Visit Tu Duc and Minh Mang Tomb

Visit Tu Duc and Minh Mang Tomb
Tu Duc Tomb
A glance at the tomb can create the illusion of a park, packed with frangipani trees and grove of pines.
Location and history
Located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong Village, 8km from Hue City, Tu Duc Tomb is considered as one of the most beautiful and picturesque and largest works of architecture of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs. People say that Tu Duc Tomb is a must in every tour to Hue City.
The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. The construction of Tu Duc’s tomb requires an incredible amount of money and labour, thus resulted in a rebellion of workers. Therefore, the tomb was renamed as Khiem Lang, in comparison with the former name: Van Nien Co (expresses the wish to be permanent). In addition, all the constructions’ names were changed to bear the word Khiem (Modesty) in their names, as the king wanted to express his humility. Vietnam travel tours
Hue Travel Guide-Tu Duc Tomb
It was the place where he could retreat from the Citadel to compose poetry or go hunting because the monument was finished when the king was still in reign. The design of the tomb is said to clearly reflect the profound knowledge and romance of the king’s characteristics.
What to see
A glance at the tomb can create the illusion of a scenic park, packed with lakes, hills, pavilios amidst the lushness of frangipani trees and grove of pines. It’s surrounded by a solid octagonal wall. A few notable sites in the temple area inside the tomb can be listed as Luu Khiem Lake, Tinh Khiem Island, Xung Khiem Pavilion, Hoa Khiem Temple (which commemorated the King and the Queen). Hoa Khiem Temple is a small museum of the King’s life: a mirror used by the King’s concubines; a lock gifted by the French; the funerary tablets of the emperor and empress. As the tomb also functions as a home away from home, there is even a royal theatre inside the complex, named Minh Khiem Duong. The theatre is a reflection of Tu Duc’s poetic soul, with the ceiling carved with stars, clouds, crescent moon and sky. Today, perfomances are not shown in this theatre but in Xung Khiem Ta (near Luu Khiem Lake). Jasmine Cruise

The remaining part is the tomb area, consisting of the Honour Courtyard, the Stele Pavilion and the seplucre. The Stele Pavilion of this tomb is known as the biggest one in Vietnam, in which the king has inscribed about his life by himself.
Coming to Tu Duc Tomb, tourists may feel like they’re lost in a huge scenery park, where the old monuments of old feudal time are harmoniously in tune with the natural atmosphere.
How to get there
The suggested means of transport to travel to Tu Duc Tomb is by motorbike, car or even bikes. This site can be included in a tour from Khai Dinh Tomb and Tu Hieu Pagoda. Remember to wear comfortable shoes as visiting this tomb means a lot of walking.

Minh Mang Tomb
Considered as the most majestic of all royal tombs, Minh Mang Tomb is a complex of 40 sites.
Location and history

Minh Mang Tomb is in Huong Tho Commune, Huong Tra District, on the west bank of Perfume River and about 12km south of Hue City center. This place is where 2 tributaries join to form the picturesque Perfume River.
The tomb was started constructing in 1840 under the order of King Minh Mang. After his death in 1841, King Thieu Tri continued the task, according to his father’s plan. The monument was finally completed 2 years later.
Architecture
Touted as the most majestic of all Nguyen Dynasty royal tombs, Minh Mang Tomb is a complex of 40 constructions: palaces, temples, pavilions, etc. Many said that it’s a perfect combination of manmade and natural beauty of Hue, where architecture fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.
It’s designed as a symmetric axis (called Than Dao) running from the Great Red Gate to the foot of the Surrounding Wall behind the King’s tomb. Apart from this gate at the center, there are 2 other gates: the Left Rad Gate and the Right Red Gate, which led to the Honour Courtyard – where two rows of mandarins, elephants and horse’s stone statues are standing. At the other side of the 3 gates, on Mount Phung Than is the square Stele Pavilion, where the stele “Thanh Duc Than Cong” inscribed with the King’s biography and merits written by his son, is placed. Sung An Temple, where King Minh Mang and his wife are worshipped, can be accessed through Hien Duc Gate. There are 3 stones bridges on the other side of this temple, with the marble one reserved only for the king. Finally, the Hoang Trach Gate heads to the Minh Lau Pavilion. It is placed on top of three terraces representing heaven, earth and water. Closer to the tomb area, the New Moon Lake (Ho Tan Nguyet) is crescent-shaped and embraces the circular wall surrounding the grave (Buu Thanh)
Hue Travel Guide-Minh Mang Tomb
Looking from afar, the complex looks like a human being with the hill as his pillow and his hands and feet reaching to the river. From the front gate to the back door is almost 700m. The fence is high but does not block the view to mountains and Cam Ke Hill nearby.
How to get there
Although travelling by car or motorbike is easy and convenient today thanks to the construction of Tuan Bridge, it’s not a bad choice to take a boat trip from Hue to visit this tomb, in addition to Thien Mu Pagoda and Hon Chen Temple. Tourists should deal with the boat-owners before going. The price ranges, depending on the number of sites and the distance, but normally it’s very reasonable.

Travel to Con Dao

Looking at a map, Con Dao Island looks like a bear rising from the sea to south east of Vietnam. Originally a prison for patriots and revolutionists during the French and American resistance, Con Dao Island sheltered brave revolutionary spirits of the Vietnamese people. More than 22,000 prisoners who dedicated their lives to national independence were incarcerated on the isolated island of Con Dao. South Vietnam travel packages

Location: Con Dao Island is situated in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province

Con Dao was recognized as a nature reserve in 1984 and a national park in 1993. The total protected area of the park is 20,000ha, including 14,000ha of sea and 6,000ha of forest on 14 islands. There is also a buffer zone that is 20,500ha wide. Con Dao National Park encompasses oceanic and coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests, coral reefs and sea grasslands. Over 1,300 species of sea animals have been identified here. The park is the most important egg-laying area in Vietnam for sea turtles. The island also has many precious animals, the most important being dugong (called "sea cows" by locals). Between late 1996 and early 1997, officials at the park counted 10 dugong in the sea surrounding the island. With high oceanic biodiversity, Con Dao is classified as one of the areas given optimum priority in the world's system of oceanic reserves. MEKONG EYES CRUISE

The best time to visit Con Dao Island is from March to June, when the sea is calm. Some of those beaches include Dam Trau, Hang Duong and Phi Yen where visitors can relax and enjoy the warm temperature. The ocean around Con Dao Island is a heaven for sea life and the splendid forest cloaks the land. This is ecotourism at its best. Clean, smooth sand banks, blue sea, dolphins jumping and racing after boats, tropical almond trees swinging in a cool sea breeze, peaceful narrow roads, and forest covering most of the island, make Con Dao seem like heaven to visitors from far and wide. Indochina Sails cruise Halong bay

Con Dao is one of the few places in Vietnam that is home to rare dugong, sea turtles, and dolphins, and to varieties of orchids found nowhere else in the country. In addition, the island has large and diverse coral reefs comparable to the most famous ecotourism spots in the region. This peaceful island district has 5,000 people whom nature seems to have created with kind hearted and generous characters and adventurous enough to choose the remote island as their home. Visitors will arrive there to enjoy themselves in an intact natural environment and have a good time with dugong, sea turtles and dolphins playing freely around the island paradise.

Travel to Con Dao

CON DAO PRISON

Con Dao Prison (Vietnamese: Nhà tù Côn Đảo), also Con Son Prison, is a prison on Con Son Island (also known as Con Lon) the largest island of the Con Dao archipelago in Ba Ria – Vung Tau. The prison was built in 1861 by the French colonists to jail those considered especially dangerous to the colonist government. Many of the high ranking leaders of Vietnam were detained here. It is ranked a special historical relic of national importance by the government of Vietnam. The most famous site in this prison is “tiger’s cage”. The prison covers an area of 5,475 square metres, of which the area of cell is 1408 square metres, sunbath room covers 1873 square metres and other space covers 2194 square metres. The prison includes 120 cells. The prison was closed after the country united and just opened for visitors later.

