Vietnam heritage No.44 Devember 2014 by Vietnam Heritage

ISSN 1859-4123

CULTURAL CULTURAL HERITAGE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION O OFF VIETNAM VIETNAM

Long-legged geck geckos os of Vietnam

CONGRATULATIONS TO VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014 WINNERS AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS - NATURE

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS - LIFE

FIRST PRIZE Tuyết Sa Pa / Sapa in winter Author: Phạm Bằng

FIRST PRIZE Ánh đèn đêm hội / Festive Hoi An lights Author: Lê Trọng Khang

SECOND PRIZE Thác Bản Giốc mùa thu Ban Gioc water fall in autumn Author: Trịnh Thu Nguyệt

SECOND PRIZE Niềm vui được mùa tỏi / The joy of a good garlic season Author: Bùi Thế Dũng

THIRD PRIZE Hoa biển Trường Sa / Nam Yet island Author: Vũ Ngọc Hoàng

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE FIRST PRIZE Gái thượng phong / Boat racing Author: Nguyễn Thành Vương SECOND PRIZE Náo nức hội làng / A village festival Author: Hoàng Hải Thịnh THIRD PRIZE Hội vật làng Thủ Lễ The wrestling festival Author: Nguyễn Đức Trí

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE FIRST PRIZE Bánh hỏi ra lò / Making noodles Author: Trần Đình Thương SECOND PRIZE Sản phẩm tre Việt Nam Making bamboo baskets Author: Trần Đình Thương THIRD PRIZE Lụa Bảo Lộc / Bao Loc silk Author: Cao Minh Dẹt

THIRD PRIZE Niềm vui / The joy Author: Hà Văn Đông

AWARDS FOR PHOTO SERIES FIRST PRIZE Mây núi Bắc Sơn / Bac Son mountain in clouds Author: Nguyễn Phụng Chí SECOND PRIZE Nét xưa ngoại thành / Old subburban ways Author: Hồng Trọng Mậu THIRD PRIZE Biển Việt Nam / Vietnam sea Author: Nguyễn Đình Thành

RUNNER-UP AWARDS Bình yên / Peace Author: Huỳnh Quốc Cường Bình yên hang Rái Author: Phạm Mạnh Tuấn Peaceful view from Rai cave Quyết liệt / Mud ball festival Author: Trần Minh Vu Lan / Releasing lanterns Author: Trương Vững Nghề làm nước mắm Author: Đặng Hồng Long Making fish sauce Giữ nghề / Making drums Author: Trần Thị Kiều Oanh Nụ cười Chăm Author: Trần Minh Trung The smile of Cham children Qua sông / Crossing a bridge Author: Hoàng Thạch Vân Hội An, góc nhìn từ bầu trời Author: Trương Anh Đức Hoi An, seen from the sky Lụa Tân Châu, một thời vang bóng Tan Chau, a past glamour Author: Nguyễn Vinh Hiển

CONTENT

No 11, Vol.4, December 2014

COVER STORY Conservation 18 Long-legged geckos of Vietnam

Architecture

8 The French school Advertorial

12 Relaxing in Hue? Elementary, my dear traveller History

14 Footprints of the kings 16 The gallery of the real Crafts

20 Ceramic trade no longer going to pot Geology

22 For whom the bell tolls Work

24 Deadly catch

Advertorial

26 Canon delighting you for the common good Mythology

31 When life closes a window, God opens a door

32 What the papers say 34 Events

38 Value for money 42 Recipe

43 Directions 58 Laid back

Cover photograph: Lichtenfel geckos (Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi) Photo by Phung My Trung Published by the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam

Publication licence No: 1648/GP-BTTTT from the Ministry of Information and Communications of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the English-language edition of The Gioi Di San (The World of Heritage) magazine Editor-in-Chief: Le Thanh Hai; Public Relations Director: Bui Thi Hang; Sub-editing: Erik Johnson; Assistant: Kha Tu Anh; Production: Nguyen Hoang Kim Long; Contributing Photographers: Nguyen Ba Han, Hoang Quoc Tuan, Hoang The Nhiem, Huynh Van Nam, Le Hoai Phuong, Nguyen Anh Tuan; Ngo Nguyen Huynh Trung Tin; Tran Viet Duc Correspondent: Pip de Rouvray; Advertising and Circulation: Green Viet Advertising JSC Advertising and Subscriptions Service: Email: ads.vietnamheritage@gmail.com; Thuy Phuong 0166 79 70 706 Email: subs.vietnamheritage@gmail.com Hanoi Advertising and Subscription: The He Moi MHN Viet Nam Co.Ltd, Mr Song Hao: 0903 476 999 Contact in the US for subscription and advertising: 2628 Sturla dr. San Jose, CA 95148

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

www.vietnamheritage.com.vn

Vietnam Heritage

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

â&#x20AC;˘5

Taking a bath with an elephant at Don Village, Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province, 2012. Photo: Ngo Thi Thu Ba

ARCHITECTURE

The French school

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY PHO DAO

Unique among its peers, Pedagogical College of Dalat stands throughout time

alat is the only town in Vietnam which, in terms of its architectural planning and design, can be said to be European. The design includes thousands of villas, edifices and public buildings, among which the most notable is the Pedagogical College of Dalat. Years ago, seeing a calendar with a picture of a big lake and a tower behind a grove in the background, I thought it was something half the earth away. But the caption said it was a corner of Xuan Huong Lake in Dalat. The miraculous tower reflecting in the ‘lake that blinks thousands of golden leaves’ sung about in a song by Trinh Cong Son urged me to come to the ‘streets of the highland’ to see it for myself. Ever since then, I visited the college every time I came here. This time, I rented a motorbike in the Dalat central market, cut the wind on Ong Dao Bridge, and followed lake breezes along its Tran Quoc Toan shore to turn in to Yersin Street. Looking from the entrance of the railroad station, the tower behind the pine grove on the hill seemed to be expecting me. After passing Dalat Map Printing, which used to be the Geographic Service of Indochina, I was at the gates of the college. The two-storey office building’s façade is lined with solemn white column. Under the Mansard roofs, there are strange round air gates unlike any other school office in our country. 8 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

A view from Dalat Railway Station overlooking the Pedagogical College of Dalat Walking down the corridor under a wavy roof, I came to a large pine shaded court. From here, I could again contemplate the nearly hundred-metre-long red building, curved like an open book with a gigantic pen in the middle, pointing up to the deep blue highland sky. In the year-round cool climate of Dalat, the building’s red colour creates an enthusiastic and warm feeling, making it even more splendid without feeling hot as in other areas. It was truly a reasonable choice by maestro architect Paul Moncet, who de-

signed and led the construction during the late 1920’s. He was also a co-creator (together with architect Revéron) of the cog railroad station, another famous landmark of Dalat. On the ground, there are 16 Roman arch entrances with a line of square columns running along the curved corridor, which add grace and support two upper floors with 24 classrooms. The corridor on the floor above is lined with paired white cylindrical columns, which stand out against the red walls. The top floor has white doors

ARCHITECTURE

with round air gates on the sides that look like mischievous eyes looking back at visitors. These doors remove the monotonousness, adding glamour to the building’s front side. On the back side, the whole ground floor is covered with glass windows, which make it look luxurious like a trading centre and keep the classrooms both warm and bright in cool misty weather without wasting electricity. According to photos taken in the late 1960’s, there was a spacious court behind the building, surrounded by a beautiful pine grove, which has now been re-

placed by a chaos of jostling houses. Apart from the main building, on the sides of the court are buildings blocks that house the library and labs. Student dormitories are hidden in a pristine pine forest, behind which there is a stadium for teachers and students to play sports. The original eight ha area may be too big for a school. Perhaps in the early XX century Dalat was still a primeval region, which allowed its builder the full freedom of imagination. Every time I stand in this court, I am mesmerized by the buildings, strong as a

castle and magnificent as a palace. So many times I have asked myself why I love this school so much. The answer is not difficult; it is because this is a work by a man with talents. But without the vision and commitment of E. Hébrard, Head of the Service of Architecture and Urbanization of Indochina in 1923 and author of the general planning of the ‘garden city’ Dalat, would a school like this which became a symbol of this city have come into existence? In the late XIX and early XX centuries, the French built privileged high schools, lll VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

•9

ARCHITECTURE

such as Le Quy Don (Collège Chasseloup-Laubat) in 1874, Violet Dress School for Girls (1913), Lycée Pétrus Truong Vinh Ky (1925) in Saigon, Collège de My Tho (1879) in Tien Giang Province, National School (École Primaire Supérieure) (1896) in Hue, Lycée du Protectorat (1908), and Lycée Albert Sarraut (1919) in Hanoi. They all followed functionalism in design with a court in the middle, surrounded by functional blocks, or the blocks standing in parallel, separated by a courtyard. Functional architecture, which prioritized functionality over

lll

10 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

beauty, was predominant in the early XX century. Yet this anti-functional complex, as the experts call it, got through. Practically, it should be arranged just like the others. Particularly, the money spent on the tower would be good for many other facilities. But then there would be no miraculous-looking school to beautify Dalat for centuries. It’s the ‘anti-functionality’ of the form, especially that of the tower, that created another functionality, that of visual art. The artistic value of the school complex was surely not a utility by it-

self. Admiration to those talented and incorruptible men whose remaining architectural works all over Indochina are not only a tangible legacy, but also an invaluable example of professional ethics and honour, which became even more urgent after nearly a century. The tower seen from Palace hotel, Doi Cu, Xuan Huong Lake and almost everywhere in the city seems to say ‘Here I am,’ and ‘I am just a school, but a must-see!’ Perhaps that’s why a wine company here took the image of the school with a tower as its exclusive trademark.n

ADVERTORIAL

Relaxing in Hue? Elementary, my dear traveller

hink tourism in Hue and you automatically think ‘history’ - the Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City, The Imperial Mausoleums. A few years ago, some enterprising people also thought of Hue as a beach destination and hotels sprang up on the long bar of land that has formed behind the Hue lagoon, one of Asia’s largest. But it takes some thinking out of the box to actually establish a luxury resort hotel on the lagoon itself and trail blaze with Vietnam’s first over-the-water villas. The owners of this development are the same family that, ten years ago, created that retreat in the woods, ‘Pilgrimage Resort’, just south of Hue City. Here, you are given the same personal attention, original architectural design and top-notch food and beverage in a different and awe-striking setting-a shimmering lagoon, surrounded by lofty mountains and backed by steep, wooded

12 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

BY PIP DE ROUVRAY

slopes. If ‘Pilgrimage’ was a number one hit, then the family group has followed up with a world-wide smash. The reception block is traditional Vietnamese village architecture of column, beam and rafter, using light brown jackfruit wood, which is also used for carvings on display throughout the complex. Paying homage to the previous occupants of this area, you will also see Cham art here and by the communal swimming pool. There was even a Cham figurine in an alcove in my villa, as well as a Cham dancing girl carved in slate over the bed. This block houses a library, an art gallery with works by local artists, a table tennis room and a karaoke room. Adjacent to this are the tennis, badminton and volleyball courts. If you are not content just to simply rest, there are also private and public swimming pools. One thing I would to have loved to have tried was

kayaking. I watched braver folk enjoying this. An alternative is to arrange for a fishing trip further out on the lagoon. Instead, I took to cycling. There are bicycles parked outside of all accommodations, and you are also provided with a map for exploring the area by bike. The real Vietnam is right outside its doorstep. A beaten earth road with very little traffic leads you right by fishing villages and lime green rice fields. You can watch folk mending nets and unloading fish from sampans. So many times have I rushed along the National Highway Number 1 on four wheels, never realising there was this fascinating tranquil world below. You will see domesticated ducks and geese along the way, as well as egrets. I rode as far as a large village, where a river flows into the lagoon. Here, gaily painted in red and blue, were large sea-going fishing vessels. The only negative is the pollution. The locals toss a lot of rubbish on the shore way and reeds. Hopefully, with the arrival of the resort, people will realise the value to all of keeping the lagoon as clean as possible. Wisely, Vedana employs eighty-five per cent of its staff locally, so word will soon get round. On to wining and dining. There are several alternatives; you can have a table set up for two and enjoy a romantic dinner on the pier, watching the day fade away over the lagoon. Particularly, for private groups among

ADVERTORIAL

lush greenery, there is the Lantern House, where cooking lessons also take place. I ate where most folk do, on the veranda of the Horizon Restaurant, where both Western and Asian dishes of the highest standards are served. In order to take the stress out of choosing, and acknowledging that the chef knows best as to what combines with what, I chose to eat Vietnamese Table d’ Hote’. The appetiser was the slightly glutinous ‘crab and mushroom soup’, very familiar to me. Then came the ‘goi du du’- papaya and beef salad with rice cracker to scoop it up and embellished with raw carrot and cucumber. The piece de résistance was the ‘seafood on a large square platter’. This consisted of grilled prawns, squid, clams and mackerel steak. It came accompanied by white rice and sautéed morning glory. All of this I enjoyed seated on the verandah with candle light on the table and starlight above. Dessert was passion fruit with cream. Captain Waitress Miss Anh Thi Anh Thu marshalled her staff well and made sure my glass of sémillion chardonnay Australian wine was kept topped up. I was lodged in a Pool Honeymoon Villa. With gardens fore and aft and a spacious private swimming pool to the side, the villa is made of concrete, pink stone and thatch. There is also a long wooden veranda with sunbeds, chairs, table and potted flow-

ers and a great view of the lagoon. The inside was as large as a London flat with even a kitchen where you can take a private cooking lesson. Ablutions were either to be taken in a very large bathtub or by open-air shower in the back garden. The centre piece was a large dark wood four-poster bed. Staff member Miss Truong Thi Mong Cam showed me the other kinds of accommodation. The Lagoon View Bungalow is the same as mine, but without the private pool. A first for Vietnam and more or less the same design and for the same price as my villa and even with a smaller version of the shower garden, there are eight over-thewater Aqua Villas. One special feature is that part of the floor is of very thick glass, so you can observe shoals of fish underneath. With such a conducive and romantic atmosphere, I wondered how many babies had been conceived here. ‘We have no reliable statistics,’ Miss Mong Cam informed me. The Pool Aqua Villa, also on stilts over the water, is a double unit; two bedrooms separated by a pool. Probably equivalent to a presidential suite built into the wooded mountainside is The Pool Family House, which has two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and a very large garden with its own pool and badminton court. Early morning found me breathing in the cajuput-perfumed air on the boards of the ‘Wellness and Spa Centre’. I had come

for my first lesson in Tai Chi. Ahead of me, my instructress raised her arms and loudly proclaimed ‘In Hell’. My spine instantly chilled. What evil New Age sorceress was this? If she had had a sword in those hands she would be about to sacrifice a pig, I thought. What had I let myself in for? Not to worry; after a while it dawned on me that what she was trying to say was ‘Inhale’. She had other, more picturesque commands – ‘Hold the jar’, Push the door’, ‘Sweep to the left’ and ‘Sweep to the right’. She had her share of laughs as my first attempts at Tai Chi were as clumsy as the antics of that other Englishman, Mr Bean. What more could anyone wish for? Vietnam now takes on the world for luxury resort hotels set in breathtaking scenery. More than that, it has not chain hotel repetition, but a hotel incorporating much of its heritage and culture with unique creativity and genuinely friendly family personal attention. Current published rack rates: Lagoon View Bungalow VND7,480,000, Pool Honeymoon Villa VND11,000,000, Pool Aqua Bungalow 27,940,000. Prices include breakfast and all taxes.n

