted by Forbes Magazine, October 2005. - "Best Resort Vietnam", voted sixth-year in a row by readers of Vietnam Economic Times and The Guide magazine. - Best Service Resort by the readers of the Trade newspapers Vietnam.
Awards received in 2004
- "Best Resort", voted fifth-year in a row by readers of Vietnam Economic Times and The Guide magazine. - WorldHotels Members Choice Award, the Furama Resort was voted amongst 500 leading hotels and resorts for its identification with WorldHotels, and the quality of product, service and cooperation towards other member hotels in 2004. - Gold Award for Best International Incentive by ITMA (International Travel & Meeting Association) – United Kingdom. - Voted one of the Asian region's top resorts by the online hotel reservations web site: www.asiahotels.com. - Named Vietnam's top resort in the prestigious "Top Ten" hotels awards by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism for the fourth consecutive year. Awards received in 2003
- Named one of the region's top resorts by the online hotel reservations web site: www.asiahotels.com. - Selected as Vietnam's top resort in the prestigious "Top Ten" hotels awards by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, fourth year running. - Awarded "Best Resort Trophy" 2003 by The Guide Magazine, voted by readers of Vietnam Economic Times and the Guide Magazine, fourth year running. - Certificate of Merit for outstanding contributions to the tourism development of Da Nang by Paul Stoll from the People's Committee of Da Nang, Major Nguyen Ba Thanh in January 2003. - Certificate of Merit for outstanding contributions to the tourism development of Da Nang by the Furama Resort from the Peoples Committee of Da Nang, Mayor Nguyen Ba Thanh in January 2003. - One of Asia's Best Hotels and Resorts in the first edition book of Asia Hotels and Euro Hotels (300 Hotels & Resorts were selected of 3800 hotels & resorts in Asia) January 2003. Awards received in 2002
- One of the 25 Best Spas in the world by “The Mail on Sunday” Magazine, U.K, issue 29 December 2002. - Gold Star award for quality tourism by the business initiative directions, Spain, 20 December 2002. - Certificate of Thanks for outstanding contributions of the Furama Resort for water safety and commitment to the aims and objectives of the Royal Life Savings. Society by the RLSS Commonwealth President, in August 2002. - Customer Hotel Award 2002 by Asia-Hotels.Com - Top Ten Hotel 2001 (positioned 1st place among foreign invested and managed hotels), by the VNAT - Mr. Fix-it, Paul Stoll, GM - FR, by the Hotel Asia Pacific Magazine. - Best Resort, by the Vietnam Economic Times & The Guide Magazine. - Certificate of Appreciation, the Department of Navy, Army, Airforce of USA. - PADI Resort (No.R-6604), by the PADI International Resort Association. - Certificate of Merit, by the People's Committee of Da Nang. - Certificate of Merit, by the Trade Company Union. - Certificate of Merit, by the Trade Union. - Certificate of Merit, by the People's Committee of Da Nang. - Trophy 2002, by the Trade Leaders Club of Spain.
Awards received in 2001
- Ten Best Dream Hotels in Asia, by the Esquire Magazine HK, May 2001. - PATA Member, by the VNAT, since 1 March 2001. - National Tourism Star Medal, Paul Stoll, GM - Furama Resort, by VNAT (23 July 2001). - Certificate of Merit, by the Vietnam Insurance Company. - Top Ten Hotel 2000 (positioned 1st place among foreign invested and managed hotels), by the VNAT. - International Quality Century Award, by the Business Initiative Directions of Spain. - Trophy 2001, by the Trade Leaders Club of Spain. - Certificate of Merit, Paul Stoll, GM - FR, by the People's Committee of Da Nang. - Certificate of Merit, by the Social Insurance Company. - Certificate of Merit, by the Medical Insurance Company. - Certificate of Appreciation, by the Quang Nam Tourism Authorities.
Awards received in 2000
- 5 Star Recognition, by the VNAT (1 February 2000). - Trophy 2000, by the Trade Leaders Club of Spain. - Top Ten Hotel 1999, by the VNAT (First award ceremony). - Asian Best Resort Hotel, by the Epicurean Revue, USA. - Certificate of Merit, by VNAT. - Certificate of Merit, by the Da Nang Trade Union. - Certificate of Merit, by the People's Committee of Da Nang.
