Nha nhac (the Royal Refined Music) of Hue

On 7th, November 2003, the Royal Refined Vietnam has ever Music was proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the first title of this kind received


 The UNESCO Council appraised Vietnamese royal music in the following terms: “Vietnamese royal music represents an elegant and refined music. It deals with the music performed in the imperial courts and on different anniversaries, religious festivals, and on such particular occasions. Of the different categories developed in Vietnam, only the royal music was national.


Nha Nhac


The Royal Refined Music was first introduced in the 13th century, but only reached its peak under the Nguyen Dynasty. The Royal Refined Music had long enjoyed a preference as an official form of royal music. It was recognized as the symbol of a powerful and long-lasting monarchy and as an indispensable part of all ceremonies. Every year, the Royal Refined Music was played in nearly 100 different ceremonies.


Varied in its themes, the Royal Refined Music is considered a means of communication to express the respect to gods and kings.


Nha Nhac Hue


Compared to other forms of art, the Royal Refined Music boasted high artistic value, first and foremost because the court had enough political power and finance to bring together talented composers and players from around the country. Given favorable conditions to practice and improve performance skills, they became professional artists in composing and performance.


After being recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the Royal Refined Music performances was held in France and Belgium, etc. and was highly valued by the audience and art-culture researchers.


Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue


Royal refined music and royal meal are two highlights in Hue that visitors should experience to get a full view at how the royal life was under Nguyen dynasty. It is said that King Tu Duc who reigned from 1848 to 1883 lived a life of truly imperial luxury: at every meal, 50 chefs had to prepare 50 dishes served by 50 servants and 50 artists to play music and dance. Then, Royal meal became a kind of special talk (story) in cultural life of Vietnam.



Nha nhac (the Royal Refined Music) of Hue

The Cultural Space of Gong in the Central Highlands

The fame of Central Highlands “Gong” culture has crossed national borders to become a property of all human beings.


Specific values of the cultural space of the Central Highlands “Gong” which is a part of Vietnam’s cultural heritage and quintessence has been recognized by the international community.


On 25th November 2005, the UNESCO decided to recognize “The cultural space of “Gong” in the Central Highlands” of Vietnam as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.


Cong chieng tay nguyenCaption


Throughout the Central Highlands of Viet Nam, “Gong” ensembles are parts of various ceremonies and closely linked to the communities’ daily life and the cycle of the seasons. The instruments, measuring 25 to 80 centimeters, are played by men as well as women.


The culture space of the “Gong” of central Vietnam is about original musical forms, which are performed against the background of the linguistic and ethnic diversity of the region. Diversity is also found in the compositions and customs of the Gong ensembles, in their performance techniques, in the musical genres and in the ritual functions of the gongs.


In the realm of Vietnam’s musical instruments, the “Gong” is very well-known for their outstanding value and regarded as the privileged language bridging humanity and the supernatural world. The “Gong” is made from a mixture of bronze and silver, with some distinctive features. The peoples living in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam possess many sets of “Gongs”, which would be performed differently. A set of “Gongs” consists of two to twenty units.


cong-chieng-tay-nguyenCulture Value


The most outstanding value of “Gong” culture presents masterpieces of human creativity. The masters of “Gong” culture are the ethnic people of the Central Highlands. Although they can not cast “Gongs” themselves, they raise the value of a product into an excellent musical instrument with their sensitive ears and musical soul. In the hands of talented folk artists, each “Gong” plays the role of a musical note in an orchestra to perform different pieces of gong music.


 As for ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, “Gong” and “Gong” culture present a means to affirm the community and its cultural identities. As time passes, “Gongs” have become an attractive and appealing symbol of the culture of the Central Highlands. It is an activity associated with cultural and spiritual life, and beliefs of ethnic people when they are born, grown up and return to the soil.


Customs

The Central Highlands “Gong” comes from long-standing historical and cultural traditions. In the past, community of people in the Central Highlands knew how to play the “Gong”. Its sound is either deep or strong, moving and combining with the sounds of streams, wind and the hearts of people so that it can live with the heaven, the earth and people in the Central Highlands.


