Vietnam heritage 9 10 2016

7:6 SEP-OCT 2016

The half-naked faith

CONTENT No 7, VOL.6, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

RELIGION

8 Fete at Vietnam’s most special pagoda FESTIVAL

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14 The half-naked faith THEATRE

16 God created the waters, Vietnam created the water puppets

FOLK CUSTOMS

18 Giving drought the heave-ho TRAVEL

20 A day in Phu Quoc island ADVERTORIALS

24 A prominent entertainment hub in Phu Quoc 26 Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort - Journey to indulgence

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BOOKS

29 The drink that fuels a megacity 30 32 34 36 39 54

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FOOD

Terrible but tempting

Feast for the eyes, feast for the palate EVENTS

VALUE FOR MONEY DIRECTIONS

WHAT THE PAPER SAY

Cover photograph: Writing calligraphy at the Big House, Long Son Island, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Photo: Tong Tran Son Published by the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam

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Publication licence No: 1648/GP-BTTTT from the Ministry of Information and Communications of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the English-language edition of The Gioi Di San (The World of Heritage) magazine Editor-in-Chief: Le Thanh Hai; Public Relations Director: Bui Thi Hang Managing Editor: Kha Tu Anh; Sub-editing: Erik Johnson; Assistant: Van Thanh Nga, Nguyen Dang Khoa; Designer: Thanh Mai; Contributing Photographers: Nguyen Ba Han, Hoang Quoc Tuan, Hoang The Nhiem, Huynh Van Nam, Le Hoai Phuong, Nguyen Anh Tuan; Ngo Nguyen Huynh Trung Tin; Nguyen Ba Ngoc Correspondent: Pip de Rouvray; Advertising and Circulation: Green Viet Advertising JSC Email: tapchidisanvietnam@gmail.com; Thuy Phuong 0969 47 3579 Hanoi Advertising and Subscription: The He Moi MHN Viet Nam Co.Ltd, Mr Song Hao: 0903 476 999 Nha Trang Advertising and Subscription: Bach Cat Co. Ltd,; 22/6A Bach Dang Str. Nha Trang City Tel: (58) 360 7070 Fax (58) 387 0099, Email: bachcatprco.ltd@gmail.com Contact in the US for subscription and advertising: 2628 Sturla dr. San Jose, CA 95148

32 Vietnam Heritage Magazine

4th Floor, 1/1 Hoang Viet St., Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 38 118846

Fax: (84-8) 38 118775 Email: vnheritagemagazine@gmail.com

www.vietnamheritage.com.vn Vietnam Heritage

Vietnam Heritage

Vietnam Heritage is published monthly, produced in Vietnam and printed at Army Printing House No 2. © All rights reserved.

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Flood season in Hoi An, November, 2011 Photo: Thai Bich Thuan

RELIGION

Fete

at Vietnam’s most special

pagoda

A thousand-year-old party to celebrate a famous monk TEXT BY LE KHANH; PHOTOS BY NGUYEN BA NGOC

Thai Binh

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‘Father scolding, mother reprimanding Won’t keep me away from Keo Pagoda’s fete’ he age-old folk song shows the attractiveness and importance of Keo Pagoda’s fete for the folks of Thai Binh Province and the Northern Delta in general.

Historical records show that this ancient fete takes place on the 13, 14 and 15 days of the ninth lunar month (This year the festival falls on 13, 14 and 15 October). This is the biggest fete among Keo Pagoda’s festivities, and its purpose is to commemorate the Great Zen Priest Khong Lo (1016-1094).

Keo Pagoda in Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province, is a nearly 400-year-old complex of hundreds of architectural structures with countless of carvings that culturologists consider wood-carving masterpieces. In 2012, the government recognized it as a special heritage.

In modern times, Keo Pagoda’s fete still retains many sacred traditional rituals and folk games. The games include charming songs on boats, martial art contests, a betel quid-making contest, tug of war, pot smashing blindfolded . . . Every year tens of thousands of pilgrims come to attend the fete.

RELIGION

According to the Relic Management Office of Thai Binh Province, in 1061, under King Ly Thanh Tong, an enlightened, venerated monk built a pagoda in Keo Village and named it Nghiem Quang. In March 1167, under King Ly Anh Tong it was renamed to Than Quang. In 1611, flood waters of the Red River swept away Than Quang Pagoda and Keo villagers’ dwellings. After that, Keo village split into two, one on the right bank of Red River (Xuan Hong Commune, Xuan Truong District, Nam Dinh Province) and the other on the left bank (Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District of today’s Thai Binh Province.)

Life stabilized, the two villages built a pagoda each, both named Than Quang and nicknamed Keo. The one in Nam Dinh Province is called Nam Dinh Keo Pagoda, and the one in Thai Binh Province Thai Binh Keo Pagoda.

Ancient records say that Thai Binh Keo Pagoda was built by a mandarin named Hoang Nhan Dung. It was the time of a civil war between Trinh and Nguyen Lords, and Trinh Lord allocated only 100 logs of precious wood for the pagoda. Mr Dung spent 19 years (1611-1630) to raise funds and acquire timber. The construction took 28 months and finished in 1632.

Since then, Thai Binh Keo Pagoda has undergone 5 renovations, but almost no changes to the original architecture. The premises are 500m wide, about 200m deep, and the edifices occupy about 58,000m2.

Thai Binh Keo Pagoda includes 21 major structures, 154 compartments, and is one of the brightest examples of the ‘Buddhist front, Saint rear’ architecture of Vietnam, according to the Vietnam Bureau of Cultural Heritage.

Almost all the pillars, beams and compartment walls of all the structures in Keo Pagoda are made of precious timber.

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RELIGION

According to culturologists, Thai Binh Keo Pagoda was ‘one of the biggest pagodas of Vietnam at that time.’

The Vietnam Association of Arts commented on the architecture of Thai Binh Keo Pagoda as follows: ‘This venerated Zen priest who could turn roof tiles into gold, river water into wine, who seized all the copper from the North (China) to cast the “Four Great Qis of the South”, who tamed the tiger soul illness of King Ly Than Tong, must have vested much of history and theology into the one-of-a-kind architecture of Than Quang, or Keo Pagoda.’

The main structures of Keo Pagoda include the Triple Outer Gates, Triple Inner Gates, Buddha Edifice, Guardian Edifice, Three Refuges Edifice, Temple of the Saint, Nation Pillar Edifice, High Edifice, and Bell Tower...

The Triple Inner Gates is considered by the Vietnam Association of Arts as a ‘one-of-a-kind structure that expresses spiritual values in ways seen at no other temples, pagodas or palaces. It represents the best of the artistic styles of the early XVII century’.

Moreover, Thai Binh Keo Pagoda still preserves hundreds of Buddha and Saint sculptures and sacrificial utensils of the Le Dynasty. The most valuable relics are the items of personal use of Zen priest Khong Lo; a string of ivory beads, a big lime-pot and three snail shells that shine like they are gold-plated.

Perhaps for those reasons some researchers say that Thai Binh Keo Pagoda is a ‘museum of the Le Dynasty’. The worshipped persons at Keo Pagoda are Buddha, the Saint (Zen priest Khong Lo) and a few biggest contributors to the construction of the pagoda. n

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Mr Nguyen Thien Nhan (second from right), Party’s Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front, cutting opening band at VNMH

VIETNAM NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY BEGINNING A NEW JOURNEY

In education and propaganda work: constantly improving and expanding activities of ‘I love history’ and ‘History class’ clubs; expanding target audience and upscaling the size and topical content of the exhibitions; constantly finding and applying new ways of information delivery such as audio guide, 3D virtual museum etc. to better serve the public. The NMH has truly become the leading museum in Vietnam in applying modern technology in exhibiting and featuring its collections.

In communication work: This is a new focus area of the Museum. Every year there are over 500 articles and columns written about Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH). The Museum’s Volunteers club is very active in supporting its

Excavation of ancient Luy Lau fortress in Bac Ninh Province – Archeological cooperation program between VNMH and Japan’s East-Asia Institute

professional work. VNMH’s website content can be seen in English, French and Vietnamese. This is an important communication channel for the Museum to reach out to a wider audience. The amount of access has reached over 28 million visits (in average over 500,000 visits per month.)

In international cooperation: VNMH has established bilateral and multilateral cooperative relations with many museums, research institutes and international organizations of 26 other nations, which benefit all sides’ work and development in such aspects as exhibition, archaeological excavation, conservation, training, publishing, organizing conferences and seminars, etc.

VNMH is a responsible member with many contributions of International Council of Museums (ICOM) and a founding member of Asian National Museums Association (ANMA).

To recognize the outstanding efforts and achievements as well as contributions of VNMH in the last 5 years, the Party, Government and higher authorities have conferred many awards and noble titles on its teams and staff members such as Labour Medal of First rank (for VNMH collectively), Second rank (for 3 individuals) and Third rank (for 1 individual), Outstanding competitive flag, Plaque of appreciation from the Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and many other high awards of the Party, Labor Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, higher authorities and other organizations, ministries and industries from all over the country.

By Dr Nguyen Van Cuong - VNMH Director

VIETNAM NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi / 25 Tong Dan St, Hanoi - Tel: (04) 3824-1384 - www.baotanglichsu.vn

RELIGION

The half-naked faith

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BY DANG KHOA

vening on the 8 and 9 days of ninth lunar month every year is the time for the Double Nine Festival (this year the festival falls on 8 and 9 October), which takes place at the famous Long Son Big House, Long Son Commune of Vung Tau City to commemorate Sir Tran and to pray for health for all the people.

Sir Tran was the man who spent a lot of money and effort to build the Long Son Big House and who established a special life philosophy on Long Son Island.

Long Son Big House is a complex of many structures built in 1910. In 1991, it was recognized by the government as a national historical and cultural relic.

Days before the Double Nine Festival, the women of the village begin to prepare traditional foods and pastries typical of the Long Son Big House. Male villagers clean up the streets and decorate the Big House. The old men compose and write parallel sentences with beautiful meanings to hang at appropriate places.

On the 8th evening, they have an Ancestral Consecration with a non-vegetarian repast. The 9th is the main commemoration, and visitors are treated to free vegetarian meals. The simple ritual consists of burning incense to recall Sir Tran’s kind deeds and to pray for good health for everybody present. Many villagers are bare-

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footed, have bunned hair and wear clothes from Sir Tran’s time.

Though not as lavish as other festivities, thanks to the care, meticulous preparation and good name of Sir Tran and the Big House, the festival always attracts tens of thousands of people from far away.

According to the website of Culture, Sport and Tourism Department of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Sir Tran’s real name was Le Van Muu. Born in 1855 at Ha Tien, Kien Giang Province, he fought the French colonialists. In 1900, when the fight was lost, to evade persecution, Mr Muu and 20 others of his family sailed waterways and came to resettle on Long Son Island. He always bunned his long hair, was barefooted and half naked and worked all day. That’s why people called him Sir Tran (‘trần’ means half naked).

On the new settlement, Sir Tran built shrines. He built houses for poor people coming to Long Son to start a new life. That made his house bigger and bigger. As the Long Son population grew, he built a school, bazaar, community house, rain and heat shelter and a preservation house.

All these structures were built with timber and old fashioned roof tiles on a 2ha area. When Sir Tran passed away, the Big House began to be called Sir Tran Temple by local people.

Clockwise: Writing calligraphy on Tet holiday at Long Son Big House, 2008; Cleaning up and decorating for the Double Nine Festival, 2008; View of Long Son Big House; Photos: Pham Thi Ai Nghia

Cultural architecture experts described, the temple as a complex of houses, following the style of community houses in Vietnamese villages. The houses of different sizes mingle without fences and without order. The whole lot looks strangely arbitrary, but very lively, thus impressing visitors deeply.

Perhaps because of Long Son Big House’s strange arrangement, on both my two visits I felt lost as if in a maze. Looking down from a hillside nearby, the disorder seems even more confusing. Inside every house, especially the ones that serve spiritual purposes, there are many antique wooden and bronze items, intricately carved.

Many experts say that Sir Tran collected from all parts of the country a lot of furniture such as tables, chairs, altar-cabinets, lacquered boards, altar pots . . . Among those, the most valuable are King Thanh Thai’s table set encrusted with granite and nacre, and 33 altar cabinets inlaid with nacre.

As he built shrines to worship Heaven, Buddha, Saints and Fairies, Mr Muu also practiced perfecting himself with five virtues: Humanity, Sensibility, Respect, Intellect and Faith. He advised people to wear simple Southern clothes, walk barefooted and bun their long hair behind the head with no hats. He also established new customs strange to Vietnamese traditions, such as burying the dead without coffins, and weddings with just a consecration ritual to ancestors, without lavish feasting.

After Sir Tran died on the 20th of the 2nd lunar month of 1935,

considering his philosophy of life as a human culture, local folks began to call it Sir Tran’s Faith.

Religion researchers noted that Sir Tran’s Faith doesn’t require religious edifices, prayer texts, priests, vegetarian diet or denial of sex. Those are the differences from most of other religions in Vietnam, including the one influencing Mr Muu most deeply, the Four Blessing Piety faith whose teachings combine elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and ancestral worship.

Today, the life philosophy and customs set by Sir Tran are still followed by many folks, as a head of Long Son commune told me.

On the roads of the 92km2 island with 14,000 inhabitants, separated from the main land by just a small river, I see many men with a bun of hair, wearing clothes no different from those their ancestors wore a century ago. n

Ba Ria Vung Tau

Follow national highway 1A to the Northeast up to Vung Tau crossing, then turn right to national highway no. 51 and go 56km + 900m to reach Long Son fork.

Turn right and go 4km to another fork, then turn left and go further 1.5km to reach the Long Son Big House.

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THEATRE

God created the waters, Vietnam created the

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water puppets

BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

Pip de Rouvray attends the premiere of Vietnam's first hotel theatre

n the evening of September the fifth, it was my great pleasure to attend the premiere of The Rex Hotel’s newly-opened water puppet theatre which has taken fifty days to construct and is a first for a Vietnamese hotel. This performance was for invited members of the press and the tourist industry. I can attest this sixtyminute show is packed with vivid colours of costume and lacquered wooden puppets, action, lively music, dance, opera comedy and even water fireworks! There is never a dull moment as the scene changes every five minutes. You will be enthralled and riveted to your seat, left wondering how they managed to pack so much into only sixty minutes. Whilst the top billing is the halfhour water puppet show, the other half hour presents slices of the intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam from its origins in the Northern plains thousands of year ago. It is exceptional value for money!

The theatre is housed in the Vertical Garden, a courtyard open to the sky, where around fifteen climbing plants adorn several floors of rooms in the West Wing. The set is

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in glorious shades of light red. In front of the pool, which would have been the village pond in original performances in the north of Vietnam, is a large communal house of ancient times. To each side is an open-tosides pavilion where the musicians who also provide the voices and chorus are seated.

