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Mui Ne is Vietnam's Premier Beach Resort Destination
Phan Thiet for Tet. The Vietnamese Lunar New Year begins the evening of January 22 and the festival lasts till January 26. To see more New Years pictures from Phan Thiet, visit The Fish Egg Tree. Also see our 2012 Predictions for Vietnam (and Mui Ne).
Two Senior Police Found Dead
07.01.02 Friday morning the bodies of two high-level officers were found after an apparent drowning. Major General Phan Van Dong, vice chief inspector of the Ministry of Public Security, and Senior Lieutenant Colonel le Van Thang, vice chief inspector from An Giang Province. According to official government reports, the two went swimming at 5:00am and were carried away by a strong current. The bodies were later found at approximately 8:30am. They were taking part in a two-day national conference at a small beach hotel in remote Suoi Nuoc Beach, north of Mui Ne. It has not been disclosed whether the two men had been drinking or if others at the conference were swimming at the time the men drowned. Local residents report that there were no strong waves on the beach that morning.
New Species of Gecko Identified in Binh Thuan, Vietnam
This 'new' species is similar to Gekko grossmanni, though much more brown in color with distinctive rusty-orange colored eyes. The size is a little smaller than the giant powder-blue Tokay Geckos common around the province. The body is covered in dark brown and light grey spots. There are 6-9 groupings of white and brown spots along the side of the spine from the nape to the caudal peduncle, forming lines encircling the torso.
I was surprised to hear that Ngo Van Tri, Office Technology and Environmental Management, Institute of Tropical Biology (Institute of Science and Technology of Vietnam) and Dr. Tony Gamble, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, also published a 'discovery' of the same species in May of 2011. They refer to the news species as Ca Na Stone Gecko - Gekko canaensis, obviously unaware of my previous finding. My only response is, better luck next time gents!
Radioactive Waste May Pose Public Health Emergency in Vietnam Tourism Spot
Black sand mining near the White Sand Dunes
27.11.11 In July of this year, while visiting the White Sand Dunes, I decided to go off-road and explore. I drive up through the dunes and headed toward the beach—the stretch that the Vietnam Embassy to the United States issued a press release about in 2004; declaring that Disney and MGM were building a new resort theme park there.
Instead of being greeted by Mickey Mouse in a conical hat or Daisy Duck in an ao dai (I guessed Mickey would have ended up on the grill, and Daisy in a nice soup anyway), I found a vast mining field hidden in a dune sea, worthy of a Frank Herbert novel.
I approached one of the enormous mining craters cautiously, and picked out one of the workers to inquire about what was going on. What he told me made me uneasy.
"Since you are a tourist, it's OK for you to have a look," winked the man. "The government is just afraid of journalists. The military patrols the area. The military makes sure journalists don't see this mining operation because of the dangerous pollution. Its very controversial. There's strong radiation and all the wells in this area have also been poisoned."
08.11.11 Today Ninh Thuan Province, which neighbors our province (Binh Thuan), declared a pandemic of Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease. We think they mean epidemic, but pandemic does sound pretty cool. This is in stark contrast to the national government, which has repeatedly declined to announce a pandemic, or epidemic, or giganto-demic, citing that Vietnam is 'still not as bad as China.'
The communist government admits that the disease has killed 137 comrades, mostly children, out of 77,895 infections in 63 cities and provinces across Vietnam in 2011. As previously reported (scroll down the page to just above the big red commie flag), there were at least 300 admitted, active cases of the disease in Binh Thuan Province as of May this year. The best advice we can offer tourists is to stay away from babies.
Illegal Fishing Nets Post Safety Threat to Tourists
26.10.11 Some resorts in Mui Ne are complaining of illegal fishing close to the shore. According to management, the fishing nets compromise the safety of tourist by being within 100ft of the water's edge, right in front of the major established hotels. The nets are extended 50ft from surface to bottom and run for over 1000 meters. The fishing is for small baby prawns which fishermen are capturing using mosquito net sized netting. The prawns are then sold to farms where they can be cultivated. The nets are left in the area for four to six months at a time.
