Monday, December 30, 2013

Argentine Cultural Week to open in Hanoi, HCMC

An Argentina Cultural Week will be held in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from December 14-18 to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.



    Co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the     Argentine Ministry of Culture, the event will encompass a photo exhibition, a film fest, art performances, a book launch and a seminar depicting the life and career of Eva Peron, the late Argentine president’s wife (1919-1952).


  Over the past 40 years, relations between Vietnam and Argentina have    achieved measureable success in various fields,such as, economics, politics, investment, trade, and culture.


    In particular, culture plays a significant role in contributing to tightening solidarity between the two governments and the people.


In 2012, President Ho Chi Minh’s Statue and Vietnam Park were unveiled in capital Buenos Aires, Argentina, expressing its government’s appreciation of the great Vietnamese leader.


In September this year, Argentina held a Vietnam Week, a similar event aimed at promoting bilateral relations.



Argentine Cultural Week to open in Hanoi, HCMC

Unique architecture of churches in Vietnam

Vietnamtrips introduces some churches with typical architecture throughout Vietnam.


1. Tra Co church, Quang Ninh province


The Tra Co Church is located in Tra Co Ward, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh Province. The church was built in the 80s of the 19th century and restored in 1995. The church has hundreds of relieves and an 80-year-old bell.


famous churches, vietnam church


2. Phat Diem Church, Ninh Binh Province


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


This one of the most unique architectural works in Vietnam, with a statue of the Cross on a lotus.


famous churches, vietnam church


The church complex is arranged on the ground in the shape of a Chinese script meaning “King”, with the structure showing the oriental markings with a front lake and back mountain.


famous churches, vietnam church


This work is built by big rocks, with four statues on the roof.


3. Wooden Church, Kon Tum


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


This is a unique architectural work which has stood firmly during the past century. The church is located right in the middle of Kon Tum town. With the architecture style, an interior decoration mixed between the local and western culture, the church attracts many tourists inland and abroad coming to contemplate.


The official name of the church is the head church of Kon Tum, but people here used to call it wooden church as almost of this religious construction is made of wood. Designed in Roman architecture style combined with the shape of house on stilts of the Central Highlands community, the church includes of five main parts: the cross tower of 25m height, two roofs – upper and lower – tiled with slate tiles, the walls, dome and the floor. All are made of prestigious kinds of wood such as ironwood, rosewood, etc. The most impressive is that the church includes more than 100 pillars arranged in four rows: two rows inside the room and two others close to the walls. All the pillars are equal in shiny black with diameter of 40cm.


The interior is decorated with wood combined with brocade and tree cover, which express the skillfulness of the minor ethnic artists, but arranged in European style, making a strange feeling to the visitors. In overall, the wooden church is just like a giant cross. Inside the church, there is a display room introducing about the custom and tradition of Central Highlands minor ethnic groups. Not far from the church is friary of Kon Tum built by the first diocesan of Kon Tum in 1935, with similar structure as a church but with larger scale.


4. Mang Lang Church, Phu Yen Province


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


 


 


The church is 35 kilometers north of Tuy Hoa City. It is one of the oldest churches in Vietnam.


The church was built in 1892 by French missionary Father Joseph Lacassagne in gothic style. This place was the native village of blessed Andrew of Phu Yen beheaded in 1644. It is now an important shrine, as Andrew was declared Patron of the youth. Alexander de Rhodes wrote here his Cathechismus in octo dies in Latin and Vietnamese (Quốc ngữ) and printed it in 1651.


5. Buon Ho Church, Dak Lak Province


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


 


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


 


 


 


6. Nha Trang Cathedral


 


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


 


The Nha Trang Cathedral is the largest church in the city of Nha Trang. This neo-Gothic-style Cathedral was inaugurated on 14 May of the year 1993 by father Louis Valley. The Nha Trang Cathedral occupies an area of 760m2 with capacity for 600 people, the Cathedral gardens and the outdoor range 2500 m2. The Cathedral is entirely made of cement reinforced and equipped with a colorful stained-glass Windows.