The winding staircases which lead to a much higher upper level are used for the entry and exit of the acts. Those who choose to watch while having dinner have their tables set out at ground level. The majority of the spectators watch from a covered circle above. Wherever you sit, you are afforded an excellent view of the stage. There are large wall fans and I found it more comfortable than sitting in a conventional covered theatre and also easier to imagine I was peering in on shenanigans going on in a rustic village of long ago.

The show opens with a ‘Hat Boi’ performance. This is a seven-hundred-yearold art form based on Chinese opera. Four players, highly colourfully adorned, act out martial arts. They represent the elements of rain, wind, thunder and lightning which work together to favour good conditions for

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016

the farmer. This ceremony originates from Indian legend.

This is followed by what the programme describes a ‘Unicorn baby’s birth’. I actually would have thought it was a lion dance. Two players in each costume acted out a male and female unicorn prancing around in courtship and eventually producing a cute offspring (clearly with a young child under the costume). Not often do you see such a sex scene on the Vietnamese stage!

The third display was of a dance. There was a central figure who my Vietnamesespeaking daughter told me was a fortune teller. She performed in front of an altar with fruit and candles set open it. She was soon joined by six other female dancers with fans and in long flowing traditional garb. Finally, the central figure picked up the candles and fruit and danced with them.

Next up was a very up-tempo musical performance of a musician playing a wonderful stone xylophone accompanied by a more common upright bamboo one. This stone musical instrument is from the Central Highlands and they have had them there for two thousand years.

THEATRE The last cultural act was from the Imperial Court of Hue and is about three hundred years old. This is the ‘Lantern Dance’, based on Buddhist ritual. Men and women dancers appear, carrying lotus flowers in both hands and in which candles are set. They change formation in kaleidoscopic style and they offer tea, food, candles flowers, lantern and fruit.

Then came the main attraction, as banners were raised above the waters, ploughmen with buffalo rode across them and Ong Teu, Vietnam's most celebrated puppet equivalent, came waddling across the ‘pond’. He acts as the narrator.

We were treated to a vivacious dragon dance and an agricultural scene with farmers working the rice fields and with the rice growing before our very eyes.

The next scene is the one likely to remain in the memory the longest. It is real slapstick stuff as a duck herder and his wife are seen tending the flock, only to have a fox appear who raises complete havoc. They chase him in the water and up and down a tree causing much splashing about before finally beating him to death.

Following this is a fishing scene both with rod and line and from a sampan as the bright shiny fish hilariously evade capture for a long time.

Then a male and female phoenix (along with the unicorn another of Vietnam's sacred animals) put on a courtship display which ultimately results in the laying of an egg on the water.

Another scene ensues of children playing and dancing in the water amidst the morning mist. They enjoy much fun and games until ultimately two ‘adult’ puppets appear to supervise them.

The last scenes are of two unicorns playing ball, a fairy dance and the dance of the four sacred animals which are the unicorn, the phoenix, the turtle and the dragon. The latter spectacularly has the dragon spit fireworks from its mouth, something no one could forget in a very long while. The fact that most of the scenes contain dance is given in that the Vietnamese name for the water puppets is in fact ‘mua roi nuoc’ meaning ‘puppets dancing on water’.

Right at the end the puppeteers emerge from the house in their water-tight slacks and galoshes to bow and take very well deserved applause from the audience.

So the Rex Hotel in house water puppets theatre looks set to cause quite a splash on the Saigon night life scene. Every nation's culture arises from the environment its people live alongside. Vietnam is an extremely watery land and its creative folk

have devised this unique art and entertainment genre right from the level of the village. Delightful light-hearted watery scenes are to be enjoyed here. Alongside this visitors can also enjoy and learn a lot about Vietnam's rich cultural heritage; myth, history, music, dance, and song. As the Australian man seated next to me said, ‘I learned so much tonight’. I would add you have not fully been to Vietnam if you have not seen a show like this! n

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FOLK CUSTOMS

Giving drought

the heave-ho

BY DANG KHOA

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nce upon a time, drought dried the Kien Giang River and sucked life out of plants and grasses. One night, as the story goes, the tutelary god visited a village elder in his dream and told him, ‘To have favourable weather, the people should pray to the Gods and have boat races to clear the river flow...’ Since then, every spring when the field work is less demanding, the people along the river have a boat race festival to pray for good weather, good crops and happy life.

That was how the boat race came to being an indispensable part of life on both sides of Kien Giang River, a 58-km long branch of the famous Nhat Le River in Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province.

FOLK CUSTOMS

The boat races in Kien Giang have a mythological origin On 2 September, 1945, Vietnam Independence Day, Le Thuy people were so happy that they organized a boat race right away without waiting till spring. Freed from foreign shackles, they called the day the ‘Independence New Year’.

Since then every ‘Independence New Year’, Le Thuy sons and daughters direct their thoughts and feelings home, wherever they live. The day, especially the Boat Race, has an important place in the local cultural life, as described in the folk ballad ‘Hiking North or riding South/ Rush back home on September the second/ Our New Year is vigorous/ With waves of water, people, and flags.

To prepare for a boat race on Kien Giang River, each village spares nothing to hire the best boat masters and buy the best quality wood to make a pair of boats for its male and female teams.

The lightweight, sharp-headed, slim race boats are 17m long, 1.2m wide, and beautifully adorned.

About 20 days before the official festival, the district’s villages conduct their ‘boat launch’ ritual. After praying and consecrating to the Gods, hundreds of young men sing their heave-ho song in unison

and rhythmically push their village boats toward the river until they plunge into the Quang water, throwing white foam around to Binh cheerful applause.

Mr Dang Ngoc Tuan, who spent years to study and collect Le Thuy heave-ho songs and tunes said, ‘these songs are sung when somebody is pushing a boat on land or pulling it ashore. These are mostly a pair of 6- and 8-word verses to create rhythm and foster good mood in the young people who move the boat.’

After the launch, the two teams of the village begin training to prepare for the race. Early morning on the official festival day, tens of thousands of people gather on Kien Giang River banks to watch the boats parade on the river and take their starting position.

At the signal, the teams begin oaring vigorously under drum beats and the cries and shouts and cheering of the crowds on both sides of the river. n

Photos were taken by Thanh Vuong at the boat racing on Kien Giang River, Le Thuy Dist., Quang Binh Province, 2014

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A DAY ON PHU QUOC ISLAND

BY JONATHAN BAR-ON

Phu Quoc

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he driver got out of the car to inspect the snake we had just run over. He poked it with a stick to be sure it was dead, and then put it in a plastic bag at my feet. ‘It will make a nice addition to lunch,’ he said. I wondered what the rest of the menu included.

We were driving over the mountains of Phu Quoc Island off the south western coast of Vietnam. Fifty percent of the island is covered by mountains and virgin forest. The island is ripe for development, with resorts springing up quickly near the towns. But this is the place to come for unspoiled mountain views, empty beaches and life with no deadlines. We wanted to avoid the tourist traps and littered beaches near I

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the towns and see the island on our own terms with one of the local teachers as guide.

Most of the northern island has been declared a national park. Our driver stopped near the entrance and bought a bag of baby clams cooked in their shells.

We sat on a rock in the middle of a stream and enjoyed our snack. It was October, the temperature was perfect, and we had the forest almost to ourselves.

Later, some friends met us with motorbikes and took us down a long forest trail with small houses secluded among the trees. Time slowed as we rode through an older and simpler world. Coming out at the bottom onto a clean white beach, we ate at one of

Sunset on Phu Quoc Island, 2016 Photo: Nguyen Thai Khanh

the open-air restaurants that only the locals know. A fisherman with his nets and coracle smiled and invited me to take some photos.

Vietnamese people love fresh seafood and beer, and we spent a couple of hours indulging in both. I was the only foreigner there.

Two marks of man on the island we felt we should visit. The first was the prison where the French, and later the Americans and South Vietnamese, held prisoners during the wars.

The reconstructed tin sheds are full of life-size mannequins showing how prisoners lived.

Sadly, the prison was known for its brutal tortures, and the life-like figures of caged men

A forest in the back of Ho Quoc Pagoda, Phu Quoc Island, 2016 Photo: Nguyen Thai Khanh

Monkeys at the Fairy Well, a tourist spot, on Phu Quoc Island, 2015 Photo: Trieu Vinh

At the Phu Quoc Prison. Photos: Le Thanh Binh

in the hot sun were reminders that man himself is sometimes the snake in the Garden of Eden.

If the prison was depressing, the second site was inspiring. We drove between the mountains and the sea and stopped at the gate to Ho Quoc Pagoda, the Buddhist temple perched high on a hill.

We climbed the long stairs between writhing dragons frozen in stone. The mountains behind the temple seemed eternal, but the pristine beach and open sea below looked newly created, as if yet untouched by man. Two monks set out incense and disappeared.

My friend offered incense and prayers, handed me some incense sticks and went outside. I was alone in the temple. The sound of a muted gong added a touch of mystery to the serenity.

The next day we drove along the coast, enjoying the quiet sea and beaches framed by palm trees. We stopped at one of the pearl farms near Duong Dong, the district seat. A guide explained the process of ‘farming’ cultured pearls and the long showroom was filled with cases of pearl jewellery of all varieties and prices.

Our next stop was the Son Phat winery. We walked among the rose myrtle bushes, and then tasted the slightly sweet wine made

from their fruit. It reminded me of black currant wine, but lighter in taste and colour with a nice bouquet. At about five dollars a bottle, I bought some as parting gifts and some to take home. When I declared the wine at the airport, it was sealed and allowed on the plane.

It was a weekend well spent, and I was back in Ho Chi Minh City

by Sunday night. For those with more time to spend, there are adventures on and under the water as well. The best times to go are in April-May or September-October. Flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City last about fifty-five minutes and cost around $70 per person each way. Or, visit Rach Gia on the mainland coast and take a ferry from there (you will pay a little extra for a seat on deck).

You can book a double room at one of the small hotels for $15 to $30 a night and avoid the expensive same-sameness of the resorts on Long Street. We were privileged to be with friends who live on the island, but you can have the same friendly personal service with Jerry and his guides at Jerry’s Jungle Tours. Book early for an off-thetrail, on-the-water, or under-the-water custom adventure. Plan to go soon. n Ho Quoc Pagoda, Phu Quoc Island, 2016. Photo: Nguyen Thai Khanh

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This is the venue for the superb Strawy restaurant, acclaimed by diners who enjoy meals seasoned by oceanic and local flavors, from buffet breakfast delicacies to late evening snacks and dinners of delicious Vietnamese food accompanied by live musical entertainment. The Escape Bar offers splendid view of the lagoon and a calming place to enjoy a cocktail.

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Long Beach Center, which is located at

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124 Tran Hung Dao Street in Duong Dong Town, is a not-to-miss destination for tourists to have the best experience during their days in Phu Quoc, also known as the Pearl Island of Vietnam.

Long Beach Seafood is the first luxury restaurant in Phu Quoc, with international standards for seafood, sashimi, and especially mouthwatering Hong Kong hotpot for up to 500 guests.

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With a mission to create a paradise of leisure, Pearl Sense Spa on level 5 and level 6 ensures a perfect experience of a 24/7 service. Tourists to the Pearl Sense Spa are guaranteed their best moments of beauty care and relaxation with herbal whitening, herbal treatment for acne, hi-tech skincare, hair styling, pedicure, body massage and foot massage. Pearl Sense Spa is proud to achieve the first four-star standard in Vietnam.

Initiated from an ambition to be a pioneer in karaoke entertainment sector,

Long Beach Karaoke is the largest karaoke center in Phu Quoc, with 48 luxury and hi-tech rooms and a mini-bar with a capacity of up to 100 guests. With a well-equipped sound system and a technology of Lighting Room, Long Beach Karaoke ensures to answer every demand and to bring a perfect leisure time for guests.

Tourists to Long Beach Pearl’s showroom in the property of Long Beach Center have a chance to admire a whole process to choose and create a pearl product.

Additionally, guests have their time to enjoy a spectacular digital world at three screening rooms with the most cutting-edge technology on the island or save their best moments at an eye-catching coral decoration corner.

With a system of nearly 20 showrooms across tourism destinations in Vietnam like Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, Muine, Saigon and Phu Quoc, Long Beach Pearl has promptly confirmed their prestige in pearl jewelry market. Long Beach Pearl’s high-quality jewelries are the top choices of tourists who wish to find meaningful and valuable gifts for their families and friends.

With active contributions to the pearl jewelry industry, Long Beach Pearl was honored to receive some prestigious awards like Top 10 Most Popular Brands in Vietnam in 2014, Top Brands 2015, and Excellent Brand 2016. Furthermore, Long Beach Pearl is proud to be the only enterprise in the pearl jewelry industry to be chosen to create the crowns and pearl jewelries for Vietnam’s popular beauty contests, including Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 and the VND 2.2 billion crown for Miss Vietnam 2016, Do My Linh.

For further information, please access

www.longbeachcenter.vn or call: 0919 401 090 – 0773 990 368

ADVERTORIAL

Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort

Journey to indulgence

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BY NATHALIE SOKOLOVSKAYA

he inspiring idea that the quote ‘long is the journey to an exotic tropical island retreat’ does fail sometimes comes to mind immediately as I draw a balcony curtain aside at my elegant Deluxe Ocean View Room at Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort, 7 storeys above the emerald waters of Halong Bay. The dreamy and splendid panorama of limestone mountains coated in the mist floating above the water forming the fanciful incised underline to the horizon at one’s full view is hypnotizing. Minutes ago, I was transferred at a blink of an eye from the mainland snowy white checkin building with exterior of a small castle and noble-looking interiors of concert hall in classic style with columns and elegant furniture to the private Reu Island, lying 200 metres from the land.

Bright new five-star Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort exclusively located on its own private island with the total area of 40,000 m² and opened to guests seven months ago looks truly impressive with its noble neo-classical architectural style and grandiose crescent shape silhouette, embracing the sunlit island terrain.

The half-minute long electric car ride from the pier made and a beautiful fountain of water running down the stairs at the entrance passed, one steps in the huge hall of the reception area with interiors, furnishing, lighting and carpets made in the best traditions of sumptuous art deco style, featuring chic sitting areas crowned with dramatic ceiling fittings, foyer lounge bar with piano, flowing smoothly in to the Bay view restaurant with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and running further both sides along the carpeted ways to the elevators leading to two wings of luxurious accommodation.

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Resort premises observed from above Quang strike with aesthetic outlay featuring Ninh expansive open-air rose garden, gradually descending to two outdoor swimming pools, one of which comprises 1.025m² of blue water placed over the huge and blossoming exotic flowers sophisticatedly ‘planted’ on their bottom from deep blue ceramic mosaic pieces.

The pool is placed steps away from the front sandy beach overlooking the bay. The island seems to have a sea star shape featuring three natural sandy beaches with calm waters and gradual descent from shallow to deep, inviting one to enjoy at least two days’ long swim with one of the best sea views Northern Vietnam can offer as the back drop.

