>> World Heritage Sites in Vietnam

1.Ha Long Bay

In 1994, Ha Long Bay was recognized as a world natural heritage site in the first time. Next, in 2000, it was recognized as a world geological heritage site and as one of new seven wonders of nature in 2011.

Ha Long Bay is a small bay belonging to the west of Bac Bo bay in the area of north-east sea in Vietnam, including a part belonging to Ha Long city, Cam Pha town and another in Van Don island district.It has the area of 1,553km² including 1,960 islands; most of them are limestone islands. The centre of the bay has the area of 334km² consisting of 775 islands.



Ha Long Bay - Quang Ninh province - Vietnam (Source:: http://getvietnamvisa.org)


The combination of environment, climate and geologic makes Ha Long Bay become aggregation of biodiversity including tropical evergreen bio-system, (o to dieu khien tu xa) costal and sea bio-system with a lot of sub-biosystem. In which, 14 endemic flora species and 60 endemic fauna species are discovered among millions of animals and plants in Ha Long Bay.

2.Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park

In 2003, Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park was recognized as a world natural heritage.Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park is located at Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts, Quang Binh province, about 50km at the northwest from Dong Hoi city and 500km at the south from Hanoi city.

It’s in the area of limestone mountain with 200,000ha wide. The core of the park has the area of 85,754ha. This national park is found to protect one of two largest carxto in the world with about 300 caves and north Truong Son bio-system reservation.
The characteristic of this national park is the limestone creation, 300 caves, underground rivers and endangered flora and fauna in Vietnam Red Book and World Red Book. Caves here have the total length of more than 80km.

3.Hue


Old capital, Hue, was recognized as a world cultural heritage in 1993. The historical relics of Hue consist of historical – cultural relics since Nguyen dynasty built during earlier 19th century and half beginning of 20th century in old capital Hue (Hue city now).

Relics of Hue can divide into construction system including outside construction of Hue and inside ones. In which, inside ones consist of Old capital Hue, Hue Citadel, Imperial Citadel, outside ones have system of kings’ tombs and other relics.

4.Hoi An Ancient Town.

Hoi An Old Quarter was recognized as a world cultural heritage site in 1999. Located on the banks of poetic Thu Bon river, Quang Nam province, it was ever a busy international trading port during 17th and 18th century.

Nowadays, Hoi An old town becomes a special sample about a traditional port in Southeast Asia which is well-preserved. Most of house here is built following the traditional architecture from 17th to 19th century. Parallel with old houses, religious structure proved for formation, development and decline of the town.

Hoi An is also a place of cultural exchange. Today, the town is an attractive destination for local and international tourists because of its history, traditional architecture and crafts, especially textiles and ceramics. Many bars, hotels, and resorts are built in Hội An and the surroundings. The port mouth and boats are still used for both fishing and tourism.

5.My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary was declared as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. Located at Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province, it is a combination of Champa temples in a 2km valley, surrounded by hills and mountains.

Most of the temples were made of red brick except from one named B1 which was made of stone. Until now, the construction techniques of Sanctuary have not been found completely. This is the place of worship for Champa kingdom as well as tombs of Champa kings. Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary is regarded one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam.

6.Citadel of Ho Dynasty

Citadel of Ho Dynasty was recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2011. It was constructed in 1397, this was a great construction built of unique stone blocks.

In its underground area, there are still relics of castle, roads, decoration art, old villages and total sights of mountains, lakes. Citadel of Ho Dynasty is the cultural exchange between Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Besides, other world heritage sites are recognized by UNESCO include, Complex of Hue Monuments, central sector of the imperial Citadel of Thanh Long – Hanoi, Ba Be lake, Cat Ba archipelago, Con Moong cave, Huong Son Complex of natural beauty and historial monuments, the area of old carved stone in Sapa, Trang An scenic landscape Complex, the cultural space of Gong in the Central Highlands, Nha Nhac or the Royal Refined Music of Hue, etc.

>> How can travel in Vietnam within a week?

If you wish to travel in Vietnam someday, you wonder that how long is enough to travel around Vietnam. The answer is that to explore the potential beauty of a nation, even the residents there cannot discover all in the whole life. However if you have time to visit Vietnam, you can spend from one month to three months traveling all the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.

But if you have only a week to travel, I advise you to choose some special places to enjoy your holiday. I will give some suggestions you can choose depending on your interests.

1.If you want to visit big cities with many attractive destinations and amusement parks

Firstly, you shouldn’t miss visiting Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi attracts a large number of tourists annually by its wonderful destinations and the special cuisine. No travelers can forget the flavor of ‘pho’, ‘bun cha’, spring rolls, etc. You can find more information about Hanoi food from www.virtualvietnam.org. Beside delicious dishes, Hanoi is famous for many landscapes such as, Old Quarter, Opera House, Temple of Literature, lakes, and museums and so on.

Secondly, Ho Chi Minh city is known as a modern and big city with many historical sites and amusement parks. Some places you can visit here are Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Dam Sen park, Ben Thanh market, night market. Besides, you can spend time traveling in Mekong Delta, Cu Chi tunnels, etc.

2.If you like the natural beauty of mountains,

You can choose some destinations in the north. Sapa is the first choice for the amazing natural beauty and cultural diversity. Ham Rong mountain is covered by many various flower species, fruits and a lot of fresh vegetables. Sapa is famous for Silver waterfall, paddy terraces, the gate of heaven and ethnic minorities living here. Specially, locals here speak English quite well so you will feel comfortable when asking the way or the history of sightseeing spots. If you don’t have much time, you can spend 2-3 days to visit here.

Secondly, if you’re really exciting with the adventures, you can come to north-west region in order to experience 4 biggest passes: Pha Din, O Quy Ho, Khau Pha, Ma Pi Leng. With the fresh atmosphere and the majestic beauty, you will be attracted at the first sight and have many beautiful shots. You can spend whole week here or only 4-5 days or just 1-2 days for your favorite pass.

Third is coming to Cao Bang province to enjoy the fourth biggest waterfall named Ban Gioc waterfall in the world, you will surprise with the splendid beauty here. You can visit here for 2-3 days, after that you travel other famous landscapes in Cao Bang such as, Nguom Ngao, Thang Hen lake, Thang Luong lake or some historical sites like Pac Po.



Ban Gioc waterfall - Cao Bang province


Finally, you can spend 2-3 days in Moc Chau plateau with picturesque destinations and cultural diversity of ethnic minority groups and don’t miss to visit famous cow farm here.

3.If you want to have a week holiday in beaches,

Vietnam is well-known for long coastline, so you don’t need to wonder if Vietnam has beautiful beaches or not, but the thing makes you wonder is that which beaches you should go within a week. I will give you some suggestions.

Ha Long Bay, a famous heritage site, is the ideal travel destination. If you don’t have much time, you can live here for 2-3 days. Ha Long is one of seven new natural wonders in the world, so there are a lot of wonderful sites you can visit such as, Tuan Chau beach, Bai Chay beach, etc. Beside beaches, you should spend time traveling in some grottoes like Thien Cung, Me Cung, Trinh Nu, Tam Cung and so on.

Moreover, you shouldn’t miss to visit Da Nang. It is a beautiful city with friendly and hospitable locals. Some special places here are Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass and Ba Na hill. Besides, you should spend time traveling in Hoi An, Mi Son.

In addition, you can spend a week in Nha Trang, Da Lat. Nha Trang attracts a lot of international tourists with excellent scuba diving and backpacking here. Nha Trang Bay is considered as one of most beautiful bays in the world. Some destinations you can visit are Vinpearl Land like a traveling heaven, Tri Nguyen aquarium, centre Thap Ba hot spring, Hon Sam, etc. After that you should spend some days in Da Nang, a land covered by many various kinds of flower.

Coming to Da Nang, you can visit three palaces and summer home of the colonial-era and last emperor of Vietnam Bao Dai, Crazy House- a striking, not-quite-finished fantasy house designed by the daughter of an independence war hero, the hill-top pagoda coupled with a brief cable car ride over the pine forest, flower gardens, Xuan Huong lake, love valley and so on.

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org)

>> Cat Ba island – a biosphere reserve of the world

Cat Ba is the convergence of forests and beaches. It was recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve of the world. It is also one of 367 islands belonging to Cat Ba archipelago in northern Vietnam, which is adjacent to Ha Long Bay world heritage site.

Cat Ba is also known as a pearl island at the average height of 70m above sea level, about 25km from Hai Phong city. In the island, there are an east-southern town and six communes. Cat Ba is crowded with the locals and tourists when festivals take place noisily and exiting to celebrate a new travel season in the beginning of April.

Amongst 1,969 islands in Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba is the largest one in which Cat Ba national park covers approximately half of its area. In many years, this park is the attractive destination of numerous domestic and international tourists, especially who love adventure. It has 4,500 hectares of primary forest mixed by board-leaved forest and coniferous one developing in limestone karsts. The park includes many endangered animals and plants, so this is various gene reserve area.

