Vietnam Travel: Hanoi Destination

Hanoi is the capital of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Ha Noi lies in Red River Delta and is situated in a tropical area having a strong monsoon influence. The name of Ha Noi (Interior side of a river) has been derived from an ancient language which is literally known as a land area located in the inner side of Red River. It does not mean that the city is inside the river, but it is embraced by about 100 km of the Red River dykes. Ha Noi has nine inner precincts (Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Hai Ba Trung, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan, Long Bien, Hoang Mai) and five suburban districts (Tu Liem, Thanh Tri, Gia Lam, Dong Anh and Soc Son).

One- Pillar Pagoda

Chua mot cot (One-pillar Pagoda) : Its original name was Dien Huu (long-lasting happiness and good luck). Legend has it thatKing Lý Thai Tong was very old and had no son of his own. Therefore, he often went to pagodas to pray for Buddha's blessing so that he might have a son. One night, he had a dream that he was granted a private audience with Buddha with a male baby in his hands. Buddha, sitting on a lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond in the western side of Thang Long Citadel, gave the king the baby. Months later, the queen got pregnant and gave birth to a male child. To repay gift from Buddha, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda which was supported by only one pillar resembling a lotus seat on which Buddha had been seated. The pagoda was dedicated to Buddha.

Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) was built in 1070 as a dedication to the founder of Confucianism. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam - the first university of Vietnam - was built in the premises of Van Mieu. Quoc Tu Giam was the first school for princes and children of royal family members. In 1482, King Le Thanh Tong ordered the erection of steles with inscription of all the names, birth dates and birth places of doctors and other excellent graduates who took part in examinations since 1442. Each stela is placed on the back of a turtle representing the nation's longevity. During Nha Nguyen (Nguyen Dynasty), Temple of Literature was moved to Phu Xuan (Hue Royal City).

Golden Lotus Pagoda (Kim Lien Pagoga)

* Chua Kim Lien (Kim Lien Pagoda): Legend has it that in the 12th century, Princess Tu Hoa, daughter of King Lý Than Ton, led her ladies-in-waiting to this area. They cultivated mulberry and silkworms to make silk. Later, a pagoda was built right on the site and by 1771, it was named Kim Lien (Golden Lotus).

* Chua Quan Su (Quan Su Pagoda): was built in the 17th century. It is located in the street of the same name. Since 1958, Vietnam Buddhism Association has used this pagoda as its head office.

* Den Quan Thanh (Quan Thanh Temple): The three ancient Chinese characters which are still seen today on the top of the entrance to the temple mean Tran Vu Quan. Literally, the temple is dedicated to Saint Tran Vu. Temples are places for worshipping saints while pagodas are dedicated to Buddha and faithful disciplines. Saint Tran Vu was a legendary figure which was a combination between a legendary character in Vietnam's legend and a mystic character derived from China's legend. In Vietnam's legend, he was a saint who had earned the merits of assisting Thuc Phan (future King An Duong Vuong) in getting rid of ghost spirit during the construction of CoLoa Citadel. An Duong Vuong Temple in CoLoa Citadel (Dong Anh district) is also named Thuong Temple. Inside it, there are An Duong Vuong's bronze statue (cast in 1897) and a big arbalest symbolizing the magic arbalest in the old days. In China's legend, Saint Tran Vu was a saint who had made many contributions in safeguarding the northern border. Quan Th¸nh Temple was built during the reign ofKing LýThai To (1010-1028). Special attention should be paid to the black bronze statue of Saint Tran Vu. Another object of no less significance is a smaller black bronze statue of Old Trong, a chief artisan of the bronze casting team who had made the giant statue of Saint Tran Vu and the great bell on top of the entrance.

* Den Ngoc Son (Ngoc Son Temple): Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda. Later, it was renamed as Ngoc Son Temple, because it was dedicated to the saints. Saint Van Xuong was a person considered the brightest star in Vietnam's literature and intellectual circles. Tran Hung Dao was worshipped because he was the national hero who led the Vietnamese people to a resounding victory over the Mongol aggression. The temple as it is seen today was attributable to the restoration efforts of Nguyen Van Sieu, a great Hanoian writer. He had a large pen-shaped tower (Thap But) built at the entrance to the temple

On the upper section of Thap But, there are three Chinese characters Ta Thanh Thien which mean literally that to write on the blue sky is to imply the height of a genuine and righteous person's determination and will. Behind Thap But is Dai Nghien (Ink Stand). The Ink Stand is carved from stone resembling a peach, which is placed on the back of three frogs on top of the gate to the temple. Passing through Dai Nghien, visitors will tread on the wooden bridge called The Huc. The Huc is literally understood as the place where beams of morning sunshine are touching.