The luxurious accommodation of Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort features 384 rooms, ranging from Deluxe Ocean View and Deluxe Pool and Terrace through Panoramic and Executive suites up to two chic Presidential suites with fabulous 350m² area and 360 degree views over stunning Halong bay.

All the rooms boast noble-looking interiors in fine art deco style with exquisite furniture in decorative curlings, king beds, sophisticated lamps and lightning fittings, cosy long chairs and spacious terrace-like balconies with a view one is never tired of. Due to the unique location, the striking views of the bay can be enjoyed from all of the resort rooms. The corridors and passages in beige, champagne and gold colours with beautiful carpets and chic lamps,

ADVERTORIAL are turned into landscape painting galleries showcasing the peaceful images of European rural idyll of the 19th century.

Among indoor exquisite facilities are all-seasons swimming pool (the third on the premises)with ornamental round windows overlooking the sea, state-of-the-art fitness centre and chic Vincharm spa with extensive menu of exotic treatments, including unlimited relaxation package with two spa treatments for a person per day, Vincharm signature coconut silky wrap, green tea scrub and Thai massage. The resort also has a huge indoor kids club and outdoor playing ground to impress its small guests, two tennis courts and water sport activities centre to cater to sporty holiday makers.

The gastronomic side of a stay in Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort deserves sincere hats off compliment for its quality, variety and creative way of serving in three impressive in-house restaurants.

The ‘on spot gastronomic cruise’- all day dining buffets served in Bay view Restaurant is included in the stay at the resort and features nearly a hundred dishes each, embracing Vietnamese authentic cuisine, fresh seafood galore, Japanese rolls and sashimi and an Italian food corner. The colourful full board that very few guests would manage to resist or treat with moderation represents the signature treat of the Vinpearl Resort chain and is truly unique both to the eye and to the palate. It boasts a bright palette of Vietnamese specialties like exotic rice-cake delights from Hue, the ancient capital, famous for its high cuisine and traditional New Year rice pie banh chung, which causes a strong addiction in those who catch the zest of its taste. Not to mention the baked and grilled fish, various seafood, excellent pho soups, many sorts of cheese and tropical fruits on display.

An expansive a la carte menu is also waiting to be explored at the elegant interiors of Akoya Restaurant and stunning Pavilion dining venue built on water with panoramic bay view sand tailored for a memorable, romantic and atmospheric dining out.

The elegant Pearl Lounge with live music from a Filipino band in the evening apart from cocktails galore and powerful Vietnamese coffee selection hypnotized me during my two day-long stay with one of the most tasty-looking club sandwiches and salmon burgers I‘ve ever seen on display, but remained a dream to me as their degustation was impossible to undertake due to the busy schedule of full board indulgence.

With a large number of rooms within the Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort premises and its full occupancy, the space there somehow surprisingly gives a feeling of privacy and tranquillity and together with the highly professional performance of its personnel gives an impression of staying in a boutique hotel with personal approach to its guests but not of a stay in a large-scale hotel institution housing hundreds of people.

With its unique location, impressive yet harmonious architecture, excellent gastronomy, an array of activities and facilities meant for total relaxation and indulgence, as well as a wide range of exclusive tours to remember on offer including day and sunset private cruises, cave dining, cable car trips over the bay to recreational parc and sea plane trips , Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort seems to turn their ambitious logo ‘being the holiday paradise’ in to action with success and earns one of the leading titles in the list of the best and newest resorts of Northern Vietnam.

Vinpearl Halong Bay Resort Dao Reu, Bai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3556-868 Email: info@vinpearlhalongbay-resort.com www.vinpearl.com

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BOOKS

The drink

fuels

W

Photo: Neil Featherstone

that a megacity

BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

ell, I was wondering what he would do for his next trick. Actually Aussie photographer Neil Featherstone, who came to live in Vietnam because he finds Vietnam is the land of enchantment and ‘loves the way it smells’, does not do tricks. He just takes everyday life and shows it from wondrous angles. He now has a follow on from his book on Hoi An, revealing more magic from everyday scenes which most of us would miss. His latest photo album shows you the multifarious ways the Vietnamese, and in particular the Saigonese, enjoy what arguably is nowadays their national drink-coffee.

There is a perfect introduction featuring a double page spread of steely ‘phins’ (those metal filters with the ‘hat’ on top) at various stages of drip-feeding coffee glasses and of the coffee and condensed milk mix beloved of the Vietnamese there with spoon to stir in plastic cups and at the ready for expected customers. Then Neil takes us on a trip to the Highlands to see the cherry-like beans on the bushes. How many would know that these also produce quite attractive white flowers. We are also introduced to a grower of the Ede minority called Ynuel.

The next chapter is devoted to styles and tastes. For traditional folk Vietnamese life has yet to complicated by the likes of Starbucks.

We are shown individuals and groups enjoying the four basic types: iced coffee with condensed milk, hot coffee with the same, hot black coffee with condensed milk and the only one I personally enjoy-plain old hot black coffee. Vietnamese friends are amazed that I take it without sugar. ‘Caffeine is enough for my heart and besides, I want to taste coffee, not sugar’ is always my answer. One style that induced nostalgia in my adult students and which is rare these day is the ‘Stocking Coffee’ where boiling water is poured over ground coffee in a long cotton ‘sock’. It apparently produces a very special taste!

The next section pictures the many ways Vietnamese enjoy coffee with friends and colleagues -the sociology of Saigon coffee if you like. Drinking coffee for the Saigonese, Neil reminds us, is never a solitary pursuit. We see them together drinking at rough-andtumble pavement cafes, seated on the grass in parks, and upmarket in cafes in rambling villas or in landscaped gardens. Then there are the ambulatory vendors who serve from containers mounted on motorbikes or bicycles-coffee to go they call it here.

The penultimate section is entitled ‘Evolution’ and it takes at look at some of the latest trends in cafes. There are cafes that double as trendy clothes shops or bookshops. There are the pet cafes where you drink in the company of cats and dogs and even lizards and snakes! The one photograph you will never forget is that of a green spiny back lizard coffee aficionado sipping at his iced sweetened coffee in a tall glass. A section is given to the home grown chain cafes such as Highland Coffee and Phuc Long, which recently have been joined by international giants such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. There seems to be room for all as a picture of a makeshift outfit with plastic stools sitting cheek by jowl with one of these makes clear. There are also the business cafes which provide work space and Wifi for the bring your own laptop brigade. Another trend is the local entrepreneurs who set up cafes vintage style in beautifully restored old buildings.

Finally Neil conjectures on the future as Saigon's citizens get wealthier and more able to afford upmarket places. Currently, Starbucks is the place where the nouveau riche like to flaunt themselves. The last picture here is a double spread of a black coffee and croissant set on a table on a skyscraper rooftop overlooking the vast urban landscape. But the very last of them all, after the credits at the back, is of three beaming friends at a simple sidewalk cafe.

Whatever happens, Neil seems to be saying, this kind of scene is not going away.

Neil Featherstone has achieved a comprehensive look at the cafe scene in Saigon showing just how important the drink is in people’s daily lives. I showed his book to my teenage daughter. She really liked it. Now I know what she does with her mates at the weekend.

She claims to have been in eighteen of the establishments snapped

by Neil. The young lady is a true Saigoner! That is something I will never be, what with my heretical belief that condensed milk is just for babies! That is it then. I have done my job-introduced you lot to a very stimulating tome. I am off now to put my feet up and enjoy a well-deserved cuppa TEA! ‘Saigon Ca Phe’ by Neil Featherstone is published by Dan Tri Publishers in collaboration with Artbook.

Price: VND450,000

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FOOD

T

TERRIBLE BUT TEMPTING TEXT BY HONG NGOC; PHOTOS FROM INTERNET

For Those who caN Brave Their odours, These Foods are worTh The paiN here’s no doubt that Vietnam has very diverse cuisine, from top royal delicacies to humble, mouth-watering everyday dishes or even simple snacks that make you cannot stop eating. And yet, there is no lack of bizarre dishes with a smelly element, which will make you cover your nose as soon as you see it. But believe me, they can be super-addicting.

2

1

Nước mắm Fish sauCe

Everywhere! A lot of Vietnamese believe that every dish needs a touch of nước mắm to be complete. They add it to everything: fried, steamed, raw, boiled, stir-fried, and grilled dishes. And if you go to some Southern Vietnam’s provinces, you will see people there only use nước mắm as their only dipping sauce. It’s a brown, from light to dark brown sauce. And the odour will vary from brand to brand. The amount of protein printed on the bottle will define its saltiness. It is made from fermented anchovies.

There are many styles of dipping sauce made from nước mắm: nước mắm gừng (with ginger, chilli and sugar), nước mắm mè (with tamarind, chilli and sugar), nước mắm chua ngọt (with sugar, lime juice, garlic and chilli). Some common dishes are: cháo vịt (duck congee), gỏi (salad), canh chua cá (Catfish sour soup), cơm tấm (Vietnamese broken rice).

Thuốc Bắc TradiTional Chinese mediCine

Last but not least, traditional Chinese medicine with many, many elements available.

They are added to dishes as to make the food more delicious, heal the body and for disease treatment. Popular elements are: ginseng, goji berry, dried longan, jujube, snow fungus, lotus seeds, ginger, dong quai, etc. The combinations of different elements will create a very unique smell when you come to District 5 in HCMC, which is the city’s Chinatown. And it is not easy to get used to for newcomers. It won’t be just one eatery you will find. It will be a whole street or whole neighbourhood with the smell of it. Still, it’s good for your health.

Each organ will have its own healing soup.

You can find a Traditional Chinese medicine store, tell them what you want, and maybe let them have a check on your pulse and they will guide you with the recipe. One famous street food with the medicine available is: Canh gà ác hầm thuốc bắc (Silkie with Traditional Chinese medicine elements stew). Other soups can be found in eateries and restaurants.

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4

3

mắm Tôm shrimp pasTe (FermenTed)

A purple fermented shrimp paste. Very strong odour. Of course, in South East Asia, this will not be the only mắm (fermented paste) you will see. There are so many, with different strong odours. However, I found this one among the most popular ones, and it causes also the best frowns.

Accompanying a lot of dishes such as: Bún riêu (Thin-ricenoodle soup with tomato, ground river crab, fried tofu and herbs) and canh bún (Thick rice noodle soup similar to bún riêu, but without tomato). It is also a key element to: Bún đậu (Rice noodles with fried tofu, boiled pork, fried rice cake and herbs), thịt luộc cà pháo (boiled egg with white eggplant), thịt cầy (dog meat) (Sorry, I’m offended by this too, but it’s a reality here in Vietnam). It’s salty but with a remarkable taste.

5

T

FOOD sầu riêNg durian

A fruit with thorny green shell and yellow segments. After you open it, your whole house will have the unique smell, and even if you have put it in the refrigerator, you can still smell it when you step in your house. Even after you have swallowed it, it still remains in your mouth and your burps.

Many people really can’t stand the smell.

Don’t eat too much; it can give you indigestion.

Available in a lot of street dishes, mostly sweets and desserts: chè (A kind of sweet stew, sweet mix of fruit and sugar), xôi sầu riêng bánh phồng (sticky rice with durian covered in crunchy rice cake), kem sầu riêng (durian ice-cream), bánh sầu riêng (durian pie), chè khúc bạch.

măNg BamBoo shooT

We have two types of bamboo shoot here: wet and dried. Their colours are normally yellow and white. The wet one is very smelly and has a yellow colour. Many can’t stand this kind of smell. It can be very long-lasting and stick to your clothes for a long time until you wash them. However, the taste is great. Once it goes in your mouth, you can feel the softness with the crunchiness of the shoot’s veins. It has its own sweetness. It might be a bit bitter if it hasn’t been boiled enough, but many people like it that way. Bamboo shoot does not appear in many dishes in Vietnam.

Only some which feature it as the main ingredients: Bún măng vịt (Duck and bamboo shoot rice noodle), thịt ba rọi kho/xào măng (Braised/ stir-fried pork belly and bamboo shoot), canh măng chua cá (Pickled bamboo shoot and catfish soup).

hat would be my top five. Remember, they are smelly, but they are delicious and can be addicting! I really recommend you to give them a try. With the names above, you can sure find the place to eat by Google or Foody.

And if you have your own ‘smelly’ experience in Vietnam, feel free to share!

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FOOD & ART

Feast for the eyes Feast for the palate

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BY RITCH PICKENS

op end hotels and the art world are often natural partners. Artists and in this case a photographer welcome the chance to exhibit in a public space frequented by many people including some affluent enough to be able to buy art. The hotel gains prestige by associating itself with a finer side of life and itself attracts more people to use its services. The Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon has opted to hold Thiery Beyne's exhibition of photographs with the title

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of ‘Back Photography’ in its Cafe Saigon.

Here is also where you can enjoy a themed South East Asia buffet dinner put together by innovative newly arrived Executive Chef William Ong. On your many trips from your table to the various food stations you will have plenty of time to appreciate Thiery's vividly coloured photos.

When I received an invitation to see the show I have to admit I was sceptical.

It is portraits people want to see-pretty female faces or a least interesting ones

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Mr Thiery Beyne

that show character was what I thought.

What could be interesting about the back of women’s heads? Who on earth is going to pay eight million dongs for a framed photo of anything yet alone this bizarre topic, I further mused. One step inside the cafe and these notions and prejudices were blown away. I was quite stunned.

The first picture to catch my eye was of the back of the head of what appears to be a young minority woman wearing a multicoloured iridescent head dress.

She has long jet black braided hair and is wearing a blouse that matches the head wear. Very aesthetic indeed! I wondered if M. Beyne hired models but no I was informed that his subjects are just those that caught his attention while out in the street or in markets.

There are photos of young women.

One is wearing a dashing yellow ao dai and you see in great detail her long braided pony tail. Another has a crimson ringed hat popular in the North around her locks. Yet another a girl in minority dress has a beautiful starry tatoo on the nape of her neck. One can only wonder what their faces might be like. I have had a few disappointments in real life on this!

It is not all glamour though.

M.Beyne is not afraid to show us the old and the worn. There is an old lady's head well wrapped up in both red shawl and

black scarf. There are battered motorbike helmet and darkened frayed conical hat wearers. The hotel's General Manager Herr Markus Schneider remarked that his favourite picture of a head wearing a helmet over a conical hat. ‘But’, that added if you tell that to the Vietnamese and you leave them utterly incredulous that someone would want a picture of a poor person different cultural perspectives.

On to tell you about the buffet spread I had while enjoying the photographs. It was as billed mainly South Asia fare and a culinary way for me to revisit all the nearby countries I have been able to visit while based in Vietnam. However there was also a

good selection of breads and European cheeses as well as Japanese sushi and sashimi to savour. It was with these fresh delicacies with their vinegared rice that I started. Actually I should add the seafood that was on offer alongside this. There were clams, bright red crab and I could not resist carrying away four Pacific oysters to add to my overture.

For more substantial fully cooked fare I went to the Malaysian station.

From here I had skewers of satay (peanut sauce) chicken, really tasty stingray filleted and cooked in banana leaf over a hot stone grill and fried noodles. I washed it all down with a few flagons of draught Heineken beer.

Regarding drinks this buffet can spring a surprise as a wagon serving innovative cocktails makes its rounds.

Whether you are culture vulture or a food vulture the Saigon Cafe buffet will cater for you. If you can not make to see the exhibition the next best thing is to look out for M. Beyne's photo album of the same name which is available at leading book stores.

Mr Beyne’s ‘Back Photography’ exhibition to run from 9 September 2016 until September 2017.

The Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon 25 Nguyen Van Troi Street ,Phu Nhuan District H.C.M. City Tel: 84 838 449 222

EVENTS EXHIBITIONS

HANOI

MUSIC

Back to front From 23 September to 5 November

An installation, ‘Back to front’ by Nguyen The Son and Tran Hau Yen The will be held from 23 September to 5 November at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hanoi. Free entry Social housing is an important page in the history of housing in Vietnam. The transformations of social housing under the incessant action of the occupants to fit their needs testify to the tremendous spirit ‘getting by’ of Vietnamese people. The authors will show audiences the poetry of social housing and lifestyle that is gradually disappearing from the urban landscape.

The Complete One Till 9 October

The latest artworks inspired by the ancient Egyptian god Atum, who was believed to have created the universe, deities and humans, will be displayed at 15th Floor, Hanoi Creative City, 1 Luong Yen, Hanoi till 9 October. The exhibition includes 10 artists.

Free entry. Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday.

Changing Vietnam and Myanmar Till 10 October

Footloose festival 21-25 September

The 6th dance festival ‘Europe meets Asia in Contemporary Dance’ will be held at 8 p.m. 2125 September in Hanoi. The artistic and cultural event promotes and enhances the value of contemporary dance in Vietnam, creating a bridge for artists to exchange and to share experiences.

The performances move between reality and imagination and explore the innermost depths of human beings, staged with breathtaking choreography and impressive light and media installations.

The audiences in Hanoi will have a change to enjoy contemporary dance in a variety of styles from countries including Germany, France, Israel, Japan, Austria and Vietnam. Ticket: VND100,000 8 p.m. 21 September, ‘Laundries in Hanoi’ from Germany and ‘Traditional chronic stick syndrome’ from Japan will be shown at the National Youth Theater, 11 Ngo Thi Nham St, Hanoi 8 p.m., 22 September, ‘Interviews’ from Israel and ‘Yes Yes No No’ from Vietnam at the National Youth Theater, 11 Ngo Thi Nham St, Hanoi 8 p.m., 23 September, ‘The Roofs’ from Vietnam at the National Youth Theater, 11 Ngo Thi Nham St, Hanoi 8 p.m., 24 September, ‘Interviews’ from Israel, ‘Traditional chronic stick syndrome’ from Japan and ‘Seismic Dancer’ from Austria at the National Youth Theater, 11 Ngo Thi Nham St, Hanoi 8 p.m., 24 and 25 September, ‘Hakanaï’ from France will be played at the Star Galaxy, 87 Lang Ha St, Hanoi.

‘Pavane,’ others 28 and 29 September

8 p.m. on 28 and 29 September at L’Espace conductor Dong Quang Vinh and cellist Nguyen Trung Dung will perform ‘Pavane’ by Gabriel Fauré, ‘Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, opus 33’

by Camille Saint Saëns and ‘Symphony No. 7 in A major op.92’ by Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Ticket is VND170,000 and available at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hanoi.

Old and new 29 and 30 September

Photographer Jon Sanwell has created a series of portraits and street photography juxtaposing life in two fast-changing cities of South-East Asia, Hanoi and Yangon.

His photos are displaying at Vietnam in Focus, 46 Hang Vai St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi, till 10 October. Free entry.

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A night of concert and ballet entitled ‘Autumn Serenade’ will be held at 8 p.m. 29 and 30 September at Hanoi Opera House. Tickets: VND200,000, VND350,000 and VND500,000 Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3933-0113. For free delivery please call 0913489858.

Gewandhaus 13 October

Conductor Honna Tetsuji accompanied by Gewandhaus Choir from Germany, Vietnam Na-

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

tional Opera and Ballet's Choir and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, will bring audiences a special concert at 8 p.m. 13 October at Hanoi Opera House.

Tickets: VND300,000,VND500,000 and VND700,000.

Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi.

Tel: (04) 3933-0113. For free delivery please call 0913489858.

Concert series continues 26 and 27 October

‘Subscription Concert Vol.95’ will be on at 8 p.m. 26 and 27 October at Hanoi Opera House with performance by conductor Olivier Ochanine, piano soloists Pham Quynh Trang & Tran Tam Ngoc, and artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets range from VND200,000 to VND500,000 Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi.

Tel: (04) 3933-0113. For free delivery please call 0913489858.

OTHERS

Belgian food festival 30 September

Come and enjoy over 60 different Belgian beers at the Belgian Beer Festival on 30 September, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the American Club, 21 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi, Ticket: VND300,000

THAI BINH

Pagoda Festival 13 to 15 October

Keo Pagoda Festival will be held from 13 to 15 of the ninth lunar month every year (it falls from 13 to 15 October this year) in Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province, in Northern Vietnam.The festival aims to commemorate Buddhist monk Duong Khong Lo (10161094) and those who took part in the pagoda construction, from the 17th century.

There is a variety of traditional games including racing shells, trumpets and drums, preparing betel quid and tug-of-war.

Just over 130 km from the capital Hanoi, the Keo Pagoda, which was built in 1632.

NHA TRANG Sea of Love

14 to 22 October

EVENTS free vegetarian dishes. Also, there is a chance to admire an ancient complex of Big House, a national cultural historical relic.

Long Son Island, 25 km away from the centre of Vung Tau City and 70 km away from Ho Chi Minh City.

HO CHI MINH CITY

EXHIBITIONS

One Grand Show Till 21 September

Seventy-four paintings made of oil on canvas, silk and lacquer will be on display at the Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa, 12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang.

The exhibition is themed ‘Sea of Love’ by Vietnamese painter Pham Luc born in 1943.

This art exhibition will cover various painting genres including classical European styles of town scapes, landscapes, seascapes, still life, figurative composition, intimate nudes and self-portraits. The exhibition runs from 14 to 22 October.

BA RIA-VUNG TAU

Going to the Big House 8 and 9 October

Thousands of tourists flock to Long Son Island every year at the Trung Cuu Festival to commemorate the contribution of Mr Tran and pray for a healthy, happy life to the country. The festival is held on 8 and 9 of the ninth lunar month (this year it falls on 8 and 9 October). The highlight is on 9 October and visitors will be treated

ITE AWARDS

In early of September, ITE HCMC, the Mekong’s largest travel event, presents the Mekong Tourism Alliance Awards 2016 to recognize the excellent quality in tourism and hospitality in the Mekong region including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

• Best airlines of the year: Cambodia Angkor Air, Laos Airlines, Myanmar Airways International and Vietnam Airlines • Best outbound tour operation of the year: Mekong Discovery Co., Ltd in Cambo-

Craig Thomas Gallery is running the ‘One Grand Show’, a group exhibition of 20 Vietnamese artists. The show is a feature of affordable art fair format with 80 per cent or more of the art works on display are priced at $1,000 or less. It is aimed to open affordability of owning Vietnamese paintings for collectors.

Craig Thomas Gallery, 165 Calmette, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist 1, HCMC Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and by appointment

Youth paintings Till 29 October

Galerie Quynh is delighted to present Hopscotch, a duo exhibition featuring new paintings by emerging artists Do Thanh Lang and Hoang Nam Viet. Belonging to the generation of young Vietnamese born at the turn of Doi Moi and coming of age into a brave new open-market economy, Do and Hoang showcase artworks in their shared themes of freedom and transgression.

Galerie Quynh, Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3824-8284 Open: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, and by appointment.

ings in the Vietnamese architecture style with the scenes involving traditional medicine.

The museum displays more 5,000 documents, pictures and objects about traditional medicine from prehistory till present. The museum is also a stop for visitors to buy herbal tea, wine, traditional medicines, and organic food. Also, guests can enjoy the food cooked with traditional medical products at its restaurant.

Fito Museum, Trung Town, Vinh Phu Ward, Thuan An Commune, Binh Duong Province. Tel: (0650) 3743-210.

Open: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Ticket: VND120,000 for adults and VND60,000 for children.

MUSIC

‘Colours of Jazz’ Every Tuesday through Sunday nights

On 17 September, Reverie Saigon will launch ‘Colours of Jazz’ with the performance of internationally renowned artist Kate Bowen at the R&J Italian Lounge every Tuesday through Sunday, 8.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. A true jazz diva, she is also a master of soul, R&B, funk, blues and pop.

Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 38236688

Footloose festival 25-27 September

In August, Fito Museum opened in Binh Duong Province, a 30-minute drive away from Ho Chi Minh City. The area is over 2,000 square metres, including six wooden build-

The 6th dance festival ‘Europe meets Asia in Contemporary Dance’ will be held at 25-27 September at the HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 38299976. More information about the festival please see Hanoi section.

8 p.m. 25 September, ‘Laundries in Hanoi’ from Germany 8 p.m., 26 September, ‘Seismic Dancer’ from Austria and ‘Yes Yes No No’ 8 p.m., 27 September, ‘The Roof’ from Vietnam

dia, Wonderland Tour in Laos, Shan Yoma Travel & Tour Co.Ltd in Myanmar and Vietravel in Vietnam.

• Best Inbound tour operation of the year: Charming Cambodia Tours Co., Ltd, Asia Reveal Tours of Laos, One Stop Travel & Tours of Myanmar, Phuket Jet Tour Co.Ltd of Thailand and Saigontourist of Vietnam • Best five-star hotel of the year: Naga World in Cambodia, Sule Shangri-La Hotel Yangon in Myanmar and JW Marriot Hotel Saigon in Vietnam • Best resort of the year: Sokha Hotels &

Resorts in Cambodia, Ngwe Saung Yatch Club & Marina Development Limited in Myanmar and The Nam Hai Resort Hoi An in Vietnam • Best tourism website of the year: Mict Laos, MT&K Tourism Co., Ltd of Myanmar, Phuket E-Magazine of Thailand and Rex Hotel Saigon of Vietnam • Best festival of the year: Thatluang Festival in Laos, Songkran Festival in Thailand and Southern Fruit Festival in Vietnam • Broadcast excellent award for destination promotion: Laos Star, The Nation of Thailand and Oxalis Adventure Tours of Vietnam.

Medicine Museum

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VALUE FOR MONEY HOTELS

with breakfast, complimentary laundry service and a VND200,000 F&B coupon which can be used at the Café Sambal, a perfect combination of Malaysian and Chinese cuisine.

The Costa Nha Trang

32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3737-037 www.thecostanhatrang.com

RESORTS AND SPAS

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 www.emeraldaresort.com Located on Tran Phu street in Nha Trang Beach City, the five-star Costa Nha Trang Residences comprises 2 penthouses, 14 luxury sky villas, 8 luxury four-bedroom residences, 18 luxury three-bedroom apartments, 78 luxury two-bedroom apartments and 124 luxury studio & one-bedroom apartments.

The Costa Nha Trang Residences is running a special promotion ‘Stay 4 Nights Get 1 Night Free’ for bookings till 30 November.

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh is running a ‘Hollywood Home Package’ with prices from VND3,250,000 per room per night including breakfast, a half-day tour to visit Trang An, Tam Coc or Van Long Reserves. It is valid till 15 November.

La Residence Hotel & Spa 5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 www.la-residence-hue.com

Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon

2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, HCMC Tel: (08) 3823-3333

Lotte Spa, at the Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon, offers a 20 per cent off for a 30-minute head and shoulder treatment or a 30-minute foot therapy from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Guests buy a 70-minute facial treatment will receive a 45-minute body scrub treatment on weekend.

Also, to celebrate Vietnamese Women’s Day, from 17 - 23 October, Lotte Spa is offering a promotion ‘buy 1 get 1’ for all ladies those who buy a 70-minute facial treatment.

The Alcove Library Hotel

133A Nguyen Dinh Chinh St, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6256-9966 www.alcovehotel.com.vn

The Alcove Library Hotel is offering an ‘Exclusive Package’ for those who book three nights will get one night free. The prices start from VND1,665,000++ per room per night in an Alcove Queen Room, including breakfast, and free airport drop-off service. It is run till 31 October.

Petro House Hotel

63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-014 Email: info@petrohousehotel.vn www.petrohousehotel.vn

Petro House Hotel in Vung Tau is offering a ‘Getaway for Vung Tau’ package until 31 October at VND1,710,000 per room for two nights

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La Residence Hotel & Spa is offering a family package at VND5,940,000 per night two rooms including daily breakfast for 4 persons, a 15 per cent discount on food, beverage and spa. It runs till the end of October.

A La Carte Danang Beach

200 Vo Nguyen Giap St, Phuoc My Ward, Son Tra Dist, Danang Tel: (0511) 3959-555 www.alacartedanangbeach.com

A La Carte Danang Beach is offering a twonight package at VND2,650,000 per room per night including daily American breakfast buffet and 60-minute spa treatments. The price includes service charge and VAT.

Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang 21 Truong Sa Road, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3961-777

Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang is offering 20 per cent off for those who book two nights; those who book three nights will only pay for two and those who book at least four nights will get 40 per cent off. The promotions are valid till 20 December.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa 326 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3666-888 www.almanityhoian.com

Alamanity Hoi An Resort & Spa is offering ‘Summer Promotion’ till 31 October. The prices start from VND1,800,000++ per room per night, including breakfast.

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa

152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-858 www.hoangngoc-resort.com

Oriental Pearl Beach Resort & Spa is offering a Summer Promotion at VND830,000 per person per night in a twin-share room with breakfast, use of tennis court for two hours and 1 body massage. It is valid till 31 October. Surcharge is VND100,000 per person on Friday and Saturday.

Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa

26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3880-000

Shine Spa, at the Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa, is offering a 20 per cent off in ‘Happy Hour’ from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The spa has a 70minute ‘Him & Her’ spa package at VND1,900,000++, a 80-minute Swedish/ Shine Vietnamese / Indian head massage/ Natural facial at VND900,000++ and a 70-minute antiaging hydrating scrub / Detoxifying body scrub & wrap at VND750,000++. The promotions run till 30 September.

Long Beach Resort Phu Quoc

Group of Households 4, Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Commune, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province Tel: (077) 3981-818 www.longbeach-phuquoc.com

Long Beach Resort Phu Quoc has a twonight package in a Superior Room at VND5,950,000 for two with airport transfers, breakfast, lunch, dinner, a half-day snorkeling and fishing tour and a night squid fishing tour.

The price includes service charge and VAT. It is valid till the end of October.

FOOD PROMOTIONS

Melia Hanoi Hotel

44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343

El Patio Restaurant, at the Melia Hanoi Hotel, is offering a luxurious dinner with the best-qualified beef steak from America and Australia. The price of American and Australia beef steak menu starts from VND700,000 and VND1,200,000, respectively.

VALUE FOR MONEY Sheraton Hanoi Hotel

11 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-9000 This October, Hemispheres Restaurant, at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, introduces the worldclass ‘Wagyu Rump’. The chefs will prepare a perfect dinner featuring Wagyu Rump beef and side dishes of truffle buttered greens, baked potato with cheese, a selection of mustards and red wine. VND1,300,000++ a set for two.

pieces of hand-rolled sushi and nigiri is VND600,000++. A plate of 7 pieces of handrolled sushi and nigiri is VND600,000++. The price includes a complimentary bottle of Sake Geikaikan or Sake Ozeki.

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1555

InterContinental Nha Trang

32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.nhatrang.intercontinental.com InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts has partnered with a renowned mixologist to carefully craft a selection of Worldly Classics cocktails.

The program will be available in InterContinental Hotels and Resorts around the world. InterContinental Nha Trang will be running an exclusive offer for all guests; those who buy an InterContinental Worldly Classics cocktail will get a complimentary canape. The promotion will be applied until 31 December.

Michael joins the team in Saigon from North America where he assumed the office of Regional Vice President of Operations, IHG Latin America & Caribbean and Interim Director for IHG Hotels in New York. Michael joined IHG in 1996 and since then has successfully moved within the organization assuming different roles in North & South America and Caribbean.

152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-858 www.hoangngoc-resort.com Oriental Pearl Beach Resort & Spa is offering a Summer Promotion at VND830,000 per person per night in a twin-share room with breakfast, use of tennis court for two hours and 1 body massage. It is valid till 31 October. Surcharge is VND100,000 per person on Friday and Saturday.

The Jazz band will stage from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday at Boudoir Lounge, at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza. The melody of jazz in the intimate atmosphere set by candles and chandeliers will bring you a delicious aperitif.

Also, Boudoir Lounge introduces Raw @ Boudoir and Cut @ Boudoir at VND600,000 per person. Raw @ Boudoir will be full of seafood, raw oysters and wine, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Cut @ Boudoir features various types of cold cuts, cheese and canapés, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

Caravelle Saigon

Windsor Plaza Hotel

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa

19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 Tapas Kitchen, at the Caravelle Saigon, has added miniature burgers to its menu till 30 September. There are beef cheese burgers, chili prawn burgers and tandoori chicken burgers.

VND368,000++ including hand cut potato chips and coleslaw salad.

InterContinental Asiana Saigon

Corner Hai Ba Trung St and Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3520-9099

The Library Restaurant, at the InterContinental Asiana Saigon, is launching new Sushi and Sake delights made by skillful chefs. There is a variety of sushi and nigiri, including Temaki ake sushi balls, Avocado roll with prawn, Hako sushi, Tempura rolls, Gunkan Tobiko, Salmon nigiri, Futo maki, Ebi nigiri, Tuna nigiri and Crab stick nigiri. A plate of 3 pieces of hand-rolled sushi and nigiri is VND580,000++. A plate of 5

18 An Duong Vuong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3833-6688 Windsor Plaza Hotel will host Oktoberfest from 6 to 8 October and 12 to 15 October. The festival includes an expansive buffet of traditional German specialties, free flow of imported German beer and a performance by German band Partenkirchner Musikanten. There will be a lucky draw. Tickets are VND1,000,000 for the night of Wednesday and Thursday, and VND1,300,000 on Friday and Saturday. Those who book before 30 September will get a discount up to 30 per cent.

OTHER

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the appointment of Mr Michael Hoe-Knudsen to the position of General Manager of InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel and Residences and Regional General Manager of IHG Vietnam & Cambodia.

Park Hyatt Saigon is proud to welcome Narae Kim as the hotel’s new pastry sous chef. Chef Narae was awarded Valedictorian by Ansan University in South Korea in 2011. She has also won several professional pastry competitions.

Chef Narae’s career with Hyatt™ began in 2011 at Hyatt Regency Guam. She then moved to Grand Hyatt Seoul and was in charge of the pastry line at The Paris Grill Restaurant before coming to Park Hyatt Saigon.

Chef Narae will drive several different facets of the hotel’s pastry line, and she will oversee creation and execution of dessert menus for all restaurants and social events. In addition, Chef Narae also was responsible for The Pastry Boutique at Park Hyatt Saigon, which opened in August to satisfy the city’s lovers of sweets and treats. nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Rates may be subject to 5-per-cent service charge and 10-per-cent VAT if there is no statement to the contrary.

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Add: 248 Thong Nhat, Phuong Son Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: +84.58.3822472 / Fax: +84.58.3829267 / Email: yensaokh@yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn Website: www.yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn

Salangane’s nests in Khanh Hoa nature island are honored as the genuine and best quality nutritional products in the world by domestic and international consumers.

Thanks to these valuable natural materials, Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company has manufactured many especially high nutritional products that express the traditional character of Khanh Hoa homeland such as: raw salangane’s nest, refined salangane’s nest, high quality salangane’s nest soft drink,…, which helps strengthen consumer health. These high quality products are exported to many countries in the world. Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company has been awarded many domestics and international noble prizes.

Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company aims to the community benefits, eco-environment protection and sustainable development.

W W W. Y E N S A O K H A N H H O A . CO M . V N

DIRECTIONS SAPA, HALONG, HAI PHONG EMERGENCIES POLICE : FIRE :

AMBULANCE :

113 114 115

SAPA

(TELEPHONE CODE: 020) Sapa is a former French hill station in northwestern Vietnam, in Lao Cai Province, near the Chinese border.

A number of minority cultures including the H’mong, Dao and Tay live in villages in the countryside around Sapa.

HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Cat Cat View Hotel 46 Fan Xi Pang St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-946 www.catcathotel.com VND735,000 to VND3,780,000 ($35 to $180) Cha Pa Garden Boutique Hotel & Spa 23B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3872-907 Email: hotelchapagarden@gmail.com

www.chapagarden.com From VND1,470,000 ($70) Chau Long Sapa Hotel

Topas Ecolodge Thanh Kim Ward, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (04) 3715-1005 reservation@topasecolodge.com www.topasecolodge.com From VND2,300,000 ($110) Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa Xuan Vien St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-522 Email: resa.sapa@victoriahotels.asia

www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,657,000 ($172) RESTAURANTS Buffalo Bell Restaurant 25 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-455 Delta Restaurant 33 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-799 Fansipan Restaurant 23 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-556

HALONG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 033) With around 1,600 islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay, about 170 km east of Hanoi, is well known for its limestone seascape.

Overnight boat trips out of Halong City are a popular way to see it.

HOSPITALS

Bai Chay Hospital Gieng Day Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-557 www.benhvienbaichay.vn Traditional Medicine Hospital Cot 8, Hong Ha Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3838-113 24 Dong Loi St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-245 Email: resa@chaulonghotel.com.vn www.chaulonghotel.com.vn From VND2,100,000 ($100) Holiday Sapa Hotel 16 Muong Hoa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-874 Email: info@holidaysapa.com www.holidaysapa.com VND588,000 to VND2,100,000 ($28 to $100) Mường Thanh Sapa Hotel 44, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.muongthanh.vn From VND900,000 ($43) Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: info@royalsapahotel.com www.royalsapahotel.com

Vietnam-Sweden Hospital Thanh Son Ward, Uong Bi Commune, Halong Tel: (033) 3854-037 www.bvubqn.tk TRAVEL

Halong Tourism 1 Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-272 Quang Ninh Tourism Company Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-350 Syrena Cruises Hung Thang new urban area, Bai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3847-043 Hanoi Sales Office: Syrena Tower, 3th Floor, 51 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-7214 Email: se@syrenacruises.com www.syrenacruises.com HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily

Asean Halong Hotel Hau Can St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3640-034 Email: sm@aseanhalonghotel.com www.aseanhalonghotel.com From VND1,600,000 ($76) Halong Hidden Charm Hotel Block 22D, Tuan Chau Villas, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-360 infor.halonghiddencharmhotel@gmail.com

www.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND350,000 ($17) Halong Palace Hotel 1, Block 20 Dong Hung Thang, Hoang Quoc Viet St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3619-819 Email: info@halongpalacehotel.com www.halongpalacehotel.com From VND3,800,000 ($181) Halong Plaza Hotel 8 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-810 Email: info@halongplaza.com www.halongplaza.com VND1,500,000 to VND3,800,000 ($71 to $179) Heritage Halong Hotel 88 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-888 Email: saleheritagehl@gmail.com www.heritagehalonghotel.com.vn VND2,310,000 ($110) Mường Thanh Halong Hotel No.7, Block 20, East of Hung Thang, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3812-468/ (033) 3819-777 Email: info@halong.muongthanhhotel.vn www.muongthanhhotel.vn From VND1,400,000 ($67) Novotel Ha Long Bay 160 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-108 Email: info@novotelhalong.com.vn www.novotelhalongbay.com From VND2,625,000 ($125)

Tuan Chau Island Holiday Villa Halong Bay Tuan Chau Island, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-999 Email: rsv@tuanchauresort.com.vn www.holidayvillahalongbay.com RESTAURANTS

Co Ngu Restaurant Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3511-363 Jumbo Vietnam Floating Restaurant 119 Le Thanh Tong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3624-888 Sea Food Restaurant Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-822

Halong Gold Restaurant Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-142

BARS & CAFÉS

Emeraude Café 6A Le Thanh Tong St, Hon Gai, Halong Tel: (033) 3849-266 www.emeraude-cruises.com Royal International Gaming Club and Villa Bai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-777

HAI PHONG CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 031) HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Catba Princes Hotel

Saigon Halong Hotel Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-845 info@saigonhalonghotel.com www.saigonhalonghotel.com From VND950,000 ($45) StarCity Halong Bay Hotel

168 Halong St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-058 Email: sm1.north@och.vn www.starcityhalongbay.com In the centre of Halong, StarCity Halong Bay Hotel offers 152 wellequipped rooms, with many breathtaking views of Halong Bay

303 Nui Ngoc, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3888-899 Email: sale@catbaprinceshotel.com www.catbaprinceshotel.com From VND500,000 ($24) Catba Sunrise Resort Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3887-360 Email: info@catbasunriseresort.com www.catbasunriseresort.com From VND3,045,000 ($145) Avani Hai Phong Harbour View 12 Tran Phu St, Ngo Quyen Dist., Hai Phong Tel: (031) 3827-827 Email: haiphong@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com From VND2,772,000 ($132)

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DIRECTIONS HANOI HANOI

Finland 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6788

(TELEPHONE CODE: 04) EMBASSIES

Algeria 13 Phan Chu Trinh St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3865

France 57 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3944-5782

Argentina 41A Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5263

Germany 29 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3836

Australia 8 Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-7755 Austria 53 Quang Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-3050 Bangladesh Villa D6B 5 – Khu Vuon Dao Ngo 675, Lac Long Quan St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-6625 Belarus 52 Ho Tay St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-0494 Belgium Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-6179 Brazil T72-14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-2544 Brunei Villa 8-9 No 44/8-44, 9 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0001 Bulgaria 5 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2908 Cambodia 71A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-7636 Canada 31 Hung Vuong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5500 China 46 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi.

Tel: (04) 3845-3736 Cuba 65 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4775 Czech Republic 13 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi; Tel: (04) 3845-4131 Denmark 19 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-1888 Egypt 63 To Ngoc Van St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-4999

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Hungary 12th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5714 India 58-60 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-4990 Indonesia 50 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3353 Iran 54 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-2068 Iraq 66 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4141 Ireland 8th floor of Vincom Tower B, 191 Ba Trieu St, Ha Dong Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-3291 Israel 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-3141 Italy 9 Le Phung Hieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-6256 Japan 27 Lieu Giai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3000 Laos 22 Tran Binh Trong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4576 Libya 298B Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3379 Malaysia 43-45 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-3836 Mexico Coco Villa T-11, 14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3847-0948 Morocco 9 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-5586 Mongolia 5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3009

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Myanmar 298A Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3369 Netherlands 6th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5650 New Zealand 63 Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1481 North Korea 25 Cao Ba Quat St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3008 Norway 8th Floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-8900 Nigeria 44/1 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-3610 Palestine 6 Dang Van Ngu St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3852-4013 Philippines 27B Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-7948 Poland 3 Chua Mot Cot St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2027 Romania 5 Le Hong Phong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2014 Russia 191 La Thanh St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: 3833-6991 South Africa 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-2000 South Korea 4th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5111 Spain 15th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5207 Sweden 2 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0400 Thailand 63-65 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5092 Turkey 14th Floor, HCO Building, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Tel: (04) 3822-2460 United Kingdom 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-0500

United States 7 Lang Ha St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3772-1500 MEDICAL CENTRES Acupuncture Institute 49 Thai Thinh St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3563-1069 Hanoi French Hospital 1 Phuong Mai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3577-1100 International SOS Clinic 1 Dang Thai May St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0666 Thuy Tran Otolaryngology Clinic 6 Do Quang St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi (6/61 Tran Duy Hung Avenue) Tel: (04) 3556-6124 Mobile 098 368 0276 Email: thuyent12@yahoo.com www.taimuihongthuytran.com Vinmec international hospital 458 Minh Khai St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Tel: (04) 3974-3556 AIRLINES Air France 1 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3484 Qatar Airways Hilton Hanoi Opera Building, M floor, 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-6767 www.qatarairways.com Singapore Airlines 17 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi.

