The pleasant surroundings of Hue City

Despite being located in the central area, where the harsh weather is a combination of heavy rain, floods and scorching sunlight, Hue gives visitors a pleasant feeling thanks to its shady streets and gentle Huong River flowing across the city.

Although there are numerous tourists coming to the city, streets are quiet from 10 p.m. onwards with only a few shops opening late.

Here are some photos taken at the old capital of Hue by The Saigon Times Daily’s contributor Sao Mai.

 Khiem Lang tomb of King Tu Duc is a wonderful architectural complex which is on a narrow valley of Thuong Ba Hamlet, Thuy Xuan Ward of Hue City. This is one of the best-preserved tombs of the Nguyen dynasty kings

 Bi Dinh temple is where people can find a 20-ton stone stele erected to honor the achievements of kings under the Nguyen dynasty. Specifically, King Tu Duc composed an essay of 4,935 words to comment on his life and his weaknesses to apologise to his ancestors and for posterity.

Cyclo is a popular transportation method of foreign tourists as it is ideal for them to enjoy the landscape and daily life leisurely. Here, three cyclists take tourists on Le Loi Street which is located along the right hand side of Huong River heading to Vi Da Hamlet 

 A peaceful view is seen at Thanh Toan Bridge which was made from wood with a tiled roof spanning a small river in Thanh Thuy Chanh Village, Thuy Thanh Commune of Huong Thuy District in Thua Thien-Hue Province. The bridge, which is 8km from Hue City, is precious and is a highly valued piece of architecture. It was built in 1776 by Tran Thi Dao, a niece of the sixth generation of Tran family, to give local people and travelers’ convenient transportation

If tourists have a chance to visit Hue, they should take a boat trip on Huong River to admire the poetic scenery and beautiful architecture, constructed during the Nguyen Dynasty and French imperial period, on the river banks

Don’t miss Mun Island off Nha Trang

Though it is 10km offshore the central resort town of Nha Trang, Mun Island is one of the must-see destinations for local and international tourists.

There are a couple of things which visitors are advised to do when they arrive there but most popular are seeing corals on board a glass-bottom boat, scuba diving and snorkeling.

Tourists can hire a speedboat to get to the island, south of the picturesque Nha Trang Bay, or merely buy a package tour arranged by a local travel firm. Just google to get some helpful reviews of numerous Nha Trang island tours before booking one. Normally Mun Island is one of several islands that are included in a one-day tour.

At Mun Island, one should not miss taking a glass-bottom boat ride to watch corals. The sight is fantastic on sunny days. Travelers can use a guided scuba diving service available on the island. But there is also a scuba diving tour in which tourists are taken to places where they can enjoy seeing corals and marine creatures. If visitors don’t know how to dive, they can do a little snorkeling to take a fascinating look at fish.

What’s more enjoyable about the multiple-island tour is that tourists can float gently in the crystal-clear water off the nearby Tre Island sipping some champagne.

There are several more side activities during the tour, so why not try visiting some of the beautiful islands in Nha Trang Bay, one of the world’s most beautiful, when in Nha Trang. And those who make it won’t regret that.

(source: SGT)

Motorcycling and trekking at Hai Van Pass

Once, with two wheels and some free time, I had the chance to see the stunning Hai Van Pass.
The sun was hot, but the sky, ocean, and road were all clear, providing amazing views for photographers. The road climbs into the east side of  Bach Ma National Park, overlooking Danang and Lang Co bays, spilling out into the East Sea. The winding road, mountain switchbacks (sometimes 180 degrees), and steep grades call for some serious focus on driving, but it’s all worth the trek.

I left Danang in the morning and started the ascent into the mountainous pass. Covered from head to toe from the scorching summer sun, I wondered if now was the best time of year to be making the journey. But as I ascended into the mountains, climbing higher and higher into the pass, the air turned cooler and cleaner, I then pulled off at a giant rock, climbed atop and looked out over the water.  Danang city appears more beautiful than ever in the distance. It was worlds away from the hustle and bustle down below (though I did get coerced into having a café sua đa (iced milk coffee) after my rock climb.

As I went higher into the mountains, the road turned steeper and sharper with the sun rays growing stronger to make travelers stay and find solace in the shade of roadside trees. As the pass flattened out, I saw a string of restaurants and cafes surrounding by vendors and hawkers and decided to run to the other side of the mountain on Lang Co beach. Enjoying the downgrades, I let my motorbike do most of the work, and soaked in the amazing scenery stretching as far as to the horizon. Finally when I reached Lang Co beach there was nobody in sight on a white sandy oasis.

