Romantic autumn in Hanoi

The scorching heat has gone and a temperate climate has pervaded Hanoi, particularly at night and in the early morning as a sign of the start of autumn - or the romantic season as many people call it.

The scene of Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi in daytime

The capital’s beauty lies in its quiet streets full of yellow leaves, leaves on trees having turned yellow or red and picturesque sunsets at the city’s many lakes.  

The signs of Hanoi in autumn are hoa sua (milky flower) in blossom on Nguyen Du Street, the scent of hoang lan flower overwhelming Phan Dinh Phung Street and its vicinity. These integral parts of Hanoi have inspired a large number of poets and musicians, including Phu Quang.

Hanoians say a stroll on Thanh Nien Street between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake will help visitors fully understand what autumn in Hanoi is like and why it brings lovers closer. Autumn in Hanoi is very beautiful but many argue it is an even more romantic setting in October.

Capital folk say the autumn there has to be felt to be properly appreciated. This is why numerous poems and ballads have been produced but are considered unfinished stories, leaving the chance for others to continue the next chapters.

 

Hoan Kiem (Sword Lake) during autumn sunset 

Celebrate the rice season in Mu Cang Chai

In the rural district of Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province, northeastern region, the harvest season in mid-September is the most important event of the year and is celebrated as such.

The area is populated by the H’Mong – a group of minority people who live their lives around rice and corn cultivation.

This area’s rice cultivation is very different from the deltas of Mekong and Hong rivers, as there is only one harvest season and the rice productivity here is not as high as in the deltas.

Every year, the H’Mong will flood the fields that are built on the slope of the hills, to prepare for the planting of seeds in April or May and wait four months until harvest. The harvest season comes early or late depending on the weather.

In recent years, the authorities of Mu Cang Chai have held a celebration ceremony at harvest time, usually in the middle of September. The event attracts tourists to enjoy the splendid scenery of the mountainous area as well as the typical culture there.

Endless green rice fi elds on the slopes of hillsi

A H’Mong boy signs ‘hello’ to foreign and local tourists - Photos: Pham Tha

Royal bananas light up rural village

Chuoi ngu season has now come upon Dai Hoang Village, in the northern province of Ha Nam, giving visitors of the area a chance to enjoy the rare taste of the fruits.

 

Chuoi ngu is a variety of banana that has grown in the area for hundreds of years. It is small and has bright yellow skin and a sweet smell when ripe. Its beauty and taste has made the area famous since the 13th century.

It is said that this kind of banana used to be a favourite fruit of the Tran Kings, so local people call it Chuoi ngu, meaning royal banana.

 

 

Although the fruit can be seen all year round, it is mainly in season between June and August, when the bananas taste the best.

Any visitors to Dai Hoang Village at this time have the opportunity to enjoy this delicious specialty, along with the beautiful sights of local markets filled with the bight yellow ripening fruits.

 

 

According to local people, their fruit has just been granted a certificate of origin by the Ministry of Science and Technology. This will encourage them to preserve and develop this species of banana and help widen its market.

Vietnam tour operators launch big summer discounts

Despite rising service prices, Vietnam travel agencies are offering big discounts on tour prices during summer season to woo customers as now is the busiest time of the year for the hospitality industry.
A large number of Ho Chi Minh City-based tour operators offer a discount of at least 5% on domestic tours prices. Those tour operators who join hands with Vietnam Airlines, the prices of summer tour packages are even marked down by up to 30%.

For instance, Fiditourist offers a discount worth VND3 million for domestic tours taking in northern destinations including Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Sapa, Halong Bay and Tuan Chau Island. It also offers a VND1.6 million discount on tours to the central region.
Du Lich Viet Co. has kicked off a discount ranging from 10% to 30% on domestic tours for this summer travel season. The He Tre Co., meanwhile, has announced a discount of 20-28% on seven domestic package tours to Phu Quoc Island, Hue, Halong Bay, Sapa and Dong Van Highlands.
Saigontourist has offered a discount of between VND345,000 and VND1.5 million for two domestic tours taking in Dalat and Phu Quoc Island.
Lien Bang Travelink said it will cut the price of six domestic tours traveling by air by 30% including two tours to the North, two to the Central, one to Dalat and one to Phu Quoc Island. The prices of seat-in-coach tours are set to fall 18%.
Vietravel offers a discount of millions of Vietnam dong on tours taking in northern and central regions. Like other participants joining in the promotion program by Vietnam Airlines, the company prepares to unveil a set of package tours with a 30% discount in the summer period.
Summer travel season contributes up to 60-70% of the full-year revenue so it becomes the most decisive time for the year. This year, things are getting tenser as tour operators are competing harshly against each other in an effort to lure customers.
“The tour price is definitely a key factor for clients to compare and make their choices in this high-season,” said Tu Quy Thanh, director of Lien Bang Travelink.
However, small-sized travel firms are losing ground to the large ones in this competition.
Source: Saigontimes