Delicious Cakes of Hue

Delicious Cakes of Hue

Delicious Cakes of Hue

Countless articles have been written and stories told about the history and people of the Imperial City of Hue in Central Vietnam, yet one of its most overlook contributions to the country’s culture is the delicious Banh Hue ( Hue cake).

Banh Hue is the umbrella term for the cakes of which there actually are many different types, differing on ingredients and processing procedure but all sharing the common base ingredient of rice flour.

Phrynuim leaves are used to wrap the cakes, the most typical of which is the Banh nam. To make this cake requires skilful hands that can arrange the pastry evenly on the leaf, topped off with a fried shrimp then wrapped into a rectangular shape. Banh nam is considered a delicacy and is served with shrimp pie.

Banh bot loc (sticky tapioca flour dumpling).

Banh khoai (plain rice flan).

Banh cuon with grilled pork.

Banh ram it.

Banh nam.

Banh beo (steamed savoury rice cake).

Banh bot loc is made from the finest tapioca flour, hence its cover is pliant and so translucent that the shrimp inside the wrapping can be seen. Both Banh nam and Banh bot loc are served hot.

Banh khoai (plain rice flan) is smaller, but contains many more ingredients. The main material is mixed flour. The fillings include shrimp, pie, lean pork, fresh bean sprouts, chicken egg and green onion. Banh khoai is served with a salad consisting of aromatic herbs, sliced green banana and fig, and a special sauce made from fined grind rice flour, thick soya sauce, fried sesame, and chopped pig liver.

Banh cuon with grilled pork is delicious and easy to make. The steamed pancake is the size of one hand but thick enough to roll the grilled pork inside. It is served with a dipping sauce consisting of shrimp broth, lemon, fish sauce, garlic, sugar and chilly, so the sauce is salty, sweet and sour, and spicy.

These delicious cakes are loved not only by people from Hue, but also nationwide, and they are served in restaurants specialized in making Hue cakes in big cities, including Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Countless articles have been written and stories told about the history and people of the Imperial City of Hue in Central Vietnam, yet one of its most overlook contributions to the country’s culture is the delicious Banh Hue ( Hue cake).

Banh Hue is the umbrella term for the cakes of which there actually are many different types, differing on ingredients and processing procedure but all sharing the common base ingredient of rice flour.

Phrynuim leaves are used to wrap the cakes, the most typical of which is the Banh nam. To make this cake requires skilful hands that can arrange the pastry evenly on the leaf, topped off with a fried shrimp then wrapped into a rectangular shape. Banh nam is considered a delicacy and is served with shrimp pie.

Banh bot loc (sticky tapioca flour dumpling).

Banh khoai (plain rice flan).

Banh cuon with grilled pork.

Banh ram it.

Banh nam.

Banh beo (steamed savoury rice cake).

Banh bot loc is made from the finest tapioca flour, hence its cover is pliant and so translucent that the shrimp inside the wrapping can be seen. Both Banh nam and Banh bot loc are served hot.

Banh khoai (plain rice flan) is smaller, but contains many more ingredients. The main material is mixed flour. The fillings include shrimp, pie, lean pork, fresh bean sprouts, chicken egg and green onion. Banh khoai is served with a salad consisting of aromatic herbs, sliced green banana and fig, and a special sauce made from fined grind rice flour, thick soya sauce, fried sesame, and chopped pig liver.

Banh cuon with grilled pork is delicious and easy to make. The steamed pancake is the size of one hand but thick enough to roll the grilled pork inside. It is served with a dipping sauce consisting of shrimp broth, lemon, fish sauce, garlic, sugar and chilly, so the sauce is salty, sweet and sour, and spicy.

These delicious cakes are loved not only by people from Hue, but also nationwide, and they are served in restaurants specialized in making Hue cakes in big cities, including Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Delicious Cakes of Hue

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Sticky rice and fresh-water anabas

Sticky rice and fresh-water anabas

Sticky rice and fresh-water anabas

Fresh-water anabas from Set Lagoon is known as a special dish of Hanoi because the lagoon is revered as having the tastiest fish in the area, especially in autumn with the rice paddy begins to turn yellow. It is recorded that in the days when Vietnam had kings and lords, the anabas from Set Lagoon was served at the royal table.

Anabas can be prepared in a number of ways but a popular dish in Hanoi is fried anabas with sticky rice, as prepared by Kinh Ky Restaurant at No.31 Hang Voi Street, Hanoi.