 However, different ethnic minority groups arrange different orchestras. Listening to the sound of the “Gong”, people in the Central Highland can know which ethnic group is playing.

“Gong” players in the majority of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands are male. Only in a minority of ethnic groups in the region, “Gong” players are female.


Cong chiengVisual description of the picture  


It is a bright sunny day and a group of seven men are outside playing brown tambourines. Only five of the seven men are clearly visible. Their bodies describe a semi-circle facing the left of the picture. They all wear calm expressions. Each man holds the tambourine in his right hand, hitting it with a short thick piece of wood held in the left. The tambourines all have white characters written on them. All the men are wearing the same costume: a dark-blue long-sleeved shirt with multicolored cuffs and a red square piece of material with golden buttons down the front. Some of the men wear caps; the first man from left to right wears a yellow cap, the second from right wears a blue cap. In the background we can see a forest with blue sky just visible through the dense foliage of the trees. Smoke is spiraling upwards from the dirt floor. On the far left of the frame we can see the entrance to a hut.


 The Central Highlands’ gongs, together with the epics, the treasure of folklore, folk sculpture and folk knowledge, constitute the unique cultural heritage that have attached to the life of the highlanders for over thousand years.




The Cultural Space of Gong in the Central Highlands

Thung Nai – “Ha Long bay on land”

With the perfect combination of mountains, islands and tranquil lakes; Thung Nai brings poetic beauty and relaxed moments.


Thung Nai currently is familiar destination for peace lover every to avoid noise, dust and smoke. Being a commune in Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province, Thung Nai Lake is located in the Da River about 25 km away from the city center and about 110k from Ha Noi.



Thung Nai

Thung Nai hiding out in the Da river



Thung Nai name makes people think of a valley with deer wandering and grazing. According to the locals, this place was formerly inhabited by many species of deer. The romantic image of the golden deer bewildering in the late afternoon sunshine on the slopes and reflecting into the river was used to name this land.


Today, Thung Nai no longer does have any deer, but the poetic beauty, the romantic mountain and river seems to be completely untouched.  It is only possible to discover the “golden deer valley” by boats or on foot. Leave your car on the bank, the boats will take visitors around the hydropower dam.


In the windswept blowing from the lake, the scenery of Thung Nai is very picturesque. A large lake is surrounded by rolling mountains. In the lake, hundreds small and large “islands” are undulating as a wonderful natural masterpiece. Floating on the water, the boat dodging through the jutting rocks makes you feel you are enjoying the “Ha Long Bay on land”.



Rocky islands

Many rocky islands in the lake



As the perfect combination of lake, river and rocks, the Bo waterfall is a destination which cannot be missed when visiting Thung Nai. Cave is located deep inside the mountains and pretty wild, but the scenery is beautiful. After the rising water season, visitors can enjoy the swimming fishes in the shallow and clear waters.


Near the cave is the Thac Bo Goddess. Although the temple is small and located on a steep mountain cliff, this place attracts many visitors to worship. For many people, stopping at the temple is the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Thung Nai from the high view with bobbing white clouds, looming out the ethnic villages.


Another interesting thing here is that when Da river subsides, visitors have to climb up to the steeply upside down stone steps, is sometimes discourage. However, in the floating season, the water covers steps, visiting the temple tourists only need to step down from the boat. If visit on Sunday, do not forget to visit the Thac Bo floating market which is not too crowded and noisy but very typical culture of Muong in Thung Nai.


The windmill standing on a small island attracts anyone’s gaze. It’s like an invitation to stay at the lake house. Therefore, when tourists either travel in the daytime or stay overnight, the majority of tourists will want to visit the small island to see the windmills which only seems to be in the Netherlands, or in the novel “Don Quixote– a famous and talented nobleman in Manta”.



Windmill in Thung Nai

Windmill widely seen as a symbol of Thung Nai



Not only does windmills have a strange figure but owns stunning scenery.  If visiting the windmill in the early morning, you will see Thung Nai immersing in the fog, when the sun rises, the lake becomes blue and lights up sparkling yellow.



Thung Nai – “Ha Long bay on land”

The unique beauty of Vietnam

We are proud to be a part of Vietnam – a country with 54 ethnic groups and, with the thousands years historic lands. A winding country in S shape stands next to East Sea with three region – the North – the Central and the South which have different cultures, but are intertwined. They are different but contain the same features forming unity. Therefore, Vietnam has a unique beauty – a beauty of Vietnam.


The beauty of VietnamVietnam’s beauty is reflected in every picture, every vignette, every detail of life, people in Vietnam with the unique beauty of each region




The beauty of Vietnam

Statues of the tombs of the minorities in the Central Highlands are beautiful and rustic.



 



Sculpture of Cham

Sculptures of the Cham are the beauty of the exquisiteness, sophistication and balance.





One Pillar Pagoda

The unique One Pillar Pagoda



 Besides a number of famous architectures, just look back the beautiful places which cannot to be missed if you visit Vietnam with the peaceful beauty, simplicity and well-known places of Vietnam.




The beauty of Northwest

The beauty of Northwest



 


Speciality of Hanoi


 


 


Ha Noi



Ha Noi

Feature of Hanoi



 



Halong Bay with spectacular sceneries

Halong Bay with spectacular scenery





beach of Nha Trang

A romantic and white sand beach of Nha Trang





The bustling Ben Thanh Market

The bustling Ben Thanh Market



Say “goodbye” to the beauty of Vietnam, we go into the bustling life of the Vietnamese.



the beauty of the girls in traditional dresses

From the beauty of the girls in traditional dresses…



 



The radiant smile of the season when farmers

The radiant smile of farmers





the radiant smile of kids in Vietnam

…to the radiant smile of kids in Vietnam










The unique beauty of Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine

It is not incidental that a famous expert in the world said “Vietnam should become the kitchen of the world”. Not only is cuisine of Vietnam rich, varied in number but also sophisticated in the way processed and food selections. Therefore, Vietnamese food had been immensely admired by people all over the world.


Vietnam cuisine


Furthermore, Vietnam cuisine is famous all over the world and is highly appreciated by culinary experts. Food of Vietnam is less fat than that of China, less spicy than Thai or Korean food, less meat than European dishes and prepared sophisticatedly, careful to ensure easy digestion after meals. During preparing, decoration and spicy combination, Vietnamese food always applies yin and yang (two complementary principles). Besides, Vietnamese food has healing effects… Raw materials and processed foods are rich, diverse and natural. Moreover, spices for tasty dishes are also diverse, from vegetables (fennel, basil, perilla, onions…), nuts (ginger, galangal), and fruits (cardamom, tamarind, mango, tomatoes…) to sauces (soy and fish sauce…) making unique dishes of Vietnam. Each region, each rural area has its own special dishes by processing and combining spices to create unique and attractive dishes.


Vietnamese cuisine is becoming more popular in the world which is affirmed by the number of customers participating in Vietnamese culinary festivals organized in many countries. Organizing frequency of Vietnamese cuisine festivals in the world are also increasing. More than 60% of international visitors when asked about Vietnamese cuisine are expressed their satisfaction and excitement. Many international visitors to Vietnam have evaluated that Vietnam is culinary paradise with the delicious and tasty dishes which cannot be forgotten in every destination. The unique is that three regions of Vietnam are three culinary paradises with unique dishes, specially flavor and their own characteristics.


Vietnam cuisine


Visiting Hanoi, tourists cannot forget the taste of pho, crab paste vermicelli, grilled pork vermicelli soup, snail noodles, vermicelli with egg and chicken and pork, La Vong grilled/fried fish and West Lake shrimp cakes. Cuisine in the central is attractive with tourists by the cakes, Hue porridge, Quang and Cao Lau noodles, whereas, the southern region is famous with hotpot dishes, grilled from seafood with fruits.


The Vietnamese is no longer surprise at foreigner sitting on pavement holding chopsticks to enjoy a morning bowl of pho or snail noodles in the familiar street. A growing number of famous chefs are going to Vietnam for food flavor of Vietnam including Mr. Didier Corlou – French chef in the Metropole Hanoi hotel. He really enjoys using sauce for food processing. He is fascinated Pho and consider Pho as one of the most delicious dishes in the world, and Hanoi capital is the top capital with many delicious dishes. Didier Corlou wrote a book about the most delicious Vietnamese food in French to introduce to international friends.


