Tam Dao Tourist Area is located in Tam Duong District, 86km from Ha Noi,
between Ban Thach, Thien Nhi, and Phu Nghia Mountains. This area is a
wonderful place with fresh, pure and cooling air, beautiful scenery.
Lying at the attitude of 900m above sea level, Tam Dao Tourist Area
with an area of 235ha is considered the ideal destination for vacations
in the North. It has been known since the Ly and Tran dynasties for its
wonderful scenic spots. However, it was not transformed into a tourist
area by the French until the 20th century (1904 - 1906). In Tam Dao,
there are villas, hotels, restaurants, sports fields, swimming pools,
and dancing halls.
The weather is cool all year round with an average temperature of 20 to
22 degree celsius. In summer, tens of thousands of Tourists visit Tam
Dao to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Sharing the cool climate and the mountain-based locations, many people consider Tam Dao as a miniature of Sapa. But actually, the two sides are intrinsically different.
Tam Dao means three islands - a mountain range located about 75 km north of Ha Noi. The significant shorter distance from Hanoi to Tam Dao compared to Sapa gives this area many advantages. One can easily combine the visit to the mountain retreat area with a road trip from Hanoi. The cool climate and extensive green is another advantage, especially in the summer where Hanoi always seems overheated.
Tam Dao is more suitable for a relaxing retreat than an intensive
adventure. Accommodation facility as well as restaurants is readily
available. The road that leads from lowland to highland is
breath-taking; those who are into physical activities can never afford
to muss a biking tour.
Tam Dao has numerous specialties and one should not leave the mountain
area without trying Lon Man – a special kind of pork and Su Su –
delicious in both fruits and its leafy vegetables. In winter time, be
prepared with warmer clothes since it can get quite cold. Suring the
summer, it is pleasantly sunny but avoid sun burn by applying plenty of
sun block before hitting road.
Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is considered as one of the most
impressive and peaceful monasteries in Viet Nam. This Zen sanctuary is
located in Dai Dinh Commune, Tam Dao District, on Tay Thien Mountain,
which belongs to the Tam Dao Mountain Range in Vinh Phuc Province.
Built in 2005 on the ruins of an ancient pagoda named Thien An Thien
Tu, and using remains of its floor, Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery
sits majestically on the apex of the mountain, where from below the red
tips of its tile covered roof can be seen peaking through the pine
trees. Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is very ornate, from carved
pictures on the doors to embossed works on the wall, ceiling, and
pillars, very detail was considered.
Besides the monastery, there are supporting buildings constructed in
the ancient architectural style that house a library, a museum, a
meditation house for monks and the Tam To Truc Lam Temple.
Walking around these buildings, visitors can almost taste the
tranquility and calm in the air. Truc Lam Zen Monastery along with the
province's Tam Dao tourism site will help create a place renowned for
its scenic beauty both in the province in particular and the country.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Phu Quoc - the largest island of Vietnam
Phu Quoc, known as Koh Tral by Cambodians, is the largest island of
Vietnam. Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is part of Kien Giang province. The district of Phú Quốc includes the island proper and
21 smaller islets. The district seat, Dương Đông, which is located on
the west coast, is also the largest town on this island, whose total
area is 593.05 km².
Geography: Verdant and topographically varied, the island offers the visitor an array for landscapes, ranging from sandy beaches and coves to forested mountains, river plains and smaller islets which together make up an archipelago of 26 islands. The island's variety extends to its maritime heritage, Phu Quoc having both an active fishing industry and good quality coral reefs, most notably to the south and northwest of the island.
The population, numbering around 85,000, has traditionally beeb associated with the sea, and the island's most the striking cultural traits remain the fishing communities of the two main towns, Duong Dong and An Thoi as well as host of smaller and very distinctive fishing villages dotted around the island. The island has also however attracted considerable migration from to respond to growing opportunities in the service industries spurred on by tourism.
In the centre and south much of the original lowland tropical evergreen forest cover has been cleared leaving behind a mix of agricultural and secondary forest landscapes and a variety of rural, settlements. These areas contrast with denser and more extensive rainforest areas in the north which national conservation laws protect and whose scenery is particularly striking when combined with the natural coasting and rivers.
