An international food festival will take place along a 3 km stretch of Back Beach in Vung Tau City July 21-25
The festival, said to be the ever largest hosted in Vietnam, will take place on a 3 km stretch from Thuy Van Beach to Back Beach.

The event will feature a festive atmosphere filled with specialty markets and food stalls. A host of other activities will also be offered including cultural festivities and kiosks.

The fair will offer visitors a chance to enjoy traditional dishes and drinks from around the world while learning about different cultures.

The organizing board hopes the festival will be recognized by Guinness World Records as the food festival held over the longest area. It also hopes the event will become an annual tradition in Vung Tau City.

                  MEDIA NOTICE

FOR 43^rd ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING/POST MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES/17^th ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM

Hanoi, Vietnam, 19^th-23^rd July 2010

Ref: information about media accreditation, operation of the International Media Center and other facilities for media

    The 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences, the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum and related meetings will be held from 19^th to 23^rd July, 2010 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

1. Media Registration:

Foreign journalists who wish to cover the 43rd AMM/PMC/17th ARF can register online at http://register.asean2010.vn. Foreign journalists can also download the Media Registration Form (ANNEX 1) and send the filled form to the Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign media representatives are requested to fill in the Media Equipment List (ANNEX 2) and send the List to the Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ahead of their arrival to Vietnam.

Registration closing date: July 10th, 2010.

For more information about the registration process, please contact:

Press and Information Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

No. 7 Chu Van An Str., Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: (84-4) 3799 3451 / 3845 5401;

Fax: (84-4) 3823 4137;

        E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. Press Cards:

Press ID cards will be issued to accredited journalists. The press ID cards will allow media representatives to get access to the International Media Centre (IMC). Access to some specific events is subject to press pools (guidance for pools will be issued later).

Press ID cards will be available for pick-up at the Press and Information Department from July 10th and at the IMC from July 16th.

While carrying out their professional activities, media representatives are requested to display clearly their press ID cards at all times. At press pool venues, press pool cards must be displayed.

          Contact persons: Press and Information Department

                                    Ms. Nguyen To Lan Phuong

                                    Mobile: 0983 928 789

                                    Mr. Hoang Duc Nam

                                    Mobile: 0932 354 286

3. International Media Centre (IMC)

3.1. General Information

Venue: The IMC of the 43rd AMM/PMC/17^th ARF is on the 3^rd floor (East Wing) of the National Convention Center (NCC). The IMC accommodates and facilitates the media covering the Meeting and related events.

Operation: The IMC will be operational from 8:00 am to 22:00 pm from 16^th -23^rd July 2010.

3.2. IMC Facilities

3.2.1. Information Desk

The Information Desk provides registration forms and delivers Press IDs and pool passes.

Information on media activities, facilities and services and latest press releases will be available here. Media representatives should check the Information Desk for updates regularly.

3.2.2. Common Working Area and Main Press Briefing Room

The Area can accommodate around 200 journalists. It is equipped with internet accessible PCs, internet connections for laptops, wifi, printers and photocopiers, telephones and fax machines (free of charge for local calls). Regular press briefings about the Meeting and related events are held in this area.

3.2.3. Small Press Briefing Room

Apart from the Main Press Briefing Room, there is another 50-seat briefing room. The small briefing room is provided on the "first come, first served" basis. Reservation to use the small briefing room must be made at the Information Desk.

Please refer to ANNEX 3 for Press Briefing Room Reservation Form.

3.2.4. Dining room

Free lunch is provided at the IMC. Lunch coupons are provided at the Information Desk.

3.3. Services provided in IMC

3.3.1. Media booth:

Media booths are available for rent at the IMC and provided on the “first come, first served” basis. Media booths are used as individual working space for member countries or media agencies if needed.

Each media booth is 9 square meters (3m x3m) large and equipped with two (02) tables (size: 1.6 m x 0.8 m x 0.75 m), four (04) chairs, one (01) fax machine, one (01) telephone, two 220V 10A power circuits, two Internet connections and one TV monitor.

