Category Archives: Vietnam

Visit Vietnam and Explore Some of its Charming Villages

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While the beaches, rivers, bustling cities and the Buddhist pagodas make Vietnam one of the best tourist destinations in Asia, the small villages across the nation surprise you with their exquisite old-world charm and tranquil beauty. Take a look at some of them and explore them during your next trip to Vietnam:

Duong Lam Ancient Village (Hanoi)

Loved for its architectural beauty, Duong Lam Ancient Village is situated 45kms west of the centre of Hanoi. With the original structure boasting banyan tree, communal house, water well, and rice fields, the village is home to many typical Vietnamese traditional houses, reflecting the best of the country’s history and culture. Enjoy one-day walking tour through the village and take in the mesmerising beauty of the place.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village (Halong Bay)

Lying in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Vieng Fishing Village is one of the four fishing villages in Halong Bay. It is a peaceful haven where you can explore the cultural life of the fishermen and learn the art of sailing and casting fish nets. The enchanting views of the boats, simple and hospitable fishermen, the pretty houses with hanging nets and the smiling faces of the children are some of the endearing highlights of the place.

Lat Village/ Chicken Village (Da Lat)

Named after a 15-feet tall chicken statue it houses, Chicken Village lies about 10 miles outside Dalat City Centre. Also called the Lat Village, it is home to the Lat ethnic minority, presenting a true glimpse into the life of the locals. The tribes here love to practise traditional silk weaving and textiling; you can purchase some of their best crafts to take back home as souvenirs. Moreover, the location of the village at the foot of Langbiang Mountain makes it a perfect relaxing haven for the nature lovers visiting Vietnam.

Cam Thanh Eco Village (Hoi An)

Lying between Hoi An town and Cua Dai Beach, Cam Thanh Eco Village is a tranquil oasis hidden amidst picturesque coconut forest. You can relax peacefully in the lap of nature, ride a bike and explore the daily life of locals. Besides, you can choose to discover the palm-flanked waterways on a round fishing boat!

Pom Coong Village (Mai Chau)

Nestled in the mountains of northern Vietnam, Pom Coong Village is a small village with a lush landscape and relaxing atmosphere in Mai Chau, a 4-hour drive from Hanoi. Inhabited mostly by the Thais, most houses in this village are open for home stays for the tourists. Spend a day here and enjoy traditional music performances, buy souvenirs, and enjoy regional specialities.

Top 5 Traditional Festivals You Must Be Part of in Vietnam

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Vietnam is fast emerging as an interesting and popular travel destination in Asia, inviting an increasing number of nature lovers, pilgrims and history buffs every year. While bustling cities, beaches, rivers and Buddhist pagodas are all major lures for the tourists, some of the festivals, reflecting the rich history and culture of the country, are inviting too.

Hoi An Full Moon Festival

Hoi An Full Moon Festival is held on every 14th day of the lunar month in Hoi An’s ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Vietnam’s central coast. During the festival, the town bans the road traffic and turns into a huge performance venue with the streets illuminated with plenty of colourful lanterns. This festival aims to preserve traditions that were practised during the Nguyen Dynasty and it amazes visitors with many cultural events, old-fashioned games and performances for a week.

Lim Festival

Held in Lim village, few kilometres from Hanoi, Lim Festival takes place on 13th day of the first lunar month, every year. The festival amazes you with a number of exquisite dance performances by Quan Ho, a UNESCO recognised tribe; the traditional costumes and dragon boats are a treat to watch during the celebrations. Besides, visitors can enjoy playing games such as tug-of-war, cockfighting, wrestling, human chess, and Danh du (bamboo swings).

Perfume Pagoda Festival

The most popular Buddhist pilgrimage site in Hanoi, Perfume Pagoda is a group of sacred caves where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit every year to welcome a happy and prosperous year. The Perfume Pagoda Festival begins from the 6th day of the first month and lasts till the end of third month of the lunar calendar. It is a place that not just welcomes pilgrims but also nature lovers all throughout the year who come to take delight in its terrific landscape.