Vedana Lagoon Resort and Spa

Address: Zone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu Loc District, Hue. Tel: (84 54) 3681-688 Email: info@vedanalagoon.com www.vedanalagoonresort.com VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 13

HISTORY

Mr Nguyen Dac Xuan at Ba Vanh Tomb, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien Hue Province. Photo provided by Nguyen Dac Xuan

Footprints of the kings

A 77-year old researcher is a selfmade expert on the kings of Hue

n recent decades, Hue has attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign culturologists. Mr Nguyen Dac Xuan is perhaps one of the most special among them. He has dedicated almost all his life to study Hue’s culture, and people call him a ‘Hue-ologist’. Nguyen Dac Xuan was born in 1937, in a family that had three generations working in royal palaces. ‘This helped a lot in my research work, because I can compare the materials with what my father and grandfather told me,’ he said. 14 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Mr Xuan receives me in a room filled with thousands of books, neatly arranged on shelves. To him, the nearly 700-year history of Hue includes many domains, including topography, philosophy, Buddhism, music and literature. To collect materials in these areas, Mr Xuan constantly left his beloved Hue. He has books in Chinese, French, English and Vietnamese and hundreds photographs. ‘I have books that nobody else in Vietnam does. And I have invaluable photos, too,’ he affirmed. The agile old man also made

BY NGUYEN DANG KHOA

hundreds of cassette and video tapes of the Kings’ wives, children, grand children, and the former servants of the royal family. ‘King Bao Dai’s second wife, Mrs Mong Diep, brought me 52 cassette tapes. I am among the very few Vietnamese who have met Princess Nhu Ly, King Ham Nghi’s daughter, who lives in seclusion in France,’ Mr Xuan said. His research has brought him materials from the pagodas, churches, and genealogical records of Hue families. He carefully reads and compares it all, including the artefacts, before writing books about Hue. To date, the old man has written over 50 books about Hue culture, including one about Ho Chi

HISTORY Minh’s childhood in Hue, the search for Emperor Quang Trung’s tomb a clarification on the exile of Kings Ham Nghi, Thanh Thai, Duy Tan, Bao Dai; and books unveiling some of Hue’s secrets. ‘After 40 years studying Hue’s history, I have concluded that Hue culture is Great Viet culture, influenced by ancient Champa culture. So it has both the Northern vitality and the Southern deep torment. This is a general theorem, applicable to all aspects of this culture,’ he asserted. I asked which aspect was the focus of his research. ‘History is made by man, so I paid most of my attention to the people, focusing on the upper ruling class. I am especially fascinated by the Tay Son Dynasty’s emperor Quang Trung and the 13 Kings of Nguyen Dynasty, because their fates reflect that of the nation. For example, the life of the four exiled kings shows that the nation’s fate was in the hands of the French,’ Mr Xuan said. ‘What about the kings interests you?’ I asked. ‘Everything, from running the country,

Mr Xuan advises those who want to feel Hue culture to visit the royal palaces and all the seven royal tombs, or at least the four tombs of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh; then go to see Tu Dam, Linh Mu Pagodas and Tu Hieu and Hoang Mai Monasteries. At night, they should take a boat cruise on Perfume River and listen to Hue calling songs, then go to see An Huyen garden (an estate of a court official), Phu Mong old house, and Phuoc Tich old village, then visit trade villages to see how things used to be made; palm leaf hats at Phu Cam, bronze at Phuong Duc, embroideries at Phung Loc, then see court opera in the old citadel and during all this time, enjoy the uniquely Hue treats, especially the nam, loc and beo pastries. their everyday life, their eating and drinking habits, to the little known secrets, such as the intrigues in the power struggle, the kings’ sex life, incest in the royal family and outbursts of jealousy among the kings’ concubines.’ he replied. To study the character and fate of the kings, he had to scour through the written materials, royal palaces, tombs, indulgence dens, incognito routines, and exile sites of all the Nguyen Kings. Mr Xuan summed up that each king’s life is reflected best in his tomb. He argued,

‘Heroic Gia Long Tomb belongs to an intrepid king. Mighty Minh Mang tomb belongs to a king who ruled by strict and consistent law. Pensive Tu Duc tomb shows his poetic nature. Grandiose Khai Dinh tomb demonstrates his love for luxury.’ Some of Nguyen Dac Xuan’s research works were met with scepticism. ‘A few years ago I published my findings about the tomb of the world renowned emperor Quang Trung, and was criticized fiercely. But I fired back openly and convincingly. I challenge any dispute,’ he said.n

HISTORY

The gallery of

Above: A statue of the guard outside. Opposite from top: A couple of stone dogs and their puppy crouching in front of a stone throne; A crouching stone elephant; A pair of stone lions Photos: Nguyen Tat Dinh

ust 20 km South of Hanoi, Van Tao Commune is a peaceful land, with many pure Vietnamese cultural features. People here are mostly farmers, attached to their paddy fields. Recently, I learned the bonsai has become their new source of income. The rollercoaster development in the city seems not to affect life here. Around the new industrial zones, there are bazaars where one can buy plants, chickens and pigs. In the villages, people still use well water. Laterite walls and tile roofs slowly weather, waiting for time to cover them with a coat of moss. Perhaps that’s why the soft solemnity pertaining to northern culture still glows around the temples and pagodas in this area. Who would fancy that a grand relic lay just a few yards beneath this unassuming ground? Tradition says that Admiral Duke Do Ba Pham of Dai Giang was a useful figure under Lord Trinh Cuong. When Prince Trinh

16 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Giang succeeded to the throne, Pham fell out of grace. He started preparing for a world without him. He ordered stones from Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh Province to be placed on waterways to Van Tao, where he saw a good land formation. He hired master stone masons to carve the stones and build his tomb on joints, without bonding materials. The whole area is divided into three parts; the gate, the pre-death tomb, and the grave. Architecturally, the tomb is the most notable part. On both sides of the path leading into the tomb, there is an incense table made of monolithic stones, intricately carved. On the tablets is written ‘Dragon and horse play ball’ and ‘Lions kowtow’, together with reliefs of lotuses, clouds and fire and even an ink-slab and brushes. Another notable detail is the stone throne, similar to those in the hind part of the village communal houses next to the Land Lord’s votive tablet. Remarkably, the stone carvings on this throne are no less delicate and meticulous than the wooden ones. The last part is an obelisk that houses the gravestone, and the grave of the Admiral Duke Do Ba Pham of Dai Giang. The obelisk design is quite unique, because the stone roof and the four supporting pillars are connected only by joints, but the structure is very solid. The gravestone tells of the three generations of merits of the Duke, but carries no date of death. The grave house right behind the obelisk has the typical turtle shell shape, with a spiky top and four roofs. There is a rumor that

there used to be buildings around the grave house and the grave has a mechanical trap that makes it collapse if intruded upon. One can talk for days about the architecture of Admiral Do Ba Pham’s tomb, because it is a landmark masterpiece which remains almost intact. But the most impressive are the statues, especially the totem statues, which are purely Vietnamese. The pure essence of the Vietnamese shows in the peacefulness, gentleness and realness of the statues and the animals. Outside the gate, a pair of stone dogs in tintinnabula used to stand guard. One of them is missing, and the other is seriously damaged. But dogs are the house keepers and the remaining dog’s bearing shows it. Right behind the dogs stand two sturdy and seriouslooking guards. The guard statues are made very realistically, from body size to facial features. The most impressive is the pair of real-size, authentically detailed stone elephants. They must have been made by master carvers with great knowledge. They are twins, with deep-set, expressive eyes. Elephants are usually encountered at temples and pagodas, but this pair is one of a kind because they are too beautiful, too real. Behind the crouching elephants is a pair of full-size horses. They are real in every detail, without any flourishes or stylization. We can even learn from them how people used to harness horses at the time. Then, another pair of stone dogs. These don’t sit like the guard dogs at the gate, but crouch in front of the second incense table

the real BY CAO MANH TUAN

before an obelisk. The special thing about these dogs is that they were made without any sophisticated detail. They seem to be a couple, male and female, and there is a puppy sitting next to the female. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a happy dog family. And of course, these dogs are cute and tranquil, not fierce at all. The only unreal things present in the tomb area are the lions. Interestingly, although made 300 years ago, this stone lion pair is still very new. They show power and authority, but at the same time seem to be friendly and easy to approach. Ms Pham Thi Cuong, whose family has lived at the tomb gate for 4 generations, said that the whole village knew nothing about the tomb because it was buried too long ago. Previous generations had to worry about famine and social turmoil. The great flood of 1914 broke the dykes and smashed away everything on its way. Only the strongest buildings on the highest spots survived. People had to evacuate en masse. When the flood water receded, everything, including Duke Vanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tomb, was buried under the alluvial soil. As a witness of the excavation of the tomb, Ms Cuong said that it was done in 1984 or 1986. Miraculously, the tomb was almost intact. Ms Cuong has seen all of the places in her district, and she is sure that such beautiful totem statues can be found nowhere else. A few years after the excavation, life was too hard, so only very few people came to see the tomb. Later, when things got better, many came to contemplate the wonders, and she began to help the curator to take care of the tomb.n

CONSERVATION

Photo: Phung My Trung

Long-legged geckos of Vietnam Lang Son Cao Bang Cat Ba island

ost of the Goniurosaurus geckos of Vietnam live in deep caves in the limestone mountains of Vietnam. They are nocturnal animals, with very large eye apertures, capturing as much light as possible in order to see their predators and prey. Vietnamese herpetologists differentiate them from ordinary geckos by their distinctly bulging eyelids. Their popular name in

18 â&#x20AC;˘ VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

English is leopard geckos, because their skin has colourful spots like those of leopards. Apart from their long legs, these geckos are also blessed with a stylish ornamental coat, beautiful in every detail. Their original tail only swells a little at the base, but as new a tail grows to replace a lost one, it swells more than usual. These regenerated tails are a very interesting feature peculiar to this group of reptiles. They regenerate

not only the bones, muscles and blood vessels but also the nerve subsystem.Because of their proud glamour, these beauty queens are victims of illegal poaching, captured to be sold to China as pets. There are five main varieties. 1.Huu Lien geckos (Goniurosaurus huulienensis) These geckos are found at about 300-400m above sea level, in the lime stone mountains of Lang

CONSERVATION

Photo: Phung My Trung

Son Province. The Huu Lien gecko’s body is 108-117 mm long, with a dark brown back, a cream or orange stripe at the nape of the neck, three stripes between front and back limbs, one stripe right behind the back limbs and three to four stripes on the tail, and the tip of the tail is sometimes creamy or white. This is the second kind of gecko discovered in Vietnam in 2008, after the Goniurosaurus catbaensis that were announced recently.

2.Cat Ba geckos (Goniurosaurus catbaensis) Their thin body is 84-111mm long. The brown back has grey stripes and a multitude of dense yellow spots along the sides; the scales are of grainy type. These geckos live in rock slits and caves of the cliffs in Cat Ba bios-

Photo: Phung My Trung

phere near Hai Phong. They were discovered and announced in May 2008. To date, they are known to be found only in Cat Ba Island and believed to exist only in Vietnam.

3.Luii geckos (Goniurosaurus luii) Their bright body is a mix of chocolate brown with black and orange stripes. The tail is black and white. They live in rock slits and caves on the lime stone cliffs of Trung Khanh, Cao Bang Province. They have been confirmed to exist in Vietnam and were announced in November 2005.

4.Lichtenfel geckos (Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi) Their dark violet body and tail have five white or yellow stripes of equal width that ex-

Photo: Phung My Trung

Photo: Lee Grismeri

tend only to the stomach. Blood red eyes lined with palpebras of almost the same colour make them stand out. These geckos live not in lime stone mountains of Northern Vietnam, but on low earthen hills.

