Vietnam Heritage - April-May 2016

CONTENT No 3, Vol.6, April - May 2016

COVER STORY Music 8 The songs heard around the world

8

Culture

10 The gift of the bride 12 The Pride of Hue 33 Skin is in Travel

14 High life and local insight Opinion

16 A breakwater to open Hue heritage to the world ?

History

18 The last queen of Vietnam

Religion 19 Arrival of the 2000-year-old palm book in Hue Archeology

10

21 Gold from the river Hue

24 Hue from above

Architecture

26 City of pagodas Tourism

28 Wake up the lazy angel Book Review

34 A photographic tour of a town called ‘peaceful meeting place'

35 Events

37 Value for money

24

14 16

39 Directions

28

Cover photograph: Octagonal Pavilion in Hue Citadel, where the King and Queen relaxed and enjoyed the views.

Photo: Pham Ba Thinh, 2012

Published by the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam

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Vietnam Heritage

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

•3

Inside Hung Ton Cave

Tan Hoa, Minh Hoa, Quang Binh Province

(from the 2016 Tu Lan Challenge discovery tour, organized by Oxalis. 100 participants explored 30km of rivers, waterfalls, fields and vaiours caves over a two- day period).

Photo: Thanh Vuong

A MUSIC

s opposed to the vulgar music of the common folk, refined music is the proper music, or distinguished, elegant music, specially composed for the Royal court of countries influenced by Confucianism, such as China, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. The formation and development of the court-refined music of each country has its own unique features.

Vietnamese refined music began to form with the very first monarchy of the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225.) During the era of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), refined music made long strides toward perfection.

Nguyen court-refined music is the culmination of academic music, reflecting the aesthetics, philosophy, knowledge and vision of cosmos, life and society of the Vietnamese people through time.

The artistry Nguyen court-refined music consists of many forms corresponding to different rites, such as inauguration, Royal anniversaries, Royal funerals, Royal commemorations, Big Audiences (2 times/month,) Small Audiences (4 times/month,) field ploughing rituals, calendar distribution ceremony, etc.

In fact, apart from refined music, Nguyen Kings and officials loved various forms and genres of folk music, such as Hue songs, flower dances, and especially opera serials. King Dong Khanh loved enjoying trance music at Hon Chen Palace. King Khai Dinh held “western music” shows with violins, clarinets etc. in his court.

Nguyen Kings selected the best instruments of the country to add to the court’s orchestra. There was a ‘Big orchestra’, consisting of 42 instruments and ‘Small orchestra’ of 8 instruments. Which one performed depended on the occasion.

Refined music is rich in tunes, which are gleaned and filtered from strong and optimistic melodies of the North and soft and profound ones of the South.

When playing, each instrument of the orchestra has its own role in the overall ac-

6 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

The songs heard

Once nearly lost, Nguyen court-

MUSIC

around the world

-refined music is now famous

NGUYEN DAC XUAN

Performances of Nguyen court-refined music at the Hue Citadel.Photos: Mai Thanh Chuong

cord. None is drowned out by the others. In the entirety of a musical piece, one can distinguish each and every instrument’s part.

Some are graceful, some pure, some urging, some comforting, some elevating, some melancholic.

The peaks and troughs Since the early 20th century, the world has already known quite a bit about Hue court-refined music. The Museum of Man (Musée de l'Homme), Guimet Museum, Museum of France Overseas (Musée de France d’Outre-mer) and Radio France stored and played many albums of Hue refined music and songs.

When the last monarchy of Vietnam fell in Aug. 1945, the court entertainment and refined music also fell to ruins. In 1949, when the ex-King Bao Dai was reinstated, his mother Madam Tu Cung tried to restore the Main orchestra and the Song and Dance Troop. The Main orchestra lasted only about 4 years, but the Song and Dance Troop was maintained until today. One can say that it was Madam Tu Cung (maiden name Hoang Thi Cuc) who had saved the Nguyen court-refined music, songs and dances.

In 1981 in Hue, having seen the act “Baby unicorn being born” in a Hue royal musical show, the head of UNESCO Mr. Amadou Mata M’bow remarked, “I’ve never felt so deeply moved at the sight of a unicorn dance.” In 1994, all the UNESCO delegates at the International Conference on Hue cultural heritage gave a long ovation to appreciate a show program of the Big orchestra and the Refined court music orchestra of Hue. In 1995, World Culture House published 2 CD’s of Hue songs, Hue refined court music and Hue traditional Buddhist music. The journal Le Monde de la Musique said that they “shook” the world. On November 7, 2003, UNESCO officially recognized Nguyen court-refined music as one of 28 masterpieces of intangible unwritten heritage of mankind.n

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

•7

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ue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa is located in the heart of the rustic beautiful Thuy Bieu Village.

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CULTURE

The gift of the bride

I

BY HUE PHONG

n 1776, Thanh Toan Village, on the outskirts of Hue, got a uniquely structured covered bridge and more than 200 years later, the bridge is a perfect hideaway for those who love green rural ambience.

Years before the construction of the wooden bridge, the entrance to the village was blocked by a small river. Commuters had used boats to cross the river for centuries. Tran Thi Dao, a native who got married to a feudal mandarin, donated the bridge, which has a tile-roofed cover, after a visit to her home village re10 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

vealed the inconvenience of boating across the river.

Since then, the bridge has not only worked well for commuting, but has also given the village a unique charm mirroring the clean water flow. “The villagers adore her for her generousness and we have an altar for her right in the middle of the bridge,” says Nguyen Thi Diu, an elderly person living nearby.

For centuries, the bridge has been appraised as one of the most complicated structures of wooden spans in the country and it is said to be as beautiful as its sister,

Photo: Thi Tho

A unique wooden structure built centuries ago now serves as a tourist attraction

the Japanese-styled bridge in Hoi An old town. Its beauty has been featured in poems, painting and photographs for many generations.

During feudal times, when technology was less developed, the bridge stood as a big technical achievement; then, in modern times, it represented dedicated wood carving patterns that today’s artisans could not duplicate.

Sitting quietly 5km east of Hue City’s centre, today Thanh Toan Bridge draws visitors from the city with its own particular charms. During hot summer days,

CULTURE Thanh Toan Bridge is predominantly used to provide shade for tired and hot villagers. The benches that line either side offer a perfect opportunity for napping, particularly for farmers after a hard day’s work.

It also acts as the heart of the village; a place for ladies from the market to sell their goods, older residents to reminisce about the past, and courting couples to sit and watch a romantic sunset.

Nature and inspiration It is hard to find a village that is not far from an urban centre like Hue City and at the same time, retains many of its rural features like green fields and waterways.

Locals in the village still live their simple lifestyle. Every day, they wander around nearby canals and paddy fields, catching frogs and snakes, which are brought into the village’s market in the early morning to sell. At the market, locals also bring their rice, vegetables, poul-

try and fish harvested locally to sell and, in return, they buy other necessities from traders coming from other regions.

Thanks to these features, the village becomes a site for a community activity that is called ‘rural market in festive days.’

It is held in every biennial Hue Festival, which will start April 30th. The festive days offer visitors joyful traditional games of bai choi, tug of war, and ‘hitting the pots with blindfolding eyes.’

During Tet holiday, the village is the only place around Hue that holds the game of bai choi, which is a combination of folklore singing and lottery picks organized for players sitting on high bamboo chairs. This helps to make the village a very interesting destination for Hue residents and visitors alike.

The village has colourful characters, such as a poet known as O Kinh, who is a lady who sells drinks and coffee, but who has become locally famous for her poems about the beauty of the bridge and her love for the village. Kinh can compose

poems right in her everyday speaking and her introduction of the bridge and the village traditions has become interesting to visitors, especially those who communicate in Vietnamese.

“I don’t know where the ability [of poem making] comes from. Perhaps I gained it simply from the love for my home village conveyed in folksongs that my mom sang during my childhood,” she says.

Many villagers have the ability to operate the manual farming tools, but very few of them can sing folksongs as good as Kinh. Visitors can make a short visit before they reach the legendary bridge or right after leaving, buy Kinh a drink and enjoy unique truly sweet Hue folk songs.n

Thanh Toan Museum Thanh Thuy Chanh Village, Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy District, Thua Thien Hue Province ( 5km from Trang Tien Bridge) Open daily from 7am - 5pm

CULTURE

The Pride of Hue BY

A

museum, which opened last year, serves as a spiritual base for the rural ambiance around a beautiful wooden bridge nearby. Villagers regard the museum as the pride of the village, second only to the village’s charming bridge. It’s name is Thanh Toan Museum.

The museum was built with consultation and technical assistance from the staff of the International Labour Organization and UNESCO. Over a period of six months, 35 locals worked to fix, clean and reorganize the farming tools gathered in the house, which is located several steps up from the bridge.

Tran Duy Chien, 66, one among the farmers, showed his delight to see the farming items preserved. “We want to have something traditional to introduce to tourists visiting my home village. But more 12 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

importantly, this is for the whole community, for older generations to have a look back, for young people to learn,” he says.

Visitors now get a chance to learn stories of how soil is prepared by water buffalopowered plough and rake, how young rice is planted, how to split rice seeds from its plants and how to blow empty grain away in select rice by manmade, manual tools. Visitors can also have a look at bamboo boats and handmade fishing tools.

The villagers also donated bamboo utensils, earthen rice bowls, and things that reminded people life in the past but could not be produced now.

Life behind the village’s bamboo rampart was peaceful and musical, with folksongs sang by mothers to send their children to sleep. Ho Thi Vui, a local, says she loves to present the type of folk singing

HUE PHONG

that accompanied farming, housework and taking care of children as well as entertaining visitors. She performs “with delight and pride,” she says. Stories of a person’s lifetime are told in an area in the museum near a display of a bamboo cradle, bamboo bed and costumes and props used for traditional wedding procedures.

Pride has continued making the village a charming rural destination in Hue, idyllically entertaining visitors with traditions and homeland faith.n

Thanh Toan Museum

Thanh Thuy Chanh Village, Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy District, Thua Thien Hue Province (5km from Trang Tien Bridge) Open daily from 7am - 5pm

W W W.YE N S AO K H A N H H OA . CO M .V N

I

High life and local insight

n this watery land of Vietnam, every city has its associate river. Usually, as is the case with both Saigon and Hanoi, the waterway is to one side, but in Hue, it is crucially central. Whether a tourist, businessperson or simply a native, you are bound to cross it on a daily basis.

