Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Investment needed to restore historical Da Lat cog railway | Look At Vietnam

Investment needed to restore historical Da Lat cog railway

May 30, 2012

LookAtVietnam – Central provinces of Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan are calling for investment to restore the 84km railway linking the coastal Phan Rang – Thap Cham City in Ninh Thuan Province and the mountainous resort city of Da Lat in Lam Dong Province.

Back track: An historical railway in the mountainous resort city of Da Lat in Lam Dong Province, one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the area, is in need of restoration. â€” File Photo

The restoration project, which would cost VND5 trillion (US$238 million), was officially approved by the Government in 2007.
The 84km cog railway, built by the French in 1928, was destroyed in the wars and abandoned in the late 1960s. It is one of only two such railways in the world; the other is in Switzerland.
Although it was scheduled to be restored and put into use by 2015, the project is still on paper.
The restoration project is part of the two provinces’ tourism-development plan through 2020.
A portion of the track, 7km between Da Lat and Trai Mat, has been rebuilt and operating for tourism purposes since 1997.
Currently, the station is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Da Lat.
Last year, it received 47,000 passengers.
The Government has allowed the private sector to take part in the re-construction of the railway, as the entire railway will be restored to its original state.
Once finished, the railway is expected to boost tourism in the mountainous and central coastal provinces.
The route, which has five tunnels through mountains, 46 bridges and 14 stations, will be restored for train travel at the speed of 35 to 70km per hour.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

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“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.