CONTENT No 6, VOL.6, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016
CULTURE
10 Their horny majesties 12 Rolling in Hanoi
10
FOOD
14 The moon (cake) is the star WORK
16 The kite men HISTORY
18 Raising the stakes CRAFTS
20 The triangle people TRAVEL
22 Stairways to heaven BOOKS
24 Mother Nature's Wondrous Underground Sculptures
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16
20
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ADVERTORIAL
27 Vietnam National Museum of History – Beginning a
28 30 32 34 36 38
new journey
Memories of Ho Chi Minh
All the flavours of old Cathay at Tung Garden
Steeped in history EVENTS
VALUE FOR MONEY
ART
New Wave Art Exhibition
39 DIRECTIONS 54 WHAT THE PAPER SAY
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Cover photograph: Paradise Cave by Hoang Trung Thuy 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 Managing Editor: Kha Tu Anh; Sub-editing: Erik Johnson; Assistant: Van Thanh Nga, Nguyen Dang Khoa; Designer: Thanh Mai; Contributing Photographers: Nguyen Ba Han, Hoang Quoc Tuan, Hoang The Nhiem, Huynh Van Nam, Le Hoai Phuong, Nguyen Anh Tuan; Ngo Nguyen Huynh Trung Tin; Nguyen Ba Ngoc Correspondent: Pip de Rouvray; Advertising and Circulation: Green Viet Advertising JSC Email: tapchidisanvietnam@gmail.com; Thuy Phuong 0969 47 3579 Hanoi Advertising and Subscription: The He Moi MHN Viet Nam Co.Ltd, Mr Song Hao: 0903 476 999 Nha Trang Advertising and Subscription: Bach Cat Co. Ltd,; 22/6A Bach Dang Str. Nha Trang City Tel: (58) 360 7070 Fax (58) 387 0099, Email: bachcatprco.ltd@gmail.com Contact in the US for subscription and advertising: 2628 Sturla dr. San Jose, CA 95148
Vietnam Heritage Magazine
4th Floor, 1/1 Hoang Viet St., Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 38 118846
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www.vietnamheritage.com.vn Vietnam Heritage
Vietnam Heritage
Vietnam Heritage is published monthly, produced in Vietnam and printed at Army Printing House No 2. © All rights reserved.
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Bull Racing Festival, An Giang Province, 2014. The festival is organized every year in late 8th lunar month. Photo: Nguyen Trung Kien
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Canon and Vietnam Heritage: A marriage made in Heaven
n the morning of August 2, the opening ceremony of Vietnam Heritage Magazine's Photo Awards 2016 took place at the Eastin Grand Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. It was an excellent opportunity to meet Mr Hiroshi Yokota, President and C.E.O. of Canon Marketing (Vietnam) Ltd, the chief sponsor. The relaxed and affable Mr Yokota told me he hails from Osaka, a city I have visited and admire. I asked Mr Yokota how he felt living and working in Vietnam. He said he has settled well and is happy to be here. So far, he has only visited Danang and Hanoi, but he would like to see more of the country. Regarding the food, he says it is quite like Japanese food. I next asked Mr Yokota if he was a keen photographer himself. He replied he certainly enjoys taking snaps like the average person, but no more than that. He went on to say that his background is in printing. We are surrounded by mounted photo prints of some of the most amazing photographs taken in previous editions of our Photo Awards. This exhibition is due to the generosity of Canon. They are just a sample
BY PIP DE ROUVRAY
of the wider exhibition which is taken around the country to many cities and provinces. One of the questions asked at this meeting was if there were there any plans to take the Photo Awards exhibition outside of Vietnam. Our editor-in-chief answered to the affirmative. There are a number of countries that have expressed interest, but nothing has been agreed yet. Mr Yokota commented warmly on this idea. ‘We all know that Vietnam is a beautiful country but there are many abroad who are not familiar with this and this would be an excellent way to introduce her to them’, he said. It is five years now that Canon and Vietnam have been natural partners in this competition. I asked Mr Yokota in what other areas does Canon engage with the local community. A major fund raising event by Canon is held each October. This is the Photo Marathon. It lasts a whole day and is held simultaneously in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It takes place in stadiums. Teams are given a topic and sent out at various times of the day for three hours to take photos anywhere they like. At seven in the evening, the results are announced and
presentations made. Last year, eight thousand people registered with five thousand actively participating. From the fees collected, enough money was raised to build a school in a remote mountainous area. This school building activity Canon calls ‘Help with Love’. ‘Canon Image Bridge’ is another programme aiming to help disadvantaged children by teaching them photography skills. In his speech, Mr Yokota summed up Canon's community activities as following the Japanese philosophy of ‘Kyosei’, which is living and working for the common good. Canon has been with us right from the beginning providing valuable prizes, photo prints of finalist contributions, much moral support and the cachet of its name. We like to think there is a special relationship between our magazine and Canon as the Photo Awards are no longer in their infancy. We hope to see some of you at the Award Presentation ceremony or at one of the fifty four exhibitions around the country. And good luck to all of you who are participating. Happy Snapping! n
Photo above: At the Announcement of the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2016, Mdm Le Thanh Hai, Editor -in- Chief of Vietnam Heritage Magazine presented flowers to Mr Hiroshi Yokota, CEO of Canon Marketing Vietnam, Ms. Thai Thi Hoang Tran, Marketing Manager of Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon and Mr. Nguyen Van Tuyen, Director of Coffee G20
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CULTURE
Their
horny
majesties
O
nce upon a time, fishermen of Do Son were being killed by sharks. They set up an altar to pray for help and promised to consecrate buffaloes to the gods if the gods would assist them. One night, there was a ferocious storm, and in the morning they saw dead sharks lying on the shore. The people thought that the sharks were killed by a divine bird. Since then, the fishermen have not been attacked by sharks. To keep their promise, they brought a pair of buffaloes to offer to their deities. Suddenly, during the ritual, the buffaloes broke loose and sprang into a heated fight. Thinking that the gods liked to watch them fight, the locals organized a buffalo fight every year to please and show gratitude to their guardian gods. This is one of the many legends about the origins of the Buffalo Fight festival, which takes place on the 9th of the 8th lunar month every year at the Do Son district stadium of Hai Phong. The Buffalo Fight festival has always been significant in the spiritual life of Do Son people. Since time immemorial they have passed around the following verses:
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Photos: Nguyen Viet Rung
BY NGOC ANH
‘Wherever you are, whatever you trade. Be back on the 9th of 8th when the horns lock. Whatever you do, how ever busy you are, Be back on the 9th of 8th when the horns swing.’ This is one of the 15 biggest festivals of Vietnam and a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival, especially the sacrificial part, shows respect for the sea gods and aspirations for peace and prosperity. Moreover, some culturologists even consider this festival a reflection of the martial spirit of the local communities and of the Vietnamese in general. Months before the event, each village of the Do Son district sends an agent to find a fighter buffalo. The person must be savvy about every body part of a buffalo, including the head, face, forehead, ears, horns, jaws, hairs, neck, chest, cowlicks, ribcage, torso, legs, tail, stomach and genitalia to judge the animal’s potential. Some experts in Hai Phong say that a good fighter buffalo must be over 4 years old, with broad chest, wide groin, slim neck, compact behind, curved horns and long thighs.
Hai Phong
CULTURE
The villagers of Do Son show gratitude to their gods with fierce buffalo fights.
The fighter buffalo hunters may have to go far, even to the highlands to find one. Then follows a long period of arduous training and conditioning: running, uphill climbing, thick mud walking, adapting to harsh weather, awakening of the fighting instincts and spirit, and adapting to high levels of stress in a noisy and colourful crowd. Early in the 6th lunar month (usually on the 8th day), the organizing committee lets the buffaloes enter the elimination rounds. The winners will take part in the official festival. Early morning the 1st of the 8th lunar month, village elders and buffalo owners meet up to conduct the opening ritual at their Community temple. After that, each village brings their buffalo to their own village square for a consecration ritual to the Water and Village deities. After that, the animal becomes ‘His Horny’, the symbol of the village spirit, faith and aspirations. Near the hour, ‘Their Hornies’ are respectfully conducted in trains with parasols and colourful flags to the arena under boisterous octet music. Sharply at 8 a.m. on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month, gong and drum beats announce the opening of the festival. Two buffalos enter the arena from the north and south gates. Another drum round, and the buffaloes move closer to each other. After another round, they are released and rush toward one another like avalanches and begin applying deadly moves such as ramming, banging, horn locking and overturning their opponent. The deadliest move is to kneel down on the front legs and swing the head, touching the ground to try and strike a horn into the opponent’s eye. During each fight, the air bursts with people’s shouts and cheers and drum and gong and cymbal beats following the rhythmic and decisive movement of the controlling pennants. Normally, 16 buffalo ‘gladiators’ take part in a festival. Each pair
fights until a knock-out. Then they are separated and pulled back. The winning animal has the right to fight with other buffalos until the final round, if it is strong and lucky enough. It is believed that a village that has a winning buffalo will have good fortune and its fishermen will be safe in their voyages and come back with good catches. After the festival, all fighting buffaloes are butchered to be sacrificed to heaven and earth. It is believed that eating the meat of those buffaloes will also bring good luck. n
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ROLLING
CULTURE
IN HANOI BY BAO ANH
D
The pedicab is a symbol of the spirit of Hanoi uring the war, pedicabs contributed a lot to life and the war effort. They helped evacuate people, transport provisions, carry wounded soldiers, weapons and ammunition, and anything else needed. After the war, pedicabs became Hanoi’s counterpart to other cities’ taxis. Women especially like them, perhaps for the feeling of soft calmness that comes from the slow, smooth ride. It’s easier to enjoy the full views along the streets or to be absorbed in thoughts in a pedicab then in a taxi. The only disadvantage is that it has no air-conditioning. In 2009, Hanoi banned pedicabs, but fortunately, not completely. The city bought back all of them and gave licenses to 4 tourist companies to provide this service. The cabs now have license plates and are under strict control. They service mostly tourists, because the city allows pedicabs on certain streets and routes only. Asked about the thing that impressed him most in Vietnam, a tourist answered, ‘There are so many interesting things in Vietnam that leave long-lasting impressions, but I like best to cruise slowly on a pedicab in the old town. It’s quite scary at first, because the seat is at the front and you constantly feel
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that you are about to hit someone in the chaotic traffic. But once you are used to it, it’s amazing.’ And so, through the ups and downs of times, pedicabs have become an unmistakable cultural icon of Hanoi. n For those who want to enjoy cyclo tour in Hanoi please contact Cyclo Sans - Souci, 50 Phat Loc Alley, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi, tel: (04) 3928-1248, www.xichlokhongloau.znn.vn
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Photos: Lai Dien Dam
TRADITION
Moon n Sun is a result of the fusion of cuisine and art. Moon cakes are made for those who love the essence of nature. There are a variety of flavours available, including melted matcha with salted egg yolk and lotus seed. Their signature cake is cheese with coee moon cake with scattered gold leaves on surface. The gold leaves are edible and imported from France. Moon n Sun does not use preservatives or chemicals. Moon Cake boxes are luxuriously and elegantly designed. Moon n Sun is a perfect choice to give to clients and friends during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Readers can find and buy moon cakes of Moon n Sun in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Hanoi 8A Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (04) 3972-2609 64A Quan Su St, Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (04) 6260-2725 Ho Chi Minh City 115 Hai Ba Trung St, Ben Nghe ward. Tel: (08) 3824-6491 www.moonnsun.com
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The moon (cake) is the star
Photos: Moon n Sun
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Salty and sweet, Mid-Autumn cakes remind us of life itself
id-Autumn Festival, in the mid of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, is the time for families to reunite, and for all Vietnamese to reaffirm their filial bonds and mutual affection. Thus, for those living far from home, this is the most important celebration of the year, perhaps even more than Tet. On this occasion, people buy things to decorate the ancestral altar and presents to give their loved ones and friends to express love and care. The presents can be tea, wine or fruits, but MidAutumn cakes are the most popular and meaningful present for such an occasion. These cakes appear only at this holiday and represent fulfilment and satisfaction, which are the best of wishes one can bestow on one’s loved ones. More than just cake or gifts, they carry the spiritual significance of the festival. So MidAutumn is also considered the time of cakes, mostly baked cakes and glutinous cakes. All cakes have two parts: the coating and the stuffing. Yellow sticky rice is best for the glutinous cake coat. It is roasted, ground or pounded as fine as possible, and then kneaded with water, sugar and a few drops of pomelo flower oil. This work is very meticulous, to ensure measured sweetness, glutinous softness, elegant fragrance, as well as the smoothness on the surface of the moulded coat with 8 or 10petal blooming flower pattern. The stuffing is done by masters who know the secrets of the seasoning process. Ideal ingredients include
green bean, melon seeds and sugar coated lotus seeds. Only recently have the recipes been modernized by adding smoked Chinese sausage slices. On the other hand, the baked cake coating is made of oat flour with little flavour. The sweet, oily stuffing includes up to ten ingredients, such as dry preserved squash, melon seeds, roasted pork, roasted chicken, or smoked Chinese sausage. There are also vegetarian cakes, stuffed with green bean, threaded copra, lotus seeds, etc. Glutinous cakes are translucent white. Slightly oily baked cakes may look yellow or brownish depending on the baking time. MidAutumn cakes are usually round (10cm in diameter), or square (8cm x 8cm). The coat is thin (less than 5mm). Every stack of 4 cakes weighs 1kg. Apart from these standard forms, Mid-Autumn cakes may be seen in many other forms, such as fish, or mother pig and her cubs, etc. Compared to western cakes, our MidAutumn cakes are much less sweet. The stuffing may also include a salted egg, which symbolizes both the full moon and fulfilment. The salty taste also neutralizes the sweetness of the other ingredients, which symbolizes the thought that our loved ones are always with us, in happiness and despair, in joy and sorrow; they always wrap us in their love and care. n *This article appeared originally in Vietnamese on www.monngonhanoi.com
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WORK Catching fish by pushing the nets on Nha Mat Beach, Bac Lieu Province. Photo: Nguyen Trong Nam
The
O
kite
men BY PHUC LOC
The fishermen of the South West employ an unusual technique
n the South-West coast people have many fishing techniques. But framed net pushing is perhaps the oldest and most unique one in the Bac Lieu region. The equipment is simple. Two long bamboo poles are tied together into a V-shaped frame. A net is stretched on and sewn to the frame like a kite. When the net is pushed forward, sea creatures get caught in the net and cannot escape. The job is hard, though it looks easy and beautiful, like a person lifting and lowering a kite full of wind. This ‘kite’ is actually very heavy, because it’s big, and instead of air, it’s full of water, and maybe even some fish. It’s not a job for weaklings. First, the net pusher lifts the net to see if there is any catch in it and empties the net. Then, keeping the whole kite above the sea bottom, the fisherman pushes it in the constant slanting position until something is caught. To make it easier, fishermen work when the water
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moves near the shore; for example, at the time of tides, early in the morning or evening. Each time, they bring only the kite net, a hand basket to hold the catch, and a jar of water, enough for a few hours. On the beaches of Xiem Can, Nha Mat and protected areas of Bac Lieu, every morning hundreds of fishermen, mostly strong and young ones, come to spread their kites, holding and pushing them along the shore until high tide. Each working session lasts two to three hours only. On average, each man harvests three to five kilograms of small fish, shellfish and other seafood. After hours soaking themselves in sea water, they sell their catch on the spot to tourists or other customers. It’s a very hard way of life, but perhaps it’s just their destiny. So every time, they come down to the water with a big smile on their lips and a total faith in the heaven and the sea. n The article in Vietnamese was printed in Dan Viet.