Having said that, I normally visit but once a year, at Tet. Here is the story of my latest Tet spent in the ancient capital. Largely, I visited old haunts, but there were one or two new discoveries and I made a tour of the city's four-star accommodations, which may be of interest to those readers contemplating or planning a visit Most who visit Hue see little more than the Purple Imperial Palace and the Royal Mausoleums, but Hue is also one of the better cities to soak up a little of traditional Vietnam. First, let me introduce you to our house, typical of Hue. My wife's family came to Hue as refugees from the North when the country was split into two in 1954. They were allocated land on the edge of town. Over the years, the family grew 14 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

and her brother and sisters built houses around them, making a family compound.

Our house, based on concrete columns and a tiled roof, is divided into three parts.

First, there is the kitchen and bathroom.

Then, there is the central living area, a main feature of which is the family shrine.

Lastly, to the other side is the sleeping quarters. All very simple, but quintessentially Vietnamese.

Our street, which stretches for over a mile from the citadel, is very famous among Vietnamese. We are proud of the name ‘Chi Lang’, which commemorates the Vietnamese victory over the Mongols (the only nation to achieve this). Here also the mandarins from the Imperial Palace built their houses and their temples. I seldom see a foreigner on our street, but it is worthy of a visit if you are interested in pagodas and temples. Most of them are along the roadside, but take care to see those down the alleyways as well. Take your camera and you will be well-rewarded if you do visit 'Chi Lang'. Do not forget to try the local

PIP DE ROUVRAY

Trang Tien Bridge. Photo: Thi Tho

TRAVEL

specialty 'Me Xung', sold in shops at the beginning of the street. This is a sweet, like a sesame snap or a nougat bar.

When my daughter became bored and tired of being harassed by her young nephews, we decided it was time to visit a chic cafe. Rodo Café, by the new road bridge, is housed in a kind of glass cabin. It is fairly new and its name is akin to the Latin for ‘wheel’, and might derive from its location being adjacent to the palace. It is on Tran Hung Dao Street, the boulevard that hugs the river and which has some lovely gardens for a promenade. Although the flag on the entrance tower to the palace is clearly seen nearby, there were no tourists at Rodo on our visit. It is very popular with the Hue young set. It is a bit like a homegrown Starbucks, as it serves exotic fruit teas, including a range of Japanese matcha concoctions. It also serves light meals. My daughter had a peach tea and a club sandwich, whilst I opted for an American coffee.

Afterwards, we wandered through a covered alleyway to a street that runs par-

TRAVEL

allel to Tran Hung Dao and for half a mile alongside the citadel moat. It is a great place for taking a photo of the citadel walls and one of its gates. You will not see many tourists in this hidden thoroughfare and the Hue Tourist Board would not be proud of it, as it is quite possibly the poorest street I have seen in Vietnam. We did, however, come across a lone elderly German gentleman seated and enjoying a dish of water spinach cooked with garlic. I asked him how it was. "Very healthy food", he told me. I told him I practically lived on the stuff, to which he responded, "That is why you look so well." Despite the poverty of the street, this was the third day of Tet and there was a lovely festive air about it; every few metres outside there were little gatherings of friends and all the houses had their front doors open, revealing families enjoying themselves.

As my brother intends to visit the ancient capital next year, I went to visit Hue's four-star hotels in order to choose one for him to book. If you are also planning a trip

4 gates of the Citadel. Clockwise from top left: Hoa Binh, Chuong Duc, Ngo Mon, Hien Nhon. Photo: Le Tho

to Hue, you should read on. There is currently an oversupply of hotels in this category, resulting in perhaps the cheapest luxury rooms you will find anywhere; from forty to sixty-five dollars per night, including full buffet breakfast for two. They are all in the main hotel area with all the facilities you will need; if you tire of hotel food there are Italian, Indian and French restaurants nearby, as well as places to pick up a hamburger.

All of the places I visited had great rooms, typically with white bed linen, parquet flooring and dark tropical hardwood furnishings and with great views of the river and citadel from the upper floors.

Whilst I am not going to recommend one above the pack, I can assure you none of them will disappoint you. Five of them are tower blocks. 'The Muong Thanh' and the not-so-aptly named 'Midtown' hotels have the clearest views. 'The Moonshine' could win the best lobby prize and you might want the King Suite on the top floor for a little under a hundred dollars a night. It

even has its own private garden with a little stone path. ‘The Eldora’ is the newest and is beautifully decorated in classical European style. It is further back than the others and has only distant river views, but more than makes up for that with great vistas of town, mountain and verdant rice fields. It has a magnificent top floor indoor swimming pool.

With the river lapping its premises is the 'Huong Giang’ I suggested to the sales manageress adding the English translation-'Perfume River'. This was looking a little run-down when I last saw it, but since then, there has been a brilliant refurbishing and this grand lady is looking now very attractive with rattan furniture everywhere-even the reception area is adorned with the material. This is the largest fourstar and consists of three large blocks. It was so popular that it was fully booked this Tet and all they could show me was a suite.

In short Hue with her beautiful river is more than history. With her excellent affordable hostelries she is rẹjuvenating.n

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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OPINION

A breakwater to open Hue heritage to the world ?

A

fter 12 years of operation, Chan May already has one operating wharf and two others waiting for investment.

The port’s cargo from 2007 to 2015 has increased from over 1 million tons to over 2 million tons. In recent years, many cruise ships have docked here. Right now, the world biggest cruise ship Oasis, is applying to the Maritime Authority of Vietnam for permission to dock at wharf no. 1 of Chan May port.

From 2007 to the end of 2015, the port has received 228 ships with about 356,000 tourists and crew members. Remarkably, many foreign tourists, especially those from Europe and America, seek to come to Hue to explore the cultural and historical heritage of which Vietnam and the world, is proud. Not far from the port, the $900 million Laguna Resort is already functioning, ready to receive thousands of tourists.

In fact, economists estimate that the amount of cargo and guests coming to this port could be much higher if the waves created by monsoon winds from Oct to Feb were tamed.

The tourists and tour organizers stated expressly that they would prefer stopping at Chan May because it would save time. But 16 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

BY PHAM HUNG NGHI

during the monsoon season, the weather may be unpredictable.

If there is a breakwater like those of other ports built with by government-allocated funds, Chan May will surely be a wide-open gate at all times, convenient for liners, container ships and especially big cruise ships. Hue development and integration will be much better facilitated. The city will be able to attract and receive tourists all year round, not just during the Festival season.

After 15 years, the breakwater still remains only a request on paper, while its economical and cultural significance is obvious to many.n Located favorably amongst Mid-Vietnam’s most desired destinations including Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An, and on the shortest and most convenient road to Mid-Laos and North-East Thailand, Chan May port also has a 2.7 km inbound passage which is over 12 m deep, with 12.5m current draft for inbound and outbound ships, and over 82,000 m2 area behind the port. The port can receive up to 50,000 DWT cargo ships and 240,000 GRT cruise ships.

HISTORY

L

The last queen of Vietnam

BY DO NGUYET HUONG*

et your heart be touched by good memories of Queen Nam Phuong, the wife of Bao Dai, the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, who abdicated on 23 August, 1945.

On the morning of 7 August, 1945, while waiting for King Bao Dai to hand over his royal sword and seal to the Revolutionary government, Queen Nam Phuong voluntarily had her official headwear with nine golden dragons attached to it sent through Mr Pham Khac Hoe to the new authorities.

After that, receiving the news that the French army had returned to restore their colonial rule in our country, Queen Nam Phuong was crushed with grief. As an ex-Queen and a woman of independent Vietnam, she sent a message to her friends worldwide, calling them to fight against the French reoccupation of Southern Viet Nam. The letter read: ‘Vietnam has been liberated from Imperial yoke of slavery of France and Japan. On his abdication, my husband, the former King Bao Dai had announced, “Better a citizen of an independent country, than a King of an enslaved one.” I have denounced without regret, all of the Queen’s privileges, in order to help defend the fatherland’s sacred independence together with other women.

At this moment, blood is being shed on the Southern land, the cradle of my childhood. Countless living souls are being burnt by the evil greed of French colonialists backed by English forces, who act against the instructions of the allies.

I call on those who suffered from the

tion, to help finance the needs of the revolution and the war of resistance in the South, our government organized Gold, Silver and Copper Weeks and called on the people to contribute to the Rice Jar of Unanimity.

In Hue, the Gold Week was launched on 17 September, 1945 on the South bank of the Perfume River. Queen Nam Phuong was invited. She was the first person proposed by pharmacist Pham Doan Diem (Head of Finance Dept. of Thua Thien Province) to donate gold for the needs of the army. She took of all the jewellery she wore and put in front of the clerk, who then handed her a receipt signed

by Mr Pham Doan Diem. They also pinned a metal red flag with a yellow star on her dress. Hue people followed her example and lined up to contribute until 24 September, 1945. The total contribution was 925 taels of gold.

In his memoir ‘The Revival of our Nation’, Mr Truong Chinh also mentioned a lovely episode about the Queen. ‘…Nam Phuong, Bao Dai’s wife, also made a beautiful gesture when a counter revolutionary came to advise her to take part against the Revolutionary Government. She silently walked to the piano in the corner of her quarters and played the Revolution’s National Anthem.’

After the National Resistance Day (19 December, 1946), Mrs Nam Phuong and her children left Hue for France. Although she’s gone, we believe that the memories about the revolution era never faded in Queen Nam Phuong’s heart.n

Even without her crown, Vietnam’s last queen served her people with dignity and grace

18 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

cruelties of the recent Great War to act in order to stop the nameless brutality unleashed on my country.

In the name of thirteen million women of Vietnam, I humbly ask all my friends and friends of Vietnam to stand up for our freedom.

By demanding your governments intervene for the establishment of a true and just peace, you are fulfilling the most urgent responsibilities of humanity and deserve our *Do Nguyet Huong is a Chairwoman of people’s utmost gratitude.’ the Historian Association of Ba Ria-Vung After the victory of the August Revolu- Tau Province

RELIGION

Arrival of the 2000-year-old palm book in Hue

BY SONG PHUOC

On April 26-27, the rare ancient Buddhist manuscripts of the Schoeyen Collection will be displayed in a pagoda in Hue for public view. It is a special occasion to Buddhist followers and researchers in Vietnam.

A

udiences and Buddhists in Vietnam will get a chance to view and pray in front of a collection of palm Buddhist books that date back 2,000 years and were found in a cavern system near the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The first fragments of the book were found in a site near the ruined Buddha statues by professors from Norway, Japan, Germany, and the US. Formal arrangements later were done by the collection owner, Martin Schoeyen.