After spending there, I rode back up to the pass for another descent. From the top to the  Danang side of the pass, my luck ran dry and my rear tire went flat. Amazingly, out of the blue, this could have happened anywhere. I found myself sipping cafe sua da as a roadside hut while waiting for a man with a tire repair kit to patch my worn inner tube. I had no problem with a hefty bill as I could never let a flat tire ruin my amazing day trip. Cruising down the mountain with the sun shining over my shoulders, I saw Danang coming into view with the Lady Buddha and Thuan Phuoc bridge glowing off in the distance to welcome me back from my amazing travel.

Whether you are going to see  Hue or Danang, My Khe or Lang Co beach, or any scenery in the central Vietnam, a cruise along the Hai Van Pass is an unforgettable memory.

Hoang Su Phi terraced fields recognised as national heritage

 

According to Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee, the province will organize a ceremony on September 16th 2012 to receive the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on recognizing Hoang Su Phi terraced fields as national heritage.
The ceremony will be broadcast live of VTV channel of the Vietnam Television. An exhibition on economic and cultural products in the district will be held on this occasion.
The event aims to preserve the fields and promote their tourism potential.
Hoang Su Phi terraced field is situated on six communes and established hundreds of year ago by labour force of the community and people of La Chi, Dao and Nung ethnic minority groups.
The fields were among the sites recently recongnised by the MoCST as significant parts of the nation’s heritage, including three other landscapes: the Trang An caves in Ninh Binh province, the Pusamcap cave system in Lai Chau province, and the Chua Tien caves in Hoa Binh province./.
 
Source: CPV
 

3D recreations of old Hanoi displayed

15 computer generated images featuring 3D modelling of Hanoi in the past will be displayed at 42 Trang Tien Street from August 30.

 

An old gate 

The event is organised by Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Old street corners, the Opera House, Dong Xuan Market and Long Bien Bridge are familiar images in many pictures and paintings. However, they have been vividly depicted through photographs that feature three dimensional imagery of the city’s fading old architecture.

The exhibition will last until September 4.

 

 

 

 

Some old street corners 

Long Bien Bridge

 

The Opera House

 

Dong Xuan Market

 

A calligrapher working during the Tet holiday 

 

Young people taking photos with the 3D images

Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda is quintessential Khmer

To Khmer people, the pagoda is not only a place to worship and to keep sculptural and fine arts works but also an integral part of their culture.

 

The Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda refl ects over Xang Thoi Lake on full-moon nights 

In Can Tho City, the Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda (Vien Quang), is a religious haunt of the Khmer community and is one of the most beautiful temples in the delta due to its sophisticated architecture and the spiritual values that it brings.

The temple, located at 27/18 Mac Dinh Chi Road, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, is named Chua Sau (After Pagoda) because at that time on the main Hoa Binh Boulevard there stood the Rangsay Muni Pagoda or Chua Truoc First (Pagoda).

The pagoda covers 500 square meters and includes many areas such as a sanctum, monk house, gate and bell tower. It has three floors, constructed from reinforced concrete masonry.

The four buildings which are decorated with delicate patterns display an Angkor dragon, fairy Keynor, sacred bird Krud, god Hanuman, goddess Teppanom which are majestic.

The pagoda gate is built meticulously with elegant carvings on the rooftop with a bas-relief of Buddha and large embossed pillars. To the pagoda, tourists will see many statues of snakes and dragons on the roofs, bird-human Garuda, fairy Kayno and Goddess Reahu on the sanctum or many images of elephants, birds, flowers, clouds as well as legends of Buddha on walls and pillars.

The overall architecture whilst keeping with the unique characteristics of Khmer culture has stylized modern harmony between Angkor and Khmer people in the delta.

The small alley heading to the Pitu Khosa Rang- say Pagoda in Can Tho City - Photos: Lam Van Son

Reliving the voucher years

One restaurant on Nam Trang Street in Hanoi is displaying various items from the years after the American War, attracting many customers.

The restaurant's owner, Nguyen Quang Minh, has spent a lot of time collecting particular items, and later decided to create a place to show and sell them.

Many people in Hanoi, especially those who had lived through this period, enjoy the chance of remembering very different times in the capital during the 70s and early 80s, before new economic policies were in place. Even though this period was full of daily difficulties, it evidently has created a certain soft spot in the hearts of customers.

