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Duong Lam ancient village-a closer look into Vietnamese culture

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 09:12:40 +0000

Located about 60 kilometers from the West of Hanoi, Duong Lam ancient village is an interesting place that could offer visitors a close look at the lifestyle of Vietnamese people hundreds of years ago without having to travel too far from the city.

An alley in Duong Lam ancient village

Established about 1200 years ago, Duong Lam is one of the most ancient village in Vietnam. However, what are left today in this village are only around 400 year old. They are small houses and building made from laterite and mud, the 2 poplular materials that are abundant in local area. Laterite was use as the alternative for bricks and it could be found in and construction of the ancient village as walls, gates and wells.

Houses made of laterite feature the village

Walking around the place, you will see that most of the houses have their own well, but as a traditional, there is always a shared well for all inhabitants in a single hamlet and usually named after the hamlet. The shared wells are now in protection for the imprints off the villagers that they carry.

A well made of laterite

Also a popular architecture of villages in the North of Vietnam in the past, communal hall is a place to worship the one called “Thanh Hoang”, who is believed to be the founder of the village. Duong Lam infact is a group of 5 small villages so visitors can find 5 communal halls here. Doai Giap and Cam Lam communal halls dedicate to Phung Hung – the national hero who won the victory against invaders under Duong Dynasty; Cam Thinh communal hall dedicates both the founder of the village and great mandarin Cao Phuc Dien – the hero under Le Dynasty. Dong Sang communal hall worships the God but it was destroyed by fire and was restored by financial support from people. The god Tan Vien Son was dedicated in Mong Phu communal hall. So far, Mong Phu communal hall is a gathering place of the villagers for cultural activities. The communal hall was built carefully with sophisticated decoration details. It is considered as a flower of unique sculptural architecture.

A communal hall in Duong Lam

The village is an ideal cultural place for tourists, especially foreign visitors to see how the life was in Vietnam in ancient time. Also, besides the architecture, do not forget ask the way to the entrance of the village where the banyan tree has stood for hundreds of years and witnessed the village through many ups and downs.

The long standing banyan tree

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam:

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1900 Le Theatre-A night club for the nostalgic

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 08:14:43 +0000

Located at No. 8 of Ta Hien street, the one dubbed as the non-sleeping street of Hanoi, 1900 Le Theatre bar has been a popular hangout place for youngsters in Hanoi. The bar stands on the ground of the old Quang Lac theatre, whose name means spreading the joy, collapsed more than 100 years ago. There’s a group of youngsters in love with the classic values gave hands together to revive the moribund place and that’s how 1900 Bar, a night club, was born and the reason why it carries the classic spririt of the previous century.

1900 Le Theatre-the brightest star in the sky of night clubs in non-sleeping Ta Hien street

Launching with a nostalgic name in the beginning of 2016, 1900 bar started its path through whispers among Hanoi’s youngsters about an exciting place for weekend hang out. Gradually, the name of 1900 Bar was spread on Facebook continuously and this successfully impressed more people about an emerging playground with great music, impressive space and unique feelings compared to the contemporary luxurious night clubs in Hanoi, thus people started to flock here.

The nostalgic decorations inside the bar

If it’s your first time in 1900, you’re might be a bit surprised at the nostalgic atmosphere created by the creative decoration to act the old Hanoi out, which is unlike any where else in Hanoi. Every part of 1900’s walls carries the “breath” of Hanoi over years presented via paintings. The space, interiors and decorations of the bar is a perfect combination of the modern life and the classic values, the traditional calmness and modern energy.

Pictures acting the old Hanoi out painted on walls

The night club are featured by not only its special space but its familiarity, guests have no headache to think of how to dress up but are themselves. No one here would pay attention to someone just because the person comes alone. You can easily grasp a beer, dance in the music or walk around to make new friends without hesitation. It is said that there’s no boundary between tables here as long as you are willing to play hard.

Vibrant moments of the bar

Despite its familiarity, 1900 club is still extremely vibrant and it’s where you can play hard, go wildin and get “hight” in the nostalgic atmosphere or you can just simply sip some drink, shake your body with the music and watch other people to sense their energy.

Energetic and young guests in a party of music and light

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

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Hunting for wild sunflowers at Ba Vi national park

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 09:09:56 +0000

Ba Vi national park is about 60 kilometers to the Northwest of Hanoi, with the short distance and good quality of road, the park is the first consideration for a short escape from Hanoi. The location has diversity beauty varying in different period of a year.

