Vietnam heritage December 2015 - January 2016 by Vietnam Heritage

1 11:5 1:5 DEC DEC-JAN - JAN 2016

ISSN 1859-4123

CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF VIETNAM

H’Mong New Year merry mood

Skylight 360o is the roof of Nha Trang where you can view the overall landscape of the ocean.

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CONTENT No 11, Vol.5, December 2015 - January 2016

COVER STORY Culture 8 H’Mong New Year merry mood 10 Shuffling the buffalo 16 Sweet seeds of bliss 22 Empathy contained Travel

12 One thousand years of light

Architecture

18 The Big House stands tall Nature

20 The return of the monkey queen Museum

24 Cham Sculpture Museum turns 100 Restaurant

26 All the flavours of Vietnam in one Vietnam House

Published by the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam

Resort and Spa Advertorial

30 Ana Mandara resort Dalat:

Amid pines in the tropical country

34 Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015 38 Events

40 Value for money

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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Health

28 A Red Yao herbal bath at the Victoria Sapa

43 Directions

Cover photograph: H’Mong children’s New Year. Lai Chau Province, 2015. This photo series won third prize in Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015 Photo: Tran Dao Si Vietnam Heritage Editorial Office: 4th Floor, 1/1 Hoang Viet St., Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 38 11 88 46 Fax: (84-8) 38 11 87 75 Email: vnheritagemagazine@gmail.com l

www.vietnamheritage.com.vn

Vietnam Heritage

Pray for Fish Festival Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province, 2015 Second Prize in the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015

Photo: Tran Cong Thanh

CULTURE

H’Mong New Year merry mood

hese days Vân Hồ, Lóng Luông, Tân Xuân and all other H’Mong hamlets glow in a merry mood as the New Year approaches. The air is filled with the familiar playful sounds of happy pestles pounding steamed sticky rice in mortars. There are also the higher notes of kids’ laughter and shouting during their traditional games of hummingtop and pao ball throwing H’Mong traditional New Year celebration begins on the 30th of 11th lunar month (a month before Việt New Year) and lasts 3 days. It’s the time for sharing foods, drinks and fun after a year of continuous hard work. At the H’Mong New Year’s feast, besides

all sorts of meat, paste cake is a must. Women are busy steaming milpa sticky rice, the main ingredient of the cakes. When, finished, the rice is scooped into large wooden mortars and strong young men pound it with long pestles. It’s harder to pull the pestles up than crush them down. In the brittle cold of winter, the men’s faces turn red, covered in beads of sweat. Soft and smooth dough-like rice is then kneaded in a round shape and wrapped in banana leaves. When ready, 6 pairs of cakes are arranged neatly on the altar, representing the 12 months of a year, as a tribute to heaven, earth and the god of harvest.

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As symbolic as the Việt glutinous rice cake, paste cake is the H’Mong New Year’s icon to express gratitude to heaven, earth and their ancestors. It represents the sun and the moon that give birth to people and all living things on earth. H’Mong people don’t ring New Year in at midnight. To them, it comes with the first cock-crow of the first day of the new year. The men get up, prepare a first meal for the family, and cattle and do all the chores instead of women, because they are the pillars of the household and must make an example of order and discipline that will be kept the whole coming year. On new year’s day people go around the

CULTURE

village to wish each other happiness. The H’Mong are very hospitable, and guests who come on New Year’s day bring luck for the whole year. The hosts treat their guests with everything they have, and invite them to stay overnight. Before leaving, guests are given paste cakes made by the host family as a token of gratitude and wish for happiness. Another unique H’Mong New Year’s custom is that of gluing paper on their farming tools and putting them near the family altar. It’s the way they show their grattitude to the farming tools for having helped them work their fields and gardens to earn a living for the whole family. New Year is also a time for H’Mong chil-

dren to play, for the elders to sit together and talk about their good old times, and for young people to date and get more intimate. So on these days, the mountain slopes brighten with festive colors of new dresses and adornments. Life for them is exuberant. In the village clearing, people gather to play folk games and enjoy a pipe blowing and dance show. Peacock-like H’Mong young men show off their dancing to attract the glistening black pearls that keep them awake at night the whole year long. In their best outfits, the young men compete, blowing their bamboo pipes and dancing. The longer the breath, the more flaring the melody, the suppler the dance, the more

girls feel moved. Many young couples bond in marriage thanks to the New Year’s celebrations and these deeply ethnic games. When thick mist falls on the mountains, giving sharp teeth to the cold, everybody gathers around big fires. Nothing can stop the generous hearts from having the fun they deserve. They sit closer to each other, hand in hand, enjoying the songs and dances their ancestors loved and so will their descendants, bonding together in anticipation of a happy new year.n Hmong children’s New Year. Lai Chau Province, 2015. This photo series won third prize in Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015 Photos by Tran Dao Si.

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

•9

Shuffling the buffalo

uffalo bazaar Can Cau of Si Ma Cai has long been famous in Lao Cai Province. On market days, hundreds of buffalos are brought here from the highland hamlets of Bac Ha, Si Ma Cai, Muong Khuong, even from Sin Man District of Ha Giang Province. In the last few days, the weather in Si Ma Cai has turned cold. Heaven and earth are sunk in thick fog. At 6 a.m., the clock rang. I threw off my blanket and looked out, but could see nothing. Having warmed myself with some rice noodles, I hurried down to Can Cau, not wanting to miss the buffalo bazaar. Groups of people, blurred in the fog, went down the San Chai slope in rhythm with the tintinnabulation of tiny bells. Ms Giang Thi My of Hoa Su Pan Village,

Photo: Tuan Ngoc

CULTURE

BY TUAN NGOC

San Chai Commune woke up at 4 a.m. to help her husband take three buffalos a dozen kilometres to Can Cau. This season, the buffalos don’t have to plough, so Ms My takes them here, hoping to sell one for a good price to buy a new TV set or a motorbike for the New Year. Every now and then, I meet a group of people walking tens of buffalos down the slope. The buffalos walk leisurely on the asphalt, without any leash. 7 a.m., Can Cau bazaar brightens with colours. Hundreds of buffalos have gathered, blackening a whole area. Buyers, sellers, villagers and tourists all are talking, bargaining, having fun. Mr Sung A Dung of Can Cau Commune said people bring their buffalos here to sell if there is a good bargain. Otherwise, it’s a chance to show off their

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family’s buffalos, which is fun too. So every Saturday, each family walks their whole herd to the bazaar to ‘exhibit’ them. While admiring a bull, I started at someone’s shout, ‘Stop them fighting!’ In a wet clearing, two loose ferocious bulls were ramming against each other, their eyes shot red. They hung onto each other, their sharp horns interlocked, flinging to both sides. Curious spectators flocked to the site, shouting, cheering. Mr Dung added, ‘Buffalos brought here are mostly bulls, very ardent. Fights like this happen every time the bazaar gathers.’ Amid this Can Cau ‘stock-exchange’, it’s hard to tell the buffalo traders apart. Everybody carries a backpack or a brocade bag across one shoulder, or a money bag-belt

CULTURE

Photo: Tuan Ngoc

Photo: Huynh My Thuan

bulging on their stomach. Each times the bazaar gathers a trader may bring tens, even hundreds of millions to buy buffalos. I mingled in a crowd around a big bull. A buffalo trader named A Sung, a scraggy, tiny man with a gaunt face and piggy eyes, was scrutinizing it. Some buffalo sellers whispered among themselves that this man had decades of experience and was famous for his shrewdness. A Sung came over, loudly slapped the animal’s behind, rubbed its belly and pinched it. Then he snuck behind the buffalo, kicked hard at its knee while his hands pulled its tail, making the animal jump as if electrified. Not yet satisfied, he unbridled it, wrestled to open its mouth wide to inspect its teeth. The animal blew white foam, seething, lifted its horns and pulled back. The trader finished, missing no detail. A buffalo seller whispered to my ear, ‘That’s what I call knowledge! Slap and pinch to see if it is fit. Check the teeth to estimate its age.’ According to the sellers, buffalos are less pricey this year. A big VND45 million bull last year is worth only VND43 millions this year. I noticed that the buyers and sellers have some conventional signals among themselves. Satisfied with a buffalo, a trader would ask its price. The owner firmly says, VND37 millions. The trader proposes VND32 millions. The owner stretches out his right hand and says decisively, VND35 millions is the final offer! The trader is almost convinced, but still hesitates. He looks at the buffalo, turn away, then turns back and jerks up his chin, ‘VND34 millions, let’s shake hands, huh?’ Seeing that the owner is unmovable, the trader agrees to pay VND35 millions and shakes his hand. Money is paid and the two men shake hands again. The trader takes out a paint tube, sprays number 8 and a colon on the buffalo’s behind, meaning ‘sold to new owner’. More and more buffalos are branded on the field as the day goes on. Some trader has bought as many as 20 buffalos. Each time the bazaar gathers a big number of buffalos are sold, sometimes worth even billions of dongs.n Photos: At the buffalo bazaar Can Cau of Si Ma Cai in Lao Cai Province VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

• 11

One thousand years of light

was born in Nghe An Province and lived in Hanoi for just four years. But, whenever I travel, my mind returns to Hanoi. Hanoi is of the most ancient cities, the all-time political, cultural, and social centre of the whole country. It can be affirmed that

BY LE VAN

Hanoi is both the heart and the pride of Vietnam. At the same time, it was witness to the sacred resistance wars. It’s not an overstatement that the victories won by Hanoi’s people and army in the resistance war against French colonialists was one of the most decisive attacks in recent memory to

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crush all dark plots of the enemies and prove the marvellous power of an indomitable nation. Moreover, Hanoi is well-known as a beautiful city which features many of the historical and cultural values of Vietnam. These places have attracted thousands of