 

The small restaurant on Nam Trang Street

 

Hundreds of items on display for those who lived through the war years

 

Bowls, electric fans and cups

 

Hung bicycles remind people of past days

 

Televisions used to be a luxury

 

Visitors surprised by old radios with new news

 

New technology informs many of old times

 

Walls filled with memorabilia

 

Old vouchers for necessities

 

 

 

Stamps and coins

 

Items that used to be displayed at drink stalls 

 

Expensive 'artifact'

A visitor

The picturesque King Meo palace

The magnificent palace of the Vuong family in Sa Phin, Dong Van commune, located around 125 kilometers from Ha Giang City, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Ha Giang province.

 

The front of the grand palace 

The palace belonged to Vuong Duc Chinh, who was named King of Meo people in Dong Van commune, and is nearly 100 years old. It was used as a fortress to defend Vuong and his subordinates as they drove out the French forces in 1940.

The regime of Vuong became prosperous thanks to his trading of opium from China and surrounding regions into Vietnam.

He was then persuaded by Ho Chi Minh, leader of Communist party in Vietnam to fight against the French and to protect the far north region of Vietnam.

The stone palace backs onto the mountainous borders with China while viewing Sa Phin market, where local minority people, mostly H’Mong, trade agricultural products.

Its architectural design is a mixture between ancient Chinese and Western architecture. In addition to the living space, the construction has a warehouse for food, gold and opium products.

TITLE “100 SUSTAINABLE VIETNAMESE BRANDS” FOR VIETNAMTOURISM-HANOI

On Sunday 12th August, 2012 a ceremony to honor the enterprises which receive the title “100 SUSTAINABLE VIETNAMESE BRANDS 2012” is organized at Hanoi Opera House. Mr. Luu Nhan Vinh – the General Director of Vietnamtourism-Hanoi JSC, attends the ceremony to receive the cup of “100 SUSTAINABLE VIETNAMESE BRANDS” on behalf of the company. This program is implemented in the cooperation between Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association (VUSTA) with related departments. This is the award to encourage Vietnamese enterprises to apply achievements of technology and science in production and honor those which make great effort in building sustainably developing brands. In order to receive this honorable title, the enterprises must meet many criteria such as being the brand whose 5-10 year development, earning high revenue, having large market, being aware of by the public, being awarded such titles: Vietnamese brands, Vietnamese quality, Vietnamese Star, Vietnamese high-quality product; being excellent brand, applying international standardized science and technology to improve local economy…..With over 50 year development, always being one of the leading tour operators in Vietnam, Vietnamtourism-Hanoi which keeps attempting to serve clients and contribute to national economy and brand is worthy of this honorable award.

NEW MANAGEMENT BOARD OF VIETNAMTOURISM-HANOI JSC

 

On Friday 10th August a new Management Board of Vietnamtourism-Hanoi  JSC is officially introduced in the shareholders meeting. Accordingly, Mr.  Nguyen Hong Hien     is elected to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Luu Nhan Vinh continues to be the General Director of Vietnamtourism-Hanoi JSC. Remarkably, in addition to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh who has been the Vice General Director since the last term, there are three more Vice General Directors: Mr. Le Vu Trang (Office Manager), Ms. Le Nguyen Mai Hoa (Manager of Sale and Marketing Department 4), and Ms. Vu Lan Phuong (Deputy Manager of Sale and Marketing Department 2). Besides, Ms. Ta Thi Minh is assigned to be the Chef Accountant. Finally, thanks to careful preparation, the shareholder meeting is successful.

Traditional blacksmith craft of Nung An people

The Nung An ethnic people in Phuc Sen Commune, Quang Uyen District in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang are famous for their traditional blacksmith craft.

Performing the traditional blacksmith craft

Out of 10 hamlets in the commune, 200 households from 6 hamlets are engaged in the craft.

When visiting these hamlets, one can see a diverse range of forges and tools sold on both sides of the road, while the sound of hammer blows resounds across the village.

Besides the normal forge tools, such as bellows, anvils, hammers and water troughs, the Nung An people also build earthen cylinder kilns, about 80cm in height and 60cm in diameter.

Thanks to their secret techniques and expertise, the Nung An people have a reputation for making very sharp and durable products.  

To promote the development of the traditional craft, the Nung An people often bring their products to sell at Quang Uyen Market so they can raise funds for agricultural tools, blacksmithing tools and materials.

Lately they have started selling their products to other localities in the country.

 

A peaceful scene in Phuc Sen Commune

Heating iron in the kiln

Creating a knife handle

Knives produced by the Nung An are sharp and durable

Checking the sharpness of a bush-cutter

Goods made by the Nung An people are sold at Quang Uyen Market

These products are indispensable utensils in the daily life of ethnic people living in mountainous areas