5.Viet geckos (Goniurosaurus araneus) With a dirt yellow body and six brown stripes on their back, these geckos are a signature of Cao Bang Province of Vietnam. In their Latin name, ‘aranea’ means spider, because their skinny form and long limbs make them look like spiders. The eyes are red brown. Goniurosaurus araneus are recognized among geckos by a thin line of scales on their back. They live mostly in rocky caves.n TEXT BY PHUNG MY TRUNG

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 19

CRAFTS

Bac Ninh Province

Ceramic trade no longer going to pot

ne can recognize the ceramic village Phu Lang, Que Vo District, Bac Ninh Province by neat walls of pots, jars and sarcophagi that wrap around it. We came to the 68-year-old artisan Pham The Tue when his family was baking a new batch of ceramic. Adding wood to the fire, he said, ‘I started this fire yesterday at noon, now we can unload it.’ Sipping tea from his product, Mr Tue said, ‘Tho Ha clay is blue, Bat Trang clay is white, but ours is brick-red. Here we do everything by hand, from shaping to painting and enameling, and then it’s dried in the sun. After baking, the clay becomes pink, and the enamel light brown or dark brown, like 20 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

eel skin. Those are the predominant enamels that we use. Our ceramic looks rough and tough, because that’s the beauty of earth and fire. That’s what makes Phu Lang ceramic attractive.’ Ms Pham Thi Ha, Mr Tue’s daughter, told us how they did it. Clay is bought and brought here from Bac Giang Province by boats, ground and sun dried to make it fade, then soaked for some time. Then it is pressed and rolled until the texture is as fine as possible. Only then it can be used to make things. When a product is formed, and the clay is no longer sticky, a worker gently pushes its wall from inside to create a relief on the outside. After the clay has faded even more, the product is smoothed, enameled

BY THAI SON

and sun dried again. When the enamel coat becomes opaquely white, it’s time to bake. The all-natural enamel used here is Phu Lang’s secret, which is passed down through generations. Ash of Erythrophleum fordii, Madhuca pasquieri, Burretiodendron hsienmu and talauma wood is mixed with lime, ground pebbles and white silt. The mix is dried and ground again, then put in water and stirred to form the enamel, and then it is ready. Mr Pham Tu Tai, owner of ‘Gom Tai’ explained, ‘To bake the ceramic, most of us use a dragon kiln, which has three connected compartments with flat but slanting floors leading to the chimney. The baked products are cleverly arranged; small vases and bedside

Opposite and right: Potters at work Below: Inside a kiln Photos: Phung Chi

lamp bases are put inside the big jars and pots. The wood for burning must be of high quality. Experienced workers can tell by the colour of the fire when the ceramic is done. The materials used today remain the same as hundreds of years ago, but the new generation of artisans, educated in artistic schools, has brought a fresh breath into the trade. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are more diverse in purpose, use, design, shape and form, taking the art of ceramic making to a new level. Nhung and Thieu are two of the most vanguard trademarks of Phu Lang today; particularly Nhung, a generations-old workshop that flourished during the last decade. Young workers are keen to experiment with new materials. Some delicate designs of flowers, trees and leaves are inspired by nature. Nhung ceramics have established a firm foothold in the highly demanding markets of Japan and South Korea. Mr Nguyen Minh Ngoc, owner of Ngoc workshop, told us his forefathers used to make only household utensils and spiritual objects. Recently, the more economic plastic has almost choked out the ceramic trade. After the success of artistic ceramic pioneered by the Nhung and Thieu families, in 2001 he strived to get admitted to the Hanoi Institute of Arts. What he learned helped a lot in creating shapes and forms and mixing colours. Now, he has a thriving workshop and creates jobs for a dozen workers. As a blend of culture, history and art for generations, Phu Lang has become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. They come not only to see and listen and take pictures of the village, the people and the surroundings, but also to learn how the ceramic is made and to do it themselves, which is a memorable experience. A Japanese tourist shared his thoughts, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Before coming here, all I knew about the village were photos of ceramic pots, jars, vases and bonsai beds. Now I will take home the warm impression of the smiles, the friendliness, the simplicity and spontaneity of the people I met here.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;n

GEOLOGY

Buon Ma Thuot

For whom the bell tolls

Above: The ‘stone bell’ Below: Mr Thanh and a complex of stone daisy fossils

o many dwellers of Buon Ma Thuot Township, Dak Lak Province, the café at 599 Le Duan Street is no longer an eccentric place with many hundred-millionyear old fossils and rocks, but a sanctuary containing precious relics of geological history collected by its owner, Mr Hoang Thanh. He was born in 1959 at Sia Town of Quang Dien District near Hue. During the 1968 offensive, his fam-

22 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

ily drifted to Buon Ma Thuot. He became a road construction mechanic. In 1991, he quit his job and opened a repair shop at home. He dreamt to have a beautiful garden of his own. So, he bought some land and started building the garden of his dreams. Then he recalled the rocks and stumps he saw at construction sites. He immediately went back and took them home. He spent money to hire big trucks for the job. His passion for rocks became famous, and people started to collect strange looking ones and sell them to him. ‘My friends think that I must be a screwball to spend money on scraps like this,’ Mr Thanh laughed. His passion for rocks grew stronger with time. He sold his big house in the city to have money for the rocks. He looks for and buys all the rocks and stumps he likes just to decorate his garden. Once, he found three large

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY THANH HA

rock crystals. No vehicle could reach the place where he discovered them, so he hired an elephant to pull them. Forest rangers stopped him, suspecting something illegal, but upon seeing the rocks, they all burst into laughter. The garden was completed with hundreds of rocks, big and small. Mr Thanh opened a café to show them to his friends. ‘Some liked it, some didn’t, but I was just happy with my work. Soon, my garden was honoured to receive Prof. Vu Ngoc Hai, known for his work in the field of geology and minerals. He was also a deputy minister of education and training. Prof. Vu Ngoc Hai said that these rocks are treasures of national significance, and he told me to carefully preserve them, because they hold the secret of the formation of the Tay Nguyen highlands about 200 million years ago. Only then I and my friends understood the great historical value

of the useless rocks in my garden’, Mr Thanh recalled. In March 2010, Dr. Luu Dam Cu, Director of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature sent a group headed by Dr. Nguyen Huu Hung, a palaeontologist, to Mr Thanh’s garden to inspect his collection. According to them, his collection holds the record about the formation of Tay Nguyen highland, a basis for geo-cultural study of the local ethnicities. After studying Mr Thanh’s samples, the Vietnam National Museum of Nature expressed deep interest and wished to possess his mollusc fossils as a resource for research and exhibition. Mr Thanh agreed and handed over the largest paleontological collection of Tay Nguyen in the world (11.5 tons). Mr Thanh’s garden has a precious item called the stone bell. 12 years ago, while clearing a pass in Lak District, he saw a rock that looked as if it was made by human hands. It was cylindrical, 2.5 m long, 60 cm in diameter and weighed about 800 kg. He immediately hired a truck to take it home and used a pulley to bring it inside. Suddenly, the iron chain hit the rock and made a sound similar to that of a bell, to the amazement of all. So he hung it up and uses a small stone to knock it. The rock looks even more peculiar when the sun’s rays fall on it; it shines as if gold-plated. Looking closely, there are golden grains sunken in its fabric. ‘This is a sandstone rock, so it’s porous, not hard, and those are yellow sandy silt grains, not gold. But they shine under sun rays, just like gold,’ Mr Thanh explained. He loved the rock so much that he named it and his café the ‘Stone Bell’. Mr Thanh took a pebble and

knocked slightly on the other side of the ‘bell’. It resounds beautifully, like a temple bell. He walked around it, knocking evenly. The bell made different tunes when knocked at different places, low and high, clear and hoarse, and it all mixed into a lively and seductive chorus of the forest. The finer and clearer the weather, the more beautiful it tolls. And it remains dull in cold, rainy or foggy weather, he says. Some people have seen stone lithophones, but stone bells are never heard of. The bell became an attraction that lured many curious visitors to this garden café. Besides the bell, Mr Thanh also owns an ancient stilted house with a completely original interior, a big nine-slab lithophone, about 40 small lithophone slabs and over 300 fossil samples, among which is a complex of stone daisy fossils with over 20 individual flowers, weighing over 20 kg, that occupy a special place in the house. Recently, a collector from Ho Chi Minh City offered three billion dong (about $150,000) to buy his stilted house but he refused. ‘A Japanese businessman who specialized in precious stones came to see and listen to my stone bell. He then offered me a large sum for it, but I refused for a simple reason: it belongs to Tay Nguyen.’ Mr Thanh told us his family will soon move abroad and cannot take his collection to a foreign land. He wishes to hand over his treasure to a man as passionate and respectful as himself, or to a museum. ‘Only those who love and cherish history can take a good care of things that belong to the past,’ he said.n *The article was printed on 20 September, 2014 on the Tien Phong website.

WORK

Deadly catch

hey call the men who live in nests that hang on the poles, those that pitch their nets in the middle of the sea, ‘the nest men.’ To earn their living, the nest men have to face many perils, which are, more often than not, deadly. They spread deep-bottom nets in the sea, 5 miles or more offshore. The nets are pitched from long poles that also support the nest, the minuscule dwelling place for the net watchers. Their job is not only to watch the net, but also to watch the movement of the water to decide whether to pull the net up or lower it. So they have to stay days and nights in the sea. Not just confined to a tiny solitary cell, the nest men’s lives are full of dangers. ‘Don’t talk about accidents in the sea. Especially not to the nest men. They avoid talking [about] risks…’ Mr Nguyen Thanh Tai, a fisherman at Cai Doi Vam estuary (Phu Tan District, Ca Mau Province) told me to avoid making the nest men feel uneasy. Mr Tai said, even when hearing about rogue waves, bad luck or accidents, they wouldn’t tell the nest men. ‘Because it’s too hard to make friends these days. The occupation is too hazardous, so everybody is afraid.’ Mr Ly Hoang Tien, Party Secretary of Dat Mui Commune, Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province, where many earn a living this way, told me, ‘Recently, thanks to improved communication, the number of nest man misfortunes, such as diseases, bad weather…have reduced a lot because they often get backup in time. But no one can predict all the lurking perils. Nest men are the most vulnerable.’ From time to time, news comes about nest men accidents, mostly in the South Western Sea. Not everybody is lucky to be rescued, so the sea fishers feel a chill thinking about being a nest man. ‘On a boat, you can try and moor somewhere. In a nest, anything can happen to you,’ Nguyen Nhat Hien, a 40year old fisher from Khanh Hai Commune, Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau Province, 24 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

BY TIEN TRINH

said. He shuddered when we brought up the nest men topic. ‘It’s just to earn a living, man. Somebody would do it if they can make money with it,’ 38-year old nest man Tran Van Hoi from Tra Vinh Province said. He shook his head without us prompting, ‘Hardship to earn food is nothing. Falling is the end…’ Three other nest men burst in to laughter. Mr Hoi said, ‘Just last month, a fishing boat hit a pole. A friend of mine was sleeping in it. He fell while sleeping and drifted away.’ Such stories are not rare, but the phlegmatic way Mr Hoi told it can make anyone shudder. He seems to try hard to be calm and stay ready for anything that may happen at any time. Too many things can happen to nest men, and whirlwinds that blow down the nests are a perennial scare. There are casualties of this kind almost every year. But the mass takedown in November 2009 in Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province, is still every nest man’s nightmare. A single storm took down 450 pitched nets of the people of Tam Giang, Tan An and Rach Goc communes. 67 nest men fell into the sea. Fortunately, the local people and the border guards mobilized a rescue in time and saved 65 men. ‘You can somehow be ready to face vortexes. But if a boat hits while you are sleeping without being able to react, you die.’ Nest man Huynh Quoc Tuan said. It happens every year in the seas around Ca Mau Province. He said, ‘Recently a cargo ship hit a pitched nest out of Hon Khoai Island. The men in the nest were cast into the sea. Luckily, a fishing boat nearby came to their rescue. But that was pure luck. A friend of mine was not so lucky. He is missing until now…’ According to Mr Nguyen Thanh Tai, the pitched nests owners pay a lot of attention to weather forecast. If bad weather is coming their way, they would send boats to get the

nest men ashore. ‘They would be taken ashore when the waves reach level 4, 5. But sometimes there are things that the Ca Mau Province nest owner can’t foresee. When disaster strikes, the nest man’s chance is 50/50.’ Nest owners don’t normally pay salary to nest men. They share in the reaping. Net men gets one net’s content on every 6 nests. ‘If the fish comes your way, you can earn 3-5 hundred thousand a day. If not, your family would have to borrow money’, nest man Quach Phi said.n

Photo: Lam Quang Minh

Photo: Duong Van Mai

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 25

ADVERTORIAL

Canon delighting you for the common good

rriving early to interview Mr Noriji Yoshida, President and CEO of Canon Marketing (Vietnam), the main sponsor of this magazine’s Photo Awards competition for the third year and being allowed to linger a little in the reception area provided two benefits. Firstly, I was intrigued by a framed notice board which expounded the company's philosophy. Canon seriously adheres to the Japanese concept of ‘kyosei.’ Simply put, this means ‘living and working together for the common good.’ The board explains that Canon takes this further than simple good neighbourliness. As an international company, it strives both to get all peoples to act together harmoniously and to address the imbalances that exist in our world. Applying kyosei is the way for Canon to do this. These ideas were referred to over and over again in our conversation. The second thing that impressed me was a display of Canon products. Wide-ranging, it drove home the fact that Canon produces, in addition to high-precision and durable cameras, scanners and printers both for commercial and personal use. Mr Yoshida was at pains to point out to me that just as oil companies now consider themselves in the energy business, Canon, established as a camera company in 1937, now considers itself a ‘total 26 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Mr Noriji Yoshida imaging solutions company’. Arriving on the dot, just as I have witnessed Japanese trains invariably do, and not overly dressed

in a gleaming white shirt and bright red tie, accompanied by his young Vietnamese secretary, who in contrast, was hobbling due to

ADVERTORIAL an unfortunate motor bicycle accident, Mr Yoshida bounded into the interview room and shook my hand with enthusiasm and energy. I found that he looked much younger than his years. I was able to estimate his age as he told me he had joined Canon on leaving university thirty years previous. Soon, it was clear he had an excellent command of the English language, gained in part due to long stints in Australia and the U.S.A Canon is a well-established, renowned household name. Vietnam Heritage Magazine is small and not yet five years old. It is wonderful and amazing to have Canon as a partner. My first question to Mr Yoshida was what criteria do they apply when considering a sponsorship proposal? ‘By and largerejection’, he replied, in only half-jest. ‘People naturally are always asking us for money’. His secretary added that she has dealt with around a thousand applications. I was amazed to learn that Canon came to Vietnam Heritage and not the other way around. Mr Yoshida informed me he had

read our magazine and he had been impressed by the high quality of our photographs. He went on to say that among the rejected applications many are for photo competitions. As for criteria, the main principle is not just giving money. Does the activity involve the active participation of people? Is the outcome that people are coming away with their lives enriched from a project? As for people, Canon targets in particular the young and disadvantaged. Mr Yoshida had himself just returned from projects in the poor but very photogenic northern provinces of Lao Cai and Yen Bai, involving children in the photographic art. ‘How important is Vietnam to Canon’? was my next poser. ‘Currently it accounts for two percent of the Asian market, but that figure is expected to double in just a few years’ came the reply. Both of us having long experience in Vietnam, we talked of how few Vietnamese had cameras twenty years ago and the ease of taking a snap compared with the days of film. ‘All the young people these days are taking photos by smart phone and

the quality is improving all the time’, I said. Apart from remarking that is essential these days for cameras to link in with the cellular technology, Mr Yoshida did not seem to be unduly concerned with this development. At the end of the interview, Mr Yoshida's secretary informed me of Canon's co-operation with our Photo Awards Competition again this year. As with last year, it is more than just donating exciting prizes. Canon's subsidiary ‘Osei European Printing Company’ will be providing the prints for the exhibition which will be held at The Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City and which will subsequently tour the country. This year, the prints will be auctioned off and postcards of the selected photos are planned to be released. Canon, with its kyosei philosophy, certainly knows the importance of the big picture. Canon, a truly global company, takes seriously the fulfilment of social responsibilities. It looks to the future with the noble goal of contributing to world prosperity and the well-being of mankind.n

