60000 visitors came to Danang for the DIFC 2009

Echo from the past

In these recession-hit times, Asiana Travel Mate (ATM), one of Vietnam’s leaders in tourism industry, is trying to maintain its position by launching various special tour programs to attract tourists. www.asianatravelmate.com

Following last month’s one-day charity cooking event where ATM’s customers and staff cooked for 130 orphans at Phat Huy Center, in the spirit of Hung King Festival this month’s theme is all about history. The idea is to cycle around Saigon through many historic sites, which are an important part of the city’s history.

Since early morning, twenty bicycles are ready to set off. When the clock chucked 8:30, ATM’s tourists and staff began their journey, rolling into 5 historic places across Saigon, including War Remnant Museum, Reunification Palace, City Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and Hung King temple, respectively.

Despite the heat of mid summer day, the group eagerly pedaled up the roads to their destinations. From place to place, Vietnamese history was slowly unveiled. The first spot is War Remnant Museum where war crimes were exhibited, tourists got to see the war under local view. Whether it is an unbiased presentation of events or not, the museum is nonetheless successful in giving its message that wars are brutal and that civilians are the biggest losers. Following, tourist caught a glimpse of Reunification Palace before heading to the next spots in the itinerary.

Served as a break from the distress of war memory, the City Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral were excellent choices. Constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century, the two buildings stands beautifully in the heart of Saigon and are among the most popular attractions.

Last but definitely not least, the final destination of the road show is Hung King Temple, which took tourists to the root of Vietnamese history. The festival is held to worship Hung King, the first King of Vietnam, who founded Vietnam in the very beginning. Many traditions in the ceremony were explained following by a visit inside the temple. A small lunch was provided outside the temple and several games were played before calling it a day.