Tel: (04) 3826-8888 Vietnam Airlines 25 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-0320 TRAVEL

Amega Travel Hancorp Plaza, 72 Tran Dang Ninh St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3783-3570 www.amegatours.net Buffalo Tours 10th Floor, 70-72 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-0702 www.buffalotours.com Emeraude Classic Cruises 46 Le Thai To St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3935-1888 www.emeraude-cruises.com Email: info@buffalotours.com Exotissmo 3rd Floor, 66A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-2150 www.exotissimo.com Email: go.vietnam@exotravel.com

DIRECTIONS HANOI Topas Travel 52 To Ngoc Van St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3715-1005 Email: sales@topastravel.vn www.topastravel.vn HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Fortuna Hotel Hanoi 6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333 Email: fortunahanoi@fortuna.vn www.fortuna.vn From VND1,920,000 ($91) Hanoi Daewoo Hotel 360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 Email: sales@daewoohotel.com www.daewoohotel.com Hanoi Emotion Hotel 26 – 28 Hang Bot St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3848-9848 Email: info@hanoi-emotion.com www.hanoi-emotion.com The hotel also provides Vietnamese, Japanese and International cuisine Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Email: hanoi.opera@hilton.com www.hanoi.hilton.com Hotel de l’Opera 29 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6282-5555 Email: H7832-RE@accor.com www.hoteldelopera.com Melia Hanoi Hotel 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343 Email: melia.hanoi@melia.com www.melia.com Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 hotel.hanoi@moevenpick.com www.moevenpickhotels.com/hanoi From VND3,622,500 ($172.50) Parkside Sunline Hotel 72-74 Dai Co Viet St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-7272 Email: info@jhm.com.vn www.parksidesunline.vn Pullman Hanoi 40 Cat Linh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-0808 www.pullman-hanoi.com From VND2,448,600 ($115.50) Sunline Hotel 18 Bao Khanh Lane, Hoan Kien Dist, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-1818 Email: info-sunline@ jhm.com.vn www.sunlinehotel.vn

Silk Path Hotel Hanoi 195-199 Hang Bong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3266-5555 Email: info@silkpathhotel.com www.silkpathhotel.com From VND2,173,500 ($103.50) Sheraton Hanoi Hotel 11 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-9000 reservations.hanoi@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/hanoi From VND4,956,000 ($236) Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: h1555@sofitel.com www.sofitel-legend.com From VND6,090,000 ($290) RESTAURANTS Au Lac do Brazil II 6A Cao Ba Quat St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Tel: (+84-4) 3845 5224 Fax: (+84 - 4) 3747 4330 Email: pr_hanoi@aulacdobrazil.com Green Tangerine 48 Hang Be St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-1286 www.greentangerinehanoi.com Serving French food with a Vietnamese cuisine Hoa Vien Brauhaus 1A Tang Bat Ho St, Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3972-5088 www.hoavien.vn The restaurant has been famous for its production of Czech beer Le Tonkin Restaurant 14 Ngo Van So St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-3457 www.letonkinrestaurant.vn Serves Vietnamese food

BOOK STORE

Infostones Bookshop 41 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-2993 sach41trangtien@gmail.com Thousands of magazines and books by hundreds of publishing houses worldwide SHOPS

Craft Link 43 and 51 Van Mieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-7710 Email: craftlink@hn.vnn.vn Ha Dong Silk 102 Hang Gai St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3928-5056 Tan My Embroidery 66 Hang Gai St, Hanoi Email: tanmyhuong@fpt.vn Tel: (04) 3825-1579

Viet Culture 1 Trang Thi St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-7417 Mekong Quilts 13 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3926-4831 www.mekong-quilts.org

Ho Chi Minh Museum 19 Ngoc Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3752 www.baotanghochiminh.vn Open: 8 a.m. to noon (Monday and Friday), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (other days) Entry fee: VND25,000

Dome Yen The 10 Yen The St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-6036

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong St/ 9 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 37345427 hoangthanhthanglong@gmail.com www.hoangthanhthanhlong.vn Open: 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays) Entry fee: VND30,000

FURNITURE/ INTERIOR Dome Au Co 9 Au Co St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-5866 Email: sales@dome.com.vn

SIGHTSEEINGS

Ba Dinh Square 36A Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in September 1945, is a complex of historic sites.

Cot Co Tower 28 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Cot Co Tower, the so-called Flag Tower, is now part of the Vietnam Military History Museum complex. The Tower was built in 1950, under the Nguyen Dynasty, with the help of French engineers. The tower has 36 flower-shaped windows. At the top of the tower flies the flag of Vietnam.

Hanoi Opera House 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi Designed by a French architect along the lines of the Paris Opera House, it is embellished with wonderful Gothic statuary. For many decades, Hanoi Opera House has been a centre for theatre, traditional music and dance, symphonies, traditional and classical music. This, the largest theatre in Vietnam, was completed in 1911.

Hoa Lo Prison ‘La Maison Centrale’, the prison on Hoa Lo Street in Hanoi, was built by the French in 1896 and became the place where generations of Vietnamese freedom fighters were held.

St Joseph’s Cathedral 40 Nha Chung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Fresh missionaries built this cathedral in the late 19th century. The small but beautiful panes of stained glass were created in Paris in 1906. Also of note is the ornate altar, with its high gilded sidewalls.

MUSEUMS

Hanoi Museum 2 Pham Hung (next to Vietnam National Convention Centre), Me Tri Commune, Tu Liem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6287-06 04 Opening hour: 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Free entrance SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 25 Tong Dan St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Closed every first Monday of months.

Entry fee VND40,000 ($1.82) for adults and VND10,000 ($0.48) for children Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-2131 Email: btmtvn@vnfam.vn www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95) Vietnam Military History Museum 28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoi www.btlsqsvn.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND40,000 ($2) Women’s Museum 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-9936 www.womenmuseum.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) SPA

Elite Fitness & Spa 51 Xuan Dieu St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-6281 info@elitefitness.com.vn www.elitefitness.com.vn Spa de Palace Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, 6B Lang Ha St, Tel: (04) 3831-3333 I

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DIRECTIONS NINH BINH, NGHE AN, QUANG BINH, HUE, DANANG NINH BINH

HOTELS, RESORTS

(TELEPHONE CODE: 030) Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Alba Spa Hotel

Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien Dist., Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 Email: info@emeraldaresort.com www.emeraldaresort.com Ninh Binh Legend Hotel Tien Dong Zone, Ninh Khanh Ward, Ninh Binh City. Tel: (030) 3899-880 www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com From VND1,575,000 ($75)

NGHE AN

(TELEPHONE CODE: 038) Muong Thanh Song Lam Hotel 13 Quang Trung St, Quang Trung Ward, Vinh, Nghe An Province Tel: (038) 3737-666 Email: sales@songlam.muongthanh.vn

www.songlam.muongthanh.vn

QUANG BINH

Hue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa

(TELEPHONE CODE: 052) HOTELS, RESORTS

Bao Ninh Beach Resort Ha Duong, Bao Ninh, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3854-866 Email: sales@baoninhbeachresort.com.vn www.baoninhbeachresort.com.vn From VND1,120,000 ($53) Sun Spa Resort My Canh, Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3842-999 Email: info@sunsparesortvietnam.com www.sunsparesortvietnam.com From VND1,870,000 ($89) TRAVEL

588 Bui Thi Xuan St, Thuy Bieu Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3978-484 Email: sales@hueriversideresort.com www.hueriversideresort.com Imperial Hotel 8 Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3882-222 Email: info@imperial-hotel.com.vn www.imperial-hotel.com.vn From VND2,940,000 ($140) La Residence Hotel & Spa

463 Lac Long Quan St., Lang Co Town, Phu Loc Dist, Thua Thien Hue Province Tel: (054) 3873-555 Email: langco@dng.vnn.vn www.langcobeachresort.com.vn Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa 130 Minh Mang Road, Hue Tel: (054) 3885-461 Email: info@pilgrimagevillage.com www.pilgrimagevillage.com

(TELEPHONE CODE: 054) Hue is a city on the Perfume River in lowland central Vietnam and was the capital of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Many imperial structures remain. They were named part of UNESCO World Heritage in 1993. Hue is also known for its particular cuisine.

Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant 110A Le Ngo Cat St, Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue Tel: (054) 3898-220 www.thientamrestaurant.com Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant features a Hue garden house with a simple design and a serene atmosphere. The restaurant serves a variety of Hue vegetarian food, from royal to local dishes, at a reasonable price. The menu has many choices, with prices starting from VND45,000 per dish. The restaurant also serves as an art playground for Hue artists. Guests have chance to get their portraits drawn by the owners at a reasonable price. Vegetarian cooking classes are also available. The restaurant is about 1-2 km from Tu Duc tomb

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Novotel Danang Premier Han River 36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist., Danang. Tel: (0511) 3929-999 Email: H8287@accor.com www.novotel-danang-premier.com Samdi Hotel

203-211 Nguyen Van Linh St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3586-222 Email: info@samdihotel.vn www.samdihotel.vn Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang Vietnam, Managed by Centara

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily

255 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3961-777 Email: cdv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cdv VND1,785,000 to VND5,670,000 ($85 to $270) Ho Chi Minh sales office: 4th Floor, Ben Thanh TSC Building; 186-188 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3914-7940

Grand Mercure Danang Lot A1, Green Island, Hoa Cuong Bac, Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3797-777 Email: H7821@accor.com www.accorhotels.com/7821

Vinpearl Luxury Danang Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0 511) 3968-888 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-danang.com www.vinpearl.com

HOTELS, RESORTS

5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 Email: resa@la-residence-hue.com www.la-residence-hue.com Step back in time to Art Deco's golden age with a stay at La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa, MGallery by Sofitel. Nestled

Pullman Danang Beach Resort Vo Nguyen Giap St, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3958-888 Email: info@pullman-danang.com www.pullman-danang.com

VedanÄ Lagoon Resort & Spa Zone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu Loc Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3681-688 Email: info@vedanalagoon.com www.vedanalagoon.com

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511)

HUE

I

238 Bach Dang St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3223-399 info@greenplazahotel.vn www.greenplazahotel.vn Sitting along the Han River, the four-star hotel boasts elegance and unique accommodations in Vietnamese design and a stunning view of river, mountain and city

DANANG

Oxalis Adventure Tours Phong Nha Commune, Son Trach Village, Bo Trach Dist., Quang Binh Province. Tel: (052)3677-678 www.oxalis.com.vn

HERITAGE

Lang Co Beach Resort

RESTAURANT

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily

44 • V I E T N A M

Green Plaza Hotel

29 Tran Quang Khai St, Hue Tel: (054) 3828-444 Email: info@albavietnam.com www.albavietnam.com Indochine Palace Hotel 105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 Email: info@indochinepalace.com www.indochinepalace.com From VND2,940,000 ($140) The hotel is surrounded by lush green gardens that make it an outstanding landmark in Hue and give the city the feel of a resort. This luxurious, international standard hotel is created to appeal to Vietnamese and international visitors to Hue.

Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com

along the fabled Perfume River overlooking the former Imperial Citadel, La Residence is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with luxurious cultural and culinary experiences. This former governor's residence with 122 guestrooms and suites offers visitors a warm hospitality and a chance to relive the pleasures of a bygone era.

DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG MUSEUM

Marina Silk Beach Resort & Spa

Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture 2, 2 Thang 9 St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3572-935 www.chammuseum.danang.vn Open 7.15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43)

HOI AN

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0510) A major port town from the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An has well preserved vestiges of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese cultures. The buildings are now often used for tailor’s shops. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hoi An is a little over 30 km south of Danang, on the central coast.

($179 to $364)TRAVEL

No 74 18 thang 8 St, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3938 888 Pho Hoi Riverside Resort

Aurora Riverside Hotel & Villas 242 Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province. Tel: (0510) 3924-111 www.aurorahoian.com Hoi An Coco River Resort & Spa 999 Tran Nhan Tong St, Cam Thanh, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3930-777 Email: sales@cocoriverresort.com www.cocoriverresort.com Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An Thanh Nien Road, Cua Dai Beach Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-555 reservation@goldensandhoian.com www.goldensandhoian.com VND3,759,000 to VND7,644,000 Hoi An Silk Village 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Str, Tan An Ward, Hoi An City,Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 392-1144 www.hoiansilkvillage.com Hoi An Beach Resort 1 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province. Tel: (0510) 3927-011 info@hoianbeachresort.com.vn www.hoianbeachresort.com.vn From VND3,415,500 ($163)

Hoi An Centre for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation 10B Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3862-367 www.hoianheritage.net Open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

01 Nguyen Tri Phuong St, Xuyen Trung, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3862-628 Email: info@phohoiresort.com www.phohoiresort.com Pho Hoi Riverside Resort has 82 bedrooms with three separate areas designed in an Eastern architectural style.

The architecture ranges from Cham to Japanese and modern Villa styles. All rooms have views of the ancient town or of Hoai River, so tourists can enjoy the beauty of the city at night from the colourful lanterns hung on yellow walls and mossy tiled roofs Kiman Hotel & Spa 461-463 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3920 430 kimanhoianhotel@gmail.com Website: kimanhoianhotel.com Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & Spa Ha My Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: info@belhamy.com www.belhamy.com Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort Au Co Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3937-777 Email: sales@sunrisehoian.vn www.sunrisehoian.vn Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

Hoi An Historic Hotel 10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province. Tel: (0510) 3861-445 Email: reservation@hoianhotel.com.vn www.hoianhotel.com.vn From VND2,127,500 ($101) Hotel Royal Hoi An, Mgallery Collection 39 Dao Duy Tu St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3950-777 reservation@hotelroyalhoian.com www.mgallery.com

Rose Travel Service co..ltd 37 - 39 Ly Thai To St, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3917-567 Email: sales@rosetravelservice.com www.rosetravelservice.com.vn MUSEUM

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Anantara Hoi An Resort 1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3914-555 Email: hoian@anantara.com www.hoi-an.anantara.com

River-Beach Resort & Residences Hoi An 5 Cua Dai St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3927-888 saleshoian@river-beachresort.com www.river-beachresort.com From VND1,350,000 ($65)

Lac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-927 Email: info@pgr.com.vn www.palmgardenresort.com.vn From VND4,485,000 ($214)

QUY NHON

(TELEPHONE CODE: 056) HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily

HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Champa Island Nha Trang Resort & Spa 304, 2/4 St, Vinh Phuoc, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3568-888 Email: sales@champaislandresort.vn www.champaisandresort.vn With architecture reflecting nearby Po Nagar temple, Champa Island Nha Trang offers exquisite cuisine and many entertainment services that promise a memorable stay in Nha Trang Bavico International Hotel 02 Phan Boi Chau St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6266-555 Email: reservation@bavicohotelnhatrang.com

www.bavicohotelnhatrang.com.

Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel 38 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3889-999 Email: info@havanahotel.vn www.havanahotel.vn Cam Ranh Riviera Beach Resort & Spa

AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: (056) 3840-132 Email: quynhon@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com/quynhon From VND3,024,000 ($144) Royal Hotel and Healthcare Resort Quy Nhon 1 Han Mac Tu St, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 374-7100 Email: reservation@royalquynhon.com www.royalquynhon.com VND1,155,000 to VND1,365,000 ($55 to $65) MUSEUM

Quang Trung Museum Block 1, Phu Phong town, Tay Son Dist., Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3580-320 Open 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Entry fee VND10,500 ($0.50).

Free for children under six

NHA TRANG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 058) On the central coast, Nha Trang is a city originally known for beautiful beaches but these have lately been found to suffer from pollution due to modern life, development and tourism, like other popular resort areas in Vietnam. It has large numbers of foreign tourists, island-hopping, scuba diving, sightseeing and lounging on the beach.