HISTORY
T
Raising the stakes BY THANH TAM; ILLUSTRATIONS OF DUC LAI
he estuary of Bach Dang River near Ha Long Bay has witnessed three grand victories over Chinese invaders. 1. In 938, Ngo Quyen smashed the Nam Han armies here, ending a thousand years of Chinese occupation and starting an independent, sovereign period of our history. 2. In 981, Emperor Le Dai Hanh crushed the Tong dynasty’s armies here. 3. In 1288, Tran Quoc Tuan, Prince of Hung Dao, squashed the Nguyen Mong hordes in these waters during the third Nguyen Dynasty’s invasion. Today, these heroes are worshipped in three temples in the area: Ngo Quyen at Hang Kenh temple, Le Chan District, Hai Phong; Le Dai Hanh at Minh Duc Township, Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong;
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and Tran Hung Dao at Yen Giang Ward, Quang Yen District, Quang Ninh. All these battles were won by ambushing with sharp stakes set in Bach Dang waters. The relic area is between Bach Dang river and a tributary of the Rut River in Quang Yen Township, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. It consists of 11 relic sites. Among these, the three stake yards are the battle fields that witnessed firsthand the great victory in 1288. Yen Giang stake yard is where the Chanh and Bach Dang rivers meet at high tide. Combined with the rock bed at Ghenh Chanh, this trap blocked the retreat of 600 ships and 40,000 Yuan troops in 1288, causing them to be completely destroyed. The Yen Giang stake yard was discovered
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by the local people in 1953. The rectangular yard is 118m long, 20m wide, running in a northeast – southwest direction. Most of the stakes here are of Erythrophleum fordii wood and few of Vatica wood, all the bark still intact. They are 2.62.8m long, 20-29cm in diameter. The pared end, made to plant into the mud is 0.5-1m long. The stakes are slanted toward Bach Dang River, in the flow direction of the Chanh River and 75o against the upstream. They stand 0.9-1.2m from each other in the south part and 1.3-1.5m in the north part of the yard in an irregular pattern. The density in the middle of the yard is lower; each stake is about 3m from the surrounding ones. The Salt Field yard is located in Dong Coc Village, Nam Hoa Commune. This is where the Rut and
HISTORY
The long wood that once repelled foreigners is rotting away Bach Dang estuaries meet. The stakes here are 25-30cm in diameter, of different timbers, some cleanly whittled. They are planted in high density, about 40-60cm from one another. Some smaller ones are even only 10-30 cm from each other. Another peculiarity is that the stakes are rather grouped in clusters, each one pointing to a direction of its own. Many even slant down to a 45o in southwest – northeast direction. The stakes point to all directions in arbitrary order, making the trap so much deadlier. The rock bar between the stake yards Yen Giang and Salt Fiend is impassable at low tide, forcing ships to worm to the sides. The two stake yards were planted by Tran Hung Dao precisely to choke the rivers’ throat, thus closing the enemy’s retreat passage in the battle of Bach Dang in 1288. The Horse Cheek Field stake yard was planted on the Horse Cheek Field belonging to Hung Hoc Village, Nam Hoa Commune. It’s the estuary of Kenh and Rut rivers. The area of the yard is about 2,100m2, 70m long in an east-west direction and 30m wide in a north-south direction. The stakes were planted in dense clusters at the north east and south west corners, most slanting toward the south-east. Some slant in a different
direction, creating crossing traps. All stakes were planted directly on the river bed. There are different hypotheses as to how the stakes were driven into the ground. The most prominent guess is that they were shaken and hammered at the same time, and placed where the river bed is a mixture of clay and sand. After the stakes were driven deep enough into the ground, the clay and sand automatically wedged them tight enough to pierce through ships. Where the ground was hard, they were just hammered down. In 1988, Yen Giang stake yard was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Heritage, belonging to the 1288 Bach Dang victory relic site. In 2007, Salt Field stake yard was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National heritage, belonging to the 1288 Bach Dang victory relic site. Today, reinforced dikes have been built around both the Yen Giang and Salt Field stake yards, with over 500m of entry road and an introductory board for Yen Giang stake yard. Beside the artefacts featured in Bach Dang Museum, some of the stakes have been taken away to be exhibited in some other museums in the country, such as the Vietnam Military History
Museum, Quang Ninh Museum, Navy Museum, Museum of III Military Zone, Border Defence Museum and Vietnam Museum of History in Ho Chi Minh City. However, the efforts of conserving the Bach Dang victory relic site are currently facing many problems. Built up by silt, the stake yards’ beds have become paddy fields and shrimp farms of Quang Yen Township, which has distorted the stakes’ formation. The mud and salt water have also done their share of destruction. Most of the stakes have become hollow. The continued rice and shrimp cultivation after the discovery of the yards and revelation of the stakes speeded up the destruction even more. Moreover, after the excavation, although preserved in a liquid solution, moulds and fungi still have free access to the stakes, making some of them fall to dust when taken out of water. Adding to that, fish and shrimp farms built around the yards that pollute the water environment and multiply waterborne parasites also contribute significantly to the degradation of the wooden stakes. n *The article in Vietnamese was printed on the website of Vietnam Military History Museum
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CRAFTS
The triangle people BY THANH NGA
T
he dress of Lo Lo women in Ha Giang is distinctive and popular. The shirt is longsleeved and low-cut at the chest. It is just long enough for its fringe to touch the pants, thus creating an impression of fitness and freshness. The front and back are adorned with two coloured triangles, joined to make a square. Each square, in turn, contains 12-20 colourful triangles. Each sleeve is made up of 4 sections, which consist of colourful chunks with parallel lines, mixed between squares like those on the body. The triangular patterns also appear on the dress of Lo Lo tribes in Bao Lac (Cao Bang) and Muong Khuong (Lao Cai). According to Dr. Lo Giang Pao, deputy director of the Institute of Ethnography (under the Committee of Ethnicities), the triangular patterns originated from the Lo Lo notion of an ancient country
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in their history. ‘All the patterns on their bronze drums are made of triangles or banyan leaves, which are almost triangular. Ancient Lo Lo people were half farmers, half nomadic. They always carry the notion of their original country, which was of triangular shape.’
The Lo Lo use the triangle as a symbol of their people Lo Lo elders say that in the old times, the Lo Lo always carried with them seeds of buckwheat, also called triangle wheat. As they wander around the world, they show these seeds to each other to recognize one
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another. Now that they are settled in Ha Giang or Cao Bang, Lao Cai, their houses are also framed within squares consisting of triangles. Some ethnographers call the Lo Lo in Cao Bang the Black Lo Lo to make distinction from those in Ha Giang, called Patterned Lo Lo. Black Lo Lo women wear short shirts with square collars and rectangular embroidered patterns around the body and a garish pattern at the back. The sleeves are made of a series of five-coloured chunks. The two front flaps are adorned with colourful, flowery edges. Copper buttons are covered with coloured cloth. The triangles on the back are often embroidered with wave or rice ear patterns Dr. Mai Thanh Son from the Institute of Social Sciences of MidVietnam (under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) states,
Lo Lo people live not only in Vietnam and China, but also in Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, and even as far away as the Americas. Wherever they come from, the Lo Lo are easily recognizable by their colourful dress with triangular patterns, which are not only for decoration, but also an image of the prehistoric country of the tribe. Edges: Patterns on the dress of Lo Lo people. Photos: Nguyen Ba Ngoc Centre: Lo Lo women are embroidering, in Ha Giang Province. Photo: Nguyen Huy Son
‘The patterns on the dress of the Xin Cai Lo Lo are more graceful than the rather boxy patterns of the Lo Lo from Lung Cam and Lung Cu. The dress of the Lo Lo in Cao Bang is much simpler and darker than that of the other Lo Lo groups, perhaps because this group lives among the Tay people and is influenced by their culture.’ Dr. Lo Giang Pao added, ‘The Lo Lo women from Bao Lac (Cao Bang) wrap their hair, coil it around the head and cover it with a scarf and tie it in a triangle in the forehead. The Meo Vac Lo Lo only wrap, coil and pin their hair neatly. In the past, the headdress showed the women’s marital status.’ The sleeves of the Black Lo Lo also have Ngo Ba, a legendary bird, a pattern that almost never appears on the dress of other Lo Lo groups. According to Mr Lo Giang Pao, this difference comes from their tradition of bird worship. ‘These clans worship
this bird because once, when they ran into the forest from hordes of raiders, the bird soared up and diverted the pursuers, thus saving Lo Lo lives. Since then, the clans began worshipping the bird and adopted it as their totem, which they show on the sleeves.’ There are some bird species, such as sparrows, ravens and owls, that the Lo Lo never eat because, according Dr. Pao, ‘It’s a sin. Owls, for example, are like cats. They kill the rats that destroy the crops. The Lo Lo never eat bird eggs, sitting or chick feeding birds, no matter what species. That act is considered immoral and uncultural.’ To have a beautiful, colourful and eye-catching dress, Lo Lo women spend a lot of time and effort growing flax and cotton, weaving, dyeing, and sewing and embroidering patterns. The colours and smallest details on
the dress demonstrate their delicate sense of beauty and elegance. The dress by itself is a symbol of a rich spiritual life of a people who live freely on the mountains, between heaven and earth. According to Mr Lo Giang Pao, these colours and patterns also reflect a highly developed culture, ‘The Lo Lo have their own writing, calendar and art. The more delicate the artistic level is, the more progressive the people. Lo Lo people select colours according to age, occasion such as wedding or funeral. and all that have to be combined with the notion of the cosmos. For example, when dealing with earth genie, they wear green, the colour of farming and fertility. When attending a funeral, they wear more bright, radiant colours.’ n *The article in Vietnamese was printed on www.vov4.vov.vn
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TRAVEL
Stairways to heaven BY NGUYEN PHAT PHUC
The rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai are like the staircases of the gods
Photo: Vu Chien Photo: Hoang Do
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TRAVEL Photo: Vu Chien
M
u Cang Chai District in Yen Bai Province is about 300km from Hanoi, with an average height of 1,000m above sea level, mostly mountainous, cut by deep gorges. The average steepness of slopes is 30o, but sometimes it’s over 45o. The tallest peak, Lung Cung, is 2,963m high. But unlike other rugged regions, Mu Cang Chai’s hill slopes look like they are covered with scales. Terraced paddies form stairs for giants to walk up to heaven. According to official data, Mu Cang Chai currently has 2,500ha of terraced fields. To most domestic and foreign tourists, these terraced fields are not only the most grand site of the Northwest, but also one of the most unique and spectacular attractions of Vietnam. The special thing about these masterpieces is that they were made by the sweat of many generations. About 500ha of terraced fields in La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh communes of Mu Cang Chai have been ranked National Tourists’ Attractions by the government of Vietnam. The terraces, though always proud and humble through times and weathers, look best from midSeptember to October, when they are covered in golden ripening rice under the mild sun of autumn. From May to June, Mu Cang Chai wet terraces shine like a glass mosaic reflecting the colours of heaven and mountains. Generations of Hmong and many other tribes have worked their hearts out to level each stair, build the edges with rocks, cut trees and make irrgation pipes, and to transform the terain into a work of art.
Even the local customs Yen Bai and festive activities are all related to the terrace paddy lifestyle. In recent years, local authorities have been promoting this cultural heritage by organizing a ‘Week of Tourism and Culture of Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields’ in midSeptember. On this occasion, domestic and foreign visitors have a chance to not only comtemplate the glory of the stairways to heaven, but also to take part in cultural events rich of local and ethnic content, such as highland fairs, a sticky cake making contest, Hmong pipe contest, and goat fights. Apart from the terraces and festivals, Mu Cang Chai also has many other attractions to be discovered, such as Pung Luong peak, a rock sculpture field in Lao Chai commune, Che Tao pristine forest, the triple cascades of Dream Falls in Mo De Commune, hot springs and caves at Nam Khat, and the age-old tea forest of La Pan Tan, Notably, in recent years, tourist companies have offered also paragliding service at Khau Pha Pass for those who want to see the terraces from above. n
n
To go from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai, adventurers can use a motorbike, and comfort lovers can use bus service at My Dinh terminal. In Mu Cang Chai township, there are dozens of inns where a double bed room costs about VND150,000 – VND200,000. The inns also have motorbikes for hire.
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BOOKS
Mother Nature's Wondrous Underground Sculptures
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A PHOTO ALBUM BY PIP DE ROUVRAY PHOTOS: HOANG TRUNG THUY
re you an armchair traveller? Are you one of those who enjoy reading about places far away from the comfort of your own living room? Maybe it is just out of curiosity or maybe constraints of finance, health and/or age prevent you from going to certain destinations. Well, if that is the case, you probably would be interested in at least a peek at Hoang Trung Thuy's photo album, 'Dong Thien Duong' ('A Story of Paradise Cave'). I must confess that I picked it up as much out of nostalgia as to learn about somewhere new. In the late nineties, I lived in Quang Binh Province where this cave is located. It had been discovered by 1992, but it was generally unknown by and certainly not open to the public. I did, however, have the wonderful experience of visiting the Phong Nha (Wind Fang) underground river and seeing the stalactites and stalagmites by hopping off the boat and walking around its banks. On my second trip, they had enhanced the place by adding coloured lighting. So this book naturally intrigued me. Discovered after my time in Quang Binh, the reader may have seen spectacular pictures in such magazines as 'National Geographic' of Son Doong cave system nearby. This costs three thousand dollars for a five-day visit and requires you to be strenuously fit, as a lot of hard hiking is involved. The entry ticket to this cave system, in contrast, is modestly priced and you can drive right up to top of the mountain. Indeed, the first pictures in the book are of the car park and entrance with its restaurant. Electric buggies to take you to the
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mouth are also shown, as well as the path and beginning of a wooden staircase for those who prefer to walk. This staircase which is 3.5 metres in width and a 1.1 kilometre long, holds the national record for 'longest wooden path'. The first main section of the book shows a series of cavern areas with strange and beautiful rock formations. The cave is classified as 'dry,' but depending on the time of year, you will come across shallow steams and even lakes. There are sections devoted to stalactites and stalagmites. These amazing creations of nature can take forms familiar in local culture such as female Buddha, houses on stilts, rice terraces and animals such as rabbits and birds. One great thing about this book is that it explains in few and simple words the geology behind these beautiful rocks. We have all heard of stalactites and stalagmites; some might even know the former hang vertically down while the latter build up from the ground. Who though has heard of rimstone, flowstone and travertine? There is a whole section on rimstone which is a rock form that looks similar to octopus tentacles. The photographer also draws our attention to the sediment floor and the patterns formed on it. He has shots of natural paving and spongiform rocks. You may walk on dry ground, but we are reminded in the pictures that a river must have flown there for millions of years. Those rounded pebbles some as big as golf balls could only have been formed by eons of water flow. Thuy does not let us forget about the creepy crawlers that inhabit the cave. It is not
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BOOKS
BOOKS
just the bats and moths. Also caught by the camera's eye are beetles, ants worms, scorpions, shrimp and tiny fish. He has not left out the flora either; mosses, algae and lichens. He even discovered a 15-centimeter tree growing horizontally in a dark corner 300 metres way from a shaft of light with green leaves and a white trunk stuck on the edge of a humid stalactite. The author details the challenges he faced in producing this photo collection. He acknowledges it could not have been achieved without the good co-operation of the Board of Management of Paradise Cave. He also undertook the project with a team of other photographers. It took several visits over two years to accomplish the task. This was due to the difficulties of terrain and to the fact they wished to portray the contrast in the nature of the cave in the wet and dry seasons. On the first trip, they were able to do little more than a topographical survey, as they realised they had inadequate lighting. They upgraded both the quantity
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of lights and the power of lighting and returned. A further expedition of five days was undertaken in the rainy season. Their mobility was restricted and three of the group of seven gave up on the first day. They were only able to penetrate four kilometers of a system of over thirty, due to water reaching the top of the cave at this point. Well, we all thought Paradise was in the sky. Here, it seems, it is located where Hell ought to be. Thuy shows us that the Creator does work wondrously underground. It certainly a delightful tome to have on your lap and flick through. If you are reading this on your deckchair by your hotel's pool, you may be inspired to put Paradise Cave on your tourist itinerary. When I visited a Quang Binh cave years ago, there were no hotels and very little in the way of tourist infrastructure. Neither were there flights to nearby Dong Hoi Airport. It is a very different story now. Thuy's excellent tome is enough to make me want to get put of my armchair and make a return trip to the area! n
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Dong Thien Duong, ‘A Story of Paradise Cave’, is published by Nha Xuat Ban Thong Tin (Vietnam News Agency Publishing House), contact: www.saigongiadinh.com Price VND500,000
VIETNAM NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY
BEGINNING A NEW JOURNEY
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Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong - NMH Director signing exhibition cooperation in Germany.