Situated on a hill about 10 meters high, this hill before the construction of the cathedral was much higher, however the French used explosive charges to 500 and level the land and build the access road, reducing the height of the hill on which sits the cathedral of Nha Trang.


Inside, the church floors were paved using rocks, but the most striking are the neon lights adorning the cathedral. We have red neons behind the crucifix, a form of white lights halo over the statue of the Virgin Mary, neon pink in the tabernacle and every one of the arches of the structure, neon blue.


The exterior of the Cathedral of Nha Trang are decorated with numerous statues of saints.


7. Domaine de Marie Church, Da Lat


famous churches, vietnam church


famous churches, vietnam church


The Domaine de Marie Church, also called Mai Anh Church or Cherry Church, is home to the Roman Catholic nuns of the Mission of Charity.


Actually, that’s why many people think that there’s a feminine charm attached to the architecture of the church. Located on a nice hill at 1 Ngo Quyen St., Ward 6, nearly 0.6 mile southwest away from the city center, it is a 29.6-acre architectural complex consisting of the main church and two convents.


It offers a scenic panoramic view of the city. It was built from 1930 to 1943 following the 17th century French style. Before 1975, this is the main abbey with more than 50 female nuns, most of which are Vietnamese who carry out social activities like opening orphanages and kindergarten.  However, because its architecture is the harmonious combination of Western art and Vietnamese folk art, the church definitely stands out from other ones created at the same era.


8. The Cock Church, Da Lat.


 


 


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


 


 


The church on Tran Phu Street near the city’s post office is better known under the name of Nha Tho Con Ga (Rooster Church), because on the top of its bell tower sits the statue of a rooster.


Historical documents show that the church started out as a small chapel built by the French in 1920 and named Hic Domus Est Dei. Two years later it was rebuilt into a 26-metre-long, eight-meter-wide cathedral with a 16-meter-tall bell tower.


From July 1931 to January 1942 the church was enlarged again to turn it into the largest cathedral in Da Lat. Currently, it is 65 meters long and 14 meters wide and boasts a 47-meter-tall bell tower.


The bronze rooster statue on the top of the tower is 66 centimeters long and 58 centimeters tall. The rooster replaces the customary displays the cardinal points and is a favorite animal of the French.


The cathedral’s architecture also recalls the French influence and mimics European Catholic churches in the Middle Ages. It has 70 French-made stained glass windows which color the sunlight falling through them.


The main door of the church, itself located on a hill, looks toward Langbian, the highest mountain in Da Lat.


9. Bao Loc Church, Lam Dong


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 


famous churches, vietnam church


10. Tac Say Church, Ca Mau Province


 


famous churches, vietnam church


 



Unique architecture of churches in Vietnam

Clip: Adventure Vietnam Food - Part 3

The Last part in our series. Don’t skip this clip. Aventure is out there!




Clip: Adventure Vietnam Food - Part 3

The morning in Thien Cam

20 km from Ha Tinh to the southeast, Thien Cam beach has unspoiled beauty with the shape of a dan cam (musical instrument). A morning like any day on this idyllic land.




thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach
The morning in Thien Cam is a bustling fish market. Everything caught the previous night is sold at the fish market on the beach.


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach
The seafood sold here is shrimp, crab, fish, sea nails, etc. The market opens for only several hours, from 4-5am to 7-8am.


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach
There are three beaches in Thien Cam, the main beach is 3 km long with white sand, clear blue water.


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach
Dawn at the sea.


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach
Thien Cam sea is very gentle, without no big waves to surf.


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach


thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach
Prepare for early shoot.

thien cam, fishing market, morning, sea, beach

The morning in Thien Cam

Flora – Fauna in Bach Ma National Park

Studies of the biodiversity of Bach Ma’s forests show clearly that the park supports a very large number of plant and animal species.  This is partly due to the variations in altitude and also because the park is located within the transition area of two bio-geographical zones containing species from northern and southern Vietnam.


