Vietnam

1. Some facts about Tet that tourists may feel interested Tet can be called “The National House Cleaning Day” by the youth. As Vietnamese people believe that the first days of the Lunar New Year can reflect how that entire year will be, therefore they prepare for Tet very, extremely serious. No one wants their house to be dirty all year long or in debt the entire year. So, before Tet, houses are cleaned, new clothes are bought, and debts are paid off, all done to have a fresh start to the upcoming year. Women in most families rush to prepare Tet’s traditional dishes like spring roll or Chung cake for family or friends gatherings because Tet also means “feast of the first morning of the first day”. Markets become crowded as a large amount of food and drink are bought. … [Read more...] about Tips for traveling Vietnam during Tet

Cai Rang Floating Market (CanTho Province) is one of the most popular floating markets in Mekong Delta. Spending their most lifetimes on rivers, people are used to living on floating boats. For them, floating boats can be not only their houses but their place of trading fruits, food, agricultural products and many others as well. The products are diversified and abundant, from fruits, vegetables, foods to commodities, drinks, clothes, and candies hung on a pole to attract customers. Also to reach the visitors’ satisfaction at the highest notch, other useful services and products are available as well from the mobile card, cosmetic, clothes to drinks. This helps tourists feel like they are now surrounded by the markets on land, not on a boat or river anymore. Cai Rang starts at 5 a.m and lasts until the afternoon. However, visitors should arrive in it before 9 a.m to admire its liveliest moments.  … [Read more...] about 10 days in Vietnam – Sensing the Timeless Charm

VIII. SOAI KINH LAM FABRIC MARKET – THE BIGGEST FABRIC MARKET IN SAIGON 1. History and present of Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market In Ho Chi Minh City, there are several markets that focus on a particular type of products. For instance, while Kim Bien Market is well-known for providing different kinds of chemicals used for agriculture, Soai Kinh Lam is a home to hundreds of fabric materials. Soai Kinh Lam was founded before 1975 but actual date is still unknown, but it was very little-known and not crowded. The market is also known as “Thuong Xa Dong Khanh”, or Dong Khanh Trading Center. Due to the government’s policy after Independence of Vietnam, people were not permitted to do their own business and the market was forced to shut down for many years. From 1989, the government with the new economic policy allowed the market to reopen. Since then, Soai Kinh Lam has developed and become a hot Saigon market for traders and buyers. Gradually, it attracted more and more … [Read more...] about Saigon Market- Top 10 Markets in South Vietnam

Vietnam Itinerary Day #3: Chu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple The Cao Dai Temple is a religious site which religion can’t be compared to any other religion in the world. It’s a quite modern religion and best described as a combined religion of Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism with a flavor of Confucianism and where Sun Yat-Sen, Victor Hugo and Nguyen Binh Khiem are the three saints. Make sure to arrive in the morning so that you can attend mass. Most tour groups will leave after half an hour or so but I suggest you to stay till the end. It’s very interesting to see and I recommend to go by private car to have more flexibility. After the mass continue to the Chu Chi Tunnels to learn about the history of the Vietnamese war. You can experience here yourself the small tunnels and how the Vietcong lived there and how they operated. This day trip is a traditional trip from Ho Chi Min City but a highly recommended one. … [Read more...] about VIETNAM – Must see things in two weeks; a sample Vietnam itinerary

How to enjoy Hanoi cuisine? I bet that when coming to Hanoi, you will have chance to be deep into a real food heaven. A lot of food tours are available. You can participate in some Hanoi vegetable farm tours, cooking classes in Hanoi or walk and join motorbike food tour, which is extremely ideal for those wishing to enjoy Hanoi’s cuisine with a local way. Or more interestingly, you can enjoy exploring a local market, where you pick your own ingredients and then your family can learn and make popular street food dishes by yourself, such as Mien Xao Luon, Bun Thang, Bun Cha, Pho or Banh Xeo and so many more. It can be a great experience for your family. … [Read more...] about Best Vietnam & Cambodia itinerary 9 days