Phu Quoc Island is geographically familiar to Vietnamese people, particularly in the south of the country where its tropical island status and mountainous character contrasts sharply with the flatlands of the Mekong Delta. Internationally it is an almost unknown destination, with only specialist features of the island, notably the Phu Quoc fish sauce "nuoc mam", Phu Quoc pepper, "ho tieu" and Phu Quoc dog (unique ridgeback breed) having and international recognition.
Strategic Location: Located 10-degree North latitude, Phu Quoc is a tropical island whose closest landing point in Vietnam by sea is the town of Ha Tien, also in Kien Giang province and is 46 km away. Rach Gia city, the capital of the province is 120 km away and be reached by sea and by air (25 minute fly). Ho Chi Minh City is some 500 km away and is accessible by air (60 minutes fly).
Economy: Phu Quoc Island is famous for its two traditional products: fish sauce and black pepper. The rich fishing grounds offshore provides the anchovy catch from which the prized sauce is made. Pepper cultivation is located inland in the center of the island. More recently a pearl farm was established.
Tourism plays an important part of the economy with the beaches being the main attraction. Phu Quoc is served by Phu Quoc Airport which air links to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)'s Tan Son Nhat Airport and Rach Gia's Rach Gia Airport. A new international airport is going to be built here. Phu Quoc is also linked with Rach Gia and Hà Tiên by fast ferry hydrofoils.
Strategic LocationBrief history of the island: In the early 17th century, Phu Quoc was a desolate area, where Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants earned their living from sea cucumbers. From 1782 to 1786, Phu Quoc became a stronghold of Lord Nguyen Anh, later Emperor Gia Long, in his confrontation with Tay Son forces. Between 1841 and 1847, 12 villages were recorded on the island, including Duong Dong, Gach Dau and Cua Can.
In 1869, the French occupied it and set up rubber and coconut plantations in the island. From 1967 to 1972, a P.O.W detention camp of 40,000 inmates during the war covering on 400 hectares was built at An Thoi by the Saigon regime.
Population records suggest a very small population on the island: in the late 19th and early 20th Century less than 1,000 people resided on Phu Quoc, mostly distributed among small fishing communities. By the end of Second World War the population was still less than 5,000. Architectural evidence suggest the some concentration of population occurred in Duong Dong , where some trading activities were started under the French occupation. During the American war the resident population had risen only to between 12,000 and 17,000, although during this more sinister phase of the island's history a large prisoner population, made up of captured resistance fighters, had emerged. The Cay Dua former prison remains one of the most visible historical records of the island from where some 40,000 prisoners were repatriated to the mainland at the end of the American War in 1975.
After being liberated on 30 April 1975, Phu Quoc has been converted into an ideal tourist destination for nature and sea lovers.
Strategic Location Climate: The island's monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is characterized by distinct rainy (June to October) and dry seasons (November to May). The annual rainfall is high averaging 2,879 mm. In the northern mountains up to 4,000 mm have been recorded. April and May are the hottest months with temperature reaching 35 °C. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.
Strategic Location Traditional Customs & Festivals: Like special events everywhere, the local festival days based on the lunar calender falling on Oct.,16 (Dinh Cau Temple); Nov., 20 (Thuy Long Thanh Mau Temple); July 15 (Temple consecration ); July 30 (Sung Hung Ancient Pagoda consecration); Ham Ninh Lady's spirits memory; Oct.7 & 8 (Su Muon Pagoda); Sep. 25 & 26 (Suoi Da Pagoda; Sep. 26 & 27 (Ganh Gio Pagoda); August 27 (Nguyen Trung Truc monument's day) ; July 27 (Phu Quoc jail martyr Vietnamese monument's day); Jan. 15 (Gia King's Temple day); From Oct.3, 1997 (Many local people died in the Storm no. 5 ); May 16 (Bon Canh Temple day).
