Tay Ninh - weekend destination in the Southeast Region

About 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh is an interesting destination for weekend.

Conquering the roof of the Southeast

Ba Den Mount.

About 11 kilometers northeast of Tay Ninh City is the Nui Ba relics spanning 24 km², including the three mountains named Heo (Pig) – Phung (Phoenix) - Ba Den.

There are many temples in this area, including Ha, Trung, Thuong, Hang and some temples inside caves. In order to visit these temples, visitors can walk or use the cable car system or slide pipes.

For those who love exploration, to go to the roof of the Southeast region at the elevation of 986m, the only means are their legs.

Tay Ninh Holy See

Located in the district of Hoa Thanh, about 5 km south east of Tay Ninh City, Tay Ninh Holy See has unique architecture.

The campus is up to 1.2 km2 with a lot of religious architectures connected with each other by wide roads, with rubber trees alongside.

The Holy See building is 140m long, 40m wide, with three 36m towers, two bell towers of 25m high and dozens of towers of 30m high.

Inside the building are two rows of dragon-shaped pillars. On the ceiling are nine skies with clouds and stars.

Dau Tieng Lake

About 20km from the city of Tay Ninh, Dau Tieng Lake covers an area of over 27,000 hectares and contains 1.5 billion cubic meters of water. The lake not only provides water to hundreds of thousands of hectares of agricultural land but it is also a tourist attraction.

There are many small islands in the lake. With beautiful natural landscape and the cool air, the lake is a favorite destination for nature lovers and photographers.

Enjoy the specialties of Tay Ninh

Trang Bang rice cake is the most well-known specialty of Tay Ninh.

Other must-try cuisines include banh canh gio heo (pork noodle) and Nui Ba snails.

You can also buy some specialties of Tay Ninh such as shrimp salt or rice cakes.

UNESCO LISTS DON CA TAI TU OR VIETNAMESE FOLK MUSIC AS WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE

Since long ago, Don ca tai tu (Amateur singing) in southern Viet Nam has been rooted in the cultural and spiritual life of the southern people. On December 5, 2013 the art of Don ca tai tu was officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

Mentioning Don ca tai tu, people often think of a unique folk art which is seen as a “specialty” of the southerners. People in the south, regardless of the rich or the poor, male or male, old or young can perform Don ca tai tu anywhere and at any time. Therefore, this musical art is performed at parties, in the orchard gardens on moon-lit nights, on the boats drifting along the green canals or at rituals, weeding, funerals and death anniversaries.

According to researchers, Don ca tai tu appeared in the late 19th century. It originated from Hue court music and soon became a gene of traditional folk music with the popular nuance of the southern watery area.

The word “amateur” in Don ca tai tu refers to an artist who is excellent in ancient music and has a special talent for playing the instruments and singing. It does not mean “unprofessional”. It means that the “amateurs” perform not to earn their living but to amuse themselves when they are happy and nobody can spend money buying their performance. However, their performing skill is not low because they have to practice diligently and create their own style. This musical art does not have its own performance costumes and the performers are not finical about the costumes. They only pay attention to dressing to suit the performance space when they perform at communal houses, temples or on stage.

According to Professor Tran Van Khe who has devoted his life to introducing the traditional music of Viet Nam in general and Don ca tai tu of the south in particular to the world, in the early 20th century Don ca tai tu developed strongly and quickly spread throughout the six provinces of the south. At that time, due to the interaction and emulation among the amateurs’ groups, their performing techniques were improved and the recording and systemization of the ancient songs were perfected. Many well-known artists in the Don ca tai tu circle in the south emerged, typically Nguyen Quan Dai (or Ba Doi) in Long An, Tran Quang Quon (or Ky Quon) in Vinh Long, Moc Quan Nguyen Trong Quyen in Can Tho, Le Tai Khi (or Nhac Khi) and monk Nguyen Chieu in Bac Lieu. These artists were accredited with promoting this art form to develop strongly in the first half of the 20th century.