According to Van Anh, the owner of the restaurant, to make the dish it is necessary to select anabas with a yellow, plump body. After cleaning, scaling and gutting, put the fish in a pot of water and boil. When the water starts boiling, skim to keep the broth clear. When the fish is well-done, remove all the meat from the bones and add to it a dash of seasoning. Crush the head and put it and the fish bones in a pot of water and boil to create a tasty broth. Filter the broth with a colander and use to cook the sticky rice. Fry dry onion until brown and add the fish with a tablespoon of fish sauce. Lastly, cover the sticky rice with the fish meat and steam for a few minutes.   

Place the sticky rice and fried fish in a small earthen pot.

The dish is served hot.

Fresh-water anabas from Set Lagoon is known as a special dish of Hanoi because the lagoon is revered as having the tastiest fish in the area, especially in autumn with the rice paddy begins to turn yellow. It is recorded that in the days when Vietnam had kings and lords, the anabas from Set Lagoon was served at the royal table.

Anabas can be prepared in a number of ways but a popular dish in Hanoi is fried anabas with sticky rice, as prepared by Kinh Ky Restaurant at No.31 Hang Voi Street, Hanoi.

According to Van Anh, the owner of the restaurant, to make the dish it is necessary to select anabas with a yellow, plump body. After cleaning, scaling and gutting, put the fish in a pot of water and boil. When the water starts boiling, skim to keep the broth clear. When the fish is well-done, remove all the meat from the bones and add to it a dash of seasoning. Crush the head and put it and the fish bones in a pot of water and boil to create a tasty broth. Filter the broth with a colander and use to cook the sticky rice. Fry dry onion until brown and add the fish with a tablespoon of fish sauce. Lastly, cover the sticky rice with the fish meat and steam for a few minutes.   

Place the sticky rice and fried fish in a small earthen pot.

The dish is served hot.

Sticky rice and fresh-water anabas

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Fresh Herring Rolls from Phu Quoc Island

Fresh Herring Rolls from Phu Quoc Island

Fresh Herring Rolls from Phu Quoc Island

Herring is enjoyed in different ways, however, Goi (the dish made from raw herring and vegetables) is most popular and a specialty on Phu Quoc Island .

After selecting fresh herring and cleaning, the fish is boned and sliced into thin pieces. Next, the meat is mixed with a dash of sugar, seasoning and garlic. Other important ingredients are rice paper, mints, some varieties of forest vegetables and shredded coconut meat that is sweet, crisp and tasty.

To prepare the food, place a stack of rice paper in a dish of water to make them pliable. Dip every piece of fish into a boiling broth made mainly from coconut milk, rice vinegar, sugar, seasoning, pepper and garlic. Place the fish and some vegetables on the rice paper and roll it up. The dish is served with Phu Quoc fish sauce spiced up with pieces of red pepper.

Herring is enjoyed in different ways, however, Goi (the dish made from raw herring and vegetables) is most popular and a specialty on Phu Quoc Island .

After selecting fresh herring and cleaning, the fish is boned and sliced into thin pieces. Next, the meat is mixed with a dash of sugar, seasoning and garlic. Other important ingredients are rice paper, mints, some varieties of forest vegetables and shredded coconut meat that is sweet, crisp and tasty.

To prepare the food, place a stack of rice paper in a dish of water to make them pliable. Dip every piece of fish into a boiling broth made mainly from coconut milk, rice vinegar, sugar, seasoning, pepper and garlic. Place the fish and some vegetables on the rice paper and roll it up. The dish is served with Phu Quoc fish sauce spiced up with pieces of red pepper.

Fresh Herring Rolls from Phu Quoc Island

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Hue-style Rice with Salt

Hue-style Rice with Salt

Hue-style Rice with Salt

People in the imperial capital of Hue are very good at cooking so they have many recipes to unique and delicious dishes using salt with cereals, vegetables, meat and fish. One of these delicacies is rice served with salt. There are up to a dozen kinds of salt, such as muoi tieu (pepper salt), muoi vung (sesame salt), muoi sa (lemongrass salt), muoi rieng (galingale salt), muoi tom (shrimp salt) and muoi thit heo (pork salt). The dish is imbued with the culinary art of Hue and is a favourite of both the poor and the rich.

Rice served with nine kinds of salt.

People are finicky about processing the different kinds of salt by frying, steaming and braising. It depends on the processing methods to create the distinctive colours and tastes of each kind of salt.

Previously, only special guests were given a feast of rice with different kinds of salt and the dishes were placed on small, antique plates or bowls that looked eye-catching and smart. The rice was cooked from fragrant Nang Huong rice in a small earthen pot.

When enjoying the dish, it is necessary to chew slowly to enhance the fragrance of the rice and the salty, peppery, sweet, greasy taste of different kinds of salt.

At present, some cooks make the effort to search and preserve recipes to make the dish with the hope of preserving a culinary feature of Hue. For this reason, visitors to Hue will have a chance to enjoy this delicacy.

People in the imperial capital of Hue are very good at cooking so they have many recipes to unique and delicious dishes using salt with cereals, vegetables, meat and fish. One of these delicacies is rice served with salt. There are up to a dozen kinds of salt, such as muoi tieu (pepper salt), muoi vung (sesame salt), muoi sa (lemongrass salt), muoi rieng (galingale salt), muoi tom (shrimp salt) and muoi thit heo (pork salt). The dish is imbued with the culinary art of Hue and is a favourite of both the poor and the rich.

Rice served with nine kinds of salt.

People are finicky about processing the different kinds of salt by frying, steaming and braising. It depends on the processing methods to create the distinctive colours and tastes of each kind of salt.

Previously, only special guests were given a feast of rice with different kinds of salt and the dishes were placed on small, antique plates or bowls that looked eye-catching and smart. The rice was cooked from fragrant Nang Huong rice in a small earthen pot.

When enjoying the dish, it is necessary to chew slowly to enhance the fragrance of the rice and the salty, peppery, sweet, greasy taste of different kinds of salt.

At present, some cooks make the effort to search and preserve recipes to make the dish with the hope of preserving a culinary feature of Hue. For this reason, visitors to Hue will have a chance to enjoy this delicacy.

Hue-style Rice with Salt

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O mai in the Shape of Animals

O mai in the Shape of Animals

O mai in the Shape of Animals

O mai, sweetened and spiced dried fruit, is considered a typical delicacy of Hanoians and anyone visiting the capital will want to buy O mai as a gift for their relatives or friends.

Among the shops selling O mai on Hang Duong (Sugar) Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Gia Loi Shop owned by Bui Van Hung, is well-known for delicious and unique O mai. Here, there are various kinds of O mai in the shapes of tortoises, rabbits, squirrels, ants, storks and shrimp, which are made from a variety of fruits including wampee fruit, apricots, mangoes and star-fruit.

Two gold-fish made from sugar-coated canariums and mangos.

O mai in the shape of animals made by Bui Van Hung.

Young people are interested in O mai at the shop of Bui Van Hung.

Thanks to his great passion, skillfulness and creativeness, Bui Van Hung creates unique products imbued with his own designs. To make tortoise-shaped O mai, he uses a dried persimmon to create the turtle-shell and a dried kumquat to create its head. The tortoise is also made from a dried persimmon. He also creates cute rabbits with long ears and short tails, which carry a small drum. These are made from dried canariums, grapes and sugar-coated kiwi fruit. He also skillfully turns star-fruit into squirrels with long tails. From sugar-coated persimmons, he creates lifelike lobsters whose claws are made from bamboo toothpicks. He also makes characters, such as Sun Wukong, Zhu Baje and Sha Wujing from the famous film “Journey to the West”.

With its unique O mai products, Gia Loi Shop has become a popular address for both domestic and foreign customers.

O mai, sweetened and spiced dried fruit, is considered a typical delicacy of Hanoians and anyone visiting the capital will want to buy O mai as a gift for their relatives or friends.

Among the shops selling O mai on Hang Duong (Sugar) Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Gia Loi Shop owned by Bui Van Hung, is well-known for delicious and unique O mai. Here, there are various kinds of O mai in the shapes of tortoises, rabbits, squirrels, ants, storks and shrimp, which are made from a variety of fruits including wampee fruit, apricots, mangoes and star-fruit.

Two gold-fish made from sugar-coated canariums and mangos.

O mai in the shape of animals made by Bui Van Hung.

Young people are interested in O mai at the shop of Bui Van Hung.

