Situated in the heart of Saigon center and just one minute of walking distance from the historic Ben Thanh Market, the international 4-star Golden Central Hotel Saigon is Ho Chi Minh City’s most convenient hotel to stay. With 120 fully equipped rooms and suites combined with other supplementary services, Golden Central Hotel Saigon is ideal for all travelers, either for leisure or business purposes.
The facilities and services provided by Golden Central Hotel Saigon ensure a pleasant stay for guests. Guests of the hotel can enjoy on-site features like coffee shop, room service, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, 24-hour room service.
Experience high quality room facilities, including hair dryer, non smoking rooms, desk, television LCD/plasma screen, air conditioning, to help you recharge after a long day. The hotel offers an excellent variety of recreational facilities, including fitness center, massage, outdoor pool, sauna, spa. Whatever your reason for visiting Ho Chi Minh City, the Golden Central Hotel Saigon is the perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.
Under the motto of “The guest is King”, our team strives to meet every guest’s expectations and to make their stay as memorable as possible.
Come, enjoy, and let The Golden Central Hotel evoke all the best of your emotions.
Golden Central Hotel.
140 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tel: (84-8) 38.270.666 – 38.270.578
Fax: (84-8) 38.270.566 – 39.112.066
Email: info@goldenhotelsaigon.vn
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Son Doong cave makes New York Times (NYT) travel list
The Central Quang Binh Province has been included in a list drawn up by the New York Times of 52 global places to go to in 2014.
The New York Times put the province in the eighth place on the list, behind other destinations in Africa, America, Europe and New Zealand. It has been selected for its cave system, especially Son Doong cave, the world's biggest. It is said to have been created 2 to 5 million years ago due to river water erosion of the limestone underneath a mountain.
The cave, which was discovered in 2009 by British caver Howard Limbert and earlier by a local man, is said to have enough space to accommodate 40-storey high skyscrapers and 100-feet tall trees.
The cave has made headlines in prestigious magazines and on television channels, including the National Geographic in 2011. It has been made accessible to tourists from August last year, thanks to tour programmes organized by Oxalis Adventure Tours, which is the only one authorized by local authorities.
However, an exclusive report from Oxalis said that bookings had been full until the end of this year due to the heat generated in this marvellous cave.
Explorers are recommending an adjacent cave Tu Lan instead, for a more affordable tour and a less busy exploration schedule.
At 35th place on the NYT list is Mekong River's Cambodia-Viet Nam section, on which sailing tours between HCM City in Viet Nam and Siem Riep in Cambodia have been proposed.
Recently, global prestigious magazines have listed destinations in Viet Nam among places that should be visited. Experts believe local tourism authorities should improve travel services to lure more visitors.
Source: VNS
Furama Resort Danang
The luxurious Furama Resort Danang is a true icon of Vietnam tourism. This 5-star haven on world-famous Da Nang beach is celebrated as Vietnam's most prestigious resort – counting royalty, presidents, movie stars and international business leaders among its celebrity guests.
A multi-award winner for its unfaltering commitment to world-class service and facilities, the Furama is not only consistently voted Vietnam's No 1 resort, leading international polls also rank it among the very best resorts in Asia.
But the Furama is much more than an idyllic tropical retreat, it is also a premier base for exploring one of Asia's most exciting new destinations – in the early days of being "discovered" by international tourism.
Just a short drive from Danang lay four UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites: the former imperial city of Hue (2 hours), the ancient 'Silk Road' trading port of Hoi An (30 minutes away), the spiritual centre of the Champa civilization, My Son (90 minutes) and the mystical Phong Nha Caves in Quang Binh province (7 hours), considered by some an access to the inner earth!
Da Nang has its own International Airport with domestic flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Buon Me Thuot, Pleiku, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon and Da Lat. There are international direct flights from Bangkok and Singapore with plans for future flights from Macau, Japan and Korea. Furama Resort Da Nang is just 15 minutes drive from Da Nang International Airport.
Furama Danang provides free wireless internet to all public areas including lounges, restaurants, bars, ballrooms and meeting rooms.
The Furama Resort Danang has created a lasting impression for both local and international visitors. This is not only due to the government's confidence in its attentive care for dignitaries such as Hu Jintao - People's Republic of China's Secretary General, Jiang Zemin – People's Republic of China's former Secretary General, President Nathan of Singapore, President Papulias of Greece, Queen Sophia of Spain, Prince Henrik of Denmark, Crown Prince of Japan, Royal Highness Prince Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalem, ASEAN Secretary General Pitsuwan as well as Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova, Miss World 2006 Tatama Kucharova, Miss World 2004 Maria Julia Mantilla, Miss Grand Slam Asia 2009 Tran Thi Huong Giang, Miss Earth-Water 2006 and Miss Philippines-Earth 2006 Catherine Yu Untalan and Miss Vietnam Ao Dai Runner up 1995 Chung Vu Thanh Uyen but it is also because the Furama is a place that has been selected to host significant events at both the national and international level.
