Tuesday, September 25, 2012

58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association(CPA) ends in Colombo, South Africa to host the next CPA I Srimal Fernando I www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za

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58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association(CPA) ends in Colombo, South Africa to host the next CPA

By Srimal Fernando, Asia Correspondent

The 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 7th to 15th September 2012. This was the third time Sri Lanka hosted a Commonwealth Parliamentary conference. Earlier Sri Lanka hosted the CPA in 1974 and in 1995.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference presented delegates from 54 member states opportunities of engagement with influential leaders and to discuss ways to make the common wealth more applicable for the future. A large number of enthusiastic delegates attended, breathing a new life to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) body and gave it a new mandate to promote its activities.

The inauguration ceremony of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) was ceremonially inaugurated on 11th September, 2012 at the “Nelum Pokuna” also known as “Lotus Pond” theater by His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa the President of Sri Lanka .

At the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) inauguration ceremony the Speaker of the House, Hon Chamal Rajapaksa Chairperson of CPA, Rt. Sir Alen Hasehurstsels MP, a member of the United Kingdom House of Commons, CPA Secretary General, Dr. William F. Shija and Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma were the well known distinguished guests present among 700 delegates.

The discussions of the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA ) took place from 12th September 2012 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Cultural Hall (BMICH ) . On the day which was set apart for an outing, CPA Secretary General Dr. William F Shija with nearly 100 delegates visited towns of Jaffna and Kilinochchi in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

During the CPA conference the member states discussed ways to make the common wealth more relevant for the future. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference gave an opportunity to many delegates from member states to hold meetings on the sidelines and discuss substantive issues of mutual interest.

The CPA conference also created a space and consensus for the host nation to make preparations to hold the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM ) in March 2013. The 58th CPA conference concluded with South Africa being proposed to host the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference in August next year.

Source : ( http://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=457:58th-commonwealth-parliamentary-associationcpa-ends-in-colombo-south-africa-to-host-the-next-cpa&catid=16:home&Itemid=1)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Strikingly Beautiful Moscow Heritage I By Srimal Fernando

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Monday, 17 September 2012 08:19

Strikingly Beautiful Moscow Heritage

By Srimal Fernando

Strikingly beautiful Moscow the capital of Russia is an amazing city to visit for its contrasts, high cultural interest and for spectacular natural atmosphere. This thriving metropolis city is situated on the banks of the majestic “Moskva River”. Moscow is a place of cultural and historical importance for centuries. Over the centuries, this charming city has produced some of the world’s most influential writers, architects, artist, thinkers and politicians. Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin’s name comes to mind when we remember the recent history of Moscow and former Soviet Union. Vladimir Lenin the leader of the Bolshevik faction was the most widely known towering figure who inspired and led the October Revolution in1917. After the Revolution Moscow became the capital of former Soviet Union and of Russia on 12 March 1918. Following Lenin’s death in 1924, his remains were displayed inside a chamber at a Mausoleum known as the Lenin’s Mausoleum. It is a monumental edifice built at the Red Square in the heart of Moscow city. Each day from early hours thousands of people queue at Lenin’s Mausoleum to pay tribute to the late leader. The Red Square is one of the highest-esteemed attractions in Moscow. It is an ideal place to enjoy the charm of life of the city. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral known as the “Our Lady of Kazan” church, Pokrovsky cathedral, Iberian Gate, the State Historical Museum, the Saint Basil’s Cathedral with its stylish domes are few of the most recognizable and the best-known attractions located around the Red square. As the most populous city of Russia there is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Moscow .Of those the most exotic popular places-of-interest in the city other than the Red Squire is the stately twelth century Moscow Kremlin. The city is also modern in every sense of the word, from cloud-tickling skyscrapers, world-class hotels with unparalleled service and astonishing scenery. The 540 meters tall Ostankino Tower and the massive skyscrapers called the Seven Sisters will be a perfect choice for tourists to observe the spellbinding scenic views of the city. Apart from that tourist can see, that the city is gifted with some world famous educational institutions .The most well-known of all are the Lomonosov Moscow State University established in 1755 and the Russian State Medical University (RMU).These universities had played a pioneering role in the development of the modern education system in the city.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Vietnam and Sri Lanka tour operators focus on tourism promotion I Srimal Fernando I www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za

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Vietnam and Sri Lanka tour operators focus on tourism promotion.