he 26th of Septemper, 2011 has become an important milestone in the development of Vietnam historical record keeping. On this day, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1674/QĐ-TTg to establish the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH), by merging Vietnam Museum of History and Vietnam Museum of Revolution. During the last 5 years (2011-2016), the NMH had made important, commendable accomplishments in many aspects: In scientific research: Successfully completed 5 ministry level and over 20 Institute level research projects; organized dozens of domestic and international conferences, semninars and forums; authored hundreds of specialized studies for domestic and international scientific conferences and journals; compiled and published over 20 works of high theoretical and practical value such as ‘Vietnam’s paper curency,’ ‘Museums and relics – inspiring and motivating pupils to study history,’ Dong Son culture – materials and artefacts collected at VNMH,’ ‘Traditional Vietnamese boats’ (in collaboration with South Korean Sea Research Institute), ‘Flying dragons – Royal art of Vietnam’ (in conjunction with the French Guimet
Foreign diplomatic delegations touring the exhibition system of NMH.
museum of Asian Art), ‘Ancient Vietnamese jewelery’, ‘Dawn over Red river,’ ‘Japanese culture’, ‘Vietnam the great story’ etc. and the Museum’s Scientific communication. In Research and Collection: Excavated shipwrecks at Binh Chau, Quang Ngai; explored, investigated and excavated Champa relic sites in Quang Ngai and Danang (Cam Mit vestige site), some prehistoric archeological sites in Dak Lak and Gia Lai, Ba Tam temple group in Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Bac Giang, Sam Mun ancient fortress in Dien Bien, Luy Lau fortress in Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh; organized series of collecting work oriented at urgent targets such as Dong Son, Sa Huynh, Champa, Oc Eo cultures, Vietnam’s maritime souvereignty, the Renovation ... Over the past 5 years, the Museum has added almost 5,000 documents and artefacts for exhibition. In collection conservation and management: VNMH is one of the top centres for conservation and one of the first museums in the country to digitize its collection management work. The musem conducted inventory and evaluation of over 200 thousand documents and artefacts, collaborated with Japan, South Korea,
Belgium, and Austria to conduct technical training programs in relics preservation to highten qualification for the staff of VNMH and other museums in the country. In exhibition work: Corrected and made additions to the permanent exhibition system and invested in modern equipment; completed new ‘Oc Eo – Phnom cultures’ exhibition; organized 21 inhouse topical exhibitions, for example ‘Vietnam’s maritime heritage’, ‘Vietnam’s buddhist heritage’, ‘Dong Son culture’, ‘Vietnam’s sacred objects’, ‘Vietnam’s treasure – The Nguyen Dynasty’s Golden Book,’ ‘Viet Minh Front – Nation’s Great Solidarity’; cooporate with other agencies to organize 17 topical exhibitions in diferent localities and 7 ones abroad such as ‘Vietnam – a great story’ at Kyushu Museum (Japan), ‘Dong Son culture’ at National Museum of Malaysia, ‘The dawn of Vietnam’s ancient culture’ in South Korea, ‘Flying dragons – Royal art of Vietnam’ at Guimet Museum of Asian Art (France), ‘Vietnam’s archeological treasures’ in Germany; created 12 topics for mobile exhibitions in over 50 places in the country. By Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong, VNMH Director
VIETNAM NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi25 Tong Dan St, HanoiTel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn
To be continued in the next issue
MEMORIES OF HO CHI MINH
HO CHI MINH MUSEUM CELEBRATES THE 70TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CHAIRMAN HO CHI MINH’S VISIT TO FRANCE (1946-2016) n Exhibition: Chairman Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnam-France friendship
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ontinuing to prepare for the country’s big events and commemorations in 2016, especially to celebrate the 70th year anniversary of Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s visit to France (1946-2016), with the endorsement of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and in collaboration with related authorities, the Ho Chi Minh Museum is organizing the following activities:
The exhibition features iconic images about the life and revolutionary legacy of Chairman Ho Chi Minh, about the Vietnam-France friendship and His official visit to the Republic of France in 1946, and about the activities of the Association of Vietnamese in France during the last 100 years. The exhibition will open at Ho Chi Minh Museum on Aug 18, 2016 in Paris, and several other French cities by mid-Sept, 2016.
n Publishing photobook, Ho Chi Minh related places in France
The book concentrates on places related to Mr Nguyen Ai Quoc’s life, work and activities in France during the 1911, 1917-1923, and 1946 years. Some were visited by Nguyen Ai Quoc very briefly, just for a meeting or conference, but some had been visited by him frequently. Besides the detailed information about the places and the time Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh – had been there, the book also provides valuable imagery.
From left: Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s visit to France in 1946. He and the Foreign Affairs Minister and other officials of French government officials salute the National flags of the two countries at Le Bourget Airport, Paris on June 22, 1946 ; Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s visit to France in 1946. Chairman Ho being received by French Prime Minister George Bidault at his office on July 2, 1946 ;Chairman Ho laying flowers to the Memmorial of Slained Soldiers of the First World War 1914 -1918 ; Chairman Ho Chi Minh and the family of Raymond Aubrac, a French friend of him, at 190 Paris St, Oire Dist., Paris, 1946.
n Publishing Special issue no. 52 of Infomaterials on the topic of Ho Chi Minh and France. n Launch of documentary film entitled, ‘Places in France related to Ho Chi Minh – eternal values’
The film ‘Places in France related to Ho Chi Minh – eternal values’ doesn’t follow the chronological order of events related to Chairman Ho Cho Minh’s activities in France. It focuses on presenting the places and relics about and/or related to Ho Chi Minh in a sensible way and the stories and memories that the locals may have about Ho Chi Minh, their attitude toward Him and those relics. The film also shows the activities of the Vietnamese side, especially of the Vietnamese community in France, and the sympathy and support they received from the French in preserving and promoting the image of Chairman Ho Chi Minh among the people of the two countries.
n Meeting the witnesses
Ho Chi Minh Museum arranges meetings with the families of the intellectuals who followed Chairman Ho Chi Minh back home in 1946 and their invaluable contributions to Vietnam’s revolution.
n Exploring and experiencing ‘Hue, the cradle of Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s childhood’
The educational program ‘Hue, the cradle of Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s childhood’ includes activities related to the ‘land of Hue’ in late 19th and early 20thcenturies. Lively illustrated infopannels introducing Hue of the time of His youth, combined experiences of ‘Family culture’ and ‘Learning with a scholar’ in which kids learn to sew, mend, embroider, process harvested rice, make betel quid under the instruction of an artisan, and attend classes where a Confucian scholar teaches them to write basic Chinese characters will give children a clear idea about the traditional cultural values of family in ancient times. Besides the educational package, the museum also has a separate space for kids to enjoy fun activities and traditional games such as lion dance, bagged race, flag seizing, rope skipping, tug of war, etc. These physical activities help develop motor skills, coordination, teamwork, friendship and comradeship, and bring fun, relaxation and diversity to a session packed with new information and inspiration. Time: scheduled from 12 September to 16 September, 2016. Venue: the outdoor space of Ho Chi Minh Museum.
Ho CHI MInH MuSEuM 19 ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi - Tel: (04) 3846-3752 - Website: www.baotanghochiminh.vn
‘light’ lunch BY RITCH PICKENS
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All the flavours of old Cathay at Tung Garden
he Eastin Grand, Ho Chi Minh City is a well located hotel. It is only a few minutes drive from the airport and equally handy for downtown which is only fifteen to twenty minutes away. Paris has long had the sobriquet of the ‘City of Light’ and I know of two famous football clubs that play in the ‘Stadium of Light’. This hotel I have dubbed the ‘Hotel of Light’. In the huge lobby you are met by bright lighting and decor of light colours. The Tung Garden Restaurant overlooks this lobby and has the addition of its snowy bright table linen. I sat down here with my sixteen year old daughter to enjoy my first Chinese dinner for quite some time. We were seated at one of only two tables for two in the vast room. Manager Alan Kan from Hong Kong was at hand so we consulted him on which dishes to select. We took up his suggestion to include Peking Duck. I lived in Peking for three years and enjoyed it many times there. From Alan we learned that Tung Garden Restaurant has been operating only since March. However, it has quickly built up a following for its weekend all you can eat Dim Sum lunch (VND380,000++). Recently there have been
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so many diners for this that they had to add extra seating. As all the dishes we ordered were to come more or less all at once it soon became apparent that we needed to transfer to a full sized table. This proved to be much more convenient not only for space but also as it was equipped with a glass Lazy Susan - that turntable in the middle that you can rotate to get access to dishes. Near us was a group of office workers of various nationalities. We could hear every word they were saying and they were clearly having a convivial time. First we tackled the winter melon soup which was served in the hewn out melon itself. Apart from the melon itself the soup contained shrimp.mushroom and pork. It was a refreshing kick off. Next we tackled away at a half portion of the Peking Duck (VND420,000++). Lazier even than Susan I ordered this to come already wrapped in pancakes like little sandwiches. Dipped into the sweet bean sauce which looked and tasted like plum jam there was enough for five of these each. There was a great taste of crispy duck skin and flavour some duckfat. In Beijing itself on outings with Chinese colleagues I
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remember nobody was particularly interested in the meat itself which was usually given to the driver. This dish to be a success is reliant not only on a great chef but also on the selection of a good rearer of the duck. The duck is slaughtered after sixty five days before being seasoned and roasted in a hung or closed oven. For us it really hit the back of the net! Following this we tucked into another delicacy, pieces of deep fried scallop with mince, shrimp pepper and salt (VND450,000). They looked a bit like croquettes. Scrumptious stuff! Accompanying this was a dish of spinach with white of egg (VND125,000++) enough to make you feel like a feasting Popeye. Of course you can not have Chinese food without rice and here it came in a novel fashion. It was crispy having been stir fried along with globules of duck fat in the mix. All of this was couched in a large fresh lettuce leaf. As I have noted before unlike Vietnamese meal the rice in a Chinese meal comes toward the end. After having savoured a number of dishes the rice comes a the filler. That seems to be the idea. From the dessert selection we chose the
Photos: Tung Garden Restaurant
‘Taro Milk with Coconut Pudding’ (VND55,000++). Now this creamy purple tropical root is not found in Guangzhou (Canton) so the chef was showing creativity in adapting this creamy tropical root to his cuisine. Needless to say it went down a treat! The service at Tung Garden Restaurant proved to be par excellence. Our waitress Miss Hoa was unobtrusive but always at hand. My cup never ran dry of delicious hot green tea. Hoa was always there to make sure it was always topped up. Towards the end of meal Chef Fun from Hong Kong and his Vietnamese assistant Cuong came over to greet us. Chef Fun does not speak English so I was obliged to use my rudimentary and rusty Mandarin Chinese. It proved sufficient enough to put a broad smile on Fun’s face when I complimented him on his cooking and told him how much I had enjoyed it. We also learned he has been in Vietnam a number of years and previously worked at the ‘Legend Hotel’ here in Ho Chi Minh City. What a loss that was for that hotel! When you tire of Vietnamese noodle soups and rice dishes it is nice to know that there is an Oriental alternative. Tung Garden Restaurant has all the world revered Cantonese cuisine has to offer. The experienced chef and his crew will ensure your entire satisfaction and the serving staff will pamper you. Now you have good reason to head out to the airport other than just to take a plane. 'Tung Garden Restaurant' is on the first floor of 'The Eastin Grand Hotel' at 253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City.