Our "Diving Base" is meanwhile pioneering international-standard scuba diving in Vietnam – as the resort also develops as a renowned venue for events, conference and incentive travel.
Address: 68 Ho Xuan Huong St, Bac My An, Danang, Vietnam.
Tel: 84-511-3 847 888
Fax: 84-511-3 847 666
E-mail: reservation@furamavietnam.com
Web site: http://www.furamavietnam.com
Sales Office: R.706, 37 Ton Duc Thang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: 84-8-38211 888 - Fax: 84-8-38213 246
Email: salesoffice@furamavietnam.com
A multi-award winner for its unfaltering commitment to world-class service and facilities, the Furama is not only consistently voted Vietnam's No 1 resort, leading international polls also rank it among the very best resorts in Asia.
But the Furama is much more than an idyllic tropical retreat, it is also a premier base for exploring one of Asia's most exciting new destinations – in the early days of being "discovered" by international tourism.
Just a short drive from Danang lay four UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites: the former imperial city of Hue (2 hours), the ancient 'Silk Road' trading port of Hoi An (30 minutes away), the spiritual centre of the Champa civilization, My Son (90 minutes) and the mystical Phong Nha Caves in Quang Binh province (7 hours), considered by some an access to the inner earth!
Da Nang has its own International Airport with domestic flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Buon Me Thuot, Pleiku, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon and Da Lat. There are international direct flights from Bangkok and Singapore with plans for future flights from Macau, Japan and Korea. Furama Resort Da Nang is just 15 minutes drive from Da Nang International Airport.
Furama Danang provides free wireless internet to all public areas including lounges, restaurants, bars, ballrooms and meeting rooms.
The Furama Resort Danang has created a lasting impression for both local and international visitors. This is not only due to the government's confidence in its attentive care for dignitaries such as Hu Jintao - People's Republic of China's Secretary General, Jiang Zemin – People's Republic of China's former Secretary General, President Nathan of Singapore, President Papulias of Greece, Queen Sophia of Spain, Prince Henrik of Denmark, Crown Prince of Japan, Royal Highness Prince Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalem, ASEAN Secretary General Pitsuwan as well as Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova, Miss World 2006 Tatama Kucharova, Miss World 2004 Maria Julia Mantilla, Miss Grand Slam Asia 2009 Tran Thi Huong Giang, Miss Earth-Water 2006 and Miss Philippines-Earth 2006 Catherine Yu Untalan and Miss Vietnam Ao Dai Runner up 1995 Chung Vu Thanh Uyen but it is also because the Furama is a place that has been selected to host significant events at both the national and international level.
Our "Diving Base" is meanwhile pioneering international-standard scuba diving in Vietnam – as the resort also develops as a renowned venue for events, conference and incentive travel.
Address: 68 Ho Xuan Huong St, Bac My An, Danang, Vietnam.
Tel: 84-511-3 847 888
Fax: 84-511-3 847 666
E-mail: reservation@furamavietnam.com
Web site: http://www.furamavietnam.com
Sales Office: R.706, 37 Ton Duc Thang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: 84-8-38211 888 - Fax: 84-8-38213 246
Email: salesoffice@furamavietnam.com
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa
Emerging on the tourism map just since the late 20th century, Mui Ne, the tourist section of the seaside City of Phan Thiet 200km north of Ho Chi Minh City, features very long sunny hours and average temperature of 27o C round the year. It did not take Mui Ne so long before being talked about by the continents' industry.
Visitors who now flock to this Cape land all have their own reasons. Many love it here as they can leisurely wander along endless palm-shaded roads and pristine sandy beach. Many others have their bath warmed up by the clear waves or freshened by the tropical breeze over the dunes around.
Many simply observe how the winds daily change the shape of flying-sand hills and do not reject a board slide down from dunes top. Many others like footing in the cool streams making ways through colorful canyons impressively formed by years of rains.
Many are pleased riding to visit centuries-old brick towers possessed by a bygone kingdom and share the surprise about how the ancients could build them up without using any kind of mortar. Many others are even ready for traveling further to trek up rock steps to the 49-m long reclining Buddhist statue, the largest in South-East Asia.