By Srimal Fernando, Asia Correspondent

Travel and tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Vietnam. It is a major pillar in the overall economic field of the country. Tourism in Vietnam has become a major industry generating wealth and employment opening the minds of both visitors and residents to different ways of life.

The expansion of tourism in Vietnam continues to achieve spectacular gains. Tour operators forecast that tourist arrivals to the country are likely to exceed 6.5 million visitors this year (2012).

Currently China, Korea, Japan and the United States are the top four income generating markets for the tourism industry in Vietnam. The country made the optimum out of almost 13,000 hotels with a capacity of 265,000 rooms in 2011 (estimates). The bilateral ties growing between Vietnam and Sri Lanka have opened up a host of opportunities for Vietnamese travel companies to tap the rapidly expanding Sri Lankan tourism market and for Sri Lankan travel and tour operators to promote itself aggressively in Vietnam.

The Embassy of Vietnam in Colombo chose 15 leading travel agents from Sri Lanka to tour Vietnam in an eleven -day familiarization trip to Vietnam in August. The focus of the familiarization tour to Vietnam by the leading Sri Lankan travel agents was to increasing awareness about the destinations and increase connectivity. The inbound and outbound tour operators Hanoi Toserco, a state-run travel service company and Fidi Tour a large travel and leisure service company based in South Vietnam supported the familiarization tour at local level for the visiting travel agents from Sri Lanka.

The visiting delegation at Hanoi Tosco office

The Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Deputy Head of the Vietnam Embassy in Colombo Phung Trong Tuan and Roland Gunesekara head of Sri Lanka's Safeway Travels. The travel agents from Sri Lanka visited Vietnam's capital Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang in Central Vietnam, Hoi An and Hue the ancient cities, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in South Vietnam.

Ms Nguyen .T Phuong
General Director, Hanoi Toserco,

During the first leg of the tour the delegation visited the Hanoi Toserco, head office in the capital city. General Director Nguyen .T Phuong welcoming the guest at the Hanoi Toserco head office remarked “The dream of bringing Sri Lankan travel agents to Vietnam became a reality by this visit” . Ms .Nguyen also said that “This group will be the bridge that will connect the Sri Lankan people with Vietnam”.

Mr Le Huu Minh,
Vice Director, Department of Tourism, Hue

On a visit to Hue the ancient city in central Vietnam the visiting delegation had an interactive dialogue with the officials and Vice Director Culture, Sports and Tourism Department of Thien Hue Province. Le Huu Minh the Vice Director said, “Hue has significant historical importance”. It is known as the festival city famous for 300 festivals with annual participation of local and international art groups visiting Hue”.

The travel agents had a fantastic experience in travelling from Danang in central Vietnam to South Vietnam beauty spot Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) or Saigon. The delegation had the opportunity to see some esteemed attractions in this cosmopolitan city followed by a visit to Củ Chi tunnels and a boat cruise on the Mekong River organised by the Fidi Tour Company based in South Vietnam. Mr.Le PhongTran the Director of in bound tour department of FIDI.Tour Company said that they want to tap new emerging tourist markets such as Sri Lanka.” We believe that we have a lot to offer to Sri Lankan travelers”. He also said “we are working hard with leading tour operators in Sri Lanka to promote Vietnam as a tourist destination. Sri Lankan and Vietnamese tour operators are looking to promote aggressively targeting to achieve a significant number of Sri Lankan tour groups visiting Vietnam in the next few years.

