IQBAL - User contributions [en]

Railway to ruin: Hanoi train factory fades from glory

2018-07-02T09:42:15Z

ZoeLamington638:

The Gia Lam train factory in Hanoi was the first in the then-French territory established to bolster the expanding rail network of the time Built by the French to fix trains for their fast-developing Vietnamese colony, the Gia Lam factory later churned out weapons to fuel the country's independence fight, and then survived the onslaught of American bombers during the war. But the storied Hanoi plant is now in decline, a victim of the rising consumer power of Vietnam's middle classes as passengers [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh] turn from trains to planes. The storied Hanoi plant is now in decline, a victim of the rising consumer power of Vietnam's middle [http://Www.Thefreedictionary.com/classes classes] as passengers turn from trains to planes "In the past, I was proud to work here because this factory was the biggest in Indochina," repairman [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html tour bắc kinh từ hà nội] Au Duy Hien told AFP. Opened in 1905, Gia Lam was the first train factory in the then-French territory, which spanned modern-day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Mechanics used the base to first fix and then assemble the engines and carriages that served the region's rapid push toward industrialisation. The factory was taken over by the Vietnamese in the 1940s, expanding production to make bazookas and grenades for revolutionaries fighting the colonial rulers who were finally thrown out in 1954 The factory was taken over by the Vietnamese in the 1940s, expanding production to make bazookas and grenades for revolutionaries fighting the colonial rulers who were finally thrown out in 1954. And then it continued to make weapons during the Vietnam War -- even as it was bombed by US planes targeting Communist-backed revolutionaries in northern Vietnam. - Running out of steam - Output at the factory is down more than 90 percent since its 1990s heyday and it is now mostly used to repair old trains, with little demand for new carriages on the country's vast but outdated rail network But today, output is down more than 90 percent since its 1990s heyday. It is now mostly used to repair old trains, with little demand for new carriages on the country's vast but outdated rail network. The industry is struggling to keep pace with the lure of low-cost air travel. For many, the choice between a clanging, slow-moving train or a quick -- and cheap -- plane is a no-brainer. In 2015, 31 million people travelled by air, more than double the number in 2010, according to official statistics. [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] Train use remained steady at 11 million for the year. Today, some companies are seeking to revive the colonial romance of rail travel, offering first-class trips, wood-lined cabins with restaurant car. The air travel industry in Vietnam has taken off in recent years, aided by the launch of low-cost airlines offering cheap tickets. In 2015, 31 million Vietnamese took to the skies, more than double the number who flew in 2010 "If rail transportation isn't developed, then the railway industry cannot be revived," union boss Nguyen Anh Tuan told AFP. Some lawmakers recently called for private investment into the state-controlled sector, and the country's parliament is currently considering revising the law. But unless the industry sees a major upturn in fortunes, Gia Lam employees fear it will soon run out of steam. Advertisement

Explore Ha Long Bay with Indochina Sails cruise ship

2018-07-01T11:04:18Z

ZoeLamington638:

Ha Long bay is very picturesque with many magnificent landscapes and seascapes. Nowadays it sparkles even more with the appearance of big sea sails printed with the letters Indochina Sails. � In the immense atmosphere permeated with sunlight and wind, one suddenly feels lonely. In the distance, ranges of mountains emerge from the sea. � The Indochina Sails cruise ship moves gently towards Bai Tu Long Bay. � In the luxurious dining room, every one looks out through the big windows. The European and Asian dishes are delicious, prepared by outstanding chefs and served up by a professional staff. The cruise ship moves out towards the centre of the bay. Hon Trong Mai (Male and Female Chicken island) appears before us. This island attracts a great number of visitors and is the pre-eminent symbol of Vietnamese tourism. � Vung Vieng fishing village is more beautiful in the weak sunlight of dusk. The Indochina Sails cruise ship drops anchor so that tourists can visit the village. The sunlight gleaming on the sea looks [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh] like an oil painting, but is formed entirely by the hand of nature. � Staying overnight on the Indochina Sails [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh] cruise ship is a memorable experience. This is not only because one floats in one of the most remarkable natural wonders of the world. It is also due to the cozy and luxurious cabins on Indochina Sails cruises. Though the buffet has finished, everyone wants to stay on deck and enjoy the stunning scenery. The melodious light music, played in the traditional style, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. � *Further information: - Indochina Sails are the newly built wooden junks designed in the contemporary traditional Vietnamese style - The cruise ship has spacious cabins and suites with large private bathrooms, a big sun deck, elegant dining room (32 seats), bar, beauty spa, massage, kayaking and entertainment. This luxury is enhanced by the professional manner of the friendly and enthusiastic management and staff. - At the present time 3 Junks are operating in Halong Bay, namely Indochina Sails I with 14 cabins, Indochina Sails II with 15 cabins and Valentine with 5 cabins. By the end of October 2008 an addition to the fleet is expected, namely Indochina Sails III with 15 luxury cabins. � *Services: - Excellent local cuisine - Vietnamese and International buffets - International Wine and Drinks List - Daily light Music Performances - [http://www.Google.com/search?q=Cruise%20Itinerary&btnI=lucky Cruise Itinerary] and Program - In-house English speaking Tour Guide - Kayaking and Snorkeling - Movie nights, Board Games and night fishing �Summer Promotion from 1st to August 30th, 2008:For US$180/person/twin shared, you can stay in a luxurious cabin of Indochina Sails on Halong bay. The package includes shuttle bus return from Hanoi to Halong bay, kayaking on Halong bay, entrance and sight seeing fees, Vietnamese buffet lunch [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] and dinner, International breakfast buffet, you can also enjoy BBQ seafood dinner and the International wine tasting with a wide selection of wine from Spain, Chile, US and Italy

