Hue, Imperial City

Still remaining its form of City underMiddle Age and the constructions of monarchic, a invaluable museum of Vietnam, this is Imperial City - the last remaining section of 19th-century Hue, and it is now a modern experiment in recreating traditional Vietnam. The Imperial City was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO on December 1993. Let’s take a trip through the most important historical and cultural monument of Vietnam.

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Dominating the skyline is the 37m (120ft) high Cot Co or Flag Tower, first erected in 1809. Cot Co achieved international renown on the morning of 31 January 1968, when communist forces seized the Citadel and ran their yellow-starred banner up its tall mast.

The lower part of the gate is stone, while on top is the "Belvedere of the Five Phoenixes" where the emperor appeared on important occasions, and where the last emperor abdicated to Ho Chi Minh's Revolutionary Government in 1945.

Just inside the gate is a lotus pond with a bridge once reserved for the emperor's private use. Across the bridge is the Thai Hoa Palace used for official receptions and other important court ceremonies. The columns supporting the roof are lacquered and inlaid with gold.

Thai Hoa Palace

Behind the Thai Hoa Palace are a pair of smaller halls used by mandarins to prepare for court ceremonies. The halls form a courtyard, the fourth side of which was once a wall dividing the more public area of the citadel from the emperor's private residence, the "Forbidden Purple City." The name conjures up images of grand palaces like Beijing. Unfortunately, it takes quite a bit of imagination to picture the buildings that once occupied what is now a grassy expanse. What wasn't destroyed by a fire in 1947 was bombed in the 1968 Tet Offensive. The picture at above left was taken from the upper-most level looking back at the Thai Hoa palace and the Flag tower.

Off to one side of the central axis of the forbidden city, about midway, is the Thai Binh Lau or Royal Library. This small building stands in a garden and is fronted by small pond mostly taken up by a mountain-island well-grown with moss and bonsai. You will find similar ponds, fountains or even large bowls of water in many structures all over Vietnam.

Although you must enter the citadel through the main gate, you can exit it at several other points. Between the Thai Hoa palace and the halls of the mandarins, a path leads to the Hien Nhon gate (left). Leaving by this gate is the shortest route to get from the forbidden city to the museum at Long An palace. Along the path are a couple of buildings worth a look.

A visit to Hue might be considered incomplete without a boat trip on the outstandingly lovely Perfume River. Boats are readily available for hire, either for an exploratory trip in the vicinity of Hue, or for a longer journey upstream to the tombs of Minh Mang and Gia Long.

Perfume River

It's hard to explain the uncanny beauty of the river, though doubtless the irridescent, aquamarine waters, together with the profusion of colourful craft and boat women sporting non la--the ubiquitous cream-coloured conical hat of Vietnam--all contribute to the effect. On a clear, sunny day the Perfume River can indeed be magical.

Source: vietnam-beauty.com

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Mu Cang Chai: charming and peaceful

Mu Cang Chai, lying at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range in Yen Bai Province about 350 kilometers from Hanoi and 1,000 meters above sea level, is one of the poorest mountainous regions in Vietnam and is home to many terraced fields which have been recognized as a national heritage and as Asia’s most beautiful terraced fields.

A view of Mu Cang Chai's terraced fields.

The wonderful landscape is made of endless terraced fields lying together in the valleys of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and Ze Xu Phinh and stretching to the horizon.

Dawn is a busy time, especially in the market.

Under the sun, the green and the gold of the fields create attractive curving lines that dazzle the eye. Clinging to the mountainsides, the fields mingle with the white and blue of the clouds and sky.

This is a place to breathe slowly and deeply to embrace the scents of the rice and the fertile earth and the clean air, driving away the smell of calculation so common in big cities.

The honest and innocent faces of the farmers who work the land here in their colorful costumes reveal a sense of simple happiness.

People often visit Mu Cang Chai in the post-harvest time and are sometimes asked by locals, “Why you come here at this time, nothing nice to take photos?”

However, Mu Cang Chai’s terraced fields after the harvest are not sad or deserted. They remain charming as each stalk, now yellow, is piled up nicely. Somewhere in the distance a house is visible against the yellow and green.

So peaceful! But people who nourish a dream of preserving nature worry that one day modern civilization will devour the land and replace the primitive beauty with company headquarters, factories and resorts.

Spending the night in this remote area where the Mong ethnic tribe lives is an experience worth the effort.

SGT

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Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is the tourist destination which will bring you to a few imperial capitals of the country in the ancient and medieval eras. Visiting Hoa Lu, you will not only have a fun and exciting time, but can learn more about culture and history as well.

Karst mountain range in picturesque Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu is some 110km or two hours from Hanoi. Located near the town of Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu is the site of a 10th-century capital of an ancient Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Viet. This small Kingdom covered an area of only 300 hectares, and reigned from the 10th century, during the Dinh and Le dynasties, to the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty. The Kingdom was enclosed by a citadel. The citadel and the Yen Ngua limestone hills provided good defence for this kingdom against the Chinese.

