About 4km from the city center, Phu Vinh Village in Vinh Thanh Commune, is well-known in the area for its old houses, many of which bear unique characteristics. The city's culture sector has singled out six houses that are almost intact, including old-style interior decor as well as vintage household objects.

The coastal city of Nha Trang is located in Khanh Hoa Province in the south-central region of Viet Nam, 440km north-east of HCM City. Known for the friendliness of its people, the city is flanked by nearly 10km of white-sand coastline, where the clear waters are warm all year round.

But don't be fooled into thinking Nha Trang is just a beautiful beach-side location – there's so much more. You can check out the city's ancient houses, a fascinating example of the cultural heritage that is being preserved by local people.

According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Khanh Hoa has around 50 old houses, mostly located in the districts of Dien Khanh and Ninh Hoa, and Nha Trang City. One-third of the houses are more than 100 years.

Visiting these houses will give you an insight into old customs, worship practices and the way local people lived many years ago.

There are two different ways to Phu Vinh Village: by car or by boat. Under the August scorching sun, I decided to take a boat along the Cai River, which starts 900m above sea level in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak and runs through Nha Trang.

It turned out to be a smart choice. As I was heading up river to the village, I felt completely relaxed. Along the way you can see some quintessentially Vietnamese landscapes of palm trees on the river banks and makeshift bamboo bridges crossing the river.

The house sits in the middle of a massive garden, providing a complete cool atmosphere.

About 30 minutes from the pier at the foot of the Po Nagar Temples complex, the boat stops at a small pier on the property of 72-year-old Nguyen Xuan Hai. His property in the village is open to visitors as an example of the area's traditional architecture. Surrounded by a garden, from the pier to the house you will stroll along a path filled with green trees blowing in the breeze.

This is one of the only six antique houses left in this village. The houses were all built according to a layout of three rooms in a structure supported by 36 pillars.

Hai's house has been extremely well preserved and he boasts that the house has never undergone major repairs during the six generations that have lived here.

Built 200 years ago, the house still has its original wooden doors, altars and pillars, which are carved with inscriptions. In accordance with tradition, altars for worshipping the family's ancestors take a central position in the house.

Like other houses in the village, Hai's faces the southeast and has a roof of yin and yang tiles. That's why Hai told me "you would feel like there is an air conditioner running inside the house even when it's hot outside".

The house is located in the middle of a massive garden covering more than 1,000sq.m and filled with fruit trees and indigenous plants. If you come at the right time, Hai may even treat you with some seasonal fruit in his garden.

The house's owner also spends his free time sculpting tables and chairs from tree roots from the area. He regularly entertains visitors to the house and garden, sipping green tea or a soft drink and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere.

It's easy to see why this part of south-central Vietnam attracts people from all over the world. From the laid back atmosphere of the magical islands and beaches to the old houses by the Cai River, all give you a sense of the diversity and beauty of Viet Nam. 

Souce: Vietnam Tours

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15052013

Hoi An’s Japanese Bridge

Hoi An is a the perfect place to visit for a slice of history and culture. The town is also renowned for its lanterns and full moon celebrations.

Light on the water

Hoi An is lit up with thousands of colourful lanterns on the streets and on the river each month which adds that extra special something to this already beautiful part of central Vietnam.

Lanterns by day

The festival is full of traditional music and the lanterns represent prosperity and good luck, so our Tyler made a wish or two earlier in the year in this video – lets hope they come true.

If you would like to catch the full moon celebrations, here are the dates for the rest of 2013  -

Tags:  Vietnam Tours | Vietnam travel | Laos tours | Cambodia Tours
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People in Vietnam are an eclectic mix of cultures, languages and religions and up to 54 ethnic groups. The origins of the nation stem from a combination of Mongol races in north and east Asia, but with influences from China and India.

People in Vietnam are an eclectic mix of cultures, languages and religions and up to 54 ethnic groups. The origins of the nation stem from a combination of Mongol races in north and east Asia, but with influences from China and India.