Thanks to his great passion, skillfulness and creativeness, Bui Van Hung creates unique products imbued with his own designs. To make tortoise-shaped O mai, he uses a dried persimmon to create the turtle-shell and a dried kumquat to create its head. The tortoise is also made from a dried persimmon. He also creates cute rabbits with long ears and short tails, which carry a small drum. These are made from dried canariums, grapes and sugar-coated kiwi fruit. He also skillfully turns star-fruit into squirrels with long tails. From sugar-coated persimmons, he creates lifelike lobsters whose claws are made from bamboo toothpicks. He also makes characters, such as Sun Wukong, Zhu Baje and Sha Wujing from the famous film “Journey to the West”.

With its unique O mai products, Gia Loi Shop has become a popular address for both domestic and foreign customers.

O mai in the Shape of Animals

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Activities mark 277th anniversary of Chieu Anh Cac poetry association

Activities mark 277th anniversary of Chieu Anh Cac poetry association

Activities mark 277th anniversary of Chieu Anh Cac poetry association

A wide range of cultural and sporting events are being held in Ha Tien town, Kien Giang province to celebrate the 227th founding anniversary of the Chieu Anh Cac poetry association (1736-2013). The activities include a parade, photo and calligraphy exhibitions, folk games, Xiangqi (Chinese chess) playing, a culinary festival, poetry recitals and ‘don ca tai tu’(Southern amateur music) performances. In the spotlight are a lantern releasing ceremony in Dong Ho lagoon on the evening of February 23, the launching of the Culture and Tourism Year – Ha Tien 2013 and a ceremony to announce the Ministry of Construction’s Decision to recognise Ha Tien town as a third-class city. The events aim to honour literature and art achievements, inspire national pride among local residents and promote the locality’s tourism potential to visitors. The Chieu Anh Cac poetry association, founded by Commander Mac Thien Tich in 1736, has contributed many poems to Vietnamese literature, which praise the beautiful landscapes of Ha Tien.

A wide range of cultural and sporting events are being held in Ha Tien town, Kien Giang province to celebrate the 227th founding anniversary of the Chieu Anh Cac poetry association (1736-2013). The activities include a parade, photo and calligraphy exhibitions, folk games, Xiangqi (Chinese chess) playing, a culinary festival, poetry recitals and ‘don ca tai tu’(Southern amateur music) performances. In the spotlight are a lantern releasing ceremony in Dong Ho lagoon on the evening of February 23, the launching of the Culture and Tourism Year – Ha Tien 2013 and a ceremony to announce the Ministry of Construction’s Decision to recognise Ha Tien town as a third-class city. The events aim to honour literature and art achievements, inspire national pride among local residents and promote the locality’s tourism potential to visitors. The Chieu Anh Cac poetry association, founded by Commander Mac Thien Tich in 1736, has contributed many poems to Vietnamese literature, which praise the beautiful landscapes of Ha Tien.

Activities mark 277th anniversary of Chieu Anh Cac poetry association

Ba Na Telpher gains four Guinness World Records

Ba Na Telpher gains four Guinness World Records

Ba Na Telpher gains four Guinness World Records

The third cable car route of the Ba Na - Suoi Mo telpher system in the central city of Da Nang, developed with capital of EUR30 million, will be officially put into operation on March 29, with a capacity of 1,500 passengers each hour.  This is also the only cable route in the world recognised with four world records by Guinness World Records: the world’s longest single-cable telpher network (5,771.61 meters), the highest gap between the arrival and departure stations (1,368.93 meters), the heaviest cable roll (141.24 tonnes) and the longest cable wire unit (11,587 meters). The operation of the third cable route will shorten the journey from the mountain foot to the peak to 17 minutes. The route will have 86 open-design cabins, each with 10 person capacity, moving at a speed of 6 meters per second. The third cable route was constructed in accordance with the standard of the World Telpher Association and was built by well-known cable producers Doppelmayr (Austria) and CWA (Switzerland).

The third cable car route of the Ba Na - Suoi Mo telpher system in the central city of Da Nang, developed with capital of EUR30 million, will be officially put into operation on March 29, with a capacity of 1,500 passengers each hour.  This is also the only cable route in the world recognised with four world records by Guinness World Records: the world’s longest single-cable telpher network (5,771.61 meters), the highest gap between the arrival and departure stations (1,368.93 meters), the heaviest cable roll (141.24 tonnes) and the longest cable wire unit (11,587 meters). The operation of the third cable route will shorten the journey from the mountain foot to the peak to 17 minutes. The route will have 86 open-design cabins, each with 10 person capacity, moving at a speed of 6 meters per second. The third cable route was constructed in accordance with the standard of the World Telpher Association and was built by well-known cable producers Doppelmayr (Austria) and CWA (Switzerland).