EXHIBITIONS - VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014

Can Tho University

Ocean Dunes Resort, Phan Thiet

Foreign Trade University, Hanoi

Hanoi Museum

University of Social Siences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City

Photos: Nguyen Dang Khoa, Vo Nguyen Thuy, Nguyen Thanh Vuong

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

Hanoi Museum

EXHIBITIONS - VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014

Ocean Dunes Resort, Phan Thiet

Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

Hoi An Silk Village

University of Social Siences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City

Trang Nha TrangNha University

Danang University of Science and Technology

Photos: Nguyen Dang Khoa, Tran Quang Dinh, Nguyen Thanh Vuong, Nguyen Dinh Nhat Vy, Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Hoang Trung Duong

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

â&#x20AC;˘ 29

VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014

Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards Ceremony at the Independence Palace, 23 November, 2014. First line from left: Mr Noriji Yoshida, second left, President and CEO of Canon Marketing (Vietnam), Mrs Le Thanh Hai, second right, Editor in Chief of Vietnam Heritage, and first-prize winners; Third-prize winners. Second line from left: Mr Le Trong Khang, first-prize winner of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Awards For Single Photos - Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;; Mrs Bui Thi Hang, in the middle, Public Relations Director of Vietnam Heritage and panel of judges, from left, including Hoang Quoc Tuan, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Doan Thi Tho and Hoang Giang Hai. Third line from left: Mrs Le Thanh Hai, second left, Editor in Chief of Vietnam Heritage, Tran Phuoc Thinh, third left, aged 10, with the awards for potential photographer, Mr Nguyen Hung Hai, fourth left, aged 83, who paticipated the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards for three consecutive years, Mrs Bui Thi Hang, fifth left, Public Relations Director of Vietnam Heritage; Mr Vo Trong Nam, second left, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and runners-up. Photos: Nguyen Dang Khoa, Le Trong Khang

MYTHOLOGY

A Bodhisattva sanctuary inside On Lang Pagoda

When life closes a window, God opens a door TEXT AND PHOTO BY NGUYEN THAI HOA

The god of mercy is also the god of money

uan Am, or Quan The Am, is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit name Aval okitesvara, which means ‘watching the cries of humanity in the world.’ It’s the name of a Bodhisattva who has infinite power, especially when it comes to relieving mankind’s suffering. Besides worshiping Quan Am as a misery-relieving Bodhisattva, the Chinese community also worships Quan Am as a God of wealth. On the 26th day of the first lunar month every year, the On Lang Pagoda at 12 Lao Tu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, organizes a ‘Quan Am opening storage’ event. There are many legends regarding this custom, but the most popular ones are the following: 1. While he was a Great Priest, 500 Faith Defenders wanted to try his power. They were disguised as mendicant monks and came to his temple to beg for food. Being a charitable and righteous man, Quan Am immediately opened his storage and gave them everything they asked for. After eating, they distributed the food to the poor. Since then, this day (26th of the first lunar month) became the day ‘Quan Am opens the storage’. 2. A young man went up the mountain to worship Quan Am, but the temple was so crowded that he could not get in. He took a rest on a hillside and had a dream in which

the Bodhisattva lent him money to do business and he grew very rich. He woke up at midnight. Back home, his business really prospered; the money flowed in like water. The good news went so far that people took the day he dreamt (26th of the first lunar month) to celebrate the day ‘Quan Am opens the storage’. 3. Once upon a time, there was a great drought, and famine spread widely. Suddenly, on the 26th day of the first lunar month, a young lady appeared and brought a bag of rice and a bag of money to distribute to people. Strangely, rice and money were given to everyone in the village, yet the two bags remained full. Her job done, she waved to everybody and vanished into thin air. Then, a Bodhisattva appeared in the sky, smiling at the people. Now they realized that the young girl was the embodiment of Quan Am, sent to relieve their suffering. Since then, on the 26th of the first lunar month each year, people pour to Quan Am temples to celebrate the event in which ‘Quan Am opens the storage’. From the midnight of the 25th until the midnight of the 26th of the first lunar month, hundreds of thousands of people come here to ‘borrow money’ or to ‘pay their debts’. Ancient Chinese records describe this custom as follows:

On the day ‘Quan Am opens the storage’, those who want to ask for wealth would come, clean and neat, before sunrise, and quietly wait for their turn to burn incense. Then, one of them reaches into Quan Am’s lending chamber to take a wad of notes, on which an amount is written. The capital lent by Quan Am is believed to bring wealth and prosperity to the person. What is borrowed will have to be repaid. The next year, the person has to come and get a ‘check’ and put it into another chamber, and makes an offering. The offerings should include incense, candles, a votive Quan Am dress, votive money, tea, water, and five fruits: banana (wealth), grape (riches and honour), orange (wishes to come true), pineapple (prosperity), tangerine (good luck) or other fruits. After kowtowing, one brings out the offerings and chants a sutra 18 or 108 times to beg for protection, health, easy flow of money and luck in buying and selling. Thus, Quan Am is worshiped, not only among the Buddhist world, but also in the folklore of the Chinese migrants in Vietnam. To them, Quan Am is a god of fortune in everyday life, in business and in secret aspirations for a prosperous life. It is all expressed in the veneration, the legends and the customs that have been passed down to today’s generation.n VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 31

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Oc Eo antiques recognized as national heritage

Protecting wild elephants in Dong Nai

Viet Nam Net English, 3 December The Ministry of Planning and Investment has approved a VND74 billion ($3.44 million) budget for a project on urgent protection of wild elephants in the southern province of Dong Nai, according to the provincial Forest Protection Department. The project, expected to kick off in December this year, will be implemented in the natural forests of Vinh Cuu, Tan Phu and Dinh Quan districts. The project will focus on assessing the elephant population, distribution and movements, while planning the expansion of their habitat to provide sustainable natural living conditions. It will also seek ways to avoid conflict between people and elephants and increase communication efforts to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of protecting wild elephants.

Central Danang City named world’s top rising destination

Thanh Nien News, 4 December The central city of Danang took the top spot on TripAdvisor's ‘Destinations on the Rise’ awards this year. TripAdvisor recommends tourists ‘taste [their] way through the streets on a walking or biking culinary tour’ and ‘work off those bowls of spicy noodle soup with an exploration of the caves and grottos of the Marble Mountains.’ The site also recommends passing by the Dragon Bridge when it breathes fire over the Han River. 32 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Viet Nam News, 26 November The Vietnam Book of Records has recognised a collection of gold objects belonging to the Oc Eo – Go Thap culture as the largest of its kind in the country. The collection comprises 49 gold objects discovered during excavations in the 1984-2013 period at the Go Thap archaeological site, Thap Muoi District, in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Dong Thap. The antique objects date between the third century and the seventh century. Many of them represent the Hindu God Vishnu and flowers such as the lotus and water lily, as well as sacred animals such as the Nandin cow, Vahara pig, the Shesha snake, the Kurma tortoise and the Sankha snail. The objects are believed to have been offerings made to heavenly beings in return for their support. The antiques are being preserved at the Dong Thap Museum.

Nation on high alert for avian influenza A/H5N8

Viet Nam News, 28 November The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have called for close supervision to detect cases of avian influenza in humans and poultry throughout the country. The warning has been made following recent outbreaks of A/H5N8 in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. People have also been warned not to slaughter or eat sick poultry, and report such cases to local authorities. The Animal Health Department also warned there was a high risk of A/H5N8 entering the country. The Health Ministry has also called for stronger community awareness on the prevention of seasonal diseases during the winter and spring. People should keep warm when the weather

turns cold and minimise contact with others suffering from the flu, respiratory diseases, measles, rubella and diarrhoea.

Delta faces water shortage

Viet Nam News, 1 December The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta faces a possible shortage of fresh water for next year's rice crops due to drought and a worsening of saltwater intrusion in the coming dry season, according to the Southern Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Its prediction is based on higher temperatures this year accompanied by below-average rainfall and declining water levels in major rivers. The rainfall between December and April 2015 would be much below average while the temperature would be 0.5-1 degree Celsius higher than normal, the centre also forecast.

Bai choi gains national heritage

Viet Nam News, 1 December Bai choi, a traditional game combining folklore singing and lottery picks, recently gained national cultural heritage status, and experts believe it will achieve world heritage status in the near future. The game was honoured in a ceremony held in central Phu Yen Province, one of the localities that own bai choi. The game is popular in the central stretch of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh, as well as Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa. The game was invented nearly 400 years ago and serves as a community game for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday in the central region. The game often takes place on a wide yard in front of communal houses and gathers the entire community together. According to experts, the game combines beauties from rural work, folklore singing and the Tet customs of rice farmers.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Co Loa offers glimpse into past

Viet Nam News, 5 December Co Loa Citadel, 20km north of Hanoi, appears to be the oldest spiral-shaped structure in Southeast Asia. The finding comes after seven years of archaeological excavations by researchers from the Vietnam Archaeology Institute, Thang Long Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre and University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US. The citadel was built under the reign of King An Duong Vuong (around the 2nd century BC). Its name ‘Co Loa’ is derived from the Sino-Vietnamese for ‘old spiral’ as the structure is built in a spiral shape. Various relics of the Bronze Age Dong Son culture can be found at the site, which was recognised as a special national relic site in 2012 by the Prime Minister.

Ancient citadel gets renovation

Viet Nam News, 5 December Renovation on Bien Hoa Ancient Citadel in Quang Vinh Ward, Bien Hoa City in the southern province of Dong Nai began on 3 December. The VND14 billion ($650,000) project, implemented by Central Fine Arts Company over 36 months, aims to give the citadel a comprehensive upgrade. The citadel is historically significant for its role in the early southward thrust by the central-based Nguyen Dynasty 300 years ago and the French and American wars in the 20th century. Originally built of earth in the 14-15th century, it was rebuilt with bricks in 1837. The 10,816 m² citadel has two large buildings and two blockhouses left inside its outer walls.

Nghe An sends rare tigers to Hanoi

Viet Nam News, 8 December The Wild Animal Rescue Centre of Pu Mat National Park in the central province of Nghe An on 7 November handed over two Indochinese tigers to the Hanoi Centre for Wild Animal Rescue and Forest Protection. The rescue centre in Pu Mat had cared for the cats since they were seized in an animal trafficking bust on 13 June. The tigers are in a good condition now,

and are being trained for reintroduction to the wild, according to the park’s director.

Coastal erosion eats Hoi An’s beach

Tuoi Tre News, 7 November Stunning Cua Dai beach along the coastline of UNESCO-recognized Hoi An old town in central Vietnam is being eroded by sea water at an alarming rate and could disappear altogether. The beach is being wiped out by sea waves. A local said over 30m of land has been swallowed in the past two months while three rows of coconut trees were blown away, which has seriously deformed the beach. The entire area has been blockaded, with signs erected to warn tourists not to swim. The alarming coastal erosion has dealt a devastating blow to the owners of the luxury resorts along the coast and adversely impacted their business.

Southern province to restore wetland reserve

Tuoi Tre News, 19 November Long An Province has spent $500,000 to restore the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve in southern Vietnam’s Long An Province, the reserve management announced on 18 November. The project was launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Germany. According to the WWF in Vietnam, Lang Sen Wetland Reserve, whose name literally means ‘the wetland with many lotus flowers’ includes 50 hectares of lotus plants as well as 40 hectares of wild rice.

Vietnam loses $316 mn to corruption

Tuoi Tre News, 27 November About VND6.74 trillion ($316.45 million) was lost through corruption in Vietnam in the first nine months of this year, but only 22.3 percent of the this amount was recovered, the Ministry of Justice has said. The ministry released the striking figures at the 13th dialogue on anti-corruption held in Hanoi on 26 November. In many cases, the money or assets appropriated by corrupt officials could not be recov-

ered as they had been transformed in various ways, including making ownership transfers, purchasing various assets with appropriated money, money laundering and transferring “black money” abroad. In the first nine months of 2014, investigative agencies nationwide handled 415 corruption cases that caused total losses of over VND6,740 billion ($315.25 million), of which only over VND1,500 billion, or 22.3 percent, was recovered, the ministry reported.

Red-tailed vipers bite many

Tuoi Tre News, 28 November Red-tailed vipers have appeared in large quantities and bitten over 1,000 people in various localities in Vietnam so far this year, local authorities reported. There are no immediate reports of mortality by far, as all the victims received treatment in time. These venomous snakes, with scientific name Trimeresurus albolabris, have attacked people in many central provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai, and a number of provinces in the south, including Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Can Tho and Hau Giang. This year is a leap one, with a long hot season, so the breeding season of this type of viper is prolonged, may be the reason for the mass quantity of the vipers, experts said.

40,000 die of smoking-caused diseases

Tuoi Tre News, 1 December Vietnam is one of 15 countries with the highest numbers of smokers in the world, and around 40,000 Vietnamese people die of smoking-caused diseases every year – or more than 100 people per day, the health ministry has warned. Cigarette purchases also add VND22 trillion ($1.03 billion) to the economy every year, according to the ministry. The Office of the Program for Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, under the Vietnamese Ministry of Health recently released the figures and emphasized that the death toll from smoking-related diseases in Vietnam many increase to 70,000 per year in 2030.