 


Bach-ma-park-hue-top-cloude


Cloud on the top of Bach Ma park


Flora in Bach Ma National Park


The vegetation includes two main formations: tropical lowland forest below 900 m and subtropical submontane forest between 900 and 1450 m – latter being the richest and are less disturbed by human influence. The flora of Bach Ma includes 2,147 species which represents around one-fifth of the entire flora of Vietnam. Of these, 86 species are listed as endangered in the red book of Vietnam. There are also over 500 species which have commercial potential as medicinal plants. Bach Ma has given its name to at least three plant species: Piper bachmariaefolia, Cissus bachmaensis, and Elaeocarpus bachmaensis.

In the summit area there are some species of rare conifers like Bach Ma pine (Dacrydium elatum), Podocarpus neriifolius and Podocarpus fleuryi. In February, the red blossoms of the Rhododendron species – Rh. simsii – can be seen along small streams and in particular at the bottom of the Rhododendron waterfall.

Forests contain such valuable broadleaves trees such as species from the Dipterocarp family, rosewood and eaglewood. On the upper mountain, tree species of the oak and chestnut family are prevailing.

Forests are rich in palms such as rattans and fishtail palms as well as in ferns and orchids.

Due to the effects of spraying with herbicide chemicals and bombing during the Vietnam war the original forest in parts of the national park has suffered considerably.


Flowers of Rhododendron simsii - the only species of this kind in Bach MaFlowers of Rhododendron simsii – the only species of this kind in Bach Ma

Tree ferns are commonly seen on steep, moist slopes and ravines of the upper areas of the park.Tree ferns are commonly seen on steep, moist slopes and ravines of the upper areas of the park.

Dacrydium elatum – locally called “Bach Ma pine” – a common conifer in the summit area

Fauna in Bach Ma National Park


he fauna of Bach Ma National Park is very various with a lot of endemic and rare species. Until now, scientists have identified 1.493 species including 132 species of mammals (occupy half of all mammals known in Vietnam), 358 bird species, 31 reptile species, 21 frog species , 57 fish species and 894 insect species. Nine species of primates are confirmed in Bach Ma, including macaques, langurs, loris and the white-cheeked gibbon. The elusive Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) was only discovered in Vietnam in 1992 and is also present in the protected area. Large predators, such as tiger and leopard, may still remain in remote areas of the park.


Bach Ma National Park, Fauna in Bach Ma National Park, Flora in Bach Ma National Park, Bach Ma National Park tour, Bach Ma Hue


he 358 species of birds that have been observed in the park represent over one-third of the species found in Vietnam. There are seven species of pheasants, including the rare endemic Edward’s pheasant (Lophura edwardsi). Historically, this species was very common in the forests along the foot of the mountain but was already considered to be extinct by the 1940s. More than 50 years later, it was rediscovered in the park and has become the symbol of Bach Ma National Park.


The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) is one of the less known larger mammals whose classification is still unclear.The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) is one of the less known larger mammals whose classification is still unclear.


The park was originally proposed to protect the Edward’s pheasant (Lophura edwardsi).


Red-shanked Douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus), one of the rare primate species to find in Bach Ma


Red-shanked Douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus), one of the rare primate species to find in Bach Ma



Flora – Fauna in Bach Ma National Park

Unspoiled beauty of Truoi Lake – Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda in Hue

Located at the foot of Bach Ma National Park, Truoi Lake is quite and unspoiled attraction by tourists in Thua Thien Hue Province. Truoi is a famous local name which is associated closely with Truoi Mountain, Truoi river, Truoi village, Truoi people and also Truoi Lake in Loc Hoa commune


Truoi Lake in hue, Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda in Hue, truoi lake by boat, truoi lake - bach ma park by motorbike, Hồ_trươi_trúc-lâm-bạch-mã-huế