Strategic Location Traditional products:
Phu Quoc Island has worldwide been famous for its two traditional products: the pepper and fish sauce. The numbers are quite surprising: hundreds of fish sauce workshops (annual output: 10 million liters) and countless pepper gardens (total area: 500 ha). Visitors to pepper gardens will be captivated by word of "itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny coins" of patient growers while at fish sauce workshops, they will be amazed at the sight of dozens of bulky barrels being lined up and waiting to be jammed with fresh fish. You will be tempted to try a few pungent green pepper coins and half a spoonful of the tasty salty sauce.
Geography: Verdant and topographically varied, the island offers the visitor an array for landscapes, ranging from sandy beaches and coves to forested mountains, river plains and smaller islets which together make up an archipelago of 26 islands. The island's variety extends to its maritime heritage, Phu Quoc having both an active fishing industry and good quality coral reefs, most notably to the south and northwest of the island.
The population, numbering around 85,000, has traditionally beeb associated with the sea, and the island's most the striking cultural traits remain the fishing communities of the two main towns, Duong Dong and An Thoi as well as host of smaller and very distinctive fishing villages dotted around the island. The island has also however attracted considerable migration from to respond to growing opportunities in the service industries spurred on by tourism.
In the centre and south much of the original lowland tropical evergreen forest cover has been cleared leaving behind a mix of agricultural and secondary forest landscapes and a variety of rural, settlements. These areas contrast with denser and more extensive rainforest areas in the north which national conservation laws protect and whose scenery is particularly striking when combined with the natural coasting and rivers.
Phu Quoc Island is geographically familiar to Vietnamese people, particularly in the south of the country where its tropical island status and mountainous character contrasts sharply with the flatlands of the Mekong Delta. Internationally it is an almost unknown destination, with only specialist features of the island, notably the Phu Quoc fish sauce "nuoc mam", Phu Quoc pepper, "ho tieu" and Phu Quoc dog (unique ridgeback breed) having and international recognition.
Strategic Location: Located 10-degree North latitude, Phu Quoc is a tropical island whose closest landing point in Vietnam by sea is the town of Ha Tien, also in Kien Giang province and is 46 km away. Rach Gia city, the capital of the province is 120 km away and be reached by sea and by air (25 minute fly). Ho Chi Minh City is some 500 km away and is accessible by air (60 minutes fly).
Economy: Phu Quoc Island is famous for its two traditional products: fish sauce and black pepper. The rich fishing grounds offshore provides the anchovy catch from which the prized sauce is made. Pepper cultivation is located inland in the center of the island. More recently a pearl farm was established.
Tourism plays an important part of the economy with the beaches being the main attraction. Phu Quoc is served by Phu Quoc Airport which air links to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)'s Tan Son Nhat Airport and Rach Gia's Rach Gia Airport. A new international airport is going to be built here. Phu Quoc is also linked with Rach Gia and Hà Tiên by fast ferry hydrofoils.
Strategic LocationBrief history of the island: In the early 17th century, Phu Quoc was a desolate area, where Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants earned their living from sea cucumbers. From 1782 to 1786, Phu Quoc became a stronghold of Lord Nguyen Anh, later Emperor Gia Long, in his confrontation with Tay Son forces. Between 1841 and 1847, 12 villages were recorded on the island, including Duong Dong, Gach Dau and Cua Can.
In 1869, the French occupied it and set up rubber and coconut plantations in the island. From 1967 to 1972, a P.O.W detention camp of 40,000 inmates during the war covering on 400 hectares was built at An Thoi by the Saigon regime.
Population records suggest a very small population on the island: in the late 19th and early 20th Century less than 1,000 people resided on Phu Quoc, mostly distributed among small fishing communities. By the end of Second World War the population was still less than 5,000. Architectural evidence suggest the some concentration of population occurred in Duong Dong , where some trading activities were started under the French occupation. During the American war the resident population had risen only to between 12,000 and 17,000, although during this more sinister phase of the island's history a large prisoner population, made up of captured resistance fighters, had emerged. The Cay Dua former prison remains one of the most visible historical records of the island from where some 40,000 prisoners were repatriated to the mainland at the end of the American War in 1975.
After being liberated on 30 April 1975, Phu Quoc has been converted into an ideal tourist destination for nature and sea lovers.
Strategic Location Climate: The island's monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is characterized by distinct rainy (June to October) and dry seasons (November to May). The annual rainfall is high averaging 2,879 mm. In the northern mountains up to 4,000 mm have been recorded. April and May are the hottest months with temperature reaching 35 °C. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.
Strategic Location Traditional Customs & Festivals: Like special events everywhere, the local festival days based on the lunar calender falling on Oct.,16 (Dinh Cau Temple); Nov., 20 (Thuy Long Thanh Mau Temple); July 15 (Temple consecration ); July 30 (Sung Hung Ancient Pagoda consecration); Ham Ninh Lady's spirits memory; Oct.7 & 8 (Su Muon Pagoda); Sep. 25 & 26 (Suoi Da Pagoda; Sep. 26 & 27 (Ganh Gio Pagoda); August 27 (Nguyen Trung Truc monument's day) ; July 27 (Phu Quoc jail martyr Vietnamese monument's day); Jan. 15 (Gia King's Temple day); From Oct.3, 1997 (Many local people died in the Storm no. 5 ); May 16 (Bon Canh Temple day).
Strategic Location Traditional products:
Phu Quoc Island has worldwide been famous for its two traditional products: the pepper and fish sauce. The numbers are quite surprising: hundreds of fish sauce workshops (annual output: 10 million liters) and countless pepper gardens (total area: 500 ha). Visitors to pepper gardens will be captivated by word of "itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny coins" of patient growers while at fish sauce workshops, they will be amazed at the sight of dozens of bulky barrels being lined up and waiting to be jammed with fresh fish. You will be tempted to try a few pungent green pepper coins and half a spoonful of the tasty salty sauce.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Traditional remains from Hue
Hue first assumed its role as a capital city, during the Trinh - Nguyen civil war, when it was the capital of South Vietnam.
I came to Hue during Tet Doan Ngo (Doan Ngo festival, a minor Buddhist festival) and it was impossible for me to find an open restaurant or shop in town. Vietnam’s ancient capital, booming city and a world renown tourist area, yet Hue is not at all noisy, rushed or commercialized like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh city. Hue is honest and sweet. It is tranquil like the Perfume River that flows through it, majestic like the Royal Palace and tombs that would never let its secrets out.
Geography
To be precise, Hue city is the capital of Thua Thien Hue province. Hue lies on the banks of the Huong (Perfume) river, in the narrow central of Vietnam, only a few miles west from the sea.
History
Hue first assumed its role as a capital city, during the Trinh - Nguyen civil war, when it was the capital of South Vietnam. In 1802, Nguyen Anh succeeded in unifying his rule over both North and South Vietnam, forming the Nguyen dynasty. Hue remained the capital of Vietnam until the end of feudalism in 1945.
During the Vietnam War, Hue held a strategic positioning as it was near the dividing line between North and South. The city’s elegant and refined architecture witnessed and suffered from one of the most lengthy and bloody battles in the War, the Battle of Hue (during the Tet offensive 1968). Many of Hue’s palaces, tombs and temples were destroyed by American bombs and bullets, as well as by neglect in restoration by the Vietnamese government during early years of independence (they saw these historical artifacts as remains of the oppressing feudal system).
Hue has now been returned the peace, attention and protection it clearly deserves. The remains of the Inner City (where the Royal family lived), tombs and temples offer insight into Vietnam’s past and rich culture. Hue has been certified by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Hue royal music (nha nhac cung dinh) is also considered a UNESCO intangible heritage.
Religion
Hue is the center of Buddhist worship in Vietnam, with many temples and tombs.
I came to Hue during Tet Doan Ngo (Doan Ngo festival, a minor Buddhist festival) and it was impossible for me to find an open restaurant or shop in town. Vietnam’s ancient capital, booming city and a world renown tourist area, yet Hue is not at all noisy, rushed or commercialized like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh city. Hue is honest and sweet. It is tranquil like the Perfume River that flows through it, majestic like the Royal Palace and tombs that would never let its secrets out.
Geography
To be precise, Hue city is the capital of Thua Thien Hue province. Hue lies on the banks of the Huong (Perfume) river, in the narrow central of Vietnam, only a few miles west from the sea.
History
Hue first assumed its role as a capital city, during the Trinh - Nguyen civil war, when it was the capital of South Vietnam. In 1802, Nguyen Anh succeeded in unifying his rule over both North and South Vietnam, forming the Nguyen dynasty. Hue remained the capital of Vietnam until the end of feudalism in 1945.
During the Vietnam War, Hue held a strategic positioning as it was near the dividing line between North and South. The city’s elegant and refined architecture witnessed and suffered from one of the most lengthy and bloody battles in the War, the Battle of Hue (during the Tet offensive 1968). Many of Hue’s palaces, tombs and temples were destroyed by American bombs and bullets, as well as by neglect in restoration by the Vietnamese government during early years of independence (they saw these historical artifacts as remains of the oppressing feudal system).
Hue has now been returned the peace, attention and protection it clearly deserves. The remains of the Inner City (where the Royal family lived), tombs and temples offer insight into Vietnam’s past and rich culture. Hue has been certified by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Hue royal music (nha nhac cung dinh) is also considered a UNESCO intangible heritage.
Religion
Hue is the center of Buddhist worship in Vietnam, with many temples and tombs.
Travelling in Nha Trang Bay - amazing land
Nha Trang Bay has long been an attractive destination for all tourists to Nha Trang, and it is likely thay
tourists coming here all enjoy a Nha Trang bay tour, diving in beautiful island, discovering the sea bed, and observing the colourful coral reefs.
It takes you only about 20 minutes to get to Mieu Island (or Bồng Nguyên Island) by motor-boat. You can visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium where many species of marine creatures live or just relax at the unique beach – Bãi Sỏi (Pebble Beach). This aquarium is a fossil ship model from which, tourists can enjoy the collection of multiple types of species taken from many regions of Vietnam.
Situated on the South of Nha Trang Bay is the small Mun Island (Hòn Mun). It is named Mun Island because in the south east of the island, it has high-rise cliffs with dangerous wattles forming caves and grottoes, especially its stones are as black as ebony, which could rarely be found in other areas. In the black-stone caves of Mun Island, every year flocks of swallow migrate to the area and build their nests. Due to its location adjacent to the hot sea-currents from the equator, suitable to the development conditions of corals and various types of tropical sea creatures, the sea bed of Mun Island is home to an abundant and diverse group of marine species, an interesting and useful place for researchers, oceanographers and tourists to observe and explore more of the sea creatures' life.
In Hon Mun, visitors can dive or take grass-bottom boat to admire the colored coral and sea creatures. All the diving centers come and stop near this island: visibility is always excellent there and there is an impressive variety of corals of all colors, with numerous pretty tropical fish. This is the island where all dive sites already mentioned in the Nha Trang section are located. It also has a couple of other sites such as Rainbow Reef and Tiger Wall.
Well-known by the wild tropical evergreen forest, long charming sandy beaches and clear water, Tam Island (Hòn Tằm) has become an attractive ecological tourist site. Around the rock range, thousands kind of fish and colorful corals make tourists exciting and peaceful. Therefore, Hon Tam resort is a wonderful spot of recreation and health improvement. On the back of the mountain is a newly-found attraction – Hang Dơi (Grotto of Bats) where lots of bats inhabit. Coming to this island, tourists will have chance to take part in various forms of sport activities like jets Kayaking, mountain climbing, volleyball on beaches, windsurfing, diving, etc. Especially, from February 2010, tourists can have opportunity to observe Nha Trang Bay from balloons. Nha Trang Bay observed from 150 meters high may have been really different from the one that you see on land.
Tre Island is the largest one in Nha Trang Bay with the area of more than 30 square kilometers. The island is located about 5km to the east of Nha Trang City center, 3,5km to Cau Da Port. Beaches in this island are among the most charming natural beaches in Vietnam. With mild and temperate climate, Tre Island possesses favorable conditions for developing ecological tourism and sea resort. The island is receiving much investment to develop high quality tourism infrastructure.
Far offshore, visible from Nha Trang Beach the Salangane island appears with lush green colors where salangane nests have been harvested for years to make the traditional "bird's nest" tonic and food.
Tourists can visit caves where the swallows create their nets on the rocks and enjoy a delicious and nutritious food prepared from swallows' nets and sugar candy which in the past was reserved only for kings.
Yen Islands is not only well known for its Salanganes nest, but also for its only beautiful twin-beach, and tourists coming here can enjoy swimming, snorkeling in clear, smooth water on the twin-beach.
tourists coming here all enjoy a Nha Trang bay tour, diving in beautiful island, discovering the sea bed, and observing the colourful coral reefs.
It takes you only about 20 minutes to get to Mieu Island (or Bồng Nguyên Island) by motor-boat. You can visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium where many species of marine creatures live or just relax at the unique beach – Bãi Sỏi (Pebble Beach). This aquarium is a fossil ship model from which, tourists can enjoy the collection of multiple types of species taken from many regions of Vietnam.
Situated on the South of Nha Trang Bay is the small Mun Island (Hòn Mun). It is named Mun Island because in the south east of the island, it has high-rise cliffs with dangerous wattles forming caves and grottoes, especially its stones are as black as ebony, which could rarely be found in other areas. In the black-stone caves of Mun Island, every year flocks of swallow migrate to the area and build their nests. Due to its location adjacent to the hot sea-currents from the equator, suitable to the development conditions of corals and various types of tropical sea creatures, the sea bed of Mun Island is home to an abundant and diverse group of marine species, an interesting and useful place for researchers, oceanographers and tourists to observe and explore more of the sea creatures' life.
In Hon Mun, visitors can dive or take grass-bottom boat to admire the colored coral and sea creatures. All the diving centers come and stop near this island: visibility is always excellent there and there is an impressive variety of corals of all colors, with numerous pretty tropical fish. This is the island where all dive sites already mentioned in the Nha Trang section are located. It also has a couple of other sites such as Rainbow Reef and Tiger Wall.
Well-known by the wild tropical evergreen forest, long charming sandy beaches and clear water, Tam Island (Hòn Tằm) has become an attractive ecological tourist site. Around the rock range, thousands kind of fish and colorful corals make tourists exciting and peaceful. Therefore, Hon Tam resort is a wonderful spot of recreation and health improvement. On the back of the mountain is a newly-found attraction – Hang Dơi (Grotto of Bats) where lots of bats inhabit. Coming to this island, tourists will have chance to take part in various forms of sport activities like jets Kayaking, mountain climbing, volleyball on beaches, windsurfing, diving, etc. Especially, from February 2010, tourists can have opportunity to observe Nha Trang Bay from balloons. Nha Trang Bay observed from 150 meters high may have been really different from the one that you see on land.
Tre Island is the largest one in Nha Trang Bay with the area of more than 30 square kilometers. The island is located about 5km to the east of Nha Trang City center, 3,5km to Cau Da Port. Beaches in this island are among the most charming natural beaches in Vietnam. With mild and temperate climate, Tre Island possesses favorable conditions for developing ecological tourism and sea resort. The island is receiving much investment to develop high quality tourism infrastructure.
Far offshore, visible from Nha Trang Beach the Salangane island appears with lush green colors where salangane nests have been harvested for years to make the traditional "bird's nest" tonic and food.
Tourists can visit caves where the swallows create their nets on the rocks and enjoy a delicious and nutritious food prepared from swallows' nets and sugar candy which in the past was reserved only for kings.
Yen Islands is not only well known for its Salanganes nest, but also for its only beautiful twin-beach, and tourists coming here can enjoy swimming, snorkeling in clear, smooth water on the twin-beach.
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