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Steeped in history
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BY RITCH PICKENS
The Rex Hotel combines Western architecture and a Vietnamese spirit
irst time visitors who come to Ho Chi Minh City and who stay at the Rex Hotel could find themselves quickly ticking off items on their list of things to do and experience. Firstly, there is a show of Vietnamese traditional music by the famous Duc Dau players featuring the rare stone xylophone in their colourful traditional costume to be enjoyed while having dinner at the Cung Dinh (Palace) restaurant. Secondly, the Rex is a famous place to try out Vietnamese food in all its regional variety. So good it is that it even attracts locals, especially at breakfast time. It is famous for its oxtail rice noodle soup. If you wish to learn how to make Vietnamese food, there are cooking classes here too. The specialist Vietnamese restaurant on the upper level is called the Hoa Mai (Apricot Blossom). Located in the very heart of town, the main shopping streets are right on its door steps, whilst the renowned Ben Thanh market is but a short
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stroll away. Finally, short taxi rides will take you to the major museums and other attractions. Guests who stay at the Rex will also find themselves in very good company too, so to speak. Among the famous people who have stayed here is King Olaf of Norway, as well as a Princess of Thailand. A President of Ireland has been a guest here too. Duc Phap Vuong Gyalwang Drupka, the head monk of a school of Himalayan Vajrayana Buddhism and the state religion of Bhutan, has also stayed here; I remember seeing his entourage in the lobby one day. I also remember chatting to members of Tottenham Hotspur Youth F.C. in the same place. But the one celebrity guest that might be called a living ghost who loves to haunt the Rex is United States Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry. He has memories of when U.S. military officers were billeted here. In particular, he likes to head for the Rooftop Garden Restaurant, where
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journalists were daily briefed on the war in what was nicknamed 'Five O'Clock Follies'. We think of the Rex as historic. In fact, it only opened its doors as a hotel after the end of the war in 1975. But the block it occupies is historic, having originally housed a garage and the Abraham Lincoln Library. It will celebrate its ninetieth anniversary at the end of September and the Rex has plans to make this a very memorable occasion indeed. In September, the Rex will become the first hotel in the country and possibly South East Asia to incorporate a theatre within its premises. The stage is already being constructed in the open square area that features a vertical garden, the leafy vines that make for what I call the hanging gardens of Saigon. On a nightly basis, there will be a one-hour cultural performance from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. The basic cost of a ticket will be the equivalent of $15 per adult with half-price for children. There will be a number of ‘packages’ on offer. You will be
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2000 able to include the performance in the price of your accommodation. You may wish to dine while you watch—that is another package. In co-operation with tour groups it can be included as part of a day out. They will also be bespoke programmes for the corporate market. The theatre itself will operate as a separate company known as the ‘Rex Golden Lotus Theatre Co’. The main feature of the show will be the ‘Water Puppets’, that theatre genre unique to Vietnam, originating in performances in the northern rice fields, which depicts scenes of rural life and amazingly includes underwater fireworks. This will be supported by a kind of classic form of Vietnamese opera known as 'Hat Boi’, which whilst deriving from Imperial Chinese courts, has distinctive Vietnamese and popular elements. To the delight particularly of the younger audience, a lion dance in which a lioness gives birth to her cub will also be included. I sat in the executive lounge, which looks down on the Vertical garden courtyard having afternoon coffee, cakes
and savouries and listening to Tran Thi Minh Hanh, Deputy General Manager and Lam Thi Anh Nguyen giving me all these details. This how modern theatre began, I pondered, at least in England. In Shakespeare's time, plays were enacted in the courtyards of inns.
Design of the stage for the Water Puppet show at the Vertical Garden, Rex Hotel.
Another matter which makes this hotel stand out is that the staff is a hundred per cent Vietnamese. I was told they do some training in Singapore. Do not let this put you off trying the western dishes. The chef does these to perfection. I can heartily recommend in particular the mouthwatering 'Roast Duck a l’orange'.
There is also Western popular entertainment most evenings up on 'The Rooftop'. One memorable night, I was taken back in time to the tunes in vogue in my teen years of the seventies which might have been on the lips of many an American G.I. in those terrible times of war. Until now the motto of ‘The Rex Hotel’ has been 'Your Vietnam House' and that would have summed it all up. However, now that it soon will be your Vietnamese cultural theatre as well, this may require some modification. What is for sure you cannot find so much under one roof anywhere else. Dear reader, please watch this space as I have been invited to the ninetieth anniversary celebrations of The Rex's block and to the inaugural cultural performance at the end of September. I look forward with pleasure to reporting back to you in October's edition. n
Rex Hotel
141 Nguyen Hue St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2185 www.rexhotelvietnam.com
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EVENTS HANOI
EXHIBITIONS
‘Who am I’ Till 10 September
19 lacquer paintings in the exhibition ‘Who am I’ of artist Nguyen Minh Chau is on display till 10 September at Toong Co-Working Space, 3rd 8 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. The paintings include many themes.
MUSIC
The way the wind blows 19 and 20 August
Hanoi Creative City organizes a Studio Ghibli concert, ‘Path of the Wind’ at 8 p.m., 19 and 20 August at The Rec Room. The shows include classic soundtrack pieces from Studio Ghibli, covered and remixed for acoustic instruments and performed by artists from the Hanoi Ensemble. Tickets: VND200,000 at Rec Room, , 20th Floor, Hanoi Creative City, 1 Luong Yen St, Hanoi. Tel: 01679 161 075
Xinchao/konichiwa 20 August
A Vietnam-Japan Friendship Concert will be on at 8 p.m. on 20 August at V-Artroom, 3rd Floor IPH-Indochina Plaza Hanoi, 241 Xuan Thuy St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi. Ticket: VND150,000 The show features participation by Vietnamese and Japanese musicians and will perform many kinds of music from Western classical music to Vietnamese and Japanese popular songs.
Dancer Huy Tran will run a contemporary workshop with the theme ‘Rom-Speed’ at 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. on 21 August. Fee: VND300,000 Huy Tran will guide the participants with focus on the length, width, scope and speed of the movement. The participants will build up their dance vocabularies, improvise and create their own choreography. Graduating from Vietnam Dance College in 2006, Huy Tran worked for the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) and eventually received a scholarship from Cinevox Junior Company in Switzerland. In 2011, he began performing at the Ballet Hagen Theater in Germany. He is currently working for the National Mannheim Theater. Kinergie Studio, 7th Floor, 101A Nguyen Khuyen St, Hanoi. Tel: 0912081950.
Concert series continues 24 and 25 August
Subscription Concert Vol.93 will be on at 8 p.m. 24 and 25 August at Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi. Ticket: VND200,000 - VND500,000. The concert will feature performances by conductor Le Phi Phi, piano soloist Nguyen Viet Trung and artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. The program includes ‘Rosamunde Overture, D. 797’ of Schubert, ‘Piano Concerto No. 2 in F-minor’ of Chopin, Symphony No. 9 ‘From the new world’ of Dvorak.
Violinist Nguyen Trong Binh, violist Pham Vu Thien Bao and pianist Tran Ngoc Nguyen Trinh will bring a concert to audiences at 8 p.m. 10 September at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hanoi. Ticket: VND170,000. VIETNAM HERITAGE
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costumes gathering in Moc Chau to welcome the festival. There will be traditional music performances, traditional games and food.
QUANG BINH
National Day festival 20 August to 2 September
Celebrating buckwheat In October
Buckwheat Flower Festival will be held in October at the Meo Vac Town, which has the largest area of buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Visitors will have a chance to watch art performances, colourful costumes of ethnic people in Ha Giang Province, and enjoy products made from buckwheat flowers. Last year, the event attracted nearly 2,000 visitors per day.
SON LA
National Day festival 2 September
There will be many activities in Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province from 20 August to 2 September to celebrate the National Day (2 September), including the championship volleyball, boat racing, traditional art performances, unicorn dance and commercial fair. The highlight of the festival is the boat racing on Kien Giang River. According to a legend, villagers in Le Thuy District usually prayed for rain for drinking and farming. Gradually, the custom became a festival in the district. Villages found good wood to make racing boats and strong racers. On 2 September, every year, the Kien Giang River is agitated and noisy with the cheers of locals and tourists for the boat racing.
DANANG
Classical concert 10 September
Dance instruction 21 August
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The artist will play ‘Arpeggione’ by Franz Schubert, a viola and piano concerto of Rebecca Clarke, a piano concerto ‘Premiere communion de la Vierge’ by Olivier Messiaen and a trio op.40 by Johannes Brahms.
Since Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence in 1945, Mong people in Moc Chau, Son La Province, held a festival, ‘Tet Doc Lap’ to celebrate National Day, 2 September, every year. This is an occasion when Mong people organize many activities depicting their love for the country. From the night of 31 August, Mong people living everywhere in the province dress in new, colourful
Brahms, Schubert, others 21 August
A concert with Antonia Köster (Piano), and Sindri Lederer (Violin), Zoë Martlew (Cello), and Juliet White-Smith (Viola) will be on 8 p.m. 21 August at Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre, 115 Phan Chau Trinh St, Danang. Ticket: VND250,000 - VND300,000. The programme includes ‘Sonata Polonese No. 1 in A minor’ by Georg Philipp Telemann, ‘Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor op. 108’and
EVENTS ‘Allegro’ by Johannes Brahms, ‘Jasmine Flower’ by V. Bond, ‘Piano Quartet Op 47’ and ‘Andante Cantabile’ of Robert Schumann, ‘Requiebros’ of Gaspar Cassado, ‘Salut d’Amour’ of Edward Elgar.
HO CHI MINH CITY
EXHIBITIONS
Catching the drift Till 27 August
Galerie Quynh is holding a group exhibition titled ‘Dérive’ till 27 August. ‘Dérive’, French for ‘drift,’ refers to the ‘psychogeographic’ practice of traveling through various urban environments without any pre-determined itineraries. Developed by Guy Debord and other French situationists in the 1950s, the aim of a ‘dérive’ is to uncover the effects of embodied spaces on mental states (and vice versa), in doing so building up the awareness of the everyday city in all its possibilities and phenomena. The artists include Ha Manh Thang, Christine Nguyen, Trong Gia Nguyen and Tran Van Thao. They will show artworks depicting chance encounters in the city. Whether futuristic, historic, muted, feverish, life-like, or stemming from the mind, the contrasting urban landscapes encourage an aimless wandering to discover what is often overlooked, neglected or lost. Galerie Quynh, Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist 1, HCMC. Tel (08) 3836-8019 Opening: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Sundays and Mondays
ITE re-up 8 - 10 September
Following the growth of the tourism industry and the success of ITE HCMC 2015, organizers are proud to present ITE HCMC 2016 on 8 - 10 September at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh St, Tan Phu Ward, Dist.7, Ho Chi Minh City. The annual ITE HCMC is an effective trade platform for domestic and international enterprises to explore opportunities for
both inbound and outbound travel businesses in Vietnam and the Mekong region. ITE HCMC 2016 provides exhibitors an excellent stage to launch and better understand the tourism market in this region. At the 12th edition ITE HCMC 2016, it is expected to attract 270 companies and brands from 21 countries and 27 provinces of Vietnam, 20 International media and 30,000 trade and public visitors during the three-day event. MUSIC
Time to dance 18 August
31 young artists from many countries in Southern Asia will unite and perform in ‘Dance Away Time’ at 7 p.m. 18 August at HCMC Conservatory of Music, 112 Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Ticket: VND100,000 – VND150,000
A O Show is a 60-minute performance with a mix of bamboo cirque, acrobatic acts, contemporary dance and theatrical visual art. It depicts the charming beauty and richness in culture of Vietnamese lives in the countryside and the country’s urbanization. It will be on at 6 p.m. on 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 August and 8 p.m. 21, 27, 28 August at HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC. Tickets range from VND530,000 - VND1,250,000 OTHERS
Pedaling for kids 19 and 20 August
‘Bright Lights’ will be held at the Caravelle Saigon at 6 p.m. on 19 and 20 August. ‘Bright Lights’ is a 24-hour static bike ride to keep the hotel sign on Dong Khoi Street lit by pedal power. It is aimed to raise funds for New-
borns Vietnam, which will be used to bring UK University and Hospitals specialists to Vietnam train and work with Vietnamese Nurses to drive improvement in survival chances of pre-term and sick newborns. There will be the participation by 24 executives from the British, International and Vietnamese business community. Caravelle Saigon, 19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Outcast Boho Market 11 September
Outcast’s Bohemian Market is a monthly Sunday market exhibiting unique, handmade, vintage and creative goods. In September it will take place on Sunday 11 September from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saigon Outcast, 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong St, Thao Dien, Dist.2, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: 090 236 57 80
Bolero and ballet 19 August
HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera is pleased to introduce a show ‘Ballet with Ravel’s Bolero’ at 8 p.m. 19 August at HCMC Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-7419 Ticket: VND200,000 – VND550,000
A O Show 6 p.m. on 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 August and 8 p.m. 21, 27, 28 August Contact: Contact: N HA TTRANG RANG OFFICE: OFFICE: 100/13A 100/13A Tran Tra Phu St., Loc Tho Wd., Nha Trang NHA TTel: el: (84-58) (84-58) 3529 3529 289/ 289/ 288 288 - Fax: Fax: (84-58) 2529 287 Email: info@haremscruise.com info@haremscruise.com Email: Website: www.haremscruise.com www.haremscruise.com Website: HO CCHI HI M INH OOFFICE: FFICE: 110Fl., 0Fl., 1179 79 N HO MINH Nguyen Cu Trinh St., Dist. 1 TTel: el: ((08-8) 08-8) 66282 282 44567 567 - Email: Email: ssales@haremscruise.com al
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VALUE FOR MONEY HOTELS
special promotion for families, with prices starting from VND4,500,000 per room per night in an Ocean View Room. The prices include airport pick-up and breakfast.
Imperial Hotel Hue
8 Hung Vuong Boulevard, Hue Tel: (054) 3882-222 www.imperial-hotel.com.vn
Imperial Hotel Hue is offering ‘Past and Present Hue Discovery’ till 31 October. A Deluxe River View is VND2,845,000 per room per night and a Junior Suite River View is VND3,942,000 per room per night. The prices include breakfast, a half-day tour to Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda or Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Tomb, a 10 per cent discount on food and beverages and a 20 per cent discount on spa. The prices include service charge and VAT.
The Alcove Library Hotel
133A Nguyen Dinh Chinh St, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6256-9966 www.alcovehotel.com.vn
The Alcove Library Hotel is offering an ‘Exclusive Package’ – Stay 3 nights, get 1 night free. The prices start from VND1,665,000++ per room per night in an Alcove Queen Room, including breakfast, and free airport drop-off service. It is valid till 31 October.
Petro House Hotel
63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau. Tel: (064) 3852-014 www.petrohousehotel.vn
Petro House Hotel is offering a ‘Getaway for Vung Tau’ package until 30 September at VND1,710,000, including two nights’ stay in a Standard Room with a double or twin beds, buffet breakfast, complimentary laundry service and a VND200,000 F&B coupon at the Café Sambal, a perfect combination of Malaysian and Chinese cuisine.
RESORTS AND SPAS
Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3840-132 www.avanihotels.com/quynhon
Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa is offering a
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La Residence Hotel & Spa 5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 www.la-residence-hue.com
La Residence Hotel & Spa has a ‘Summer Promotion’ till 31 October at VND3,520,000 per Superior Room per night for two with breakfast, a 45-minute massage, a one-way Hue airport transfer and a 50 per cent discount on hotel’s car service. The promotion is applicable for those who book two nights. The price includes service charge and VAT.
Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An
Thanh Nien Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-555 www.goldensandhoian.com
Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An is has a promotion at VND4,144,000++ till 30 September. The price includes two-night’s stay in a Premier Garden View, breakfast, shuttle bus to Hoi An ancient town, a 20 per cent discount on spa, a 20 per cent discount on lunch and dinner and a 10 per cent discount on laundry service.
Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
12A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City Tel: (062) 3741-888 www.mui-ne.anantara.com
Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is running ‘Anantara Mui Ne Stay Longer Special’ till 30 September. Those who stay at least three nights, five nights and eight nights will receive a 15 per cent discount, a 20 per cent discount and a 25 per cent discount, respectively. The prices after discount start from VND2,090,675++ per room per night including breakfast.
Villa Aria Mui Ne
60A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Mui Ne, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-660 www.villaariamuine.com
Villa Aria Mui Ne has a ‘Summer Promotion’ till 31 October. Starting from $237 (VND4,985,000) per room for two nights with breakfast, dinner and body massage.
Famiana Resort & Spa - Phu Quoc
Tran Hung Dao St, Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Commune, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3993-026 www.famianaresort.com
Famiana Resort & Spa has a three- night ‘Adventure Package’ at VND4,490,000++ per person, including breakfast, dinner, a 60-
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minute body massage, a journey on Cua Can River by kayak or canoe, night squid fishing tour and roundtrip airport transfers. It is valid till 20 December.