A view of Truồi Lake from Trúc Lâm Bạch Mã Pagoda


From Hue City on National Highway 1A for about 30 kilometers and then onto a shade covered village road, Truoi Lake lies amidst magnificent mountains starting from the Bach Ma Range. The lake has a 50-meter embankment and a capacity of 60 million cubic meters of water.


tour thien vien truc lam bach ma, tour hue - truc lam bach ma ho truoi, tour ho truoi - thien vien truc lam bach ma

View from Pagoda



The water of Lake Truoi is kept back by a dam constructed in 1996, that irrigates the farmland near Hue. On an island in Lake Truoi stands Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda, in 2006 built by the Vietnamese School of Zen Buddhism, Truc Lam Yen Tu  You can only reach it by boat and then have to climb 172 steps to the monastery. You can hire boats on the shore to get anywhere on the lake.


Reaching the wharf, which is about 100 meters from the embankment, tourists can board a 15-20 seat boat to start the excursion.


Truoi Lake in hue, Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda in Hue, truoi lake by boat, truoi lake - bach ma park by motorbike

Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda in the middle of the lake



After sailing around for 30 minutes, tourists may get lost in the fascinating wilderness with the murmur of streams ahead and the hundreds of rocks emerging out of them. Here, tourists can take a bath or sit on the rocks for fishing. All daily worries and stresses will surely drift away with the flowing water.


After that, tourists can explore the forest at the foot of Thanh Long Mountain to enjoy the wildlife. The forest is home to many species of seasoned trees and wild animals.


On the way back to the wharf, tourists should not miss Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda nestled on the peak of a hill to contemplate its elegant architecture as well as to find tranquility for the soul. Tourists must first conquer 172 stones step to reach the pagoda but the panoramic view of Truoi Lake is worth the sweat.



Unspoiled beauty of Truoi Lake – Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda in Hue

Hue beef noodle – the typical culinary art of Hue!

In Hue city, the former citadel of Vietnam, it doesn’t take you a lot of money to dine like a King!



Hue beef noodle takes its origin from the Royal HueCity of Central Vietnam. The broth is from cooking beef bones for a long period of time as well as a variety of different spices including lemongrass.


How does it taste? Well, having a bowl of Hue beef noodle, you will easily recognize that it is completely different from Pho since the former’s beef broth is much more spicy.


How to make it? Learning how to make a clear broth from bone and meat is quite a difficult task. After being selected from the market, the fresh beef will be shredded, boiled and taken out of the water to obtain a delicious clear broth. A typical version of Hue beef noodle must include pork, roast beef, pig’s blood, Vietnamese salami, Hue’s style salami, shrimp sauce and chopped lettuce.


The interesting thing is that, the amount of salt put in the beef noodle recipe varies between seasons. For example, during summer, Hue beef noodle soup is served with soy bean, mint and different kinds of lettuce while in the winter, the recipe is saltier added with lemongrass and fish.


The best Hue beef noodle comes from the street vendors who work from dawn to early morning. In Hue, when night lights are on, you can enjoy a good bowl of this noodle soup at restaurants in front of No. 84 Mai Thuc Loan Street. This hot dish represents just a few of the treasures of Hue’s traditional cuisine. Clam-rice and the flour pies like beo (streamed flour cupcakes), nam (wrapped shrimp pies) and loc (tapioca and shrimp pies), for examples, are part of the ancient capital’s culinary heritage.


Where to have Hue’s beef noodle in Ha Noi?


You are in Hanoi, and wondering if such a Hue’s specialty appears in Hanoi or not. Don’t worry, Hue beef noodle come up quite often in many streets of Hanoi from morning till night. It’s better to ask your hotel to recommend a place nearby or you can refer to the following reliable addresses:


  • No. 4 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi

  • No.467 Đoi Can Street, Hanoi

  • No.7 Thai Phien Street, Hanoi

  • No.22 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hanoi

  • No.175 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi

  • No.G23 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Hanoi


Hue beef noodle – the typical culinary art of Hue!