
At least 35 dead after tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam
Ten people survived, including one 10-year-old boy who hid in an air pocket after the ship turned over, local media said.
'Everything happened so fast,' the boy, who was traveling with his parents, told VietnamNet. 'I tried to get out, and then the soldiers rescued me.'
State media reported that all 49 people aboard the tourist boat were Vietnamese, including 46 passengers and three crew members.
The ship, built in 2015, was on a sightseeing tour of Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island, two popular destinations in Ha Long Bay, known for their scenic views.
'It's the worst accident I've known in Ha Long Bay in the last 25 years,' Bui Cong Hoan, deputy chairman of Ha Long Tourist Boat Association, told The New York Times in a phone interview.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent his condolences to the victims' families, and he ordered the ministries of National Defense and Public Security, as well as civil defense workers, to support the search and rescue operations.
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National Geographic
2 hours ago
- National Geographic
Everything you need to know about Austrian wine
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). I first came across Austrian wine around 30 years ago in San Francisco, of all places, at a restaurant called The Slanted Door that served Vietnamese food, with which I was equally unfamiliar. I was blown away by a fresh, peppery white called grüner veltliner — a wine made from a grape of the same name — along with how well it suited the dishes we'd ordered. Since then, it's become hugely popular. Almost every supermarket has an own-label grüner and it's still my go-to with most Southeast Asian food. Although it accounts for a third of Austrian wine production — approximately 70% of of which is white — grüner is not the only type in town. Austria also produces world-class riesling, generally drier than those from Germany, along with some stunning sauvignon blancs and chardonnays, the latter known locally as morillon. Then there are some seductively soft, supple reds made mainly from zweigelt (the most widely planted red variety) and sumptuous, sweet blaufränkisch wines (Austria has its own protected designation of origin, Ruster Ausbruch). Add to this the sparkling wines, known in Germany as 'sekt', it's hard to avoid the conclusion that Austria has it all. Not to mention it has one of the most alluring wine tourism destinations on the outskirts of Vienna. On a balmy summer evening, there's nothing better than heading up into the hills and sitting in one of the many heurigers. These taverns serve the local wiener gemischter satz, or 'Viennese field blend', the official term for the light, aromatic white wines made from grapes that are randomly intermingled in a vineyard — the traditional way of planting before vineyards were devoted to a single variety. Other Austrian regions to look out for are Burgenland, traditionally the source of some of the best reds and sweet wines; Wachau, largely for grüner and riesling; and Styria, which has some of the most stunning full-flavoured sauvignon blancs. Wherever you go in the country, it's hard to overstate Austrians' passion for wine. Which is why the 1980s scandal, during which a number of its wineries were found to have adulterated their wines with diethylene glycol (an ingredient used in antifreeze), must have cut them to the quick. However, nothing of the kind has happened since, and the quality consistently increases. Indeed, Austrian wines remain one of the most reliable options on restaurant wine lists. A comparatively high proportion — as much as 24% — of the country's vineyards are certified organic or biodynamic, and you'll tend to find these wines in many of the capital's coolest restaurants and wine bars. But if a weekend away isn't on the cards, Newcomer Wines in Dalston, east London, specialises in Austrian varieties and runs tasting sessions. Five Austrian wines to try Unearthed Gemischter Satz 2024 It's hugely enterprising of Aldi to have recently taken on this field blend of different white grape varieties. These combinations create a fresh, aromatic wine to sip as an aperitif or enjoy with dim sum or spicy snacks. £8.99. Waitrose No 1 Grüner Veltliner 2023/4 Waitrose, an early adopter of grüner veltliner, has a classic peppery example in its No 1 range, made by the excellent Markus Huber (who features on other own-brand labels). Great with Vietnamese food but also perfect with schnitzel. £12. The Society's Austrian Red 2023 This juicy and eminently affordable wine, based on the native zweigelt grape, is the perfect introduction to Austrian reds. Swig it at a barbecue, sip it with salami or enjoy it with pizza — it goes with practically anything. £9.50. Weingut Bründlmayer Kamptal Riesling Terrassen 2022/3 Austria's rieslings are among its best and costliest wines. This organic example — fruity but piercingly sharp and intense — is well worth the price. Drink it with spiced Asian food or smoked salmon. £23.95. Jurtschitsch Brut Rosé Klassik Another wine based on zweigelt, this time a fruity sekt — the sparkling rosé that's Austria's answer to pink champagne. Have it outdoors on a summer evening, ideally in Vienna, and all will be right with the world. £34. Published in Issue 28 (summer 2025) of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).


