Vietnam Discovery

Monday, December 25, 2017

The best places to visit in Vietnam

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

When it comes to Vietnam, people think often about war. In recent years, however, it changes with think of the image of a beautiful country with extremely glamour natural landscapes like Halong Bay, Sword Lake, Hoi An ancient town….

Ha Long Bay.

Located on the west coast of the Gulf of Tonkin (Bac Bo Bay) includes the sea islands of Ha Long City, Cam Pha City and part of Van Don island district, Quang Ninh province. Halong Bay has a coastline of 120 km in length, an area of about 1,553 square kilometers including 1,969 porn large and small islands, mostly limestone islands. And actually the core of the bay has an area of 335 square kilometers, the density cluster of 775 islands with different sizes (big and small)

Being not only charming by scenery of “clouds – waves”, poetic beauty and numerous limestone islands floating on the water, Halong also gives visitors a sense of peace when immersed in this scenery. It is rated as one of the world’s 29 most beautiful bays and the last March in 2012, the New Open World organization also officially recognized Ha Long Bay to be one of the new seven natural wonders of the poker world

Hoan Kiem Lake

Also known as Sword Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake is a natural freshwater lake in the city of Hanoi, the lake has an area of approximately 12 hectares. Previously, the lake also has a name of Luc Thuy Lake, Thuy Quan, Ta Vong and Huu Vong. Hoan Kiem’s name has appeared in the fifteenth century in association with the legend of King Le Thai To paying sword for Turtle golden.

Hoan Kiem Lake is associated with legendary/historic lore, signals of the desire for peace, the literature – martial – virtues of the people of Vietnam. Therefore, there have been a lot of artists who have taken photographs of Hoan Kiem Lake as the foundation for his work.

2008, the site Concierge.com (specializing in tourism in Australia) has announced Phu Quoc Long Beach is one of 13 beaches “wild and beautiful” in the world. Also Phu Quoc is a place producing a fish sauce that is not only famous in Vietnam, but also around the world are known.

Moreover, in the lake, there are two floating islands. Big Island is the pearl one in the north of lake, near the east is The Huc Bridge connecting the island to bend. Turtle Island is smaller; there is the ancient tower in this island to the south of lake and surrounded by water.

Hoi An ancient town

Hoi An is located on the northern bank of Thu Bon river downstream, from Da Nang city about 25km to the southeast and from the city of Tam Ky about 50km to the northeast. From the sixteenth and seventeenth century, this place was famous with Faifoo’s name, where trading and the major trading centers of traders in Japan, China, Portugal, Italy … in South East Asia.

Hoi An today has preserved almost intact relics of ancient architecture and cultural background of the intangible traditions, religious activities, folk art, cultural festival, the traditional village … Besides traditional culinary culture in Hoi has been also one of the special things that tourists often mention, if they have come here without enjoying the traditional dishes such as high floor, Quang noodles cake “white roses” … shall be never deemed to Hoi An.

Phu Quoc Island

This island is also known as Pearl Island, the largest island in Vietnam and also the biggest one out of populations of 22 islands in Thailand Bay. Phu Quoc Island along with other islands has formed Phu Quoc island district, Kien Giang province. The entire island has a total area of 589.23 square kilometers.

In 2008, the website of Concierge.com (specializing in Australia tourism) announced Phu Quoc Long Beach is one of 13 “untouched and beautiful” beaches in the world. Additionally, Phu Quoc is a place producing a fish sauce that is not only famous in Vietnam, but also around the world.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a coastal city and a center of politics, economy, culture, and tourism in the province of Khanh Hoa, located on the south central coast of Vietnam. This Sea Land is also famous with bird nest dishes, one of those nutritious delicacies are used 400 years ago by the kings

Named as the “Pearl of the Orient”, Nha Trang not only owns the natural landscape in the fresh, cool air with the white sand stretching, islands in offshore with the fantastic coral ecosystem, but also is famous by many ancient and mossing Cham temples along with the quiet museum in the heart of the city.

They are the best places in Vietnam for tourists to visit.

The beautiful places to visit in Vietnam

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

As a small country, but visitors who coming to Vietnam will be utmost surprised due to so many diverse types of terrain. The landscapes in Vietnam are colorful – looks, one region is different to other ones.

From white sand beaches, sapphire water to the dense tropical, murky forests and going to the forests of tightly leaves, darkening the sun and the high mountains “Skyscraper “, guests climb and feel like flying in the clouds … The below is some impressive scenery that visitors can experience in Vietnam.

Mui Ne

It is a famous tourist center of south central region, from the center of the city of Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan province) of 22km to the northeast, where this is an unspoiled green coastline with red sand dunes stretching as laid desert and sea fishing villages that is pure origin in Vietnam.

In Mui Ne, with the sand dunes of white or red – orange when people standing in front of the beauty of these sand dunes can feel overwhelmed by the charm of nature.

In addition, Mui Ne also attracts tourists by numerous historical – cultural relics and a diverse culture, multi-ethnics as porno Kinh, Cham, Hoa, Cham and typically as Cham tower, Water tower, Wat Ong Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, Van Thuy Tu and many other valuable monuments of culture, history and tourism.

Mekong Delta

As part of the Mekong River Delta, it is also known as the southern delta or southwest one, a total area of square is 40.548, 2 km. Due to the long coast and the Mekong divided into several tributaries, canals, islands, large and small islands and archipelagos, where did you appropriate for the type of ecotourism, to experience and go go explore.

To the Mekong Delta in addition to visiting the vast orchard, go on one of nine tributaries flowing into the sea of the Mekong River flows; hear traditional music and enjoying the southern region specialties, tourists also hard to ignore the visit the floating markets, a feature found only in West river

Terraced fields of Sapa

Sapa is a town in the northwest highlands of Vietnam, where the beautiful terraced fields that stretch as the ladder taking to horizon. With its spectacular natural and dreamy landscape, the mysterious love markets and rich and unique cuisine, Sapa “mesmerizes” most of the tourists when coming here.

In 2009, Travel and Leisure Magazine (USA) voted Sapa terraced field is one of 7 most beautiful and magnificent terraces in Asia and the world. 12/2011 travel magazine of Lonely Planet (UK) introduced the land of “Sapa is one of 10 amazing points in the world for walking subject” and the first November in 2013, the Ministry of Culture – Sports and tourism also decided to rate Sapa’s terraced landscapes as National heritage.

Tourists can explore the beautiful terraced fields by hiring a local people so that they guide for climbing. Also, here, local people still have service of “home stay” – for tourists to stay home for a few days with family – so, visitors will get the memorable experiences.

It is amazing if you have the opportunity to explore the beauty of these above places.

How backpackers assess about Vietnam?

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

There are both positive and negative feedbacks from backpackers.

Positive points:

Nature:

There are many ideal, attractive, famous and extremely wildlife landscapes for them to explore. It arouses curiosity for them to travel. Actually, they feel very excited and enthusiastic to participate and experience.

Historic sites, relics as one pillar pagoda, Thang Long Citedal, Hoi An Ancient town….or memorial monuments of national hero

Some famous villages when mentioned almost tourists always know about them, including Bat Trang, Dong Ho, Nga Son, Ngu Xa bronze casting, Dong Trieu pottery, Van Phuc silk etc.

Many customs and unique cultural festivals: Vietnam is known as the country with unique colorful culture with many traditions, customs and festivals including the Hung Temple festival, Huong Pagoda festival, Lim and Giong festival, Elephant Race Festival….

Culture:

Diverse and unique cuisine from various ethnic minorities is one of reasons making them to visit.

Home stay service in Vietnam is one of kinds of extremely attractive accommodation appealing to backpackers to experience because they can stay and live as a member of family of local people àamazing and memorable moments

Human factor: this is very important reason to pull them to come to Vietnam. Gentle, friendly, hospitality, promoting community and loving peace, intelligent, creative, ingenious and hard-working, inquisitive, high solidarity are positive and plus points that backpackers who already traveled to Vietnam feel and share.

Negative points

Beside of good points they feel as stated above, many bad feelings and emotions issued by them, including:

Many garbage in the local tourist attractions
Pick – pocketing, theft, begging and putting high price compare with normal price of real value of the product.
The status of Vietnam traffic is very complex à quite difficult for travelling.

From this feedback and assessment of backpacker who already experience in Vietnam, we wish you have good and smart decision before your travelling.

We also provide you the service of applying visa on arrival. Because visa is very necessary to travel aboard. You can visit: http://vietnamvisa-services.com/ to apply for visa.

