Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Cham Museum


The Cham Museum in Danang is the largest collection of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world. Whenever visiting the museum, you still perceive an individual atmosphere particular to this place, the reverie of reminiscences.


Entrance to the Cham Museum
Situated in a quiet area of Da Nang City, Cham Museum was built in 1915 according to the motifs of ancient Cham Architecture. At first it was named the Henry Parmenties Museum. The museum is officially known as the Museum of Champa Sculpture. The kingdom of Champa (or Lin-yi in Chinese records) controlled what is now south and central Vietnam from approximately 192 through 1697. The empire began to decline in the late 15th century, became a Vietnamese vassal state in 1697, and was finally dissolved in 1832. At present, the museum houses 297 stone and terracotta sculptural works made between the 7th and the 15th centuries. These are impressive works typical of the Cham culture.

A Brief History of the Champa
According to Chinese chronicles, the Champa kingdom was founded in 192 A.D and had different names such as Lin-Yi, Huang-Wang and Chang-Chen. Its territories stretched from south of the Ngang Pass in Quang Binh Province to the delta area of the Dong Nai River in Binh Thuan Province. It included the coastal plains, highland and mountain ranges.
Influenced by the early Hindu civilization, the Champa kingdom was a federation of several smaller states called Mandala and comprised several ethnic groups.
The most important legacy of the Champa kingdom is located in Central Vietnam in the form of brick temples and towers which are scattered over the coastal lowlands and highlands. The structures date from between the 7th and 8th centuries to the 16th and 17th centuries and are concentrated in Quang Nam, Danang, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan.
The most extensive collection of Cham art worldwide...
The Cham Museum was built in Cham architectural style, using thin lines that are simple and gentle. The museum displays an intensive and diverse collection of Champa sculpture dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries, when a matriarchal society prevailed.

Sculpture in Cham Museum

The museum was established at the end of the 19th century by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient with a collection of artifacts gathered in central Vietnam, from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh. They were then displayed at Le Jardin de Tourane on a small hill by the Han River. This is the site of the present museum. The building was designed by two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, in imitation of the most commonly used aspects of Champa towers and temples. At present, the museum displays approximately 300 sandstone and terra-cotta sculptures, among which some are made from terracotta. Most of the artifacts are masterpieces of Champa art and some are considered to be equal to works anywhere in the world. The sculptures were collected from Cham temples and towers throughout Central Vietnam, more specifically the area stretching from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan. All the sculptures are displayed in ten showrooms named after the localities where the pieces have been discovered.
After viewing the pieces in the showrooms, you can visit exterior exhibitions. The arts of the Champa were chiefly sculpture, but the sculptures are only part of the religious architecture. The temples and towers themselves are considered to be sculptural artifacts. They are decorated on the exterior of their brick walls with bas-relief columns, flowers and leaves and worshipping figures between brick pillars. The tympana, lintels and the ornamental corner pieces are of sandstones carved with the figures of gods, the holy animals of the Hindus and flowers and leaves.
The artifacts displayed at the museum are altars, statues and decorative works collected from Hindu and Buddhist temples and towers. Champa sculpture displays various styles. Sometimes they were influenced by other cultures but no matter at what period or in what style the Champa artifacts were made they always displayed original characteristics.
Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to appreciate the eight centuries of evolution of Champa sculpture from its golden age to its decline. In their own way, the artifacts exemplify the rise and fall of the Champa civilization. When we stand before these artistic masterpieces we can comprehend the noblest ideal of art, the creation of the infinite from the finite. The eight centuries of art at the Champa museum is a thick history book reflecting the ups and downs of Champa art. From inanimate stones came living art, and from these wonderful invaluable artifacts we can get the feeling that the warmth from the Champa artists' hand is still there, on the fine skin of the stone-timeless.

Lions
The sculptures displayed here almost have the same drifting life as the very destiny of the once-glorious culture that generated them. Through the ruins of time, war and even the oblivion, such original Champa sculptures were hardly collected and brought here by many human generations. And in this systematic collection, these works of the ancient Champa artists again have a new life.

Coming to visit the museum, it seems that you can see again the glorious time of the past of a nation for whom both the passion for art and the creative talent were already at a very high level. The mysterious world of deities, the pictorial legends, the religious symbols, the curving lines of the bodies of dancing girls, the features of full swelling breasts, the smiles of a vague time, all of these are shown very lively and in much in details.
The art of Champa, although influenced by the Hindu themes of India and Southeast Asia, has many elements that make it distinctive. Temples in Champa were made of bricks. As a result, artists did not have long expanses of wall to decorate with bas-reliefs depicting Hindu epics or phases of Buddhist life as seen, for example, at Angkor Wat. The Chams incorporated their sculptures into their temple architecture by carving them separately and making them part of the construction. These carvings are classified into four main groups: Icons; Pedestals; Pediments; Fragments of architectural decorations at the base or on various ties of the temple.
Profoundly influenced by the architecture and sculpture of the Indian civilization, the ancient Champa has a vision of life and religion according to their own feeling. Such refraction brought to their world of art a subtle and distinct beauty: spiritual and very close, unique and familiar...