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 33

EVENTS HANOI

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

panied by three-string đàn đáy and other instruments, is performed at 87 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, at 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, by artists from Ca Tru Thang Long Club, www.catruvietnam.net. Price: $10 (VND210,000). Reservation is necessary. Tel: 01 223 266 897 Water puppetry Saturdays and Sundays in December The Museum of Ethnology will hold water puppet performances at 10 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in December, involving artisans from Nghia Hung district, the northern province of Nam Dinh. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to watch water puppetry shows of all kinds, such as ‘Tilling the land’, ‘Setting off Firecrackers and Unfurling the Flag’, ‘Threeweapon Dance’, and ‘Frog Catching’. Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen Rd., Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi. Admission is VND40,000 for adults, VND10,000 for children. EXHIBITIONS Dark paintings Till 18 December

Mai Gallery presents the exhibition ‘Imaginary Land’, by Vu Duc Trung, with more than 20 lacquer paintings made since 2011. The paintings are inspired by shadows in water and shadows of natural beauties. Mai Gallery, 3rd Floor, 113 Hang Bong St, Hanoi. Elemental exhibition Until 19 December A ceramic exhibition, ‘Earth by Fire and Zodiac’ by artist

34 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Nguyen Bao Toan, will be held from 17 December to 19 December at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 37332131. After the quake Till 22 December The exhibition, ‘Beautiful Handicrafts of Tohoku, Japan’ is on at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum till 22 December. The exhibition is aim to mark the March 11 anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. The Tohoku region is known for its beautiful mountains and seascapes, as well as its rich local culture and history. The exhibition includes various genres; ceramics, lacquer ware, textiles, metalwork, wood and bamboo crafts. The works presents a new the high level of traditional craft techniques nurtured in the Tohoku region and the functional beauty of daily implements used since ancient times in Japan. Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131. Open: 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. What art is up to lately Until 9 October, 2015 Vietnam Fine Arts Museum presents an exhibition, ‘Modern Arts’ by various artists till 9 October, 2015. The exhibition includes 28 artworks of oil painting, lacquer painting, silk painting, paper painting, synthetic material and sculpture. The museum hopes to give the audiences a comprehensive overview about the developing modern art of Vietnam through the richness of its styles and materials. Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131. Open: 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee: VND20,000 Northern art Till 28 December The ‘Hanoi Art Market’ is on from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Hang Da Galleria, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi. The event shows art works by 59 Vietnamese artists between the age of 23 and 62, working with a

variety of media, including paintings, sculptures, installations, art and craft products. Green garments Till 30 December A sustainable fashion line and textile installation called SEEDS is going on at Manzi Art Space till 30 December. This new line uses traditional textiles and techniques to create a contemporary and elegant men’s and women’s collection. SEEDS was born from the close relationship between the raw materials used to create the textiles, to the process of weaving, dyeing, beeswax printing, and all the way up to the creation of the design sample and the 3D prototype. The installation portion of the SEEDS exhibition is reconstructed in a three dimensional format, integrating all of the raw materials and techniques that were used in the garment design. Next to this will be displayed illustrations that lay out the recipe and the ingredients used to create the pigments and dyes. Manzi Art Space, 14 Phan Huy Ich St, Hanoi. Eye on Vietnam Till 31 December

The photo exhibition titled ‘Focus on Vietnam’ is on at L’Espace and the Vietnam National Museum of History till 31 December. The exhibition presents photos from the collection of the French School of the Far East, which was exhibited in Cernuschi Museum in Paris from 13 March to 29 June 2014). The photos would take the viewers on a trip through Vietnamese traditions and prestigious historic sites. L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St,

Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3936-21 64 Vietnam National Museum of History, 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi & 216 Tran Quang Khai St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3824-1384 Live the moment Until the end of December ‘Now is when’ is the title of the photograph exhibition by Suzette Mitchell on abstractions of Buddhist monks and nuns. The title is a reflection on ‘being in the present,’ which is the focus of Buddhism. The appearance of monks and nuns provide an extraordinary beauty and tranquillity. Suzette’s photograph aims to capture this aesthetic, from the fold of their robes, the holding of their prayer beads, and their equanimity. The images of this exhibition are a focus on simplicity to create an atmosphere for contemplation, meditation and inspiration. Tan My Gallery, 61 Hang Gai St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3938-1154 Urban contrasts 16 January, 2015 ‘Townscapes’ is a solo exhibition by artist Do Minh Tam and is held in Dong Phong Gallery till 16 January, 2015. The exhibition displays the most recent of Do Minh Tam’s paintings, showing his skill in abstracts. Do Minh Tam guides viewers on a stroll from townscape to townscape on his acrylic paintings. He mixes colours and shapes to create movable spaces that interweave the past and the present, the city and the village. Dong Phong Art Gallery, 3 Ly Dao Thanh St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi.Open everyday from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Life of the people Until March, 2015 Images of culture and daily life in Vietnam from 100 years ago are on at the Vietnam National Museum of History. The exhibition displays 55 photographs from the archives of the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient (French School of the Far East) and 50 objects from the museum. The photos record relics

EVENTS

throughout Vietnam, especially those belonging to the Champa, Dong Duong and Oc Eo cultures in the central and southern region of Vietnam. Vietnam National Museum of History, 25 Tong Dan St, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3824-1384 Dong Son artefacts Until April, 2015

An exhibit, themed ‘Van Hoa Dong Son’ (Dong Son Culture), is going on at the Vietnam National Museum of History till until April, 2015. It showcases nearly 300 artifacts, which are the fruits of a 90year painstaking research on the Dong Son era of ancient Vietnam, dated around 1,000 B.C. to A.D. 100. The exhibit’s main highlights are Dong Son bronze drums, which are indicative of the zenith in ancient Vietnamese people’s bronze casting techniques. Also on display are centuryold drums from other localities, working tools, everyday items, weaponry, musical instruments, and ornaments typical of the Dong Son culture, as well as products from its exchanges with other cultures. Vietnam National Museum of History, 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3824-1384 Painting on glass Undetermined date Over 60 Indonesian glass paintings are being showcased at an exhibit that opened in early November at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The paintings are Indonesia’s unique art form and feature a wide variety of topic matters in

cluding history, religion, folk culture, and entertainment. The exhibition will last six months. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 37562193. Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MUSIC Old school DJ 20 December Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, John is recognized worldwide as being one of the early pioneers of the disco mix. From the start of his career in 1975 as a local DJ in the Bronx, to a stint spinning records for the US Armed Forces, John settled to true calling: creating in turn a new music phenomenon - extending tracks which normally lasted 3-4 minutes lasting much longer, shaping the future of disco music. He became a hugely indemand DJ and has been involved in the mix of some of disco’s most important records of all time. His performance, with the support from InCogNegro (Soul Deep Sessions, USA) is taking place at 8 p.m. on 20 December at ATK bar, 73A Mai Hac De St, Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi. Tickets: VND80,000 (for advance, available at ticketbov.vn) and VND120,000 at door.

NHA TRANG

and history and re-create traditional dances. On the performing list are excerpts from famed plays and tunes in ‘tuong’ (traditional Vietnamese opera) and ‘bai choi’ (the central Vietnamese region’s folk game and art), folk songs and dances of ethnic communities living across the province, and traditional music performances. The theatre hosts three shows at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and two shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the remaining days.

HO CHI MINH CITY

EXHIBITIONS Flowers for teatime Till 31 December

21 oil paintings of artist Trinh Thanh Tung are on at Tu Do Gallery till 31 December. The exhibition is titled ‘Dying Afternoon Life’, with the themes of flowers, young girls and portraits. The paintings have been called romantic, poetic and lively. The artist was born in 1942 and has many exhibitions in Vietnam and overseas country. Tu Do Gallery, 53 Ho Tung Mau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3821-0966 Cycles of life Until 3 January, 2015

Water Puppetry Afternoon and evening everyday Nha Trang Water Puppetry Theater, 46 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province, opened to the public in early November. The theatre stages 16 performances per week, which depict stories of Vietnam’s pastoral life VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 35

EVENTS

A solo exhibition of oil paintings by Ho Chi Minh City-based artist Phuong Quoc Tri is on at Craig Thomas Gallery till 3 January, 2015. His paintings focus on the issues of birth, childhood and parenthood which are animating the artist’s life at the moment. Craig Thomas Gallery,27i Tran Nhat Duat, Tan Dinh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and by appointment From across the ocean Until 17 January

Galerie Quynh presents ‘The Cosmos and The Sea’, a solo exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Christine Nguyen, at its galleries. Christine Nguyen presents a collection of new and recent photo-based work ranging from intimate c-prints to ambitious mural-size work. Combining drawing with photographic techniques, Christine Nguyen has developed a pioneering practice centred on the manipulation and layering of negatives. Her work revolves around the imaginings of an organic prism, a dream-like world where oceans merge with outer space. Her works depict ferocious ocean currents, meandering creatures, iridescent flora, spiny strata of rocks and other fantastical imagery, each performing a distinctive act in the collective formulation of a mysterious ecosphere. The exhibition is on main gallery till 10 January and downtown gallery till 17 January, 2015 Downtown Gallery, Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho

Chi Minh City. Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday and by appointment Main Gallery, 65 De Tham St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and by appointment Tel: (08) 3836-8019

THEATRE AO! 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31 December at 6 p.m. 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31 at 8 p.m. AO Show is on at Opera House at 6 p.m. 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31 December and 8 p.m. 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31 December. A O Show is a new kind of art performance, acknowledged globally as new type of circus. 60 minutes of using bamboo and basket boats, traditional music of Don Ca Tai Tu, visual creations and lighting, and audiences see themselves walking on a small walkway of sweet and breezy Southern Vietnam, and wandering past the surging dunes of the Southern Central only to find themselves front of a lotus swamp. Tickets range from VND530,000 to VND1,250,000. Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-9976

MUSIC Dinner and variety show 17, 24 and 25 December, 2014 and 1, 2, 7, 8, 14, 18, 20, 28 and 30 January, 2015

‘Lung Linh Saigon Dinner Show’ will launch in Ho Chi Minh City at Queen Hall at 8

36 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

p.m. on 17, 24 and 25 December, 2014 and 1, 2, 7, 8, 14, 18, 20, 28 and 30 January, 2015. The show includes culinary and art performance of contemporary dance, costumes show and musical Broadway excerpted from ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Queen Hall, 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh St, Ward 12, Dist.4, Ho Chi Minh City. Ticket: VND900,000 including dinner and VND500,000 including a drink. A history of dresses Till 1 February, 2015 The patterns used on the traditional costumes of women living in the South and Central Highlands of Vietnam are on display in the Southern Women Museum till 1 February, 2015. The exhibition showcases more than 150 photos and 80 objects featuring the traditional

techniques of weaving, dyeing and patterns that have been passed down through generations of the Cham, Khmer and other ethnic groups in the Central Highlands and Truong Son mountainous regions. Southern Women Museum, 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3932-7130 Local daubers Till early 2015 More than 400 oil paintings by many artists are on at Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City till early 2015. The paintings feature a variety of subjects, and are from 1987 to the present. Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, 97 A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-4441. Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VALUE FOR MONEY HOTELS

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

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

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

RESORTS AND SPAS

a 10 percent discount on Christmas Eve gala dinner. The price includes service charge and VAT.

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa

Le Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3555-888 www.anamandara-resort.com

Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh has a ‘Xmas New Year Celebration package’ for those who stay from 23 December, 2014 to 1 January, 2015 except for the period from 26 to 29 December, 2014. The package includes two night’s stays, breakfast, Christmas Eve gala dinner or New Year’s Eve gala dinner, two 60-minute spa treatments, use of gym, heated indoor pool, mini golf course and bicycles. The price starts from VND7,500,000 per room for two.

Mai Chau Ecolodge

Na Thia Village, Na Phon Commune, Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province Tel: (04) 6275-1271 Mai Chau Ecolodge has a 30 per cent discount on accommodation for those who stay on 24 December, 2014 and 1 January, 2015. It costs $270 (VND5,670,000) per person per night in a Deluxe Room and $263 (VND5,523,000) per person per night in a Junior Deluxe Room.

Hoi An Historic Hotel

10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3861-445 Hoi An Historic Hotel has a ‘Season’s Greeting Package’ till 31 January, 2015. The prices start from VND1,985,000++ per person for two nights in a twin shared room with breakfast, cocktails, one-way airport transfer from/ to Danang International Airport, a 15 per cent discount on food and beverage, a 20 per cent discount on spa and massage and shuttle bus between hotel and Cua Dai Beach. Surcharge is VND1,050,000++ per person for Christmas Eve Dinner and VND1,155,000 per person for a New Year’s Eve Dinner.

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

38 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Lac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-927 Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa is offering a two-night package till 28 February, 2015. It costs VND5,999,000++in a twin shared room with breakfast, a choice of round-trip airport transfer or lunch or dinner, a choice of a 30minute head/ back/ foot massage or a bicycle tour to Tra Que Village and Hoi An countryside and a voucher of 50 per cent discount on body massage. Surcharge is VND450,000++per room per night on 24, 25, 31 December,2014 and 1 January, 2015.

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-007 www.bamboovillageresortvn.com

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa offers a two-night Christmas package from 23 to 26 December, 2014 with Christmas Eve gala dinner by the beach, variety of food and drinks, live music, Cham dance, Santa Claus photo shoot, gift and lucky draw. The price starts from VND1,515,000 per person per night. The price includes service charge and VAT.

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort

152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-858 Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort and Spa has a two-night package till 29 December. It costs VND3,690,000 per room for two including breakfast, a 90-minute massage, lunch or dinner and two-hour use of tennis court and

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa has a festive season package till 28 February, 2015 with the price starting from VND 2,650,000 per night per Villa Room with breakfast and dinner. Surcharge is VND1,500,000 per person for a gala dinner on 24 December and 31 December. Surcharge is VND630,000 per night for stays from 20 December, 2014 to 1 January, 2015 and 19 to 22 February, 2015. The prices include service charge and VAT.