Many are seen contemplating the biggest collection of whale skeletons preserved downtown while many others cannot wait visiting fishing villages at the other end of the locality to recall how the families of the old days fished and lived.
And many among them come for Bamboo Village - the best resort in Mui Ne, Phan Thiet.
Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa
38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam
Tel: (84) 62 3 847 007 - Fax: (84) 62 3 847 095
Email: info@bamboovillageresortvn.com
Web: www.bamboovillageresortvn.com
Sales Office in Ho Chi Minh City
90 Tran Dinh Xu St., Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84) 8 38389358 - Fax: (84) 8 38389357
Visitors who now flock to this Cape land all have their own reasons. Many love it here as they can leisurely wander along endless palm-shaded roads and pristine sandy beach. Many others have their bath warmed up by the clear waves or freshened by the tropical breeze over the dunes around.
Many simply observe how the winds daily change the shape of flying-sand hills and do not reject a board slide down from dunes top. Many others like footing in the cool streams making ways through colorful canyons impressively formed by years of rains.
Many are pleased riding to visit centuries-old brick towers possessed by a bygone kingdom and share the surprise about how the ancients could build them up without using any kind of mortar. Many others are even ready for traveling further to trek up rock steps to the 49-m long reclining Buddhist statue, the largest in South-East Asia.
Many are seen contemplating the biggest collection of whale skeletons preserved downtown while many others cannot wait visiting fishing villages at the other end of the locality to recall how the families of the old days fished and lived.
And many among them come for Bamboo Village - the best resort in Mui Ne, Phan Thiet.
Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa
38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam
Tel: (84) 62 3 847 007 - Fax: (84) 62 3 847 095
Email: info@bamboovillageresortvn.com
Web: www.bamboovillageresortvn.com
Sales Office in Ho Chi Minh City
90 Tran Dinh Xu St., Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84) 8 38389358 - Fax: (84) 8 38389357
Monday, January 20, 2014
Ha Long Spring Fair 2014 opens
On Jan. 19, at Children Cultural Palace (in Ha Long city), the Quang Ninh Trade Promotion Center (under the Trade and Industry Department) held an opening ceremony to open the Ha Long Spring Fair 2014. Vice Chairwoman of QNPPC Vu Thi Thu Thuy attended the meeting and cut the inauguration ribbon.
This is an annual trade promotion event with a purpose of supplying goods to Ha Long city, contributing to the price stabilization. This is also a chance for all Quang Ninh’s enterprises to exchange, expand their markets and seek for investment opportunities.
According to the Fair organization Board, the fair drew the participation of over 200 goods stores from 120 enterprises of Quang Ninh and other provinces. Goods displayed at this fair are mainly garments, households, handicraft and many local agricultural products.
As scheduled, the fair closes on Jan. 26.
Source: baoquangninh.com.vn
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Ethnic minority culture remains a focus in 2014
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue speeding up projects on preserving and developing the ethnic minority culture in 2014, radio The Voice of Vietnam reported on January 15.
Deputy Minister Huynh Vinh Ai said the ministry plans to build a set of cultural development indicators for ethnic minority groups by 2020, take an inventory of ethnic minority cultural heritage, support cultural development of at least 16 ethnic minority groups and repair 300 relics.
It will strive to develop a healthy cultural environment, comprehensively upgrade grassroots-level culture and sports institutions, and raise the ‘Cultural Family’ rate to 87 percent and the ‘Cultural Village’ rate to 68 percent.
Most ethnic minority groups have devised plans to preserve and develop their culture till 2020 and set up a steering committee to oversee it.
Ethnic minority festivals have been organised in line with the Party’s guidelines and State laws. People are fully aware of their cultural identities, and are actively getting involved in creating new cultural values and preserving others.
In 2013, the ministry successfully organised the Vietnam Ethnic Minority Cultural Day on April 19 and implemented three projects on preserving villages, hamlets and communes of ethnic minority groups.
It also built entertainment sites for children in remote, mountainous and island areas in Lai Chau, Dak Nong, Lao Cai, Quang Nam and Dien Bien.
Deputy Minister Huynh Vinh Ai said the ministry plans to build a set of cultural development indicators for ethnic minority groups by 2020, take an inventory of ethnic minority cultural heritage, support cultural development of at least 16 ethnic minority groups and repair 300 relics.
It will strive to develop a healthy cultural environment, comprehensively upgrade grassroots-level culture and sports institutions, and raise the ‘Cultural Family’ rate to 87 percent and the ‘Cultural Village’ rate to 68 percent.
Most ethnic minority groups have devised plans to preserve and develop their culture till 2020 and set up a steering committee to oversee it.