Friday, December 21, 2012

Beauty of Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh

Ba Den Mountain is located 11 km NorthEast of Tay Ninh and 106 km from Ho Chi Minh City. It is an historical and beautiful site covering an area of more than 24 km2. Ba Den Mountain is also called Black Lady Mountain.

According to legends, beautiful Ly Thi Thien Huong, Black Lady, was forced to marry the son of a rich mandarin while her true love was fighting the aggressors. Rather than marrying a man she did not love, she threw herself from the mountain.
Several shrines and pagodas were built in the mountain as well as in the caves. Ba and Hang Pagodas attract many pilgrims during the New Lunar Year and Vu Lan Festivals. Ba Den Mountain was where the headquarters of the liberation force of South Vietnam were located. During war time, many tough battles were fought in that area.

Tay Ninh Holy See
 
 Nui Ba Den 986 m high, the highest mountain in the South
 
 
 

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Domestic travel firms as dizzy as a goose

Travel firms have complained that unreasonable tax policies, labor force shortage and social security problems have all put them in a stir and hindered their business.
Vietnam tourism industry brings 5.5 billion dollars a year to Vietnam, despite the global economic recession. However, travel firms believe that the figure could be even higher if the government sets up reasonable policies to encourage the development of the industry.
All travel firms’ representatives present at a tourism conference in HCM City some days ago, voiced complaints about the current unreasonable policies and aired their grievances.



Chair of the Travel Association Vu The Binh said that the State has raised the land leasing fee by 10 times which could be described as a strong blow dealt on ravel firms. Meanwhile, travel firms always have to pay higher for water and electricity bills than the enterprises in other business fields. Especially, a lot of relevant policies are unreasonable, thus putting big difficulties for the tourism development.

Le Thi Nhu Ha from Hoa Binh travel firm agreed, saying that the rents imposed on travel firms are the market prices, while the prices are now “virtual”, since speculators have pushed the prices up to the sky high levels to make profits.

Travel firms have to pay the same leasing land fees on the total areas, including park, public areas, which is really unfair to them, thus weakening enterprises’ competitiveness.

A senior executive of Alex travel firm complained that it has become more difficult to persuade clients to book tours to Vietnam after some public security problems were reported by local newspapers. He said some seven or eight clients of the firm reported that they had their handbags snatched.

Director of Lua Viet travel firm Nguyen Van My’s biggest concern is the lack of the qualified labor force. My said while the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam is on the rise, Vietnam only has several hundreds of international tour guides.

Especially, Vietnam is now seriously lacking the tour guides who can speak Russian, Japanese, Korean or Spanish. Under the new regulations, tour guides must have university degree to be eligible for obtaining practice cards.

My said that the regulation has not only put big difficulties for travel firms’ operation, but also pushed the service costs up due to the lack of tour guides.

Nguyen Thi Nga, President of the Dong Thap travel firm, suggested that the State should re-program some key tourism routes to retain travelers. Some tourism sites in the western region have downgraded which can no more attractive travelers. They now just serve as the places for tourists to stay during their itineraries.

Travel firms affirmed that they were not at fault for the movement of Vietnamese people booking outbound tours instead of domestic tours. The input service fees have been changing regularly, thus forcing travel firms to adjust the tour fees. The instability has prompted people to choose outbound tours to enjoy low tour fees and promotion programs launched by the foreign partners to stimulate the demand in the economic crisis.

Regarding the measures to reduce the input costs, Le Thi Nhu Ha from Hoa Binh travel firm said the current policies do not encourage travel firms to develop their coach fleets.

She said no travel firm would dare to spend money to buy vehicles if the vehicles can operate for 10 years only.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Vietnam Golf Travel

Known as an outstanding luxury travel company in Southeast Asia, Exotic Voyages have tried to promote Vietnam Golf Tours to satisfy their high-end clients who are interested in this “luxurious” sport.

Since the establishment, the tour operator had an idea to create the best Golf tour although Vietnam at that time was just beginning with the new style of travel and named as the "Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year" by the International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO), Vietnam travel news reported.
Seeing the great potential of Vietnam Golf Travel, Exotic Voyages always promote golf tours as one of their featured tours.

Duparc Dalat Golf Course

Vietnam now is not just the “Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year”, it has just been awarded as the “Golf Destination of the year” in November by the organization. It was more than happy for those who are trying to bring Vietnam Golf vacations to the world like Exotic Voyages. So, why Vietnam has moved so quick on the Golf travel destination list? And what has this beautiful country got to offer golf lovers?