The unique of park is up to 22 species recorded in Vietnam Red Book and 6 species in World Red Book. Among them, Cat Ba national park has the white head langur. It is said that Cat Ba is home this specie. Taking a tour to Cat Ba national park brings tourist strange feelings.




From Cat Ba town, about several dozen minutes on large road to the park, travelers can enjoy the fresh air and the natural beauty around here.

The first stop of tourists is the place to introduce the highlight and characteristic of the park. This is also place to keep many photos and samples of park in times of search and survey. But it is not all about this park because coming to Cat Ba forest, the most interesting thing is discovering it by yourselves. It is not easy to travel all parts of forest on foot because its area is very large. However, with over 10km going through the forest, tourists will explore many exciting things which nature bestows Cat Ba forest when they enjoy old trees, lakes in mountain, if more luckily, visitors will see white head langurs and the unique caves.

Not only having forests, Cat Ba but also attracts many tourists by its fresh and blue beaches. Travelers can see small fishes under clean water when they choose to travel on cruise. Cat Ba beach has many small cruises to help tourists travel on the sea. Marine tourism service is very good, travelers only need to info for the hotel where they live, and after that there will have a cruise to take them to travel. Besides, Cat Ba is famous for Lan Ha Bay belonging to Ha Long Bay. If traveling on Lan Ha Bay to enjoy scenery of mountain and sea, that will bring tourists many interesting experiences.

It takes tourists 20 minutes to come to monkey island. In recent years, monkeys have brought here to live with nature but they are very friendly with the locals and tourists. In fact, its name is Cat Dua, one island on Lan Ha Bay. This island is an ideal destination for traveling and swimming. Not only Cat Dua, the cruise will take you to many other islands on the sea. The special thing at Cat Ba beach is a lot of small beaches around the foot of islands. It is considered as a prominent advantage of Cat Ba travel.

There are such many islands on the bay that they cannot name for all but they always give great impression in tourist’s heart. It takes all day to travel all around the bay but each destination here brings travelers strange feelings. Therefore, Lan Ha Bay is always the most attractive one with the domestic and international tourists.

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> Vietnam international hot air balloon festival 2012

From August 29th to September 3rd 2012, the first Vietnam international hot air balloon fiesta (VIHABF 2012) will be held at the area opposite Golf Sealink course in Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province.

This is the occasion to celebrate the 67th anniversary of Vietnam national day and the 20th anniversary of Binh Thuan province’s re-establishment. The festival will take place with the participation of about 50 balloonists from all parts of the world such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United State, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the host Vietnam.



Air Balloon


In VIHABF 2012, the tourists will have interesting experiences with around 30 colorful balloons in different shapes and sizes.For example, the special balloons shaped golden cat, golden pig and dragon fruit are from Vietnam, ice cream from the US, or orange, funny elephant from Europe.

In addition, the highlight of the event is a grand dinner gala featuring lantern effects by the hot air balloon teams to celebrate Vietnam National Day on September 2. More than 20 giant balloons as high-rise buildings will be built on the yard and blow the fire inside and ending with colorful firework performance.

Furthermore, a lot of side-activities and other performances during the main festival will be also hold at the same time. A marine tourism trade fair, a music show, a glowing night performance, a photography contest and exhibition under the theme ‘Binh Thuan- Sunshine and blue sea’ will also be included as parts of the festival.

During the event time, all teams will perform twice a day (6:00-8:30 and 16:00-18:00) and the balloons will fly at the height of 200-500 meters with speed limit is 28km/h in order to facilitate tourists’ contemplation. Besides, there will be 5 balloons anchored at festival area for tourists to travel.

This will be the festival attracting the large number of domestic and international tourists. If successful, it is expected to become an annual event in Vietnam in the future.

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> Discover the Ha Long Bay of Vietnam

The legend of Hạ Long has it that, “Once upon a time, soon after the Việt people established their country, invaders came. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to earth to help the Việt people fight against their enemy.

Right at the time invaders’ boats were rushing to the shore, the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately sent out from their mouths a lot of pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls challenging the invaders’ boats. The fast boats couldn’t manage to stop and crashed into the islands and into each other and broke into pieces.

After the victory, Mother Dragon and Child Dragons didn’t return Heaven but stayed on earth at the place where the battle had occurred. The location Mother Dragon landed is nowadays Hạ Long Bay and where Child Dragons descended is now Bái Tử Long. The dragons’ tails waving the water created Long Vĩ (present Trà Cổ peninsula) and formed a fine sand beach over ten kilometers long”.

Hạ Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bắc Bộ Gulf, including the sea area of Hạ Long City and Cẩm Phả Town and part of Vân Ðồn island district. It abuts Cát Bà Island in the southwest. Toward the west is the shore with a 120 km-long coastline. It is located within 106o58’-107o22’ east longitude and within 20o45’- 20o50’ north latitude. The site is 1553 sq. km with 1969 islands of various sizes, of which 989 have been named.



The islands in Hạ Long Bay


The islands in Hạ Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bái Tử Long Bay and southwestern part of Hạ Long Bay. These islands represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age of from 250 million to 280 million years. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world. In a not very large area, thousands of islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin. The area where many stone islands concentrate has spectacular scenes and world-famous caves and is the center of Hạ Long Bay Natural Heritage, including Ha Long Bay and a part of Bái Tu Long Bay.


Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing


The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq. km with 775 islands. It looks like a giant triangle with Ðầu Gỗ Island (in the west), Ba Hầm Lake (in the south) and Cống Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points. The nearby area is the buffer area and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information.


Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view.


Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing. This is a wonderful and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings. Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world. There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms.


Stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings


This one looks like somebody heading toward the shore: Hòn Ðầu Người (Human Head Island); that one looks like a dragon hovering above the sea surface: Hòn Rông (Dragon Island); another looks like an old man sitting fishing: Hòn Lã Vọng; some look like big sails struggling amidst the wind to set off for the sea: Hòn Cánh Buồm (Sail Island); then two islands look like a pair of chicken lovingly playing with each other above the sea: Hòn Trống Mái (Male and Female Chicken Island); and amid the vast sea stands an island like a big incense burner like a ritual offering to Heaven: Hòn Lư Hương (Incense Burner Island).

All are so real that people are taken aback by them. Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view. Here, we come to realize that they are not dumb inanimate things but are vivid and soulful.

Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt, Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others. These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on earth. Long ago, Hạ Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyễn Trãi:“a wonder of the earth erected towards the high sky”. Many men of letters from all over the world have been taken aback at the grandiose scenery of Hạ Long. They seem to get puzzled and incompetent as their treasure of vocabulary is not rich enough to depict the splendor of this place.


Male and Female Chicken Island




Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt (Grotte des suprises), Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others. These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on earth.

Hạ Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as Vân Ðồn, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bài Thơ Mountain, and not very far away from here is the Bạch Đằng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viêt’s ancestors against invaders. Also, Hạ Long is one of the cradles of human kind with the glorious Hạ Long culture in the late Neolithic age, discovered at such archeological sites as Ðộng Mang, Xích Thổ, Soi Nhụ and Thoi Giếng.

Hạ Long is also home to great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral and tropical forest. It is also home to thousands of plants and animals of numerous species, for example shrimp, fish and squid. Some species are particularly rare and can be found no where else.

With such special values, at the 18th Session of UNESCO’s Council of World Heritage held on 17 December 1994 in Thailand, Hạ Long Bay was officially placed on the list of the World Natural Heritage. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values. This confirms the global premier value of Hạ Long Bay.

Wherever you come from, whosoever you are and however old you are, you will certainly experience the same emotion and feeling when admiring this wonder of stone and water. And great experiences will always remain even when you leave the place. The legend of Mother Dragon and Child Dragons sending out pearls to form thousands of stone islands to stop invaders still serve as the soul of this invaluable heritage of the world.

Have you ever come to Hạ Long, the unique wonder of the world of its kind, to admire and explore secretes implicit in the place?

Current types of tourism

Travelling by boat: tourists can go to Ha Long Bay to view the landscape, visit the caves and grottoes and relax and go swimming on the sandy beaches of the limestone islands.


Travelling by boat


Kayaking: a romantic and adventurous kind of tourism. A large boat carries small inflatable canoes or “kayaks” to deserted, almost unknown areas of the Bay. Visitors can paddle by themselves to explore remote wild islands and caves.


Visitors can paddle by themselves to explore remote wild islands and caves. A romantic and adventurous kind of tourism.


Cultural – historical tourism: tours for people interested in culture and archaeology. They stay a longer time in Ha Long to visit archaeological remains, study tangible and intangible culture and experience the beautiful land and seascapes, along with the outstanding geological and historical sites.


Tours for people interested in culture and archaeology


Eco-tourism on Ha Long Bay: visitors can visit isolated ecosystems with beautiful sandy beaches, tidal flats, mangroves, coastal wetlands and coral reefs.


Visitors can visit isolated ecosystems with beautiful sandy beaches, tidal flats, 
mangroves, coastal wetlands and coral reefs.