Ethnic minority festivals have been organised in line with the Party’s guidelines and State laws. People are fully aware of their cultural identities, and are actively getting involved in creating new cultural values and preserving others.
In 2013, the ministry successfully organised the Vietnam Ethnic Minority Cultural Day on April 19 and implemented three projects on preserving villages, hamlets and communes of ethnic minority groups.
It also built entertainment sites for children in remote, mountainous and island areas in Lai Chau, Dak Nong, Lao Cai, Quang Nam and Dien Bien.
Source: VNA
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Da Nang becomes an attractive tourist destination for Japanese
In addition to its popular tourism markets which include China, South Korea and Russia, Da Nang will focus on attracting more Japanese tourists to the city in 2014 to increase the tourist arrival numbers as well as local revenue.
Da Nang is emerging as an attractive destination for Japanese tourists thanks to its healthy environment, friendly residents, and the sharing of many similarities in cultural values. Mr Sakai Jiro from Tokyo said that he had booked a New Year tour to this beautiful seaside city because of its safe tourism environment and linking tours to the central region’s World Heritage Sites of Hue Citadel, Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary. Another Japanese tourist, Ms Momose Katsusuke, said that during her first visit to Da Nang she was very impressed by its beautiful beaches, delicious dishes and peaceful life, unlike the hustle and bustle in other urban areas in Viet Nam.
Da Nang is emerging as an attractive destination for Japanese tourists thanks to its healthy environment, friendly residents, and the sharing of many similarities in cultural values. Mr Sakai Jiro from Tokyo said that he had booked a New Year tour to this beautiful seaside city because of its safe tourism environment and linking tours to the central region’s World Heritage Sites of Hue Citadel, Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary. Another Japanese tourist, Ms Momose Katsusuke, said that during her first visit to Da Nang she was very impressed by its beautiful beaches, delicious dishes and peaceful life, unlike the hustle and bustle in other urban areas in Viet Nam.
Thanks to effective tourism promotion strategies, the number of Japanese tourist arrivals to the city last year increased by 53% year-on-year to 41,000. Accordingly, Japan ranked third among Da Nang’s tourism markets, after China and South Korea.
The Director of the HIS Song Han Viet Nam Tourist Company, Mr Ha Tan Vinh, said that local travel agents are expected to enjoy a bumper year thanks to an increasing number of young Japanese tourists to the city. He added that many travel companies are launching a wide range of new tourism services for young tourists with a focus on offering 3-day/2-night tours which depart at weekends.
In an attempt to attract more Japanese tourists, the city’s tourism sector is giving top priority to launching tourism promotion programmes as well as developing new tours. In addition, special attention will be paid to training tourist staff who can speak the Japanese language fluently to make Da Nang more attractive to visitors from this country.
Source: Danangtoday
Royal Hotel Saigon (Kimdo Hotel)
Easily accessible from the airport and train station, the 2-star Saigon Royal Hotel is conveniently located in the business area of District 1. It is within walking distance of Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown, where travellers can experience a variety of bustling markets, sidewalk cafes, vendors and shops. The onsite restaurant offers a variety of delicious, freshly-prepared local dishes. The 40-room hotel also has a well-equipped business centre with a professional staff that can help you with arrangements while you kick back and relax. Other features include travel assistance, car rental, and conference facilities. To reserve your room, please use our secure online booking form.
A 4-star venue offers a level of service and comfort designed to insure that both business and leisure travelers who visit this emerging and bustling new gateway city of Asia will find charming hospitality and personalized service. Perfectly located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Royal Hotel Saigon offers easy access to government offices, major business buildings, tourist attractions, shopping and entertainment areas.
Rooms at Kimdo Royal are elegantly furnished and are equipped with air conditioning, TV and private bathroom. 24-hour room service is also provided.
Relax with a soak in the Jacuzzi or with a soothing massage. You can also recharge with a work-out at the gym or make arrangements for a day trip with the friendly staff at Kimdo Royal City Hotel's tour desk. The hotel also offers a business center with secretarial services.
Dine at Kimdo Royal City Hotel's on-site restaurant offering a variety of cuisines or unwind with a drink and light refreshments at Rendez-vous Bar.