Duparc Dalat Golf Course

Golf is a sport that always encourages Golfers to explore and discover new lands, for that reason, they tend to look for new travel destinations with nice courses to satisfy their passion. With its fascinating history, ancient culture, superb climate, and now its offering of fantastic championship golf courses designed for the golfer on and off the course, Vietnam is not only the ideal destination for a couple and family holidays but also an appropriate land to combine playing golf.
Playing golf in Vietnam is truly something special. Beautiful and professional golf courses are now really common in Vietnam from North to South. You can find perfect courses every area you travel to with high standard service inclusion. Although, here it is certainly a case of quality over quantity courses!

Hole 12 - Danang Golf Course

Top 3 golf courses recommended by Exotic Voyages are Dalat Palace golf club, Danang Golf Club and Ocean Dunes Golf Club. To experience the immense and well-designed courses, travelers can tailor a tour through some highlights including Danang, PhanThiet and Dalat, which are home to the featured golf clubs. Dalat Palace Club is located 1,500 metres above sea level in the cooler central highlands at the city of Dalat with 18-hole golf course offer challenges for golfers of all levels a series of lakes, and nice designation.
While,Danang Golf Club is at Vietnam’s stunning Central Coast and amid a seaside landscape, when the golfers are happy on their golf courses, their wives and kids must be enjoying the amazing beaches and resorts of Danang. It’s similar with Ocean Dunes Golf Club in Phan Thiet. People know about Phan Thiet with exotic beaches, sand dunes, a variety of beach activities, and beautiful golf courses with the 9th hole named among world’s 500 best holes as well.
Vietnam is truly a paradise for those are looking for somewhere to satisfy their great passion with a special sport.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Pristine Xuan Dai Bay in Phu Yen

From Phu Yen’s Tuy Hoa City, head north on Highway 1 for 45 kilometers and you will see Xuan Dai Bay in front of you, like a watercolour painting. The bay is ringed by a mountain chain stretching some 15km, providing a dramatic scenic backdrop. With a water surface area of approximately 13,000ha, the entrance to the bay, by the mouth of the Ky Lo River, is 4.4km wide and varies from 7m to 18m deep.

Listed among the most beautiful bays in the world, Xuan Dai Bay is a remarkable sightseeing spot in Phu Yen Province, offering both sea and mountain views. Recently, Xuan Dai Bay has become a famous destination attracting not only local people, but also foreign travellers who love relaxing on the beach.
Xuan Dai Bay
From Phu Yen’s Tuy Hoa City, head north on Highway 1 for 45 kilometers and you will see Xuan Dai Bay in front of you, like a watercolour painting. The bay is ringed by a mountain chain stretching some 15km, providing a dramatic scenic backdrop. With a water surface area of approximately 13,000ha, the entrance to the bay, by the mouth of the Ky Lo River, is 4.4km wide and varies from 7m to 18m deep.
Few bays have the topographical variety of Xuan Dai, with secluded inlets interspersed with mountain cliffs.  There are dozens of coves of various sizes and depths. Xuan Dai Bay is best viewed from the surrounding mountains, or islands and peninsulas, such as Ong Xa, Nhat Tu Son, Yen, Mom, Ghenh, Da Mai, Tai Ma, and Den. All are big, beautiful and pristine. Nhat Tu Son Island looks like the Chinese character for the number one, making a horizontal slash on the sea. Yen Island is famous as well, depending on your viewpoint you can see its shape as a sail, or as a tiger sitting carefree on the ocean.
Tourists can swim or take leisurely walks on wild stretches of beach to view the unique features of Xuan Dai Bay. Binh Sa, also called Dai Beach, is the most impressive, a gently curving beach stretching for 5km lined by poplar forest. All around the bay there are rugged islands emerging from the water surface, green with plants throughout all four seasons.
From the tops of the islands, visitors can see fishing villages with rows of coconut trees along the shore of Xuan Dai Bay and, in front of you, fleets of fishing boats bobbing gently on the sea. Visitors can also see the local people pass by on the way to their daily work on the sea.
Some areas around Xuan Dai can be quite difficult to be reach, as the landscape is still wild and primitive. The best time to visit is from November to April.

The tourism paradise lacks… chairs

Cu Lao Xanh, which deserves to be a tourism paradise, seems to be indifferent to tourists. No one intends to develop the local infrastructure to attract travelers.


No infrastructure items 

Dan Viet’s reporters felt lucky when they could find somewhere to stay when they visited the isle. If they had not informed about the trip to the Nhon Chau Commune People’s Committee, they would have not got a chair to sit.

The only guest house and the most luxurious one in the island is the guest house of the commune people’s committee, where there are three beds.

Le Van Sao, a local authorities’ officer, said if travelers “accidentally” arrive in the isle, they would have to seek somewhere to stay among people’s homes. If they cannot find any places, they would ask for the help from the commune authorities.