Contact person: Ms Tran Le Thuy

Mobile: +84-904003318

Tel: +84-8041178

Fax: +84-8041132

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please refer to ANNEX 4 for Individual Media Booth Order Form.

Rate: 750 USD/ a booth (not including a 10% service charge).

Reservation closing date: June 30^th 2010.

Deposit: 50% of the contract value. Customers must pay the deposit before 10^th July 2010.

3.3.2. Broadcasting Services

Vietnam Television (VTV) is the Host Broadcaster of the Summit. VTV will provide client broadcasters with international quality television coverage of key events along with some other television services.

HB signals (International Signal) in analog format and VandA circuits will be provided by the Host Broadcaster to individual client booths upon request.

Contact person: Mr. Vu Cao Cuong

                   International Cooperation Department,

                   Mobile: +84-912 424 508

                   Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,

Rate card: to be announced.

3.3.3. Photo services

Vietnam News Agency (VNA) is the Host Photographer. It will provide photo coverage of the 43^rd AMM/PMC/17^th ARF and related meetings. Photos can be downloaded free of charge from ASEAN 2010 websites at http://asean2010.vn/.

Contact person: Ms. Pham Thi Huong

                   Mobile: +84-936163233

                   Tel: +84-4- 39429718

Rate card:

Photo 12x18          :                   10 USD per photo

Photo file:                       10 USD per photo

3.3.4. Uplink Service:

The uplink services will be provided by Vietnam’s Telecommunication International (VTI).

Contact person: Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hang

                             Mobile: +84-912 297 025

                             Tel: +84-4-3755 4685

                             Fax: +84-4-3841 0009

                             Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

          Rate card: please find ANNEX 7.

3.3.5. Interpretation:

          The interpretation service will be provided by the Foreign Press Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contact details: Foreign Press Center

No. 298G, Kim Ma Str., Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi

Tel: +84-4 3726 0909

Fax: +84-4 3726 0011

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

4. Media coverage

Due to limited space and security reasons, media coverage is to be arranged through pools. Pool cards will be given to photographers and cameramen. 02 pools would be allocated to each member country. Hanoi-based foreign correspondents will share two (02) pools (one for cameramen and one for photographers).

In addition to the Meeting’s coverage, if media agencies wish to carry out other press activities or site trips outside Hanoi, such requests should be specified in advance in the accreditation application form (Media Registration Form) or in another request form available at the IMC. These additional press activities are to be carried out under the guidance of Vietnamese press officers assigned by the Foreign Press Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contact details: Foreign Press Center

No. 298G, Kim Ma Str., Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi

Tel: +84-4 3726 0909

Fax: +84-4 3726 0011

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

5. Transportation and vehicle passes

Media shuttle services operate daily to and from the IMC and delegate hotels.

Vehicle pass: Only vehicles with vehicle passes are allowed to enter the venues. Media in need of vehicle passes are required to fill in the registration form and send to the Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Please refer to ANNEX 5 for Vehicle Pass Registration Form.

For vehicle rent, please contact:

Rent car Agency V-75, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Address: 231 Le Duan Str., Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi

Tel: +84-4-39424124

Fax: +84-4-38220068  

          Please refer ANNEX 6 for Vehicle Rental Order Form.

6. Accommodation (suggested hotels):

Horison Hotel*****

Address: 40 Cat Linh Str., Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Tel: +84-4-3733 0808; Fax: +84-4-3733 0888.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Moevenpick Hotel*****

Address: 83A Ly Thuong Kiet Str., Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Tel: +84-4-38222800; Fax: +84-4-38222822

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Silk Path Hotel****

Address: 195 - 199 Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 

Tel:  +84-4- 32665555; Fax:  +84-4-39381288 /9

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Government Guest House 37 Hung Vuong***

Address: 37, Hung Vuong Str., Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Tel: +84-08048173; Fax: +84-08048352

Email: huonggiang This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .vn

Website: www.37hungvuong.com.vn

Celebrating the New Year 2010 at the Dalat Flower Festival, Vietnam

The 2010 Dalat Flower Festival will be held in Dalat from January 1 to 4. This is one of the biggest festivals to start those celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. 