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> "Cha ca la vong" in Hanoi

Visiting Hanoi, you not only see beautiful scenes but also enjoy special foods. Hanoi is known with 36 streets and each street has unique foods. Visiting Cha Ca Street, the taste of “cha ca la vong” will make you go into ecstasy. “Cha ca la vong” is really incomparable food of Cha Ca Street in particular and of Hanoi in general.


Hanoi is a historical and cultural centre in Vietnam so it keeps many historical places and traditional features of Vietnam. Talking about Hanoi, there are many interesting and attractive things especially foods. Hanoi is known with 36 streets and each street has unique foods. Visiting Cha Ca Street, we must say to “cha ca la vong” – a famous and special dish of this street.




Cha ca la vong


"Cha ca la vong" has the origin of Doan family, it has been famous since 1989 and until now “cha ca la vong” is recognized as a special food in Vietnam by Vietnamese state. The history of this dish is told as follows: in years of French domination period, in No.14 Hang Son there is Doan family who usually make the delicious cha ca to invite their guests.

After a long time, this dish has become famous and it is made to mainly serve for De Tham insurgent army and then these guests helped Doan family open a restaurant where they can gather and help Doan family earn money to bring up insurgent army as well as people in Doan family. The appearance and fame of this dish is also the reason Hang Son Street changes into Cha Ca Street. Especially, in the restaurant, a Mr La Vong- Khuong Tu Nha sitting to go fishing is always showed so guests called the name of restaurant “Cha Ca La Vong”.

To make this dish, it requires some strict techniques about choosing ingredients and spice. Specifically, fennel is taken from Lang, shrimp paste come from Thanh Hoa, vermicelli has origin of Thanh Tri, and etc. fish can be hemibagrus, snake- head, or mudfish but the best kind of fish is hemibagrus. Sauce is only the most wonderful when it is not too sweet, salty, or sour.

“Cha ca la vong” should be eaten when it is still hot. You can eat it with vermicelli, rice pancake, fennel, and shrimp paste. It is sure that the taste of this dish will make you go into ecstasy. Moreover, if you have eaten this special dish, you will want to have more chance to enjoy it. "Cha ca la vong" is really incomparable food of Cha Ca Street in particular and of Hanoi in general.

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> My interesting experiences in Moc Chau Plateau

In summer vacation, my parents selected some sightseeing spots in Vietnam for traveling. Fortunately, we found a website applying Vietnam visa on arrival; we only need to implement the steps following the instructions there. After that we can get visa at Vietnam international airports.

We took a tour in Vietnam for two weeks. We traveled many wonderful landscapes but the place I remember most is Moc Chau plateau. I was attracted by its fresh and picturesque destinations and cultural diversity with ethnic minority groups here.

I was very interesting at the first time I heard our tour guide introduce about Moc Chau. Located at the north-western of Vietnam, about 1050m above sea level and around 80km long and 25km wide, it has ideal weather with the average temperature from 18°C to 26°C in summer, that is perfect to enjoy our vacation here.

Moc Chau always attracts tourist by its majestic natural scenery no matter in any seasons. However, our tour guide told that Moc Chau is the most beautiful in spring when the flowers blooms in every slopes, all around mountains and valleys. At that time, the scene of highland looks like decorated by the colors of flower species, such as yellow of sunflowers, white of apricot flowers, plum flowers, pink of peach flowers, or colorful small flowers in roadside. However, when I came to Moc Chau, I also had chance to enjoy the beauty of flowers here.

To Moc Chau, the most interesting thing is walking on the green vast grass field. And more exciting is visiting in cow farms, seeing the cows graze, feeding them, see the locals milking cows, or enjoying cups of hot fresh milk. I also bought some special products from milk as souvenirs for my relatives and friends. Fortunately, I came here right time having Ms Cow contest to find out the cow that is the most beautiful in this prairie. It was really amazing !




I really feel more comfortable and healthier when immersing in the flavor of tea and the picturesque and poetic beauty of over 50-year old tea hills. I experienced the feelings like a farmer when wearing ‘gui’ in my back and picking up tea, after that I dried tea with the local people and I would enjoy cups of fresh good tea. Here there are many famous kinds of tea like Tuyet San, Olong, Kim Tuyen,etc. I took up some to bring my home.

In the following days, I visited some unique natural sightseeing spots. First, I came to Bat Cave, one of National Monument, located in the centre of Moc Chau town. It is famous for the ranges of emulsion with many sparkling colors like a rainbow in cave. Next, I visited five caves in On village, about 15 km from Moc Chau farm. They are the combination of five large and beautiful caves next to wide rock ranges.

Finally, I traveled in two wonderful waterfalls here. Chieng Khoa Waterfall known as Cloud Waterfall is beautiful as white clouds around deep valley. I can swim and breathe the fresh atmosphere. In addition, Dai Yem Waterfall with 100m high and 70m wide, about 5km from Moc Chau town, is considered as a connection between the sky and the ground.

Besides, I also took part in the local festivals here, such as Hoa Ban festival or traditional dances. I will come back here once more time in spring in order to see natural landscapes, colorful flower species and live with the local people.

( Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> The sweet bean drink- friendly street food in Hanoi

Hanoi is a beautiful place where keeps many interesting things. It makes sure that a lot of attractive things are waiting for you to discover.

Hanoi is not only famous with beauty spots such as sword lake, one pillar pagoda, museum, etc but also but also foods. It can not say exactly why the dishes of hanoian is extremely different from other regions. Maybe Hanoi people are skillful especially they have own secrets to make typical foods and sweet bean drink is one of delicious and common foods in Hanoi.






Sweet bean drink in Hanoi has own flavors so alamost visitors or anyone eats this dish, they will be satisfied. Although the sweet bean drink is not colorful to attract guest, it is the most prominent with its flavor. Its flavor is made by the own secrets of Hanoian. This dish does not require complex ingredients but the ways of selecting ingredients is very important. Hanoian is quite strict in enjoying foods and may be it is also a reason foods in Hanoi have typical features. For example, with sweet green bean drink, Hanoian must choose fine and green bean which will spread during cooking process.

Visiting Hanoi, you will have many chances to enjoy many other kinds of sweet bean drink such as sweet black bean drink, three color sweet bean drink, sticky rice sweet bean drinks, and so on. Each kind of sweet bean drink has typical taste and may be red sweet bean drink is the most famous. If you have eaten it in the first time, you will want to enjoy it again. When eating the sweet bean drink you will feel cool flavor from it which is very impressive and unforgettable.

At present, Hanoi has many kinds of special sweet bean drinks of different regions and some common kinds are Saigon, Thailan, Hue, etc. However, kinds of sweet bean drinks in old days which are normal and simple are still liked by many people.
Now, you can easily find out delicious restaurants of sweet bean drinks on streets in Hanoi such as Hanoi’s old quarter street, Dong Xuan market,etc.

In addition, this dish is changed to suit for four seasons in northern Vietnam so even you eat the sweet bean drink without ice, you still feel its cold flavor because this flavor is created from cassava flour, jasmine, coconut milk.

Therefore, if you have chance to go to Hanoi, you should remember to enjoy one kind of sweet bean drink of Hanoian. Some famous places of sweet bean drink you can go to eat this food such as Tran Hung Dao, Dao Duy Tu, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ho Dac Di, Muoi Sau....I hope that if you have opportunity to Vietnam, the sweet bean drink will bring strange and special flavor to you.

(Source:: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> "Tao meo" wine in Sapa

Visiting to Sapa, everyone not only sees natural scenes of mountain and forest but also goes into ecstasy with special foods of the land of fog and especially you can enjoy the aromatic flavor of apple cat wine.

>> Sapa - city in the mist

Lao Cai is a famous region with many kinds of delicious wines which bring the flavor of mountain and forest such as San Lung specialties (Bat Xat), corn wine (Bac Ha), and nearly, Sapa is well- known with apple cat wine which is popular but special.

Apple cat trees rise commonly on Hoang Lien Son Mountain.



Apple cat trees rise commonly on Hoang Lien Son Mountain.

Apple cat is a fruit which keeps the flavor of forest, sunshine, and wind in high area so it has enough four main flavors such as sour, sweet, acrid, and bitter. Apple cat is soaked carefully to create wine- apple cat wine. Apple cat is the same as a worthy present which nature gives to Mong people.

Apple cat has other names like sour and acrid fruit, or loving fruit because of its typical flavors. With the name ‘loving fruit’, people said that boys or girls who are single will love each other when drink a bow of apple cat wine together and then they will become a couple and live each other forever. They will share the bitterness, acridness, sourness, sweetness in apple cat wine as well as in life.

Apple cat usually bloom flower in final spring (March – April) and rise fruit in autumn. Therefore, visitors can buy apple cat within August and October. At this time, apple cat is sold the most common in all market of Sapa people. This time is also the most convenient for you to buy apple cat and make wine and then some instructions will help you make wine easier and more delicious as follows:

Firstly, you should wash apple cat with water and put dry. Then you cut two heads of an apple cat without throw its seed, cut apple into equivalent two parts, soaked in fresh water about one hour and next soaked in salt water about a half of one hour and wash it again with fresh water.