133 Nguyen Hue Avenue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84 8) 3822 5914 - 3822 5915. Fax: (84 8) 3822 5913
Email: hotel@royalhotelsaigon.com - hotel@kimdohotel.com
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Nui Coc Lake - The watercolor painting landscape of the lake
The famous song of Pho Duc Phuong, which many Vietnamese know by heart, is the legend of Nui Coc Lake. A sweet song tells about the mysterious legend of a romantic but tragic love story between a girl named Cong and a boy named Coc. Besides the legendary beauty, Nui Coc Lake is well known for its picturesque scenery. Nui Coc Lake, the man-made lake with the area of 25km2, 23m in depth, located in Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen and it lies in magnificent landscapes of a northern area. The lake is surrounded by mountains and includes 89 islands. The tourism Zone of Nui Coc Lake covers a large mountainous area with natural landscape and exciting entertainment areas. Nui Coc tourism area is divided into two parts: the north and the south of the lake. Visiting the north of the lake, tourists can explore natural beauty of the lake, islands, and mountains as well as enjoy the region’s specialties and take part in entertainment activities.
Many beautiful caves are waiting to be explored such as Legendary Palace, Three Pine Trees and Fairy Tale World. Some parks such as water park, Crocodile Park. A special highlight is the water music display. Visitors are very interested in seeing waters from fountains in the lake dance to melodies of the songs. Besides, visitors can choose to purchase thousands of products of over 90 traditional villages in the country.
Other activity, which attracts a larger number of visitors, is Island travel. Tourism can visit Co Island where many kinds of birds and storks live. Especially, exploring overall Nui Coc Lake on a boat will give tourists many new feelings. Visitor can refresh with entertainment or go fishing on the lake.
The southern zone of Nui Coc Lake shows all kinds of services and a busy tourism zone which can meet diverse needs of tourists. From here, you can see the varsity of the lake. These are also the famous tea regions of Thai Nguyen with the immense green tea hills stretching from Tan Cuong to Phuc Triu, Thinh Đan. The sweet flavor of Thai Nguyen tea makes anyone who has tasted will never forget it. What should not be missed is the region’s specialties such as shrimp, trench bream, bamboo rats…. They have become an indispensable part of Nui Coc tourism area.
Currently, infrastructure facilities in Nui Coc tourism area have been built to diverse needs of tourists. There are many hotels and guesthouses for tourists who want to stay overnight such as Huong Co, Thai Duong hotels. Restaurants with the best services and the abundant menu will give delicious meals in the fresh atmosphere.
It is hard to find a place which has both natural beauty of mountain and lake, and modern beauty of entertainment zone. Because of this reason, Nui Coc tourism zone is an attractive destination that tourists could not miss.
Many beautiful caves are waiting to be explored such as Legendary Palace, Three Pine Trees and Fairy Tale World. Some parks such as water park, Crocodile Park. A special highlight is the water music display. Visitors are very interested in seeing waters from fountains in the lake dance to melodies of the songs. Besides, visitors can choose to purchase thousands of products of over 90 traditional villages in the country.
Other activity, which attracts a larger number of visitors, is Island travel. Tourism can visit Co Island where many kinds of birds and storks live. Especially, exploring overall Nui Coc Lake on a boat will give tourists many new feelings. Visitor can refresh with entertainment or go fishing on the lake.
The southern zone of Nui Coc Lake shows all kinds of services and a busy tourism zone which can meet diverse needs of tourists. From here, you can see the varsity of the lake. These are also the famous tea regions of Thai Nguyen with the immense green tea hills stretching from Tan Cuong to Phuc Triu, Thinh Đan. The sweet flavor of Thai Nguyen tea makes anyone who has tasted will never forget it. What should not be missed is the region’s specialties such as shrimp, trench bream, bamboo rats…. They have become an indispensable part of Nui Coc tourism area.
Currently, infrastructure facilities in Nui Coc tourism area have been built to diverse needs of tourists. There are many hotels and guesthouses for tourists who want to stay overnight such as Huong Co, Thai Duong hotels. Restaurants with the best services and the abundant menu will give delicious meals in the fresh atmosphere.
It is hard to find a place which has both natural beauty of mountain and lake, and modern beauty of entertainment zone. Because of this reason, Nui Coc tourism zone is an attractive destination that tourists could not miss.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Huong Pagoda Festival
Located in Huong Son Site, about 70km from Ha Noi, visitors are very easy to come to Huong pagoda by car. Huong Pagoda is one of the famous pagoda of the Hanoi area and one of the most important religious sites in Buddhist Vietnam.The pagoda complex consists of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains several. Huong Pagoda is in the center of the complex with other name “Trong Pagoda”, which was built inside Huong Tich Cave - the most beautiful cave of the North.