In 1861, the French colonial government established a prison on the island to house political prisoners. In 1954, it was turned over to the South Vietnamese government, who continued to use it for the same purpose. Notable prisoners held at Con Son in the 1930s included Pham Van Dong and Le Duc Tho. Not far from the prison is Hang Duong Cemetery, where some of the prisoners were buried.

HANG DUONG CEMETERY

Hang Duong CemeteryHang Duong Cemetery is a memorial cemetery in Vietnam with the remains of independence fighters and prisoners who died at the Con Dao Prison. The cemetery is situated near the prison on Con Son Island (also known as Con Lon) the largest island of the sixteen islands of the Con Dao archipelago. Many Vietnamese, war veterans and former prisoners travel to the island to pay homage to the fallen at temple shrines and tombs. Many of the graves are unmarked but marked and numbered notable graves include those of Le Hong Phong, Nguyen An Ninh and Vo Thi Sau.

24h discovering little-known places in Ninh Binh

In addition to highlighted attractions such as Trang An, Bai Dinh pagoda, Ninh Binh also have many peaceful places for tourists to discover just in one day. Spending time to explore relatively new and interesting destinations like Thung Nham, Thien Ha cave, Dong Chuong lake is a good way to gain better understanding about the historical land of Ninh Binh. Vietnam travel Packages

7h: Temple of King Dinh-Le

Hoa Lu ancient capital is tied with three dynasties Dinh – Le – Ly, which is regarded as the land of “supernatural” with many famous Vietnamese celebrities. According to the records, in 968, Dinh Bo Linh came to the throne of the first feudal state in Vietnam, he chose Hoa Lu as the capital and built many palaces, temples in here. Nowadays, there are many monuments left in Hoa Lu, one of these is the temple of King Dinh and Le which are seperated approximately 500m and located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district. Here you can learn about the history of King Dinh and Le’s reign. In addition, Hoa Lu relic still has some beautiful pagodas like Ngan Xuyen (near foot of Ma Yen mountain) and Nhat Tru (far away 200m from King Le’s temple). Au Co Cruise Halong Bay

24h discovering little-known places in Ninh Binh

9h: Thung Nham eco-tourism site

Belong to Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, which far away 10km from Ninh Binh city, Thung Nham (or Thung Chim – Bird Valley) is located in the core area of Trang An, beside the famous tourist area Tam Coc – Bich Dong. In order to come here, almost tourists choose to go to Tam Coc about 4km, through the Sun Valley then continue by road or boat if selecting go through Pagoda cave.  You’ll be sure to see here numerous species of birds and the most common ones are stork, teal, starling and so on. In particular, it is also home to many rare species of birds in the Red Book. After being amazed by the number of birds here, you can visit caves in rocky mountains. Leaving boats to walk on the shore, you can visit orchards, centuries-old banyan tree, primary forests and aquaculture zones. MANGO CRUISE MEKONG

12h: Lunch

Resting in Doi Nham valley, you do not forget to enjoy local dishes like hill chickens, fishes in natural lake, bamboo cane and forest vegetables.

13h: Thien Ha cave

After sightseeing and having lunch at Thung Nham, you will move to Muong Tho Ha, Son Ha commune, Nho Quan district to come up with Thien Ha cave. The cave has a length of 700m including small water cave inside. It’s not really big but due to located in the range of Tuong Mountain, which is a part of natural wall protecting Hoa Lu in 10th century, Thien Ha cave attracts a lots of tourists come to understand more about the ancient capital region.

15h30: Dong Chuong lake

Out of the cave, you keep moving to the two communes Phu Loc and Phu Long to go to Dong Chuong lake. Here you will find pretty pristine and quiet lake scenery. Around the lake, you can see pine hills reflected on the water, all create cool and dreamy space inside jungle. Near the lake, you can visit Ba Tua waterfall, Chin Suoi (Nine Stream line), pine hills and a pond with blue water which never shallow. You can take a boat around the lake, enjoy fresh air,  participate in fun games or go camping to end your long day roaming at beautiful places in Ninh Binh.

20 Things You Must Eat In Hanoi

Food-loving globetrotters, here’s a bit of sound advice: If you’re headed to Vietnam’s northern city of Hanoi, we’d recommend you pack a pair of elastic-banded pants. The city is a wonderland of cheap eats and drinks, offering an endless variety of soups, noodles, buns, rolls and sandwiches paired with plenty of fresh herbs — and fresh beer, too.
Food-loving globetrotters, here’s a bit of sound advice: If you’re headed to Vietnam’s northern city of Hanoi, we’d recommend you pack a pair of elastic-banded pants. The city is a wonderland of cheap eats and drinks, offering an endless variety of soups, noodles, buns, rolls and sandwiches paired with plenty of fresh herbs — and fresh beer, too. Travel to Vietnam

You could spend a week eating your way through the hectic, motorbike-clogged streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and never eat the same meal twice. I know I didn’t on my recent trip. Here are 20 dishes and drinks from Hanoi that haunt my hungry dreams.

1. Bánh bao
The close cousin to the steamed Chinese baozi can be stuffed with ingredients ranging from pork to mushrooms and quail eggs. It’s a hot and fluffy treat. Halong bay tours Vietnam

2. Bánh cuốn
When dawn breaks, we suggest you seek out these rice-flour rolls wrapped around minced mushrooms and pork. It’s a warm, wonderful way to start the day.

3. Bánh mì
The baguette is one of the enduring symbols of French colonialism. It’s given a Southeast Asian twist by stuffing it with pâté, mayonnaise, pickled carrots and daikon, jalapeños and gobs of cold cuts. But the bánh mì is basically a blank slate to which cooks can add whatever they desire. Mekong river tours Vietnam

4. Bánh xèo
Made with turmeric and plenty of coconut milk, the crispy rice-flour crepe classically encases shrimp, pork, onions and perhaps sprouts too. It’s also served with a garden’s worth of herbs.

20 Things You Must Eat In Hanoi

5. Bia hơi
Draft beer is sacred to Vietnam, where tipplers wile away the hours sipping on this crisp, unpasteurized and unfiltered lager—its name roughly translates to “fresh beer”—that’s usually sold for about 25 cents a mug. Go on, have four. You’d need to drink gallons to get drunk.

6. Bún bò nam bộ
Carnivores should seek out this southern-Vietnam dish: A bed of rice noodles is topped by tender grilled beef, chopped cucumbers, lettuce, papaya slivers, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts and heaps of crunchy fried onions. Mix it with fish sauce–spiked nước chấm, take a bite, moan and repeat.

7. Bún bò huế
Get your sinuses running with a bowl of this spicy beef-noodle soup that hails from Huế, Vietnam’s last imperial capital. You can cut the fire with some fresh herbs or a squirt of citrus.

8. Bún cha
When lunchtime hits in Hanoi, the air is perfumed with the scent of sizzling grilled pork, the key component to the city’s signature dish. The swine is served alongside a sweet ’n’ salty broth, slices of green papaya, rice noodles and fresh herbs as far as the eye can see.

9. Bún ốc
Slow-moving sea snails are cherished in Hanoi, where they’re served in a steaming noodle soup with a tomato-based broth.

10. Bún riêu
Consider this the love child of phở, tomato soup and the sea. The noodle soup is composed of a tomato-based broth filled with plenty of crab and bobbing chunks of tomato.

11. Cà phê sữa nóng/sữa đá
Jumpstart your nervous system with a steaming cup of cà phê sữa nóng—that is, potent coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk. It’s an electric jolt to the nervous system. (If you prefer your coffee cold, order cà phê sữa đá—with ice.)

12. Chả cá
Chunks of fish are anointed with plenty of turmeric, then sizzled with heaps of dill and served with rice noodles. It’s a fragrant delight.

13. Gỏi cuốn
The cool, fresh summer rolls are made with rice paper wrapped around herbs, vermicelli noodles, shrimp, pork or whatever vegetables and protein you have on hand.

14. Mì vįt tiềm
You’ll notice the echoes of Cantonese cuisine in this soup stuffed with squiggly yellow noodles, roasted duck and Chinese broccoli.

15. Nem cua be
Instead of a tube, these flaky, deep-fried spring rolls are shaped like a square. What’s inside is equally surprising: ground crab, pork, mushrooms and more. Eat them with fresh herbs and lettuce, which ably cut through the greasiness.

16. Nước chấm
Almost everything in Vietnam tastes better after being dunked into this salty-sweet-sour dipping sauce. It’s composed of fish sauce, citrus juice, sugar, water and, if you prefer, garlic and hot peppers.

17. Nước mía
Attention, sweet tooth; Get your fix with fresh-pressed sugarcane juice served over ice. It’s oddly invigorating. Or maybe that’s the sugar talking.

18. Phở
The classic Vietnamese noodle soup is sold from sunrise to last call on street corners citywide. The broth is typically made from long-boiled beef bones and spices such as star anise and cinnamon. Pho bò refers to beef, while phở gà signifies chicken.

19. Sinh tố
Take advantage of Vietnam’s fruit bounty to savor a smoothie made with sweetened condensed milk, crushed ice and your choice of, say, strawberry, mango or lychee. Just whatever you do, stay away from us if you opt for the rank, custardy durian.

20. Xôi
Looking to get stuffed, fast? Seek out the ladies with giant baskets stuffed with warm sticky rice. The rice is topped with lotus root, roasted garlic and whatever meat or fish happens to be on hand.

Top fruits must try in Vietnam

Vietnam is located in tropical zone and famous with so many kinds of fruits. There are ten kinds of fruits not only delicious and popular, but also meet the criteria for export which both foreigners and Vietnamese should try.
If you are in Vietnamespecially in durian season you should try to enjoy it for yourself.It’s easy to find durian in any markets or supermarkets of Viet Nam.The first suggestion is that you should not eat too much. Traditional beliefs say that durian has warming properties. If you eat too much at once it can heat up your body but its taste is so good. Vietnam tours private

Especially if you have any chances to visit Vinh Long, remember to try Durian Ri6. Ri6 durian of the southern province of Vinh Long is praised to be the best durian variety in Vietnam. It is named Ri6 after the name of Mr. Sau Ri, who created this variety in 1990. It has a distinctively bright yellow color, similar to the intense coloration of a Musang King durian in Malaysia. The flesh is thick and fibrous, with a strong egg-flavor that reminds me of many Thai varieties. Halong bay tours Vietnam

Mangosteen

If the mighty durian is king, the mangosteen is known as the queen of fruits. The mangosteen's semi-firm exterior shell may not be much to look at, but the soft, delicate flesh of the white interior hooks people on the first bite.

It can’t be denied that Lai Thieu Mangosteen is the best mangosteen in Vietnam with thick peel, white and sweet-and-sour segments made people remember forever. In the feudal time, Mangosteen was compared as a noble fruit and used in rich families as well as offered for Royal Family.

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Mangosteen is widely available in juice form. Mangosteen juice products typically include the fruit, rind and pulp of the fruit, which contains compounds called xanthones. Although some research indicate that xanthones may offer certain benefits, the health effects of mangosteen have yet to be extensively studied.

Top fruits must try in Vietnam

In Southeast Asia including Viet Nam, mangosteen rind has been used for medicinal purposes for generations. According to many theories, mangosteen rind was used to make a tea for such conditions as diarrhea, bladder infections and gonorrhea. An ointment made from the rind was applied to skin rashes. Proponents claim that mangosteen can also help with the following health problems such as allergies, anxiety, cancer, depression or even high blood pressure. In addition, some proponents suggest that mangosteen may slow the aging process, aid in Alzheimer's prevention, increase energy, preserve eye health, stimulate the immune system, improve bone health and protect against heart disease.

Dragon fruit 3
Officially known as the pitaya, the dragon fruit is actually native to Latin America. It is an extremely beautiful fruit that has dazzling flowers and an intense shape and color. The dragon fruit is usually a dark red color, although some types of this fruit are pink or yellow. The skin of the dragon fruit is a thin rind. The skin is usually covered in scales, and the center of the fruit is made up of a red or white, sweet tasting pulp.

Dragon fruit is generally is a nutritious fruit that is a good source of vitamins and minerals.There are no reported side effects in consuming dragen fruit.Dragon fruit is safe for consumption even by pregnant and breast feeding mothers.

Binh Thuan is a province famous with growing dragon fruit. Binh Thuan’s dragon fruit is one of favorite fruits in some Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, China or Vietnam.

Pomelo Fresh Pomelo citrus  Fruit
There are several kinds of pomelo regionally famous for their taste and there are some famous kinds Pomelo in Vietnam like Nam Roi, Phuc Trach pomelo. Green peel pomelo is a specialty of the southern province of Ben Tre.This variety is planted in My Thanh An in Ben Tre city and Mo Cay district.Green peel pomelo won the first prize at a fruit competition held by the Southern Region Institute for Fruit Research.

This fruit is eaten fresh or is use to make juice. The pulp can be use to make salads and the peel is used to make candies; citrus peel is often used for flavoring.Pomelo is really a golden mine of vitamins. The fruit is abundant with vitamin C, beta-carotene as well as the B vitamins. Additionally it is a resource of folic acid which is required for younger ladies to guarantee the health of upcoming baby. Furthermore, pomelo includes a large amount of potassium which is great for our heart. Brand-new research has shown that liminoids present in pomelo as well as other citrus fruits avoid cancer cells from divining much better than chemical medications.

Longan 5
Longan, also known as “dragons eye” (because of a white eye shaped mark on the pit that appears as a pupil in the large eye) are soft and smaller than lychee fruits. They are brown in colour and are referred as little brothers of lychee fruits. Longans whose scientific term is Dimocarpus longan, originated in China and later spread across the globe and is now widely cultivated in Thailand, India and in several other countries of Asia. Longan is available abundantly in the summer season and can be consumed both raw or as dried fruits.

The longan grows in many provinces in the North. There are many varieties of longans. The most renowned variety of longan is the cage longan of Hung Yen Province. There are varieties that have a thick pulp and a very sweet taste called pulp longan. Water longans have a thin watery pulp and a fresh sweet taste. In the South, there is the longan of Chau Thanh (Dong Thap Province), which is fairly renowned. This variety has a watery pulp, a very sweet taste, a perfumed scent, and small black seeds, which is why it is called nhan tieu (pepper grain longan).
The longan is a tropical fruit rich in nutrients. It is used in the preparation of sweet lotus seed soups. A longan that has been rid of its black kernel then dried over a fire is called long nhan (literally: dragon’s eyes); it is one of the tonics used in the recipes of traditional medicine.

Litchi 6
Litchi is a small fruit with a sweet smell and taste, which is available in the summer. It is a small fruit packed with healthy nutrients. It has rough skin outside while contains juicy flesh inside. It is used as medicine in China.

With favorable natural conditions, Luc Ngan hilly gardens are strong in growing fruit trees, making it the country's largest litchi producer.The soil here is very suitable for planting litchis, hence producing fruits with deeply green leaves and round canopies of branches. Especially, bunches of red-ripened litchis with fine skins, very small seeds, much sweet meat, a purely fragrant taste made litchi a great delicacy of Northern Vietnam.Luc Ngan litchi products have been gaining popularity not only across the country but also have been exported to many foreign markets.

Lychee is a highly rich nutrient fruit. It contains a high amount of soluble fiber known as pectin which is beneficial to protect from colon cancer.  It contains a good amount of antioxidants that protect the body from carcinogens. Carcinogens are free radicals that are produced in the body due to oxidative stress. So lychee is effective to protect from cancer, ageing, arthritis and degenerative disease. Also, it is a great source of potassium which is important for maintaining blood pressure. Along with these, it contains a high amount of other nutrients that promotes health.

