eerie OP A het ee i e Je ind Explore Exotic Culture And Natural Beauty In Vietnam 7 (NAPSA)—Anincreasing number of people are discovering a new way of seeing the world. They’re going in for what’s known as ecotourism, which the World Conservation Union defines as: “Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present), that promotes conservation, has a low vis- itor impact and provides for beneficially active socioeconomic involvementof local peoples.” With natural beauty and a diverse ecosystem that’s home to rare and precious plants and animals, evergreen forests and pleasant beaches, one country that’s become a popular destination for culture and ecotourism is Vietnam. Oneof the most popular toursis a beach andforest trip featured on the new travel Web site www.etravel.vn. The tour begins with a day of Hanoicity: visits to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, a walking tour of the Old Quarter and an evening AFFORDABLE JOURNEYSTO THE PAST AND PRESENT—Thenatural Theater. One of the moreintriguing sights of this tour includes a Vietnam. performance at the Water Puppet morning cruise in Ha Long Bayto contemplate thousandsof islands that look like glittering emeralds, and a visit to Nam Cat Tien National Park, where some of the last Java rhinoceroses, Siamese crocodiles and unique species of birds andreptiles can be found. Other tours and sights you can view on the Website include: Phu Quoc Island, recognized beauty of Vietnam has long fascinated travelers. For example, there’s spectacular Ha Long Bay—which took 280 million years of tectonic plate movementsto create. as “a sapphire of the Southern Sea.” Tram Chim National Park, habitat to more than 200 species of birds, including some rare species facing extinction. Ba Na, where weather condi- tions are so varied you can experience all four seasons in a day: spring in the morning, summerat noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter when nightfalls. The ancient capital city of Hue, a city of gardened homes, where visitors can see historical relics of the final feudal dynasty of Mai Chau, which features traditional wooden-stilt houses. Can Tho’s floating market. Nha Trang, where visitors can enjoy colorful coral reefs, sand dunes and salt-marsh mangrove fields. All the tours include hotel, English-speaking guide and meals that you can order via www.e-travel.vn. Thanksto this travel portal, which offers the best possibilities for travel in Vietnam, customers can check availability and book air tickets online. The portal offers a wide range of travel products and services, which are provided by selected local suppliers in the Vietnamese tourism industry. This includes a number of hotels to choose from, ranging from five-star and resorts to the Mini Hotel. Prices for a typical eight-day trip, which include hotel, guide, all meals and more, depend on the numberof travelers on the tour. For two people, the price in U.S. dollars is $1,276 per person. If there are 10 people on the tour, the price drops to $877 per person; for 20 people, the price is $336. Learn More For more highlights and travel tips, visit www.e-travel.vn. The new travel Web site is designed as a “one-stop shop” and is the only one in Vietnam that provides all kinds of travel services for tourists (including hotels, tours and flights).
