My new blog

http://blog.yahoo.com/dinhhuyvu

A bite of Hue in Saigon

Hue food reminds one of not only sophisticated royal dishes but also simple culinary delights made of the best ingredients from river, green field and mountain in this former capital of Vietnam.

Be it a royal dinner or a simple bánh bèo, Hue food does not merely fill the stomach, it delights discerning palates that appreciate flavor, style and sophistication.

Among the many restaurants serving Hue food in Ho Chi Minh City, Nam Giao is the most famous. Set in a lane off Le Thanh Ton Street near Ben Thanh Market, Nam Giao is named after an open-air altar stage built in Hue in early 19th century where the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty performed offering ritual ceremony in the Spring to honor the Heaven and the Earth.

The cacophony of motorbike horns and market sellers fades away as one enters this restaurant. Though it is packed most of the time, the interiors of the restaurant are peaceful, relaxing, even intimate.

In a small garret on the second floor, diners sit on a wooden floor around a narrow bamboo table feasting on Hue specialties.

The restaurant is popular among not only locals, but also expats and tourists looking for authentic Hue cuisine. And Nam Giao has plenty of those.

The restaurant’s menu boasts of more than a hundred dishes, from appetizers to entreés, snacks and desserts.

NAM GIAO RESTAURANT

136/15 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, HCMC 116 Suong Nguyet Anh Street, District 1, HCMC

Hordes of Hue food lovers throng to Nam Giao for its exquisite bánh bèo (a fern-shaped cake), gỏi cuốn (spring roll) and mít trộn (jackfruit salad).

“I often head to Nam Giao with close friends for dinner. I also like to introduce authentic Hue food to my expat friends,” said Nguyen Thu Van, a fashion designer.

The most popular dishes on the menu are mít trộn, cơm hến and bánh bèo – all of which take much care and time to prepare in the kitchen.

To make mít trộn, young jackfruit is boiled for hours before being chopped finely. Other ingredients such as thinly sliced boiled shrimp and pork, rau răm (smartweed), fish sauce and lime are prepared meanwhile. Everything is tossed together in a wok with a spoonful of oil, and roasted sesame and nuts are added to create mít trộn.

The boiled and sliced jackfruit has neutrality that absorbs the various flavors of pork, shrimp, crunchy nuts and sesame. Mít trộn is a dish truly representative of Hue cuisine.

Cơm hến is a country dish of rice and baby clams, preferably harvested from Huong Giang, or Hue’s Perfume River.

Separating the tiny clams from their shells is a tedious and time-consuming process. To make cơm hến, the shelled clams are boiled and added to rice, which is cooked in the clam broth. Slices of banana flowers, star fruit, bean sprouts, mint and other herbs provide flavor and texture.

Sliced chili, fried nuts and fried pork fat are added to the mix, and the dish is served with a spicy clam broth.

Bánh bèo is another popular dish. To make it, boiled rice powder is poured into dozens of tiny bowls, then ruốc tôm (powdered shrimp), fried spring onion and small pieces of pork crackling are sprinkled on the surface. Bánh bèo is served with sweet and sour fish sauce fortified with sliced chili. It’s an eye-catching dish owing to the contrasting colors and the arrangement of bowls on a round bamboo plate.
Hue food is made of ingredients from a land of diverse geography and oozes love of family.
Most people come to Nam Giao to enjoy Hue flavors with their families and friends. For others, this restaurant is a place to reminisce about time spent and flavors discovered in the former feudal capital city.


Source: thanhniennews

Ba Na Hills offer getaway cable-car journey to peak

                           

by Khieu Thanh Ha

Commanding view: Perched 1,500m up a mountain 40km west of Da Nang, Ba Na Hills provide a welcome change from the coast.

Do you want to enjoy all four Vietnamese seasons in one day? Do you want to indulge yourself at one of the biggest indoor parks in the region?
For those who answer "yes", let me introduce the Ba Na Hills in central Da Nang City.
The city is one of my favourite holiday destinations due to its beautiful beaches and close lying Hoi An.
Although I have heard a lot about Ba Na, situated around 40km west of Da Nang, I only recently decided to visit the area.
The thing that first enchanted me was the double Guinness World record breaking cable car, honoured as both the longest and highest non-stop system in operation.
The 5,042m high cable car ride takes about 20 minutes, reaching a vertical rise of about 1,500m above sea level.