Secondly, you soak apple cat with sugar. Specifically, two kilograms needs 1 kilogram of sugar. After two weeks, apple cat come to the surface and a lay of sugar is in the bottom.

Finally, you take water from soaking apple cat with sugar and then soak it with wine. Noticeably, an amount of wine is a half of volume and after two weeks, you can drink this wine.

Apple cat wine is a nourish beverage which can treat many diseases such as tranquillizer, platelet, blood pressure. Besides, you can get out of sleeplessness when drinking a little apple cat wine. Furthermore, except for making apple cat wine, you can cut apple cat into thin pieces and dry. It also has the same effect as apple cat wine.

In summary, if you have chance, welcome you go to Sapa. Let‘s make the most of the wonderful and amazing flavor of apple cat wine !

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org )

>> Hat ru the beauty of Vietnamese culture

Vietnam attracts the foreign tourists through not only the wonderful and beautiful destinations but also the beauty of the culture and the long-life tradition in Vietnam. And one of traditional music that anyone only listen once can never forget and feel the warmth and the maternal love in it. It is Hat ru (or Lullaby).


Hat ru (or Lullaby) is a part of folk songs, a type of traditional music that plays an important role in the lives of Vietnamese. It also has an essential position in the spiritual lives of Vietnamese until now.

Most of Vietnamese people were lulled with the lullabies by their mother or grandma when they were kids and sing when they become the mothers, especially in the countryside. Hat ru is regarded as a song to lull babies to sleep with the simple and gently rhythm. Vietnamese women use them to consign their fates and also express their feelings, such as homesickness, the mood of a wife missing her husband, sadness, or wishes, etc…





The song’s melody is usually gently and deep in order to lull the child slowly fall asleep, the tone seems to be a little dialogue between the mother and the baby but sometimes it is all things the mother wants to talk to the baby and the mother’s wishes about their child in the future.

The melodies of ‘Hat ru’ quite vary from regions to regions. However, Hat ru is originated from six-and-eight line popular poems following the traditional music. Lullabies usually begin with syllables à ơi, à á à à ơi.

‘Hat ru’ (or Lullaby) not only is to lull the children to sleep easily but also is the way to connect among the hearts. Although the kids cannot understand the meaning of lullabies, they can feel the warmth and sweetness of their mom or their grandma who are lulling them to sleep, and that melody will along them during their long life.

Although the habit of lulling children in Vietnam nowadays is gradually less popular than in the past, these lullabies never disappear but become an important part in each Vietnamese soul who was brought up by maternal love and sweet songs.

Nowadays, when tourism sector more and more develops, many foreigners want to come to Vietnam for traveling. Besides, many of them want to enjoy folk songs and traditional music in Vietnam. It is not enough if we do not introduce Lullabies to foreign visitors. Easily, they can enjoy the lullabies when the tourists order in the travel destinations. When they listen the lullabies, they can feel the warmth and the love of the mother sent to her child.

Foreigners coming to Vietnam now are easier than ever and apply vietnam visa is easier, too. It can be done through the online application service by getting into the website: http://getvietnamvisa.org

>> The attraction from Vietnamese ‘com lam’

Traveling in the north-west mountainous regions, tourists not only experience the picturesque landscapes but also enjoy ‘com lam’, a typical food here. It is rice, usually sticky rice in bamboo tube and used with sesame salt.


Until now, ‘com lam’ is known as unique cuisine, attracts a lot of travelers by its unforgettable flavor. Its name makes many people curious; even they have never tasted it. Why does it have the name ‘com lam’ instead of any names else? We usually have many methods to cook a dish, such as frying, baking, boiling, grilling, steaming, etc. And the reason is in Thai language, grilling means ‘lam’.





Therefore, we can understand partly how to cook ‘com lam’; rice is put in bamboo tube instead of in a pot or a cooker, after that it will be grilled until it smells pleasant. This kind of rice will keep the pure fragrance of rice blended with the flavor of bamboo.

In terms of its origin, ‘com lam’ is a unique and creative food of ethnic minorities. When they go to the forests, from one hill to another one for many days, they usually bring rice to cook everywhere for convenience. They cut down young and fresh bamboo tree to take some bamboo tubes to put rice in, wrap the tube with banana leaves or ‘dong’ leaves and burn it on fire. They can use it for some days.

It is easy and convenient to make ‘com lam’ but the most important ingredient is rice, usually upland sticky rice in the mountainous areas. The kind of rice has small, long and fragrant seeds from provinces like Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Dien Bien and so on. Rice is compressed in a bamboo tube but not too tight in order to create distance from both sides of tube so that rice can expand regularly. When grilling, the cook should remember to turn the tube around frequently until the cover of tube is dried and it begins having the fragrant flavor.





Before enjoying it, you should use a small knife to split the black bark skillfully so that there is a thin cover left with the rice, remove all banana leaves at the both sides of tube. After that, cut the tube of sticky rice into five or seven pieces. Beside rice and bamboo tube, some cooks can add some scrapped coconut or sesame to make more delicious and strange taste. You can enjoy it with sesame salt or grilled chicken and grilled wild boar.

Nowadays when you travel to Vietnam, it is not difficult to get Vietnam visa on arrival. Along with experiencing the wonderful sceneries, you can be easy to find a lot of restaurants serving ‘com lam’ as you visit the northwestern traveling destinations.

(Source :: http://getvietnamvisa.org)

>> Advantages of getting Vietnam visa online

Getting Vietnam visa online is a smart selection. There are five main benefits you can get from visa online such as common, simple, safe, quick and cheap. It is sure that you will be satisfied with choosing visa online - an important paper when you are foreigners or oversea Vietnamese to Vietnam.

>> Quick and Easy: Vietnam Visa on Arrival


Nowadays, the number of travelers to Vietnam is increasing very fast so travelling serves are necessary and important. One of them is getting visa. In reality, there are two main ways to receive visa as follows :  firstly, you can go to embassy or consulate to get visa. Secondly, you can get it through a travel organization in Vietnam. However, the second way is more convenient and perfect because there are five main reasons to support my view.






The first reason is common. At present, network covers all over the world so it is very convenient to advertise and look for information. You not only access internet through computer but also mobile phone. About providing visa, there are hundreds of websites serving for this field is advertised through internet. It means that you can easily select one of many travelling organizations where are operating and working about providing visa in Vietnam. Therefore, you can sit anywhere; you can also make procedures to get visa.

The second reason is simple. You only follow some simple steps in each website of visa; you can get your purpose. For example, in the website http://getvietnamvisa.org you fill enough information for four steps which are instructed clearly, you can get a Vietnam visa. Four steps are to fill in the visa form, confirm and pay, get approval letter, and get your visa stamped. Generally, you can do procedures easily and simply through a website.

The third reason is safe. All information of clients is kept in a database of a travel organization you chose first and simultaneously stored in all ports of Vietnam. Besides, your visa application is submitted to Vietnam immigration department so you totally feel secure when presenting your procedures in anywhere in Vietnam. Moreover, any organization in Vietnam want to advertise their service, all information is check by an organization of Vietnam so you can believe in services which are posted through internet.

The fourth reason is quick. You do not need to spend time in embassy or consulates, you only sit and spend a few minutes before your computer. You can complete the visa application. Especially, you can check schedule of making procedures or ask any question through hotline which is written in the top or the bottom of each website. You will receive necessary and useful information fastest by professional staffs. Make sure that you can save much time when using visa online service.

Finally, getting visa online is cheap. If you get visa online, you do not pay for transportation fee, no physical meeting. In addition, It is sure that the price of visa online is not expensive than visa in embassy or consulate. If you do not believe this, you check it in Vietnam visa fee to see details. Specifically, for normal service, the visa application procedures can be processed within two (2) to three (3) business days. For urgent service, the visa application procedures can be processed within one (1) business day.

In conclusion, getting Vietnam visa online is a smart selection. There are five main benefits you can get from visa online such as common, simple, safe, quick and cheap. Therefore, why do you choose visa online when you are foreigners or oversea Vietnamese planning to visit Vietnam?

>> Nha Tho street - A daily life street in Hanoi

Both ancient and modern, the integration between the two cultural forms old make Nha Tho street that became extraordinary.

>> If you have only 24 hours in Hanoi

Hanoi has long sinuous streets, but also the small street just a few hundred meters long and always seem to contain many interesting and unique things to remember. Nha Tho (Church) street also in the list of such streets. It is known as a place that contains many interesting and special.



Church Street is always busy foreign tourists visited


Streets located not far from Hoan Kiem lake, next to Hang Hanh street. Although street no words "Hang" on the head but people still ranks Nha Tho street in the old town of Hanoi.

Short and small city, but never deserted. Here, we encounter more opposition between two very unique form of new and old culture, both conscious system Buddhist religion and Christianity. It is easy to know which is more than the contrast between two schools of Eastern and Western architecture.

Besides the classical style house float waving moss odor of time, you will easily feel the squeeze of architecture and modern Western. The luxurious cafe or fast food restaurants serving foreign guests grew close together. The idea this would lose the historic character of this famous street, but it seems that the familiar harmony between two opposite styles that make distinctions of re Church Street.



