Must See in Vietnam

Travel Guide in Vietnam : Ben Tre

During your next trip in HCMC plan two days in Ben Tre for outdoors activities…you will not regret ! #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Ben Tre is a desirable location for those who enjoy exploring the outdoors thanks to its pleasant weather throughout the year, abundance of tourist attractions, and mouthwatering specialties.

WHEN TO GO

Ben Tre is a province in the Mekong Delta, 85 kilometers south of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to the west, bordering Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Tra Vinh provinces, as well as the sea.

With a warm and sunny climate all year round, visitors can visit Ben Tre in any season. The most ideal time to visit the province is in the summer months of June, July, and August. This is the time when you can admire colorful natural scenes and enjoy exotic fruit freshly picked right from the tree such as mangosteen, durian, rambutan and more.

Ben Tre is blessed with good weather all year round. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Van Hoan

WHAT TO EXPLORE

Con Quy – Tortoise Islet

Con Quy is a district in Chau Thanh that is known for its delicious fruits and fish.Con Quy is the smallest of the four islets named after the four sacred animals (long or dragon, ly or unicorn, quy or tortoise, and phung or phoenix,) of the Mekong Delta. Don ca tai tu, a Vietnamese southern folk music that embodies the identity of the southern river region, is another attraction for visitors to Con Quy.

Con Phung – Phoenix Islet

Con Phung from above. Photo by KKday

Con Phung is located on a floating island in the middle of the Tien River in Tan Thach Commune, Chau Thanh District. Visitors can take a motorboat along the dunes to visit the coconut candy processing facilities and coconut souvenir shops, or get on a horse-drawn carriage to visit the orchards, and enjoy tropical fruits. Many travelers are drawn by fun experiences such as fishing for crocodiles and feeding carp using baby bottles.

con-phung-Ben-Tre-1-5881-16490-6438-6378 — Tourists feed carps and crocodiles at Con Phung. Photos by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Orchards

There are several orchards for you to visit: Cai Mon Orchard in Cho Lach District and Tien Long, Tan Phu orchards in Chau Thanh District. You can take in the garden’s lush surroundings, savor the fresh fruits you picked yourself, and eat right there. A ticket includes a one-time entry to the garden, where you can enjoy any kind of fruit freely on the spot. If you plan to bring home some fruits as gifts, you will need to purchase them.

Coconut garden

Tourists and a guide (L) stop during a ride across a coconut garden in Ben Tre Province. Photo by Quach Duy Thinh

More than 200,000 families in Ben Tre grow coconuts, which accounts for about two-thirds of all the households in the province. You can try cycling around the coconut gardens, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere here. While cycling, visitors can stop to chat with locals to have a better understanding about life in the countryside.

Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary

Visitors can see more than 100 different species of birds at the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary. A few birds living here are on the verge of extinction. An entry ticket to the sanctuary costs VND150,000 ($6.40).

Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s tomb

The tomb of Nguyen Dinh Chieu in An Duc Commune, Ba Tri District, is the resting place of the nation’s great poet and patriot, who is known for his nationalist and anti-colonial writings against the French colonization of southern Vietnam. Every year, on July 1, the residents of Ben Tre hold a festival to commemorate him.

If you’re already here, you can go another 9 kilometers to Ngao Beach and Tiem Tom Port to see Ba Lai and Ham Luong Gates (the 3rd and 4th gates of the Mekong River connecting to the East Sea). These two gates are only a few kilometers apart.

Binh Dai Beach

Binh Dai beach is on the banks of Cua Dai River. The beach remains quite untouched by commercial tourism, making it less crowded compared to Vung Tau or Nha Trang. Aside from swimming and enjoying seafood, visitors can also go fishing or visit some tourist attractions such as the Long Phung Communal House and Van Phuoc Pagoda.

Dong Khoi guerrilla village

Dong Khoi guerrilla village is in Dinh Thuy Commune, Mo Cay District. The exhibition hall, which is open to visitors, features the rudimentary weapons that the residents of Ben Tre once used to fend off the U.S. invaders in the 1960s.

My Long rice paper village

Rice paper is dried before being baked on a charcoal stove. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Thanh Hung

Visitors can observe the locals making rice paper in the My Long Rice Paper Village. The rice paper is always hot, crispy, and full of the flavor of coconut milk because it is dried before being baked on a charcoal stove.

Son Doc Banh Phong Village

Son Doc Banh Phong Village, which is more than 100 years old, is in Hung Nhuong Commune. Visitors can learn about the process of making banh phong, or rice paper crackers. A well-done cracker must be spongy, crispy, and twice as big after baking. The craft village sells many kinds of banh phong for customers to buy as gifts, such as egg crackers, crackers with jackfruit, and crackers with durian.

Tourists eat rice paper crackers grilled on the spot in Ben Tre Province. Photo by Quach Duy Thinh

Weaving village

The weaving village in Phuoc Tuy Commune, Ba Tri District, is about 40 kilometers east of Ben Tre’s capital town. This craft village, where the locals make daily items out of bamboo, has existed for a long time. Visitors can experience the culture and learn how the locals make these products.

Many daily items are made of bamboo. Photo by Quach Duy Thinh

The river thrills

Visitors to Ben Tre should also take a river tour in a wooden dingy that offers the chance to sail through the numerous nipa trees that have sprouted along the canal.

One can also test their balance skills by walking on cau khi (monkey bridge), which is basically a couple bamboo poles tied together, a symbol of the rural Mekong Delta.

Tourists walk on a bamboo pole bridge (L) and ride a wooden dingy along nipa palm trees in Ben Tre Province. Photos by Quach Duy Thinh

WHERE TO STAY

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of homestays in Ben Tre. You can eat, stay, and visit with the host while enjoying some regional specialties and learning about their way of life. You can choose to stay at places such as Cocohut Homestay, Quoc Phuong Riverside Homestay, Nguyet Que Homestay & Tours, or Ba Danh Home. Prices range from VND400,000 to VND800,000 per night.