TRAVEL visitors yearly, earning a turnover of billions of Vietnam dong. In the centre of Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake – the distinctive symbol of the capital with a 1,000year-old civilization. In addition, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the symbol of the strength of intelligence and sacred sentiments that the Vietnamese people reserved for him. It can be said that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is both modern and simple, but can manifest all of his decency. In front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is historic Ba Dinh Square, where president Ho Chi Minh read the declaration of independence, giving birth to the democratic republic of Vietnam, the first people’s democratic country in Southeast Asia. Referring to Hanoi means referring to the Red River. It is said that the Red River is nearly 1,000 kilometres long. It is recognized as an endless supplier of alluvia for all the Red River delta areas. Currently, it is one of the most important waterways in the Northern waterway system. Spanning over the Red River to the North are the three longest bridges of Vietnam: the Thang Long Bridge – the symbol of The Vietnam-Soviet friendship, the Long Bien Bridge-the symbol of French architecture and the Chuong Duong Bridge - the symbol of Vietnamese architecture and workers’ self-reliant spirit. Recently, two new bridges have just been completed which are Thanh Tri and Nhat Tan bridges. Hopefully, these two bridges on will not only embellish the face of Hanoi, but will also take a deserving part in the socio-economic, transport and commercial development of the whole country Tracing back to the past, we become

without depending on any powerful country. It is the reason why Vietnam in general and Hanoi capital in particular still stand firm and continue to develop. Not only has Hanoi been registering an unprecedented development with an ever-growing living standard and high growth rate, but Hanoi has sought to develop infrastructure on a large scale. The face of Hanoi is changing for the better with new lives of new types of people. The atmosphere of Hanoi seems always eventful, from supermarkets with bustling people to congested crossroads. Moreover, in the process of national industrialization and urbanization, many slums have been replaced with high-rise buildings, four-or five-star hotels and supermarkets. So strongly is Hanoi developing its economy that it lags only behind HCM city in financial contribution to the state budget. Development always brings its downsides, of course, but I still love Hanoi so much. I love every street, every dish and every Hanoi-an. I love the moment which Hanoi is in the beginning of spring, ‘Sưa’ flowers are as white as snow in every street corner. At night, street lighting makes Hanoi more beautiful and colourful; sometimes, the wind blows gently in even prouder of Hanoi and our ancestors. squalls. In conclusion, in my heart, Hanoi is No sooner had Vietnam liberated Saigon in always beautiful, simple, and loveable.n the Spring 1975, than the Vietnamese National Assembly held a meeting to reunite the North and South and took the whole Opposite: Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi. country to socialism. Even so, it had to face Photo: Nguyen Xuan Chinh countless difficulties. However, since its Above: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, 2012. foundation, our party has always pursued Photo: Phan Lac Dung Below: Flag Tower of Hanoi. independent political policies and lines Photo: Nguyen Duy Tuong VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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Photos by courtesy of triducfood.com.vn

Sweet seeds of bliss

pring brings together all the best there is among nature and people. On New Year’s, everybody puts aside all the fuss of life to come together around the family dining table. New Year sweets are popular snacks at this time. Above them all, sugared lotus seeds are the best-known and beloved, because lotus is considered the Vietnamese national flower. Lotus grows in all regions of our country. The further south one goes, the more lotuses can be seen. Especially in Dong Thap Province, they grow everywhere, even in paddy fields. Nothing of a lotus plant is wasted. The leaves, seeds, stems and roots, all add colours, tastes and aromas to different Viet-

namese foods. Since ancient times, people have learned to use lotus seeds in various highly nutritious foods, such as lotus pudding, sugar-coated lotus seeds, lotus and longan compote, lotus and bean porridge, and lotus and chicken stew. Sugar-coated lotus seeds are not only delicious and nutritious, but also a traditional medicine which soothes chronic diarrhoea, amnesia and nutritional deficiency. Being a significant sacrament in Vietnamese spiritual life, lotus is also present in what is best of our culinary culture. Parts of the lotus plant are used in the most common Vietnamese food items, such as lotus root-stock salad, lotusscented tea, and sugared lotus

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seeds. The sugar-coated seeds are especially valued, not only during the New Year celebration, but also on many other happy occasions, such as engagement and wedding ceremonies. Aromatic sweet seeds coquettishly wrapped in red glass paper and tied to a packet of tea and a green sticky rice cake makes them divine. Beside the sweets made of squash, coconut, and ginger, each translucent yellow lotus seed stands out like a jewel. Chewed with a sip of bitter tea, especially scented tea, which carries a delicate touch of fresh aroma, it makes one’s experience both fancy and tranquil. The sugar-coated seeds can also be used to make all sorts of sweet-flavoured puddings and

compotes. They are also often a part of the beloved mid-autumn cakes. Everyone who has visited Vietnam has spared no words to extol lotus. They say that the Vietnamese are blessed by heaven with this gift. Lotus leaves are like green suns. The flowers are as refined as the Vietnamese girls. The seeds are gems between heaven and earth. The more the society changes, the more human life advances, the more sophisticated and delicate foods will appear in our festivities and on our dining tables. But hopefully the New Year sweets, especially the sugar-coated lotus seeds will remain with us forever.n *The article was printed on triducfood.com.vn

CULTURE The elders of Nanh Village, Ninh Hiep Commune of Hanoi say that sugaring lotus seeds is a painstaking business. To make the famous ‘naked lotus seeds’ of Hanoi, the seeds must be meticulously filtered. The Northern lotus is best because it’s rounder, more aromatic and crumbly. It requires delicacy to break the hard husk without breaking the seed. It’s also difficult to remove the green bud, which is very bitter, in its entirety from centre of the seed. Up until now, only Nanh Village owned the secret of chopping the lotus seed husk. The seeds must be boiled in water several times, with different

durations and heat levels, to make the seeds melt away in the mouth but firm enough to stay in shape. At the sugaring stage, the sugar must be absorbed inside the seeds. Only then they can look gem-like. And the sugar solution must be seasoned with pomelo flower oil to create the unforgettable impression associated with this fabulous sweet. Customers can buy sugared lotus seeds made by Nanh Village at FairFood Company at VND100,000/kg. FairFood Company, Room 14.1, Building CT1 - Vimeco, Hoang Minh Giam St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 2225-0531

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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ARCHITECTURE

The Big House st

n Chau Doc City, everyone can show you the way to the ‘Big House’ of the Le Cong clan in Le Loi Street. Only after having seen it firsthand did I believe that it was the prettiest house in Chau Doc. ‘The house was built from 1909 to 1912. The rickshaw men named it “the Big House”, because at that time it was the biggest house in town,’ Mr Le Cong Thoi, born in 1944, an elder of the 7th generation of Le Cong clan told me. From the outside, it’s a French-style house, quite imposing with its robust window panes, tile roofs and sophisticated ornamental designs. The house was not built with concrete but with shell powder, sand, treacle, and lindera myrrha resin. Although over a century has passed, it still stands strong. Inside are western deco-

A century later, a house built the old-fashioned way is a museum for folk heroes ration items, such as lustres and floor tiles. These blend in very smoothly with oriental interior design. All the furniture and wooden utensils are made with nacre, another name for mother-of-pearl. According to Mr Thoi, the wood was bought from Laos and Cambodia and transported on the Mekong. Live snails were bought from the North for nacre. Nacre masters were also hired from the North, because at that time there was no such trade in the South. In the centre is the altar of the seventh ancestor of the Le Cong clan. On both sides are those of

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the subsequent ones. There are poems written in Chinese letters, inlayed with nacre on all the pillars and wall panels. ‘Each of these means to preach the way of being humane,’ Mr Thoi said. The Le Cong residence has three invaluable relics saved for posterity. First is the Decree of Conferment of Sainthood on Nguyen Huu Canh (the pioneer who expanded the Southern borders). Such a title is normally only conferred upon those who had great merit, and the decree would be enshrined. Otherwise, the decree text may also be given to

someone else for outstanding service. The Le Cong residence was honoured with two such decrees of sainthood that were conferred on Nguyen Huu Canh, one by King Tu Duc and one by King Minh Mang. Mr Thoi relates, ‘Our ancestor, Lord Le Cong Thoan from Thanh Hoa Province, came here and decided to plant his roots in Chau Doc. He began to clear the land. Gradually, his land was large enough for birds to tire as they flew over it. He gave money to the desperate, and land to the homeless. He built communes and schools. Once, the land was ravaged by flood, and people suffered a great famine. Mrs Huynh Thi Phu, Le Cong Thoan’s second wife, borrowed rice from the government to save the people. For that kindness, the King bestowed upon

ands tall

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY PHUONG LAN

him the Decree of Super Sainthood Conferment of Nguyen Huu Canh as a Chau Doc token of esteem. Since then, the Sainthood Conferment has always been solemnly honoured on the central altar of the clan. The 10th of fifth lunar month every year (Nguyen Huu Canh’s death anniversary), Le Cong descendants bring it in a procession to the Chau Phu Saint temple of Chau Doc and organize a ceremony for people to worship him. The second relic is the precious, century-old ‘Golden branch with gemstone leaves’ inlayed picture, depicting gold branches and emerald leaves. The picture is secured in the

clan’s secret safe and is retrieved only for very big events. Third is the genealogy book of the family. According to Mr Thoi, it records names and relationships of all of the members of the Le Cong family from the first generation until now. ‘The book helps the descendents remember and celebrate their glorious ancestors. So its spiritual value is enormous, incomparable!’ ‘Chau Doc currently has about 10 century-old houses. But only the Le Cong clan’s and Mr Phu Di’s house remain intact and retain their original value,’ Mr Le Hong Linh, Deputy Head of Culture Dept of Chau Doc City told us.n

From left: The facade of the house; The Decree of Conferment of Sainthood on Nguyen Huu Canh; Inside the house with wooden furniture inlaid with nacre

VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER 2015-JANUARY 2016

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Photo: Trinh Thu Nguyet

NATURE

The return of the monkey queen

on Tra Natural Reserve, Son Tra peninsula, Danang, is known not only as an eco-tourism destination, but also as a sanctuary of redshanked doucs (pygathrix nemaeus). Having five typical colours, the redshanked douc has been crowned by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as the ‘queen’ of all primates. This species belongs to the IIB group of highly endangered animals in Vietnam’s Red Data Book, and is on the IUCN’s list of animals that must be unconditionally protected. Jonathan, an American research fellow said, ‘Red-shanked doucs are very rare. I learned that among the few of their habitats in the world, Son Tra peninsula has the largest population. So I decided to come here to do research for my doctoral thesis. I focus on the life process, nutrition preferences and digestion system of these primates. I hope this will help make solutions for the protection of all the doucs in the world.’