With the theme ‘Dalat-the Kingdom of Flowers’, the festival is expected to become an international event, so the organizing committee has invited famous flower-growing countries Japan, the Netherlands, the U.S. and China to be part of the festival. Ben Thanh Tourist is offering four day/three night tours to Dalat to experience Flower Festival 2010 that leave on December 31 and January 1.  

Dalat is a place of beautiful waterfalls, tortuous mountain roads and unique architecture in villas hidden under the pine trees. It is popular at Christmas and New Year as the atmosphere here is cool all year round. Moreover, it is the most attractive resort and tourism hub in Vietnam. Coming to the Flower Festival, visitors have the opportunity to see many valuable and rare kinds of flowers.

On the way to Dalat, the tour stops for sightseeing at Damb’ri Waterfall in Bao Loc. This is one of the most beautiful and impressive waterfalls in Lam Dong province. After Damb’ri, the tour takes in Thien Vuong Co Sat Pagoda with its three Buddha statues made of agarwood. After arriving in Dalat and checking into the hotel, Ben Thanh Tourist will hold an evening party with flowers and red wine to celebrate New Year 2010.

On the second day, the tour visits Lat Village at the foot of Langbiang Mountain to conquer the peak and take a panoramic view of Dalat City in the mist. In the afternoon, the tour visits Domain de Marie Church and Hang Nga Villa. Then tourists will share the joy with local people at Flower Festival 2010 at Xuan Huong lake.

The following day, the tour moves to Truc Lam Monastery, Robin Hill, Tuyen Lam lake, Phoenix Mountain and the Valley of Love to contemplate the mystery of Da Lat Su Quan. Tourists will love the horse-drawn carriage ride around Xuan Huong lake. The final stop is the Dalat Market to buy specialties for relatives.

Source: Ngoc Minh/Saigon Times

New website on ASEAN Defense-Military Meetings

PM Dung vows success on eve of ASEAN presidency

World media to be pampered

HA NOI — All preparations for media outlets have been completed for the upcoming third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) later this month, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Chien Thang at the second AIG Media Conference yesterday in Ha Noi.

Welcome To Hanoi -Vietnam in 2010- 1000th anniversary

Thang Long – Hanoi shall embark on the 2nd millennium. Each and every individual from Hanoi today feels the great historic significance. Surprisingly, the ancient capital city, having undergone a thousand years of evolution, remains fresh and ready to fly higher and farther. It is like the Red River that keeps carrying alluvia and embanking Hanoi which is literally translated as “inside river” city.

* 9th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting ( FMM9)

25 May 2009 to 26 May 2009
Hanoi, Vietnam

ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in addition to pursuing the ASEM dialogue under the first and third pillars (political dialogue, co-operation in other areas), is also responsible for the overall co-ordination of the ASEM process.

For more information, please visit the official website of FMM9 at http://www.fmm9.vn

The 2009 Ha Long Tourism Festival will be held as a carnival of the sea, air and land from April 25-May 2, according to the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee.

The opening ceremony, themed ‘Ha Long – World Natural Heritage Rendez Vous’ will feature traditional art performances on floating stages around Bai Chay Ferry areas, creating a unique and festive ambiance. 

Also included will be firework shows during the closing ceremony to the theme of “Night of Shining Heritage’.

The events will be broadcast live on VTV.

During the week-long Carnival, various other side activities will be organised, including a food festival featuring dishes from the northern and northeastern provinces, performances by local and international artists, athletic competitions and business fairs.

VietNamNet/VNA