Please come to with us to get the best service. Hope you to have a great time in Vietnam if possible

Tips when travel to Vietnam

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

As known that nothing is perfect. So actually, it will be impossible to avoid some negative things that exit in parallel alongside positive ones and Vietnam tourism problem for Backpackers is not an exception.

In addition to good points you should experience in Vietnam at least once your life, there are some tips for you when you come to there.

Vietnam still exits the status of littering; the awareness of local people is poor. In key tourism areas, especially in peak season, there are lots of garbage threw by tourists and local resident àdestroy the beauty of attraction.

The problem of street shops and the status of putting high price as normal or real value of the product, sometimes using dual- pricing against foreigners seems to never fall.

Currently the problem of begging, pick-pocketing, snatching has a tendency to increase.

A system of warning signs and instructions in public areas is irrational and make confusion for foreign tourists. More English signage is one of demands that many travelers wish to make them easier in travelling.

The status of Vietnam traffic is very complex, congestion always happens daily in large cities like Hanoi, HCM and in remote areas like provinces having ethnic minority, the road system is difficult and rough because of not having a compatible and rational transport system. It may make backpackers to worry and affect their travelling.

The final ached issue is some taxi drivers who often run over long distances compare with factual distance to charge extra money for visitors.

From the listed problems, we hope you to have the best preparation (both physical and mental) to have memorable and amazing experience in Vietnam.

Vietnam wonderful attractions are for Backpackers

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

Vietnam is famous with many attractive, historic and meaningful destinations and diverse culture as well as the cheapest service charges that are suitable for Backpackers to experience as their main purpose (discover and upgrade their knowledge)

Famous cities like Hanoi, Hue, HCM…especially in Hanoi. The fact is that most of backpackers will be sure to choose Hanoi – ‘Mecca’ of ‘Backpackers’ to be their stop. As known, Young western countries are interested in street style, so when you arrive in Hanoi, immediately this place is considered as “Mecca” of young tourists “Backpackers”.

Hanoi is recognized as a “not sexy” girl if you only look out, you will not be able to capture the entire secret, hidden beauties.

Ancient capital of Vietnam with many historic sites and museums has long been considered as an interesting destination for young travelers having “limited budget” to find out and learn. The cost of living here is cheap and in particular, the experience of common life with local resident will bring an unforgettable impression for foreign visitors.

Referring to Hanoi, certainly, you are sure not to ignore the tasted cuisines in pavement. For visitors Vietnam, snacks are various and rich that they cannot all be listed… And distinguishing each native cuisine in this place has been a difficult challenge for foreign tourists, however, most of the food will not cause them to be disappointed.

Moreover, the connection of Hanoi with many famous traditional villages and ethnic minorities that are wonderful to discover culture is very convenient. It means that there are a lot of suitable destinations for Backpackers to connect after experiencing in Hanoi.

In HCM, there is a “Backpacker” street for them to stay. This is amazing thing to attract them to visit and stay longer.

Traditional villages are one of these destinations chosen by backpackers. Can say about Bat Trang, Van Phuc, Duong Lam, Dong Ki, Dai Bai…at those villages, they can explore how to make traditional products and maybe if you would like to do directly these products in order to hold for them, they can make it according to the guideline of local people.

Besides, ethnic minorities in Northern part are the great places backpackers can choose including Muong people, Chno, Ede, Thai, Tay, H’mong…each of them has outstanding and unique cultures. Backpackers can visit and stay with local people to learn more about the life of local.

In addition, beaches will also be ideal attraction for this type of tourist like in Nha Trang, Phu Yen, Da Nang….

All interesting things are about Vietnam for Backpackers

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

Nature and culture beauty in Vietnam have attracted more and more tourists including Backpackers.

Ban Gioc waterfall

Geography

Why, annually, Vietnam appeals to about 04 millions of visitation of foreigners. One of the reasons may be confirmed due to tropical monsoon climate, biological diversity as well as the endless length of our coast with many beautiful and wonderful beaches ranked of the world like Ha Long, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, etc.

Besides, Vietnam also attract travelers by numerous historic sites, relics as one pillar pagoda, Thang Long Citedal, Hoi An Ancient town….or memorial monuments of national hero like Ho Chi Minh, Vo Nguyen Giap, Quang Trung, Ly Thai To, Bac Son, and museums.

Many traditional villages: Although society has developed in Vietnam with mordernization at most of places, a number of traditional villages still exist and maintain so far. It is also one of the advantages of Vietnam’s tourism to attract tourists to visit and learn. Vietnam now has about 1500 villages scattered from north to south. Some famous villages when mentioned almost tourists always know about them, including Bat Trang, Dong Ho, Nga Son sedge mat, Ngu Xa bronze casting, Dong Trieu pottery, Van Phuc silk etc.

Many customs and unique cultural festivals: Vietnam is known as the country with unique colorful culture with many traditions, customs and festivals. In each area or region has its own customs and festivals. If calculated on a national scale, there are thousands of annual major festivals, small place, especially around the time of the Lunar New Year and the Lunar New Year. Some major festivals are known as the Hung Temple festival, Huong Pagoda festival, Lim and Giong festival, Elephant Race Festival …

Outstanding and featured (special) gastronomy of Vietnam like “Bún”, “phở”, “chè” and the service charge in Vietnam is very cheap and affordable being appropriate with backpackers’ purpose

There are 6 major religious: Buddhist, Catholic, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao, Protestant and Muslim.

Most importantly, human being is main factor to attract backpackers because there are actually 54 ethnic minorities with various and outstanding cultures. Moreover, a hospitality and hard-working Vietnam is the reason why they choose to travel.

Politics

As known, Security is the leaders in the Asia – Pacific. A stable politics and security is one of the main reasons for visitors to choose (No.1 priority). And, of course, Vietnam has totally met this criterion.

Vietnam human personality

Gentle, friendly, hospitality
Promoting community and loving peace
Intelligent, creative, ingenious and hard-working
Inquisitive, high solidarity

Cua Lo beautiful beach in Vietnam

By December 25, 2017 No comments:

Cua Lo Beach is not charming as other coastal ones in South Central part; Cua Lo – where Lam River flows peacefully in harmony of the sea – bears a distinct mark making people think: come here just to watch poker alone is boring well, that must do other activities like swimming and eating seafood.

The system of accommodations like hotels, motels in recent years on either side of Cua Lo beach path appears closely. It is separately isolated from Vinh by untouched fields alongside the two long paths of 18 km from the city to the sea.

In the hot at the end of day, being walked along the shore of cool wave is perfect feeling. The long sandy beach of more than 10 km starts springing the sunset colors. The red color of sunshine hanging overhead of waves and rolling into winds is a multi-colored picture of nature.

In the twilight, we can see many basket boats, fishing boats for preparation of pushing off. The artless/naive fishermen “eating waves, saying porn winds” and joking Nghe land will not make guests feel disappointed to get acquainted, start talking.

On the cliffs, there is a small cafe. This is also where you can sip a cup of coffee and also have a view to windy sunset panoramically. This rock is more business tourism venue chosen to build the restaurant.

Activities in Cua Lo Beach – Romping

The sun is red like a fireball rolled over the cliff-edge and stopped in purple distant mountains. The beach still bustles by the kids playing football on the wide sandy area, by brittle laughter of girls and the “hò hê” sound of boats preparing to push off.

Cua Lo Tourism at night brings the image of a city bobbing on the sea surface. It is an image that can only get when the boats have set sail simultaneously. Tourists can catch a boat and sail along with fishermen, and enjoy the nightlife scenery between the extensive spaces of sea.

In addition, the fact is that Cua Lo is livelier at night with a world of both fishing village appearance and a new resort, being able to eat and have impressive fun. It will be no wonder when the night comes; the fish shed lights are still enlightened as long rays and sparkling in the sea surface. And on the shore, some groups of tourists are still wading and waiting for the boat dock to enjoy fresh seafood dishes. And after gorge, you can lounge on the beach

Creator has granted Cua Lo a harmonious picture between nature and human, between the river – the sea, the island – the mountain. And Cua Lo beach is one typical example for this picture with shallow, deep area that may create a comfortable feeling of space for bathing pleasure.

It is great, if you can visit this place once in your life to enjoy the entire beauty under your eyes.

Wish you have a good time!

Vietnam’s Stunning Beaches

By July 08, 2017 No comments:

Vietnam is blessed with a coastline stretching 3,000 kilometers with hundreds of beaches up and down the country that cater to all tastes; from white sand beaches where you can view sunsets, to beaches with 5 star facilities, and beaches with nothing at all to do except swim, relax and enjoy the local culture.

Starting in the Far North, bordering China is Tra Co, not a beautiful beach by anyone’s standards what with its muddy flats at low tide; but it’s a pleasant place to stay if you’re on your way into our out of China, before heading to Ha Long Bay.