With the characteristics of geography, culture and climate, every region in Vietnam has its own food culture. For instance, in the north, the dishes are not as strongly spicy, sweet, and fat as in other areas. Northern dishes often use many vegetables and other fresh-water seafood. Cuisine of Northern, especially in Hanoi is highly evaluated; it is the most typical representative of Vietnam to the culinary world. These dishes like pho, vermicelli with egg and chicken and pork, grilled/fried fish or Thanh Tri spring rolls are often chosen by tourists when visiting Vietnam.


Vietnam cuisine


Southern cuisine is much influenced by Chinese, Cambodian, Thai cuisine when is often used sugar and coconut milk.


Unlike the South, the Central cuisine is very special and unique; this is represented by the flavor of every dish. Generally, cuisine in the Central is more spicy and saltier than others; mixed colors are rich and more colorful. The central cities like Hue, Da Nang, Binh Dinh are very famous with shrimp sauce. In particular, cuisine of Hue has been influenced by royal style, thus very sophisticated in processing and decoration.


Unlike the North, the Central and the Southern, cuisine of the ethnic minorities have different identities, in which each minority has its own unique dishes and can not be mixed. However, there is a similar characteristic of the culinary culture of the minority when dishes are mostly from baked wild animals.


Vietnam cuisine


In the developing society with many cultures introduced, thus Vietnamese cuisine become diverse with dishes mixed with the different cultures. However, the traditional cuisine is still intact and becomes popularly admired in the world. Not only are dishes not simply food and drink, but a hidden art containing a thickness of Vietnam culture.




Vietnamese cuisine

Cham Museum – an interesting destination in Danang

If you have a chance to visit the city next to the Han River, just stop to visit Cham Museum – the largest one in the country to listen to the time beating in each precious artifact.

This was built by the French to collect, store and display relics of sculptures of Champa kingdom found in the Cham towers, ramparts in the Coastal Southern Central and in the Central Highlands.


Museum of Cham 1 Museum of Cham 2 Museum of Cham 3 Museum of Cham


Located in top two beautiful streets of Da Nang City – the 2/9 and Trung Nu Vuong, Museum of Cham Sculpture was constructed in July 1915 with the help of the French scientist of École française d’Extrême Orient – France. Museum was opened in 1919 going through some repairing phases to become appear as today.Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang owns nearly 2,000 large and small artifacts, including nearly 500 artifacts inside the museum, and the rest scattering throughout the campus and being stored.


Museum of Cham


In the center of the dynamic city Da Nang, Cham museum will bring the peace to the tourists as the journey to find the silhouette of a flourishing kingdom. The museum is characterized as French architecture.


The museum is organized mainly by different regions corresponding to the geographical area where they were discovered including My Son, Tra Kieu, Dong Duong, Man Tower and Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Quang Binh and Binh Dinh corridors. This classification makes observant visitors will recognize the features, marks of the Cham architectural characteristics of each local, due to the influence of culture and lifestyle.


Museum of Cham


Walk through Quang Nam, Quang Binh corridors and My Son room, you can see the artifacts depicting the god Shiva, Brahma, My Son exquisite altar in every detail and silently admire the creative talent of ancient artists. The images of mascot, the Hindu gods or normal life scenes were elaborately carved until now are still very fine. Centuries has passed, those are the evidences of a dynasty which still remains against the time.


Most existing sculptures of Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang are the original works on 3 main materials which are sandstone, terracotta and copper, dating from the seventh century to the XV century with diverse artistic styles, shapes and carving.


Museum of Cham


It seems that every work of art here has its own story, a spun fate as the dynasty generating them. From the time the dust of time to the destroying of wars, many generations have carefully collected to bring these items to a same place. Due to a systematic and holistic collection has helped Champa art to radiate vitality and affirm a timeless spirit.

Visit the museum in the sunny or rain days, stepping into this special space you will shake off worries and immerse in the stillness. Visit Museum of Champa Sculpture to admire the relentless creativity of ancient Cham artists carving the timeless masterpiece.




Cham Museum – an interesting destination in Danang

An American newspaper reporting 5 most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam

The Huffington Post of U.S has recently published an article about the famous and the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.


As a small country, people visiting Vietnam will not be unsurprised when the country has so many diverse kinds of terrain. The landscapes in Vietnam are very diversified and unique.


From the white sand beaches with the very beautifully turquoise blue waters to the beautiful lush and murky tropical forests, going into the forest is the sealed leaves covering both the sun and the mountains, visitors on those will feel like flying in the clouds … It ‘s just some impressive scenery that visitors can be mentioned when visiting Vietnam.


Nha Trang Sea


Nha Trang SeaWith a coastline of over 3000 km (excluding the coastal islands), it is unsurprised to say that Vietnam is one of the top potential countries for sea. There are a lot of beautiful beaches. Being tired of traveling by cars along the coast of central Vietnam, you seem to be revived when see the gorgeous landscapes in front.


Nha Trang SeaOne of the ideal destinations for tourists who love sea is Nha Trang. There are here many voyages in even both day and night, either on a cruise ship or boat fishermen. In addition, the pace of life in Nha Trang relatively young, people here are already familiar with the bustling night life.


Nha Trang SeaIf Miami is one of the famous busy coastal cities of the United States, NhaTrang is a “Miami of South East Asia”. Besides beautiful beaches, there are small islands which are the right places for diving lovers.


Nha Trang SeaWorld of marine life in Nha Trang is very rich. Having a happy holiday in Nha Trang is very simple; in particularly, prices here are very cheap compared with those of other places in the region.


Nha Trang SeaMui Ne Sand Dunes


Mui Ne Sand Dune


After delight playing in the ocean, remember that not only does Vietnam have white sand and blue sea, but also are there sand dunes in Mui Ne with white or orange-red dunes. Facing with the beauty of the sand dunes in Mui Ne, everyone will feel overwhelmed by the natural beauty.



Mui Ne sand dune


The pleasure to Mui Ne is very simple, you’ll get the feeling of childhood like jumping, running, sliding in the sand. Maybe you’ll think you’re in a desert in Africa, but you are virtually in Vietnam where it takes about some minutes to be back the sea for surfing.


Mui Ne sand dune


Sapa terraced rice fields


Sapa terraced fieldsEvery country with the coastline will have beaches, but not every country has mountains and terraced fields as Vietnam. You want to see the most beautiful terraces, just visit Sapa.


Sapa terraced fieldsThe terraced fields in Sapa were “shaped “by hand from more than 2,000 years ago. Until now, they have continued to produce food source to the ethnic minorities living in the mountains.Tourists can explore the magnificent terraced fields by hiring a local to guide. Also, people here also provide “homestay” service for tourists who want to stay few days with families –then, tourists will have memorable experiences.


Sapa terraced fieldsHa Giang


Ha GiangAlso being located in the northern mountain of Vietnam, not far from Sapa is a relative untouched area – Ha Giang. For those who love photography should take many camera batteries, because the beauty here simply is so stunning that you always want to stop along the way to take pictures.


Ha GiangHa Giang is the land which will make any tourists feel amazed before wonderfully grand and overwhelming beauty. Tourists can rent a motorbike and travel, sometimes you can stop to watch, take photos and then continue to travel.


Ha GiangThe most beautiful road of the journey which also is regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful road is the connection between Dong Van and Meo Vac. Here the roads are difficult to drive with steep hill, but it is worthwhile to see the scenery in Ha Giang.


Ha Long Bay


Ha Long bayIt’s interesting to see friendly kids in unique dresses and say “hello” to tourists. On their back are beautiful baskets. Men here wear mostly black clothes and black berets whereas women dress suits and colorful bandanas.Talk about the beauty of Vietnam, we can not ignore Ha Long bay which is probably one of the most impressive landscapes of Vietnam. The Limestone Mountains in the still waters hide in the morning mist in the villages and tourists sit on the wooden boats gliding lightly across the bay.


Ha Long bayIf you look closely at the limestone here, sometimes you’ll be able to figure out the dragons’ stature. That’s why this is called Halong (Bay of dragons landing).


Ha Long bay




An American newspaper reporting 5 most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam

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