Quick changes: Visitors will enjoy weather of four seasons of the year in one day spending in Ba Na. — VNS Photos Khieu Thanh Ha

Sitting in the cabin, looking down upon the endless line of forests below, I witnessed breathtaking views of lush jungles, waterfalls, streams and wide vistas across Da Nang to the sea alongside the big white Buddha that first drew my attention to the hills.
The 27m high statue, visible for kilometres around, sits on a 6m lotus shaped support and is said to be the biggest in Viet Nam.
The Buddha is the symbol of the holy Linh Ung Pagoda which was built in 2004 and has a special pine tree with three different kinds of leaves in its courtyard.
Alternatively, you can scale the hills via a steep mountain by either car or foot.
As you climb the winding road to the beautiful Ba Na, the temperature and humidity drops away. When it is over 30oC on the coast, it is more likely to be between 15oC-26oC on the mountain.
Rain often falls between 700m and 1,200m above sea level, but around the hill station itself, the sky is usually clear, the view truly spectacular, and the air fresh and cool.
Mountain tracks lead to a variety of viewpoints that would make you weary of taking photos.
On the mountain it is spring in the morning, summer at noon; autumn comes in the afternoon, and cold winter at night.
I was surprised with the weather that was, in my opinion, better than that of famous Da Lat because of the lack of rain.
The site was first discovered by the French in the 1920s, who escaped the summer heat for its cool, refreshing air.
Local people were mobilised to build a road to the mountain peak and wooden bridges across the streams. One of them, the Debay Bridge, still exists.
The first villa was built in May 1919, followed by the first hotel in Ba Na, the Morin. Brick and wooden houses were also built to replace the low, thatch roofede houses. Modern facilities were installed, including electricity, water, a bakery, telegraph centres and a medical station.
After a brief heyday in the 1930s, the resort was abandoned and soon fell victim to the ravages of war and the encroaching jungle.
By the late 1940s, Ba Na resort had more than 200 private villas and lots of public works.
At present, when visiting the Tinh Tam Garden, you will have a chance to see the vestiges of the villas.
The war also left a wine cellar unscathed where you can taste many kinds of wines during your time here.

Back to the jungle: Tourists can see vestiges of hundreds of old French-style villas left from colonial days.

At the hotel, receptionists are helpful in showing you different trekking routes around the area, which is home to over a hundred species of flora and fauna.
The Fantasy Park in turn offers games for both adults and children. The park, according to its managers, is the biggest of its kind in Viet Nam.
Games including the Drop Twist Tower, Spin and Kiss and Spider Wall are organised here for free.
Night comes quickly on the mountain and you should not miss a campfire BBQ party that not only lures tourists, but also friendly and naughty monkeys who sometimes try and steal your food and drinks. — VNS

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Áo Dài: History and Significance in Vietnamese Culture

    There are many things that deeply impress people about Vietnam, among them is the Áo Dài. Those who know about Vietnamese culture or have visited Vietnam are often fond of the Áo Dài. Áo Dài is Vietnam's national outfit; it is usually worn during special occasions such as Tet, holidays, or weddings. Beside special occasions, Vietnamese high school girls also wear Áo Dài to class everyday.

This article was jointly written by Neil Nguyen and Isabella Nga Lai.

Looking at my mom’s old school pictures, (I) Isabella was inspired to write this article about one of the key essence of Vietnamese culture: the Ao Dai.  Coincidentally, Neil also did a write-up about the ao dai so we decided to combine our two pieces into this story today. The beauty and gracefulness of this dress leave a deep impression in foreigners  who visit Vietnam, and it has a strong effect in our hearts as well.

There are many things that deeply impress people about Vietnam, among them is the Áo Dài. Those who know about Vietnamese culture or have visited Vietnam are often fond of the Áo Dài. Áo Dài is Vietnam’s national outfit; it is usually worn during special occasions such as Tet, holidays, or weddings. Beside special occasions, Vietnamese high school girls also wear Áo Dài to class everyday.

Let’s have a close look at the Áo Dài:

(courtesy of Tran The Vinh)

Nut bam than ao: hooks (used as fasteners) and holes
Ong tay: sleeve
Duong ben: inside seam
Nut moc ket thuc: main hook and hole
Tà sau: back flap
Khuy co: collar button
Co áo: collar
Duong may: seam
Ong tay: sleeve
Kích (eo): waist
Tà truoc: front flap
Tà sao: back flap

History of Áo Dài:

The origins of Áo Dài trace back to 18th century where ‘Lord Nguyen Phúc Khoát of Hue decreed that both men and women at his court needed to adorn trousers and a gown with buttons down the front. Writer Lê Quý Dôn described the newfangled outfit as the áo dài (long shirt)’.

(courtesy of Kauffner)

In the 19th century, Áo Dài evolved to áo ng? thân: ‘The áo ng? thân has two flaps sewn together in the back, two flaps sewn together in the front, and a “baby flap” hidden underneath the main front flap. The gown appears to have two-flaps with slits down both sides, a feature preserved in the present day Áo Dài.’