Binh An Village Resort Dalat

Tuyen Lam Lake, Ward 4, Dalat Tel: (063) 3800-999 Email: dalat@binhanvillage.com www.binhanvillage.com Binh An Village Resort Dalat is offering a ‘Family Package’ at VND4,300,000++ per room per night in a Family Suite for 4 people with breakfast, a half-day excursion to Bao Dai Palace and Crazy House, dinner or lunch. The promotion applies for those who book at least two nights and valid till 31 March, 2015.

OTHER

Mường Thanh Nha Trang Centre Hotel

60 Tran Phu St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3898-888 Email: sales@nhatrangcentre.muongthanh.vn www.nhatrangcentre.muongthanh.vn Mường Thanh Nha Trang Centre Hotel, located in the centre of Nha Trang City, will launch in 18 December. The hotel has 458 rooms overlooking the sea, spa, steam bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, fitness centre, conference room with a capacity of 1,000 people, restaurant serving local and International dishes, outside swimming pool and a bar combined the traditional and modern features.

FOOD PROMOTIONS

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel

360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 Hanoi Daewoo Hotel celebrates Christmas Eve gala dinner at 6 p.m. 24 December at Grand Ballroom at VND1,275,000 for adults and VND745,000 for children under 11, including free one glass of beer or soft drink. There will be dance performance, live music, lucky draw and other exciting activities.

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel

1 Le Thanh Ton St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Hilton Hanoi Opera prepares many feasts to celebrate a festive season. Christmas Eve buffet at Ba Mien and Chez Manon Restaurants, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 24 December, VND 1,800,000++. Christmas lunch buffet at Ba Mien Restaurant, 12 noon to 6 p.m., 25 December, VND1,500,000++. New Year’s gala buffet at Ba Mien and Chez Manon Restaurants, 7 p.m. 31 December, VND2,000,000+. Children from 612 enjoy half price. The prices includes welcome cocktail, free flow champagne, house wine, draught beer, Chivas Regal (18 YO) and soft drinks. Many activities and gifts are for children.

Hotel Nikko Hanoi

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

beer. The hotel offers 10 per cent discount for those who book before 17 December.

BEST WESTERN PREMIER Indochine Palace

105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 BEST WESTERN PREMIER Indochine Palace has a gala dinner buffet, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 24 December, with more than 70 dishes featuring Western, Asian and Vietnamese specialities. VND1,399,000 for adults and VND799,000 for children. The hotel also has a New Year’s Eve gala dinner, 7.30 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 31 December, including music, fashion show, lucky draw, art performances, games and gifts for guests. VND1,299,000 for adults and VND699,000 for children.

Grand Mercure Danang hotel

Lot A1, Green Island, Hai Chau Dist, Danang Tel: (0511) 3797-777 Grand Mercure Danang celebrates yearend parties with feasts for group at least 50 people. Package 1 is at VND350,000++ per person including a six-course set menu, backdrop, karaoke system or party sound system and a Golden Dragon dim sum voucher. Package 2 is at VND350,000++ per person including International buffet or a eight-course set menu, backdrop, karaoke system or party sound system, a La Rive Gauche BBQ seafood buffet voucher. Book 15 days in advice will get additional special offers.

Hyatt Regency Danang Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3981-234

La Brasserie Restaurant, at the Hotel Nikko Hanoi, Friday and Saturday in January, serves ‘Seafood Hot Pot Buffet With Lobster’ at VND666,000++ including free flow wine, draught beer & soft drinks.

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 Movenpick Hotel Hanoi has Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 24 December, at VND1,050,000++ including free flow of house wine, soft drinks and beer. Glühwein will be served as welcome drink. Also the hotel serves New Year’s Eve dinner, 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., 31 December, at VND1,575,000++ including free flow of house wine, soft drinks and

VALUE FOR MONEY

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

Novotel Nha Trang Hotel

50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6256-900 The Square Restaurant, at the Novotel Nha Trang Hotel, has gala dinners with festive international dishes, music performance and lucky draw. Christmas gala dinner, 24 December, VND1,155,000++, New Year’s Eve, 31 December, VND1,470,000++.

Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa

26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3880-000 Welcoming guests to Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa to enjoy an unforgettable holiday season, the hotel serves Christmas Eve buffet dinner, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., VND2,150,000++ for adults and VND1,175,000++ for children from 3 to 12. New Year’s Eve dinner, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., VND2,800,000++ for adults and VND1,400,000++ for children.

Seahorse Resort and Spa

Km 11 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-507 Seahorse Resort and Spa has Christmas Eve dinner by poolside with live music and dance performance, magic show and lucky draw, 6.30 p.m. till midnight, 24 December, VND1,580,000 for children and VND790,000 for children from 6 to 11. Also, the resort has New Year’s Eve dinner by poolside, 6.30 p.m. till midnight, 31 December, VND1,890,000 for children and VND950,000 for children from 6 to 11.

The Cliff Resort & Residences

Hyatt Regency Danang prepares a New Year's Eve celebration, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Beach House Restaurant. VND1,590,000 including a four-course set dinner including one glass of champagne. VND1,960,000 including a five-course set dinner including one glass of champagne.

Diamond Bay Resort and Spa

Song Lo, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist., Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3711-711 Diamond Bay Resort and Spa will hold a

Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3719-111 The Cliff Resort & Residences prepares Christmas Eve dinner with a variety of seafood, wine, cocktails, dance, music and gifts from Santa Claus. It costs VND1,540,000.

Caravelle Hotel

19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 Nineteen Restaurant at the Caravelle Hotel serves Christmas feasts on 24 and 25 December. The restaurant showcases traditional holiday dishes, including whole-roasted turkey, honeyglazed ham and Christmas pudding together VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 39

VALUE FOR MONEY

with mouth-watering delicacies, sparkling Veuve Clicquot Champagne, free flow of wines and signature cocktails. Christmas Eve gala buffet dinner is VND1,980,000++ and Christmas Day buffet is VND1,680,000++.

The Press Club

Duc Bao Restaurant

34 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3623

Duc Bao Restaurant is serving chicken stuffed with veal and traditional European ingredients accompanied by German beer sauce or chestnut cream sauce, broccoli, carrot and roasted potato for guests enjoying Christmas Season in Saigon. There are two kinds of stuffing choices, including veal with dry fruits, black bread and imported herbal or veal with chestnut, lotus, cashews, black bread and herbal. It costs VND680,000++ for a 2 kg chicken.

Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City welcomes Christmas at its restaurants with a range of gifts and festive goodies. Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner, 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on 24 December, at Chit Chat Restaurant at VND1,590,000++. Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner, 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on 24 December at Orientica Restaurant at VND1,380,000++. Christmas Day Buffet Brunch, 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

40 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER 2014

on 25 December at Chit Chat Restaurant at VND940,000 ++. Christmas Day Buffet Dinner, 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at Chit Chat Restaurant at VND890,000++. Christmas Day Brunch, 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on 25 December at Orientica Restaurant with a selection of dim sum at VND650,000++. The prices include a free flow of wine, beer, sparkling wine and soft drinks.

Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint

59 Pasteur, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 38 22-56 78 Central Restaurant at the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint prepares buffet dinner to welcome Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with a range of seafood, traditional festive dishes, sparkling wine and live music. VND1,599,000++ for Christmas Eve and VND1,999,000++ for New Year’s Eve.

Movenpick Hotel Saigon

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 Café Saigon, at the Movenpick Hotel Saigon, has ‘Lobster Festival’ on every Friday and Saturday nights in December at VND 899,000++.

Corner of 59A Ly Thai To and 12 Ly Dao Thanh St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0888 In January, The Press Club Restaurant will serve a menu featuring oysters and mussels. VND 32,000 each oyster or VND95,000 for grilled three ones served with green onions, tomatoes and cilantro. Diners can enjoy ‘Oyster Rock Fellers’ including sautéed spinach and creamy cheese sauce at VND95,000 for three pieces, ‘Mussels Marinieres and French Fries’ or ‘Mussels Blue Cheese Sauce and French Fries’ at VND305,000 and ‘Spicy Mussels Spaghetti’ at VND260,000. These dishes are served with a glass of complimentary Tiger beer.

Windsor Plaza Hotel

18 An Duong Vuong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3833-6688 Windsor Plaza Hotel celebrates a holiday season at its restaurant. Café Central An Dong serves Christmas Eve buffet dinner, 24 December, and New Year’s Eve buffet dinner, 31 December, VND880,000++ for adults and VND380,000++ for children. Top of The Town Restaurant serves BBQ dinner on 24 and 31 December at VND1,200,000++. Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant serves dinner featuring festive Asian dishes on 24, 25, 31 December, 2014 and 1 January, 2015.

Lan Rung Resort & Spa

03-06 Ha Long St, Ward 2, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province Tel: (064) 3526-010 Lan Rung Resort & Spa in Vung Tau has a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner including a range of seafood, unlimited juice and soft drinks, Christmas gifts, picture taken with Santa Claus, dance performance, magic performance, DJ and live music.VND650,000

BUYABLE

Coral inlaid lacquer jewelry box, VND3,074,000

Christmas tree decorator, VND636,000

Metal ant, VND3,180,000 and hand-embroidered silk handkerchief, VND467,000

Noel table napkin, VND424,000 (set of 6 pieces)

TAN MY DESIGN

61 Hang Gai St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3938-1154 Website: tanmydesign.com 10 per cent discount will be applied from 1 December till 1 January 2015 42 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Hand-embroidered children’s pillow case, VND318,000

DIRECTIONS SAPA, HALONG, HAI PHONG EMERGENCIES Police: 113 Fire: 114 Ambulance: 115

SAPA

(TELEPHONE CODE: 020) Sapa is a former French hill station in northwestern Vietnam, in Lao Cai Province, near the Chinese border. A number of minority cultures including the H’mong, Dao and Tay live in villages in the countryside around Sapa. HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Cat Cat View Hotel 46 Fan Xi Pang St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-946 www.catcathotel.com VND735,000 to VND3,780,000 ($35 to $180) Cha Pa Garden Boutique Hotel & Spa 23B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3872-907 Email: hotelchapagarden@gmail.com

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

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

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

HALONG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 033) With around 1,600 islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay, about 170 km east of Hanoi, is well known for its limestone seascape. Overnight boat trips out of Halong City are a popular way to see it. HOSPITALS

Bai Chay Hospital Gieng Day Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-557 www.benhvienbaichay.vn

24 Dong Loi St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-245 Email: resa@chaulonghotel.com.vn www.chaulonghotel.com.vn From VND700,000 ($33) Holiday Sapa Hotel 16 Muong Hoa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-874 Email: info@holidaysapa.com www.holidaysapa.com VND588,000 to VND2,100,000 ($28 to $100) Mường Thanh Sapa Hotel No 044, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.sapa.muongthanh.vn Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: hoanggiasapa@gmail.com www.royalsapahotel.com From VND340,000 ($17)

Traditional Medicine Hospital Cot 8, Hong Ha Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3838-113 Vietnam-Sweden Hospital Thanh Son Ward, Uong Bi Commune, Halong Tel: (033) 3854-037 www.bvubqn.tk TRAVEL

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

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

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

www.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND600,000 ($29) Halong Palace Hotel 1, Block 20 Dong Hung Thang, Hoang Quoc Viet St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3619-819 Email: info@halongpalacehotel.com www.halongpalacehotel.com From VND3,800,000 ($181) Halong Plaza Hotel 8 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-810 Email: info@halongplaza.com www.halongplaza.com VND1,500,000 to VND3,800,000 ($71 to $179) Heritage Halong Hotel 88 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-888 Email: saleheritagehl@gmail.com www.heritagehalonghotel.com.vn VND1,200,000 ($57) Mường Thanh Halong Hotel No.7, Block 20, East of Hung Thang, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3812-468/ (033) 3819-777 Email: info@halong.muongthanhhotel.vn www.muongthanhhotel.vn From VND1,400,000 ($67) Novotel Ha Long Bay 160 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-108 Email: info@novotelhalong.com.vn www.novotelhalongbay.com From VND2,772,000 ($132) Saigon Halong Hotel Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-845 info@saigonhalonghotel.com www.saigonhalonghotel.com From VND950,000 ($45) StarCity Halong Bay Hotel

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

equipped rooms, with many breathtaking views of Halong Bay RESTAURANTS

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

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

BARS & CAFÉS

Emeraude Café Royal Park, Ha Long St, Halong Tel: (033) 3849-266 www.emeraude-cruises.com Royal International Gaming Club and Villa Bai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-777

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

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

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

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 43

CENTRE O

1 Hanoi Emotion Hotel 2 Capital Garden Hotel 3 Daewoo Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OF HA NOI D

6 10 1 0

11 1 1 9 1 15 1 5 13

12 1 2 8 4

14 1 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

DIRECTIONS HANOI HANOI

(TELEPHONE CODE: 04) EMBASSIES

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

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

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

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

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

Australia 8 Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-7755 Austria 53 Quang Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-3050 Bangladesh Villa D6B 5 – Khu Vuon Dao Ngo 675, Lac Long Quan St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-6625 Belarus 52 Ho Tay St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-0494 Belgium Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-6179 Brazil T72-14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-2544 Brunei Villa 8-9 No 44/8-44, 9 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0001 Bulgaria 5 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2908 Cambodia 71A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-7636 Canada 31 Hung Vuong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5500 China 46 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3845-3736 Cuba 65 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4775 Czech Republic 13 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi; Tel: (04) 3845-4131 Denmark 19 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-1888 Egypt 63 To Ngoc Van St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-4999

Hungary 12th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5714 India 58-60 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-4990 Indonesia 50 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3353 Iran 54 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-2068 Iraq 66 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4141 Ireland 8th floor of Vincom Tower B, 191 Ba Trieu St, Ha Dong Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-3291 Israel 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-3141 Italy 9 Le Phung Hieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-6256 Japan 27 Lieu Giai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3000 Laos 22 Tran Binh Trong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4576 Libya 298B Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3379 Malaysia 43-45 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-3836 Mexico Coco Villa T-11, 14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3847-0948 Mongolia 5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3009 Myanmar 298A Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3369