Bai Chay beach is the nearest to Hanoi, so it draws a huge crowd of people on the weekends and in summer. It too doesn’t live up to the beauty of the southern beaches, but does serve up some good seafood harvested from nearby Ha Long Bay. It certainly isn’t a place to come in winter as temperatures can drop to the 15 degree C mark.

Ha Long bay offers plenty of small beaches, most of them on islands in the middle of the Bay (though the majority of islands are too steep and rocky to have beaches) These are best visited by kayak because large touring boats don’t have the shallow depth to approach the rocky shore.

The North Central Coast of Vietnam stretches all the way down to the Hai Van Pass, and is almost a continuous stretch of golden sand pounded by huge waves churned by the frequent typhoons. Its an area rarely visited by travelers, because most either fly or take the train straight between Hue and Hanoi, but if you’ve got time they are beautifully deserted and make excellent places to go for long walks. Locals will regard you with great curiosity, and may even follow you to practice their English.

Though the facilities are scarce here, (you won’t find restaurants selling to tourists just yet) it is a rewarding break from the long drive on Highway 1. Take note however, that its not a wise idea to walk any of the beaches near the DMZ and Dong Ha, because of mines, unexploded ordinances can still be found in this area.

The Central and South Central Coast of Vietnam offers the countries best beaches: from Hue to Nha Trang, the miles of coast is populated with coconut palms and dotted with fishing villages with lots of facilities and choices to make your vacation comfortable.

My Khe beach to Vietnamese, or China Beach to foreigners, looks out at Monkey Mountain east of Da Nang Bay. It’s by no means deserted, because locals use the beach as a place to play football, do morning exercises and just chat away with friends. It has some of Vietnam’s best surf beaches and in November waves can reach two meters.

Its here where 5 star resorts like the Furama and the Lang Co resort (north of the Hai Van Pass) are situated and offer the best services in the country including al fresco dining, water sports and day tours.

The beach is also incorrectly linked with the first landing of American Marines in 1963. In fact, it was Red Beach, around the point in Da Nang Bay, where this took place. My Khe was the spot where numerous attacks took place in the American war and it was a center of fierce fighting in the late 1960’s.

From Da Nang, the lazy coast line stretches all the way down to Nha Trang. Dozens of beaches, many of them just a few meters from Highway I can be visited as you drive south. Facilities are mushrooming up to meet the demand of the numerous tour buses that now ply these routes. Seafood restaurants, guesthouses and other businesses are making this area easier to visit.

Nha Trang is the epicenter of the beach travel industry in Vietnam, and if you’re looking for a secluded beach, you won’t find it here. But if you want to enjoy a day trip out to the islands in Nha Trang Bay, where you can snorkel and swim, then Nha Trang is the place for you. One of the best things in the city is its marvelous seafood, which includes abalone, prawns, scallops and crabs.

Doc Let is 40 kilometers north of Nha Trang, and its here where you’ll find solitude and long deserted beaches; the shallow bay in front is perfect for a swim and the place is famous for its boiled crabs.

Even further south is Phan Thiet, close enough to Saigon to be a popular weekend outing destination for residents there. Its got a laid back feel, and includes 4 star hotels like the Nototel Corallia, so roughing it isn’t required here.

Even closer to Saigon is Vung Tau, and serves much the same function as Bai Chay near Hanoi; it’s the closest and cheapest destination for Saigonese to escape the crowded city streets. Again, if youre looking for solitude, this isn’t the place, because on Sundays the beaches are packed.

Phu Quoc has the whitest sand beaches in the country, and if you want to watch the sun set (it’s the only place in Vietnam where you can do this) this is the place to come. Geologically, its totally different to the other beaches in Vietnam, because its in the Gulf Of Thailand, and Phu Quoc closely resembles Koh Chang or Koh Samet near Bangkok. Just an hour flight from Saigon and you’ll be enjoying the sun, sea and seafood of Vietnam’s most southern beach.

North to South, there are a multitude of choices in beaches so whatever kind of beach you are looking for you’ll find it in Vietnam

Vietnam's Former Battlefields

By July 05, 2017 No comments:

It has been nearly 3 decades since the American War ended in Vietnam, and 5 decades since the war ended with the French. Though Vietnam is rapidly developing into a major economic power in South East Asia, many of the historic battlefields and war vestiges can still be visited.

Almost every city has a museum dedicated to the Vietnamese Revolution, and contain dioramas, exhibits, and photographs detailing how their inhabitants contributed to the war effort, and which important events took place in their city.

The largest of these museums are in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi, is an important place to visit and understand more about Vietnam's great leader, Ho Chi Minh.

THE NORTH

Most of the historical remnants of the wars relates to the French conflict, because the American ground war was centered in the south and the center (extensive bombing was experienced in the north).

Dien Bien Phu

The Dien Bien Phu valley is where the French were defeated in 1954, ending their colonial rule over Indochina. Best reached by plane, you can also hire a 4-wheel drive vehicle and tour the far northwest, to Son La and Lao Cai.

Son La

A site of a Former French Prison, many visitors come here to see the museum commemorating the fiercely anti colonial fighters who were based in the region.

Hanoi

Hoa Lo Prison: Razed to make way for a towering office block, the prison is remembered by a museum that focuses on the activities there before 1954, when it was used as a detention center for anti French colonialists.

Ho Chi Minh Museum: More than a museum dedicated to the man who reunified his country, the Ho Chi Minh museum chronicles the Vietnamese revolution of the 20th century, and in an interesting stop for those interested in this phase of Vietnamese history.

Christmas Bombing in 1972: In December 1972, US President Nixon ordered the bombing of Hai Phong and Hanoi, which targeted power stations and other installations; some residential quarters were hit too. In Hanoi alone, more than 1,300 people were killed. Today, the area south of the Hanoi train station is where much of the destruction took place, and Kham Thien was the epicenter.

THE CENTER

Central Vietnam was the scene of much fighting during the American war, and much of the vestiges here are related to that conflict, though a few places, like the Hai Van Pass, contain some remains of the French conflict.

DMZ and Dong Ha

The bridge at the DMZ over the Ben Hai river can be crossed on foot, and the Vinh Moc tunnels (like those built at Cu Chi) can be visited nearby. Tours can be arranged from Hue, or Dong Ha. The road north of Hue was dubbed, 'La Rue Sans Jolie,' or 'The Road Without Joy' by the French troops; who fought fierce battles with Vietnamese forces here.

Truong Son Trail / Ho Chi Minh Trail

As the major supply chain between troops in South Vietnam, the Truong Son Trail (or Ho Chi Minh Trail as it's known in the west), named after the mountains of central Vietnam, was heavily bombed and strafed by American aircraft, trying to sever the artery that supplied men, weapons, and other supplies to the soldiers in the south. It is currently being developed into a tourist attraction by recreating the structures it contained and the methods used to carry weapons to the south, to aid in the war effort. A small section of the Ho Chi Minh trail can be seen after crossing the Dakrong bridge.

Khe Sanh / Con Thien Fire Base; Camp Carroll

Several former American army bases can be visited along Highway 9, between the Dong Ha and the Laotian border. Sites include Camp Carroll, Con Thien Firebase, The Rockpile, and Khe Sanh, where a fierce battle took place in 1968.

Hai Van Pass

Long used as a lookout for enemy troops, Hai Van Pass is littered with pillboxes and installations used to protect this vital link between north and south. Its about 350 meters high, and often is shrouded in mist. On a clear day, however, you can see northwards, to the Lang Co peninsula; and south, to the city of Da Nang.

Da Nang and China Beach

Often mistaken as the site where American Marines first came ashore in 1963, the event actually took place around the bay at Red Beach. China Beach was the site of a major Army base that came under attack by Vietmaese forces based around the Marble Mountains.

THE SOUTH

The South was the command center of the US forces stationed in Vietnam (Followed by Da Nang) though it still has a lot of history related to the French war. Not a whole lot of vestiges remain of the war, though there are some informative museums in Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi tunnels shows the struggle the Vietnamese people endured during the war.

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi tunnel system was built by Vietnamese forces who boldly tunneled beneath a major American Army Base. The tunnels can be visited today, often combined with a day tour.

Useful info

By June 29, 2017 No comments:

Cuisine

Visitors often notice that Vietnamese food is very healthy. It is mainly based on rice and noodles. The palatable recipes are handed from generation to generation. Delicious bowls of noodle soup with vegetables and meat (pho), fresh rice pancakes (banh cuon) with a tasty sauce, hot grilled chopped fish accompanied by a small cup of rice wine, snail with ginger, green sticky rice (com) in lotus leaves All these specialties that give you a taste of Vietnam!

