Vietnam Heritage No.43 November-December 2014 by Vietnam Heritage

10:4 10:4 NOV-DEC NOV-DEC 2 2014 014

CULTURAL CULTURAL HERITAGE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION O OFF VIETNAM VIETNAM

ISSN 1859-4123

How the betel and areca nut came to be

PHOTO EXHIBITIONS HO CHI MINH CITY National University Ho Chi Minh City (22/10/2014 - 25/10/2014), Block 06, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Defense Education - National University (27/10/2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31/10/2014), National University Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Hoa- Di An- Binh Duong University of Social Sciences and Humanities (12/11/2014 - 15/11/2014) 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Independence Palace (23/11/2014 - 28/11/2014), 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

PHAN THIET Ocean Dunes Resort (23/10/2014 - 28/10/2014), 01 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province

NHA TRANG 2/4 Square (30/10/2014 - 06/11/2014), Khanh Hoa Province Nha Trang University (10/11/2014 - 14/11/2014), 2 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province

CAN THO Can Tho Museum (19/11/2014 - 25/11/2014), 1 Hoa Binh, Tan An, Ninh Kieu Dist, Can Tho Can Tho University (02/12/2014 - 05/12/2014), Zone II 3/2 Street, Xuan Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho

HANOI Hanoi University of Foreign Trade (25/11/2014 - 27/11/2014), 91 Chua Lang, Lang Thuong, Dong Da District, Hanoi Hanoi Museum (04/12/2014- 04/01/2015), Pham Hung, Nam Tu Lien, Hanoi

DA NANG Danang University of Technology (01/12/2014 - 05/12/2014), 54 Nguyen Luong Bang, Danang Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture (20/12/2014 - 10/03/2015), No 2 2/9 Street, Binh Hien, Hai Chau, Danang

HOI AN Hoi An Silk Village (02/12/2014 - 10/03/2015), 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Hoi An

QUANG NINH Quang Ninh Library (06/11/2014 - 24/11/2014), Tran Quoc Nhiem St., Hong Hai Ward, Ha Long City

VUNG TAU Bien Dong Resort (10/12/2014 - 20/12/2014), 08 Thuy Van, Thang Tam Ward, Vung Tau, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province

AN GIANG An Giang Museum (16/12/2014- 16/03/2015), 11 Ton Duc Thang, My Binh Ward, Long Xuyen, An Giang Province

MY THO Convention Center (22/12/2014 - 23/12/2014), My Tho City, Tien Giang Province My Tho City Dock (24/12/2014 - 24/01/2015), No 8 30/4 Street, My Tho, Tien Giang Province

PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT ON 23 NOVEMBER 2014 at Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City

CONTENT

No 10, Vol.4, November-December 2014

COVER STORY Customs 8 How the betel and areca nut came to be Medicine

12 When healthcare was a royal prerogative Conservation

14 Searching for the snake god

Advertorial

15 Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh: Paradise Awaits 16 Mui Ne Seahorse is a sure bet Art

18 ‘Easy listening' for the eye at Sofitel Food

20 Delectable dishes 22 WMC Group Helping to Raise Saigon to World-Class City Status Music

24 ‘Khen’ - bamboo flute of the Hmong

Crafts A 26 touch of beauty Culture

28 Wells of life Travel

30 The aroma of the soul

32 What the papers say 34 Events

38 Value for money 42 Recipe 43 Directions 58 Laid back

Cover photograph: Illustration by Phan Ngoc Vinh Published by the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam

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; Sub-editing: Erik Johnson; Assistant: Kha Tu Anh; Production: Nguyen Hoang Kim Long; 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; Tran Viet Duc Correspondent: Pip de Rouvray; Advertising and Circulation: Green Viet Advertising JSC Advertising and Subscriptions Service: Email: ads.vietnamheritage@gmail.com; Thuy Phuong 0166 79 70 706 Email: subs.vietnamheritage@gmail.com Hanoi Advertising and Subscription: The He Moi MHN Viet Nam Co.Ltd, Mr Song Hao: 0903 476 999 Contact in the US for subscription and advertising: 2628 Sturla dr. San Jose, CA 95148

30 Vietnam Heritage Editorial Office: 4th Floor, 1/1 Hoang Viet St., Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 38 11 88 46 Fax: (84-8) 38 11 87 75 Email: vnheritagemagazine@gmail.com vietnamdisan@gmail.com l

www.vietnamheritage.com.vn

Vietnam Heritage

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

•5

Ghềnh Đá Đĩa or the Cliﬀ of Stone Plates, Phu Yen Province. South Central Vietnam

Photo: Dinh Huu Ngot

CUSTOMS n ancient times lived the brothers Tan and Lang, who, although their ages were different, looked as alike as two peas in a pod. Their father was the tallest and biggest person in the region. He was rewarded by the Hung court, which bestowed on him the honorary name ‘Cao’ (tall). From then on, his family assumed the Chinese character ‘Cao’ for their genealogy. As the brothers grew up, their parents passed away. The brothers then became more attached to one another than ever. Before their father had passed, he entrusted Tan to a Taoist from the Luu family. Tan studied with the Taoist, and Lang, unwilling to just stay at home, went to study alongside his brother. In the Luu household was a girl of the same age and social standing as the two brothers. Loving feelings for the girl sprouted up in both the brothers, but she gave her heart to the older brother. The Luu Taoist betrothed the girl to Tan. After they were married, the husband and wife went to a new home, where Lang lived together with them. Since the day he married his wife, Tan continued to cherish his younger brother, but not as ardently as in the past. Lang felt lonesome and his heart was full of sadness and despondency. One day, Lang and Tan went together to the terrace-fields until late in the night. Lang went home first. He had just stepped past the threshold when Tan’s wife came out running from her chamber and embraced him. Lang cried out. His sister-in-law’s mistaking him for her husband made them both feel ashamed. At the time of the incident, Tan had just stepped inside. From then on, Tan harboured jealously towards his brother. Tan’s jealousy accentuated his cold temperament towards Lang. Lang, feeling downhearted, indignant and ashamed, wanted to leave home. One day in the dark early morning, Lang absconded from the house and travelled along a dirt trail. After several days on the road, Lang came across a large swift-flowing river. He was unable to get across the river, so he just sat down on the riverbank, held his head, and cried. Lang cried and wailed until even the birds that prey in the night

How t areca n could hear his sobs. By morning, Lang was little more than a spiritless corpse and thereupon, he turned to stone. Tan waited and watched, but he didn’t see his brother anywhere. Tan was contrite, for he knew that his brother had taken off because he was resentful of him. Tan went searching for his brother without saying a word to his wife. After several days, Tan, too, arrived at the banks of the broad swift-flowing river. Without any means to get across, he followed along the river until he found his younger brother, who had turned to

8 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

stone. Tan stood beside the stone and wept until only the burbling of the rushing water remained. Tan died and transformed into a tree that sprouted straight up towards the sky beside the stone. Tan’s wife back home waited and waited, but her husband didn’t return, so she, too, left the house to look for him. The woman sat next to the tree and wept until her tears ran dry. She then died and turned into a vine that wound around the upward sprouting tree. The Taoist and his wife waited for them,

CUSTOMS liqueur and his lips turned crimson red and he had a ruddy facial complexion. The king declared, ‘Indeed, this is quite extraordinary.’ Thereafter, the king decreed that everyone cultivate strains of the plants and stipulated that all conjugal couples must have those three things during their betrothal ceremonies in memory of the love between the aforementioned husband and wife. The legend of betel and areca nut thus came into being and constituted the beginnings of the Vietnamese custom of chewing betel. We don’t know when the legend came to be or how long it has been veiled by the dusts of time, but its association with the Hung Kings allows us to believe that the tale of the betel and areca nut along with the custom of blackening the teeth by chewing betel came into existence during that era. In many boat-coffin graves that date from the time of the Hung Kings and An Duong Vuong, archaeologists of ancient times found that the graves’ occupants blackened their teeth and were buried with betel leaves and areca nuts in their coffins. The graves have been determined to be lll Illustration: Phan Ngoc Vinh

he betel and nut came to be but they didn’t see the three of them return, so the Taoist and his wife split up to look for them. In front of the stone and the two plants, they erected a shrine. That was a shrine for the ‘congenial brothers and faithful husband and wife.’ One year there was a drought. All varieties of vegetation were withered and dry. Only the two plants that sprouted up next to the stone were still verdant. The Hung King, on a royal inspection tour, saw that it was odd and asked the villagers about it. Touched by the story, the king felt com-

BY PHAM QUOC QUAN

pelled to order someone to climb the tree, pick its fruit, and taste it. The flavour was acrid and unexceptional, but when chewed with the leaves of the vine an uncanny flavour came to the tip of the tongue. It was sweet, fragrant and pungent. Suddenly, a courtier exclaimed, ‘Blood!’ Everyone stood aback in awe. When the king’s spittle was expectorated onto the stone, it turned blood red. The king ordered that they fetch all three of them so that he could chew them together. He felt a heated sensation as if inebriated in a bouquet of

Opposite, below: Betel and areca nut. Photo: James Gordon

Above: Betel and areca nut, which are necessary items in a wedding ceremony. Photo: Kim Thanh

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

•9

CUSTOMS lll

those of ancient Vietnamese, as ancient anthropologists have specified anthropological indicators in them, while archaeologists have recognized purely Vietnamese elements in the manner of burial that is consonant with the riverine ways of farming inhabitants. The custom of blackening the teeth by chewing betel seems to have ceased between the seventh to eighth centuries of the Common Era. It’s unclear whether archaeologists have not yet discovered traces of it or that that was just the reality. That period was the era of northern (Chinese) feudal assimilation, which may have caused the ancient Vietnamese of the region to be unable to resist conforming to Chinese ways in regards to the custom. I don’t believe in the successful assimilation by the foreign state very much, as in nearly every area, the ancient Vietnamese selectively adopted positive foreign elements while still retaining their original traditional character, which causes scholars to assert that it was precisely only because we Vietnamese resisted the Han and Tang Chinese that we are who we are. Coming to the Ly and Tran dynasties, the custom of chewing betel is illumined through the extremely rich collection of terra-cotta and porcelain spittoons. That time can be seen as the nascence of a system of Vietnamese spittoons, which developed all the way up to the August Revolution of 1945. In the Le Dynasty, the custom of blackening the teeth by chewing betel existed prolifically and seems to have become a habit of the imperial family and the nobility, for in the tomb of Emperor Le Du Ton was found an embroidered bag for holding betel and areca nut, and the emperor had blackened teeth with a small proportion of gold in his hair. In many compounds from the tombs of officials were found material traces of the custom, demonstrating that not only women, but also men and not only the plebeian classes, but also the ranks of royalty, officials and nobility all used betel and areca nuts as a traditional Vietnamese custom. As for later dynasties, especially the Nguyen, collections of imperial gold, silver and precious jewels present many gold and

silver pestles and mortars that were used for grinding betel. Gold, jade, silver and bronze spittoons evince the rank and identities of those who used them. This is seen in the decorative designs of dragons, phoenixes, the four sacred creatures (dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix) and the four noble plants (pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo and apricot) on the implements. The custom of blackening the teeth by chewing betel became quite commonplace during the first decades of the twentiethcentury. It entered into the lives of common folk through marriage ceremonies, funerals, ancestor remembrance days, and the adage ‘a mouthful of betel is the beginning of a conversation.’ The custom can be considered a thread that binds the community, village, and families. It is, moreover, the essential spirit of the people, which has been preserved for over 2,000 years, such

10 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

Clockwise from left: An early 20thcentury northern woman, teeth blackened from chewing betel. Photo: Pierre Dieulefits; Women with blackened teeth from chewing betel, Bac Ninh Province, 2010. Photos: Nguyen Anh Tuan

that it, along with other cultural components, shaped the rich character of the Vietnamese people. Today, the custom of blackening the teeth by chewing betel is already a thing of the past, yet it appears that worship rituals, betrothal ceremonies and marriages must all have the areca fruit and a platter of betel as a Vietnamese recollection of the distant past rather than as something of practical significance. That is the custom’s symbolic value in Vietnamese culture, which we come across everywhere, although few notice it, especially today’s youth.n

MEDICINE

When healthcare was a royal prerogative

Tran Tien Hy, middle, an imperial physician during the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue. The photo was taken in front of his grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house in Hue. Photo from the archive of researcher Nguyen Dac Xuan

edical activities under the Nguyen Dynasty were still very rudimentary. Although the Nguyen Dynasty organized many ministries like the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Education, there was still no comprehensive agency for the management of medicine. In the capital of Hue, there was

12 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

the Institute of Supreme Medicine (Thai Y Vien), which was only a small medical unit reserved for the Emperor, the Royal Family, and the Imperial Court. Everything else was entrusted to rustic physicians and magicians, who freely worked their trade. Although they were not promoted, they were not bound by any laws. The selection of doctors for the Institute of Supreme Medicine also did not adhere to any concrete regulations. Anyone who had studied

BY DOAN VAN QUYNH *

medicine and carried out the trade of a rural physician, despite their background or social origins, could apply for admission into the organization. However, in reality, the majority were the progeny of imperial doctors or those recommended by the Institute of Supreme Medicine. In 1850, during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, the first medical university was founded with the goal of training personnel for the Institute of Supreme Medicine managed by an Institute Commissioner.

MEDICINE Every year, they held an examination for the recruitment of superb rural doctors from north to south, who were called medical candidates (y sinh). Whenever the Emperor left the Imperial Palace, one of the imperial physicians from the Institute of Supreme Medicine had to follow along to attend to the emperor. Only doctors from the Institute of Supreme Medicine were permitted to investigate the pulse of the emperor or empress. Whenever the emperor wanted to get his health checked, the two highest-ranking members of the Institute of Supreme Medicine were notified first; these two needed quiet time in order to have the lucid, tranquil, wholesome and unburdened spiritual essence when taking his pulse before making a diagnosis. After checking the pulse, they returned to consult with the doctors of the Institute of Supreme Medicine to carefully discuss complications and arrive at a truly accurate diagnosis. Afterwards, they drafted a prescription complete with the signatures of the doctors on the panel. The prescription would then be assessed by the Privy Council and presented to the Emperor for his consideration and approval. Whenever the Empress grew ill, the doctor from the Institute of Supreme Medicine was invited to examine her pulse. The empress lay behind a curtain held up by courtesans that left only a small gap, just enough for the hand of the patient to stick through to the outside. The doctor examined the pulse through a thin silk cloth that discreetly covered the Empress’s hand. [To avoid pointing directly at the body of the empress] Sometimes an ivory statue had to be used to point things out, make inquiries, or describe an ailment. Thus, the medical diagnostician could hardly

execute his art in accord with the principles of Oriental medicine – view, listen, examine the pulse, and inquire–which speaks to some degree of the confusion involved when diagnosing an illness. Obstetric and gynaecological issues lay in the hands of midwives who specialized in delivering babies. These people were usually women in the inner palace who were trained to be midwives. Emperor Gia Long had 22 children; Emperor Minh Mang had 126 children; and Emperor Thieu Tri had 37 children. All their midwifery and paediatrics were entrusted to the midwives. The doctors of the Institute of Supreme Medicine were only called during the postnatal period or when obstetric complications arose. Nevertheless, they were only permitted to check the pulse and issue prescriptions. When imperial concubines grew ill, they had to be taken out of the Imperial Palace for treatment. They convalesced in the Royal Female Sanatorium (Binh An Duong), which was a small tileroofed building to the northeast of the palace. The army in general and even the soldiers defending the Imperial City did not have any military medical organization to look after them. When soldiers got sick, they convalesced in the military barracks and found their own doctors for treatment. If they had serious diseases, they were permitted to leave the barracks to seek treatment. If they were afflicted with incurable diseases, then they were relieved of their duties and allowed to return to their hometowns. Medical provisions for the soldiers and magistrates were only carried out at certain times and in particular regions. Throughout the 18th century, clergymen held a role as doctors

alongside the Hue court. Among them were the French monk Vachet and Polish monk Koffler. They were the first persons to spread the seeds of Western medicine. Since the 19th century, clergymen who doubled as doctors were replaced by trained physicians. In 1820, the surgeon Treilard of the French Navy arrived in Danang. He was summoned to the palace by Emperor Gia Long to attend to the health of the Princess. On many occasions, he secretly examined the ailments of the Emperor. According to ‘Duvigneau in Revue Indochinese’ (1906), the French naval doctor J.M. Despiau became an Imperial doctor during the reign of Emperor Gia Long and served for 20 years up until the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. Despiau was a trusted servant for the Emperor. During the time when smallpox spread among the population, the Emperor sent him to Macao to seek out a vaccine. After Despiau, it would be over 50 years before another doctor would be invited to the Hue court, so only doctors from the Institute of Supreme Medicine looked after the medical services of the court. It was not until the early years of the French occupation that Western doctors finally returned to penetrate the court. During this time, Dr. Cotte of the French Mobile Hospital, who was stationed at Thuan An harbour, was repeatedly summoned to the palace to treat the illnesses of Emperor Dong Khanh. Western medicine became prominent from the day that the Central Hospital of Hue was established in 1896 along with the Laboratory Medical Bio-Chemistry and the Central Pharmaceutical Office.n *Doan Van Quynh is a Hue researcher VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 13

CONSERVATION

Searching for the snake god

TEXT AND PHOTO BY

Python brongersmai

PHUNG MY TRUNG

bout four years ago, Tuan, a young member of the Vietnam Forest Creatures group, who lived near the National park Lo Go – Sa Mac, Tay Ninh Province, called me and said that he saw a very beautiful snake. Its skin was a dark bloody colour, with evenly arranged patterns on the back. He was thrilled, thinking that he saw a snake deity, because his business went quite smoothly afterwards. Recently, he called me again and excitedly related about another encounter with the ‘snake deity’ that he met earlier. Tuan sent me some photos he took with his mobile phone, under the shade of dense forest canopy. Although the pictures were unclear, I could guess that it was very likely that his ‘deity’ belonged to one of the three families of Pythons that live in Vietnam. We agreed to go together and see this ‘snake deity’. It was the end of June, and the morning rain seemed to go on forever. Near the border with Cambodia, the water from the canals has flooded parts of the Lo Go – Sa Mac National Park. I called a brother-in-arms of mine, who was at the time, head of a forest guard post of the national park, to tell him about our intention. Though not planning to join us, he kindly assigned two of his rangers to accompany our research group. The rain didn’t stop. We decided to hike, following Tuan. In many places, the water was already knee-deep. When we came to where Tuan found the snake, the rain stopped. We started scouring an area of about a kilometre in diameter. It

was exhausting. Above us, the scorching sun began to penetrate the canopy. We continued searching with the same method and scale until sunset, but found nothing. We had to stop to make shelter for the colourless, endless night. The next morning, the birds and insects began noisily calling each to other when the forest was still dark under a thick layer of steam. It was a chaos of awakened life. Suddenly, we shuddered and jumped out from under our blankets, hearing Tuan’s hysterical shriek. Everybody rushed toward the sound. Not far from the camp, Tuan was dead pale, his eyes bulging in a fixed stare at a bush of weeds. His snake was sleeping peacefully with a full belly after a hunting night. Experienced in taking reptile samples, I softly pushed the leaves aside and looked at the snake in the torch light without disturbing it. After careful examination, I could now surely confirm to the Vietnamese and international amphibian reptile researchers that they don’t have to doubt about the existence of Python brongersmai in Vietnam any more. Because of their beautiful natural colours and patterns, Python brongersmai had been hunted near extinction to satisfy human vanity. They had been being considered ‘lost’ from our country after many years. It was recorded that in 1970, biologist Campden noted seeing the species sold in Saigon. In 1977 Grandison also noted that it was raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan

14 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

and Ca Mau. As recently as 2005, a Vietnamese reptile researcher, Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong and his colleagues also saw it being raised and sold at some farms in Ho Chi Minh City. Nevertheless the above unconnected facts couldn’t be evidences that these pythons did live in our country because nobody has seen and collected their samples in the wild. For the safety of these rare and beautiful pythons, we cannot disclose the area of their distribution, not even in scientific research reports. Pythons are mostly big snakes, and among the three python families that exist in Vietnam, python brongersmai are the smallest. Python brongersmai are narrowly distributed in Southern Vietnam. They are more widely distributed in neighbouring countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia. These snakes are not only short and thick, but they also have many colours, different among individuals: black, dark red, golden and white. arranged in very beautiful and exotic patterns. They have small triangular head, with two hollows near the tip of the mouth. There are two small spur-like spikes on two sides of the anus. The head is yellow, with a greyish black stripe running from the mouth to the sides of the neck. The back is brown, with a line of big yellow dots, which become longer and more frequent toward the tail. The sides have large, bluish grey dots with a black kernel. The body is up to two metres long.n

Photos: Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh: Paradise Awaits

f you wish to have an awesome setting for your company gathering, look no further than Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh. A leisurely ninety-minute drive from Hanoi, the five-star resort offers premium facilities and services that ensure you will never regret handpicking such a great company party destination. Being home to an elegantly designed 600m² ballroom that can comfortably host 400 guests and two more intimate function venues, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh provides an ideal event space for housing your company’s next year-end celebration. Why wait to have some quality time with your colleagues after a successful working year? Shut down your computer, forget all the work deadlines, ease yourself into an unmatched company trip, and benefit from the perks of our Corporate Retreat package,

applicable from 15 November 2014 to 15 February 2015 for groups of minimum 20 persons. You and your colleagues will be entitled to a worthwhile opportunity of staying at luxury villa accommodation, tasting the delectable cuisine served at our restaurants, diving into our spectacular allweather swimming pool, and getting pampered with spa treatments. The Corporate Retreat package, from VND1,600,000 per person, includes a one night twin-sharing a Superior stay, inclusive of breakfast, standard meeting set-up, coffee break, lunch and/or dinner, complimentary access to gym, heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, mini golf course, free bike rental, 20 per cent discount on spa and 10 per cent discount on excursion tours, karaoke, and movie service. Equally inviting, our World Heritage Dis-

covery package is the unique opportunity for you to explore Trang An and experience highclass vacation at the same time, especially when your team members have never visited Trang An. This package comes with one night’s twin-sharing stay in a Superior Room, inclusive of buffet breakfast, Trang An tour, set-menu dinner (optional), plus special discounts for other services at the resort. Book your discovery vacation before 31 December 2014 for the special rate starting from VND1,800,000 per person, applicable for groups of minimum 20 persons.n

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 Email: info@emeraldaresort.com www.emeraldaresort.com

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 15

RESORT ADVERTORIAL

Photos: Seahorse Resort and Spa

Mui Ne is a s

stream which diverts into a pool by the construction of a weir runs through the four-star Seahorse Resort and Spa. This, together with four hundred coconut palms and lawns formed from Thai penny wort, give the Seahorse Resort and Spa its special characteristics of warmth and charm. Dotted around the 2.6 hectares are the super-comfortable deluxe rooms and suites, bungalows and villas. A spacious pool, beach and ocean, a spa with a wide range of treatments and two restaurants-one of which specialises in grilled seafood-ensured that I and my wife’s all-too-brief stay left us feeling rejuvenated

and longing to return. We stayed in a deluxe garden view bungalow, within a stone's throw from the swimming pool and a few steps from the golden strip of beach. A unique feature was the charming tapestry affixed to the bed head. The scene was of Vietnamese women wearing conical hats with young children in traditional rural clothing. I also especially enjoyed sitting out on the veranda with a sea breeze blowing and relaxing to the sounds of the night. At the time of our stay, the ‘Summer Promotion’ was on. For only VND1,899,000 (that is around $90) we both got accommodation for one night, mocktails,

16 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

breakfast buffet and a set lunch. To keep us busy, this price even included a free round of tennis and use of the sauna thereafter. After a substantial breakfast with attentive staff constantly topping up my cup of American coffee and for the first time in Vietnam enjoying yogurt and dates at the Hippocampe Restaurant, I sat down by the swimming pool and met Mr Kha, the general manager. I voiced my fear of coconuts falling on guests’ heads. ‘Do not fear, nobody here sings “Coconuts Keep Falling on My Head”’ he informed me. Then he pointed out the netting underneath all the bunches. ‘We have been operating for over ten years and never had an accident,’ he informed me. In fact, I learned that apart from loving their decorative value, guests at Seahorse can sit by the pool and enjoy a coconut for a mere VND20,000. Still on the subject of food and beverage, we had dinner at the ‘Seahorse Bistro’ restaurant. Whilst this is roadside, the traffic at Mui Ne is minimal compared to Saigon. There was quite a scene of the chefs at a grill station cooking up seafood. There is display of freshas-a- daisy ‘fruit of the ocean.’ No need to order a set seafood platter; here, you order the quantity of each item you desire and are charged accordingly. They even have small lobsters if you just want to sample such an expensive crustacean. For our meal we chose oysters, scallops, and king prawns. I wanted to see if they were good at Western food too, so I ordered a pizza and a Greek salad. This all came with generous use of the mozzarella cheese on the Hawaiian pizza. At my Vietnamese wife's behest, we also had on our plates a delicious freshwater white-textured fish. Viewed whole at the grill, this was a small reddish fish. The colour is alluded to in its central Vietnamese name of ‘Ca Mong Ga’- in English translation,

e Seahorse sure bet BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

'Cockscomb Fish'. A Google search of its Southern Vietnamese name of 'Ca Ba Trau' revealed it is a kind of gourami, a fish which is common in Mekong delta waters. This fish is commonly used in the dish ‘Canh Chua’, Vietnamese sour soup. We washed it all down with beer and mineral water, but the wine cellar at ‘Seahorse’ is extensive. It would have to be a bone dry Chardonnay or Rose to go with such superb seafood. One further activity I can rec-

wrapping up your experiences with fine dining. The friendly staff will treat you like royalty, but you will not pay a king's ransom and will have no fear of alarming your bank manager. Sometimes selecting a hotel for a place you have never visited before can be a bit of a gamble. Gambling such as betting on the horses at the Saigon Racecourse, is of course, a mug's game. If you were, however, to pick ‘Seahorse’ you surely would be onto a winner!

ommend at Mui Ne is cycling. You will not find it too tiring, as the terrain is flat and the sea breeze should cool you. The several kilometres into the actual village of Mui Ne fishing port with its vibrant market all along the beachfront makes a pleasant ride. For now, at least, 'The Seahorse' Mui Ne offers superb value for money. It is a perfect place to unwind by enjoying gardens, pool and beach with the options of the spa and tennis court and

Seahorse Resort and Spa

Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-507 Email: info.seahorseresortvn.com www.seahorseresortvn.com Published rates range from $90 (VND1,890,000) for a Standard Room to $256 (VND5,376,000) for a Beach Front Bungalow, double occupancy and including breakfast for two.

ART

Artist Nguyen The Hung

Painter speaks volumes with flowers

he Sofitel Saigon Plaza is more than just a place to put your head down on a luxury pillow and savour gorgeous French, Vietnamese and International cuisine. If you do not want to miss something great, I suggest you pick up their monthly newsletter available at reception. This is a hotel that engages with the public at large, arranging events to showcase aspects of French culture, but also promoting local culture and heritage. As can be expected with a hotel that is part of the Accor Group, which is perhaps the world's greatest hotel and hospitality brand, it only associates with the best. In cooperation with one of Saigon's most professional art galleries, Craig Thomas, from 22 October until the end of November, one can enjoy for free an exhibition of eleven vibrantlycoloured and joy-evoking mixed media pictures by the Hanoi artist Nguyen The Hung, simply entitled ‘Little Flowers’. Situated in a corner of the vast lobby, the paintings first strike one with the brightness of their colours. They are mainly hues of bright blue and red. Secondly, on closer inspection, one notices that flowers and seeds predominate in all the pictures. Thirdly, there is a presence of people together. In a self-portrait, the figure is realistic. In the others, there are detached heads and fairly abstract human forms wrapped in long clothing. Without

straining the brain at all, I concluded these frames were a celebration of fertility and life both in nature and the human race. The overall emotions they evoked for me were tranquillity and joyfulness. The Hanoi-based artist was not present at the preview I attended, all the more incentive to canvass the opinions of other pundits. We all agreed there seemed to be great influence from modern Western art. Only the flowers with their whorls and often lotus appearance and slanted eyes on faces gave way the game that the artist is Oriental. For me, these paintings emanating happiness and the detached heads recalled the work of Marc Chagall. The chairman of a well-known international accountancy firm saw hints of Gustav Klimt. Figures in flowing robes and the use of gold leaf for parts of clothing would substantiate this view. Later, the chairman's wife appeared. I asked her if she liked the paintings. ‘I don't want to like them,’ she said. ‘If I like them, I will buy them’. At this, the chairman noticeably jolted, obviously calculating the damage this might do to personal finances. The most perspicacious comment came from another habitue of these 'vernissages', Leon who despite the name, is

18 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

‘Easy list for the eye a a quintessential English gentleman. ‘Painstaking; it must have taken the artist ages to do this-not just slap-dollop-slap’! On the technical side, there is variety. All but two of the works are mounted on canvass; the exceptions are on dó paper. Hung uses acrylic paint, water colours and guoache. The latter is a technique whereby water colours are thickened, usually using gum arabic. If you were looking for the secret to his vibrancy, there you have it. There is variety also in the selection on display. We have 'Little Flowers', numbers nine to eighteen of a series. Whilst they may all follow the same theme, they are individualistic and stand as independent works. A little more complicated is ‘Space for Showered Flowers’, a night scene depicting flowers showering down on the twisted figures of an embracing couple. The two on rice paper I mentioned are 'Free Days 1 and 2', which

Photos: Sofitel Saigon Plaza

lent one too. Mr Hung’s art reminds us there is forever love to console us and that there is a benevolent side to human nature. Also, there is the BY RITCH PICKENS vivacity of nature to soothe us. A show a female figure in different picture of his on the wall of your shades of red. The first looks like dwelling or in your company an elongated queen from a pack boardroom would be a relaxing of playing cards. The second was reminder of just what we should the only one I did like, as the be living for. We all need easy lishighly distorted face is unpleas- tening music to keep us calm. ing. Then, there is strikingly re- Mr Hung's unpretentious art alistic self-portrait, with the does the same for us on canvass. artist apparently in army fatigues ‘Little Flowers’ a solo exhibistill with flowers in the back- tion by Nguyen The Hung is on at ground. Finally, as in all Sofitel the Sofitel Saigon Plaza, 17 Le art exhibitions, the space behind Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho the concierge desk at the begin- Chi Minh City, until 30 Novemning is given over to a larger pic- ber, 2014.n ture. Here you can see 'The Fair Lady', a portrait of young couple Contact: in a blue field strewn with yellow cthmasgallery@gmail.com flowers. Mr Hung's pictures are We all live in a world run at priced from $2,200 to $5,000 the pace of an F1 race car, and if (VND46,200,000 to we follow the news, a very vioVND105,000,000)

ening' at Sofitel

FOOD

Delectab

mong Vietnamese food experts, Mr Chiem Thanh Long really stands out. He is neither a chef nor a cooking guru. But he had spent time and efforts to collect and design 110 folklore dishes and 50 traditional kinds of wines. His love affair with food began years ago in a very sweet way; his mother, an avid vegetarian, asked him to taste the dishes she made. Once he was grown up, he let his virtuoso tongue take him on adventures everywhere, from mountains to sea shores, from the North to the South, to taste all the dishes Vietnam has to offer, with a dream of promoting them to the world. As a jury member of the Golden Spoon Awards 2014, Mr Long shared with Hoang Anh the unique features of highland food in the regional round of Tay Nguyen region at Dalat, Lam Dong Province on 22th and 23th of July.

Someone said that compared to the food of other regions, highland food is somewhat simplistic in processing and tasting. Is that correct, sir? ‘Simplicity is mandatory and vital in Tay Nguyen food culture. The highlanders with their slash-and-burn way of life must be able to cook anywhere, at any time. Roasting is the simplest way of cooking with little or no seasoning, but the food is nonetheless hot and tasty. Water is not always in abundance, so they don’t have wet kinds of food, like our various sorts of noodles. Gia Lai dry noodle is only a little viscous. Not carrying many pans and pots, they sometimes use bamboo to cook, combining with roasting. That’s why we have rice cylinders, yellow outside but white, soft and rich of flavour inside. I think it is creatively simple but by no means simplistic.’

20 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

It means that while moving, the highlanders would eat whatever they can find without making the ingredients by themselves? ‘Life and climate in the mountains are tougher than in the rich low lands. The people there have fewer possibilities to create food sources. Instead they mingle with Mother Nature and use more natural resources. The vegetables and fruits are mostly natural, fresher, richer in minerals, and carry the flavours of the pristine forests. Fed in the forest, their pigs, chicks and cows have less fat, and the meat is firmer. Creek fish is sweet without foul smell. On the menu of this round, there is a dish of catfish, native to Se San river, cooked with bitter egg-plants and cassava leaves, a dish with the feel of the mountains, hard to take at first but hard to part with later. Or the vegetable roll with 52 kinds of forest leaves such as ming aralia, garcinia, and guava. And the little wild winter melons

FOOD

le dishes

Opposite, left: Ingredients to make a salad Opposite, right: The salad, prepared by a chef Left: Bamboo tube rice with roasted chicken Right: Seafood, ant eggs with fig leaves

Photos provided by the organizer of the Golden Spoon Awards

fried in honey are an excellent desert. So, each dish is both food and a folkloric, therapeutic formula.’

If the prep is so simple, the ingredients so immediate and random, then what makes Tay Nguyen’s food culture unique? ‘It’s the flavour. When you feel the strong smell of smoke and bamboo, you know it comes from up there. Roasted meat, fish, and rice from there have a distinct typical flavour. They don’t dry or salt the leftover meat and fish, but hang it over the kitchen to smoke. I love the never-dying fire in their houses. Makes you feel the warmth of family. Ever since the beginning of time, salt has been precious up there. So they don’t use it for cooking. They add it while eating. And only the people of Tay Nguyen use yellow ant eggs in place of salt. It’s creative, clean, safe and nutritious. On this year’s menu, there are many dishes made with it: broth with ant eggs

rolled in bamboo leaves, ant eggs steamed with fig leaves, yellow ants fried with beef and la lot leaves.’

Nowadays, especially in contests like this one, many chefs go a long way to modify the traditional typical dishes. Their creations may sometimes be interesting, but they may also be a bit too much. What do you think about this? Contests stimulate creativity. For example, the fish rolls used to be wrapped in rice paper. This time, they used leaves to make little cones, put a piece of fresh fish in there, spray some salt with chopped basil leaves on top. It’s wonderful. Or the flower rolls of Dalat open a new direction of using flowers as food. Just think about how a beautiful dish made of purple spiderwort flowers, light green Tonkinese creeper flowers, roses and yellow chrysanthemums would inspire you. However, creativity has to be based on the original tastes of traditional food to be sustainable.’

The grading criteria of this round stresses: no wild animal meat. But wild meat is already a ‘underground specialty’, highly in demand here. Do you believe that Tay Nguyen food can still be good without wild animal meats? ‘We don’t have to eat wild meat to prove that we are eating Tay Nguyen food. Wild animals should be in the forest, not on the plates. The home grown sources such as pigs, cows, buffalos, chickens and ducks are enough to create countless good dishes in the exact highland style. People eat wild meat because they think it is tougher and more nutritious. But if the pigs and chickens are also raised free in the forest, then the meat quality is no less delicious and nutritious, and much safer. The food quality also depends on the chef’s skills. Wild meat cooked by a bad chef can be bad, and you can do nothing about it.’n

Thank you!

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 21

FOOD

WMC Group Helping to Raise Saigon to World-Class City Status

ack in 2001, I recall there was an area of land between the fashionable downtown Saigon streets of Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue Boulevard. It housed a number of low-rise buildings. There were alley ways of shops selling all manner of clothes, electrical goods and souvenirs. There was also a Vietnamese restaurant built in a traditional style around an artificial lake with a charming arched bridge spanning it. All this was razed and it has taken an extraordinary thirteen years to complete the rather dull forty-seven storey building that replaces it. Only the name-Times Square-remains the same. But let us not judge a book by its cover. Inside, all managed by the Windsor Group, there are wonders to behold. Firstly, imagine the views there are to be had from the last in word luxury, ‘The Reverie Saigon’. It is the highest hotel in Saigon and occupies the twenty-seventh to the thirty-ninth floors. When it opens next year, it will have its own heliport and a fleet of Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes S class transports. There will also be luxury furnished apartments. For food and beverage, already in operation, there is ‘The Royal Pavilion’ Cantonese restaurant, ‘The Deli’ which is as much a coffee shop as a delicatessen and Cafe Cardinal, which is a buffet

restaurant. But the two F and B outlets I was lucky enough to get direct experience of at a Press Media event are at ground level. They left off the word ‘bar’ in the name. That might remind one of the Singapore ‘Raffles Hotel’ long bar. This place, though, is likely to be just as renowned and just as much a ‘must do’ tourist attraction. Actually, there a bit of a pun on the word, as ‘Long’ in Vietnamese means dragon. But long it is, indeed. The bar in six separate segments with its sparking glasses, full array of bottles and high cocktail tables, stretches forty eight metres. Whilst it has the atmosphere of a Parisian pavement café, it is all-weather, with an overhead arched glass ceiling channelling in the natural light. The fare is Italian and Vietnamese. You have to try the exquisite innovation which is the ‘Lobster Pho’ (rice noodle soup). Down some steps, just at the side of ‘The Long’, in a glitzy cavern-like atmosphere is ‘The R and J Italian Restaurant’. That stands for Romeo and Juliet, and for Act One we were greeted with their own creation - strawberry juice based cocktail. We were served a Table d'Hote five course meal. This was upper class haute cuisine, or dare I say in Italian, alta cucina style. The appetiser was octopus wrapped in organic leaves with salmon roe and green beans all in a hazelnut dressing. Wow! This

R & J Restaurant. Photos: WMC Group

BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

act was followed by a mouth-watering seafood soup with garlic croutons. Then it was curtains up for a risotto. The arrival of familiar rice came as a great relief to my Vietnamese colleagues. It was cooked with strawberry-roasted quail and decorated with a squiggle of aged balsamic reduction. The next scene was a sliced prime American beef dish with rocket salad and cherry tomatoes. What better a dessert for a grand finale could there be than the king of all gateaux-Italian tiramisu. Fabrizio the chef even gave a brief demonstration of how he prepares it. The R and J certainly garnered great applause from the party with whom I enjoyed my meal there. Open only at night, it now has to be the prime Saigon location for a romantic evening in a dramatic setting. Why not give it your own premiere? Times Square, managed by the WMC Group, has brought long-awaited European style and elegance to the heart of the city once known as ‘The Pearl of the Orient’. It enriches this quintessentially Asian city, which rises from the swampy Mekong, a branch of which it affords spectacular views of from its upper echelons. It is helping to raise this city to the truly world status that the likes of London, Paris and New York have achieved.n Times Square 23-26 Nguyen Hue Blvd and 57-69F Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, HCMC

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 23

MUSIC

‘Kheøn’ - bamboo flute of the Hmong

nce upon a time, on a mountain top, a Hmong couple had six sons; all were smart, strong and humble, and all were talented bamboo flute players. Then, the day came when their parents died. The six brothers cried in grief for nine days and nine nights until they lost their voices and had to blow bamboo tubes to make the crying sound. Their filial devotion had moved the heavens, so the mountain god came and told them, ‘Make an air bulb with six holes and plug your tubes into it. Then only one man blows and all six tubes will cry.’ Thus the khèn appeared in this world.

BY TRAN LY MAN HUY

Khèn accompany young men when they go to paddy fields or to festivals. They play it in all occasions and moods. It helps bring their messages to their loved ones. Their tunes, as free as the air, have kindled all the fires that brought young couples together. Anyone who had come to a highland festival, colourful with ethnic brocades, must have heard among the noises of the trading, eating and drinking, the sound of khèn blown by groups of young men, mixed with the sound of pí lè, a kind of Hmong flute, just like the street artists in the cities. Coming to the highlands during the lunar New Year or sài sán (mountain hike

24 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

festival), or spring khèn contest, visitors from the low lands can’t help feeling dazed under the tunes that echo back and forth between mountains. Along with the sounds that may be soft, romantic, or enthusiastic and intrepid, they also show beautiful and quirky dances. The most delicate show is the couple dance. The man plays khèn and dances with the woman, both in traditional dress of their ethnicity. They look like a pair of pheasants in a courtship dance. With heels kicking, and bodies spinning, khèns and tunes flow in unison, couples never losing their inner connection. It takes a lot of work to make a beautiful

MUSIC khèn. First, an arm-long chunk of fokienia, hsienmu, or white cedar is needed. It has to be cured to avoid deforming, which would distort the sound. Then they cut and plane it to make the blowpipe and the bulb. Then the bulb is split, made hollow up to the rim of the blowpipe. Then the two halves are put back together and tied fast with thin soft bark, which makes the bulb airtight and decorates it at the same time. Then they cut six thick, strong bamboo tubes of different lengths and diameters. Each tube is equipped with a brass uvula. They make a hole on each tube for the player to finger. Next is the hardest part. The bulb is bored with a knife and the bamboo tubes are inserted so that the uvulas are inside the bulb. And so whichever way the air flows, all the tubes make sounds at the same time, soaring high as a swan in the sky, or intimate as a creek under the forest canopy. Those tunes penetrate and pervade the Hmong flesh and blood and make it special.

Hmong khèn tunes and dances have become a must-see for visitors. But the commercialization seems highly unprofessional to some. Khèn is truly a work of art. It can also be an interesting souvenir if modified a bit so that visitors can easily carry it home.

*The article was printed on Tuoi Tre Cuoi Tuan on 6 October, 2014 Opposite: Performing khèn in Ha Giang Province. Photo: Mai Loc Above: Making khèn. Photo: Tran Ly Man Huy

A touch of beauty

t Festival Hue 2008, artist Than Van Huy presented paper lotuses from Thanh Tien Village, Phu Mau Commune, Phu Vang District of Thua Thien-Hue Province, which has a tradition of paper flower painting trade, which began over 300 years ago, but was lost for 50 years. The paper lotuses, after being used for the opening ceremony of Hue Festival, are arranged in a pond in Thanh Tien Village, awing visitors. Than Van Huy is a son of Thanh Tien Village. He grew up among the bright and elegant 26 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

colours of paper flowers that covered his native land. In 1968, he was admitted to the Hue College of Arts, and lotuses are the major theme in his paintings. Why the lotus? ‘It’s because I was born in a Buddhist family. Since childhood, I was obsessed with the miracles of the fourcoloured lotus in Buddhism, with its deep philosophical values described in ‘Lotus Sutra’: the flower and fruit appear at the same time, flowers and leaves don’t share a branch, the fragrance doesn’t attract insects, it grows in mud without smelling of mud. Later, I was never satisfied with my lotus paint-

BY HOANG VAN MINH

Paper lotus flowers. Photo: Le Huy Hoang Hai

CRAFTS

ings, no matter what material I used. I thought I must do something, for myself and for my folks. So I asked my brother, Than Van Hoai, to join me to try and recover the lost paper lotus trade of my village’, the artist answered. In 2010, Mr Than Van Huy was listed in Vietnam Guinness Book as ‘The first person to recover the paper lotus trade’. After his success in exhibitions and fairs, and his contributions of stage props for Hue Festivals 2008 and 2010, early in 2011, the Industry Stimulation Centre of Thua ThienHue helped him to open a training course for 25 trainees, who are chil-

CRAFTS dren of Thanh Tien Village. Currently these trainees have regular work with stable income of 1.5-2 million dong/person/month in average (about two hours a day). According to Mr Huy, Thanh Tien paper lotuses used to be made of cartridge paper and dyed only in pink, so the market was very limited. But with the painter’s palette, the petals can have different colours with nuances. The colour can be strong at the top and softer near the base to create lightness and elegance. A4 paper for petals, bamboo or rattan for peduncle core, plus glue and paint; that’s all the crafters need to create lotuses which may look more real than real. Each bud normally has 8-12 petals. Today’s paper lotuses can be colourful, with green leaves, yellow pistil and stamen made of sponge. Than Van Huy’s special statement is the 4-colour Buddhist lotus, where green petals represent tranquil intellectual-

Artist Than Van Huy. Photo: Le Huy Hoang Hai

ity, pink is the purity of the heart, white is the purity of the soul, and yellow is Buddha’s absolute spirituality. Mr Huy said, ‘Compared to the other Thanh Tien paper flowers, lotuses require the highest techniques and skills. A crucial phase that decides the beauty of the flower is the dyeing. It is done by hand, and whether the petals look alive or not depends on the worker’s eye. There is no gen-

eral rule to it’ Paper lotuses of Thanh Tien, originally only serving spiritual functions, now under the ‘magic’ hands of the Than brothers, became a meaningful and delicate decoration in every family. Moreover, they became Hue’s new souvenir item for domestic and foreign tourists. Than Van Huy’s and Than Van Hoai’s houses and shops in Thanh Thien Village have become new attractions in Thua Thien-Hue. Visitors come to see their lotuses and learn to make them under the hands-on supervision of craftsmen trained by Than Van Huy. Holding in his hands a freshly finished cluster of pink lotuses, Wright David Denning, a British tourist sighed happily, ‘It’s tough, but we made it eventually. We will bring these lotuses home to put in our living room. This is one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve got in Vietnam.’n

CULTURE

Wells of life

TEXT BY ANH CHI AND PHOTOS BY NGUYEN XUAN CHINH

Despite changes, the village water hole is still a draw

o most of the countryside, the well is the source of life. Each household may have their own well, but each village has also at least one common village well. Village girls come there daily to get water, enjoy their reflection and display themselves for village boys. These latter encounters often become dates that take place at the same well. The well is often the social centre of the village, the place where information is exchanged. In recent decades, Vietnamese villages have been modernized. Many families have big tanks to store rain

28 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

water for year-round use. Many ancient suburban villages even have tap water. Well water has fallen out of fashion. Many village wells are filled to make ground for construction. But here and there, the village well is still a source of clean water and a part of peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives, still the convergence point of life and happiness. Dai Phung Communal well in Dan Phuong district of Hanoi is a borehole in a mass of laterite, lined inside with laterite bricks for a simplistic effect. But Thap Temple well in Bac Ninh Province, located right in front of the an-

CULTURE cestry altar, is also a borehole in a blue limestone mass, carved quite delicately to look like a blossoming lotus on a flat base. Vietnam Art Museum made a partial duplicate of it to put on show in its garden, so people from all over the world can see a feature of the Vietnamese countryside. At the Upper Edifice of Tao Temple Linh Tien, Cao Xa Village, Hoai Duc District of Hanoi, there is a well that the people around believe to be a sacred red sand spring, an infinite source of clear sweet water. They use this water in all religious rituals. At Ke Nguom, Nghiem Xuan Commune, Thuong Tin District of Hanoi, there is a big well near Nhue River, named Khoai. No matter if the land is in drought or flooded, the water in it is always pure, sweet and at a stable level. Khoai is the pride of the region. Brewed in this water, tea is exceptionally aromatic and deeply sweet. At Dau pagoda, Bac Ninh Province, there is a well without mouth. Legends have it that this is where Lady Man thrust Kaudinya’s staff to open a spring during a drought. The well is always full of pure water for the pagoda’s needs. Also in Bac Ninh Province, Phat Tich Pagoda has in its premises the remains of three ancient wells from the Ly era, the time when the pagoda was established. One is on the hill slope behind the pagoda, with stone steps leading to the water. One is in the front courtyard, with a stone dragon head from where pure cool water gushes perpetually. And late last century, at the bottom of the pagoda’s pond, a well was found with some ceramic decoration items which used to be popular in ancient architecture. At Pho Minh pagoda in Nam Dinh Province, the two wells in the front are believed to be dragon eyes. There is another one behind the pagoda, lined inside with pots full of lime. That’s why the water in it is so clean and clear. Next to Saint Edifice in Keo pagoda, Thai Binh Province, ancient people used pierced stone mortars to build a well. The stones cleansed the water and kept the well strong through ages. At Duong Lam of Son Tay township there is a small well, over a thousand years old, just a little wider than a palm hat’s rim, full and limpid. It is called the Milk Well. Legends say that mothers with dry breasts can come here to pray and drink the water from the well, and their breasts will be full of milk afterward. Duong Lam mothers still do it today.n Opposite: A well in Khuc Thuy Town, Hanoi From top: A well at Thay Pagoda, Quoc Oai District, Hanoi; A well in Tien Phuong Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi; A well at Tram Gian Pagoda, Chuong My District, Hanoi VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 29

TRAVEL

Ly Son District

The aroma of the soul

n recent years, a number of newspaper articles have been written about Ly Son, which often stated that Ly Son, Quang Ngai Province is a ‘spiritual kingdom,’ ‘garlic kingdom,’ and an ‘island of civilizations’. According to the information from the administration of Ly Son, about 3,000 years ago, prehistoric people of the Sa Huynh culture lived on Ly Son Island. Next, the Champa civilization developed at the beginning of the Common Era until around the end of the sixteenth century, when Vietnamese people founded a village on the island. Materials from the Ly Son Cultural Office relate that the area of Ly Son Island is only 9.97km2, but it has over fifty religious and

BY DANG KHOA

folk architectural structures, among them three national heritage sites. Perhaps because of the dense concentration of places of worship, whether I was in the residential area, went up the terrace fields, or down to the desolate seashore, I always came across ancient community houses, Buddhist pagodas, and shrines. The landscape everywhere is steeped in spirituality and, moreover, in the words of an elder, ‘Every week there seems to be a ceremony or festival,’ which made me feel that the over 20,000 Ly Son people have as much spiritual devotion as do the people of India. Meanwhile, the title ‘garlic kingdom’ is easily understood if tourists come to Ly Son on the occasions of planting, caring for, or harvesting garlic. When I went to Ly Son be-

30 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

tween the garlic seasons (between the first month and the second month of lunar calendar), I saw that up to 90 per cent of the area of the terrace fields in Ly Son were verdant with garlic leaves. Wherever I went, I heard people discussing garlic. An 80-year old elder said that the garlic growing trade has been in Ly Son for a long time. Perhaps that is why garlic is a part of Ly Son people’s lives and culture. This is clearly in their daily foods and ancestral offerings, which are all deeply infused with the colour and scent of garlic. Mr Bay, who is over 60 years old and already knew how to grow garlic since he was little, related, ‘Ly Son garlic is valuable because it is planted in sand from the ocean and watered with slightly salty water.’ Information in the press about places for

TRAVEL

swimming in the sea at Ly Son is almost nonexistent. When I went up to Ly Son’s Dock the second time, I continuously asked the local people about the most ideal place for swimming in the sea. ‘Hang Cau is the nicest place for swimming in the ocean,’ a man named Muoi said. Muoi further related that Hang Cau is on the east of the island, right next to the foot of the highest mountain, Mt. Thoi Loi, which belongs to Dong Village of An Hai Commune. Following the directions of a 50-year old man, a friend and I rented a motorcycle for the price of VND150,000 per day and then departed from the dock. In only fifteen minutes, after passing residential areas so dense that they seemed like cities and verdant terrace fields of garlic, we arrived. Wanting to go into Hang Cau, we went through a narrow path a few meters wide, between a stone peak and the sea. Meanwhile, the surrounding desolate landscape made me feel that it was quite mysterious. Hang Cau is composed of a rock cliff 40m

At Quang Ngai bus station, every 45 minutes, a bus departs the station to go to Sa Ky Harbour. Sa Ky Harbour is 22km east of the city of Quang Ngai, following National Highway 24B. Every day, only one high-speed boat leaves from Sa Ky Harbour at 7:30-8:00, and goes to Ly Son in just over an hour at a ticket price of VND150,000. Ly Son has 6-7 inns for people at a price of VND150,000-VND200,000 per room per night, depending on the time. Nearly all the inns have a motorcycle rental service from VND120,000 to VND150,000 per day. high, 100m long, curved like a horseshoe and hugs a sandy shore of proportionate length. The width of the sandy shore as calculated from the foot of the cliff to the edge of the water is approximately 40m. It has a lot of moss-covered small pebbles and rocks. Hang Cau is the most ideal beach for swimming. It can be thus concluded because I have gone all over the Ly Son seacoast and saw nothing but rocky dales. My friend immediately took off his shirt and then plunged into the small waves that incessantly crashed against the shore. He dove into the clear water, shouting ‘Fantas-

tic!’ ‘Wonderful!’ A man named Quang, whose home is 500m from Hang Cau, related, ‘Thirty or forty years ago, the fish in this place were innumerable, so many people came to fish them. Moreover, the structure of the cliff resembles the jaws of a frog, so the people here called it ‘‘Hang Cau’’.’n Opposite: Garlic in Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai Province. Photo: Bach Ngoc Anh Clockwise from top: A view of Ly Son Island. Photo: Kien Trinh; Fishing boats on Ly Son Island. Photo: Ba Ngoc; Cong To Vo (Archway) made from lava, An Vinh Commune, Ly Son Island. Photo: Kien Trinh

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 31

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY cave next January for eight tours a month with around 10 people each.

3rd best place for expats

No more bile

www.thanhniennews.com, 22 October The last two bear bile farms in Halong Bay have finally been closed down. According to Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), the two had continued to defy the law, selling bear bile to tourists though authorities had banned it and had shut down four local bear farms in 2013. This year, the provincial People’s Committee ordered the two to not to sell bile to tourists and set up a taskforce comprised of officials from related departments and ENV volunteers. The bear bile tourism industry in Halong Bay began around 2007, after six bear farms were established. They would receive bus-loads of tourists, mainly Korean, to witness the extraction of bile from a live bear before being encouraged to buy the bile and other bear products, all illegal.

Cable car in world’s largest cave planned

www.thanhniennews.com, 23 October A local resort developer has received the green light to build a $212-million cable car system inside the world’s largest cave, Son Doong, in north central Vietnam. The route will start in Tien Son Cave and go through various openings of Son Doong, which has at least 150 individual caves, a dense subterranean jungle, and several underground rivers. Meanwhile, on 1 September, Quang Binh authorities suspended tours in Son Doong but said they would reopen the 32 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

www.thanhniennews.com, 23 October Vietnam is the third best place in Asia for expats looking to improve their quality of life, with 62 percent saying they strongly associate the country with a high quality of life, according to a survey released by HSBC in October. Around 52 percent of expats in Vietnam said they earn more than they would have at home, compared with a global average of 53 percent, according to the 7th Expat Explorer survey, which polled nearly 9,300 people from over 100 countries online.

$250 million needed for dioxin clearance

tuoitrenews.vn, 22 October A seminar was held by the Management Board for the Project for Handling Dioxin Hotspots in Vietnam and the National Steering Board for Tackling Consequences of Toxic Chemicals, the bodies in charge of coping with the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the U.S. troops during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) in October. The event is aimed to assess the reality of dioxin contamination at the Bien Hoa Airport, formerly a major military airbase of the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War, and discuss what should be done to clear the chemical, a highly toxic chemical compound that can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems and damage to the immune system. In order to strictly handle the entire soil contaminated with dioxin at the Bien Hoa Airport, the project needs to have a budget of at least $250 million, Associate Professor Le Ke Son, director of the project, said.

Sexual bribery exists in Vietnam, officially

tuoitrenews.vn, 30 October Giving bribes in the form of sex to people in positions of power absolutely

exists in Vietnam, an official said Wednesday at a conference in Hanoi. Nguyen Doan Khanh, deputy chief of the Central Internal Affairs Commission, told local media at the conference on perfecting regulations on bribery that sex is now offered as a bribe to officials in the country. ‘According to international experts, sex is considered a type of non-material interests offered to officials as a bribe,’ the official said. Many international judiciary experts have recommended that Vietnam further amend its Penal Code, which was revised in June 2009, to include ‘sexual bribery’ as a crime, the official said.

Portions of Saigon Tax Trade Centre may be preserved

english.vietnamnet.vn, 28 October HCM City authorities are considering the preservation of parts of the more than 100-year-old Saigon Tax Trade Centre, including the bottom of the stairs, the mosaic floor, and the handrails or carved balustrades. The building, one of the oldest shopping centres in HCM City, is being torn down to make way for the metro construction and a new building. The proposal to save portions of the building came after foreign diplomats proposed solutions to preserve part of the building. The HCM City People's Committee has asked the local Department of Planning and Architecture to coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct research and offer suggestions on the preservation of parts of the Saigon Tax Trading Centre.

First Vietnamese film on bisexuality screened in HCM City

Viet Nam News, 14 October The first Vietnamese movie about bisexual love, Lac Gioi (Paradise in Heart) produced by Tincom Media, had its premier showing on 12 October in Ho Chi Minh City, with 800 people attending.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Featuring relationships between a bisexual man, a gay man and a straight woman, the film is a rare event in Vietnam, where action and comedy films dominate. After the film was shown, it received strong support from the audience, especially the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT).

Experts unearth Champa artefacts

Viet Nam News, 18 October Numerous rare Champa artefacts have been found at the excavation site of Champa tower relics in the Rung Cam forest of a central province. The Binh Dinh Museum said the excavation work has unearthed about 600 artefacts, including a broken Kala (time god) statue, Shiva god's hand, Champa reliefs and ancient terracotta artefacts. Hoa revealed that the terracotta items showed signs of Vietnamese, Cham and Chinese origins. The items also include bronze artefacts that have never been seen at Champa tower relics, he added. Excavation for the artefacts, dating from the 12th to the 13th centuries, was carried out at the province's Binh Nghi Commune from August till early October.

My Lai survivor writes book

Viet Nam News, 20 October Pham Thanh Cong, 57, was one of only a dozen survivors of 1968's infamous My Lai massacre. More than four decades later, he has written a book about the mass murder, in which American soldiers killed 504 unarmed civilians. In Ky Uc Lang Hong (Pink Village's Memory), scheduled for publication in December, he recalls what took place in the village. Cong's mother and six brothers were killed by American soldiers in their house, while he was seriously injured but eventually saved by his father. The book will be sold at the Son My Vestige Site and museums nationwide.

Champa item recognized as national treasure

Viet Nam News, 21 October The central province of Quang Nam has proposed that the Mukhalinga, a statue of the Hindu god Shiva that was unearthed at the My

Son Sanctuary site in 2012, be officially recognised as a national treasure. The yellow-brown stone statue, which dates back to between the 7th and 8th centuries, is 146.5cm tall and 41.5cm wide. It has three parts shaped like a circle, an octagon and a square. The top part is a sculpture of the head of Shiva. In Hindu mythology, Mukhalinga or Mukhalingam (literally "lingam with a face") is a lingam with one or more human faces. The lingam is an iconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva and is sometimes interpreted as a phallic symbol.

Oldest brothers in Vietnam are aged 102, 105

Viet Nam Net English, 3 November Two men in Quang Tri province, central Vietnam, have been recognized as the oldest brothers in the country. They are 102 and 105 years old. Mr Tran Dinh Thang (born 1909) and his brother Tran Dinh Lien (born 1912) live in Dong Luat Village of Thai Vinh Commune, Vinh Linh District. Their younger sister, who is still alive, was born in 1916. Both men’s wives died a long time ago. The only daughter of Mr Thang is nearly 60 years old. Mr Lien has four children; the oldest is 72 years old.

Vietnam protests Taiwan’s live firing in Truong Sa

Tuoi Tre News Nov 4 Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Taiwan’s live firing on Ba Binh Island in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago is a serious violation of Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty in the East Sea. The live firing on the island was conducted from November 3 to 4. The Vietnamese ministry said it threatened peace, stability, maritime security and safety, further complicating the East Sea situation. ‘Vietnam strongly opposes the act and demands that Taiwan immediately stop the illegitimate act and prevent similar occurrences in the future,’ it said. Vietnam claims it has sufficient legal and historical evidence to prove its sovereignty over both Truong Sa and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos.

Hoi An revives silk weaving with new centre

Viet Nam News, 6 November The UNESCO world heritage site of Hoi An, always a popular destination, has recently added a silk-weaving centre to its attractions. The silk centre has been fully restored. A showroom of silk products and a high-end restaurant have been praised by tourists. Silk farming and weaving, based around ancient mulberry trees, continue to live on. The two-hectare area cultivates 40 strains of mulberry, including some that the former rulers of the area, the Cham, used to produce the best quality silk.

Health ministry asks other agencies to join in Ebola prevention

Tuoi Tre News, 5 November The Ministry of Health has called for urgent coordination from other ministries to take measures to prevent the spread in Vietnam of the deadly Ebola virus that has killed nearly 5,000 people in West Africa. The ministry on November 3 issued an urgent official letter to the ministries of Public Security, Foreign Affairs, and Culture, Sports and Culture, asking for a close coordination in monitoring visitors from the Ebola-hit areas. The health ministry also sent an urgent message to the Ministry of Transport asking it to direct all airports to arrange isolation rooms, and isolation areas at international airports to receive suspected Ebola patients, if any.

Vietnam approves two more GM corn strains

Thanh Nien News November 8 The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has just issued biological safety certificates to two varieties of genetically modified corn, marking the second and third such approvals in Vietnam. The GM corn strains were approved after a careful assessment by government experts charged with protecting the country's environment, agricultural sector and public health. The strain, GA21 is produced by Syngenta Vietnam, and NK603 is of Dekalb Vietnam (a local subsidiary of Monsanto).

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 33

EVENTS HANOI

TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES Cheo singing performances Cheo, a kind of popular opera / traditional music, is shown at 8 p.m. every Friday at the Kim Ma Theater, 71 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. English interpretation offered. Price: VND150,000 per person. Tel: (04) 3764-8079/ 0904549-579 (Ms Ngoan) Ancient folk form Quan họ is a folk song form that originated in the northern province of Bac Ninh in the 13th century. The form took on elements of other genres as it spread throughout the country, incorporating a dialogue style of singing in the 18th century, the period when Vietnamese literature blossomed. As a folk art with a highly collective nature, Quan họ songs alternate from group to group with singers keeping up the conversation by exchanging songs. There is no accompanying instrumental music. Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk music company offers Quan họ performances on request; an hour costs around VND30 million. Performance venues can also be requested. Contact Mr Quy Trang, head of Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk music company, at mobile 0913-073-326. Street songs of the poor and blind Every Saturday night Hát xẩm is a minimalist style of Vietnamese singing, traditionally performed by the poor and the blind and especially wanderers, usually accompanied with a simple đàn nhị (two-string violin) or đàn bầu (single-string zither). Hát xẩm is a Vietnamese blues from the 13th century. It is making a comeback, after several decades. Artists at the Centre for Research on and Development of Vietnamese Music now perform xẩm at Dong Xuan Market, in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, every Saturday night. Free. Ca truø Ca trù, an ancient Vietnamese musical form with a singer accom-

panied by three-string đàn đáy and other instruments, is performed at 87 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, at 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, by artists from Ca Tru Thang Long Club, www.catruvietnam.net. Price: $10 (VND210,000). Reservation is necessary. Tel: 01 223 266 897 EXHIBITIONS Point of view Till 30 November

Hai Ba Trung St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3747-8096 I heart Vietnam Until 6 December A group exhibition by young Vietnamese photographers titled ‘I Love My City’ is on at L’Espace till 6 December. The exhibition includes photos which were taken in Ho Chi Minh City Photo Marathon 2013 and winning photos of Hanoi Photo Marathon 2014. ‘I Love My City’ gives an impression of how the local youth is becoming more observant of their surroundings. L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 39 36- 21 64. Free admission.

The fairer sex Until 30 November

Colours talk Until 4 December Art Tunnel Gallery presents an exhibition ‘Colours Changing Hues’ till 4 December. The organizer said ‘In art, an artwork attracts viewers because of not only its idea and content but also its emotional attraction. Why does a painting have such a strong obsessing attraction to viewers? 80 per cent of the reasons may be related to the human’s sense of colours. Colour affects us, resonating in memory, instinct, the body and all the five senses.’ In this display, by arranging artworks, the organizer hopes to bring a multidimensional experience of sense and feeling to all art lovers. Art Tunnel Gallery, 16 Trang Tien St, Hanoi

‘WOMAN: Dialogue & Monologue’, a group exhibition of 21 artists, presents 38 paintings in a variety of materials; oil painting, lacquer, ceramics and alluvial soils of the Red River till 30 November at Maison des Arts, 22A

After the quake Till 22 December The exhibition, ‘Beautiful Handicrafts of Tohoku, Japan’ is on at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum till 22 December. The exhibition is aim to mark the March 11 anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. The Tohoku region is known for its beautiful mountains and seascapes, as well as its rich local culture and history. The exhibition includes various genres; ceramics, lacquer ware, textiles, metalwork, wood and bamboo crafts. The works presents a new the high level of traditional craft

The exhibition ‘Corner to Be Seen’ by painter Tran Trung Thanh, is on at Heritage Space till 30 November. The exhibition includes 15 paintings from 2005 to 2014. These paintings always raise different questions toward contemporary life and the perspective of each person, especially the youth and conflict between nature/ human, violence/ love, history/ present. Heritage Space, Dolphin Plaza, 17 Tran Binh St, My Dinh Dist, Hanoi. Free admission.

34 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

techniques nurtured in the Tohoku region and the functional beauty of daily implements used since ancient times in Japan. Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131. Open: 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Live the moment Until the end of December ‘Now is when’ is the title of the photograph exhibition by Suzette Mitchell on abstractions of Buddhist monks and nuns. The title is a reflection on ‘being in the present,’ which is the focus of Buddhism. The appearance of monks and nuns provide an extraordinary beauty and tranquillity. Suzette’s photograph aims to capture this aesthetic, from the fold of their robes, the holding of their prayer beads, and their equanimity. The images of this exhibition are a focus on simplicity to create an atmosphere for contemplation, meditation and inspiration. Tan My Gallery, 61 Hang Gai St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3938-1154 What art is up to lately Until 9 October, 2015 Vietnam Fine Arts Museum presents an exhibition, ‘Modern Arts’ by various artists till 9 October, 2015. The exhibition includes 28 artworks of oil painting, lacquer painting, silk painting, paper painting, synthetic material and sculpture. The museum hopes to give the audiences a comprehensive overview about the developing modern art of Vietnam through the richness of its styles and materials. Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131. Open: 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee: VND20,000

MUSIC Vietnamese music 26 and 27 November A concert is to be performed at 8 p.m. on 26 and 27 November at Hanoi Opera House. The concert includes conductor Honna Tetsuji, piano soloist Allan Zavod, saxophonists Tran Manh Tuan and An Tran, bassist Thanh Tan,

drummer Quoc Hung, Kieu Anh playing zither and artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. The artists will play pieces of works by Vietnamese composers. Tickets range from VND200,000 to VND700,000. For free delivery call 0913489858. Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3933-0113 Night of guitar 29 November Vietnamese-Australian guitar virtuoso Le Hoang Minh, the winner of the 50th Tokyo International Guitar Competition, will perform with local musicians at 8 p.m. on 29 November at L’Espace. Minh graduated from the Canberra Music College with distinction, achieving the highest mark in the school’s history and is now a guitar lecturer there. A member of the popular Australian quartet Guitar Trek, Minh is considered one of Australia’s most promising guitar talents. L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi

day to Sunday). The prices include entry and camping.

FAIR Bazaar Day 22 November The well-known not-forprofit handicraft distributor Craft Link Vietnam is holding a special bazaar on Saturday 22 November at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Those attending will have the chance to find great deals on new and beautiful handicraft products made by artisans from all over Vietnam. Some of the fantastic stuff on sale includes traditional fabrics and baskets, home decorations, and Christmas ornaments. For more information visit www.craftlink.com.vn. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist, Hanoi.

HO CHI MINH CITY

EXHIBITIONS The Chain Till 28 November

DJ festival 28 to 30 November

Quest Festival 2014 is held from 28 to 30 November at Son Tinh Camp, Ba Vi, Hanoi. The festival features three days of music, arts and dancing with performances by 30 local, expat and international DJs, local bands and Alton Miller from USA. Tickets are selling till 26 November at Commune, 201 Trich Sai St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi; Social Club, 6 Hoi Vu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi; and Tay Tap, No. 20, Lane 50/59/17, Dang Thai Mai St, Hanoi. VND400,000 for two days (Saturday and Sunday) and VND550,000 for three days (Fri-

‘The chain’ is the title of a group painting exhibition by six young artists coming from the Central of Vietnam, including Nguyen An, Do Nhu Tran Ngoc Tuan, Nguyen Pham Dinh Tuan, Truong The Linh, Le Truong Thanh and Nguyen Van Tung. All of them graduated from Hue Fine Arts University. These artists shared the subject in this exhibition about human fate which has been swept away in ‘the chain’ of the past, the present and the future. Most of the art works feature hot colours to express their strong emotions. Ngoc Tuan’s paintings focus on ‘The light and the dark’. Nguyen An reflects his view about the people who only live selfishly with the halo of the

past. Truong The Linh describes the shapes of the body and the soul. The exhibition will display 22 oil and acrylic paintings at Tu Do Gallery till 28 November. Tu Do Gallery, 53 Ho Tung Mau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. ‘Little Flowers’ Till 30 November Craig Thomas Gallery is organizing ‘Little Flowers’, a solo exhibition of mixed media paintings on do paper by Hanoibased artist Nguyen The Hung at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza till 30 November. In ‘Little Flowers’, there is a greater focus on life on earth, on humanity and its potential, rather than a spiritual approach. Backgrounds are decorated with what the artist refers to as ‘little flowers, and flying spots of colours’ that are like ‘seeds falling to the ground, awaiting or seeking wet soil to germinate in’. In an orderly chaos, these seeds fall endlessly from the sky, suggesting a hopeful regeneration of the cycles of life. Little Flowers is a series of works which embodies Hung’s skilful synthesis of western and eastern cultural and artistic references, rendered in unique and original tableaux. Through Little Flowers, the artist seeks to uncover the seeds of existence, the love of life and the benevolence of human nature. Sofitel Saigon Plaza, 17 Le Duan Boulevard, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City A history of dresses Till 1 February, 2015 The patterns used on the traditional costumes of women living in the South and Central Highlands of Vietnam are on display in the Southern Women Museum till 1 February, 2015. The exhibition showcases more than 150 photos and 80 objects featuring the traditional techniques of weaving, dyeing and patterns that have been passed down through generations of the Cham, Khmer and other ethnic groups in the Central Highlands and Truong Son mountainous regions. Southern Women Museum,

EVENTS

202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3932-7130 Local daubers Till early 2015

More than 400 oil paintings by many artists are on at Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City till early 2015. The paintings feature a variety of subjects, and are from 1987 to the present. Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, 97 A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-4441. Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MUSIC ‘Toyota Classics’ 18 November

Toyota Motor Vietnam introduces a concert, Toyota Classics 2014, at 8 p.m. on 18 November at the Opera House. Toyota Classics 2014 is a feast of music that blends classical purity with classical interference with the performance of the Covent Garden Soloists from the renowned Royal Opera House in the United Kingdom, talented and masterly Spanish conductor Miguel Angel Navarro and the excellent couple, pianist Pamela Nicholson and violinist Vasko Vassilev. This is the first time Toyota Classics has taken a source of inspiration from the movie indus-

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 35

EVENTS

try. The concerto, arranged by the Piano/ Composer and Arranger Pamela Tan will bring listeners to different emotional places, from sweet love to desire, provocation and the unveiling of secrets. Toyota Classics 2014 in Vietnam especially welcomes the performance of Vietnam flute soloist Nguyen Ly Huong, with a flute concerto by the famous composer W.A. Mozart. Tickets range from VND700,000 to VND1,200,000.Tickets are available at the Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 6270-4450 Top guitarist featured 27 November

A classical guitar performance of Le Hoang Minh is on 8 p.m. 27 November at Idecaf in Ho Chi Minh City. Along with receiving many prizes/awards at guitar competitions (first prize at the Adelaide Spring Guitar Competition and the 50th Tokyo International Guitar Competition), Le Minh Hoang is a teacher who contributes to the development of future talented musicians in Canberra, Australia. Ticket: VND160,000. Students enjoy half price. IDECAF, 28 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-5451 THEATRE AO! 14, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 November at 6 p.m. 15, 16, 22, 23 November at 8 p.m. AO Show is on at Opera House at 6 p.m. 10, 11, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 November and 8 p.m. 15, 16, 22, 23 November. A O Show is a new kind of art performance, acknowledged glob-

ally as new type of circus. 60 minutes of using bamboo and basket boats, traditional music of Don Ca Tai Tu, visual creations and lighting, and audiences see themselves walking on a small walkway of sweet and breezy Southern Vietnam, and wandering past the surging dunes of the Southern Central only to find themselves front of a lotus swamp. Tickets range from VND530,000 to VND1,250,000. Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-9976 The Nutcracker 28 and 29 November

The HBSO will perform P. I. Tchaikovsky’s ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ at 8 p.m. on 28 and 29 November at Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. With all its mystical and magical colours, this ballet has charmed audiences for decades, especially the young ones. Choreographed by Johanne Jakhelin Constant, young promising artist Nguyen Thu Trang will step into the role of Clara and perform alongside Vietnamese performers such as Ho Phi Diep, Tran Hoang Yen, Dam Duc Nhuan, Dinh Thi Diem Trang, Dao Van Thien, and Phan Thi Hong Chau. Tickets are available at the Opera House or call (08) 38237419 for delivery. Love story 9 December A ballet, ‘Saga of a romance’ will be shown at 8 p.m. on 9 December at the Opera House. The play tells the story of a beautiful and touching love story that endured the nation’s historic war. The faithful and romantic love

36 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

became the symbol of noble souls passing on generations. Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-7419

CHARITY Charity Cycle Adventure 28 – 30 November Saigon Children’s Charity (SCC) will organize Charity Cycle Adventure from 28 to 30 November. The event will feature a three-day cycle ride through some of Vietnam's most beautiful scenery.

The 300-km ride, from Hue to Hoi An, starts from Hue’s local villages and continues to Lang Co for an overnight stay. After the first day’s warm-up, the trip goes uphill as you climb the challenging but beautiful Hai Van pass. From there, you and the other riders will enjoy the extraordinary view over Danang and ride along the scenic coastal roads. The final stretch of the trip is past the UNESCO-listed Cham Temples of My Son before reaching the finish line in Hoi An. The registration fee is $560 per person, covering all costs for the ride and riders are also asked to get their network behind them and raise an additional minimum of $500, which will go directly to support the poor children through SCC’s education project. To register, contact Team Leader Tom Duncan at duncantomd@hotmail.com/ Cell: 0902 845 859, or Ms Nguyen SCC at nguyen@saigonchildren.com/ Tel: (08) 3930 3502

VALUE FOR MONEY HOTELS

Mai Chau Ecolodge

Na Thia Village, Na Phon Commune, Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province Tel: (04) 6275-1271

Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel

3 Hoa Binh St, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 6252-414 www.ninhkieuhotel.com

BWP Indochine Palace

105 A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 BWP Indochine Palace is offering a ‘Honeymoon Package’ at VND5,289,000, with one night’s stay in a Palace Suite, a dinner at La Brasserie Restaurant, fruit basket in room, a bottle of Champagne in room and a one-hour spa service. The promotion is valid till 31 December.

Evason Ana Mandara

Mai Chau Ecolodge has a ‘Honeymoon Package’ till 31 March. It cost $380 (VND7,980,000) including one night’s stay in a Deluxe Room with a view of paddy fields, roundtrip transfers from Hanoi to Mai Chau Ecolodge, a jar of rice wine in room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, a 45-minute massage and free use of bicycles.

Hoi An Chic Hotel

Nguyen Trai Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3926-799 www.hoianchic.com

Hoi An Chic Hotel is offering a 30 per cent discount on all types of rooms till 30 November. The prices after discount are from VND2,058,000 to VND2,793,000 including one night’s stay, a two-hour kayaking tour, Vietnamese cooking demonstration and US army jeep shuttle to Hoi An ancient town and Cua Dai Beach. The price includes service charge and VAT.

Novotel Nha Trang Hotel

50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6256-933 www.novotel-nhatrang.com Novotel Nha Trang Hotel is offering a special promotion ‘Super Sale’ with a 30 per cent discount on room rates for those who book from 24 to 28 November for stays from 15 December 2014 to 8 February 2015. The promotion is applicable for bookings on its website.

Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel is offering a promotion till 31 December. The prices run from VND735,000 per room per night in a Standard Room to VND2,390,000 per room per night in a Suite Room with breakfast. The prices include service charge and VAT.

Beachside Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-705

RESORTS AND SPAS

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien Dist., Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 www.emeraldaresort.com

Six Senses Spa at the Evason Ana Mandara is offering a three-hour spa package at $106 (VND2,226,000). The rate is valid until 20 December.

Green World Hotel Nha Trang 44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3528-666 www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com

On the occasion of its new website launch, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh offers a ‘Weekday Special’ with a 20 per cent discount on rates. The public prices start from $120++ (VND2,520,000++) per night in a Superior Room. The special is applicable for those who book on the website for stays from Sunday to Thursday.

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa

Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist, Danang. Tel: (0511) 3981-234 Email: danang.regency@hyatt.com www.danang.regency.hyatt.com Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is organizing Vietnamese cuisine cooking classes at Beach House Restaurant by chefs at the resort till the end of 2014. Each class requires at least two people at VND1,700,000 per person or VND2,150,000 per person including a pre-class market visit. Classes can be arranged on any day between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservation one day in advance is recommended.

38 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

Green World Hotel Nha Trang announces a special promotion; ‘Stay more, pay less’ with a discount from 50 to 70 per cent for those who book apartments at the hotel until 31 December. The promotion includes breakfast, complimentary gym, pool and a 50 per cent discount on beverages at Cyclo Café between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat

Le Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3555-888 www.anamandara-resort.com Ana Mandara Villas Dalat has a ‘Festive Season’ till 28 February, 2015. The prices start from VND2,650,000 per room per night for two in a

Villa Room, Studio Room or Suite Room, with breakfast and Vietnamese set menu dinner. VND1,500,000 per person for gala dinner on 24 December and 31 December. Surcharge is VND630,000 per night for stays from 20 December, 2014 to 1 January, 2015. The prices include service charge and VAT. The promotion is applicable for those who book at least two nights.

Mom Da Chim Lazi Beach Resort

Ly Thai To St, Tan Tien, Lagi, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3874-458 Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort has a special promotion at VND1,333,000 a voucher, including one night’s stay for two in a Deluxe Bungalow with breakfast, lunch or dinner and round-trip transfers from Ho Chi Minh City to the resort. The voucher is valid till 30 November. Surcharge is VND300,000 per night for those who stay on Friday and Saturday. Making reservations in advance is recommended.

VALUE FOR MONEY FOOD PROMOTIONS

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi

6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333 Fortuna Hotel Hanoi will serve ‘Christmas Set Dinner’ from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 24 and 25 December at its restaurant Tiffin - All Day Dining. The four-course menu includes custard and smoked bacon, hearty chicken and leek soup, roasted lamb rack or US pan-roasted turkey and mango &ricotta crêpes. VND650,000 including a glass of red wine.

Hotel Nikko Hanoi

84 Tran Nhan Tong St, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-3535

OTHER

Cathay Pacific Airways

Cathay Pacific Airways has appointed Chris Vanden Hooven as its General Manager in Vietnam. With 20 years of experience working in the aviation industry, he will contribute effectively to the development of Cathay Pacific Airways in the Vietnamese market. ‘Vietnam is a market with a lot of potential growth and many big opportunities. I believe those who select Cathay Pacific Airways will enjoy experiences with our world-favourite “Service Straight From The Heart”,’ he said.

83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800

Mangosteen Restaurant, at the Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi, serves Thanksgiving dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 27 November including carrot soup, roasted turkey with apple and rosemary, grilled pan fried sea bass steak with eggplant mousse and trio pumpkin cake. VND630,000++ for adults including a glass of red or white wine or soft drink. Surcharge is VND250,000++ for free flow of house wine, beer and soft drinks. Half price for children between 6 and 12.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

This November, Taoli Chinese Restaurant, at the Hotel Nikko Hanoi, has a ‘Weekend Dim Sum Lunch Buffet’ on Saturday and Sunday at VND420,000++, including acomplimentary glass of draught beer or soft drink. Those who book in advance will get a promotion; ‘4 Come, 3 Pay’. Also, the restaurant has ‘All You Can Eat Dim Sum Menu’ on Monday to Friday lunch at VND350,000++. The lunch buffet features more than 45 different varieties of dim sum, including Tao-Li’s famous Peking duck, suckling pig and seafood.

Melia Hanoi

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

Transaero Airlines

The Russian airline Transaero launched a direct air route connecting Domodedovo in Moscow with Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa in early November to serve the growing traveling demands of Russian visitors to Vietnam. The airline will fly every 10 days with a flight time of ten hours and 30 minutes. The flights will depart from Domodedovo airport at 10 p.m. (Russia time) and the return flights will take off from Cam Ranh airport at 1.10 p.m. (Vietnam time).

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

El Patio Restaurant at the Melia Hanoi is serving Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. combining of traditional and contemporary delights. VND1,220,000++ for adults and VND760,000++ for children under 10. The prices include free flow of house wine, beer, sparkling wine and soft drink.

15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi runs ‘Arome Festival’ from 28 November to 5 December. The festival is a chance to meet gourmets, enjoy food and wines and join a cooking class with Chef Patrick Jeffroy from L’Hotel de Carantec in France. On 28 November, Chef Patrick Jeffroy will instruct a cooking class at 2 p.m. for VND870,000++, including Moet et Chandon and flash-frozen lobster. Also, the hotel serves a six-course dinner at 7 p.m., prepared by French chefs Didier Corlou and Olivier Génique. VND1,900,000++ including French wines. On 30 November, Chef Patrick Jeffroy will prepare a set lunch at Le Beaulieu Restaurant, at the hotel. VND1,900,000++ At 7 p.m. on 1 December, Spices Garden Price at the hotel will have a wine party with gourmet Alain Beydon-Schlumberger. VND1,700,000++ At 7 p.m. on 2 December, Executive Chef Nicholas Shadbolt of the hotel will serve a fivecourse dinner at L’Orangerie Restaurant with Diageo, Singleton 12, Talisker Storm, Cardhu, Singleton Signature and Lagavulin wines. VND1,995,000++

Novotel Danang Premier Han River

36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511)3929-999 The Square Restaurant, at the Novotel Danang Premier Han River, serves ‘Buffet D’Hote’, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday for

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 39

VALUE FOR MONEY

VND625,000++. Along with extensive desserts and appetizers, guests can choose from unlimited choices of main courses.

Diamond Bay Resort and Spa

Song Lo, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist., Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3711-711

Diamond Bay Resort and Spa will hold a ‘Merry Christmas Feast’ at the Grand Banquet Hall from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 24 December. The event includes Christmas buffet dinner, fashion show, lucky draw, a photo booth, a performance of singers, games and gifts for guests. VND1,900,000 for adults and half price for children from 6 to 11.

Caravelle Hotel

19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-4999

Saigon Saigon Bar, at the Caravelle Hotel, offers hot dogs with four flavours, including onion cheese, Mexican, German and bacon wrap, from 22 November to 28 November. VND298,000++ including chilli cheese fries.

Hotel Equatorial

242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Hotel Equatorial serves American Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner on 27 November, with an array of specialties, including home-smoked honey glazed ham, roasted Turkey and grilled lobster. VND840,000++, including free flow of wine, beer, soft drinks and cocktails. Also the hotel has ‘Turkey Take-Away Service’. Roasted turkey (4-5 kg) is VND2,100,000, 5.5-6.5 kg is VND2,400,000 and 7-8 kg is VND2,900,000. All roasted turkeys include roasted potato, green beans, carrots, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. A complimentary bottle of red or white wine with the order of roasted turkey 7-8kg.

Novotel Saigon Centre 167 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3025-4884

Top Bar, at the Novotel Saigon Centre, serves a wide range of oysters, including French-style oyster and European-style flat oyster, serving with selected Bordeaux white wine.

40 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2014

VND499,000++ for 12 oysters and 2 glasses of selected wine.

Park Hyatt Saigon

2 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1234

Square One Restaurant, at the Park Hyatt Saigon, will serve Thanksgiving dinner on 27 November for VND 825,000++, including slowroasted turkey board, giblet gravy, cranberry chutney, traditional stuffing, glazed Brussels sprouts, bacon, and mashed potatoes. Also guest can enjoy traditional pumpkin pie at VND180,000++.

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Saigon Café, at the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, has a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 27 November. The buffet includes traditional roast turkey, prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and gravy, glazed ham topped with honey sauce, Jambalaya, pumpkin pie with jalapenos, cheese and pistachio, pumpkin cherry crumble, cranberry apple raisin crisp, apple peanut butter cake, buttermilk cookies and chocolate mousse with brandy. VND1,400,000++ including free flowing of house wine, coffee and tea.

BUYABLE

Crocodile leather handbag, VND10,999,000

Crocodile leather bag, VND6,599,000

Python leather handbag, VND6,999,000

Crocodile leather bag, VND4,199,000

Crocodile leather key holders, VND179,000 each

Crocodile leather key holders, VND99,000 each

KIEU HUNG LEATHER

992 Truong Sa St., Ward 12, Dist.3, HCM city Tel: (08) 667 69 667 - www.casaukieuhung.com 42 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

DIRECTIONS SAPA, HALONG, HAI PHONG EMERGENCIES Police: 113 Fire: 114 Ambulance: 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

24 Dong Loi St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-245 Email: resa@chaulonghotel.com.vn www.chaulonghotel.com.vn From VND700,000 ($33) 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 No 044, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.sapa.muongthanh.vn Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: hoanggiasapa@gmail.com www.royalsapahotel.com From VND340,000 ($17)

Traditional Medicine Hospital Cot 8, Hong Ha Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3838-113 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 Halong Hidden Charm Hotel Block 22D, Tuan Chau Villas, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-360 Email: infor.halonghiddencharmhotel@gmail.com

www.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND600,000 ($29) 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 VND1,200,000 ($57) 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 VND2,772,000 ($132) 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

Halong St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-058 Email: sm1.north@och.vn www.starcitysuoimo.com In the centre of Halong, StarCity Halong Bay Hotel offers 152 well-

equipped rooms, with many breathtaking views of Halong Bay 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

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

BARS & CAFÉS

Emeraude Café Royal Park, Ha Long St, 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

303 Nui Ngoc, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3888-899 Email: sale@catbaprinceshotel.com www.catbaprinceshotel.com From VND527,500 ($25) Catba Sunrise Resort Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3887-360 Email: info@catbasunriseresort.com www.catbasunriseresort.com From VND3,520,000 ($168) Harbour View Hotel 12 Tran Phu St, Ngo Quyen Dist., Hai Phong Tel: (031) 3827-827 Email: info@harbourviewvietnam.com www.harbourviewvietnam.com From VND2,772,000 ($132) ENTERTAINMENT

Do Son Casino Zone 3, Do Son town, Hai Phong Tel: (031) 3864-888

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 43

CENTRE OF HO

1 Duxton Hotel Saigon 2 Equatorial Hotel 3 Grand Hotel 4 Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Hotel 5 Kelly Hotel

6 Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 7 Majestic Hotel 8 New W World orld Hotel 9 Oscar Hotel 1 0 Park Hyatt 10 1 1 Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon 11 12 1 2 Rex Hotel 13 1 3 Sheraton Saigon Hotel & TTowers owers 14 1 4 New Epoch Hotel

