Explore the South

Away from the city noise and bustle, drive southward to enjoy the fresh air, the quiet that visitors will find more comfortable and fresh. Besides, down to the southwest, to the Ben Tre, you will see the coconut tree lines along the canal bank, listening to the sweet folk songs to feel gentle.Itinerary: Saigon – My Tho (Mekong delta) – Saigon Am: Pick up at the hotel around 8h00. Drive southward to Mekong delta. Upon arrival at My Tho pier, embark on a private boat for cruising along small...

A very tasteful Vietnamese speciality - Quang Noodles

Knowing about Vietnamese speciality – noodles sometimes can be extremely helpful, as “pho” in Hanoi and beef rice noodles in Hue and especially, popular Quang noodles in Quang Nam and Da Nang. Quang noodle soups are different with most other normal noodle soups in that the soups have just enough broth to barely cover the noodles. Unlike other Vietnamese noodle soup bowls whose broth will cover the noodles almost completely, Quang noodle broth is barely enough to slurp during the meal. If you do not eat a Quang noodle bowl fast enough, the broth will generally quickly be soaked up by the noodles. Quang noodle soups are generally...

Vietnamese speciality - Hue beef noodle (the typical culinary art of Hue)

In Hue city, the former citadel of Vietnam, it doesn’t take you a lot of money to dine like a King!Hue beef noodle takes its origin from the Royal Hue City of Central Vietnam. The broth is from cooking beef bones for a long period of time as well as a variety of different spices including lemongrass.Having a bowl of Hue beef noodle, it is easy to recognize that it is completely different from Pho since the former’s beef broth is much spicier.Learning how to make a clear broth from bone and meat is quite a difficult task. After being selected from the market, the fresh beef will be shredded, boiled and taken out of the...

“Cơm Việt” – a different taste

If you have ever tried “Cơm Việt” (Vietnamese 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 indispensable 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 boiled rice are commonly as follows:      Vietnamese plain boiled rice      ...

Yen Tu Festival

A popular saying goes: “Even after 100 years of virtuous religious life, if you don’t come to Yen Tu you cannot be called a true religious person”. Pilgrimage to Yen Tu Festival in respect of Buddha and sightseeing is so meaningful…Situated within the immense arched mountain range of north-eastern Vietnam, Yen Tu Mountain in northern coastal Quang Ninh province bears at its peak the Dong Pagoda: at an altitude of 1,068m above sea level. The beauty of Yen Tu consists in the majesty of its mountains mingling with the ancient and solemn quietness of its pagodas, shrines and towers. Yen Tu has been a centre of Buddhism for many centuries, and is...

The ancient Duong Lam village

The ancient Duong Lam village attracts visitors by the ancient houses and cultural space of an old Vietnamese village which has everlasting life over the time. Through its ups and downs, Duong Lam has kept a picture of Vietnam ancient village with the village gate, banyan trees, wells, lotus pond. Pass the ancient gates which is located under the a giant banyan tree over 300 years old are the alleys, roads, roofs, laterite  walls, and ancient architecture in a space of community with a bold identity of an agricultural village and are the mark of a rice civilization.Duong Lam village consists of 5 hamlets: Mong Phu, Cam Thinh, Dong...

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.The Royal Refined Music was first introduced in the 13th century, but only reached...

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”.Caption Throughout the Central Highlands of Viet Nam, “Gong” ensembles are parts of various ceremonies and closely linked to the communities’ daily life...