Holiday Travel-Common Ireland Christmas Traditions

The charming and beautiful country of Ireland is known for its pomp and musical celebrations and with most of its population being Roman Catholic; you can expect the best of glitz and festivities when it comes to Christmas. From street celebrations, church unions, gala dinners to horse races, Christmas is known to bring out the best in Ireland. Known to possess unique traditions that have been passed on from one generation to another, Irish families certainly know how to add their own charm to this momentous occasion of love.
For Irish people, Christmas is not just a festival of joy, but it also holds religious values making it even more special. These are some of the most common Christmas traditions followed by the people of Ireland.

• Light a candle: One of the most ancient traditions, lightening a candle and placing it on the window is considered a symbol of welcoming strangers as well as remembering family members away from home. Lit by the youngest member of the family, it’s also considered a way of remembering the great Mary and Joseph.

• Home décor with the ring of holly: It’s a common tradition for most families to decorate their homes with lights and Christmas tree, but no Irish celebration can be complete without decorating the front door with the holly wreath. Available freely during winters, holly carries the traditions journey a step forward every year.

• Church midnight mass: Huge social gatherings and live music becomes the flavor of local churches at midnight where neighbors meet and celebrate the occasion. With Christmas carols being sung everywhere, the moment looks nothing short of a carnival and must be experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime.

• Christmas swim: Come Christmas and you’ll see the freezing Irish Sea stuffed with people in their bathing suits swimming crazily. An annual event, the tradition attracts thousands of people and is just another fascinating way Irish people celebrate this amazing festival.

• The big fat Christmas dinner: Irish people are known for their love for food and Christmas presents them the perfect opportunity to treat their taste buds with exotic delicacies. Preparations start on the Christmas Eve with the whole family participating in the affair that promises delicious turkeys, vegetables, sweets and much more.

• Horse race: What better way to wind off the celebrations then a horse race on St Stephens Day which is a day after the Christmas. Considered a way of honoring the saint, 20,000 spectators crowd south Dublin for this annual event which takes the celebrations to an all together new level.

Spanning over 2 weeks, Christmas in Ireland is celebrated with the same zeal as it was decades back regardless of the wrath of winters. If you also have someone special in Irelandwith whom you would like to celebrate Christmas and experience the plethora of Irish traditions, then booking early is certainly the way to go. Not only do you get cheap airline tickets, you can also get combo festive deals that offer discounts on your hotel accommodation.

Southern provinces celebrate Khmer festival

 

A delegation from the Southwest Region’s Steering Committee, led by its deputy head Bui Ngoc Suong, visited the Khmer ethnic community in the southern province of Soc Trang on October 11 to wish them well during the 2012 Sene Dolta Festival. 

The delegation visited the provincial Patriotic United Buddhist Association and the southern school of complementary Pali education, and presented gifts to monks and nuns from the Khleang and Prek On Dok pagodas, as well as poor households in the locality. 

Later the same day, another deputy head, Huynh Minh Doan, also visited the association and people of the community in the southern province of Bac Lieu. 

Doan said that he hopes the people will promote solidarity for economic development and poverty reduction. 

On October 10, the steering committee held a get-together for officials, monks, nuns and students of the Khmer community from the Mekong Delta region. 

On this occasion, the 400-year-old Pysey Varapram pagoda in the southern province of Tra Vinh received a National Relic Site Certificate. 

During the war, the pagoda was a secret base of many prominent revolutionary leaders. 

An Giang provincial authorities also recently paid visits to 65 Khmer pagodas across the province. 

Sene Dolta is one of the largest Khmer festivals that pays tribute to ancestors and those who have made big contributions to the homeland. 

It is held from the 30th day of the 8th lunar month to the 2nd day of the 9th lunar month each year, which this year falls on October 14-16. The majority of the Khmer population in Vietnam live in the southwestern region, which counts 453 Khmer pagodas.

Source: Vietnam+

 

Khmer ox racing in the Mekong Delta

Nearly 30,000 people attended the 21st traditional ox race on October 14, a tradition among the Khmer ethnic minority.