Following exhibitions held in Asian countries including Thailand and Myanmar, the Buddhist manuscripts of the Schoeyen Collection will arrive in Hue on April 25 for a two-day exhibition. At the exhibition, ancient Buddhist artefacts stored at Huyen Khong Pagoda will be on display for public view as well, according to Venerable Phap Tong.

The rare, precious palm book is a world cultural heritage item and is under management of the Norwegian Government, who lent them and authorized Thai Sangha to exhibit the Buddhist manuscripts of the Schoeyen Collection in South

East Asia and North Asia.

Inspired by this Buddhist treasure, the Venerable Phap Tong asked to have permission to exhibit the ancient palm book in Hue, despite the fact that Vietnam was not in the list of arrivals.

“Arrival of the ancient palm book in Hue gives a good chance for Buddhist followers to have a look at a glorious stage of Buddhism from 2,000 years ago,” said Venerable Phap Tong.

The Venerable also appraised the collection of the palm book as a great archaeological achievement, saying it would be meaningful to local researchers as well.

In January of this year, Venerable Phap Tong got a chance to view the Buddhist manuscripts of the Schoeyen Collection in a side-line exhibition at the World Peace Buddhist Conference held in Myanmar.

A strong determination was generated inside of him for the Buddhist community in Vietnam to pray and admire the religion’s treasure.

In recent weeks, delegates from Norway and Thai Sangha have arrived in Hue to examine the exhibition venue at Theravada Huyen Khong Pagoda, which is located in the outskirts of Huong Ho Commune, about 2 km from Thien Mu Pagoda.

After the Hue exhibition, the priceless book will be sent back to Thailand, accompanied by Thai Sangha delegates. About 50 Buddhist officials and followers from Thai Sangha will accompany the exhibit.n Fragments of the ancient palm Buddhist book that will be displayed in Hue. Photo: Le Dac Nguyen Quy

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

• 19

OBITUARY

I

The man who saved the past

n the middle of February, the research community in the country bemoaned the lost of the notable researcher Ho Tan Phan, who left the world at 77 because of continuous asthenia and left behind his valuable collection of underwater artefacts.

Months before his death, Phan remained strong in his dedication and enthusiasm to collecting more artefacts and doing deeper research studies on terracotta items.

Many people did not believe the restless researcher went to rest in peace early this year, as Phan’s determination on his job was so strong. It is truly a pity, as Phan has not completed his research studies on abundant items that he spent years to collect, gather, categorize, and mirror with book of records about ancient patterns of terracotta.

His loss also endangers the collection of more than 10,000 rare and precious books that he owned. At the same time, the prestigious yearly Nghien cuu Hue (Research on Hue) magazine loses a key writer forever.

20 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

From artefacts to evidence of sovereignty, Ho Tan Phan was a champion

Media in Hue mourned the lost as well, as they could not find a trustable researcher like Phan to consult on issues related to Hue culture and history. Broad knowledge and the strong, argumentative mind of Phan had helped local journalists in developing stories with historical facts and Vietnamese customs.

On the national level, the battle against the foreign abuse of Vietnamese sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly archipelagoes lost a soldier. For years, Phan had raised his concerns over the country’s marine sovereignty, long before the Chinese HD981 oil rig was placed on Vietnamese waters last year. This proved Phan’s patriotism and vision.

He then sold his books in auction and called for fund-raising for more equipment that could help strengthen the surveillance of the Vietnamese marine force in order to protect needy fishermen on

the local sea.

Later, in June, he presented copies of rare Vietnamese royal chronicles to the National Boundary Committee under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help attain more evidence of the country's sovereignty over the archipelagoes.

However, the fact is that no one will ever find such a devoted researcher who cared about the job more than his health and property like Phan. To save money for purchasing the riverbed artefacts from sand diggers, Phan eliminated his breakfasts and reserved all the money that he got from his pension and his children’s donation to spend in artefact purchase.

He did it not for recognition, but for local social science. Phan had a plan, before he died, to sell half of his land plot in Hue City to get money for building a museum in the remaining half plot, which he expected would ease the difficulties other researchers face when they utilise his collection. The plan has yet to be carried out, but it represents the next step in the devotion of Phan to history and science.n

Gold from the river

H

ue has a complete set of antique terracotta that could tell stories of the country’s former feudal capital from pre-history. The collection has been considered a great treasure of Hue, since the job of collecting and gathering it is not easy. But Hue is lucky to have it, with more than two antique items representing for each historical stage. In addition to terracotta artefacts, the collection also contains metal and stone items that could help mirror the information taken from terracotta.

From 1802 to 1945, Hue was the capital of the feudal kingdom under the Nguyen Dynasty. The relics left by the dynasty now are UNESCO heritage sites and they serve as the base for local tourism. Many people assume the history of Hue consists of only the kings.

However, the collection, which is named ‘Searching for the lost time,’ helps prove that

Antiques excavated from the Huong riverbed have become significant

Hue history can be traced back 4,000 years.

It also supplies items dated back to the Sa Huynh civilization of 3,000-2,000 years ago, in the Champa age of the 2nd century, during the time of the Han invasion, and under the Nguyen Dynasty.

On the cultural side, the collection is meaningful for deep research studies into customs such as Vietnamese tea drinking or areca nut chewing. It also helps to trace the diplomatic relations between old Vietnam and different Chinese dynasties, Thailand and European countries. And a fact that amazes most people who get to know about the collection is that it has been conducted

for 40 years by an individual who has never been trained in archeology or scientific research study.

Noticing gaps in historical research study, local man Ho Tan Phan trained himself from books in the 1970s before he started collecting things in 1977. By 2016, the researcher had terracotta artefacts covering almost all the space at his home. But Phan was not satisfied with only books. According to him, Vietnam had its first writings of history in books on the Tran Dynasty (12251400) by historian Le Van Huu. Thus the transcript books could not cover all from pre-history stage. Phan said that once we can interpret what was conveyed by the terracotta items, we would know more about history of the locality.

Phan argued that artefacts used in the country were handmade Vietnamese products that served various daily purposes, lll

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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ARCHEOLOGY thus they carried abundant cultural content.

After collecting terracotta for research, Phan provided a lot of valuable information read from artefacts found in the riverbeds.

Phan said underwater archeology reflected part of the nation's history from prehistoric times. Underwater archaeology had greater importance than underground excavations, since each underground site could tell about only one or two layers of history, while underwater archaeology presented all of our history, according to Phan. He emphasized that underwater archaeology reveals the length of the nation’s history, from Champa to Greater Viet and periods the country was temporarily ruled by the Chinese and Japanese.

These ideas drove Phan’s dedication to the job of collecting underground water items, which consumed almost all his time and energy, but resulted in a useful collection for both international and domestic researchers. Many scientists managed to find proofs for their scientific research studies from Phan’s collection, which they said they could not get any from other sources. Phan’s home was considered as a museum of underground artefacts.

Phan had a dream of making his home a museum that facilitated research of all people in need of information and knowledge from his collection, which is now located at 28/5 Cao Ba Quat Street in Hue City. The dedicated researcher also wanted the country’s underwater archeology to expand, with focus on human resource development and scientifically structuring the sector. With a collection that reflects every stage of life and serves every activity from daily to worshiping or cultural events, Phan expected the sector to highlight the benefits from the collection to attract attention of candidate researchers in need of rare and unique information.n

lll

From top:Terracotta artefacts in a corner at Mr. Ho Tan Phan's garden; A collection of Vietnamese Chu Dau pottery gathered from the riverbeds by Mr. Ho Tan Phan; The late researcher Ho Tan Phan was working on broken pottery picks.

22 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

HUE

Hue from above

T

here are many ways to approach and experience Hue, but you will surely be surprised and stunned at the panoramic view of Hue from high in the air. The last monarchic capital of Vietnam is uniquely elegant and meritorious as a world cultural heritage.

The people in eras gone by must have seen a vision of the nature when they chose this middle valley of the Perfume River to build a wonderful capital.

Looking from above, one feels that the river and the city were destined for one another. The city makes the river a poet that sings love songs to the graceful streets and solemn royal structures.

Looking from the upper reaches of the Perfume River, behind the colossal Truong Son Mountains, the royal tombs of Nguyen Kings are half-hidden in the lush greenery by the sides of river’s silk. Gia Long Tomb, simple and grandiose, is surrounded by 36 hills. Few know that with its over 2800 ha original plan, this is one of the largest imperial tombs in the world. On the fork of Perfume River where its left and right tributaries meet, Minh Mang Tomb is a masterpiece of harmonic and impressive architecture. Thieu Tri Tomb is idyllic with lakes, pine groves, villages and paddies. On the other side of the Panorama View Hill, Tu Duc, Dong Khanh and Kien Thai Vuong Tombs look like gardens from fairy tales. Touching the river, the Hon Chen Palace, Temple of Letter and Thien Mu Pagoda are culmination points of sophistication in landscape accenting and design.

From the Bang Lang fork down to the sea, the river flow becomes slow and soft, curving around villages, fruit gardens, between moss-covered temples and castle walls and a vibrant modern urban setting.

The Royal castle stands right on the water’s edge, surrounded by flowing water, thus making “four tides kowtow,” with the martial axis going straight through the center of the Royal Citadel to the Magic Estrade, Letter Exhibition Tower, the Breeze Exposure Pier and Ngu Binh Hill on the south bank. Worn for over 200 years of rough weather and history, the walls designed to stand for eternity, the gold plated and lacquered palaces, and the solemn temples and pagodas have remained almost intact. Along the streets, mod24 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

BY

PHAN THANH HAI

ern-looking dwellings mingle with residences of old noble families. They are miniature museums of traditional architecture and aesthetics, where the unique typical Hue lifestyle is vehemently preserved.

Only from above one can see the whole harmonic picture of the old capital. The wild mountains and forests in the West melt through the tombs, temples and pagodas into the Royal citadel in the East, at the center of the valley, where water flows meet and thriving energy runs high. In Vietnam, Hue is the only old capital planned in such a harmony of Ying and Yang. It is meant to be the land where both the living prosper and the spirits saturated, with the Perfume River connecting the two worlds.

Only seeing Hue from high above one can realize that the people of the old were looking seaward. The distance from the capital to Thuan An estuary is just 10 km along the widening Perfume River. The 60 km long, 1-4 km wide Tam Giang lagoon is like a blue shawl lining the vast East Sea. This is where some rivers stop and accumulate energy before pouring into a new cycle of life. Thuan An and Tu Hien estuaries are the gateways from the country’s capital to the big waterways, connecting it to international ports Hoi An and Da Nang. These names have also been attached to many major historical events of the nation through hundreds of years. It was in the times when Hue was the country’s capital that Vietnam had definitely affirmed sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos and a multitude of other islands along the shore from the Gulf of Tonkin to the Gulf of Thailand.