Last year there were reportedly two near-drownings when kiteboarders became entangled within the nets. Within the first five days of the start of the season witnesses have noted at least six entanglements of tourists, each requiring a rescue. These have happened in light wind with little swell. Serious accidents are expected once the wind picks up. All of the watersports outfit up and down the beach are concerned for the safety of tourists. Some have expressed serious implications for the tourist industry if something is not done about the nets.
Toxic New China-Vietnam Bauxite Mining Network Threatens Tourism & Environment from Mondulkiri, Cambodia to Mui Ne, Vietnam
Resorts surrounding Khe Ga Island and lighthouse sit abandoned, awaiting the new port construction.
14.09.11 Deputy Prime Minister Hoan Trung Hai wrapped up deliberations last week on the new temporary shipment route for bauxite from the central highlands to Dong Nai. The route will gradually be replaced as a new deep-sea port begins developed at the former tourism destination of Khe Ga (known for its spectacular coastal scenery and picturesque French-colonial island lighthouse built in 1897). As the port is completed over the next few years, a joint China-Vietnam mining industry will deliver highly toxic bauxite materials directly from Bao Loc in Lam Dong Province (and Dak Nong Province), to the port processing plants at Khe Ga, in Binh Thuan Province. Most or all of the material will then be shipped to China.
"The transport of bauxite ore mining from the Highlands down to Binh Thuan is much less risky than the processing of alumina in the Highlands," Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Director of Red River Energy, told local news agency, Bee.net.
Vietnam's Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Epidemic Hits Mui Ne
05.09.11 The Provincial Health Department reported today that Binh Thuan currently has more than 300 active confirmed cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease infecting infants and small children.
One of the highest concentrations of infected children in the province is right here in Mui Ne. Parents traveling with infants and small children are advised to
take precautions. It is our opinion that parents should not leave their children in local kindergartens, day care or schools at this time, since this is an obvious setting for easy transmission of the disease.
National Day Reminder from Our Dear Leaders
01.09.11 This is a reminder for resorts, hotels, restaurants and local businesses. Many of you have received your banners and flags that you are required to voluntarily hang in your properties for Vietnam National Day. This propaganda is your opportunity to show your devotion to the communist party and your affection for the dearly departed messiah of national salvation. Please remember that while these obligatory banners are optional, the fees business must pay for not participating are mandatory.
The local police will also be collecting donations for the orphans and poor funds, as is customary on all national holidays. Remember, nothing says 'I love orphans' more than men in green and tan uniforms carrying crates of Tiger and Heineken out the front gate of your resort. This year bottles of Saigon Beer will no longer be accepted… because it's too difficult for the orphans to re-crate the empty bottles.
Additionally, the Phan Thiet City Tax Office would like to announce that they will be accepting Hennssey on behalf of the orphans. Likewise, the City Health Inspectors, Department of Waterworks and those guys who inspect your restaurant pantry to make sure you have those little government stickers on your jars of peanut butter and cans of tuna--and give you outrageous fines if you don't--all three departments have come together to become drop-off sites for bottles of Baileys and Gordon's London Dry; both orphan favourites.
Businesses unable to voluntarily comply with the above suggested donations should gift cash to the orphans, care of the local police department. As with Tet, its best to present the money in envelopes, though for practicality, little red ones aren't needed—anything in the drawer will do. Remember, whisper, bow and pass with palms down. Currency is preferred in US Dollars. The Dong is dropping and as we all know, our orphans are frugal. No receipts will be provided for your donations. The orphans don't read or write good.
From all of us and your big brother, we hope you have a happy National Day.
Top left: The best and the brightest. Bottom right: Emperor Palpatine, Sith Lord.
Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite
21.08.11 Known is Vietnamese as con rep, the bed bug has become an international epidemic both afflicting and being spread by tourists. While Internationally-managed resorts, boutique hotels & family-run establishments tend to do a better job of fending them off, Vietnam's low-standard government-owned hotel chains (such as Vietsovpetro, Petrovietnam and Saigontourist, owners of Saigon-Mui Ne Resort) are a point of concern in the possibility of encountering these real-life monsters. Read our story on bed bugs to educate yourself about this problem before you check in.
From Resort Capital to Mining Capital
The Future of Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan & Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Tran Van Mien, head of the department's Geology Office, told the Saigon Times that the ministry had identified a titanium mine with estimated reserves of 540 million tonnes, encompassing the provinces of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau (these provinces include the tourism destinations of Vung Tau, Ho Tram, Binh Chau, La Gi, Khe Ga, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Ca Na and Phan Rang).
"The department has suggested building the complex to extract and process up to 150 million tonnes of titanium ore," said Mien. "The remaining 300 million tonnes should be kept as a national reserve resource for coming generations."
"If government approval is forthcoming, this will become the largest titanium complex in the country," he said.
Indeed, this won't just be the largest titanium mining complex in Vietnam—it will be one of the largest titanium mining operations in the world.
It appears the Department of Geology and Minerals will get their wish. Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) announced this past Thursday that the Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai had just approved their plan in principal.
18.05.11 As previously reported, we served as a consultant on Gordon Ramsay's Great Escapes TV show for the BBC, convincing Gordon's team to visit Phan Thiet, and assisting them in pre-production of the show. At the end of the clip above, Gordon visits Phan Thiet (and Mui Ne) and goes on a late night fishing trip. After the clip he cooks the squid they caught with a guest chef from out-of-town. The show is now running on Channel 4 in the UK.
Mui Ne Welcomes Anantara
28.04.11 Amidst a landscape of swaying coconut palms, in a paradise where the sea meets the sand dunes, Anantara is entering truly exotic new territory with the opening of its first Vietnamese property in the autumn of 2011 - Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, formerly L'Anmien Beach Resort.
Immersed in this alluring tropical scene, guests of Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa will take further inspiration from a fresh water lagoon and tropical gardens which will highlight an expansive swimming pool, while the resort's traditional Vietnamese architecture will proudly embrace 89 rooms, suites and pool villas designed in contemporary harmony with local culture.
Guests will have a choice of a wide range of rooms and suites ranging from 42 square metres to the Presidential Suite of 178 square metres which offers different lagoon, pool and beach perspectives. In addition, 20 Pool Villas, ranging from 92 to 128 square metres, will boast a private lounge, open-air bathroom, private swimming pool, and spectacular outlook of the gardens, lagoon, pool or beachfront.
Banqueting, event and meeting facilities include five conference rooms for up to 250 participants, as well as exceptional al fresco reception locations. Leisure time unfolds in a host of relaxing and rejuvenating pastimes, with amenities including a spa offering a wealth of health, beauty and wellness treatments, a stunning beach swimming pool, a fitness centre with modern gym equipment in a picturesque garden setting, a reading lounge providing books, magazines, CDs and DVDs.
From lush jungles to pristine beaches and legendary deserts to cosmopolitan cities, Anantara currently boasts 15 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Bali and the United Arab Emirates and will see new openings in Vietnam, China, Bali, Thailand and Abu Dhabi in 2011.
About Global Hotel Alliance
Based on the airline alliance model, Global Hotel Alliance is the world largest alliance of independent hotel brands. GHA currently comprises of Anantara, Doyle Collection, First, Kempinski, Leela, Marco Polo, Mirvac, Omni, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, Shaza and Tivoli Hotels & Resorts encompassing almost 300 upscale and luxury hotels with 60,000 rooms across 48 different countries.