Its population is the second largest in Southeast Asia, but Vietnam is the most ethnically uniform country with around 90 per cent of its population being Vietnamese.

The Vietnamese language reflects the diverse origins of the people who speak it. It is a fusion of monotonic Mon-Khmer, and Thai tonality and grammar. It also demonstrates the nation's history as its governmental, literary, and technical vocabulary comes from the Chinese, as Vietnam was a province of the country for over a millennium.

Though an original writing system was made in the eighth century using modified Chinese characters, it wasn't until the mid 1600s that a proper way of spelling was developed integrating Chinese accents to indicate tone.

Popularity of the script spread and was made the official written language of Vietnam in 1910 by the French and is still now learnt by all Vietnamese people.


Traditionally people dress modern but modest. The Ao Dai which is a basic long dress with a slit at each side is thought to be the most representative of the country. The dress reflects a grace and serenity that many of the people identify with, especially women. It is still common in daily life and can be uniform in many schools and universities.
In the past women used to blacken their
teeth which was considered beautiful.
Elements of these traditions are still reflected
in the many festivals that the nation celebrates
to remind the new generations of their
cultural heritage.

With influences from the east and west it
is common to now see people wearing
jeans or other more casual clothes.


Legend

A lot of Vietnamese people believe an old legend that they were "children of the dragon and grand children of the fairy" through many generations. A great number of historians and writers have taken the folklore as background for research and writing.

The legend says that the Vietnamese were created from a bag of one hundred eggs born out by a fairy called Au Co who was married to a dragon named Lac Long Quan, who was King of under the sea. The couple became separated and the fairy led 50 of their sons to a new nation and these were the Vietnamese people.

Origins

Ancient society didn't have different classes; instead people would call each other by their role in the family, such as grandfather, mother, brother etc even when they didn't belong to the same blood family. This was unique to ancient Vietnamese people.

They decorated their body by painting or tattooing.
As a fishing nation it was often attacked by underwater monsters and complained to the
King, who advised them to decorate their body
to make them look like the sea creatures so
they wouldn't be attacked.

People had their hair short in ancient Vietnam probably to make swimming easier. They wore
a short garment with the flap closing to the left
but would wear feather hats during festival times.

The history of Vietnam has been one of struggle
with Chinese imperialism, a two-pronged battle,
to avoid annexation and acculturation.


Food

Undoubtedly cuisine is a big reason visitors flock to the country every year. Pho is a typical food that tourists will want to try during their visit. Each region has its own type of food or fruit that it is proud of and that locals feel represent their home.

Relationships

Respect is an important part of maintaining relationships, which is a focus of Vietnamese life and is embedded in several religions and philosophies held dear to many of the nation's people.

It is most commonly shown by different ways people address each other, but can also be expressed by non-verbal behaviour, which can be misinterpreted by Western cultures.

Many students will not make eye contact with teachers as a mark of respect for them, but this could be misunderstood as suspicious behaviour in other cultures. If a local person offers you assistance it is customary to give them small trinkets as thanks such as cigarette lighters.

Men will often hold hands in public as a sign of friendship, but hugging is only used between families. However women are unlikely to shake hands with men or each other.


Storytelling

Telling stories is very popular among Vietnamese people. Whenever people meet they will talk about neighbours and friends or entertainment. Many topics that would be deemed personal by Western culture are talked about openly like age, relationship status, if you have children and how much you earn.

Vietnamese people can be very intimate and are therefore a very romantic race, not only with partners but also with their families, country and village.

Tags:  Vietnam Tours | Vietnam travel | Laos tours | Cambodia Tours

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As an expensive destination to travel to, and having a thriving economy, Singapore can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to finalising an itinerary for a trip around Asia, but it really does deserve a place on the top of any travellers wish list.

It’s most definitely worth visiting this bustling and vibrant city-state, even if you can only afford to spend a few days there.  You’ll find that there are more than enough attractions to keep you busy (you could easily spend weeks trying to experience everything there is to offer here) and you’ll probably leave feeling like you’ve had an enriching experience which has left you thirsty for more (with plenty of brilliant holiday snaps to remember the trip by too).