Today in History 6 3

2018-06-26T18:28:21Z

ZoeLamington638:

Highlights in history on this date: 1788 - A party led by Lieutenant Philip Gidley King lands on Norfolk Island to establish a British [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh 5 ngày 4 đêm từ Hà Nội] settlement. 1836 - Alamo mission in San Antonio, Texas, falls to Mexican army after 13-day siege in which Davy Crockett and 186 other defenders die. 1857 - The US Supreme Court rules that escaped slave Dred Scott cannot sue for his freedom because as a slave he is property, not a citizen. 1888 - Death of Louisa May Alcott, US author of Little Women, aged 56. 1899 - Felix Hoffman patents his formula for acetylsalicylic acid, which he calls aspirin. 1900 - Death of Gottfried Daimler, German motor engineer who made the first motorcycle. 1930 - Pre-packaged frozen food produced by the company set up by Clarence Birdseye goes on sale for the first time in the US. 1944 - US heavy bombers stage the first American raid on Berlin during World War II. 1945 - German city Cologne falls to US First Army in World War II. 1946 - France recognises Vietnam as free state within Indochina Federation. 1951 - Death of Ivor Novello, Welsh composer and playwright. 1953 - Georgy Malenkov succeeds the late Joseph Stalin as premier of Soviet Union. 1957 - Two former British colonies of Gold Coast and Togoland form independent West African nation of Ghana. 1965 - US Defence Department announces that 3500 Marines are being sent to South Vietnam, the first US ground combat troops committed to fighting against Communist guerrillas. 1967 - Svetlana Alliluyeva, daughter of former [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] Soviet leader Josef Stalin, requests asylum at the US embassy in New Delhi. 1973 - Death of US author and 1938 Nobel Literature prize winner, Pearl Buck, who wrote The Good Earth. 1983 - Donald Maclean, a British diplomat who became a Soviet spy, dies in Moscow. 1987 - A British ferry, the Herald Of Free Enterprise, capsizes off the Belgian port Zeebrugge, drowning 193 people. 1991 - George Carey becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans. 1992 - A computer virus called Michelangelo strikes thousands of personal computers around the world. 1995 - The US dollar plummets to 92. [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html tour bắc kinh từ hà nội] 70 yen, its lowest level against the Japanese currency anywhere since modern exchange rates were established in the late 1940s. 1997 - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II launches the first official royal web site. 2003 - An Algerian passenger jet crashes in the Sahara Desert shortly after takeoff, killing 116 people. 2009 - North [http://www.Wired.com/search?query=Korea%20threatens Korea threatens] South Korea passenger planes amid rising tensions on Korean Peninsula, prompting some other airlines to re-route flights. 2012 - The US, Europe and other world powers announce that bargaining will begin again with Iran over its fiercely disputed nuclear efforts amid rising talk of war. 2015 - Lawyers for Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan visit the convicted drug traffickers on Nusakambangan, the Indonesian prison island where they are to be executed. 2017 - Nepalese authorities say Australian man Matthew Jones has died of apparent altitude sickness near the Mt Everest base camp. Today's Birthdays: Michelangelo, Italian renaissance artist (1475-1564); Elizabeth Barrett Browning, English poet (1806-1861); Valentina Tereshkova, Russian cosmonaut and first woman in space (1937-); Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, New [http://Www.Ourmidland.com/search/?q=Zealand%20opera Zealand opera] singer (1944-); Mary Wilson, US singer of The Supremes fame (1944-); David Gilmour, British musician (1946-); Steve Vizard, Australian businessman and TV personality (1956-); Shaquille O'Neal, US basketball player (1972-). Thought For Today: Le sens commun n'est pas si commun (Common sense is not so common). - Voltaire, French author and philosopher (1694-1778). Advertisement