Thay Pagoda Festival

A joint festival of four villages, Thay Pagoda festival is celebrated in Thay Village located at the foot of Sai Son Mountain. It takes place on the 5th-7th days of the 3rd lunar month and is celebrated to worship a Buddhist monk who became a popular king. The festival begins with a religious performance supported by traditional music, and amazes with its famous water puppet show and numerous games played here.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Also called Moon Festival, Lantern Festival, Reunion Festival and Children’s Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the biggest holidays in Vietnam. It is held in the eighth lunar month and is famed for various activities such as lion dances, children carrying paper lanterns and food booths selling sticky rice, fruits, moon cakes and various other sweets. The festival draws families from all corners of the world.

Revisit History with These Museums in Vietnam

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With an interesting and tumultuous history behind her, Vietnam has fast evolved as a sought after holiday destination in Asia. The country’s rich heritage and war history has enamoured people for long, with millions visiting Vietnam each year, hoping to unfold the ancient cultural glory and modern military history. Along with the forts, palaces, monuments and other historical structures, it is the museums here that have a lot to share with people coming in from all corners of the globe. Vietnam has plenty of museums where you can spend some time unearthing the country’s past. Take a look at few of them below.

National Museum of Vietnamese History

Built in 1958, National Museum of Vietnamese History is one of the oldest museums in the country and a classic masterpiece of Chinese and French architecture. Located in Hanoi, it is divided into five sections, housing around 200,000 artefacts. Axe heads, sculpture of Quan Am and Dong Son drums are few of the unique possession of the museum. Along with the exhibitions, interactive sessions enable guests to have a better understanding of the country’s colourful history.

Vietnam Military History Museum

Also known as the ‘Army Museum’, Vietnam Military History Museum is a well-known attraction in the country. This place is famed for its rich collection of artefacts and weaponry used during the Vietnam War.

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Accounts written by former soldiers, war relics, weapons, paintings and memorials offer a unique perspective to the war that ravaged the country. Douglas A-1E and A-1H Skyraiders, M114 155 mm howitzer , Bell UH-1H Iroquois, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, SA-2 Guideline SAM, 37 mm automatic air defence gun M1939 (61-K) , Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 MF & PFM and 85 mm divisional gun D-44 are few of the attractions at the museum.

War Remnants Museum

Reminding people about the brutal Vietnam War, War Remnants Museum is a must visit site in Vietnam. Opened in 1975, this complex displays war relics like artillery and armour, war records, press clipping and memorials written by soldiers. An F-5A fighter, M48 Patton tank, A-37 Dragonfly attack bomber, a BLU-82 “Daisy Cutter” bomb are the prominent military memorabilia put on display at the museum. The tiger cages where the political prisoners were kept during the war are the major attractions of the museum.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Located in Hanoi, Vietnamese Women’s Museum is a museum dedicated to the women of Vietnam. Opened to public in 1995, the complex is divided across different sections and is home to 28,000 objects and artefacts highlighting the many phases and faces of women’s life. A bride’s costume, gift box of engagement, items made of textiles, metals, soil, glass, leather and silk, and pictures of wedding rituals are all key attractions here at the museum.

Museum of Cham Sculpture

Featuring the largest display of relics from the Cham era, Museum of Cham Sculpture is another popular museum in Vietnam. With its roots in the early 1920s, this place is home to the widest collection of archaeological sculptures, artefacts and valuable goods dating back to pre-historic era. Shiva lingam, Guerrier volant, Mỹ Sơn and Statue of Garuda are some of the interesting attractions at the museum.  With most of the statues and figures dating back to the early 7th and 8th century, this place is a delight for historians and archaeologists.

National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam

Housing over 20,000 living and preserved marine species including a few extinct ones, National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam is famous for its breeding programmes and ongoing research. Tanks filled with reef sharks, scorpion fish, puffers, turtles, coral reefs and seaweed tell a lot about Vietnam’s rich aquatic life. The skeleton of humpback whale excavated in 1994 is a major attraction of the museum.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum is one of the largest museums in the country. Inaugurated in 1990, this beautiful lotus shaped complex is famed for its valuable collection of ancient artefacts and documents highlighting the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh. Over 12000 documents, pictures, books, gifts and newspaper clippings are a few of exhibits here. The birth and death anniversary of the President is a major celebration at the museum.