FOOD PROMOTIONS Hilton Hanoi Opera 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Hilton Hanoi Opera has buffet lunch every Saturday, noon to 3 p.m., with a variety of seafood, charcuterie and BBQ. VND600,000++ or VND 800,000++including free flow of sparkling wine, house wine, beer and soft drinks. Free for children under 18. InterContinental Hanoi Westlake 5 Tu Hoa St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6270-8888 InterContinental Hanoi Westlake has crafted moon cakes, including taro with salted egg yolk, melon with salted egg yolk, white lotus with salted egg yolk, green tea with salted egg yolk, green rice with salted egg yolk and pistachio with salted egg yolk. VND680,000++ a box of four and VND930,000 for a box of six. Melia Hanoi Hotel 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343
El Patio Restaurant, at the Melia Hanoi Hotel, serves beefsteak imported from America and Australia. The chefs will prepare slices of soft, tasty and high quality beefsteak accompanied by wines for dinner. The prices start from VND700,000 to VND1,200,000. Pullman Hanoi Hotel 40 Cat Linh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-0688
VALUE FOR MONEY Pullman Hanoi Hotel prepares moon cakes with four flavours green tea, lotus, red bean and taro. The boxes’ designs are inspired by a painting by Vietnamese artist Vu Tuan Anh. VND600,000 a box of four and VND800,000 a box of six.
Parkroyal Saigon Hotel 309B-311 Nguyen Van Troi St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3842-1111 Parkroyal Saigon Hotel prepares moon cakes for guests to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival to 15 September. The flavours include white lotus, tiramisu, green tea, green bean, taro & coconut yum and special mixed nuts. Prices start at VND680, 000 per box of four.
La Residence Hotel & Spa 5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 www.la-residence-hue.com Tung Garden, at the Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon, is the place for Chinese cuisine lovers. Every Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., it serves an ‘All-You-Can-Eat-Dim Sum’ lunch with more than 55 dishes. VND480,000++. Children between 6 and 12 enjoy a half price. There will be a 20 per cent discount in August.
In August, La Residence Hotel & Spa is offering an Australian beef baguette sandwich served with crisps at VND200,000++, including beer or soft drink. Novotel Danang Premier Han River 36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3929-999 Square Restaurant, at the Novotel Danang Premier Han River, has a Vietnamese buffet from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday to Friday, till 31 August. VND290,000++. Pullman Danang Beach Resort Vo Nguyen Giap St, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3958-888 Pullman Danang Beach Resort is offering a ‘Luxury Escape package’ including six night’s stay in a Superior Room, breakfast, dinner, a threehour spa treatment and roundtrip airport transfers. It costs $1,199 per room for two adults and two children. Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa 26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3880-000 Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa is offering a 10 per cent discount on crafted moon cakes till 31 August. VND890,000 a box of four. There are many flavours including White Lotus, Pandan Lotus, Green Tea and Assorted Nuts. Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 www.eastingrandsaigon.com
Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-3333 Yoshino Restaurant, at the Lotte Legend Hotel, introduces to diners the ‘Ishiyaki menu’ by executive chef Hirokatsu Fukuzato. Ishiyaki (Stone Grill) is a Japanese traditional way of cooking. Diners will have a chance to enjoy meal with ingredients imported from Japan. VND1,700,000 per person. Moon n Sun
8A Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3972-2609 64A Quan Su St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 6260-2725 115 Hai Ba Trung St, Ben Nghe ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3824-6491 www.moonnsun.com
Moon n Sun is offering moon cakes with a variety of flavours available, including melted matcha with salted egg yolk and lotus seed. Their signature cake is cheese with coffee moon cake with scattered gold leaves on surface. The gold leaves are edible and imported from France. Moon n Sun does not use preservatives or chemicals. Besides this, their boxes are luxuriously and elegantly designed.
Sofitel Saigon Plaza 17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1555
From August, Boudoir Lounge, at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza, introduces a perfect combination of wines and cuisine from Europe from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at VND600,000++. Raw @ Boudoir, held every Wednesday of the first and the third weeks, serves wines with a variety of seafood. Cut @ Boudoir, held every Wednesday of the second and the fourth weeks, serves wine with charcuterie and cheeses. The Reverie Saigon Times Square Building, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Blvd. & 57-69F Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-6688
In August, The Royal Pavilion Restaurant, at The Reverie Saigon, serves a selection of vegetarian specialties to celebrate Vu Lan Festival. A la carte menu starts from VND198,000++ per dish. Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. daily nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Rates may be subject to 5-per-cent service charge and 10-per-cent VAT if there is no statement to the contrary.
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ART
Self-Poitrait Oil on canvas of Tran Thi Ai Van 140cm x 140cm
New Wave Art Exhibition
N
Youth Oil on canvas of Nguyen Xuan Nghi 109cm x 150cm
Vit Silk painting of Nguyen Thi Minh Nhut 75cm x 94cm
BY PIP DE ROUVRAY
o great surprise it was to come across one of my favourite Vietnamese artists, Nguyen Quang Vinh, at an exhibition on the two upper floors at Blanc Café, located in the deep recesses of H.C.M.C.'s District Three the other day. I have written about his varied work twice for this magazine. He is a close associate of UrbanArt, the organisers of this show. What was exciting was to learn that the three exhibitors are all student protégées of his at the University of Art and in their fourth year of study. The exhibition is aptly titled ‘New Wave’. There are sixteen works in all for one to see. First to catch the eyes are the pastel shades of a group of oil-on-canvass works by Nguyen Thi Minh Nhut. They all feature a portrait of a young girl. She is shown in among fruit trees or against the branches of leafy boughs of autumnal trees. The dreamy quality reaches a peak in one frame in which the child appears to be swimming like a water baby in an underwater world of fish and sea creatures. On close inspection, we see that the fish, squid and octopus are actually soft toys made of patched cloth. These paintings evoke an ideal childhood of
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innocence, freshness and wonder at life. I like to term this 'de-stressor art'. Tran Thi Ai Van seems to be a more complex artist. Her most striking painting is of a girl with her face close to a door painted bright blue. Reflected in the panes of the door is the street outside, featuring a factory with its chimney. Behind the girl is a long, empty corridor with its floor scrubbed clean and shining brightly. I found it brooding and mysterious, speaking of loneliness and a lack of fulfilment. What it might mean could be a conversation piece for the person who buys this to discuss with his or her visitors. Other pictures by Ai Van include a selfportrait with a much-distorted neck which I can not imagine she has in real life. Then there is a frame of three girls in their underwear with a ball of unravelling red wool. This artist seems to be developing as a colourist, as there is another portrait of a pretty girl with flags around her against a background of exquisite shades of blue and green. Nguyen Xuan Nghi, like the others, paints largely realistically and uses oil on canvass. She has a pleasing portrait of a
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young woman, titled simply ‘My Friend'. Her most interesting work for me was a detailed scene of a pottery workshop. Perhaps she has talent with ceramics too? Only one frame could be called in any way abstract. It is called 'Playing with Boxes'. It is quite geometric, with lines bending and intertwining and has the general appearance of a wrought iron railing turned into art. My friend Quang Vinh certainly seems to have nurtured some talent. Gratitude too should be expressed to UrbanArt for championing not only great oaks, but budding saplings as well and also to Blanc Cafe for providing the space in a corner of a bustling city with their array of excellent refreshments on hand for accompaniment. The next generation has made its debut, and if this sample is anything to go by, the future looks bright for Vietnamese art. Why not pop along and see with your eyes and feel with your own heart. n 'New Wave Art Exhibition' is on show at Blanc Cafe at 57D Tu Xuong St., Dist. 3, HCMC till 25 August.
DIRECTIONS SAPA, HALONG, HAI PHONG EMERGENCIES POLICE : FIRE :
AMBULANCE :
113 114 115
SAPA
(TELEPHONE CODE: 020) Sapa is a former French hill station in northwestern Vietnam, in Lao Cai Province, near the Chinese border. A number of minority cultures including the H’mong, Dao and Tay live in villages in the countryside around Sapa. HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Cat Cat View Hotel 46 Fan Xi Pang St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-946 www.catcathotel.com VND735,000 to VND3,780,000 ($35 to $180) Cha Pa Garden Boutique Hotel & Spa 23B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3872-907 Email: hotelchapagarden@gmail.com
www.chapagarden.com From VND1,470,000 ($70) Chau Long Sapa Hotel
Topas Ecolodge Thanh Kim Ward, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (04) 3715-1005 reservation@topasecolodge.com www.topasecolodge.com From VND2,300,000 ($110) Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa Xuan Vien St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-522 Email: resa.sapa@victoriahotels.asia
www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,657,000 ($172) RESTAURANTS Buffalo Bell Restaurant 25 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-455 Delta Restaurant 33 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-799 Fansipan Restaurant 23 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-556
HALONG
(TELEPHONE CODE: 033) With around 1,600 islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay, about 170 km east of Hanoi, is well known for its limestone seascape. Overnight boat trips out of Halong City are a popular way to see it. HOSPITALS
Bai Chay Hospital Gieng Day Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-557 www.benhvienbaichay.vn Traditional Medicine Hospital Cot 8, Hong Ha Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3838-113 24 Dong Loi St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-245 Email: resa@chaulonghotel.com.vn www.chaulonghotel.com.vn From VND2,100,000 ($100) Holiday Sapa Hotel 16 Muong Hoa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-874 Email: info@holidaysapa.com www.holidaysapa.com VND588,000 to VND2,100,000 ($28 to $100) Mường Thanh Sapa Hotel 44, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.muongthanh.vn From VND900,000 ($43) Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: info@royalsapahotel.com www.royalsapahotel.com
Vietnam-Sweden Hospital Thanh Son Ward, Uong Bi Commune, Halong Tel: (033) 3854-037 www.bvubqn.tk TRAVEL
Halong Tourism 1 Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-272 Quang Ninh Tourism Company Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-350 Syrena Cruises Hung Thang new urban area, Bai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3847-043 Hanoi Sales Office: Syrena Tower, 3th Floor, 51 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-7214 Email: se@syrenacruises.com www.syrenacruises.com HOTELS, RESORTS
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily
Asean Halong Hotel Hau Can St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3640-034 Email: sm@aseanhalonghotel.com www.aseanhalonghotel.com From VND1,600,000 ($76) Halong Hidden Charm Hotel Block 22D, Tuan Chau Villas, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-360 infor.halonghiddencharmhotel@gmail.com
www.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND350,000 ($17) Halong Palace Hotel 1, Block 20 Dong Hung Thang, Hoang Quoc Viet St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3619-819 Email: info@halongpalacehotel.com www.halongpalacehotel.com From VND3,800,000 ($181) Halong Plaza Hotel 8 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-810 Email: info@halongplaza.com www.halongplaza.com VND1,500,000 to VND3,800,000 ($71 to $179) Heritage Halong Hotel 88 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-888 Email: saleheritagehl@gmail.com www.heritagehalonghotel.com.vn VND2,310,000 ($110) Mường Thanh Halong Hotel No.7, Block 20, East of Hung Thang, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3812-468/ (033) 3819-777 Email: info@halong.muongthanhhotel.vn www.muongthanhhotel.vn From VND1,400,000 ($67) Novotel Ha Long Bay 160 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-108 Email: info@novotelhalong.com.vn www.novotelhalongbay.com From VND2,625,000 ($125)
Tuan Chau Island Holiday Villa Halong Bay Tuan Chau Island, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-999 Email: rsv@tuanchauresort.com.vn www.holidayvillahalongbay.com RESTAURANTS
Co Ngu Restaurant Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3511-363 Jumbo Vietnam Floating Restaurant 119 Le Thanh Tong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3624-888 Sea Food Restaurant Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-822
Halong Gold Restaurant Halong St, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-142
BARS & CAFÉS
Emeraude Café 6A Le Thanh Tong St, Hon Gai, Halong Tel: (033) 3849-266 www.emeraude-cruises.com Royal International Gaming Club and Villa Bai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-777
HAI PHONG CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 031) HOTELS, RESORTS
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Catba Princes Hotel
Saigon Halong Hotel Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-845 info@saigonhalonghotel.com www.saigonhalonghotel.com From VND950,000 ($45) StarCity Halong Bay Hotel
168 Halong St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-058 Email: sm1.north@och.vn www.starcityhalongbay.com In the centre of Halong, StarCity Halong Bay Hotel offers 152 wellequipped rooms, with many breathtaking views of Halong Bay
303 Nui Ngoc, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3888-899 Email: sale@catbaprinceshotel.com www.catbaprinceshotel.com From VND500,000 ($24) Catba Sunrise Resort Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City Tel: (031) 3887-360 Email: info@catbasunriseresort.com www.catbasunriseresort.com From VND3,045,000 ($145) Avani Hai Phong Harbour View 12 Tran Phu St, Ngo Quyen Dist., Hai Phong Tel: (031) 3827-827 Email: haiphong@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com From VND2,772,000 ($132)
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DIRECTIONS HANOI HANOI
Finland 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6788
(TELEPHONE CODE: 04) EMBASSIES
Algeria 13 Phan Chu Trinh St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3865
France 57 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3944-5782
Argentina 41A Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5263
Germany 29 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3836
Australia 8 Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-7755 Austria 53 Quang Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-3050 Bangladesh Villa D6B 5 – Khu Vuon Dao Ngo 675, Lac Long Quan St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-6625 Belarus 52 Ho Tay St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-0494 Belgium Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-6179 Brazil T72-14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-2544 Brunei Villa 8-9 No 44/8-44, 9 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0001 Bulgaria 5 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2908 Cambodia 71A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-7636 Canada 31 Hung Vuong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5500 China 46 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3845-3736 Cuba 65 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4775 Czech Republic 13 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi; Tel: (04) 3845-4131 Denmark 19 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-1888 Egypt 63 To Ngoc Van St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-4999
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Hungary 12th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5714 India 58-60 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-4990 Indonesia 50 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3353 Iran 54 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-2068 Iraq 66 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4141 Ireland 8th floor of Vincom Tower B, 191 Ba Trieu St, Ha Dong Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-3291 Israel 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-3141 Italy 9 Le Phung Hieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-6256 Japan 27 Lieu Giai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3000 Laos 22 Tran Binh Trong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4576 Libya 298B Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3379 Malaysia 43-45 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-3836 Mexico Coco Villa T-11, 14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3847-0948 Morocco 9 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-5586 Mongolia 5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3009
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Myanmar 298A Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3369 Netherlands 6th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5650 New Zealand 63 Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1481 North Korea 25 Cao Ba Quat St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3008 Norway 8th Floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-8900 Nigeria 44/1 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-3610 Palestine 6 Dang Van Ngu St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3852-4013 Philippines 27B Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-7948 Poland 3 Chua Mot Cot St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2027 Romania 5 Le Hong Phong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2014 Russia 191 La Thanh St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: 3833-6991 South Africa 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-2000 South Korea 4th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5111 Spain 15th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5207 Sweden 2 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0400 Thailand 63-65 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5092 Turkey 14th Floor, HCO Building, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Tel: (04) 3822-2460 United Kingdom 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3936-0500