Hanoi minster is ancient and grave


Called Nha Tho street because there's Hanoi minster. The church was inaugurated on Christmas in 1887 and known for the most typical and characteristic of the art of medieval architecture with curved arches, wide, toward the top of heaven, get light. With the architecture, will certainly realize that the church was built in line with impressive Gothic architecture patterns, characteristic patterns.

This architecture has always impressed on a solemn religious space. Each year when Christmas is here again to become more vibrant than ever. The christian believer come up here to welcome a new Christmas wish good prayer for life.

It also Ba Da pagoda, also known under the name Linh Tu pagoda. Ba Da pagoda is located at 3 Nha Tho street. Today, the temple is the headquarters of the Buddhist association of Hanoi City.

Today, Nha Tho street youth also known as a place where there are many delicious and popular cuisine. The fermented pork roll fry (Vietnamese meaning: nem chua nướng) of Ms Thanh was 85-year-old . This place is always crowded at any time of day.

Do not know the shop of fermented pork roll fry appear here , the young of Ha Thanh just know that ten years living in Hanoi, they knew shop of fermented pork roll fry, and this place became gathering points often their stories with no beginning no end.

Whenever sunset falls, the area around the church has become more robust. Despite sitting nestled between small cramped seats, nobody is sad, irritable or complain. Both the bustling streets by happy laughter, conversation, the call up ... same idea as being a small Hanoi show up in your eyes ...

>> Do you know : the first university in Vietnam ?

It's Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is located in the south of Thang Long-time home Ly.





Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam


Before the contents of the stone stele named with the names of those successful at the imperial exams. This is the place to the domestic and the praise and gifts for students to exchange points test and study well and is excellent where the doctor from now on to "frown" before each exam.

Van Mieu was built "in 8 years Canh Tuat (1070) New Spirit in the second Vu Ly Tong, making statue Chu Cong, Khong Tu and painting of the cross That delicate gentle four seasons sacrifice. Prince to teaching"

May 1076, Ly Nhan Tong set up the Quoc Tu Giam, may be considered here is the first university in Vietnam. Initially, the school just for the king and the right to mistreat you (the name is Quoc Tu). In 1253, King Tran Thai Tong to expand the National Electronic and collected all the children of people can be excellent learning.

May 1156, Ly Anh Tong Van revised the Temple and worship Khong Tu.

To the Hau Le, Nho giáo very prevalent. In 1484, Le Thanh Tong build stele with the names of those successful at the imperial exams 1442 onwards.

May 1762, Le Hien Tong for editing is Quoc Tu Giam - the training institutions and higher education levels of court. May 1785 moved to the Thai Hoc.

Life of king Nguyen , Quoc Tu Giam set up at Hue. Year 1802, king Gia Long is determined Van Mieu - Hanoi and construction for The Van Khue Cac. Old School Director at the Temple after the Khai Thanh taken as the holy church to parents Khong Tu. Early 1947, France army as a cannon ball make the house collapsed, only the base with two stone columns and 4 crunch. Today, the house was to build the architecture with the same time all the rest.

Architecture

Khue Van in the Van Mieu, looking from outside the Thai students in the Ly - Tran scale of what is currently not in, because the historical material has been burned or Minh troops take on the Yen Kinh, Beijing on present.

However, the Thai Hoc at home was Le Le Quy Don described in "The cultural sub-index" is: "The Thai study, three times, with horizontal walls, classes in tile contract. The teaching in the east and west are two rows 14 times. Classrooms students are further three rows, each row 25 space, each space have 2 people. The whole architecture Van Mieu current architecture is the first time Nguyen. Campus is surrounded by four walls built with Bat Trang bricks.

Architectural Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam layout is posted on each district, each of the North-South axis, simulating the overall planning area Van Tu Khong temple worship in his hometown in Khuc Phu, Son Dong, China . However, the scale here than simple, architectural simplicity and the traditional methods of ethnic art.

Van Mieu front has a large lake called Van Chuong lake , old ancient name called Thai Ho. Between their Kim Chau mound, storied past for sightseeing.

Apart from the main gate pillars, both sides described organic stele "Ha Ma", the area around the building a high wall surrounded. Official Temple Tam type of construction, the 3 words "Van Mieu Mon" Kanji style antique.

In temples divided into 5 areas clearly, each area has a short wall and gate travel contact with each other:





Area first: start with the Van Mieu Mon gateway to Dai Trung Mon, both sides have a small door Thanh Duc Mon and Dat Tai Mon.





Second zone: from Dai Trung Mon to Khue Van to the (by North Military General Nguyen Van Thanh Thanh for construction in 1805). Khue Van is the architecture is not due but the rate of harmonious and beautiful. Architecture with 4 pillars square (85 cm x 85 cm) below the weeds attic above, the structure is beautiful wood.

Floors are 4 of the circle, a handrail and the media painted wooden roofs with simple, rustic. Roof tile husband two classes make up the 8 roofs, wood roofs and flat roof surface. Attic is an eight square floor roof, the four walls is window circle the sun's rays cast the light. Image Khue Van Cac all from the sky down to earth cast earth which are the symbol of square wells Thien Quang.

Works bring beauty Khue stars, bright stars symbolize the literature. This is often used as places to enjoy the Creation of poetry from ancient to present. Two right-left is Van Khue Cac are Bi Van Mon and Suc Van Mon neighborhood stele named with the names of those successful at the imperial exams.



The Khue Van Cac and Thien Quang Tinh Lake


Major third: including lake Thien Quang Tinh ( wells flash sunlight), with a square. They are two sides of stele named with the names of those successful at the imperial exams . Each plate is made of beer stone carving contest to name of the first doctoral candidate, first rank doctorate second laureate, third highest acedamic, second rank doctor, PHD. Fabricated on a turtle back. There are 82 stele on scientific examination from 1442 to May 1779.



Turtle Steles with the names of those successful at the imperial exams


Fourth area is a center and the architecture of Main Temple, the two large layout in parallel and connected to each other. Outside the court is the way in court is also Thuong palace.



Bai Duong Building


Fifth area: is Khai Thanh temple, shrine parents Khong Tu, contact area 4th through Khai Thanh Mon. This area was rebuilt.

In Van Mieu has Khong Tu statue and Tu Phoi (Nhan Tu,Tang Tu, Tu Tu, Manh Tu). In power worship Khong Tu has two pairs crane ride on turtles. This image is very specific in temples, pagodas, mausoleum, temple look at Vietnam. Photo crane ride on turtles in the back in many temple, temple ..., crane turtles standing on the back of the harmony between heaven and earth, between two extreme negative - positive. Crane is the emblem of the essence and higher. According to legend turtles crane and sometimes you are very friendly together. Turtles symbolize the animals live under water, can creep. Crane is symbol for animals living in shallow, can fly. Atmosphere as rain floods, flood of a large area, crane can not live water, turtles should help overcome areas to flood the place dry. Conversely, when sky drought, turtles have been taken crane to help areas of the country. This says to the general aquatic support and help each other during difficulties, the problem between the good friends.





Khue Van Cac in Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam in One hunder VND


Today, Khue Van Cac in Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam was recognized as the symbol of Hanoi.

PS: On March 9, 2010, in Macao, The memory World Committee in Asia-Pacific of UNESCO has approved and recognized doctor stone stele of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is a world heritage documentation

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>> Hanoi- Love and nostalgia

Hanoi the days in October autumn still gentle sun morning, a little north-east wind in the street, sweet fragrance of milk every night. Hanoi peaceful way, come right away once but will forever carry nostalgia.



Hanoi autumn


Hanoi autumn with him is the most beautiful, sweetest. Because the collection date of 56 years ago, Hanoi is where young soldier Nguyen The My meet lovers again after many years. This day, on victory pleasure, happiness when he met wife in the army takeover of the capital. A love so far apart by war and reunion back in the day. His wedding that 304 Division was held at Xuan Mai small post

Falls past, Hanoi many changes but Hanoi autumn is fond, full the nostalgic beauty. Love for Hanoi so, over the years to earnest, more deep. He said : Despite living in the heart of Hanoi is always awake to remember about this place as the memory of a way of home. Sounds strange but also very easy to understand, because when a loving heart stopped beating the miss rate.

With Ms Le Boi Huyen in 419 lane Giai Phong street, Hanoi is the memory array is not known the name. She recalls: Capital release date in 1954, her family is in the suburbs of Hanoi. In her imagination Huyen 10 years old, the mother's narrative, Hanoi celebrated that day and very happy, always full of flags in streets.

Growing up, the more profound memories, nostalgia Hanoi deeply. Undermining the war years, she was evacuated families in Bac Ninh. Every time you return, though busy, she still visited Hoan Kiem lake to drink coffee. There was afraid late hours of the train, not drink coffee. It's simple, she is so in Hanoi, romantic memories are like smog, a kind of love has no age.

