Spring in the martial land (Binh Dinh)

The home of Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue, Binh Dinh province has a long history of military valor. Reaching a height at the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory in 1789, Binh Dinh's martial arts epitomize Vietnam's spirit of resistance against invaders.

Binh Dinh's martial spirit is a symbol of pride. Binh Dinh was once an unpopulated land full of wild beasts and dangers. When the first Vietnamese people settled here, they needed to learn martial arts to protect themselves. Settlers adapted and improved folk martial arts. After grueling days in the fields, peasants founded martial arts centers in the schools and villages and practiced martial arts in the evenings.

Binh Dinh martial arts focus on stamina, martial practices, armed martial practices and spiritual training. Compared to other schools, traditional Binh Dinh martial arts teach students practical fighting skills for combat. Weapons such as arrows, blades, whips (chain-sticks), rakes, tridents, chains, silk scarves and hook-ropes were closely related to people's labor. A typical weapon in Binh Dinh is the whip, which is handled in unique ways. Practitioners were taught to fight using simple and easily-found weapons.

Despite being practical and popular, Binh Dinh traditional I arts are also highly academic, based on the rules of yin-yang, the Five Elements and the 1-ching. This art is mental as well as physical. Binh Dinh martial arts depend on opposites: soft and hard, attack and defense, strength and weakness, inside and outside. Moves are unpredictable and suitable for Vietnamese people's physiques. Every part of the body, from the head to the limbs and the elbows, is used if necessary. A martial master is supposed to "move like a leaf and stand firm like a cliff", to be courageous, calm, skilful, shrewd and able to distract his opponent. The feet are usually on the ground. Scissor kicks are rare, as they result in imbalance and provide opportunities for opponents.

Students are meant to absorb lessons of human virtue, morality, kindness, loyalty, intelligence, prestige, gratitude to the ancestors, and martial spirit against invaders. Binh Dinh's traditional martial arts reached a height in the Tay Son Era with three brothers, Nguyen Nhac, Nguyen Hue and Nguyen Lu, and martial generals Tran Quang Dieu, Bui Thi Xuan, Ngo Van So, Nguyen Van Tuyet, Dang Van Long, Vo Van Dung, etc.

Stories about the Three Heroes of Tay Son; the Seven Brave Generals of Tay Son; the Five Female Masters of Tay Son; the Six Legends of Tay Son; and the Four Masters of Tay Son are rooted in fact. These martial leaders remain a source of pride for Binh Dinh martial arts in particular and Vietnamese martial arts in general.

Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue, an exceptional king and Illilitary leader, helped to cement the reputation of Binh Dinh's martial arts. Under his reign, unique literary traditions blended with illustrious military deeds, confirming Binh Dinh's reputation as a literary and martial center.

As another spring comes to Binh Dinh, we are all reminded of our pride in this historic land, where generations of people have devoted their lives to protecting our fatherland.

Mai Chau Valley (Hoa Binh)

From Hanoi, go along to the National Highway 6, pass Xuan Mai town, through Hoa Binh City. go over Cun with the length of 12km, through Cao Phong district and Tan Lac district, you will be admired the beauty Mai Chau Valley.

Mai Chau Valley is located in the northwestern of Hoa Binh province which is surrounded by mountains. This valley is the land of convergence and exchange of many ethnic groups. Each ethnic identity, personal customs and habits contribute to create the rich diversity of Vietnamese culture. Thanks to the unique geographical characteristics and cultural traditions, people in Mai Chau district has been promoting and preserving national cultural identity and developing tourism potential in order to introduce  domestic and foreign friends the quintessential beauty here.

There are many monuments and landscapes which attract many visitors by their natural beauty. Tourists can visit many interesting places, for example, Khoai cave, Chieu cave,  (Mai Chau town), Lang cave , Mo Luong Cave. In addition, Mai Chau is one of the local where also stored rich folk art treasure with characteristics of Thai enthic, Mong enthic through the activities in festivals such as “Cau mua” Festival, “ Cha Chieng” Festival of Thai ethnic and “Gau Tao” Festival of Mong enthic... Mai Chau have community tourist ereas, such as: Lac village, Pôm Coong village, Van village….and ecotourism area, such as: Ban Buoc and Ban Van,…

Another point makes tourists feel exciting is that they will live with indigenous people in a special house which is called “Nha San”. Visitors will take part in daily activities with homeowners. It is called “homestay” which is an extremely exciting experience.

Besides poetic sceneries, culinary in Mai Chau creates a deep impression in tourists’ heart. Dishes at Mai Chau is not too special food, it is made from the produce in their land, they have  strange and delicious flavor. Mai Chau has many specialties like sticky rice in blue tube (Com La) with chicken l, Muong pork, steamed fish steamed with Dong leaves,…

Coming to Mai Chau, you should not forget enjoy Can wine. It is special kind of wine with a distinctive flavor. It is very interesting to sit round a jar of Can wine, sip and chat with your friends and learn more about the culture of the ethnic minorities here

The evening atmosphere in Mai Chau seems to be more crowded and vibrant with many activities around the campfire. Indigenous people and visitors hold hands and around the campfire and sing the folk songs and dance with cute boys and lovely girls here. A famous dance in this land is “Sap dance”.

In Mai Chau , people go shopping and take photographs  comfortably with souvenir items there but do not buy anything at all. If you prefer, you can also rent colorful ethnic dresses to take photos with very cheap price or buy some dresses or some scarves for relatives

Mai Chau Valley will bring visitors natural and relax moments, which  can not find elsewhere. Once coming here, visitors will remember this peaceful land.

Park Hyatt Saigon

Experience the essence of the modern Vietnamese lifestyle at Park Hyatt Saigon, a 5-star hotel situated at Lam Son Square in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) centre. Our grand hotel in Saigon majestically rises nine stories above District 1, steps from the elegant Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and other Saigon main tourist attractions, the exhibition centre and business district. Ho Chi Minh International Airport, Tan Son Nhat, is just 7 km away, allowing for effortless airport access in a city known for its bustling streets.

Hyatt’s 244 rooms & suites redefine urban luxury, blending sophisticated design and décor with the latest modern comforts as the leading Ho Chi Minh hotel. Our Saigon hotel plays host to world-class restaurants and bars, including Italian Restaurant Opera, Square One Vietnamese Restaurant, Park Lounge, with a traditional Afternoon Tea, and 2 Lam Son martini bar, one of the city’s top nightlife destinations. For sheer relaxation, Park Hyatt features Xuan Spa, a tranquil urban retreat offering private therapy rooms, a fitness centre and outdoor pool.

Honoured by Business Traveller Asia Pacific as the Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon is a prestigious destination for corporate conventions and weddings.

Park Hyatt Saigon
2 Lam Son Square, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Vietnam
Tel: +84 8 3824 1234
Fax: +84 8 3823 7569
Email: saigon.park@hyatt.com

Beauty of Tam Dao National Park

Tam Dao Tourist Area is located in Tam Dao Town, Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc Province. It is about 86km from Hanoi. The climate here is very unique with four seasons in a day and the scenery is majestic and poetic. The most beautiful tourist season in the year is summer.

Tam Dao Tourist Area is the wonderful destination for visitors in holidays in the North with an area of more than 200 ha. It is one of the largest national parks in Viet Nam. With beautiful landscapes and unique climate, the early 20^th century, French colonialist built a tourist area here. In Tam Dao, there are villas, hotels, restaurants, sports fields, swimming pools, and dancing halls.

Although the road to Tam Dao Mountain is quite hard, it is very nice with orchids, daisies and wildflowers in two sides. Up to the top, you can see the immense sky, earth, wind, clouds...

When coming to this interesting place, you can go to visit many ideal destinations and enjoy fresh air there.

Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple is a sacred place where conserves a nice legend. The dreamy backdrop of white clouds towns still is immaculate



Rung Ring Mountain Top is suitable to visitors who like adventure activities. Here, there are very big trees which are covered by orchids, birds sings chirped and butterflies fly everywhere.

Bac Majestic Waterfall tucked away in the mountains and poured down mysterious silvery water flow. In cool water flow, tourist’s bare feet are free to play with water.

Tam Dao Ancient Church was built in 1937. This is a pretty interesting sight. Standing on the old church, you can see the panorama of Tam Dao nature. You can take your photos with your friends and your family. Many couples choose this place for their wedding photography.

Tam Dao Golf Field was built very modernly to serve domestic and foreign visitors. Tam Dao Golf Field Service has achieved international standard with over 100 golf carts, and a team of 200 experienced professional employees

Other place that you can not forget to visit is Tay Thien Zen monasteries. Travelers may stay in small motels or luxury resorts. However, tourists prefer to overnight in belvederes because of its comfortableness and newness

Talking about Tam Dao’s specialties, you are unable to forget very delicious dishes which are prepared from chayote. Chayote stalks in Tam Dao are much green and sweet. Beside Chayote stalks, we can enjoy many strange and tasty cuisines from chickens and pigs which are fed here thanks to chef’s fair

Recently years, roads to Tam Dao have been widened and raised to serve Tam Dao tourist. Now, if you want to visit this wonderful land, you can go to there easily by bus from Ha Noi. Because of that convenience, in summer, tens of thousands of tourists visit Tam Dao to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Tam Dao tourist area is fantastic and in accordance with everyone. Come here and enjoy the real holiday with your friends and relatives.

Traditional Treats for Tet (Lunar New Year)

In the spiritual life of Vietnamese people, Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year Day) represents a fresh start for family, community and the whole nation. No matter how humble a family is, they prepare a hearty banquet to pay respects to ancestors and welcome their relatives home.

In the past, all markets were closed on New Year's Day. Therefore, people usually cooked foods in advance that could be preserved, using methods such as sun-drying, grilling with sugar, fermentation and careful wrapping. Despite differences in soil and weather in many different areas, a typical Tet meal contains square chung cake and the rounder tet cake. Chung cake is typical of the North, while tet cake is more common in the South.

Each regions also has many other kinds of cakes, such as te cake (rice cake) or rang bua cake in the North, to cake and la cake in the Center, and it cake in the South.

