Thursday, September 4, 2014

   As the geographic footprint of Ho Chi Minh City continues to expand, finding a respite from urban life has become a somewhat complicated undertaking.
Thankfully, there are still some refreshing escapes – to wild forests, inviting beaches and fascinating historical and cultural sights – just a short journey from town.

One of the region’s top attractions is the Cat Tien National Park, a 70, 000-hectare Unesco-rated biosphere boasting a startling variety of flora and fauna. Visitors can go bird-watching, take to hiking trails, overnight in a crocodile swamp and look for signs of Vietnam’s rarest wildlife. The Con Dao Islands, a 40-minute flight from the city, offer an equally attractive getaway, albeit of a tropical island flavour. A former prison colony under the French and US regimes, Con Dao today boasts largely undiscovered beaches, empty coastal roads and a healthy ecosystem complete with coral reefs and colonies of green sea turtles – one of Vietnam’s best places to see them in the wild.

Other fine beaches stretch just east of the gruff oilman’s town of Vung Tau. Although lacking the popularity of Mui Ne and Nha Trang further up the coast, there are some sparkling gems here – particularly Long Hai and Ho Tram – for those seeking a quiet beach holiday far from the madding crowd. More popular than HCMC’s nearby beaches and forests, however, are the dark, stifling tunnels of Cu Chi, where VC guerrillas once lived, fought and – in many cases – died. Nearby, the fantastical Cao Dai Temple provides a surreal point to learn about Vietnam’s uniquely home-grown religion. Both of these sights are extremely popular tour-bus day trips from HCMC.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Soc Trang Province of Mekong Delta is famous for its ancient pagodas, orchids and ethnic cultural festivals, such as Chol Chnam Thmay and Oc Om Boc festivals, and especially for its popular boat tours on ...
Soc Trang Province of Mekong Delta is famous for its ancient pagodas, orchids and ethnic cultural festivals, such as Chol Chnam Thmay and Oc Om Boc festivals, and especially for its popular boat tours on canals and rivers. Visiting Nga Nam floating market in Soc Trang

Soc Trang Province of Mekong Delta is famous for its ancient pagodas, orchids and ethnic cultural festivals, such as Chol Chnam Thmay and Oc Om Boc festivals, and especially for its popular boat tours on canals and rivers.

Soc Trang Province of Mekong Delta is famous for its ancient pagodas, orchids and ethnic cultural festivals, such as Chol Chnam Thmay and Oc Om Boc festivals, and especially for its popular boat tours on canals and rivers.

However, Soc Trang is well-known for the floating markets, of which Nga Nam floating market is the most striking. Nga Nam is a new district in Soc Trang Province, having been separated from Thanh Tri District.

It is the intersection between Quan Lo-Phung Hiep, Xeo Chich, Xang Chim, Tra Ban and Phu Loc. From here tourists can head to Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Phung Hiep, or go to Phu Loc and downstream to My Thanh, Tran De Port and mangrove forests along Soc Trang Sea.

Despite being in the remote district of Soc Trang, Nga Nam is busy from sunrise to sunset and even into the night. The bustling life is due to floating markets such as Long Tan, My Quoi, Tan Long, especially Nga Nam.

Set in 1975 as the venue linking five canals flowing to five regions, Nga Nam floating market is the meeting place for trading boats and traders. Early morning or at twilight the market sparkles in the glistening rays of oil lamps and mantles as stars twinkle in the sky and shimmer on the water.

On holidays, especially Tet holidays, Nga Nam floating market are radiant with the bright colors of apricot flowers, daisies, peach flowers and other typical flowers of the Mekong Delta, as well as the dark green of watermelon. Everything is sold from wooden boats.

As with other floating markets, products hang in front of the bow of the ship so that buyers can easily see and buy. The only one product not hanging, but always available, is petrol.

As well as fresh agricultural products and seafood, Nga Nam also is a stop for rice traders. Tourists heading to the mangrove forests in Soc Trang often stop by Nga Nam to buy food stuffs before going on their boating adventure on the endless alluvium river to forests.

Nga Nam also lures tourists with its culinary culture and traditional fare. Tourists on boat trips around Nga Nam floating market can sense the typical flavors of the Mekong Delta from dishes made of bun (rice noodles) featuring the spices of Southern Khmer people and hu tieu (kind of noodle) cuisine of the Tieu Chau.

On arrival in Soc Trang, tourists may be inspired to explore the ancient architecture of well-known pagodas, stroll in orchid gardens, and experience nature in mangrove forest, as well as immersing themselves in the bustling atmosphere of life in floating markets.




If you’re torn between the many options on which part of Vietnam to see, getting yourself acquainted to the wonders of Danang might complicate your travel plans a little bit more.
But perhaps not. The beauty of this city has everything else you search for in other destinations. And if you learn more of it, a little exploration on what awaits you in Danang might solve your travel plans then and there.

With a coastline of 30 kilometers long, Danang is known to many as among the best sea-side destinations holding the most beautiful and longest stretches of seashores. Adding to its splendor is the pleasant temperature that is as equally calm and as its waters.

An ideal and huge beach at around 900 meters in length, My Khe is the most popular beach for locals in Danang, thus could get crowded. But its smooth sand and a slight slope, along with its cool water is just too inviting, and would make anyone came and join the crowd. With few waves, bathing in My Khe beach is relaxing and safe. If you want to get away from the bustling beach scene, just behind it is a dark green forest to come close with nature. Beside the greeneries is the Kinh River where you could also enjoy a quiet moment and just waddle your way around. The beach has hotels and many other types of accommodation nearby, offering abundant services. With all the convenience, any tourists’ stay would be comfortable and always pleasant.

The beach on Lang Co is on a sand spit peninsula with a spotless lagoon on one side, and a long beach traversing the South China Sea on the other. It is known for its ever most beautiful natural landscapes and pure sea wildness. Many would say that this is one of the most beautiful places in the country, something you definitely would agree when you get to see it for yourself. As the country is yet to reach it potential as a tourist spot, this place is yet to become more magnificent than it is. While travelling between Lang Co and Danang, the ride through Hai Van Pass will be as equally unforgettable. With one panoramic view after the other, your eyes will feast on the most beauty nature can offer.

With an international airport available, Danang is well connected to other cities by air. But travelling by sea and as well as road and rail is equally as convenient. During the American War, it served as an important South Vietnamese airbase. But today, the French influence is more evident when you see the tree decked avenues and colonial houses. Cradling so many attractions, historical sites, natural scenes and of course, beautiful beaches, come to Danang to enjoy the holiday of your life, or simply just to enjoy dipping your toes in the sand and savor the sea-side air.


   Vietnam’s currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the Dong (VND).
Currency
Vietnam’s currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the Dong (VND). Vietnamese use both coins and paper notes. But as Vietnam is currently changing its money system, there exists parallel two different money systems (old and new) which can cause confusion.
 Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. These values have paper note equivalences.
 The following values: VND 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000. exist both in the new polymer form and the old normal paper notes.
 Cheques with value as Vietnamese dong include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.
Exchange rates
In general, 1 USD is approximately 21000VND and 1 EUR approximates 27860 VND
You can exchange your money at the airport before leaving, or at banks and official exchange centers in Vietnam. It is strongly recommended that you do not exchange money in the black market.
Method of payment
Direct payment of cash is most popular in Vietnam. Small shops, restaurants and markets usually do not accept any other payment.
Major credit cards (such as Visa, Master Charge and to some extent American Express) are increasingly being used, especially in big cities and tourist places, but only in restaurants, hotels or big shopping malls with a transactional fee (3%-5%).
Traveler’s cheques are an easy method of carrying money around, and can be cashed at major banks (but not small banks in small towns).
ATM machines
For those hesitant to carry a large amount of cash around, ATMs (automatic teller machines) have become increasingly popular in Vietnam (mostly in cities) and have attracted many foreign visitors.
Most banks offer this service and the registration for an account is simple and fast. All ATMs are locally interconnected. However, ATMs only give in VND.
Banking hours
The hours may differ from bank to bank. Generally banks open from Monday to Friday: 8:00 – 11:30 and 1:00 to 4:00. Some large banks also open through lunch or on Saturday mornings. Banks are closed on public holidays.
Two tier pricing system

In many places in Vietnam, foreigners and visitors still have to pay a much higher fee for entrance or services. However this system is slowly changing as prices are being standardized.

Asian experience has completely changed in the last 20 years. Cities offer the best in accommodations, roads that are modern and accessible and cultural attractions that can match any modern city ...
Today’s Asian experience has completely changed in the last 20 years. Cities offer the best in accommodations, roads that are modern and accessible and cultural attractions that can match any modern city on the planet. And together with the modern-day pluses is the seamless mix of ancient and historic attractions. And nowhere else is this more apparent than Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi. < />
Hanoi, located in the North of Vietnam, is the country’s second largest city.  With over six million residents, it’s equal or larger in size to most cities throughout the world.  And since it’s so large, you’ll need at least a few days to explore this sprawling metropolis.  You can choose to rent one of the many bicycles (called cyclos) to navigate the crowded and winding streets or motorbikes that offer a bit more speed.  Renting a car is also an option in today’s modern day Hanoi.

Though a trip to Hanoi  is possible all year round, the best time to visit is during the months from December through June, when there no typhoons and the weather is slightly cooler and dryer.

Finding architectural wonders in this Vietnamese city is easy.  One favorite is the 87 Ma May mansion that was built in the 1800s with beautiful ornamented word work.  And don’t miss visiting some of the city’s most celebrated pagodas.  A must-see is the Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the country’s oldest pagodas, which was built in the mid-19th century.  If you want to experience an even more historic landmark, don’t miss the Temple of  Ngoc Son, a 14th century masterpiece.

For even more architectural delights, stroll through the city’s old quarters where you can marvel in the historic, French colonial period buildings.

And to continue on your cultural trek, make sure to visit Hanoi’s museums such as the Museum of Vietnamese History and the Museum of Independence, which showcases this Asian city’s road of independence.

If you want a break from the cultural highlights, hit the local marketplaces where you can pick up some real steals that you can take home for family and friends.
A visit to Hanoi will open up your eyes to the beauty and culture of Vietnam.

Miami hotels are known for their extravagant pools and amazing outside areas where one can relax in the year-round sun. 



 At these days, driving in the streets, you can feel Tet is coming. The streets become more crowded and decorated with coloured lights and red banners. People are more hurriedly, busy buying gifts, cleaning and decorating their houses. Shops and offices are ...

At these days, driving in the streets, you can feel Tet is coming. The streets become more crowded and decorated with coloured lights and red banners. People are more hurriedly, busy buying gifts, cleaning and decorating their houses. Shops and offices are redecorated, look brighter. Some streets which are used to selling flowers become more colourful with many kinds of flowers...
Combining with the merry atmosphere, peach blossom, apricot blossom and kumquat trees are showing off their beauty with striking colour for traditional Tet. Vietnamese people decorate their houses and offices with these ornamental plants during Tet as symbols of warmth, wealth and good luck for the country’s biggest holiday. Peach blossom is traditional at Tet in the North while apricot blossom is traditional in the South. The kumquat tree with its ripe deep orange fruits is popular throughout the country.
A kumquat tree with many fruits makes a house brighter and warmer, especially in the cold weather in the northland. The tree is a popular decoration for the living room during Tet. Its many fruits symbolize the fertility and fruitfulness that the family hopes will come in the coming year. The more fruit on the tree, the luckier your family. Greeting cards and good luck symbols are hung from the Tet tree.
Therefore, kumquat trees of about two or three feet tall are carefully selected and prominently displayed during Tet. The bushes of the tree have been precisely pruned to display ripe deep orange fruits with smooth clear thin skin shining like little suns or gold coins on the first day of the lunar new year. Other fruits must still be green to ripen later. This represents the wish that wealth will come to you now and in the future. The leaves must be thick and dark green with some light green sprouts. The fruits represent the grandparents, the flowers represent parents, the buds represent children and the light green leaves represent grandchildren. The tree thus symbolizes many generations. Guests will caress the light green leaves about to sprout and compliment the discerning host who chose so carefully.
Talking about ornamental plants for Tet, you cannot forget peach blossom and apricot blossom, considered as traditional Tet’s flowers. Apricot blossom is present at most families in southland and peach blossom is more popular in the northland. They mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring. They bring good luck to your houses in the new year, their colour is the symbol of happiness. They are absolutely beautiful when they are full bloom but they also really impress when they are tumbling down in the drizzling, cover the ground by pink petals.
Peach blossom is an enduring symbol of the Lunar New Year. You can visit Nhat Tan (Hanoi) where the delicate art of growing the trees is passed from generation to generation. According to Vietnamese legend, once upon a time, in the East of the Soc Son Mountain, North Vietnam, existed a gigantic peach tree. The tree was so huge that its shadow extended through out a large area of land. Up on the tree, lived two powerful deities, Tra and Uat Luy. They protected the people of the land in the surrounding areas from the devils. The devils were so afraid of these two deities that even the sight of the peach tree haunted them. However, at the end of every lunar year, these two deities had to fly
back to heaven for an annual meeting with the Jade Emperor. During this time, the devils took advantage of this opportunity to harass the peaceful inhabitants. To fight the battle against these devils, people came up with the ideas of display a branch of the peach tree in the house to scare away the devils. Since then, it becomes a custom of the North Vietnamese to have a branch of a peach tree during Tet season to protect themselves against the Satan soldiers. Those who do not have peach tree can draw the figures of the two deities, Tra and Uat Luy, on red paper, and display them in front of the house.
People say that if you have not had any apricot blossom in your house, that means you have not prepared for Tet. It is compared as the symbol of the spring in Southern Vietnam and it has the similar important role like the Christmas tree on the Christmas holiday. At the moment of the previous years, if you go around a city, specially to the flower-show, you can see the yellow or the white everywhere, that is the color of apricot blossom. Although apricot blossom are planted mostly in the southland, now you can easily buy one in Hanoi.
Apricot blossom is more commonly used for this ceremony in the South because of the warm weather. Apricot is a small, yellow or white flowering plant that is used for decoration during Tet with the meanings of prosperity and well-being for the family. The value of these flowers is determined by the number of petals - the more petals, the more expensive the flower.
Lunar New Year or Tet is a fete of the family, and the time for family members to gather at home to enjoy warm atmosphere. Every Vietnamese family has their own way celebrating the New Year, but they share the same symbol of Tet in their mind, which distinct Vietnamese cultural characteristics. The symbol is an indispensable part of Vietnamese traditional Tet, and brings the Tet flavour to every family when the day is coming. In addition to such national dishes and products as "Fat pork, salted onions, parallel sentences written on red paper. Long bamboo poles planted upright, strings of fireworks, and square glutinous rice cakes", it is indispensable for each Vietnamese family to mark their Tet by colorful golden kumquat trees, peach blossom as well as yellow apricot flowers as the symbol of good fortune for the coming year.
 If you have ever tried “Cơm Việt” (Vietnamese plain boiled rice), you will find the difference from the boiled rice in other countries! In an ordinary meal of Vietnamese people, together with a variety of different dishes, Com or plain boiled rice ...
If you have ever tried “Cơm Việt” (Vietnamese plain boiled rice), you will find the difference from the boiled rice in other countries!
In an ordinary meal of Vietnamese people, together with a variety of different dishes, Com or plain boiled rice is an indespensable one, the most popular food at the main meals of the day (lunch and dinner).
Different cooking method makes “Cơm Việt” different!
In Vietnam, Com is made from different kinds of rice, typically fragrant rice is used, such as Tam Thom and Nang Huong. The main ingredients of Vietnamese plain boiled rice are commonly as follows:
- 1 cup of rice.
- 2 cups of boiling water.
- 1 teaspoonful of salt.
So, how can you make the boiled rice really delicious? If you have chance to see how Vietnamese people make a good pot of boiled rice, you will notice that its process is not so difficult. Firstly, pick the rice over, taking out all the bits of brown husk; fill the outside of the double boiler with hot water, ans put in the rice, salt and water, and cook forty minutes, but do not stir it. Then take off the cover from the boiler, and very gently, without stirring, turn over the rice with a fork; put the disk in the oven without the cover, and let it stand and dry for ten minutes. Then turn it from the boiler into a hot dish, and cover.
Other rice–made foods...

Beside the above-mentioned recipe of “Cơm Việt”, the Vietnamese people created many other rice-made foods, such as: rice ball, fried rice, rice gruel, steamed glutinous rice. Among them, making a rice ball (“Cơm nắm” in Vietnamese) is so interesting! “Cơm nắm” is a Vietnamese rice dish pressed into cylinder or sphere shape, which is sold in small alleys in Hanoi by vendors. This dish is very familiar with Vietnamese people. “Cơm nắm” has become a cheap but delicious rustic gift. When being fed up with nutritious food like vermicelli or “phở”, people often look for a frugal dish like “Cơm nắm” served with roasted sesame and ground nut.
Do you think it is easy to make a rice ball? A lot of people may say “Yes”, and you can obey the following simple process to make perfect a rice ball. To begin with, you boil the rice in a rice cooker. Please bear in mind that you have to make rice balls while the rice is hot or else it will not stick together. Next, you wet your hands and put a pinch of salt on your palms. Then, you put rice on your hand and wad up the rice and shape like cylinder or sphere. “Cơm nắm” is served with not o­nly sesame but also other things, such as stewed fish, simmered pork or salted shredded meat. However, salted roasted sesame (and ground nut) is still the first choice. The dish is so delicious that you surely would like to taste more than once... The rice is white clear, soft and used to be wrapped in a green banana leaf, which is so attractive. However, its cover is replaced with a plastic bag or paper. The salted sesame is roasted light brown and grated, which has an appealing fragrance. “Cơm nắm” is cut into slices and served with this sesame or/and ground nut. The sweetness of rice combining with the buttery taste of sesame is so unique that can not be found anywhere in the world.
Being in Vietnam, you are strongly recommended to give you the chance for enjoying “Cơm Việt” with dishes of pork, fish, shrimp and vegetable cooked in oil, as well as vegetables, pickles, etc. Have good appetite!