In total, 64 pairs of ox, mostly from several local districts, with the exception of two from Kirivong and Takeo districts in Cambodia, competed at the event, which is held annually on occasion of the Khmer Dolta ceremony.

Pairs of oxen competed in qualifying rounds, with the winners proceeding to the next. Not only must the oxen be in excellent shape to win, but their handlers must be skilled and be able to conform to specific regulations of the contest.

The first prize, of VND30-million (USD1,428), was presented to team No. 13, handled by Tran Van Cac, of Vinh Trung Commune. The second prize was awarded to team No. 44, whose handler was Nguyen Van Bup, from Luong Phi Commune. Mr. Chau Kim Song was given "best controller" prize, worth VND500,000. The organiser also granted four consolation prizes for teams that performed exceptionally.

 

Preparing animals before the contest

 

Getting the oxen in line

 

 

Fierce competition

 

Arena full of mud

 

Vendors take advantage of gathering

 

First prize goes to Tran Van Cac

Vietnamese cake named as creative in Asia Book of Records

The Indian office of the Asia Book of Records has confirmed that a cake made by Ton Nu Thi Ha and her daughter Phan Ton Tinh Hai of HCM City's Mint Culinary School will be named in the category of creativity.

The cake, called Phuong Hoang Vu-Bat Phong Hoi Dau (Royal Phoenix Cake), measured 6.8m long and 4.2m wide and was made using 3.5 tonnes of coal.

It consisted of 4,862 items made from mung bean, rice flour, and vegetables and required the assistance of 18 people over three months.

The duo used the original ingredients used by Tran Vien of the Hue Imperial Palace in 1925.

The entry was submitted by the Vietnam Book of Records, or Vietkings.

Tu Le Valley at harvest time

Tu Le Valley in Yen Bai Province’s Van Chan District is among the favourite destinations for tourists who enjoy natural beauty.

During the autumn Tu Le becomes more beautiful as the rice fields turn yellow and the harvest atmosphere fills the town.

Tu Le is famous for its sticky rice, a dish that is often served with local roast pork. Both wet and dry young rice (com) are also among the locality’s specialities.

Fields and wooden houses decorate the mountainsides making Tu Le more picturesque. Standing on Khau Pha Mountain Pass after a rain, the lucky visitor might be able to witness the lovely sight of the clouds passing over the fields.

 

 Tu Le Valley attracts many photographers

 

Tu Le girls

Terraced paddy fields  

 

A road on Khau Pha Moutain Pass

HCM City-Abu Dhabi air route to open

Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will open a direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to Abu Dhabi in October 2013. 

Speaking at a ceremony in HCM City on October 9, Etihad Airways Chairman and CEO James Hogan said that his compacy will use Airbus A330 aircraft for the daily flights that will depart from HCM City at 8:15 am and arrive in Abu Dhabi after seven hours. 

The air route will help bring Vietnam and the UAE closer as well as open up opportunities for economic, trade, cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries, he said. 

HCM City is the sixth destination of Etihad Airways in Southeast Asia, together with Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. 

The official added that the carrier is considering the opening of another air route from Hanoi to the UAE.

Source: VNA

 

Visiting Hue in the rain

The rain often makes you nostalgic with either the blues or happy memories. Rain makes the scenery more romantic and green, especially in sites of ancient works and historical plots like Hue City. Local authorities in Thua Thien-Hue Province have offered many tourism products during the rainy season this month.

This is a new, attractive bid to lure visitors who are looking for a more real and romantic experience. The product ‘Hue’s rain’ from the workshop ‘Building brand names for Hue’s tourism’ was started in February. Therefore, tourists will be invited to join tours to the landscapes of Hue Imperial City, walking under the rain on shaded roads. Authorities will erect installation artworks, souvenir shops, fine arts and craft villages on those roads to cater for the visitors.