The main musical instruments in Don ca tai tu include the moon-shaped lute, the two-stringed fiddle, the 16-stringed zither and the monochord, which are known as the “four major instruments”. In 1930, the guitar, violin and Hawaiian guitar were added. The Song lan (percussion) was also used for beating time. Traditionally, the instrumentalists rarely perform solo, but they perform duets (on moon-shaped lute and 16-stringed zither) or trios (moon-shaped lute, 16-stringed zither and two-stringed fiddle), sometimes on the flute. The most interesting part of the Don ca tai tu performance is the prelude of the instrumentalist and the recitatives of the singer to tune the instrument and inspire the performer, creating the atmosphere for the band. In the impromptu performance the singers often perform with their own style after the original based on the traditional music. It is their elements that create the new and appealing features of the performance.
Don ca tai tu has many different songs but in general it has 20 major songs called “Nhi thap huyen to ban” for four tunes, including six Bac songs expressing joy and broad-mindedness, seven Ha songs used in the solemn rituals, three Nam songs expressing comfort and elegance and four Oan songs describing the scenes of sadness, sorrow and separation. Additionally, there are eight Ngu songs, ten uninterrupted songs, many variants and new songs composed by maestros and talented artists.

For over a century, Don ca tai tu has existed, developed sustainably and become a daily spiritual food. It is also a “specialty” that the southern people use to treat the visitors to the southern watery area.

Vitality of Don ca tai tu. Unlike many types of folk songs, Don ca tai tu has a strong vitality. Not only domestic but also foreign tourists who visit Viet Nam love this art from because of its rustic, familiar, romantic and unique characteristics.

Professor Tran Van Khe said that in 1963, he asked musician Nguyen Huu Ba to record a single disc of Don ca tai tu to introduce to UNESCO. In 1972, he sent to UNESCO the second disc of this music performed by him and professor of music, Vinh Bao. Cocora Radio France invited Prof. Tran Van Khe and professor of music Vinh Bao (in 1972) and 16-stringed zither artist, Hai Phuong (in 1994) to record another two discs which were listed in the best-selling albums in France and were awarded the music critic award of the year.

We came to Bac Lieu Province, an area with a strong Don ca tai tu movement in the south. It is also the native land of musician composer Cao Van Lau who is the author of the song “Da co hoai lang” (Night drum beat causes longing for absent husband), a symbolic heritage of the Don ca tai tu village in Bac Lieu Province.

Every hamlet, village, commune, ward and city in Bac Lieu has Don ca tai tu clubs. At present, the province has 227 Don ca tai tu clubs with 2,143 members including 475 instrumentalists and 1,668 singers. Of these clubs, 55 clubs have been provided with equipment and tools for activities by the State. All clubs have periodic activities. Every year, Bac Lieu organizes a Don ca tai tu festival, providing more opportunities for the clubs to perform and enhance their professional skills.

For over 10 years now, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang and Ca Mau Provinces along with some southwestern provinces have annually organized a musical exchange to promote the Don ca tai tu movement to develop.

Nguyen Quoc Minh, Director of Cultural Centre and Chief of the Department of Culture in Bac Lieu City said that the community training course on “Singing the Da co hoai lang (standard version) and Vong co (Longing for the drum beat) organized by the centre was attracting a large number of people of all ages, including elderly people who are over 80 years of age and teenagers.

Le Thi Thu Thao, a 14-year-old girl in Nha Mat Ward said: “I like Don ca tai very much because since I was little I have heard a lot of songs performed by my parents, my mother’s sister and brother in the family’s events or at parties. I learn hown to take a breath and keep the rhythm so that I feel more confident when singing.”

With its achievements and proud tradition in the development of the Don ca tai tu art, Bac Lieu Province has been chosen to host the first Don ca tai tu festival in Viet Nam by the State. The festival will take place in April 2014 with the theme “Don ca tai tu – The inner voice of the southern people”.

To prepare for this event, a part from continuing the conservation and promotion of the Don ca tai tu movement, Bac Lieu has built and repaired 26 keys projects, typically the commemorative area for the southern Don ca tai tu and musician Cao Van Lau, the cultural and artistic exhibition center and Cao Van Lau Theature, and the Hung Vuong Square.

According to the latest statistics, the Don ca tai tu movement has spread to 21 cities and provinces throughout the country and has 2,258 clubs with 13,800 members, of whom the youngest is six years old and the oldest is 99 years old.

Besides the strong development of the Don ca tai tu movement, attention and large investment have been given to the research and training of this art form in a professional way. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest center for the training and research on Don ca tai tu in the country. Here, there are two units which can train professional artists in this art. They include the Traditional Music Faculty of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory and the Traditional Music Faculty of the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory and the Traditional Drama and Song Faculty of the University of Drama and Cinematography. There are also many Don ca tai tu classes opened by the house of culture in the city and districts and by the artisans to teach those who love this art.