46 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Netherlands 6th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5650 New Zealand 63 Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1481 North Korea 25 Cao Ba Quat St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3008 Norway 8th Floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-8900 Nigeria 44/1 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-3610 Palestine 6 Dang Van Ngu St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3852-4013 Philippines 27B Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-7948 Poland 3 Chua Mot Cot St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2027 Romania 5 Le Hong Phong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2014 Russia 191 La Thanh St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: 3833-6991 South Africa 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-2000 South Korea 4th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5111 Spain 15th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5207 Sweden 2 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0400 Thailand 63-65 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5092 Turkey 14th Floor, HCO Building, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Tel: (04) 3822-2460 United Kingdom 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-0500 United States 7 Lang Ha St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3772-1500

MEDICAL CENTRES Acupuncture Institute 49 Thai Thinh St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3563-1069 Hanoi French Hospital 1 Phuong Mai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3577-1100 International SOS Clinic 1 Dang Thai May St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0666 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 No 2606 Thang Long International Village, Tran Dang Ninh St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3783-3570 www.amegatravelvietnam.com Buffalo Tours 94 Ma May St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-0702 www.buffalotours.com Emeraude Classic Cruises 46 Le Thai To St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3935-1888 www.emeraude-cruises.com Email: info@buffalotours.com Exotissmo 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-2150 www.exotissimo.com Email: go.vietnam@exotissimo.com Oriental Sails 16A Ly Nam De St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3926-4009

DIRECTIONS HANOI Email: sales@orientalsails.com www.orientalsails.com Topas Travel 52 To Ngoc Van St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3715-1005 Email: sales@topastravel.vn www.topastravel.vn HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Baoson International Hotel 50 Nguyen Chi Thanh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3835-3536 Email: sales@baosonhotels.com www.baosonhotels.com From VND1,570,000 ($75) De Syloia Hotel 17A Tran Hung Dao St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-5346 Email: desyloia@hn.vnn.vn www.desyloia.com From VND1,806,000 ($86) Fortuna Hotel Hanoi 6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333 Email: fortunahanoi@fortuna.vn www.fortuna.vn From VND1,920,000 ($91) Hanoi Daewoo Hotel 360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 Email: sales@daewoohotel.com www.daewoohotel.com Hanoi Emotion Hotel 26 – 28 Hang Bot St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3848-9848 Email: info@hanoi-emotion.com www.hanoi-emotion.com The hotel also provides Vietnamese, Japanese and International cuisine Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Email: hanoi.opera@hilton.com www.hanoi.hilton.com Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi 20 Phan Chu Trinh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3944-9396 Email: reservations.hgihanoi@hilton.com hanoi.hgi.com Hotel de l’Opera 29 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6282-5555 Email: H7832-RE@accor.com www.hoteldelopera.com Melia Hanoi Hotel 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343 Email: melia.hanoi@melia.com www.melia.com Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 Email:

hotel.hanoi@moevenpick.com www.moevenpickhotels.com/hanoi From VND3,139,500 ($149.50) Hotel Nikko Hanoi 84 Tran Nhan Tong St, Hanoi Tel.: (04) 3822-3535 reservation@hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn www.hotelnikkohanoi.com.vn From VND4,620,000 ($220) Pullman Hanoi 40 Cat Linh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-0808 Email: getcloser@pullman-hanoi.com www.pullmanhotels.com From VND2,448,600 ($115.50) Prestige Hotel Hanoi 17 Pham Dinh Ho St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 6299-9888 Email: sales@prestigehotels.com.vn www.prestigehotels.com.vn

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

Silk Path Hotel Hanoi 195-199 Hang Bong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3266-5555 Email: info@silkpathhotel.com www.silkpathhotel.com From VND2,289,000 ($109)

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

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)

Craft Link 43 and 51 Van Mieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-7710 Email: craftlink@hn.vnn.vn

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: h1555@sofitel.com www.sofitel.com From VND6,090,000 ($290) Sunway Hotel Hanoi 19 Pham Dinh Ho St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3971-3888 Email: reservation@sunwayhotel.com.vn www.hanoi.sunwayhotels.com APARTMENTS Fraser Suites Hanoi 51 Xuan Dieu St, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-8877 sales.hanoi@frasershospitality.com hanoi.frasershospitality.com Somerset Serviced Residence Vietnam 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-2342 www.somerset.com Luxurious apartments and properties for hiring RESTAURANTS Com Chay Nang Tam Restaurant 79A Tran Hung Dao St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4140

SHOPS

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 Traditional embroidery and other handicraft cloth products

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

STORE

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

MUSEUMS Ho Chi Minh Museum 19 Ngoc Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3752 www.baotanghochiminh.vn Open: 8 a.m. to noon (Monday and Friday), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (other days) Entry fee: VND25,000 Imperial Citadel of Thang Long 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong St/ 9 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 37345427 hoangthanhthanglong@gmail.com www.hoangthanhthanhlong.vn Open: 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays) Entry fee: VND30,000 Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 216 Tran Quang Khai St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.Closed every first Monday of months Entry fee VND 20,000 ($0.95) for adults and VND10,000 ($0.48) for children Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-2131 www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95) Vietnam Military History Museum 28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoi www.btlsqsvn.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee 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 Email: info@elitefitness.com.vn www.elitefitness.com.vn Spa de Palace Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, 6B Lang Ha St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 47

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

(TELEPHONE CODE: 030) Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

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

Huong Giang Hotel Resort & Spa

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

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

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

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

DANANG

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

Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com

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

NGHE AN

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

www.songlam.muongthanh.vn

QUANG BINH

(TELEPHONE CODE: 052)

105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 Email: rsvn@bwp-indochinepalace.com www.bwp-indochinepalace.com From VND3,024,000 ($144) The hotel is surrounded by lush green gardens that make it an outstanding landmark in Hue and give the city the feel of a resort. This luxurious, international standard hotel is created to appeal to Vietnamese and international visitors to Hue. Century Riverside Hotel Hue

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Bao Ninh Beach Resort Ha Duong, Bao Ninh, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3854-866 Email: sales@baoninhbeachresort.com.vn www.baoninhbeachresort.com.vn From VND1,120,000 ($53) Sun Spa Resort My Canh, Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3842-999 Email: info@sunsparesortvietnam.com www.sunsparesortvietnam.com From VND1,870,000 ($89)

Hue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa

TRAVEL

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

HUE

(TELEPHONE CODE: 054) Hue is a city on the Perfume River in lowland central Vietnam and was the capital of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Many imperial structures remain. They were named part of

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

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

588 Bui Thi Xuan St, Thuy Bieu Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3978-484 Email: sales@hueriversideresort.com www.hueriversideresort.com Imperial Hotel 8 Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3882-222 Email: info@imperial-hotel.com.vn www.imperial-hotel.com.vn VND2,300,000 to VND29,400,000 ($110 to $1,400)

48 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

VND45,000 per dish. The restaurant also serves as an art playground for Hue artists. Guests have chance to get their portraits drawn by the owners at a reasonable price. Vegetarian cooking classes are also available. The restaurant is about 1-2 km from Tu Duc tomb

Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant 110A Le Ngo Cat St, Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue Tel: (054) 3898-220 www.thientamrestaurant.com Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant features a Hue garden house with a simple design and a serene atmosphere. The restaurant serves a variety of Hue vegetarian food, from royal to local dishes, at a reasonable price. The menu has many choices, with prices starting from

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511) HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Grand Mercure Danang Lot A1, Green Island, Hoa Cuong Bac, Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3797-777 Email: H7821@accor.com www.accorhotels.com/7821 Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3981-234 Email: danang.regency@hyatt.com www.danang.regency.hyatt.com From VND5,225,000 ($243) Pullman Danang Beach Resort Vo Nguyen Giap St, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3958-888 Email: info@pullman-danang.com www.pullman-danang.com Novotel Danang Premier Han River 36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist., Danang. Tel: (0511) 3929-999 Email: H8287@accor.com www.novotel-danang-premier.com Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang Vietnam, Managed by Centara

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

DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG Email: cdv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cdv VND1,785,000 to VND5,670,000 ($85 to $270) Ho Chi Minh sales office: 4th Floor, Ben Thanh TSC Building; 186-188 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3914-7940 Vinpearl Luxury Danang Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0 511) 3968-888 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-danang.com www.vinpearl.com

www.ancienthouseriver.com From VND2,656,500 ($126.50) Hoi An Beach Resort 1 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-011 info@hoianbeachresort.com.vn www.hoianbeachresort.com.vn VND2,184,000 to VND2,772,000 ($104 to $132) Hoi An Historic Hotel

Lac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-927 Email: info@pgr.com.vn www.palmgardenresort.com.vn From VND 4,158,000 ($198) River-Beach Resort & Residences Hoi An

HOTELS, RESORTS

MUSEUM

Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture 2, 2 Thang 9 St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3572-935 www.chammuseum.danang.vn Open 7.15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43)

HOI AN

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

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Anantara Hoi An Resort 1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3914-555 Email: hoian@anantara.com www.hoi-an.anantara.com Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An Thanh Nien Road, Cua Dai Beach Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-555 info@goldensandresort-spa.com.vn www.goldensandresort-spa.com.vn VND3,759,000 to VND7,644,000 Golf Hoi An Hotel

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

10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3861-445 Email: reservation@hoianhotel.com.vn www.hoianhotel.com.vn From VND2,127,500 ($101) Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa 175 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3864-800 reservation@hoianriverresort.com.vn www.hoianriverresort.com From VND1,650,000 ($79) Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & Spa Ha My Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: reservations@belhamy.com www.belhamy.com From VND2,835,000 ($135) Hoi An Pacific Hotel & Spa

Champa Island Nha Trang Resort & Spa

($179 to $364)TRAVEL

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

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

304 2/4 St, Vinh Phuoc, Nha Trang Email: sales@champaislandresort.vn www.champaisandresort.vn Hotline: 0123 6009 777 With architecture reflecting nearby Po Nagar temple, Champa Island Nha Trang offers exquisite cuisine and many entertainment services that promise a memorable stay in Nha Trang Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel

QUY NHON

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

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

Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

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

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

HOTELS, RESORTS

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

NHA TRANG

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

AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3840-132 Email: quynhon@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com/quynhon From VND1,995,000 ($95) Royal Hotel and Healthcare Resort Quy Nhon 1 Han Mac Tu St, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 374-7100 Email: reservation@royalquynhon.com www.royalquynhon.com VND1,155,000 to VND1,365,000 ($55 to $65) MUSEUM

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

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

www.sixsenses.com/evasonresorts/ana-mandara/destination Green World Hotel Nha Trang 44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3528-666 Email: sales@greenworldhotelnhatrang.com www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 49

DIRECTIONS PHAN RANG, PHAN THIET InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.intercontinental.com Michelia Hotel 4 Pasteur St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-820 Email: sales@michelia.vn www.michelia.vn From VND2,200,000 ($105) Mường Thanh Nha Trang Hotel 6 Duong Hien Quyen St, Vinh Hoa Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3552-468 Email: info@nhatrang.muongthanh.vn www.nhatrang.muongthanh.vn From VND1,400,000 ($66) Novotel Nha Trang Hotel 50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6256-900 Email: rsvn@novotel-nhatrang.com www.novotel-nhatrang.com VND2,415,000 to VND4,830,000 ($115 to $230) Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-268 Email: reservationsninhvan@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-vanbay/destination From VND17,629,500 ($839.50) Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa 26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3880-000 reservations.nhatrang@sheraton.com www.sheratonnhatrang.com From VND3,565,000 ($170) Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa 12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-999 Email: info@sunrisenhatrang.com.vn www.sunrisenhatrang.com.vn VND2,520,000 to VND4,305,000 ($120 to $205) Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province

Tel: (058) 3598-598 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-188 Email: info@vinpearlresort-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com White Sand Doclet Resort & Spa Population group 9 Dong Cat, Ninh Hai Ward, Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3670-670 Email: info@whitesandresort.com.vn www.whitesandresort.com.vn TOUR

Nha Trang Limousine

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

PHAN THIET

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

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Allezboo Beach Resort & Spa 8 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-777 Email: info@allezbooresort.com www.allezbooresort.com From VND1,400,000 ($66)

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

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

www.hoangngoc-resort.com VND1,600,000 to VND6,090,000 ($75 to $287) Full Moon Village Suoi Nuoc Beach, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3836-099 Email: reservation@fullmoon-village.com www.fullmoon-village.com VND2,100,000 to VND6,300,000 ($100 to $300) Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort Ly Thai To St, Tan Tien, Lagi, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3874-458 Email: contact@lazibeachresort.com www.lazibeachresort.com From VND1,900,000 ($90) Muine de Century Beach Resort & Spa 16 Huynh Thuc Khang St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-668 reservation@muinedecentury.vn www.muinedecentury.vn From VND1,550,000 ($74)

Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa 12A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-888 Email: res.amui@anantara.com www.mui-ne.anantara.com

Muine Ocean Resort & Spa 10 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-616 Email: sale.muineocean@gmail.com www.muineoceanresort.com From VND1,050,000 ($50)

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

Muine Bay Resort

38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province. Tel: (062) 3847-007 info@bamboovillageresortvn.com www.bamboovillageresortvn.com From VND2,200,000 ($105)

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

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

PHAN RANG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 068)

HOTEL, RESORT

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

Pandanus Resort

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

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

50 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

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

DIRECTIONS DALAT, HO CHI MINH CITY www.parkdiamondhotel.vn From VND990,000 ($47) Saigon - Suoi Nhum Resort Thuan Quy, Ham Thuan Nam Ward, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3683-240 info@saigonsuoinhumresort.com www.saigonsuoinhumresort.com From VND1,700,000 ($81) Sandhills Beach Resort & Spa Km6, Tien Binh hamlet, Tien Thanh Commune, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3846-789 Email: info@sandhillsresort.com.vn www.sandhillsresort.com.vn From VND2,520,000 ($120)

The Cliff Resort & Residences Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3719-111 reservation@thecliffresort.com.vn www.thecliffresort.com.vn The Sailing Bay Beach Resort 107 Ho Xuan Huong St, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet Tel: (062) 3836-555 Email: resort@thesailingbay.com www.thesailingbay.com From VND2,571,000 ($122) Mui Ne Unique Resort