In 1930, Cát Tường, a designer of Hanoi, created Áo Dài Le Mur with the inspiration from áo ng? thân and Paris fashion.
In 1950, the designers in Saigon tightened the fit to create the modern Áo Dài.
While its origins date back to ancient Vietnamese clothing, the modern version of the dress has transformed with foreign influences.  Nevertheless, the signature style is not lost: the ao dai is described as a tight-fitting silk tunic worn over pantaloons.
And there we have it as it is today! (with some fashionable variations).

(courtesy of xcanbiet)

Ao Dai’s colors and significance
Ao Dai comes in many different styles.  The color  indicates the wearer’s age and status.  Young girls wear the white Ao Dai, a typical school uniform which is often considered as the world’s most elegant and graceful school attire.  This white garment symbolizes youthful innocence and the wearer’s coming of age.  One of the most marvelous scene in Vietnam is when hundreds of school girls doned in white Ao Dai leave the gate of their school.  This sea of innocence and purity can melt the most hardened of hearts.
Ao Dai with soft pastel shades are commonly worn by older, unmarried girls in her mid-to-late 20′s.  Younger girls can also wear these colors, but typically only to special occasions.  Married women wear ao dai in strong, vibrant colors, usually over white or black pants.
Ao Dai Contests
Occasionally, there would be ao dai contests.  Usually held at Tet festival pageants (Read more on Tet Festivals around the US in OneVietnam’s blog article Spring Festival of Love), ao dai holds a large significance in Vietnamese traditions.
The Ao Dai Significance
OneVietnam Network loves the ao dai.  As a girl (Isabella), I believe that this dress is a national symbol of femininity.  As a boy (Neil), I enjoy the elegance and grace exuded when I see women wearing it.  How do you view the Ao Dai?

Source: onevietnam

Chau Doc - Next to the border to Cambodia

Chau Doc is home for many Khmer, Cham and Chinese and is only a few kilometers from the Cambodian border. The cultural diversity is obvious: the little town has many historical sites, such as the Thoai Ngoc Hau mausoleum and the Quan Cong temple. Chau Doc is located on the Hau Giang diffluence (Bassac River). There is lively boat traffic on the river and also a colourful floating market. The street market is worth a visit too.

Since the opening of the borders in 2000 there was a real boom. Many visitors who travel from Vietnam to Cambodia are passing the nice city. From here there are daily connections to Phnom Penh by speedboat (approx. 5h).

Chau Doc is one of the few places in the delta, which has an excellent hotel: The Victoria Hotel, which is situated directly by the river and offers a magnificent view of the floating houses and fish farms. There are numerous of these floating fish farms and floating houses under which people cultivate fish and freshwater shrimps in nets and wire baskets - a major export product of the region. Since larger companies are now on land this traditional way of fish farming in this particular way is dying out. Mainly catfish and tilapia are being cultivated. Many fish-processing plants have now settled in the neighborhood.

The Cham villages are on the opposite side of the river, near the floating houses and are accessible by boat. Here you can visit the great and modern Chau Giang mosque and the Koranic school which is affiliated with it.

High mountains - once islands in the sea

The surrounding mountains, the highest mountain is 700 meters high, are an extremely rare sight in the Mekong delta. These mountains once were islands in the sea, which were integrated into the landmass by the spread of alluvial land by the Mekong river.

The city of Chau Doc is also a starting point for excursions to the holy Sam Mountain (about 5 km away). On this 230 m high mountain you can have a gorgeous view of Chau Doc, the surrounding plantations, rice fields, small canals and the mighty Hau River, up to the Cambodian border. You can climb the mountain either by foot in about 45 minutes (2 km one way) or by a motorbike taxi (Xe om). Along the way there are numerous stations with refreshments and even a café at the top. Halfway you can find the newly built Tay An temple. The Sam Mountain is the fitness centre of Chau Doc, many locals gather here early in the morning for their morning exercise.

The highest mountain in the region Cam Mountain (716 meters) is located about 40 km south of Chau Doc and attracts many Vietnamese tourists. International tourists are rare.

Colourful Temples

In the town situated at the bottom of Sam Mountain are many important places for pilgrims, such as the temple of Lady Xu and the magnificent decorated Tay An Pagoda, which was built in 1847 with influences from Hinduism and Islam. They belong to the most popular temples in Southern Vietnam. Because of the numerous pilgrims, this is a very lively place.

The smelly Mam-fish belongs to the culinary specialty of the region. This fish is basically left over after the fish sauce production (Nuoc Mam). Numerous factories, which produce the fish sauce, are located in the vicinity of Chau Doc.

About 20 km from Chau Doc is the bird sanctuary Tra Su. People who want to visit Tra Su Forest should calculate at least 3 hours to see everything (for more information see Tra Su Forest).

Between Chau Doc and Long Xuyen you can find the archaeological site Oc Eo. This is believed to have been an important port city in the kingdom of Funan, who ruled the Mekong delta between the first and seventh centuries. Most of the excavations however were brought to the museums in Can Tho and Saigon.

Source: vietnamexplorienttravel