National Geographic
a day ago
- National Geographic
7 of the best book festivals around the world
The ritual of convening around books is a worldwide tradition—from the small fishing village of Treasure Beach in Jamaica to a countryside street in Wales. To pore over a new book in a new setting with like-minded people garners community and inspiration. Add in a gorgeous setting, riveting speakers, and some of the world's best restaurants and hotels nearby, and book festivals can serve as a starting point for a greater travel adventure, too. Whether you're a longtime bibliophile or simply looking to be inspired while traveling, here are seven literature festivals worth visiting that you should consider planning for right now. 1. Calabash Literary Festival, Treasure Beach, Jamaica This biennial festival showcases the power of community and books to their fullest. Over three days, award-winning author deliver powerful words via an excerpt from their latest book. Past year attendees and speakers have included Padma Lakshmi, Jamaica Kincaid, Zadie Smith, and Angelina Jolie. Afternoons at Calabash Literary Festival are spent in conversation over glasses of rum punch at family-owned Jake's Hotel, the host of the popular festival. After Hurricane Beryl's devastation to the region in 2024, the literary festival returned in May 2025, bolstered by an international community. Attendees delighted in hearing the voices of actress Sheryl Lee Ralph read from her memoir, Diva, while Jamaican native Safiya Sinclair read thought-provoking prose from How to Say Babylon. British poet Linton Kwesi Johnson holds a copy of his book, 'Time Come,' at the Calabash International Literary Festival. Photograph By Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times/Redux During the Calabash International Literary Festival, book lovers can stay at the 49-room Jake's Hotel, located in Treasure Beach on the south coast of Jamaica. Photograph By Christian Heeb/laif/Redux Where to stay: When planning a visit, there's no better place to stay than Jake's Hotel, home to a collection of colorful oceanfront bungalows and cottages that are just steps away from the festival's main stage. The property represents the most authentic taste of Jamaica. (10 of Jamaica's best hotels, from waterfront villas to mountain cabins with a view.) 2. Martha's Vineyard Book Festivals, Massachusetts, U.S. A haven for seaside communion spread over six towns, Martha's Vineyard plays host to two literary festivals each summer. The Martha's Vineyard Book Festival sprang from the Chilmark Community Center's evening lecture series and will celebrate its 20th anniversary this August. The free, weekend-long event's theme this year is 'The Power of Perspective,' and will take place in the quaint town of Chilmark. Also in August, the Martha's Vineyard Black Book Festival will draw crowds to the region for its second year. Founded by talent agent powerhouse Traci Wilkes Smith, the festival showcases both aspiring and established Black authors through a variety of panels, fireside chats, and lively social events that demonstrate why the island has been such an important fixture in the Black community for decades. Notable authors who will speak include Kiano Moju, author of AfriCali: Recipes from My Jikoni, and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You can also optimize your visit by checking out the popular events that take place in August as well. Where to stay: Faraway Martha's Vineyard offers an impressive collection of shingle-roofed suites and rooms in the idyllic Edgartown. The easiest way to get to Martha's Vineyard is by plane. (Love reading? These are the best book towns around the world.) 3. Jaipur Literature Festival, India This renowned five-day festival in the historic Pink City of Jaipur first began in 2006 as a small gathering for book lovers. Since then, nearly half a million attendees have traveled to India to partake in a literary festival where you can spot a celebrity as easily as your favorite author. This year's 18th edition featured acclaimed writers, Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, and luminaries like Geetanjali Shree and Lucy Caldwell. Theatrical adaptations of some books take center stage on the festival's Music Stage. Where to stay: Consider checking into The Oberoi Rajvilas, a 68-room palace stretched across 32 acres of manicured lawns that offer respite from the bustle of the city. (A guide to Jaipur's craft scene, from Rajasthani block printing to marble carving.) People congregate on the lawn during the popular Jaipur Literature Festival, the world's largest free literary festival. Photograph By Radiokafka/Shutterstock 4. Brooklyn Book Festival, New York Every September, Brooklyn becomes a literary haven for nine days. As New York City's largest free festival, the Brooklyn Book Festival will celebrate its 25th year this fall with one of the most diverse author lineups. Many genres are well-represented, including poetry and graphic storytelling. The finale of this festival takes place in parks and plazas across downtown Brooklyn. The festival's literary marketplace features a diverse array of books sold directly by authors and publishers. For those who can't make it to the festival in person, there's a Virtual Festival Day to catch the lineup of talent. Beyond the festival, it's never hard to find something to do in Brooklyn, especially in the fall when temperatures are more agreeable. Where to stay: Make your home base the legendary Beekman—A Thompson Hotel, a Martin Brudnizki-designed showstopper with a nine-level atrium and plenty of quiet nooks to cozy up with your next great read. (Seven literary destinations around the UK to inspire children) Bibliophiles can travel to the charming town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales for the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts. Photograph By Jeff Morgan/Camera Press/Redux 5. Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, Wales, U.K. Situated against the backdrop of the grassy moorlands and stunning summit views in Wales' Brecon Beacons National Park, the Hay Festival brings together voices in literature from countries such as Kenya, Peru, and Mexico. Its location in Hay-On-Wye is also quite significant. In the 1960s, antiquarian and academic Richard Booth began filling the empty buildings of the small town with second-hand books. Voracious readers from the United Kingdom and beyond began descending upon this corner of Wales, eagerly pursuing another page-turning treasure. Today, this popular book town turns it up another notch with the Hay Festival every May. Beyond conversations with award-winning authors, there are also cooking workshops, tours of centuries-old castles, and musical performances. Where to stay: The Swan at Hay is a cozy, 19-room hotel that situated just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. You can also check into Llangoed Hall, a stately countryside retreat that wows with exceptional attention to detail in each guest room–including a decanted Madeira welcome bottle on arrival. Get more information about how to get to Hay-on-Wye here. (Hay-on-Wye and beyond: 5 of the UK & Ireland's best spring literary festivals) 6. International Literary Festival Berlin, Germany This mega festival in Berlin brings together over 200 authors and around 20,000 attendees every spring. Contemporary poetry, prose, nonfiction, graphic novels, and young adult literature are all discussed across 300 events in theaters and museum halls in the city. Speakers in attendance this year include Isabel Allende, author of The House of Spirits, and Arundhati Roy, author of The God of Small Things. One exciting segment of this festival is its Young Program, which offers children and teenagers readings and workshops that encourage cultural diversity. More than 200 authors and 20,000 attendees converge on Berlin for the Berlin International Literature Festival every spring. Photograph By Jens Kalaene/Where to stay: Book lovers should consider the Grand Hyatt Berlin and Hotel Palace Berlin. Both hotels are just steps away from some of the city's most popular landmarks, including Berliner Philharmonie (Philharmonic Hall) and Berlin Cathedral. (How to spend a day exploring Berlin's art and design scene) 7. Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival, New Orleans, U.S. New Orleans is renowned for its lively community events, from the revelry of Mardi Gras to the palpable joy of a second-line celebration. Every spring, the Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival lands in the city's historic French Quarter. The five-day event pays homage to American writer Tennessee Williams, who was a longtime resident of the Crescent City, where two of his major plays—A Streetcar Named Desire and Vieux Carré—were set. The Saints + Sinners Literary Festival is one of the festival's programs, created to bring the LGBTQ+ literary community together to celebrate the literary arts. Outside of the festival, spring is an ideal time to explore and appreciate the city's beauty. The low-hanging oak trees of St. Charles Avenue that shade busy cafes and bars or a drum circle in Congo Square. Where to stay: Bibliophiles can stay at the Hotel St. Vincent with its glowing brick facade. Grab a drink poolside or Cajun fried oyster banh mi from the on-site Elizabeth Street Café. At night, the Chapel Club is a dimly lit space with speakeasy vibes and plush chairs to lounge. (How to plan a walking tour exploring the alternative arts scene in New Orleans) Kristin Braswell is a travel journalist and founder of Crush Global Travel. She has penned pieces for Vogue, Bon Appetit, USA Today, NPR, Architectural Digest, and the Los Angeles Times, among others.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
20 of the Most Popular Sandwiches From All Over the World
One of the major draws of world travel is getting a taste of various cuisines. But even if you don't have any trips planned, you can still send your taste buds abroad—over lunch break! Consider the sandwich: a universal food item, but one that can look and taste vastly different from place to place. Check out some of our favorite top-rated sandwich recipes from around the world. Best of all, they're simple to make at home, using ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store. So now you can thrill to the flavors of the world, one lunch at a time. Torta Milanesa de Pollo Inspired by the Mexican dish cotoletta alla Milanese, this sandwich is served on a bun and dressed with a spicy mayo spread, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and pickled vegetables. View Recipe Pan Bagnat (Pressed French Tuna Sandwich) This French-style tuna sandwich is akin to Niçoise, the famous tuna salad, stuffed and pressed inside a whole loaf of bread. For optimum flavor, make it ahead to allow the juices to meld, marinate, and brighten for a delicious meal. View Recipe Shrimp Po' Boys Louisiana's signature sandwich, the po' boys can come stuffed with anything from fried catfish to ham and cheese. Fried Shrimp Po' Boys, however, might be the most popular of all. View Recipe Korean Street Toast This Korean-inspired street toast recipe is a slightly sweet, super savory vegetable and egg patty is sandwiched with smoky ham, melty Cheddar, and an amalgam of mayo and ketchup between two slices of