The mountains and sea combined to make Hoa Lu’s picturesque landscape. Hoa Lu lays in a flat valley surrounded by the Trang An lime stone mountains, which form a natural wall protecting the old citadel. The city’s northwest is bordered by the Hoang Long River, the tributaries of which run through the capital, cooling the weather within the city and serving as convenient waterways.

Not much of this ancient kingdom is left standing. Whatever that remains of the palaces and shrines would only be of interest to archaeologists. The Royal Court was built in an area of 150 hectares in the eastern part of the capital while the western part served as a site to educate and protect children. The surrounding to be quite picturesque, with its ponds and limestone range forming a jagged horizon. There are two 17th century temples, modelled after their 11th-century originals that are on most itineraries to Hoa Lu. They are the Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and Le Hoan Temple, dedicated to the founder of the Dinh Dynasty and to its successor, reachable after a climb of more then 200 steps. I shall describe these two temples separately on their respective pages.

As the capital of the country for 41 years, Hoa Lu has many palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions that were built by different dynasties. One of the most popular pieces of architecture is the Bao Thien Tue Palace, which was plated with gold and silver. However many vestiges have been destroyed due to time and weather.

In 968, Dinh Bo Linh ascended to the throne and took the name of King Dinh Tien Hoang and reunified the country under the name of Dai Co Viet. Hoa Lu was its capital for 41 years (968-1009). The first 12 years were the Dinh Dynasty while the rest were the Le Dynasty with King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (Hanoi now).

Dinh Tien Hoang Temple at Hoa Lu

Coming to Hoa Lu visitors can attend traditional cultural festivals here, and the most important and largest of them is the Truong Yen Festival, which is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month. The festival is in memory of the Kings of the Dinh and Le dynasties. The festival lasts for three days with many traditional games and martial arts, reflecting local residents’ legends.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival

The festival is held annually on the 10th -13th of March of the lunar calendar in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district with the purpose of commemorating the two kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.

The festival includes two parts: Worshiping is water procession at Truong Yen water station located on Hoang Long river and worship at the two temples of King Dinh and King Le. Entertainment activities includes performing "Co lau tap tran", competing in writing Han script, playing chess, performing dragon dance, etc.

How to get to Hoa Lu?

You can easily get a day tour from Hanoi to visit Hoa Lu from most travel agents in Hanoi. Such a tour usually includes a boat ride at Tam Coc as well. The tour begins in the morning and ends at the early part of the afternoon. Hoa Lu is about 110km from Hanoi, and takes 2 hours to reach.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is really an important cultural and historical site of great value in Vietnam.

Source: vietnam-beauty.com

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A float on Ha Long Bay

VietNamNet Bridge – Nature at its most magnificent, perfect harmony between sky and earth, mountains and water, makes Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, 165 kilometers east of Hanoi, an essential stop for any visitor to Vietnam.

Ships dot the Bay like floating castles. To spend a night on such a ship during holidays, tourists must book several months in advance.

Ships typically leave the Bai Chay moorage depart at noon. The fare of about $110 per person on a four star vessel includes three meals featuring local seafood, sightseeing fees and kayaking.

From a boat, Ha Long Bay is beautiful like a water-colour painting.

Many will visit the Sung Sot (Amazing) Cavern in the afternoon. Sung Sot Cavern is the largest of the many caves on Ha Long Bay.

A Ha Long Sunset. Tourists can take a kayak to the beach at Titop Island or explore the many islets.

On four-star boats, visitors will enjoy sea specialities while enjoying the landscape.

Emotion, a boat recently put into service, looks splendid at night.

Source: VNE

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Son Dong, the world's largest cave

Son Dong, a cave belongs to the Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto system in central Quang Binh Province, has been discovered to be the biggest in the world.

Son Doong cave, discovered by a local 18 years ago, is more than 200 meters wide, 150 meters high, and at least 6.5 kilometers long, though the explorers said they were unable to explore it fully. Bristish explorers have recently discovered that So Dong is much larger than the world’s biggest known cave. The biggest section of Son Dong is five kilometers in length, 200 meters high and 150 meters wide, said Howard Limbirt of the British Cave Research Association team searching the area April 10-14, 2009. Son Dong is much larger than Deer Cave in Malaysia, currently considered the world’s largest, an explorer said (Deer is 90 meters wide, 100 meters high and 2 kilometers long). The Son Doong cave has replaced to take pole position as the world’s largest cave.

The Son Dong is situated below another cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, though its entry passage is very difficult to traverse. The exploration team said they had set foot on just 6.5 kilometers along the cave, as there is a large amount of fast flowing water inside Son Dong. It takes explorers six hours of walking through a 10 kilometer long forest path from Truong Son Highway to reach the mouth of Son Dong cave. The explorer added that the Quang Binh cave has beautiful stalactites and stalagmites that are not seen anywhere else.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto system belongs to the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It is a limestone region of 2,000 square kilometers in Vietnam and borders another limestone area in Hin Nammo in Laos. When describing the newly-discovered cave, the team’s spokesman, Haward Limbirt, said that it was a thing of overwhelming beauty and grandeur. He added that each grotto has its own beauty, but he is impressed by Ca Xai. This cave is near the Vietnam-Laos border. It is very deep and has a big lake inside. Explorers measured the depth of this lake, but they had only 200m of rope and the end didn’t reach the lake bed.