It can be said that Don ca tai tu is the “soul” of the southern cultural heritage. It is not only an art form which shows the cultural traits as well as the simple, friendly, generous and affectionate personality of the southern people but also has a high ability to attract and connect the community, so it always has a strong vitality and exists immortally with the cultural life of the nation./.
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UNESCO lists Vietnamese folk music as world cultural heritage

The art of Don Ca Tai Tu's music and songs in southern Viet Nam has officially become a recognised UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

UNESCO announced the decision yesterday (Dec 5), during the on-going 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Known as a musical art that has both scholarly and folk roots, Don Ca Tai Tu (amateur singing) developed in southern Viet Nam in the late 19th century.

People in the south consider it an indispensable spiritual cultural activity and a highly valued part of their cultural heritage, which is performed at numerous events, such as festivals, ‘death anniversary' rituals, and celebratory social events. The audience can join in, by practicing, making comments or creating new words for songs.

The culture ministry's Cultural Heritage Department, said the music genre had met with the criteria to be included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

It has been transmitted from generation to generation through official and unofficial forms of education in all 21 provinces, where the art form is popular. Don Ca Tai Tu has continually been popularised through cultural exchanges among peoples, presenting their mutual harmony and respect.

The art form is played on a variety of different instruments, including the kim (moon-shaped lute), co (two-stringed fiddle), tranh (16-string zither), ty ba (pear-shaped lute), song lang (percussion), bau (monochord) and sao (bamboo flute), and the violin and guitar, which were adapted.

The musicians who contribute to Don Ca Tai Tu include master instrumentalists, master lyricists, master singers, instrumentalists, and singers.

According to The Thao&Van Hoa (Sports&Culture) newspaper, UNESCO hoped that with this honour, Viet Nam will continue implementing protection solutions to support local communities in the word of mouth transmission and official education syllabus. These activities should be carried out with the active participation of local people, experts, relevant organizations, as well as proper assistance from the State.

In a document sent to UNESCO, the Cultural Heritage Department reported that from 1997 to the present, the government has provided funds for the inventorying, collection and documentation of the music genre and supported Don Ca Tai Tu ensembles, clubs and families to organise the transmission of the art.

"During our survey tour, we listed 21 provinces in the south of Viet Nam that normally perform Don Ca Tai Tu. Among which, the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces of Long An and Bac Lieu reported the appearance of the music genre for hundreds of years," said the director of Viet Nam Institute of Musicology, Dr. Le Van Toan, as the inventory was completed.

"It is an impromptu art performance to show off the creativeness and artistry of the performers. They use art to serve their daily lives, not to earn a livelihood. That's why this music genre is much adored by the Southerners.

"To meet UNESCO's criteria, we worked with artisans and Don Ca Tai Tu organisations to complete the localities possessing the music form. The inventory was completed with the scientific consultancy from leading experts, including Prof. Tran Van Khe," Toan said.

With this honour, Viet Nam expects to increase respect for a valuable form of performance, encourage the community to recognise the value of cultural heritage, and to voluntarily take part in practising, developing, transmitting and safeguarding it. Further, it hopes to strengthen community cohesion and support the cultural identity of local people through musical exchanges.

By confirming its international cultural value, Viet Nam also expects to enhance international cultural co-operation and exchanges through transmission, dissemination, and education, as well as enhance the awareness and responsibilities of communities, local authorities and the State concerning the research, documentation, practice, transmission and study of cultural heritages.

Traditional Japanese Washoku cooking methods, millenia-old Georgian wine-making techniques and the Mediterranean diet were among 14 new entries added to UNESCO's list of "intangible heritage" in need of being preserved.

UNESCO entries

Envoys picked the new listings at a meeting in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, UNESCO said in a statement late on Wednesday.

They include the traditional use of the abacus for counting in China and a Christian festival in the French region of Limousin that involves holy relics being paraded before worshippers once every seven years.

Other additions are Belgian horseback shrimp fishing; the annual pilgrimage to the mausoleum of Sidi Abd el-Qader Ben Mohammed in Algeria; Taureg Imzad music; Jamdani weaving in Bangladesh; the Cirio de Nazare religious festival in Brazil; Sankirtana music from the Vaishnava people in India; a central Italian Catholic procession; an Orthodox holiday in Ethiopia and a Kyrgyz epic poem.

