Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Foreign visitors to Lao Cai increase

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Foreign visitors to Lao Cai increase

- The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai received 58,000 holiday-makers, including 26,000 foreigners, in the past two months, a year-on-year increase of 33 percent.

Of the total, 10,500 came from China’s southwestern region through the Lao Cai border gate.

The figures showed a good sign for the provincial tourism industry amidst forecasts that 2009 would be a difficult year for tourism services due to the impact of the global economic crisis.

However, the number of domestic tourists to Lao Cai and Sa Pa tourist resort plunged by 49.2 percent year on year as it is not the tourism season in Vietnam and many Vietnamese have tightened their belt as a result of the economic difficulties.

In addition, many restaurants and hotels in Sa Pa haven’t yet lowered the prices of their services to stimulate tourism demands in response to the industry’s promotion campaign.

VietNamNet/VOV

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.