Once on the brink of extinction, this animal is making a comeback

Son Tra red-shanked doucs were discovered in 1969. At least five research groups have made field trips here for thorough study of these special primates. Many domestic and foreign filmmakers have also been here to make documentaries about them. So the image of Son Tra red-shanked doucs is already known throughout the world. Mr Nguyen Ai Tam, lead researcher of the Green Viet Biodiversity Conservation Centre told us, ‘A special characteristic of the habits and daily life of these primates is that they live in families. We watched closely one family of five. They wake up at about 6 a.m. and start feeding. Their food includes fig fruits, banyan leaves and many other kinds of leaves available on Son Tra peninsula. After a nap from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

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BY NGUYEN HUNG

they feed again.’ This species, mostly concentrated in Son Tra Natural Reserve numbers about 530 individuals, making up to 83 per cent of the world’s population. According to Douc Langur Foundation (DLF)’s data and the latest research reports of domestic experts, although the doucs face extinction elsewhere in the world, their population growth remains stable on Son Tra peninsula. It’s been reported that before 1995, poaching, deforestation and hive burning were widespread here, driving the redshanked doucs to near-extinction. But in recent years, the habitat of these special primates has been well protected.n Son Tra Natural Reserve is a pristine forest with a rich, diverse and vibrant ecosystem. According to ecologists, Son Tra is currently home to 287 mammal species, 106 bird species and 15 endangered rare species that need protection, including the red-shanked doucs.

CULTURE

Empathy contained

ate in July of this year, Hanoi police confiscated a ‘free iced tea’ can on a street sidewalk, frustrating many people. The week-long storm of reaction that followed reminded me a few things. About 15 years ago, I came to a province in Mekong Delta and saw on roadsides a big ceramic pot, with a metal tray covering it and a coconut shell dipper on top. ‘That’s free drinking water. We are surrounded by rivers, but drinking water is scarce, so some good people put clean water at their gates for thirsty passersby,’ a local man told me. An 80-year-old woman said, ‘I have been seeing these pots all my life. Some even built a palm leaf hut and put a bamboo couch in there with the water pot, so tired travellers could relax a little while relieving their thirst.’ I tried a sip and recognized the taste of rain water. ‘Is this water safe to drink, grandma?’ I asked. ‘I don’t know’, she answered. People have been drinking it ever since I can remember, and nobody got sick.’ The old lady’s confidence was simple. I met Mr Le Dinh Bich, lecturer of Can Tho University and researcher of WestSouthern culture. He told me, ‘Over 300 years ago this whole area, including Saigon, was almost uninhabited. Rivers are all around, but clean water was scarce. So, some generous souls put a water jar on roadside for everybody to use. Over time, people realized the humane nature of the act, and followed the example. The empathy jars became more frequently seen. 20 years ago I scoured the region and saw plenty of them on roadsides.’ According to Mr Le Dinh Bich, one can say that putting these water jars in this region and on Saigon streets has become a custom. Returning to this western region in 2010,

BY DANG KHOA

A free ice tea can in the street. Photo:Tran Minh Trung

I saw a lot fewer roadside jars. A friend from An Giang told me, ‘There are shops everywhere nowadays, so the good people removed their jars.’ I also noticed that where available, the centuries-old jars have been replaced with a plastic cans with a tap and a plastic mug on each. Some even put tea and ice in the can and stick on it a sign reading ‘Free iced tea’ or ‘Free to drink’. At that same time, I saw more and more free iced tea cans on Saigon streets. Today, those cans of all sizes and shapes can be seen on the sidewalks of almost all the big streets of Saigon. Each has a few mugs or many single use plastic glasses beside it. One free iced tea can owner told me, ‘Everyday I spend VND50,000 for the clean water, tea and ice.’ Homeless people, peddlers, lottery ticket sellers and beer bottle-collecting kids often come to drink. Some even take a bottle

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of water with them after drinking. ‘I bring some water with me every day. But it often runs out midway because my work takes a lot of sweat. Those free tea cans save me from having to spend extra, and I am grateful to the kind folks,’ Ms An, a beer bottle collector said. ‘Even some Western backpackers drink the free iced tea to save money,’ a tea can owner on Vo Van Tan Street smiled. July last year, I came to Hanoi and saw some free iced tea cans on sidewalks, just like in Saigon. A brother in law of mine, who lived in Hanoi but who spent two years scouring Saigon streets said, ‘Three years ago, Hanoi didn’t have those free iced tea cans. Perhaps some Hanoi folks saw them in Saigon and thought it’s good to follow the example.’ On July 27, 2015 dozens of online newspapers reported that a free iced tea can on a sidewalk of Giai Phong Street of Hanoi was seized by the police of Thinh Liet Commune, Hoang Mai District. The news immediately became the topic of heated discussions on social media and in coffee shops of Saigon. Taking tiny sips of coffee on Tran Nao Street sidewalk of Saigon, a friend of mine remarked, ‘By law, removing the cans is a right thing to do. But then, they should also remove all other things that obstruct the way, so they are not thoroughly right. And from the charitable point of view, the police were insensitive toward the poor souls that need the drink.’ Some posted on Facebook, ‘Seizing the iced tea cans, the police seize people’s kindness.’ I asked a columnist specializing in social themes, ‘Why does the public opinion, especially in the South, reject so strongly the action of Thinh Liet Commune’s police?’ He explained, ‘Most people love charity, so it’s natural that they are against the police hindering a charitable act.’n

MUSEUM

Cham Sculpture Muse

hose who come to Danang rarely miss the chance to visit the Cham Sculpture Museum, or Cham Museum for short. It’s a 100-year-old building with important architectural, historical and cultural values. Designed by French architects, it incorporates a few features of Cham temples. Standing on a hill beside the Han river, it can be seen from miles away as something ancient and poetic. The museum houses the largest collection of Cham stone sculptures, and ‘the genuine beauty of these works of art elevate their archeological value, thus making the museum an enriching promenade for tourists who visit Tourane (Danang) and the locals alike(1).’ The establishment of Cham Museum was due, one could say, to the private collection of M. Charles Lemire, a French minister to Quang Nam, who was an art lover and antique collector. He collected these stone sculptures scattered in the ruins of Cham temples and even in local dwellings and moved them to the Tourane Park, which was where the Cham museum is now. In the early XX century, Henri Parmentier was appointed the architect at the École française

d'Extrême-Orient with the mission of studying and preserving Cham architectural remains. He conducted a thorough inspection of all Cham vestiges to have an overall picture. From 1902-1903, H. Parmentier gave the order to clear and excavate on a large scale the My Son and Dong Duong temple complexes, and found a great number of valuable artifacts that could not be held together with the stone sculptures. He then came up with the idea of building a storage site to keep the Cham relics, which was the premise of the Cham Museum now. However, for many reasons, only a decade later the administration approved the Tourane Museum proposal and allocated budget for its execution. The construction began in 1915 and the exhibition was completed in 1919. The original museum building corresponds to the Tra Kieu room today, and was called the Musée Cham Tourane. In 1935, the Cham Museum was expanded with two new wings to receive a large quantity of artifacts found during the excavation at Tra Kieu (Quang Nam) in 1927-1928 and Thap Mam (Binh Đinh) in 1934.The expansion was completed and grandly opened in Mar 1936 in the presence

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of the French Plenipotentiary and King Bao Dai. The Museum was renamed to Musée Henri Parmentier. It held many valuable works of art representative of the development of Cham sculpture art during over 10 centuries, from V to XV century. During the tumultuous period of 1939 – 1975, the Museum continued its operations. In 1970, the Museum began to be renovated, expanding exhibition space and adding surrounding walls. The addition this time was what is now called the Dong Duong relics exhibition room. At that time, the museum was called the Danang Museum or Cham Antique Museum. After 1975, the Museum was under the heading of the Quang Nam Danang Province Museum. In 2008, it was separated and has been called Danang Cham Sculpture Museum since then. During this period, the museum focused on research, study, archeological excavation and relic collection work, as well as renovation and conservation of downgraded vestige sites. Many relics were found and added to the museum’s collection. In 2002, Danang city funded the construction of a two-storey building behind and connected to the old building, with over

um turns 100

4000 m2 space for exhibition, library, storage, maintenance workshop and offices. In the cooperation and cultural exchange program with the Republic of France (FSP project) of 2002-2005, the two exhibition rooms of My Son and Dong Duong relics have truly given a new face to the Museum. This was also a chance for the Museum to complete the remaining exhibition rooms. 100 years after the day its construction began, having gone through many stages of expansion and renovation, Cham Museum managed to preserve its original architectural features. Ten centuries of Cham sculpture, most notably the My Son, Tra Kieu, Dong Duong and Thap Mam art, are alive and well preserved. Through so many historical events and changes, the Museum keeps on functioning and developing, deepening and modernizing in all aspects, including human resource development, improving access, maintaining and renovating exhibited items. Most of the items of the My Son collection are dated from VII – VIII centuries, some from X – XI centuries. My Son shrine (E1[22.4]), VII century, with 4 sides meticulously carved, is a miniature model of

Mount Meru, the sacred sanctuary of Shiva. It reflects the deep influence of Hinduism on Champa religious art along the history of this Kingdom. The items of the Dong Duong collection have witnessed the advance of Mahayana Buddhism at the Dong Duong capital of Champa during IX-X centuries. The Bodhisattva statue [BTDN535], aka Tara, is a masterpiece of ancient art of bronze casting. Items of the Tra Kieu collection with items dated from XII century up to X century are very diverse, including shrines, deity statues, relieves, architectural decorations, animal statues and many others. All exude soft elegance typical of Tra Kieu style. Tra Kieu shrine [22.2] with linga – yoni on a square pedestal, four sides of which have a lively, continuous carving, is also a vivid proof of the prevalence of Hinduism in Champa Kingdom, as well as of the virtuosity of Cham artisans in combining foreign influence with local elements to create pieces of sculpture that live eternally. Representing a style which developed at the last stage of Champa art, most of the Tháp Mẫm collection is dated XI-XIV centuries and carries features that show the in-

fluence of Khmer art as well as Việt art of Lý era. In this collection the most notable items are perhaps the statues of sacred animals, such as bird Garuda, leviathan Makara, and the relieves of Shiva. In 2012, the three relics My Son El shrine, Tra Kieu shrine and Dong Duong Bodhisattva Tara were recognized as national treasures. The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism decided to rank Danang Cham Sculpture Museum a class I museum, which operates nationwide under the government’s general program of development of the museum network. The museum is also a focal point in the planning of Danang city. (1)“Musée Cham Tourane” Annual. Journal of École française d'Extrême-Orient, XIX, 1919, No.5, p103. Museum of Cham Sculpture No 2 2/9 street, Hai Chau Dist. Danang.n Opposite left: Museum of Cham Sculpture, after 1936 (Archive of the École française d'Extrême-Orient). Opposite right: Museum of Cham Sculpture, before 1936 (Archive of the École française d'Extrême-Orient) Left: Inside the Museum, 2014 Right: A work of Tara on display at Museum of Cham Sculpture