Mango 7
Mango plants are grown in southern provinces. Mangoes are divided into several kinds, known locally as Xoai Cat, xoai Tuong, xoai Voi, xoai Xiem…Hoa Loc mango is one of the most well known varieties of mango under cultivation in the Mekong river delta, for its aroma and sweetness. Hoa Loc mango has presently grown on large scale, in many provinces of the Mekong river delta like Tien Giang, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Dong Thap, and so on. Mango Transplantation and seedling selection, application of modern techniques are done with, aiming at raising the quality and productivity.

Mango is one of the exotic fruits in the world with great health benefits. Some of the health benefits from mangoes in baby food includes protection of eyesight, fights microbial infections, easily digestible, improvement in brain development and many more.

Rambutan 8
The Rambutan, also known unofficially as Hairy Cherry, comes originally from the Malaysia peninsular, where the name Rambutan came from the Malay word 'rambut' for hair. Today, a lot of rambutan is grown in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta area. The fruit is about 3-4 cm in diameter and has soft fleshy hair over the entire surface. The peel turns from green to yellow to red as the fruit ripens. To eat: Partially cut through the skin or break open with a thumbnail and pull apart. There is a hard seed inside. Once peeled the fruit yields a flesh that is white and firm; the taste is sweet with a touch of acidity and is very refreshing.

Rambutan grows in large bunches on trees that can be as high as 20 m. A rambutan tree has broad foliage and many branches. In the southern provinces, the tree yields fruit at the beginning of the rainy season. Rambutan season lasts until the end of the rainy season, that means from May to October. The most famous rambutan fruit is grown in Binh Hoa Phuoc Village (Long Ho District, Vinh Long Province).

Rambutan fruit contains carbohydrate, protein, fat, phosphorus, iron, calcium and vitamin C. This plant can be used as a medicinal fruit and have benefits for health such asReduce Body Fat, Make skin softer or Hair care.

Mandarin orange 9
Mandarin is a group name for a class of oranges with thin, loose peel, which have been dubbed "kid-glove" oranges. The mandarin tree may be much smaller than that of the sweet orange or equal in size, depending on variety.

Mandarin oranges are a popular citrus fruit of the orange family. They are often referred to as tangerines. The fruit is a native of Southeast Asia. It has a thin skin that is easy to peel. This makes it an ideal snack for children. Due to its nutritional benefits, the fruit is widely recognized as ideal for inclusion in a healthy diet. The mandarin is a good source of vitamins A and C. It contains calcium, magnesium and potassium. The fruit is also a good source of dietary fiber.

Ly Nhan has many kinds of sweet and well-smelt mandarin oranges but the best kind is the Quyt Huong (Perfume Mandarin) which has a distinct aroma. Previously, it was usually dedicated to the king. Ly Nhan is a district locating along the bank of the Red River . It has good soil that is advantageous for agricultural development.Unlike mandarins of other localities, the shape of Quyt Ly Nhan  is flattish. Their peels are very crisp, thin and have apricot yellow when ripe. Like oranges peels, mandarins peels have tiny otto which create a distinct perfume of mandarin.

Life of Sapa minorities in Sapa

What are the most attractive thing when you coming to SaPa? The answer of many visitors is to see how local minorities live in Vietnam, and to go on a trekking on the mountains.
People who live in the region still use their traditional clothes (young and old people alike). They also speak their own languages — each tribe speaks it own. The tribe people belong to a different ethnic group than the rest of the Vietnamese people. Travel to Vietnam
Life of Sapa minorities in Sapa
Although tourism is developing fast in the region, many locals still live a very basic life. Most of them spend all day long working on the fields. They sell what their families do not need in one of the weekend markets. And with the money they make, they buy something else. It is what experts call a subsistence economy. No luxuries here. Paradise Cruise Halong
Life of Sapa minorities in Sapa
When trekking to the mountains to see the “real Life” of the ethnic minorities, you can see people belonging to many tribes in the streets of Sapa.

Life of Sapa minorities in Sapa

Lung Khau Nhin market
Taking place every Thursday, Lung Khau Nhin Market is a small market hiding itself amongst the mountains and forests of the far north Vietnam about 10 km from the border with China.This Lung Khau Nhin is small market but still keeps its originals. The Flower H’mong and Black Dao people will come to this market o every Thursday and bring a lot of things to exchange and sell.

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I Lung Khau Nhin market information
Lung Khau Nhin marketAlthough not being so big or famous among visitors as Coc Ly and Can Cau, Lung Khau Nhin market, be side a normal shopping place, play an important role to spiritual life of local ethnic peoples Flower H’mong, Black Zao, Zay, and especially to those who come from very small ethnic groups such as Pa Zi, Tou Zi, Tou Lao who live in small and isolated villages around this corner of the country, come for meeting, socializing…Lung Khau Nhin brings an interesting view into the life of Vietnam hill tribes. As it is for years, weekly market is something important and meaningful to the life of local people who live in remote area. Once getting close to the lovely Flower Hmong, Tay, Dao peoples, you will for sure, feel our land as a place of the specia
It is very ideal when driving toward the market in the early morning via the beautiful beautiful landscape of North west region.

Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam

The top 7 souvenirs to buy in Vietnam, whether you are on holidays or on a business trip.

Apart from the joy of discovering a new culture, taking photos and tasting the exotic flavors of Vietnam, shopping might bring you more opportunities to get in touch with local habits.

A shopping tour is usually the last step of a trip and it is always a bit tricky. The second “HCMC 100 exciting things”, a campaign promoting activities in the city, announced some time ago the top 7 souvenirs to gift to friends, family members and loved ones. The results came from a poll voted on by travelers and expats. Travel to Vietnam

Hopefully more of these events will be coming to other major cities, such as Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and others.

CONICAL HAT

Ao dai

Non la (leaf hat) is a circular cone made of bamboo cataphylls, notable for it’s romantic adornments. The non la is more than an indispensable tool for people in Vietnam: it has become a cultural symbol. The style differs by region, so for example those of the Tay people have a distinct color, while in Thanh Hoa they use only a 20-hem frame. Hue’s is thin and elegant, while Binh Dinh’s is thick. Mekong delta tours

Vietnamese wear the non la all year. The shape protects the wearer from the downpours of the rainy season like an umbrella, and provides shade and protection from the heat during April and May, when temperatures climb to unbearable levels.

Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam

Local Insight: At a workshop, you can get a hat for only VND 3,500 - VND 10,000. Depending on the quality, price at souvenir shops range between VND 30,000 and VND 100,000.

Since the 18th century, the ao dai (long dress) has been Vietnam’s national costume. There are three main styles of ao dai nowadays. Halong bay cruise

“Trendy” ao dai reach to the floor and fit the curves of the body by using darts and a nipped-in waist; the “hippy” ao dai is brightly colored and very popular among young teenagers; and the “mini” ao dai have slits extended above the waist and the panels reach only to the knees.

The usual way to acquire an ao dai would be to pick the fabric first. Usually there are two different colors, one for the long dress itself and a second contrasting color for the trousers worn underneath. After the fabric is chosen, you bring it to a tailor specialized in creating ao dais. Usually it takes around one week until you can pick up the finished product, but please keep in mind that during the preparation for Tet (lunar new year), it can take significantly longer.

Local Insight: An ao dai costs at least VND 700,000. If you can spend the time and have experience finding decent cloth and a good tailor, you might have your stylish ao dai at a reasonable VND 1,500,000.

Silk is woven from the cocoons of the silkworm. Thus, It has always been considered extremely luxurious and only available to the nobility. The days when silk had only been manufactured for Vietnamese royalty is long gone, and the fabric has become widely used throughout the country. Silk and its beautiful products are affordable nowadays, so tourists have a chance to choose their favorites and gift them to friends and family.

Local Insight: The price for regular Vietnamese silk is at least VND 70,000/m and over VND100,000/m for premium kinds. Silk below that price is originating from China and of questionable quality.

The art of hand-embroidered pieces of clothing and framed silk pictures is an old handicraft tradition in Vietnam. You will mostly encounter picturesque natural scenes like flowers, trees, animals and birds, patiently stitched one colorful thread at a time. But also daily life scenes, even portraits can be created with this ancient technique. Tourists are frequently baffled by the vast variety of designs, offered in hand embroidery shops, the vibrant colors and the intriguing depth of the artwork.

In some shops, tourists can explain or sketch their individual idea to the artist, who creates a personalized present for friends and family.

If you visit Da Lat, there is a workshop & gallery for marvelous and artful hand embroidery images upstairs in the central market.

Local Insight: You can buy a small hand embroidered product for around VND 500,000. For bigger pictures, the price can be VND 2,000,000 and above.

Sand painting is the art of pouring colorful sand and powdered pigments on a sticky surface and fixating it later with spray, so it doesn’t come off again. However, there is a second art form called sand painting, which is practiced in Saigon: The artist pours the colorful sand between two glass panes or in a specially designed mug or vase. The layers of sand form an enthralling piece of art, that looks stunning on every shelf and makes an excellent souvenir. Vietnamese sand picture art comprise 4 categories: Landscape, portrait, labor scenes and the traditional art of calligraphy.

Local Insight: The price for artful sand pictures ranges from VND 300,000 to VND 700,000.

GUOC MOC

wooden clogs

Wooden clogs (guoc moc) were a sort of traditional footwear for men and women alike in the past. After the feudal period, they mostly remained in a trio of Non la, Ao dai and Guoc moc to increase the gracefulness of Vietnamese ladies when attending important festivals or any special events in town. Guoc moc are rarely used nowadays, but tourists can catch a glimpse of them at traditional activities like the Cai Luong and Ca Tru performance.

Local Insight: Being considered as quite old fashioned footwear, the real Vietnamese wooden clogs are hard to find. If you can find some around VND 150,000 then go for it.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

A handmade musical instrument can also make a nice keepsake. Bamboo flutes and mini t'rungs are very popular among visitors. Since the flute is just a small bamboo pipe and the t’rung can be easily disassembled for transport, they are convenient to carry home and don’t use up too much space in your already stuffed luggage.

The sweet tone of these instruments will thrill your ears and remind you of the most memorable moments from your trip to Vietnam.

If you are in Saigon, there is a nice old man, playing and selling simple flutes in Le Loi street at the sidewalk. If you are interested in hearing more traditional flute play, there is a student club of young flutists, who meet in the evening hours at 23/9 Park near Ben Thanh Market to play and practice. Nguyễn Thiện Thuật street in D1 is also known as “guitar street”. There are many shops and workshops for instruments, mainly guitars and their relatives - like the ukulele.

Local Insight: Prices for a t’rung range from VND 300,000 to VND 1,000,000. Simple bamboo flutes come at around VND 10,000.

You should expect to bargain for the items you want to take home as souvenirs. One “trick”, that can be applied in Ben Thanh Market is to browse the fixed-price shops outside and negotiate with the inside shops for the items you want to buy. We also have a blog post on bargaining at the market which shows you some tips to bargain and suggest some of the best places for shopping apart of the Top 10 Shopping Places in HCMC.

Vietnam safe country travel statistics must knows

Yes. In General, Vietnam is a friendly and safe country to travel both alone and with your family and friends. By using common sense and awareness you will minimize your chances of encountering any troubles in your travels.

Crime Rate
Like many countries in South East Asia, Vietnam has a high crime rate. But, the majority of crime in Vietnam relates to petty theft such a bag and jewellery snatching, pick pocketing, theft of items such as cell phones, wallets and unattended motorbikes. Caution needs to be taken when visiting heavily populated tourist areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Hoi An or any crowded areas where thieves can easily snatch your belongings and run. Many unsuspecting tourists have lost their belongings to the swift actions of a thief and an accomplice on the back of a motorbike. These thefts usually take place whilst the victim is located roadside. PANDAW CRUISE

Comparative Crime Rates By Country:

The table above compares the rate of homicide in 6 different countries around the world. As documented, Vietnam has a relatively low homicide rate of just 1.6 per 100,000 of the population. This is comparable to developed countries such as Australia (1.0)  and France (1.1). According UNODC source the United States Of America Homicide Data recorded (4.7) Homicides per 100,000 in 2012. Alova Gold Cruise

Violent Crime

Vietnam safe country travel statistics must knows

Violent crime against tourists in Vietnam is quite rare and should only be considered as a moderate risk factor whilst traveling through most regions of Vietnam. But like anywhere in the world, we suggest that you should travel with caution. To minimise your probability of encountering troubles, we highly recommend you keep valuables such as jewellery, watches, cell phones, wallets, purse or money out of sight. Splendours of Vietnam and Cambodia (17 days,16 nights)

What To Do If You Are A Victim Of Crime In Vietnam?

Vietnam is now a very popular tourist destination with millions of new visitors every year. Overall you will find traveling in Vietnam safe and non threatening. If you do happen to be a victim of crime or theft, the best thing to do is contact your hotel/hostel manager who can put you in contact with the local Police or hospital if needed. We suggest you remain cautious and vigilant, but don’t let this stop you from enjoying the adventure and beauty Vietnam has to offer.

Top things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, its second largest city and is often called “Paris of the East”. Hanoi is an impressive and fascinating mix of old traditions and active modern lifestyle, where East and West are bound; where people have big hearts and warm smiles; where food is delicious and the streets are old… This is a pulse of modern Vietnam and we are about to tell you how not to lose yourself in the variety of things that Hanoi is offering! North Vietnam tours

How to Get There?

By plane: Noi Bai International Airport is about 35 km north of the city and is the largest airport in the North of the country. It serves domestic flights operated by VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines, international flights from major Asian airports and international flights from Helsinki (seasonal), Frankfurt, London, Moscow and Paris. The airport is relatively small comparing to its importance and size of the city. The new terminal is being under construction now and is expected to be put into operation in 2015.

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From the airport you can reach the centre of Hanoi by taxi. Before November, 2014 there was a fixed price for a ride. However, now most of the drivers use meters, so your total cost depends on the distance and is usually between $15 – 25 (350,000 – 450,000 VND).

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Top things to do in Hanoi

Another option to get to the city is to use a public bus that departures from the airport. Bus #07 crosses the Thang Long bridge and goes to the Daewoo Hotel on the western part of Hanoi. Bus #17 crosses the Chuong Duong bridge and goes close to the old quarter, to Long Bien. It is actually not allowed to take your luggage with you to the bus, but you may take it as a challenge and try to negotiate with a driver!

By train:
Hanoi, is very well connected with the major big cities of Vietnam, so you can use the train to reach the it from other parts of the country. The price for the ticket will be different, depending on the type of the seat you choose. Pay attention that it is strongly recommend to avoid private travel agents. After all, you may end up in a hard-sleeper instead of the soft one, for which you have actually paid.
You can book a ticket on the website of Vietnam Railways System. Children under the age of 2 can travel for free. For children from 2 to 9 years old the price will be 50% of the adult price.

By car: Another option how you can reach the Vietnamese capital is to hire a car. When doing it, remember to hire a private driver also: in Vietnam visitors can’t rent a car and drive. It will cost nearly $50 – 60 per day.

What’s Next?
When you come to a big city, it is always hard to take the bearings and choose the right places to see and right things to do that are really worth your time and attention. That’s why we chose for you TOP activities in Hanoi for any taste and preferences in spending your free time. Everything you have to do is… to trust us!

Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is an impressive example of Vietnamese architecture that was built almost 1000 years ago. In the beginning of the XI century it became the first country’s university. In its courtyard you can see the tables, each mounted on the back of a tortoise, with the names of all its graduates. The admission is $1 (20,000 VND).

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake for Hanoi is the same like the Central Park for New York. Located in the very centre of the city, this is a favourite leisure spot of local people. In the morning you can even watch here people practicing the old martial art of ta chi on its shore. The legend of the lake says that gods gave to King Le Loi a magical sword, that he used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam. Later, a giant turtle grabbed the sword and returned it back to the gods. Since then the lake has a name Hoan Kiem, which means “returned sword”.

Vietnamese Women's Museum

The museum had been recently renovated and is indeed a very exciting place to visit, if you are interested in understanding culture and history of Vietnam even deeper. The museum presents the stories of the most prominent women in the history of the country. Also it has great collections that represent local traditions, customs, everyday life and problems of a Vietnamese woman from centuries ago till nowadays. Moreover, it has a brilliant collection of hand-made ethnic costumes. Admission is $1,5 (30,000 VND).

Hao Lo Prison 

The prison was built in the beginning of XX century by the French. Here the Vietnamese revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed. Nowadays, this is a museum that exhibits the brutal French colonial regime and focusing on Vietnamese struggle for independence. The place represents the black page in the history of the country and makes take another look on history itself. Admission is $1.

Hanoi Street Food 

Vietnam is famous for its unique and absolutely delicious cuisine all over the world and this is a fact. In Hanoi there is a plenty of fine restaurants, where you can have a dinner and taste any kind of local food. However, its streets are also full of small kiosks in the sidewalk, and we believe that it may be even a better way to explore the local cuisine! Take a walk through the Old Quarter and discover the diversity of the unique Hanoi’s street food!

Things to do in Ben Tre

Ben Tre, the fertile land of Mekong Delta cruise is an exotic destination for those who would like to explore an abundant of tropical plants and busy villages on waters.

Vietnamese call Ben Tre is the land of coconut, a peaceful and poetic destination with shaded villages’ paths and immense orchards. We would like to share with you some important guide to travel to Ben Tre, Vietnam.

Ben Tre is the land of coconut

How to go?
There are 4 directions to get to Ben Tre, the first one is from Saigon, the second one is from other Southern provinces, the third is from Central provinces and the other is from the Northern provinces. However, the most convenient and popular way is from Saigon. Thus, wherever you are in Vietnam, the best way is traveling to Saigon and taking a drive to Ben Tre. Travel in Vietnam
By Public transfer
In Saigon, you can buy a bus ticket to Ben Tre at Western Bus Station. Price from $5.
However, few people choose this way, they tend to choose a 1 day Mekong Delta tour package to Ben Tre provided by a travel company including transfer, lunch and sightseeings.

Ben Tre doesn’t offer many places for sightseeing; you can explore the whole destination within only 1 day tour. Or if you want to spend more time exploring local life, you can book a homestay experience for 2 or 3 days. Jasmine Cruise

When to go?
You might ask yourself which season should we visit Ben Tre. Actually Ben Tre is beautiful all year around, but if you visit the province during summer time (from June to August) you will have a chance to enjoy colorful picture with delicious tropical fruits.

Things to do in Ben Tre

Ben Tre – Exploring local life

There are two big festivals in Ben Tre is Phu Le Temple Festival and Nghinh Ong Festival in the third and eleventh month in Lunar Calendar.

Where to stay
Not many people stay overnight in Ben Tre. So there are not many options for decent accommodations here. There is no luxury hotel but vast options for hostels and homestay.

What to eat?
Ben Tre is famous for its system of rivers and springs with various seafood species, some only live in coconut forests. Ben Tre people used them to cook many traditional dishes for a long time and create one of the most intricate cuisines in Mekong Delta.

In Ben Tre, travelers enjoy different dishes in different season of the year, which people call seasonal food, such as each month, Ben Tre residents have a special fish that taste the best.

Shopping
Taking about Ben Tre, tourist talk about famous coconut candy flavors and other products made from coconut such as coconut oils, coconut wine, coconut jelly, coconut soaps, and handicraft items. You can buy them at each workshop or handicraft farms during your visit (if you book a Ben Tre tour, visits to traditional villages, workshops are included in the itinerary). Another address is Ben Tre market.

If you domestic travelers or international visitors staying in Vietnam some days more, you can buy some favorite fruits: bananas, durians, oranges, mangos, grapes, etc.

Where to visit?
The highlight of Ben Tre is the rustic paths paved by abundant orchards. You can enter to visit the orchards and harvest fresh fruits from the trees. More funny activity is catching fish and cook your own “achievement” for lunch.

Don’t forget experience local cruise in Mekong Delta, enjoy the calm and charming water of various waterways within the province.

Visit Vam Ho bird garden is a nice activity for those who love to explore the nature. Located 52 kilometers from Ben Tre city, Vam Ho bird garden is home to various species of birds and other rare animals.

Top 7 Things to do in Halong Bay Vietnam

Many travellers to majestic Halong Bay spend a day cruising the emerald waters admiring the mysterious limestone rocks that rise up majestically. But there is so much more to do in Halong Bay such as kayaking, exploring the caves and hiking on the islands.

Over 3,000 amazing islands rise up from the Gulf of Tonkin, some with their own caves, beaches and inlets. It’s this stunning and mystic landscape that earns Halong Bay its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.  Many visitors spend a day or two on a traditional junk, bobbing along on the serene waters, watching everyday Vietnamese life going by. North Vietnam tours

Spot the Wildlife and Birdlife on Cat Ba Island

There are many larger islands within Halong Bay, including Cat Ba Island, which is the largest and home to a lush national park, teeming with over 30 different mammal species and 70 bird species. The Cat Ba National Park offers fantastic opportunities for hiking and maybe spotting the rare golden-headed ‘Cat Ba Langur’ monkey. The primate is thought to number less than 100 and is officially the most engendered monkey in the world, despite local conservation efforts. The park covers both land and water and keen walkers can spot giant oriental squirrels, wild boar, the civet cat and deer. Bird species include cuckoos, hornbills and hawks. Try climbing the peak viewing tower which is a two hour round trip, cool off at one of the many pristine beaches and take a boat trip over to Monkey Island. Pelican Cruise

Chill out on Lan Ha Bay’s beautiful beaches

Whilst Halong Bay has many inlets and caves, it doesn’t have many real beaches, except at Lan Ha Bay, which has around 100 deliciously sandy stretches of beach. Pitch up for a few days to take in the stunning views, explore the floating villages and enjoy rock climbing, scuba diving, swimming and kayaking. Or simply chill out on one of the beaches and watch daily life go by.

• MANGO CRUISE

Walk through the Cave of Wonders

Don your most comfortable walking shoes and climb through the Dau Go Caves, aka the Cave of Wonders. Lit up in various colours, the caves systems offer an insight into the intriguing natural rock formations. The caves offer respite from the fierce hit with their eerie atmosphere, where natural daylight rarely pokes through the rocks.

Top 7 Things to do in Halong Bay Vietnam

Spend a day kayaking in Halong Bay

Slow the pace down somewhat with a kayaking trip, which allows you to meander through the giant limestone rocks. It’s a great opportunity to get away from the crowds, explore some of the quieter caves, inlets and beaches. Paddle to Ti Top Island, admire the views and hone your kayaking skills in a unique location. Find out for yourself why Halong Bay is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature!

Traverse the Sung Sot Grottoes

In the heart of Halong Bay are the Sung Sot Caves, which are also known as the ‘Surprise Grottoes’. Located on Bo Hon Island, these are widely touted as both the widest and best cave systems in Halong Bay. You’ll take a short hike up to the grottoes through forest and the caves themselves are separated into two natural sections. Admire the forms of the stalactites and the rock formations.

Try hiking on Ban Sen Island

To really get off the beaten tourist trail, try a hiking adventure on Ban Sen Island. The island is thickly forested and just about uninhabited which makes for a peaceful getaway! Take a ferry to Quan Lan from Cai Rong to enjoy your own little piece of paradise. Hire a local guide for the day who will regale you with stories of local folklore including mysterious monster sightings!

Take a Halong Bay Cruise

The ubiquitous cruise on Halong Bay is an absolute must-do! Opt for a traditional junk for that really authentic experience. And to really get into the local spirit, opt to stay for several days, sleeping overnight on the calm emerald waters. You’ll pass floating villages where families, livestock and pets live and trade as part of their daily life. You can also stop off at swimming and snorkelling spots.

Huong River Hue Vietnam

Huong River is the big river flows through the central of Hue city. It is famous for the poetic beauty; the river has many names such as: Lo Dung, Linh, Dinh, Kim Tra, Huong. Huong River has not only beautiful view but also scent. Foreign named it as rivere des parfums hor perfume of river. However, someone considers that Huong River flows through Huong Tra commune, so that it has this name.

DMZ 2 days from Hue

Huong rive has two big branches which flow from the range of Truong Son Mountain. Ta Trach branch stems from Dong Dai, flow through 55 waterfalls to the Bang Lang intersections. Huu Trach branch stems from the eastern Chan Son Mountain, through 14 waterfalls.

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Huong River has a length of 100 kilometers. The main river called Huong River has only 30 kilometers length. From the Bang Lang, Huong River flow slowly through village in Hue. Huong River has some important branches such as: Bach Yen River, Kim Long River, Loi Nong River, Thien Loc River, Ke Van River, and Dong Ba River… in which some rivers built in order to protect palace or irrigation for agriculture.

Huong River Hue Vietnam

With the architecture of Hue, Huong River has special meaning. From the Kim Long mansion (1630-1687) to Phu Xuan mansion (1687-1712)…they used Huong River as the natural trench to protect Hue ancient capital. SONG XANH CRUISE

Huong River associates with cultural life of the Hue. All forms of traditional culture such as ca Hue, row skiff racing… are intact. Huong River is also the river associated with songs, music. The river inspires to artists make some poems, pictures or famous songs.

In the reign of Nguyen, Thieu Tri King considered Huong River is one of 20 famous landscape of Vietnam. The poem “Huong Giang Hieu Phiem” was carved in the stone stele on the bank of Huong River, near Phu Van Lau. So far, stone stele is preserved.

Together with Ngu Binh Mountain, Huong river is the symbol of Hue forever. Someone said that Huong River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world.

Top 5 Things To Do In Hue in Vietnam

Somewhat surprisingly Vietnam’s central cities aren’t on every traveller’s radar even though they are home to some of Vietnam’s most interesting architecture and history. Located on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is home to a variety of war-torn temples, tombs and palaces, many of which were the homes and places of worship of Nguyen-era emperors. Many of the buildings and structures in Hue are still quite damaged, giving it the feel of a modern-day Pompeii, despite mass tourism. However, there have been some efforts to restore buildings in Hue since 1990 when the area was declared a World Heritage site. Centre Vietnam tours

Don’t miss out, make sure you include a trip to Hue in the North Central Coast district on your Vietnam travel itinerary. Hue sits in the Thua Thien Province and is about 700 km south of Hanoi and about 1,100 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. And Vietnam has just been named as the fastest growing tourist destination.

Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi)

Built in the early 19th century, circa 1804, by thousands of labourers at the request of Emperor Gia Long, the Imperial City and Citadel was a massive structure, large enough that a 10 kilometer moat was constructed to surround and protect it. Modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City and Citadel was designed to be the royal quarters of Emperor Long. When the last Emperor of Vietnam stepped down the structure had expanded to include hundreds of rooms. While quite grand in scale, many of the buildings were in a state of disrepair due to typhoon and termite damage. In 1968 the Imperial City and Citadel were bombed by American forces during the Vietnam War, demolishing most of the buildings. In 1993 the Imperial Citadel and the collective ‘Complex of Hué Monuments’ was declared a UNESCO site, and some of the buildings have been restored for historical preservation. Paradise Luxury Cruise, Halong Travel

Tu Duc Tomb

Emperor Tu Duc, the longest reigning Emperor in Vietnamese history isn’t actually buried at the site of the Tu Duc Tomb, pictured above. Completed nearly 20 years before his death in 1883, the building of the Tu Duc tomb required so much funding and labor that there was actually a coup against Tu Duc in 1866. Near the site you’ll find his epitaph, inscribed on a piece of stone brought from a quarry over 500 miles away from the site. The journey took workers four years to complete. Tu Duc had to write his epitaph himself because he was unable to father a son before he became sterile because of smallpox, despite his many wives and concubines. While the Tu Duc tomb is recognized as the Emperor’s official resting place the actual burial site is still unknown. The 200 labourers who prepared the actual burial site were beheaded by the King after burying the body.

• SONG XANH CRUISE

An Dinh Palace

The architecturally stunning An Dinh Palace was the residence of the Nguyen dynasty and was built in early 20th century and is one of Hue’s best known historic sites, although it isn’t often included on mainstream itineraries. The An Dinh Palace, built in the typical style, was restored several years ago and a new project to fully restore the surrounding three storey buildings will return the An Dinh palace to a primary tourist spot.

Situated on the bank of An Cuu River in Hue City’s Phu Nhuan ward, the An Dinh Palace was commissioned by King Dong Khanh and at the time called Phung Hoa, as a gift for the Crown Prince Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao. When the Prince was made King in 1916 the palace took on the current name and passed through the family until the palace was presented to the Revolutionary government. Sadly the palace fell into severe disrepair until 2001 when the palace underwent extensive restoration in readiness for hosting the 2002 Hue Festival. An Dinh Palace also hosted the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Hue Festivals.

Following the next stage of restoration, ancient artefacts and works of art that portray the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal lifestyle will be displayed. This project is a part of the drive to preserve and restore the history, culture and architecture of Hue City. Earlier this year the center unveiled a 3D project which shows the heritage and architecture in its full glory.

Minh Mang Temple

Take a boat ride up the Perfume River to the Minh Mang Temple which is a fine example of an emperor’s tomb. The Minh Mang Temple is located about 12km outside of Hue City, on the West Bank so the Perfume River in Cam Ke Hill. Construction began in 1840 and during the build Minh Mang actually passed away. Hi son completed the works and his father was interred in the temple as requested. The temple is also part of the UNESCO-recognised Hue complex.

Perfume River Tour

Hire a boat for a day and take a trip along the Perfume River to explore the various Tombs of the Emperors. Dating from the 19th century, the best preserved examples are the Tomb of Tu Duc and The Tomb of Minh Mang already listed above. In addition there are wonderful examples of Vietnamese architecture including the Tomb of Khai Dinh, the remote ruins of the Tomb of Gia Long and the Tomb of Thieu Tri which was built in 1848. There is also the Tomb of Dong Khanh which was constructed in 1917 and the Tomb of Khai Dinh which is the best preserved tomb along the river.

When to visit to Hue

If you’ve never been to Vietnam or Southeast Asia before, visiting Hue during the Festival of Hue may be the best time to visit since there will be many international travelers there and you may feel more comfortable navigating the city. The Festival of Hue takes place between April 8th and April 15th in even numbered years. Hotel rooms and travel amenities come at a premium during the Festival of Hue, so book your stay early to avoid high costs. Even if you don’t plan on going to Vietnam when the Festival of Hue is taking place, many people still consider February to April the best months of the year for travel to Vietnam. However, you should remember that weather can change from region to region because of opposing monsoon seasons in the north and south.

Tinh bột nghệ trị nám da, mụn

Da nám, mụn trở lên sáng mịn

Chị Trần Hoàng Hiếu công tác tại một đơn vị truyền thông ở Hà Nội sau khoảng 2 tháng ăn tinh bột nghệ vàng nguyên chất hàng ngày đã có làn da trắng sáng, mịn màng.

Khi đến cơ quan, nhiều đồng nghiệp thấy khá ngạc nhiên vì da chị thay đổi rõ rệt. Trước đây, chị có làn da trắng nhưng bị nám và mụn 2 bên má.