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

DALAT

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

Seahorse Resort & Spa

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

Km 11, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-507 Email: info@seahorseresortvn.com www.seahorseresortvn.com From VND1,440,000 ($68) Sea Links Beach Hotel Km 9, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 2220-088 Email: sales@sealinksbeachhotel.com www.sealinksbeachhotel.com From VND1,995,000 ($94) Sea Lion Beach Resort & Spa 12 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-390 Email: info@sealionresort-muine.com www.sealionresort-muine.com

20B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-617 Email: info@muineuniqueresort.com www.muineuniqueresort.com Reservation contact in Ho Chi Minh City, 57 Pham Viet Chanh St, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3925-4196 Email: sales@muineuniqueresort.com Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3813-000 Email: resa.phanthiet@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,633,000 ($171)

60A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province; Tel: (062) 3741-660 Email: info@villaariamuine.com www.villaariamuine.com From VND1,743,000 ($83)

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

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

Villa Aria Mui Ne

Sunny Beach Resort & Spa

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

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

White Sands Resort

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

HO CHI MINH CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 08) CONSULATES

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

Australia 5B Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-6035 Belgium 91 Nguyen Huu Canh St, Ward 22, Binh

Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3512-7968 Cambodia 41 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2751 Canada Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9899 China 175 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-2457 Cuba 45 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7350 France 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7231 Germany 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2455 India 55 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7853 Indonesia 18 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1888 Japan 13-17 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3822-5314 Kuwait 24 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3827-0555 Laos 93 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7667 Mexico 11 Tra Khuc St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3848-6290 Netherlands 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-5932 New Zealand Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-6907 Panama 7A Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-0334 Russia 40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-3936 Singapore Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5173 South Korea 107 Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5757 Switzerland 42 Giang Van Minh St, Dist.2,

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

â&#x20AC;˘ 51

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3744-6996 Thailand 77 Tran Quoc Thao St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7637 United Kingdom 25 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1380, (08) 3829-8433 United States 4 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-9433 HOSPITALS

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

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

Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3203 Emirates Airlines 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2939 Japan Airlines 88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3821-9098 Jetstar Pacific Airlines 112 Hong Ha St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3955-0550 Philippine Airlines 2nd Floor Saigon Royal Building 91 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2105 Qatar Airways 1-5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-3888 Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Tran Hung Dao St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3924-5100 Singapore Airlines 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-1588 Thai Airways International 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2809 United Airlines Suite 708 Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4755 Vietnam Airlines 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3832-0320 Vietjet Air 8Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-0123 www.vietjetair.com TRAVEL

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

Buffalo Tours 81 Mac Thi Buoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9168 Email: travelagency@buffalotours.com www.buffalotours.com.vn Buffalo Tours operates in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Buffalo Tours portfolio caters to all types of tours. Exotissimo 80-82 Phan Xich Long St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3995-9898 www.exotissimo.com Saigon Tourist 45 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9279 www.saigon-tourist.com Trails of Indochina 10/8 Phan Dinh Giot St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3844-1005 Email: dosm@trailsofindochina.com www.trailsofindochina.com Transviet Travel Travel House, 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3933-0777 www.transviet.com.vn HOTELS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Catina Saigon Hotel 109 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-6296 www.hotelcatina.com.vn From VND1,690,500 ($80.50) Caravelle Hotel 19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 www.caravellehotel.com Duxton Hotel Saigon 63 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-2999 enquires@saigon.duxton.com.vn www.duxtonhotels.com First Hotel

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 Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/equatorialhcmc Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City is an international 5-star hotel, located where the borders of the city's four main districts intersect; hence in the heart and true centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport can be reached conveniently within 30 minutes, while the city's major commercial and entertainment area is only a mere 8minute drive. Hotel Nikko Saigon 235 Nguyen Van Cu St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3925-7777 reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn From VND4,830,000 ($230) InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner Hai Ba TrungSt. & Le Duan Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3520-9999 Email: saigon@ihg.com www.intercontinental.com/Saigon From VND5,845,455 ($278) Kelly Hotel 42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-3364 Email: info@kellyhotel.com.vn www.kellyhotel.com.vn From VND966,000 ($46) An elegant and cosy hotel with good service. Within walking distance to Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace and several museums. Vietnamese food is served at reasonable prices. Mövenpick Hotel Saigon

18 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-1199 Email: first.hotel@hcm.vnn.vn www.firsthotel.com.vn Grand Hotel Saigon 8 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-0163 Email: info@grandhotel.vn www.grandhotel.vn

52 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 Email: hotel.saigon@moevenpick.com www.moevenpick-hotels.com

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-333 Email: info@legendsaigon.com www.legendsaigon.com From VND4,221,000 ($201) Liberty Central Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269 Email: frontdesk.lcc@libertyhotels.com.vn

www.libertycentralhotel.com New World Saigon Hotel 76 Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8888 Email: saigon@newworldhotels.com www.saigon.newworldhotels.com New Epoch Hotel 120 Cach Mang Thang 8 St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-6169 reservation@newepochhotel.com.vn www.newepochhotel.com.vn From VND1,155,000 ($55) Northern Hotel Saigon

11A Thi Sach St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1751 Email: reservation@northernhotel.com.vn

www.northernhotel.com.vn From VND1,505,000 ($71) Three-star boutique hotel, 99 rooms in Superior, Deluxe and Suite categories, a short walk from major entertainment and shopping venues. Novotel Saigon Centre 167 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3822-4866 Email: H7965@accor.com www.novotel-saigon-centre.com From VND2,959,000 ($140)

Palace Hotel Saigon 56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2860 Email: sales@palacesaigon.com www.palacesaigon.com Park Hyatt Saigon 2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1234 Email: saigon.park@hyatt.com www.parkhyattsaigon.com From VND 8,424,900

www.sheraton.com/saigon From VND8,740,000 ($416) Silver Creek City Resort 112 An Phu Dong 11, Dist.12, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3719-9533 Email: reservation@silvercreek.com.vn www.silvercreek.com.vn From VND1,207,500 ($57.50) Sofitel Saigon Plaza

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 From VND2,173,500 ($103.50) Ramana Hotel Saigon 323 Le Van Sy St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3843-9999 Email: info@ramanasaigon.com www.ramanasaigon.com From VND1,050,000 ($50)

17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1555 Email: h2077@sofitel.com www.sofitel.com From VND3,864,000 ($184) 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 Windsor Plaza Hotel

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

23 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6299-0879 Email: kimlam@galaxyfood.com.vn www.kimlam1galaxyfood.com The restaurant serves Vietnamese food from the North, Centre and South with emphasis on artistic garnish. It has three floors and can hold one hundred and twenty people. The restaurant is a treasure trove of Vietnamese culture with art objects serving as the decor Kobe Teppanyaki Restaurant 13A Tu Xuong St, Ward 7, Dist 3, Ho Chi MInh City Tel: (08) 3932-0187 Lemongrass Restaurant 4 Nguyen Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0496 www.bongsencorporation.com

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

Kim Lam Restaurant

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

Chit Chat Restaurant Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com New daily menus for breakfast 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 housemade pastries and cakes and a cup of coffee from selected premium blends.

Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653 Vietnamese food Orentica Restaurant Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com A Teppanyaki restaurant with an openpreparation counter, guests will be able to view spectacular food preparation before their very eyes. 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 Vietnam House Restaurant 93 - 95 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-1623 www.vietnamhousesaigon.com BARS & CAFÉS

Elle Cafe 45 Ngo Duc Ke St, Bitexco Financial Tower, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6291-8769 Caffe Molinari 5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3910-6903 Email: molinari@vnn.vn www.caffemolinari.com

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 53

CENTRE OF HO

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

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

2 1 4 14

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

1 7 V 17 -Spa V-Spa

4 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHI MINH CITY D

15 10 5

13 1

16 9 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IPA Nima 85 Pasteur St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-2701 IPA Nima is well-known for its bags. Shin 122 Ly Tu Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City 53A Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0909352369 SPA

Vspa & Skincare

Cactus Contemporary Art 17/12 Nguen Huy Tuong St, Ward 6, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 7300-1270 info@cactusartgallery.com www.cactusartgallery.com Craig Thomas Gallery 27i Tran Nhat Duat St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Mobile: 0903 888 431 Email: cthomasgallery@gmail.com www.cthomasgallery.com Open: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays and Sundays Galerie Quynh 65 De Tham St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3836-8019 www.galeriequynh.com Sàn Art 3 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3840-0183 www.san-art.org Opening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every. Closed on Sunday and Monday

HCMC. It can be reached either by road or by a 90-minute hydrofoil boat from HCMC. Sitting on a peninsula that sticks out into the East Sea, Vung Tau does not have the most beautiful, or cleanest, beaches in Vietnam but can act as a quick getaway from the buzz of the city. HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Mường Thanh Vung Tau Hotel No 09, Thong Nhat St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3835-567 Email: sales@vungtau.muongthanh.vn www.vungtau.muongthanh.vn From VND1,890,000 ($90) 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) Palace Hotel

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

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

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

Artists Long & Ngoc Gallery Grand Hotel (at the lobby), 8 Dong Khoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City TeL: (08) 2246-6839 Mobile: 0908 229 708 Email: ngoclongfineart@yahoo.com Apricot Gallery 50 Mac Thi Buoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7962

Ho Chi Minh City Museum 65 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-9741 www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Independence Palace 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3652 www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. War Remnants Museum 28 Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (08) 3930-5587 Email: warrmhcm@gmail.com Open daily 7.30 a.m. to midday and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Southern Women Museum 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7130

A popular beach resort town for residents of Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is about 128 km southeast of

56 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

CON DAO

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

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

MUSEUMS

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

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

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) Petrosetco Hotel 12 Truong Cong Dinh St, Ward 2, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3624-748 Email: sales@petrosetco.com.vn www.petrosetcohotel.vn From VND1,085,700 ($52) Petro House Hotel 63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-014 Email: info@petrohousehotel.vn www.petrohousehotel.vn From VND1,260,000 ($60) Romeliess Hotel 31 - 33 Thuy Van St, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3613-366 Email: sales@romeliss.com www.romeliesshotel.com The Imperial Hotel & Residences Vung Tau 159 - 163 Thuy Van St, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3628-888 Email: info@imperialhotel.vn www.imperialhotel.vn MUSEUM

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

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Golf Can Tho Hotel 2 Hai Ba Trung St, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3812-210 golf4.cantho@vinagolf.vn www.vinagolf.vn Victoria Can Tho Resort Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3810-111 Email: resa.cantho@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,700,000 ($175) MUSEUM

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

CHAU DOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 076) HOTELS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Victoria Chau Doc Hotel 1 Le Loi St, Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3865-010 resa.chaudoc@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,169,000 ($149) Victoria Nui Sam Lodge Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An

Giang Province Tel: (076) 3575-888 resa.nuisam@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia MUSEUM

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

PHU QUOC

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

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

www.edenresort.com.vn Chen Sea Resort & Spa Phu Quoc, Centara Boutique Collection Bai Xep, Ong Lang, Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3995-895 Email: cpv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com From VND3,381,000 ($161) La Veranda Resort Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 7, Duong Dong Town Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3982-988 contact@laverandaresorts.com www.laverandaresorts.com VND5,082,000 to VND8,694,000 ($242 to $414)

CANADA

(Telephone code: 1) Xe Lua 254 Spadina Ave, Tonronto, Ontario Canada M5T2C2 Tel: (1-416) 703-8330 Xe Lua has been open since 1996 and serves phở for $6 a bowl Open: 11.30 a.m. to 12 p.m Chau Kitchen and Bar 1500 Robson St. Vancouver, British Columbia Tel: (1-604) 682-8020 www.chaukitchenandbar.com Serves Vietnamese dishes with prices starting at $7 per dish.

FRANCE

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

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

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

UNITED KINGDOM

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

AUSTRALIA

(Telephone code: 61) La Mint 62–64 Riley St, East Sydney NSW 2010 Tel: (61) 293-311-818 Email: service@lamint.com.au www.lamint.com.au Open: Wednesday to Friday, noon to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. French and Vietnamese dishes

INDONESIA

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

Hung Ky Mi Gia 5237 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115; Tel: (1) 619-229-2188 Serves noodle varieties with prices starting at $5 per dish Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. International Restaurant 1 4444 – A University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Tel: (1) 619-281-9999 Little Saigon 7 Linden Ave (Railroad) South San Francisco, CA 94080 Tel: (1) 650-589-1398 New York-NY Saigon Grill 620 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 Tel: (1) 212-875-9072 Serves over 100 Vietnamese dishes including vegetarian options Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Mai Lan Vietnamese 505 N State St Syracuse, NY 13203 Tel: (1) 315-471-6740 www.mailanrestaurant.com L’Annam 121 University Pl New York, NY 10022 Tel: (1) 212-420-1414 VIRGINIA-VA Minh’s Vietnamese 2500 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (1) 703-525-2828 Prices start at $15 per dish Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Mondays) WASHINGTON-WC Ho Bac 1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

• 57

LAID BACK

Photo: Ngo Du

CORRECTION

ietnam Heritage Magazine wishes to apologise to our readers about some misleading information in last month’s article ‘How the betel and areca nut came to be’. Whilst it may add to the process, chewing the areca nut is not a method of blackening teeth. If anything, the juices may stain the teeth a reddish colour. My wife has been chewing the betel on a nightly basis for many years and her teeth are as white as my own. So this led me to question the assertion and do some research. I questioned a number of well-educated Vietnamese and found it quite a commonly-held belief among Vietnamese that chewing betel is the way to dye your gnashers black. Even tour guides have been known to perpetuate the myth. The truth is that teeth, since pre historic times, have been turned pitch black by the application of a lacquer obtained from iron filings and plant extracts. It has been proven scientifically that like a dental sealant this strengthens the teeth and reduces tooth and enamel decay. This practice is not confined to Vietnam but has been recorded in many counties of the Asia- Pacific region and even in South America. In Japan, where it is called ‘Ohaguro’, it was practiced among all social classes, even royalty, but had died out by the end of the nineteenth century. Pip de Rouvray

Photo: Tran Quang Quy

Clockwise from top left: A wooden sculpture at a tomb in Kon Tum Province; At the Mud Ball Festival, Van Ha Commune, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang Province; At Hang Chieu St, Hanoi, in the mid of the seventh month of lunar calendar

58 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

Photo: Ngo Vi Phong