Ba Na Telpher gains four Guinness World Records

Tour to discover Hanoi’s most popular temple

Tour to discover Hanoi’s most popular temple

Tour to discover Hanoi’s most popular temple

Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH), a group consisting of foreigners living in Hanoi who work voluntarily to promote and preserve Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage, will host a tour to explore Phu Tay Ho (West Lake Temple). Taking place on February 28, the two-hour tour will offer attendees a chance to learn about one of the most popular temples in Hanoi. Built in the 16th century, the temple is dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh-daughter of the Jade Emperor. During the visit, legends related to the princess and various statues of the temple, the worship of the three mother goddesses, and the hau dong(spirit medium) ceremony will be discussed. The French-speaking tour is being held in co-operation with the Francophone Association.

Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH), a group consisting of foreigners living in Hanoi who work voluntarily to promote and preserve Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage, will host a tour to explore Phu Tay Ho (West Lake Temple). Taking place on February 28, the two-hour tour will offer attendees a chance to learn about one of the most popular temples in Hanoi. Built in the 16th century, the temple is dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh-daughter of the Jade Emperor. During the visit, legends related to the princess and various statues of the temple, the worship of the three mother goddesses, and the hau dong(spirit medium) ceremony will be discussed. The French-speaking tour is being held in co-operation with the Francophone Association.

Tour to discover Hanoi’s most popular temple

Return to nature with Forever Green Resort

Return to nature with Forever Green Resort

Return to nature with Forever Green Resort

Leading world travel magazine Lonely Planet recently released a list of the world’s top 10 favorite destinations in 2012. Vietnam’s Mekong Delta ranked ninth and was highlighted as a good value destination. To meet tourist demand, Aloe Trading Company LTD (ATC) invested and built the 21 ha, US$50 million Forever Green Resort in Phu Tuc Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province. Crossing Rach Mieu Bridge over the Tien River will take travelers to Ben Tre, an area renowned for its coconut growing. The Forever Green Resort is located some 90 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, and is located in a rich green region. The resort borders provincial road 175, and is covered by trees, fruits and flowers. Crossing Rach Mieu Bridge over the Tien River will take travelers to Ben Tre, an area renowned for its coconut growing. The Forever Green Resort is located some 90 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, and is located in a rich green region. The resort borders provincial road 175, and is covered by trees, fruits and flowers. The Forever Green Resort is the first resort in the Mekong Delta that meets with five-star standards. Most of the site has been put into operation and in March 2013, ATC will open the four-star Area B, which is built over two ha and continue construction on Area C over 13 ha which will include five-star bungalows. For the past five months, the resort has focused on developing MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) tourism. The most distinctive feature of the resort is its geographical position as it is located close to a branch of the Tien River. From here, tourists can go on a sightseeing tour of the river by boat. Tourists can visit local people and find out more about their daily lives. Tourists will be accompanied by hospitable tour guides in typical Southwestern outfits, such as Ba Ba blouses or conical straw hats. When building the Forever Green Resort, its investors tried to preserve the natural environment and local architectural style. The resort's 60 four-star rooms are surrounded by gardens and ornamental trees. As Forever Green Resort is located over a quite large area, tourists can go sightseeing by electric vehicles. They can visit a Japanese stony lake zone, gardens growing clean fruits and vegetables, Aloe gardens, fountains, lotus roads, orchards, shrimp ponds, see orchids and other ornamental tree gardens and three-compartment houses. Restaurants at the resort can serve hundreds of customers with a team of professional cooks presenting Vietnamese European and pan-Asian menus. Apart from providing five-star services and facilities such as hotels, restaurants, bungalows, spa rooms, conference rooms, swimming pools, karaoke rooms and stages for Southern amateur music performances and other art performances, The Forever Green Resort also offers fishing, boating, rowing boats, camping facilities and the opportunity to play folk games. In addition, there are also child leisure facilities. Forever Green Resort offers an unforgettable resort getaway experience.