A homestay with a lotus pond in Ben Tre Province. Photo by Quach Duy Thinh

Additionally, there are a ton of motel and hotel options in the inner city for you to choose from, including Cong Doan Hotel, Ham Luong Hotel, Cuu Long Hotel, Thu Thu Guesthouse, and Que Huong Guesthouse. At night, you can go to the rooftops of these hotels for a late-night coffee and a view of the street along the river.

WHAT TO EAT

Coconut specialties

Many Ben Tre specialties made of coconut will surprise visitors. Various types of cuisine can be made from coconut aside from coconut water, such as rice cooked with coconut, coconut porridge, stir-fried shrimp with coconut, coconut buds, coconut candy, and coconut cake.

Coconut candy is wrapped and packed at a store in Ben Tre. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Diep

Grilled banana

Bananas, flattened and then grilled over a charcoal fire, are served with coconut milk. The hot and crispy taste of the bananas and the rich flavor of coconut milk will delight you.

Grilled banana is served with coconut milk. Photo by Hoang Mai

Banh canh bot xat – Thick noodle soup

With banh canh bot xat, the noodle is made from rice flour and is handmade, unlike the ready-made noodles that are sold in the market. The thick broth is cooked with duck meat. A small cup of fish sauce and ginger is served along with the dish. This is a Mekong Delta’ specialty.

Che Buoi – Pomelo sweet soup

Che buoi is made from pomelo peel, with the green skin removed. After being soaked in salt water, the pomelo peel is then cooked. Durian is also added in che buoi, so it always has a unique taste.

Rat meat

This may not suit everyone’s taste, but rats that live on coconut trees are a favorite dish of the local people. The meat can be grilled, steamed or cooked in curry.

Banh xeo oc gao – Crispy crepes with snails

In the Mekong Delta, Phu Da Dune in Lach Market has the best banh xeo oc gao. The snail season is only from fourth to seventh lunar months. Diners will be impressed by the crepe shell, which is made from flour mixed with fragrant coconut milk and served with a filling of oc gao – Assiminea lutea snails, bean sprouts, and chopped cassava roots.

Crayfish

Crayfish is another rustic specialty that is loved by diners. Whether grilled, boiled with coconut water, or stir-fried with salt and lime leaves, crayfish meat still retains its sweetness and firmness.

Fruit

You can enjoy many kinds of fresh fruit, such as durian, rambutan, longan, mangosteen, and especially macapuno, all with very cheap prices.

Termite mushrooms

Termite mushrooms, which typically appear from April to July, grow on extruded termite mounds. This Ben Tre speciality, has a distinctive aroma and is sweet.

You can purchase fresh specialty fruits like mangosteen, Cai Mon durian, and pomelo. If you’re worried about keeping your gifts fresh, you can choose rice paper or rice crackers, coconut specialties such as jam, candies, and wine, as well as other lovely coconut-made crafts.

HOW TO GET THERE

Travelers can begin their trip at HCMC’s Mien Tay Bus Station, which has several bus lines making the two hour trip. Ticket prices range from VND85,000-VND140,000 ($3.63-$5.97).

In addition, you can travel by motorbike or car, which will allow you to stop and admire the scenery along the way. It is recommended to depart early in the morning or after 9 a.m., due to rush hour from 6 to 8 a.m. Travelers can follow Highway 1A to My Tho City, cross the Rach Mieu Bridge, and then turn right which will bring you to the center of Ben Tre.

If you want to have a more convenient sightseeing experience, you can choose a tour arranged by one of the travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City.

A man sails a boat in Ben Tre. Photo by VnExpress

Story by Du Hy, Phuc Trinh for E.VnExpress Travel Guide

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The beauty of Ninh Binh through the lens of a British expat

This morning I chose this article because it is that of a teacher who describes his vacation in Ninh Binh … the narration is that of a Vietnamese journalist. Good reading ! #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Dave, a British teacher who has been living in Vietnam for four years, took his family to Ninh Binh during the Tet break where they enjoyed boat tours and local specialties.

The beauty of Ninh Binh through the lens of a British expat

Dave’s family came to Ninh Binh, around 90 kilometers to the south of Hanoi, on Monday, the second day of the Lunar New Year, where they visited tourist attractions like Thung Nham Cave, the UNESCO heritage site Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and Tam Coc-Bich Dong.

Ninh Binh, home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu during the reign of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980), was overlooked by foreign tourists for years until “Kong: Skull Island” was filmed there in 2016, giving it a global reputation.

Dave sits on a boat along Tam Coc-Bich Dong, part of the UNESCO heritage site Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

“Local people are familiar with foreign visitors and many can speak English, making travel more convenient for foreigners like me,” Dave said, explaining why his family chose Ninh Binh as their first destination for the Lunar New Year.

Boats carry tourists along the Ngo Dong River in the Tam Coc-Bich Dong area, around seven kilometers from Ninh Binh Town, the capital of Ninh Binh Province.

Dave said he could easily find restaurants serving both local specialities and Western food in Tam Coc-Bich Dong.

Dave’s family enjoyed local dishes such as goat meat, a specialty in Ninh Binh.

“The goat dishes are skillfully prepared by chefs in Ninh Binh, and it no longer has a bad taste, but is very delicate and soft,” Dave said.

One thing Dave didn’t like in Tam Coc was local vendors clinging to foreign tourists to force them to use tourist services or buy local products at expensive prices.

“Sometimes this can ruin a trip. I believe that besides the natural beauty and hospitality, attitude and interaction with local people are also very important,” he said. “For tourists, these things have a lot of impact on visitors’ feelings, deciding whether they want to return to that place or not.”

A two-hour boat tour winding down the Ngo Dong River past paddy fields and stunning caves costs VND150,000 ($6.39) and requires at least four passengers for a trip.

The trip goes through three beautiful limestone caves, including Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba.

Ca is the largest cave in Tam Coc. It is 127 meters long and more than 20 meters wide, followed by Hai Cave, which is about 60 meters long. Ba Cave, about 50 meters long, is the smallest, but considered the most beautiful one in the area.

Written By Sang Sang Photos courtesy of Dave and published in E.VnExpress.net

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It started as a hobby: A cooking class for foreigners

Few of you know that I am Chef by proxy… out of love and passion. Being a chemist, my daily life is to experiment with dishes from my grandmothers concocted in my own way. I was attracted this morning by this article and this wonderful businesswoman who passes on her passion by giving Vietnamese cooking classes. #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Vu Hong Thanh has been offering cooking classes to foreign tourists and expats living in Vietnam since 2015.

Thanh and her team of five people call themselves “Hanoi and around with Thanh.”

For eight years they’ve been gifting the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine to foreigners via fun and casual classes.

Thanh said she wants her attendees to enjoy themselves to the fullest so she limits enrollment in each class to two-four people for quality control. Her team hold about five courses per month.

It all started with a hobby when Thanh was in university.

She used her free time to guide foreign tourists around the town so she could improve her English.

But over time, she grew passionate about sharing Vietnamese culture with outsiders.

“I have a dream of becoming a tourism ambassador for Vietnam, someone who can share meaningful experiences that are directly connected to local culture with visitors,” said Thanh. “Moreover, I want to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism.”

“Hanoi and around with Thanh” participants accompany Thanh as she shops for ingredients at Vietnamese wet markets.

She even teaches them how to bargain, just like a local would do.

The team then presents a menu featuring four distinct cuisines to participants in a four-and-a-half-hour class.

Thanh said her customers’ favorite dishes are fried spring rolls, bun cha (rice vermicelli noodles with grilled pork) and pho noodle soup.

Participants learn to make spring rolls at Thanh’s class. Photo courtesy of “Hanoi and around with Thanh”

Thanh’s cooking classes take place in a Hanoi family kitchen. They’re taught by the family’s mother and her niece.

“I got to know the mother because she had previously assisted me in my Vietnamese paper mask workshop. Knowing that she can cook well, I invited her to become a cooking instructor,” said Thanh.

For the tourists and expats that take part in these courses, it’s difficult enough to learn new recipes using unfamiliar ingredients. But they also have to prepare the meals in a traditional Vietnamese home.

The kitchen is small and cramped compared to Western kitchens, which makes it challenging. When confronted with unfamiliar flavors like fish sauce, class members tend to hesitate, but they soon grow to love the fish sauce-based garlic and chili sauce.

Bob Chee, a participant in one of Thanh’s first cooking classes, said: “I didn’t know what to expect when I entered the host’s home. It was one of the few times I entered a home in Hanoi, so I was naturally curious.”

Chee’s favorite part of the meal was bun rieu, or crab noodle soup.

“I’ve never been able to eat such a tasty soup at a Vietnamese restaurant. I really enjoyed the meal,” he said.

Tourists find cooking Vietnamese food a fun and exciting experience. Photo courtesy of Hanoi and Around with Thanh

Tourists enjoy a meal cooked by them under the instructions of Thanh’s team. Photo courtesy of “Hanoi and around with Thanh”

Many people, according to Thanh, have come back for another session in order to learn how to prepare different foods. And they’ve recommended her classes to their friends and family.

These tourists learn not only the recipes for a variety of Vietnamese dishes, but also the cultural meanings behind some of them. For instance, they learn that foods like fried spring rolls, which symbolize prosperity and success, are typically prepared for special occasions like the Lunar New Year holidays and ancestor worship.

Jeane Cottenceau, who took a cooking class with her relatives and friends, said: “We all love cooking, and food is a key point of the Vietnamese experience… It is also a nice opportunity to spend quality time together.”

Preparing traditional Vietnamese cuisine under the guidance of a local host in a Vietnamese kitchen gave Jeane the opportunity to learn more about local culture, she added.

Bun cha, fried spring rolls and papaya salad made by the attendees of one of Thanh’s classes. Photo courtesy of “Hanoi and around with Thanh”

At the moment, Thanh has about 20 students each month, the majority of whom are expats living in Hanoi. Many people sign up for the class because they’ve become interested in Vietnamese food after taking a food tour around town, or because they enjoy specific dishes like pho and bun cha.

The class costs VND450,000 ($19.17) per person for a group of four students.

Vietnamese food has become more well-known in recent years thanks to international food publications and celebrity chefs. At the 2022 World Culinary Awards, Vietnam was recently named “Asia’s best culinary destination” by industry experts and globetrotters for the very first time.

Gordon Ramsay, a well-known British celebrity chef and television personality, recently identified Vietnam as one of the best culinary travel destinations, praising the country as an “extraordinary melting pot of great food.”

Written By Phuc Trinh for E.VnExpress.net

Discover The National Bird of Vietnam

Vietnam is considered one of the most important areas of the endemic and migratory bird route network, with 63 globally important bird areas and seven of its own endemic birds. Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Lê Van Thành recently signed a directive on a series of urgent tasks and solutions to conserve wild and migratory birds in Vietnam. Read this interesting article from AZ Animal… you will cut out beautiful birds… #MustSeeInViewtnam Editor

Vietnam is a country in southeast Asia along the South China Sea. To the west is Cambodia and Laos and to the north is China. The country has a variety of diverse habitats including mountains, tropical forests, flat plains, the Mekong and Red River deltas and miles of coastline. These habitats support a wide range of wildlife including hundreds of species of birds. Is the national bird one of the colorful songbirds like the barbets or bee eaters? Maybe the great egret or regal sea eagle? The eastern sarus crane is an important figure in Vietnamese mythology, so is that the national bird? Does Vietnam even have an official national bird? Read on to discover about the national bird of Vietnam.

Is there a National Bird of Vietnam?

There is not an official national bird of Vietnam. There is however a rich history of culturally significant birds in the country. One of the symbols of Vietnam is a crane-like bird that was featured in Vietnamese folklore. Images of this bird were repeatedly used on the bronze drums of the Dong Sun culture. This bird was referred to as the Chim Lac, with Chim meaning “bird” and Lac meaning “lost”. Historians have yet to determine exactly what kind of bird it represented but many agree it is along the lines of a crane, stork or heron. Some believe it is a made-up bird similar to a phoenix or a griffin.

What Is the Story of the Eastern Sarus Crane?

Largest Crane - Sarus Crane — The majestic sarus crane can reach six feet tall and in Vietnam they are found in the Mekong river basin.©vanchai/Shutterstock.com

In Vietnamese mythology the story of the eastern sarus crane is that they are sent down from heaven when someone dies to escort them back to heaven to enjoy eternal life. Eastern sarus cranes look similar to red-crowned cranes. Their heads and upper neck are all red with a greenish crown. Sarus crane’s bodies are mostly gray with black tipped wings. Their legs match their head in slightly lighter red color. Eastern sarus cranes can get up to six feet tall! In Vietnam the eastern sarus crane can be found in the Mekong river basin. Vietnam also has common cranes and black-necked cranes.

What Kind of Storks Live in Vietnam?

Some of the storks that live in Vietnam are the milky stork, black stork, black-necked stork and painted stork. The Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary is located in southern Vietnam and has more than 20 different stork species. Milky storks are white with black underwings and long red legs. They are a little smaller than painted storks standing around three feet tall (35 to 38 inches). Black storks are about the same size as milky storks but their plumage is all black except for the white chest and underwings. Black-necked storks are quite a bit taller, reaching nearly five feet (51 to 59 inches). They have a blueish-black head, neck and wings but their bodies are white. The painted stork has a white body and black/white wings but they get their name from the colorful pink flight feathers and long orange beak.

What Kind of Herons Live in Vietnam?

Grey heron in flight — Grey herons are just one of several species of herons found in Vietnam.©Adrian Eugen Ciobaniuc/Shutterstock.com

Herons can be found in many provinces in Vietnam but there is a higher concentration in the Tram Chim National Park. Some of the herons in Vietnam include:

Grey heron: dark grey feathers with a lighter neck and orangish bill, 40 to 44 inches tall.
Purple heron: grayish-purple feathers with a dark stripe along the side of its neck, 31 to 35 inches tall.
Chinese pond heron: dark brown head, blackish back, white underside, black-tipped yellow bill, 18 to 20 inches tall
Javan pond heron: light brown head, darker brown back, white underside, black-tipped yellow bill, 18 to 20 inches tall
Black-crowned night heron: contrasting white body with black wings and black crown, 22 to 24 inches tall

Are There Any Birds Featured on the Money of Vietnam?

No. The money of Vietnam, the dong, features the famous Vietnamese Prime Minister/President of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. He served as Prime Minister from 1945 to 1955 and then as President until his death in 1969. The design on the back of the banknotes has had several different series but birds have not been included. The first series did have one animal, the elephant on the back of the 10 dong and a fishery was featured on the back of the five dong.

Is There a National Animal of Vietnam?

Wild Water Buffalo in Yala West National Park, Sri Lanka — The water buffalo is the national animal of Vietnam where they are often used for farm work.©Hugh Lansdown/Shutterstock.com

Yes. The national animal of Vietnam is the water buffalo. Water buffalo are massive animals and can be five to 6.2 feet at the shoulder and eight to 10 feet long. The males have huge horns that jut out the side of their heads and curve backward with some having a span of five feet. Although they sound dangerous the water buffalo has been domesticated for 5,000 years and are actually quite gentle. They have been used by the Vietnamese and other cultures on farms to help plow the fields and as transportation to move crops and people. There is also some symbolism with the national animal of Vietnam, if you own a water buffalo that has even symmetrical hair then you and your family will experience good luck.

Written by Cindy Rasmussen for https://a-z-animals.com/

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Braised pork and stuffed bitter melon soup at Tet: The meaning behind them

What is admirable in Vietnam is, among other things, how the Vietnamese pass on traditions from generation to generation… here is one about a dish from the south… Happy reading #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Braised pork with duck eggs and stuffed bitter melon soup have long been associated with regional characteristics and spiritual elements of southern Vietnamese life.

A meal served in families in the south during Tet. Photo by Kho Qua Deo

Every morning and evening from the 1st to the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year (in some places until the 4th), southerners often cook rice with other dishes to offer to their ancestors. But braised pork with duck eggs and stuffed bitter melon soup are two must-have dishes on these days.

According to cultural researcher Nguyen Thanh Loi, no one knows exactly when braised pork with duck eggs and stuffed bitter melon soup first appeared on the Lunar New Year’s days in southerner Vietnam. However, each of these dishes has a significant meaning during Tet meals.

“About 50 to 70 years ago in the south, not every family could afford to display braised pork with duck eggs and stuffed bitter melon soup on a tray to offer during the Tet holiday. Poor families consider these luxurious dishes,” said Loi. “They have to save up for the whole year until the Lunar New Year to purchase new clothes and eat dishes made from pork with the hope that they will be prosperous.”

Braised pork with duck eggs. Photo by VnExpress/Le Huu Tuong

The researcher added that in a pot of braised pork with duck eggs, the square pieces of meat and round eggs are symbols of balanced yin and yang. “The representation of a round egg is a symbol of fertility, wishing for a happy new year, and a family with many more children,” he added.

“The name kho qua – stuffed bitter melon – explains the wish for all kho, sorrows and misfortunes of the old year, to qua – pass, to receive good news in the new year.”

Braised pork is a high-energy, fatty dish, if eaten in large quantities and regularly during Tet, it will not be good for one’s health, especially for overweight people, or people with disorders of dyslipidemia, heart disease, or high blood pressure. However, stuffed bitter melon has cooling characteristics, has low calories and carbs, is high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, which is good for the liver, is a laxative and aids digestion. On Tet days, the weather in the south is often hot, and so eating a lot of food that is rich in protein like meat and fish can make you easily feel hot. A bowl of stuffed bitter melon soup has cooling effects.

Stuffed bitter melon soup. Photo by VnExpress/Le Huu Tuong

Southern people also cook braised pork with duck eggs and stuffed bitter melon soup on special occasions such as the day of worshiping at communal houses and death anniversaries. In addition to the concept of yin and yang, the two dishes also complement each other’s flavors.

“The way southern people celebrate Tet is different from time to time,” Loi said. “But what seems right will be maintained, which is why braised pork with duck eggs and stuffed bitter melon soup have been two indispensable dishes in the Tet tray of southerners for generations.”

Written By Henry Duong for E.VnExpress.net

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Vietnam Tourist hotspots, spiritual sites overrun by Tet holiday crowds

Vietnamese cherish the Lunar New Year holiday and for the 2nd consecutive year enjoys a long holiday… well here are the favorite places for many of us … #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Streets were heavily congested and visitors had to wait for three hours to take a cable car ride as popular tourist destinations were overrun by a sea of people during the seven-day Tet break.

Tourist hotspots, spiritual sites overrun by Tet holiday crowds

Crowds flood the 3-kilometer-long Bai Sau, a popular beach in Vung Tau near Ho Chi Minh City, on January 24, the third day of new lunar year.

Some 174,000 visitors flocked to Vung Tau during the first four days of the Lunar New Year and many streets leading to beaches were gridlocked with long lines of vehicles.

Lying 100 km from HCMC, Vung Tau in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province is a favorite destination of people in the city and the neighboring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai.

Photo by Dang Khoa

Tourists watch a street art performance by foreign artists at the Sun World Phu Quoc tourist complex on the southern island of Phu Quoc during the Tet holiday.

Phu Quoc is expected to welcome 175,000 visitors, including 11,000 foreigners, during the Tet break, around 70% of pre-pandemic levels.

Photo courtesy of Sun World Phu Quoc

A street leading to the popular Ba Chua Xu Lady Temple at the foot of Sam Mountain in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang was heavily congested on Wednesday.

Vietnamese, especially Buddhists, have a long tradition of visiting pagodas and temples in the new year to pray for peace and luck during the new year.

Photo by Thanh Tung

A large crowd waits for a few hours to take a cable car to Ba Den Mountain, dubbed the roof of southern Vietnam, in Tay Ninh Province that borders HCMC on Wednesday.

The seven-day Tet break ends on Thursday.

Photo by Thai Ha

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Hanoians flocked to the Temple of Literature to light incense and pray for good luck while some taking university entrance exams at mid-year came to seek blessings.

Photo by Giang Huy

Tam Chuc Pagoda in northern Ha Nam Province saw a sea of pilgrims on Wednesday.

The pagoda lies on the banks of a 600-hectare lake described as a mini version of the UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay with numerous small islets.

Photo by Anh Phu

In Sa Pa, tourists wait for nearly three hours to take a cable car ride to Mount Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina, on Wednesday.

Sa Pa received 58,000 visitors since the beginning of the Tet break, equivalent to last year’s number.

The hotel occupancy rate in Sa Pa during the Tet holiday reached 80% while some downtown streets were jam-packed, forcing traffic police to direct traffic to reduce congestion.

Photo by Phan Dau

Yen Tu Mountain in the northern Quang Ninh Province, home to many pagodas and temples and thus a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims, received nearly 2,700 visitors on the first day of the Lunar New Year on Sunday, and 5,800 on the second day.

Managers of Yen Tu relic site said the number of visitors during the holidays has been 50% higher than on normal days.

Text by various reporters & Photo by Tung Lam Yen Tu for E.VnExpress.net

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40,000 pilgrims arrive for opening day of Huong Pagoda Festival

Huong Pagoda Festival is among the greatest Buddhist festival in northern part of Vietnam. Huong Pagoda Festival plays an important role in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people in general and Vietnamese Buddhists in particular. If I remember correctly, this festival brings to mind a Vietnamese legend that I describe below… Have a nice weekend! #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

According to folklore, once upon a time, there was a beautiful and kind-hearted princess named Dieu Thien—the third daughter of King Dieu Trang, Huong Lam Kingdom. However, at the age of getting married, the prince rejected all proposals from other countries and insisted on leading a religious life. The King got very angry and locked her into the backyard of his palace. As the princess’s decision was unchanged, King Dieu Trang sent her to Bach Tuoc pagoda where she went through a wide range of arduous works; still, she completed them all. Getting more and more displeased, the King even set Bach Tuoc Pagoda on fire and jailed the princess into the forbidden palace. However, Princess Dieu Thien was so determined that she overcame all of the above challenges and difficulties. At the end, the King decided to execute his stubborn daughter. Right when Dieu Thien was escorted to the scaffold, Huong Tich Mountain God came in the form of a tiger and saved her.

The princess wake up in the forest and saw a handsome young man approaching her. The man eagerly sent Dieu Thien chatty pick up lines; however, she kept on turning him down. Surprisingly, the guy turned out to be Buddha. He told the princess to practice Buddhist in Huong Tich Cave. After 9 years of ascetic Buddhist practice, the princess got enlightened. She saved the country from the war, protected her parents and sisters from devils. From then on, she was canonized as Goddess of Mercy (Quan Am) and was widely worshipped throughout the country.

Thousands of people flocked to the Huong Pagoda in Hanoi for its annual festival, which began on Friday and will go on for three months.

40,000 pilgrims arrive for opening day of Huong Pagoda Festival

The Yen Stream near Tro Port was full of boats taking pilgrims to the pagoda in My Duc District.

Around 5,000 boats were arranged for pilgrims. The management of the Huong Son Site, of which the pagoda is a part, said the site is open for tourists from Saturday last week and around 150,000 have arrived since.

Nguyen Ba Hien, head of the management, said: “Electronic tickets are the new feature at this year’s festival. 10 gates have been installed for the electronic tickets. The system scanned the tickets’ QR codes, and it worked smoothly on the first day. There were no sign of fake tickets.”