Asia’s a popular continent when it comes to the average backpacker’s wish list andSoutheast Asiain particular has some of the cheapest destinations you’ll come across. Singaporeseems to be an exception to this rule, but it’s likely you’ll have saved so much money on your trip through this amazing continent that you’ll be able to spend a few days living it up there.

Before we take a look at my recommended highlights of Singapore for those on a fleeting visit, let’s take a look at some interesting facts about the city: Singapore is ranked as the 4th most influential financial centre in the world, it is home to the world’s 2nd biggest casino gambling industry, has one of the busiest ports in the world and is home to more US Dollar millionaires than anywhere else on the planet (perhaps why the cost of living is so high here).

If you are lucky enough to spend some time in this marvellous place then don’t miss the following:

Singapore Zoo

With a host of unique attractions, the Singapore Zoo is said to be one of the best in the world (are you starting to see the pattern with Singapore?), perhaps one of the most popular attractions of all though is the fantastic ‘Breakfast with an Orangutan’ experience which allows the masses of tourists who flock to see it a chance to get up close and personal with these amazing primates.  You’ll get a tasty breakfast whilst the Orangutan’s get theirs, and there’s only a small barrier in between you and these gentle giants which makes the experience that little bit more special.

 Singapore can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to finalising an itinerary for a trip around Asia, but it really does deserve a place on the top of any travellers wish list.

It’s most definitely worth visiting this bustling and vibrant city-state, even if you can only afford to spend a few days there.  You’ll find that there are more than enough attractions to keep you busy (you could easily spend weeks trying to experience everything there is to offer here) and you’ll probably leave feeling like you’ve had an enriching experience which has left you thirsty for more (with plenty of brilliant holiday snaps to remember the trip by too).

Asia’s a popular continent when it comes to the average backpacker’s wish list andSoutheast Asiain particular has some of the cheapest destinations you’ll come across. Singaporeseems to be an exception to this rule, but it’s likely you’ll have saved so much money on your trip through this amazing continent that you’ll be able to spend a few days living it up there.
Before we take a look at my recommended highlights of Singapore for those on a fleeting visit, let’s take a look at some interesting facts about the city: Singapore is ranked as the 4^th most influential financial centre in the world, it is home to the world’s 2^nd biggest casino gambling industry, has one of the busiest ports in the world and is home to more US Dollar millionaires than anywhere else on the planet (perhaps why the cost of living is so high here).
If you are lucky enough to spend some time in this marvellous place then don’t miss the following:
Singapore Zoo
With a host of unique attractions, the Singapore Zoo is said to be one of the best in the world (are you starting to see the pattern with Singapore?), perhaps one of the most popular attractions of all though is the fantastic ‘Breakfast with an Orangutan’ experience which allows the masses of tourists who flock to see it a chance to get up close and personal with these amazing primates.  You’ll get a tasty breakfast whilst the Orangutan’s get theirs, and there’s only a small barrier in between you and these gentle giants which makes the experience that little bit more special.

Another popular attraction is the ‘Elephants at Work & Play’ show where the caretakers of these majestic giants (known as ‘Mahouts’) show you how they would work with the elephants in a typical elephant logging camp to move logs logs from within a forest through tough terrain with only minimal damage to the surrounding forest.  It’s a brilliant way to see how the mahouts interact with the elephants on a daily basis.
Sentosa
This fantastic island will keep you busy for some time if you want to explore everything it has to offer.  From beautiful beaches to golf courses, a glitzy casino and even a Universal Studios with 7 exciting themed zones, there really is something for everyone here.  You can either cross a bridge to the island or, if you’re feeling adventurous and have a head for heights, why not take the fabulous cable car across to the island and enjoy the brilliant views and spectacular photo opportunities on the way.