Fruits and Vegetables

Vietnam is located in a tropical zone, with abundant rainfalls and a high level of humidity. This results in a diversified ecological and agricultural area producing manifold fruits and vegetables, which are rich in flavours and colours. Vietnam counts over130 species of fruit-tree. The tropical zone trees produce bananas, coconuts, mangoes, papayas, listchis, longans, and oranges. The Temperate Zone trees produce apricots, plums, peaches, pears, and more.

There are some well known fruits coming from different parts of the country such as Sapa peaches, Bac Ha Plums, Trung Khanh chestnuts, Doan Hung pomelos, Bo Ha oranges, Hung Yen longans, Thanh Ha litchis, Huong Tich apricots, Ninh Thuan cashews and Thap Cham grapes.

Visas
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country (except for citizens of countries that signed an agreement of visa exemption with Vietnam). For now, tourist visas can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad, or at the first point of entry to Vietnam. To secure a visa Vietnam, the applicant is requested to submit: the original passport, 2 copies of the application forms, 2 passport-sized photos, and visa fee.
Tourist visa: they are generally valid for thirty days
Visa extension: Travel agencies offer this service

Customs
On arrival in Vietnam, the customs inspection is usually pretty fast now.
When entering Vietnam visitors will be asked to fill out a form declaring all electronic equipment, jewellery, camera equipment and other valuables (except for the persons exempted by Vietnamese law). Amounts of money exceeding US$3.000 must also be declared on the customs forms upon arrival. Visitor cannot bring more than 1,000g of gold into Vietnam.

When leaving Vietnam, quantities exceeding 300g of gold must be declared unless the holder has permission from the Director of the State Bank. The exportation of antiques is retricted by Vietnamese law.

General information
Vietnam time: GMT plus 7 hours
Office hours

All government offices are open from 7.30 am to 4.30 PM (with a one-hour lunch break) from Monday to Friday.
In local regions, offices are open from 7.00 am to 11.00 am and from 1.00 PM to 5.00. Banks are open from 7.30 or 8.00 am to 3.30 PM and are closed on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.
Private shops are usually open from 8.00 or 8.30 AM to 9.00 or 10.00 PM.

Holidays
There are 5 Vietnamese holidays every year for total of 8 days.

January 1: New Years Day (One-Day holiday)

April 30: Saigon Liberation Day (One-day holiday)

May 1: International Labor Day (One-day holiday)

September 2: National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (One-day holiday) Vietnamese Traditional Lunar New Year Festival, or Tet Nguyen Dan (four-day holiday): this holiday begins on the eve and last over the first three days of the Lunar New Year, generally at the end of January or beginning of February

Currency
The national currency is Vietnamese dong (VND). Notes are available in denominations of 100,000VND, 50,000 VND, 20,000 VND, 10,000 VND, 5,000 VND, 2,000 VND, 1,000 VND, 5,00 VND, 200VND.

Throughout the country, American dollars are widely accepted. However, the bills must be relatively new with no marking or tear. Travelers cheques are easily exchanged in banks. Credit cards are becoming popular, especially in the major hotels and restaurants of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Telephone, Facsimile, E-mail

The international phone code for Vietnam is 84. It is possible to make international calls or sent faxes from a post-office or major hotel. E-mail and Internet are available in most urban areas throughout the country. Domestic long-distance calls are made by dealing 0, followed by the area code and number. It is very easy to phone inside Vietnam. Most hotels will allow local phone calls free of charge.

Language

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particular English and French, is now vogue among young people. Tourist guides speaking English, French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese are often available.

In the North, the best tourist season lasts from November to April. During this period, the weather is cooler and drier. There are several ritual ceremonies and folk festivals to celebrate the arrival of spring. The Lunar New Year festival (Vietnamese traditional Tet) in Hanoi will allow during this season is recommended to bring along warm clothes.
In the South, the temperature is warm all year round. The average temperature is approximately 27ºC. Therefor tourists need thin garments, sunglasses, and hats.

Electricity and water supply
Voltage system: 220 volt.

Tap water is already filtered and sterilised, but it should be boiled before drinking.

Accommodation

There are a vide variety of accommodations for visitor to choose from. Most hotels in big cities meet international standards.

Transportation

Visitor can travel over Vietnam through various province and town either by air, by road, or by train. Domestic flights are available everyday. The train between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi stops at different stations and province an exciting and unforgettable trip. The air-conditioned express trains take 32 hours to cover the distance. Cabs, motorcycles, and bicycles can easily be rented all over the country. The cyclo, a three-wheeled vehicle, is perfect for those who wish to move slowly and enjoy a city tour.

Airports

International Airport: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), and Danang airports.

Domestic Airport: Gia Lam (Hanoi), Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Dien Bien (Lai Chau), Na San (Son La), Vinh (Nghe An), Phu Bai (Hue), Pleiku (Gia Lai), Phu Cat (Qui Nhon), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Buon Ma Thuot (Daklak), Lien Khuong (Dalat), Phu Quoc, Rach Gia (Kien Giang).

Quao River Lake great beauty unforgettable in Phan Thiet

By June 28, 2017 No comments:

How about 20km from Phan Thiet City, located at the foot of the North Pass Gia Lam Dong and Binh Thuan connection, Quao River Lake brings a charming unspoiled beauty.

Small road leading to the lake Quao River. Construction was started from May 9/1988, 9/1997 to May completed, the lake has the task Quao River water regulation for agricultural areas and Ham Thuan Bac provide drinking water for the city of Phan Thiet.

The water from the river channel Quao. Straight branch water supply for the city of Phan Thiet, the horizontal arm running around the mountain, bring life to the rice fields and gardens of the district dragon.

The water from the river channel Quao. Straight branch water supply for the city of Phan Thiet, the horizontal arm running around the mountain, bring life to the rice fields and gardens of the district dragon.

Shore dam is also the road leading to the foot of the mountain with rich flora and fauna. Quao River to the lake in the last months of the year, you have the opportunity to admire the forests are deciduous, very colorful. A small corner of peaceful lake, with a small fishing boat of the locals. Stop by the lake on a clear blue day, enjoy the peace and breathe the fresh air, you could not help feeling like you are in the windswept highlands.

The distance is home to put the measuring device parameters of the lake. The main gates of the building brings great significance, making agriculture Ham Thuan Bac change meat. View of the main dam:

A romantic corner on the original ancient lake, the dam site area.

Standing in the main dam, once again, you have pretty good vision on the other side of the lake. Visit Quao River Lake, do not forget to take some time to climb the mountain right on the lake, from here, the whole panoramic vast plains around, looks peaceful feel of the land.

Bring agricultural significance is more tourist, Quao River lakes life seems distant buzzing, just quiet mountain silence is reflected. There are occasions in Phan Thiet, make one visit to this place to feel peace of mind.

Delicious grapefruit sweet soup

By June 27, 2017 No comments:

Located in an alley modest on Hai Ba Trung Street, grapefruit sweet soup shop that sells coffee and coconut for just 15 thousand VND/cup.

Although Hanoi has hundreds, thousands of sweet soup shops, but a cup of sweet soup when appetite simple grapefruit, sweet soup and coconut contains only good while until the last piece of the small sweet soup shop is located at the top of an alley on the road Two Ba Trung, paragraph facing American Club is a choice of more people.
Grapefruit sweet soup shop fit tens of years old where small alley on Hai Ba Trung Street.

This tiny shop grapefruit sweet soup with fortune mere 2 sweet soup pot and sugar bowl with coconut milk, coffee bottle containers stowed in a small corrugated coffin, a few plastic chairs as seating for guests. This shop only one type of sweet soup is sweet soup grapefruit. Sweet soup cup cooked from dozens of years of experience of the physician owners for the sweet soup things hard match but nothing special, soft bean is tender but still whole grain, especially grapefruit pulp crispy chewy, not he, eat lumpy lumpy, it was mouth. Even coconut milk is also homemade coconut, coconut milk rather than buy available.

Patrimony of only a pot of sweet soup shop, a pot of coconut. Unlike many on restaurant serving sweet soup cup full of beer and real substance to style diners get to eat no, sweet soup bar scene here is being ladled into the small glass. Guests called, her middle-age sales slowly opened the lid of sweet soup, specialty sweet soup scoop of salt into a glass, add the coconut milk and a little rock salt and give it to guests.

If an acquaintance to eat, this grapefruit sweet soup cup is hard to please, but must admit pretty small sweet soup cup draw moderate it also has its reasons, when the island was no match sweet soup, dropped out, the stone base both with coconut milk, sweet soup should be sufficiently harmonized to form pieces aromatic sweet soup, cool places throat.