Wild sunflowers carpet on Ba Vi mountain

Every year from October to November, there’s a piece of flower blooming here lighten the entire vast place. It’s call the flower that tells the winter is coming, it’s wild sunflower. The flower is too tiny compared to the giant sunflowers but they grow in bush, so when they bloom, they literally make a brilliant golden carpet covering large parts of the national park. The most gorgeous moment is in the morning when the flowers have just opened their petals, the yellow looks fresh and dew on leaves and petals is sparkling in the new sun.

Beautiful wild sunflowers

In the season of wild sunflowers, people, especially youngster love to flock here to capture the most beautiful period of Ba Vi national park and enjoy the beauty of the flowers. Maybe the flowers here in Ba Vi are not so briliant as in Da Lat but they still have an unique charm when blooming on the dark green of ancient forest with floating fog making the landscape look like a fairy land.

Flowers blooming in the fog

The pathway to the wild sunflower garden is quite easy, just go ahead from the entrance to Coste 400 and continue about 1 kilometer to the 3-way junction towards Coste 600 and stop at a guard station, here you ask for entry permission from the safeguard to visit Coste 700. From this point, go ahead 1km, turn left at a 3-way junction and keep going until reaching the fire lookout site, from there to the left some steps is the largest wild sunflowers garden in the park.

The perfect background for photo shoots

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

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Mai Chau, a short weekend trip to escape Hanoi

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 08:16:46 +0000

Located about 150 kilometers to the West from Hanoi, Mai Chau is the last district of Hoa Binh province, bodering to Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces. The path to Mai Chau takes 3 to 4 hours from Hanoi, so it is one of the top consideration for a short weekend trip for those who reside in the city of capital. Thus, it feels as if the peaceful place woke up every weekends when people flock here.

The beautiful Mai Chau in peace

Is the path to Mai Chau safe?

The pathway from Hanoi to Mai Chau is not so hard to conquer but if you travel for the first time, do notice:

The black spot of traffic accidents is Cun slope. It’s a stunning place with long and straight pathway but terribly steep.
Be careful to get over Thung Khe pass, the road is curvy and foggy in the evening causing short sight, you’d better slow down, turn on headlight and honk.
The stunning Thung Khe pass on the way to Mai Chau from Hanoi

How to travel?

Being located only 150km from Hanoi, you can either choose to drive to enjoy the journey or take a bus departing from Yen Nghia or My Dinh station. If you decide to drive, just turn on Google map and it would do a great work of a navigator.

When is the best time to visit Mai Chau?

Being a valley surrounded by mountains, Mai Chau is dry all year long so you can visit the place at any time of a year. However, the most beautiful period is still in spring around February and March. Coming the place in spring you will have chance to immerse in the the brilliant white of peach and plum blossom.

Brilliant peach blossom in spring

If it’s summer, the entire place is shiny green with the natural dress made from rice fields and forests.

The green Mai Chau in summer

In the winter, around September and October, Mai Chau wears a stunning gold dress, the entire place turns gold when the rice fields are ready for harvesting, the weather is cool and dry, just perfect for sightseeing.

Gorgeous golden valley in harvest season

And, whichever the season it is in Mai Chau, the evening is always fairly cold so make sure you pack your coat in your luggage.

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam:

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Tuyet Tinh Coc- a newly discovered heaven in Hai Phong

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 03:43:24 +0000

Tuyệt tình cốc is the name of a place in a beloved work of Jinyong-a famous author of Chinese wuxia novel. It’s a place of wonderland’s scenes where people escape from romantic love so they are no longer in pain of love. This name was imposed on a place of Hai Phong province, located in Thuy Nguyen dist, which has just popped up as a magic scene around 2 years ago.

The beauty of a fairy land

Only more than 120 kilometers from Hanoi to the Northeast but the way to Tuyet tinh coc is not so easy as the direction is not available on online map but believe me, it’s worth to find the way there. The place became viral after some local backpackers found it by accident and posted pictures of its on facebook. The place is a large lake surrounded by blue stone mountains. The place is colored mostly with blue and white. The surroundings are all peaceful surburd so the picturesque scene combine with the peaceful atmosphere makes the place a wonderland.