Moreover, tourists will be taken on Hue-style tourist vehicles such as the cyclo and dragon boats with equipment to protect tourists from rain and help them to admire the surroundings.

Moreover, restaurants will serve food for the rainy season, especially grilled dishes. Tourist agencies will collaborate with cabarets to entertain guests with traditional music shows, so tourists can sense the romance of the raindrops, sip tea and listen to folk melodies.

Recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, the former Hue Imperial Citadel built by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805-1945 is one of the must-see destinations for those who take a trip through to the central coast.

The citadel compound is located on the north bank of the Huong (perfume) River, comprising three rings of ramparts: Hue Capital Citadel, Royal Citadel and Forbidden Citadel. The original look of the outer ring has amazingly remained intact with nearly 140 small and large constructions. Inside the second ring is the Royal Citadel with brick walls four meters high and one meter thick. There is also a trench system circling the citadel.

The citadel consists of more than 100 fascinating architectural works, with the most striking being the Noon Gate and the Thai Hoa Palace.

Inside the Imperial Citadel complex and behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden Citadel was erected for the Emperor and his family. The whole site consists of about 50 architectural constructions of different sizes and seven gates.

Source: SGT

 

Staying the night at Dao Village

Just spending one night with a Dao minority family is a great experience for tourists.

In the Nam Choong village of Xin Man Commune, Ha Giang Province, tourists can do just that as they can easily find a cozy homestay for the night and enjoy the hot spring that runs through the village during the day as they experience the daily routines of Dao people.

Xin Man Commune is located in the north-west area of Ha Giang Province but tourists can reach it from the city of Ha Giang or Lao Cai.

Nam Choong village is special not only thanks to the hot spring, but also because it’s the living place of Dao Ao Dai and its villagers still keep the old traditions alive on a daily basis.

 

The bridge leading to the Dao’s locality

The hosts will serve lunch and dinner according to visitor’s request. Normally meals will include chicken, pork, buffalo, fish and vegetable dishes - Photos: Pham Thai

 

Autumn in Hanoi

Visitors to Hanoi at this time of year have the chance to enjoy the feel of its romantic and poetic scenes.

Sunset over West Lake

A woman selling flowers on Yen Phu street

Ancient houses

Hoa sua (Milk flowers)

Hanoi flag tower

Museum of History

Sun flowers

A sesame tree (Loc Vung) by Hoan Kiem Lake

A woman selling flowers on Phan Dinh Phung street

 

Festival commemorates 1418 revolution

 

 

A festival to celebrate the 1418 Lam Son revolution was held at the Lam Kinh historical site in the central province of Thanh Hoa's Tho Xuan District on Saturday. 

The annual three-day event honoured the services to the country of the historical figure Le Loi, who led a 10-year resistance against the Chinese Ming invaders and brought independence to his people. He was crowned the first king of the late Le dynasty (1427-1789) with the title of Le Thai To in 1428.

The event also marked his coronation as well as the 579th anniversary of his death.

The festival was kicked off with a palanquin procession from the Le Thai To Temple to the grand court of Lam Kinh Palace, where a ritual ceremony dedicated to the national hero took place.

Earlier, incense was offered for Le Loi and his general, Le Lai, who sacrificed himself to protect Le Loi, at historical sites across the province.

Several artistic activities were also organised during the festival, including five Xuan Pha folk dances, considered the best of traditional Vietnamese dance. This was the first time the dances were reintegrated and staged by local farmers of Xuan Pha Village, expressing the unique features of the wet rice civilisation.

Other traditional games were also held, attracting thousands of people to join in the fun.

The festival provided an opportunity for local travel agents to boost provincial tourism. Tours to several attractions across the province, including the Tay Do-Lam Kinh royal area, Ho Royal Citadel, and Sam Son Beach, were introduced at the event.

The festival, which has been held annually since 1995, will conclude today.

Source: VNS

 

Ninh Thuan to host Cham ethnic festival

A culture, sports and tourism festival will be held in the southcentral province of Ninh Thuan from October 14-16 for Cham ethnic people from all parts of the country.