A naming tradition common amongst the people of Western Uganda and Mongolian calligraphy also made the list earlier Wednesday.

Established in 2008, the Intangible Cultural Heritage list comprises some 100 traditional events from around the globe and is designed to "help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance," according to UNESCO.

11 Incredible Terrace Fields

In order to make the best of poor soil, water conservation, and mountainous terrain, terraced farming was introduced by various cultures around the world. Extremely labor intensive to build, terracing allowed the land to support civilization’s increased need for crops, livestock and poultry. Erosion was avoided, rain and runoff water was preserved, and otherwise unused hillside became arable due to terraced agriculture. Not only do these terraced fields provide essential goods for the local people but they also feature some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.

11Sa Pa Terraces
Sa Pa is a town in northwest Vietnam not far from the Chinese border. The rice terrace fields, among the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam, can be found in the Muong Hoa valley between Sa Pa town and the Fansipan Mountain, on a backdrop of thick bamboo woodlands. Local mountain people, the Hmong, Giay, Dao, Tay, and Giay, grow rice and corn on these paddy terraces, along with vegetables. Because of the climate, only one rice crop a year can be produced, resulting in abundant malnutrition.


10 Pisac

The still intact terrace fields of Pisac, constructed by the Incas, are still being used today. These mountainous terraces consist of 16 different cultivation sections. Pisac, a word of Quechua origins, means “partridge”. Inca tradition dictated building cities in the shape of birds and animals, and as such, Pisac is partridge shaped. The Pisac terraces included a military citadel, religious temples, and individual dwellings, and overlooks the Sacred Valley, between the Salkantay Mountains. These terraces even boated two suspension bridges, the bases of which can still be seen.


9 Douro Valley


The home of port wine, the Douro Valley is located in northern Portugal, some distance from the city of Porto. The hills of the valley are covered with terrace fields of vines falling steeply down to the river banks. The scenery of the valley is spectacular with the colors of the land changing throughout the year as the vines mature. In autumn the vines take a reddish and golden color, while in February-March the almond blossom gives an added white pinkish tone to the region. As well as port wine, regular red and white wines are also produced in the valley.


8 Bali Rice Terraces


The archetypical Bali rice terraces are ubiquitous, and Balinese culture has depended on this method of agriculture for almost 2000 years. The Balinese stepped rice paddies were carved by hand, with rudimentary tools, and maintained by succeeding generations.
In central Bali, north of the village of Tegallalang in the Ubud district, lies a series of thriving stepped rice paddies, a favorite with travelers and photographers. Other verdant terraced rice paddies can be found in Sayan, Jatiluwih, Pupuan and Tabanan. In Bali, the terraced rice paddies are worked according to a well organized social order, called a subak. The subak manages the irrigation water sources, on a strict schedule, fairly distributing the water.


7 Choquequirao


Another Peruvian stepped agricultural site is Choquequirao, meaning Cradle of Gold. Seated on the border of Cuzco and Apurimac, this impressive terraced site, is located 3085 meter (10,120 feet) above sea level. Choquequirao contains a staircase configuration, made up of 180 terraces. Built in a completely different style than Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is much larger in area. One can only travel to Choquequirao by foot or horseback, and as such, is visited much less often than Machu Picchu. Without benefit of wheels, the trek to Choquequirao from Cachora can take up to four days!


6 Salinas de Maras


The Salineras de Maras, or Inca salt pans have been used for centuries. Salt miners direct natural spring water, containing high concentrations of salt, into the man made terraced flats, numbering around 3,000. This spring water becomes saline by leeching salt from the mountain itself. When the water is evaporated by the sun, thick salt deposits remain. The salt is then cut into huge slabs and transported to the markets. As in some of the Asian rice paddies, these salt pans are passed from generation to generation, and have been in use for centuries. If you plan on visiting, visit in the late afternoon, when the reflected sunset causes the salt pans to appear as if made of gold.


5 Ollantaytambo


During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru it served as a stronghold for the Inca resistance. The valleys along Ollantaytambo are covered by an extensive set of agricultural terraces which start at the bottom of the valleys and climb up the surrounding hills. The terraces permitted farming on otherwise unusable terrain. Nowadays Ollantaytambo is an important tourist attraction and one of the most common starting points for hike known as the Inca Trail.