Only having seen Hue from high above one can understand completely the sung words “Hue’s beauty can be found nowhere else...”n Dr Phan Thanh Hai is the Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.

Right above: Huong Giang ( Perfume River) and Thien Mu Pagoda. Photo: Quang Huy Right, from left: King Khai Dinh's Tomb; Kinh Minh Mang's Tomb. Photo: Phan Canh Tri; Lầu Tứ Phương Vô Sự- " Peace in Four Directions" Tall House looking at Hue from the south. Photo: Quang Huy.

HUE

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ARCHITECTURE

A

City of pagodas

s Buddhism is reaching out to counties outside Asia, people around the world pay more attention to Buddhism these days.

Vietnamese native Buddhist monks are among the ones spreading the religion to the world.

Hue is always at the top of the list of destinations for Buddhist pilgrimage since the locality is considered as the cradle of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Hue is home to almost 300 pagodas and Buddhist temples and most of them are 26 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

TEXT BY SONG PHUOC; PHOTOS BY LE DAC NGUYEN QUY

unique structures that provide an ambiance of peace. Once visitors step inside the atmosphere brings them peace of mind and makes them feel free from life’s activity, dust and noise.

The harmony of buildings and nature at these pagodas, the holy quietness and the gentleness of monks are among the factors creating peace amid the urban frenzy outside. The secluded and peaceful pagodas are a pleasant place to visit even for non-believers.

One of the city’s most magnificent

pagodas is Thien Mu pagoda, which is located on a hill and overlooks a very scenic part of the Huong (Perfume) River and receives hundreds of visits everyday.

It was built in 1601 on a total area of four hectares, and has many trees. Visitors step on stairs to enter its front yard, and then enter a three-door gate to go inside. Silent paths lead them to the pagoda’s main building, which is amidst a green field of grass and bonsai trees that takes them further into the world of quietness.

The pagoda has its own legend, which

ARCHITECTURE

Home to hundreds of pagodas, Hue is said to be the land of Buddhism.

Locals all follow Buddhist philosophy and this makes them calm and gentle.

says that Lord Nguyen Hoang, the first of nine Nguyen Lords (1558-1777) who later formed the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), was travelling from the north of Vietnam to seek land for settling down in Hue. He dreamed a lady from heaven, who told him to choose Hue for his kingdom’s capital. Thankful, the lord decided to build a pagoda on the peak of the hill where the lady had landed and named it Thien Mu (Heaven Lady) Pagoda. The lord was amazed by the beauty of the hill that was partly surrounded by a poetic river when he surveyed it for building the pagoda.

But the most iconic building of the pagoda is a seven-story brick tower that was built in 1864 by the dynasty’s fourth emperor, Thieu Tri. The tower is at 21 metres high, and each floor has a Buddha statue and a door looking to the river. In the tower, a spiral staircase leads from the first floor to its top. However, tourists are not allowed to go inside.

The pagoda receives hundreds of visitors every day, including many foreigners.

It is also a favourite site to locals, who want to have some peace in the early morning or at the twilight, viewing nature and listening to sounds of an ancient bronze bell.

Almost six decades ago, Theravada (or Early) Buddhism pagodas made a comeback to the locality. It gave locals a new breath of Buddhism, as according to some, the touch of “normal” life has intruded too deeply into the practice of Mahayana pagodas and many seem to smell of money and power, forcing seekers to turn to Theravada pagodas to feel the pureness of early Buddhism.

The first Theravada pagoda, Tang Quang Pagoda, was built in Hue in 1957.

Later it got five more, including Thuyen Lam, Dinh Quang, Phap Luan, Huyen

Khong, and Huyen Khong Son Thuong.

Huyen Khong Son Thuong is a Zen facility lying on a mountain side and it is worth visiting. Huyen Khong Son Thuong does not have grand buildings as local Mahayana pagodas have. Everything at the pagoda looks simple as the Theravada practice is.

A Zen garden has been set up in the middle of the 50 hectares of forest land.

The garden looks ever green with grass, plants, trees, and stones, which have been organized to highlight the theme of nature respect and harmony.

It also has five ponds and pavilions dis-

playing Zen poems and calligraphy work by the pagoda’s head monk Minh Duc Trieu Tam Anh. Inside the pagoda, visitors have the feeling of being taken back to nature to feel and respect it, which produces peace from inside each person.

A day in the pagoda is just like coming closer to Buddha and his philosophy for a better mind and easing the burden of life that is on our shoulders.n Opposite: Front view of Thien Mu Pagoda.

Above: Theravada Tang Quang Pagoda; A parade of followers in a visit to Theravada Huyen Khong Pagoda.

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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TOURISM

Wake up the lazy angel

T

he Huge potential tourism in Hue has yet to be utilized. Locals are expecting a breakthrough to lift up the locality’s key economic sector from lackluster development.

Earlier this month, Hue authorities decided to form a single department specializing in tourism, in contrast to other provinces in the country, where administration of culture, sports and tourism remains in one department. This is said to facilitate the development of tourism in Hue, which has huge potential, but has been less developed in decades compared with other areas.

No locality in the country has as much potential as Hue does. It has scenic landscapes and our programmes for beach trips, adventurous and exploring would all find ideal conditions in Hue. Lang Co Bay, which is 60km to the southeast of the city centre, is listed among the world’s most beautiful bays. The bay offers various pristine beaches and peninsulas that are perfect for beach activities, seafood and long vacations in resorts. Visitors can take convenient trips to Thuan An beach, where cool breezes are always available during hot summer days.

Hue is also home to the Southeast Asia’s biggest lagoon system, Tam Giang - Cau Hai, which attracts visitors for its gorgeous sunrises and sunsets fresh lagoon air and delicious seafood.

The locality also boasts the untouched 28 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

BY HA NGUYEN

Bach Ma Mountain, 1444m above sea level and offers diversified flora and fauna. For tourists in need of medical rehabilitation, two mineral hot springs, My An and Thanh Tan, provide soothing relief.

Hue was the royal capital of the Vietnamese kingdom ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. It was thus the place that gathered the best from other regions of the country, from handicrafts to traditional foods. This brings Hue more options for culture and craft village tourism, with destinations including the ancient villages of Kim Long and Phuoc Tich, and traditional craft villages like bamboo-weaving Bao La, paper flower-making Thanh Tien, conical hatmaking Chuon, paper portrait- printing Sinh, and bronze-casting Phuong Duc. All of these features make Hue a place to enjoy old values and local rituals and customs, Home to nearly 300 pagodas and a great number of temples and ritual platforms, Hue is also a pilgrimage destination for religious tourism.

Hue has two Champa temples located in two rural sites, Lieu Coc and Phu Dien. According to the late researcher Ho Tan Phan, Hue has a layer of culture more profound than that of the prominent heritage left by the Nguyen dynasty. Many pre-history artifacts have been found around Hue. Twenty-three years ago, UNESCO awarded Hue’s heritage system the title of world cultural heritage. The system includes

the imperial citadel, king’s monasteries, ancient bridges, canal and buildings, and royal temples. These serve as the main base for Hue heritage tourism.

In the heart of the city, Hue has iconic

TOURISM Stone sculpture at King Khai Dinh's Tomb; A private residence of Royal family members.

Photos: Pham Ba Thinh. At Lap An Lagoon, Hue. Photo Le Dac Nguyen Quy

colonial buildings that are as nice as those found in HCM City and the country’s villa town of Da Lat. Far away from the city centre, many ethnic minorities on the mountains have a similar look to

northern peoples.

Last but not least, the locality holds the country’s finest cuisine, with numerous food styles, from royal to grassroots. It also has its different types of music listed as UN-

ESCO and national intangible cultural heritage items.

Hue lacks only the cavern system that neighboring Quang Binh Province has to become perfect in terms of potential. But tourism in Hue has developed poorly. It is said to be a boring destination due to its poor products.

Researcher Tran Duc Anh Son said once in a conference about promoting Hue tourism that the typical locality like Hue needed tourism personnel that had sound knowledge of Hue beside their management skills.

To some extent, Hue lacks a strategic vision for tourism development. Local authorities give almost no respect to cultural experts in exposing Hue culture. Researcher Son suggested that the locality should set up criteria to train qualified tourism staff.

Moreover, Hue needs to improve itself with standard accommodation facilities for research and entertainment activities.

Another researcher, Nguyen Huu Thong, once said that Hue could live well with what it owns and doesn’t need any more added values to its profound culture layers. The key is how to make use of the potential.

Other researchers have encouraged local authorities to make more attempts in improving cultural institutions at the locality by developing art performance stages, cultural activity centres, cinemas and museums.

Travel agencies running tour programmes in Hue have demanded an enhancement of hospitality from locals and coherent management of tourism authorities.

A variety of people from researchers to locals to people living in other localities but with a deep love for Hue, know that strong efforts are needed to make Hue a friendly destination, where visitors are eager to come, stay, feel, smell, and spend.n VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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ADVERTORIAL HUE

Emperor Dragon Boat

E

mperor Dragon Boat has a ‘Sundeck Yoga’ class, departing at 4 a.m. Price: 7USD/person, includes tea, cakes, welcome drinks, yoga mat and guide. 6 pax per booking, 1- 5 pax will be placed on waiting list & confirmed 24 hours in advance.

mum 4 pax per booking.1- 3 pax will be on waiting list. Also enjoy ‘Perfume River Sunset Cocktail Hour’: 16:30 - 18:30. Cruise down the Perfume River, indulge in cocktails or wine at 17:00 and live music and return to Hue via the Huong River. Package price: 21USD/Person. Minimum 4 pax per booking. 1- 3 pax will be on waiting list. ‘Lunch & Dining Cruise’ 12:00 – 13:30 Dinner: 19:00 – 20-30. Lunch menus varies from 12 – 19 USD/Person. Dinner menus variesfrom 19 – 29 USD/Person. Minimum 4 pax per booking. Menu confirm on request. Or take the ‘Perfume River Cruise with Ca Hue’ and enjoy traditional singing. 21:30 - 23:00.

19usd/person.Minimum 4 pax per booking.1- 3 pax will be on waiting list. All payment must be paid before boarding.