“Sometimes, we have to lend our office to the travelers,” Sao said.
 
In fact, the reporters were warned by Ngo Van Quy, Chair of the commune people’s committee that they would have to have meals with families of the commune’s leaders, because there are no food services on the isle.

The reporters were told to finish the dinner soon, because the electricity would be cut in some hours. Quy said that the island receives five billion dong a year from the budget which would be spent on necessary works in the commune. Of this sum, 2 billion dong has been used to buy oil to run the power generators from 7 pm to 8 pm every day.

In order to save money, local authorities only use electricity for lighting.

The most luxurious restaurant in the island is the pig’s trip soup shop of Tam Canh. This is considered the most luxurious shop in the island because there are some 10 chairs for visitors.

The land which does not welcome investors

A small canoe which can run fast at high speed, worth some 400 million dong remains the dream of the local people. It would be useful if someone falls sick on the island and he needs to be carried to the mainland urgently.

However, in the current conditions, it would take at least two hours to carry the victims to the shore. And this would be feasible only if the victims are from well off families which can pay 2 million dong immediately to ship owners.

In other cases, if the victims cannot pay 2 million dong to the ship owners, they would be first carried to the commune people’s committee, which would promise to pay money to ship owners, or advance money to ship owners to buy fuel. After the procedures are fulfilled, the victims would be carried to the hospitals in the mainland.

Local residents recalled the story about a teacher from Quy Nhon City, who left home for the island to work as a teacher. The teacher has died just because she could not be taken to hospitals quickly.

The soil in Nhon Chau commune is poor to organize agricultural production. Therefore, developing tourism proves to be the best solution for the locality. Investors, who hear about the wonderful landscapes here are always ready to inject money in the tourism projects in the island.

However, the investors cannot move ahead with their investment projects, simply because there has been no detailed programming on the locality development.

Quy said that no investor dares to pour money into the projects here, because they do not know if their projects can exist in the future, or they would be cleared by the provincial authorities to serve the local development strategy.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Ben En National Park in Thanh Hoa

Ben En National Park is located in the two districts of Nhu Xuan and Nhu Thanh, 45km southwest of Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. It is not only the place preserving sources of rare and precious varieties of fauna and flora in service of scientific research but also an ideal tourist attraction.

Surrounded by hills and mountains, Ben En National Park has a total natural area of over 16,000ha plus 30,000ha of buffer zone forest and is affected by the tropical monsoon, creating an average annual temperature of about 230C.
The flora in the Park is plentiful with 462 varieties and 125 orders. According to Le Duc Giang, Director of Ben En National Park, it is the distribution centre of Lim xanh (Erythrophloeum fordii Oliv), a famous common variety in Vietnam with some hundred-year-old trees with a diameter of 3m.
With its special eco-system, Ben En National Park has the richest number of flora 
living in groups, nationwide

Also there are other trees as Cho chi (Parashorea chinensis Wang Hsie.), Vu huong (Cinnamomum balansae), Sen mat (Madhuca pasquieri), Vang tam (Manglietia fordiana ), Lim xet (Peltophorum tonkinensis), Lat hoa (Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss), etc.; groups of herbaceous plants such as Song(Calamus poilanei Conrard), rattan, bamboo; family Dipterocarpaceae such as Trau (Vernicia foridii),Sen (Sapotaceae) Mang tang (Litsea cubeba) and over 300 species of rare medicinal herbs.
Sunset over Ben EnLake.

The Park boasts a diverse fauna because it is a favourable living environment for many groups of insects, birds, rodents, animals with hooves, and carnivore. Many surveys and investigations show that the Park has 50 orders, 177 families, 216 varieties and over 1,000 species of animals, including 91 species of animals, 201 species of birds, 54 species of reptiles, 31 species of amphibians, 68 species of fish and 499 species of insects.
Many of them are listed in the Red Book, such as elephants, gayals, Bao lua (Fel ursi), Khi mat do (Macaca arctoides), Vuon bac ma (Hylobates concolor leucogienis), etc.
Ben En National Park provides favourable habitations for migratory birds.     

In recent years, with scientific research projects such as “Preserving the gene source of some rare and precious plants in Ben En National Park” and “Research on forest restoration after slash and burn farming in Ben En National Park”, the Park has attracted hundreds of domestic and foreign researchers and scientists.

Ben En National Park has rich and diverse fauna.
A special gem in the Park is Song Muc Lake with a total area of 4,000ha, tens of metres in depth. The Lake is divided into two small lakes: the upper covering over 3,000ha and the lower covering 800ha. There are about 24 islands on the lake with wonderful caves that create a romantic landscape. On the islands, some species of birds and animals feed under the watchful eyes of researchers.
Ben En National Park is Vietnam's distribution centre of the famous 
endemic variety of Lim Xanh (Erythrophloeum fordii Oliv).