( Source http://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=435)

Vietnam is exploring new tourism markets in the world. –Director –FIDI Tours- Ho Chi Minh CityI Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.co.za

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Vietnam is exploring new tourism markets in the world. –Director –FIDI Tours- Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Le Phong Tran,
Director FIDI Tours

Vietnam offers a unique travel product that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. When travelling to Vietnam it is important to find trusted, high quality travel agents that provide personalized services to the clients visiting the country. FIDI Tours (www.fiditour.vn) a large travel and leisure service company based in South Vietnam offers clients an excellent travel experience in Vietnam. Srimal Fernando, Asia Correspondent for Foreign Exchange Diplomatic Society had an exclusive discussion with Mr. Le Phong Tran, the Director of In Bound Tour Department of FIDI tours at the Oscar Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Srimal Fernando (SF): First of all could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

Director: I am from the Mekong Delta area of Vietnam. Academically I am a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree holder in English from the Ho Chi Minh City University. Currently I am studying for my Master of Business Administration (MBA). After completion of my bachelors in 1993, I worked as a Teacher and moved on to the travel industry in1995. In that year I joined FIDI tours and changed my profession in to Administration at FIDI tours by 2005. Today I am engaged in product development and in marketing as their Director of In bound tour operations.

(SF) Can you tell me in brief about FIDI Tours Vietnam?
Director: FIDI tours of Vietnam was established in the year 1989. Our company head office is located in front of Oscar Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. Mr Nquyen Vut Hung is the current General Director of FIDI tours Vietnam. Real Estate, Hotel, restaurants and education are the other areas the company engages in other than travel. If one plans to visit Vietnam we place our client’s mind at ease with our 24-hour local support. As one of the leading tour operator in our country each and every package we offer is tailored to meet exact client requirements. Vietnam is exploring new tourist markets in the world. FIDI tours of Vietnam are working very strongly towards supporting this.

(SF) Can you share with us the number of international tourist visitors handled by FIDI tours annually? What is your target for the next few years?
Director : Annually FIDI tours handles about 25,000 international tourists visiting the country. Our future target is to handle 50,000 international visitors annually for the next few years.

(SF) Which are the main destinations you are looking to promote in Vietnam?
Director: Vietnam is popular among European travelers. FIDI tours are trying to find new markets. Among these newly emerging markets Sri Lanka is a priority. Initially we plan to handle about1000 Sri Lankan tourist per year.

(SF) Is there anything that you would like to add?
Director: Last year I visited as representative of FIDI tours on a FAM trip to South Africa. We are also planning to visit Turkey. Our expectation from Sri Lankan tour operators is high as we begin to explore new tourism markets.

(Source http://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=435)

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Vietnam: The fascinating marvel of Asia By Srimal Fernando I Ceylon Today

(Source : http://www.ceylontoday.lk/22-12097-news-detail-vietnam-the-fascinating-marvel-of-asia.html)

Business

Vietnam: The fascinating marvel of Asia

Date:2012-09-02 18:16:00

By Srimal Fernando

Vietnam, unlike any other place in the world, is a naturalistic wonderland where the stunning environment is a sensual escape to a paradise.

The geography of the country features diverse and exciting elements. The country is a home to some of the most fascinating forking rivers, lush paddy fields, cascading waterfalls, verdant vegetations, gurgling streams, temples, pagodas, sun-drenched beaches and offshore islands.

The country is not just admired for its beauty, but also for its remarkable development story in the midst of several fast-developing East Asian countries. Vietnamese played a leading role in the engine of prosperity of their country and has been fuelled by practicality, hard work and flood of individual enterprises.

The country’s culture is very unique in terms of its social and ethical values. The great theme of modern Vietnamese history is the Vietnam’s War of Independence and reunification of Northern and Southern sectors of the country. The war was proved to be an extremely sobering experience, which caused so much suffering for the people of the country for nearly four decades.