Several varieties of jams, as well as pickled items are also typical Tet treats. The North has pickled onion, the Center has pickled vegetables and the South has pickled bean sprouts or leek. Traditionally, a tray for Lunar New Year includes four bowls and four dishes, while a large tray may have eight bowls and eight dishes. The four bowls include pig's trotters stew with bamboo sprout and pork tongue, dried pig's skin soup, soya noodles and ground pork. The four dishes include chicken, pork, cinnamon and pork pie. More dishes can be added, such as jellied pork, pig's head paste, fried almond, fish cooked with sauce and ginger, kohlrabi salad or water dropwort salad.

InterContinental Asiana Saigon

The world's first truly global hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is located in more than 60 countries with local insight that comes from over 60 years of experience. InterContinental Asiana Saigon is the cornerstone of Kumho Asiana Plaza complex which integrates commercial and accommodations in one landmark space in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The newly developed Kumho Link unites more than a dozen quality bars and restaurants under one roof with easy access for hotel guests. The hotel is located in the city center, near the Notre Dame Cathedral and the well-known Saigon Post Office. Famous landmarks like the Reunification Palace, City Hall and the beautiful Opera House are reachable within a few minutes. This luxury hotel offer personalised service, awaits guests in each of our 305 elegantly-appointed rooms, which includes 18 suites and a stylish Presidential Suite. Next door is the InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residences with 260 world class residential suites. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is a 35-minute drive away.

Location
Located in Ho Chi Minh City (Dong Khoi), InterContinental Asiana Saigon is close to Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, and Diamond Plaza. Also nearby are Ho Chi Minh City Notre Dame Cathedral and Notre Dame Square.

Hotel Features
InterContinental Asiana Saigon has a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a health club. Public areas are equipped with wireless and wired high-speed Internet access (surcharges apply). This 5-star hotel features business amenities including a business center, small meeting rooms, and limo/town car service. This luxury hotel offers a coffee shop/café, a bar/lounge, and a snack bar/deli. The staff can provide tour/ticket assistance, wedding services, and event catering. Additional amenities include a steam room, a sauna, and multilingual staff. For a surcharge, guests have access to a roundtrip airport shuttle (available on request). Guest parking is complimentary. This is a smoke-free property.

Guestrooms
Rooms have city views. The 305 air-conditioned guestrooms at InterContinental Asiana Saigon include iPod docking stations and CD players. Beds have pillowtop mattresses, down blankets, and premium bedding. For a surcharge, guests can use the in-room wireless and wired high-speed Internet access. Rooms are equipped with LCD TVs with premium cable channels, DVD players, and pay movies. All accommodations provide desks, safes, and direct-dial phones with voice mail. Bathrooms offer separate bathtubs and showers with handheld showerheads, and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms also include bathrobes, makeup/shaving mirrors, and hair dryers. All units feature refrigerators, minibars, and coffee/tea makers. Additional amenities include slippers and complimentary bottled water. In addition, a turndown service is offered nightly, housekeeping is available daily, and amenities available on request include wake-up calls.

InterContinental Asiana Saigon
Corner Hai Ba Trung St & Leduan Blvd Ho Chi Minh City
Phone    For reservations, please call +84 8 3520 9999 or +1 800 496 7621
Email    saigon@ihg.com
Website    http://www.intercontinental.com/saigon

Ban Gioc waterfall in Cao Bang

Cao Bang not only has resounding base revolution, but also the wonderful Ban Gioc waterfall. It has long been popular in the northern region in Viet Nam. It is said that, this waterfall is the most beautiful one in Viet Nam.

Ban gioc waterfall located on the border of Viet nam - China, the most beautiful cascade in S -shaped strip of land is also honored as the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia and the fourth largest in the world. Because of its imposingness, Ban Gioc attracts many domestic and foreign tourists.

This imposing waterfall has the height of 53 meters. Standing at the foot of the waterfall, visitors will feel a fresh and pleasant air which generated by water mist coming from the falls. Steam creates fogs look like a white silk crossing the side of the mountain. It is so wonderful and poetic. In sunny days, the sunlight radiates falls through drop of water creating a shimmering rainbows.

Ban Gioc waterfall has its own beauty in every season. Coming there in dry season, from October to May, visitors will have chance to see the peaceful and gentle moment. In rainy season, from June to September, it is the moment of majestic scenery, white foam and roll. Otherwise, the crop in May and December is also the best time for visiting Ban Gioc to enjoy the beauty of this desolate and waste area.

Ban Gioc, Cao Bang tourist is very large. Coming there, visitors can also visit some other place, especially Nguom Ngao cave which famous for stalactites. They have many strange sharps that attract the imagination of visitors. Besides, you are unable to visit Thang Hen lake. Located at an altitude of 1,000 meters, the lake is always green in shade of trees. Surround the lake; cliffs shapes follow the bumpy winding underground quarries. Visitors can rent a boat to to explore the lake.

If you have chance to come to Ban Gioc waterfall, don’t forget to enjoy the famous specialties food such as Banh khao Cao Bang, fillings, Coong Phu cake, sticky rice, green tea…You can buy a little chesnut or beef dried as a gift.

In recently years, Ban Gioc waterfall has attracted many visitors at domestic and foreign. It is not difficult to go to Ban Gioc, you can get there by motorcycle, car, bus. However, there is no vehicle straight from Hanoi to Ban Gioc, so if you want to go there by coach, firstly, you must start the car Coach Hanoi - Cao Bang in My Dinh station. It often starts in the evening and arriver Cao Bang in the next morning. Then, you continue to pick up the car to Trung Khanh. It is about 20 kilometes from Trung Khanh.

Ban Gioc waterfall is more and more famous in Viet Nam and the world for its majesticalness.  It is certainly one of must-see destinations in the world. Let’s come to Ban Gioc waterfall to enjoy a day trip or cruise tour with your family.

Bat Trang ancient village

Bat Trang is an ancient and famous ceramic village of Viet Nam.  This village lies on the left bank of Red river, about 13 km from Ha Noi, belongs to Gia Lam district – a suburb of Ha Noi Capital. In the past, It was called Bach Tho Village and then it was changed into Ba Trang Village. To day, this village is one of interesting place to visit in Ha Noi.

One of the first interesting things vistor can feel when coming to Bat Trang is the way to this ancient village. Go over the Chuong Duong bridge, go through the long dike, there are some nice places you can stop to take some memorable photographs with your friends

You should start with a walking tour around the village. Go around the small alley running through the village and you can see many more private pottery kilns or the small ceramic drying rigs

Because Bat Trang village is situated on the left bank of the Red River, if you've come here, you can also walk along the river, watching the beautiful scenery and enjoy the river airy atmosphere. In particular, there are passenger vehicles with the help of the buffalo near the river, you can try to go and experience the feeling of discovering  Bat Trang on the steps slowly but surely  of buffaloes.

After walking around the village and taking pictures, you can try making sense of potters with very low fees, only 10,000 VND per person. The owners usually stand at the gate to welcome guests. You will be played with ceramic rotating table. Do not worry if you do not know how to use them, the workers here will instruct you, helped you shape, take samples for your attention. And you are free to create and try out clay.

However if you are not ingenious enough to do make nice products, you can ask the potter to help you. Then, you will paint it by yourself. To take home a piece of pottery like that, you have to pay more from 20000-25000 VND

One more place you should not miss when visiting Bat Trang is pottery market. This market is about 6,000 square meters, divided into small stalls which are sold all kinds of handicrafts items related to ceramics, from the luxury booth dishes, beautiful ornaments to the souvenirs, cups and popular dishes.

And Places where children like best is stalls showing clay tablets inscribed in many different colors, shapes. You will choose for themselves and arrange into  messages. Sellers will help you string into cute and beautiful bracelets or necklaces with the cheap cost.

When feeling tired, you can stop at the roadside stalls where buy rustic dishes made by people in Bat Trang. There are also plenty of dishes to choose from. While taking a rest, you can choose to sip a hot pair of rice cakes and a glass of sugarcane juice

Bat Trang is a really exciting discovery tourist destination where is very suitable for a day trip. Coming to Bat Trang ancient village and enjoy yourself in a day of hard work but exciting with potters and bring beautiful pottery products as a souvenir.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - The Pearl Of The Far East

Ho Chi Minh City
Ethnic groups: Viet(Kinh), Hoa, Cham, Khmer.
Highlights: Meseums, Ben Thanh Market, Thong Nhat Conference Hali, Theatre, Chinese Pagodas in Cholon, Cu Chi Tunnels, Suoi Tien Resort..

Ha Long Bay - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Ha Long Bay (Where the dragon flies down), is a small gulf of the Northeast Gulf. It consists of islands of Ha Long city, Cam Pha town and a part of Van Don District. Ha Long Bay is about 1553 km, including 1969 small and big islands. Most of them are limestone islands. Ha Long Bay is described as a nature masterpiece after millions year of geological change. When traveling, you will relax with quite and fresh atmosphere.
Nowadays, Ha Long Bay, which is the attractive destination, is mentioned most not only in Vietnam but also over the world. Ha Long Bay is recognized to be the world nature heritage twice by UNESCO. Particularly, it is voted for the New Seven Wonder of Nature in 2011.
SEA AND ISLANDS
There are two kinds of island in Ha Long Bay: Limestone Island and Schist Island. Each island has private shape. For example, Hon Rong is similar to a flying dragon on water surface and Hon La Vong is like an old man fishing. Visitor cannot forget some other islands in Ha Long Bay.
Hon Trong Mai is one of the most famous islands in the West south of the Bay. It consists of two islands which shape like a couple of chickens. It is about 10 metres in height and a symbol on Ha Long’s logo.
Tuan Chau island is about 3km in width. Now, it becomes a tourist zone with not only nature landscape but also entertainment centre and resort.
Bai Chay Beach is an artificial beach of Ha Long Bay with more than 200 metres in length and 100 metres in width. Through the asphalt road, visitors can see sand green casuarinas. The pretty shops are hidden under the groves of casuarinas.
CAVES
Besides the beauty of island, visitors are attracted by many caves with beautiful stalactites. These make tourists feel like in heaven.
Thien Cung grotto is far from Ha Long city 8km, lies on Canh Doc Island. When coming in the cave, visitors will be surprised at the stalactites as a castle on high and vertical walls. There are many shapes such as flowers, grasses, birds, human’s activities. All of them are products of nature during millions of year. Besides, there are other attractive caves such as Trinh Nu cave, Dau Go cave, Tam Cung cave, Tien Ong cave
Sung Sot cave lies on Bo Hon Island. It is the largest and most beautiful cave with area 10km2 and at the height of 25m above sea level. This cave is divided into two parts. The first part is as beautiful as legend’s world with colorful stalactites. In other part, there are images in Thanh Giong story.
Ha Long Bay is a worth present which nature gives to Viet Nam. Many organizations and offices continue to keep and develop Ha Long Bay becoming a famous tourisms center of the world. Welcome to Ha Long Bay to enjoy, relax and experience new feeling.