"My family stayed Tran Hung Dao street near Hanoi train station. Each trip was a chance that we would return home from Hanoi train station walk down to the library, go to the Quang Trung street to Thien Quang Lake play. Autumn in Hanoi is quite cold now. Hanoi fall deposition without any real alternative "- Ms. Huyen said.

Each has a unique way to express love to Hanoi. Simple as Mr. Duong Vu Han, a retired union workers, it is eating Com cream between Hanoi sky. He said: "Thuy Ta cream is very close and familiar with the Hanoi, every time you are traveling around the lake, the people never stop in here because it is a very good point. Mid-air in Hanoi fall, enjoy ice cream most is ice Com cream, the more meaningful. Fall is beautiful forever, every era has its own beauty. Fall in Hanoi also has memories from the old days, there are currently busy and dream about the future. "

Hanoi fall memories of him are very far these days with my friends riding through the streets filled with yellow Sau season replace leaves, delicate of milk flowering, sweet flavor of Ylang ylang.

40 years away Hanoi, but with Ms Do Thi Hoang Yen in Ward 10, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh city, though thousands of miles way, where the South is full sun, but each city roof moss, pensive turtle tower, roads, trees such as Hanoi's still very close. One-way travel between Saigon rain or accidentally through a flower color, a scent on the street, listening to a song, enjoy a delicious Hanoi suddenly missed overflow.

Every time you came home, she is still nervous, waiting, still excited like children are swooping into the mother's bowels: "I'm three times to Hanoi. Upon returning to the first emotion and memory training in Hanoi too, want to return soon and visit the old house of my neighbor. I return to the North in 1985, the West Lake restaurant and wonderful dessert shrimp cake. In the South has dishes but also in Hanoi."



The Huc bridge


A busy day in Hanoi, Hanoi a quiet night was so anxious for any student when away from Vietnam. Born in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, with Miss Nguyen Tu Chi, a student at Harvard University states Masachusset, Hanoi is the love, the spiritual is strong, because that is where the nurturing childhood soul, store memories with your family and friends.

Tu share "my childhood attachment to Hanoi. I was away at age 18 in Hanoi, Hanoi should see a lot of other changes. Once I return to Hanoi old town to eat the food and watch those old trees. Now is the opportunity to fall, so I remembered the village round nuggets. Far from Hanoi, I remember after ripening Sau seasons and only in Hanoi."

Although sticking to Hanoi last few years of college but love of many young Hanoi increases as much as the memories. That's going to school every morning, greet the new day with affectionate eyes, warm smile of an old man when giving seats on the bus, is one way for his friends on the roadside shops or toad weekend stroll playing the old town.

Mr Nguyen Hoa Binh, in Ha Nam province, students of Hanoi Medical University said: "The first days go to Hanoi, I saw the capital city is modern, a bit noisy. But live and learn here, the more I see intimacy and love Hanoi better. Many places in Hanoi me feeling very peaceful. As such when the Van Mieu, the pensive air, ancient here give me a very comfortable feeling. I also love the shady streets of Hanoi as Hoang Dieu street."

Memories of Hanoi is about heaven's own despite being in Hanoi, Hanoi or live far from Hanoi or only one coming to Hanoi. Surely that, everyone found themselves a sense of calm, deep. Find the memory, look in Hanoi to the heart more clearly, to love Hanoi more passionate in nostalgia. Then " Despite you can go over the world  - The heart still remember about Hanoi "

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>> Ho Dynasty Citadel

The citadel has been recognized because it meets two criteria of the 10 criteria defined by UNESCO on World Cultural Heritages.

These are the globally outstanding values of a heritage and satisfy the demands of integrity and authenticity as stipulated in the documentation of the World Heritage Convention in 2008 and the authenticity of Nara Declaration.

The Ho reign citadel is nominated as a World Heritage with three areas: the Citadel, La wall and Nam Giao sacrifice stage, with the width of 155.5 ha and is surrounded by a buffer zone of 5,078.5 ha. The citadel has been recognized because it meets two criteria of the 10 criteria defined by UNESCO on World Cultural Heritages. These are the globally outstanding values of a heritage and satisfy the demands of integrity and authenticity as stipulated in the documentation of the World Heritage Convention in 2008 and the authenticity of Nara Declaration.





* Criterion (ii): The Ho reign citadel represents the important exchanges in values ​​influenced by Chinese Confucianism of a centralized royalty in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth century. The citadel presented new developments in the architectural style in terms of engineering and urban planning in the East Asian and South Asian environment, to take full advantage of natural conditions and and to add into its constructions and urban landscapes the elements of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Of thought: The Ho reign citadel was built in the plain surrounded by ranges of mountains, with the two rivers Ma and Buoi encompass and join in the front. The architecture space and layout of the citadel presented the clear and strong acceptance of Confucian thought, that the king is the Son of God and follows the will of God.

Of course all Eastern monarches had this in mind but in the Ho dynasty this thought was expressed more thoroughly.

* Criterion (iv): This is an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble among a natural landscape, the evidence of the practical neo-Confucianism booming in Vietnam in the XIV century, the period in which this ideology had spread throughout East Asia and became a philosophy with the great influence on the rule in the region. The use of large rocks demonstrated the power of a state organized in neo-Confucianism, suggesting the exchange of construction technology in Southeast Asia and the change in the main axial direction brought the difference in design of the Ho reign compared to Chinese standard.

The choice of capital placement demonstrated in-depth understanding of the selected areas and the ingenious use of landscape elements with the principles of the Book of Changes and the East geomancy. Of construction techniques: The large stone construction techniques were the crystallization of intelligence and experience of any civilization, creating a breakthrough in construction technology.

The outstanding features of the citadel are to have the 4 firm majestic walls with the 4 entrances built of stone. Rocks and stones were used a lot and very skilled. The blocks of rock are with an average size of 2.2 m x 1.5 m x 1.2 m, there are individual blocks, with the size up to 4.2 m x 1.7 m x 1.5 m and 5.1 m x 1m x 1.2 m, the largest stone weighs 26.7 tons. This were the incredible achievements of the large stone building technique. The stones processing was worked out for saving as well as reasonably for high technical efficiency. The stones for arches were polished at multiple facets.

The blocks for the walls were mostly polished where the stones joined. The surface in contact with soil and other materials polishing was not required.

Plans to preserve the citadel

As a member of UNESCO, beside the law of Vietnam Cultural Heritage, the estate will be managed and protected under the UNESCO Convention. That will contribute to promoting the conservation of the integrity and globaly outstanding values of the heritage. On the other hand, doing so will be an important contribution to the environment protection, geomancy of the landscape.

The international consultants, particularly Professor Akira Ono (ICOMOS experts in the heritage examination) considered that Ho reign citadel should be built into the model of a "archaeological park", serving the research as well as promoting the heritage values. Some commitments have now been conducted, including the implementation of research how to bring the Royal Path and Tran Khat Chan Temple into the Heritage elements. The work of planning the overall investigation to identify the boundaries of protected zone for the caves and landscapes related to the overall natural landscape of the heritage and continue to inventory, supplement systematically the documentation of relics relating to the estate will be an important job for the management of heritage in the future.

Strategy for Sustainable Development - Green tourism

In the near future, when the detailed master plan of the heritage is approved by the Prime Minister, the investment projects on infrastructure and tourism is speeding up, the World Cultural Heritage will contribute to making tourism a spearhead industry of Thanh Hoa. The building of plans to uphold the heritage values are all adviced and recommended by the UNESCO experts according to the strategy for sustainable development, green travel, such as community tourism development, experience tourism, eco-tourism. Subjects who implement tourism activities are the local people (following the Management Plan) and the people will be an important factor contributing to the heritage management and protection.

Such local villages as Xuan Giai, Tay Giai (Vinh Tien), Dong Mon (Vinh Long) are the first addresses for the experimental model of community tourism (homestay). Thanh Hoa Province People's Committee has directed the Department of Construction to consult and build a project for traditional houses model. Currently, the hotels in the district have focused on improving interior comfort for visitors. The traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, local products have also been in researches for experimental productions. The first pilot areas will be along the Hoang Gia route and the town of Vinh Loc in the Citadel.

Vietnam travel news for Vietnam tour packages and tours to Vietnam by Vietnam tour operatorsand Vietnam travel agencies.

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>> Nam Giao Sacrifice Stage

According to the professor Phan Huy Le, Ho Reign Citadel is "a large-scale capital architecture, especially the Hoang Thanh imperial citadel, Nam Giao sacrifice stage built of stone and rock which are very solid."


In particular, the relic Nam Giao built of stone located in the arms of the Dun Son mountain range, is about 2.5 km away from the royal citadel to the south.

Nam Giao is of an extremely rare type of relics, is an overall space of a sacrifice stage still intact and oldest of Vietnam. Nam Giao was built in 1402 under the King Ho Han Thuong. This is the place used by Ho dynasty to make ceremonial offerings to Heaven, God, Earth Genie and all of other deities for a peaceful country, peoples safety, national longevity. It had the general characteristics of an Eastern sacrifice stage but also with its own special features of Vietnam, affirmed the very high national pride of Ho dynasty in late XIV and early XV century.