Spontaeous Mud Erruptions in Ninh Thuan Province
22.03.11 Dr. Doan Dinh Lam, sediments specialist at the Geology Institute, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, has stated that the mud volcanoes in Ninh Thuan are the result of escaped gas pockets, and unrelated to other seismic or geothermal activity. He did state however that the phenomenon is related to fault lines and localized weakness in the earth's crust, so residents should be warned to avoid the spot where it is occuring and authorities should continue to monitor the situation.
19.03.11 Local residents in Ninh Thuan Province (the province north of Binh Thuan, where Mui Ne is located) have reported a strange phenomenon that began about 6 weeks ago. Five mud mounds have appeared in farmland over a large area. The mud is composed of gray volcanic ash that is being pushed, or rather bubbling to the surface. Near the mounds cracks in the soil have appeared, several dozen meters long and up to 2 meters deep.
Authorities report no strange smell (ie sulfur) and that temperatures are normal. They believe this may be the result of a new fault line developing under the surface. They also suggest this phenomenon is likely to continue growing before it stops.
Mr. Ho Van Hung, Director Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ninh Thuan province: "We see that this is a strange phenomenon and it is also dangerous. After testing, we will report a proposal to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for professional bodies to study and propose future actions. We are also suggesting that signboards be posted to prevent unfortunate incidents from occurring.
Ninh Thuan's new geo-thermal activity should come as no surprise. All coastal provinces in central Vietnam have hot springs, the most famous of which is Binh Chau in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province (South of Binh Thuan). Along the central coast of Vietnam there are many extinct and dormant volcanoes, however there are also several periodically active sea volcanoes and volcanic islands. Large areas within Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai and Lam Dong province are plastered with volcanic ash, pumas and volcanic stones such as obsidian and geodes.
On 2 March 1923, there was an eruption at Ile des Cendres, an undersea volcano adjacent to Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces. The eruption produced two small islands, one 30m long and 30cm high and the other 450m long and 30m high and 450 m long. The eruption stopped on 13 May 1923, and the islands were subsequently eroded below sea level. The almost yearly minor earthquakes experienced by southern Vietnam originate in this area.
The recent mud eruptions in Ninh Thuan apparently will not affect Vietnam's plans to built two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan Province by 2014. Likewise, Vietnam's energy officials say that recent explosions at Japan's Fukushima plant will not deter the country's development of nuclear power plants.
"Vietnam is planning to build nuclear power plants," said Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Dinh Tien. "Information and assessments of the blasts at the Fukushima No. 1 plant will act as a foundation to help Vietnam's relevant authorities appropriate nuclear power programs in the country."
As for Vietnam's nuclear power plants' ability to withstand an earthquake or tsunami, Dr Ngo Dang Nhan, director of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Bureau, said that Vietnam's 8 proposed nuclear plants will be built in areas that are "not likely to be hit by such disasters".
According to a presentation at the IAEA in 2010, Vietnam was also considering up to five proposed sites for new nuclear power plants in and around Mui Ne at that time. These sites were apparently rejected in favor of more advantageous locations in Ninh Thuan and province further to the north.
Do you have an announcement, special event, something to sell, a praise or complaint? Let us know We may post it here or in our blog.
Indochina Odyssey Tours provides private tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Itinerary may be customized according to your schedule, budget, and any personal requests.
01.09.11 This is a reminder for resorts, hotels, restaurants and local businesses. Many of you have received your banners and flags that you are required to voluntarily hang in your properties for Vietnam National Day. This propaganda is your opportunity to show your devotion to the communist party and your affection for the dearly departed messiah of national salvation. Please remember that while these obligatory banners are optional, the fees business must pay for not participating are mandatory. 
Businesses unable to voluntarily comply with the above suggested donations should gift cash to the orphans, care of the local police department. As with Tet, its best to present the money in envelopes, though for practicality, little red ones aren't needed—anything in the drawer will do. Remember, whisper, bow and pass with palms down. Currency is preferred in US Dollars. The Dong is dropping and as we all know, our orphans are frugal. No receipts will be provided for your donations. The orphans don't read or write good.