crispy, buttered bread. View Recipe Roasted Pork Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich) Chef John explains the brilliance of this Vietnamese sandwich: "Not only do we get amazing contrasts in flavor and texture, but also the temperature difference between the crisp, warm, meat-filled roll and the cool, crunchy vegetables makes this so much fun to eat. This isn't just one of the best sandwiches I've ever had, it's one of the best things, period." View Recipe Classic Cuban Midnight (Medianoche) Sandwich "This is one of the more famous sandwiches straight out of the island of Cuba," says Pretty Pink Bullets. Load thinly-sliced ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and dill pickle slices into sweet rolls and heat in a sandwich press for crispy, melty perfection. View Recipe Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich (Tamago Sando) Here's the egg salad sandwich that will have you totally reconsidering the egg salad sandwich. It's the Japanese-inspired version that has vaulted from mild-mannered convenience store snack to international sensation. One key reason is the super-savory Kewpie mayonnaise, which Chef John reproduces here. Another reason for its success is the soft, buttery, slightly sweet Japanese milk bread. Bottom line, you'll never think of egg salad in the same way again. View Recipe Ta'ameya (Egyptian Falafel) "Falafel, or ta'ameya as we call it in Egypt, is an all-time favorite street food. In most parts of the Middle East, falafel is made with ground chickpeas. However, in Egypt, we make it with dried fava beans. They are best served with pita bread, tomato, onions, and tahini sauce," Gamila Salem says. View Recipe Lobster Rolls This classic New England sandwich is "best served on a regular ol' hot dog bun, which I prefer grilled," says naples34102. The only thing that'll keep you from making these every night is the price of lobster! View Recipe Best Hamburger Ever It really doesn't get more American than a big, juicy burger, and recipe-reviewer Rico confirms that "this really is the best tasting hamburger ever!" View Recipe Traditional Gyros These famous Greek sandwiches are traditionally made with a combination of meats slowly roasted on a vertical spit. This tasty skillet-made version combines seasoned ground lamb and ground beef with all the classic fixings, including tzatziki sauce, the essential garlicky Greek yogurt sauce. View Recipe Meatball Sandwich This Italian-style sandwich serves up savory meatballs seasoned with garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese inside a baguette for a hearty sandwich that recipe-reviewer Michelle says is "easy, excellent, and kid-approved." View Recipe Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with Garlic Mayo Recipe-reviewer cmastheryr got some tips from his "Philly Phriend" before making this sandwich: "I made six sandwiches. Two with provolone, two with mozzarella, and (Philly) two with cheeze whiz. Provolone and mozzarella were equal in outstanding taste. The cheeze whiz was good but not up to the others." View Recipe Croque Madame The classic "Mrs. Crunch!" This decadent French ham and melty cheese sandwich is topped with a fried egg. It reminded recipe-reviewer DarkFyre of a recent trip: "I had this when I went to Versailles and the recipe turned out almost exactly the same way." View Recipe Chicken Pesto Paninis Crispy focaccia bread toasted with pesto melty goodness inside — it's tough to go wrong with this Italian favorite. For even quicker preparation, Denise recommends "a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store." View Recipe Mexican Tortas This Mexican sandwich has the works—thin-cut round steak, pinto beans, pickled jalapeños, sliced avocados and tomatoes, shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco. Serve all the good stuff on bolillos rolls, the Mexican-style sandwich bread. View Recipe Ignacio's Super Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Back in the early 1900s, peanut butter was considered a delicacy, and this American classic was reserved for the rich. These days, the average American will eat 1,500 PB&Js before they turn 18! This triple-decker with a toasted bread center will get you there that much faster. View Recipe Montreal Smoked Meat Flat Wrap In Montreal, smoked beef brisket is piled sky high onto rye bread and served with tangy mustard — the famous Montreal smoked meat sandwich. This particular version is Montreal by way of Mexico, actually. The recipe replaces rye bread with flour tortillas and adds shredded Mexican cheeses for gooey goodness. "This wrap tastes just like the one made at a Canadian restaurant, named after one of the biggest names in hockey," says Katie. "I used a Cheddar jalapeno wrap and it was very good." View Recipe Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Raita "Chicken thighs grilled with shawarma seasonings are sliced and wrapped in naan, or flatbread of your choice, with a delicious raita and sandwich toppings. Serve these wrap-style sandwiches for a hearty lunch, or for dinner with some sauteed vegetables." — Bibi View Recipe Shooter Sandwich "This English sandwich is definitely different, but really hearty and yummy. It is great to eat on camping trips or to send with your hubby while he is hunting. This recipe is very basic in measurements and can be adjusted as desired for the most part. The doneness of the meat can be adjusted as well." — WOODANGELA View Recipe More Inspiration 38 Quick Lunch Ideas You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less Classic Sandwiches That Make Lunch Legendary 20 Timeless Italian Sandwich Recipes to Try ASAP Read the original article on ALLRECIPES