Merlion Park
The Merlion Park, and the Merlion statue that resides in it, is one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions and many thousands of tourists flock to see it each year.  The Merlion – with the head of a lion and body of a fish – is said to resemble a weird and wonderful creature once seen by a Sumatran prince in the days of legend and it represents Singapore’s ancient history as a thriving sea town.
Completed in 1972, the iconic statue weighs in excess of 40 tonnes and reaches around 26ft in height, facing the bay of Singapore and spewing forth a torrent of water from its mouth, it makes for a spectacular photo opportunity and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular attraction with tourists visiting this magnificent city-state.

If you like the statue then make sure you head to the 120ft high version on Sentosa island which has a viewing platform in the mouth that you can climb up to, a chance to get some more brilliant photo’s to remember your trip by.
Raffles Hotel
If you fancy splashing the cash for a day then the world famous Raffles Hotel is the place to visit.  Built in 1899 and with its imposing colonial style architecture, the hotel is one of the most famous landmarks in Singapore and has been the haunt of the rich and famous (past and present) for some time.  The hotel is also the home of the equally famous ‘Singapore Sling’ and it would be a crime to visit the city and not experience this cocktail in the place where it was originally invented (don’t forget to take part in the time honoured tradition of throwing your empty peanut shells on the floor).

raffles hotel

Night Safari

Last, but by no means least, the Night Safari is a tourist attraction not to be missed, extremely popular with tourists (expect it to be busy) and an amazing experience that will give you a unique opportunity to experience how nocturnal animals act in their natural habitat.

Everything’s been designed to make it look as close to nature as possible and you won’t see any fences or glass screens between you and the animals as the electric fencing and moats are carefully hidden to make it feel like you’re in the enclosure with the animals.

You can take a tram ride through the zoo to experience everything it has to offer, and there’s a brilliant ‘creatures of the night’ show which will keep the kids happy (if you have them in tow) and appeal to all ages.

In conclusion; a visit to Singapore is definitely worth the extra expense and you’re sure to be pleased with this amazing desination.  Whether you want to spend your time relaxing on an exotic beach, gambling the night away, blasting the plastic in the excellent shopping malls, simply just take in all the sights, Singapore really has it all.

Article supplied by MoneySupermarket.com, the UK price comparison website where you can compare travel insurance, flights, hotels, holidays and much, much more.

Tags:  Vietnam Tours | Vietnam travel | Laos tours | Cambodia Tours
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Thailand, Asian country with tropical climate, fantastic beaches and great food, is a magnet for travelers from all over the world. Many prolong their stay beyond the plan, and many other never leave. It’s a country that has it all, for all tastes and for all budgets: green jungles, sandy beaches with warm blue water, backpacker bungalows and luxury hotels, and one of the best cuisines in the world.

 

Thailand has three main weather season: cool, from November to February, when the temperatures can go as low as 55 degrees and there’s not much rain – best time to visit, especially during Chinese New Year; hot, from March to June, temperatures are around 104 F – good for time on the beach, bad for anything else; and rainy, from July to October, period of tropical monsoons.

In Thailand, you can find green jungles, waterfalls, and sandy beaches. The most developed beach resorts are Pattaya, Ko Samui and Phuket, but there are others with more relaxed vibes, such as Ko Chang. In the jungle, you probably won’t see any tiger or elephant, but if you want to spend the night there, you can expect to meet deers, gibbons and all sorts of birds.

In the cities, you can enjoy traditional Thai massage that will help you feel relaxed and energised, or simply you can enjoy in the Thai food. 

 Booking some of the worldwide flights to Thailand is a good start to come here. Air lines are regular and most of the western European countries, USA, Canada and rest of the Asian countries keep regular direct lines to Thailand.
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Australia is one of the most interesting countries to visit and it offers a lot of unique places to see, it also offers unique culture and nature. The entire territory of Australia, from the islands near the mainland, across the desert areas with wild nature and unique animal species, to the urban parts of the country, is magnificent and fascinating. The list below is gives you top 10 Australian tourist attractions. List is subjective thing

Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia and offers a lot of interesting tourist locations. The most famous is, off course, Sydney opera house. It is designed by the Dutch architect John Utzon. Tourists are allowed to see the backstage and the front of the house. Beside the Opera house, other tour destinations are the Hunter Valley Wineries, Harbour Highlights Cruises, Jenolan Caves, the marine aquarium at Darling Harbor and many others.