Active Travel Shop ATS one of Active Travel Asia ATA sister sites is a first class online travel shop for international independent travelers

2018-06-21T19:35:04Z

ZoeLamington638:

Active Travel Shop (ATS), one of Active Travel Asia (ATA) sister sites is a first class online travel shop for international independent travelers. ATS offers all travel related services including travel packages, flight, car rental, hotel reservations and tour operations to independent travelers to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. ATS guarantees to offer travelers the competitive rates at the premium service quality level in the market. Indochina Sails is the biggest company to offer a new standard for luxury cruising Halong Bay and now widely known as the number one choice for discerning travellers, operating a fleet of four newly built wooden junks designed in time-honoured traditional style, with contemporary and luxurious cabins and facilities. ATS offers free Vietnam tourist Visa services which travelers can choose to apply Visa on Arrival Vietnam, or just take the Visa Approval Letter sent by ATA and apply at Vietnamese Embassies and Consulates in traveler�s country. Please refer to Vietnam Embassies at website To apply Vietnam tourist Visa, please download the guideline and follow step by step at website Travelers refer to Special Summer Promotion on Halong bay on Indochina Sails websites at website for more information. In this summer promotion, travelers will enjoy the gastronomic BBQ Seafood and summer wines in the most luxury cruises as well as kayaking and swimming in Halong bay, Natural World Heritage of Vietnam with special promotion rates. This promotion is valided from 1st May- 30 Sept 2009 for 02 days or 03 days package tours in Halong Bay. INCLUDED - Superior Double/Twin (Twin shared) - Shuttle bus returns Hanoi - Halong Bay � Hanoi - International Wine Tasting - A select list of wines from around the world - 01 hour free Kayaking on Halong Bay - Candlelight Buffet Dinner with many dishes from the BBQ including a large selection of local seafood - Welcome Drink - Entrance and Sightseeing Fees. - Luxury en-suite air-conditioned Cabins - Vietnamese Set Lunch Menu - International Breakfast Buffet - Onboard Insurance - Tax and Service Charges EXCLUDED Visa Arrangements Massage Service Beverages Tips and Personal Expenses All other services not clearly mentioned above TERMS AND CONDITIONS Cruise rates based on group of two adults Advance reservation required Supplement cabins for normal walk-in rate without extras Other terms and conditions apply Available on Indochina Sails I and II only Contact ATS [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh] at: shop@activetravelshop.com or Indochina Sails: info@indochinasails.com Note: - Active Travel Asia only offers free Vietnam tourist visa services for travelers who book Indochina Sails Summer Promotion - This offer is exclusive of [http://Search.Un.org/search?ie=utf8&site=un_org&output=xml_no_dtd&client=UN_Website_en&num=10&lr=lang_en&proxystylesheet=UN_Website_en&oe=utf8&q=Visa%20Stamp&Submit=Go Visa Stamp] fee at Vietnam Embassy or Vietnam International Airport. - This offer is valid until September 30, 2009 and applied only to new bookings. - This promotion is not combined with any other promotions. Other Special Promotions on ATA�s sister sites: [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html tour bắc kinh từ hà nội] Active Travel [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] Asia (ATA): website Active Travel Vietnam (ATV): website Active Travel Cambodia (ATC): website and Indochina Sails offer free Vietnam Tourist Visa services for Hanoi Halong Bay package tours

User:ZoeLamington638

2018-06-21T19:34:58Z

ZoeLamington638: Created page with "Hello, I'm Zoe, a 19 year old from Nieuwveen, Netherlands. My hobbies include (but are not limited to) Ice hockey, Dance and watching The Big Bang Theory. Feel free..."

Hello, I'm Zoe, a 19 year old from Nieuwveen, Netherlands. My hobbies include (but are not limited to) Ice hockey, Dance and watching The Big Bang Theory. Feel free to visit my site [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh]