Tourist information

o do while s/he is waiting for his/her taxi. 
Listening 
Listen and tick which expressions are in the conversation. 
… I hope you enjoyed your stay. 
… We did very much thank you. 
… We’ve flying to .today. 
… We’re going to see.. 
… This looks like your taxi. 
… I hope we’ll see you again. 
… Have a pleasant trip. 
… Safe journey. 
e. Problems in payment 
Listening 
Listen to the tape and tick the table with details of the bill. 
St. James Hotel 
BILL RECORD CARD 
Bill No. 692 Name of guest Adams 
Cash Service incl. 
Credit card VAT 
Cheques Receipt 
Bankers card Cashier PMS 
Listen to the tape again and tick which expressions are in the conversation. 
… How are you paying? 
… Service and tax are included. 
… Would you sign here, please? 
… Your signature here, please. 
… Here’s your receipt. 
… Do you have some form of identification? 
… Don’t worry sir. I’ll stamp it. 
Speaking 
Work with your partner using the role cards in order to deal with a guest’s payment 
queries 
Restaurant Problems 
Work with a partner. Take turns to be A (a waiter/waitress) and B (a customer). Use 
the table below to act out the situations. 
A. waiter/waitress 
Attracts customer’s attention, if necessary 
Excuse me, sir/ madam. 
Apologizes 
I’m (very) sorry, (sir/madam). 
Explains regulation 
(As in Exercise 7a) 
Makes a helpful suggestion, if possible 
(As in Exercise 7B) 
B. Customer 
English for Tourism page 88 
Agrees 
OK! Fine ! / Oh, all right! / Right!
Thanks 
Thank you very much, sir/madam 
 OR 
Disagrees 
I think that’s a bit unreasonable. 
Why? 
Oh, I think that’s nonsense. 
Insists politely 
I’m very sorry, sir/ madam, but we have 
to observe the regulations. I’m sure you 
understand. 
English for Tourism page 89 
Section 3 
DO YOU REMEMBER? 
What may you say when you want to: 
Ask about problems? 
Make excuses? 
Maintain the customer’s confidence? 
Offer action? 
Attract a customer’s attention? 
Make polite refusals? 
Express sympathy? 
Explain regulations? 
Suggest other courses of action? 
Insist about regulations? 
FURTHER READING 
SOURCE: Vietnam Tourism Administration Website ( 
Situated in the North-East region of Vietnam, Halong Bay is a bay in the Gulf of 
Tonkin comprised of regions of Halong City, the township of Cam Pha, and a part of 
the island district of Van Don. 
Halong Bay borders Cat Ba Island in 
the southwest, the East Sea in the 
east, and the mainland, creating a 
120 km coastline. 
English for Tourism page 90 
Halong Bay is made up of 1,969 
islands of various sizes, 989 of 
which have been given names. 
There are two kinds of islands, limestone and schist, which are concentrated in two 
main zones: the southeast (belonging to Bai Tu Long Bay), and the southwest 
(belonging to Halong Bay). This densely concentrated zone of stone islands, world 
famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, forms the central zone of 
Halong Bay, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
The bay itself has an area of 43,400 ha, consists of 775 islands, and forms a triangle 
with the island of Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto) to the west, the lake of Ba Ham (Three 
Shelter Lake) to the south, and the island of Cong Tay to the east. 
Viewed from above, Halong Bay resembles a geographic work of art. While 
exploring the bay, you feel lost in a legendary world of stone islands. There is Man's 
Head Island, which resembles a man standing and looking towards the mainland. 
Dragon Island looks like a dragon hovering above the turquoise water. La Vong 
Island resembles an old man fishing. There are also the islands of the Sail, the Pair of 
Roosters, and the Incense Burner, which all astonishingly resemble their namesakes. 
The forms of the islands change depending on the angle of the light and from where 
the islands are viewed. At the core of the islands, there are wonderful caves and 
grottoes, such as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood 
Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), and Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto). 
Halong Bay has many links to the history of Vietnam. For example, there are such 
famous geographical sites as Van Don (site of an ancient commercial port), Poem 
Mountain (with engravings of many poems about emperors and other famous 
historical figures), and Bach Dang River (the location of two fierce naval battles 
fought against foreign aggressors). 
It has been proven by scientists that Halong was one of the first cradles of human 
existence in the area at such archeological sites as Dong Mang, Xich Tho, Soi Nhu, 
and Thoi Gieng. It is also a region of highly concentrated biological diversity with 
many ecosystems of salt water-flooded forests, coral reefs, and tropical forests 
featuring thousands of species of animal and plant life. 
With all this in mind, the 18th meeting of the Committee of the World Heritages of 
UNESCO (in Thailand on December 17th, 1994), officially recognized Halong Bay 
as a natural heritage site of worldwide importance. 
I. Grottoes 
English for Tourism page 91 
Dau Go (Driftwood) Grotto 
Dau Go Grotto is found on Driftwood Island, formerly known 
as Canh Doc Island. The name Driftwood Grotto comes from 
the popular story of the resistance war against the Nguyen 
Mong aggressors. In a decisive battle, Tran Hung Dao was 
given an order to prepare many ironwood stakes to be planted 
on the riverbed of the Bach Dang River. The remaining 
wooden pieces were found in the grotto and, as a result, the grotto was given its 
present name. The entrance is reached via 90 steps up the island. The grotto is 
divided into three main parts. In the first chamber, many forms can be seen in the 
rock, depending on the imagination of the observer. In the middle of the chamber, on 
the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with his 
right hand clasping a cane. Moving into the second chamber, visitors pass through a 
narrow "door", naturally formed through erosion. The light here is mysterious, and 
new images appear in the stone. At the end of the grotto is a well of clear water 
surrounded by four ancient walls. 
In this grotto, there remains an engraved stone stele singing the praises of Halong 
Bay ordered by Emperor Khai Dinh when he came to visit the grotto in 1917. Dau Go 
is 40 minutes from Bai Chay. Admission is 15,000 VND per person, 5,000 VND for 
children under 15, and children under 6 are free. 
Note: the admission here is for one tour of Dau Go cave, Thien Cung grotto and 
another. If visitors want to go on an additional tour (tour 2), it costs 15,000 VND 
extra. 
Trinh Nu (Virgin) Grotto-Trong (Male) Grotto 
The Virgin Grotto is situated in the island range of Bo Hon, in the 
system comprised of the Surprise Grotto, Dong Tien Lake, and 
Luon Grotto. The grotto is 15 km south of Bai Chay Beach. For 
some fishermen, the Virgin Grotto is home, while for young lovers 
it is a popular romantic rendezvous site. 
According to legend, there once was a beautiful fisherman's 
daughter, whose family was so poor that they were in service of the 
rich administrator of the fishing zone, who forced the family to 
give him their daughter as a concubine. However, the fisherman’s 
daughter already had a lover and refused to marry the administrator. The 
administrator got angry and exiled her to a wild island where she suffered from 
hunger and exhaustion. One frightful night she turned to stone. On this same night, 
her lover, knowing of her danger, rowed his boat in search of her. However, a 
tempest destroyed his boat, and he floated to a nearby island. In a flash of lightening, 
he saw his lover in the distance, but his calls were driven away by the wind. In his 
final exhaustion, he also turned to stone (today’s Male Grotto). 
When visiting the Virgin Grotto, you can still see the petrified girl with her long hair 
hanging down and eyes looking towards the mainland. Opposite the Virgin Grotto, 
the Male Grotto is still home to the lover whose his face is turned towards his mate. 
At times, his passionate calls and blows against the walls of the grotto can still be 
heard. 
Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Grotto 
This recently discovered grotto is one of the most beautiful 
in Halong Bay. Thien Cung is situated on the southwest side 
of the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Halong City. It is 
located in a small range of islands that resemble a throne 
embracing two superb grottoes at its core. The way to Thien 
Cung is perilous, covered on both sides by thick forest. 
After 
entering a narrow gate, the magnificent, 130 m long grotto opens up. 
According to legend, a beautiful young lady named May (cloud) caught the eye of the 
Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed and got married in 
the very center of the grotto. All of the scenes of their wedding, which lasted for 
seven days and seven nights, have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto. 
In the center, there are four large pillars supporting the "roof of heaven". From the 
base to the top, many strange images seem to exist in the stone, including birds, fish, 
flowers and even scenes of human life. On the north wall of the grotto, a group of 
fairies seems to be singing and dancing in honor of the wedding. Under the 
immeasurably high roof, stalactites form a natural stone curtain. There is also the 
sound of a beating drum made by the wind blowing through the stone. 
In the last chamber of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles 
throughout the year. Here there are three small ponds of clear water. One path 
meanders out of the grotto. 
Quang Hanh Grotto 
Located 9 km west of Cam Pha, Quang Hanh Grotto is the longest grotto in Halong 
Bay. It is 1,300 m long, and stretches throughout the stone mountain of Quang Hanh. 
The French named it "Le Tunnel," or Tunnel Grotto. 
Quang Hanh Grotto is accessible by either boat or car, but the entrance only appears 
when the tide is out. Ba Co Shrine (shrine of three girls) is in the grotto beside a 
smooth stone block. Legend tells that three girls, who were once journeying on the 
sea, came to the grotto to take shelter from the rain. They were so engrossed with the 
beauty of the grotto, that they did not notice the rising tide. They drowned, only to 
become water goddesses. 
Quang Hanh Grotto is extremely beautiful. A small boat will take you through the 
stone passageway by flashlight, casting magical colors on the hanging stalactites. 
English for Tourism page 92 
II. Islands 
Bai Tho Mountain (Poem Mountain) 
Bai Tho Mountain is 106 m high. It runs along the coast, half on land and half in the 
sea. Sailing in the bay, one or two hundred meters from the mountain, one can see a 
poem carved on a flat stone cliff. 
In 1468, Emperor Le Thanh Tong, who was also a poet, made 
an inspection tour of the North-East region. He stopped at the 
foot of the mountain, and inspired by the magnificent beauty 
of his surroundings, he wrote a poem. Later, he had the poem 
engraved on the wall of the mountain. It is very interesting to 
climb the mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of the bay. 
Tuan Chau Islet 
Situated 3 km west of Dao Go Islet, Tuan Chau Islet has an area of 300 ha. On the 
islet, there is a very simple bamboo house built by the inhabitants of Quang Ninh for 
Uncle Ho to rest after visiting Halong Bay. The house is now carefully preserved by 
the locals. 
III. Beaches 
Bai Chay 
Bai Chay is a resort located along the coast of Halong Bay. This is a windward ocean 
resort which has a year round average temperature of 20oC (68oF). 
Bai Chay is a low gently sloping range of hills that runs along the sea for more than 2 
km. Blended in among the pine trees are large hotels and small villas with 
distinguished architectural styles. Traveling down the asphalt road along the coast, 
visitors see long white stretches of sand and green rows of Casuarina trees, tucked 
under which are small family-run restaurants. After swimming at the beach, tourists 
can enjoy cold drinks and cool off in the breeze that sweeps in from the sea. 
English for Tourism page 93 
Hue was once the capital of the country during both the Tay Son and Nguyen 
dynasties. Throughout the centuries, Hue has become a large complex of architectural 
relics and picturesque elegance. UNESCO recognized Hue as a World Heritage site. 
 I. Royal Citadel 
The Royal Citadel is located on the banks of the Perfume River. The construction of 
the square citadel, which was exclusively made from bricks, started in 1805. The wall 
is 6 m high, 20 m thick and surrounded by a moat. 
The citadel has ten gates: Nha Do, Sap, Ngan, Thuong Tu, Dong Ba, Ke Trai, Hau, An 
Hoa, Chanh Tay, and Huu. 
II. Imperial Enclosure 
The Imperial Enclosure is located in the center of the 
citadel. It mainly consists of the Noon Gate, Great Rites 
Courtyard, Thai Hoa Palace, Dai Cung (Great Court) Gate, 
Thuong Uyen (Royal) Garden, Trieu Temple, Thai 
Temple, Hien Lam Pavilion, Hung Temple, and Phung 
Tien Temple. 