Perth is the city with a wide range of attractions from a sight-seeing, wildlife, aquatic fun and adventures to Aboriginal culture and dance. Attractions that should be seen in Perth are: Perth Zoo, the Perth Mint, Stirling Gardens, Lake Monger, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, His Majestys Theatre…

Tasmania is the place where you can go to take a break of the fast urban life. It is very unique place for holiday, and the nature and wilderness are inseparable. The reasons for visit Tasmania can vary… From rich Tasmanian history and culture, spectacular beaches to the mountains and lagoons. Tasmina is widely well known for its wild life and beauty.

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. You can call it hidden natural treasure. It is host of an endangered species of wild dogs, Dingos, and several types of fish found only in Australia. With the beaches that looks like haven, it is very popular holiday destination for people all over the world.

Kakadu National Park is declared as one of the World Heritage sites in Australia. Stretching for more than 200 km south from the coast and 100 km from east to west, Kakadu National park has a rich wild life and native plants. It is also home to about 500 Aborigines.

Uluru is the largest monolith rock in the world and it is one of the greatest world natural wonders. Uluru is considered to be an ideal activity at sunrise and sunset; it is the time when the range of colors across the red rock is available, changing in fascinating patterns.

 Cairns is the main entry point for Great Barrier Reef visits. Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. It stretches about 80 million acres along the North East Australian Coast. It is home to some of the world’s rarest sea organisms and here you have opportunity to see them and observe them.

Kangaroo Island is a small and peaceful place. Here you can be close to wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys. Sounds very interesting, don’t you think?

Adelaide is one of the best planed cities in the world and offers a lot of attractions. It is ideal place to get away, but in the same time offers interesting night life. Close to Adelaide are the Adelaide Hills with national parks and reserves. About one hour from Adelaide is the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions.

Jamison Valley is famous for its wonderful cable car tour. The Valley has a picturesque landscape that attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists a year.

As we said Australia has lot to offer and these places are only part of thousands and thousands of Australian attraction… Some will say these places are not the best of Australia, but as we said on the begining this list is subjective… Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Here is gallery with bunch of images from mentioned places, enjoy.

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Despite being very busy helping the participating teams to prepare for the DIFC 2013, Mr Joe Ghazzal, the Director of Global2000 International Company from Malaysia, the consultants for the event, managed to find time for a short interview with a Da Nang Newspaper reporter to share information about the festival.
Q: What are the new and more attractive aspects of this year’s festival compared with previous years?
A: This is the first time that Team Russia has participated in an Asian fireworks competition. The newcomers are expected to thrill the audience with their unique performance. In addition, the spectators will be enchanted by the different cultural values and numerous beautiful lighting effects, as well as the melodious music background. The performances of the participating teams will play a vital role in ensuring the success of the festival.

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams?
A: The professional contestants have competed in many fireworks competitions around the world. In addition, they have their own pyrotechnic technologies as well as secrets about their fireworks performances. The participating teams will arrive in the city from 22 - 24 April.
Q: What are the main differences between the DIFC and other foreign fireworks competitions?
A: Fireworks competitions in other countries usually take place on 2 non-consecutive days. Therefore, visiting spectators tend to just watch one evening’s displays. By contrast, at the DIFC they have an opportunity to enjoy all of the performances because they are held across 2 consecutive evenings.
During the festival, there will be a wide range of attractive activities including a parade of boats decorated with flowers, candle-lit flower garlands floating on the river, and musical performances featuring the cultural characteristics of the participating teams. Thanks to all of this, the festival is expected to attract a large number of both domestic and international visitors. Some are coming from the USA and Germany, and from other countries too..

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