4 Longji Terraces


The Longji or Dragon’s Backbone rice terraces were built over 500 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. The terrace fields are found in Longsheng about a two hours drive from Guilin. From a distance, during the growing season, these winding terraces appear as if they were green woven cables laid out over the hillsides, starting at the riverbank and ending near the mountaintop. One can meander through the paddies and villages, greeting and being greeted by horses, pigs, chickens and hard working locals. These rice terraces are Longsheng’s answer to limited arable land and a scant water supply.


3 Hani Terraces


The Hani rice paddy steppes are located below the villages on the side of the Ailao Mountains in Yuanyang, and have been cultivated for over 1,000 years. Also carved by hand by the Hani people, these rice terraces have turned a barren hillside into a lush sub-tropical paradise. These terrace fields support enough rice and fish cultivation for hundreds of thousands of people. Water is saved in the hilltop forests, and channeled down to the terraces for irrigation. The rice terraces are flooded from December to March, presenting a spectacular view to travelers.


2 Banaue Rice Terraces


Situated in the heartlands of the Cordilleras mountains of the Philippines and rising to an altitude of 1525 meters (5000 ft) are the Banaue Rice Terraces. The terraced fields were carved out by hand without modern tools by the Ifugao tribes and have been producing rice for almost 2,000 years. These terraces are so numerous, steep, and compact, that if stretched out end to end, they would wrap halfway around the globe. Lately, these under maintained rice terraces have been showing their age, as more and more Ifugao tribes people are emigrating to the cities.


1 Machu Picchu


One of the most beautiful and impressive ancient sites in the world, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Hawaiian historian Hiram Bingham after it lay hidden for centuries above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. The “Lost City of the Incas” is invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces and watered by natural springs.
Machu Picchu’s narrow terraces were constructed from stone blocks, with thousands of pathways and steps, connecting buildings, plazas and the cemetery. Water was channeled in via aqueducts that had been chiseled into the mountainside, for livestock and to irrigate crops of potatoes and corn. There are no growing crops today on Machu Picchu’s terraces, but a spectacular site none the less.

CAO DAI TEMPLE - WHERE THE FAITHFUL WORSHIP AMONG THE TOURISTS

JUST before midnight, the monks were still arriving. Dressed in long, flowing white robes, they resembled fireflies as they rode through the darkness on their motorbikes, descending on the towering temple at the heart of the Cao Dai holy land in southern Vietnam. Many were attending their fourth service of the day.

Removing his sandals and smoothing down his robes, Vo Huu Nghia, 60, who had befriended me that day last year, joined them. He silently entered the cavernous temple and, finding a spot, knelt down and began to chant his prayers. Above him were the serene faces of Jesus, Confucius and Buddha, while a giant all-seeing eye stared down at the few hundred worshipers.

“We are Vietnamese, this is our religion,” Mr. Vo told me later in halting English.

For 70 years this elaborate, dragon-adorned temple outside the small city of Tay Ninh, about 60 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) near the Cambodian border, has been the center of Cao Dai, which has five million adherents. While it is not the country’s dominant religion, it has the distinction of being its largest homegrown one.

Every year tens of thousands of visitors, pilgrims and tourists, visit the temple to worship or simply to gaze in awe at its vaulted ceilings, vibrant color schemes and praying masses. And then there’s its unusual collection of saints, prophets and religious iconography, which in range, kitsch and spectacle presents an impressive cross-section of religious and aesthetic styles. But that’s befitting a religion that aims to unite all of humanity through the common vision of an individual creator — the same God honored by most major religions. The protagonist of Graham Greene’s “Quiet American” (1955) described the temple like this: “Christ and Buddha looking down from the roof of a cathedral on a Walt Disney Fantasia of the East, dragons and snakes in Technicolor.”

I had been drawn to the temple after coming across a list of Cao Dai (pronounced gao-DIE) saints that included Joan of Arc, Thomas Jefferson, Sun Yat-sen (the revolutionary father of Chinese republicanism) and Victor Hugo. This diverse group was apparently drawn from those spirits who reached out to Cao Dai priests during séances to impart wisdom and guidance. Some, like Victor Hugo, were said to have regularly communicated with the Cao Dai from beyond the grave.

Visitors to the compound today won’t see a séance — the government banned the practice in 1970s — but there is more than enough to thrill and confuse even the most temple-weary tourist.