A great combination of picturesque scenery and peaceful atmosphere

Most of lakes in the mainland are dark yellow but Tuyet tinh coc has the abnormal beauty with the blue water. The lake is actually not a work of nature but human, it was created when a cement factory conducted their exploits here, the work resulted a large hole in surrounded by stone mountains. Time flies, rainwater and underground water accumulated into a large lake. The chemical reactions between the limestone and water gradually turned the water into different shades of blue. The unrealistic color of a lake located in mainland but separated with human live helps the place become one of the most favorite check-in point of the young. The journey to Tuyet tinh coc is described as a conquer of on-land heaven, which people can only catch on movies’ CGI.

The magic beauty turns out to be a work of human being

If you love to explore the new land, Tuyet tinh coc must be in your check list, just come here and take a look, it’s worth.

An ideal place for a short escape from hustle and bustle Hanoi

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam:

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Visit the capital of Buddha’s hand fruit, less than 20km from Hanoi

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:47:38 +0000

Drive along Thang Long Boulevard around 15 kilometers then follow the zigzag road you will reach Dac So commune, a small village in the outskirts of Hanoi that is the main source of Buddha hands fruit for the entire city every Tet.

Gardens of Buddha’s hands run to the horizon

Visiting the village on near Tet days, you will witness the busiest period of them in the year. Gardens of Buddha’s hands run to the horizon, inside, under the dark green foliage, there are countless of large and yellow Buddha’s hands aromatic scent. You have to see the gardens with your naked eyes to realize that those who grows them are not only farmers but fruit craftsman t

A Buddha’s hand fruit as pretty as a flower

o grow such pretty fruits.

For many years, Buddha’s hands fruit have become a must-have of its kind and a highlight of the 5-kind-of-fruit tray decorated on the altar of Vietnamese people. It could be said that no other fruit can be more suitable for Tet decoration than Buddha’s hand with its eye-catching shape, pleasant scent and long-standing fresh.

Every year at Tet holiday, this small village does not only meets the demand of the domestic market but it also exports pretty fruits to the international markets. In Dac So village, Buddha’s hands is their livelihood and Buddha’s hand is not an easy-cultivated plant so all year long the farmers have to spend all their time taking care of them and harvest fruits. However, luckily, the trees produce fruits all over the year and making big money for ones who take care of them.

Gardens cost billions of VND is a livelihood for Dac So farmers

In the mind of Dac So inhabitants, Buddha’s hands is the plant that deserve their attention more than any other of its kind. There is a common joke that people here love to say which is granting Buddha’s hand is an art and farmers are artists. It is not a coincidence that Dac So become the land of Buddha’s hand, things are there for reasons.

Eye-catching fruit ready for the harvest

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam:

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The 3 most beautiful streets in Hanoi to enjoy

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 08:48:11 +0000

Hanoi is a busy city with noisy streets, but hidden in the dusty city, there are still romantic and poetic streets that are full of peace nestling under the green foliage.

1. Phan Dinh Phung Street

Dubbed as the most green and romantic street in Hanoi, Phan Dinh Phung owns 2 famous rows of dracontomelon trees along its sidewalk. Being a busy street with vehicles run non-stop, the street is still strangely peaceful. No one could explain but wandering under the foliage on the street is a strangely peaceful experience, maybe this is the reason the street has been attracting countless of domestic and foreign tourists. Phan Dinh Phung is only around 1.5km in length but it has really large sidewalk where people can even play soccer or badminton on, Sunshine seems to never find the way to burn the street in the summer, so however it is hot out there, turning to Phan Dinh Phung street is always a journey to a different world, cool, green and peaceful. In the fall, dracontomelon put off their green costume, put on the bright yellow dress bringing beautiful nostalgic feelings about the school years.

A green street in the summer

2. Kim Ma Street

The famous street that is usually used as the background of wedding and Ao Dai photos. This is the world for those who are looking for the romance with perennial plants arranged evenly in the roadside and the sidewalk paved in red brick creating the poetic scene like a romantic film.

A green Kim Ma in the summer

The transition between autumn and winter witnesses the peak beauty of Kim Ma street, leaves turns yellow and fall of, covering the sidewalk with a yellow leaf carpet. This does look like a masterpiece of a famous artist.

And a picturesque Kim Ma in the fall with red leaves

3. Thanh Nien Road

The popular place for catching the sunset running along a part of West lake. Thanh Nien street is rated as one of the most beautiful and cleanest ones in Hanoi with spacious roadway and rows of green trees on two sides of sidewalk. Seen from above, Thanh Nien Road looks like a bridge covered green trees connecting 2 sides of the town.