Fun-Filled Things to Do in Hoi An – Vietnam

Hoi An, a vibrant city in Vietnam’s central coast, radiates old world charm – something missing in most parts of the world.

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This fascinating destination has been able to maintain its unique character with the support of local authorities and the natural beauty here easily casts its spell upon visitors. Hoi An is a ‘hidden gem’ in the truest sense and you can do many fun-filled things here.

Do a Photo Tour

Avid photographers can take some marvellous shots before 7 AM, when the Hoi An is charmingly calm and serene. On the contrary, the markets are interesting anytime! One can also take snapshots of regular vendors selling fruits and vegetables, customers tasting mouth-watering delicacies, and animals being transported from one spot to another. Handcrafts can be photographed at the carpentry village.

Take a Step into the Spiritual Van Duc Pagoda

If you wish to check out the spiritual side of Hoi Na, the 17th century Van Duc Pagoda is the apt place for you! Locals come here to worship Buddhist deities like Amitabha Buddha, Dia Tang Bodhisattva, and Avalokitecvara Bodhisattva. This temple is home to several monks as well. Best time to visit Van Duc Pagoda is during Lord Buddha’s birthday and other auspicious Buddhist celebrations.

Eat the finger-licking Banh Mi – Vietnam Sandwiches

An item of Vietnam’s colonial past, Banh Mi has a huge and crazy fan following! This sandwich is made up of French-influenced baguette and savoury fillings comprising of vegetables, pork sausage, and loads of other ingredients. This food item can be purchased from any location of the city as prices don’t vary much! They are equally scrumptious everywhere.

Relax at the An Bang Beach

The An Bang Beach is one of the most pleasant beaches of Vietnam. The fine sands of the coast and the views of the vast horizon from here are simply mind-blowing. You may unwind and relax under the sun to your heart’s content. There are a number of restaurants and bars significantly close to the beach. Tourists can hang out with their friends and even interact with the residents to know more about their cultures and traditions.

Go for a Bicycle Ride

A bicycle ride is the best and the most eco-friendly way to enjoy the exquisiteness of Hoi An. You will love the sights of rice paddies along the way and backstreets of the villages. Stop at any location and cherish the uniqueness of the area with complete freedom. To entice visitors, some of the hotels rent out bicycles! Guests can use them as and when required. Wearing a helmet is mandatory.

Offbeat Places to Explore In Vietnam

Vietnam, located on the South China Sea, is popular for its pristine beaches, beautiful rivers, a number of Buddhist pagodas and cities bustling with cultural sites and restaurants. All these factors make it an exciting and fun-filled holiday destination.

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Most of the people who book tickets for Vietnam have a fixed itinerary comprising of the most popular tourist attractions. But if you want to experience the cultural and historical aspects, taking a stroll through the offbeat paths is the best way to so. Have a look at some of the offbeat places to visit on your trip to Vietnam.

Bai Tu Long

If you are looking for a getaway from the usual tourist itinerary, you can do away with Halong Bay and head to Bait Tu Long. Situated on the North-Eastern part of Halong Bay, the area spreads across 100 kilometres, up to the border of China! The best part is you will see almost the same things you would have seen in Halong Bay such as incredible limestone karsts, minus the crowds of tourists.

Mai Chau

While most of the tourists and trekkers go to Sapa, dodge the crowd for a breath of fresh air at Mai Chau. The locals swear by the place, as it hasn’t been adulterated by the tourists, yet. Situated about 3-4 hours’ drive from Hanoi, the fog-filled rice paddies here are like a dream. The place also allows you to get close to the native ethnic tribes. Instead of wearing elaborate, “touristy” costumes which will make you look out of place, wear simple track suits. Make sure that you join the celebrations during the nights when the White Thai tribe performs various types of cultural and local dances. A game akin to hopscotch is also played and there is a communal feast and drinks.

Hue

Hue is the central point of the Northern and Southern routes in the country. The city was once the royal capital during the 17th century and has also served as Vietnam’s capital for some time. It is one of the most important historical sites in the country. While the landmarks and historical buildings in the citadel were damaged during the war, with the help of UNESCO, extensive restoration has been carried out.