The compound has two ornate temples, and a pope’s office, in front of which believers subjugate themselves out of reverence for the first, and only, Cao Dai pope, Pham Cong Tac. (He died in 1959 in exile in Cambodia after running afoul of the South Vietnamese government.) The 188-acre grounds include dormitories and kitchens for the hundreds of resident priests, a high school, a hospital, forests and a large area for religious processions.

I decided to forgo the $6 daily tour buses from Ho Chi Minh City for a three-hour trip by crowded public transport to the nearby town, a journey that still afforded a view of the city’s vast sprawl giving way to miles upon miles of paddy fields. Tay Ninh is in a tropical, agricultural area, and besides the Cao Dai temple and the nearby Cu Chi tunnel system left over from the Vietnam War, there is little to draw tourists.

Checking into the nearest hotel in the small, ramshackle town that has grown around the outskirts of the temple complex, I quickly headed out for what would be the first of many Cao Dai services, which are held every six hours throughout the day and night.

Inside the main temple, worshipers and priests were already bowed, their heads planted firmly on the cool stone floor as they chanted words of praise, accompanied by a single drumbeat and a few stringed instruments.

Closest to the Divine Eye above the altar, several priests in bright red, yellow and blue robes adorned with a large eye and with elaborate headdresses led the worship. On the balconies above, foreign and Vietnamese tourists watched in silence, a concession made by the temple priests, who allow tour groups in exchange for much-needed dollars. (Every day, about a half-dozen busloads of visitors come to see the noon service before heading to the Cu Chi tunnels and then back to the city.)

Thirty minutes after the chanting had begun, it was over, and with that the worshipers stood up and quietly filed out. The priests and student priests remained, enjoying the cool temple air rather than braving the outdoor heat; some went to their rooms to rest.

Soon the tourists were gone too, and the only people left beside me were a handful of sun-worn priests occupying the temple, constructed to be the center of a holy land for a religion created from the vision of a civil servant in 1919.

Today’s striking multicolor, dragon-adorned temple was built from 1933 to 1955, and in architectural terms, is part church, part pagoda, crammed with ornate drums and gongs, haloed statues of saints and other holy figures, and lavish and colorful symbols of other religions. There’s also a sphere depicting the all-seeing Divine Eye — Cao Dai’s offering to the religious cornucopia.

http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/travel-news/61/cao-dai-temple--where-the-faithful-worship-among-the-tourists

Hoi An – the city must see during your lifetime

Hoi An ancient town has recently been selected as one of “Top 50 cities of the world you must visit during your lifetime” by the Travel websites Minube.

Being the only destination of Vietnam named in the ranked list, Hoi An ancient town was described as a historical trading port of the South-East Asia in the past as well as recognized the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Hoi An ancient town is the typical image of beautiful landscapes, wonderful cuisine and the unique combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Western old architecture and cultures.

http://www.indochinadiscoverytravel.com/

VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS

WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE OVER THERE ?

As lying in a tropical region, Vietnam features a tropical climate. Yet, the climate changes from region to region. The North has 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, whereas the South features 2 seasons: Dry and Rainy Season

Vietnam has a tropical climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 22˚C (72˚F) to 30˚C (86˚F). There are two distinct seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season. From April to October, most of the country is affected by south-western monsoons. The rains, which tend to be concentrated in the late afternoons, provide welcome relief to the heat. Travel to very remote areas may be affected by the rains, but overall they should not interfere with your trip.

Packing for a trip to Vietnam can be challenging, as the climate can vary depending on when and where you go. When the weather isn’t ideal in one area, it’s great in another. While Hanoi is cold enough to warrant a coat from December to February, this is an excellent time to visit Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Although the temperatures are consistent year round, various parts of the country, at certain times of the year, can be affected by unpredictable storms which may cause flooding.

NORTHERN VIETNAM (HANOI, HALONG BAY, SAPA)

The north is defined by four seasons with a cold winter and hot summer. The temperature can range from 5˚C (41˚F) in winter up to 35˚C (95˚F) in the summer. From April to October, it is generally warm and humid with average temperature around 31˚C (90 ˚F) and heaviest rainfall between July and August. The average temperature during the cold season (December to February) is 20˚C (68˚F). However, in the mountainous regions in the far north such as Sapa, the temperature can at times drop below zero (32˚F). The loveliest time of the year to visit is from September to December when there’s a good chance of clear skies and low humidity.