Besides, Ha Noi has such attractions as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, History Museum,Revolution Museum, Army Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Palace of Friendship....

Festival Hai Ba Trung

Den Hai Ba Trung (Hai Ba Trung Temple) is also called Dong Nhan Temple, because it is located in Dong Nhan village, Hai Ba Trung precinct. Built in 1142 under the reign of King Lý Anh Ton, it is dedicated to the two Vietnamese heroines Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. On the 5th and 6th days of the lunar second month, there is a grand festival at this temple to commemorate the two national heroines.

West Lake

HoTay (West Lake) & Duong Thanh Nien (Youth Road): Youth Road can be compared to a beautiful bridge spanning across the two large bodies of water - West Lake to the northwest and Truc Bach Lake to the southeast. Covering an area of nearly 500 hectares, Ho Tay was also called Dam Dam (Misty Pond), Lang Bac (White Waves)...

Oral tradition has it that HoTay derived from a low-lying area upturned by a golden buffalo, so the stream derived from Ho Tay was named Song Kim Nguu (Golden Buffalo River). As for Truc Bach Lake, legend has it that in the old days, Truc Bach Lake was where lived the abandoned ladies-in-waiting who were forced to weave silk. Therefore, beautiful silk was called Truc Bach (Silk of the Truc village). As the biggest lake in the city, HoTay is surrounded by many areas reputed for their traditional occupations: Yen Phu and Nghi Tam (silkworm-breeding and silk-weaving villages in the past), Quang Ba, Nhat Tan (peach-growing village), Buoi (paper-making village). In Tay Son times, Nguyen Huy Luong wrote Tông Tay Ho Phó (Eulogy for West Lake) so as to highlight the landscapes of the West Lake and Nguyen Hue (future Quang Trung)'s glorious merits. Now, Ho Tay has been earmarked for the city's major tourism development center.

Hoan Kiem Lake

* Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of Restored Sword): The name of this lake is derived from a legend having it that a fisherman named LeThan caught a sword blade when drawing the fish-net. Than decided to offer it to his commanding general Le Loi (future Le Thai To). Afterwards, LeLoi found a hilt fitting that blade very well. This sword had always been on his side during 10 years of resistance against Ming aggressors. After winning over the foreign aggression, King Le Thai To returned to Thang Long Citadel .One day, aboard a royal boat, he took a cruise in the Luc Thuy lake. Suddenly, a giant turtle emerged and came towards him. The king withdrew his sword, and pinpointed with the sword the direction of the coming turtle for his soldiers' attention.

All of a sudden, the turtle caught the sword between its teeth from the king's hand and submerged. The king thought that during the resistance against Ming aggressors, the genius had offered him this sword to help him defeat the enemy. At that time, the peace was returning, and the genius appeared to take back the sword. Consequently, King Le Thai To decided to name the Luc Thuy lake Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of Restored Sword). In the middle of the lake is Thap Rua (Turtle Tower). The lake abounds in big turtles aged five or six hundred. When there are the changes in weather, they often emerge or expose themselves at the foot of the Turtle Temple.

---

Newer news items:

• 06/02/2012 - Ha Long Bay (World Natural Heritage)

Older news items:

• 01/02/2012 - Introducing Mekong Delta
• 22/12/2011 - Truc Lam Temple
• 06/12/2011 - Floating market in the heart of Saigon
• 02/12/2011 - Ceramics village fires up tourism
• 17/11/2011 - The Old Quarter in Hanoi

ASEAN and Korea exchange tourism tips

Southeast Asian countries have gained tips on improving their tourism industry from Korea.

The ASEAN-Korea Centre hosted a tourism workshop from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. Members of the National Tourism Organization and industry representatives from 10ASEAN member states and Korea attended the ASEAN Tourism Promotion Workshop in Seoul.

The workshop included lectures on tourism trends and prospects for ASEAN and Korea, tourism promotion policies, marketing strategies and tourism development plans for mega international events. Following the talks by industry professionals and academics, ASEAN representatives shared ideas on tourism promotion programs in ASEAN and Korea.