Northern Peninsula Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3989-898 Email: info@rivieraresortspa.com www.rivieraresortspa.com Diamond Bay Resort & Spa Nguyen Tat Thanh Blvd, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist., Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3711-711 Email: info@diamondbayresort.vn www.diamondbayresort.vn Galina Hotel and Spa 5 Hung Vuong St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang. Tel: (058) 3839-999 Email: info@galinahotel.com.vn www.galinahotel.com.vn Green World Hotel Nha Trang 44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3528-666 Email: sales@greenworldhotelnhatrang.com www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.intercontinental.com Liberty Central Nha Trang Hotel 9 Biet Thu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3529-555 Email: frondesk.lcn@odysseahotels.com www.odysseahotels.com

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

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DIRECTIONS PHAN THIET

PHAN THIET

(TELEPHONE CODE: 062) Sitting on the coast about 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet is a beach city with many resorts and hotels.

Michelia Hotel 4 Pasteur St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-820 Email: sales@michelia.vn www.michelia.vn From VND2,200,000 ($105) Mường Thanh Grand Nha Trang Hotel 6 Duong Hien Quyen St, Vinh Hoa Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3552-468 Email: info@nhatrang.muongthanh.vn www.nhatrang.muongthanh.vn From VND1,400,000 ($66) Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-268 reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-vanbay/destination From VND18,837,000 ($897) Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa 26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3880-000 reservations.nhatrang@sheraton.com www.sheratonnhatrang.com Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa 12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-999 Email: info@sunrisenhatrang.com.vn www.sunrisenhatrang.com.vn VND2,520,000 to VND4,305,000 ($120 to $205) Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-598 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-188 Email: info@vinpearlresort-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com

Saigon - Suoi Nhum Resort Thuan Quy, Ham Thuan Nam Ward, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3683-240 info@saigonsuoinhumresort.com www.saigonsuoinhumresort.com From VND1,700,000 ($81) Romana Resort & Spa

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Allezboo Beach Resort & Spa 8 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-777 Email: info@allezbooresort.com www.allezbooresort.com From VND2,100,000 ($100) Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa 12A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-888 Email: res.amui@anantara.com www.mui-ne.anantara.com Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

Ly Thai To St, Tan Tien, Lagi, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3874-458 Email: contact@lazibeachresort.com www.lazibeachresort.com From VND1,900,000 ($90) Muine de Century Beach Resort & Spa 16 Huynh Thuc Khang St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-668 reservation@muinedecentury.vn www.muinedecentury.vn From VND1,701,000 ($81) Muine Ocean Resort & Spa 10 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-616 Email: sale.muineocean@gmail.com www.muineoceanresort.com From VND1,050,000 ($50)

38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-007 info@bamboovillageresortvn.com www.bamboovillageresortvn.com From VND2,835,000 ($135)

Muine Bay Resort

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa Quarter 14, Mui Ne Ward , Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 2220-222 Email: info@muinebayresort.com www.muinebayresort.com VND2,205,000 to VND6,195,000 ($105 to $295)

Km 8, Phu Hai, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-289 Email: info@romanaresort.com.vn www.romanaresort.com.vn Sandunes Beach Resort & Spa

5 Quarter, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3748-868 Email: info@sandunesbeach.com www.sandunesbeach.com Saigon Mui Ne Resort 56 - 97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-044 Email: saigonmuineresort@hcm.vnn.vn www.saigonmuineresort.com.vn From VND1,908,000 ($90) Seahorse Resort & Spa

Mui Ne Unique Resort

Au Lac do Brazil III 101 Trinh Phong St, Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 351 6661 SHOPPING Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company 248 Thong Nhat St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3822-472 yensaokh@yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn www.yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn

152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province . Tel: (062) 3847-858 Email: info@hoangngoc-resort.com www.hoangngoc-resort.com VND1,600,000 to VND6,090,000 ($75 to $287) Phu Hai Resort

MUSEUM

Alexandre Yersin Museum Pasteur Institute, 10 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3822-406

HERITAGE

Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort

HOTELS, RESORTS

RESTAURANTS

46 • V I E T N A M

Tel: (062) 3812-799 Email: info@phuhairesort.com www.phuhairesort.com

I

Km8, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Km 11 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province. Tel: (062) 3847-507 reservation@seahorseresortvn.com www.seahorseresortvn.com From VND1,680,000 ($80) Sunny Beach Resort & Spa 20B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-617 Email: info@muineuniqueresort.com www.muineuniqueresort.com From VND2,898,000 ($138) Ocean Dunes Resort 1 Ton Duc Thang St, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3822-393 Email: info@oceandunesresort.com.vn www.oceandunesresort.com.vn

64-66 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-355

DIRECTIONS DALAT, BINH DUONG, HO CHI MINH CITY Email: info@sunnybeach.com.vn www.sunnybeach.com.vn From VND2,940,000 ($140) The Cliff Resort & Residences Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3719-111 reservation@thecliffresort.com.vn www.thecliffresort.com.vn From VND2,667,000 ($127) Sea Links City Resort & Golf Km 9, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 2220-088 Email: sales@sealinksbeachhotel.com www.sealinksbeachhotel.com From VND1,995,000 ($94) Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3813-000 Email: resa.phanthiet@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND1,980,000 ($90) Villa Aria Mui Ne

HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Dalat Edensee Resort Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3831-515 Email: info@dalatedensee.com www.dalatedensee.com From VND2,450,000 ($117) Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa

Le Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3555-888 reservation-dalat@anamandara-resort.com www.anamandara-resort.com From VND3,150,000 ($150) Saigon-Dalat Hotel

60A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province; Tel: (062) 3741-660 Email: info@villaariamuine.com www.villaariamuine.com From VND2,520,000 ($120) White Sands Resort

KM8, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-175 Email: frontoffice@whitesandresort.com www.whitesandresort.com From VND1,344,000 VND ($64) MUSEUM

180 Ba Thang Hai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3556-789 Email: hotel@saigondalat.com ; resvn@saigondalat.com www.saigondalathotel.com Located in the heart of Dalat, SaigonDalat Hotel is a four-star-standard hotel, comprised of 160 luxurious and comfortable rooms with air-conditioning throughout and other modern amenities. Four restaurants, two bars, one tennis court, one indoor swimming pool, one fitness centre and one beauty salon and spa help make your getaway experience complete.

BINH DUONG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0650) An Lam Saigon River

Cham Culture Exhibition Centre Song Mao intersection, Phan Hiep Commune, Bac Binh Dist., Binh Thuan Province; Tel: (062) 3641-456. Open: 7.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Free entrance

DALAT

(TELEPHONE CODE: 063) Dalat, founded in 1893, has Frencharchitecture, pine forests and a perpetually cool climate. It is in the southern Central Highlands, about 300 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City.

21/4 Trung St, Vinh Phu Ward, Thuan An Dist., Binh Duong Province Tel: (0650) 3785-555 Email: rsvn.sr@anlam.com www.anlam.com

HO CHI MINH CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 08) CONSULATES

Australia 5B Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-6035 Belgium 91 Nguyen Huu Canh St, Ward 22, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3512-7968 Cambodia 41 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2751 Canada Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9899 China 175 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-2457 Cuba 45 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7350 France 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7231 Germany 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2455 India 55 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7853 Indonesia 18 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1888 Japan 13-17 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3822-5314 Kuwait 24 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3827-0555 Laos 93 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7667 Mexico 11 Tra Khuc St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3848-6290

Singapore Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5173 South Korea 107 Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5757 Switzerland 42 Giang Van Minh St, Dist.2, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3744-6996 Thailand 77 Tran Quoc Thao St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7637 United Kingdom 25 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1380, (08) 3829-8433 United States 4 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-9433

HOSPITALS

Columbia Asia Gia Dinh International Hospital 1 No Trang Long St, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3803-0678 FV Hospital 6 Nguyen Luong Bang St, Dist.7, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 5411-3500 Stamford Skin Centre 254 Dien Bien Phu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-1090 Email: info@stamfordskin.com www.stamfordskin.com AIRLINES

Air France 130 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-0981 All Nippon Airways 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-9612 American Airlines 69 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel: (08) 3933-0330

Netherlands 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-5932 New Zealand Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-6907 Panama 7A Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-0334

Asiana Airlines 39 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8710, (08) 3829-3038 .

British Airways 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2933

Russia 40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-3936

Cathay Pacific Airways 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3203

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DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Emirates Airlines 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2939 Japan Airlines 88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3821-9098

Trails of Indochina 10/8 Phan Dinh Giot St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3844-1005 Email: dosm@trailsofindochina.com www.trailsofindochina.com

www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn From VND4,830,000 ($230) Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

Philippine Airlines 2nd Floor Saigon Royal Building 91 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2105

www.libertycentralhotel.com

Qatar Airways 1-5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-3888 Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Tran Hung Dao St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3924-5100 Singapore Airlines 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-1588 Thai Airways International 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2809

HOTELS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Caravelle Saigon 19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 www.caravellehotel.com Saigon Prince Hotel 63 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-2999 enquires@saigon.duxton.com.vn www.duxtonhotels.com Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/equatorialhcmc Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City is an international 5-star hotel, located where the borders of the city's four main districts intersect; hence in the heart and true centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport can be reached conveniently within 30 minutes, while the city's major commercial and entertainment area is only a mere 8minute drive.

Novotel Saigon Centre

167 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3822-4866 Email: H7965@accor.com www.novotel-saigon-centre.com

Vietnam Airlines 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3832-0320

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 Email: Info@eastingrandSaigon.com www.eastingrandsaigon.com

Vietjet Air 8Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-0123 www.vietjetair.com

First Hotel

Asiana Travel Mate 113C Bui Vien St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3838-6678 www.atravelmate.com

Kelly Hotel

Buffalo Tours 81 Mac Thi Buoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9168 Email: travelagency@buffalotours.com www.buffalotours.com.vn Buffalo Tours operates in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

The Buffalo Tours portfolio caters to all types of tours.

Exotissimo 261/26 Phan Xich Long St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3995-9898 www.exotravel.com Saigon Tourist 45 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel: (08) 3827-9279 www.saigon-tourist.net

Grand Hotel Saigon 8 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-0163 Email: info@grandhotel.vn www.grandhotel.vn Built in 1930, the Ancient Wing of Grand Hotel Saigon offers a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The Luxury Wing, opened in November 2011, adds a modern style. 230 rooms and suites, a ballroom, recreation area, VIP Lounge, Western & Asian restaurants, Bars & Grand Café at Roof Garden

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Palace Hotel Saigon 56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2860 Email: sales@palacesaigon.com www.palacesaigon.com Park Hyatt Saigon 2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3824-1234 Email: saigon.park@hyatt.com www.saigon.park.hyatt.com From VND 7,887,850 ($376) PARKROYAL Saigon 309B – 311 Nguyen Van Troi St,Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3842-1111 enquiry.prsgn@parkroyalhotels.com

www.parkroyalhotels.com

18 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-1199 Email: first.hotel@hcm.vnn.vn www.firsthotel.com.vn

Hotel Nikko Saigon 235 Nguyen Van Cu St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3925-7777 reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn I

1 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-5517 majestic@majesticsaigon.com.vn www.majesticsaigon.com.vn InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner Hai Ba TrungSt. & Le Duan Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3520-9999 Email: saigon@ihg.com www.intercontinental.com/Saigon

TRAVEL

HERITAGE

Northern Hotel Saigon 11A Thi Sach St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-1751 reservation@northernhotel.com.vn www.northernhotel.com.vn From VND1,505,000 ($71) Three-star boutique hotel, 99 rooms in Superior, Deluxe and Suite categories, a short walk from major entertainment and shopping venues.

Hotel Majestic

United Airlines Suite 708 Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4755

48 • V I E T N A M

Email: frontdesk.lcc@libertyhotels.com.vn

Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-3333 www.lottehotel.com

Transviet Travel Travel House, 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3933-0777 www.transviet.com.vn

Jetstar Pacific Airlines 112 Hong Ha St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3955-0550

Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-3364 Email: info@kellyhotel.com.vn www.kellyhotel.com.vn From VND750,000 ($36) An elegant and cosy hotel with good service. Within walking distance to Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace and several museums.

Vietnamese food is served at reasonable prices.

Liberty Central Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1

8-15 Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0033 www.renaissance-saigon.com Royal Hotel Saigon 133 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3822-5915 www.royalhotelsaigon.com From VND1,092,000 ($52)

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY The Reverie Saigon

18 An Duong Vuong, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3833-6688 services@windsorplazahotel.com www.windsorplazahotel.com RESTAURANTS

22 - 36 Nguyen Hue Blvd. & 57 - 69F Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-6688 Email: info@thereveriesaigon.com www.thereveriesaigon.com Rex Hotel 141 Nguyen Hue St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2185 Email: rexhotel@rex.com.vn www.rexhotelvietnam.com From VND4,620,000 ($220) Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers 88 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Email: sheratonsaigon@sheraton.com www.sheratonsaigon.com Sofitel Saigon Plaza

17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1555 Email: h2077@sofitel.com www.sofitel.com From VND3,864,000 ($262)

Beef No.1 Restaurant 1 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0935891818/ 0919898253 Chit Chat Restaurant Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com New daily menus for lunch and dinner buffets, all served in a relaxing atmosphere. Eight live cooking stations with over 60 varieties of mouth-watering domestic and international dishes. A meeting place to enjoy delicious house-made pastries and cakes and a cup of coffee from selected premium blends.

Windsor Plaza Hotel

Sax N’ Art Jazz Club 28 Le Loi St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8472 www.saxnart.com Thao Nguyen Café Floor 7 and Rooftop of Restaurant Ngon 138 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9666 Open from 7 a.m. until 10.30 p.m.

SHOPS

Authentique Home 113 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8052 71/1 Mac Thi Buoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-8811 www.authentiquehome.com

GALLERIES Artists Long & Ngoc Gallery Grand Hotel (at the lobby), 8 Dong Khoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City TeL: (08) 2246-6839 Mobile: 0908 229 708 Email: ngoclongfineart@yahoo.com Apricot Gallery 50 Mac Thi Buoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7962 Craig Thomas Gallery 27i Tran Nhat Duat St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Mobile: 0903 888 431 Email: cthomasgallery@gmail.com www.cthomasgallery.com Open: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed Mondays and Sundays Galerie Quynh Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3824-8284 www.galeriequynh.com Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Au Lac do Brazil I 238 Pasteur, Ward 6, Dist.3, HCMC Tel: (+84-8) 3820 7157 Fax: (+84-8) 3820 7682 Email: pr@aulacdobrazil.com

Doma Vina Co., Ltd 50C Tran Binh Trong St, Ward 5, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3550-0558 www.papercraft.com.vn

Sàn Art 48/7 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6294-7059 www.san-art.org Opening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every.

Closed on Sunday and Monday

Lemongrass Restaurant 4 Nguyen Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0496 www.bongsencorporation.com

Dong Gia Enterprise 114 Xuan Thuy St, Thao Dien Ward, Dist.2, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6296-0147 www.dong-gia.com

Tu Do Gallery 53 Ho Tung Mau St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-0966 www.tudogallery.com Opening: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday

Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653 Tandoor Restaurant

Handed by crafts from Vietnam 47 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0908 447 282 IPA Nima 85 Pasteur St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3824-2701 IPA Nima is well-known for its bags.