Sinh Village Prints

Before the Lunar New Year, many families in Sinh Village are busy making traditional images that will be used to worship on the last night of the lunar year. Traditional prints have been produced in Sinh Village for more than 500 years. Sinh Village's drawings are used to worship in the middle of the lunar month, on the first day of the lunar month, and especially on the final day of the lunar year. People burn these drawings along with paper money and votive papers. These drawings are intended to bring good luck. Sinh Village supplies them to markets in Hue and to markets in Da Nang, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, etc.

Making there images, requires great skill. The drawings are printed on wood-blocks that are carved with sophisticated designs. There are many types and sizes of prints. In the past, the image were printed on do paper, a handmade paper made from the pulp of the Rhamnoneuron tree. Do paper typically measures 25x70 centimeters. It can be cut into smaller pieces. If the drawing is big, the craftsmen lay the wood-block on its back and use a spreading tool (a dried piece of coconut) to spread black color onto the wood-block. The paper is applied and rubbed with a sponge to transfer the color. For smaller images, the papers are placed under the wood-block. The black prints are left to dry before being colored. The wood-blocks are made from jackfruit wood. The process of coloring requires care, speed and skill.

Sinh drawings usually depict innocence, simplicity and optimism. There are about 50 drawing topics, most of which are related to old beliefs. Along with drawings of beautiful women there are tnany drawings depicting daily life. There are drawings of men and women and boys and girls; kitchen drawings; drawings of old men's and women's clothing; drawings of traditional Weaponry; and drawings of domestic animals. Some ''Cong anh" drawings may be called "Offering life for another" drawings, for they are offered and burned as substitutes for the living. A family will buy a "Cong anh" drawing for each member of the family to burn on the last night of the year. If they have livestock, they will burn the same number of related "Cong anh" drawings so as to help their animals to remain healthy.

The end of the lunar year is a busy time for everyone. If you visit Sinh Village at this time, you will see people of all ages working busily. Adults mix the colors, spread the drawings onto the wood-blocks and color in the prints. Children will take the drawings to dry in the sun, or sit near their elders and watch. It is very exciting and interesting.

Since this craft is time-consuming and hard to learn, today, it -is being practiced by fewer families in Sinh Village. Like everything else, the process has changed. In the past, colors were mixed from natural pigments. Dung leaves were mixed with hoe buds to create light yellow. Malaba spinach was used to make green. Hoe seeds created orange. Bang leaves were used to make red. And ash mixed with boiled well water was used to make black. Today, chemical pigments are used. Machine made paper has replaced handmade do paper, except for special orders.
Visitors to Sinh Village should seek out Mr.Ky Huu Phuoc. Now 64 years old, Mr. Phuoc has contributed to the regeneration of this traditional craft in Sinh Village. He is the ninth generation of his family to make these special worship prints.

Daklak - The roof of the western highlands

DAKLAK PROVINCE

Caption:         Buon Ma Thuot City

Ethnic group:            Viet (Kinh), Ede, Nung, M’Nong, Tay

Highlight:       BuonDon Vilage, Lak Lake, Yorkdon national Park

The legend of Vietnam's Tet cakes

Long ago, the sixteenth Hung king ruled the country. As the king was growing old he decided to choose an heir from amongst his 22 adult sons. The king decided to hold a contest. He ordered his sons to line up and said: "The time has come to pass my throne to one of you. Now go and seek a unique food to sacrifice to your ancestors. The one whose sacrifice pleases me the most will be my heir."

The princes traveled far and wide in search of rare delicacies. They crossed seas and climbed mountains. Prince Lieu was the eighteenth son. Since his mother had died when he was young, he had a lonely childhood. While the other princes scoured the land for rare foods, Prince Lieu lay at home. He knew nothing about fine food. Just three days before the contest's ending, Prince Lieu had nothing to off er. He lay awake thinking of the different feasts he had attended. Finally, he fell asleep and dreamt that he and his half-brothers were competing to make the finest cake. A goddess appeared in his dream and said: "Nothing can be as big as the heaven and the earth, or as precious as rice. More doesn't work, two is enough. Sort out the glutinous rice and find some green beans."

Prince Lieu saw the goddess take some broad green leaves. She wrapped them around her cake and explained: "This cake represents the earth. Because it has green fields, trees and mountains, the color should be green and the shape square. The cake is filled with beans and fatty pork as symbols of the plants and animals ... Cook the glutinous rice and pound it to make a cake that represents heaven: white and round like the firmament ..."

Upon waking, Prince Lieu set about making the two cakes he had seen in his dream. On the day of the contest huge crowds gathered. People were eager to watch the contest and see the coronation of a new king. As the sun rose, the old king was carried on a palanquin to his ancestral altar. Gongs and drums boomed.

The princes presented many strange delicacies, including pheasant rolls, phoenix terrines, bear arms and pangolin livers ... Beside these rarities Prince Lieu placed his rustic offering. Upon first seeing his cake, the onlookers scoff ed. But after tasting it, they were amazed.

"This is an extraordinary product made with insignificant materials" said the Chamberlain. The old king asked Prince Lieu for the recipe. The young prince described his method and reported his strange dream. At midday, the elderly Hung king declared the winner. Prince Lieu would ascend the throne. The king showed his subjects the prince's two cakes. "As well as tasting good, these cakes remind us that the love of a child for their parents is like the love of heaven and earth and our love for our country. They are easy to make using the gifts of the gods. Their inventor was a genius to create such a meaningful offering."

Until now, each Lunar New Year, Vietnamese people prepare chung (square) cakes and day (round) buns to sacrifice to their ancestors. After his coronation, Prince Lieu was honored with the title. Tiet Lieu Vuong, or the seventeenth Hung King.

Tourism programme highlights northern mountainous region

Tourism potential of six northern mountainous provinces in the Viet Bac region is in the spotlight of a programme which opened in Lang Son province on November 4.
The Viet Bac region, comprising Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan , Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang, used to be the base of the revolutionary forces in the fight against French colonialists. Besides numerous revolutionary relics related to the national liberation war, the region is also home to magnificent natural scenery and various ethnic minority communities with unique cultures.

The annual Viet Bac tourism programme is hosted in turns by regional localities not only to promote tourism but also to establish economic linkages with other provinces and cities, contributing to boosting the region’s socio-economic development.

A wide range of activities, including folk art performances and traditional costume shows, food festival and folk games, are scheduled to take place during the three-day event, the fifth of its kind held in the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, which saw the presence of leaders of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Steering Committee for the Northwest region as well as representatives from China ’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Vice Chairman of Lang Son provincial People’s Committee To Hung Khoa invited investors to the province.

He affirmed the province will create the best possible conditions for businesses who want to study and invest in the province, especially in the Dong Dang border gate economic zone and the Mau Son national tourism area.

On this occasion, eight communes in Lang Son’s Bac Son district were recognised as part of the Revolutionary Safe Zone relic site.

Source: VNA

Hoi An wins 2013 Asian townscape awards

Hoi An ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam has won the 2013 Asian Townscape Awards given by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

The award ceremony is scheduled for November 20 in Japan to highlight and honour significant efforts made by Asian cities for the improvement, revitalisation and creation of a beautiful and harmonious townscape that is safe, sustainable and with respect to history and local culture.

Earlier this month, the world’s premier travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller named Hoi An as the second best city for tourists in Asia after Kyoto, Japan.

This year, the US online news site Huffington Post listed Hoi An as one of seven must-visit places in Vietnam, calling it as a hidden gem.

Hoi An was recognised as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. The ancient town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th-19th century.

Most of the buildings in the town are aligned along narrow lanes. They include many pagodas, temples and meeting houses related to the development of a port community.

Source: VNA

Bai Dinh Pagoda, between worship and gigantism

Located behind a range of limestone mountains in Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, northern Ninh Binh Province, Bai Dinh is only 6km away from Hoa Lu ancient capital to the northwest. Let's discovering one of the most important attractions of Trang An ecotourist complex with Ninh Binh online newspaper.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a cluster of Buddhist architectural structures, consisting of new, giant and imposing temples of the newly-built Bai Dinh Pagoda area which play off ancient and respected shrines of the old Bai Dinh Pagoda area.
Bai Dinh Pagoda Mountain is 200m high. It lies between a half – mountain half – plain with an area of nearly 150,000 square metres. A new Bai Dinh Pagoda was built next to the old one facing southeast. This pagoda covers an area of 700ha, located on Ba Rau hills, near Hoang Long river. This is a large complex which includes many items built in several different stages. Big, bold and solemn structures, deeply imbued with Vietnamese architecture, Bai Dinh Pagoda complex was arranged in five layers upward, including a temple’s inner Three Entrance Gate, a bell tower, a temple dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Phap Chu Temple devoted to the Shakyamuni Buddha, and Tam The Temple dedicated to Buddha.

Three Entrance Gate, which features a three-layer curved roof, covered with glazed dark brown tiles produced in Bat Trang pottery village. Inside, the Three Entrance Gate houses two statues of Lokapalas (Ho Phap), which is 5m high and weights 12 tonnes each, and it is supported by four wooden pillars, which is 13.85m high and 0.85m in diameter each.

Five hundred Arhat statues, made of greenstone, are placed along the two sides of corridors leading up to other structures of the pagoda complex. Each statue, from 2 to 2.5m in height, 2 to 2.5 tonnes in weight, renders unique facial expression and posture that is not expressed by the other.