The British team suggested to the local authorities not to develop Son Doong Cave as a tourism site immediately to preserve its natural beauty.

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The Xuan Huong Lake – Aroma of Spring

Xuan Huong Lake- the most beautiful and biggest lake in Da Lat(Đà Lạt) city- is located in the center of this city. Being one of the attracting and poetic places, this lake is also a meeting place for lovers
Located in the center of the city with 1,477km in height, 5km in circumference and about 40ha in square area because a part of this lake is consolidated. The Xuan Huong lake used to be a valley where the stream Cam Ly was across, and where Lach(Lạch) dwellers settled in the early time.

In 1919, by the initiative of the envoy Counhac, the civil engineer Labbe carried out parting the stream into the lake. Until 1923, people built another dam in the beneath part of this one to create one more lake. Because of the influence of a storm in March 1932, these dams were breached.

Until the year of 1934 - 1935, a new large stone dam was just designed and built in the beneath part against the two-old dams to form a big lake by the engineer Tran Dang Khoa- called Grand Lac by French people. This dam was built in front of the Palace of Chief of Province. This Chief named Pham Khac Hoe- called "Mr. Đạo"( Mr. Chief), so when this dam or this bridge was completed, the local people are used to calling Mr. Đạo bridge which has been in being up till now.

The lake has 5,000m in circumference, 25hm in width with the shape of crescent moon. Surface of the lake is so quiet as a mirror reflecting the shadow of the old fir trees, lines of willows are graceful and will be more beautiful in spring, the cherry-blossoms bloom in splendid pink that makes the lake surface flare up as the cheeks of the Da Lat young girls.

Xuan Huong Lake

In 1953, Nguyen Vy - the Chairman of Da Lat Municipal Administration Council- changed the lake name "Xuan Huong lake" (The Flavour of Spring). Along the banks of Xuan Huong lake are willows reflected in the lake together with apricot trees

Xuan Huong lake is tranquil as glass reflecting the rows of pine trees that shout all day. The streets around the lake are covered by the shade of pine trees, this makes the lake more poetic. Tourist can fish under the shadow of pine trees, or wander around the lake on the water-bicycle shaping swans, or rest in the water restaurants to admire the unique architecture or enjoy glasses of coke with Dalat taste

Source:simpleVietnam

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Langbian – A love legend

Langbian mountain or Lam Vien mountain is far away from the center of Da Lat city to the North. It is 2,163m in height, and is a appreciate place for sport activities: climbing, parachuting, go hiking, bird and rare plants researching... Langbian is the symbol for a pure and faithful love of a couple in a local ethnic minority, They decided to commit suicide together to object to the strict rules of the old clans.

The love story about the man named K'lang (belonging to ethnic group Lach) and the woman named Hobiang (belongs to the ethnic group Chil) has touched to the feeling of many tourists when coming here. Families of K'lang and Hobiang lived in the foot of mountain, they met each other by chance when going to forest for picking fruits. Hobiang and her villagers were in danger and K'lang bravely saved her from the pack of dangerous wolves. It's only the first sight but they liked each other and then fell in love. But because of the vow between two ethnic groups, Hobiang could not get marriage with K'lang.

Overcoming the strict rules and feudal rites, they had determination to live together. They got marriage and moved to a place in the top of a lofty mountain for living. When Hobiang was sick, K'lang tried as possible as he could to treat her but there's no good signal. He resigned himself to come back her village to ask for helping his wife's life. At the end of the story, Hobiang died because she prevented him from the poisonous arrow of villagers by her body. In the indescribable sadness, K'lang cried a lot and his tears became a large stream, now called Dankia (Gold Stream). After the death of this couple, father of Biang was so regretful and he came forward to unite the other ethnics into one ethnic called K'ho. Since this time, lovers in village can easily come to each other. Then, the high mountain in La Ngu Thuong village, where K'lang and Hobiang died, was named Langbian -the combined name of this couple to commemorating them and their faithful love. By opportunity, tourists can stand on Langbian and see the Chil and Lach ethnic villages being unobtrusive and quiet by the river, or among the valleys along the banks of small streams. And from this view to the city, tourists can see Da Lat gathering villas, schools, church with the high bell-towers. Up till now or even till all the time, Langbian or Ba mountain is always a lively image in the mind of each ethnical people in Da Lat as well as tourist in spite of contemplating once

You can discover the top of the mountain by following the pathways or vehicle tracks, or you can rent a motor-cycle for picking you up to the top of the mountain. The way is bendy and curving among the forest of pine trees... The first feeling when you firstly reach the top is so comfortable. The great space is among the boundless sky and the cool atmosphere that is the specific characteristic in the "Small Paris" city.