Le Duc Giang said that at present the Park is devising a project on promoting eco-tourism of international standards. With its advantages and existing tourism potentials, such as lakes, islands, forests, rivers, springs, caves and grottos, the Park will become an ideal eco-tourist area.

Ban Gioc Waterfall – the largest one in Vietnam!

Ban Gioc Waterfall is now an attractive beauty spot for national and international visitors. Travelling some 272 km from Hanoi, you will reach the splendid fall...


Ban Gioc waterfall
Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Quy Xuan River is located in Cao Bang Province, nears the Sino-Vietnamese border. The waterfall falls thirty meters. It is separated into three falls by rocks and trees, and the thundering effect of the water hitting the cliffs can be heard kilometers away from Trung Khanh.
Ban Doc Waterfall is situated in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District. The Quay Son River rises from China flowing into our country in Po Peo (Ngoc Khe Commune) and to communes including Dinh Phong and Chi Vien. When it reaches Dam Thuy Commune of Trung Khanh District, the mild river circles around Co Muong mountain bottom and flows to rice fields of Dam Thuy towards the large maize alluvial plain of Ban Gioc village. Here, the flow divides into many branches and lowers its flow to creat Ban Gioc Waterfall.
Water from Quy Xuan River falling down on the stone creates water droplets columns that can be seen from a distance. The temperature near the waterfall is remarkably cool, due to the water mist in the air. At the foot of the waterfall is a large river, as calm as glass, surrounded by many precious kinds of flowers. Ban Gioc Fall is famous for a famous fish named “tram huong”. In the early 1920s, French people started building cottages on the river banks. They would come here to relax, fish for “tram huong”, and hunt deer.
The sight in Ban Gioc Waterfall bears a poetic, fresh, quiet beauty of water, forest and cloud area mixed with village atmosphere of mountainous ethnic minorities. Young people and ethnic people usually sing the impressive verses about the imposing fall: 
“Bản Giốc thác nước đẹp sao!
Việt Nam há chẳng thác nào đẹp hơn”
 (How wonderful Ban Gioc Waterfall is!
In Vietnam, no another fall can be more beautiful)
So now, why don’t you visit Ban Gioc Waterfall, for sight-seeing, trying to fish for “tram huong” and hunt deer?

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Sightseeing in Dalat


Jaremy

The first thing the visitor to Dalat will probably notice is the architecture. Since the city was built up primarily by the French and the Catholic Church, Dalat is an interesting blend of French colonial architecture, paired with lovely Jesuit structures and Vietnamese pagodas.

One site almost all Dalat's guidebooks will lead you to is the Hang Nga guesthouse, known more commonly simply as 'Crazy House'. Built by Hang Nga, Ph.D. graduate of Moscow State University's architecture program, Crazy House is a honeycomb of strange rooms and hallways that also serves as a local hotel. Instead of straight lines and corners, Crazy House is all curves, as if its concrete had melted, dripped, and then hardened into its unusual shape.

Another building worth touring in Dalat is Binh III. Emperor Bao Dai built three different villas for himself in Dalat, and although all of them have been restored and made public, it's Binh III that's the most impressive.
To stay in Vietnam like true royalty, however, book your room at the Sofitel Dalat Palace, a luxury hotel that's been lovingly restored and sits atop a golf course. With a lobby fit for a monarch's ballroom, artwork adorning its restaurants and suites, together with the modern comforts of satellite television and mini-bars, there's nowhere else in Dalat that offers such plush luxury. Even if you can't afford to stay in the Sofitel Dalat Palace, at least have a cocktail and dinner there in one of the three bars and two restaurants. After dinner, dance downstairs at PK's Disco.
Lionlyonne
Xuan Huong Lake is a popular destination with honeymooners; you can stroll around its outer banks, or hire a paddle boat and go out for a spin. However, be warned that the lake was recently drained, and won't be filled back up until January or February 2011.

Xuan Huong Lake isn't the only lake in and around Dalat, though. Just 5 km north of the city centre is the Valley of Love, where a lake was added in 1972 to make its picturesque, peaceful beauty even more attractive. On the other side of town lies the Truc Lam Pagoda, the second biggest Zen Buddhist centre in Vietnam, surrounded by Tuyen Lam lake and pine forests.
Just 20 minutes from Dalat lies the Lang Bain mountain; at a height of 2169m above sea level it isthe highest mountain in the Southern Vietnam. It is a popular spot to climb and enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding areas and it is also possible to camp. For those who don't feel quite so energetic it is also possible to catch a ride to the summit.

My Son Cham Ruins, Hoi An


My Son Ruins

Fred Platt
Mankind builds marvelous and imagination-defying cities and structures, then erases them again as the centuries, along with the fickle loyalty of scholars, priests, kings, and common people render them either obsolete or irrelevant. The ruins of My Son in Vietnam, not far from Da Nang and Hoi An, fall into this category.