The Chinese team amazed the audience and won the first prize for their performance based on the famous love story between Luong Son Ba – Chuc Anh Dai, a Romeo and Juliet of Chinese.
The Spanish team came second, the Australian team won the third and the Vietnamese and Philippine teams took the encouragement prizes.
The organizing board of the Da Nang International Firecracker contest said that over 7000 Vietnamese and foreign visitors came to Da Nang during the event. All hotels in the city were fully occupied.
Some pictures of the international firecracker contest.
Teams from Australia, Spain, China, the Philippines and Vietnam will compete in the second Danang International Fireworks Competition on March 27 and 28 in the central seaside city of Danang.
Each team will prepare a 20-minute fireworks display, to be accompanied by music.
This year’s event, Am Vang Song Han (Echoes on Han River), is being held by the Danang City People’s Committee.
More than VND16.1 billion (US$924,782) has been allocated to the competition by local businesses.
A grandstand capable of seating 6,000 spectators is being built in front of the main stage on the banks of the Han River.
The annual fireworks competition will be accompanied by a series of cultural activities including tuong (classical drama) performances, a food festival and floating displays of flowers and colored lanterns on the Han River.
The fireworks competition will be broadcast live on local channels, including VTV1, VTV4 and DVTV.
The first annual firework competition last year attracted 30,000 visitors to the city. It was named by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as one of the top 10 cultural, sports and tourism events of 2008.
A central farmer’s perseverance and hard work transforms a deserted plot of land into a resplendent ecotourism center.
Standing amidst lush green environs filled with flower orchards and bamboo groves, Nguyen Phuoc Hung took a moment to reminisce back to when this plot of earth was an arid wasteland untouched by local residents.
The owner and director of one of central Da Nang City’s most popular ecotourism centers used to be a regular farmer who was granted 30 hectares of land by the government in Hoa Vang District’s Phu Tuc Hamlet.
At that time 12 years ago, there was only a small river called Suoi Hoa running through the vast territory.
Hung proceeded to set up a small tent near the river and started doing what he loves most – planting trees and flowers.
Many locals thought he was crazy, as they believed the land was uncultivable and his efforts would all go for naught. But Hung didn’t worry about the naysayers as he was bent on transforming the desert land into something greener and more hospitable to life.
Between 1997 and 2000, Hung and his workers managed to sow numerous varieties of plants in the forest area west of nearby Hoa Phu Village. At his farm, he cultivated bamboos and various fruit trees while also raising cattle and fish.
Following years of hard work, Hung’s farm nowadays features around 2,500 bamboo trees producing 50 tons of bamboo shoots a year; two hectares of grass feeding a herd of 40 cows 300 betel trees and 1,000 apricot blossoms.
In 2000, Hung decided to take on the challenge of converting his farm into a major ecotourism center to introduce to visitors the best that nature had to offer.
“The main idea behind developing an ecotourism center is to promote public awareness about protecting our environment,” Hung said. “We’ve always kept that goal in mind while designing the Suoi Hoa Ecotourism Center to not cause any damages to the surrounding areas and harm residents.”
The center, situated 500 meters above sea level, required an investment of VND10 billion that Hung took out as a loan and the idealistic farmer also hired many members of the local Co Tu ethnic minority group to build and maintain the grounds. The area now encompasses a number of pretty waterfalls and lakes and workers have landscape the various flower species into neat rows, using carved stones and other ornaments as decoration.
With more than 100 bungalows on site, the center is capable of hosting thousands of visitors each day. On the grounds, there is even a 7,000-square-meter football field used by professional football teams, 11 ponds with several used for raising fish, and an area to breed around 100 wild pigs.
For tourists and visitors who enjoy outdoor picnics, a meal with grilled fish caught from one of the ponds provides an unforgettable experience.
David Nguyen, who visited Suoi Hoa along with eight family members from the US, said one of the best things about the site is the panoramic view it offers of the entire Da Nang City.
“It is located in an absolutely ideal location,” Nguyen said.
Another visitor, Hoang Quan, said he works in Da Nang City but often visits Suoi Hoa with family members and relatives every two or three months.
“We feel like we can really take in nature here after the long exhausting workdays in the city,” Quan said.
The center currently employs 40 people, but Hung said he’s thinking about hiring more locals to organize activities such as making “ruou can,” a type of wine drunk out of a jar, and knitting traditional products to give tourists a glimpse into the Co Tu people’s lives.