Langbian is considered as a travelling area specialized in outdoor-going, nature discoveries, cultural and people studies... All mountainous area Langbiang is covered by a thick layer of grass, it is high and deep-green in rainy season. Valley is the place where specific flora and fauna live. There is a rather big valley in haftway up the mountain, this is the place celebrating successfully the festival of 100-year Da Lat's foundation and development. Therefore, this valley is called 100-year valley. It is designed as a ecotourism and entertainment area. If going touring, tourists can enjoy exchangeable programs, light camp-fire and drink "can" wine (a kind of wine drunk out of the jar through pipes) with ethnical people, listen to their story and culture.

Source: Gia Lai Travel

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Sa Huynh, a pristine wonderland

Sa Huynh is an area dotted with quaint fishing villages and sandy beaches in the central region’s Quang Ngai Province.Located off National Highway 1A, along milestones 983-987 on the coast of Duc Pho District and parallel to the national railway line, Sa Huynh abounds with golden sand.

The color of the sand changes during the day from an earthy brown early in the morning, to a shimmering gold around noon, followed by a pale blue hue on moonlit nights.

Sa Huynh is rich in local seafood and there are several restaurants offering up fresh meals from the sea.

The area is also steeped in ancient culture dating back to 1,000 BC. The Sa Huynh people are thought to be predecessors of the Cham, the founders of the Champa Kingdom.

Along with the Dong Son Culture in the north and the Oc Eo Culture in the Mekong Delta, Sa Huynh is considered one of the most famous ancient Vietnamese cultures of the Iron Age era.

Along the beach, stretching around 6km, and near the Sa Huynh Tourist Resort is an abundance of scenic highlights.

Visitors can rent motorbikes and travel around Ma Vuong Mound to see historic archeological sites.

In the culture of the ancient Sa Huynh people, the dead were cremated and buried in jars. In the early 20th century, French archeologists excavated these ‘tomb jars’ and found many were also buried with stone adornments and tools.

At Sa Huynh Hotel, about one kilometer south of the Sa Huynh Railway Station, visitors can enjoy the view of the vast blue sea, rest in the shade of green casuarinas, feel the cool breeze on their skin, swim in the sea by a sloping beach, and enjoy food specialties such as boiled crabs with salt and chili, rice porridge with sea urchins, and sour soup with groupers.

When visiting Sa Huynh, be sure to purchase a few kilos of nep ngu (a type of glutinous rice once offered to kings) and fermented urchin paste, which is only available in the summer.

Source: vietnamtravelblog.com

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Sapa’s beauty

Located in the northwestern region, the famous Sapa town in Lao Cai province is at the height of 1,600m above sea level. Its natural landscapes are captured by tourists.

A house on the road to Ho village covered by mist by Tran Viet Dung.

Terraced fields in Sapa by Tran Viet Dung.

A quiet mountainous road by Tran Viet Dung.

Chrysanthemums in Sapa town’s park by Tran Viet Dung.

The stone-made church in Sapa Town by Tran Viet Dung.

A H’mong woman and her son by Tran Viet Dung.

The path to Ham Rong Mountain by Tran Viet Dung.

Sapa Town in fog by Tran Viet Dung.

Sapa’s peach blossoms by Hoang Dang Minh.

Specialties of H’mong people by Hoang Dang Minh.

H’mong children like watching TV by Ngoc Tinh.

The Sapa weather station by Pham Hoang Van.

On the peak of Ham Rong Mountain by Bui Thi Linh.

Sapa in fog by Bui Thi Linh.

The dawn on the peak of Fansipan Mountain by Ngoc Tinh.

Sapa – the town in clouds by Phan Vu.

Silver Waterfall by Bui Thi Linh.

Source VNE

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Tay ethnic group’s charming village - Ba Be National Park, Vietnam

Located in the heart of the Ba Be National Park in northern Bac Kan province, Pac Ngoi hamlet is one of a few hamlets that still keeps to the traditions, customs and habits of the Tay ethnic group, the second largest ethnic group in Vietnam.

Ba Be National Park, Vietnam

Pac Ngoi hamlet is home to 80 households comprising 400 people, who are mainly Tay ethnic people.

When visiting the hamlet, tourists can observe ancient houses on stilts backing onto the mountain and mirrored on Ba Be lake, and enjoy original Tay songs, including “Then” singing - a religious music from the Tay people that combines music, songs, dances, movement and the “luon”, duets of lovers.

Pac Ngoi hamlet has a musical group of 12 who are fond of traditional songs and dances. The group’s leader is Trieu Van Thu, who is master of “Then” singing and playing musical instruments, including the locally-made “tinh” guitar which has two or three strings.

If able to stay longer, tourists can enjoy the fresh air and the hamlet’s peaceful lifestyle and have the chance to study the local people’s customs and habits or join in their traditional festivals that pray for bumper harvests, rain, one-month-old celebrations for babies and longevity celebrations for the elderly.