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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All the flavours of Vietnam in one Vietnam House BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

f you are new to Vietnam and wish to learn about its culinary delights on its home turf and what is the point of coming from half way across the globe if you are not-the place to take your basic course and courses has to be Vietnam House on Dong Khoi Street just a stroll from many of the downtown hotels. I would consider myself a graduate in the subject but there is always need for revision so I went along for dinner taking along my fifteen year old daughter.The intention this time was to savour some of the fruits of the sea for which this restaurant is famed . The beautiful building with green slatted French windows is distinctive. In colonial times it was the residence of a prominent family. Now,as we walked through the door the first thing we noticed were the aquaria at the back. Looking like gladiators in an aquatic ring the classic fish and crustaceans seemed to say- "Those who are about to be eaten,salute thee O diner." We decided to take the stress out of choosing dishes and risking mismatches by opting for two set menus for one sharing them between us. As it happened we discovered if you have not got too ravenous an ap-

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petite one set menu only would satisfy two people. Each set was comprised of six courses. This is a really good way to spend an evening as it took a leisurely two and a half hours to enjoy the whole experience. Vietnam House is definitely not a fast food joint! The drinks here are very reasonably priced considering what most downtown Saigon restaurants charge. A beer is 55,000 dongs ++ for a large glass and they obviously have learned Western preferences as they have draught Tiger beer for the same money. It was 59,00++ dongs for my daughter's apple juice; exotic in Vietnam. She also had a mojito cocktail priced at 99,000++ dongs. This contains vodka so I was waiting to see her face turn purple. But no she drank the whole thing with no bad effects. It must have been the European genes in her that makes her alcohol tolerant: many Asians I know are allergic to alcohol. I need to add that there is also a full range of grape wines to accompany your meal starting from 690,000 dongs for a Chilean red as well as wine by the glass. The dishes were more filling as we went along. For starters there were fresh spring rolls ad a spicy beef salad garnished with a large red chili pepper which looked too hot

RESTAURANT to eat. The next two dishes were also light. They were deep fried squid rings with sesame and minced prawn on a sugar cane stick-a Vietnamese kebab!- both were truly scrumptious. On to the more substantial dishes now as along came a large bowl of steamed clams in lemongrass and slices of sauteed chicken breast in a mushroom sauce-further delights for the palate. Things really started to heat up when a whole lobster cooked with salt and chili and a whole crab bathed in a tamarind sauce arrived at the table. My daughter found the crab absolutely delightful but being the first time for her to eat lobster a strange experience. Not so I having eaten it frequently during my five years in Mozambique during its civil war when tourists were non existent and we aid workers got it at rock bottom. However I never got it so deliciously prepared as now. Now a confession I am a Lionel Messy of a dinner and despite the finger bowl with this kind of food the my side of the table was not looking good. However thanks to the at-

tentive staff in their fine traditional uniforms paper towels were provided. I soon cleaned up and a new table cloth was laid. The last main dishes were two hot potsof crayfish; a tasty fresh water crustacean which looks like a small lobster and the other of seafood and mushrooms. There was banana flower, bamboo shoots ,morning glory stems and bun(rice vermicelli noodles to add to the water. All of this led us to have little room for dessert which would not have been a problem in a normal Vietnamese meal as usually just fresh tropical fruit is served but here they lay on things really special for the foreign guest. What could be more special than eating vanilla ice cream with fresh cream and chocolate sauce in a scooped out coconut? It really reminds you are in Southern Vietnam. My daughter had the more daunting task of downing two banana fritters with ice cream. She only managed the one fritter. We both ended the meal as stuffed as Christmas fowls. These two set menus cost around a mere two million dong which is around only forty

seven US dollars a head. This is exceptional value for money and probably unbeaten in the downtown especially in the hotels. Of course you can arrange a substantial meal for much less money from the a la carte menu which has an amazing one hundred and fifty dishes to choose from. The three regional tastes of north, central and south are all well catered for. There is also a wide selection of imaginative vegetarian dishes on offer. If you are lucky you may be able to meet the renowned executive chef Lam Thi Thu who has been with the restaurant since it opened twenty three years ago. In a nutshell,Vietnam House gives superb value for money and proudly presents the whole vast array of one of the world's best cuisines to visitors taking into account the needs of Western diners and with very attentive English speaking servers. It also delights old Vietnam hands like myself and native born Vietnamese such as my daughter.n Vietnam House Restaurant at 93-95 Dong Khoi Street, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel. (84) 8 3829 1623

t the mountain resort of Sapa, I had got up and finished breakfast by seven o'clock; much earlier than usual for me. My tour guide telephoned to announce she would be arriving late. I had suddenly found myself with time on my hands. I decided to use this to experience something intriguing I had read about - a Red Yao herbal bath. The Yao ethnic minority are named after the red head gear worn by their women whom you see all over this small town; the hats cover both head and ears and are useful in the cold Sapa winters, I imagine. After a short stroll from my hotel and up fifty metres of steps, I found myself at the doors of the Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa. At the lobby, I requested this spa treatment. They suggested, as my time was limited, that I try a half-hour body massage and half hour soaking in the herbal water. I was informed it would take some time to prepare the bath, but while I was waiting, they served me a pot

of complimentary green tea in their breakfast restaurant, which had a panoramic view of the mountains. Soon, I was in a buggy being whisked away to the hotel's recreational area. It is only a hundred metres away, but up a very steep hill. Apart from the spa, there is a grassy badminton field, a petanque (French bowls) rink and a first for me in Vietnam - a heated indoor swimming pool! A charming young masseuse was there to greet me. She asked if I wanted to be rubbed hard, medium or soft and said to just ask if I wished to change the pace. There was an element of aromatherapy as she used a sweet-smelling ointment. In addition, there was meditational music playing in the background. On I went to the herbal water, heated to lukewarm and poured in a hard plastic tub, an imitation of the true Yao tub, which is made of wood. The water was dark brown, the same colour as the herbal tea my wife in

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BY RITCH PICKENS

Saigon prepares and which I drink almost daily. It seemed almost sinful to waste an herbal tea by sitting in it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my half hour soaking and also the sweet smell of the water. Later, an English friend and long time resident of Sapa told me that people often include this treatment along with to their trekking and the best Yao village for this is Ta Phin. It can cost as little as four dollars. He added that it can used to treat all kinds of ailments and the Yao use it in particular for women who have just given birth. At all events, I came away feeling well toned-up for a day's trekking and feeling it had been time and money well spent Prices - a one hour aroma therapy massage costs 1,000,000 dongs. Red Yao herbal bath for 550,000 dongs.n

Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa

Xuan Vien St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-522, www.victoriahotels.asia

Photo: Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa

A Red Yao herbal bath at the Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa

Ana Mandara resort Dalat:

Amid pines in the tropical country

n open terrace fenced with trimmed agave trees and domed with slim-bodied pines circled the French colonial building of Le Petit restaurant in Ana Mandara Dalat Resort & Spa and lost its edge in the verdant hedgerow. It felt thrilling to find oneself watching the charming landscape with old villas scattered along the juicy green slopes, a chilling wind gently brushing pine tops as backdrop music and to breathe in a clear and crispy mountainous air. An ancient brick wall left from a sumptuous French villa serves as a gateway to an impressive property comprising 17 fully-restored, elegant villas in the 1920’s and 30’s, all hidden in the lush and redolent conifer parc on the smoothly rolling hill. A quick ride on a buggy down zigzagging cobblestone path-

ways and I am at the butterfly door of my Villa room with a separate entrance surrounded by a wall of blooming hibiscus. Its interiors are yet more impressive, with a fourposter domed bed, eye-catching antique furniture, a fireplace and ornate, iron-cast heater. The impression is enhanced with a bathtub under the massive candelabrum of hanging curtain holders. Two and three-storeyed villas, full of color and old French flair are scattered along the premises on different levels, ranging from these on the descending slope overlooking a picturesque valley to the hilltop villas with stunning panoramas of charming surroundings with a mysterious silhouette of old and ruined arc, all lit by the glaring sun at the distance. Once inside, one finds himself completely lost in time for a moment amid the

30 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

BY NATHALIE SOKOLOVSKAYA

bedazzling atmosphere of the past: a spacious living room in the bay window, shared by guests, is a full reproduction of a French salon from the beginning of XX century. Interior outlay with skillfully restored French furnishing, huge arcs of windows with cushions and bookshelves, old paintings and pictures on the wall along attached kitchen, butteries, butlery and backdoors hidden in the labyrinths of pass ways and stairs fill the air with mystery. Each of the villas boast different eyecatching design, with curious interior solutions and fine touches featuring mansard suits with two levels, art deco- inspired studio rooms with bathtubs standing in the middle of the room, antique ceiling fans, sash windows, separate closets and study corners, balconies and spacious sunrooms. The resort

DALAT ADVERTORIAL premises embrace 36 hectares of parkland and feature amazingly aesthetic sites and corners to please the eye; alcoves and cozy garden seating areas, winding stone paths and a “stunner” of a heated outdoor swimming pool under the shade of towering pines which could easily win a prize. The long and greatly enjoyable day and night swims in its warm and garland illuminated waters has highlighted my stay. As for in-house facilities, Ana Mandara Resort & Spa offers a lot of options for pleasantly surprising experiences to pamper all the senses with style and chic: fine gastronomy sessions with buffet breakfasts conducted on the terrace of the restaurant with Brie cheese, homemade bread, strawberry yogurt and juicy organic salads freshly cut and a la carte dining in noble indoor interiors featuring artichokes and local salmon. An atmospheric wine bar nestled in the restaurant‘s mansard has an extensive wine collection and offers captivating local wines. La Cochinchine Spa, housed in one of the villas downhill, features truly relaxing and harmonious interiors with spacious lounge on wooden floor, wall-to-ceiling windows and gallery passages leading to secluded massage rooms luring enough to be lost in for several days in a row. Among la Cochinchine spa signature treatments are Vietnamese and Asian blended massage, Jet Lag recovery, Chakra balancing and Ayurvedic Shirodhara oil treatment. The Spa center features a well-equipped gym to work out the bountiful meals off against the backdrop of stunning views of verdant gardens. This scenic high-hill city has a lot to offer to those keen on aesthetics. Ana Mandara Dalat resort & spa, along with an array of facilities and activities meant for utter comfort and memorable stay, boasts a lot of beauty and character and the peculiar festive atmosphere of Christmas at any season. If Dalat with its climate and architecture is considered “the least Vietnamese city” in the country, then Ana Mandara is one of “the most Dalat institutions,” which gives one an excellent chance to feel and experience its fascinating atmosphere.n VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2015