The Three Entrance Gate is followed by the bell tower, built in the octagonal shape with three-layer curved roof. It houses a bronze bell weighing 36 tonnes.

The temple dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is a seven-compartment single-roofed building where the 90-tonne bronze statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara with many eyes and hands is placed.

The Phap Chu temple devoted to the Shakyamuni Buddha has two-layer curved roof. It is 30m high, 47.6m long, and 43.3m wide. Inside the temple sits the 100-tonne statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. A bronze bell weight 27 tonnes is placed in the temple courtyard.

At the highest location of the new pagoda complex, which is 76m above sea level, Tam The Temple lies. This grave structure is 34m high, 59m long and 40m wide, and has a three-layer curved roof. Inside, the hall is home to three bronze statues of Buddha in the three ages – the past, the presence and the future. Each statue, weighted around 50 tonnes, is 7.2m high.

The ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda (Bai Dinh Co Tu) is located on Bai Dinh mountain and at nearly 200m above sea level. Bai Dinh Co Tu lies about 800m from the Tam The Temple of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda area. The ancient pagoda area is composed of Tien duong (the front hall), the cave where Buddha is worshipped, the temple worshipped the Mountain God, the temple dedicated to Consecrated Nguyen, and the cave where the Mother Goddess of the Forest is worshipped.

According to the Vietnamese concept, the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda is located on an area regarded as a sacred land given it is the birth place of the eminent figures of the nation, including kings, saints and divinities. The pagoda was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information (the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism now) as a national historic-cultural relic site in 1997.

Ngoc Well lies nearby the foot of Bai Dinh mountain. As the legend has it, the famous senior Buddhist monk-cum-physician under the Ly Dynasty, Nguyen Minh Khong, used to take water from the well to prepare herbal medicines for the local people and Crown Prince Duong Hoan. The well was built in the moon-shape with a diameter of 30m. The water of the well, which has not run dry once since it was built, is 6m deep.

Apart from the aforementioned structures, others include a place of worship of the Mother Goddess, a place of worship of Ancestors, a tomb stupa, the Vietnam Buddhism Academy, Dam Thi Lake, green park, reception area, parking area, etc.

Bai Dinh Pagoda is famous for holding several records. So far, it has had eight records recognized as follows: Biggest gilt Buddha Shakyamuni statue in Asia : the 100-ton statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Phap Chu Temple; Biggest bronze statue of Buddha in Southeast Asia: the 100-ton statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva; Biggest bronze bell in Vietnam: the 36-ton bronze bell in the bell tower; Largest pagoda area in Vietnam: 539ha; Longest corridor with 500 Arhat statues: two wooden corridors with total length of 3,400 m; Largest number of Arhat statues in Vietnam: 500 greenstone Arhat statues; Largest Ngoc (pearl) Well in Vietnam: 30m in diameter, 6m in depth; Largest number of Bodhi trees in Vietnam: 100 Bodhi trees.

Source: VNA

Six Senses Resort Ninh Van Bay (Khanh Hoa)

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay sits on a dramatic bay that gives the feeling of an island, with impressive rock formations overlooking the East Vietnam Sea.
White sand beach and towering mountains add to the sense of being intimately at one with nature.
The resort boasts beachfront and over water villas, as well as villas nestled into the island’s rock formations, a stunning feature for this multi-award-winning resort. Choose to join an excursion or make use of the resort's facilities and wide variety of sporting equipment; we’ll make your experiences truly unique and unforgettable.
The resort presents the reality of the destination, with an architectural style incorporating traditions of Vietnam.

Ninh Van Bay,
Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
T: +84 58 3524 268
E-mail: reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com

Hanoi’s food to get Asian Record’s certificates

The Asian Record’s Organisation is about to grant certificates recognising Hanoi’s three unique dishes for their meeting Asian culinary values.
The certificates will be awarded at a festival featuring tourism products of traditional craft villages in Hanoi and the Red River Delta scheduled for October 8-12, said Mai Tien Dung, deputy head of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on October 3.

The three specialty include Pho (noodle soup served with beef and chicken); Bun cha (rice noodle served with grilled pork); and Bun thang (rice noodle soup served with chicken, fried egg strands, lean meat pie strands and mushroom).

Another six dishes will be also awarded certificates by the Vietnam Record’s Organization, including Cha ca (fried fish served with noodles and scallions) La Vong; Banhcuon (steamed rolled rice pancake) Thanh Tri; Mo (apricot) Huong Son; Canh orange; Banh com (green rice flake cake) Hang Than; and O mai (salted dry fruits) Hang Duong.

Food has been embedded as Hanoi’s typical cultural characteristic and unique tourism product.
In the coming time, the city tourism industry will continue its efforts to promote Vietnamese dishes to the world by introducing them into multilingual leaflets and booklets at tourism fairs.

Source: VOV.VN

Tam Coc Bich Dong: a priceless gift from nature

There are a few places in S-shape strip of Viet Nam which are favored with many beautiful natural attractions like the charming picture as Ninh Binh province and it is only 120km from Ha Noi with convenient traffic, Tam Coc- Bich Dong is one of the masterpieces of the nature like that.

Tam Coc- Bich Dong also called with other name “Ha Long Bay on Land” is one of tourist destination which travelers cannot miss when coming to Ninh Binh. Belonging to the system of limestone caves and historical sites related to the Tran dynasty, Tam Coc - Bich Dong has an area of ​​approximately 350.3 hectares in 4 communes: Ninh Hai C, Ninh Xuan, Yen Son and Son Ha line with many sightseeing tours by rowing boat, riding bike or walking through nearly 20 connected destinations. However, boat tour is the type of tourist which visitors like most with the journey from Van Lam- Ngo Dong River

There are two famous attractions: Tam Coc cave and Bich Dong Pagoda. Tam Coc means "three caves" including Ca cave, Hai cave and Ba cave which are formed by Dong Ngo River piercing the majestic limestone mountain. Ca Cave has the length of 127 m long, penetrating a large mountain, cave entrance has 20 meters width with many diversified stalactites drooping. It is nearly 1km from Hai Cave to Ca Cave with the length of 60m. And Ba Cave is near Hai cave with the length of 50m. If you look up on the top of BA Cave, it is like a stone arch. There are not only the spectacular caves but also temples with ancient architecture. Boats from landing central wharf go along Ngo Dong River, through thousands of limestone islands, go over water caves and the rice fields.

Sitting on the small boat, gliding on Ngo Dong River in quiet space of Tam Coc - Bich Dong, visitors will feel a fresh atmosphere here. It's quiet unlike the noise the cities with the sound of sirens, blasting machine. Coming here, visitors will only hear the sound of paddles, the wave lapping gentle and the wind, English transitions birds and the sound of falling water droplets separated when little boat penetrate the cave. Especially, Tam Coc creates a deep impression on tourists in season of ripen rice, extending from the mountain edge to the middle of the river. All created amazing symphony of nature that make the human soul becomes relaxed, more comfortable, ignoring how chaos of life.

Visiting Ninh Binh or Tam Coc Bich Dong, beside the rustic food, tourist shouldn’t forget a famous specialty “Mountain goat meat”. These dishes are prepared from goats which are fed on the mountain, so it is evaluated as very tasty with characteristic flavor

Recently, a famous tourist site of the world showed Tam Coc Bich Dong (Ninh Binh, Viet Nam) for international friends. Take a visit to the Tam Coc Bich Dong, to see firsthand the grandeur of mountains, graceful beauty of its landscape.

Horses in Vietnamese Culture

Horses are not native to Vietnam, which lacks large t grasslands. Crisscrossed by waterways, Vietnam is ideal for wet rice cultivation. Long ago, lowland people traveled mainly by boat. They seldom rode horses or used horse carts.

Through exchange with China and India, where horses were common, Vietnam came to' value these animals and incorporate them into legends and art. In the beginning of the 3rd century BC, when establishing an autonomous nation, the Vietnamese King followed the Golden Turtle God's footprints to build Co Loa Citadel - the first citadel of Viet Nam. In the 10th century, after a thousand years under foreign domination, Vietnamese people regained their independence. The first Hung King decided to move the capital to Ha Noi. This time, when building Thang Long Citadel, he had to follow the footprints of a white horse that appeared in a dream. According to Indian mythology, a white horse is a symbol of the Sun. Through Buddhism, the Vietnamese inherited this symbol.

However, this was not the first horse in Vietnamese legends. Before that white horse, Thanh Giong a national hero who fought the An invaders - rode a horse. This legendary fight took place in the era of the Hung Kings, somewhere between the first and second millenniums BC. The, legend was written later, so the. story about Thanh Giong was changed by Confucian writers influenced by Chinese culture. During the first to third centuries AD, Vietnamese heroines fighting against Chinese colonialism, like Ba Trung and Ba Trieu, used war elephants instead of horses. Many Chinese tribes fought on horseback, especially during the Tang dynasty (7th to 8th centuries AD).

However, Vietnamese could not do the same, as our country is crisscrossed by lakes and rivers that are hard to cross on horseback. For this reason, in the 13th century, the mounted Mongol armies failed three times in their bid to invade the Red River Delta. Many of Vietnam's key fights to retain our independence and def eat invaders have been waged on the water, such as Ngo Quyen's victory on the Bach Dang River in 928, Tran Hung Dao's victory in 1288; and the victory of King Quang Trung on the Rach Garn- Xoai Mut River (in the Me Kong River basin) in 1785. Therefore, verses about soldiers sacrificing their lives on the battlefield next to a horse are adopted from Chinese literature. In the ancient Vietnamese army, there were war elephants, not war horses.

Nonetheless, the horse still appears in Vietnamese art, although less commonly than in Chinese paintings and statues. The Vietnamese horse is a gentle animal th,at carries the newly graduated Doctor of Philosophy back to his .hometown to receive a warm welcome. The feudal lord rode his horse to show off, not to fight in battle. Therefore, most of the stone horses carved onto royal mausoleums and palaces are standing along the aisles. In temples atid shrines, white-painted, wooden horses are set on a stand with wheels. These horses are used for processions during local festivals. These horses walk slowly behind the palanquin during the god's procession. Vietnamese gods are borne on palanquins, not on horses.