The workshop was followed by a field trip to Pyeong Chang and other parts of Gangwon Province to visit venues for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and observe the tourism promotion programs of the province promoting Korean traditional culture.

The Tourism Promotion Workshop was organized as part of the ASEAN-Korea Centre’s Programs for ASEAN Tourism Human Resource Development to strengthen competitiveness of ASEAN tourism and promote tourism exchanges between Southeast Asia and Korea.

www.easytoindochina.com/travel/asean-and-korea-exchange-tourism-tips.html

Saigon – one of 10 cities have the most attractive street food

The Food and Wine Magazine has selected ten cities which have the most delicious street food in the world. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam ranks 5th for noodle soup (Vietnamese: Phở) and pâté bread. Below are list of top ten places:

1.    Austin (Texas  - USA)
Austin is known for a lot of delicious street food such as Lucky’J fried chicken, Tacos Waffles or grilled Kimcheeze (or Kim Chee) which is sold on the Korean BBQ style truck, a combination between Korean style and Mexico style.

2.    Bangkok (Thailand)
Bangkok is called “street food” paradise. Food markets could be found on almost every street corner from Yaowarat  to China town… Some typical dishes are grilled pork skewers, curry fish, fried banana with flour, durian fruit.

3.    Berlin (Germany)
Beer is a major part of German culture. Street food in Berlin is various: Bread likes the Turkish Donne Kebab, or wurst (hot pork sausage), and the currywurst in Berlin is different. It is about 40 centimes long and cut into pieces, topped with tomato sauce mixed with curry powder and chili powder.

4.    Chicago ( United States)
In Chicago, there are trucks specializing in providing street food such as Wagon – Gaztro severed meat bread, Meatyballs Mobile and Southern Mac. Nowadays, more and more food trucks operated in Chicago as Food Truck Tuesdays in the South, Halted Avenues in Park Lincoln, Food Truck Thursdays in Ethyl’s Beer, Wine Dive in West Loop and Chicago Food truck.

5.    Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
One of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh that visitors like are “Pho” and French bread with pâté. Besides, there are some specialties from the South as “Banh Xeo” (Pancake). Visitor will have chance to try fried spring rolls when coming to Ben Thanh Market.

6.    Hong Kong (China)
Visitors to Hong Kong often go to Temple Street in Kowloon to enjoy some good dishes such as squid, shrimp, fried oysters, curry fish, cheap –priced hotpot. This is also well-known for Stinky Tofu and grilled viscera.

7.    Istanbul (Turkey)
Turkey is very famous for Doner Barbecue and Istanbul – the biggest city of this country also has a lot of delicious street food such as Borek (pastry cake ), simit (round bread is sprinkled with sesame seeds) and kumpir (baked potatoes with tomato sauce, sausage and olive oil).

8.    Los Angles (United States)
In Los Angles, the food trucks with label Koji have been popular since 2009. A lot of food is served on the truck: Bulgogi (Korean – Mexico style), Dim Sum, grilled cheese, fried chicken, biscuits with honey…

9.    Marrakech (Morocco)
Markets in Morocco are well - known for carpets, pottery; besides, some others built many centuries ago also sells many specialties, cereal, barbecue, especially the Harira – a favorite soup of the Moroccans made from meat, lentils, peas.

10.    Mexico City (Mexico)
Undeniably, that Mexico has been famous for Taco bread (a sort of Mexican Sandwich). In Mexico capital, there are also antojitos (snacks) or Elotes made from roasted corn and covered with a layer of Mayonnaise, chili powder, white cheese and lemon juice.

http://www.easytoindochina.com/travel/saigon-one-of-10-cities-have-the-most-attractive-street-food.html

Travelers love Vietnam for good tasted food

According to a survey of Visa, many visitors to Vietnam express that the most attractive thing for them is to experience distinctive culture and enjoy various cuisines of this country

The survey of Visa on International tourism trend was applied for 11.620 international visitors from 23 countries inAsia Pacific, Europe and America. They are all 18 years old up and traveled within the past two years, intending to travel oversea including Vietnam in next two years.

About 69% visitors to Vietnam said that they were willing to pay more to enjoy various cuisines; 65% visitors are also willing to pay for sightseeing; 62% are willing for extra restful services and experience different cultures.