Picture Perfect

n November 23, coinciding with Vietnam National Heritage Day, at the New World Hotel HCM City, the prize-giving ceremony of the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015,the fourth edition so far, was held. It was the culmination of many months of hard work from the staff of the magazine, the sponsoring organisations and not least, by the hundreds of photographers who made their contributions. What a photogenic country Vietnam is! There are the mountains, the rivers, the sea, the wildlife and the forests. In human terms, there is never a dull moment. Daily life gives many a photo opportunity; the markets, the life of fisher folk, traffic scenes, workers in the plantations and farmers in their field, to name but a few. Then there is the tangible heritage of buildings, sculpture and the arts and crafts as well as the intangible heritage of the myriad festivals, customs music, dance, folk games, and diverse religious practices of the peoples of Vietnam. All of this was on show in the ceremony hall on the mounted prints of the finalists, the crème de la crème selected from 4,740 entries. This year, we teamed up with the authorities of Binh Thuan province in order to help their tourism and attract investment. There was a separate section of photographs from that province. Participants at the ceremony were treated to a film showcasing the attractions of Binh Thuan with its wonderful

beaches, fields of exotic dragon fruit, the Ta Cu Mountain with its huge reclining Buddha and the enchanted islands of Phu Quy. In my eyes, the standard of the photographs started high in 2012 and have scaled new heights every year since. When photography began, it set art on a less realistic and more abstract path. Now with all the ingenious things you can do modern cameras such as those of Canon, the best photographers are capturing moments that have a dreamlike quality like that of a painting. Aside from equipment, the other thing helping to take great snaps is the fact that in Vietnam the sun seldom sleeps. Something new this year I noticed is that there is more participation from the sponsors. Indeed, the hall looked like a trade fair with stalls from Long Beach Pearl, Canon and Hima Cordyceps, among others and the pretty hostesses of Vietjet Air in their girl guide-type uniforms. Representatives from Canon and Vietjet Air were on hand to present the awards. The winner of this year's award for best single photograph was Dem Hoa Dang with his gorgeous night shot of 'Lantern Night at the Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An'. The second prize was for Tranh Dua's picture of an elephant race in Dak Lak province and third prize went to Khung Troi Hanh Phuc, who snapped a mass wedding ceremony held on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of Vietnamese Independence.

In the category of photo series, the winner was of photos of the coming-of-age ritual of the Red Dao by Pham Bang. Tran Binh An received second prize for his photos of Quang Binh's Gianh River and the third prize went to Tran Dao Si's series of H'mong children's new year in Lai Chau province. In the category of Binh Thuan-Green Convergence, best single photo was for 'A Dragon Boat Race' by Nguyen Quoc Huy' Second prize went to Do Huu Tien for 'White Lake,' which is in the Mui Ne sand dunes and third was for Do Huu Tuan shot of a praying for rain festival of the Cham people. The award for best series was that of a Cham Bani minority wedding festival. Second prize was for Tran Cong Thanh's shots of a praying for fish festival with participants in colourful costumes. Third for his group of aerial photos of green Binh Thuan province was Vu Ngoc Hoang. The award giving was punctuated befittingly by a number of singing group performances with members dressed in colourful traditional clothing. Preparations for 2016 will soon be under way. Vietnam Heritage Magazine Photo Award not only is a celebration of all that is beautiful about an exceptional country and its peoples but also reminds us of the need to conserve the rich heritage we are blessed with. I hope to attend many more of these closing ceremonies.n BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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VIETNAM HER V HERITAGE RIT TAGE AGE PHOT PHOTO TO A AWARDS WARDS 2015 2 BINH THUAN - GREEN CONVERGENCE

Silver Sponsor

HOTEL H OTEL - N NHA HA T TRANG R ANG

CONGRATULATIONS TO VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2015 WINNERS

VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2015

On 22nd October, the first exhibition of the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015 was held at the Ocean Dunes Resort Phan Thiet, with over 100 best photos selected from 4740 entries to the contest. On the same day, the organising board - Vietnam Heritage Magazine granted 6 prizes to winners of the Binh Thuan - Green Convergence theme. On 23th November which is the Vietnam Heritage Day, the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015 was held at the New World Saigon Hotel, recognising 10 best works from the contest on general them about nature and culture of Vietnam.

Third prize winner for the Binh Thuan - Green Convergence theme Mr Do Huu Tuan with "Praying for rain" and Mr Hoang Trung Thuy, Chairman of the Judging Board

Second prize winner for Binh Thuan - Green Convergence theme Mr Do Huu Tien

First prize winner for Binh Thuan - Green Convergence theme Mr Nguyen Quoc Huy with "Dragon boat racing" was congratulated by Mr Nguyen Thanh Tam, vice chairman of Binh Thuan people’s Committee

“Pray for fish Fastival Second prize winner for Binh Thuan - Green Convergence theme Mr Tran Cong Thanh

Photographers and Mr Nguyen Thanh Tam, Vice Chairman of Binh Thuan People's Committe 36 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

Photographers - authors of exhibited works with Mr Hoang Trung Thuy, chairman of the Judging Board

Mr Hiroshi Yokota, President of Canon Marketing Vietnam and Mr Jay.L. Lingeswara, Commercial Vice Director of Vietjet Air with appreciation gifts from Mdm Le Thanh Hai, Director of the Organization Board of the Photo Awards.

VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2015

Second prize winners Mr Tran Bao Hoa and Mr Tran Binh An ( in the middle) and Mr Nguyen Van Que, Mr Le Van Thanh Tam - members of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Cultural Heritage Association

Runner-ups Mr Nguyen Trong Nghia, Mr Nguyen Manh Tuan, Mr Nguyen Ba Hao, Mr Vu Manh Cuong with Mdm Bui Thi Hang, Director of Southern Branch of the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam

First prize winner Mr Pham Bang for the photo series 'Red Dao Maturity Conferment Ritual'

First prize winner Mr Le Trong Khang

Mr Tran Thien Tung, PR Manager of Minor group Ms. Daria Mishukova, Brand and Marketing Director Long Beach Pearl, Mr Huynh Duc Huy, Representative from Ocean Dunes Resort Phan Thiet with Mdm Le Thanh Hai, Editor-in- Chief of Vietnam Heritage Magazine just handed flowers to thank for their sponsorship and support.

Congratulating songs from traditional singing clubs

Mr Vo Quoc Thanh - third prize winner with Mr Le Xuan Thang, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Association of Photographic Art and Mr Jay.L, Lingeswara.

Mr Le Huu Dung, Mrs. Doan Thi Tho, Mr Hoang Trung Thuy from the Judging Board

Photos by Ngo Dinh Hoa, Chung Tran Quang, Le Trong Khang, Nguyen Trung Kien, Dang Khoa VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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EVENTS HANOI

Colours Until 22 December

15 Vietnamese female artists including 6 artists in Ho Chi Minh City, 7 artists in Hanoi and 2 in Central Vietnam, including Nguyen Thi Tam, Dang Thi Duong, Cao Thi Duoc, Huynh Phuong Trang Dai, Tran Thuy Linh, Bui Mai Hien, Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Tran Thanh Thuc, Ha Khanh, Tao Huong, and Nguyen Thi Hue will display 80 paintings in the exhibition titled “Colours” held at City Exhibition House (16 Ngo Quyen, Hanoi). This is the annual exhibition by Vietnamese female artists who are lecturers of Fine Arts Universities in Vietnam. Most of their works are oil paintings and lacquer paintings in different style such as expression, reality and impression. All reflects a cultural space featuring the beauty of Vietnamese landscapes and people. Memory of Hanoi 30 December to 4 January Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 9 Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh Dist. The ancient culture of Hanoi will be reproduced during a program entitled ‘Memory of Hanoi’ by the Hanoi Department of Tourism and the Centre for the Preservation of Thang LongHanoi, which aims to introduce the beauty of the capital in the old days as well as promote its image to visitors both at home and abroad. The program consists of three main sections: exhibition activities, installation art, decorative and performing arts, and cultural activities. Highlights of the event will be the installation of ancient streets and houses, an introduction to

Hanoi’s traditional cuisine and costumes, and the arts of flower arranging and tea drinking. “White, Black & Gold” Until 25 December. The Japan Foundation Exhibition Hall, 27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Opening hours: 9am – 6pm daily, no closed days The Japan Foundation Center for cultural exchange in Vietnam hosts an art exhibition by Le Hoang Bich Phuong “White, Black & Gold” in Hanoi. Phuong is a Ho Chi Minh City-based artist who was awarded an artist-in-residence at S-Air in Sapporo City, Japan and had her first silk painting solo exhibition titled “A transformative disguise” in 2012 in Hanoi. In 2015, she brings “White, Black & Gold” with a new material, ceramic. This project is a new experiment - a combination of her ideas and an innovative Vietnamese craft technique, a departure from silk painting. All artworks will be made of glass and ceramic, and are hand-made. In the exhibition, a series of installations in ceramic will be divided into three spaces with three art works, representing her dreams or ours. People are constantly compelled by an unidentified urge to fulfill their dreams, and likewise gain greater access to life’s blessings. They struggle and evolve in an effort to reach these dreams, to reach this end. To Phuong, all of us are as random as the creation of planets. Born, then strung together in a cluster like a galaxy, an asymmetrical chain.Entrance free. “The colour” Until 22 December Hanoi’s Exhibition House, No 16 Ngo Quyen St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi The 6th painting exhibition entitled “The colour” will take place until 22 December at Hanoi’s Exhibition House, No 16 Ngo Quyen Street. The exhibition features nearly 80 artworks by 15 female painters who are members of Vietnam Fine Art Association coming from throughout of the country such as Nguyen Thi Tam,

