102 quinquagenarians from Vietnam conquer Mt Kinabalu
KOTA KINABALU: A hundred and two women in their 50s summited Mount Kinabalu recently.
The entourage made history as the largest Vietnamese delegation to conquer the highest peak in Southeast Asia at 4,095 metres above sea level recently.
They successfully completed the climb in the early hours of June 10, 2025, after beginning their ascent on June 9.
Led by Nguyen Thi Lanh, founder of Minh Tri Thanh Academy and a respected psychotherapist, the expedition was framed as a journey of inner transformation.
Participants ranged in age, profession and background, yet were united by a shared goal — to overcome personal limitations, face their fears
and reconnect with their inner strength through the challenge of summiting Mount Kinabalu.
"This was more than just a mountain climb. It was a powerful metaphor for life.
"Through each step, our team confronted their own inner 'mountains' which is fear, self-doubt and limiting beliefs. And at the summit, they found confidence, courage, and clarity," she said in a statement.
Last year, 2,065 Vietnamese tourists visited Sabah. As of March this year, the number of visitors is 790.
In December, AirAsia launched a direct flight between Kota Kinabalu and Ho Chi Minh. The airline is flying three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This year, Sabah is targeting 3.3 million visitor arrival.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
50% airfare discount an appreciation for media practitioners' dedication
KUALA LUMPUR: The 50 per cent discount on flight tickets to 57 ASEAN destinations for local media practitioners is a major recognition of the important role played by journalists and helps foster regional understanding within the media fraternity. Media representatives from the Putrajaya Media Club (KMP), Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA), Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) and Mutiara Media Club described the initiative as the result of a strategic collaboration between AirAsia and the Ministry of Communications, reflecting support for the role of media practitioners in building an informed and competitive society. KDJA president Ronnie Teo Teck Wei said the media in Sarawak, in particular, greatly appreciated AirAsia's recognition of their dedication and commitment to supporting media practitioners who help tell Malaysia's story. 'This initiative is in line with the broader goal of strengthening regional ties and promoting greater mobility in Southeast Asia by emphasising a shared vision of connectivity, cultural appreciation and media empowerment. 'On behalf of the Malaysian media community in general, and Sarawak in particular, my sincere thanks go to AirAsia and the Ministry of Communications for their unwavering support and generosity,' he told Bernama. NSJA president Chai Chon Chin described the incentive as a meaningful gesture of appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of media practitioners, particularly in large areas such as Sarawak, which face logistical and accessibility challenges, in line with Malaysia's current role as ASEAN chair. 'This initiative opens up space for cross-border media cooperation and emphasises the importance of media freedom and regional awareness in the national development agenda,' he added. KMP president Tuan Buqhairah Tuan Muhamad Adnan said the facility not only benefited media personnel but also provided them with an opportunity to take time off and travel after working hard to fulfil their duties. 'KMP greatly appreciates this initiative and hopes to see more such collaborations in the future. It is a form of recognition for the efforts and sacrifices of journalists who are always on the front lines delivering accurate information to the people,' said the Sinar Harian journalist. Bernama TV journalist Nazahiyah Mohd Hadzir described the offer as a meaningful gesture that helped relieve the exhaustion faced by media practitioners who were constantly on standby to deliver news to the public. 'This discount means a lot. It allows media personnel the chance to visit and explore ASEAN countries,' she said, expressing her desire to travel to Vietnam. Utusan Malaysia photographer Ahmad Faiz Alif Ahmad said the initiative was particularly meaningful for media personnel who rarely had the chance to take a break due to work commitments. Echoing the same sentiment, Penang Mutiara Media Club president Mohd Iskandar Othman said the initiative also recognised the dedication of media practitioners in contributing to the country's media ecosystem. 'This initiative also allows journalists to explore interesting destinations in the region, especially since Penang now offers direct flights to six ASEAN countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia,' he said. Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced a special initiative for local media practitioners holding the Department of Information (JaPen) media accreditation card during the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here today. Booking will remain open until Dec 31, 2025, while the travel period will run from April to September 2026. Further information, including the booking mechanism, will be announced by JaPen soon. The booking window is open until Dec 31, 2025, for travel between April and September 2026. Further information, including the booking mechanism, will be released by JaPen soon. Themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', the event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by about 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and abroad.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
AirAsia offers 50% flight discount to ASEAN for journalists