A bright bridge at night

Every afternoon, this street turns the place for hunting the sunset. From the street, there is a great view towards West lake so it’s ideal to catch the most glorious moment of the day when the sun gradually disappear behind the sparkling water and roofs of the city.

The glorious moment of sunset seen from Thanh Nien street

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam:

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Temple of literature-a peaceful treasure in Hanoi

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 09:25:36 +0000

Hanoi is a small city that hides countless of amazing things that can charm even the most seasoned tourists. The hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s capital city is entangled with hidden sites of peace and serenity. One such treasure is Hanoi’s ancient Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university.

Nestled behind a walled compound with five separate courtyards, the Temple of Literature was built under the Ly dynasty in 1070 to honour Confucius and made Vietnam’s Imperial Academy shortly after, a prestigious school for top academics. Today, the temple honours Vietnam’s finest scholars and signifies the beginning of a uniform educational system in Vietnam.

Entrance of the Temple

The Temple of Literature is divided into five courtyards. The first two courtyards are where scholars relaxed under the large trees and manicured lawns. The second courtyard is famous of the Khue Van Cac pavilion. The wooden, red pavilion is built on four white stone columns and has an elaborate roof with two circular windows and a brass bell. The bell is only rung on auspicious occasions.

The turtles

The remaining three courtyards are also of great significance. The third courtyard hosts the Thien Quang well, with two large halls on either side that house the treasured Stelae of Doctors. The Stelae are turtle statues, carved out of blue stone, that have the names and birthplaces of all 1307 graduates from 82 separate Royal examinations. It is believed that rugging turtles’ head before exam will give students good luck but it’s already banned to preserve the turtles.

Khue Van Cac

The fifth courtyard, was built in 1076 when King Ly Nhan Tong ordered the construction of an imperial academy, this is where the actual academy is located, . Today, there are several exhibits here with a statue of Chu Van An, one of the Academy’s rectors and a beloved figure in Vietnamese history for his dedication to teaching. There are also numerous cultural events held at the hall in this courtyard, as well as displays of old uniforms that the scholars wore while studying there.

The bells at the Temple of Literature, similar to others across Vietnam, were only permitted to be rung by monks.

The bell tower

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam:

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Hanoi: first 5 things to do here

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:54:33 +0000

Hanoi is an interesting city with tons of activities waiting for visitors, let’s check out the first 5 things to do in this amazing city:

1. Go sightseeing

Hanoi is not a big city but there are countless of places for you to go sightseeing, especially the area surrounding Hoan Kiem lake with a bunch of famous spots located near one another as the lake itself, the Old Quarter, the lovely old Opera House…Besides, there are West lake, Temple of literature and so many other places to discover.

Hoan Kiem lake in the autumn

2. Discover the Old Quarter

A special place only few steps from Hoan Kiem lake, this is the place where you can learn about the vintage construction of Hanoi in the beginning of 20th century and also where you can find the best street food of Hanoi and find shops for souvenirs. If for some reason, walking is not a good option then hope on a “Xich lo” (cyclo) and enjoying the feeling of the higher class sitting on the “Xich Lo” in the 20th century, the driver will “walk” you through every street of the quarter.

Old quarter

3. Watch a Water Puppet Show

The recommended theater for the Water Pupet show is the one name Thang Long, address 57B Dinh Tien Hoang street, located in a dark green building lying at the interchange of Dinh Le and Dinh Tien Hoang street. This is the place where you will see puppets in the water perform Vietnamese traditions complete with Vietnamese talks and music. This ancient old art and form of entertainment is a Vietnamese unique traditional performance and therefore it will be something that you do not want to miss. It is not too expensive and time consuming then easy to fit into your busy travel schedule as well!

Water pupet

4. Join the night market

An unique experience. The night markets are open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night only. The place runs from Hang Dao street to some other streets then ends at Dong Xuan market. This is the place where you can find tons of souvenirs, local brands and also international brands. Not only sell stuffs, food is also served here in tiny counters. You can find a wide range of street foot from local dishes to Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes.

Night market

5. Enjoy the street foods

Street food is must-try thing in Hanoi. You can always find tiny food stalls on any street, grasp a chair, sit down and order some local dish. The stalls are amazingly cheap but the place where you can taste the authentic Vietnamese flavor that luxurious restaurant can’t offer.

Street foot in Hanoi

Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:

For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com

For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com

For exploring more parts of Vietnam: