Hello Hanoi!

In 2014, Hanoi was ranked eighth among the top ten rising destinations in the world by the travel website TripAdvisor, due to its architectural beauty, both ancient and modern. In the hearts of foreigners, Hanoi is really a destination worth visiting and a place to live because the life and people here always contain many interesting and attractive things to see and do.

A day-tour to the thousand-year-old capital

At 8am on Saturday, I followed Ha Minh Lam, a tourist guide of Viet Media Travel, to the Art Boutique Hotel to lead a group of foreign tourists to see Hanoi.

We started our tour after enjoying Pho (beef noodles) at Thin Restaurant on Lo Duc Street and a cup of tea to warm us up. During our 30 minute breakfast we talked with the foreign tourists who told us about their experiences during their visit to Vietnam.

Gavin Anderson (26 years old) said: “I have been in Vietnam for two days and have visited Ha Long Bay and Trang An. On my last day here, I want to see Hanoi to learn more about the culture, country and people of this thousand-year-old city.”

The first place we visited was the President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum Area. When our car stopped, the tourists quickly got off and walked to the mausoleum. They visited the President’s house-on-stilts and pond, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. During their visit they learned much and took a lot of photographs.

Leaving the mausoleum, we visited Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Museum of Ethnology. Although we were quite tired due to moving continuously, all of us talked happily and felt pleased and excited about our trip.

Tourists visit the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Foreign tourists enjoy a dragon dance on a Hanoi street. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

Miến Lươn (Eel vermicelli)

The Miến Lươn is simple with vermicelli and crispy eel, broth and some fragrant herbs. Having the dish, we feel the eel meat is crispy and melting in the mouth. with the fragrance of herbs in the broth bowl. The hot bowl of Miến Lươn is suitable with the rainy days. However, the eel meat has the property of coldness; therefore it is very good to eat in hot days.

Sands of Mui Ne

In most of the brochures the famous sand dunes of Mui Ne are advertised. For me those were the main reason why I chose to go to the city despite its touristy image.

There are the famous white dunes (which are pale-yellow) and the red dunes (which are more orange...). I asked myself if it might be an overrated place to go and discovered it on my own. First: Yes, it is possible. Second: Don’t await too much help if you go alone. But third: It’s still an adventure if the right information is provided which is my job I guess....

Concerning the white dunes: Even though I wrote before they appeared more pale-yellow to me it’s much a question of the right perspective. Most tourists are coming in the very early morning when the sunlight touches the sand in a pretty white color. It might be a crowded place at sunset and I won’t say it’s worth to get up early to see the sunset there. The way to the dunes – which is just always along the highway and at the pagoda left (about 20km) – has a much better atmosphere. On the left side several dunes and steppes, getting the first shapes of the day from the early sun... on the right side an endless, lonely beach and the wide, open sea where the fishermen are on their boats already. The area, spotted with hills, forests and dunes might be interesting to visit as well.

The white dunes look despite everything quite amazing from the distance. They are surrounded by the “Lotus Lake” (which has only a few lotus...) and some out-priced quad-bike dealer.

The “red” sand dunes are on the way to the white ones and it’s impossible to miss them. Some children and vendors are standing there already, trying to foist you a sleigh upon. It might be the best time to visit the “red” ones during noon or late afternoon when they get their expected colour. It is worth to stay a while and wander around, during noon only very few tourists are around. I guess due to the desert and no protection from the hot, Vietnamese sun.

A view of Fairy Stream in Phan Thiet City

Recipe: Sticky Rice with Assorted Toppings - Xôi mặn

Recipe: Sticky Rice with Assorted Toppings - Xôi mặn

  Video by: Helen

Chanel Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HelenRecipes

Ingredients

• 2 cups sticky rice washed and soaked in water for at least 1 hour
• 3 tbsp dried shrimps soaked in hot water
• 3 Chinese sausages
• 100 g Vietnamese ham cut into strips
• crispy dried shallots
• quail eggs
• pork floss (optional) 2 inches thick
• quail eggs
• salt, pepper, chicken stock, sugar
• dark soy sauce
• vegetable oi
• garlic minced
• shallots thinly sliced

Higher learning

A trip to Vietnam's mountainous and beautiful north allows visitors to experience authentic tribal life, writes Rob McFarland.
 

Teetering down steep stone stairs in inappropriate shoes and tight white designer jeans is a young, affluent Vietnamese woman. She's holding a multicoloured umbrella to protect her from the sun and is being led carefully by the hand by a private guide.

Coming up the other way is a young girl from the local Black Hmong hill tribe, dressed in an embroidered jacket and wearing the tribe's trademark black hat. Her face is creased with effort as she struggles with a large basket of sticks strapped to her back. She stops to let the descending woman pass and they exchange a glance that speaks volumes about the extremes of modern-day Vietnam.

Viet Nam protects sovereignty in East Sea

HA NOI - Viet Nam's authorised agencies were tasked with firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang told reporters at a regular press conference in Ha Noi.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.— VNA/VNS Photo An Dang

Xiem Can Pagoda - the Khmer’s Splendid Architectural Work

Xiem Can Pagoda in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu is a splendid architectural structure of the Khmer community and has long been a famous spiritual destination of the province.

Xiem Can is one of the biggest and most splendid Khmer pagodas in southern Vietnam.
Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP

Visiting the pagoda, one will understand why it is listed among the biggest and most splendid Khmer pagodas in southern Vietnam. The pagoda was built in 1887 near a coastal alluvial ground that explains why the pagoda is called Xiem Can (literally bordering water) according to the language of the Jiezhou people who are mainly living in Bac Lieu Province).

Grilled Snout Otter Clam

Snout Otter Clam (tu hài) is a specialty of Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong district. Actually, it’s so hard to find out the reason why it was named “tu hài”.

Its original name sounds like a Chinese name that is so difficult to be explained the meaning. People just can describe Snout Otter Clam to look similar to clam but its meat part is as thick as blood cockle, its taste is as fresh as abalone. Previously, Snout Otter Clam was a special seafood used as offerings for the kings.

Ba Den Mountain, a great destination in Tay Ninh province

For those visiting Tay Ninh for the first time cannot restrain their curiosity to explore a famous cultural and historical site of the South - Ba Den Mountain - the most striking mountain in Ba Den Mountain Complex.

Climbing Ba Den Mountain is a chance to be closer to nature and get some good exercise at the same time. The feeling of defeating the mountain is a joyful one. The path zigzags through splendid surroundings and under the shade of green trees that protect skin from the scorching sun. From the peak, visitors will enjoy a perfect view of the valley that immediately relieves the fatigue of the climb.
To get down the mountain, most young tourists chose to take a grass slider trip. It is a soft adventure activity and safe as the slope is gentle and tourists can control the brake of the slide.
A round trip cable car ride from the foot of mountain to the Ba Temple is also offered. Soaring on the cable car, visitors in Vietnam tourism catch a view of a sparking waterfall under the glistening sun, mysterious caves and dense forest. However, according to practical experience, for who want to keep away from exhausted situation of climbing, it is suggested that they should take slider or cable car for the upward way and get down the mountain on foot.

Ba Den Mountain attracts many tourists in Vietnam travel  and pilgrims by its majestic image, several magnificent caves and pagodas. And it often welcomes a large number of people in spring time, the first and second lunar months, especially on the festivals of Ba Den Mountain. There are two main festivals occurring at Ba Den Mountain annually: Spring Festival, from the 15th to the 18th day of the first lunar month and Via Ba Festival lasting from the 5th to the 6th day of the fifth lunar month.
The Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival is much boisterous than Via Ba Festival. Pilgrims go there for religious reasons as well as for sightseeing. In the 20km route from Tay Ninh Town to the foot of Ba Den Mountain pilgrims from near and far crowd the road.

Source: Internet

Serene Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda

Located halfway up the Cham mountain in the suburbs of Hue, Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda is well known throughout the region for its romantic and heavenly scenery. The tranquil setting of this spiritual getaway is a magnet for those seeking a peaceful alternative to the city and is especially attractive to literature and art enthusiasts.

Located in Nham Bieu hamlet, Huong Ho commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien-Hue province, Huyen Khong Son Tra belongs to the Nam Tong Buddhism school. The pagoda, surrounded by bamboo trees, was built in 1973 by bonzes Vien Minh, Tinh Phap, Tri Tham and Tan Can, and originally stood in Phu Loc District’s Loc Hai Commune. It was moved in 1978 to its current place in Huong Tra District’s Huong Ho Commune by a monk, the Most Venerable Gioi Duc, who headed the pagoda until 1983 and who was succeeded by the Most Venerable Phap Tong.

Cá kho - Vietnamese Caramelized Fish

A very popular dish to serve with hot steamed rice. It goes perfect with sweet and sour fish soup (Canh Chua Ca). A claypot is normally used as it can maintain the heat until served on the table.

Other dish to serve with rice (các món ăn với cơm): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=... 

Video by: Helen

Chanel Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HelenRecipes

Ingredients

• 600 g catfish steaks 4 pcs
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp minced shallot
• 1 tbsp ginger julienned
• 1 stalk spring onion chopped
• 2 red hot chili peppers

Instructions

Bach Dang Wharf

Located near the Sai Gon River, Bach Dang Wharf which consists of a wharf and a park has become an attracting destination of the locals and tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City. 

Bach Dang Wharf is in the centre of District 1, near the Monument of General Tran Hung Dao which was built on Ton Duc Thang Street to commemorate the glorious victory against the Yuanmeng invaders in 1288 on the Bach Dang River.

On the occasion of the 300^th anniversary of Sai Gon – Ho Chi Minh City (1699-1998), Bach Dang Park was upgraded with some architectures to serve the locals and tourists. Bach Dang Wharf has a total area of about 23,400m² with a length of 1.3km and it is a green space of the city.

Bach Dang Wharf looks brilliant at night. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP

Binh Quoi offers fab river tours

Binh Quoi Tourist Village under management of Saigontourist has launched seven new river tours for tourists to explore the increasingly attractive river destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. The travel agent will offer 10 boats with capacities from 6 to 40 people.

East-West Highway

The tour departs at Thu Thiem Waterway Wharf and will take tourists through Bach Dang Wharf, Nha Rong Port, Khanh Hoi, Mong, Chu Y, Cha Va and Ong Lanh bridge as well as Binh Dong Wharf.