KUALA LUMPUR: The 50 per cent discount on flight tickets to 57 ASEAN destinations for local media practitioners is a major recognition of the important role played by journalists and helps foster regional understanding within the media fraternity. Media representatives from the Putrajaya Media Club (KMP), Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA), Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) and Mutiara Media Club described the initiative as the result of a strategic collaboration between AirAsia and the Ministry of Communications, reflecting support for the role of media practitioners in building an informed and competitive society. KDJA president Ronnie Teo Teck Wei said the media in Sarawak, in particular, greatly appreciated AirAsia's recognition of their dedication and commitment to supporting media practitioners who help tell Malaysia's story. 'This initiative is in line with the broader goal of strengthening regional ties and promoting greater mobility in Southeast Asia by emphasising a shared vision of connectivity, cultural appreciation and media empowerment. 'On behalf of the Malaysian media community in general, and Sarawak in particular, my sincere thanks go to AirAsia and the Ministry of Communications for their unwavering support and generosity,' he told Bernama. NSJA president Chai Chon Chin described the incentive as a meaningful gesture of appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of media practitioners, particularly in large areas such as Sarawak, which face logistical and accessibility challenges, in line with Malaysia's current role as ASEAN chair. 'This initiative opens up space for cross-border media cooperation and emphasises the importance of media freedom and regional awareness in the national development agenda,' he added. KMP president Tuan Buqhairah Tuan Muhamad Adnan said the facility not only benefited media personnel but also provided them with an opportunity to take time off and travel after working hard to fulfil their duties. 'KMP greatly appreciates this initiative and hopes to see more such collaborations in the future. It is a form of recognition for the efforts and sacrifices of journalists who are always on the front lines delivering accurate information to the people,' said the Sinar Harian journalist. Bernama TV journalist Nazahiyah Mohd Hadzir described the offer as a meaningful gesture that helped relieve the exhaustion faced by media practitioners who were constantly on standby to deliver news to the public. 'This discount means a lot. It allows media personnel the chance to visit and explore ASEAN countries,' she said, expressing her desire to travel to Vietnam. Utusan Malaysia photographer Ahmad Faiz Alif Ahmad said the initiative was particularly meaningful for media personnel who rarely had the chance to take a break due to work commitments. Echoing the same sentiment, Penang Mutiara Media Club president Mohd Iskandar Othman said the initiative also recognised the dedication of media practitioners in contributing to the country's media ecosystem. 'This initiative also allows journalists to explore interesting destinations in the region, especially since Penang now offers direct flights to six ASEAN countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia,' he said. Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced a special initiative for local media practitioners holding the Department of Information (JaPen) media accreditation card during the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here today. Booking will remain open until Dec 31, 2025, while the travel period will run from April to September 2026. Further information, including the booking mechanism, will be announced by JaPen soon. The booking window is open until Dec 31, 2025, for travel between April and September 2026. Further information, including the booking mechanism, will be released by JaPen soon. Themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', the event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by about 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and abroad.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Four South-East Asian hotels - three in Indonesia and one in Vietnam - among world's best family-friendly, says TripAdvisor
Melia Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort in Ha Tinh Province, central Vietnam. -- Photo courtesy of the resort via Vietnam News/Asia News Network HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Three representatives in Indonesia and one in Vietnam have been named among world's best family-friendly hotels by readers of US travel platform Tripadvisor. Located in Bandung city of Indonesia GH Universal Hotel ranked second on the list as part of the Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels. "It stands out with its unique architecture and cozy atmosphere. You'll find comfortable mattresses and beautiful views, plus a pet hotel and kids' activities for family-friendly fun," Tripadvisor wrote. The hotel has 105 rooms and is a 40-minute car ride away from Husein Sastranegara Airport. Located in Karawang in the Jawa Barat region of Indonesia, Resinda Hotel Karawang ranked 17th. It has over 230 rooms and features a Japanese-style bathhouse, a spa, babysitting services, and a kids' area. "Its prime location provides bridge access to a mall and great views, making it a convenient choice," Tripadvisor wrote. Nestled in the highlands of East Java, Plataran Bromo Resort ranked 19th. Located in one of Indonesia's most breathtaking landscapes, near the iconic Mount Bromo, the hotel offers 46 rooms. Tripadvisor recommended guests diving into nature-inspired activities and thrilling sport events, and discovering rich cultural entertainment nearby. The Vietnamese representative, Melia Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort, secured the 20th position. The resort stands along a beach in the north central province of Ha Tinh with 42 villas. "Enjoy fun at the waterpark or relax in the tranquil spa. Dine on high-quality cuisine at on-site restaurants with stunning views," Tripadvisor recommended. To compile the list, Tripadvisor analyzed traveler reviews and ratings posted on its website throughout 2024. For the record, Salinas Maceió All Inclusive Resort in Maceio, Brazil was ranked the best hotel in this category by TripAdvisor. - Vietnam News/Asia News Network