They will also have the chance to see how the local people weave and make brocade, make wine from maize and pare wooded dug-outs, and taste traditional dishes.

The number of tourists visiting Ba Be National Park and wanting to stay overnight in ethnic hamlets has been increasing over recent years, and Pac Ngoi’s people now open their houses to welcome guests.

The head of Pac Ngoi hamlet, Hua Van Canh, said Pac Ngoi is one of the province’s hamlets that will be developed into a cultural village.

According to him, besides preserving its cultural identity the hamlet has invested in upgrading its infrastructure. An asphalt road has been built through the hamlet and a cultural house worth 1 billion VND has been put into use for public events.

The State also helped the local people to keep the environment clean and develop their local crafts.

Canh said that now, no families in his hamlet go short of food and they have no drug addicts or thieves.

The best thing is that all the families in the hamlet are enjoying a better standard of living, all help each other and share their weal and woe, Canh said.

VietNamNet/VNA

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Vietnam vacations experience - Beat it!

The Vietnamese are masters of the two-wheeler. People carry their entire lives, families and livelihoods on the back of their mopeds – no matter how diminutive. On the lush, green three hour drive past the rural expanse of paddy fields from Hanoi to Halong Bay. I saw a man with a whole live, twitching pig strapped to his backseat. Some women ride the things side-saddle, many seemingly unconcerned (even on a high-speed motorway) with the small trifle of holding on. Others go one-handed, mobile phone, cigarette or rainbow-striped umbrella not inhibiting their ability to maneuver amidst the busy traffic.

Vietnam rural area

It was fearlessly then, that Bing, our Vietnamese cookery teacher and chef from the Nam Hai hotel, led our party of three on bicycles from the hotel to the local market where we were to buy some produce to cook. This may sound idyllic, and indeed it was – but before we could immerse ourselves in the charm of the local culinary commerce we had to get there, and this involved cycling down a fairly major road and crossing a big junction – a feat indeed for one of the only girls in school to fail her cycling proficiency test, and who has barely graced a saddle since.

The day before had been mostly spent recovering from the exertion, excitement and pollution of Hanoi, lounging by the hotel’s picture-perfect pool, which looks onto the sandy expanse of China Beach. There we sipped Chi Chis (a blend of vodka, pineapple and coconut cream) and slurped bowls of fragrant pho before heading into Hoi An – a charming riverside town characterised by Chinese architecture and merchant’s houses. We ate fish grilled in banana leaf and piquant, crunchy banana flower salad at Canh Buum Trang restaurant on Tran Hung Dao street with local sisters My (pronounced Me) and Vy (pronounced Vee), who complimented me on my full figure (always a great way to charm a food writer) and seemed thrilled by the way I devoured what is for them rather prosaic, everyday fare.

After lunch we went to their shop at 63 Nguyen Thai Hoc street and were fitted for bespoke dresses (Hoi An is the capital of tailoring in Vietnam and having clothes made is shamefully cheap) before heading back to the hotel just in time for happy hour and the warm embrace of complimentary cocktails. So cycling in the morning heat was the most physical exertion we’d done in a while, and it felt great to glide past the countryside, negotiating our way amidst the agricultural trucks and moped drivers on our way to the market.

The market was a humid, labyrinthine hive of food and life – the air thick with the strong smell of nuoc mam – Vietnamese fish sauce. There women sat crouched on the makeshift tables selling their wares and eating bowls of stir-fried morning glory and garlic. While I was distracted by the tiny miniature Vietnamese onions (the size of garden peas) my friend sussed out a stall selling televisions, one of which was blaring out karaoke, and somehow, microphones were thrust into our hands and before we knew it we were performing an impromptu rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ - enthralling stall holders and local people who gathered to watch and laugh at the weird spectacle we made. I thought I might get roped into karaoke at some point on this trip – but never did I imagine it would be in the midst of a cookery class in the deepest depths of a rural food market.

Source: spectator.co.uk blog

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Vietnam in Asia's Top 3 most popular destinations

Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia experience the fastest growth in popularity in Asia, according to Cheapflights UK, a British website for price search and comparison in travel. Searches for Indonesia are up 116 percent, followed by Vietnam with 94 percent and Malaysia with 79 percent.

“While Thailand has long been a British favorite, neighboring East Asian countries have experienced a dramatic rise in search recently and we are starting to see a popularity shift into places like Vietnam,” says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights UK.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Price conscious travelers will find value in all three destinations. Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula. Bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia, the country features two World Natural Heritage sites and six World biosphere reserves. Vietnam is ranked 16th in biological diversity, and 16 percent of the world’s species can be found here, including 794 aquatic invertebrates and 2,458 sea fish. While tourism has grown steadily to almost 4 million visitors over the years, prices remain relatively low.

Malaysia is made up of three main regions covering over a thousand individual islands. West and East Malaysia are separated by the South China Sea and share a largely similar landscape of coastal plains that rise to often densely forested hills and mountains. 38 designated marine parks are home to shipwrecks, coral gardens, black-tip reef sharks, barracuda, groupers, parrotfish, puffer and angelfish are common sights.