Chị Hiếu chia sẻ: “Vì da xấu quá nên tôi phải tìm cách cải thiện.  Được bạn mách cách dùng tinh bột nghệ làm đẹp da nên tôi mua về dùng. Tôi đã dùng tinh nghệ hơn 1 tháng nay,  ngày uống 2 lần, mỗi lần 3 thìa cà phê. Da không chỉ đẹp mà sức khỏe được cải thiện rất nhiều.

Đây là cách làm đẹp tự nhiên, từ từ nhưng tôi thấy an toàn. Tuy nhiên, điều bất tiện là mỗi lần phải dùng một lượng tinh bột nghệ lớn, mùi vị và cảm giác rất khó chịu, nhưng vì làm đẹp nên cứ phải cố dùng hàng ngày”.

Tinh bột nghệ trị nám da, mụn

Tinh bột nghệ đen nguyên chất.

Còn chị Thúy Hằng (Tam Trinh, Hà Nội) da bị khô, bong tróc. Đi đo mức độ ô xy hóa, các chuyên gia khuyến cáo da chị đang ở ngưỡng xấu nhất.

Đi soi da, da chị bị khô, một số chỗ lỗ chân lông to, cần phải có chế độ chăm sóc, nếu không, da sẽ bị lão hóa nhanh.

Để cải thiện làn da, chị Hằng cũng quyết định làm đẹp da bằng tinh bột nghệ. Trên thị trường thấy quảng cáo khá nhiều nhưng chị không yên tâm lắm vì không rõ nguồn gốc xuất xứ.

Chị nhờ người quen mua hộ về dùng. Chị trộn tinh bột nghệ với sữa chua không đường, để tủ lạnh rồi đắp hàng ngày, thấy da được cải thiện rõ rệt. Dù không còn trẻ như chị Hằng, chị Hiếu, nhưng chị Quyên làm phóng viên tại một tờ báo điện tử tại Hà Nội cũng rất quan tâm đến làn da. Chị đã mua ít tinh nghệ về dùng thử. các bạn có thể thử cách làm đẹp bằng bột sắn dây nguyên chất

Theo chị Quyên, da chị có nhiều nếp nhăn trên khóe mắt, trên gò má và phía dưới mắt xuất hiện vài nốt tàn nhang, vết nám. Theo thời gian, nốt này càng to ra. Chị Quyên muốn làm đẹp bằng tinh bột nghệ.

Hơn nữa, chị nghe nói  tinh bột nghệ giúp ngăn chặn ung thư. Giờ ăn cái gì cũng sợ nên phải ‘chặn’ trước bằng cách uống tinh bột nghệ.

Chị có nhờ người quen mua hộ tinh bột nghệ nhưng cũng là mua trao tay nên không dám chắc về chất lượng. Sản phẩm lại không có đóng gói, không nhãn mác nên chị  chưa thật sự yên tâm.

Northwest Travel Guides

Bac Ha Lao Cai is a white plateau with apricot flowers , plum flowers. There also has wonderful corn wine of village fair corn. Today , Bac Ha is hidden in its potential tourism and it is opportunity for investors. Bac Ha is truly a destination for those who fancy the adventure tour and discover the culture of Vietnam ethnic minorities. North tours Vietnam

1 .The best time to come to Bac Ha Lao Cai
 - The best moment to get Bac Ha Lao Cai is in the spring, around February or March, when the Tam Hoa plum flowers blooms, stretches across the mountainside. You will see these mountainous girls good with colorful brocade costumes going village fair.
- In the summer, this is patchy colors of the terraced field in the rainy season. Raining make the fields are full of water and overlapped .
- In the autumn , these fields have the yellow of the grain , purple of flower in Lung Cai.
- In the winter , Bac Ha are flooded by fogs . It is very romantic and interesting.

• Victory Cruise, Halong Travel

2. The way to go to Bac Ha Lao Cai
 - Option 1: From Hanoi , you can travel by rail or road route to Lao Cai and then hired motorcycles to come Bac Ha (35 km far from Sapa).
-  Option 2: Catch bus to come directly Bac Ha - Hai Van Bus runs from Hanoi to Bac Ha, departs at My Dinh bus station everyday.

• 3 days to the Floating Markets

When coming Bac Ha, to rent transport visit around the area, you can hire motorcycles in Hoang A Tuong mansion to enjoy adventure tour in Bac Ha town , Lao Cai province.
3. The best place to visit Bac Ha Lao Cai
Mansion of H'Mong King
Bac Ha district has Hoang A Tuong mansion built between 1919 and 1921 .This familiar locals still called the " House of H'Mong King" in a French colonial period . A ethnic man has named Hoang Yen Chao ( after his son, Hoang A Tuong took over ) , govern Bac Ha region while 70% H’Mong people live there, so he is called the king of the H'Mong people region .
Today , the local government is restoring the mansion for designs of the old French style mansion that are popular in Europe .
Today , H'Mong King still retains mementos of King Hoang A Tuong .There are a coach ( antique furniture ) and a Chinese mirror ( mirror in the wall ) .In addition , it also has three wooden flowers , its longevity is the same this mansion .

Northwest Travel Guides

Hoang A Tuong Mansion
Bac Ha village fair
Bac Ha market – highland village fair attracts many tourists and this is a destinations noone can ignore if come to Bac Ha . Bac Ha market has its unique characteristics. Local people who want to go to the village fair have to go early , even go from today to at noon in the next day to come market . Previously, Bac Ha market is held on a hill , after this new market was built on a concrete floor and is divided for each sales region . Bac Ha Market is where all the products of the highlands are sold like: the plough , mandrel , shovel , knife , fruits , honey,….

For tourists , the site selling jewelry , dress , high , brocade ... is the most attractive . Visitors can choose the brocade products with unique and colorful patterns like the dresses of H’Mong , Red Dao girls  or the paintings are made by handicraft with beautiful colors ...

The unique features of this village fair is you can enjoy the “thắng cố” – special dishes of Northwestern highlands .The wine of H’Mong people in Pho village is also very famous Area where horses are sold attracts men , they come from remote villages , even those from the provinces like Bac Giang , Ha Tay ... gol up here to trade the horses .
 Coming Bac Ha , you can enjoy the atmosphere and colors of the highland life .

Bac Ha village fair
Fairy Mountain in Bac Ha Lao Cai
Fairy Mountain is a mountainous district of Lao Cai , located in the limestone highlands of Chay river . From  northern of Si Ma Cai district to Bac Ha town at height of 1000m , visitors will see huge mountain  . With high views , it has set Guan Yin statue facing to the south . According to the legend , a fairy has down to earth to enjoy the spring , sees   incredible scene so she decide to stay in here . Therefore this mountain is called Fairy mountain .
Coming to Fairy Mountain , visitors not only enjoy the beauty of the unique tradition cultural  of the highlands but also see wonderful natural landscapes and experience the feeling of  adventure climbing , and Fairy mountain is in front of tourists .

Fairy mountain
4. Where to stay in Bac Ha Lao Cai
In Bac Ha town, there are many hotels like Sao Mai hotel, Bac Ha hotel , Thien Thanh hotel, Sunday hotel or some motels as Thanh Nien motel, Quynh Trang motel , Dang Khoa motel .
5. Eating and drinking in Bac Ha Lao Cai
- Thắng cố dish is considered to be unique characteristic of Bac Ha Lao Cai. Meat to cook thắng cố by traditionally way are horse meat or beef , buffalo meat and pork but horse meat still is the best .
- Bac Ha sour noodles soup : includes hot rice noodles made ​​by rice with light pink colorful , siu mei meat, diced vegetables, peanuts, sour water. This Bac Ha sour noodles soup made ​​by ethnic people .
- Ginger meat of the Nung Din people .
- Bacon .
- “Chan Chim” mushroom in Bac Ha market.
- Bac Ha Wine