My Son was once an impressive place, a holy valley of impressive Hindu temples and burial grounds of the royalty of the Champa people. My Son was the Vietnamese equivalent of places like Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Egypt's Valley of the Kings. In its heyday, My Son included over seventy temples, along with a number of monuments with inscriptions in both Sanskrit, the holy language of ancient India, and Cham. In 1999, UNESCO named My Son a World Heritage Site.

History of My Son

Fred Platt
The My Son site dates back to the fourth century AD, when the Champa king, Bhadravarman, erected the first temple there. He named it Bhadresvara, which was a combination of his own name and the Hindu god Ishvara, another name for Shiva. On the temple, the king added a request for subsequent generations to respect the temple and not destroy it. For many centuries, his request seemed to work; for generations after Bhadravarman's death, the My Son site was the hub of spiritual activity for the Champa people. Even when the original temple was destroyed in a fire two hundred years later, a later king made sure to rebuild it. The temple lasted in one form or another until it was obliterated during the Vietnam War.

In the fourteenth century, the Champa were conquered by the Viet people, for whom the modern country is named. The disappearance of the Champa also meant the gradual dissolution of the My Son site, which the jungle slowly started to reclaim. Ignored and largely forgotten, My Son was discovered again at the turn of the twentieth century by a French scholar.
In the 1930s, the French began to restore the My Son temples. The French scholars and archeologists were able to identify a total of seventy-one temples, with various groupings of temples belonging to different eras of development of the Cham kingdom.

My Son Today

Fred Platt
Unfortunately for both visitors and world history, much of what remained of My Son in the twentieth century was bombed out of existence by American B-52 bombers during the American Vietnam War. The temples that had been so lovingly restored by French archeologists and local people were quickly devastated by the American bombs. In fact, local people are still wary of the area surrounding the My Son ruins because of the still unexploded bombs and land mines.

Nevertheless, My Son is still one of Vietnam's most important historic sites. Visitors with any interest in Southeast Asia's history will enjoy the bus trip from Da Nang or Hoi An to the ruins. Most tours of the My Son ruins range in price from £30 to £47, depending upon the size of the group and the city of origin.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Old pagodas in Bich Dong - Ninh Binh

The historical province of Ninh Binh comprises of three different types of landscape - wetlands, coastal delta and uplands - and is endowed with many places of interest for tourists such as Tam Coc-Bich Dong Grotto, Cuc Phuong National Park and Van Long Nature Reserve.

The three old pagodas on Bich Dong, a grotto located in the Ngu Hanh Son mountain range, in Dam hamlet, Minh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district is particularly interesting. A short boat trip will take tourists to a beautiful landscape with canals meandering between high rocks and grottoes.
In the 18th century King Tu Duc visited Bich Dong. Charmed by the marvelous scenery offered by the mountains, rivers and cliff top pagodas, the King conferred on Bich Dong the title of ‘the Second Most Beautiful Grotto in Vietnam.
Tourists visit Trung Pagoda in Bich Dong.
The number one grotto title belongs to Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay, Hanoi.
Tam Coc-Bich Dong Tourist Area in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District in Ninh Binh Province is a very popular area and in comparison with Tam Coc Grotto, Bich Dong is less popular but it would be a mistake to miss out.
We were keen to visit Bich Dong but we were surprised that there were no monks or Buddhist nuns near the pagoda – we were met instead by some local boat hirers on Hoang Long River. Bich Dong Cave is surrounded by Hoang Long River and features a lot of lotus which sets the area into a romantic and peaceful space.
Along the path to the pagoda, we were amazed by a limestone mountain ahead with a space for many green trees below. On the road are many souvenir vendors waiting for tourists’ curiosity and admiration and cash of course.
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda, you will have chance to learn about the architecture style as well as the traditional values, which are contained in each construction in the complex. The first destination to be visited is the Ha (Lower) Pagoda, which is situated right at the foot of the mountain. The pagoda features special patterns of roofs. The roofs curve like the tail of phoenix and the remains of traditions and history can be seen on crags, steles, and trees.
The Pagoda worships Tam Bao, Buddha and the three monks Tri Kien, Tri The, Tri Tam – who had great contribution in constructing and upgrading this pagoda.