Leading world travel magazine Lonely Planet recently released a list of the world’s top 10 favorite destinations in 2012. Vietnam’s Mekong Delta ranked ninth and was highlighted as a good value destination. To meet tourist demand, Aloe Trading Company LTD (ATC) invested and built the 21 ha, US$50 million Forever Green Resort in Phu Tuc Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province. Crossing Rach Mieu Bridge over the Tien River will take travelers to Ben Tre, an area renowned for its coconut growing. The Forever Green Resort is located some 90 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, and is located in a rich green region. The resort borders provincial road 175, and is covered by trees, fruits and flowers. Crossing Rach Mieu Bridge over the Tien River will take travelers to Ben Tre, an area renowned for its coconut growing. The Forever Green Resort is located some 90 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, and is located in a rich green region. The resort borders provincial road 175, and is covered by trees, fruits and flowers. The Forever Green Resort is the first resort in the Mekong Delta that meets with five-star standards. Most of the site has been put into operation and in March 2013, ATC will open the four-star Area B, which is built over two ha and continue construction on Area C over 13 ha which will include five-star bungalows. For the past five months, the resort has focused on developing MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) tourism. The most distinctive feature of the resort is its geographical position as it is located close to a branch of the Tien River. From here, tourists can go on a sightseeing tour of the river by boat. Tourists can visit local people and find out more about their daily lives. Tourists will be accompanied by hospitable tour guides in typical Southwestern outfits, such as Ba Ba blouses or conical straw hats. When building the Forever Green Resort, its investors tried to preserve the natural environment and local architectural style. The resort's 60 four-star rooms are surrounded by gardens and ornamental trees. As Forever Green Resort is located over a quite large area, tourists can go sightseeing by electric vehicles. They can visit a Japanese stony lake zone, gardens growing clean fruits and vegetables, Aloe gardens, fountains, lotus roads, orchards, shrimp ponds, see orchids and other ornamental tree gardens and three-compartment houses. Restaurants at the resort can serve hundreds of customers with a team of professional cooks presenting Vietnamese European and pan-Asian menus. Apart from providing five-star services and facilities such as hotels, restaurants, bungalows, spa rooms, conference rooms, swimming pools, karaoke rooms and stages for Southern amateur music performances and other art performances, The Forever Green Resort also offers fishing, boating, rowing boats, camping facilities and the opportunity to play folk games. In addition, there are also child leisure facilities. Forever Green Resort offers an unforgettable resort getaway experience.

Return to nature with Forever Green Resort

Festival honours Thai Nguyen’s speciality

Festival honours Thai Nguyen’s speciality

Festival honours Thai Nguyen’s speciality

A festival featuring Tan Cuong tea, a speciality of northern Thai Nguyen province, took place in Thai Nguyen city on February 20.  The event, themed “Flavours of Spring Tea – Tan Cuong Tea Speciality Area,” was one of the activities leading up to the second International Tea Festival to be held in the province this year. The annual festival aims to honour the tea tree and traditional tea growing industry in Tan Cuong, which produces one of the most popular tea brands in the country. It is also a meeting place for growers, producers and drinkers of Tan Cuong tea in particular and Thai Nguyen tea in general. A wide range of activities were held during the festival, including tea offering ritual, art performances by local people and folk games. The highlight of the event was a competition of tea processing in the traditional way with 16 teams from Tan Cuong commune. 2013 marks the 6th year the Tan Cuong tea has been granted the geographical indication (GI) by the Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is the fifth national products protected with the GI nationwide. The Tan Cuong tea area covers an area of 4,861 ha in three communes of Phuc Xuan, Phuc Triu and Tan Cuong.

A festival featuring Tan Cuong tea, a speciality of northern Thai Nguyen province, took place in Thai Nguyen city on February 20.  The event, themed “Flavours of Spring Tea – Tan Cuong Tea Speciality Area,” was one of the activities leading up to the second International Tea Festival to be held in the province this year. The annual festival aims to honour the tea tree and traditional tea growing industry in Tan Cuong, which produces one of the most popular tea brands in the country. It is also a meeting place for growers, producers and drinkers of Tan Cuong tea in particular and Thai Nguyen tea in general. A wide range of activities were held during the festival, including tea offering ritual, art performances by local people and folk games. The highlight of the event was a competition of tea processing in the traditional way with 16 teams from Tan Cuong commune. 2013 marks the 6th year the Tan Cuong tea has been granted the geographical indication (GI) by the Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is the fifth national products protected with the GI nationwide. The Tan Cuong tea area covers an area of 4,861 ha in three communes of Phuc Xuan, Phuc Triu and Tan Cuong.