At 9 a.m., the opening ceremony was held. The festival, Vietnam’s biggest spring festival, would last until April 23.

In 2021 and 2022, due to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no opening ceremony.

Crowds at the festival.

Tickets to visit the Huong Pagoda, including insurance, cost VND80,000 ($3.41) for adults, and VND40,000 for children. The boat ride to and from costs VND35,000-50,000.

People line up to board a cable car. A return trip on the telpherage costs VND220,000.

On Friday the Huong Son Site received around 40,000 people, according to the festival organizers.

Most pilgrims to the Huong Son Site visit the Huong Tich cave.

People climb a steep stone stair to reach the cave.

The Huong Tich cave is packed with people. Police officers and militia are stationed to maintain order during the festival.

People carry offerings and put them on altars in the cave.

Buddhists pray inside the cave.

Nguyen Van Lam from Bac Ninh Province said: “Before the pandemic came my family would come for the opening day of the Huong Pagoda Festival every year. We come to sightsee and pray for luck.”

People collect water dripping off stalactites for luck.

The Huong Pagoda Festival attracts millions of visitors every year. The pagoda is situated around 60 km from downtown Hanoi.

An article written By Ngoc Thanh for E.VnExpress.net

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15 travel ideas to explore Vietnam’s hidden gems

Vietnam is now part of the list of top Travel magazines. Here is a good example this Saturday morning … #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Happy readingAustralia’s Lonely Planet Magazine has recommended 15 top travel experiences to discover the culture, cuisine and the hidden gems of Vietnam.

Taste Hue‘s imperial cuisine

Banh ram it is topped with shrimp powder and stir-fried onion. Photo by Shutterstock/Jimmy Tran

Once the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal family that ruled the country from 1802 until 1945, Hue is famous for its complex of royal tombs with distinctive architecture. The ancient citadel is known for its diverse culinary scene with over 1,700 dishes, many of them originating from the imperial kitchen in the royal palace.

In addition to its signature bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodle soup) that can be found on every street corner in Hue, banh beo (steamed rice cake), banh ram it(fried dumpling) and banh bot loc (tapioca dumpling) are must-try specialties in Hue.

Che (sweet soup) used to be an indispensable dessert for kings and royal families during the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty, much liked for its freshness and nutritional value.

It’s not difficult to find sweet soup stalls in Hue where you can enjoy a variety of this dessert, such as che hat sen (lotus seed), che nhan boc hat sen (longan stuffed lotus seed), and che khoai mon (taro sweet soup). These specialties are bound to satiate you sweet tooth.

Watch rare monkeys on Son Tra Peninsula

A red-shanked douc langur jumps between trees like a circus acrobat on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang. Photo by Duong Duc Khanh

Son Tra Peninsula, around 10 km from downtown Da Nang, spreads over more than 4,400 hectares (10,880 acres), with long stretches of beautiful beaches and primeval forests.

A natural shield for the beach city, the peninsula is home to red-shanked douc langur with a population of 300-400 that are under strict protection.

The red-shanked douc is a rare and endemic species in Vietnam. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has placed the primate on the list of animals in need of unconditional protection.

Over the last few years, the peninsula has become known as a place where visitors can enjoy watching and taking beautiful photographs of the langurs.

However, tourists are advised to refrain from feeding the monkeys to avoid disrupting their eating habits and the population’s health.

Explore a UNESCO-protected Hindu temple complex

My Son sanctuary near Hoi An ancient town. Photo by Tuan Dao

“Many visit the UNESCO-protected ancient town of Hoi An, but fewer venture inland to another UNESCO delight – My Son sanctuary, a cluster of Hindu temple ruins surrounded by jungle and a ring of mountains protecting the sacred Thu Bon River,” Lonely Planet said.

The My Son Sanctuary is a complex of abandoned and partly ruined Hindu temple towers constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries when the Champa Kingdom reigned.

Last year, local authorities launched a new tourism product, the Cham dance performance program with lighting effects, in an effort to attract foreign tourists.

Visit the Cao Dai Temple

The Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh Province is seen from above. Photo by Quynh Tran

The Cao Dai Holy See in the southern province of Tay Ninh, around 70 kilometers to the east of HCMC, was founded in 1926 and houses a temple, residences for officials and followers, and a herbal medicine hospital that attracts many patients, especially from the south.

From a distance, the structure looks like a European-style church fronted by two bell towers.

The main icon of Caodaism is an eye that casts a glow representing the Supreme Deity. Caodaism also worships other deities such as Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, and Guanyin. Their images can be seen at many places in the Holy See.

Worshippers gather for prayers at midnight, 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. every day at the Holy See. Visitors are allowed to observe them.

Jump on a motorbike

A panoramic view of Ta Pa field in Tri Ton District with paddy fields stretching out in vast swathes of brilliant green and yellow. Photo by Huynh Van Thai

“A motorbike offers total freedom to explore the country,” says Lonely Planet, recommending tourists try a motorbike tour from HCMC to explore the S-shaped country through green paddies in the Mekong Delta, stunning beaches along central Vietnam coastline or mountain ranges in the north.

Riding from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike is probably the most popular road trip in Vietnam, and unquestionably one of the best ways to experience the country.

The road traverses heavily forested limestone mountains, runs along rivers, and cuts through rice paddy fields, allowing travelers to explore popular destinations like Binh Thuan, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue and Quang Binh.

International driving permits are becoming increasingly necessary, so make sure that you have a valid motorcycle license.

Conquer Ban Gioc Waterfall

A raft carries tourists to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang. Photo by Tran Bao Hoa

Ban Gioc Waterfall, which straddles the China border 30 kilometers from the central market of Cao Bang’s Trung Khanh District, is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia and the world’s fourth largest along a national border after Iguazu, Victoria and Niagara.

The waterfall is 53 meters high and 300 meters wide and has three levels of smaller waterfalls.