After visiting Ha Pagoda, you will reach Trung (Middle) Pagoda. The path leading to this pagoda is covered by the shade of huge trees. Trung Pagoda was constructed according to a popular pagoda model. The main presbytery is the Buddha altar with a big calligraphic character, which has the inscription “Linh Son Phat Hoi”. On the right hand side is a path leading to the Toi Grotto (the Dark Grotto). Moving through the 20 steps, tourists will see a copper bell and a bridge where the victims of injustice ask for justice.
It is said that such people who were unjustly treated ring the bell three times, then they will be relieved of their pain. In the French colonial period, this was a place where weapons were produced for Vietnamese patriots.
The stalactites in the Dark Grotto, under the invisible hand of nature, form magical shapes among the gloomy light. 
The strange and interesting shapes there have become part of folklore due to the imaginations of local people. The Dark Grotto worships the Buddha and the Mau Thuong Ngan with stalactites shaped like a whale and a turtle’s shell.
Upon getting out of the Dark Grotto, take 30 more steps and tourists will reach the Thuong (Upper) Pagoda (it is also referred to as the East Pagoda since it faces the east). This is the smallest-scale pagoda among the three pagodas mentioned here since it only worships Phat Ba Quan Am. The temples of the God of Mountain and of Land are located at the two sides of the pagoda. From there, you will have a wonderful view of the beautiful landscape, peaceful villages, the beauty of the mountain and forest that nature has blessed the land of Ninh Binh.
The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honor of the beautiful pagoda and landscape.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Tam Ky chicken rice - a "brand" of Quang Nam

Together grilled meat rolls and Quang noodles, Tam Ky chicken rice has become something of a ‘brand’ in the central of Quang Nam Province.

This is a very famous food in Tam Ky city. The locals use chicken boiling water to cook with rice, so the rice has yellow color. 
It is not easy to cook an exemplary chicken rice plate. Tourist in Vietnam Tourism got to visit the master chefs in Quang Nam's street-side eateries.
 The first step in making this delicious chicken rice is to buy glutinous and fragrant rice, which is washed carefully before mixing with some ground ginger and garlic along with a bit of saffron powder to give it an attractive flavour and colour.


The next step is to put oil or chicken fat in a pot and wait for it to heat over a slow fire before adding some chopped garlic till it is golden brown. Stir the rice into the garlic and fry till the rice is cooked, stirring occasionally.
Choosing the right chicken is also important. It must be a young and tender chicken that is bred in the wild in rural areas.
After cleaning the chicken of all its feathers, it is placed in a pot of water over a steady fire .When the water boils, the fire should be reduced until the meat is done. One can check by poking a needle into the chicken and if it comes clean then it is done.
The chicken is then strained and the remaining stock is used for cooking the rice. The stock water level and the rice should be equal. After the rice is cooked, some pandan leaves are added for an aromatic flavour.
The cooked rice is soft and glutinous, not dry and pasty. When the pot cover is opened the fragrant and aromatic smell of rice should permeate. The chicken and pandan leaves together create their own unique flavour for Tam Ky chicken rice.
The rice is now ready to be served with some shredded chicken, blended with hot mint, lemon leaves, pepper and salt. It can be served along with fish sauce mixed with garlic and chili. Without a doubt, it is an incredibly tasty dish. 
Regular chicken rice eaters in Tam Ky say they never tire of the dish because it's flavors are so strong in Tam Ky. It's a dish, which tourist in Vietnam Tourism don't miss to enjoy!

Quan Son Lake with natural beauty

Quan Son Lake is situated in My Duc District, Ha Tay Province. It covers an area of 850ha with nearly 100 mountains and a diversity of plantation, pagodas and historic relics.

The lake water is clear with fresh air year round. Visitors to the lake will be taken by surprise at the natural beauty: the water, the clouds, the river and the mountains. Quan Son eco-tourism system is covered with rebirth-forests of rare plantation and animal species. Wildlife: birds, reptiles, mammals are plentiful in the forest.
The area has retained traces of national cultures, festival traditional identities. The attraction lies in the natural beauties almost untouched and untapped. The first footing is ferry-berth of Giang Noi Lake. It's one of three huge lakes of Quan Son. Ranges of 20 mountains could be viewed tram distance, long and surround the lake. There are in the lake cliffs, which look like islets. Visitors to the lake by boat will be able to see mountains named differently: Su Tu, Voi Phuc, Ham Long, Yen Ngua and caves and grottoes: Doi, Ran, Da Truot, Linh Son, Bong Lai, Ngoc Long...
Each one is natural wonder with stalagmites and stalactites in imaginative animals: dragons, turtles, ph?nixes and tigers, panthens or birds... Every year, from October to the end of spring, birds can be seen building nests in the Voi valley. ln rainy season, tram high mountains, waterfalls flow down the lake, creating white foamy waves that make the scenes more beautiful and exciting. Overclimbing Truot Mount, visitors will be more relaxed to breathe in fresh air while viewing the whole nature panorama of Quan Son. Everything here: the lake, the mounts, the forests, the lotus-ponds, the rice fields help to make unforgettable memories. Around the lake, there are pagodas. Linh Son Pagoda lies at the foot of the Linh Son Mount, mirroring in the Giang Noi Lake.
Linh Son Grotto is nearby. It's not so large but there are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Pagoda of Cao and Ham Yen are close in sight. Ham Rong Pagoda is a must to see when in Quan Son. It's built in ancient architecture with decorative designs of dragons, phoenixes, plants, birds and flowers. The pagoda was a revolutionary base during the resistance-war against French invasion. Cam ping, boating, fishing and trekking, swimming are available and please don't forget to try the local specialties cooked by ethnic minorities in stilt-houses or night at the foot of the mountains.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh Branch

Ho Chi Minh Museum is located on the Dragon House Wharf which used to be the main office of the United Transportation Firm built at the beginning of the 20th century.The museum mostly displays pictures and objects relating to President Ho Chi Minh, the greatest leader of all time.