Due to many objective conditions, experienced more than six centuries until 2004, Nam Giao sacrifice stage had been destroyed completely. From 2004, after 4 archaeological excavations, the overall ground of the Nam Giao relic are gradually revealed: that are the base and the overall space of the stage.

The traces of the stage architecture are appreared to be running in the north-south direction of 250m, in east-west of 150m with a total area of 35.000m2.

From the foot of the Dun mountain, the stage was built up to the five floors, the highest is of 21.7 m above the sea level; the lowest is of 12m higher to the sea level. The main materials to build are green blocks of rock and earthen materials (bricks and tiles..) An architecture has been preserved relatively intact is the Gieng Vua (King Well). The well was built by rock with the square opening getting smaller down to its heart.

The constructions of Ho reign citadel were created by the creative minds of designers and talented hands of the workers at that time.

In addition to the event that Ho Quy Ly ordered the prime minister Do Tinh to measure and supervise the constructions, historical documents also recorded the participations of many talented workers used to be served in Ming reign of China including Nguyen An who was involved in the construction of Beijing citadel. The miracle of the citadel short time building is highly evaluated by the experts.

Vietnam travel news for Vietnam tour packages and tours to Vietnam by Vietnam tour operatorsand Vietnam travel agencies.

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>> Overview beautiful places of Vietnam (P1)

Let us take you to Vietnam highlights destinations by giving basic information on each places. Information lists are long, and still updating, please contact us for your personal interests on each destinations. We will come back to your as soon as possible with detailed information and hope they will make your trips more interesting and easier. Please select your destinations below ...

>> If you have only 24 hours in Hanoi

1.Hanoi Travel Information

Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, is a pleasant and even charming city, in large parts because of its famous lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks. The city center is an architectural museum piece, its blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a peaceful and austere provincial town, contrary to the fast-living and bustling air of Saigon. The city of Hanoi is a small part now of Greater Hanoi, which has a land area of 2,139 sq.km and a population of about 3,000,000.

In the past, Hanoi was first chosen by King Ly Thai To as the capital of the country and was named Thang Long (Descending Dragon) in 1010. Through several successive dynasties, it remained the country's capital city, the heart and soul of the whole nation, and has born a variety of names, including Dong Kinh (Eastern capital), from which the Europeans derived the name they eventually applied to all of northern Vietnam, Tonkin. The city was finally named Hanoi (the city in a bend of the river) by Emperor Minh Mang (Nguyen Dynasty) in 1831.

From 1902 to 1953, Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina. There are two main seasons in Hanoi: the hot (and rainy) season from May to October with the hottest month: July - average temperature 31 °C; and the cold (and dry) season with the coldest month: January - average temperature 14 °C.

Ethnology Museum


Just opened at the end of 1997, the museum has attracted the attention of visitors, ethnographers and researchers from all over the world. With its astounding collection of 1,000 objects, 15,000 photos and hundreds of tapes about the 60 ethnic groups of Vietnam, it has successfully recreated the daily life together with the religious rituals and the symbolic festivals of each ethnic group.

Fine Arts Museum

With numerous exhibitions of specific fine arts collections including ancient stone sculptures, antique pottery, ethnic minority paintings, lacquer ware, etc., the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is a lively historical treasure depicting the origins and evolution of Vietnamese fine arts. The entrance is at No. 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. and the opening hours are 8:00am-12:00 am & 1:30pm to 4:30pm, from Tues. to Sun.

History Museum


Once the museum of the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient, the building remains one of Hanoi’s most stunning architectural showpieces. It preserves a large number of valuable artefacts from Vietnam’s turbulent past including prehistory, Dong Son culture, etc. to various Vietnamese dynasties as well as the Vietnamese struggles against foreign invaders.

West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda


West Lake , the largest lake in Hanoi, and Truc Bach Lake are an attractive part of the city. The two lakes are separated by Thanh Nien St. with rows of willow trees offering a picturesque site in the heart of the country. In the past, West Lake was once a resort for mandarins and kings. Now it is a very popular recreational place for Hanoians to enjoy fresh air, peaceful atmosphere and typical dishes. We wouldn’t forget to mention Tran Quoc Pagoda right on the shore of West Lake which is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple


Hoan Kiem Lake, considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi, is an enchanting body of water right in the heart of the city. Lying on a small island in this lake is Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain) founded in the 18th century and dedicated to the Scholar Van Xuong, General Tran Hung Dao (who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century) and La To (patron saint of physicians). Ngoc Son Temple is reached via the red-painted, wooden bridge - The Huc (Rising Sun) constructed in 1885.

Old Quarter


Hanoi’s Old Quarter of over a-thousand-year history, or 36 streets with each taking a different name after its product, remains one of Vietnam’s most lively and unusual places, where visitors can buy anything from precious stones to silk kimonos. Some of the specialized streets here include Hang Bac with a trip of snazzy jewellery shops or Hang Ngang with a row of clothing shops and tailors. Moreover, a stroll through this historic Old Quarter with a stop at Dong Xuan Market is highly recommended for visitors can get a good dose of Vietnamese culture and some insight into the country’s long history.

President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum







President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the final resting place of President Ho Chi Minh, was constructed between 1973 and 1975 of native materials gathered from all over Vietnam. It now becomes a site of pilgrimage for Vietnamese as well as for foreign visitors. Just some steps from the mausoleum, visitors can visit One-Pillar pagoda resembling a lotus blossom and also Ho Chi Minh Museum depicting a view of President Ho’s life.

Temple of Literature


The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is a pleasant retreat from the streets of Hanoi. Founded in 1070 for the worship of sages of Confucianism, it constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is well worth a visit. Vietnam’s first university was established here in 1076 to educate the sons of mandarins.

In 1482, Le Thanh Tong King ordered the erection of stelae with inscriptions of the names, places of birth and achievemnets of the graduates who had taken examinations since 1442. The stelae are in a form of tortoises which surely give visitors many impressions. Presently, 82 stelae stand at the Temple of
Literature.

Bat Trang ceramics village


Half an hour’s drive from Hanoi, across the bridge Chuong Duong and down the northern bank of the Red River, brings you to one of the best-known villages in Vietnam. The residents of Bat Trang have been making ceramic objects for centuries.

In their heyday, - some 600 years ago - the artisans were responsible for providing dinnerware for the royal families of the capital city and China, while trader took Bat Trang plates, jars and ornamental items as far afield as Japan, Holland and France.

Nowadays, by the help of techniques, Bat Trang village can produce its product in high volumes at a low cost. Mold are used to make votive and ornamental objects in its thousands, which are fired in brick kilns then painted by hand. There is very few artisans still use a wheel to create pottery items

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>> Nha Trang - one of the most beautiful beach cities of Vietnam

Where is Nha Trang Beach?

Nha Trang Beach belong to Khanh Hoa province which is in the South Central Coast with an area of ​​natural land is 5,197 km2, a large island waters with more than 200 islands.



Khanh Hoa city


Khanh Hoa has abundant labor resources, population 1.1 million (2003), is one of the country’s 10 provinces have a large number of intellectuals. The province currently has 40 units of scientific and technological research and more than 20,500 staff at the college, university and 200 staff on the college level. The rate of trained workers account for more than 25%.

Introduction to Nha Trang

Welcome to the beach capital of Vietnam. It may not be a charmer like Mui Ne or a historic jewel like Hoi An, but there is a certain something about Nha Trang that just keeps them coming back for more.



Nha Trang beach


For most it is the beautiful beach, the best municipal stretch of sand in the country, while the offshore islands add to the appeal, offering decadent boat trips on the water and some of Vietnam’s best diving under it.

The setting is stunning, with towering mountains looming up behind the city and the sweeping beach stretching into the distance, the turquoise waters dotted with little islands. The beachfront has been given a huge makeover in recent years, with parks and sculpture gardens spread along the shorefront, although by night it still reverts to a bit of a circus with motorbike drivers doubling as pimps and dealers, and kamikaze hookers hoping to relieve drunken tourists of their remaining dong.

Nha Trang is a study in contrasts, as the main city is still a bustling Vietnamese entity, buzzing along oblivious to the tourist crowds lining the shore. Hugging the coast for a few blocks is a fully-fledged international resort, complete with high-rise hotels, souvenir shops, stylish restaurants and sophisticated bars. This part of town, complete with a newly built Sheraton and Novotel, could be anywhere in the world, but the steady soundtrack of xe om drivers will soon bring you back to the Vietnamese reality.

It is not only the blissful beaches and glorious coastline that define Nha Trang. It also offers some of the best dining beyond Hanoi and Saigon, with a bounty from the sea and an array of international flavours. As the restaurants wind down, the nightlife cranks up, as Nha Trang is a party town at heart, like any self-respecting resort should be. Forget the curfews of the capital; people play late in this town.