CANCELLATION POLICIES: 72 hours before departure time FOC, 71hrs - 24 hours Also, a ‘Sun Rise & Bike Tour’ from 5:15 - before departure time 50% of the total price, 08:30, enjoy a tai chi or yoga lesson on board, 23hrs or no show 100% payment.n followed by cakes and tea, then a bike ride through Bao Vinh old town and nearby vil- Head Office: 11B Nguyen Cong Tru St., Hue lage with rice fields and fresh air in the Hue Tel: +84- 54. 3834579; Fax: +84- 54. 3817 345 countryside. Price: 39USD/person. MiniW: www.huecuata.com

O

Hue Festival a feast for all the senses

n the 29th of this month, fireworks and music performances will spark the ninth Hue Festival, which is a biennial cultural event with participation of foreign and local art troupes.

The 6-day event will feature shows by 31 art troupes, including those in music programmes from Australia, Denmark, French, Poland, the UK, and the US. Dance groups from Chile, Korea, Russia, Slovakia and Sri Lanka will take stages as well.

Traditional art forms will be on display by Chinese, Colombian,

Thuong Hien

Mexican and Mongolian artists, together with performances by other artists from Russia and Belgium.

The event will turn the former feudal capital city of Hue into a grand stage of multicultural celebration. Besides the shows, visitors get chance to feel Hue in bustling ambiance, with a number of crafts and street performances by both locals and foreign guests.

According to the organizers, a fashion show of ao dai, gala dinner at the Royal Palace at night, and a reenactment of holy rituals of rituals are among the key programmes of this year’s event.n

Photos: Nguyen Van Dung

32 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

Photos: Nguyen

A

long time ago, there was a poor couple making a living by selling soya milk. Once, they had a big fight and forgot the milk pot in the kitchen, and the milk began to scum.

Not wanting to waste it, the wife hung the skin on the garden fence. When they ran out of food, the wife took the dried skin to cook for the family to survive the famine. It turned out to be good beyond anybody’s expectation.

That’s the story about how the dried milk skin, beloved by the Southern Vietnamese, came into their menu. It has high nutritional value and can be cooked in many ways.

Today many people make milk skin for a living in My Khanh 1 Village, My Hoa Commune, Binh Minh Township of Vinh Long Province. “My Hoa formed a milk skin trade village over 60 years ago. Right now, there are about 40 households engaged in this trade. Every day, 300 workers

Skin is in

BY TU LAM

Discovered by accident, milk skin is a way of life for one village

of the village make about 3 tonnes of milk skin of various kinds: big patch, dried and threaded, soft and threaded, salted, etc. In 2013, their products have been patented by the Bureau of Patent under the brand name of “My Hoa – Binh Minh Milk Skin,” according to Mr. Dinh Cong Hoang, head of My Hoa Milk Skin Cooperative.

The distinct and pleasant aroma of the milk skin spreads far beyond My Khanh 1 Village. The patches of milk skin hung along roadsides and river banks please the eyes of travelers who happen to come around Binh Minh Township.

The product is made of soya without

Photo: Tran Van Nhanh

CULTURE

using any chemicals. The process is quite simple. The soya is soaked for 2–3 hours, husked, and finely ground. The wet flour is pressed to produce a thick, white elixir. The milk is cooked until a layer of skin forms at the top, which is taken out to dry. 20-30 minutes later, another layer is harvested, and this continues until the pot runs dry. The workers are very busy because one person takes care of many such pots.

The whole process used to be done manually. But in recent years, to satisfy growing demand and the requirements of the supermarkets, some phases of milk skin-making are now done by machines.

The best time to make the best soya milk skin is from mid-October to April.

But the busiest time for the trade village is just before the Lunar New Year. During this period, all of My Khanh Village is boiling together with their soya milk pots, with hundreds of people making milk skin and trading it.n VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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BOOK REVIEW

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A photographic tour of a town called ‘peaceful meeting place'

friend commented, “Most Vietnamese think old buildings are just that-old buildings that are crumbling away and ready for demolition,” and not venerable relics of the past. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An (in English 'peaceful meeting place') is a must see and many rave about it.

I have been there twice; once unaccompanied in 1998 and then later on a guided tour. I was underwhelmed. That is because I come from a land where ‘ancient’ means Stonehenge, Roman walls nearly two thousand years old or Cathedrals built in the sixth century.

Picking up Neil Featherstone's outstanding collection of photos of Hoi An taken in July 2015 has got me hankering for a third visit to make a re-evaluation of the international trading city, a Singapore or Hong Kong of yesteryear.

As the name implies, "Hoi An Panorama" almost all the pictures are wide angle two page spreads. It opens with a shot of the red Chinese lanterns and one across the red tiled roofs. Then, it’s the iconic Japanese bridge and the temple inside. Following this, we go to the streets, to the residents and those that visit, to the river, the beaches and the verdant countryside around Hoi An. Water giving access to the wider world is the mother of Hoi An and Featherstone is excellent at capturing alluring moments on and by the river. We are shown the waterfront with gaily coloured sampans and fishing vessels. One shot features eyes painted on the prows of the latter, which are meant to ward off evil and misfortune. There is the rumble tumble of the ferry packed with people, motorbikes and bicycles coming into dock. Fisher folk are shown with their enormous seated out in the water on bamboo contraptions .There are panoramas of street 34 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

PIP DE ROUVRAY

and river by night and with an approaching storm. Finally, there is the moody ocean in the beach scenes.

Another theme is the market and foodHoi An is famed for its specialty dishes generally only found here. You can almost smell the market as the photographer takes you round capturing the character of the old and middle aged sellers and the freshness of the vegetables of many bright colours.In the wet fish market we see that typical scene of a motorcyclist riding alongside the containers of live fish tainting them with toxic fumes. One shot is sheer artwork and to my mind worthy of a prize; pink and silver fish heads on ice in a metallic tub. The colourful picture spreads of specialties should have you salivating, especially that of the 'Cao Lau' with its pork slices, white noodles, herbs and red hot chilli.

On to the streets, Hoi An is famous for its artisans. Featherstone takes you round their leather ware, jewelry and tailor shops.

One shot shows an array of over fifty colourful patterns of cloth to have your shirts or dresses made and fitted within twenty four hours. Scenes have been captured which are

fast disappearing in the larger cities. An old woman with bamboo pole and basket winds her way along. A long line of tourists in cyclos about to start a tour is depicted. Often overlooked in these collections is the motorbike. Here you can see two opposing serried parked lines of them.

Finally, Featherstone shows his talents as a portrait photographer. There is the concentration of a young girl as she prepares to float a candle and lantern down the river, a young bride posing for her wedding photo, a wrinkled smiling old lady with conical hat and a few remaining black teeth and a very young girl, bright eyed with short hair.

This photo album has taught me I need to look at new places with a more discerning eye. I now know you need to take your time with a grand old dame like Hoi An. I must return, if only to try a steaming bowl of Cao Lau noodles!

'Hoi An Panorama' by Neil Featherstone is published by NXB Dan Tri Artbook, hardback at VND 395,000. Available at Tri Bookstore, 158ED Dong Khoi Street Q1 Ho Chi Minh City and at ‘Artbook’ 43 Dong Khoi Street Q1 Ho Chi Minh City.n

HANOI

EXHIBITIONS ‘The streets without Phai, Phai without the streets’ From 14 April until undetermined Apricot Hanoi Hotel 136 Hang Trong St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3828-9595 An art exhibition entitled ‘The streets without Phai, Phai without the streets’, featuring a collection of works by the late Bui Xuan Phai is on display at Apricot Hotel in Hanoi from 14 April. Seven of Phai’s paintings, alongside an array of works illustrating Hanoi’s streets by renowned Vietnamese artists who followed in Phai’s footsteps will hang in the lobby of the hotel. These signature paintings have never been on display in public before, and reveal a different, lesser-known yet substantially more complex side to the most illustrious of all Vietnamese modern painters. As a supporter of the Nhan Van movement advocating political and cultural freedom, Phai’s work was banned from public display for decades.

Phai died in 1988 and was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize, Vietnam’s highest accolade for artists, in 1996.

‘Vietnam in 80s’ 8-30 April L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi.

Tel: (04) 3936-2164

A photographic exhibition, ‘Vietnam in 80s’ by Michel Blanchard is on showcase at L’Espace in Hanoi. Working as an journalist from 1976 to 2006, Michel Blanchard was the AFP bureau chief in Hanoi for two years, from 1981 to 1983. He continued to visit Vietnam for over ten years as a writer of travel guides, which first

appeared after the war. The exhibition is a unique opportunity for the Vietnamese to savor the nostalgia before the great transformation of the 1990s took place, as well as the economic boom that followed it. Free entry.

Exhibition ‘Storyteller – Contemporary Art from Leipzig’ 7-27 April Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131

Goethe-Institute Hanoi presents the exhibition, “Storyteller – Contemporary Art from Leipzig” in cooperation with the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts at the premises of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. The works of eleven artists tell stories which could occur in the exact same way, but in different places; in a studio, on boulevards in Brooklyn or in one’s favorite pub in Leipzig-Lindenau.

Since the 1970s, the art world has used the term “Leipziger Schule”.

However, it is not a consistent style which interconnects the associated artists Bernhard Heisig, Wolfgang Mattheuer and Werner Tübke, but their domain: the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig.

The exhibition “Storyteller” presents works of the third generation, which has been shaped particularly by the students of Heisig and Mattheuer – Sighard Gille and Arno Rink – and which still reveals a tendency to tell stories.

‘Hanoi 18h/6h, Hue 18h/6h’ Exhibition From 29 April to 4 May at MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa, 5 Le Loi St, Hue City.

A collection of 30 photographs that illuminate Hanoi and Hue at night will go on display at

the MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa in Hue from 29 April until 4 May. Conceived, executed and produced by Sebastien Laval, a Poitiers, France-based photographer with ties in Vietnam that date back to the early 1990s, the haunting images in the ‘Hanoi 18h/6h, Hue 18h/6h’ exhibit evoke surreal perspectives of otherwise ordinary settings – quiet alleys, lonely railways and fluorescent-lit shops. The oldest photos in Laval’s collection date back to December 2007 when he first ventured into the streets of Hanoi with his camera. He discovered a new urban landscape, transformed by the absence of harsh, flooding daylight into a more magical place, alive with colors and textures that require the company of starlight and moonlight for resolution.

For the work to be exhibited at La Residence, Laval used a digital camera, and no dedicated artificial light. He created all of his images between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.The images will hang in the lobby at La Residence.

“The Street dreams” Until 11 May Toong Co-working Space 3rd, No 8 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi

EVENTS

with old streets and ancient temples. There is no rush in Hanoi’s “36 artisan guilds and old streets”, as in the industrial cities, where themodern features of Western culture interfere. But what remains in the viewer’s mind is the beauty of traditional art and the nation’s marked cultural identity.