Ninh Thuan to host Cham ethnic festival

The event is scheduled to take place in Po Klongirai tower tourism area, Huu Duc communal stadium, My Nghiep brocade weaving craft village and Bau Truc pottery craft village.

The festival, called “Cham culture-preservation, development and integration”, will focus on five major activities: arts performances, fashion shows, food and book exhibitions, seminars on preserving and developing Cham culture, and sports competitions.

The organising board said the event aims to provide opportunities for Cham ethnic people to exchange experiences in preserving and developing Cham culture.

In Vietnam, there are 145,235 Cham ethnic people living in Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, An Giang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Ninh Thuan has the largest number of Cham ethnic people (57,137 or nearly half of total the Cham population).

Why is travel good for children?

A family holiday can be a great opportunity as a parent to kick back or rekindle your own sense of adventure, but there are several ways in which our kids can really benefit from a great family holiday too which shouldn't be overlooked.

Not only will it allow them to experience different ways of life, it can also provide them with a valuable learning  experience, hopefully enabling them grow up well rounded and tolerant. And the great thing is they won't even realise just how much their little brains are soaking up, all without a book or class-room in sight! Below are some examples as to how different holidays benefit the children...

Really active

Going on an active holiday can really give your kids newly-gained confidence when pushing their boundaries in for example activities, plus not to forget the stories to tell their friends back at home!

Seeing you mucking in as a parent might also make them see mum and/or dad in a different light, developing some new-found (albeit probably unexpressed) respect. Dealing with different and out of the ordinary situations outside their comfort zone can bring everyone in the family closer together. There are various ways in which to have a responsible and active family holiday, our main categories are  http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=27

Educational and cultural

Any holiday can be an educational experience whether they get up-close to new scenery, ancient artefacts, wildlife or even the nearest beach. Meanwhile, adapting to new situations and different ways of doing things can really broaden your kids' horizons. This is learning at its best - to see and live in wonderful landscapes, meeting some extraordinary people. Responsible holidays usually use local guides which will give you and your children an opportunity to get to know and understand local cultures and customs.

Wildlife

Going on safari or simply enjoying the local  wildlife can teach children an appreciation of our natural world and its inhabitants; values they'll hopefully keep with them when they grow up. It can also give them an understanding how the world works ranging from ecosystems to the food chain. And who knows, there might be a budding David Attenborough in there somewhere!

Tailormade and individual

Ideal for families who prefer to travel with just their family and having their itinerary adapted to their specific wishes.

The advantages are that you and your kids will have the guides and staff's full and often undivided attention, allowing your kids to get to know them and ask them any questions. If you don't need a tailormade itinerary but still prefer to travel with just your own family, you can go on an individual family adventure. Or why not stay at a family friendly accommodation and devise your own itinerary, based on your and your children's interests and preferences?

Holidays by type of family

Going on a holiday for specific families or ages gives you the opportunity to meet other families and kids in the same situation. The benefit of travelling with families with similar age children and set up is that both parents and kids can meet like-minded travellers, and your kids can make some great new friends. For example a holiday for teenagers allows your child to spend time with kids his/her own age rather than getting bored hanging out with just adults!

Recommended family package tour by ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA

Northern Vietnam is a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, enchanting people and dynamic cities. Capture the spirit of the north in this quick-paced adventure from the delightful city of Hanoi to the amazing World Heritage Site of Halong Bay and to the hill station of Sapa. The tour offers a great opportunity to explore the unique culture and beautiful nature of northern Vietnam in an active way.

http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=28

Supported by ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA – Explore the hidden land!

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Quang An flower market at night

The Quang An flower market looks so beautiful at night with different species of flowers coming from Hanoi’s Me Linh, Tay Tuu, and Nhat Tan areas and the central highland city of Da Lat.

Everyday it is open for seven hours as from mid-night. During Tet holidays, it is very crowded from 8pm to 9am with customers, not only from Hanoi but also from neighbouring provinces.

See some photos of the market at night: