Vietnam heritage No.49 June July 2015 by Vietnam Heritage

3:7 JUNE-JULY JUNE-JUL LY 2015

ISSN 1859-4123

CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF VIETNAM

Grasping at threads A whale of a tale

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CONTENT No 3, Vol.7, June-July 2015

COVER STORY Crafts 19 Grasping at threads

Mythology

8 A whale of a tale

Recreation - Nha Trang 11 New activities in Nha Trang Sea Festival 2015 Food

16 A fine kettle of fish Pottery

18 All about the vases

Memoir

22 Where the heart is Book Review 24 The soul of a city History

28 House of secrets Advertorial

30 Almanity Hoi An: Journeys for the soul Hospitality

32 Eastin Group expands to Vietnam 34 What the papers say 36 Events

39 Value for money

42 Buyable

43 Directions

58 Laid back

Cover photograph: Dyeing silk cloths by soaking them in mac nua liquid and wringing continuously Photo: Nguyen Vinh Hien

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; Duy Huong 0903 630 489 Email: vietnamheritagemagazine@gmail.com Hanoi Advertising and Subscription: The He Moi MHN Viet Nam Co.Ltd, Mr Song Hao: 0903 476 999 Nha Trang Advertising and Subscription: Bach Cat Co. Ltd,; 22/6A Bach Dang Str. Nha Trang City Tel: (58) 360 7070 Fax (58) 387 0099, Email: bachcatprco.ltd@gmail.com Contact in the US for subscription and advertising: 2628 Sturla dr. San Jose, CA 95148

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VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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Hon Chong Promontory, Nha Trang

Photo: Tran Binh An

MYTHOLOGY

A whale of a tale

Fishermen curry favour with the god of the sea

he people on the shores of South Central Coast and South Vietnam have a custom of worshipping

whales. For generations, fishers revered whales as their ultimate god who always helped them in all their hardships amongst storms and waves. According to ‘Great Vietnam History and Geography’, written during the Nguyen Dynasty: ‘Whales, or The Elephant Fish’, as 8 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

TEXT BY NGUYEN MAN NHIEN AND PHOTOS BY VAN THANH CHAU

the folks call them, have a round head with a hole on the forehead to blow out water, a black body without scales, and a shrimplike tail. They are benevolent and often help seamen at risk.’ In ‘Southern Geography’, Trinh Hoai Duc also mentioned: ‘The deity is a fish... after setting the nets, fishers pray to Him and He would chase a school of fish into their nets. In ‘The Custom of Whale Worship in Khanh Hoa’ by Le Quang Nghiem records a story full of Buddhist mysticism, ‘Once, on a trip over the oceans, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva felt pity for those who perish in the seas. He tore his robe into thou-

sands of pieces, threw them into the sea and turned them into elephant fish to help those in need.’ ‘Festivities the Old Ways’ by Toan Anh also noted, ‘Seafarers always pray to whales when in trouble. The Binh Thuan fishers even have 12 prayers called the 12 big wishes, said to be passed down by Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, that the South Sea King (the whale) would hear and come to rescue them. With that belief, the Whale became a Deity of Luck in the spiritual life along the shores. People call him by many respectful names such as His Bigness, God of Life, God of the Sea, South

MYTHOLOGY

Sea God, and others. Nguyen kings knighted him as ‘The Venerable Sea God of Great Southern Family.’ In prayers, he is normally called Great King of Eastern Sea or Marine God of Southern Sea. Fishing folks associate elephant fish with their happiness and prosperity. They spare no means to rescue whales washed ashore. If the whale is already dead, they wait till the flesh is decomposed completely, wash the skeleton with rice vodka, then transport it in a spiritual procession to the village temple to worship. The day He died is celebrated every year. The first person that

found His body has to mourn Him for 3 years as he would his parents. That person would be responsible for burning incense for Him every day, receiving offerings from his fellow fishers, and organizing yearly commemorations. People believe that the village that has the honour of receiving His body for a funeral will be safe and prosper. In all village temples along Khanh Hoa shore, there is an altar for the South Sea Lord beside the ones for Past Fortune and Future Fortune. There are many such tombs distributed quite densely among the villages. According to the official statistics, there are 50

of them. His Tomb is built not only for spiritual rituals, but also to serve as a centre for community activities. It is usually situated on a high, open ground next to an estuary facing the sea. The custom of Elephant Fish worship is still alive today in the form of South Sea Lord festival, or Nghinh Ong (Whale Procession) Festival. The ritual is performed lll

Opposite: Villagers starting to held Nghinh Ong Festival on the sea for reception ‘His soul’ at dawn. Clockwise from top left: Villagers in the procession; Decorative objects in the festival; A ritual after the procession; The procession in the festival with colouful flags and sound of drums

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MYTHOLOGY every year, but the festival can be held once a year or every 3 years, depending on the level of prosperity of the host village. The date may be the date of His death or it may be set by the village elders. A festival usually lasts 3 days, is attended by thousands, with many rituals and folklore cultural activities. A festival has a ritual part and a festive part. The rituals include the Procession, His Reception, Prayer for Life, Prayer for the South Sea Lord, Royal Reception and Knighting Ritual. The festive part includes songs and dramas performed by professional artists invited by the organizers. This part lasts 3 days, and is sometimes active until 2 – 3 a.m. at night.n lll

In 2014 the Nghinh Ong Festival of Khanh Hoa Province was named a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Nghinh Ong (Whale Procession) Festival varies from one place to another: In Khanh Hoa Province, it is the 15th of twelfth lunar month. In Binh Thuan Province, it is on the full moon of seventh lunar month. In Vung Tau at Thang Tam temple, the festival held on 16th, 17th, and 18th of the eighth lunar month. At Can Gio town of Ho Chi Minh City, it is from the 14th – 17th of eighth lunar month. In Ca Mau Province, the festival takes place during 14th – 16th of second lunar month. (Source: www.lehoi.cinet.vn, a website of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam)

Above: Art performances in the festival

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RECREATION - NHA TRANG

New activities in Nha Trang Sea Festival 2015

ha Trang’s seaside boulevards in summer have blue sea, white sand, golden sun and fun, festive activities. The high point is the Sea Festival 2015, which takes place during 11-14 July, 2015. The festival makes Nha Trang the ultimate destination this summer. Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism has introduced many new packages for visitors, such as diving at Bai Dai, diving for oysters and pearls, sea walking at Hon Tam, and the Nha Trang snake show. It’s fair to say that diving is the local main attraction. Everyone will want to enjoy this activity - a chance to explore and understand the ocean. Hon Mun used to be most tourists’ choice at Nha Trang, as they can dive and admire the beauty of over 300 coral species and thousands of fishes. Now they have another place, Bai Dai. This is a pristine reef full of dancing corals of all colours and forms, enough to take any visitor’s breath away. Diving is undeniably great, but contemplation alone without a trophy would be incomplete. Having that in mind, Hoang Gia Pearl Company offers oyster and pearl harvest diving tours to give visitors a chance to experience first-hand and learn about the pearl farming trade. In this tour, one can get down to see the beauty of the coral reefs and grids of pearl-fostering oysters, then to open some and get the treasure inside. With those pearls, one can order exotic and meaningful souvenirs or gifts to be made for oneself or one’s friends or family. Diving is perhaps the simplest

thing to do in Nha Trang. And then, surprise, surprise, you can do sea walking here too. Just put on an oxygen supplying helmet and follow a trainer’s instructions, and you will find yourself walking on the sea floor, among the corals and fish. The helmet is designed specifically for this purpose and weighs 40 kg, but under water it feels like 4 kg. This is a trial program, allowed to operate 90 days before its being considered for licensing. The best thing about it is old people, children, even non-swimmers can do it. It’s almost as simple as walking on land. After enjoying the sea, sand, sun and the sea floor, tourists can come to Nha Trang Snake Show in Phuoc Dien Village, Phuoc Dong Commune of Nha Trang City. The 5000m² establishment can host 400 visitors. Apart from the fascinating, mind blowing snake circus, Nha Trang Snake Show also has a snake zoo that exhibits over 20 rare snake species from all over the world. The recent introduction of this art form to Nha Trang has helped diversify the entertainment products offered to guests and locals. The newly-introduced tourist packages, combined with mesmerizing beaches and romantic islands, make Nha Trang an irresistible destination. Nha Trang – a young, dynamic, peaceful and creative city of Khanh Hoa always wants to increase its image as a vibrant, regional tourist hub that offers attractive choices to tourists and tourism businesses all year long. The Sea Festival 2015 is a fun part of this endeavour.n

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RECREATION - NHA TRANG

Nha Trang

The fish hunters TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HANH THUY KHANH

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a.m. The fish hunters and I hit the road to Doc Let, then followed a concrete road to Ninh Hai Commune, about 40 km north of Nha Trang. Mr Giang, the helmsman, was already there, taking heavy gear bags to the boat. After two hours of navigating, the scenery got clearer. We came to the hunting ground near Hon Lon Island. The hunters got busy putting on their gear. Mr Trung, a 40-ish robust man

was the first to jump overboard. The boat kept going. I was surprised at the technique, making a friend laugh. ‘This is hunting, not angling. Hunters are dropped about 100 - 200m from each other, and they hunt on their own. When all hunters are dropped, the boat goes back to station, waits for a while, and then fishes out the hunters. The procedure repeats several times, and we go home when [we are] tired,’ he explained. All divers down, I remained alone with the helper boy on the boat. I asked him, ‘How do you know where to pick up the hunters?’ The boy smiled. ‘Easy, just watch for the snorkels or the bubbles.’ He pointed toward a rock, ‘There is one, wow, with some fish there.’ I saw nothing until Mr Trung came back to the boat. Then I saw that each of the hunters had a line attached to their belt to ‘bead’ their fish. Mr Trung threw his bead of fish onboard. One dotted queen fish, one red snapper and a few ghost fishes, over a kilo each, shined freshly under the sun. The boat fished out every hunter in turn. They were all loaded with trophies; rabbit fishes, red snappers, sea basses, dotted queen fishes … all big and fleshy, the kinds rarely seen in the bazaars. Curious, I asked for a try in the second round. My friend lent me a gear and taught me a few basic techniques. Excited, I dashed with him into the deep blue water. The sea floor seemed so deep; pitch black, rugged with rocks and mysterious cracks. My companion suddenly stopped and plunged his head down vigorously. About 3m under, he took a horizontal position and sank slowly. An arrow suddenly shot off, pulling a thin line behind it. It hit something. My companion resurfaced, his hand pulling the line with a big fish at the

RECREATION - NHA TRANG other end which wiggled desperately, trying to run and hide behind rocks. My friend pulled the sea bass back and stabbed on its head. And we went on. This turns out to be quite a pocket-draining hobby. A hunter’s gear consists of a gun, a pair of goggles, a diving suit and a pair of flippers. The most important is the gun. Hunters used to buy guns made everywhere in the world, but now they love most the ones customized by Khoi (Song Thuy, Nha Trang). This guy’s guns are both perfect and reasonably priced. A gun usually costs VND4 – VND5 millions. Then you need goggles and a snorkel. ‘You need good goggles to give you real-size vision; otherwise a football-sized fish may look like an orange. Bad goggles may also be damaged under high pressure of the water, which is very dangerous’, a friend said. While diving, the goggles may get foggy and it’s best to defog it by your own saliva. My guts churned when I saw the hunters spit on their own goggles. Beside those accessories, each hunter must wear a lad belt weighing 5 – 10 kg that helps them go deep quickly. In an emergency, a click is enough to release the lead and free the diver. Finally he needs a good knife to cut any line or string if he gets entangled under water. During the whole trip, the hunters worried most that fisher boats might come. My friend explained, ‘Some use mines to kill fish on this Van Phong Bay. They won’t check if anyone is under water.’ The hunters are also very careful about surfacing speed. After staying long in deep water, one must come up slowly. Otherwise, nitrogen in their blood may expand too quickly and damage the blood vessels. To follow this hobby, one must have quite a lot of passion.

To remedy it, the trophies can be very diverse and valuable; some even can’t be bought with money. The fish you get is very fresh, tasty and safe to eat. No preservatives, guaranteed! The best treat of this trip is the ghost fish that I had never tasted, never heard of before. Very delicious. My friends explained, because it lives only in slits between rocks, safe from nets and even mines, so fishers rarely have it. If

any, it goes immediately to restaurants. Another special treat is the red bass, king of basses, very tasty and highly priced. The hunters are mostly government workers and officers. They come together for common fun, with no economic or financial motivation. Fish hunting is really a great sport. Who knows, in a near future it may become popular among young people who love sports and adventures.n

Opposite: Each hunter is dropped at different locations for hunting Above: Result after a hunting

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CULTURE

A house restored

ust like the Kinh people’s family worship house, the Co Tu also had a family house for the whole kin within a village. After over 50 years not having one because of the wars, the Co Tu of Porning Village, Lang Commune, Tay Giang District, are the first ones in Quang Nam Province to have restored this custom. 70-year-old elder Colau El is making a fire in a big stilt house just 30 metres from a guol (Co Tu village communal house). Colau El says this is dong ca bhu, the family house of his Colau kin. El has his own house, but the whole kin asked him to move here ‘to have a fire burning every day, so that the roofs will be stronger, last longer, thus taking less efforts of the kin to maintain.’ Village deputy chief Colau Chon said, there are 12 kins among 94 households, with

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HUYNH VAN MY

451 mouths of Porning. But there are only nine kin houses, because several of the smallest kins share one. ‘Dong ca bhu looks similar to guol, with the same cradle shape, big stilts and high floor, so many visitors wonder why Porning has so many guols,’ said Mr Co lau Nham, head of the socio-cultural Dept. of Lang Commune. Elder Arat Hon, who remembers the kin houses from his childhood, thinks that the restored kin houses help the Co Tu restore their good customs and improve unity and harmony in each kin and in the whole village. ‘Many good traditions that I knew only by hearsay are now being practiced under the kin house roofs. Take, for example, the ‘portioning’. Before, your kill is your own food. But since we have kin houses, the kin’s

households come here to share it. If the game is too small, it’s cooked right here and each household gets a bowl with some meat and bones in it. Every such gathering to divide the forest’s gift is a lot of joy,’ elder Arat Hon said. Co Tu kin house is where they discuss the kin’s business. It’s also where the kin’s members, especially young ones, are taught, reminded of the dos and don’ts. Here is where offenders are advised and reprimanded. Conflicts between kin members are also discussed here and will be brought to guol only when the kin cannot resolve it.n Left, above: Nine kin houses and one guol in the centre of Porning Village Right, above: A guol of Porning Village Below: Games’ bones are kept at the kin house to record joy when sharing portion with kin’s households

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FOOD

A fine kettle of fish

The northern village where even the fish-cooking pots are for sale

Above: A fish-stewing village in Ha Nam Province. Photo: Nguyen Huu Thanh. Below: A fish-cooking pot Photo: Huy Thong

pproaching Dai Hoang Village, Hoa Hau Commune, Ly Nhan District of Ha Nam Province, one can smell ginger, alpinia, fish

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sauce, and even the sour touch of lime juice in the smoke coming out of houses alongside the road. At year’s end, fire is burning in the home of almost every family in Dai Hoang. The villagers used to cook fish for their meals and send their children to study elsewhere. Thus, fame of the fish’s flavour spread. Now, people pour into the village not only to taste, but also to buy the simmered fish pots that take a lot of labour. Dai Hoang simmered fish is ordered from abroad, too. Sometimes transportation fees exceed the price of the fish. VND500,000 to VND1 million or even VND2 million for a pot sounds expensive. But it’s fair, considering how meticulous the preparation is. Mr Tran Van Hoan, owner of the

BY KHOI NGUYEN – NGUYEN CUC

simmered fish establishment Ngoc Hoan, was absorbed in preparing the ingredients for a new batch. Carefully lining a pot bottom with thin slices of alpinia, he said, ‘Every detail is important. The thickness of these slices must be just right, so that the fish will have consistent taste from top to bottom. Fish chunks with bigger bones must be placed beneath those with smaller bones.’ Having arranged the fish, he covered it with a layer of alpinia, added squashed ginger, fish sauce, caramel and a bit of lime juice that would soften the smell and make the fish firm, not crumbly. Pointing at dozens of big and small pots merrily bubbling on small fire, Mr Hoan frowned in the smoke, ‘Cooking alone takes more than 10 hours. There must be

somebody there all the time to take care of the fire, no matter what business calls,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said. Experienced villagers can tell by the smell how salty the fish is, or how much water remains in the pot by the bubbling sound. The taste has to be measured carefully. Customers from central Vietnam like it hotter. Southerners like it sweeter. If it is to be sent to Hanoi or Nam Dinh, less salt is added. Dai Hoang Village has about a dozen such establishments. They are busy day and night, all year round, especially during the New Year, from about the tenth of twelfth month till the end of the first lunar month. One shop owner estimates his shop normally makes about 300 pots a day, but during that period they make 700800 pots a day. Minus all expenses, they make about VND200 millions a year.n

Photos: Huy Thong

FOOD

POTTERY

All about the vases

ietnam Heritage has been publishing a series based on 2,000 Years of Vietnamese Ceramics by Nguyen Dinh Chien and Pham Quoc Quan, published by Vietnam National Museum of History, Hanoi, 2005. This month the topic is monochrome gray-blue ceramics. In China, gray-blue ceramics appeared from the Yuan dynasty (1260-1368). However, in Vietnam, they were not produced until the later Le dynasty; mainly vases with bulbous bodies and large bases, and a lamp stand in two parts. Their gray-blue glaze is a rather thick covering on a porous body. A typical example is a vase from a Cu Lao Cham shipwreck with under-glazed flower sprays on the body and lotus-petal collar on the shoul-

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der and base. The lotus petals have squared tips and spirals inside, which are painted in a rather standard style and arrangement. The centre band has floral sprays; more realistic than those from later periods. Meanwhile, Le lamp stands are not inscribed like most of later Le-Mac lamp stands, but often have various dragon motifs somewhat similar to the Tran dragon. During Le-Mac period (1527-1599), grayblue glaze was still preferred for lamp stands and incense burners decorated with dragons and clouds. Many lamp stands are inscribed with the makerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, Dang Huyen Thong, and the production place, Chu Dau kiln (Hai Duong). At that time, gray-blue glaze tended to be thinner and lighter. Moreover, pieces made at different times often have different

glaze tones and decorative patterns. The last phase of Vietnamese gray-blue ceramics occurred in the seventeenth century. Typical examples are the covered ewers with a lion-dog on a globular body, high spout and a flat base.n Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 216 Tran Quang Khai St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn Open: 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed every first Monday of months Above: Gray-blue ceramic lamp stands and incense burners by Dang Huyen Thong, in Mac Dynasty Photos provided by Nguyen Dinh Chien

Mr Tam Lang. Photo: Dang Huynh

CRAFTS

Grasping at threads

he silk village of Tan Chau, in Tan Chau County of An Giang Province, lies on the bank of the Tien River. 86year-old artist Nguyen Van Tan Chau Long, often called Tam Lang, is an old-timer in this region. However, even he doesn’t know exactly from when the craft village has existed. He only knows that as he grew up, he saw his grandmother, mother and sisters spinning and weaving silk, while his father dyed it with the fruit of Diospyros mollis (mac nua); that is the fruit of a variety of ebony. The image of girls wearing jet-black Lanh My A silk in the morning sunlight has hitherto remained an unfading impression in his mind. Mr Tam Lang related that, during the mid-twentieth-century, the Tan Chau silk village was equal in comparison to the three other silk villages of Ha Dong (Hanoi), Hoi An (Quang Nam Province) and Bao Loc (Lam Dong Province). Tan Chau silk, famously called Lanh

One man’s eﬀort to preserve an ancient method of silk dyeing

My A, is woven from silk threads and is only jet-black in colour and does not easily fade. The roll of shiny, soft and cool-to-wear silk is not elastic, and it has been the dream so many women of the times. To mention Lanh My A silk, one must speak of the particular skill of dyeing colours from ebony fruit. When Lanh My A silk is woven, it comes out as white, and then is steeped in a solution made from smashed fruit in clean water. The solution is a dull white, but, once the silk is soaked, it comes out an opaque ebony. To create a piece of Lanh My A silk, the craftsmen must spend more than a month on tasks like soaking the silk in ebony water and wringing and putting the silk out to dry, after which the craftsmen go on to do more.

BY DANG HUYNH

Holding a pile of silk in his hands, Mr Tam Lang spoke about the past. Because the textile frame was rudimentary, it was only 4 decimetres in size. The textile workers had to connect and put together many seams, so it wasn’t very beautiful. After numerous improvements and the passage of close to 40 years, Lanh My A silk came to reach a size of 9 decimetres. When the craft of producing Tan Chau silk flourished from 1930 to 1970, nearly all of Tan Chau Village’s people made a living from the craft of cultivating silk cocoons and weaving silk threads. Wherever one went, one saw verdant gardens and the roots of ebony fruit. All day, the village bustled with the clatter of shuttles working, the beating of the goods and the weaving of silk. Each courtyard was filled with stretches of ebony silk that shone brightly beneath the matutinal sun. Lanh My A silk is not just favoured by consumers within the country, but it is also exported to Cambodia, France, and a number of European countries. In 1987, due to the competitiveness lll

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CRAFTS

lll of composite fabrics, the market for Tan Chau silk gradually diminished. The Tan Chau silk village also fell into decline. People abandoned the trade; others turned to weaving nylon fabrics and embroidery. However, Mr Tam Lang continued to be drawn away by Lanh My A’s ebony colour. Three generations of Tam Lang’s family of craftsmen have pursued the trade of cultivating silk cocoons and weaving silk. As for Tam Lang himself, in his youth he made his livelihood by buying ebony fruits in Cambodia and returning to sell them to silk sewing establishments and dyers. During the 1990’s, Mr Tam Lang purchased and

20 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

gathered textile machinery and silk cocoons from folks in the village to return with and open a Lanh My A silk factory. Tam Lang still remembers meeting a French woman who went by the name Rose, who was a fashion designer and businesswoman in fabrics in Paris. Ms Rose had gone to numerous places with developed technology for cultivating silk cocoons and sewing silk fabrics, places like Thailand and Taiwan as well as many localities in Vietnam. However, it was Lanh My A silk that won over Ms Rose. She purchased orders of Lanh My A silk in great quantities. The only thing that troubled her was why Lanh My A

silk was only ebony in colour. Her concern turned into the disquietude of Mr Tam Lang and his son. After many sleepless nights, Nguyen Huu Tri, Mr Tam Lang’s youngest son, went to embroidery villages of the people of the Mekong Delta, the Central Highlands, and even all the way to Cambodia in order to find and learn the secrets of dyeing. After many unsuccessful attempts to dye with materials like leaves, roots, fruits, and jungle tree bark that may have come out brilliantly for embroidery, but would not lend dyes to Lanh My A silk—the colours faded, lost their shine, or even caused the fabric to shrivel up—and

CRAFTS

experimenting with different environments, temperatures, and methods of dyeing, Tam Lang and his son finally realized their dream of discovering how to lend coloration to Lanh My A silk. Piles of Lanh My A silk fabrics in the colours of amber, lotus petal, clayish, indigo, and ash appeared, to the surprise of all the craftsmen of the silkmaking trade in Tan Chau. ‘I will never forget the day when my own silks were displayed on the world fashion stage’, Mr Tam Lang, said emotionally. It was 2004 when the designer Vo Viet Chung chose Lanh My A silk as the medium for his collection ‘Dreaming of Asia’, which was

presented at the ‘Week-Long Festival of World Fashions’ in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One year later, Vo Viet Chung again used Tan Chau silk to carry out his collection ‘Return to Life’ at the ‘WeekLong Festival of European Fashion’ in Germany, and the artist became the talk throughout the fashion sphere. ‘That’s how it was. For a golden moment [Lanh My A silk] was revived, only to pass away again. Nowadays, people sew nylon silk, and Lanh My A silk becomes rarer day by day’, Mr Tam Lang said. The reason that he was able to maintain the trade was that he has fixed clients outside

the country. Every year, he sews and exports 2,000 metres of Lanh My A silk. Tan Chau silk village was recognized as a trade village in 2006. However, these days, only a few households sew embroidery and fabrics made of nylon silk. The trade of spinning silk and cultivating silkworms and silk cocoons no longer remains.n Opposte, clockwise from top: Weaving thread; Dyeing silk cloths in mac nua liquid; Taking mac nua liquid Clockwise from top, left: Drying silk cloths in the sun; Mac nua fruits; Transporting silk cloths; Dyeing silk cloths by soaking them in mac nua liquid and wringing continuously Photos: Nguyen Vinh Hien

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MEMOIR

Where the heart is

A Nghe An resident illuminates the simple but priceless treasures of her province.

believe that to anyone, whether old or young, rich or poor, successful or unsuccessful, in his or her heart, the image of his native land is always the most beautiful one. Nghe An, a province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam, is indeed the sweetest place to me; where I was born and grew up in my mother’s arms and my father’s love. The memory of the joyful days of my childhood spent in my native 22 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

land in the company of friends and my beloved people will never fade over time. And yet, there is nowhere in Vietnam as miserable as my native land because in the fierce years of the resistance, people here suffered lots of lethal bombings. Moreover, after the war, thousands of mothers lost their children and thousands of wives lost their husbands. The bittersweet truth is that all of those corpses made the soil rich and contributed to making the country more lush and green. I know that my native land is economically poor, but people around me are sentimentally rich. People say that although women in

BY LE THI VAN*

Nghe An aren’t sweet and gentle, they are very loyal. In the war years, they were not only involved in both production and fighting to defend the rear area, but they also longed all night for their husbands and children to return from the battle. Perhaps, only these women could do such wonderful things. If you visit Nghe An even once, you will realize that it is more beautiful than luxurious cities. Referring to Nghe An province means referring to the native land of President Ho Chi Minh. Among the national heroes, he is the person who was simpler, more publicspirited and more unattached to materialism than all others. He is

MEMOIR

the crystallization of the most beautiful quintessence of the country tempered through several thousands of years of history. He is the only Vietnamese man called ‘uncle’ by all generations. Therefore, I am proud of having been born in Nghe An, which gave birth to a person like him. Besides its magnanimous tradition in national defence and construction, the people here are very proud of their learning tradition. If you visit Nghe An, maybe you will be so surprised because most schools are spacious, high-rise buildings. Because its people are fond of learning, Nghe An has given birth to many scholars, outstanding poets and writers such as Ho Xuan Huong and Ho Chi Minh. Every year, most valedictorians in the university entrance

exam come from Nghe An. What a wonderful land! Two thirds of Nghe An province’s land area is forest. The Creator has endowed it with beautiful landscapes for tourism development. Among them is its long coast with pristine beaches, especially Cua Lo, which is considered one of the best in Vietnam, and Pu Mat National Park, which brings a sense of romantic adventure. If you live in Nghe An, you will note that it’s freezing outside in winter and you will huddle in a warm quilted blanket. Yet many farmers still have to sit up late and get up early to work very hard in the fields despite the cold weather. On the other hand, it’s scorching outside in summer. At that time, maybe you just want to hide in your house to avoid the sun. However, in

the fields, many little children do graze cows and cut grass. In each evening, it is calm. A hedge of bamboos is outlined sharply and from the fields, the distant croak of frogs resounds. And in the rice harvest, the golden ears of rice are stacked in rows at the side of the field. The rustle of the stalk of rice is like the sound of browsing cattle. My native land in these days is so busy and animated. In my heart, the image of my native land connects closely with such simple things. And only when seeing people here struggle against floods and storms yearly, can you know why I love my native land so much.n *Le Thi Van is from Nghe An Province. She is a senior English major at the Banking Academy in Hanoi.

Opposite: Quynh Luu Beach, Nghe An Province. Photo: Hoang The Nhiem

Left: A village well in Nghe An Province. Photo: Hoang The Nhiem Right: A relaxing moment in the field, Nghia Phuc Commune, Tan Ky Dist., Nghe An Province. Photo: Sach Nguyen photography

Nghe An Province

BOOK REVIEW

The soul of a city

‘Hanoi Promenade’ captures all that makes the capital city special

ny one who lives in a Vietnamese city never experiences a dull moment. Round every corner, down every alley way, there is something waiting to be discovered. Do look up too-not many people, for example, spot the squirrels running along the telegraph wires even far from the nearest park. I picked up a book recently that rams home the point that he/she who is tired of Vietnam is tired of life. It consists of sections that focus on details of architecture, nature and daily life. It terms these the 'ingredients' that make up a dish called Hanoi. This photographic book may have the look of a slick coffee table tome, but in fact it educates; it

24 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

teaches observance. The title of the book, 'Hanoi Promenade', suggests a stroll through Hanoi might be as healthy and pleasant as a walk along an English beach front. However, the author does acknowledge the hectic bracing nature of the Hanoi streets with a section entitled 'Chaos'. There are photographs of the Gordian knot enmeshment of overhead cables, bustling street markets, congested pavements, ugly building sites and messy streets. Yes, author Martin Rama paints Hanoi, warts and all. Until I came across this book, I had never fully appreciated the variety of design there is in such everyday urban things as balconies, doors and windows, iron-

BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

work and tiles, each of which has its section showing you that in Hanoi, these are all as individual as human faces. Peruse this book and you will have a better understanding of Hanoi's thousand-year-history. There are sections on mansions, places of worship, facades of French-style villas, bold concrete block structures of the Soviet Era, and the Beaux Art style of architecture of the turn of the twentieth century with its stuccos imitating Corinthian columns and floral arrangements. Of course, Hanoi is also a jewel of Art Deco. The book explains the popular movement of the thirties and forties and illustrates its elegant presence in the city. There is also a

BOOK REVIEW

section on Indochine-style edifices that synthesise French and Vietnamese influences. There is plenty of accompanying authoritative text, which if you read, it will soon qualify you for a certified tour guide. Think Hanoi and you also think 'water'. Hanoi is a city of lakes and is flanked by the Red River. There are snaps of life and human activity along the river and homage to the city's central iconic Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword). Another section on Mother Nature celebrates the gardens and parks and treelined avenues of one of Asia's greener cities. As the writer points out, this is not just French influence. Hanoians were adorning the city with bonsais long before they arrived. The author also writes of irrepressible nature manifesting herself in moss on decaying buildings and small

trees to be seen sprouting from crevices and cornices. Of course, besides brick and stone, a city is its people. Think Hanoi and you think of the ancient quarter with the thirty-six streets, each dedicated to a particular trade. Rama, the author, has lovingly caught the artisans at work and their wares with his camera lens. Shopping, too, has not escaped him and let us hope his snapshots of sellers riding bicycles and cyclos dwarfed by the wares they are laden with do not soon become a testimony of a bygone way of life. Hanoians are also depicted at leisure and play-men grouped around a game of mah jong, people seated on plastic chairs enjoying a street snack, young lovers snuggled together on a motorbike parked overlooking a lake. Rama photographs all the things that anyone takes away as a memory of a sojourn in this city.

Yes, do buy this book as a present for the relative who sadly could not make it to Hanoi. It is much better than a T shirt. And yes, this book does make a good souvenir to be taken down from the bookshelf years after your visit to help you to reminisce. More than this, it is an analysis of what goes to make up a great Asian city. And more than that still, it is an educative guide on how to read any city. ‘Hanoi Promenade’: Text and photographs by Martin Rama is published by Hong Duc Publishing House. The Vietnamese version of the book won the 2014 Bui Xuan Phai award of the Ministry of Culture.n

Call Mr Hoang Giang Hai 0904008700 for books.

VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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AN EXCELLENT STOPOVER

Free pick up and drop off. offf. f. Five minutes drive from the airport. Far away from the noise. Restaurants: ts: Buffet, Bufffet, fet, Grill, Korean/Japanese Korean/Japane Restaurant, Beefsteak and Coffee. Cofffee. fee. center,, bingo club, Entertainment & Sport: Swimming pool, tennis courts, gym center sauna/massage.

18 Hoang Viet Street, Tan Binh District, HoChiMinh City.

Tel: (84.8) 38 44 11 99 - 09 35 89 18 18

HISTORY

House of secrets TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TU ANH

A normal-looking residence was an arms cache in ‘The American War’

ocated at 287/70 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist 3, Ho Chi Minh City, a simple house has interested many visitors because it features over two tons of weapons used in the American War. In a book at the house, a tourist wrote that ‘Having seen this house and the bravery of these special people, we can not imagine what they went through. We should all remember this war and appreciate the hurt that war causes.’ Another wrote, ‘Thank you so much for letting us view the secret house. That was so fascinating to see the ingenious methods used to fight the enemy.’ Another wrote, ‘Very interesting visit, amazing what you can do in a small place.’ To prepare for ‘The Tet Offensive 1968’, Viet Cong forces transported weapons and food to bunkers of the households. In early 1967, Tran Van Lai, a member of Saigon Special Force, obeyed the command to buy the

28 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

house to make room for weapons supporting the attack on the Independence Palace. The house is 14.9m in length and 2.5m in width with two secret bunkers. One is underground and is 8m in length, 2m in width and 2.5m in height. On the wall, there are 4 small round exits leading outside. The lid of the bunker includes 6 pieces of bricks and has room for just one person going down. Soil produced by digging the bunkers was put in small rubbish bags and dumped in areas outside Saigon in the evenings. Weapons were hidden in wood coffins, fruit baskets and bamboo rolls carefully transported to the bunkers from Cu Chi, 60 km away from Saigon. Mr Van Lai worked on the bunkers that were so secret that his neighbours

did not suspect their existence. Until 1968, the bunkers concealed two tons of ammunition. ‘The Tet Offensive 1968’ was approaching. However the mission was uncompleted. Most of 17 soldiers attacking the Independence Palace on the night of the first day of the first month were killed. Tran Van Lai and the remainder were arrested. The enemy found the house and shot at it to find Viet Cong. However, they never knew about the bunkers. In 1988, it was recognized as Historical Cultural Vestiges of National Level by the Ministry of Culture. Many mementos of the soldiers are on display in the house. Many holes caused by guns by American soldiers and the Republic of Vietnam are still in the door.n

HISTORY

Opposite: Inside the bunker. Clockwise from top: The lid of the bunker; Weapons hidden in the bottom of fruit basket; A view from below the bunker According to declassified CIA Documents on the Vietnam War, featured on www.americal4ofthe3.com, ‘The Tet Offensive was a military campaign conducted between 30 January and 23 September 1968, by forces of the Viet Cong, or National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, and the North Vietnamese army, or People’s Army of Vietnam, against the forces of the Republic of Vietnam, (South Vietnam), the United States and their allies during the Vietnam War. The purpose of the offensive was to strike military and civilian command and control centres throughout South Vietnam and to spark a general uprising among the population that would then topple the Saigon, government, thus ending the war in a single blow.

The Viet Cong launched a major offensive beginning with a wave of attacks began on the morning of 30 January. This early attack did not, however, cause undue alarm or lead to widespread allied defensive measures. When the main communist operation began the next morning, the offensive was countrywide in scope and well coordinated, with more than 80,000 Viet Cong troops striking more than 100 towns and cities, including 36 of 44 provincial capitals, five of the six autonomous cities, 72 of 245 district towns, and the national capital. The offensive was the largest military operation yet conducted by either side up to that point in the war. The initial Viet Cong attacks stunned allied forces and took them by surprise, but most were

quickly contained and beaten back, inflicting massive casualties on the communists. Although the offensive was a military disaster for Viet Cong forces, it had a profound effect on the American administration and shocked the American public, which had been led to believe by its political and military leaders that the communists were, due to previous defeats, incapable of launching such a massive effort. Except at Hue and mopping-up operations in and around Saigon, the first surge of the offensive was over by the second week of February. The U.S. estimated that during the first phase (30 January – 8 April, 1968) approximately 45,000 communist soldiers were killed and an unknown number were wounded.’

VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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Photos :

Almanity Hoi An:

Alman ity

Hoi An

ADVERTORIAL

Journeys for the soul

t’s hard to find another place in Vietnam reveiling in such a vivid combination of bright and exotic local colour of the ancient and the truly Asian, with the enchanting beauty of simple rural life, peace and tranquillity as much as Hoi An does. When I walk past the suncoloured squat houses made of clay, with old, tiled roofs covered with moss and feral flowers arranged side-by-side in tight, unbroken rows along Tran Hung Dao Boulevard, shaded with mulberry trees and bougainvillea in full bloom, the picturesque surroundings resembles decorations for old, historic movies, and the beauty of the moment being lived through is striking. Bright, new, 4-star Almanity Hoi An where I’m booked fits the town’s serene image perfectly well, both with its intriguing and evocative name and architecture. The lobby pleases the eye with noble-looking and tastefully furnished sitting areas in light hazelnut and beige tones and wide-open space. The reception lounge serves as a gateway into the resort premises, featuring as its name suggests, an impressive courtyard with 2 residential compounds with 30 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

tiled roofs and carved balconies, and a spacentre with a spectacular terraced swimming pool with a freshly-planted tropical garden at its centre. Alma, Spanish word for ‘the soul’, chosen as the main concept of the resort’s operation, plays the keynote in the whole stay here, starting from Almanity Hoi An signature room titles - My Heart, My Mind, My Spirit and My Energy, with inspiring interior design, creative rooms and a unique collection of daily spa journeys in My Chi spa centre inclusive in the room rate. ‘My Mind Room’, where I stayed, featured tasteful modern and Asian antiquechic fusion design with the king-size bed placed on a wooden pedestal under the widespread wings of a quaint ceiling fan, inviting sitting area with cushions on the canvas of a fine ornamental tiled floor, and a very spacious balcony-patio to meditate on the blue waters in the grey stone-bottom pool with nearby atmospheric poolside dining terrace. The bathroom looked equally impressive with a bathtub by the window overlooking the courtyard and old-world inspired copper taps.

BY NATHALIE SOKOLOVSKAYA

The exclusive rooms collection at Almanity Hoi An, designed with creative thought, fine taste and an expert eye for utter modern comfort put in every detail, also includes an open-air Jacuzzi on the balconies at My Heart rooms, 2 levels of My Spirit suites and lots of other exciting and non-trivial solutions with local flair in interior design for aesthetes. The hotel interiors and exteriors are refreshingly modern, organic and pleasant to look at and to stay in, where every facility serves to provide a meaningful and authentic experience of colourful Hoi An discovery in enviable style and with epicurean chic. Inclusive award-winning daily spa journeys at My Chi spa institution offer 90minute-long indulgent and rejuvenating experiences for body and soul to remember with unique concepts incorporating traditional Vietnamese healing practices and natural well-being recipes with shiatsu massage and tai chi as the symbolic reference to Hoi An’s eventful history, which boasts unique multicultural infusions from the time it was a thriving seaport on the crossroads of maritime trade lanes.

ADVERTORIAL My Chi Spa, which claims the title of the biggest spa in Vietnam, is definitely impressive, with grand Asian palace-style décor and dimensions, housing 40 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room, gym, yoga room, beauty salon and meditation area. The massage masters are highly professional, specialising in Shiatsu-type massage using bamboo rolls. Each journey is comprised of a tai chi session or quiet meditation, steam or sauna, a 50-minute signature massage ritual, and finishes with Silent Sanctuary relaxation session altogether promising revitalizing discovery for mind, body and soul through such intriguing spa rituals as Sacred Lotus, Bamboo Hero and Moon Rhythm. Non-resort guests can also discover the signature rituals and other treatments that are available in the My Chi Day Spa menu. There are also daily yoga and tai chi, based on a timetable. Fine gastronomy and gourmet sessions at Four Plates restaurant are no less remarkable. The name refers to the four types of cuisine to choose from; Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian or grilled. The 4 elements concept also fully relates to breakfasts full of flavour and colours, served at the beautifully-designed indoor and poolside seating. The in–house blue bottle bar, with swinging cushions, futuristic shades of blue and many shapes of bottle-inspired décor, specializes in cocktails and infusions, and completes the exquisite collection of Almanity Hoian. Designed with creative thought and fine taste put in every detail, with an overall focus on wellness and boasting a prime location within a few minutes’ walk to atmospheric Ancient Town, Almanity Hoi An offers a memorable, meaningful and visually delightful stay, with truly international standards of comfort and excellent service and can become the right option for a perfect break from the hectic pace of touring Vietnam.n

Almanity Hoi An

326 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Tan An Ward, Hoi An Email: reservation@almanityhoian.com Tel: (0510) 3666-888 www.almanityhoian.com VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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HOSPITALITY

Mr Mark Heather, the Regional Director for Indochina and Indonesia for Absolute Hotel Services

Eastin Group expands to Vietnam

ccording to English time, I was late for a very important date. Luckily, however, according to Standard Vietnamese Rubber Time, I was dead on schedule. There are a number of upper-end hotels on the number four bus route as you near the airport and I had got off at the wrong one. The hotel I needed has recently changed its name and the bell boys at this wrong one had never heard of it. The receptionist, however, told me to walk back townward for five minutes. After seven minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; walking, I decided to ask an intelligent-looking person who confidently pointed me

in the wrong direction. Trying to get confirmation, I asked other passers-by who either scratched their heads or also pointed the wrong way. I stopped a taxi driver who also had no clue about the new hotel name. Luckily, I found an old text message on my phone with the address and he got me there easily within flag fall. So I stepped out of the taxi to see a clear large sign - Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon. And what had I come here to talk about? It was giving a new brand name some recognition! I was greeted by a young lady from Sales and Marketing, and as I walked through the vast lobby,

32 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

I felt as if nothing much had changed. Out at the back, the first class bakery is still in operation and I poked my head into the renowned Cantonese Restaurant, still beautifully decorated with Chinese paintings and oriental furnishings. We sat down to a pot of green tea in the upstairs coffee shop in exactly the same place as I interviewed a manager of the previous regime. One thing in my mind is that the famed Swiss name that managed this property until a month ago is going to be a hard act to follow. Soon bounding onto the scene arrived Mr Mark Heather. Energetic and enthusiastic, he is

BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

not you stereotypical English man. I had expected to meet this hotel's General Manager, but as Mark introduced himself I learned that he is the Regional Director for Indochina and Indonesia for AHS - Absolute Hotel Services - the company behind the Eastin brand. I also learned there are in fact three brands. These are (using Vietnamese classification) - at the three star level - Eastin Easy, at four star - Eastin and at five star Eastin Grand. Already well known in India, Thailand and elsewhere, Mr Heather is currently focusing his efforts at establishing the name Eastin in

Vietnam. There is an Eastin Easy in Hanoi and another major property under AHS management in Sapa. Plans are also under way for a beach hotel at Cam Ranh near the airport for Nha Trang. Within minutes, it is clear that Mark is passionate about the hospitality industry in general and specifically in Indochina, having had wide experience of running hotels in Hai Phong and Laos. We both lament the fact that tourism is in the doldrums in Vietnam with eleven consecutive months of decline. We broach the thorny old issue of visa prices being far too high and bothersome to arrange. Inevitably we compare with Thailand where Mark has worked a lot. ‘Vietnam needs to have some general planning strategy like Thailand, which year by year concentrates on promoting a particular destination’, he opines. The talk moves on to discuss how you establish a new brand name. Ultimately, things establish themselves by their own bush is the argument. Mark says he is concentrating on the delivery of a high-quality product with great value for money. He does not see the Eastin Grand will be affected by the current downturn as it caters for business and airline folk. ‘We want customers who come away telling others, I had a great room with great food and great guest services’ says Mark. He admits the previous company was a class act, but believes Eastin is able to surpass them. He does not propose sweeping changes and in particular he has retained all staff whilst bringing in a little 'new blood' from Thailand. He is passionate about improving the

room-the bed, the linen, and towels. There are plans, too, to put the stamp of Eastin Grand on the hotel by re-decorating the lobby. Another strategy to gain quick name recognition, Mark says, is to invite such groups as taxi drivers to a talk and give them a drink and Eastin T-shirt. Smart ploy! We talk about the company's property in the mountain resort of Sapa with its exotic minority people. This is under the brand U Hotel. ‘It’s an experience hotel’, he says. He shows a great love for the minorities and enthusiasm for introducing guests to their ways of life. It is clear we have a kindred experience of adventure but although we are roughly of the same age Mark is in much better shape than me for carrying this out. ‘I have always wanted to climb Fansipan’ (Vietnam's highest point), I tell him, ‘Oh I have plans on doing by mountain bike’, Mark tells me, as he produces from his pocket a photograph of himself with his bike in the Sapa mountains. It is a pleasure for me to pass on the introduction Mark Heather kindly gave me to this new kid on the Vietnam block to you, the reader. There is new choice both for the business person and those of you who come to Vietnam for the experience. With Mr Heather at the helm, it looks as if we are in for not only great comfort, but also great service and cultural treats.n

The Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

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

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY around 40 degrees Celsius and 39 degrees in the northern region.

VN plans to bring tourists to Spratly Islands

Street vendors fined for overcharging foreign tourists in HCMC

Thanh Nien News, 26 May Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 have fined five street vendors VND150,000 (nearly $7) each for selling coconuts to foreign tourists at prices five to 20 times what locals pay. Nguyen Vo Phuong Quynh, chairwoman of Ben Thanh Ward, said her ward is trying to impose ‘strict penalties’ to stop the problem of street vendors harassing tourists. The problem is most common in the downtown area near the palace, war museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market. Tourists can call a hotline at 08 39826371 to meet officials from District 1 for assistance if they have trouble with street vendors or for other security concerns.

Vietnam airport shut down as heat wave cracks runway

Thanh Nien News, 29 May The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam closed Cat Bi Airport in the northern city of Hai Phong for a day on 28 May after a runway was found cracked, possibly due to the heat. A heat wave has blanketed the region, with the city recording over 39°C (102°F) that day. Technicians sent to inspect the crack concluded that it had been caused by the heat. Earlier this month, a heat wave took temperatures in the central region to 34 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

Thanh Nien News, 4 June Ho Chi Minh City government on Tuesday ordered its tourism and transport departments and travel companies to conduct a feasibility study for tours to Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands in the East Sea. The HCMC People’s Committee asked the departments, agencies and companies to quickly finish their reports so that the first tour to Truong Sa can be launched on 22 June. The city hall said the pilot tours will pave way for the official operation of Truong Sa as a tourist destination, as approved by the city’s Party unit. It also tasked the Saigon Newport Corporation with seeking the approval from the Ministry of Defence to use ships for the tours.

Vietnam to expand Tan Son Nhat airport

Thanh Nien News, 4 June The international terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will be expanded under a $105.8 million project launched in the middle of this month. The work will be completed around 26 months later and the expanded terminal will be able to receive 13 million passengers a year, compared to 10 million at the moment. The project is part of a bigger plan to upgrade the capacity of the country's largest airport to 26 million passengers a year. Tan Son Nhat received more than 22 million passengers last year. According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, the domestic terminal will also be expanded and there will be more parking spaces. In the meantime, lawmakers are expected to vote later this month on the government's plan to build the $15.8 billion Long Thanh airport in neighbouring Dong Nai Province to replace Tan Son Nhat.

Vietnam opens primary school on Truong Sa (Spratly)

Tuoi Tre News, 19 May An elementary school has been inaugurated on Song Tu Tay Island, part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea. The inauguration ceremony was conducted on Monday with the participation of a Ho Chi Minh City delegation that visited a number of islands belonging to Truong Sa, which is a district of the southcentral province of Khanh Hoa. Also participating in the event were representatives from the High Command of Naval Zone 4, the naval force on the island, and islanders. The school has two floors and six rooms, including a dormitory for teachers and a water tank with a capacity of 90m³.

Vietnam introduces code to combat sexual harassment at work

Tuoi Tre News, 26 May A code of conduct for the prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces was announced by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs and the International Labour Organization Office in Vietnam. The code is necessary, as the current Labour Code, which has four articles relating to sexual harassment, has failed to provide a clear definition of sexual harassment. Written in the code, sexual harassment at workplaces includes both physical contact and verbal and non-verbal acts.

Capsule hotels offer new appeal

Tuoi Tre News, 1 June Apart from staying in luxury resorts or conventional hotels, tourists on a limited budget to Ho Chi Minh City, particularly backpackers, can now choose to stay in capsule hotels. A capsule hotel is a type of hotel developed in Japan that features a large number of extremely small ‘rooms’ (capsules) intended to provide affordable, basic accommodation for guests who do not require the services offered by more conventional hotels.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Despite their limited space, the imported ‘sleeping bags’ are all equipped with a television set, Wi-Fi, an air-conditioner and headphones so that guests can enjoy their TV programs or music without disturbing their neighbours. Guests are also entitled to the use of a code-operated locker which is wide enough for a large suitcase.

Half of Vietnam’s population infected with parasitic worms

Tuoi Tre News, 2 June Vietnam has more than 45 million people infected with intestinal worms, which deprive 1.5 million liters of blood from their hosts and cause many health problems, a health official has said. The head of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology released the striking figures at a recent ceremony in Hanoi, launching a program to call on people to worm themselves twice per year to protect their health. Environmental hygienic conditions in Vietnam are still poor while the country’s hot and humid tropical climate is very suitable for the survival, development and spread of intestinal worms in the environment.

HCMC to collect road fees

Tuoi Tre News, 3 June Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City will begin to collect road maintenance fees as of July under a recent decision made by the municipal People’s Committee, thus becoming the last local government in Vietnam to apply such fees to bikers. Under the decision, owners of motorbikes with engines of up to 100 cubic centimeters (cc) will have to pay VND50,000 ($2.30) per annum, and those who own bikes with 100-175 cc engines will be liable for a higher rate, VND100,000 ($4.60) per year. As for bikes with engines of over 175 cc, the fee rate will be VND150,000 ($6.90) per year. No fee will be imposed on electric bicycles. Failure to pay the fee will lead to a fine that is two or three times the payable fee amount, but the highest fine is set at VND50 million ($2,300).

Experts call to save the Dong Nai River Viet Nam News, 14 May

Scientists and experts have renewed their calls to the National Assembly and the Government to take prompt actions to save the Dong Nai River in southern Dong Nai Province. The 610km river is believed to be the third longest river in the country, running through 10 provinces and HCM City and supplying water to nearly 20 million people. Experts say that a planned residential project will affect the river's flow and have a negative impact on its ecology. The request was made at a workshop organised by the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Association, the National Institute for Legislative Studies and the Viet Nam River Network.

Ancient town to launch tourism promotions

Viet Nam News, 22 May The ancient town of Hoi An has launched a variety of tourism promotions between May and August. Promotions include a free ticket to the old quarter for visitors staying at a homestay or hotel in the town. Restaurants and tailors will also offer promotions of 10 to 20 per cent discounts, while hotels and resorts offer 10 to 40 per cent discounts for tourists during the three-month promotion. Also, a series of cultural programmes will be organised in July in celebration of summer holidays, including the Friday Street Food Festival, the Hoi An Carpentry Crafts Day, and lantern releasing in the Hoai River.

Road accident deaths down

Viet Nam News, 25 May Vietnam recorded as many as 9,318 road traffic accidents in five months, from 16 December to 15 May, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee. The committee's secretariat said the number of accidents, deaths, and injuries have decreased compared to the same period last year. The number of traffic accidents is down more than 1,450 cases, or 13.5 per cent, whereas the number of deaths is 193 less and injuries down 2,000 against the May, 2014 figures. In May of this year alone, some 1,734 traffic accidents occurred, killing 708 people and injuring 1,484 others.

Government to take action on tree-cutting fiasco

Viet Nam News, 28 May The Government Office yesterday said officials responsible for the tree-cutting fiasco in Hanoi would be formally reprimanded in June. The Office closely monitored the situation following the Hanoi inspectors' report, which asked the city authorities to review their responsibilities and said the implementation of the project was done hastily. The inspectors' report said the construction department did not consult scientists and local residents about the project. At least 500 trees on nine streets were cut down before the city halted the work. Under the $3.4-million landscaping project, 6,700 trees on 190 streets were supposed to be cut down.

Vietnam to offer visa waivers

Bloomberg, 4 June Vietnam will offer more visa exemptions and set up a $100 million tourism fund to promote the country’s attractions in a bid to reverse a drop in foreign visitors that’s hurting the economy. ‘The hassle of getting a visa is seriously hampering Vietnam in attracting tourists,’ Nguyen Van Tuan, head of the National Administration of Tourism, said in an interview in Hanoi Wednesday. ‘The application process is easier, faster and more convenient in other countries in the region.’ Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has agreed to offer ‘unilateral visa exemptions’ to countries that have sent high numbers of visitors to Vietnam in recent years, Tuan said. Vietnam offered visa exemptions to visitors from Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland, starting this year until 2019. Tourism officials have asked Premier Dung to add nine more countries: France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the UK, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Tourist arrivals in the Southeast Asian nation fell for a fifth month in May, with the biggest declines from China, Cambodia and Thailand. The planned fund will be used to train workers in the industry, hold road shows and set up tourism offices overseas, Tuan said. VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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EVENTS HANOI

EXHIBITIONS Classic paintings Till 16 June

Artist Ly Truc Son presents his painting exhibition at L’Espace till 16 June. The paintings were worked on from 1986-1989. The artist was born in Hue and lived in the Red River Delta, where he nurtured his soul with culture and music. Inspired by a favourite female character, Xuy Van, in chèo performances, his paintings on dó paper are about her. Entrance free. L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3936-2164 German winter-inspired art Till 20 June

A painting exhibition by artist Do Tuan Anh is on at Manzi Art Space till 20 June. His paintings were created in 2015, after two years in Solingen, a small city in Germany. ‘Finding myself lost in a completely different social structure, experiencing culture shock, being obsessed with the bleak winter landscape in a strange land, this series of paintings was created as a projection of collision between the outer world and my inner state’, said the artist. Combining contradictory conditions of dream and reality, Do

Tuan Anh painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision and created strange creatures with everyday objects. By showing his quirky side, pairing up people and animals with wit and irony, the artist is telling a surrealist tale in an oriental way. Manzi Art Space, 14 Phan Huy Ich St, Hanoi Diversity without boundaries Till 24 June The series of photographic portraits by Alisher Sharip will be displayed at Chula till 24 June. The photos represent the diversity of Hanoi, home to people from all around the world. By stepping out of the stream of daily routine and creating unconventional images, the participants question the concept of ethnicity itself and attempt to demonstrate how contemporary cities eliminate ethnic boundaries and create global citizens. Chula, 6 Nhat Chieu, near Water Park, Tay Ho, Hanoi. Open hours: everyday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. MUSIC Ludwig at L’Espace 24 and 25 June

A music performance will be held at 8 p.m. on 24 and 25 June at L’Espace, with conductor Dong Quang Vinh, clarinettist Tran Khanh Quang and artists from Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra performing some works by Beethoven. L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hanoi, tel: (04) 39362164. Ticket: VND160,000. Members of L’Espace and students enjoy half price. A cornucopia of music 20 and 21 June Sofitel Legend Metropole

36 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

Hanoi will hold music nights to evoke the sounds of summer on 20 and 21 June at the hotel. At Le Beaulieu Restaurant, there is a string quartet performance at 7 p.m. At Spices Garden Restaurant, live Vietnamese folk music is offered. At Le Club Bar, Kathryn Farmer performs live jazz music from 8.45 p.m. onwards. From 9 p.m. until late, a French DJ will perform. Entrance free. LGBT awareness concert 20 June

The second ASEAN Price Music Festival will be held on 20 June, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the American Club, to raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. The festival will showcase the quality and diversity of American and South East Asian musicians, with the performances by U.S. indie rock band Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down, Huong Giang Idol, Malaysia’s O.J. Law, Thai girl rockers Yellow Fang, Saigon’s COCC, To Lam and his high-heel dance troupe, and DJ Lotus Disco. American Club, 19-21 Hai Ba Trung St, Hanoi. Tickets: Advance tickets are VND100,000. Door tickets will be VND200,000. Classical concert 4 July A night concert will be performed at 8 p.m. on 4 July at the Concert Hall of Vietnam National Academy of Music with the participation of conductor Tran Vuong Thach, violin soloist Tran Le Quang Tien and artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. Program includes Violin Concerto in E minor, op.64 of Felix Mendelssohn and Sym-

phony No.7 in D major, op.60 of Antonin Dvorak. Tickets from VND200,000 to VND500,000. Tickets are available at Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi. Or call at 0913489858 for free delivery. Concert Hall of Vietnam National Academy of Music, 77 Hao Nam St, Dong Da Dist, Hanoi. Farmer at Le Club Till 30 August African-American Jazz diva Kathryn Farmer will perform from Tuesday to Sunday at 8.45p.m. till 30 August at Le Club of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi.

FILM European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival Till 19 June The 7th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival will be held at the National Studio for Documentary and Scientific Film, 465 Hoang Hoa Tham St, Hanoi. Each evening at

7 p.m. from 10 to 19 June, a film from Vietnam will be followed by a film from Denmark, Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Spain or Sweden. Entrance free. Go to www.hanoigrapevine.com for the schedule.

OTHER Flea market for charity 28 June The Centre for Women and Development (CWD) will organize a Charity Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 28 June at the centre. There will be a fair featuring new and second-hand clothing, accessories and household items, music performances and international cuisine.

The purchase will support two Peace House Shelters for women and child victims of domestic violence and human trafficking operated by CWD, a non-profit organisation directly subordinate to the Vietnam Women’s Union. Centre for Women and Development, 20 Thuy Khue St, Hanoi.

NHA TRANG

Sea Festival 11-14 July

A Nha Trang Sea Festival, with the theme ‘Peace and Creation’, will be held in Nha Trang City from 11 to 14 July. The event includes a marine cultural heritage exhibition, a document exhibition about the Paracel and Spratly Islands, ‘Summer 2015 – Tourism Fair’, traditional games, an art kite contest, women’s beach volleyball international championship and national beach handball championship. There will be also international art troupes from Korea, France, Japan, Russia and America. Water Puppetry Afternoon and evening everyday Nha Trang Water Puppetry Theatre stages 16 performances per week, which depict stories of Vietnam’s pastoral life and history and re-create traditional dances. On the performing list are excerpts from famed plays and tunes in ‘tuong’ (traditional Vietnamese opera) and ‘bai choi’ (the central Vietnamese region’s folk game and art), folk songs and dances of ethnic communities living across the province, and traditional music performances. The theatre hosts three shows

at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and two shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the remaining days. Nha Trang Water Puppetry Theatre, 46 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. A walk to remember Holiday Diving Company has launched ‘Sea Walking’ at Hon Tam Island, Nha Trang. Everyone, old or young, swimmer or nonswimmer, can get to the bottom of the sea. Tourists wear a special helmet with oxygen supply and follow a tour guide on a walk for 15 to 20 minutes on the seabed at a depth of 4 to 6 metres to view coral and other sea creatures and feed the fish. Ticket: VND800,000/person Holiday Diving Company, 2D Lam Son, Phuoc Hoa, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: 0935.626.090 Snakes alive!

June at the Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. The photos have been selected from an archive of more than 200,000 negatives from the École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO). The photos are extremely valuable in terms of Vietnam’s life and culture during the first half of the 20th century. 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. Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays. ‘Open’ with metal Till 28 June An exhibition, titled ‘Open’, by sculptor Luong Van Viet is on at Eight Gallery till 28 June. The exhibition includes 16 medium and small artworks on metal. Since graduating from the Hanoi Fine Arts University in 2002, Luong Van Viet always uses metal in his artworks. Eight Gallery, Lafayette Building, 8 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Goodbye, meat Till 4 July

EVENTS

icality and materiality. The artists also make reference to Carne Vale as ‘Carnival’, the costume festival of religious origins (where masks are obligatory) occurring before the start of Lent, during which eating meat is prohibited. Providing a visual diary of the tensions between human and nature, and of esoteric and imagined rituals, the exhibition digs into the very core of our existence. Galerie Quynh, Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3836-8019. Open hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Sundays and Mondays

Mirror of the soul Till 30 July San Art presents the works of resident artists Tran Tuan from Hue, Ta Minh Duc from Hanoi and Orawan Arunrak from Bangkok at Saigon Domaine till 30 July. The artworks include installation, video and photography, all investigating the power of self-reflection, juxtaposed against distinctive social and historical contexts in Vietnam. Saigon Domaine, 1057 Binh Quoi, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City. Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. Asian artefacts Till 31 October

Nha Trang Snake Show has opened at Phuoc Dien Village, Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang. The centre is 5,000 meters square, including a snake zoo with 20 rare species, a stage with 400 seats to watch professional artists perform with snakes, and a souvenir shop with products made from snake skin. Each show lasts 20 minutes. Ticket: VND150,000

HO CHI MINH CITY

EXHIBITIONS Valuable photo show Till 28 June More than 100 rare images of Vietnam are on display till 28

‘Carne Vale’, an exhibition by Nadège David and Sandrine Llouquet, is on at Galerie Quynh till 4 July. The exhibition displays artworks including drawing, sculpture and installation that reveal a poetic dimension to our human condition through disconcerting, yet strangely familiar imagery. Carne Vale can be literally translated from Latin, according to folk etymology, as ‘farewell to meat’. In the exhibition, the adieu is to the flesh, to our human phys-

Some 250 artefacts, most of them never before shown in public, are on display till 31 October at the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. The items on show at ‘A 40year collection of artefacts’ exhibition include a gemstone earring in a skull dating back 2,500 years, a bronze jar from the 1st-3rd

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EVENTS

centuries, and ceramic oil lamps from the 19th-20th centuries. They have been excavated, gifted, or bought over the past 40 years. While most of the items belong to Vietnamese cultures, some are from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Laos, and Myanmar.

THEATRE AO! AO Show is on at Opera House at 6 p.m. on 17, 18, 25, 26, 30 June and 8 p.m. on 20, 21, 28 June. A O Show is a new kind of art performance, acknowledged globally 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.

val will be held till 20 June at the Hoa Sen University, 8 Nguyen Van Trang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. See Hanoi section for more information.

FAIRS Floating fruit market Till the end of September

Tickets range from VND504,000 to VND1,176,000. Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-9976

FILM European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival Till 20 June The 7th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festi-

38 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

Southern Fruit Festival 2015 will be organized at Suoi Tien Theme Park in District 9, Ho Chi

Minh City from 1 June and lasts for three months. The festival features a floating fruit market with more than 70 boats, collections of rare and huge fruits from the countryside in Vietnam and international art performances. Safe foods fair 20 and 21 June, 18 and 19 July, 22 and 23 August Saigon Green Fair is a monthly activity at Café D’anver, with 30 stalls selling safe food, organic products and environmentally friendly products. It is aimed to create a 'playground' for citizens and tourists and build good habits for using safe and clean food. There will be other activities, including a talk show about how to recognize clean food, live music, food fair and a lucky draw. The event will be held on 20 and 21 June, 18 and 19 July, 22 and 23 August. Café D’anver, 96B Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Entrance free.

HOTELS

Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi

20 Phan Chu Trinh St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3944-9396 www.hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi is offering a 25 per cent discount on room rates for those who stay from 14 May to 31 October. Guests are recommended booking at least three days in advance. The special offer is valid till 30 June.

get a 100 per cent discount on the third night. The offers are valid till 31 October. It costs VND3,150,000 per room per night including breakfast, service charge and VAT.

An Lam Saigon River

21/4 Trung St, Vinh Phu Ward, Thuan An Dist., Binh Duong Province Tel: (0650) 3785-555

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 1 Le Thanh Ton St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 www.hanoi.hilton.com

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel is offering a 30 per cent discount on room rates for those who stay from 14 May to 31 October. Guests are recommended booking at least three days in advance. The special offer is valid till 30 June.

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 Movenpick Hotel Hanoi is offering a discount voucher of $20 (VND400,000) on food and beverage at the Mangosteen Restaurant and Lounge 83 for those who book through www.moevenpick-hotels.com/hanoi for stays till 30 June.

Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel

3 Hoa Binh Boulevard, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho City Tel: (0710) 6252-414 www.ninhkieuhotel.com Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel has a promotion till 30 September. The prices start from VND735,000 per room per night in a Standard Room to VND1,880,000 per room per night in a Suite Room. The prices include breakfast, service charge and VAT. Surcharge is VND250,000 for the third person.

The Island Lodge

390 Ap Thoi Bình, Thoi Son Ward, My Tho City Tel:(073) 6519-000 www.theislandlodge.com.vn The Island Lodge is offering a 50 per cent discount on the second night for those who book two nights. Those who book three nights

VALUE FOR MONEY

Tel: (057) 3789-999 www.vietstarresort.com VietStar Resort & Spa has a ‘Summer Package’ at VND1,890,000++ per room per night in a Superior Room with breakfast, a half day excursion to visit Mang Lang church and Da Dia Rock Reef or excursion to Tuy Hoa City and electronic car to Bai Xep Beach. Surcharge is VND315,000 per room per night for public holiday. The package is applicable for those who book at least two nights and valid till 30 September.

Bavico International Hotel

An Lam Saigon River is offering a ‘Summer Promotion 2015’, with prices starting from VND6,000,000 per An Lam Suite per night to VND15,910,000 per Riverfront Pool Villa 2 Bedrooms per night. The prices include breakfast, lunch and shuttle boat transfers to city. The promotion is valid till 30 September.

RESORTS AND SPAS

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has a 105minute spa package at VND2,700,000++, including Clarins body exfoliation with bamboo powder and body massage with lemon thyme. The offer is valid till 30 June.

Sun Spa Resort

My Canh, Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3842-999 www.sunsparesortvietnam.com

2 Phan Boi Chau St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 6266-555 www.bavicohotelnhatrang.com Bavico International Hotel is offering a ‘Summer Promotion’ at VND1,369,000 per room per night. It is valid till 31 October.

Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel

38 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3889-999 www.havanahotel.vn Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel has a ‘Summer Promotion’ till 30 June. There is a 20 per cent discount on room rates. Also, those who book at least three consecutive nights will get a 25 per cent discount.

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang

Beachside Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-705 www.sixsenses.com/evason-resorts/ana-mandara/destination Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang is offering a special promotion with the price starting from VND3,500,000++ per room per night, including breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, adventure activities and wellness programs. The offer applies to Vietnamese residents and expatriates. It is valid till 30 June.

Novotel Nha Trang Hotel

Sun Spa Resort has a package ‘Stay More, Pay Less’ till 5 September. Those who stay 3 nights pay 2.5 nights. Those who stay 2 nights will get a 15 per cent discount on the room rates.

VietStar Resort & Spa

Nui Thom, An Phu, Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province

50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6256-900 www.novotel-nhatrang.com InBalance Spa, at the Novotel Nha Trang Hotel, is offering a 60-minute body massage at VND490,000.

Galina Hotel & Spa

5 Hung Vuong St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3839-999 www.galinahotel.com.vn Galina Hotel & Spa is offering a ‘Sea Festival Package’ at VND3,900,000 per room in a Superior City View for two nights with American VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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VALUE FOR MONEY

buffet for two, complimentary mud bath, sauna & steam bath, and a 60-minute body massage for two.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

Ninh Van Bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-268 www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-van-bay/destination Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is offering a special promotion with the price starting from VND6,900,000++ per villa per night, including breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, adventure activities and wellness programs. The offer is for Vietnamese residents and expatriates. It is valid till 30 June.

Sandunes Beach Resort & Spa

5 Quarter, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3748-868 www.sandunesbeach.com

idays and weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The price includes service charge and VAT.

Binh An Village Resort

Tuyen Lam Lake, Ward 4, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3800-999 www.binhanvillage.com

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

Binh An Village Resort is offering a ‘Summer Package 2015’ for those who book at least two nights. It costs VND2,519,000++per room per night in a Suite Room for two with breakfast, lunch or dinner, shuttle bus to Dalat centre, biking, fishing and kayaking on the Tuyen Lam lake. The promotion is valid till 30 September.

Dalat Edensee Resort

Sandunes Beach Resort & Spa has a ‘Summer Promotion’ at VND1,399,000 per room per night in a Deluxe Ocean View Room with breakfast, lunch or dinner, a 10 per cent discount on beverage at the restaurant and a 10 per cent discount on a Mui Ne tour. The offer is valid till 31 October.

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa

Le Lai St, Ward 5, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3555-888 www.anamandara-resort.com Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa is offering a promotion; ‘Summer Family Escape’ till 30 September. The prices range from VND3,150,000 per room per night in a Villa Studio for 2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults. The price includes breakfast, a credit of VND500,000 for food and beverage at Le Petit Restaurant, round trip airport transfers, a 20 per cent discount on spa services, a 10 per cent discount on food and beverage and excursion, mini golf, gifts and learning to collect seasonal vegetables in the green garden for kids from 8 to 12. The promotion is applicable for those who book at least two nights. Surcharge is VND630,000 per room per night on public hol40 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

package includes a revitalizing facial, a tailored 60-minute Balinese massage, a 30-minute foot reflexology and unlimited use of the sauna, herbal steam room, Jacuzzi, swimming pool and fitness centre. The price is VND2,000,000. The price includes service charge and VAT. There will be a test ride on Ducati Scrambler Icon Yellow for those who win in the lucky draw in the end of June.

Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3831-515 www.dalatedensee.com

88 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is offering a special promotion for bookings and stays from now till 31 December, 2015. It costs VND4,225,000++ per room per night in a Premier Deluxe Room with buffet breakfast at Saigon Café and a spa credit of VND1,000,000 at Aqua Day Spa.

Six Senses Con Dao

Dat Doc Site, Con Dao Dist, Ba Ria Vung Tau Province Tel: (064) 3831-222 www.sixsenses.com/resorts/con-dao/ destination Six Senses Con Dao is offering a special promotion with the price starting from VND7,500,000++ per villa per night including breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, free access to the children’s club and activity program. The offer is applied for Vietnamese residents and expatriates. It is valid till 31 October.

Mango Bay Resort

Dalat Edensee Resort has a ‘Summer Revival Package’ till 31 October. It costs VND5,880,000 per room for two nights for two in a Mimosa Superior Room with breakfast, a dinner, two vouchers for a 60-minute treatment at La Roseraie Spa, sports and entertainment activities, round-trip airport transfers and a shuttle bus to Dalat City. An extra night is VND2,100,000 per room. The prices include service charge and VAT.

Caravelle Hotel

19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 www.caravelle.com Kara Salon & Spa, at the Caravelle Hotel, is offering a full-day retreat package for men on the occasion of Father’s Day till 30 June. The

Ong Lang beach, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3981-693 www.mangobayphuquoc.com Mango Bay Resort has a package ‘Stay 3 Pay 2’ till 31 October. The prices start from VND1,320,000 ($60)++ per room per night for two with breakfast and round-trip airport transfers.

OTHERS

Windsor Plaza Hotel

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

Windsor Plaza Hotel has been recognized as a Trip Advisor® Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame winner. The ‘Certificate of Excellence’ award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveller reviews on Trip Advisor. The ‘Hall of Fame’ was created to honour those businesses that have earned a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ for five consecutive years. Winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience.

New Vietjet route

Vietjet has announced the opening of its new route linking Ho Chi Minh City and Seoul with seven return flights per week. On 7 November, 2015, the inaugural flight will depart from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 00:15 (local time) and arrive in Incheon International Airport at 07:25 (local time). The return flight will take off from Incheon International Airport at 11:20 (local time) and arrive in Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 14:50 (local time). On this occasion, Vietjet offers up to 50,000 lucky tickets, with the price starting from VND0. Promotional tickets are sold only from 12:00 to 14:00 from 18 June to 25 June at its website www.vietjetair.com, or facebook: www.facebook.com/vietjetvietnam. Travel periods for Ho Chi Minh City – Seoul route and Hanoi – Seoul route are 7 November, 2015 to 27 March, 2016 and 7 July, 2015 to 27 March, 2016, respectively. Payment can be made online with international Internet banking cards.

FOOD PROMOTIONS

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel

360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 www.daewoohotel.com In June, Edo Restaurant, at the Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, serves Japanese cuisine with a highlight of otoro, the most desired part of the tuna belly, exported directly from Japan. Guests can choose the way to prepare the otoro such as sashimi, sushi or teppanyaki. Price from VND1,200,000 a portion of otoro.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Melia Hanoi Hotel

44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343 www.melia.hanoi@melia.com At El Patio Restaurant, at the Melia Hanoi Hotel, Executive Chef Philip Nock will prepare ‘Father’s Day lunch’ on 21 June, from 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. at VND905,000++ for adults and VND515,000++ for children under 10 with free flow of house wine, draught beer, sangria cocktails and soft drinks.

Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection

39 Dao Duy Tu St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3950-777 Wakaku Sushi Restaurant, at the Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection, has an ‘All You Can Eat Sushi & Yakitori’, every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at VND490,000 ++ per person.

Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel 59, 61 Pasteur, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5678 www.odysseahotels.com

InterContinental Nha Trang 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777

Cookbook Café Restaurant, at the Intercontinental Nha Trang, serves ‘Tastes of Asia Buffet’, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday, including Peking duck, Singaporean black pepper crab, Hong Kong roasted pig, pad Thai, Japanese sushi and curry. VND 650,000++ including free flow of Tiger Draught Beer and live music.

Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

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

Hotel Nikko Hanoi

84 Tran Nhan Tong St, Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-3535 www.hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn Taoli Chinese Restaurant, at the Hotel Nikko Hanoi, serves ‘All You Can Eat Dim Sum Menu’ for Saturday and Sunday lunch in June, with a selection of 45 signatures, dim sum and dessert. VND350,000++ per person.

and dinner buffet from 19 June. Lunch (Monday – Friday): VND399,000++. Dinner (Friday – Sunday): VND799,000++. Surcharge is VND140,000++ for beverage, including free flow soft drinks and beer. The restaurant offers promotions; ‘4 dine pay 2, 8 dine pay 4, and 12 dine pay 6’.

Café Saigon, at the Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon, will serve ‘The Taste of Thai’ with lunch

The Bistro, at the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel, serves ‘Tapas & Tippels’ with a variety of tapas and desserts in Vietnamese and European styles. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. VND199,000++ including a draught Tiger beer or a soft drink. VND299,000++ including free flow of draught beer and soft drinks.

ParkRoyal Saigon

309B – 311 Nguyen Van Troi St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3842-1111 www.parkroyalhotels.com Garden Brasserie Restaurant, at the ParkRoyal Saigon, presents a feast of Filipino dishes from 15 to 21 June by chefs Renato Guillera and Teddy Castro from Pan Pacific Manila Hotel. The dishes include ensaladang Filipina, green mango and shrimp paste salad with salted egg, Vigan Longganisa, fried pork knuckles (crispy pasta), adobo, crispy pork belly (lechon kawali), kare-kare (traditional Filipino stew complimented with a thick savoury peanut sauce), buko pandan and a wide spread of other mouth-watering Filipino favourites. Also available is an array of fresh seafood on ice for dinner, including soft shell crabs, salmon, oysters, swimming crabs, tiger and king prawns, scallops and fragrant snails as well as imported New Zealand beef and lamb. Buffet lunch, from 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. daily at VND529,000++. Buffet dinner, from 6.30 p.m.-10.30 p.m. daily at VND799,000++.

Rates may be subject to 5-per-cent service charge and 10-per-cent VAT if there is no statement to the contrary. VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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BUYABLE

Dog; from VND30,000

Elephant; from VND30,000

Zebra; from VND30,000

Chicken; from VND30,000

Frog; from VND30,000

Dinosaur; from VND50,000

DOMA VINA CO., LTD

50C Tran Binh Trong St, Ward 5, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3550-0558 Email: info@papercraft.com.vn www.papercraft.com.vn These products use quilling art from coloured corrugated paper. Each product has many sizes.

Christmas ornaments; from VND30,000 42 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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 VND2,100,000 ($100) Holiday Sapa Hotel 16 Muong Hoa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-874 Email: info@holidaysapa.com www.holidaysapa.com VND588,000 to VND2,100,000 ($28 to $100) Mường Thanh Sapa Hotel No 044, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.muongthanh.vn From VND900,000 ($43) Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: info@royalsapahotel.com www.royalsapahotel.com

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 From VND1,600,000 ($76) Halong Hidden Charm Hotel Block 22D, Tuan Chau Villas, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-360 infor.halonghiddencharmhotel@gmail.com

www.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND350,000 ($17) Halong Palace Hotel 1, Block 20 Dong Hung Thang, Hoang Quoc Viet St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3619-819 Email: info@halongpalacehotel.com www.halongpalacehotel.com From VND3,800,000 ($181) Halong Plaza Hotel 8 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-810 Email: info@halongplaza.com www.halongplaza.com VND1,500,000 to VND3,800,000 ($71 to $179) Heritage Halong Hotel 88 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-888 Email: saleheritagehl@gmail.com www.heritagehalonghotel.com.vn VND2,310,000 ($110)

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

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

BARS & CAFÉS

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

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

Mường Thanh Halong Hotel No.7, Block 20, East of Hung Thang, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3812-468/ (033) 3819-777 Email: info@halong.muongthanhhotel.vn www.muongthanhhotel.vn From VND1,400,000 ($67) Novotel Ha Long Bay 160 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-108 Email: info@novotelhalong.com.vn www.novotelhalongbay.com From VND2,625,000 ($125)

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

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

303 Nui Ngoc, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3888-899 Email: sale@catbaprinceshotel.com www.catbaprinceshotel.com From VND500,000 ($24) Catba Sunrise Resort Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3887-360 Email: info@catbasunriseresort.com www.catbasunriseresort.com From VND3,045,000 ($145)

StarCity Halong Bay Hotel

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

Avani Hai Phong Harbour View 12 Tran Phu St, Ngo Quyen Dist., Hai Phong Tel: (031) 3827-827 Email: haiphong@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com From VND2,772,000 ($132) ENTERTAINMENT

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

• 43

A quare 1. B aD inh S Ba Dinh Square

2. H oa L oP Hoa Lo Prison rison

3. S ’s Cathedral Cathedral Stt Joseph Joseph’s

ouse Opera House 4. Hanoi O pera H

Cot Co Tower 5. C ot C oT ower

Women’s Museum 6. Women’s

7. Ho Ho Chi Chi Minh Minh Museum

8. Imperial Long ong Imperial Citadel Citadel of Thang Thang L

CENTRE O

9. Vietnam off H History F3 istory F 3 Vietnam National National Museum Museum o 10. Vietnam Vietnam Military Military History History Museum D2 illar 11. O ne P One Pillar

ausoleum 12. H oC hi M inh M Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

13. Ngo on Temple Temple Ngocc S Son

14. Dong Da H ill Hill

15. Dong X uan M arket Xuan Market

An entry in the Directions section is either editorial or advertising To advertise, and be certain that your entry appears, please contact

1 4 14

Mr Song Hao Mobile: 0903 476 999

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

12 12 1 11 11

15 15 8

one pillar

5 10 10 13 3

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 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 - JUNE-JULY 2015

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

MEDICAL CENTRES Acupuncture Institute 49 Thai Thinh St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3563-1069 Hanoi French Hospital 1 Phuong Mai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3577-1100 International SOS Clinic 1 Dang Thai May St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0666 Thuy Tran Otolaryngology Clinic 6 Do Quang St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi (6/61 Tran Duy Hung Avenue) Tel: (04) 3556-6124 Mobile 098 368 0276 Email: thuyent12@yahoo.com www.taimuihongthuytran.com Vinmec international hospital 458 Minh Khai St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Tel: (04) 3974-3556 AIRLINES Air France 1 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3484 Qatar Airways Hilton Hanoi Opera Building, M floor, 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-6767 www.qatarairways.com Singapore Airlines 17 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3826-8888 Vietnam Airlines 25 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-0320 TRAVEL

Amega Travel Hancorp Plaza, 72 Tran Dang Ninh St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3783-3570 www.amegatours.net

United Kingdom 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-0500

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

United States 7 Lang Ha St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3772-1500

Topas Travel 52 To Ngoc Van St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3715-1005

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

DIRECTIONS HANOI Email: sales@topastravel.vn www.topastravel.vn HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Fortuna Hotel Hanoi 6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333 Email: fortunahanoi@fortuna.vn www.fortuna.vn From VND1,920,000 ($91) Hanoi Daewoo Hotel 360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 Email: sales@daewoohotel.com www.daewoohotel.com Hanoi Emotion Hotel 26 – 28 Hang Bot St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3848-9848 Email: info@hanoi-emotion.com www.hanoi-emotion.com The hotel also provides Vietnamese, Japanese and International cuisine Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Email: hanoi.opera@hilton.com www.hanoi.hilton.com Hotel de l’Opera 29 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6282-5555 Email: H7832-RE@accor.com www.hoteldelopera.com Melia Hanoi Hotel

44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343 Email: melia.hanoi@melia.com www.melia.com Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 hotel.hanoi@moevenpick.com www.moevenpickhotels.com/hanoi From VND3,622,500 ($172.50) Hotel Nikko Hanoi 84 Tran Nhan Tong St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-3535 mc.nikko@hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn www.hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn From VND4,620,000 ($220) Pullman Hanoi 40 Cat Linh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-0808 www.pullman-hanoi.com From VND2,448,600 ($115.50)

Commune, Tu Liem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6287-06 04 Opening hour: 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entrance

Silk Path Hotel Hanoi 195-199 Hang Bong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3266-5555 Email: info@silkpathhotel.com www.silkpathhotel.com From VND2,173,500 ($103.50)

Tan My Embroidery 66 Hang Gai St, Hanoi Email: tanmyhuong@fpt.vn Tel: (04) 3825-1579

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)

Mekong Quilts 13 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3926-4831 www.mekong-quilts.org

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

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

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

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: h1555@sofitel.com www.sofitel-legend.com From VND6,090,000 ($290) Sunway Hotel Hanoi 19 Pham Dinh Ho St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3971-3888 Email: reservation@sunwayhotel.com.vn www.hanoi.sunwayhotels.com 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

Viet Culture 1 Trang Thi St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-7417

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

SIGHTSEEINGS

Ba Dinh Square 36A Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in September 1945, is a complex of historic sites. Cot Co Tower 28 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Cot Co Tower, the so-called Flag Tower, is now part of the Vietnam Military History Museum complex. The Tower was built in 1950, under the Nguyen Dynasty, with the help of French engineers. The tower has 36 flower-shaped windows. At the top of the tower flies the flag of Vietnam. Hanoi Opera House 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi Designed by a French architect along the lines of the Paris Opera House, it is embellished with wonderful Gothic statuary. For many decades, Hanoi Opera House has been a centre for theatre, traditional music and dance, symphonies, traditional and classical music. This, the largest theatre in Vietnam, was completed in 1911. Hoa Lo Prison ‘La Maison Centrale’, the prison on Hoa Lo Street in Hanoi, was built by the French in 1896 and became the place where generations of Vietnamese freedom fighters were held. St Joseph’s Cathedral 40 Nha Chung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Fresh missionaries built this cathedral in the late 19th century. The small but beautiful panes of stained glass were created in Paris in 1906. Also of note is the ornate altar, with its high gilded sidewalls. MUSEUMS

Hanoi Museum 2 Pham Hung (next to Vietnam National Convention Centre), Me Tri

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 Email: btmtvn@vnfam.vn www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95) Vietnam Military History Museum 28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoi www.btlsqsvn.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND40,000 ($2) Women’s Museum 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-9936 www.womenmuseum.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) SPA

Elite Fitness & Spa 51 Xuan Dieu St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-6281 info@elitefitness.com.vn www.elitefitness.com.vn

VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

• 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. 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

463 Lac Long Quan St., Lang Co Town, Phu Loc Dist, Thua Thien Hue Province Tel: (054) 3873-555 Email: langco@dng.vnn.vn www.langcobeachresort.com.vn

NGHE AN

Email: sales@songlam.muongthanh.vn

www.songlam.muongthanh.vn

QUANG BINH

(TELEPHONE CODE: 052) 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) TRAVEL

105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 Email: info@bwp-indochinepalace.com www.bwp-indochinepalace.com From VND2,940,000 ($140) The hotel is surrounded by lush green gardens that make it an outstanding landmark in Hue and give the city the feel of a resort. This luxurious, international standard hotel is created to appeal to Vietnamese and international visitors to Hue. Century Riverside Hotel Hue 49 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3823-390 Email: info@centuryriversidehue.com www.centuryriversidehue.com Hotel Saigon Morin

30 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3823-526 Email: info@morinhotels.com.vn www.morinhotel.com.vn From VND2,173,500 ($103.50) Hue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa

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

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa 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

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

DANANG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511) HOTELS, RESORTS

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

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

588 Bui Thi Xuan St, Thuy Bieu Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3978-484 Email: sales@hueriversideresort.com www.hueriversideresort.com

48 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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

BW Premier Indochine Palace

Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com

(TELEPHONE CODE: 038) Mường Thanh Song Lam Hotel 13 Quang Trung St, Quang Trung Ward, Vinh, Nghe An Province Tel: (038) 3737-666

Lang Co Beach Resort

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

Ninh Binh Legend Hotel Tien Dong Zone, Ninh Khanh Ward, Ninh Binh City Tel: (030) 3899-880 www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com From VND1,575,000 ($75)

Imperial Hotel 8 Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3882-222 Email: info@imperial-hotel.com.vn www.imperial-hotel.com.vn From VND2,940,000 ($140)

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

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 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 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

DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG 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 Ancient House River Resort Hamlet 2, Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3930-777 Email: sales@ancienthouseriver.com www.ancienthouseriver.com From VND2,310,000 ($110) Hoi An Beach Resort 1 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-011 info@hoianbeachresort.com.vn www.hoianbeachresort.com.vn From VND3,415,500 ($163)

Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort Au Co Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3937-777 Email: sales@sunrisehoian.vn www.sunrisehoian.vn Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

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

5 Cua Dai St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3927-888 saleshoian@river-beachresort.com www.river-beachresort.com From VND1,350,000 ($65) ($179 to $364)TRAVEL

Kiman Hotel & Spa

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. HOTELS, RESORTS

Hoi An Historic Hotel

Hotel Royal Hoi An, Mgallery Collection 39 Dao Duy Tu St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3950-777 reservation@hotelroyalhoian.com www.mgallery.com

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

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)

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)

Tel: (056) 374-7100 Email: reservation@royalquynhon.com www.royalquynhon.com VND1,155,000 to VND1,365,000 ($55 to $65)

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

QUY NHON

(TELEPHONE CODE: 056)

reservation@bavicohotelnhatrang.com

www.bavicohotelnhatrang.com. Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel

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

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

reservations-nhatrang@evasonresorts.com

Champa Island Nha Trang Resort & Spa 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

Galina Hotel and Spa 5 Hung Vuong St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3839-999 Email: info@galinahotel.com.vn www.galinahotel.com.vn

Bavico International Hotel

www.evason-resorts.com

Green World Hotel Nha Trang 44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3528-666 sales@greenworldhotelnhatrang.com www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.intercontinental.com

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.

Tel: (058) 6266-555

02 Phan Boi Chau St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province

Liberty Central Nha Trang Hotel 9 Biet Thu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3529-555 Email: frondesk.lcn@odysseahotels.com www.odysseahotels.com

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily 461-463 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3920 430 Email: kimanhoianhotel@gmail.com Website: kimanhoianhotel.com Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & Spa Ha My Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: info@belhamy.com www.belhamy.com

AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3840-132 Email: quynhon@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com/quynhon From VND3,024,000 ($144) Royal Hotel and Healthcare Resort Quy Nhon 1 Han Mac Tu St, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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DIRECTIONS PHAN THIET 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)

Email: info@vinpearlresort-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com SHOPPING

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)

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

PHAN THIET

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-268 reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-vanbay/destination From VND18,837,000 ($897) Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa 26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3880-000 reservations.nhatrang@sheraton.com www.sheratonnhatrang.com Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa 12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-999 Email: info@sunrisenhatrang.com.vn www.sunrisenhatrang.com.vn VND2,520,000 to VND4,305,000 ($120 to $205)

(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

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

Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-598 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com

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) Mui Ne Unique Resort 152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province . Tel: (062) 3847-858 Email: info@hoangngoc-resort.com www.hoangngoc-resort.com VND1,600,000 to VND6,090,000 ($75 to $287) Phu Hai Resort 20B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-617 Email: info@muineuniqueresort.com www.muineuniqueresort.com From VND2,898,000 ($138)

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Allezboo Beach Resort & Spa 8 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-777 Email: info@allezbooresort.com www.allezbooresort.com From VND2,100,000 ($100)

Romana Resort & Spa Km8, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3812-799 Email: info@phuhairesort.com www.phuhairesort.com Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort Km 8, Phu Hai, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-289 Email: info@romanaresort.com.vn www.romanaresort.com.vn

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

Ly Thai To St, Tan Tien, Lagi, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3874-458 Email: contact@lazibeachresort.com www.lazibeachresort.com From VND1,900,000 ($90)

Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-188

Muine Bay Resort

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa

MUSEUM

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

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 From VND2,100,000 ($100)

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

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) Sandunes Beach Resort & Spa

Muine de Century Beach Resort & Spa 16 Huynh Thuc Khang St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-668 reservation@muinedecentury.vn www.muinedecentury.vn From VND1,701,000 ($81)

www.phuhairesort.com 50 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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)

5 Quarter, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3748-868 Email: info@sandunesbeach.com www.sandunesbeach.com Saigon Mui Ne Resort 56 - 97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province

DIRECTIONS DALAT, BINH DUONG, HO CHI MINH CITY Tel: (062) 3741-044 Email: saigonmuineresort@hcm.vnn.vn www.saigonmuineresort.com.vn From VND1,908,000 ($90)

Province; Tel: (062) 3741-660 Email: info@villaariamuine.com www.villaariamuine.com From VND2,520,000 ($120)

Seahorse Resort & Spa

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

Km 11 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-507 reservation@seahorseresortvn.com www.seahorseresortvn.com From VND1,680,000 ($80)

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

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)

(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.

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 VND2,940,000 ($140) The Cliff Resort & Residences Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3719-111 reservation@thecliffresort.com.vn www.thecliffresort.com.vn From VND2,667,000 ($127) 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)

DALAT

HOTELS

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

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

Villa Aria Mui Ne

60A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan

180 Ba Thang Hai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3556-789 Email: hotel@saigondalat.com ; resvn@saigondalat.com www.saigondalathotel.com

Located in the heart of Dalat, SaigonDalat Hotel is a four-star-standard hotel, comprised of 160 luxurious and comfortable rooms with air-conditioning throughout and other modern amenities. Four restaurants, two bars, one tennis court, one indoor swimming pool, one fitness centre and one beauty salon and spa help make your getaway experience complete.

BINH DUONG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0650) An Lam Saigon River

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

HO CHI MINH CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 08) CONSULATES

Australia 5B Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-6035 Belgium 91 Nguyen Huu Canh St, Ward 22, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3512-7968 Cambodia 41 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2751 Canada Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9899 China 175 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-2457 Cuba 45 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7350 France 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7231 Germany 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2455 India 55 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7853 Indonesia 18 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1888

Japan 13-17 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3822-5314 Kuwait 24 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3827-0555 Laos 93 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7667 Mexico 11 Tra Khuc St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3848-6290 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, 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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY AIRLINES

TRAVEL

Air France 130 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-0981

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

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

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.

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

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) Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

Exotissimo 261/26 Phan Xich Long St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3995-9898 www.exotravel.com Saigon Tourist 45 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3827-9279 www.saigon-tourist.net 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 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

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

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

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

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 - JUNE-JULY 2015

Email: frontdesk.lcc@libertyhotels.com.vn

www.libertycentralhotel.com Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 Email: Info@eastingrandSaigon.com www.eastingrandsaigon.com Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-3333 www.lottehotel.com

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

Northern Hotel Saigon

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

First Hotel

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

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

42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-3364 Email: info@kellyhotel.com.vn www.kellyhotel.com.vn From VND750,000 ($36) An elegant and cosy hotel with good service. Within walking distance to Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace and several museums. Vietnamese food is served at reasonable prices. Liberty Central Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269

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

www.parkroyalhotels.com Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon 8-15 Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0033 www.renaissance-saigon.com

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Royal Hotel Saigon 133 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5915 www.royalhotelsaigon.com From VND1,092,000 ($52) Rex Hotel 141 Nguyen Hue St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2185 Email: rexhotel@rex.com.vn www.rexhotelvietnam.com From VND4,620,000 ($220) Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers 88 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Email: sheratonsaigon@sheraton.com www.sheratonsaigon.com

Chit Chat Restaurant Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com New daily menus for lunch and dinner buffets, all served in a relaxing atmosphere. Eight live cooking stations with over 60 varieties of mouth-watering domestic and international dishes. A meeting place to enjoy delicious house-made pastries and cakes and a cup of coffee from selected premium blends. Kim Lam Restaurant

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 Kobe Teppanyaki Restaurant 13A Tu Xuong St, Ward 7, Dist 3, Ho Chi MInh City Tel: (08) 3932-0187

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

RESTAURANTS

Beef No.1 Restaurant 1 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0935891818/ 0919898253

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.

Apricot Gallery 50 Mac Thi Buoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7962

SHOPS

Handed by crafts from Vietnam 47 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0908 447 282

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

Vspa & Skincare

Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653 Vatel Saigon Bistronomique-Lounge 120 Bis Suong Nguyet Anh St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 5404-2220 www.vatelsaigon.com

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

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 Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-8284 www.galeriequynh.com Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sàn Art 48/7 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6294-7059 www.san-art.org Opening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every. Closed on Sunday and Monday 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 SIGHTSEEINGS

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

BARS & CAFÉS

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

Mobile: 0908 229 708 Email: ngoclongfineart@yahoo.com

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.

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

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

Tel: (08) 3822-8472 www.saxnart.com

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

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

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

Ben Thanh Market Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City The original market was located on the bank of the Ben Nghe River by the old Gia Dinh Fort. In 1859, when the French invaded Saigon and overtook Gia Dinh Fort, Ben Thanh Market was destroyed. It was rebuilt shortly after and remained standing until it was moved to its present location in 1899. Now, Ben Thanh market is a trade centre and a favourite tourist destination, offering a wide range of Vietnamese handicraft, fresh fruits and local specialities.

Artists Long & Ngoc Gallery Grand Hotel (at the lobby), 8 Dong Khoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City TeL: (08) 2246-6839

Chinatown – Cho Lon It was set up at the end of the 18th century when the Minh Dynasty in China was overthrown. Chinatown has many shops and private workshops. The most interesting places are Binh Tay market, Soai Kinh Lam fabric

COOKING CLASSES

GALLERIES

VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

• 53

CENTRE OF HO

1. Independence Independence Palace Palace

2. Notre Notre Dame Cathedral Cathedral

3. Vietnam Vietnam History History Museum

4. Fine Fine Arts Arts Museum Museum of of Ho Ho Chi Chi Minh Minh City City E4 E4 5. Ho Ho Chi Chi Minh Minh City City Museum

6. Southern Women omen Museum Southern W

7. War Wa ar Remnants Remnants Museum

Ben Thanh Thanh M arket 8. Ben Market

9. Tao Tao Dan Park Park

10. Post Post Office Office

Zoo 11. Z oo

Nha Wharf 12. N ha Rong W harf

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

6 4 11 11

7 2

10 10

9 8

12 1 2

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 VUNG TAU, LONG HAI, CON DAO, CAN THO, MY THO, CHAU DOC whole-sales market, the street of herbal medicine located on Hai Thuong Lan Ong and Thien Hau Temple on Nguyen Trai Street. MUSEUMS

Ao Dai Museum 206/19/30 Long Thuan St, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City www.baotangaodaivietnam.com Open daily, closed on Monday from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. The entry ticket is VND100,000 for adults Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City 97A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-4441 www.baotangmythuattphcm.com Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Grand Hotel Vung Tau 2 Nguyen Du St, Ward.1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-888 Email: sales@grandhotel.com.vn www.grandhotel.com.vn From VND2,058,000 ($98) Mường Thanh Vung Tau 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 Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Southern Women Museum 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7130 The History Museum 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-8146 www.baotanglichsuvn.com 8 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday

VUNG TAU

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

White Palace 6 Tran Phu St, Ward.1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-605 Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. No 09, Thong Nhat St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3835-567 sales@vungtau.muongthanh.vn www.vungtau.muongthanh.vn From VND1,890,000 ($90) Kieu Anh Hotel

LONG HAI

Long Hai is a beach town, 30km northeast of Vung Tau and 124 km southeast of HCMC. The Grand Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Tel: (064) 3788-888 Email: info@thegrandhotramstrip.com www.thegrandhotramstrip.com

CON DAO

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

MY THO

The Island Lodge

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

Petro House Hotel 63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau

56 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

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

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)

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

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)

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

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. (TELEPHONE CODE: 064) A popular beach resort town for residents of Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is about 128 km southeast of HCMC. It can be reached either by road or by a 90-minute hydrofoil boat from HCMC. Sitting on a peninsula

Tel: (064) 3852-014 Email: info@petrohousehotel.vn www.petrohousehotel.vn From VND1,260,000 ($60)

MUSEUM

Fito Museum 41 Hoang Du Khuong S, Ward 12, Dist. 10, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3864-2430 www.fitomuseum.com.vn Open daily from 8.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. Ticket: VND50,000 The first museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine

HOTELS, RESORTS

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.

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. v

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.

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

Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Ward, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province Tel: (077) 3985-598 reservations@edenresort.com.vn www.edenresort.com.vn La Veranda Resort

Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 7, Duong Dong Town Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3982-988 contact@laverandaresorts.com www.laverandaresorts.com VND5,082,000 to VND8,694,000 ($242 to $414) 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.

WASHINGTON-WC Ho Bac 1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164

(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).

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

FRANCE

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

Newcastle upon Tyne, England Tel: 01912330766 Vietnamese dishes

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,

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 - JUNE-JULY 2015

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LAID BACK

Photo: Ls Trung

Photo: Tu Anh

Photo: Tien Thanh

Clockwise from top left: There will be a reward for those who find the lost bird in the picture and make a phone call at the phone number, Ho Chi Minh City; Fishing on the West Lake in Hanoi; Doing exercise by a beach in Nha Trang; Enjoying sea walking on Hon Mot Island, Nha Trang; Collecting anchovy fish at Cua Be Market, Nha Trang 58 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - JUNE-JULY 2015

Photo: Tien Thanh