If cocktails and shooters aren’t your flavour, there are some more sedate activities on offer beyond the waters. Try an old-school spa treatment with a visit to a mud bath or explore centuries-old Cham towers (see Po Nagar Cham Towers) still standing in the centre of town. Or throw culture to the wind and experience Vinpearl Land, Nha Trang’s attempt at Disneyworld. Nha Trang has something for everyone.

This part of the country has its very own microclimate and the rains tend to come from October until December, a time best avoided if you are into lazing on the beach or diving in crystal-clear waters.

Orientation

The main coastal boulevard, Ð Tran Phu, runs alongside the beautiful beach and is flanked by major hotels and restaurants, as well as the odd restaurant and resort on the beachside. To the south it eventually hits the port area of Nha Trang, the embarkation point for boat trips to the offshore islands or a cable car to Vinpearl Land. To the north it eventually hits the Hon Chong promontory, a popular local beach.

Most of the popular restaurants and bars, plus many of the best-value budget and midrange hotels, are located on a square block of streets that include Ð Trang Quang Khai and Ð Biet Thu, both intersected by Ð Nguyen Thien Thuat. The airport is now located at Cam Ranh (See Cam Ranh Harbour), about 30km south of town, while the railway station is in the centre on Ð Thai Nguyen.

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>> 3 Most Romantic Destinations In Vietnam

1. Dalat


 Dalat - Vietnam


With irresistible classic beauty, Dalat is well known as the city of love in Vietnam. Only after not more than an hour of flying can you escape from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and the scotching hot of the south to land on this honeymooner’s heaven. Coming to Dalat, tourists would be charmed immediately by its superb cool weather and pure atmosphere. The city gracefully nestles against immense pine forests and rolling hills. The mild climate creates favorable conditions for flowers flourishing colorfully in the green city.

It is definitely an ideal place for couples to stroll hand in hand on streets lined with trees, contemplating classic attractiveness of French colonial villas and poetic beauty of the valley of Love. Taking a walk along romantic lakes and surveying the beauty of shinning waterfall are also not bad ideas. To have an unforgettable night with your lover in the city of flowers, of mystery and of love is something that is not far away.

2. Sapa


 Sapa - Vietnam


Just by taking an overnight train leaving from Hanoi and heading to Lao Cai and another hour bus ride to Sapa, you and your beloved are able to experience more than just a nice trip to the most charming highland town. No matter what season tourists come to visit Sapa, they are bound to savor the great weather here. As being located on the mountain, Sapa and the local people have the opportunity to live in the cool fresh air all the time. Thus, it is certainly an ideal destination for tourists who wish to run away from the hot weather of summer.

Should tourists come here in the winter, they may stand a chance to admire a dreamy town covered with snow, as Sapa is almost the only place of the country that has snow falling. Getting up in a stilt house, contemplating an attractive Sapa in morning dew, trekking around mountains under colorful sunshine and immersing in Sapa lively nightlife should be on a must-to-do list of every couple.

3. Nha Trang


 Nha Trang - Vietnam


For lovely couples longing to find their own romance by enjoying a dinner full of candle light on a sandy beach, Nha Trang would be exactly their promising destination. With spectacular mountains dimly looming in the late afternoon sunshine, the turquoise waters tinged with sparkling sunset yellow and the white sandy beach stretching into the distance, the setting is so stunning that hardly anyone could hold back their excitement.

The eventful nightlife in Nha Trang is waiting for you to let your hair down. Savoring the best seafood, being part of night parties and forgetting about the time, you are likely to define how fanatic Nha Trang is. For couples looking for a luxurious holiday, Nha Trang high quality resorts would certainly serve you well. A memorable holiday is coming !

>> Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Hương) – “the first ranking Southern grotto”

“Perfume Mount is an ever wish/ With mountains, water, and clouds/ People always ask if this is the top-ranking cavern…” (extracted from “Perfume Mount passion” written by Chu Manh Trinh)


Overall view

Around 60 kilometers southwest of Hà Nội, Perfume Pagoda is one among the largest and unique religious sites in Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, old Ha Tay (or enlarged Hanoi), right banks of Day River, northern Việt Nam. It comprises a complex of pagodas and Buddhist shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Perfume Mount (Hương Sơn), scattering alongside the mountain up to the peak.

The complex’s center is right inside Huong Tich cavern (or in other words, Inside Pagoda). Huge numbers of pilgrims flock to the site during Perfume Pagoda festival, which begins in the middle of the first lunar month and lasts until the middle of the third one (or from February till March) in order to pray for happiness and prosperity in the coming year. Also, it is a very popular opportunity for young couples to meet and for numerous budding romances to be formed. On this special occasion, a wide range of traditional cultural activities is incorporated. Perfume pagoda is not only a religious site, but a great sight-seeing spot in Vietnam as well.




 Starting the pilgrimage


Coming to Huong Pagoda, what should not be left home is a good camera, since you will regret unless you catch all the snapshots of this fascinating nature drawings!

Bến Đục (Pier Duc)

The very first starting point of the pilgrimage is Ben Duc (Pier Duc). Normally, it takes more than 2 hours to go from Hanoi to Ben Duc. During the annual festival months, Ben Duc is packed with thousands of row boats used for shuttling visitors. For many visitors, this one-hour boat ride on the Yen Vi Stream from Pier Duc is actually the highlight of the trip, and inspiration sources of quite a few famous poets.

Suối Yến (Yen stream)

Yen stream flows between two mountains for 3 kilometers. Nevertheless, sitting on the boat, leisurely enjoying the surrounding landscape, you may feel that the stream is endless. Despite a facilitated road from Pier Duc to Perfume mountain, most people choose to use row boats on Yen Vi Stream (or Yen Stream), which is by far a much more romantic and scenic route to Huong Pagoda.

While traveling along Yen Stream, tourists pass by stunning landscape of blazing green rice paddles studded with jagged limestone mounts to the base of Huong Mountain. If you are on a boat there, you can easily see on your left the Phoenix Mountain, and Doi Cheo Mountain, which looks like an Indian python (Tran). Also on the left are Bung and Voi, the two mountains associated with interesting legends. On your right is Ngu Nhac mountain with the Trinh Temple where visitors stop and burn incense for the God of the Mountain. Before reaching Tro Wharf where the tour begins, the boat also passes by the Deo and Phong Su Mountains, Son Thuy Huu Tinh Cave, Trau Cave, Hoi Bridge, and Dau Valley.

Chùa Thiên Trù (Thien Tru Pagoda)





Stepping inland, there comes an interesting informal protocol for tourists! The first stop before climbing up to Huong Mount must always be a visit to Den Trinh, which means “registration shrine”. The next point of interest would be a visit to Thien Tru Pagoda (chuà Ngoài - Outer Pagoda), which was built in the 18th century under King Le Thanh Tong dynasty. “Thien Tru” means a heaven kitchen, derived from the imagination of the locals in this region, of which the rock formations in this area look like chefs busily working in the kitchen. Thien Tru Pagoda is famous for Thuy Tien tower, a granite monolith. On the right is Tien Son grotto, popular for five granite statues and various formations on the walls of the cave. Coming here, pilgrims have chances to admire the pagoda’s beauty and wonderful local landscapes.

Động Hương Tích (Huong Tich Grotto)

After more than one hour along the stream and visiting the initial ancient pagodas from the riverbank, now pilgrims would climb up hundreds of stone steps, and then down 120 stone steps to Huong Tich Grotto, literally meaning "traces of fragrance". The path to Huong Tich winds its way through magnificently luxuriant landscapes. The moss-grown Huong Tich Grotto came to life thanks to the most venerable Van Thuy Thien Tran Dao Vien Quang Chan Nhan, the Chief monk of Thien Tru Pagoda. In front of the cave lie stone stairs. Stepping down the 120-step stairs, tourists will find the inscription "The first-ranking grotto under the Southern Sky" in Han scripts, which are traces of Lord Tinh Do Vuong Trinh Sam's calligraphy in the 3rd lunar month of the year of the Tiger (Canh Dan -1770).

Getting into the grotto, you will find a purely cool atmosphere in a dim light before figuring out naturally architectural works such as Dun Gao (Rice) rock, gold and silver trees, Girl and Boy Mountains (in the shapes of a girl and a boy), and so forth. Yet, what is noteworthy is the statue of Avalokitesvara carved out of emerald stone on a rocky lotus, constructed in 1793, under the Tay Son dynasty, and a 1.24m bronze bell, moulded in the 3rd Thinh Duc Year (1655). The unique carving art together with the extremely magnificient works of Nature makes the Huong Pagoda complex the top-revenued tourism destination among others in Ha Tay, and the foremost destination of Buddhists in particular and tourists in general.

Saying goodbye to Perfume Grotto, now tourists may choose to further go up to the top Mount by climbing up hundreds of stone steps, all worn smooth by passage of countless feet, or take a short rest and complete the pilgrimage.

These days, the Vietnamese believe that Huong Son is Buddha's Heaven due to its sacredness and 100% natural works of beauty. Quite a few tourists would like to come back this mysterious and sacred mountain annually for religious reasons on the one hand, and on the other hand, for the enchanting natural landscapes..