United States 7 Lang Ha St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3772-1500 MEDICAL CENTRES Acupuncture Institute 49 Thai Thinh St, Dong Da Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3563-1069 Hanoi French Hospital 1 Phuong Mai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3577-1100 International SOS Clinic 1 Dang Thai May St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0666 Thuy Tran Otolaryngology Clinic 6 Do Quang St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi (6/61 Tran Duy Hung Avenue) Tel: (04) 3556-6124 Mobile 098 368 0276 Email: thuyent12@yahoo.com www.taimuihongthuytran.com Vinmec international hospital 458 Minh Khai St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Tel: (04) 3974-3556 AIRLINES Air France 1 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3484 Qatar Airways Hilton Hanoi Opera Building, M floor, 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-6767 www.qatarairways.com Singapore Airlines 17 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3826-8888 Vietnam Airlines 25 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-0320 TRAVEL
Amega Travel Hancorp Plaza, 72 Tran Dang Ninh St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3783-3570 www.amegatours.net Buffalo Tours 10th Floor, 70-72 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-0702 www.buffalotours.com Emeraude Classic Cruises 46 Le Thai To St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3935-1888 www.emeraude-cruises.com Email: info@buffalotours.com Exotissmo 3rd Floor, 66A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3828-2150 www.exotissimo.com Email: go.vietnam@exotravel.com
DIRECTIONS HANOI Topas Travel 52 To Ngoc Van St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3715-1005 Email: sales@topastravel.vn www.topastravel.vn HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Fortuna Hotel Hanoi 6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-3333 Email: fortunahanoi@fortuna.vn www.fortuna.vn From VND1,920,000 ($91) Hanoi Daewoo Hotel 360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000 Email: sales@daewoohotel.com www.daewoohotel.com Hanoi Emotion Hotel 26 – 28 Hang Bot St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3848-9848 Email: info@hanoi-emotion.com www.hanoi-emotion.com The hotel also provides Vietnamese, Japanese and International cuisine Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel 1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3933-0500 Email: hanoi.opera@hilton.com www.hanoi.hilton.com Hotel de l’Opera 29 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6282-5555 Email: H7832-RE@accor.com www.hoteldelopera.com Melia Hanoi Hotel 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-3343 Email: melia.hanoi@melia.com www.melia.com Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800 hotel.hanoi@moevenpick.com www.moevenpickhotels.com/hanoi From VND3,622,500 ($172.50) Parkside Sunline Hotel 72-74 Dai Co Viet St, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-7272 Email: info@jhm.com.vn www.parksidesunline.vn Pullman Hanoi 40 Cat Linh St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-0808 www.pullman-hanoi.com From VND2,448,600 ($115.50) Sunline Hotel 18 Bao Khanh Lane, Hoan Kien Dist, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-1818 Email: info-sunline@ jhm.com.vn www.sunlinehotel.vn
Silk Path Hotel Hanoi 195-199 Hang Bong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3266-5555 Email: info@silkpathhotel.com www.silkpathhotel.com From VND2,173,500 ($103.50) Sheraton Hanoi Hotel 11 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-9000 reservations.hanoi@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/hanoi From VND4,956,000 ($236) Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: h1555@sofitel.com www.sofitel-legend.com From VND6,090,000 ($290) RESTAURANTS Au Lac do Brazil II 6A Cao Ba Quat St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Tel: (+84-4) 3845 5224 Fax: (+84 - 4) 3747 4330 Email: pr_hanoi@aulacdobrazil.com Green Tangerine 48 Hang Be St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-1286 www.greentangerinehanoi.com Serving French food with a Vietnamese cuisine Hoa Vien Brauhaus 1A Tang Bat Ho St, Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3972-5088 www.hoavien.vn The restaurant has been famous for its production of Czech beer Le Tonkin Restaurant 14 Ngo Van So St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-3457 www.letonkinrestaurant.vn Serves Vietnamese food
BOOK STORE
Infostones Bookshop 41 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3826-2993 sach41trangtien@gmail.com Thousands of magazines and books by hundreds of publishing houses worldwide SHOPS
Craft Link 43 and 51 Van Mieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-7710 Email: craftlink@hn.vnn.vn Ha Dong Silk 102 Hang Gai St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3928-5056 Tan My Embroidery 66 Hang Gai St, Hanoi Email: tanmyhuong@fpt.vn Tel: (04) 3825-1579
Viet Culture 1 Trang Thi St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-7417 Mekong Quilts 13 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3926-4831 www.mekong-quilts.org
Ho Chi Minh Museum 19 Ngoc Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3752 www.baotanghochiminh.vn Open: 8 a.m. to noon (Monday and Friday), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (other days) Entry fee: VND25,000
Dome Yen The 10 Yen The St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-6036
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong St/ 9 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 37345427 hoangthanhthanglong@gmail.com www.hoangthanhthanhlong.vn Open: 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays) Entry fee: VND30,000
FURNITURE/ INTERIOR Dome Au Co 9 Au Co St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-5866 Email: sales@dome.com.vn
SIGHTSEEINGS
Ba Dinh Square 36A Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in September 1945, is a complex of historic sites. Cot Co Tower 28 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi Cot Co Tower, the so-called Flag Tower, is now part of the Vietnam Military History Museum complex. The Tower was built in 1950, under the Nguyen Dynasty, with the help of French engineers. The tower has 36 flower-shaped windows. At the top of the tower flies the flag of Vietnam. Hanoi Opera House 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi Designed by a French architect along the lines of the Paris Opera House, it is embellished with wonderful Gothic statuary. For many decades, Hanoi Opera House has been a centre for theatre, traditional music and dance, symphonies, traditional and classical music. This, the largest theatre in Vietnam, was completed in 1911. Hoa Lo Prison ‘La Maison Centrale’, the prison on Hoa Lo Street in Hanoi, was built by the French in 1896 and became the place where generations of Vietnamese freedom fighters were held. St Joseph’s Cathedral 40 Nha Chung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Fresh missionaries built this cathedral in the late 19th century. The small but beautiful panes of stained glass were created in Paris in 1906. Also of note is the ornate altar, with its high gilded sidewalls. MUSEUMS
Hanoi Museum 2 Pham Hung (next to Vietnam National Convention Centre), Me Tri Commune, Tu Liem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 6287-06 04 Opening hour: 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entrance AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 25 Tong Dan St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed every first Monday of months. Entry fee VND40,000 ($1.82) for adults and VND10,000 ($0.48) for children Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-2131 Email: btmtvn@vnfam.vn www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95) Vietnam Military History Museum 28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoi www.btlsqsvn.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND40,000 ($2) Women’s Museum 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-9936 www.womenmuseum.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) SPA
Elite Fitness & Spa 51 Xuan Dieu St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3718-6281 info@elitefitness.com.vn www.elitefitness.com.vn Spa de Palace Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, 6B Lang Ha St, Tel: (04) 3831-3333 I
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DIRECTIONS NINH BINH, NGHE AN, QUANG BINH, HUE, DANANG NINH BINH
HOTELS, RESORTS
(TELEPHONE CODE: 030) Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Alba Spa Hotel
Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien Dist., Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 Email: info@emeraldaresort.com www.emeraldaresort.com Ninh Binh Legend Hotel Tien Dong Zone, Ninh Khanh Ward, Ninh Binh City. Tel: (030) 3899-880 www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com From VND1,575,000 ($75)
NGHE AN
(TELEPHONE CODE: 038) Muong Thanh Song Lam Hotel 13 Quang Trung St, Quang Trung Ward, Vinh, Nghe An Province Tel: (038) 3737-666 Email: sales@songlam.muongthanh.vn
www.songlam.muongthanh.vn
QUANG BINH
Hue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa
(TELEPHONE CODE: 052) HOTELS, RESORTS
Bao Ninh Beach Resort Ha Duong, Bao Ninh, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3854-866 Email: sales@baoninhbeachresort.com.vn www.baoninhbeachresort.com.vn From VND1,120,000 ($53) Sun Spa Resort My Canh, Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3842-999 Email: info@sunsparesortvietnam.com www.sunsparesortvietnam.com From VND1,870,000 ($89) TRAVEL
588 Bui Thi Xuan St, Thuy Bieu Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3978-484 Email: sales@hueriversideresort.com www.hueriversideresort.com Imperial Hotel 8 Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3882-222 Email: info@imperial-hotel.com.vn www.imperial-hotel.com.vn From VND2,940,000 ($140) La Residence Hotel & Spa
463 Lac Long Quan St., Lang Co Town, Phu Loc Dist, Thua Thien Hue Province Tel: (054) 3873-555 Email: langco@dng.vnn.vn www.langcobeachresort.com.vn Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa 130 Minh Mang Road, Hue Tel: (054) 3885-461 Email: info@pilgrimagevillage.com www.pilgrimagevillage.com
(TELEPHONE CODE: 054) Hue is a city on the Perfume River in lowland central Vietnam and was the capital of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Many imperial structures remain. They were named part of UNESCO World Heritage in 1993. Hue is also known for its particular cuisine.
Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant 110A Le Ngo Cat St, Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue Tel: (054) 3898-220 www.thientamrestaurant.com Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant features a Hue garden house with a simple design and a serene atmosphere. The restaurant serves a variety of Hue vegetarian food, from royal to local dishes, at a reasonable price. The menu has many choices, with prices starting from VND45,000 per dish. The restaurant also serves as an art playground for Hue artists. Guests have chance to get their portraits drawn by the owners at a reasonable price. Vegetarian cooking classes are also available. The restaurant is about 1-2 km from Tu Duc tomb
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
Novotel Danang Premier Han River 36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist., Danang. Tel: (0511) 3929-999 Email: H8287@accor.com www.novotel-danang-premier.com Samdi Hotel
203-211 Nguyen Van Linh St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3586-222 Email: info@samdihotel.vn www.samdihotel.vn Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang Vietnam, Managed by Centara
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily
255 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3961-777 Email: cdv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cdv VND1,785,000 to VND5,670,000 ($85 to $270) Ho Chi Minh sales office: 4th Floor, Ben Thanh TSC Building; 186-188 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3914-7940
Grand Mercure Danang Lot A1, Green Island, Hoa Cuong Bac, Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3797-777 Email: H7821@accor.com www.accorhotels.com/7821
Vinpearl Luxury Danang Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0 511) 3968-888 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-danang.com www.vinpearl.com
HOTELS, RESORTS
5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 Email: resa@la-residence-hue.com www.la-residence-hue.com Step back in time to Art Deco's golden age with a stay at La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa, MGallery by Sofitel. Nestled
Pullman Danang Beach Resort Vo Nguyen Giap St, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3958-888 Email: info@pullman-danang.com www.pullman-danang.com
VedanÄ Lagoon Resort & Spa Zone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu Loc Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3681-688 Email: info@vedanalagoon.com www.vedanalagoon.com
(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511)
HUE
I
238 Bach Dang St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3223-399 info@greenplazahotel.vn www.greenplazahotel.vn Sitting along the Han River, the four-star hotel boasts elegance and unique accommodations in Vietnamese design and a stunning view of river, mountain and city
DANANG
Oxalis Adventure Tours Phong Nha Commune, Son Trach Village, Bo Trach Dist., Quang Binh Province. Tel: (052)3677-678 www.oxalis.com.vn
HERITAGE
Lang Co Beach Resort
RESTAURANT
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily
44 • V I E T N A M
Green Plaza Hotel
29 Tran Quang Khai St, Hue Tel: (054) 3828-444 Email: info@albavietnam.com www.albavietnam.com Indochine Palace Hotel 105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666 Email: info@indochinepalace.com www.indochinepalace.com From VND2,940,000 ($140) The hotel is surrounded by lush green gardens that make it an outstanding landmark in Hue and give the city the feel of a resort. This luxurious, international standard hotel is created to appeal to Vietnamese and international visitors to Hue.
Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com
along the fabled Perfume River overlooking the former Imperial Citadel, La Residence is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with luxurious cultural and culinary experiences. This former governor's residence with 122 guestrooms and suites offers visitors a warm hospitality and a chance to relive the pleasures of a bygone era.
DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG MUSEUM
Marina Silk Beach Resort & Spa
River-Beach Resort & Residences Hoi An
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 No 74 18 thang 8 St, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3938 888 Pho Hoi Riverside Resort
Aurora Riverside Hotel & Villas 242 Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province. Tel: (0510) 3924-111 www.aurorahoian.com Hoi An Coco River Resort & Spa 999 Tran Nhan Tong St, Cam Thanh, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3930-777 Email: sales@cocoriverresort.com www.cocoriverresort.com Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An Thanh Nien Road, Cua Dai Beach Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-555 reservation@goldensandhoian.com www.goldensandhoian.com VND3,759,000 to VND7,644,000 Hoi An Silk Village 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Str, Tan An Ward, Hoi An City,Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 392-1144 www.hoiansilkvillage.com Hoi An Beach Resort 1 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province. Tel: (0510) 3927-011 info@hoianbeachresort.com.vn www.hoianbeachresort.com.vn From VND3,415,500 ($163)
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 01 Nguyen Tri Phuong St, Xuyen Trung, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3862-628 Email: info@phohoiresort.com www.phohoiresort.com Pho Hoi Riverside Resort has 82 bedrooms with three separate areas designed in an Eastern architectural style. The architecture ranges from Cham to Japanese and modern Villa styles. All rooms have views of the ancient town or of Hoai River, so tourists can enjoy the beauty of the city at night from the colourful lanterns hung on yellow walls and mossy tiled roofs
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.
www.bavicohotelnhatrang.com. Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily
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)
Lac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-927 Email: info@pgr.com.vn www.palmgardenresort.com.vn From VND4,485,000 ($214)
reservation@bavicohotelnhatrang.com
HOTELS, RESORTS
Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & Spa Ha My Beach, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: info@belhamy.com www.belhamy.com
Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa
Bavico International Hotel 02 Phan Boi Chau St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 6266-555 Email:
QUY NHON
AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: (056) 3840-132 Email: quynhon@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com/quynhon From VND3,024,000 ($144)
Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort Au Co Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3937-777 Email: sales@sunrisehoian.vn www.sunrisehoian.vn
Champa Island Nha Trang Resort & Spa 304, 2/4 St, Vinh Phuoc, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3568-888 Email: sales@champaislandresort.vn www.champaisandresort.vn With architecture reflecting nearby Po Nagar temple, Champa Island Nha Trang offers exquisite cuisine and many entertainment services that promise a memorable stay in Nha Trang
(TELEPHONE CODE: 056)
Kiman Hotel & Spa 461-463 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3920 430 kimanhoianhotel@gmail.com Website: kimanhoianhotel.com
Hoi An Historic Hotel 10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province. Tel: (0510) 3861-445 Email: reservation@hoianhotel.com.vn www.hoianhotel.com.vn From VND2,127,500 ($101) Hotel Royal Hoi An, Mgallery Collection 39 Dao Duy Tu St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3950-777 reservation@hotelroyalhoian.com www.mgallery.com
5 Cua Dai St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3927-888 saleshoian@river-beachresort.com www.river-beachresort.com From VND1,350,000 ($65) ($179 to $364)TRAVEL
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
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.