A small sloping path leads to the waterfall. Buses with a seating capacity of 25 or less can travel down the path while bigger ones drop their passengers off at a parking lot at the Vietnam border station. Travelers can walk down to the falls from there.

The Tay ethnic minority community often brings horses here to provide photos ops for VND20,000 (85 cents) a pop.

Breathe the fresh air in Da Lat

Du Sinh Hill near Da Lat Town is shrouded in mist. Photo by Le Hoang Men

Da Lat is dubbed “Little Paris,” due to its history as a summer escape for French colonial officials who built villas in the hills to escape the heat and humidity of the lowlands.

The Australian magazine urges tourists to explore the town’s French-influenced heritage via the array of old villas where the French lived 100 years ago, or visit the Hang Nga Crazy House, famous for its extraordinary exterior which resembles a monstrous banyan tree.

The highlands town is cool all year round, its dense pine forests make it one of the freshest destinations in Vietnam.

Visit Dak Lak’s coffee plantations

A coffee field in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak. Photo by Minh Tu

Dak Lak is Vietnam’s biggest coffee-growing province, accounting for one-third of the country’s coffee production, with 476,200 tons harvested in the 2019-2020 crop, according to official data.

The best time to visit Dak Lak is from September to the end of December, which coincides with the harvest season, giving tourists an opportunity to see farmers harvesting different kinds of coffee such as arabica, robusta and liberica.

The area is known for many coffee brands, which are not only famous at home, but also exported to more than 80 countries and territories throughout the world.

Discover Vietnam’s Maldives

Ky Co beach with turquoise waters is seen from above. Photo by Nguyen Tien Trinh

Quy Nhon has emerged on the global tourism map in recent years after international media called it “a perfect getaway” with long, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.

“Its long, fine white beaches backed by mountains have earned Quy Nhon the name ‘Maldives of Vietnam’,” Lonely Planet described.

Ky Co is the most popular beach in Quy Nhon thanks to its two colored water with distinct shades of green and blue, making for an arresting sight.

Renting a motorbike is the most convenient way to travel to Ky Co. The service is available online or at hotels. Some people also choose to book a Ky Co tour which normally includes a boat service to take you to the island, a meal, and diving, all priced at about VND350,000-VND400,000 per person.

Brave Son Doong, the world’s largest cave

A sinkhole inside Son Doong Cave is seen from a campsite. Photo by Ngo Tran Hai An

Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh has hogged the international spotlight since it opened to tourists in 2013.

A four-day-three-night expedition to the cave costs VND69.8 million (US$3,000) and tourists need to have good physical and mental preparation to conquer the world’s largest cave due to its complex terrain.

Trekkers accompanied by a specialist go through unique underground rainforests, kayak in rivers both above and below ground and climb a 90-meter-high wall dubbed “The Great Wall of Vietnam” with ropes and ladders.

Learn about Vietnam’s war history

US tanks are on display at Saigon’s War Remnants Museum in HCMC. Photo by Phong Vinh

For many Westerners, Saigon’s War Remnants Museum on Vo Van Tan Street in HCMC’s District 3 triggers their curiosity as it has more than 20,000 artifacts, images and documentaries that relive the atrocities of the war, including war crimes perpetrated by imperial and colonial forces. Millions of Vietnamese continue to suffer the consequences of the war to this day.

The museum, just about a five-minute drive from Ben Thanh Market, was built in 1975.

“The War Remnants Museum pulls no punches in detailing war atrocities, napalm burns, unexploded ordnance and a perfectly conserved U.S. tank,” Lonely Planetsaid.

Cruise along bays

Bai Tu Long Bay in northern Vietnam. Photo by Khanh Tran

Cruise tour is the best way to explore the world heritage site Ha Long Bay, which is dotted with karst limestone mountains rising out of emerald waters.

For those who want a luxurious overnight stay to watch the sun come up on Ha Long Bay, Heritage Cruises, Indochine Cruise, Paradise Cruise and Stellar of the Seas are worth considering.

All five-star cruise ships in Ha Long are equipped with luxury cabins and modern amenities like bars, swimming pools, a golf club, a gym and spas.

They also offer outdoor adventures like kayaking, cave exploring, onboard cooking classes, squid fishing at night and excursions to floating villages.

If Ha Long is crowded, its sister Bai Tu Long Bay is an alternative choice where there are still few tourists.

Explore floating market in the Mekong Delta

Foreign tourists sit on boats to explore Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho. Photo by Le Dang

For centuries, the Mekong Delta has been Vietnam’s rice basket. Today it is famous for its unique floating markets where local specialties are sold from boats.

Lonely Planet advised tourists to explore Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho, the biggest of its kind in the Mekong Delta.

A 40-minute boat ride is the best way to explore life along the waterways as it passes houses built on stilts over the water and boats in a bewildering variety of sizes, shapes and colors docked along the shore.

Lost in golden rice harvest season

Terraced rice fields during the harvet season in Mu Cang Chai in northern Vietnam. Photo by Shutterstock

Mu Cang Chai, a rural district in northern Yen Bai Province where most population mainly depend on farming for a living, is famous for its terraced rice fields that are dyed a golden yellow during the rice harvest season between September and October.

Mu Cang Chai is around a seven hour drive northwest of Hanoi. It sits at 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Thanks to its rising popularity, ethnic minority groups here have started to turn their homes into friendly homestays to accommodate tourists.

Ride the Ha Giang Loop

Ha Giang Loop is notorious for its twisting, narrow roads and dangerous mountain passes. Photo by Ngan Duong

The 350-meter-long Ha Giang Loop in the northern mountainous region is always a favorite with foreign backpackers as they want to conquer one of Vietnam’s toughest trails.

The journey takes from three to five days depending on weather conditions but is not easy to conquer for amateur travelers due to its twisting, narrow roads and dangerous mountain passes.

Winding their way through Ha Giang Loop, travelers will have a chance to explore the cultural identities of at least 10 ethnic minorities groups, including Hmong, Tay and Thai.