MUSIC Series of Architecture, Music and Visual Arts events Heritage Space Dolphin Plaza Building, 28 Tran Binh St, My Dinh Area, Hanoi Until 27 April Heritage Space will hold a series of events of Visual Arts, Architecture and Music. For architecture, the film “Great Expectation” (director: Jesper Wachtmeister) provided by the Club of Architecture Cinema and implemented by Ashui.com. For Visual Arts, an exhibition of painting, installation, multimedia and concept works and entitled “Heritage Space +”. It presents the selected products of artists who have been cooperating with Heritage Space recently. For music, there is a show of New Music by composer Vu Nhat Tan and his collaborators.

The product is called ‘Coi Vang’ (Empty World) and will last about 50 minutes. Free entrance. Contact: Thanh Thoa at 0168 437 3611 or email thoantt.heritagespace@gmail.com

HUE

Hue Festival 29 April – 4 May

An exhibition entitled“The Street Dreams” by Hanoi based Nguyen The Duy is on display from 11 April until 11 May at Toong Co-working Space in Hanoi. With a history of thousands of years and through numerous vicissitudes with dynasties, Hanoi has become a city with rich and diverse architecture while stillretaining the antique soul of Asian beauty. The exhibition “The Street Dreams” features 15 artworks focusing on the subject of Hanoi

Hue Festival, Viet Nam's biannual signature cultural series of activities, comes back in 2016 with a focus on the 710-year history of the land, aiming to uphold the

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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EVENTS

city’s traditional values and showcasing its modernity. The festival gathers artists from 20 countries with France playing as the main partner. The troupes include Guangdong Theatre from China, the Cancer band from Denmark, Michal Milczareck Trio from Poland, Della Mae from the US, Hallelujah from Israel, Germein Sisters from Australia and Yun Myung-hwa from South Korea.

Domestic arts companies and street arts troupes also bring interesting performances to this festival such as the Cleopatra belly dance group from Hanoi, Giao Thoi band from HCM City and Viet Nam Circus Federation.

Besides this, the festival is also a combination of traditional culture, art and tourism activities with great attractions and high community orientation, which contribute to promoting local socio-economic development, including: Royal Night, Orient Legends, beer carnival, international food festival, old car exhibition, ancient village festival in Phuoc Tich Village, traditional boat race on Huong River and kite festival. www.huefestival.com Photo contest Hoi An Untold Stories A photo contest with the theme ‘Hoi An: Untold Stories’ organized by People’s Committee of Hoi An City and Golden Sand Resort and Spa is underway. It is aimed to introduce and promote the views, peoples, cultures and tourism in Hoi An to domestic and international tourists. Register and submit photos via info@hoianchuyenchuake.com untill 28 May. Those who make it to the final round will be in Hoi An for two days to take photos of the city. Winners will be announced on 4 June.

First prize is VND15 millions and a two-night stay at the Golden Sand Resort and Spa. Second is VND10 millions and a onenight stay at the Golden Sand Resort and Spa. Third is VND5 millions and a one-night stay at the Golden Sand Resort and Spa. The judges are Mr Nguyen Van Lanh, head of the Hoi An Culture and Information Office, photographer Hoang Ha, head of

the pictorial department of Zing News and photographer Na Son. For more information: www.hoianchuyenchuake.com

HO CHI MINH CITY

A Night of American Music 8pm, 29 April Opera House

“A Night of American Music” will feature internationally famed Vietnamese French violinist Stephane Tran Ngoc, a world class violinist, who has won many prestigious awards such as the Lipizer and the Paganini at the Aspen Music Festival, and the Grand Prix Award at the Long-Thibaud International Competition in 1990. Audience will enjoy Mr. Ngoc’s rendition of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Concerto for Violin in D minor, with the accompaniment of the HBSO Symphony Orchestra and conductor Tran Nhat Minh, as well as works from American composers Benjamin Britten and Howard Hanson.

Ticket starts at VND200.000 VND. For delivery, contact (08) 3823-7419 “Farmers Got Power” Until 24 April Galerie Quynh

Level 2, 151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City

36 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

" Soul of Vietnam" The trailblazing cultural show,Soul of Vietnam which debuted in 2011 is now back in town at the City Drama Theatre. A colourful kaleidoscope of traditional song.dance, music.street life scenes.and legends. A vibrant feast for eyes and ears that will keep you glued to your seat for an hour. It evokes all that is beautiful about this wonderful land. What you see may differ slightly as they are constantly adding but expect to see a triumphant opening scene og Trung sisters back from battle victory on their elephants with a celebratory sword dance,a dramatisation of the classic children's tale of 'Cuoi the Buffalo Boy and the Banyan tree' Music played on traditional instruments,including a female singer using ceramic tea cups as castanets and a performance of the 1917 "The River" by a string quartet,a fast moving dance dodging over ever moving bamboo poles,traditional musical themes from North,Centre and South played around a golden boat,a street scene that includes cyclos,vendors,massage providers and just about everything bar the famous motorbikes and a finale to take your breath right away by renowned bamboo flautist Do Loc who dressed in shaman clothing evokes shrill bird song from his flute and'the music of the mountains' with percussion on a stone xylophone.

Be sure to arrive half an hour before curtain up as green tea,che(sweet soup) and cold spring rolls are served inclusive of ticket price in the foyer by'street vendors'in traditional clothing from baskets connected by bamboo pole.

Friday, Saturdays and Sundays.at 6.pm, with pre-show refreshments at 5.30. The City Drama Theatre , 30 TranHung Dao, D1, HCMC Ticket booking number (08) 222 99 414 or directly from the box office.

Farmers Got Power is the title of solo exhibition by Vietnamese artist Nguyen Manh Hung. In this exhibition, Nguyen has created a new body of sculptures, paintings and photos depicting an absurd world under constant threat where the past, present and future collapse into one perpetual cycle.

Images of soldiers, weapons, planes and fire trucks suggest a sense of urgency, calamity and danger, yet the addition of domes-

ticated creatures (turtles, chickens and even a snail) pose little menace. An ambiguous violence is suggested within a calm, subdued atmosphere. Through keen, satirical humor with elusive narratives, the artist looks at issues of power, control and protection. The show’s title is a reference to the reality TV show ‘America’s Got Talent’ (the Got Talent franchise is broadcast in Vietnam as Vietnam’s Got Talent).

HOTELS

AVANI Hai Phong Harbour View

12 Tran Phu St, Ngo Quyen Dist, Haiphong City Tel : (031) 382-7827 ‘AVANI Hai Phong’s Advance Purchase’ rate offers savings of 20% for bookings made 15 days in advance so you can spend a little more on a spa treatment, a meal, or even treat yourself to an upgrade, and is breakfast is on us.

For booking or more information, please contact haiphong@avanihotels.com

ents and 2 children under 12, daily buffet breakfast, shuttle bus round-trip airport transfer, 1 set dinner for family, 40 minute foot massage for parents, complimentary beach toys for 2 children, 2 soft drinks, 2 cans of local beer per stay, free usage of steam, sauna and fitness center, and 15% discount on best available rate for extension nights.

The Reverie Saigon

22-36 Nguyen Hue & 57-69F Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3520-8828

Indochine Palace Hotel

105A Hung Vuong St, Hue City Tel: (054) 393-6666 Indochine Palace Hotel in Hue City is offering a ‘Hue Festival Package’, valid until 31 May at VND6,507,000 for two persons, including a three-day and two-night stay in a deluxe room with daily buffet breakfast, seasonal menu for daily dinner at La Brasserie, pick-up and drop-off service to Phu Bai airport, welcome fruit basket on arrival date, welcome drink, complimentary use of swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam bath and jacuzzi.

La Residence Hotel & Spa

5 Le Loi St, Hue City Tel: (054) 383-7475 On the occasion of Hue Festival, La Residence Hotel & Spa has ‘Memorable Hue Festival Package’ at VND3,500,000 or $160/ package. The package, which is valid from 15 April to 15 May consists of two nights accommodations, daily breakfast for two, a one-way airport transfer, 45-minute back-and-shoulder or foot massage, and one ticket per person to one of the festival events. The package also offers a 50 percent discount on car service.

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa

‘Anantara Hoi An Spa & Dining Special’.Discover Vietnam’s colonial charms with a special package of benefits for every three nights you stay. Let us take care of your return airport transfers. Enjoy a breakfast buffet each day, with a scenic river view. Feel tension melt away with a Neck & Shoulder Massage. Savour Vietnamese cuisine, delicious world flavours and refreshing drinks, with VND 2,235,619 credit to spend at our resort’s four restaurants and bars.

For booking or more information, please contact hoian@anantara.com

Boutique Hoi An Resort

Group 6, Block Tan Thinh, Cam An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 393-9111 Promotion: Stay 4 Pay 3

The Spa at The Reverie Saigon is offering the promotion “Summer Spa Rejuvenation”, valid until 30 June. Guests will receive one complimentary shampoo and blow dry or express manicure and pedicure with any facial treatment. And for a limited time, all spa guests receive one Voya amenities gift with any package. The Spa encompasses 1,200 square metres over two floors and features 10 treatment rooms – four dual-bedded suites and six for individual therapies.

RESORTS AND SPAS

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa

No 5 Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist, Danang Tel: (0511) 398-1234

12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 382-0999

The hotel is offering a ‘SunScape Package’, designed to get families exploring together at VND5,680,000 ++ valid from 3rd May to 31st Oct, The package includes 2 nights’ accommodation in a Superior Sea View room for par-

VALUE FOR MONEY

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa has a promotion that is valid from 17 to 28 April.

Clients will have chance to receive a 25% discount on rates of all room types available at the resort.

Anantara Hoi An Resort

1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 391-4555

The resort offers the promotion “Stay 4 pay 3” for new bookings on website www.boutiquehoianresort.com from now to 31 October and is non-refundable. The promotion includes breakfast for 2 persons at Le Cafe restaurant, free Wi-Fi and shuttle bus to Hoi An Ancient Town. This promotion is not applied for peak season and public holidays.

Palm Garden Resort

Lac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 392-7927 Palm Garden Resort is offering ‘Summer at Get-Away Paradise’ from June to December, 2016 at VND2,750,000 / person (twin-share room), which includes 2-night accommodation in Superior Garden View room with buffet breakfast, round-trip airport transfer or a dinner / lunch at Terrace Restaurant, 2 discount vouchers of 50% for body massage at Palm Spa, 20% off on laundry service & 15% off on sport & recreation, free use of sauna, steam-bath, Jacuzzi, fitness center, pool & private beach and scheduled shuttle bus to / from Hoi An Town.