Ho Chi Minh Museum is located on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City or specifically located on the Dragon House Wharf.
The Dragon House Wharf, originally called Nha Rong, is located at the junction of the Ben Nghe Channel and the Saigon River. It was built in 1863 and served as the office of a French shipping company. From there, Nguyen Tat Thanh, later President Ho Chi Minh, set sail on a French ship named Admiral Latouche Treville in June 1911.
 
Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh Branch

In September 1979, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City chose Nha Rong as the Ho Chi Minh Museum - Dragon House Wharf. The name was taken from the two dragon-shaped symbols on the top of the building. Over time, approximately ten million people, both domestic and foreign visitors in Vietnam travel, have visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum. In addition, events such as artistic festivals and the introduction of new members into the Youth Union and Communist Party have been held in this museum.
In order to have a thorough understanding of President Ho Chi Minh, foreign tourists joining tours in Vietnam should not miss this museum when coming to Ho Chi Minh City.
Open days: All days of the week (except Monday and Friday morning)
Address: No. 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel: (84.8) 9402060

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Strange foods - why don’t you try?


Western culture considers that eating a dog is not good, but there will be no problem with other sorts of animals, as long as they are not called pets. However, for the vast majority of people on Earth, cultural values are very different. Some strange foods are considered a delicacy in some Asian cultures including China, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Indeed, these food are very tasty and protein rich. May be you should try them some day if you are not vegetarian.
Dog meat is consumed in Vietnam to varying degrees of acceptability, though it predominantly exists in the North. It's a winter food which believed to keep you extraordinarily warm on cold nights.  Dog meat is eaten in a variety of ways, from grilled, stuffed in spring rolls, stir fried, to added to soups. There are multiple dishes featuring dog meat, and they often include the head, feet as well as internal organs. Dog meat restaurants can be found throughout the country. If you are in Hanoi and you are eager to try this dish, please come to a restaurant on Nhat Tan Street - Tay Ho District. Typically, a chef will choose one of seven ways to cook dog, collectively known as "cầy tơ 7 món". You can choosesteamed dog meat, dog sausage, steamed dog in shrimp paste, ginger and rice vinegar, grilled dog meat, bamboo shoots and dog bone marrow or fried dog in lemon grass and chili. Here, you can see groups of customers who seated on mats spending their evenings on sharing plates of dog meat and drinking alcohol.
Dog meat is supposed to raise the libido and sometimes considered unsuitable for women. In other words, eating dog meat can serve as amale bonding exercise. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for women to eat dog meat. The consumption of dog meat can be part of a ritual life which usually occurring in the end of the lunar month for reasons of astrology and luck. Restaurants which mainly exist to serve dog meat may only open for the last half of the lunar month.

Some kinds of snake dishes
Snakes are a common novelty and relished food. You can drink the wine as well as eat the flesh on several occasions. When I visit one of my Vietnamese friends, he caught a cobra outside his front door and shared it with me on evening. Actually, there is very little meat on a cobra, so the skin is eaten as well. In the village of Le Mat, which famous for its snake restaurants, I tried snake meat in a number of ways, including in soup (both the taste and texture was like crab meat) and spring rolls (tastes like chicken). Furthermore, snake blood is supposed to be healthy with many benefits as well as a natural form of Viagra. So what is its taste like? I was surprised that tasting a fried meat actually a bit like custardThere is no fat and extremely lean and tender. After trying snake, you will surely be back for more.
Lizards and frogs (best grilled) are standard fare in Phan Thiet. Some of my friend said that he had never tried frog until he came to Vietnam, but now he like it a lot. If you ever order a frog dish in Vietnam, pay attention to the bones! During rainy season, Vietnamese people catch toads and boil them up. They merely cut out the stomach organ and eat the rest-skin, guts and all.

frog porridge

frog dish

I watched my friends eating trung vit lon for many months before trying it myself. These fertilized duck eggs are allowed to partially develop and then, they are hard-boiled. Crack the top off, suck out the juice and then spoon out the colorful morsels with pinches of pickled carrots, garlic, radish, turnip, some mint leaves, and a dash of salt and pepper.
Experience had taught me that in Vietnam, food nearly always tastes better than it looks. When traveling, you always want to experience the culinary delights that you never see at home. Eating different and unusual food is a big part of what makes your holiday memorable…