“Ho Chi Minh City – 100 interesting things” vote to be launched
written by seo
at Monday, May 20, 2013
Souce: Indochina Tours |
Free wireless Internet for Hue city
written by seo
| The authorities of the central province of Thua Thien – Hue has approved the plan to supply free wireless Internet service in the entire Hue city. |
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The plan will be implemented based on experience, learning from the similar plan that was successfully carried out in the ancient town of Hoi An.
In 2011, 22 broken phone boxes in Hue city were restored into free phone boxes where locals and tourists can make free urgent phone calls.
Early this year, Hoi An drew public attention when it became the first city in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia to offer free wireless internet in the whole city.
According to the local government, by the end of 2012, equipment would be installed completely in Hoi An and Cu Lao Cham Islet. At present, 50 out of the total 350 free wireless internet spots have been installed in central Hoi An.
With the free service, tourists can surf the web and check mail everywhere in the ancient town. If they want to use high speed Internet to listen to music and watch movies, they have to use internet cards supplied by the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT).
After the first phase, VDC 3 will implement the second phase of the project to bring wireless internet to the remaining area in Hoi An and the surrounding area.
Souce: Vietnam Tours
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Historic homes offer tranquil tourist retreat in Nha Trang
written by seo
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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Hoi An Lanterns
written by seo
at Friday, May 17, 2013
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.
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.
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 ToursSoures: Indochina Tours
People in Vietnam | Vietnam Tours
written by seo
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.
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
Soures: Indochina Tours
Why Visit Singapore ?
written by seo
at Friday, May 10, 2013
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Asian Exotic Holidays – Thailand
written by seo
at Thursday, May 9, 2013
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.
Tags: Vietnam Tours | Vietnam travel | Laos tours | Cambodia Tours
Soures: Indochina Tours
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Tags: Vietnam Tours | Vietnam travel | Laos tours | Cambodia Tours
Soures: Indochina Tours