Every year, after the Lunar New Year, in the warm atmosphere of spring, thousands of Vietnamese come here to pray for all the health and happiness for themselves and their family. This festival also attracts a lot of foreign tourists come to enjoy the atmosphere of one of the oldest festivals in Vietnam and tourists will glide along scenic waterways and walk up steep mountain paths visiting the pagodas and temples that were built in this area over the last centuries.
Huong Pagoda Festival lasts from January 6th until the end of March of Lunar calendar. The climax of the festival is from the 15th to 20th day of the second lunar month.
Chua Huong is the harmony architectural overall that the nature gave to man with many caves, temples, mountains, hills, streams,… The combination of natural beauty with hand labor of human populations has created a beautiful landscape recruit.
Perfume Pagoda is famous for the caves which bold colors of folk beliefs - Buddhism with agricultural cultures ( buffalos, pigs, silkworms, ...) and the fertility culture (Co mountain, Cau mountain ...) visitors to Perfume Pagoda to to burn incense to wish for every good thing in the new year
On the days of the festival, the pagoda becomes more crowded with hundreds of passenger boats on Yen stream. The scenery on both sides of the stream is extremely poetic, and charming. One side is a magnificent lime-stone mountain and one side is a vast of green rice paddy. The unique feature of the Huong Pagoda Festival is a fun sightseeing in boats and goes into the realm of Buddha. Therefore, when talking about Huong pagoda, people think of the boat - a cultural identity of Vietnamese boat dwellers from ancient times. And so far, boating festival at Huong Pagoda always inspires intensely for participants and visitors.
Leaving the boats, visitors are immersed in majestic mountain scenery and begin a new journey - the climbing journey to temples. The atmosphere of the festival, the beauty of these amazing caves make visitors just walk away without feeling tired.
When visiting Huong Pagoda, people usually carry fruit trays to offer to Buddha and then receive a piece of their sacrifice to get luck from Buddha.
In the sacred atmosphere of the festival, visitors will also enjoy the folk songs which are showed by local people, for example, Cheo, Tuong ... This is an indispensable activities in Huong Pagoda festival
Beside enjoying the scenery, tourists also do not forget to enjoy the rustic dishes but very famous in this area, such as “ Che Cu Mai”, apricots, Rau Sang soup,…
Visiting Huong Pagoda Festival and visiting pagodas in general have become a beautiful custom of Vietnamese people in the beginning of Lunar New Year.
Every year, after the Lunar New Year, in the warm atmosphere of spring, thousands of Vietnamese come here to pray for all the health and happiness for themselves and their family. This festival also attracts a lot of foreign tourists come to enjoy the atmosphere of one of the oldest festivals in Vietnam and tourists will glide along scenic waterways and walk up steep mountain paths visiting the pagodas and temples that were built in this area over the last centuries.
Huong Pagoda Festival lasts from January 6th until the end of March of Lunar calendar. The climax of the festival is from the 15th to 20th day of the second lunar month.
Chua Huong is the harmony architectural overall that the nature gave to man with many caves, temples, mountains, hills, streams,… The combination of natural beauty with hand labor of human populations has created a beautiful landscape recruit.
Perfume Pagoda is famous for the caves which bold colors of folk beliefs - Buddhism with agricultural cultures ( buffalos, pigs, silkworms, ...) and the fertility culture (Co mountain, Cau mountain ...) visitors to Perfume Pagoda to to burn incense to wish for every good thing in the new year
On the days of the festival, the pagoda becomes more crowded with hundreds of passenger boats on Yen stream. The scenery on both sides of the stream is extremely poetic, and charming. One side is a magnificent lime-stone mountain and one side is a vast of green rice paddy. The unique feature of the Huong Pagoda Festival is a fun sightseeing in boats and goes into the realm of Buddha. Therefore, when talking about Huong pagoda, people think of the boat - a cultural identity of Vietnamese boat dwellers from ancient times. And so far, boating festival at Huong Pagoda always inspires intensely for participants and visitors.
Leaving the boats, visitors are immersed in majestic mountain scenery and begin a new journey - the climbing journey to temples. The atmosphere of the festival, the beauty of these amazing caves make visitors just walk away without feeling tired.
When visiting Huong Pagoda, people usually carry fruit trays to offer to Buddha and then receive a piece of their sacrifice to get luck from Buddha.
In the sacred atmosphere of the festival, visitors will also enjoy the folk songs which are showed by local people, for example, Cheo, Tuong ... This is an indispensable activities in Huong Pagoda festival
Beside enjoying the scenery, tourists also do not forget to enjoy the rustic dishes but very famous in this area, such as “ Che Cu Mai”, apricots, Rau Sang soup,…
Visiting Huong Pagoda Festival and visiting pagodas in general have become a beautiful custom of Vietnamese people in the beginning of Lunar New Year.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Chung cake and Tet cake: A Taste of History
"Special tet cakes have a long and meaningful history and remain Vietnamese tradition for Lunar New Year."