38 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015-JANUARY 2016

Bui Mai Hien and Nguyen Thu Hue. Using materials and different style, the artists create a diversity of works in multi-colours and materials but still mount their passions and loves for art and their fatherlands. Each work in the exhibition is the subtle dotted about the landscapes and people of Vietnam that was expressed through individual artistic language of each author. Free Admission. Special Concert - Beethoven No.9 8pm, 18 & 19 December Hanoi Opera House, No 1 Trang Tien St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Artists from Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra with chorus from Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, Hanoi International Choir and Hanoi Freude Choir under the conduction of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji hold a performance features best piece music of Beethoven entitled ‘Special Concert Beethoven No.9’. The program features Symphony No.9 in D minor, op.125 "Choral" with the participation of soprano Ha Pham Thang Long, alto Nguyen Thu Quynh, tenor Nguyen Anh Vu and special guest bass player Fukushima Akiya. Tickets: VND200,000- VND350,000 VND 500,000. Call 0913489858 or 0983067996 for free delivery. Happiness concert 8pm, 13 & 14 January, 2016 Hanoi Opera House, No 1 Trang Tien St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji, together with artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, will hold a performance entitled ‘Happiness concert’ at 8pm at Hanoi Opera House on 13 & 14 January, 2016. The twohour concert is sponsored by Acecook Vietnam Company Ltd. and features an Overture from Opera "William Tell" composed by G.Rossini, Bugler's holiday, Syncopated Clock, Jazz Pizzicato and The Walzing cat by Leroy Anderson and Symphony No5 by Beethoven. Tickets: VND200,000- VND350,000 -

VND 500,000. Call 0913489858 or 0983067996 for free delivery. La Grande Sophie’s performance 8pm, 12 December L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi L'Espace hosts a pop-rock concert with French singer and songwriter La Grande Sophie and guest artist, Vietnamese singer Le Cat Trong Ly at 8pm on 12 December. The singer and songwriter began playing guitar at age 9, and then at age 13, she started a band called "Entrée interdite" with her brother and her neighbor. As well as performing covers of hits, she wrote and composed for this group, where she was the leading vocalist and musician. The French diva is best known for various albums like La Place du fantôme, Des vagues et des ruisseaux and Et si c’était moi. Tickets cost VND160,000 (VND80,000 for L'Espace members and students) and are available at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street. ‘Far in the north’ Until 31 December L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Featuring the artworks on the period of 2012 -2015, the ‘Far in the north’ exhibition is one part of the series “Vietnam’s landscape” that Ha Manh Thang has been working on for the last 3 years. The series is mainly centered on the temples and pagodas of North Vietnam. However, the background of reality in this new series has totally disappeared and he only painted the temples and pagodas in the Northern countryside areas of Vietnam based on their architectural drawings and a bit of real context that has been left on them. Free admission. “True Blue” From 13 December, 2015 to 11 January 2016 8am – 10pm daily. Manzi art space, 14 Phan Huy Ich St., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Manzi hosts Le Quy Tong's solo exhibition, True Blue, from 13 December until 11 January, 2016. It is the result of years of

working in silence and marks a clear departure from the artist’s previous interest. Tong last exhibited in 2008, and has since been experimenting with new techniques and themes previously absent from his practice, making each research an inquiry into fine art's most traditional medium painting. True Blue sees Le Quy Tong experiment with a hybrid of painting, decorated pattern and found imagery. Each of the works takes its starting point from photographic documentations of significant political meetings that influenced the course of history. The blue color palette which connects all the series’ pieces evokes a deeply sad and unsettling atmosphere, which reflects the mood at the basis of the work. The color also stands for loyalty and a commitment to truth – a perfect contrast to the deceptive nature of those concepts as revealed in True Blue. “Nesting” Daily until 31 December Toong Co-working Space 3rd floor, No8 Trang Thi St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi An art installation entitled “Nesting” by young local artist Nguyen Thuy Trang is on display at Toong Co-working Space until 31 December. The exhibition features 10 artworks inspired by the honeycomb. The artist uses soft materials such as paper, wind paper, fluorspar paper, embroidery, hemp and unique weaving technique to show the true meaning of “Nesting”. In addition, Trang uses technology in some artworks to harness the diversity and transformation of the material surface when combined with motion elements. Free admission.

DALAT

Dalat Flower Festival 2015 30 December to 3 January, 2016 Dalat Flower Festival 2015 features a series of interesting activities for tourists, including flower space installed around Xuân Hương Lake, Le Dai Hanh Street, Ong Dao Bridge and Palace Hotel area, a display of Flower traditional villages set up

at the Valley of Love resort, Dreaming Hill and Cable Car tourist attraction, the exhibition of flowers and ornamental plants at Dalat Flower Park and Dalat Flower Carnival at Lam Vien Square. The festival opening ceremony will take place on the night of 30 December at Lam Vien Square, with live performances of music and art and the Dalat Flower Carnival Parade. The festival will also hold Dalat Flower Fair where displays of flowers, vegetable art, and contract signing of vegetables, flower purchasing and sale processed Dalat vegetables, tubers and fruits. In addition, there is a space for a calligraphy performance, fire-pen painting, and flower photography at Xuân Hương Park.

HO CHI MINH CITY

A private affair at Saigon Saigon Bar One of the City’s most legendary rooftop bars is getting a boost of energy this December. Saigon Saigon Bar (Caravelle Hotel, 19-23 Lam Son Square, Dist.1), welcomes a new attraction, as five-member band Private Affair prepares to engage and entertain patrons at the storied rooftop watering hole. Hailing from Kiev in the Ukraine, the band says its name reflects each member’s individual reasons for coming to Asia to pursue music. The band plans to perform Tuesday - Sunday at Saigon Saigon Bar from 09:00pm till late with classic hits as well as covers of newer tracks. Group exhibition Until 19 December Galerie Quynh is holding an exhibition by two artists, Hoang Duong Cam and Trong Gia Nguyen. Graduating from Hanoi University of Fine Arts in 1996, Hoang Duong Cam is one of Vietnam’s most daring conceptual artists. Ha had many exhibitions in Vietnam and abroad. This exhibition displays his works, including photographs, paintings, video installations, and performance and collabora-

EVENTS Vietnam's First Water Ambulance Displayed at the New World Hotel Saigon.

On Friday 4 December, Vietnam's very first water ambulance was on view in the lobby of the New World Saigon Hotel. It was the culmination of a dream of twenty-five years of Dr. Chris O'Dempsey, HRA Director of Heart Reach Australia and involved the combined efforts of Harley Davidson Vietnam, Vietnam Bike Week. And H.O.G. (Harley Davidson Owners Group) Saigon Chapter. AUD 35,000 had been raised to pay for the vessel, its equipment and the associated freight charges. The boat is to be deployed as an emergency rescue craft in the remote Thanh Hai island area of Ben Tre, which has access to the provincial hospital only by water. Undoubtedly, it will save lives along the Mekong Delta region. Some of the equipment on board includes a portable respirator, oxygen, blood pressure monitoring equipment, a defibrillator and general medical supplies. To subsequent great applause, Dr. O' Dempsey climbed aboard, turned the ignition key to set the engine roaring, sounded the alarm and set the emergency red lights flashing. tive projects. The ideology, cultural differences and the structures of the inner and outer world with humour and keen insight are reflected in his works. Trong Gia Nguyen’s artistic practice elevates the condition of doubt and reveals the power structures behind our most trusted institutions and beliefs as they relate to the dynamics of culture, politics and economy, standing at the point where art and capitalism converge. One happy world – unpolished lacquer exhibition “One Happy World” is M Nguyen Thi Mai’s first solo exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City. Having undergone no formal training, Mai’s emotion became

her art teacher. The underlying tenet of her work has been joy and happiness. Mai believes that people are predominantly optimistic and cheerful in outlook. On a visual level, Mai uses a lot of neutral colors: grey, brown, dark green, bronze, etc. Coupled with the faded color of unpolished lacquer, these colors give Mai’s work a very rustic and rough look. Another notable feature of her work is the use of the feminine form. Mai’s work tends to celebrate nature and the traditional. Fine Art Museum of Ho Chi Minh City 97A, Phó Đức Chính, District 1, H.C.M.C., Vietnam Dates: 23rd January 2016 to 31st January 2016 Hours: 0900 to 1700, Tuesday to Sunday Opening: 1000 hrs, 23rd January 2016

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015-JANUARY 2016

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VALUE FOR MONEY HOTELS

Hotel Nikko Saigon

235 Nguyen Van Cu St., Dist.1, HCMC Tel : (08) 3925 7777

modation in Light Studio, buffet breakfast for 2 pax, 2 times Set Menu at FishCa restaurant for 2 pax, 1 time signature cocktails at the Top bar for 2 pax, 2 time signature spa treatments at Spice spa and complimentary see off airport shuttle bus. Contact: (0511) 3959 55 or reservations@alacartedanangbeach.com

RESORTS AND SPAS

Amanoi Resort

Vinh Hy Bay Tel: (068) 377 0777 Email: Amanoi.res@amanresorts.com Hotel Nikko Saigon is offering Triple-S Package at VND 4,368,000++ per night per Deluxe Single Room and at VND 6,496,000++ per night per Deluxe Couple Room. The package includes breakfast buffet, Seafood buffet dinner and 60 minutes body treatment at Ren Spa per person. This package is valid until 31 Mar 2016. For booking, contact +848 3 925 7777 or email to reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn

Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon

2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St., Dist.1, HCMC Tel: (08) 3823-3333 Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon is offering ‘Festive’ room packages including ‘Wonderful Package’ (valid until 29 Jan 2016) at VND3,150,000++/night for Deluxe Room inclusive 1 foot massage for 1 person, ‘Christmas Package’ (on 24 & 25 Dec) from 3,375,000++/night inclusive ‘Special Hamper’ on Christmas days and ‘New Year Package’ (30 & 31 Dec) from 3,600,000++/night inclusive special gift. All packages include breakfast buffet for 1 person, assorted tea, coffee and water in room and 10% discount on food and beverage. Contact: (08) 3823-3333.