With a population of 230 million, Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country. Only about 6,000 of its 17,508 islands that stretch along the equator are inhabited. After Brazil, Indonesia supports the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. The Komodo National Park, the Banda Sea, Raja Ampat and the Bunaken National Marine Park feature some of the best scuba diving in the region.

“Travelers are more up to going the distance not only in flight time, but also in adventure. Whether it’s helping to feed an economy that’s fighting to grow or getting better acquainted with one that’s already booming,” said Hallak. “Perhaps the two most interesting trends to come out of the recession are a heightened global conscience and a thirst for exploration.”

Source: dtinews

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Exploring water lifestyle of Mekong Delta Vietnam

When the conversation is about the Mekong Delta, people immediately think of tropical rivers, interlacing canals, immense rice fields and the floating homes

A view of floating Market in Mekong river, An Giang province.

Lazing on a small sampan, tourists can feel they are so tiny on the boundless river and under the shade of countless trees. Witnessing the trade on the floating markets surely makes an impression on those in the delta for the first time.

Upon reaching the raft village, tourists are introduced to the structure of the rafts which are designed as homes and as floating fish farms. Tourists can catch a view of farmers feeding fish and can be served indigenous dishes made from local fish.

Tourists should not miss a visit to a weaving village of the Cham people. Here, tourists can witness the dexterity and talents of Cham ladies who painstakingly weave on looms by the riverside.

On the way back, tourists should not miss the floating restaurants to enjoy specialties of the Mekong Delta in tide-water season. Floating on the immense rivers and taking a look at the lifestyle in the delta are unforgettable experiences.

Chau Doc town is about 300 kilometers from HCMC where one way bus fare is VND80,00-105,000.

VietNamNet/SGT

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Carnival atmosphere in northern bay

Visitors to Ha Long Bay enjoy annual carnival with art performances and firework displays

The 2009 Ha Long Tourism Festival, the largest of its kind, is expected to welcome 500,000 visitors

TUOI TRE

A carnival atmosphere will once again heat up UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay with the “2009 Ha Long Tourism Festival,” to be held April 25 to May 2 in northern Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The festival will celebrate the land, sea and sky, according to the provincial government.

The opening ceremony, “Ha Long – World Natural Heritage Rendezvous,” will feature a carnival procession and traditional dances by 1,500 local and international performers. They will perform on land and on floating stages around the Bai Chay ferry harbor.

A highlight of the nine-day festival will be the “Meeting of Heritages,” which features six art troupes, two of which are from China.

Visitors to Ha Long City will also enjoy a series of cultural events, including a food fest, performances by domestic and international artistes, sports competitions and business fairs.

A firework display will close the festival at Bai Chay Ferry area on May 2.

Coming during two days of public holidays, the festival, the largest of its kind in the country, is expected to welcome 500,000 visitors.

Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular hot spots for tourists in northern Vietnam. With its exceptional scenic beauty and interesting geology, the bay has twice been recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Quang Ninh Province received about two million visitors in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 23 percent over the same period last year.

If you are interested, why not to book a visa online and go to Ha Long Bay. You will have a wonderful holiday in Ha Long Bay.

Source : vietnewsonline.vn

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Hoi An lights up - Discover traditional Vietnam's Ancient Town

The old port town of Hoi An has always been one of Vietnam’s most charismatic and seductive tourist spots and at Lunar New Year hundreds of lanterns added to its charm

Hoi An ancient town with lanterns, Vietnam

On the last day of the Lunar New Year, the ancient streets of Hoi An were filled with the thick scent of incense and anticipation. The typically relaxed locals were fluttering around hastily making arrangements before one year ended and another began.

Dust and dirt were swept outside while shopkeepers piled up offerings -- traditional cakes, fresh fruit and flowers -- on tables inside. But customers still had to be assisted. This is high-season for tourists, so tailors and souvenir shops have to make the most of it!

Among the most popular items for tourists are silk lanterns. Like the town itself, Hoi An’s silk lanterns are a blend of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese elements. The silk lanterns are iconic – almost every café and restaurant in town incorporates lanterns into the interior design. You can find a myriad of shapes and designs in every kind of colour you can think of.

Catering for those who like to travel light, craftsmen have designed lanterns that easily fold up into bags or suitcases. There must be Hoi An lanterns swinging from ceilings in every corner of the globe.

After the sun goes down, Hoi An takes on an evocative, magical appearance. In an effort to create a tranquil ambience, authorities have long since banned motorbikes from the old town’s streets in the evening. Everyone just ambles around as lanterns rock in a gentle breeze.

During Tet this year the town was even more breathtaking than usual as the inaugural lantern making contest was held. Students, craftsmen and artists from around the town entered designs and the best 79 lanterns were displayed in the An Hoi Statue Garden on the bank of Hoai River.

The rest of the lanterns were hung throughout the town. It was truly a festival of lights that left tourists and locals in a happy, dreamy daze,..