While the project has started yielding profit, Hung said his proudest achievement has been “to cover the landscape with greeneries and flowers.”
“I want to impart a lesson of perseverance in environmental protection and remind all visitors of the vital role they can play in creating greener spaces to contribute to the public good,” Hung said.
As a city it doesn’t get much by the way of positive press but after spending a week hanging out with the locals Caitlin Worsham hearts Danang.
The city of Danang gets a bad rap. It gets a bad rap in tour books, from visitors and from travel agents. It’s called ugly. It’s called dull. It’s called overdeveloped and industrial, and, perhaps understandably, it is constantly shunted to the bottom of the list of must-see places in Vietnam.
True, the city itself lacks a charming Old Quarter like Hanoi or the upscale polish of the swankier Ho Chi Minh City joints. It is not home to a famous cuisine like Hue or dubbed a cultural heritage site like Hoi An’s Old Town. The river port is rife with industry and the beaches are not nearly as well loved as Nha Trang’s.
I knew all of this before my recent work trip to Danang, and I’ll admit I was less than enthused about the prospect of spending five days there. But upon arrival, I realised that, in spite of all these things, Danang might be my favourite big city in Vietnam. One of the reasons for this is that I actually felt like I was in Vietnam, not some expat haven or tourist enclave.
I can probably count the number of westerners that I encountered while there – and that’s rare even in smaller stopovers, like Sapa or Dalat. Perhaps this is not a selling point for most, but because of it, I got to experience a side of the country I have never really seen before.
I got to sit on a beach full of locals and drink tepid beer and eat little boiled eggs and peanuts and dried squid with hot sauce while the women selling these items out of baskets eyed me curiously and kindly answered my questions, spoken in halting, awkward Vietnamese. But this is not so different, you might argue, from sitting at a bia hoi in Hanoi or the like. Well I’m here to tell you it is different.
Maybe it’s the fact that there are so many families, so many children that the atmosphere is friendlier. Or perhaps it’s that no one has had time yet to get jaded about the still very much developing tourist industry. Regardless of the reason, I got to talk with people without feeling harassed or pressured or judged or made fun of (well, maybe I was made fun of a little bit).
I got to walk along the river without fears that I would be run over by a vehicle speeding down the sidewalk. Delicious food sure didn’t hurt either. I ate the popular noodle dish mi quang, with it’s subtle turmeric flavour and succulent sweet shrimp and pork. It’s neither a soup like pho nor a dry dish like my xao. The noodles are fat and dense, but mixed with ample mint, basil, lettuce, sprouts and banana flower. It’s light and zesty (provided you add a little lime, hot sauce, or pickled chillies) and perfectly satiating.
You can also eat your weight in fresh, quality seafood, cheaper than you can in the capital, though perhaps not by as much as you’d like. I ate grilled dish and delicate clams, squid that melted in my mouth and a hot pot that made me dip for seconds, thirds, fourths…
I ate nowhere that didn’t involve a plastic stool, some beer and usually a bottle of local vodka. Everything was good and the conversation lively, despite my nearly nonexistent speaking ability. It’s amazing how much can be gleaned from context and how hard people are willing to work to be understood when drunk. In terms of activities, I toured the loop of Son Tra peninsula, a beautiful elevated natural preserve with the sea and bay spreading out beneath it, a dwarfed city below.
I visited the cave in Marble Mountain where soldiers slept and received medical aid during the American War and where places of worship constructed in the 1800’s still stand, decaying with the slow drip of time from the cavern’s moist ceiling. The Museum of Cham Sculpture is worth a stop for a brief (and free, if hard to always follow) description of religious history.
And if you don’t think the sculpture merits the visit, perhaps the gorgeous old open air building constructed by the French just might. And, of course, most importantly, there are the beaches, perfectly cool water, soft sands, endless resort options but also cheap divey digs for those not wanting to shell it out. Generally what recommends a place is its landscape or climate or even the activities it offers. But sometimes you can fall in love with a city for nothing more than its vibe. The friendly, laidback feeling it exudes. And Danang has, at least, one new convert.
Information is given on February 14, at the meeting of Da Nang city Vice Chairman Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh and Mr. Shinji Kake, General Manager of AiREA Company (Japan) - consultancy agency, and representative of C.A.T.I JSC (Da Nang) which organizes the competition.