According to Visa, to experience various culture and food is now the key factor attracting visitors, although, in the future, they will choose low –cost places. The economic recession makes travelers more carefully choose tourism options; Visitors often like 3-4 star hotels; however, the cheap ones will be preferred in the future.

Therefore, the report expresses that Vietnam Tourism need to boost promotion programs to attract more and more visitors to Vietnam.

Introducing Mekong Delta

Vietnam’s ‘rice basket’, the Mekong Delta is a watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages, everywhere crisscrossed by the brown canals and rivulets fed by the mighty Mekong River. Its inhabitants – stereotyped as friendly and easygoing – have long toiled on the life-sustaining river, with their labours marked by the same cycles governing the waterways.

Mekong Delta Floating Market

The delta, which yields enough rice to feed the country with a sizable surplus, was formed by sediment deposited by the Mekong. The process continues today, with silt deposits extending the shoreline by as much as 80m per year. The river is so large that it has two daily tides. Lush with rice paddies and fish farms, this delta plain also nourishes the cultivation of sugarcane, fruit, coconut and shrimp. Although the area is primarily rural, it is one of the most densely populated regions in Vietnam and nearly every hectare is intensively farmed.

The uniquely southern charm with its welcoming introduction to life along the river is the real draw, and visitors can explore quaint riverside towns, sample fruits bartered in the colourful floating markets or dine on home-cooked delicacies before overnighting as a homestay guest. Other highlights include visits to local orchards, flower markets and fish farms. There are also bird sanctuaries, rustic beach getaways like Hon Chong and impressive Khmer pagodas in the regions around Soc Trang and Tra Vinh.

Destination Hon Chong

Those seeking an idyllic retreat will find it in Phu Quoc, a forested island dotted with pretty beaches, freshwater springs and empty dirt roads (ideal for motorbike adventures). Good diving and white-sand beauty have led to its growing popularity, with a mix of cheap bungalows and five-star resorts along an uncrowded coastline.

Source: Internet

Twice more Russian Visitors Enjoy “Tet Festival” in Nha Trang

19^th January, Mr Nguyen Van Thanh, the Manager of Khanh Hoa Tourism Promotion Center, informed that number of Russian Visitors staying in Nha Trang City for this Tet Holiday is about 12.000 turns, double increasing compared to last New Year occasion. Number of Russian visitors has strongly increased for recent years. In 2010, there were 28.000 tourists arrival; in 2011, the number was up to nearly 20.000 turns.

At the end of Oct 2011, a tourism company in Vietnam named Sunshine cooperated with Pegas Touristik company in Turkey to welcome 180 -200 passengers at Cam Ranh Airport. Visitors are from nine different cities in Siberia and Far East of Russia.

Beside that, Nhat Minh International Tourism Company cooperating with Vladivostok Air of Russia opened the new route Krasnoyarsk – Cam Ranh airport. This company also maintains flights once per fortnights from Krasnoyarsk and Khabarovsk to Cam Ranh Airport.

More Russian Visitors travel to Nha Trang through Cam Ranh Airport

Mr Tran Thanh Tu, the receptionist of Starlet hotel on Tue Tinh Street, said that more Russian visitors to stay in this hotel this year. For 120 foreign guests, 80 people are from Russia”. Mr Eshlin Viacheslav and his wife, who are staying in this hotel said: “we choose Nha Trang because there are many beautiful places and Islands here. Luckily, our vacation is on occasion of Vietnam Lunar New Year, this will be the best time to understand more about the culture of your country”.

Enjoy tourism services with one US Dollar

That is the familiar canvassing of every tuk –tuk drivers in Siem Reap (Cambodia) when they meet visitors from the buses. Some tourists wonder about that price, some sits calmly in the car. Those who saw this for the first time also gradually select one driver to be taken to their hotel.

Tuk –tuk car – an interesting and cheap service in Cambodia

Along the way to hotel, many people are worry because with only one US Dollar, they wonder if the driver could be a pickpocket or not. Actually, the driver will take you around the city to see some other good hotels for price and it facilities before take you to the hotel you need. That is really a popular welcome without swindle.

In Cambodia, the type of services worth only one US Dollar is very various. On every street, there are many shops with signboard of one US Dollar for their products or services. Many children selling souvenirs also offer one US Dollar for a series of products such as flutes, muscle relaxant, or some pictures of Cambodia. 