There are two integral types of savory cakes in the traditional Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration: chung cake and tet cake. Though very different in shape and size, both are made of glutinous rice, fatty pork and mung beans and wrapped in green banana leaves. As legend has it, chung cake was invented at the very dawn of the country when Prince Lieu, the son of a Hung King, selected the choicest ingredients of the wet-cultivation civilization to create a culinary symbol of his country. Tet cake, on the other hand, was created long afterwards in association with the southern territorial extension of Vietnamese migrants. Geographically, chung cake is unique to the North, home to rural areas that were established millennia ago, while tet cake is southern, reflecting the claiming of newfound lands in the South and territorial extensions of migrants.
Cultural researchers assume that chung cakes and their square shape complement round rice buns in reference to the "round sky and square earth" conception of the universe held by the ancient Vietnamese. However, no one is able to explain the significance of the tet cake. I am a Hue native and a descendant of migrants who left behind their homeland to populate the frontier land of the South over seven centuries ago. For me, the legacies of tet cakes are always linked with "the pole of the nation" by my ancestors during their territorial claims. Thanks to their toils, Vietnam acquired the shape it has today. The "national pole"of the center bears resemblance to the hard life of every Vietnamese mother who sustains the two ends of the country, the North and the South.
Unlike chung cakes that will perish after a short time, tet cakes are durable and can be left intact for even a week without losing their original taste. This was an invention of migrants as a solution for their mobile lives. During wartime, southern people lost their festive joy for many years because of military conflicts; tet cake were the only delicacy of Tet they could take for solace in those turbulent times.
Why the name tet? Many assume that the elongated shape of the cake allows cutting and peeling ( tet), thus its current name. The dictionary explains that all three words Tet (Lunar New Year), tet (tet cake) and tiet (period) were derived from the Chinese word. The word has various meanings, including Lunar New Year holidays. Hence, tet cakes can also be understood as the "cake of Tet holidays;' despite the fact that locals in the Center and South consume the cake all year round.
From the quintessential cake of migrants that was made of glutinous rice, tet cakes evolved into a specialty of Tet holidays when filled with fatty pork and green beans; they are also a sacrifice on ancestral altars in New Year celebrations and a formal, familiar food offered to visiting guests on Tet holidays, memorial ceremonies or weddings. In many impoverished regions in the Center, tet cakes were not filled with pork and green beans
but instead red beans stuffed into white glutinous rice.
Chuon village in Hue, also known as. An Truyen Village in Phu Vang D1str1ct, is known for its tet-making traditions. Nowadays, the village's specialty is on sale all year round, although Tet holidays are still the peak sale season of this renowned culinary village. Its tet cakes are made out of the sticky, quality glutinous rice of Dinh. According to historical accounts of the Nguyen Dynasty, the court each year required hundreds of top-notch glutinous liquor jars to sacrifice to Heaven, Earth and the deities in New Year sacrifices as well as to ancestors in memorial ceremonies. Thus, the court had the Ministry of Internal Affairs select superior glutinous rice species and assign liquor-making villages in Thua Thien Province to be dedicated to the king. An Truyen Village in the southeast of the Citadel was among the recipients of these superior glutinous rice species for liquor making and emerged to be the best-known liquor making village in the capital. Fertile fields of this peaceful village were sufficient not only for supplies of rice to make ceremonial liquor, but also for the making of the village's signature tet cakes, colloquially known by the name of Chuon Village.
When year-end rains temporarily cease and farm work is over, Chuon Village enters the peak season of tet cakes. Lush green banana leaves are spread across large sieves to be cleaned of their pollen. Men chop bamboo trees to make strings. Women sort out rice grains, soak green beans and slice pork to prepare the fillings. While the making of chung cakes largely relies on molds to shape the square cakes, tet cakes require years of experience to produce a perfectly cylindrical shape. In the last week before Tet, villagers are busy rolling banana leaves, pouring green beans, stuffing fillings and wrapping cakes as fires smolder day and night. The quality and shape of final products depend on the tying. Bamboo strings are tied in pairs at a finger knuckle's distance, which also dictates the size of each bite before being peeled off.
Two days before Tet (December 30th of the Lunar calendar), tet vendors from Chuon Village travel throughout Hue to sell their products for the year end Tet eve feast. After ceremonies, tet cakes are taken from altars, peeled open and served with pork and fermented cabbage for the last reunion dinner of the year; this meal signals the conclusion of the whole year and welcomes the spring.
