Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Prayers at Tay Phuong Pagoda

Visitors at Tay Phuong Pagoda in Hanoi on the first day of 2011 - Photo: Thoa Nguyen
In the chill of winter’s rain and drizzle, we were determined to pray for good luck and happiness for the New Year.

About 40 kilometers from downtown Hanoi, we took a motorbike on Thang Long Boulevard, then made a turn to Thach That in Ha Tay District, and arrived at Tay Phuong Pagoda after an hour. Tay Phuong Pagoda is an old pagoda built in the 17th century and is famous for its 16 statues of Arhat.

The pagoda, which is also called Sung Phuc pagoda, is on top of Tay Phuong Mountain in Yen Hamlet, Thach Xa Commune, Thach That District, Hanoi. The pagoda has many valuable old statues of Buddha and is surrounded by shady gardens and trees.

We parked the motorbike and climbed the 239 stone steps lined by bamboo trees to the top.

The pagoda has been renovated many times since it was built in 1632. It has three buildings on the mountainside called Chua Ha (Lower Pagoda), Chua Trung (Middle Pagoda) and Chua Thuong (Upper Pagoda).

The earthen bricks were made in Bat Trang without any glaze. All the windows are round with symbols of Buddhism, pillars are made of wood and altars and statues are placed on stones carved into lotus flowers. The curved roofs have two layers.

In addition to the 16 statues of Arhat, the pagoda has 62 wooden statues of other Buddhists.

After wandering around the pagoda, we burnt incense and prayed with Buddha for a better life in a new year ahead.

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Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Hanging lake on Chua Mountain

Hanging Lake is always full between the sky and the mountain - Phto: Thai Hang
Local forest keepers in Ninh Thuan Province call it Hanging Lake. A five or six kilometers walk up steep paths through the dense forest of Nui Chua National Park, Hanging Lake is an unexpected sight on the mountain.

Tourists can catch the last train from HCMC to get to Thap Cham train  station at around 2am in the morning. The walk to Nui Chua starts at 8 or 9 in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. There are many starting points for the climb but the path from Vinh Hy Bay is the most popular, as tourists can combine the hike with a boat ride around the bay to explore its 16 beaches.

The first half of the walk is through an old construction site that has been cleared. The second half is through forest. Tourists are advised to take care walking over the fallen trees on the path and avoid the trees with thorny branches.

 One minute you are in the middle of the forest then suddenly the hanging lake appears out of nowhere, astonishing tourists with its unique beauty at such high altitude - a deep blue gem in the jungle. Frogs and insects shelter in the rocks in the lake from birds. Sometimes in the dry season, if you are lucky you can watch mountain goats, deer and monkeys playing. The lake is always full of water from streams and underground springs in the area. After a few hours exploring the lake, you can start the trek back to Vinh Hy Bay.

The trip cannot be made without an experienced forest keeper. Though access to the national park is still limited, tourists should not miss out on the experience. Without the boat tour, the trip to the lake costs a few hundred dong and some local hotels like Saigon – Ninh Chu have information desks for tourists.

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Christmas And New Year With Saigontourist

Many hotels, restaurants and resorts under Saigontourist Holding Company will hold parties to welcome Christmas and New Year

Palace Saigon Hotel (56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38292860)

The Christmas party, called “Angels’ Dances,” will take place at the ballroom (on the sixth floor) from 7:30-11:30 on the night of December 24. The program includes a masquerade, display of smoke and snow in the colorful laser light, and performances of a jazz band, singers and a children’s chorus. At the party, guests will enjoy European and Asian dishes coupled with wine; they will also dance as well as get masquerade prizes at the end of the party. Guests will each have to pay US$55++ to join the party.

Apart from the Christmas party, the New Year buffet party will also be held at the hotel’s ballroom on the night of December 31, from 7:30-11:30. The party goes with more than 50 European and Asian seafood dishes, wines, liquors and draft beer. It is accompanied with music and comedy shows. Guests can dance together with Philippine singers and are given prizes at the end of the party. Each diner is charged US$50++.

Bong Sen Hotel (117-123 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38291516)

On the nights of December 24, 25 and 31, the Buffet Ganh Restaurant of the hotel will hold Christmas and New Year parties with its traditional European and Asian dishes such as salmon paste, shrimp with bean sauce and grilled seafood. In particular, dishes from black Mong chicken are served for the first time. A glass of cocktail is given free to each diner. The party goes with violin and guitar melodies and a magic show. In particular, on the night of December 31, guests can join a lucky draw.

The parties will run from 6:00-10:00 p.m., with ticket prices of VND600,000 (US$30) for an adult and VND300,000 (US$15) for a child.