Cam Ranh Riviera Beach Resort & Spa

Nguyen Tat Thanh, Cam Hai Dong, Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 398-9898 VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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VALUE FOR MONEY Cafe Saigon In April, Seafood Buffet Dinner (Thursday – Sunday) at VND799,000++/ person. Free flow of soft drinks and beer only VND140,000++/ person. Lunch buffet (Monday – Friday) at VND 399,000++/ person.

Cam Ranh Riviera Beach Resort & Spa officially opens its door from 1 April. Spread over an area of 10 hectares with 200 meters of coastline, Cam Ranh Riviera Beach Resort & Spa’s 226 ocean view pool villas and rooms blend contemporary style with a Europeanholiday concept. On the occasion of the Official Grand Opening, the resort offers a special package promotion featuring three days and two nights stay at the deluxe sea view room with daily buffet breakfast, one dinner, one body massage and airport pick-up or see-off for two persons, priced at VND5,400,000. The promotion is valid until 30 November, 2016 and is not applicable for the public holiday period from 29 April to 2 this May.

Anantara Mui ne Resort

Mui Ne Beach, KM10, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 374-1888 ‘Mui Ne 30% Pool Villa & Suite Special’. In a Two Bedroom Suite, you can soak in the Jacuzzi and toast paradise on your balcony. Alternatively, hideaway in a private villa, either beside a tropical lagoon or the sands of Mui Ne Beach. You might be tempted to extend your stay, or use your savings for be spa pampering, Dining by Design, or trips to explore the region.

For booking or more information, please contactmuine@anantara.com

IKI Restaurant In April, a delicious beef Shabu Shabu hotpot at only VND419.000++ for 2 persons.

Set lunch with a choice of 4 set menus per day from Monday – Friday at VND159,000 ++/ person.

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon

39 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3520-9999 Market 39 Restaurant

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

30 April, Victory dinner, priced at VND1.200.000 ++ per adult, including free flow of house wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

1 May, Freedom brunch priced at VND1.500.000 ++ per adult including free flow of Bollinger champagne, house wine, cocktails, beer and soft drinks.

Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-3333

19 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-4999 Nineteen 30 April and 1 May, (Reunification and Labour Day) offering a sumptuous dinner buffet, with fresh seafood cooked to order, Vietnamese delicacies taking pride of place alongside timeless Asian and Continental favourites. VND1,090,000 including unlimited flow of selected sparkling, craft cocktails, selected house wines and beer

Atrium Cafe 15 – 17 April, Hung King’s Festival and from 26 - 30 April, Liberation Day and Labor Day on 1 May, offering a special buffet, at VND550,000++/person for Lunch buffet and VND1,150,000++/person for Dinner buffet. In April, the restaurant also celebrates “Month of Appreciation” for secretaries. This is an opportunity for companies to treat their secretaries & associates. A group of 4 just pays 3 when having buffet lunch from Mondays to Saturdays. In addition, from 15 – 30 April, diners can enjoy the traditional Sweet Soup corner as add-on dessert items for buffet menu.

Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

Sofitel Plaza Saigon

FOOD PROMOTIONS

Caravelle Hotel Saigon

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3844-9222 38 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2015

L’Olivier Restaurant In April, offering set lunch menu, choice of a 2-course set lunch of entrée + main course or main course and dessert for VND450,000++ per person. Or 3-course set lunch at VND620,000++ per person. A glass of French house wine for VND100,000++ only.

17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-1555

88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-2828 Li Bai restaurant In April, Australian beef specialties introduced in a special menu featuring sizzling Australian beef cooked in Chinese style such as pan-fried sizzling Australian beef with Hoisin garlic sauce and pan-fried sizzling Australian beef with mushroom and black pepper sauce. From VND 488,000++ per dish.

Bavico International Hotel Nha Trang

02 Phan Boi Chau St, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 626-6555 Rooftop Sky Lounge & Club In April, Happy Hour, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, 1 free glass of draught beer when ordering the same one.

Beer Club Bavico Until 29 April, offering promotion: “Free flow beer” with price from VND89.000/pax or “Buy 1 get 1 free” with price from VND20.000/glass of draught beer

Novotel Nha Trang

50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 625-6900 The Square restaurant 29, 30 April and 1 May, Enjoy the Liberation Holiday with special buffet dinner, including slipper lobster, green & blue crab, Angus beef at VND680,000++/guest.

22 April, Full moon BBQ buffet dinner, with live music and lucky draw at VND 400,000++/guest. 1 free beer or wine.

Le Bar 30 April, Beer buffet between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with free flow at VND200,000++/guest.

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

SAPA

(TELEPHONE CODE: 020) Sapa is a former French hill station in northwestern Vietnam, in Lao Cai Province, near the Chinese border.

A number of minority cultures including the H’mong, Dao and Tay live in villages in the countryside around Sapa.

HOTELS, RESORTS Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Cat Cat View Hotel 46 Fan Xi Pang St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-946 www.catcathotel.com VND735,000 to VND3,780,000 ($35 to $180) Cha Pa Garden Boutique Hotel & Spa 23B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3872-907 Email: hotelchapagarden@gmail.com

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

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

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

HALONG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 033) With around 1,600 islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay, about 170 km east of Hanoi, is well known for its limestone seascape.

Overnight boat trips out of Halong City are a popular way to see it.

HOSPITALS

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

24 Dong Loi St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3871-245 Email: resa@chaulonghotel.com.vn www.chaulonghotel.com.vn From VND2,100,000 ($100) Holiday Sapa Hotel 16 Muong Hoa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3873-874 Email: info@holidaysapa.com www.holidaysapa.com VND588,000 to VND2,100,000 ($28 to $100) Mường Thanh Sapa Hotel 44, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3887-766 Email: sales@sapa.muongthanh.vn www.muongthanh.vn From VND900,000 ($43) Royal Hotel 54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Tel: (020) 3771-131 Email: info@royalsapahotel.com www.royalsapahotel.com

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

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

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

Asean Halong Hotel Hau Can St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3640-034 Email: sm@aseanhalonghotel.com www.aseanhalonghotel.com From VND1,600,000 ($76) Halong Hidden Charm Hotel Block 22D, Tuan Chau Villas, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-360 infor.halonghiddencharmhotel@gmail.com

www.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND350,000 ($17) Halong Palace Hotel 1, Block 20 Dong Hung Thang, Hoang Quoc Viet St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3619-819 Email: info@halongpalacehotel.com www.halongpalacehotel.com From VND3,800,000 ($181) Halong Plaza Hotel 8 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-810 Email: info@halongplaza.com www.halongplaza.com VND1,500,000 to VND3,800,000 ($71 to $179) Heritage Halong Hotel 88 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-888 Email: saleheritagehl@gmail.com www.heritagehalonghotel.com.vn VND2,310,000 ($110) Mường Thanh Halong Hotel No.7, Block 20, East of Hung Thang, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3812-468/ (033) 3819-777 Email: info@halong.muongthanhhotel.vn www.muongthanhhotel.vn From VND1,400,000 ($67) Novotel Ha Long Bay 160 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-108 Email: info@novotelhalong.com.vn www.novotelhalongbay.com From VND2,625,000 ($125) Saigon Halong Hotel Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-845 info@saigonhalonghotel.com www.saigonhalonghotel.com From VND950,000 ($45) StarCity Halong Bay Hotel

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

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

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

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

BARS & CAFÉS

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

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

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

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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A quare 1. B aD inh S Ba Dinh Square

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2. H oa L oP Hoa Lo Prison rison

E3

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

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ouse Opera House 4. Hanoi O pera H

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Cot Co Tower 5. C ot C oT ower

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Women’s Museum 6. Women’s

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Ho Chi Minh 7. H oC hi M inh Museum

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

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CENTRE O

B

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

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

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13. Ngo on T emple Ngocc S Son Temple

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14. Dong Da H ill Hill

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15. Dong X uan M arket Xuan Market

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

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Ms. Thuy Phuong Mobile: 0969 47 3579

STREET GUIDE

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

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

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

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

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

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

OF HA NOI D

E

F

12 1 11

15 8

7 5 10 13 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

DIRECTIONS HANOI HANOI

(TELEPHONE CODE: 04) EMBASSIES

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

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

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

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

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

Australia 8 Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-7755 Austria 53 Quang Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3943-3050 Bangladesh Villa D6B 5 – Khu Vuon Dao Ngo 675, Lac Long Quan St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-6625 Belarus 52 Ho Tay St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-0494 Belgium Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-6179 Brazil T72-14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-2544 Brunei Villa 8-9 No 44/8-44, 9 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3726-0001 Bulgaria 5 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-2908 Cambodia 71A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-7636 Canada 31 Hung Vuong St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-5500 China 46 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi.

Tel: (04) 3845-3736 Cuba 65 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4775 Czech Republic 13 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi; Tel: (04) 3845-4131 Denmark 19 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-1888 Egypt 63 To Ngoc Van St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3829-4999

Hungary 12th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3771-5714 India 58-60 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-4990 Indonesia 50 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-3353 Iran 54 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-2068 Iraq 66 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4141 Ireland 8th floor of Vincom Tower B, 191 Ba Trieu St, Ha Dong Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3974-3291 Israel 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3843-3141 Italy 9 Le Phung Hieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-6256 Japan 27 Lieu Giai St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3846-3000 Laos 22 Tran Binh Trong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3942-4576 Libya 298B Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3379 Malaysia 43-45 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-3836 Mexico Coco Villa T-11, 14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3847-0948 Morocco 9 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3734-5586 Mongolia 5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3845-3009

42 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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

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

Tel: (04) 3826-8888 Vietnam Airlines 25 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3823-0320 TRAVEL

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

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

Vietnam National Museum of History 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi 216 Tran Quang Khai St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3824-1384 www.baotanglichsu.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Closed every first Monday of months.