There are two integral types of savory cakes in the traditional Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration: chung cake and tet cake. Though very different in shape and size, both are made of glutinous rice, fatty pork and mung beans and wrapped in green banana leaves. As legend has it, chung cake was invented at the very dawn of the country when Prince Lieu, the son of a Hung King, selected the choicest ingredients of the wet-cultivation civilization to create a culinary symbol of his country. Tet cake, on the other hand, was created long afterwards in association with the southern territorial extension of Vietnamese migrants. Geographically, chung cake is unique to the North, home to rural areas that were established millennia ago, while tet cake is southern, reflecting the claiming of newfound lands in the South and territorial extensions of migrants.
Cultural researchers assume that chung cakes and their square shape complement round rice buns in reference to the "round sky and square earth" conception of the universe held by the ancient Vietnamese. However, no one is able to explain the significance of the tet cake. I am a Hue native and a descendant of migrants who left behind their homeland to populate the frontier land of the South over seven centuries ago. For me, the legacies of tet cakes are always linked with "the pole of the nation" by my ancestors during their territorial claims. Thanks to their toils, Vietnam acquired the shape it has today. The "national pole"of the center bears resemblance to the hard life of every Vietnamese mother who sustains the two ends of the country, the North and the South.
Unlike chung cakes that will perish after a short time, tet cakes are durable and can be left intact for even a week without losing their original taste. This was an invention of migrants as a solution for their mobile lives. During wartime, southern people lost their festive joy for many years because of military conflicts; tet cake were the only delicacy of Tet they could take for solace in those turbulent times.
Why the name tet? Many assume that the elongated shape of the cake allows cutting and peeling ( tet), thus its current name. The dictionary explains that all three words Tet (Lunar New Year), tet (tet cake) and tiet (period) were derived from the Chinese word. The word has various meanings, including Lunar New Year holidays. Hence, tet cakes can also be understood as the "cake of Tet holidays;' despite the fact that locals in the Center and South consume the cake all year round.
From the quintessential cake of migrants that was made of glutinous rice, tet cakes evolved into a specialty of Tet holidays when filled with fatty pork and green beans; they are also a sacrifice on ancestral altars in New Year celebrations and a formal, familiar food offered to visiting guests on Tet holidays, memorial ceremonies or weddings. In many impoverished regions in the Center, tet cakes were not filled with pork and green beans
but instead red beans stuffed into white glutinous rice.
Chuon village in Hue, also known as. An Truyen Village in Phu Vang D1str1ct, is known for its tet-making traditions. Nowadays, the village's specialty is on sale all year round, although Tet holidays are still the peak sale season of this renowned culinary village. Its tet cakes are made out of the sticky, quality glutinous rice of Dinh. According to historical accounts of the Nguyen Dynasty, the court each year required hundreds of top-notch glutinous liquor jars to sacrifice to Heaven, Earth and the deities in New Year sacrifices as well as to ancestors in memorial ceremonies. Thus, the court had the Ministry of Internal Affairs select superior glutinous rice species and assign liquor-making villages in Thua Thien Province to be dedicated to the king. An Truyen Village in the southeast of the Citadel was among the recipients of these superior glutinous rice species for liquor making and emerged to be the best-known liquor making village in the capital. Fertile fields of this peaceful village were sufficient not only for supplies of rice to make ceremonial liquor, but also for the making of the village's signature tet cakes, colloquially known by the name of Chuon Village.
When year-end rains temporarily cease and farm work is over, Chuon Village enters the peak season of tet cakes. Lush green banana leaves are spread across large sieves to be cleaned of their pollen. Men chop bamboo trees to make strings. Women sort out rice grains, soak green beans and slice pork to prepare the fillings. While the making of chung cakes largely relies on molds to shape the square cakes, tet cakes require years of experience to produce a perfectly cylindrical shape. In the last week before Tet, villagers are busy rolling banana leaves, pouring green beans, stuffing fillings and wrapping cakes as fires smolder day and night. The quality and shape of final products depend on the tying. Bamboo strings are tied in pairs at a finger knuckle's distance, which also dictates the size of each bite before being peeled off.
Two days before Tet (December 30th of the Lunar calendar), tet vendors from Chuon Village travel throughout Hue to sell their products for the year end Tet eve feast. After ceremonies, tet cakes are taken from altars, peeled open and served with pork and fermented cabbage for the last reunion dinner of the year; this meal signals the conclusion of the whole year and welcomes the spring.
Tran Duc Anh Son
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