By Hoang Van and Duc Hanh report/timeout

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Satisfy your bucolic yearnings

by Cong Thanh

Different world: Duong Lam village in Son Tay, 60km west of Ha Noi, is one of the most visited sites by local and foreign tourists alike. — VNS Photos Hoai Nam A culinary treasure: Jars of soya sauce ferment on the sunlit patio of a 163-year-old house in Duong Lam Village.

Duong Lam Village in Son Tay Town, 60km west of Ha Noi has become increasingly popular half-day trip for weekend travellers.

Ha Nguyen Huyen, owner of the 163-year-old house in the village, has welcomed tourists since 2005 when it was recognised as a National Cultural and Historical Relic.

The 51-year-old man, who is the ninth generation of his family to live in the 1846-built house, said he provides different options for tourists who wish to stay longer.

It takes one-and-a-half hours by car from Ha Noi to reach the village, which is home to hundreds of old houses.

"Visiting the villages gives tourists a good overview of rural life. It's the reason I maintain a stove that burns firewood and keep farming tools in my house," Huyen explained.

Duong Lam Village, which sits on Son Tay Town ringroad, is an ideal half-day trip.

Road 32 has bus links between Ha Noi and Son Tay Town, but it takes an additional 15 minutes to get to the village by motorbike taxi.

But don't despair if you don't like independent travelling, travel agencies throughout the north offer package trips to the old village.

"It's amazing. After just an hour's journey from hectic Ha Noi, the village seems to be from another time. There is no noise, no traffic jam and so fresh," said Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong, who is a second-year student at Ha Noi Social Science and Humanities College.

Phuong, said she was impressed by the main entrance of the village – which is sandwiched by a 300-year-old banyan tree and a lotus pond.

The 20-year-old student was also surprised about gates to the old houses because there lack doorbells, instead they just have a small wooden handle.

"It's very special. I was wondering how to get into one of the old houses when I turned the handle. It made a clacking and the owner opened the door to invite me in," Phuong explained.

Despite the increased levels of urbanisation, most of the families inhabiting the old houses have retained the lifestyles of their ancestors.

Villagers nowadays use gas stoves, but Huyen reserves a firewood oven to either cook or give demonstrations when he hosts tourists.

He says his family alone has more than 1,000 visitors annually, of which 70 per cent are foreign tourists.

Soya sauce is a job that helps Huyen's family lure tourists.

"Visitors can see how soya sauce is made at my house. It's not only a food, but a treasure," Huyen explained.

Huyen's house has become a favourite choice for big travel companies.

"It's because the house has charming architecture, while the host is very hospitable. The owner has taken the time to preserve two-century-old house's original features," said Focus Travel deputy director Nguyen Viet Trinh.

He also said his company will list the half day trip in Duong Lam Village as a new tour.

"A half day tour to the village provides a break from Ha Noi's city life before touring Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province or Tam Coc-Bich Dong in Ninh Binh Province." he said.

Huyen rents bicycles to visitors for VND50,000 (US$2.7), tourists can then explore the village themselves at their own pace.

"Most tourists like going by bicycle around the village rather than using motorbikes, it's more likely that they'll make more stop-offs," said the old house owner Nguyen Thi Vuot.

The 46-year-old woman also said she cooks ordinary foods such as morning glory and fried tofu and soy.

"Tofu and spring rolls are the popular dishes with visitors. They sometimes can make them themselves. Vegetable and tofu are eaten with soya sauce. Fresh water crab soup and fish are also included for lunch."

Last year, the local tourism authority organised a training course on tourism for the owners of ten old houses.

Conical hats displaying on bamboo stalls, peanut sweets and molasses cakes are village specialities.

Harvesting in the fifth lunar month is the best time to catch the farmers working in the fields.

Mong Phu commune house, which was built in 1684, and a series old houses are main destinations for tourists. Mia Pagoda and the tombs of King Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen are other sites worth a visit.

The village is the birthplace of Viet Nam's first two kings – Phung Hung (791-802) and Ngo Quyen (939-944) – who were famous for their struggle for Vietnamese independence.

Duong Lam Village is also the birth place of 17th-century scholar Giang Van Minh (1573-1637), who has a Ha Noi street named after him.

Mia Pagoda has 286 Buddha statues made of bronze, jack fruit wood and clay lacquered dating back from the 18th century.

In recent years, the village has become a favourite location for wedding photographs, artwork and film making.

-VNS

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Bicycle tourism booms

by Thanh Ha

Wheeling around: Members of the E Mong cycle group on the road. E Mong organises regular cycle tours around the country. — File Photo

Pedalling slowly on his rented bicycle, Jerome Gastel, a visitor from Switzerland, enjoys the fascinating architecture of Ha Noi's Old Quarter.

Viet Nam was a strange country to the 28-year-old some months ago but he has no regrets about visiting the country after a letter from his friend advised him to do so.

In the letter, his friend wrote about a peaceful nation, steeped in history.