Sonnet Saigon Hotel

14 Truong Dinh St., Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-1999 reservation@sonnetsaigonhotel.com www.sonnetsaigonhotel.com From VND925,000

Tel: (08) 3910-6903 Email: molinari@vnn.vn www.caffemolinari.com

39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-4839 www.tandoorvietnam.com Vatel Saigon Bistronomique-Lounge 120 Bis Suong Nguyet Anh St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 5404-2220 www.vatelsaigon.com BARS & CAFÉS

Elle Cafe 45 Ngo Duc Ke St, Bitexco Financial Tower, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6291-8769 Caffe Molinari 5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City

Lu's Handmade 240 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Facebook: Lu's Handmade Tropic Shop 89 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3714 www.ofcvn.com/tropic

COOKING CLASSES

Mint Culinary School 778/45 Nguyen Kiem St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-5500 Email: sales@vca.com.vn www.vca.com.vn Saigon Cooking Class 74/7 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-8485 www.saigoncookingclass.com

SIGHTSEEINGS

Notre Dame Cathedral Cong Xa Paris Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Built in 1877, and the Cathedral opened to the public in 1880. The bricks used to build this marvellous structure were shipped from Marseilles.

Ben Thanh Market Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City The original market was located on the bank of the Ben Nghe River by the old Gia Dinh Fort. In 1859, when the French invaded Saigon and overtook Gia Dinh Fort, Ben Thanh Market was destroyed.

It was rebuilt shortly after and remained standing until it was moved to its present location in 1899. Now, Ben Thanh market is a trade centre and a favourite tourist destination, offering a wide range of Vietnamese handicraft, fresh fruits and local specialities.

Chinatown – Cho Lon It was set up at the end of the 18th century when the Minh Dynasty in China was overthrown. Chinatown has many shops and private workshops. The most interesting places are Binh Tay market, Soai Kinh Lam fabric whole-sales market, the street of herbal medicine located on Hai Thuong Lan Ong and Thien Hau Temple on Nguyen Trai Street.

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DIRECTIONS VUNG TAU, LONG HAI, CON DAO, CAN THO, MY THO, CHAU DOC MUSEUMS

HOTELS, RESORTS

Ao Dai Museum 206/19/30 Long Thuan St, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City www.baotangaodaivietnam.com Open daily, closed on Monday from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.

The entry ticket is VND100,000 for adults Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City 97A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-4441 www.baotangmythuattphcm.com Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Grand Hotel Vung Tau 2 Nguyen Du St, Ward.1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-888 Email: sales@grandhotel.com.vn www.grandhotel.com.vn From VND2,058,000 ($98) Muong Thanh Vung Tau Hotel No 09, Thong Nhat St, Ward 1, Vung Tau . Tel: (064) 3835-567 sales@vungtau.muongthanh.vn www.vungtau.muongthanh.vn From VND1,890,000 ($90) Kieu Anh Hotel

Fito Museum 41 Hoang Du Khuong S, Ward 12, Dist. 10, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3864-2430 www.fitomuseum.com.vn Open daily from 8.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m.

Ticket: VND50,000 The first museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine

Independence Palace 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3652 www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

MUSEUM

White Palace 6 Tran Phu St, Ward.1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-605 Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LONG HAI

Long Hai is a beach town, 30km northeast of Vung Tau and 124 km southeast of HCMC. The Grand Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Tel: (064) 3788-888 Email: info@thegrandhotramstrip.com www.thegrandhotramstrip.com

CON DAO

257 Le Hong Phong St, Ward 8, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3584-179 Email: quanly@kieuanhhotel.com www.kieuanhhotel.vn

Ho Chi Minh City Museum 65 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-9741 www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Romeliess Hotel 31 - 33 Thuy Van St, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3613-366 Email: sales@romeliss.com www.romeliesshotel.com

Palace Hotel 1 Nguyen Trai St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-411 Email: sales@palacehotel.com.vn www.palacehotel.com.vn From VND2,062,000 ($97)

Petro House Hotel

VUNG TAU

(TELEPHONE CODE: 064) A popular beach resort town for residents of Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is about 128 km southeast of HCMC. It can be reached either by road or by a 90-minute hydrofoil boat from HCMC. Sitting on a peninsula that sticks out into the East Sea, Vung Tau does not have the most beautiful, or cleanest, beaches in Vietnam but can act as a quick getaway from the buzz of the city.

52 • V I E T N A M

HERITAGE

I

390 Ap Thoi Binh, Thoi Son Ward, My Tho City Tel: (073) 6519-000 contact@theislandlodge.com.vn www.theislandlodge.com.vn

CAN THO

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0710) Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta, about 170 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, and acts as the area’s economic, transportation and cultural centre. Sitting on the Mekong River, Can Tho is popular for its nearby floating markets, canals and rivers that can be explored by boat.

HOTELS, RESORTS

63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel : (064) 3852-014 Hotline: 0961.085.869 Email: info@petrohousehotel.vn www.petrohousehotel.vn From VND923.000 ($41)

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Can Tho Museum 1 Hoa Binh St, Tan An Ward, Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3820-955 Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.); Saturday and Sunday (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Closed on Friday. Free admission

CHAU DOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 076) HOTELS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Victoria Chau Doc Hotel

MY THO

The Island Lodge

Petrosetco Hotel

12 Truong Cong Dinh St, Ward 2, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3624-748 Email: sales@petrosetco.com.vn www.petrosetcohotel.vn From VND1,085,700 ($52)

MUSEUM

Six Senses Con Dao Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist., Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province Tel : (064) 3831-222 reservations-condao@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ con-dao/destination From VND14,490,000 ($690)

Southern Women Museum 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7130 The History Museum 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-8146 www.baotanglichsuvn.com 8 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.

- 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

Closed on Monday War Remnants Museum 28 Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (08) 3930-5587 Email: warrmhcm@gmail.com Open daily 7.30 a.m. to midday and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Victoria Can Tho Resort Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3810-111 Email: resa.cantho@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,700,000 ($175)

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Golf Can Tho Hotel 2 Hai Ba Trung St, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3812-210 golf4.cantho@vinagolf.vn www.vinagolf.vn

1 Le Loi St, Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3865-010 resa.chaudoc@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,169,000 ($149) Victoria Nui Sam Lodge Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An Giang Province. Tel: (076) 3575-888 resa.nuisam@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia MUSEUM

An Giang Museum 11 Ton Duc Thang St, My Binh Ward, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3956-248 Open hour 7a.m. to 11a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on Monday Entrance fee: VND42,000 ($2)

PHU QUOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 077) Phu Quoc Island, off the southern tip of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

White-sand beaches, scuba diving around coral reefs or exploring the protected jungle. Accessible by either the Rach Gia hydrofoil boat or a 50-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Modest family-owned bungalows on the beach to fivestar resorts.

DIRECTIONS PHU QUOC, OVERSEAS HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Ancarine Beach Resort

Group 3, Ong Lang. Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Tel: ( 077) 3996685 Email: ancarineresort@gmail.com Chen Sea Resort & Spa Phu Quoc, Centara Boutique Collection Bai Xep, Ong Lang, Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3995-895 Email: cpv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com From VND3,381,000 ($161) Eden Resort Phu Quoc

Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Ward, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province Tel: (077) 3985-598 reservations@edenresort.com.vn www.edenresort.com.vn La Veranda Resort Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 7, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3982-988 contact@laverandaresorts.com www.laverandaresorts.com VND5,082,000 to VND8,694,000 ($242 to $414)

CANADA

(Telephone code: 1) Xe Lua 254 Spadina Ave, Tonronto, Ontario Canada M5T2C2 Tel: (1-416) 703-8330 Xe Lua has been open since 1996 and serves phở for $6 a bowl Open: 11.30 a.m. to 12 p.m Chau Kitchen and Bar 1500 Robson St. Vancouver, British Columbia.

Tel: (1-604) 682-8020 www.chaukitchenandbar.com Serves Vietnamese dishes with prices starting at $7 per dish.

FRANCE

(Telephone code: 33) CLEMONT-FERRAND Kim Anh 6 Bis r Elie Gintrac Tel: (33-4) 7391-9364 Serves traditional Vietnamese food, from €12.80 per dish Open 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Sundays).

GRENOBLE Kim Ngan 22 r Nicolas Chrier Tel: (33-4) 7649-0847 Serves Vietnamese food with prices starting at €8 per dish

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Telephone code: 1) CALIFORNIA-CA Emerald Restaurant Pacific Gateway Plaza 3709 Convoy Street, Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111 Tel: (1) 858-565-6888 Serves Vietnamese food

Ho Bac 1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 Kieu Nga Lemongrass Restaurant 514 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 Moonlight Café 1919 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-322-3378 Massachusetts-MA Saigon Hut, 305-307 Meridian St. Boston, ] MA 02128; Tel: (1) 617-567-1944 Xinh Xinh 7 Beach St (Washington St.) Boston, MA 02111 Tel: (1) 617-422-0501

UNITED KINGDOM

(Telephone code: 44) Little Saigon Restaurant 6 Bigg Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Tel: 01912330766 Vietnamese dishes

AUSTRALIA

(Telephone code: 61) La Mint 62–64 Riley St, East Sydney NSW 2010 Tel: (61) 293-311-818 Email: service@lamint.com.au www.lamint.com.au French and Vietnamese dishes

INDONESIA

(Telephone code: 62) Pho 24 Pondok Indah, Plaza I, Jln. Taman Duta 1Blok UA 35 Jakarta Selatan Tel: (62) 0217-505-909 JIn. Wolter Mongonsidi No. 71, Kebayyoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan Tel: (62) 0217-278-8411 Pacific Place Mall, 5th Floor, SCBD, JIn. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53, Jakarta 12190 Tel: (62) 0215-140-0531

Hung Ky Mi Gia 5237 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115; Tel: (1) 619-229-2188 Serves noodle varieties with prices starting at $5 per dish Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

International Restaurant 1 4444 – A University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Tel: (1) 619-281-9999 Little Saigon 7 Linden Ave (Railroad) South San Francisco, CA 94080 Tel: (1) 650-589-1398 New York-NY Saigon Grill 620 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 Tel: (1) 212-875-9072 Serves over 100 Vietnamese dishes including vegetarian options Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Mai Lan Vietnamese 505 N State St Syracuse, NY 13203 Tel: (1) 315-471-6740 www.mailanrestaurant.com L’Annam 121 University Pl New York, NY 10022 Tel: (1) 212-420-1414 VIRGINIA-VA Minh’s Vietnamese 2500 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (1) 703-525-2828 Prices start at $15 per dish Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Mondays) WASHINGTON-WC

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VIETNAM HERITAGE

• 53

WHAT THE PAPER SAY 15 million Vietnamese still sparking up the tobacco e.vnexpress.net, 7 September

HCMC to build highway around airport Tuoi Tre News, 6 September

Local investors have proposed a project to build an elevated highway system providing better access to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

The potential construction is expected to cost $157 million and will be aimed at alleviating traffic congestion at the entrance to the aerodrome, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport.

The main highway is designed to run 2.6 kilometres from Truong Son Street to Terminals T1 and T2, and the upcoming Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat in Tan Binh District, and will connect Nguyen Van Troi and Hoang Van Thu Streets.

22,000 lung cancer patients diagnosed in VN each year Tuoi Tre News, 11 September

Around 22,000 new cases of lung cancer are recorded every year in Vietnam, where the disease is ranked among the top causes of death.

According to figures presented by doctors at an event held in HCM City, around 22,000 Vietnamese people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, while 19,500 die yearly from the disease.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among Vietnamese males, and the secondmost common cause of cancer-related fatalities among females, the doctors said.

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HERITAGE

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Vietnam has one of the highest smoking rates in the world. The country recorded a slight decrease in tobacco users between 2010 and 2015, falling from 23.8 percent to 22.5 percent, the Ministry of Health reported.

The number of male smokers also fell by 2.1 percent to hit 45.3 percent over the five-year period, and male smokers in urban areas dropped five percent to 42.7 percent.

Despite the declining number of smokers, Vietnam has one of the highest smoking rates in the world, according to the ministry.

About six million people around the world die of tobacco-related illnesses each year, including 40,000 in Vietnam. That figure is forecast to reach 50,000 by 2023.

The rate of second-hand smokers also remains high with around 80 percent of those surveyed saying they are exposed to smoke from cigarettes in restaurants, 62 percent at home and 42 percent at work.

Nearly half of Vietnamese men drink at 'hazardous level' e.vnexpress.net, 10 September

With 77 per cent of men and 11 per cent of women admitting to drinking alcohol within 30 days prior to being surveyed, Vietnam is increasingly concerned about related health problems as well as traffic safety.

A study released by the Ministry of Health said that the rate of male drinkers increased by 11 per cent while the rate of female went up by 6 per cent compared to 2010 figures. The study was carried out in all 63 provinces with the participation of some 4,000 Vietnamese aged between 18 and 69.

It revealed that 44 per cent of men drank alcohol at a hazardous level, which means within 30 days, there was at least one time they drank more than 180 millilitres of hard wine or more than 6 cans of beer.

About half of the drinkers drove after two hours of drinking.

Vietnam to expand Tan Son Nhat e.vnexpress.net, 12 September

The country is working to expand its largest airport to receive more than twice the

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

passengers in the next decade.

The largest airport Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City to receive more than twice the passengers in the next 10 years as existing facilities have been strained by rapid traffic growth.

The extra area is expected to help the 850hectare (2,100-acre) airport accommodate 50 million passengers a year by 2025, compared to the designed capacity of 20 million at the moment.

Tan Son Nhat is already overstrained by the steady flows of flights and passengers. It received more than 26.5 million passengers last year and the number is expected to increase to around 31 million this year, making upgrade an even more urgent task.

Truck driver awarded ‘Golden Wheel’ Viet Nam News, 8 September

Truck driver Phan Van Bac of Central Highlands’ Lam Dong Province has been awarded the ‘Golden Wheel’ title this year.

The truck driver risked his own life to save the lives of 30 passengers travelling on a coach through Bao Loc Pass.

Bac was driving a truck travelling on the pass. When he realised that the coach travelling behind him appeared to be losing control, he decided to drive his truck in such a manner that the bottom of his truck covered the top of the coach and stopped it from losing control on the 500m sloping road of the Bao Loc Pass, saving lives of those passengers on the coach.

HCMC losing 28 per cent of tap water through leaks Thanh Nien News, 9 September

Ho Chi Minh City is losing more than a quarter of its tap water through pipe leaks and ruptures, which translates to a loss of more than $130,000 every day.

Figures from Saigon Water Corporation showed that the ratio of leaked water has been reduced from 41 per cent seven years ago to 28 per cent now. That is still 556,000 cubic metres of clean water going to waste.

The company plans to improve leakage control and bring the rate down to 25 per cent by 2020.

Around 150 kilometres of water pipes, or half of the system in the city downtown, have been in use as long as 80 years.