Coming to Central Vietnam, Vietnamese people became acquainted with Cham people and learned to ride horses. In the past, Cham people did not raise horses. However, somewhere between the eight and the tenth centuries, the Cham imported horses from China by sea. They played a type of polo on horseback, driving a ball into the opposing team's net. The Da Nang Museum of Cham. Sculpture still exhibits a small stone-relief sculpture of two horse riders playing polo. This statue was found in Thach Han, Quang Tri province. Polo was very popular among Chinese aristocrats in the Tang dynasty (seventh to eighth centuries AD). Cham aristocrats must have learned this game from the Chinese. A horse statue was found in Khuong My, Quang Nam province and a relief-sculpture of a war-horse dating from the 12th or 13th century was found in Binh Dinh province. However, horse sculptures were not as popular or as vividly carved as those depicting the holy bull Nandin, the elephant-headed god Ganesh, the lion, or the monkey. Cultural interaction between . Vietnalllese and Cham people led to the raising of horses in some central coastal provinces, such as Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh. During festivals and the Tet holidays, the locals in these areas still organize horse-races that are not organized elsewhere.

Vietnamese and Cham people led to the raising of horses in some central coastal provinces, such as Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh. During festivals and the Tet holidays, the locals in these areas still organize horse-races that are not organized elsewhere.

The horse is a beautiful animal that inspires many artists. Vietnamese people love to see gentle horses portrayed in traditional paintings such as "Stone Horse" by the artist Buu Chi, and "The Year of the Horse" by artist Nguyen Tu Nghiem.

Dao Hung

International grapes and wine festival 2014 in Ninh Thuan

TITC)- Aiming to promote economic potential of grapes as well as to attract tourists to Ninh Thuan, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will coordinate with the Ninh Thuan’s People’s Committee to hold the International grapes and wine festival 2014 in Phan Rang City, Ninh Thuan Province.
The festival will include more than 100 booths to introduce domestic and int’l (France, Chile, Argentina, Australia, Hungary, Rumania and Germany) products made from grapes.

In the framework of the festival, there will be many activities taking place such as: opening ceremony (including cars parade, boat racing, street music, exhibition and photography award…); exhibition on grapes and wine products; cuisine and kite-flying contests; seminar on “Ninh Thuan grapes- Jade in stone” to guide farmers to earn highest benefits from grapes and to help them to plant grapes with the best methods; performance the local processes of planting, harvesting and producing wine and grape products; art performance and fireworks in opening and closing ceremonies…

Ninh Thuan has the largest grapeyard in the country with 2,500ha mainly distributed in Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Hai Districts and Phan Rang-Thap Cham City. Ninh Thuan grapes are processed for many kinds of products such as dried grapes, jelly, wine and honey to meet customers demands.

The International grapes and wine festival 2014 will be a chance for domestic and int’l investors to meet, exchange and look for business and investment opportunities.

As scheduled,  the International grapes and wine festival 2014 will take place for 3 days in April 2014 at 16/4 Square, Phan Rang-Thap Cham City and Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province.

Pham Thanh

A wonderful day in the amazing city of Ho Chi Minh

For me, this was one of my luckiest days, simply because I was in Ho Chi Minh City, meeting the kind Vietnamese people and enjoying life with them.
For a few years, Vietnam was on my agenda to visit as I heard a lot about its wonders and beauties. I have seen many films and promotions but being here with the Vietnamese people is something really wonderfully different.

I arrived yesterday on September 10 to attend the ITE HCMC 2013, now in its ninth year. My flight was with Emirates on a Boing 777-200 from Dubai, and the flight was only around six hours. I was granted a visa on arrival, and I checked in to the Renaissance Riverside Hotel - a very nice luxury hotel. I went walking around and had a light dinner of shrimp soup, which was very tasty, and if you can imagine, was less than US$5. I also bought a Marlboro cigarette for US$1 (by the way, US$1 is around the equivalent of 25,000 Vietnamese Dong).

I started one morning at the Rex Hotel where we attended the first ACMECS Ministerial Conference. The ACMECS is a joint effort between five countries - Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The idea is to join efforts to promote their countries as one destination, and to cooperate and work together to present their countries to the world as culture, heritage, MICE, and leisure destinations. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the socialist republic of Vietnam.

During the press conference, H.E. Mr. Hoang confirmed that more than 37 million international visitors visited the five countries, including about 6 million intra-regional visitors. H.E. added that the five countries are looking to promote the images of "Five Countries – One Destination." This is I believe true, as I have visited four of the countries - Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and now Vietnam - and I really felt that I was in different amazing cities. What most impressed me during the visits was the kindness of the people of these countries. They are just wonderful people who look to make you enjoy your visit. The culture, heritage, and people, are just wonderful, and this all makes visitors really happy.

The five countries are working together also to have a one-entry visa. Thailand and Cambodia have started with this service, and in terms of transport, more airlines are flying between the ACMECS countries. In addition, facilities in land transportation have improved. Human resources development as well as safety and security are major fields of cooperation between the five countries, with trade and investment cooperation between the countries also moving forward.

Following the press conference, a Q&A session took place, and I asked their Excellencies about the cooperation between the ACMECS countries and the Middle East. I also asked them to promote the ACMECS countries in the Middle East. H.E. Mr. Hoang answered that the ACMECS countries love the Middle Eastern people, and they are welcomed to their countries as guests. He said, “Here I would like to say that whether you are in Vietnam, or in any ACMECS country, you will be most welcome.”

Following, we moved to an exciting event - the 2nd Lower Mekong Tourism Cities. The idea behind this event was to hear about the cooperation between the five capitals in the ACMECS countries, and to support and cooperate together to offer their best services and facilities for tourists.

The night ended with a wonderful and amazing Opening Ceremony which was attended by ministers, exhibitors, and hosted buyers. The food was so delicious, with many dishes from the region on offer, accompanied by traditional dances on stage – all in all a very good night.

Finally, I would again would like to say what a lucky person I am to find myself here in Ho Chi Minh City with these wonderful people. I have visited 70 countries so far in my travels, and Vietnam remains one of the best destinations. I will continue to explore and experience its wonders to report back about in future articles.

Source: eturbonews.com

Mui Ne Bay Resort (Binh Thuan)

Mui Ne is the name of a headland which is acknowledged in the list of Vietnam National Tourism as a popular tourist destination in Phan Thiet. Nowadays, Mui Ne is a ward of Phan Thiet city and planned to be a town of Binh Thuan province.
From a large sand dune desert, far away from roads surrounded by a few poor fishing villages, Mui Ne has become the first high-end resort capital of the south central coast.
22km far from the center of the city of Phan Thiet, Mui Ne is leading to the city by Nguyen Dinh Chieu road (also named line 706) which is considered vital route for Binh Thuan tourism industry.
Located in the beautiful Mui Ne Bay and overlooking the Hon Lao pristine island of blue sea, Muine Bay Resort includes 103 rooms in 4-stars standard of which 32 Bungalows designed and inspired by the mysterious Cham Tower.

Muine Bay Resort
Khu pho 14, Mui Ne Ward , Phan Thiet City, Vietnam
t. +84.62 222 0222
f. +84.62 222 0272
e. info@muinebayresort.com

Cua Van fishing village – Quang Ninh Province

A Famous Travel Website “Journeyetc.com” recently published a list of 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world and these criteria in order to select the villages appear in this list is the ancient, charming beauty, and specific traditional culture. Cua Van fishing village of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Provin is very honored to be entered into this list by this place all three elements converge...

Many people think that Fishing Village" is the one like other villages which live by fishing, lie on one small island. But when witnessing, you will be surprised that this fishing village is a set of ramshackle houses, built on the sea, some rely on a cliff, some lie on the sea...

Coming to the Cua Van fishing village, visitors are easily attracted by the beauty of the boats, houses which close together against the storm, the simply, rustic and hospitable fishermen, children with brunettes skin and very cheerful smiles, innocent ...The scene in Cua Van fishing village is peaceful and gentle, but it still contains the features of a pristine of the fishing village

On the floating water surface, the boats were closely associated with each other by a small bridge. The boat is not only home but also means of livelihood. Every day, fishermen catch fish. They are present in all parts of Ha Long Bay, such as: Cua Dua, Cong Dong, Co To, cat Ba,…..When the sea is rough, waves are too strong, they go back the mainland, or go into caves to avoid. Many visitors are fascinated by the beauty of fishing villages. The command houseboat floating raft and fish the same, overlapping, Cua Van ordinary human, but honest extremely hospitable.

When night falls, visitors will row to visit around the village, and take part in activities of pulling nets and catching squid with fishermen. Following the fishing village lass, visitors can be delight suspenseful to see fun shapes moving over rocks. The most interesting is that visitors manually catch the fish, crawfish and then manually processed, enjoy the seafood they catch.  There are many delicious dishes prepared from seafood here.  Visitors can ask fishermen here guide how to cook

Squid fishing is the most attractive fun which many tourists like when visiting Cua Van fishing village. After that, travelers stay at fishermen home, enjoy marine lullabies, from sea to enjoy special by the people doing the fishing village.

In the occasions of festivals or weddings, visitors also enjoy the oratorio forms with many endemic folk songs of the area of Ha long Bay). All has created unique attraction of cua Van fishing village that nowhere in the world can have.

According to Journeyetc.com, Cua Van fishing village is worthy destination that travelers should visit and feel its natural beauty once in lifetime. Another interesting thing is that coming here, you will also have the opportunity to admire Ha Long Bay - one of the wonders of the world.

Hue finds donor to restore royal court music instrument

The Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank) will grant 300 million VND (nearly 14,300 USD) to the restoration of “Bien chung” (brass bells) - a music instrument which used to be played at musical performances for the Hue royal court in the 19th and 20th centuries.

An agreement on the funding was signed between the Hue Relics Conservation Centre and Vietinbank’s Thua Thien-Hue branch on August 22nd.