2 1 4 14

15 1 5 Ngon 138 Restaurant 16 1 6 V ietnam House Restaurant Vietnam

1 7 V 17 -Spa V-Spa

4 2

STREET GUIDE 3 Thang 2..........A2, A3, B2 Alexandre De Rhodes........ ........................................E2 An Duong Vuong....A4, B4 Ba Le Chan....................D1 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan...... ........................................C2 Ban Co...........................B3 Ben Chuong Duong........... .................................D4, E4 Ben Van Don...........D4, E4

Bui Thi Xuan..................C3 Bui Vien...................C4, D4 Cach Mang Thang Tam..... ......A1, B1, B2, C2, C3, D3 Calmette.........................E4 Cao Thang.....................B3 Chu Manh Trinh.............F2 Co Bac.....................C4, D4 Co Giang............. ...C4, D4 Cong Quynh............C3, C4 De Tham........................D4

Dien Bien Phu..................... A3, B2, C2, D1, D2, E1, F1 Dinh Tien Hoang............E1 Do Quang Dau...............C4 Do Thanh.......................B3 Doan Cong Buu.............C1 Doan Nhu Hai..........E4, F4 Dong Du.........................F3 Dong Khoi................E3, F3 Hai Ba Trung....................... ...........................D1, E2, F3 Hai Trieu.........................F4

Ham Nghi.................E4, F4 Han Thuyen....................E2 Ho Hao Hon...................C4 Ho Tung Mau...........E3, E4 Ho Xuan Huong.............C2 Hoa Hung.......................A2 Hung Vuong...................A4 Huyen Tran Cong Chua..... ........................................D3 Huynh Thuc Khang........E3 Huynh Tinh Cua.............D1 Ky Con.....................D4, E4

Ky Dong...................B2, C1 Le Duan...................E2, F2 Le Hong Phong.................. ...........................A2, A3, A4 Le Lai.......................C3, D3 Le Loi..............................E3 Le Quy Don....................D2 Le Thanh Ton...................... ...........................D3, E3, F2 Le Thi Hong Gam............... .................................D4, E4 Le Thi Rieng............C3, D3

Le Van Sy.......................B1 Luong Huu Khanh.........C3 Ly Chinh Thang.......C1, C2 Ly Thai To......................A3 Ly Tu Trong......................... ...........................D3, E3, F2 Ly Van Phuc...................E1 Mac Dinh Chi...........E1, E2 Mac Thi Buoi..................F3 Mai Thi Luu..............E1, F1 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia............ ...................C1, D1, D2, D3

CHI MINH CITY D

15 10 5

13 1

16 9 3

Ngo Duc Ke....................F3 Ngo Thoi Nhiem ....C2, D2 Ngo Van Nam.................F2 Nguyen Binh Khiem.............. .....................................F1, F2 Nguyen Cau...................D1 Nguyen Cong Tru............... .................................D4, E4 Nguyen Dinh Chieu............ ......B3, C2, C3, D2, E1, F1 Nguyen Du..............D3, E3 Nguyen Hue.............E3, F3

Nguyen Khac Nhu.............. .................................C4, D4 Nam Quoc Cang.....C3, C4 Nguyen Phi Khanh.........E1 Nguyen Sieu...................F3 Nguyen Son Tra................. .................................B3, C3 Nguyen Tat Thanh..........F4 Nguyen Thai Binh............... .................................D4, E4 Nguyen Thai Hoc....D3, D4 Nguyen Thanh Y............E1

Nguyen Thi Dieu............C2 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai........ .................................B3, C3 Nguyen Thien Thuat........... .................................A3, B3 Nguyen Thong........B2, C2 Nguyen Thuong Hien........ .................................B2, C3 Nguyen Trai.............B4, C4 Nguyen Trung Ngan......F2 Nguyen Trung Truc........E3 Nguyen Truong To.........E4

Nguyen Van Cu..............B4 Nguyen Van Thu......E1, F1 Pasteur................................ ...............D1, D2, E2, E3,E4 Pham Ngoc Thach.........D1 Pham Ngu Lao........C4, D4 Pham Viet Chanh...........B3 Phan Ke Binh..........E1, E2 Pho Duc Chinh...............E4 Phung Khac Khoan.......E2 Suong Nguyet Anh........C3 Thach Thi Thanh.....D1, E1

Thai Van Lung................F3 Thi Sach.........................F3 Thu Khoa Huan.......D3, E3 To Hien Thanh................A1 Ton That Dam..........E3, E4 Ton Duc Thang..............C3 Tran Binh Trong......A3, A4 Tran Cao Van.................E2 Tran Dinh Xu...........B4, C4 Tran Hung Dao.......C4, D4 Tran Minh Quyen...........A3 Tran Nhan Tong.......A3, A4

Tran Phu.........................A4 Tran Quang Dieu...........B1 Tran Quang Khai.....D1, E1 Tran Quoc Thao......C1, D2 Tran Quoc Toan......C1, D1 Truong Dinh............C1, C2 Tu Xuong.......................C2 Vinh Vien........................A3 Vo Thi Sau........C2, D1, E1 Vo Van Tan..............C3, B3 Vuon Chuoi..............B2, B3 Yersin..............................D4

DIRECTIONS HANOI HANOI

(TELEPHONE CODE: 04) EMBASSIES

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

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

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 Mongolia 5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3009 Myanmar 298A Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3369

46 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

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 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 No 2606 Thang Long International Village, Tran Dang Ninh St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3783-3570 www.amegatravelvietnam.com Buffalo Tours 94 Ma May St, 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 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-2150 www.exotissimo.com Email: go.vietnam@exotissimo.com Oriental Sails 16A Ly Nam De St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3926-4009 Email: sales@orientalsails.com www.orientalsails.com Topas Travel 52 To Ngoc Van St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3715-1005 Email: sales@topastravel.vn www.topastravel.vn

DIRECTIONS HANOI HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Baoson International Hotel 50 Nguyen Chi Thanh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3835-3536 Email: sales@baosonhotels.com www.baosonhotels.com From VND1,570,000 ($75) De Syloia Hotel 17A Tran Hung Dao St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-5346 Email: desyloia@hn.vnn.vn www.desyloia.com From VND1,806,000 ($86) 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 Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi 20 Phan Chu Trinh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3944-9396 Email: reservations.hgihanoi@hilton.com hanoi.hgi.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 Email: hotel.hanoi@moevenpick.com www.moevenpickhotels.com/hanoi From VND3,139,500 ($149.50) Hotel Nikko Hanoi 84 Tran Nhan Tong St, Hanoi Tel.: (04) 3822-3535

reservation@hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn www.hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn From VND4,620,000 ($220) Pullman Hanoi 40 Cat Linh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-0808 Email: getcloser@pullman-hanoi.com www.pullmanhotels.com From VND2,448,600 ($115.50) Prestige Hotel Hanoi 17 Pham Dinh Ho St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 6299-9888 Email: sales@prestigehotels.com.vn www.prestigehotels.com.vn A new four-star international standard hotel, on a tree-lined street in the heart of Hanoi, 15 minutes walk from the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Modern luxuries, impeccable service and excellent value for the business or pleasure traveller. 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 VND2,289,000 ($109) 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) As a ‘resort within the city’, Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is on the West Lake. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: h1555@sofitel.com www.sofitel.com From VND6,090,000 ($290) Sunway Hotel Hanoi 19 Pham Dinh Ho St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3971-3888 Email: reservation@sunwayhotel.com.vn www.hanoi.sunwayhotels.com APARTMENTS Fraser Suites Hanoi 51 Xuan Dieu St, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-8877 sales.hanoi@frasershospitality.com hanoi.frasershospitality.com Somerset Serviced Residence Vietnam 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-2342 www.somerset.com Luxurious apartments and properties for hiring RESTAURANTS Com Chay Nang Tam Restaurant 79A Tran Hung Dao St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4140

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 Email: 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 Vietnam Quilts 13 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3926-4831 www.vietnam-quilts.org Traditional embroidery and other handicraft cloth products

FURNITURE/ INTERIOR Dome Au Co 9 Au Co St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-5866 Email: sales@dome.com.vn Dome Yen The 10 Yen The St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-6036

STORE

Annam Gourmet 51 Xuan Dieu St, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-4487 www.annam-gourmet.com Annam Gourmet’s motivation is to “Enjoy Life. Eat and Drink well.”

MUSEUMS 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 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 Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 216 Tran Quang Khai 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 VND 20,000 ($0.95) 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 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 VND25,000 ($1.19) 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 Email: info@elitefitness.com.vn www.elitefitness.com.vn Spa de Palace Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, 6B Lang Ha St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 47

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

(TELEPHONE CODE: 030) Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

UNESCO World Heritage in 1993. Hue is also known for its particular cuisine.

Huong Giang Hotel Resort & Spa

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

Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien Dist., Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 Email: info@emeraldaresort.com www.emeraldaresort.com

Banyan Tree Lang Co Hotel Cu Du village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc Dist., Thua Thien Hue Province. Tel: (054) 3695-888 reservations-langco@banyantree.com www.banyantree.com BW Premier Indochine Palace

Ninh Binh Legend Hotel Tien Dong Zone, Ninh Khanh Ward, Ninh Binh City Tel: (030) 3899-880

DANANG

51 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3822-122 info@huonggianghotel.com.vn www.huonggianghotel.com.vn La Résidence Hue Hotel & Spa 5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 Email: resa@la-residence-hue.com www.la-residence-hue.com Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa

Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com

www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com From VND1,575,000 ($75)

NGHE AN

(TELEPHONE CODE: 038) Mường 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

(TELEPHONE CODE: 052)

105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 Email: rsvn@bwp-indochinepalace.com www.bwp-indochinepalace.com From VND3,024,000 ($144) 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. Century Riverside Hotel Hue

HOTELS, RESORTS

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

Hue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa

TRAVEL

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

HUE

(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

130 Minh Mang Road, Hue Tel: (054) 3885-461 Email: info@pilgrimagevillage.com www.pilgrimagevillage.com Vedanā Lagoon Resort & Spa Zone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu Loc Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3681-688 Email: info@vedanalagoon.com www.vedanalagoon.com RESTAURANT

49 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3823-390 Email: info@centuryriversidehue.com www.centuryriversidehue.com

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 VND2,300,000 to VND29,400,000 ($110 to $1,400)

48 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

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

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

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511) HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily 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 Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3981-234 Email: danang.regency@hyatt.com www.danang.regency.hyatt.com From VND5,225,000 ($243) 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 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 Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang Vietnam, Managed by Centara

255 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3961-777

DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG 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 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

www.ancienthouseriver.com From VND2,656,500 ($126.50) 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 VND2,184,000 to VND2,772,000 ($104 to $132) Hoi An Historic Hotel

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 VND 4,158,000 ($198) River-Beach Resort & Residences Hoi An

HOTELS, RESORTS

MUSEUM

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. 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 Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An Thanh Nien Road, Cua Dai Beach Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-555 info@goldensandresort-spa.com.vn www.goldensandresort-spa.com.vn VND3,759,000 to VND7,644,000 Golf Hoi An Hotel

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

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) Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa 175 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3864-800 reservation@hoianriverresort.com.vn www.hoianriverresort.com From VND1,650,000 ($79) Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & Spa Ha My Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: reservations@belhamy.com www.belhamy.com From VND2,835,000 ($135) Hoi An Pacific Hotel & Spa

Champa Island Nha Trang Resort & Spa

($179 to $364)TRAVEL

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

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.

304 2/4 St, Vinh Phuoc, Nha Trang Email: sales@champaislandresort.vn www.champaisandresort.vn Hotline: 0123 6009 777 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 Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel

QUY NHON

(TELEPHONE CODE: 056) Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily

321 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3923-777 Email: info@hoianpacific.com www.hoianpacific.com From VND1,113,000 ($53)

Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

Ancient House River Resort Hamlet 2, Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3930-777 Email: sales@ancienthouseriver.com

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

HOTELS, RESORTS

Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort Au Co Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3937-777 Email: sm1.north@och.vn www.sunrisehoian.vn 187 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3861-171 Email: sales@golfhoianhotel.vn www.golfhoianhotel.vn

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.

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 VND1,995,000 ($95) 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

38 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3889-999 Email: info@havanahotel.vn www.havanahotel.vn Diamond Bay Resort & Spa Song Lo, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist., Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3711-711 Email: info@diamondbayresort.vn www.diamondbayresort.vn Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Beachside Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-705 reservations-nhatrang@evasonresorts.com

www.sixsenses.com/evasonresorts/ana-mandara/destination 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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 49

DIRECTIONS PHAN RANG, PHAN THIET InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.intercontinental.com 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 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) Novotel Nha Trang Hotel 50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6256-900 Email: rsvn@novotel-nhatrang.com www.novotel-nhatrang.com VND2,415,000 to VND4,830,000 ($115 to $230) Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-268 Email: reservationsninhvan@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-vanbay/destination From VND17,629,500 ($839.50) 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 From VND3,565,000 ($170) 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 White Sand Doclet Resort & Spa Population group 9 Dong Cat, Ninh Hai Ward, Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3670-670 Email: info@whitesandresort.com.vn www.whitesandresort.com.vn TOUR

Nha Trang Limousine

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Saigon Ninh Chu Hotel & Resort Khanh Hai Town, Ninh Hai Dist., Ninh Thuan Province Tel: (068) 3876-011 Email: sales@saigonninhchuhotel.com.vn www.saigonninhchuhotel.com.vn VND1,575,000 to VND4,200,000 ($75 to $200)

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. HOTELS, RESORTS

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 VND1,400,000 ($66)

93 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3516-612 or 09868 33555 Email: hieu@everbluetravel.com.vn www.nhatranglimousine.com 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

www.hoangngoc-resort.com VND1,600,000 to VND6,090,000 ($75 to $287) Full Moon Village Suoi Nuoc Beach, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3836-099 Email: reservation@fullmoon-village.com www.fullmoon-village.com VND2,100,000 to VND6,300,000 ($100 to $300) Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort 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 VND1,550,000 ($74)

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

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)

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

Muine Bay Resort

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 VND2,200,000 ($105)

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)

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

PHAN RANG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 068)

HOTEL, RESORT

Ocean Dunes Resort 1 Ton Duc Thang St, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3822-393 Email: reservation@phanthietresorts.com www.phanthietresorts.com From VND1,500,000 ($71)

Pandanus Resort

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa Quarter 5, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province. Tel: (062) 3849-849 Email: pandanus@pandanusresort.com www.pandanusresort.com From VND1,575,000 ($75)

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

50 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

Park Diamond Hotel Nguyen Tat Thanh St, Hung Long Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3835-666 Email: reservations@parkdiamondhotel.vn