CENTRAL VIETNAM (HUE, DANANG, HOI AN)

The average high temperature in the central region is 30˚C (86˚F). Heavy storms and highest amount of rainfall occurs from October to December and is prone to flooding. The best time to enjoy the beach weather and cultural sightseeing is between February to August. 

SOUTHERN VIETNAM (HO CHI MINH CITY, MEKONG DELTA, DALAT)

The south has a dry and rainy season. The highest amount of rainfall is from June to October with 80% average humidity. The average high temperature year round is 32˚C (90˚F). The central highland town of Dalat has a year-round temperate of 18˚C to 21˚C (64˚F to 70˚F) earning it the epithet “City of Eternal Spring”. Beach destinations such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Phu Quoc Island are warm and sunny most of the year. However, the rainy season varies for each destination: Nha Trang (October to December); Phan Thiet (July to November); and Phu Quoc (June to September). 

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

There are three international airports, located in South, Central and North Vietnam. 

Tan Son Nhat Airport serves Ho Chi Minh City and is Vietnam’s busiest international air hub. Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport is the destination of choice for those concentrating on northern Vietnam, while a handful of international flights also serve Danang Airport, a useful gateway to the charms of central Vietnam.
 

Vietnam Airlines is the state-owned flag carrier, and the majority of flights into and out of Vietnam are joint operations between Vietnam Airlines and foreign airlines. Vietnam Airlines has a modern fleet of Airbuses and Boeings and the level of service on its international flights is starting to catch up with its bigger rivals.
 

Vietnam Airlines now offers links from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to many major cities in South East Asia, Asia, Europe, Australia and America regions.

AIRLINES FLYING TO & FROM VIETNAM

Aeroflot, hub Moscow Air Asia, hub Kuala Lumpur Air France, hub Paris Asiana Airlines, hub Seoul Cathay Pacific, hub Hong Kong China Airlines, hub Taipei China Southern Airlines, hub Guangzhou Japan Airlines, hub Tokyo Jetstar Asia, hub Singapore Korean Air, hub Seoul Lao Airlines, hub Vientiane

Lufthansa, hub Frankfurt Malaysia Airlines, hub Kuala Lumpur Philippine Airlines, hub Manila Qantas, hubs Sydney & Melbourne Singapore Airlines, hub Singapore Thai Airways, hub Bangkok Tiger Airways, hub Singapore United Airlines, hub Seattle American Airlines, hub Dallas Turkish Airlines, hub Istanbul Emirates Airlines, hub Dubai

TRANSPORTATION

There are several means of transport in Vietnam for your choice, but the most convenient one for foreign tourists would be taxi if you are in big cities or provinces. This is much more comfortable and quicker than public means of transport for getting around inside a city or province. However, if you are going to small towns or mountainous regions where taxi and public means of transport are rare, “xe om” or motorcycle taxi is your best choice.
OTHER NECESSARY INFORMATION
a) Time zone
Vietnam is GMT + 7 hours.
b) Useful Numbers in Vietnam
Police: 113
Fire: 114
Emergency: 115
Time: 117
Information: 1080
Directory Assistance: 116
International Operator: 110

WHAT CURRENCY SHOULD I USE?

Mostly Vietnamese Dong (VND) as this is Vietnam’s currency. Besides, US Dollars are also accepted in big cities and provinces in Hanoi, Hochiminh City, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, etc. 

WILL MY BANK MACHINE CARD OR CREDIT CARD WORK IN VIETNAM?

All kinds of credit and debit cards work in Vietnam, particularly Visa, MasterCard and JCB cards are now widely accepted in all major cities and many tourist centers. However, a 3% commission charge on every transaction is pretty common; check first, as some charge higher commissions than others. Some merchants also accept Amex, but the surcharge is typically 4%. Better hotels and restaurants do not usually slap on an additional charge.

If you wish to obtain a cash advance from Visa, MasterCard and JCB, this is possible at Vietcombank branches in most cities, as well as at some foreign banks in HCMC and Hanoi. Banks generally charge a 3% commission for this service. This is handy if you want to take out large sums, as the ATMs have low daily limits.

ARE ATMS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE IN VIETNAM?