Dr Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Centre said “Bien chung” consists of a set of bronze bells arranged under a certain position of sound levels and is an instrument of royal court music bands of many countries, including Vietnam . However, the instrument fell into oblivion since early 20 th century, and no one is able to play or make these bells at present.

An artisan specializing in traditional musical equipment from the Republic of Korea will help with the pilot production of a set of “Bien chung”.

Since the Hue royal court music (Nha nhac) was recognised by UNESCO in 2003 as part of the world intangible cultural heritage, the Hue Relics Conservation Centre has actively implemented several projects to preserve and restore the music and related equipment.

Source: CPV

Grand Palace Hotel (Ba Ria - Vung Tau)

Grand is the first ever hotel with pub cum restaurant Vung Tau ever had. Built before a century - was a favorite place for the soldiers who would unwind their stress in the evenings flocking together in the Grand pub during war times. The renovations and restorations over years have changed the shape. But the soul of the architecture and the heart soothing landscape still carries the heritage. To meet the modern living style, the upgradations of facilities are done with care to meet needs of every customer and the treasure of the vintage architecture is also maintained.
In the destination of the new millennium Viet Nam, 125 km from the historic city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) located in the port city of Vung Tau on the most picturesque location facing the beach is the vintage heritage hotel The Grand. With the elegance of the French architecture, the heart soothing landscape makes the Grand a distinctive place for your stay. The enchanted ambience and the most attentive personalized service will make your stay a memorable one. May it be a business trip or a week end escape from the hectic city life , we offer you the comfort and convenience with dedicated service to become your favorable home in Vung Tau.

Grand Hotel
Address: 02 Nguyen Du Str., Ward 1 Vung Tau City, Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, Vietnam
Email: info@grandhotel.com.vn
Tel:(+84-64) 3856 888 / 3856 787 - Fax: (+84-64) 3856 088

New road to improve access to northern tourist attractions

The nation's Roads Directorate is planning a new 78km road to take in My Dinh, Ba Sao and Bai Dinh. It will pass through the northern cities and provinces of Hanoi, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh and Ninh Binh.
Nguyen Van Quyen, the Acting Director, said that the four-lane road, with a speed limit of 100kph, was an extremely large project that required complicated techniques and careful calculations.
The most economical approach would cost VND3.4 trillion (US$161.9 million) but this would require taking land from the Van Long nature reserve. The other option would cost VND4.3 trillion ($204.7 million).

The road would help the North-South transport network and link up tourist destinations, such as Bai Dinh and Huong pagodas, to Hanoi.

Located 93km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh has a diverse landscape, with the Trang An eco-tourism complex boasting mountains, caves and lakes.

Roughly 3.6 million people have visited the province in the first six months of this year. Tam Coc-Bich Dong and the Bai Dinh Pagoda have also created quite an impression.

Ninh Binh aims to welcome 6 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, by 2015, an annual growth rate of 10 per cent

Huong Pagoda, better known as the Perfumed Pagoda, is said to be Vietnam's most famous pilgrimage site for Buddhist followers.

Every year, the site welcomes more than 1 million pilgrims and tourists from across the country, who arrive at the sacred cave to pray for a happy and prosperous year, or simply to admire its picturesque beauty.

Built in the late 17th century, the pagoda is located in My Duc District, 70km southwest of Hanoi.

Source: Vietnam Investment Review

Golf 3 Da Lat Hotel

Located at the heart of the city, with one side being Xuan Huong Lake, and the other side, the busy trade center of Da Lat. Here, the visitors will have the opportunity for contemplating the landscapes of the city, or dropping by Da Lat market for buying some special products of the locality. More important upon their rest at Golf 3 Hotel is that the visitors may enjoy the care from a professional services system, contributing a part in bringing back to the visitors the inspiration for starting a new day. And those have made Golf 3 Hotel become a choice hotel as a leading stop for the merchants, the delegation of Vietnamese and international high-ranking visitors upon each time of their coming to Da Lat.

Rooms each come with a fan and offer a flat-screen TV with cable channels. A minibar and tea and coffee-making facilities are provided. Bathrobes and slippers are included.

Guests can have a singing session in the karaoke room. Translation and ticketing services are offered. Child care and currency exchange services are also available.

Golf 3 Restaurant serves a variety of European and Asian dishes. Refreshing drinks can be enjoyed at Skyview Bar.

VINAGOLF - Da Lat Branch (Golf 3 Da Lat Hotel****)
No. 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Viet Nam
Phone: (84-63) 3826 042 - Fax: (84-63) 3830 396
Email: golf3.dalat@vinagolf.vn

Da Lat tourism map to better serve visitors

A tourism map for the Central Highlands city of Da Lat is being completed to better serve visitors to the Lam Dong culture-festival week scheduled for late 2013 in the city.
According to the festival’s organising board, the map will provide detailed and exact information on the city’s tourism infrastructure.
It will also show tour routes, typical local tourism products, certified accommodation and restaurants.
The maps will be provided free to tourists and travel businesses in and out of the locality to serve tourist demand for information.

Current maps and guide books on Da Lat are not up to date, thus the new standardised one is a must.

Later this year, Da Lat city will host the culture-festival week, including big events like the fifth Da Lat flower festival, the first Vietnam-ASEAN UNESCO heritage festival, Da Lat city’s 120 th anniversary, and the announcement of the 2014 National Central Highlands – Da Lat Tourism Year.

The events are expected to attract many visitors, from both home and abroad.

In 2012, the Culture, Tourism and Trade Exchange Week took place in Da Lat city from December 30 to January 5, comprising of a trade fair, a cuisine festival, an exhibition on Da Lat history and an arts and culture exchange programme with Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: VNA

Dong Van stone plateau: Beauty of harmony with stone

Dong Van stone plateau lies at the northernmost point of our country and spreads through 4 districts of Ha Giang province: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac, . It has long been known as a remote land with extremely craggy and majestic terrain. In 2010, the profile “Dong Van Plateau Geopark" has been officially recognized as a global geological park by Global Geoparks Network Advisory Council of UNESCO. This is the first title in Vietnam and the second one in Southeast Asia.

With the landscape and typical geological characteristics, unspoiled and purity beauty, and the presence of ethnic groups with their own identity, Dong Van Plateau always pays attraction a large number of visitors, especially those who prefer to experience type of adventure tourism.

The first impression when coming to the plateau is that travelers will pass the 100km road with zigzag bends, one side is the deep, one side is mountain rocky. In that backdrop, the plateau appears majestically in the dim clouds. Ma Pi Leng is the name which makes many people want to explore and try. Ma Pi Leng is connected with Dong Van and Meo Vac, lied on steep rocky mountain ranges. On sunny days, visitors will have felt like you are in the sky because it is covered with layers of white clouds ... The feeling of sitting by the roadside, on the slopes or cliffs to welcome sunset makes many tourists be vibrational. Therefore, Ma Pi Leng makes many people who never come want to visit once and people who have visited want to come back again.

From the Trang Huong Bridge, you come to the river at the foot of Ma Pi Leng. Visitors will be surprised at the majestic scenery here. The color of water is as blue as the sky; you can still hear the wild sound of the jungle echoing from the mountains. in March, the river banks are covered with brilliant red from rice flowers which makes Nho Que is more.

The tiny houses in halfway up the mountain also contribute to make Dong Van plateau more beautiful pristine plateau. On the spring day, almost every campus has a cherry tree with pink highlights among blue rocks. Smoke spreads into the air space and creates a poetic view. On the winding roads, you may meet girls of Mong ethnic group wearing colorful scarves and skirts. The life here is very peaceful and people here are very open and hospitable. Coming here, you will enjoy a lot of famous specialties, such as: Men Men, Thang Co,….
In late autumn, early winter, Dong Van stone plateau is filled wit Tam Giac Mach flowers. The fields of Tam Giac Mach are as beautiful as the picturesque. This is one of the highlights of this plateau.

Through Pho Bang, visitors will admire the panorama of Sung La- the most beautiful valley of the plateau. From the road on the mountains, looking down, visitors will see Sung La like a serene and beautiful natural picture. Sung La Valley is considered as the "the oasis" because it enclosed in Dong Van stone plateau.

The beauty of Dong Van stone plateau is priceless gift that nature has bestowed for Ha Giang in particular and is the pride of the country of Vietnam because it has become an important part of the system of global geological park. Come and experience the pristine beauty of nature and people here.

Pilgrimage Village (Thua Thien Hue)

Pilgrimage Village is ideally located in the quiet countryside in rustic village setting surrounding by lush tranquil gardens, yet near to famous historical landmarks. The resort embodies the subtle connection of traditional stylish and modern art concept.

The nearest airport is Hue airport – just 20 minutes away, whilst Danang international airport is 90 minutes by car.

Pilgrimage Village offers the harmony of soothing natural environment and local culture. Delicious meals, sound sleep, and the peaceful life of our quiet countryside combine to refresh your spirits and help to forget the troubles of life. It is also a place where skillful artists carve, polish and weave to create authentic works that are beautiful remembrances reflecting the traditional culture of Hue.

With 99 rooms & villas, the resort is as warm and inviting as it is fresh and full of vision. Each of categories is individualized, has private gate and garden, and 02 private balconies that leads out onto the lakes and countryside. The essence of Pilgrimage Village flows into the Vedanā spa.

Standing in the heart of this historic and picturesque region, visitors can visit Hue and Danang – two favorite tourism cities in Vietnamese central. Hue has various points of ecological & historical interest, such as the Citadel, the royal tombs of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, and Minh Mang, Thien Mu pagoda, Dong Ba market, and Thanh Toan tile roof bridge,… other attractions near the resort include Bach Ma national park, Lang Co beach, Truc Lam zen monastery, and Thuan An beach. The hotel offers a shuttle bus service to and from Hue city centre.

Unwind with renowned Vietnamese fusion cuisine or delight in specialties of Hue in Junrei restaurant, a breakfast in the open space and fresh air beginning a new day of your journey in Valley restaurant or enjoy famous spirits in the candle bar, peanut bar or slope lounge. Pilgrimage Village will bring you an exquisite dining experience.