AØ la Carte Da Nang Beach

200 Vo Nguyen Giap St., Danang City Tel: (0511) 395-9555

À La Carte Da Nang Beach is offers Blue Festive Season Package at VND 9,900,000net for 3 night-stay booking valid until 10 January 2016. The package includes 3 nights accom-

Amanoi Resort is offering Holistic Health and Well-Being Retreat valid from 15 December 2015 to 16 January 2016. Dr. Buathon Thienarrom is a highly experienced spa professional who practices the integration of the body, mind and spirit. Drawing on her extensive background in Nursing, Psychology, Health Sociology and Tibetan Medicine, Dr. Buathon’s approach to health and well-being is based on holistic principles. Over time and through hands-on experience, Buathon created ZenNaTai, a unique approach to holistic healing that allows the body to release the tension, generate chi flow and encourage a peaceful mind. The package is VND 4.740.000++ to VND6.558.000++.

Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa - Hoi An

Lac Long Quan St., Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 392 7927 Email: reservation@pgr.com.vn

two nights in a Superior Garden View room. The package includes daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers from/to Danang International Airport or a bicycle tour to Tra Que village and the countryside around Hoi An for two, and including also a lunch (or dinner) for two at Terrace Café, a 30-minute head/back/foot massage, a free extra bed for a third person (excluding breakfast), two discount vouchers for 50% off a body massage at Palm Spa, and other benefits.

Anh Viet Tourist

TOUR

Anh Viet Tourist Company will open Ho Chi Minh City Tour ‘Hop on – Hop off’ for foreigner tourists starting from 1 December, 2015. The fullday tour by 45-seat bus will take tourists to visit 12 of the most interesting sights in Ho Chi Minh City such as: War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Historic Museum, Cha Tam Church, Chinese Medical Street Hai Thuong Lan Ong and Thien Hau Pagoda in Cho Lon – China town. The tour will depart daily at 8am and end at 5.30pm, pick-up and return 30 minutes per coach. The tour has Interpreter with 4 languages: English, French, China and Spain and English speaking tour guide. Tour ticket is VND200,000 ($9). It’s available to buy ticket at 275F Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist.1 (Backpacker area) or booking online at http://www.hopon-hopoff.vn.

FOOD PROMOTIONS

Caravelle Hotel

19 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, HCMC Tel: (08) 3823-4999 Caravelle’s Nineteen Restaurant offers Christmas Eve Gala Dinner, Christmas Day Luncheon and Christmas Day Dinner Buffet will showcase traditional holiday dishes, such as whole-roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham and Christmas pudding together with mouthwatering delicacies from all corners of the globe. VND 1,980,000++ or VND 1,390,000++ for early dining. Christmas Luncheon is priced at VND 2,280,000++ or VND 1,680,000++ for dinner buffet. Nineteen’s New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Buffet is priced at VND 1,390,000++ for early dining, and VND 2,490,000++ from 8:00 pm until late, both accompanied by a flute of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

New World Saigon Hotel The resort is offering Festive Season at Getaway Paradise, valid from until 29 February, 2016, at VND6,200,000 for two persons for

40 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

76 Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8888 New World Saigon Hotel Celebrates “the 12 days of christmas” The hotel has 12 activities

VALUE FOR MONEY

The Reverie Saigon

leading up to 25 December; Jewelry Workshop, Gingerbread House Making, Christmas Cocktail Class, DIY Christmas Card Design, Zumba Dance, or Kid’s Treasure Hunt. It all culminates with Christmas Eve carols and Santa Claus on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet at Parkview - 24 December 2015, 6 to 11 p.m., VND2,500,000 per person, including Festive Beverage Package; New Year’s Eve Set Menu at Dynasty - 31 December 2015, 6 to 11:30 p.m., VND2,088,000 per person, including Festive Beverage Package and an entrance ticket to our Countdown Party at The Terrace - 31 December 2015, 11 p.m. till late, VND500,000 per person, including New Year’s Eve Cocktail, midnight supper and enjoy music and fireworks. Prices exclude 5% service charge and 10% VAT, and based on availability. Terms and conditions apply. For more information +84 8 3822 8888, e-mail reservations.saigon@newworldhotels.com, or visit newworldhotels.com

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

17 Le Duan St., Dist.1, HCMC Tel: (08) 3824-1555

Times Square Building 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Dist.1, HCMC Tel: (08) 3823 6688 www.thereveriesaigon.com The Reverie Saigon offers a four-course set dinner at Café Cardinal from until 30th December featuring foie gras, black pudding, Christmas turkey, and a selection of French cheeses alongside sweet desserts. The Long @ Times Square Countdown Celebration on 31st December 2015 offers activities including live music and special guest DJ. Partake in freeflow beer, sparkling wine, and house wine. Entry tickets are 1.200.000VND net per person.

31 December, New Year’s Eve Gala, with international buffet, world of magic, circus, hip hop, dances, live music and DJ. VND 2,024,000 net per adult. 15% discount for ticket bought before 12 December.

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa 5 Truong Sa Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang City Tel: (0511) 398-1234 www.danang.regency.hyatt.com

Windsor Plaza Hotel

18 An Duong Vuong St., Dist. 5, HCMC Tel: (08) 3833-6688

Windsor Plaza Hotel offers buffet menu at Café Central An Dong for Chrsitmas Eve with the roast turkey menu, live music and nightly lucky draw, and enjoy unlimited sparkling wine or wine. Festive buffet from VND880,000++ per adult. The hotel’s Ngan Dinh Restaurant in December offers 23% off total bill to celebrate its 23rd year. Top of the Town Restaurant & Bar offers a 5-course dinner in the night of 24,25 and 31 December at1,200,000++ VND with free flow sparkling wine and wine alongside live music.

For the holiday season, the resort offers buffet dinners on 24 and 25 December and on New Year’s Eve, from 6pm to 10pm. These buf fets will also be complemented by live music performances from the resident duo. VND 1,190,000 per person including soft drinks and VND 1,740,000 per person including freeflowing wine and beer plus a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve.

Rooftop Sky Lounge and Club

24th, 25th floor, Bavico International Hotel Nha Trang 02 Phan Boi Chau, Xuong Huan Ward, Nha Trang City Tel: +84 58 6266 555 www.bavicohotelnhatrang.com

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa 12 – 14 Tran Phu, Nha Trang City Tel: +84 (0)58 3820 999

Sofitel Saigon Plaza offers New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at Mezz Restaurant. VND 1,988,888++ including free flow of wine, soft drinks, juice, beer and Champagne. Count Down Party will be held at The rooftop pool with DJ and a spectacular view to the city fireworks. VND700,000 net per person including one drink.

24 December, Christmas Gala Dinner with traditional Christmas cuisines, Western-Asian delicacies and fresh Nha Trang seafood, gifts from Santa Claus, live music and lucky draw. VND1,598,000 net per adult.

BAVICO International Hotel Nha Trang officially opened Rooftop Sky Lounge and Club on its 24th and 25th floors to create an entertainment center which has luxurious interiors and urban sophistication.The club features modern sound and lighting,an impressive LED system, and a talentedDJ team playing EDM, Electro, Progressive, Hip-Hop, R & B, and Techno.

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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BUYABLE

VND248,000

VND350,000

VND625,000

VND325,000

MAY COU COU WOOL HANDICRAFT

111/2 Quarter 7, Tan Hoa Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province Tel: 0948 637 663 | Email:maycoucou.vietnam@gmail.com | Face Book: May Cou Cou

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 44, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.muongthanh.vn From VND900,000 ($43) Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: info@royalsapahotel.com www.royalsapahotel.com

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

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

equipped rooms, with many breathtaking views of Halong Bay Tuan Chau Island Holiday Villa Halong Bay Tuan Chau Island, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-999 Email: rsv@tuanchauresort.com.vn www.holidayvillahalongbay.com RESTAURANTS

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

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

BARS & CAFÉS

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

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

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

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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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

Ho Chi Minh 7. H oC hi M inh Museum

Citadel Thang Long hang L ong 8. IImperial mperial C itadel of T

CENTRE O

Vietnam History F3 9. V ietnam National National Museum of History Vietnam Military History 10. V ietnam M ilitary H istory Museum D2 illar 11. O ne P One Pillar

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

13. Ngo on T emple Ngocc S Son Temple

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 1 11

15 8

7 5 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 Morocco 9 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-5586 Mongolia 5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3009

46 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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

United States 7 Lang Ha St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3772-1500 MEDICAL CENTRES Acupuncture Institute 49 Thai Thinh St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3563-1069 Hanoi French Hospital 1 Phuong Mai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3577-1100 International SOS Clinic 1 Dang Thai May St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0666 Thuy Tran Otolaryngology Clinic 6 Do Quang St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi (6/61 Tran Duy Hung Avenue) Tel: (04) 3556-6124 Mobile 098 368 0276 Email: thuyent12@yahoo.com www.taimuihongthuytran.com Vinmec international hospital 458 Minh Khai St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Tel: (04) 3974-3556 AIRLINES Air France 1 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3484 Qatar Airways Hilton Hanoi Opera Building, M floor, 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-6767 www.qatarairways.com Singapore Airlines 17 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3826-8888 Vietnam Airlines 25 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-0320 TRAVEL

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

DIRECTIONS HANOI Topas Travel 52 To Ngoc Van St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3715-1005 Email: sales@topastravel.vn www.topastravel.vn HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Fortuna Hotel Hanoi 6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333 Email: fortunahanoi@fortuna.vn www.fortuna.vn From VND1,920,000 ($91) Hanoi Daewoo Hotel 360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 Email: sales@daewoohotel.com www.daewoohotel.com Hanoi Emotion Hotel 26 – 28 Hang Bot St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3848-9848 Email: info@hanoi-emotion.com www.hanoi-emotion.com The hotel also provides Vietnamese, Japanese and International cuisine Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Email: hanoi.opera@hilton.com www.hanoi.hilton.com Hotel de l’Opera 29 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6282-5555 Email: H7832-RE@accor.com www.hoteldelopera.com Melia Hanoi Hotel 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343 Email: melia.hanoi@melia.com www.melia.com Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 hotel.hanoi@moevenpick.com www.moevenpickhotels.com/hanoi From VND3,622,500 ($172.50) 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) Silk Path Hotel Hanoi 195-199 Hang Bong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3266-5555 Email: info@silkpathhotel.com www.silkpathhotel.com From VND2,173,500 ($103.50)

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel 11 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-9000 reservations.hanoi@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/hanoi From VND4,956,000 ($236) Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: h1555@sofitel.com www.sofitel-legend.com From VND6,090,000 ($290) 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 Tan My Embroidery 66 Hang Gai St, Hanoi Email: tanmyhuong@fpt.vn Tel: (04) 3825-1579 Viet Culture 1 Trang Thi St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-7417