DIRECTIONS DALAT, HO CHI MINH CITY www.parkdiamondhotel.vn From VND990,000 ($47) 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) Sandhills Beach Resort & Spa Km6, Tien Binh hamlet, Tien Thanh Commune, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3846-789 Email: info@sandhillsresort.com.vn www.sandhillsresort.com.vn From VND2,520,000 ($120)

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 The Sailing Bay Beach Resort 107 Ho Xuan Huong St, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet Tel: (062) 3836-555 Email: resort@thesailingbay.com www.thesailingbay.com From VND2,571,000 ($122) Mui Ne Unique Resort

MUSEUM 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. HOTELS

Seahorse Resort & Spa

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

Km 11, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-507 Email: info@seahorseresortvn.com www.seahorseresortvn.com From VND1,440,000 ($68) Sea Links Beach Hotel 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) Sea Lion Beach Resort & Spa 12 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-390 Email: info@sealionresort-muine.com www.sealionresort-muine.com

20B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-617 Email: info@muineuniqueresort.com www.muineuniqueresort.com Reservation contact in Ho Chi Minh City, 57 Pham Viet Chanh St, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3925-4196 Email: sales@muineuniqueresort.com 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 VND3,633,000 ($171)

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 VND1,743,000 ($83)

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)

Dalat Edensee Resort Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3831-515 Email: reservation@dalatedensee.com www.dalatedensee.com VND2,331,000 to VND4,662,000 ($111 to $222) Saigon-Dalat Hotel

Villa Aria Mui Ne

Sunny Beach Resort & Spa

64-66 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-355 Email: info@sunnybeach.com.vn www.sunnybeach.com.vn From VND1,699,000 ($80)

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa Le Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3555-888 Email: reservation-dalat@anamandara-resort.com www.anamandara-resort.com From VND1,700,000 ($81)

White Sands Resort

02 Hoang Van Thu 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.

HO CHI MINH CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 08) CONSULATES

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)

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

â&#x20AC;˘ 51

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY 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 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 Cathay Pacific Airways 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.1,

Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3203 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 Jetstar Pacific Airlines 112 Hong Ha St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3955-0550 Philippine Airlines 2nd Floor Saigon Royal Building 91 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2105 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 United Airlines Suite 708 Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4755 Vietnam Airlines 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3832-0320 Vietjet Air 8Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-0123 www.vietjetair.com TRAVEL

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

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 80-82 Phan Xich Long St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3995-9898 www.exotissimo.com Saigon Tourist 45 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9279 www.saigon-tourist.com 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 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 HOTELS

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

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 Hotel Nikko Saigon 235 Nguyen Van Cu St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3925-7777 reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn From VND4,830,000 ($230) 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 From VND5,845,455 ($278) Kelly Hotel 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 VND966,000 ($46) 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. Mövenpick Hotel Saigon

Catina Saigon Hotel 109 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-6296 www.hotelcatina.com.vn From VND1,690,500 ($80.50) Caravelle Hotel 19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 www.caravellehotel.com Duxton Hotel Saigon 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 First Hotel

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 Email: hotel.saigon@moevenpick.com www.moevenpick-hotels.com Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-333 Email: info@legendsaigon.com www.legendsaigon.com From VND4,221,000 ($201) Liberty Central Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269 Email: frontdesk.lcc@libertyhotels.com.vn

www.libertycentralhotel.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 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

52 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

New World Saigon Hotel 76 Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8888 Email: saigon@newworldhotels.com www.saigon.newworldhotels.com New Epoch Hotel 120 Cach Mang Thang 8 St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-6169

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY reservation@newepochhotel.com.vn www.newepochhotel.com.vn From VND1,155,000 ($55) Northern Hotel Saigon

11A Thi Sach St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1751 Email: 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. 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 From VND2,959,000 ($140) 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.parkhyattsaigon.com From VND 8,424,900

www.ramanasaigon.com From VND1,050,000 ($50) Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon 8-15 Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0033 Email: reservation@renaissancesaigon.com www.renaissance-saigon.com From VND4,105,500 ($195.50) Royal Hotel Saigon 133 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5915 Email: hotel@royalhotelsaigon.com www.royalhotelsaigon.com From VND1,932,000 ($92)

BARS & CAFÉS

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

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.sheraton.com/saigon From VND8,740,000 ($416)

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

Silver Creek City Resort 112 An Phu Dong 11, Dist.12, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3719-9533 Email: reservation@silvercreek.com.vn www.silvercreek.com.vn From VND1,207,500 ($57.50)

Kim Lam Restaurant

RESTAURANTS

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

enquiry.prsgn@parkroyalhotels.com

www.parkroyalhotels.com From VND2,173,500 ($103.50) 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 ($184)

Tel: (08) 5404-2220 www.vatelsaigon.com Vietnam House Restaurant 93 - 95 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-1623 www.vietnamhousesaigon.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)

PARKROYAL Saigon 309B – 311 Nguyen Van Troi St,Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3842-1111

Ramana Hotel Saigon 323 Le Van Sy St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3843-9999 Email: info@ramanasaigon.com

Sonnet Saigon Hotel

23 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6299-0879 Email: kimlam@galaxyfood.com.vn www.kimlam1galaxyfood.com The restaurant serves Vietnamese food from the North, Centre and South with emphasis on artistic garnish. It has three floors and can hold one hundred and twenty people. The restaurant is a treasure trove of Vietnamese culture with art objects serving as the decor

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

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. Shin 122 Ly Tu Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City 53A Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0909352369 Shin is famous for fashion clothes and leather bags. SPA

Vspa & Skincare

Kobe Teppanyaki Restaurant 13A Tu Xuong St, Ward 7, Dist 3, Ho Chi MInh City Tel: (08) 3932-0187 Lemongrass Restaurant 4 Nguyen Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0496 www.bongsencorporation.com Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653 Vietnamese food Vatel Saigon Bistronomique-Lounge 120 Bis Suong Nguyet Anh St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City

15B/25 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9484 Email: reception.vspa@gmail.com www.vspa.com.vn 20 per cent off all treatments when you show us a copy of Vietnam Heritage 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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 53

CENTRE O

1 Hanoi Emotion Hotel 2 Capital Garden Hotel 3 Daewoo Hotel

4 De Syloia Hotel 5 Fortuna Hotel Hanoi 6 Green Mango 7 Sunway Hotel Hanoi 8 Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 9 Joseph’ Joseph’ss Hotel 10 1 0 Little Hanoi 11 1 1 MAison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel

12 1 2 Melia Hanoi Hotel 13 1 3 Movenpick Hotel Hanoi 14 1 4 Nikko Hanoi Hotel 15 1 5 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

STREET GUIDE Ba Trieu...................E3, E4 Bac Son.........................D1 Bach Dang.....................F2 Bach Mai........................E4 Bat Dan..........................E2 Bich Cau........................C2 Buoi................................A1 Cat Linh..........................C2 Cha Ca....................E1, E2 Cua Bac.........................D1 Cua Dong.......................D2

Da Tuong.......................E3 Dang Tat.........................D1 Dao Duy Anh.................D4 Dao Duy Tu.............E1, E2 Dien Bien Phu................D2 Doc Ngu.........................A1 Doi Can.............A1, B2, C2 Duong Thanh.................E2 Gam Cau........................E1 Giai Phong.....................D4 Giang Vo.....A3 ,B3 ,B2,C2

Hai Ba Trung.....E2, E3, F3 Ham Long......................E3 Han Thuyen....................F3 Hang Bac.......................E2 Hang Bo.........................E2 Hang Bong.....................E2 Hang Buom....................E2 Hang Can.......................E2 Hang Chuoi....................F3 Hang Cot........................E1 Hang Da.........................E2 Hang Dao.......................E2

Hang Dau.......................E1 Hang Ga.........................E2 Hang Gai........................E2 Hang Khay.....................E2 Hang Khoai....................E1 Hang Ma.........................E1 Hang Quat......................E2 Hang Trong....................E2 Hang Chieu....................E1 Hang Luoc......................E1 Hao Nam........................C2 Hoa Ma...........................F3

Hoang Dieu.............D1, D2 Hoang Hoa Tham............... ....................A1, B1, C1, D1 Hoang Van Thu..............D1 Hoe Nhai........................E1 Hung Vuong............D1, D2 Huynh Thuc Khang........A3 Kham Thien.............C3, D3 Kim Ma..............A2, B2, C2 La Thanh.................B3, C3 Lang Ha..........................B3 Nguyen Chi Thanh.........A3

Le Dai Hanh...................E4 Le Duan............D2, D3, D4 Le Hong Phong.............D2 Le Lai..............................F2 Le Thai To.......................E2 Le Thanh Tong...............F3 Le Van Huu....................E3 Lieu Giai........................A2 Lo Duc......................F3, F4 Lo Su..............................F2 Luong Ngoc Quyen.......E2 Luong Van Can..............E2

OF HA NOI D

6 10 1 0

11 1 1 9 1 15 1 5 13

12 1 2 8 4

14 1 4

Ly Nam De..............E1, E2 Ly Quoc Su....................E2 Ly Thai To.......................F2 Ly Thuong Kiet........E3, F3 Mai Hac De..............E3, E4 Ngo Quyen.....................F3 Ngo Si Lien....................D2 Ngo Thi Nham................E3 Ngoc Ha.........................C1 Ngoc Khanh...................B2 Nguyen Canh Chan......D1 Nguyen Cong Hoa.........B2

Nguyen Dinh Chieu............ .................................E3, E4 Nguyen Du..............D3, E3 Nguyen Huu Huan........ F2 Nguyen Khuyen.............D2 Nguyen Luong Bang.....C3 Nguyen Thai Hoc....C2, D2 Nguyen Thuong Hien......... ........................................D3 Nguyen Van To..............E2 Nha Chung.....................E2 Nha Tho.........................E2

Nui Truc..........................B2 Pham Dinh Ho................F3 Pham Ngu Lao...............F3 Phan Boi Chau.......D2, D3 Phan Chu Trinh..............F3 Phan Dinh Phung..........D1 Phan Huy Chu................F3 Pho Duc Chinh...............F3 Pho Hue...................E3, E4 Phu Doan.......................E2 Phung Hung............E1, E2 Quan Su..................E2, E3

Quan Thanh...................D1 Quang Trung...........E2, E3 Quoc Tu Giam...............D2 Son Tay..........................C2 Thai Phien......................E4 Thanh Cong...................B3 Thanh Nien....................D1 Tho Nhuom.............E2, E3 Thuy Khue.......................... ....................A1, B1, C1, D1 To Hien Thanh...............E4 Tong Dan........................F2

Ton Duc Thang..............C3 Tran Hung Dao................... ...........................D3, E3, F3 Tran Huy Lieu................B2 Tran Khanh Du...............F3 Tran Khat Chan..............F4 Tran Nguyen Han..........F2 Tran Nhan Tong......D3, E3 Tran Nhat Duat..............E1 Tran Phu........................D2 Tran Quang Khai............F2 Tran Qui Cap.................D2

Tran Quoc Toan......D3, E3 Tran Thanh Tong............F3 Tran Xuan Soan................. .................................E3, E4 Trang Thi........................E2 Trang Tien................E2, F3 Trieu Viet Vuong......E3, E4 Trinh Hoai Duc...............C2 Tue Tinh.........................E3 Yen Phu..........................E1 Yersin..............................F4 Yet Kieu..........................D3

DIRECTIONS VUNG TAU, LONG HAI, CON DAO, CAN THO, CHAU DOC Saigon Cooking Class 74/7 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-8485 www.saigoncookingclass.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 Cactus Contemporary Art 17/12 Nguen Huy Tuong St, Ward 6, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 7300-1270 info@cactusartgallery.com www.cactusartgallery.com 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 65 De Tham St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3836-8019 www.galeriequynh.com Sàn Art 3 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3840-0183 www.san-art.org Opening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every. Closed on Sunday and Monday 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 MUSEUMS

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.

Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 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. Southern Women Museum 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7130

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.

Email: sales@palacehotel.com.vn www.palacehotel.com.vn From VND2,062,000 ($97) 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) Petro House Hotel 63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-014 Email: info@petrohousehotel.vn www.petrohousehotel.vn From VND1,260,000 ($60) Newly refurbished rooms conveniently located near Vung Tau ferry terminal. Catering to Asian and European tastes with Malaysian cuisine specialty. Romeliess Hotel

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

Grand Hotel Vung Tau

31 - 33 Thuy Van St, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3613-366 Email: sales@romeliss.com www.romeliesshotel.com A new three-star hotel at the Back Beach, the ‘best beach in Vung Tau,’ with nearly 50 rooms overlooking the beach! Many promotions at www.romliess.com The Imperial Hotel & Residences Vung Tau 159 - 163 Thuy Van St, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3628-888 Email: info@imperialhotel.vn www.imperialhotel.vn

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) A four star hotel, 125 km from Saigon, built in 1890s with the French architecture, near the beach and few hundreds metres from Vung Tau Hydrofoil Terminal. 66 rooms and 17 apartments, three meeting rooms seated from 20 to 250 and wedding services.

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

1 Nguyen Trai St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-411

56 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

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 Email: golf4.cantho@vinagolf.vn www.vinagolf.vn 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) MUSEUM

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 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)

Palace Hotel

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. 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

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

HOTELS, RESORTS

Mường Thanh Vung Tau Hotel No 09, Thong Nhat St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3835-567 Email: sales@vungtau.muongthanh.vn www.vungtau.muongthanh.vn From VND1,890,000 ($90)

CON DAO

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) Six Senses Con Dao has been selected as one of 2013's 25 Best Ecolodges by National Geographic Traveler

Phuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province Tel: (064) 3788-888 Email: info@thegrandhotramstrip.com www.thegrandhotramstrip.com

Victoria Nui Sam Lodge Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3575-888 Email: resa.nuisam@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia

DIRECTIONS PHU QUOC, OVERSEAS 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. HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Eden Resort Phu Quoc Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Ward, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province Tel: (077) 3985-598 Email: reservations@edenresort.com.vn

www.edenresort.com.vn 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) La Veranda Resort Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 7, Duong Dong Town Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3982-988 Email: contact@laverandaresorts.com www.laverandaresorts.com VND5,082,000 to VND8,694,000 ($242 to $414) Sai Gon Phu Quoc Resort 1 Tran Hung Dao St, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3846-999 Email: sgphuquocresort@hcm.vnn.vn www.sgphuquocresort.com.vn VND2,499,000 to VND4,011,000 ($119 to $191)

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

WASHINGTON-WC 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 Open: Wednesday to Friday, noon to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. 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) VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014

• 57

LAID BACK

Photo: Tran Tam My

Photo: Nguyen Hong Quang Phuong

Photo: Thanh Tung

Clockwise from top: Playing tug of war in Dak Nong Province; At My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam Province; Hmong children in Ha Giang Province; At the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Ho Chi Minh City Photo: Vo Van Hoang

58 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER0-DECEMBER 2014