It used to be just a couple of foreign banks as HSBC, ANZ, Standard Chartered bank Vietnam in Hanoi and HCMC that offered ATMs, but Vietnamese banks have now got into this game in a big way. Vietcombank has the best network in the country, including most of the major tourist destinations and all the big cities. Agribank, Vietin Bank and Sacombank are also well represented. Every branch stocks a useful leaflet with a list of their nationwide ATMs. Withdrawals are issued in dong, and there is a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). However, you can do multiple withdrawals until you hit your own account limit. ANZ offers 4,000,000d withdrawals per transaction. Most banks charge 20,000d per transaction. Cash advances for larger amounts of dong, as well as US dollars, can be arranged over the counter during office hours. 

SHOULD I CHANGE MONEY BEFORE I GO OR WHEN I GET THERE?

You should change money into USD as all big cities in Vietnam accept USD (if you don’t have USD yet). And you don’t have to change your USD or other currencies into Vietnam Dong (VND) before you go because you can easily do it in Vietnam at airports, big hotels, and big cities with banks. In this case, all you should do is to bring sufficient US dollars. However, if you are going to small towns with few banks, it’s best to change some into VND at home before you go to spend during your time there. Remember NOT to change to much as VND is not quite widely used outside of Vietnam. 

WHAT DOES "VAT" MEAN?

VAT means Value Added Tax, which is the tax levied upon the goods or services you buy for its added value. Normally, it is 10% of the goods, service value. So, customers have to pay 110% of the goods, service value. 

CAN I GET A VAT REFUND?

No, because this VAT is to be submitted to the Central State Treasury of Vietnam (the Government) later by those who sold you the goods, service. 

SHOPPING IN VIETNAM

Shopping in Vietnam is a fun and interesting experience, and guarantees good bargains to those who know what to look for. It is true to say that you can find nearly anything in Vietnam. Markets vary from high class shopping malls, supermarkets to bustling open market, galleries, boutiques and street stalls.

It is not recommended that you buy imported, famous branded products such as clothing, perfume or electronics in Vietnam as tax makes these items more costly than neighboring countries.

In terms of shopping for tourists, Vietnam is most famous for its handicrafts, war souvenirs, authentic clothing, art, antiques and gems. Hotspots include Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, each of which has a temping selection of everything from avant-garde art to sumptuous silk suits.

ART AND ANTIQUES

Vietnam has very strict regulations about exporting real antiques. There are several shops to hunt for art and antiques. Both traditional and modern paintings are a popular item. More sophisticated works are displayed in art galleries, while cheaper mass-produced stuff is touted in souvenir shops and by street vendors. Be careful and check your sources for certificates if they claim to sell you an original or antique piece. 

CLOTHING

Vietnam is emerging as a regional design center and there are some extravagant creations in the boutiques of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Clothing varies greatly from tourist T-shirts to beaded handbags and traditional Ao Dai (the traditional costume) made to fit your size. Items made from silk are a popular buy, with prices varying depending on the material and tailor. Pre-made traditional dresses are sold in many places. However, it is more recommended to have the dress made to fit your body, which takes more time and slightly more money.

Shoes, slippers and handbags made from traditional materials (silk and bamboo) can also become unique gifts and accessories. The Vietnamese traditional conical hat, can be found everywhere throughout the country, but hats made in Hue are most famous as they have a poem embroiled on the inside. None (conical hats) are favorite items for women in both rainy and sunny times. The best quality ones can be found in the Hue’s area. 

GEMS AND JEWELRY

Vietnam is rich in gemstones. The jewelry business is also increasing during current years, and sophisticated works are produced by both big businesses and traditional craftsmen. The quality of the gemstones sold is sometimes doubtable, so it is recommended that you buy gems at prestigious locations and be ware with cheap prices.  

WAR SOUVENIRS

Most war souvenirs sold today in Vietnam (for example, Zippo lighters engraved with platoon philosophy) are fake reproductions. Be careful while transporting these items as many airlines do not allow weapons, even fakes to be carried on their planes. 

HANDICRAFTS

Other popular handicrafts in Vietnam include lacquer ware, wood-block prints, and oil and watercolor paintings, blinds made from bamboo, reed mats, carpets, and leatherwork.  

TIP: BARGAINING

Bargaining should be good-natured, smile and don’t get angry or argue. Once the money is accepted, the deal is done. Remember that in Asia, “saving face” is very important. In some cases you will be able to get a 50% discount or more, at other times this may only be 10%.