There is no scramble for visitors in most of shops, or stores in tourism areas of this beautiful country. Visitors coming here are hardly disturbed or followed by sellers. In a romantic and sunny afternoon, we easily see an European student peacefully sitting by the Angkor Temple and free his soul to enjoy the beauty of spectacular wonder; or a professional journalist recording a film about cultural activities in Siem Reap.

Angkor Watt Temper
In comparison with tourism resources, Vietnam has more advantages than Cambodia does such as length of the coast, a large number of beauty spots, historical cultural heritage. Mr Sam Promonea, Deputy Minister ofCambodia Tourism, said that the advantages of natural and marine resources of Vietnam are not as much as Cambodia’s.

In the year 2000, number of International tourists to Cambodia was 466,000 turns. In the year 2010, Cambodia’s tourism industry attracted more than 2 million turns. The number of visitors increases 5,1 times each 10 years. Meanwhile, Vietnam Tourism develops better and faster than Cambodia tourism: The number of visitors was 2,14 million turns in 2000 and  twice times increased in 2010.

The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Hun Sen said that the tourism industry will become the “engine” ofCambodia’s economic growth and Cambodia was committed to be one of the most famous destinations in the world. This seems to be done from the small details but close to visitors such as just 1 US Dollar for many different products and services here.

Obviously, It is not easy to receive money from traveller but with one US Dollar, it is completely impossible!

http://www.easytoindochina.com/travel/enjoy-tourism-services-with-one-us-dollar.html

Best of Vietnam Discovery

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam

On arrival, you are met and privately transferred to your hotel of choice. The remainder of the day is free to relax

Day 2 Hanoi

Hanoi is a city of lakes and parks with a French influence from its colonial days. With less traffic and congestion than many other Asian cites, it is an attractive town to start your Vietnam adventure. Your day of sightseeing includes the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 AD, and the oldest school in the country. Then on to Hoan Kiem Lake, with its Tortoise Tower, the Opera House, built between 1901 and 1911, and the One Pillar Pagoda, an engineering wonder. You will also enjoy a water puppet show. (B L)

Day 3 Halong Bay Excursion

Drive through the countryside to beautiful Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone peaks rising from the ocean. Your cruise of Halong Bay on a traditional wooden boat will explore the many caves and islets, and glide by the floating villages of the fishermen and pearl farmers who live on the bay. (B L)

Day 4 Hanoi - Danang or Hoi An

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang. On arrival you will be met and taken on a private tour of the city including the Cham Museum, an open-air museum of some of the world’s finest sculptures of the Champa civilization. You will also visit China Beach, made famous by the TV series, and the area where American troops came for rest and relaxation during the war. Your final stop is the beautiful Marble Mountains, five peaks that represent the five elements of the universe. Then transfer to your hotel in Danang or Hoi An. (B)

Day 5 Hoi An Excursion

From Danang, head south to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town that was a major port from the 17th to the 19th centuries. In-depth private sightseeing will include many of the temples and pagodas, the Tran Family Chapel built more than 200 years ago, Quan Thang House, one of the town’s oldest homes, Phung Hung House, where one family has resided for more than eight generations and much more. You will also cruise the Thun Bon River to the village of Kim Bing, home to many woodworkers and shipbuilders. (B)

Day 6 Danang or Hoi An - Hue

Journey north over the Truong Son Mountains, a region of stark beauty and scenic views. On arrival in Hue, tour the Old Imperial City, built in the early 19th century. Within its walls are numerous palaces and temples as well as a library and museum. You will also see the Forbidden Purple City, a replica of Beijing’s Forbidden City, which was reserved for the personal use of the emperor and his servants. (B L)

Day 7 Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest and most colorful city. Private sightseeing includes the Reunification Palace, called Independence Palace before the fall of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) in 1975, the War Remnants Museum, Bih Tay Market, the Jade Emperor Pagoda, and much more. Your evening is free. (B L)

Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City

A full free day in this delightful city. Your local host will be a wealth of information on things to see and do, favorite restaurants and the best places to shop. There are several optional outings to choose from, including the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of tunnels built during the Vietnam War connecting command posts, hospitals, shelters, and weapon factories for the Viet Cong. Afterward, visit Tay Ninh, home to the Caodai Great Temple, one of the most striking structures in all of Asia. There’s also an optional outing to the Mekong Delta that includes a cruise and lunch. (B)

Day 9 Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. You arrive back your homeland. (B)