Lion Restaurant (11-13 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38238514)

Buffet parties will take place at the restaurant from 7:00-10:00 on the nights of December 24 and 31, with more than 40 dishes of different styles, especially smoked turkey, grilled calf thighs and grilled pig ribs. The parties goes with music shows of Filipino singers and a chorus for Christmas, and circus and magic performances, games, dances and comedy performances for the New Year’s Eve. Participants will get lovely gifts from Santa Claus and be able to take part in a lucky draw.

Ticket prices are VND579,000 for adults and VND379,000 for children. Those who buy tickets before December 15 are given a 10% discount. Tickets are also delivered to the customers’ door.

Lemongrass Restaurant (Floor 14, Palace Saigon Hotel, 56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38291520)

On the nights of December 24 and 31, Lemongrass Restaurant will hold Christmas and New Year parties with special dishes such as shrimp and cashew nut salad, grilled sheep ribs with mustard, and spaghetti with shrimps and lemongrass-chilli sauce. Desserts include fresh fruits flavored with chocolate and ice cream of four colors.
The parties run from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Ticket prices are VND680,000++ for adults and VND380,000++ for children. A 10% discount is given to those who buy a ticket before December 15. A 10% discount and one ticket are given to those who buy 10 tickets before December 15.

Vietnam House Restaurant (93-95 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCM City. Tel: 08.38291623)

On the occasion of Christmas and the New Year of 2011, Vietnam House Restaurant serves its special set menu with six dishes from December 23, 2010-January 1, 2011. These dishes are shark fin soup, basa catfish fillets spiced with salt and chilli, grilled pepper-spiced lobster, crispy half-burnt rice with coconut milk, cauliflower sautéed with beef and steamed banana cake with coconut flesh juice. Customers will be offered one glass of cocktail free. A set menu is priced at VND890,000++.

Saigon-Quy Nhon Hotel (24 Nguyen Hue St., Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: 056.3829922)

Ghenh Rang Resort (Han Mac Tu St., Quy Hoa Slope, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province. Tel: 056.2241119)
Christmas and New Year will be celebrated at Seaview Restaurant (on the eighth floor of Saigon-Quy Nhon Hotel) and Hoang Hau Restaurant of Ghenh Rang Resort from 6 p.m. of December 24 and December 31.

At Seaview, buffets with more than 40 European and Asian dishes go with music and magic shows, and lucky draws. Ticket prices are VND239,000 for adults and VND139,000 for children.

Meanwhile, Hoang Hau holds barbecues with more than 40 dishes and free drinks. The events are accompanied with music and magic shows and conclude with a lucky draw. Ticket prices are VND209,000 for adults and VND119,000 for children.

Santa Claus talks with children and gives them Christmas presents at the two places. At Saigon-Quy Nhon Hotel, guests will also have an opportunity to take photos of impressive designs and decorations set for the festive season.

Yasaka-Saigon-Nha Trang Hotel (18 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province)

Yasaka-Saigon-Nha Trang Hotel will hold a Christmas night for its guests and locals from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on December 24. The program consists of a party with traditional dishes, a music show with Christmas songs and dances, studying Christmas customs, and playing with Santa Claus and Princess Snow.

In addition, the hotel will also celebrate the New Year by a dinner with delicious dishes on December 31. The meal goes with a music show, a masquerade dance and a performance of its bartenders. By midnight, 2,011 balloons carrying best wishes are released from the top floor of the hotel and guests count down the last seconds of the year 2010, propose a toast to each other to welcome the new year and dance together. The dinner party begins at 9:30 p.m. on the second floor.

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Monday, January 3, 2011

Ha Long Bay receives 11,000 tourists on New Year days

Ha Long Bay receives 11,000 tourists on New Year days

Over 11,000 tourists flocked to Ha Long Bay in the northern province
of Quang Ninh during the first two days of 2011, up 10 percent over
the same period last year.


Of the total, foreign visitors made up of 80 percent.


On this occasion, streets, restaurants and hotels in Ha Long city are
decorated with banners of Happy New Year and several major hotels such
as Ha Long Plaza, Grand Ha Long and Novotel organised a wide range of
attractive activities for visitors.


In late 2010,
the Ha Long (Quang Ninh) – Fangchenggang ( China ) cruise officially
reopened after a long suspension, joining other international cruise
ships to bring foreign tourists to Ha Long Bay.


Last year, Quang Ninh welcomed 5.4 million visitors, up 12 percent as
compared to the previous year and earned 2.9 trillion VND from the
tourism, a year-on-year increase of 11 percent.


In
2011, the province’s tourism sector planned to receive 5.4 million
holiday makers, including 2.5 million foreigners and achieve a turnover
of 3 trillion VND./.

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