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

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

SIGHTSEEINGS

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

Hanoi Museum 2 Pham Hung (next to Vietnam National Convention Centre), Me Tri Commune, Tu Liem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6287-06 04 Opening hour: 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entrance Ho Chi Minh Museum 19 Ngoc Ha St,

Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3752 www.baotanghochiminh.vn Open: 8 a.m. to noon (Monday and Friday), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (other days) Entry fee: VND25,000 Imperial Citadel of Thang Long 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong St/ 9 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 37345427 hoangthanhthanglong@gmail.com www.hoangthanhthanhlong.vn Open: 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays) Entry fee: VND30,000 Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 216 Tran Quang Khai St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed every first Monday of months. Entry fee VND 20,000 ($0.95) for adults and VND10,000 ($0.48) for children Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-2131 Email: btmtvn@vnfam.vn www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95) Vietnam Military History Museum 28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoi www.btlsqsvn.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND40,000 ($2) Women’s Museum 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-9936 www.womenmuseum.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) SPA

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

• 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

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) Lang Co Beach Resort

Alba Spa Hotel

Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com

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

NGHE AN

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

www.songlam.muongthanh.vn

QUANG BINH

(TELEPHONE CODE: 052) HOTELS, RESORTS

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

29 Tran Quang Khai St, Hue Tel: (054) 3828-444 Email: info@albavietnam.com www.albavietnam.com Indochine Palace Hotel 105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 Email: info@indochinepalace.com www.indochinepalace.com From VND2,940,000 ($140) The hotel is surrounded by lush green gardens that make it an outstanding landmark in Hue and give the city the feel of a resort. This luxurious, international standard hotel is created to appeal to Vietnamese and international visitors to Hue. Century Riverside Hotel Hue 49 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3823-390 Email: info@centuryriversidehue.com www.centuryriversidehue.com Hotel Saigon Morin

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

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

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

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

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

Tel: (0511) 3981-234 Email: danang.regency@hyatt.com www.danang.regency.hyatt.com From VND5,225,000 ($243)

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

48 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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) Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa 175 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3864-800 reservation@hoianriverresort.com.vn www.hoianriverresort.com From VND1,650,000 ($79)

Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & Spa Ha My Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: info@belhamy.com www.belhamy.com Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort Au Co Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3937-777 Email: sales@sunrisehoian.vn www.sunrisehoian.vn Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

From VND3,024,000 ($144) Royal Hotel and Healthcare Resort Quy Nhon 1 Han Mac Tu St, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 374-7100 Email: reservation@royalquynhon.com www.royalquynhon.com VND1,155,000 to VND1,365,000 ($55 to $65) MUSEUM

Quang Trung Museum Block 1, Phu Phong town, Tay Son Dist., Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3580-320 Open 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND10,500 ($0.50). Free for children under six 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

Hoi An Historic Hotel

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

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

10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3861-445 Email: reservation@hoianhotel.com.vn www.hoianhotel.com.vn From VND2,127,500 ($101) 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 Jolie Villa Hoi An Homestay 14 Luu Trong Lu St, Tan An Ward, Hoi An. Tel: 0934 847788 Email: Joliehomestay@gmail.com www.joliehoianhomestay.com Kiman Hotel & Spa

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

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

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

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

www.evason-resorts.com Galina Hotel and Spa 5 Hung Vuong St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3839-999 Email: info@galinahotel.com.vn www.galinahotel.com.vn Green World Hotel Nha Trang 44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3528-666 Email: sales@greenworldhotelnhatrang.com www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.intercontinental.com Liberty Central Nha Trang Hotel 9 Biet Thu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3529-555 Email: frondesk.lcn@odysseahotels.com www.odysseahotels.com

QUY NHON

(TELEPHONE CODE: 056) 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

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 VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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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) Mường Thanh Grand Nha Trang Hotel 6 Duong Hien Quyen St, Vinh Hoa Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3552-468 Email: info@nhatrang.muongthanh.vn www.nhatrang.muongthanh.vn From VND1,400,000 ($66) 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) 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)

PHAN THIET

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

SHOPPING

Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company 248 Thong Nhat St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3822-472 yensaokh@yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn www.yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn

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

Romana Resort & Spa

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

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

Muine Bay Resort

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

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

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

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

MUSEUM

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

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)

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

Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-598 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-188 Email: info@vinpearlresort-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com

Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort

HOTELS, RESORTS

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)

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

Km8, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province

50 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BINH DUONG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0650) An Lam Saigon River

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

DALAT

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

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

HO CHI MINH CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 08) CONSULATES

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

Air France 130 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-0981 All Nippon Airways 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-9612 American Airlines 69 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3933-0330 Asiana Airlines 39 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8710, (08) 3829-3038 . British Airways 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2933 Cathay Pacific Airways 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3203 Emirates Airlines 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3,

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2939 Japan Airlines 88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3821-9098 Jetstar Pacific Airlines 112 Hong Ha St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3955-0550 Philippine Airlines 2nd Floor Saigon Royal Building 91 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2105 Qatar Airways 1-5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-3888 Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Tran Hung Dao St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3924-5100 Singapore Airlines 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-1588 Thai Airways International 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2809

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

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

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

Duxton Hotel Saigon 63 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-2999 enquires@saigon.duxton.com.vn www.duxtonhotels.com First Hotel

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 Northern Hotel Saigon

Hotel Majestic

1 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-5517 majestic@majesticsaigon.com.vn www.majesticsaigon.com.vn Liberty Central Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269 Email: frontdesk.lcc@libertyhotels.com.vn

www.libertycentralhotel.com 18 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-1199 Email: first.hotel@hcm.vnn.vn www.firsthotel.com.vn Grand Hotel Saigon 8 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-0163 Email: info@grandhotel.vn www.grandhotel.vn Built in 1930, the Ancient Wing of Grand Hotel Saigon offers a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The Luxury Wing, opened in November 2011, adds a modern style. 230 rooms and suites, a ballroom, recreation area, VIP Lounge, Western & Asian restaurants, Bars & Grand Café at Roof Garden Hotel Nikko Saigon 235 Nguyen Van Cu St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3925-7777 reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn From VND4,830,000 ($230) 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

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

Caravelle Saigon 19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 www.caravellehotel.com

United Airlines Suite 708 Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4755 Vietnam Airlines 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3832-0320

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.

Kelly Hotel

42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-3364 Email: info@kellyhotel.com.vn www.kellyhotel.com.vn From 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. 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 Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777

52 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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 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 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)

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers 88 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Email: sheratonsaigon@sheraton.com www.sheratonsaigon.com Sofitel Saigon Plaza

pastries and cakes and a cup of coffee from selected premium blends.

Tel: (08) 3823-8811 www.authentiquehome.com

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

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

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

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

Lemongrass Restaurant 4 Nguyen Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0496 www.bongsencorporation.com Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653

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)

Tandoor Restaurant

39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-4839 www.tandoorvietnam.com

Windsor Plaza Hotel

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

Sonnet Saigon Hotel

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

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

Vatel Saigon Bistronomique-Lounge 120 Bis Suong Nguyet Anh St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 5404-2220 www.vatelsaigon.com

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

BARS & CAFÉS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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CENTRE OF HO

1. IIndependence ndependence P Palace alace

2. N Notre otre Dame C Cathedral athedral

3. V Vietnam ietnam H History istory Museum

4. F Fine ine A Arts rts M Museum useum of of Ho Ho Chi Chi Minh Minh City City E4 E4 Ho Chi Minh City 5. H oC hi M inh C ity Museum

6. Southern Women omen Museum Southern W

War Remnants ts Museum 7. Wa ar Remnan

Ben T hanh M arket 8. Ben Thanh Market

9. T ao Dan P Tao Park ark

Post Office 10. P ost O ffice

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

Fito Museum

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. 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 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

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

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.

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)

MUSEUM

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

LONG HAI

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

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

VUNG TAU

CAN THO

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

63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau

56 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

golf4.cantho@vinagolf.vn www.vinagolf.vn Victoria Can Tho Resort Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3810-111 Email: resa.cantho@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,700,000 ($175) MUSEUM

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

CHAU DOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 076) HOTELS

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

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)

Petrosetco Hotel

Southern Women Museum 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7130

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

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

CON DAO

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.

The History Museum 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-8146 www.baotanglichsuvn.com 8 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday War Remnants Museum 28 Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (08) 3930-5587 Email: warrmhcm@gmail.com Open daily 7.30 a.m. to midday and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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

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

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

An Giang Museum 11 Ton Duc Thang St, My Binh Ward, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3956-248 Open hour 7a.m. to 11a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Monday Entrance fee: VND42,000 ($2)

PHU QUOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 077) Phu Quoc Island, off the southern tip of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. White-sand beaches, scuba diving around coral reefs or exploring the protected jungle. Accessible by either the Rach Gia hydrofoil boat or a 50-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Modest family-owned bungalows on the beach to fivestar resorts.

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

FRANCE

(Telephone code: 33)

CLEMONT-FERRAND Kim Anh 6 Bis r Elie Gintrac Tel: (33-4) 7391-9364 Serves traditional Vietnamese food, from €12.80 per dish Open 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Sundays). GRENOBLE Kim Ngan 22 r Nicolas Chrier Tel: (33-4) 7649-0847 Serves Vietnamese food with prices starting at €8 per dish

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

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

UNITED KINGDOM

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

AUSTRALIA

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

INDONESIA

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

Hung Ky Mi Gia 5237 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115; Tel: (1) 619-229-2188 Serves noodle varieties with prices starting at $5 per dish Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. International Restaurant 1 4444 – A University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Tel: (1) 619-281-9999 Little Saigon 7 Linden Ave (Railroad) South San Francisco, CA 94080 Tel: (1) 650-589-1398 New York-NY Saigon Grill 620 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 Tel: (1) 212-875-9072 Serves over 100 Vietnamese dishes including vegetarian options Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Mai Lan Vietnamese 505 N State St Syracuse, NY 13203 Tel: (1) 315-471-6740 www.mailanrestaurant.com L’Annam 121 University Pl New York, NY 10022 Tel: (1) 212-420-1414 VIRGINIA-VA Minh’s Vietnamese 2500 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (1) 703-525-2828 Prices start at $15 per dish Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Mondays) WASHINGTON-WC Ho Bac 1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 Kieu Nga Lemongrass Restaurant VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

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