Entry fee VND 20,000 ($0.95) for adults and VND10,000 ($0.48) for children Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-2131 Email: btmtvn@vnfam.vn www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95) Vietnam Military History Museum 28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoi www.btlsqsvn.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vn Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND40,000 ($2) Women’s Museum 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-9936 www.womenmuseum.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43) SPA

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

VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

• 43

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

(TELEPHONE CODE: 030) Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

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

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

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

Alba Spa Hotel

Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com

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

NGHE AN

(TELEPHONE CODE: 038) 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

(TELEPHONE CODE: 052) HOTELS, RESORTS

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

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

Bao Ninh Beach Resort Ha Duong, Bao Ninh, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3854-866 Email: sales@baoninhbeachresort.com.vn www.baoninhbeachresort.com.vn From VND1,120,000 ($53) Sun Spa Resort My Canh, Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province Tel: (052) 3842-999 Email: info@sunsparesortvietnam.com www.sunsparesortvietnam.com From VND1,870,000 ($89) TRAVEL

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

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

463 Lac Long Quan St., Lang Co Town, Phu Loc Dist, Thua Thien Hue Province Tel: (054) 3873-555 Email: langco@dng.vnn.vn www.langcobeachresort.com.vn Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa 130 Minh Mang Road, Hue Tel: (054) 3885-461 Email: info@pilgrimagevillage.com www.pilgrimagevillage.com Vedanā Lagoon Resort & Spa Zone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu Loc Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3681-688 Email: info@vedanalagoon.com www.vedanalagoon.com RESTAURANT

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

DANANG

(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511) HOTELS, RESORTS

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

HUE

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

Pullman Danang Beach Resort Vo Nguyen Giap St, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3958-888 Email: info@pullman-danang.com www.pullman-danang.com Novotel Danang Premier Han River 36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist., Danang. Tel: (0511) 3929-999 Email: H8287@accor.com www.novotel-danang-premier.com

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

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

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

44 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

Grand Mercure Danang Lot A1, Green Island, Hoa Cuong Bac, Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3797-777 Email: H7821@accor.com www.accorhotels.com/7821 Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang

Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Danang Vietnam, Managed by Centara

255 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3961-777 Email: cdv@chr.co.th www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cdv VND1,785,000 to VND5,670,000 ($85 to $270) Ho Chi Minh sales office: 4th Floor, Ben Thanh TSC Building; 186-188 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3914-7940 Vinpearl Luxury Danang Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist., Danang Tel: (0 511) 3968-888 Email: info@vinpearlluxury-danang.com www.vinpearl.com MUSEUM

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

Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43)

HOI AN

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

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Anantara Hoi An Resort 1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province

DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG Tel: (0510) 3914-555 Email: hoian@anantara.com www.hoi-an.anantara.com Aurora Riverside Hotel & Villas 242 Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 392-4111 Website: www.aurorahoian.com Ancient House River Resort Hamlet 2, Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3930-777 Email: sales@ancienthouseriver.com www.ancienthouseriver.com From VND2,310,000 ($110) Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An Thanh Nien Road, Cua Dai Beach Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3927-555 info@goldensandresort-spa.com.vn www.goldensandresort-spa.com.vn VND3,759,000 to VND7,644,000 Hoi An Silk Village 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Str, Tan An Ward, Hoi An City,Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 392-1144 Website: 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) 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 Marina Silk Beach Resort & Spa

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

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

Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel

Quang Trung Museum Block 1, Phu Phong town, Tay Son Dist., Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 3580-320 Open 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Entry fee VND10,500 ($0.50).

Free for children under six

38 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3889-999 Email: info@havanahotel.vn www.havanahotel.vn

MUSEUM

NHA TRANG

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

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily 5 Cua Dai St, Hoi An Tel: (0510) 3927-888 saleshoian@river-beachresort.com www.river-beachresort.com From VND1,350,000 ($65) ($179 to $364)TRAVEL

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

No 74 18 thang 8 Str. Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3938 888

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)

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

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

www.bavicohotelnhatrang.com.

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

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

QUY NHON

(TELEPHONE CODE: 056) HOTELS, RESORTS

Jolie Villa Hoi An Homestay 14 Luu Trong Lu St, Tan An Ward, Hoi An. Tel: 0934 847788 Email: Joliehomestay@gmail.com www.joliehoianhomestay.com

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

Kiman Hotel & Spa 461-463 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province Tel: (0510) 3920 430 kimanhoianhotel@gmail.com Website: kimanhoianhotel.com

AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: (056) 3840-132 Email: quynhon@avanihotels.com www.avanihotels.com/quynhon From VND3,024,000 ($144) VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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DIRECTIONS PHAN THIET Michelia Hotel 4 Pasteur St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-820 Email: sales@michelia.vn www.michelia.vn From VND2,200,000 ($105) Mường Thanh Grand Nha Trang Hotel 6 Duong Hien Quyen St, Vinh Hoa Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3552-468 Email: info@nhatrang.muongthanh.vn www.nhatrang.muongthanh.vn From VND1,400,000 ($66) 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

PHAN THIET

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

SHOPPING

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

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 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

Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach Resort

HOTELS, RESORTS

RESTAURANTS

Au Lac do Brazil III 101 Trinh Phong St, Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang Tel: (+84-58) 351 6661 Fax: (+84-58) 351 6663 Email: r_nhatrang@aulacdobrazil.com

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

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

46 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 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 Netherlands 29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823-5932 New Zealand Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-6907 Panama 7A Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-0334 Russia 40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-3936

Singapore Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5173 South Korea 107 Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-5757 Switzerland 42 Giang Van Minh St, Dist.2, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3744-6996 Thailand 77 Tran Quoc Thao St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3932-7637 United Kingdom 25 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3825-1380, (08) 3829-8433 United States 4 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-9433

HOSPITALS

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

Air France 130 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-0981 All Nippon Airways 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-9612 American Airlines 69 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3933-0330 Asiana Airlines 39 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-8710, (08) 3829-3038 .

British Airways 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3930-2933 Cathay Pacific Airways 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3203 Emirates Airlines 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3,

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

Trails of Indochina 10/8 Phan Dinh Giot St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3844-1005 Email: dosm@trailsofindochina.com www.trailsofindochina.com

www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn From VND4,830,000 ($230) Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

www.libertycentralhotel.com

HOTELS

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

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

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

Tel: (08) 3827-1717 177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1 Tel: (08) 3823-9269

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.

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

Novotel Saigon Centre

Hotel Majestic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asiana Travel Mate 113C Bui Vien St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3838-6678 www.atravelmate.com Buffalo Tours 81 Mac Thi Buoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9168 Email: travelagency@buffalotours.com www.buffalotours.com.vn Buffalo Tours operates in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

The Buffalo Tours portfolio caters to all types of tours.

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

1 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-5517 majestic@majesticsaigon.com.vn www.majesticsaigon.com.vn

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

48 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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

www.parkroyalhotels.com Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

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

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY www.royalhotelsaigon.com From VND1,092,000 ($52) The Reverie Saigon

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

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

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

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

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

Mam Son Restaurant 35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3915-3653 Tandoor Restaurant

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

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.

Sàn Art 48/7 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 6294-7059 www.san-art.org Opening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every.

Closed on Sunday and Monday Tu Do Gallery 53 Ho Tung Mau St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-0966 www.tudogallery.com Opening: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday

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

SIGHTSEEINGS

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

GALLERIES

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

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

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

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

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CENTRE OF HO

1. Independence Independence Palace Palace

D3

2. Notre Notre Dame Cathedral Cathedral

E2

3. Vietnam Vietnam History History Museum

F2

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

E3

6. Southern Women omen Museum Southern W

C1

7. War Wa ar Remnants Remnants Museum

D2

Ben Thanh Thanh M arket 8. Ben Market

E3

9. Tao Tao Dan Park Park

D3

10. Post Post Office Office

E2

Zoo 11. Z oo

F2

Nha Wharf 12. N ha Rong W harf

F4

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A

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1

2

3

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STREET GUIDE

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

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

Dien Bien Phu.....................

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

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

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

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

CHI MINH CITY D

E

F

6 4 11 11

7 2

10 10

1

5

4

9 8

4

12 1 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MUSEUMS

Ao Dai Museum 206/19/30 Long Thuan St, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City www.baotangaodaivietnam.com Open daily, closed on Monday from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.

The entry ticket is VND100,000 for adults Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City 97A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-4441 www.baotangmythuattphcm.com Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Fito Museum

Tau does not have the most beautiful, or cleanest, beaches in Vietnam but can act as a quick getaway from the buzz of the city.

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels depend on occupancy and change daily Grand Hotel Vung Tau 2 Nguyen Du St, Ward.1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-888 Email: sales@grandhotel.com.vn www.grandhotel.com.vn From VND2,058,000 ($98) 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

41 Hoang Du Khuong S, Ward 12, Dist. 10, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3864-2430 www.fitomuseum.com.vn Open daily from 8.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m.

Ticket: VND50,000 The first museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine 257 Le Hong Phong St, Ward 8, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3584-179 Email: quanly@kieuanhhotel.com www.kieuanhhotel.vn

Independence Palace 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3822-3652 www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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

MUSEUM

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

LONG HAI

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

MY THO

The Island Lodge

390 Ap Thoi Binh, Thoi Son Ward, My Tho City Tel: (073) 6519-000 contact@theislandlodge.com.vn www.theislandlodge.com.vn 12 Truong Cong Dinh St, Ward 2, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3624-748 Email: sales@petrosetco.com.vn www.petrosetcohotel.vn From VND1,085,700 ($52) Petro House Hotel

VUNG TAU

CAN THO

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

HOTELS, RESORTS

63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau

52 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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

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

CHAU DOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 076) HOTELS

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

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

Petrosetco Hotel

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

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

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

CON DAO

Ho Chi Minh City Museum 65 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-9741 www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The History Museum 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3829-8146 www.baotanglichsuvn.com 8 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.

- 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

Closed on Monday War Remnants Museum 28 Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (08) 3930-5587 Email: warrmhcm@gmail.com Open daily 7.30 a.m. to midday and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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

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

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

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

PHU QUOC

(TELEPHONE CODE: 077) Phu Quoc Island, off the southern tip of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

White-sand beaches, scuba diving around coral reefs or exploring the protected jungle. Accessible by either the Rach Gia hydrofoil boat or a 50-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Modest family-owned bungalows on the beach to fivestar resorts.

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

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

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)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

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

UNITED KINGDOM

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

AUSTRALIA

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

INDONESIA

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

Hung Ky Mi Gia 5237 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115; Tel: (1) 619-229-2188 Serves noodle varieties with prices starting at $5 per dish Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

International Restaurant 1 4444 – A University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Tel: (1) 619-281-9999 Little Saigon 7 Linden Ave (Railroad) South San Francisco, CA 94080 Tel: (1) 650-589-1398 New York-NY Saigon Grill 620 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 Tel: (1) 212-875-9072 Serves over 100 Vietnamese dishes including vegetarian options Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Mai Lan Vietnamese 505 N State St Syracuse, NY 13203 Tel: (1) 315-471-6740 www.mailanrestaurant.com L’Annam 121 University Pl New York, NY 10022 Tel: (1) 212-420-1414 VIRGINIA-VA Minh’s Vietnamese 2500 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (1) 703-525-2828 Prices start at $15 per dish Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Mondays) WASHINGTON-WC Ho Bac 1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: (1) 206-860-8164 Kieu Nga Lemongrass Restaurant VIETNAM HERITAGE - APRIL-MAY 2016

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