Apart from grapefruit sweet soup, you can also try adding coconut milk dishes hit the road, smell the coffee to taste, mix coconut fatty slightly bitter taste of coffee and sugar tasted sweet. A cup of sweet soup or coconut like pretty small, the voracious enough to eat 2 cups, but with the ladies really like miu or find dishes stomach lining afternoon afternoon rush, the level is quite reasonable gifts idea to not affect the dinner with family.

Features of Hai Ba Trung grapefruit sweet soup is pretty light cook, eat well no matter how little stones or after eating joints need to drink more than a cup of water to balance the taste, coconut reviews here have 15 thousand, one price lovely such as the sweet soup cup.

Vietnam - Travel Tips

By June 26, 2017 No comments:

Local Time

GMT +7 hours or +12 hours for US EST (subtract 1 hour for daylight savings).

Climate

The climate in Vietnam differs greatly from North to South due to geographical diversity.

In the North, the rainy season is from August until November. Typhoons are sometimes a problem, but quite rare. The North can be quite chilly from December to February.

In Central Vietnam the Rainy season is from October until December. Heavy rain and flooding can interrupt travel and Hue, Danang and Nhatrang may have to be missed if travelling overland.

The climate in the Mekong Delta is sub-equatorial with two main seasons. The wet season lasts from May to October with short, sharp drenching downpours occurring almost every day. The dry season lasts from November to April.

Annual rainfall for the South is approximately 80 inches (2,000 millimeters) while temperatures remain relatively constant - on average between 77 and 95 F (25-35 C).

Food

Eating in Vietnam ranges from cheap noodle soups on the street for about 25c to a banquet in one of the luxury hotels. Vietnamese restaurants offer a broad selection of international fare including French, Italian, American, Indian, Chinese and Japanese.

The most typical Vietnamese food is Pho, the noodle soup with meat in it. It is very cheap at a 50c per bowl and usually well spiced. The main types are: Pho Bo with beef, Pho Bo Tai with rare beef fillets and Pho Ga with chicken. Com steamed white rice is eaten for lunch and dinner. Nuoc Mam is the fermented fish sauce used to spice absolutely everything in Vietnam.

Seasonal fruits such as dragon fruit, rambutans and longans, fresh vegetables and local seafood are widely available, although supply can vary by region and season. All fruits and vegetables should be cooked or peeled before eaten. Drinking water or ice is generally not recommended, even in the cities. Bottled water is cheap and readily available, so we recommend you don't take the risk. Vietnam is a beer culture. There are plenty of local as well as imported brands. 333, Carlsberg, Hanoi, Tiger, Saigon, LaRue, San Miguel and Heineken are some common brands.

Language
The official language is Vietnamese, a mix of mostly Mon-Khmer elements with some Tai and Chinese. The language is tonal and monosyllabic. Most minorities continue to retain their languages.
Today's main foreign language, especially among the young, is English. In the north, French and Russian are still quite widely spoken. The script of modern Vietnamese is based on Latin with accents, and was formed and created by the Jesuit priest Fr. Alexander De Rhodes in the 19th century.

Health care

No vaccinations are officially required to visit Viet Nam. However it is prudent to have up-to-date innoculations for Polio, Meningitis, Hepatitis A&B, Tuberculosis, TABT (TYPHOID, paratyphoid A&B and tetanus), Cholera, Malaria, and Japanese Encephalitis. In addition, we suggest you contact your personal physician or clinic specializing in international travel. Vietnam does have a wide variety of medicines, but you may not be familiar with them. You are advised to bring any prescription medications (in the original containers) currently required. You should pack a small medical kit, which includes sunscreen, insect repellent, diarrhea medication, ibuprofen or aspirin and antibacterial ointments. For those who wear eyeglasses, it is recommended that an extra pair be taken, as the quality of local replacement services varies. It is strongly suggested that you have a dental check-up before departure. Medical care facilities are available, but are limited outside of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and can be expensive for emergency care.

Religion
Vietnam is home of four of the world's great philosophies and religions: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity. Over the centuries, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have fused with popular Chinese beliefs and ancient Vietnamese animism to form what is known collectively as the Triple Religion. Confucianism, more a system of social and political morality than a religion, took on many religious aspects. Taoism, which began as an esoteric philosophy for scholars, mixed with the popular Buddhism of the peasants, and many Taoist elements became an intrinsic part of popular religion. If asked their religion most Vietnamese are likely to say they are Buddhist, but when it comes to family or civic duties they follow Confucianism while turning to Taoist concepts in understanding the nature of the cosmos.

People
The majority of the population (85%) is comprised of the plains-dwelling Kinh people. The minority population is made up of 53 ethnic groupings. The best-known are the Tay, H'mong, Dao, White and Black Thai and the Hoa. Each has its own unique customs and dialect making them fascinating to visit. The population is 80 million. More than 60% are under 25. Life expectancy at birth is 68 years.

Electricity
220V, 50 Hz

Shopping
Vietnam is good for shopping. Hot items on the tourist market include lacquer-ware, mother-of-pearl inlay, and ceramics, colorful embroidered items (hangings, tablecloths, pillowcases, pajamas and robes), greeting cards with silk paintings on the front, woodblock prints, oil paintings, watercolors, blinds made of hanging bamboo beads, reed mats, carpets, jewelry and leatherwork. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in central Vietnam is also a very good place to look for souvenirs.

Currency Exchange
The currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Notes are available in denominations of VND 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 thousand, and 5, 2 and 1 hundred. Coins are no longer used. Exchange rate: 1 USD is roughly 22,600 VND. The USD is widely used in Vietnam's cities. The Euro is exchangable, but not as popular. Bring clean bank notes with you. Dirty ones might be refused. Larger notes (i.e. 100) often get a better exchange rate than smaller ones.

VISA, Master Card and American Express cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops in the urban areas. Travellers Cheques are easily changeable at banks and moneychangers all over the country. Commissions are USD1 for a USD 100 TC at Vietcombank, USD 2 at ANZ Bank.

Public transport
Local inner-city bus systems are not good in Vietnam. Fortunately, there are other convenient ways of getting around. Taxis with meters are fairly cheap. The first two kilometers cost 12.000 VND and every subsequent 200 meters costs 1 thousand VND. The Cyclo, or pedicab offers easy, cheap and enjoyable transportation around Vietnam's cities. Riding a cyclo is also the best way to explore a city. The driver pedals behind you while you sit comfortably in the front and watch the movie of street life passing by. The average price for a ride is around US$0.20 per kilometer and is cheaper by time rather than distance. A typical price is US$1 per hour. Many of the drivers are also very knowledgable about their city and will speak at least some English or French or Russian.

Mail
Post offices are usually open from 8.00 am to 8 or 9.00 pm. Postcards cost about VND 10 thousand for a booklet of ten from the post office. Children also sell them, but they are more expensive. Don't be too annoyed by them, if they save you a trip to the post office it's probably worth paying a few dong more. A postcard to Europe/USA costs VND 5400, a letter VND 8400 (depending on the weight). They take about 2 weeks to be delivered.

Telephone

It is very easy to telephone inside Vietnam. All hotels will let you make local phone calls, many don't even charge you. International phone calls are possible from many post offices. At some places, international direct dialing (IDD) has become commonplace. There is a telephone card, the UniphoneKad. Cell phones are popular. If you have one you can buy a prepaid phone-card and own your private contact number while traveling in Vietnam. The system in Vietnam is GSM.

Internet access
The Internet was officially permitted in Vietnam in 1997. Access to online services is now available through cyber-cafes and computer terminals in the lobbies of guest houses and business centers in hotels. If you have an established Email account with a non-Vietnamese service provider, accessing your mail from Vietnam will require you to download your mail through a Web-based service such as Yahoo or Hotmail. This is easily done at cafes in cities like Hanoi, Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Danang and Hue. The Internet access fee is about 4000-5000 VND per hour.

One of the best places in Mui Ne.

By June 26, 2017 No comments:

Rang Dong Wine Castle was built in the classic European architecture, located in the 5 star resorts Sea Links City is the new tourist destinations featured in Mui Ne, Phan Thiet.

Comments work from Napa Valley Wine Valley, California American region, bringing Rang Dong wine castle architecture of medieval Europe with the vast square, the ancient dome but no less elegant, chic, these towers soaring space spread views of the Sea Links City of fresh green. All images seemed to exist at the remote US European countries now been reproduced in the castle wine Rang Dong.