III. Forbidden Citadel 
Constructed in 1804, early in the reign of Emperor Gia Long , it was first called Cung 
Thanh, City of Residences, and later renamed Forbidden Purple City by Emperor Minh 
Mang in 1822. It is connected with the Imperial Enclosure by seven gates. 
Some of the architectural constructions found in the Forbidden Purple City include the 
Can Chanh Palace, Ta Huu Vu (Left and Right Houses), Can Thanh Palace, Khon Thai 
Residence, Kien Trung Palace, Royal Library, and Royal Theater. 
English for Tourism page 94 
The ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Danang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon 
River. Occupied by early western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers 
of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. 
Hoi An has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and narrow 
streets; the original structure of some of these streets still remains almost intact. All the 
houses were made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved 
with Chinese characters. Pillars were also carved with ornamental designs. 
Tourists can visit the relics of the Sa Huynh and Cham cultures. They can also enjoy 
the beautiful scenery of the romantic Hoi An River, Cua Dai Beach, and Cham Island. 
Over the last few years, Hoi An has become a very popular tourist destination in 
Vietnam. 
English for Tourism page 95 
 My Son, located 69 km southwest of Danang, was an imperial city during the Cham 
dynasty, between the 4th and 12th centuries. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of 
religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples 
and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main 
component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of 
the king. 
According to records on the stone stele, the 
prime foundation of the ancient My Son 
architectural complex was a wooden temple to 
worship the Siva Bhadresvera genie. In the late 
16th century, a big fire destroyed the temple. 
Step by step, historical mysteries were unveiled by scientists. Through stone stele and 
royal dynasties, they proved My Son to be the most important Holy Land of the Cham 
people from the late 4th to the 15th centuries. For many centuries, the Cham built Lip, 
a mutually linked architectural complex, with baked bricks and sandstone. The main 
temple worships the Linga-Yoni, who represents the capability of invention. Beside 
the main tower (Kalan) are several sub-towers worshipping Genies or deceased kings. 
Although time and the wars have destroyed some towers, the remaining sculptural and 
architectural remnants still reflect the style and history of the art of the Cham people. 
Their masterpieces mark a glorious time for the architecture and culture of the Cham, 
as well as of Southeast Asia. 
Each historical period has its own identity, so that each temple worshipping a genie or 
a king of a different dynasty has its own architectural style full of different impression. 
All of the Cham towers were built on a quadrate foundations and each comprises three 
parts: a solid tower base, representing the world of human beings, the mysterious and 
sacred tower body, representing the world of spirits, and the tower top built in the 
shape of a man offering flowers and fruits or of trees, birds, animals, etc., representing 
things that are close to the spirits and human beings. 
According to many researchers of the ancient Cham 
towers, the architectural art of the Cham towers at My Son 
Sanctuary is the convergence of different styles, including 
the continuity of the ancient style in the 7th-8th centuries, 
the Hoa Lai style of the 8th-9th centuries, the Dong Duong 
style from the mid-9th century, the My Son and My Son-
Binh Dinh styles, etc. Among the remnants of many architectural sites excavated in 
1898, a 24 meters high tower was found in the Thap Chua area and coded A I by 
archaeologists and researchers on My Son. This tower is a masterpiece of ancient 
Cham architecture. It has two doors, one in the east and the other in the west. The 
English for Tourism page 96 
English for Tourism page 97 
tower body is high and delicate with a system of paved pillars; six sub-towers 
surround the tower. This two story tower looks like a lotus flower. The top of the 
upper layer is made of sandstone and carved with elephant and I ion designs. In the 
lower layer, the walls are carved with fairies and water evils and men riding elephants. 
Unfortunately, the tower was destroyed by US bombs in 1969. 
After the My Son ancient tower complex was discovered, many of its artifacts, 
especially statues of female dancers and genies worshipped by the Cham people, 
worship animals and artifacts of the daily communal activities, were collected and 
displayed at the Cham Architecture Museum in Danang city. Although there are not 
many remnants left, those that remain display the typical sculptural works of cultural 
value of the Cham nationality. Furthermore, they are vivid proof, confirming the 
history of a nationality living within the Vietnamese community boasting of a rich 
cultural tradition. 
English for Tourism page 98 
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