Symbol of hope

The name Ho Chi Minh comes to mind when we remember the recent history of Vietnam. He is the best-loved and famous political figure of the country. He was the symbol of hope and endurance. For over half a century Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party and leader of the revolution carried the torch of Vietnam’s independence movement as a representative of the people of Vietnam. As a revolutionist, he made a great contribution to the victorious Viet Minh and Viet Cong forces that unified the country.

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum the monumental marble edifice in Hanoi was built to show the deep gratitude of the countrymen to their great leader. His remains are displayed inside the chamber of the mausoleum.

Vietnam has been the watershed in distribution of welfare and socio-economic development to the people of the country. The country has undergone a tremendous transformation following the changes in the economy with a remarkable economic growth. Vietnam’s efficient, fast and comfortable transport system has already achieved measurable improvements. The country has several paved highways to reinforce the countries road system. Each year, millions of visitors are drawn to important towns such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta to experience and travel down the corridors of history.

City of Lakes

Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and Tan Son Nhat Airport of Ho Chi Minh City are major stopover points for many international airlines and a grand gateway to East Asia and to the Far East. These aviation hubs serve as a base to Vietnam Airlines, the flag carrier of the country. As the most populous cosmopolitan city of Vietnam, Hanoi is known as the ‘city of lakes’ and is one destination for which any number of praising words seems inadequate. The city has been a thriving metropolis with, cloud-tickling skyscrapers, numerous specialty shops, boutiques and colourful markets that unhesitatingly leaping into the future. It will take hours of roaming around, to see everything in Hanoi. The city continues to remain as one of the most important cities in the world that offers an exciting platform and a business window for launching new investments.

It is situated amidst a splendid panorama in the north-east Vietnam’s Halong Bay. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is arguably one of the picturesque tourist destinations in the country. The bay covers an area of 1,500-square-kilometres dotted with a cluster of 1960 lime stone islands. The five-hour cruise in a double deck wooden boat in the bluish green waters, one can enjoy the beautiful charm of the bay.

A visit to Hue would remain incomplete, if this city did not appear in the itinerary. Situated in the centre of the country, it is studded with many archaeological sites. There is no end to the breathtaking sites visitors can see in Hue. Among those sites, feudal capital city with fortresses, temples, mausoleums, pagodas, bridges attract thousands daily. The area also offers the tourist to enjoy the riverside beauty of Hue. The Perfume River is famed for breathtaking river cruise in a traditional wooden boat.

Ho Chi Minh City

Travelling from North to South of Vietnam can be a fantastic experience for a tourist. The beauty spot of the southernmost region of Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon. The City of Saigon, situated 1,760 kilometres from Hanoi, needs little introduction to many visitors to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is also modern in every sense of the word. It is a city with a rapid development, where modern buildings are rising besides the 19th century buildings.

An array of giant cranes shows the development fever in the city. Among its highest-esteemed attractions are the Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Theatre, the re-unification palace, the Mekong river cruise, the Cu Chi tunnels and the Vietnam War Memorial Museum. The Vietnam War memorial museum is one of the most recognizable places to visit in the city. It is a living testimony to the history of the Vietnam’s War of independence and re-unification of North and South Vietnam. It is a place preserving the memories and relics of the Vietnam War.

The country is a very pleasant place to stay and travel. The growth and achievements of the tourism sector in Vietnam are outstanding. The country is emerging as a strong tourist destination with the number of visitors to the country climbing to 6.0 million in 2011. The Government of Vietnam and tour operating companies such as the Hanoi Tourist Service Company (Hanoi Toserco) and FIDI Tours of Ho Chi Minh City are embarked in promoting Vietnam as a favourite tourist destination.

Welcomed by the hospitality of the smiling people and its remarkable history and unrivalled settings, no wonder the Vietnam has always been a prime destination for travellers from all corners of the world.