Outside the castle, mill iconic grape farmers are placed on the page in the sand dunes as reminder of the distant history of viticulture and wine industry in Napa Valley. Then Sauvignon Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay also planted around the castle taken to introduce a new addition to the ingredients that make up the reputation of the wines of this valley.

castles including 3 suites connected together, surrounding a large courtyard, where the ancient aristocratic West often organized parties bustling outdoor wine. Inside the castle is divided into storage areas wine cellar, wine tasting room.

Come to the castle, visitors can buy souvenirs, wine in supermarkets Mini mart located on site as well as delight admire the wine line reputation here.

Castle was particularly interested in his customers when the service launched very nicely suited to the fun, your picnic with family and friends. With recreational fishing services new castle was cared research and investments, you will be completely impressed with the location extremely wonderful scenery here.

In addition, accented with display area and wine tasting tour with classic touches but no less luxurious, space here becomes delicate and extremely cozy.

During a tour of the castle wine Rang Dong, visitors will be guided tours 2 Cellar same processes and wine production model designed closed deep underground with average temperatures 11-14 degrees C. in addition, guests will enjoy a number of famous red wines from Napa Valley Napa Valley is labeled 55, 66 Napa, Napa 77 Napa Napa 88 or 99. Also in this tour, tourists guests can buy souvenirs, watch the spread of coffee sitting on the rooftop of the castle or enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the Sea Links City Resort.

Enjoy and soak up the atmosphere here, the tourists will not sort out the beauty awfully pleased amazing unique architecture as well as the irresistible taste of the wine line was intoxicating nực immerse wine enthusiasts around the world are genuine imports of Rang Dong Winery in America. Taste wines at Napa Valleys premium is kept completely original America in every drop of wine, for inviting guests stylish and full of passion.

Club fishing hut with 15 fully equipped service and utilities for anglers, plus a restaurant specializing in seafood processing for local consumption along with a childrens play area will turn 1 day of you and your family, friends become very cozy and enjoyable.
Rang Dong Wine Castle promises to bring you and your family comfortable moments to experience the epic as well as enjoy the wonderful service.

Rang Dong Wine Castle is always open to welcome guests on the search for novelty, and their discovery.

Tet Holidays: Back to the roots

By June 25, 2017 No comments:

It's Tet holidays, and the whole country is swept up in a wave of festivities. To welcome the New Year, everyone looks back to his or her roofs. Housewives prepare traditional dishes, old men paints banners that are strung up for good luck; villages hold religions processions, traditional games and rice-cooking contests. So put on your best clothes, eat a little banh chung and get into the spirit.

Mind you, it could extremely confusing for anyone arriving in Vietnam at Tet (which this year falls on January 21, 22 and 23) who doesn't already know what's going on. The tremendous energy of the last days of the old year suddenly evaporates, the bustling shops are boarded are left wondering what on earth has happened and where everyone has gone. Many expatriates take the opportunity to gain an insight into the character and culture of Vietnam. The Vietnamese look forward to Tet as the most important holiday of the year. After a whole year of hard work, it's the perfect time to relax.

Most of the Tet rituals revolve around maximizing the prospects for a good year ahead. For week beforehand, families prepare classic seasonal dishes, including the essential banh chung (traditional sticky rice cake), clean their house and buy new clothes for their children. Meanwhile the eldest person in the household cleans the ancestral altar and buys votive papers to burn as offerings.

In the first hours of the lunar New Year, after families perform their devotions at the ancestral altar, they choose an auspicious direction in which to set out for the local temple or pagoda. Here they pray for a good year with good business prospects.

On their way back home they choose branches bearing new leaves from a banyan or fig tree and plant them ' these tress are believed to house holy spirits, and the word for leaf bud, loc, is a homonym for good fortune. The fresher the loc, the better chance of good luck. Other families bring home some incense to burn on the ancestral alter accompanied by prayers for a good and prosperous year. A big influence will turn out is the character of the house in the New Year. So before families return home from their local temple, they choose a family member with the most auspicious energy to first 'foot their house on lunar New Year's Day. If nobody in the family is suitable for this important task, they can approach someone else, a friend, and neighbor or work colleague to help. Many people orchestrate this visit very carefully, to ensure the first person to call at the house has the right character for the particular year to come.

New Year means everybody suddenly becomes one year older, an important matter for the life expectancy of the elderly and for young children, who can be expected to fell much more grown up virtually overnight.

Much like New Year resolutions for Westerners, Vietnamese people also have the habit of working out their hopes and wishes foe the coming year weeks before the big day.

Meanwhile, shops specializing in sacred images come into their own at this time of year. The many shops in Hang Ma Street in Hanoi, for instance, the traditional center for votive papers, sacred images and Tet decorations, are ablaze with color.

On offer here are paper lanterns kites for kids of all ages, masks for mid-autumn festivals and decorations for weddings, meetings and other occations, and also before Tet many sizes and kind of bao li xi ' envelopes in which adults give lucky money to children.

Foe li xi or lucky money is another fine old Tet tradition. Mind you, this can become a fairly costly business if you have friends with several children in the family. If you visit a Vietnamese family around Tet, it's probably wise take red li xi envelopes. Generally, lucky money tends to be given to children younger than 15.

Vietnam may be moving rapidly into the modern world, but at the same time it is still a land of custom and tradition ' and Tet is its biggest holiday of the year. Even though times are changing, this Tet will still be a time of great energy, faith and togetherness.

A Teacher’s Tet Holidays

By June 24, 2017 No comments:

Knock knock! Vietnam’s traditional lunar new year (otherwise know as Tet) is knocking on every family’s door. Whether you have experienced it once, twice, or never before, it matters not at all, because Tet is always new for Vietnamese people.

They all get excited, despite the fact that their country is the land of year round festivals. Each year, Tet comes with new wishes and feelings of happiness. Tet is the greatest annual event for every person, regardless of age, job and social status.

The guest this month is a foreign teacher who has already tasted the unique atmosphere of Tet with his Vietnamese students and friends. New year customs vary from country to country, he observes, but they have a lot in common as well.

Raffaele Contardi, 50, first come here in November 2000 and is now working in the Cultural Section of the Italian Embassy. A professor of Italian language and culture, he also gives language lessons to students of Hanoi University of Foreign Studies.

“ When I came to Hanoi, it was just before Christmas. I saw many people going to church, so it did not occur to me that Vietnamese people also had a great traditional holiday of their own. So when Tet came, I was surprised because everyone seemed so happy.”

Curiosity led him to taste Banh trung (the must – have traditional Tet offerings made from sticky rice, green beans, pork, pepper and sail, wrapped in banana-like dzong leaves and boiled for half a day). He found it delicious, but he could only manage to eat a small piece – of course, it was nothing like his habitual pasta and pizza.

During his first Tet he spent lost of time walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and visiting pagodas, just as the locals do. He also bought a big kumquat tree to decorate his house. “ It is quite different from our traditional Christmas tree, but it arouses the same feelings”

“I like seeing people feeling happy, thinking of friends and relatives, and giving presents to each other at Tet. That’s exactly what Italians do at Christmas.”

The professor enjoys his life in Hanoi – partly because he is so popular with his students. He proudly shows me letters from some of them. After just a few moths making the acquaintance of a new language, they can write to him in Italian to express such sweet sentiments as “You are my sunshine, and when you smile you look nicer than the sun”. He grins broadly.

“ After Tet, we visited the Perfume Pagoda. It was quite a climb to get there. But it was really fun when we went on a two day trip to Mai Chau (a Muong Nah White Thai village north-west of Hanoi), stayed in stilt houses and joined in the local dances.”

In his country, the dances are very different to those of Vietnam. He thought it looked simple, but it turned out anything but people sit moving long bamboo poles up and down, to the right and left, to count out the rhythm. The dancers have to know when to put their feet on the floor and when to quickly step back so the sticks don’t rap their ankles. “ But I couldn’t do it – I kept hopping about to void them. It was really funny.”

Of course there were other differences between celebrating Tet in Vietnam and Christmas in his hometown of Arcevia. Just for starters, Vietnamese people are shy about kissing, but that’s almost second nature for Italians.

When he is not lecturing, he often hangs out with his Vietnamese friends. Born on April 30, Victory Day in Vietnam, he always has a happy birthday because there is big celebration all over the city. And also there, he seems many supporters of his favorite football team, Juventus.

He ends our chat bay telling me how great it makes him feel to run five circuits of Hoan Kiem Lake every Saturday and Sunday morning. “ It takes me 48 minutes,” he notes proudly.

The only teacher of Italian in Hanoi was excited about this Tet, because he has been invited to visit many of his students’ families, it could be his happiest Tet yet, he believes.