Vedanā spa at Pilgrimage Village blends ancient traditional healing wisdom from the east with therapies from the west. Meditation, Jacuzzi, sauna & steam bath, tai chi or yoga classes help you find balance and peace in your mind and soul. A private or group class is provided upon request.

Pilgrimage Village
130 Minh Mang road, Hue, VietNam.

t:+84 54 3 885 461, f: +84 54 3 887 057

email: info@pilgrimagevillage.com

UNESCO Vietnam honours cultural champion

Pham Thi Hoa, 71, has been honoured by UNESCO associations for her dedication to restoring and preserving folk culture in Ca Temple, located in Pho Chau Town in the central province of Ha Tinh.
Hoa has been recognised by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations and the UNESCO Association for Conservation of Vietnamese Ethnic Culture.
As well as regularly worshipping and burning incense at the temple, Hoa also teaches and conserves the art of Chau Van singing and dancing as part of worshipping rituals to younger generations.
In May this year, she won a national Chau Van ritual competition organised by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations.
On the occasion, the federation awarded memberships to five individuals working for the UNESCO Vietnam representative office in the central region for their contributions to the preservation of ethnic culture.

Source: Vietnamplus

Vietnamese Noodles

South-east Asian cooking uses noodles in great quantities. If the main dish doesn't contain rice to provide the starch content of the meal, then it will consist of noodles. They are eaten at all hours of the day, in a soup for breakfast, simply stir-fried for a quick and filling snack, or more elaborately incorporated into a main dish with meat, fish and vegetables. It is no wonder that the most common type of food stall in Vietnam is the "rice and noodle" shop, as these two ingredients form the basis of every dish.
In Vietnam and Cambodia, there are a variety of noodles, many of them made from rice. The everyday noodles in Vietnam fall into three main types: bun, which are long and thin, similar to Italian vermicelli and called rice sticks - they are used in soups, side dishes, and as a wrapping for meat and seafood; banh pho, also called rice sticks, but they are flatter , thicker and sturdier, ideal for substantial soups such as pho, and stir-fries; and the fine banh hoi which resemble angel hair pasta and are primarily used in thin broths.

DRIED  RICE  "VERMICELLI"  NOODLES
Often referred to as vermicelli, these dried rice noodles (bun), made from rice flour, salt and water, are thin and wiry and sold in bundles. Before using, they must be soaked in water until pliable and then the noodles only need to be cooked in boiling water for a few seconds, until tender and al dente like Italian pasta. In Vietnam, these noodles are used in soups and salads - they are often used to wrap around raw vegetables and herbs in Vietnamese table salad, as well as to wrap around grilled meats and shellfish.

DRIED  RICE STICKS
These flat, thin dried rice noodles (banh pho) resemble linguine and are available in several widths, which start at around 2mm. Also made from rice flour, salt and water, they are used in salads and stir-fries, after being softened in water.

FRESH RICE NOODLES
Known as banh pho tuoi, fresh rice noodles are thicker than dried ones. They are often served as a side dish with curries and vegetable dishes. Like the dried variety, they require minimal cooking. In some recipes they are just dipped in warm water to heat them up, or they are added at the last moment to stir-fried and steamed dishes . Use them on the day of purchase.

PREPARING DRIED RICE NOODLES
Dried noodles can be bought in various packaged forms from most Asian stores and supermarkets. The basic principle is that thinner varieties require less cooking time and are served with light ingredients and thin broths, whereas the thicker noodles take a little longer to cook and are balanced with heavier ingredients and stronger flavours.
Before cooking, dried rice noodles must be soaked in warm water for about 10 minutes, until pliable. The dry weight usually doubles on soaking. The rule is to soak well to soften, but to cook briefly. If the noodles are cooked for too long they will become soggy. Once softened, both the rice vermicelli and rice sticks need to be cooked in boiling water for seconds, rather than minutes, until tender and firm, just like a' dente Italian pasta . Divide the noodles among individual bowls and ladle stock or a meat broth over them or put them in a wok to stir-fry.

MAKING FRESH  RICE NOODLES
A variety of dried noodles are available in Asian stores and supermarkets, but fresh ones are quite different and not that difficult to make. For a snack, the freshly made noodle sheets can be drenched in sugar or honey, or dipped into a sweet or savoury sauce of your choice . Similarly, you can cut them into wide strips and gently stir-fry them with garlic, ginger, chillies and nuoc mam or soy sauce - a popular snack enjoyed in Vietnam.
As a guide to serve four, you will need about 225g cups rice flour to 600ml cups water. You will also need a wide pot with a domed lid, or wok lid, a piece of thin, smooth cotton cloth (like a clean dish towel), and a lightly oiled baking tray.

Preparing the batter
Place the flour in a bowl and stir in a little water to form a smooth paste . Gradually, pour in the rest of the water, whisking all the time to make sure there are no lumps. Beat in a pinch of salt and 15ml vegetable oil. Set aside for 15 minutes.
Preparing the steamer
Meanwhile, fill a wide pot with water. Cut a piece of cloth a little larger than the top of the pot. Stretch it over the top of the pot (you may need someone to help you), pulling the edges down over the sides so that the cloth is as taut as a drum, then wind a piece of string around the edge, securing the cloth with a knot or bow. Using a sharp knife, make 3 small slits, about 2.5cm from the edge of the cloth, at regular intervals. If you need to top up the water during cooking, pour it through these slits.
Cooking the noodle sheets

1. Bring the water in the pot to the boil. Stir the batter and ladle a portion (roughly 30-45ml) on to the cloth, swirling it to form a  10-15cm wide circle.


2. Cover with the domed lid and steam for a minute, until the noodle sheet is translucent. Carefully, insert a spatula or knife under the noodle sheet and gently prize it off the cloth - if it doesn't peel off easily, you may need to steam it for a little longer.


3. Transfer the noodle sheet to the oiled tray and repeat with the rest of the batter. As they accumulate, stack the sheets on top of each other, brushing the tops with oil so they don't stick together. Cover the stack with a clean dish towel to keep them moist.

COOK 'S TIP
During the cooking, you may have to top up the water through one of the slits. The cloth might occasionally  need to be pulled tight again if 1t begins to sag, otherwise the batter will form a pool and be too thick.

MUNG BEAN NOODLES
Also called cellophane or glass noodles (mien). these dried mung bean threads are as thin as rice vermicelli and white in colour. When cooked they turn transparent, resembling strips of cellophane or glass. On the ir own, they do not have much flavour but, when cooked with other ingredients, they absorb the flavours, so they are often used to add texture and starch to mixtures for filling spring rolls.



Soak the delicate noodles in warm water for about  15 minutes, until pliable, and then drain, cut into shorter strands and cook as required.
EGG NOODLES


Made with wheat flour and eggs, the Vietnamese often refer to these as Shanghai-style or  Cambodian  noodles or mi. Firmer and denser than nee noodles, they  are used in stir-fries and soups. They are sold fresh in Asian stores .

Vietnamese Customs and Festivals

As eating plays such an important role in Vietnamese society, there are certain requirements of dining etiquette, although this can vary from region to region . For example, in northern and central Vietnam, it is custom for the oldest family member to sit nearest the door and everyone else to be arranged in descending age. The eldest will also be the first to help himself to food and a host will often serve the guest. In the south where the traditions of etiquette are more relaxed, everyone can dive in and help themselves . If you are the guest, one tradition that is important to remember is the bearing of a small gift. Whether you are invited to eat in a home or restaurant, throughout Asia, from Turkey to China, it is polite to bring your hosts a little box of something sweet or a bunch of fresh flowers - although in Vietnam t he flowers should never be white as this signifies death.

COMMUNAL DINING
As with most Asian countries, dining is a communal affair. A selection of dishes may be put on a table and each diner will be given their own individual bowl into which the food is spooned . When passing the food around, two hands are used to hold the dish and the exchange is acknowledged with a nod . Food is usually eaten with fingers, chopsticks or spoons, although the Vietnamese have a knack of sipping their food from the spoons without ever putting the spoon into their mouths.

The proper way to eat is to take some rice from the communal dish and put it in your bowl, then use the ceramic spoon to transfer the meat, fish or vegetables onto your rice. Hold the bowl up near to your mouth and use the chopsticks to shovel in the tasty morsels. It is polite for the host to offer more food than the guests can eat but, equally, it is polite for the guests not to eat everything in sight.

Depending on the complexity of the meal, there will be a number of individual dipping bowls, containing sweet or spicy condiments, and there may also be bowls of chillies or pick led vegetables to crunch and chew on between mouthfuls. When the Vietnamese eat , there is a great deal of gutsy enjoyment and noisy slurping. Eating is almost a game - there are crabs to crack, prawns to suck, food to be wrapped and rolled , and a lot of mess as they love lingering over food.

FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
For the Vietnamese , to show a "big face" is a sign of prestige. Weddings and family celebrations are often elaborate and ruinously expensive for some families, but the cost is less important than "losing" face . A great deal of preparation goes into these events so that the food is overflowing. Each celebration calls for traditional, time-consuming specialities, and opulent dishes will appear, such as the Vietnamese roast duck, sliced into juicy slabs, drizzled with the piquant fish sauce (nuoc cham), and wrapped in lettuce leaves; sticky rice cakes steamed in lotus leaves and decorated with lot us flowers; and highly prized whole fish, grilled (broiled) or teamed with the head presented to the guest who is destined for good fortune. On these occasions, the habitual fragrant tea may be cast aside for a little merriment with beer and wine.

RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
Vietnam's calendar is full of festivals, all of which call for elaborate feasting and celebration. The national celebrations include Liberation Day, which marks the date that Saigon surrendered; National Day on 2 September, to mark the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam by Ho Chi Minh in 1945; and Ho Chi Minh's Birthday.
The religious festivals take place according to the lunar calendar, so the dates change from year to year. Important religious festivals include Buddha's Birthday, Phat Dan; Christmas; the Holiday of the Dead, Thanh Minh, when people visit the graves of dead relatives to light incense and make offerings of food and flowers; Wandering Souls Day, when offerings of food and gifts are made for the forgotten dead; and the mid-Autumn Festival, which lands on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon. To celebrate the harvest, children take part in an evening procession, holding colourful lanterns in the form of dragons, fish, boats and unicorns, while the drums and cymbals play and festive snacks and sweets, such as sticky rice cakes filled with lotus seeds, peanuts , and candied watermelon seeds, are sold in the streets.