As part of the journey, tourists will run through Ma Pi Leng, one of the country’s most dangerous mountainous passes, where there is a river below called Nho Que with emerald waters that is popular for boat tours.

Ha Giang’s recent tourism boom has seen many motorbike rental services spring up in the province. Foreigners only need to leave their passports and pay around VND150,000 per day to rent a motorbike.

Story by Nguyen Quy for E.VnExpress.net

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Vung Tau, South of Vietnam, draws crowds of tourists during Tet holiday !

I wrote in a previous article that I preferred to stay in Saigon … for the unusual tranquility because the majority of Saigon people visit their families or take vacations during Tet. Your comments please 😉 #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

Tens of thousands of visitors from HCMC and nearby localities flocked to Vung Tau beaches on the third day of the Lunar New Year on Tuesday.

Vung Tau draws crowds of tourists during Tet holiday

Bai Sau, a popular Vung Tau beach running five kilometers long, is full of beachgoers on Tuesday afternoon, despite big waves, strong winds and high tides.

Lying 100 km from HCMC, Vung Tau Town in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province is a favorite destination of people in the city and its neighboring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai.

Tourists return to their hotels from the beach.

Crowded traffic on a street in Vung Tau Town.

Another section of Bai Sau is filled up with beachgoers.

On Tuesday, Vung Tau Beach recorded strong winds and waves nearly 3 meters high, causing water to splash repeatedly on the embankment.

According to the Southern Hydrometeorological Station, Vietnam’s southern coast was hit by northeastern winds of 40-70 kph on the third and fourth day of the lunar new year, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Le Thanh Tam, a tourist from HCMC, enjoys the experience of being splashed by strong waves.

Wearing sunglasses, Mai Hoa from Dong Nai Province said she and her family chose Vung Tau for a Tet holiday because the town is now enjoying cool temperatures and is close to their home.

Tuan and Minh from Binh Duong Province toss a ball on the beach.

A family plays in the sand.

A life guard brought a flag to an area to warn people to stay away from whirlpools.

Pham Khac To, director of the Vung Tau Tourism Area Management Board, said whirlpools and rip currents usually appear in Vung Tau beaches around this time of the year along with high tides and large waves. Therefore, life guards must be on duty at all times to prevent possible accidents.

In the past two days, Vung Tau beach received more than 100,000 tourists.

“The number of visitors is higher compared to the same period of previous years before the pandemic and is expected to be even more crowded on Wednesday,” he said.

Vietnamese people are enjoying a seven-day Tet break from January 20 to 26.

Written By Truong Ha for E.VnExpress.net

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No herbs, no hoisin sauce: A true Hanoi style pho in Saigon

That’s the beauty of Vietnam… having a multitude of meals at very affordable and healthy prices… it’s worth the detour to taste one of the best Pho in Hanoi @ Pho tai lan … #MustSeeInVietnam Editor

A pho restaurant in Saigon has continued to serve food in the traditional northern style for more than 20 years, setting it apart from other restaurants in the area.

In Saigon, you can come across many different versions of pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup, originating from localities across the country. To suit the tastes of southern diners, many of them have been modified by adding bean sprouts and hoisin sauce. However, there are still many restaurants that insist on keeping the traditional flavor of northern pho. A typical example is the Phu Gia restaurant on Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3.

Although there are many tables set up inside the restaurant, the eight tables in the front are constantly occupied by diners. All customers are drawn in by the aroma of the boiling broth in the cooking area. Coming to the restaurant early in the morning, you can see a big wok set up at the front. The aroma of stir-fried beef with garlic cooking on a wok over a flaming fire can attract anyone passing by.

Meat and ingredients are neatly arranged at the front of the eatery. Photo by VnExpress/ Huynh Nhi

Nguyen Xuan Chinh, the owner of the eatery, said the shop has been open for more than 20 years, since his parents’ time, but now he has taken over. The shop sells different parts of beef, from well-done flanks to tendon, at VND70,000 ($2.99) per bowl.

Pho tai lan is the restaurant’s most famous dish, with prices ranging from VND75,000 to VND90,000 per bowl.

“The main ingredients of pho tai lan are stir-fried beef and rice noodles, with a rich broth. It is very popular with diners,” Chinh said.

Pho with stir-fried beef is popular among diners at Phu Gia restaurant. Photo by VnExpress/Huynh Nhi

A bowl of pho is not served with herbs as in other places. The only seasoning is pickled garlic, chili, lime, chili sauce, and you can order a plate of fried dough sticks to eat with the pho. Customers can ask for bean sprouts if they order a bowl of pho with well-done flank.

At Phu Gia, a bowl of pho is quite big. The flat noodles are soft, white, and have a smooth texture. The bowl is topped with stir-fried beef with chopped scallions, onions and cilantro. The broth retains a layer of tasty fat from the stir-fried oil.

You can taste a rich and very lightly sweet flavor from the broth. Its aroma comes mostly from the beef broth and stir-fried beef with garlic. Compared to the pho with well-done flank or pho with tendon, the pho tai lan has a stronger broth flavor due to its seasoned stir-fried beef. Pho tai lan will taste best if you add some lime juice to the broth, or eat it with the fried dough sticks. Additionally, the stir-fried beef is tender and not chewy, and the green onions are sweet and odorless.

A bowl of pho tai lan costs VND75,000. Photo by VnExpress/ Huynh Nhi

Thanh Binh, a regular customer, said the price is high but it’s worth it.

“There are no herbs, so I can taste the broth, noodles, and beef better,” he said.

The restaurant has many fans, but because of the small space and how hot the food is, it can occasionally feel stuffy inside.

Some people who come to eat at Phu Gia restaurant are unhappy paying an additional VND4,000 for motorbike parking. The restaurant is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and reopens at 5 p.m. until late at night. Because people come here to eat breakfast before going to work, it is crowded in the morning.

By Huynh Nhi for E.VnExpress.net

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