Southern highligts

By June 23, 2017 No comments:

Nha Trang
The southern central coast offers the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. The turquoise waters around Nha Trang are clean and transparent, so it is a great place for fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving.

While in Nha Trang, tourists should visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, which originally consisted of eight towers built between the 7th and 12th centuries and from which only four remain. Tourists may also admire the Hon Chong Promontory, a scenic collection of granite rocks that jut out the East Sea. Another pleasant trip is a boat cruise to the offshore islands.

Dalat
Dalat, in the Lam Dong Province, is a romantic city located on a plateau 1,500m above sea level. Due to its relatively high altitude, Dalat benefits from a cool climate all the year round, with an annual average temperature of 18 oC. Dalat displays very beautiful natural landscapes with several waterfalls, a wide variety of gardens, and numerous lakes and forests.

Vung Tau
This scenic bay, outlined by a small curved peninsula, lies 125km south-east of Ho Chi Minh City. Vung Tau is a popular weekend getaway that can be reached by hydrofoil from Ho Chi Minh. Vung Tau offers attractive beaches and delicious seafood.

Con Dao
Con Dao is an archipelago comprising 16 islets, about 180km offshore Vung Tau City. In the past, the largest island was home to a prison. Nowadays, it has a great tourism potential with several historical sights, scenic spots and nice beaches.

Ha Tien
Ha Tien is located in the province of Kien Giang, 93km from Rach Gia. The scenic beauties of Ha Tien are different from place to place offering very attractive wild landscapes. Ha Tien is also endowed with famous beautiful beaches: Mui Nai Beach, Bai Duong Beach, and more. It is said that Ha Tien is a beautiful and romantic tourist area.

Phu Quoc
The island of Phu Quoc is well known for its jade-related richness and for its idyllic location. The holidaymakers can bathe in the sea, rivers, and streams. They can also do some treks in the mountains or in the forests and explore caves. Phu Quoc Island possesses all the ideal features to fulfil tourists needs.

Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly called Saigon, lies between the Mekong River Delta and eastern Nam Bo, the south-eastern part of the country.
Over the past centuries, Saigon was known as an important trading centre for Chinese, Japanese, and Western merchants, who traveled upstream the Saigon River to Pho Island. Saigon was then praised as the Pearl of the Far East.

Ho Chi Minh City is now biggest city in Vietnam. Its population is of approximately five million people. It is not only a commercial centers, but also a scientific, technological, industrial, and tourist one. The city comprises many large hotels offering a wide variety of services.

Tourists will enjoy visiting the Nha Rong Wharf, the Reunification Hall, the War Museum, Cu Chi tunnels (200km network of tunnels), Giac Lam Pagoda (the oldest pagoda in the city), Giac Vien Pagoda located next to the Dam Sen Lake, the Jade Emperor Pagoda built in 1900 by the Cantonese Congregation, Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built between 1877 and 1883 in neo-Romanesque style, as well as many other sights and tourists attractions.
Some places of interest around Ho Chi Minh City

Tay Ninh: Cao Dai Temple, Ba Den Mountain

Dong Nai: Long An lake, Cai Tien National Park, Long Hai Beach.

From Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can visit the Mekong Delta, which is criss-crossed by a dense network of canals, is fertile and excellent for the cultivation of rice and growing fruit trees. The Mekong River Delta is much appreciated by those interested in ecological tourism.

Some places of interest

Vung Tau: beaches, Thich Ca Phat Dai, Niet Ban Tinh Xa, Bach Dinh, Binh Chau Hot Springs, Quan The Am Bo Tat Pagoda, Dinh Co Landscape.
Con Dao: Con Dao National Park, Hon Ba Peak, Hon Cau, Hon Tre, Hang Duong Cemetery, Con Dao Prison.

Ha Tien: Dong Ho, Thach Dong, Hang Pagoda, Phu Tu Island, Tien Cave, Mo So Cave, and several beaches like Mui Nai, Bai Duong.

Phu Quoc: Bai Truong, Bai Dau, Ghenh Rau Beaches, Hon Tre, Tho Chau Archipelago, Hai Tac Archipelago, Doi Cave, Chanh Stream.

Mekong Delta: Ton Thanh Pagoda (Long An), Phung Island (Ben Tre), Ninh Kieu Wharf (can Tho), Thoi Son Island (Tien Giang), Cai Be Floating Market (Tien Giang), Ving Trang Pagoda (Tien Giang), Tomb of President Ho Chi Minhs Farther (Dong Thap), Thap Muoi Stork Sanctuary (Dong Thap), Tam Nong Crane reserve (Dong Thap), Orchards (Dong Thap), Sam Mountain (An Giang), Tay An Pagoda (An Giang), Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau (An Giang), Phu Quoc Island (Kien Giang), Ha Tien (Kien Giang), Dong Ho (Kien Giang), Tourism Garden (Vinh Long), Ba Om Pond (Tra Vinh), Ba Dong beach (Tra Vinh), Doi Pagoda (Soc Trang), U Minh Forest (Ca Mau), Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary (Bac Lieu)

My Son

By June 22, 2017 No comments:

My Son Site lies in a valley located approximately 10km west of Tra Kieu, 70km south west of Danang. It features several temples, among which is the largest temple of the Champa Kingdom, and more than 70 structures of different architectural styles. They were built of brick and stone between the 7th and the 14th centuries. My Son has been compared with other famous sites of Southeast Asia such as Angkor, Borobudur, and Pagan.

The main temples are devoted to India Gods, like Shiva, who were the protectors of the Cham Kings. People also worship the spirit of Bhadresvara, who founded the first dynasty of Emperors of the Amavarati region. Along with Hoi An, My Son have been declared by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Some places of interest: Cham Towers, Chien Dan Tower, and Tra Kieu Citadel.

Hoi An

By June 21, 2017 No comments:

Located 30km south of Danang by the Thu Bon River, the tow was know as Faifo to early Western merchants. It was a major trading centre in Southeast Asia between the 16th and 17th centuries (later supplanted by Danang), welcoming Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and merchant vessels from the Far East.

In the town, several streets have been kept relatively intact. All the houses were made of wood, and decorated with horizontal lacquered boards and vertical parallel panels engraved with ornamental designs. Hoi An has been recognized by UNESCO as a world Cultural Heritage Site

Some places of interest: old streets and pagodas, Cua Dai Beach.

Hue

By June 20, 2017 No comments:

Vietnams ancient imperial capital has been recently recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Hue is famous for its imperial architectural treasures that include the royal citadel, palaces, tombs, pagodas and shrines, all located in astonishing natural landscapes on both sides of the Huong River.

From Hue, tourists can take sightseeing tours to the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the underground tunnels of Vinh Moc located at the 17th parallel, among other historical sites

Some places of interest: Hue Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Ho Chen Temple, Perfume River, seven Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, Lang Co Fishing Village.

Thien Mu Pagoda

Hai Phong

By June 19, 2017 No comments:

Located 102km from Hanoi, Haiphong is the second biggest port of Vietnam. It is another industrial and commercial hub in the north after Hanoi. From Haiphong, tourists can take a boat trip to the islands of Cat Ba or to Halong Bay.

Some places of interest:

Do Son Beach, Du Hang Pagoda, Hang Kenh Communal House. Cat Ba: Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba Island and National Park.

Cat Ba:

Cat Ba Archipelago is a very popular tourist area, 80km from Haiphong. The archipelago includes 366 islets offering many beautiful beaches and unusually shaped grottoes. Cat Ba Island is the largest island of the archipelago. Tourists can explore primeval forests and grottoes or just relax on the beach.

Ha Long Bay

By June 18, 2017 No comments:

Listed bye UNESCO as a World Heritage, the bay is one of the most magnificent places of interest in Vietnam. Belonging to Quang Ninh Province, approximately 180km from Hanoi, it covers an area of 1,5000 sq km with thousands of islands and Grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Bac Bo Gulf. One can spend a day trip on a boat contemplating this enchanting landscape and swimming in the sea. In the year 2000, Halong Bay has been recognized as a World Heritage for the second time for its geological value.

Hanoi and Around

By June 17, 2017 No comments:

Hanoi is the capital the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as well as the cultural, political, economic and commercial centre of the whole country. The city was first named Thang Long (*) by King Ly Thai To in 1010. Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam ever since, except for one short period of time.

Hanoi still preserves almost 600 pagodas and temples, as well as numerous busy streets with an old architecture. So, despite the addition of very modern buildings, the city keeps its poetical features, with streets lined with long rows of secular trees, large parks covering dozens of hectares and numerous lakes.