MUSEUM
Quang Trung Museum Block 1, Phu Phong town, Tay Son Dist., Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3580-320 Open 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee VND10,500 ($0.50). Free for children under six
NHA TRANG
(TELEPHONE CODE: 058) On the central coast, Nha Trang is a city originally known for beautiful beaches but these have lately been found to suffer from pollution due to modern life, development and
38 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3889-999 Email: info@havanahotel.vn www.havanahotel.vn Diamond Bay Resort & Spa Nguyen Tat Thanh Blvd, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist., Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3711-711 Email: info@diamondbayresort.vn www.diamondbayresort.vn Galina Hotel and Spa 5 Hung Vuong St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang. Tel: (058) 3839-999 Email: info@galinahotel.com.vn www.galinahotel.com.vn Green World Hotel Nha Trang 44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3528-666 Email: sales@greenworldhotelnhatrang.com www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel 32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 3887-777 www.intercontinental.com Liberty Central Nha Trang Hotel 9 Biet Thu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3529-555 Email: frondesk.lcn@odysseahotels.com www.odysseahotels.com
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
I
VIETNAM HERITAGE
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DIRECTIONS PHAN THIET
PHAN THIET
(TELEPHONE CODE: 062) Sitting on the coast about 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet is a beach city with many resorts and hotels.
Michelia Hotel 4 Pasteur St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-820 Email: sales@michelia.vn www.michelia.vn From VND2,200,000 ($105) Mường Thanh Grand Nha Trang Hotel 6 Duong Hien Quyen St, Vinh Hoa Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3552-468 Email: info@nhatrang.muongthanh.vn www.nhatrang.muongthanh.vn From VND1,400,000 ($66) Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3524-268 reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-vanbay/destination From VND18,837,000 ($897) Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa 26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3880-000 reservations.nhatrang@sheraton.com www.sheratonnhatrang.com Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa 12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-999 Email: info@sunrisenhatrang.com.vn www.sunrisenhatrang.com.vn VND2,520,000 to VND4,305,000 ($120 to $205) Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-598 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-188 Email: info@vinpearlresort-nhatrang.com www.vinpearl.com
Saigon - Suoi Nhum Resort Thuan Quy, Ham Thuan Nam Ward, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3683-240 info@saigonsuoinhumresort.com www.saigonsuoinhumresort.com From VND1,700,000 ($81) Romana Resort & Spa
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Allezboo Beach Resort & Spa 8 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-777 Email: info@allezbooresort.com www.allezbooresort.com From VND2,100,000 ($100) Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa 12A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-888 Email: res.amui@anantara.com www.mui-ne.anantara.com Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa
Ly Thai To St, Tan Tien, Lagi, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3874-458 Email: contact@lazibeachresort.com www.lazibeachresort.com From VND1,900,000 ($90) Muine de Century Beach Resort & Spa 16 Huynh Thuc Khang St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3743-668 reservation@muinedecentury.vn www.muinedecentury.vn From VND1,701,000 ($81) Muine Ocean Resort & Spa 10 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-616 Email: sale.muineocean@gmail.com www.muineoceanresort.com From VND1,050,000 ($50)
38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3847-007 info@bamboovillageresortvn.com www.bamboovillageresortvn.com From VND2,835,000 ($135)
Muine Bay Resort
Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa Quarter 14, Mui Ne Ward , Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 2220-222 Email: info@muinebayresort.com www.muinebayresort.com VND2,205,000 to VND6,195,000 ($105 to $295)
Km 8, Phu Hai, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-289 Email: info@romanaresort.com.vn www.romanaresort.com.vn Sandunes Beach Resort & Spa
5 Quarter, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3748-868 Email: info@sandunesbeach.com www.sandunesbeach.com Saigon Mui Ne Resort 56 - 97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-044 Email: saigonmuineresort@hcm.vnn.vn www.saigonmuineresort.com.vn From VND1,908,000 ($90) Seahorse Resort & Spa
Mui Ne Unique Resort
Au Lac do Brazil III 101 Trinh Phong St, Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang Tel: (058) 351 6661 SHOPPING Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company 248 Thong Nhat St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3822-472 yensaokh@yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn www.yensaokhanhhoa.com.vn
152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province . Tel: (062) 3847-858 Email: info@hoangngoc-resort.com www.hoangngoc-resort.com VND1,600,000 to VND6,090,000 ($75 to $287) Phu Hai Resort
MUSEUM
Alexandre Yersin Museum Pasteur Institute, 10 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3822-406
HERITAGE
Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort
HOTELS, RESORTS
RESTAURANTS
46 • V I E T N A M
Tel: (062) 3812-799 Email: info@phuhairesort.com www.phuhairesort.com
I
Km8, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
Km 11 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province. Tel: (062) 3847-507 reservation@seahorseresortvn.com www.seahorseresortvn.com From VND1,680,000 ($80) Sunny Beach Resort & Spa 20B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-617 Email: info@muineuniqueresort.com www.muineuniqueresort.com From VND2,898,000 ($138) Ocean Dunes Resort 1 Ton Duc Thang St, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3822-393 Email: info@oceandunesresort.com.vn www.oceandunesresort.com.vn
64-66 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-355
DIRECTIONS DALAT, BINH DUONG, HO CHI MINH CITY Email: info@sunnybeach.com.vn www.sunnybeach.com.vn From VND2,940,000 ($140) The Cliff Resort & Residences Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3719-111 reservation@thecliffresort.com.vn www.thecliffresort.com.vn From VND2,667,000 ($127) Sea Links City Resort & Golf Km 9, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 2220-088 Email: sales@sealinksbeachhotel.com www.sealinksbeachhotel.com From VND1,995,000 ($94) Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3813-000 Email: resa.phanthiet@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND1,980,000 ($90) Villa Aria Mui Ne
HOTELS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Dalat Edensee Resort Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3831-515 Email: info@dalatedensee.com www.dalatedensee.com From VND2,450,000 ($117) Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa
Le Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3555-888 reservation-dalat@anamandara-resort.com www.anamandara-resort.com From VND3,150,000 ($150) Saigon-Dalat Hotel
60A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province; Tel: (062) 3741-660 Email: info@villaariamuine.com www.villaariamuine.com From VND2,520,000 ($120) White Sands Resort
KM8, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-175 Email: frontoffice@whitesandresort.com www.whitesandresort.com From VND1,344,000 VND ($64) MUSEUM
180 Ba Thang Hai St, Dalat, Lam Dong Province Tel: (063) 3556-789 Email: hotel@saigondalat.com ; resvn@saigondalat.com www.saigondalathotel.com Located in the heart of Dalat, SaigonDalat Hotel is a four-star-standard hotel, comprised of 160 luxurious and comfortable rooms with air-conditioning throughout and other modern amenities. Four restaurants, two bars, one tennis court, one indoor swimming pool, one fitness centre and one beauty salon and spa help make your getaway experience complete.
BINH DUONG
(TELEPHONE CODE: 0650) An Lam Saigon River
Cham Culture Exhibition Centre Song Mao intersection, Phan Hiep Commune, Bac Binh Dist., Binh Thuan Province; Tel: (062) 3641-456. Open: 7.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Free entrance
DALAT
(TELEPHONE CODE: 063) Dalat, founded in 1893, has Frencharchitecture, pine forests and a perpetually cool climate. It is in the southern Central Highlands, about 300 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City.
21/4 Trung St, Vinh Phu Ward, Thuan An Dist., Binh Duong Province Tel: (0650) 3785-555 Email: rsvn.sr@anlam.com www.anlam.com
HO CHI MINH CITY (TELEPHONE CODE: 08) CONSULATES
Australia 5B Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-6035 Belgium 91 Nguyen Huu Canh St, Ward 22, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3512-7968 Cambodia 41 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2751 Canada Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9899 China 175 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-2457 Cuba 45 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7350 France 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7231 Germany 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2455 India 55 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7853 Indonesia 18 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1888 Japan 13-17 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3822-5314 Kuwait 24 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3827-0555 Laos 93 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-7667 Mexico 11 Tra Khuc St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3848-6290
Singapore Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5173 South Korea 107 Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5757 Switzerland 42 Giang Van Minh St, Dist.2, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3744-6996 Thailand 77 Tran Quoc Thao St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7637 United Kingdom 25 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1380, (08) 3829-8433 United States 4 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-9433
HOSPITALS
Columbia Asia Gia Dinh International Hospital 1 No Trang Long St, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3803-0678 FV Hospital 6 Nguyen Luong Bang St, Dist.7, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 5411-3500 Stamford Skin Centre 254 Dien Bien Phu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-1090 Email: info@stamfordskin.com www.stamfordskin.com AIRLINES
Air France 130 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-0981 All Nippon Airways 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-9612 American Airlines 69 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3933-0330
Netherlands 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-5932 New Zealand Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-6907 Panama 7A Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-0334
Asiana Airlines 39 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8710, (08) 3829-3038 . British Airways 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2933
Russia 40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-3936
Cathay Pacific Airways 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3203
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DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY Emirates Airlines 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2939 Japan Airlines 88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3821-9098
Trails of Indochina 10/8 Phan Dinh Giot St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3844-1005 Email: dosm@trailsofindochina.com www.trailsofindochina.com
www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn From VND4,830,000 ($230) Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City
Philippine Airlines 2nd Floor Saigon Royal Building 91 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2105
www.libertycentralhotel.com
Qatar Airways 1-5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-3888 Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Tran Hung Dao St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3924-5100 Singapore Airlines 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-1588 Thai Airways International 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2809
HOTELS
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Caravelle Saigon 19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 www.caravellehotel.com 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 Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon
242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/equatorialhcmc Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City is an international 5-star hotel, located where the borders of the city's four main districts intersect; hence in the heart and true centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport can be reached conveniently within 30 minutes, while the city's major commercial and entertainment area is only a mere 8minute drive.
Novotel Saigon Centre
167 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3822-4866 Email: H7965@accor.com www.novotel-saigon-centre.com
Vietnam Airlines 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3832-0320
253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 Email: Info@eastingrandSaigon.com www.eastingrandsaigon.com
Vietjet Air 8Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-0123 www.vietjetair.com
First Hotel
Asiana Travel Mate 113C Bui Vien St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3838-6678 www.atravelmate.com
Kelly Hotel
Buffalo Tours 81 Mac Thi Buoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9168 Email: travelagency@buffalotours.com www.buffalotours.com.vn Buffalo Tours operates in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Buffalo Tours portfolio caters to all types of tours. Exotissimo 261/26 Phan Xich Long St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3995-9898 www.exotravel.com Saigon Tourist 45 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3827-9279 www.saigon-tourist.net
Grand Hotel Saigon 8 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-0163 Email: info@grandhotel.vn www.grandhotel.vn Built in 1930, the Ancient Wing of Grand Hotel Saigon offers a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The Luxury Wing, opened in November 2011, adds a modern style. 230 rooms and suites, a ballroom, recreation area, VIP Lounge, Western & Asian restaurants, Bars & Grand Café at Roof Garden
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
Palace Hotel Saigon 56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2860 Email: sales@palacesaigon.com www.palacesaigon.com Park Hyatt Saigon 2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3824-1234 Email: saigon.park@hyatt.com www.saigon.park.hyatt.com From VND 7,887,850 ($376) PARKROYAL Saigon 309B – 311 Nguyen Van Troi St,Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3842-1111 enquiry.prsgn@parkroyalhotels.com
www.parkroyalhotels.com
18 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-1199 Email: first.hotel@hcm.vnn.vn www.firsthotel.com.vn
Hotel Nikko Saigon 235 Nguyen Van Cu St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3925-7777 reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn I
1 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-5517 majestic@majesticsaigon.com.vn www.majesticsaigon.com.vn InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner Hai Ba TrungSt. & Le Duan Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3520-9999 Email: saigon@ihg.com www.intercontinental.com/Saigon
TRAVEL
HERITAGE
Northern Hotel Saigon 11A Thi Sach St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-1751 reservation@northernhotel.com.vn www.northernhotel.com.vn From VND1,505,000 ($71) Three-star boutique hotel, 99 rooms in Superior, Deluxe and Suite categories, a short walk from major entertainment and shopping venues.
Hotel Majestic
United Airlines Suite 708 Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4755
48 • V I E T N A M
Email: frontdesk.lcc@libertyhotels.com.vn
Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-3333 www.lottehotel.com
Transviet Travel Travel House, 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3933-0777 www.transviet.com.vn
Jetstar Pacific Airlines 112 Hong Ha St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3955-0550
Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269
Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-3364 Email: info@kellyhotel.com.vn www.kellyhotel.com.vn From VND750,000 ($36) An elegant and cosy hotel with good service. Within walking distance to Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace and several museums. Vietnamese food is served at reasonable prices. Liberty Central Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1
8-15 Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0033 www.renaissance-saigon.com Royal Hotel Saigon 133 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3822-5915 www.royalhotelsaigon.com From VND1,092,000 ($52)
DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY The Reverie Saigon
18 An Duong Vuong, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3833-6688 services@windsorplazahotel.com www.windsorplazahotel.com RESTAURANTS
22 - 36 Nguyen Hue Blvd. & 57 - 69F Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-6688 Email: info@thereveriesaigon.com www.thereveriesaigon.com Rex Hotel 141 Nguyen Hue St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-2185 Email: rexhotel@rex.com.vn www.rexhotelvietnam.com From VND4,620,000 ($220) Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers 88 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Email: sheratonsaigon@sheraton.com www.sheratonsaigon.com Sofitel Saigon Plaza
17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1555 Email: h2077@sofitel.com www.sofitel.com From VND3,864,000 ($262)
Beef No.1 Restaurant 1 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0935891818/ 0919898253 Chit Chat Restaurant Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3839-7777 Email: info@hcm.equatorial.com www.equatorial.com New daily menus for lunch and dinner buffets, all served in a relaxing atmosphere. Eight live cooking stations with over 60 varieties of mouth-watering domestic and international dishes. A meeting place to enjoy delicious house-made pastries and cakes and a cup of coffee from selected premium blends.
Windsor Plaza Hotel
Sax N’ Art Jazz Club 28 Le Loi St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8472 www.saxnart.com Thao Nguyen Café Floor 7 and Rooftop of Restaurant Ngon 138 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9666 Open from 7 a.m. until 10.30 p.m. SHOPS
Authentique Home 113 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8052 71/1 Mac Thi Buoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-8811 www.authentiquehome.com
GALLERIES Artists Long & Ngoc Gallery Grand Hotel (at the lobby), 8 Dong Khoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City TeL: (08) 2246-6839 Mobile: 0908 229 708 Email: ngoclongfineart@yahoo.com Apricot Gallery 50 Mac Thi Buoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-7962 Craig Thomas Gallery 27i Tran Nhat Duat St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Mobile: 0903 888 431 Email: cthomasgallery@gmail.com www.cthomasgallery.com Open: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays and Sundays Galerie Quynh Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3824-8284 www.galeriequynh.com Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Au Lac do Brazil I 238 Pasteur, Ward 6, Dist.3, HCMC Tel: (+84-8) 3820 7157 Fax: (+84-8) 3820 7682 Email: pr@aulacdobrazil.com
Doma Vina Co., Ltd 50C Tran Binh Trong St, Ward 5, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3550-0558 www.papercraft.com.vn
Sàn Art 48/7 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6294-7059 www.san-art.org Opening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every. Closed on Sunday and Monday
Lemongrass Restaurant 4 Nguyen Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-0496 www.bongsencorporation.com
Dong Gia Enterprise 114 Xuan Thuy St, Thao Dien Ward, Dist.2, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6296-0147 www.dong-gia.com
Tu Do Gallery 53 Ho Tung Mau St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-0966 www.tudogallery.com Opening: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday
Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653 Tandoor Restaurant
Handed by crafts from Vietnam 47 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: 0908 447 282 IPA Nima 85 Pasteur St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3824-2701 IPA Nima is well-known for its bags.