Gastel did not hesitate in booking his flights and decided that the best way to see Viet Nam was by bicycle.

"I have visited HCM City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue and finally Ha Noi, which is my favourite destination so far," Gastel says.

"Ha Noi is not only a modern city but also one where I can admire vast green rice fields, shady rows of bamboo where people gather and chat, the old Co Loa Royal Citadel, and most of all, the Old Quarter."

Gastel rents a bike for VND30,000 (US$1.7) per day to enjoy the city's sites which according to him, makes it easier to see typical aspects of Ha Noi such as vendors shouldering baskets, tea shops hidden down narrow alleys and pagodas.

"While I ride around the city, I also get the chance to visit souvenir shops and galleries."

Robert Martines, a sportsman from Melbourne, shares Gastel's feelings on his second visit to the city.

"Viewing the city by bicycle is a pleasure. Here I feel more relaxed in contrast to HCM City and cities in my country," he says.

"Ha Noi is a city of history and culture. I love it and I hope to have chance to understand it more."

Off the beaten path: Foreigners have shown interest in discovering Ha Noi's Old Quarter by bicycle. The city is home to a lot history and culture and has many secrets to discover. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

Demand for bicycles is increasing among both locals and foreigners, especially young people who have gradually grown to recognise the environmental benefits of the simple vehicle.

"My customers are mostly foreigners but some of them are students that study here. I'm also starting to welcome more and more Vietnamese customers," says Huong Giang from Diep Tran Tourism Company on Hang Bac Street.

Giang says her customers sometimes rent bicycles for up to a month. These people usually have little knowledge of the city to start with but despite the language barrier and the foreign customs and roads, in some ways they grow to know Ha Noi better than the locals who were born and grew up here.

"I have no bike at home. I'm saving money to buy one but while I'm waiting until I've saved enough, I come here to rent," said Vu Hoai Anh, a post-graduate student.

"At present, bikes are the cheapest and safest vehicle. They are easy to use and repair and most of all, they do not pollute the environment. It is my first choice of transport and I can't wait until I have my own," Hoai Anh says.

One of the difficulties for people touring the city is the chaotic traffic but that problem cannot quench their thirst for discovery.

Gastel says he was a little afraid of the city's traffic to start with but now he knows how to overcome the challenges of riding and how to ensure his safety.

"It was really an obstacle for me in the beginning but now I am okay, I am a good rider."

People can easily find rental bikes in the Old Quarter on Dinh Liet, Hang Bac and Hang Be streets, with a range of prices depending on the quality of the bikes and the season.

Renting a bike is simple. Foreigners leave their passports at the shop, pick up the bike and helmet and enjoy their tour. Maps are also provided.

Apart from people like Gastel and Martines who are keen on life in the Old Quarter, many others love to enjoy the rural areas and traditional handicraft villages of the capital. They visit destinations such as Bat Trang Ceramic and Pottery Village or Van Phuc Silk Village.

People who are fans of bike riding can register on forums like xedap.org or xedap.vn where they are updated with local and international cycling news.

Hoai Anh is a member of both forums and calling his friends to be member of a group of bike lovers called E Mong (Painful Bottom)

Instead of vehicles with engines, these young people are always ready to tour the country by bicycle.

Despite the fact Hoai Anh and his friends are busy with their jobs, they still find time to tour with their group.

"Riding the bikes can hurt our bottoms but it is a good feeling," says a member of the group with a laugh.

"After really pushing ourselves, we are stronger and healthier. In short, the bottom hurts but the head comforts," he says.

Established about a year ago, the group has been on around 30 tours to different areas of Ha Noi and to other cities and provinces including Hoa Binh, Bac Ninh and Ha Giang.

The E Mong group often hold a tour every two weeks. Any member can suggest a destination for their next trip.

"Anyone who is interested in riding is welcome to join us. We are all amateur riders so there are no rules for members. All they have to do is register with us and ensure that they are strong enough to enjoy the tour," said Vu Nguyen Ngoc Linh of E Mong.

"Riding is a good way to escape from a week of stress and tiredness," says Xuan Anh, another member.

"There is no better way to discover the beauty of the country and people. A trip of about 100km is not an easy challenge for anyone. I can't forget the thirst, suffocation and exhaust fumes I endured on my first rides. But now we are experienced and those memories are a thing of the past that have helped us to become best friends," he says. — VNS

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Have a foggy, jolly, Christmas in Sapa, Vietnam

Temperatures in Sapa, the most famous tourist site of northern Vietnam, are less than 4oC, but the town is very crowded with foreign and local visitors who come to celebrate Christmas. VietNamNet reports in photos:

Despite the cold spell, ethnic minority girls still travel to town from their far-away villages.

The cold doesn’t stop visitors.

All hotels decorate their entrances to welcome Christmas.

Hoang Manh Dung, Director of the Sapa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told VietNamNet that the number of foreign visitors for Christmas has risen sharply in 2009.

The town’s church in fog.

Source: PV/VNN

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