Tet - Vietnamese New Year
Tet Nguyen Dan, meaning "New Dawn", is the most important festival of the Vietnamese lunar year. It falls some time between mid-January and mid­-February and lasts for three days. It is a time of renewing and reaffirming beliefs in life, love, family and community . Families reunite in the hope of success and prosperity in the coming year. Cemeteries are visited and the spirits of dead relatives are invited home for the Tet celebrations. Homes and graves a re cleaned and decorations are put up. The rites for Tet begin a week in advance .

The first rite is the ascension of the Spirits of the Hearth to the heavens . These kitchen gods dwell in every kitchen and must ride on the backs of fish to report on the year's events to the Jade Emperor in the hope of bringing back good luck for the family. To aid them on their journey, families all over Vietnam put live carp into the rivers and lakes and leave offerings of food and fresh water at the altars. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, the noise of drums and cymbals mark the beginning of the celebrations as the gods are welcomed back.

The first meal of Tet is one for the ancestors as they are believed to have returned to the world of the living. The head of t he family will offer a grace, light three incense sticks, then invite five generations of the deceased, whispering their names, to join in t he family feast. This ceremony of "ancestor calling" takes place at the morning and evening meals for the three days of Tet. The second day of Tet involves visiting the wife's family and close friends and the third day is for embracing the community. Families visit the school teachers , patients visit their doctors, and many people visit astrologers to hear the year's fortunes . On the evening of t he third day, the ancestors depart.

The principal Tet speciality is banh chung, sticky rice cakes filled with bean paste and, traditionally, wrapped in a green dong (similar to a banana leaf) parcel and tied with bamboo twine . Throughout the festivities, stacks of banh chung are piled high in the stalls next to watermelons and dragon fruit, sweets, lotus seeds dyed a festive red to represent joy, truth and sincerity, and the popular mut, a candied concoction of vegetables and dried fruits, which are on display among the woven, painted masks. Lucky money is placed on trees as offerings to the ancestors and homes are decorated with trees, such as pretty, fruit- laden kumquats, or peach and apricot trees , resplendent in perfumed blossom, to ward off evil spirits.

Useful information for a journey at Halong Bay

For many people, a journey of 3 days 2 nights will be an ideal choice to explore Halong bay. If you travel with your friends, family and colleagues, you could rent the entire boat. You will have a chance to take part in many activities such as team-building, kayaking, cooking competition, visiting floating villages and caves. If you want to enjoy a memorable experience, book a party in a dark cave, on a floating raft or on a romantic beach, which you won’t regret.

Climate:
European visitors often travel to Vietnam in winter, from December to April, with an average temperature of about 100 – 200 because they have many holidays during this period. Actually, the most suitable period for visiting Vietnam is April and May or September and October, when the day is longer and the sky is clear. In these months, guests can swim in the sea or witness the sunrise and sunset on the horizon.

Permission:
At present, cruises in Halong Bay are tightly controlled by Halong people’s committee. You are advised to book a tour at the travel agents and provide them detailed information written on your passports or identity cards before you go. Cruise companies will help you to register with the Exit and Entry department, Quang Ninh police.
Every day, the port’s management board will review on the weather conditions before allowing cruises to be operated. Normally, the cruises, which will tour around and stay in the bay will get the permission at 6:30a.m. For overnight cruises, the captains will ask for the permission and register for their cruises. There are three popular anchorage places, including Titop –Luong cave, Lat cave and Trong cave – Dong Tien lake. In case, you are not allowed to stay in the bay overnight, you can sleep on the mainland while waiting for another tour the following day or come back to Hanoi. In those cases, the cruise companies will offer suitable schedules for you.

Duration:
Depending on your time and budget, you can choose different schedules for your journey. With day cruises, you can book a tour of 4, 6, or 8 hours. Most of cruises depart from Bai Chay port and it takes about 45 minutes to get from Bai Chay to popular attractions such as Thien Cung cave, Dau Go cave or Titop island. With an overnight cruise, you can choose among a variety of options. If you need to enjoy a private space with your own schedule, you can choose to stay in a two-cabin cruise. Surely, the professional staff and their service will bring you the most fantastic experiences.

Halong Bay in future:
Twice recognized as the world’s natural heritage by UNESCO for its global values of nature in 1994 and the scientific values of geography and geomorphology in 2000, Halong bay is a famous attraction and a leading tourist site of the country. In 2011, Halong was listed as the 7th natural wonders of the world as a wonderful occasion to promote the special values of Halong as well as the images and people of Vietnam to the world. This has been attracting a large number of international guests to Halong and Vietnam, contributing to an increase in foreign currencies, attracting investment for tourism and creating a big chance to develop the tourism of Halong and Quang Ninh province.
Those advantages have also created challenges for the management board to foster management, preserve, improve and build value to the heritage and natural wonder of Halong; attaching a special importance to the quality of investments, tourist activities as well as the diverse and solid features of tourist products in Halong Bay.

Consulted by: Mr. Royer Philippe – Manager of Victory Cruise
Source: Travellive

 

Tam Dao to provide free wireless internet service

The Department of Information and Communications of Vinh Phuc province has announced a 15 billion VND (708,000 USD) project to provide free wireless internet services (wi-fi) in Tam Dao town.
Tam Dao (Three Islands) describes the natural beauty of the area’s three mountains that resemble a trio of islands in a sea of clouds. The region is famous for its impressive natural scenery, mild climate, diverse flora and fauna, and a number of cultural and historical sites.

Sixty wi-fi “hotspots”, each covering a circular area of 300 metres in diameter, will ensure simultaneous internet access for 10,000 users and will begin operating by the end of this year in the central area of Tam Dao town, which includes many hotels and office buildings.

The service aims to promote the town’s image and attract more tourists by offering them easy, free and convenient access to information.

Other well-known tourism towns in Vietnam, including Hoi An in Quang Nam province, Ha Long in Quang Ninh province, and Hue in Thua Thien – Hue province, have already established free wi-fi internet systems for both local people and tourists.

Source: VNA

Vietnamese Cooking Techniques

The traditional cooking methods of Vietnam require few culinary tools but a great deal of attention to detail. Fresh ingredients are of the utmost importance , followed by the balance of sharp or mild, salty or sweet. bitter or sour. or a combination of all of these flavours . The layering of ingredients is also important, especially in Vietnamese noodle dishes, where flavours  and textures  should complement each other  but remain separate.  Almost every  meal is prepared from scratch, starting with  the  plucking of  chickens and grinding of spices,  followed  by the grilling over charcoal,  gentle simmering and steaming,  or stir-frying. Armed with the correct equipment, the cooking is fairly easy - most of the work is in the preparation.

Grinding and pounding
Spices, herbs and other ingredients are usually ground and pounded in a large, heavy
mortar made of stone. The interior of the mortar should be rough to grip the ingredients and act as an abrasive . The pestle needs to be heavy too, made of the same stone, to provide the right weight for  pounding and grinding.

Grinding is most efficient if the herbs, spices and other ingredients are added in the correct order. First the hard seeds or nuts are ground together, then the fresh herbs, ginger and garlic, followed by the oils or pastes. The mixture is then bound and seasoned and ready for use.
DRY-FRYING
Dried spices are often roasted before grinding to release their natural oils and enhance the aroma . This is done by spreading the spices thinly in a heavy frying pan and putting it over a high heat. As the pan begins to heat, shake it so that the spices don't get too brown.
Once the spices begin lo colour and their aroma fills the a ir, put them in a mortar and grind to a powder.
BRAISING
The classic  method for slow-cooked dishes  is braising. Generally, oily fish, duck and red meat are cooked this way, often with  pungent  herbs, spices and coconut milk or juice. Traditionally, to seal in the  moisture, a covered clay pot is used as the cooking vessel.  Placed over a  medium heat, or in the oven, the cooking  process can  take anything from 30 minutes  to  2 hours, depending on the dish. If you don't  have a clay pot, use a heavy-based casserole. The key is in containing the  moisture  and  even heat distribution, so don't use a thin aluminium pot.

Put all the ingredients in a clay pol and place in a preheated oven. (It can also be placed over a medium heat on the stove if you prefer.

GRILLING OVER CHARCOAL
As conventional grills (broilers) don't exist in most homes in Vietnam and Cambodia, grilling is generally done over hot charcoal. This traditional method of cooking not only lends itself to many types of food, it also enhances the taste. Whole fish, pigs or chickens can be cooked this way. Tasty, marinated morsels of food, skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled in the streets, make popular snacks. When cooking over charcoal, light the coals and wait until they have turned red with grey or white ashes. If the charcoal is too hot, the food will just burn.
Wooden  and bamboo skewers
If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before using to prevent them from burning.
STEAMING

This is a popular way of preparing delicate-tasting foods, such as fish and shellfish. the French-inspired pork pates, and sticky rice cakes wrapped in banana or bamboo leaves. Place the food in a bamboo steamer, which should be lined with leaves if the food isn't wrapped in them. Put the lid on the steamer and set it over a wok that is half-filled with water. Bring the water lo the boil, then reduce the heal and steam the food according to the recipe.
BLANCHING
This method is often used to cook delicate meat such as chicken breast portions or duck.

Place the meat and any flavourings in a pan and add just enough water to cover. Bring to tile boil, then remove from the heat and leave lo stand, covered, for  10 minutes, then drain.
DEEP-FRYING
Use an oil that can be heated to a high temperature, such as groundnut (peanut) oil, and don't put in too much cold food at once. as this will cool the oil down.

1. Pour the oil into a pan or wok  (filling it no more than two-thirds lull) and  heat to about 180°C/350°F. To test  the temperature. add a drop of batter or a piece of onion  If it sinks, the oil is not hot enough; if it burns. it is too hot. If it sizzles and rises to the surface, the temperature is perfect.


2. Cook the food in small batches until crisp and lift out with a slotted spoon or wire mesh skimmer when cooked. Drain on a wire rack lined with kitchen paper and serve immediately, or keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.