Sonnet Saigon Hotel
14 Truong Dinh St., Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-1999 reservation@sonnetsaigonhotel.com www.sonnetsaigonhotel.com From VND925,000
Tel: (08) 3910-6903 Email: molinari@vnn.vn www.caffemolinari.com
39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-4839 www.tandoorvietnam.com Vatel Saigon Bistronomique-Lounge 120 Bis Suong Nguyet Anh St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 5404-2220 www.vatelsaigon.com BARS & CAFÉS
Elle Cafe 45 Ngo Duc Ke St, Bitexco Financial Tower, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6291-8769 Caffe Molinari 5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City
Lu's Handmade 240 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Facebook: Lu's Handmade Tropic Shop 89 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3714 www.ofcvn.com/tropic
COOKING CLASSES
Mint Culinary School 778/45 Nguyen Kiem St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-5500 Email: sales@vca.com.vn www.vca.com.vn Saigon Cooking Class 74/7 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-8485 www.saigoncookingclass.com
SIGHTSEEINGS
Notre Dame Cathedral Cong Xa Paris Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Built in 1877, and the Cathedral opened to the public in 1880. The bricks used to build this marvellous structure were shipped from Marseilles. Ben Thanh Market Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City The original market was located on the bank of the Ben Nghe River by the old Gia Dinh Fort. In 1859, when the French invaded Saigon and overtook Gia Dinh Fort, Ben Thanh Market was destroyed. It was rebuilt shortly after and remained standing until it was moved to its present location in 1899. Now, Ben Thanh market is a trade centre and a favourite tourist destination, offering a wide range of Vietnamese handicraft, fresh fruits and local specialities. Chinatown – Cho Lon It was set up at the end of the 18th century when the Minh Dynasty in China was overthrown. Chinatown has many shops and private workshops. The most interesting places are Binh Tay market, Soai Kinh Lam fabric whole-sales market, the street of herbal medicine located on Hai Thuong Lan Ong and Thien Hau Temple on Nguyen Trai Street.
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DIRECTIONS VUNG TAU, LONG HAI, CON DAO, CAN THO, MY THO, CHAU DOC HOTELS, RESORTS
MUSEUMS Ao Dai Museum 206/19/30 Long Thuan St, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City www.baotangaodaivietnam.com Open daily, closed on Monday from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. The entry ticket is VND100,000 for adults Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City 97A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-4441 www.baotangmythuattphcm.com Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily
Romeliess Hotel 31 - 33 Thuy Van St, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3613-366 Email: sales@romeliss.com www.romeliesshotel.com
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)
White Palace 6 Tran Phu St, Ward.1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-605 Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Muong Thanh Vung Tau Hotel No 09, Thong Nhat St, Ward 1, Vung Tau . Tel: (064) 3835-567 sales@vungtau.muongthanh.vn www.vungtau.muongthanh.vn From VND1,890,000 ($90) Kieu Anh Hotel
Fito Museum 41 Hoang Du Khuong S, Ward 12, Dist. 10, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3864-2430 www.fitomuseum.com.vn Open daily from 8.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. Ticket: VND50,000 The first museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine
Independence Palace 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3652 www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Palace Hotel 1 Nguyen Trai St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-411 Email: sales@palacehotel.com.vn www.palacehotel.com.vn From VND2,062,000 ($97)
12 Truong Cong Dinh St, Ward 2, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3624-748 Email: sales@petrosetco.com.vn www.petrosetcohotel.vn From VND1,085,700 ($52) Petro House Hotel
VUNG TAU
(TELEPHONE CODE: 064) A popular beach resort town for residents of Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is about 128 km southeast of HCMC. It can be reached either by road or by a 90-minute hydrofoil boat from HCMC. Sitting on a peninsula that sticks out into the East Sea, Vung Tau does not have the most beautiful, or cleanest, beaches in Vietnam but can act as a quick getaway from the buzz of the city. HERITAGE
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CAN THO
(TELEPHONE CODE: 0710) Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta, about 170 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, and acts as the area’s economic, transportation and cultural centre. Sitting on the Mekong River, Can Tho is popular for its nearby floating markets, canals and rivers that can be explored by boat. HOTELS, RESORTS
63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-014 Email: info@petrohousehotel.vn www.petrohousehotel.vn From VND1,260,000 ($60)
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
Can Tho Museum 1 Hoa Binh St, Tan An Ward, Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3820-955 Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.); Saturday and Sunday (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Closed on Friday. Free admission
CHAU DOC
(TELEPHONE CODE: 076) HOTELS
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Victoria Chau Doc Hotel
MY THO
The Island Lodge
390 Ap Thoi Binh, Thoi Son Ward, My Tho City Tel: (073) 6519-000 contact@theislandlodge.com.vn www.theislandlodge.com.vn
The History Museum 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-8146 www.baotanglichsuvn.com 8 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday War Remnants Museum 28 Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (08) 3930-5587 Email: warrmhcm@gmail.com Open daily 7.30 a.m. to midday and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MUSEUM
Six Senses Con Dao Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist., Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province Tel : (064) 3831-222 reservations-condao@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ con-dao/destination From VND14,490,000 ($690)
Petrosetco Hotel
Southern Women Museum 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7130
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LONG HAI
Long Hai is a beach town, 30km northeast of Vung Tau and 124 km southeast of HCMC. The Grand Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Tel: (064) 3788-888 Email: info@thegrandhotramstrip.com www.thegrandhotramstrip.com
CON DAO
257 Le Hong Phong St, Ward 8, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3584-179 Email: quanly@kieuanhhotel.com www.kieuanhhotel.vn
Ho Chi Minh City Museum 65 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-9741 www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MUSEUM
Victoria Can Tho Resort Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3810-111 Email: resa.cantho@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,700,000 ($175)
Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Golf Can Tho Hotel 2 Hai Ba Trung St, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3812-210 golf4.cantho@vinagolf.vn www.vinagolf.vn
1 Le Loi St, Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3865-010 resa.chaudoc@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia From VND3,169,000 ($149) Victoria Nui Sam Lodge Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An Giang Province. Tel: (076) 3575-888 resa.nuisam@victoriahotels.asia www.victoriahotels.asia MUSEUM
An Giang Museum 11 Ton Duc Thang St, My Binh Ward, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province Tel: (076) 3956-248 Open hour 7a.m. to 11a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Monday Entrance fee: VND42,000 ($2)
PHU QUOC
(TELEPHONE CODE: 077) Phu Quoc Island, off the southern tip of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. White-sand beaches, scuba diving around coral reefs or exploring the protected jungle. Accessible by either the Rach Gia hydrofoil boat or a 50-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Modest family-owned bungalows on the beach to fivestar resorts.
DIRECTIONS PHU QUOC, OVERSEAS HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Ancarine Beach Resort
Group 3, Ong Lang. Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Tel: ( 077) 3996685 Email: ancarineresort@gmail.com Chen Sea Resort & Spa Phu Quoc, Centara Boutique Collection Bai Xep, Ong Lang, Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3995-895 Email: cpv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com From VND3,381,000 ($161) Eden Resort Phu Quoc
Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Ward, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province Tel: (077) 3985-598 reservations@edenresort.com.vn www.edenresort.com.vn La Veranda Resort Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 7, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3982-988 contact@laverandaresorts.com www.laverandaresorts.com VND5,082,000 to VND8,694,000 ($242 to $414)
CANADA
(Telephone code: 1) Xe Lua 254 Spadina Ave, Tonronto, Ontario Canada M5T2C2 Tel: (1-416) 703-8330 Xe Lua has been open since 1996 and serves phở for $6 a bowl Open: 11.30 a.m. to 12 p.m Chau Kitchen and Bar 1500 Robson St. Vancouver, British Columbia. Tel: (1-604) 682-8020 www.chaukitchenandbar.com Serves Vietnamese dishes with prices starting at $7 per dish.
FRANCE
(Telephone code: 33) CLEMONT-FERRAND Kim Anh 6 Bis r Elie Gintrac Tel: (33-4) 7391-9364 Serves traditional Vietnamese food, from €12.80 per dish Open 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Sundays). GRENOBLE Kim Ngan 22 r Nicolas Chrier Tel: (33-4) 7649-0847 Serves Vietnamese food with prices starting at €8 per dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(Telephone code: 1) CALIFORNIA-CA Emerald Restaurant Pacific Gateway Plaza 3709 Convoy Street, Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111 Tel: (1) 858-565-6888 Serves Vietnamese food
Ho Bac 1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 Kieu Nga Lemongrass Restaurant 514 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 Moonlight Café 1919 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-322-3378 Massachusetts-MA Saigon Hut, 305-307 Meridian St. Boston, ] MA 02128; Tel: (1) 617-567-1944 Xinh Xinh 7 Beach St (Washington St.) Boston, MA 02111 Tel: (1) 617-422-0501
UNITED KINGDOM
(Telephone code: 44) Little Saigon Restaurant 6 Bigg Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Tel: 01912330766 Vietnamese dishes
AUSTRALIA
(Telephone code: 61) La Mint 62–64 Riley St, East Sydney NSW 2010 Tel: (61) 293-311-818 Email: service@lamint.com.au www.lamint.com.au French and Vietnamese dishes
INDONESIA
(Telephone code: 62) Pho 24 Pondok Indah, Plaza I, Jln. Taman Duta 1Blok UA 35 Jakarta Selatan Tel: (62) 0217-505-909 JIn. Wolter Mongonsidi No. 71, Kebayyoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan Tel: (62) 0217-278-8411 Pacific Place Mall, 5th Floor, SCBD, JIn. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53, Jakarta 12190 Tel: (62) 0215-140-0531
Hung Ky Mi Gia 5237 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115; Tel: (1) 619-229-2188 Serves noodle varieties with prices starting at $5 per dish Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. International Restaurant 1 4444 – A University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Tel: (1) 619-281-9999 Little Saigon 7 Linden Ave (Railroad) South San Francisco, CA 94080 Tel: (1) 650-589-1398 New York-NY Saigon Grill 620 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 Tel: (1) 212-875-9072 Serves over 100 Vietnamese dishes including vegetarian options Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Mai Lan Vietnamese 505 N State St Syracuse, NY 13203 Tel: (1) 315-471-6740 www.mailanrestaurant.com L’Annam 121 University Pl New York, NY 10022 Tel: (1) 212-420-1414 VIRGINIA-VA Minh’s Vietnamese 2500 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (1) 703-525-2828 Prices start at $15 per dish Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Mondays) WASHINGTON-WC
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
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VIETNAM HERITAGE
• 53
WHAT THE PAPER SAY managed to get subsidies from the government after the disaster. The Mekong Delta suffered losses of more than 221,000ha of rice, 6,500ha of vegetables, and 26,500ha of fruits and commercial crops have been affected, with 128,205ha of paddy completely destroyed.
Hanoi to build 18 bridges, eight railway lines by 2030 Viet Nam News, 3 August Danang's popular beach threatened by 9 sewage pipes Vnexpress English, 30 July
Thanh Khe beach, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the central city of Danang, has been severely polluted by wastewater discharged from nine sewage pipes. On the afternoon of 29 July, local authorities held an emergency meeting with representatives from the environment and tourism departments and Danang Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Company, regarding the pollution at Thanh Khe beach. The water company admitted they have seen the untreated wastewater pouring out from the pipes during rains and power outages. However, if they stop the flow, it might risk flooding the residential area on the shore. According to local residents, whoever wades into the mud covering front of the sewage mouth would get a skin infection.
Mekong Delta farmers struggling with aftermath of drought, salinity Viet Nam News, 30 July
Farmers in the Mekong Delta are struggling to resume agricultural production because of the lingering effects of the recent drought and saltwater intrusion and a shortage of funds and seeds. Affected farmers in Ca Mau are unable to get financial support from local authorities, since the Ministry of Finance requires them to furnish crop records they had submitted to the local government. However, during the cultivation process, household farmers just do not have the habit of reporting on their crops. Thus, none of the affected shrimp farmers in the province have
54 • V I E T N A M
HERITAGE
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Hanoi’s transportation system will get a major facelift by 2030, with a total of 18 bridges across the Hong River and eight city railway routes, according to a new master transport plan unveiled by the city authority on Saturday. Under Hanoi’s Transportation Plan for 2030, developing public transportation is named the top priority in order to accommodate urbanisation and a booming population, which is expected to reach 7.9 million in 2020 and 9.2 million in 2030. Hanoi will build six new inner city railway routes in addition to the two routes of Cat Linh – Ha Dong and Nhon – Hanoi Railway Station, which are currently under construction. The network is expected to cover a total length of 300km.
Vietnam wins gold at Olympics Viet Nam News, 8 August
Hoang Xuan Vinh won the first gold medal for Vietnam at the men’s 10m air pistol event of Rio 2016. He scored 202.5 points in the final round, breaking the previous Olympics record. Vinh had scored 581 in the qualification round. Felipe Almeida Wu of host Brazil won the silver medal, scoring 202.1 points, and China’s Pang Wei got the bronze, with 180.4 points.
Vietnam inspects use of Chinese technology Tuoi Tre News, 4 August
Vietnamese authorities will carry out a comprehensive check on Chinese devices and technology to ensure information security following cyber attacks on its major airports allegedly mounted by hackers from China. On Friday last week, flight information
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
and loudspeaker systems at international airports Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City were compromised, displaying offensive messages about Vietnam and the Philippines. The Chinese hacker group 1937cn is believed to be responsible for the attacks. Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan admitted that many major telecommunications operators in Vietnam are utilizing Chinese technology, posing a high threat of a data breach. Details on the inspection and its result will be publicized as soon as it is finished.
HCM City encourages use of envirofriendly buses Tuoi Tre News, 4 August
A new environment-friendly bus route was launched in Ho Chi Minh City in early August as part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality of the transport service. The Saigon Bus Co. Ltd. on Monday opened its shuttle bus route between An Suong Station in Hoc Mon District and the 23/9 Park in District 1. The company has so far invested in 19 compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled buses, which operate on an average frequency of 160 - 180 times per day. The introduction of CNG-fuelled buses is among local authorities’ recent efforts to save the environment and encourage citizens to use eco-friendly public transport means.
63 civets saved from cruel fate in Vietnam Thanh Nien News, 6 August
Sixty-three civets, a protected species in Vietnam, have been saved by police in northern Vietnam as they were being smuggled to restaurants and slaughterhouses. The animals, known as Large Indian civets, were transported in two cars which were stopped by the police in Uong Bi town of Quang Ninh Province early Saturday. The drivers told police they were hired to bring the civets to customers in Hanoi. Police of Uong Bi are investigating further. Large Indian civet is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2008.