In Hanoi, tourists can visit Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Co Loa Citadel, Temple of Literature-Quoc Tu Giam (the first university in Vietnam), Quan Su Pagoda (Ambassadors Pagoda) considered as the official center of Buddhism, Thong Nhat Park and Thu Le Park, Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake.

Tourists can also make themselves acquainted with Vietnamese culture by visiting History Museum, Revolutionary Museum, Army Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts. Tourists can also visit some other interesting places close to Hanoi: Thay Pagoda and Tay Phuong Pagoda located in Ha Tay Province as well as Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh Province, and so much more.

Some places of interest around Hanoi

Ha Tay: Huong, Thay, and Tay Phuong Pagodas, as well as Dong Mo Golf Course

Phu Tho: Hung Temple, Ao Chau Pond

Vinh Phuc: Tam Dao Resort, Dai Lai Lake

Bac Ninh: Dau Pagoda, Dinh Bang Communal House, and Tho Ha Ceramic Village

Bac Giang: Suoi Mo Waterfall, Khuon Than Tourist Area.

Hung Yen: Hien Ancient Street

Hai Duong: Con Son Historical Area, Kiep Bac Temple

Ha Nam: Ngu Dong Son Grottoes, Ba Danh Pagoda, Long Doi Pagoda

Nam Dinh: Pho Minh Temples, Phu Day Relics, Tran Kings Temple

Thai Binh: Keo Pagoda, Bach Thuan Garden, Dong Chau Beach

Ninh Binh: Tam Coc Bich Dong, Phat Diem Church, Dinh Le Temples

Hoa Binh : Mail Chau valley, Kim Boi Hot Springs

FINE ARTS & HANDICRAFTS

By June 16, 2017 No comments:

Fine arts

Dong Ho painting: Annually, the Ho villages population makes paintings for the New Year. This type of folk painting reflects the populations utmost wishes for peace, happiness and prosperity.

Silk paintings: For this sophisticated style of painting, silk is used as a canvas. Paint or natural ink is used for drawing.

Lacquerware painting: even though lacquer was used a long time before, it became part of the fine arts as a painting discipline in Vietnam at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to talented artists. It is still very popular today.

Ceramics: Different regions have various kinds of ceramics. The traditional ceramics come from Bat Trang, a village outside of Hanoi. The quality and artistry of the handmade drawings are superb.

Handicraft

Vietnamese art and craft articles have been displayed in many international fairs. Articles made of lacquer, rattan, bamboo, and palm, are quite popular. Vietnamese are also experts in making articles out of wood, animal hide and horns, tortoise and oyster shells. Other items such as embroidered articles, objects inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ceramics, gold and silver jewels, and paintings are also very popular. These can be purchased in shops or enterprises.

New beach in Binh Thuan

By June 15, 2017 No comments:

New beach in Binh Thuan super beautiful destinations, super happy New Year holiday!

Saigon is just 3 hours drive, color beach My Son, super happy camper models and an array of outdoor activities suitable for your group, this is definitely a great place for New Year holiday forthcoming.

Recently, there seems to Binh Thuan has become one of the ideal destinations for infinity anyone fascinated cruise, when here constantly open beaches, amusement parks extremely attractive new, novelty, and especially with the trend of the young.

Remember a few months ago, Lagi in Binh Thuan with beach-style picnic, camping here first named Coco Beachcamp. And recently at the American Son has launched a new beach, ultra wide and no less strangely named Son My Beach, Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan

From the City, you only take about 3 hours to reach the town of Son My, Binh Thuan. Lie on the side of the coastal road, Son My Beach are separated almost completely with a beautiful land. Even on the run in, you will have walked the ramp, and from there you can watch the overarching romantic beaches that he was going towards, with a blue sea color and form lasting hug bow, the above is a fine white sand, interspersed with pine forests, coconut. Side are the colorful wooden houses that you are going to go there to rest.

Since this is a completely new beach, had not even been officially opened should still pretty crowded on weekdays. But on the contrary, I feel this is the point or its main and for those who want to find a beautiful place to rest, relax and find a private space, obviously, with sea, sun and wind like present.

My Son Beach is also a go-style beach camping, outdoor picnic huts are built on a white sand beach at the end of the beach. It features more than 20 tents of various kinds from small to big, from personal to collective price from 75k 150k / person. An extremely reasonable price and is equivalent to the nearby area. This is also a form of marine tourism is currently a lot of young people love so save a lot of costs, but also can close, enjoy nature, sun and wind around its maritime domain.

There are about 20 tents, you can rent or bring your tent and pay additional fees section.
You can find yourself with very relaxing sitting corner like this, campground was built right on the white sand beaches and the ocean front straight.

However, the US special Son Beach that is outside the tent like the other, it also has a lovely wooden suites are designed to look overseas beaches, suitable for those who do not like sleeping tent, there are sun and wind during the days muggy coastal region.
Here, the room is designed as a miniature villa. Each apartment has a different color, representing the country with the flag is hung vertically on the wall of the door. The interior is full of form, with air conditioning, fan, TV, mini fridge, hairdryer, even the bathroom is extremely clean and tidy beyond imagination.

How do you feel ? A wooden hut next to the beach with bright colors like this ? Each apartment has a different color to represent each country. Walkway leading to the lovely wooden room. Do you like this pink room?

In a lovely house like this, you can comfortably hang fully enjoy their vacation in. The hot muggy day or rain nor afraid. Also the design of these rooms are straight out to sea and only about 20 30 meters only, so virtually from dawn to dusk, when the room is flooded with light and cool wind.

Office with two single beds for two people. Inside is a full bathroom, tidy and extremely clean. At this point, the course must take the time to take pictures, right?

Even the midday sun on top of the head, you would not need to turn on air conditioning to do. Just open the windows, put a chair in front of the wind and sat there, watching the sea, in front of every house has a small garden to vine makes you feel comfortable and absolutely relaxed . The rooms here have prices ranging from 450k 800k / room, depending on room for 1 person or 4 people will have different deviations.

Open every door and put a chair sitting there, you can enjoy all the great emotions of a serene waters like this. From the room you can look at the whole beach scene. In front of each house was a little garden green. You absolutely can find countless corners to sit and relax other lying around here.

However there is a point deducted by the beach is still relatively new, so everything here is still in the process of finalizing. Beach not yet have many fun activities, outside campfire, barbecue on the 7th day, Sunday weekend. Known for more than 1 month, the American Son Beach will complete with lovely wooden room and started the myriad of outdoor activities such as kayaking, jetski, pull buoys and floats bananas,

More than a month, it will be a beach with all the fun games for you to enjoy the experience and thrills on the water. Special restaurant of the beach, where you can find a lot of fresh seafood dishes here. Ceiling side of the restaurant has a special staircase but when climbing you can sit watching the entire space of the Son My great.

But when climbing you can sit watching the entire space of the Son wonderful sizable My.aMot notes for you before you decide to carry the bag on the road that, the beach-style camping and picnic as this will only suitable for those who have fun, hobby and really want to get close to nature. Because these are almost secluded beach with everything around. No houses, no urban noise, no market, supermarket or even the business center and even less. So the main goal is that you need to get the experience, a place for himself and his friends, families can gather for fun activities simple and close to nature.

So if youre looking to a crowded beach, full of bars, shops, coffee or shuffle around like Nha Trang, Vung Tau and Da Nang, it is necessary to think carefully before leaving. And if you want to go, please find yourself a few companions to share the experience a more enjoyable way.

Jam roses in Dalat

By June 15, 2017 No comments:

Jam rose is delicious favorite of many girls. Only the names in the list of Dalat jams recent years, but with names reminiscent of flower symbol of love, the same shape, color, strange, jam rose is consistently ranked in the top of the specialties should buy as a gift.

Called jam jams commission but this is not made from the commission which made radio Hibiscus results (pink flowers). In folklore, Northerners call this fruit is red artichokes and Southerners often called bup vinegar. Radio Hibiscus fruit has many other names such ephemeral flowers, fruit vinegar, sour fruit. Notable features of the commission is jam-flavored crunchy, sour and totally natural red.But in fact it is made from persimmon flowers, commonly known in folk with sour fruit name.

Dalat is a huge Hibiscus flower growing areas of the country with natural advantages in favor. About 15 years ago, the first seed company Hibiscus Herbal taken to Dalat then only about 10 years later, the station was popular fruit very wide in the southern provinces. Jam whereby commission also become a typical specialties for romantic Da Lat was very much loved as a gift purchased each player the opportunity to visit Dalat.

Jam commission can use to decorate cakes, decorating drinks, food and ice cream or fruit juice mixed with Hibiscus to create unique delicacies.

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