(The contributor, . Srimal Fernando recently visited Vietnam on an invitation from the Vietnam Embassy in Colombo. He is an Asia Correspondent and a journalist based in Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Other Images

Vietnam the beautiful wonder of Asia by Srimal Fernando (VietnamTours )

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Source : VNN & http://www.welcomevietnamtours.com/Vietnam-travel-news/156/vietnam-the-beautiful-wonder-of-asia.html

Vietnam the beautiful wonder of Asia

Srimal Fernando
(A journalist and a correspondent based in Colombo, Sri Lanka)
Vietnam is a unique nation that has become synonymous with success, growth and adventure.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi.

The countrymen call their motherland “The Land of Dragons.” Vietnam is a land of history filled with memory of many told and untold events. The great theme of modern Vietnamese history is the Vietnam’s war of Independence and reunification.
The Vietnam War was proved to be an extremely sobering experience which caused so much suffering for the Vietnamese people. The people of the country have a well-deserved reputation for being hard workers, but they enjoy their leisure as much as anyone else. Today the largely agrarian society of the country is shifting towards a more multi-sector economy. The country has a population of 91.5 million (estimates 2011) with a wealth of dialects spoken in different regions.

A traditional music show.

President Ho Chi Minh’s name comes to mind when we remember the recent history of Vietnam. He is the best-loved and famous political figure in the country. Ho Chi Minh the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party and leader of the revolution carried the torch of Vietnam’s independence movement for over half a century. As a revolutionist he made great contribution to the victorious Viet Minh that unified the country. Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh a monumental marble edifice at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi was built to show the deep gratitude of the countrymen to their great leader. His remains are displayed inside the chamber of the mausoleum.
Hanoi the capital city, known as “city of lakes” is one destination for which any number of praising words seems inadequate. It is a thriving metropolis with cloud-tickling skyscrapers, numerous specialty shops, boutiques and colorful markets that unhesitatingly leap into the future.

A boat trip in the Mekong Delta.

A visit to the country would remain incomplete if one doesn’t drive a 3½-hour journey on road from Hanoi to Halong Bay port. The five hour cruise in a double deck wooden boat on the bluish green waters, one can enjoy the beauty of the bay. The UNESCO world Heritage site Halong (or “Descending Dragon) Bay is situated amidst a splendid panorama. The bay covers an area of 1500-square-kilometres dotted with a cluster of 1960 lime stone islands.
Hue in the center of the country is studded with many archeological sites. There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Hue. Among those sites, feudal capital city with fortresses, temples, mausoleums, pagodas, bridges attract thousands daily. The area also offers the tourist to enjoy the riverside beauty. The Perfume River is famed for breathtaking river cruise in a traditional wooden boat.

Hue ancient citadel.

Traveling from North to South of Vietnam can be a fantastic experience for a tourist.
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and is situated nearly 1,700 kilometers south of Hanoi. After the end of war in 1975 the Saigon city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honor of this great Leader. It is a city with a rapid development, where modern buildings are rising besides the 19th century buildings. An array of giant cranes show the development fever in the city.
Among its highest-esteemed attractions are the Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Theater, the Re-unification palace, the Mekong River cruise, the Cu Chi tunnels and the Vietnam War Memorial Museum. The Vietnam War memorial museum is one of the most recognizable places to visit in the city. It is a living testimony to the history of the Vietnam’s war of independence and re-unification of North and South Vietnam. It is a place preserving the memories and relics of the Vietnam war.

HCM City.

Vietnam culture possesses several distinctive characteristics that give its own unique style. Today, the mixture of influences is apparent in art, music, dance and literature. Moreover, the fast growing tourism sector is another major pillar in the overall economic field of the country Vietnam is emerging as a strong tourist destination with number of visitors to the country climbing to 6.0 million in 2011.
Traveling to the country can be done in different ways .However the experience that a visitor gains is unforgettable. The country is home to a wide range of domestic and international airports. Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, Da Nang and Tan Son Nhat Airport of Ho Chi Minh City are the major stop over points for many international airlines. Vietnam has a great deal to offer and is worth visiting.