Festival honours Thai Nguyen’s speciality

France introduces woven products in Hue

France introduces woven products in Hue

France introduces woven products in Hue

France will exhibit its woven products during Hue Traditional Craft Festival from April 27 to May 1, 2013, according to Thua Thien-Hue Province People’s Committee French artisans will introduce five cloth weaving techniques, including Lyon silk weaving of Prelle factory since 1880, and the velvet and crease-creating technique of Benoit Toscan d’Amiens. The woven products of Saint Etienne de la Satab, Aubusson carpet, and a French weaving initiative will also be showcased. The exhibition is a result of a French delegation’s recent working trip to Hue . It was led by Christine Bouilloc, Director of Bargoin Museum in Clermont Ferrand, and Christine Athenor, Director of Festival International des Textile Extraordinaries (FITE). “The quintessence of Vietnamese crafts” festival is the fifth traditional craft fair to take place in Hue . It focuses on developing traditional products and villages for tourism, and attracts the participation of artisans from craft villages around the country.

France will exhibit its woven products during Hue Traditional Craft Festival from April 27 to May 1, 2013, according to Thua Thien-Hue Province People’s Committee French artisans will introduce five cloth weaving techniques, including Lyon silk weaving of Prelle factory since 1880, and the velvet and crease-creating technique of Benoit Toscan d’Amiens. The woven products of Saint Etienne de la Satab, Aubusson carpet, and a French weaving initiative will also be showcased. The exhibition is a result of a French delegation’s recent working trip to Hue . It was led by Christine Bouilloc, Director of Bargoin Museum in Clermont Ferrand, and Christine Athenor, Director of Festival International des Textile Extraordinaries (FITE). “The quintessence of Vietnamese crafts” festival is the fifth traditional craft fair to take place in Hue . It focuses on developing traditional products and villages for tourism, and attracts the participation of artisans from craft villages around the country.

France introduces woven products in Hue

Thousands flock to Tran Temple Festival

Thousands flock to Tran Temple Festival

Thousands flock to Tran Temple Festival

Thousands flock to Tran Temple Festival Tens of thousands of people converged on Tran Temple complex in Nam Dinh province on February 23 to attend one of the country’s biggest festivals during the year. The complex is dedicated to the 14 Kings of the Tran dynasty that ruled the nation from 1225 to 1400. Every visitor to the festival is expected to receive a paper seal issued by the organising board in the hope that it will bring them good fortune and prosperity in the new year. After the incense offering ceremony at 22.00pm, 120 local selected villagers walked in procession carrying 40 seal sedan chairs from Co Trach Temple honouring General Tran Quoc Tuan to Thien Truong Temple where 14 Tran Kings’ plaques are located. In his speech, the chairman of the Nam Dinh city People’s Committee highlighted the great contributions that the Tran dynasty made to the nation, and declared the start of this year’s seal issuance ceremony. During the three-day event held annually on the 14th, 15th and 16th days of the first lunar month, various activities are taking place, including lion dances, classical opera performance, chess competitions, martial art performances, and traditional wrestling competitions. The annual event aims to educate younger generations about the predecessors’ heroism and encourage them to build a strong and wealthy nation.

Thousands flock to Tran Temple Festival Tens of thousands of people converged on Tran Temple complex in Nam Dinh province on February 23 to attend one of the country’s biggest festivals during the year. The complex is dedicated to the 14 Kings of the Tran dynasty that ruled the nation from 1225 to 1400. Every visitor to the festival is expected to receive a paper seal issued by the organising board in the hope that it will bring them good fortune and prosperity in the new year. After the incense offering ceremony at 22.00pm, 120 local selected villagers walked in procession carrying 40 seal sedan chairs from Co Trach Temple honouring General Tran Quoc Tuan to Thien Truong Temple where 14 Tran Kings’ plaques are located. In his speech, the chairman of the Nam Dinh city People’s Committee highlighted the great contributions that the Tran dynasty made to the nation, and declared the start of this year’s seal issuance ceremony. During the three-day event held annually on the 14th, 15th and 16th days of the first lunar month, various activities are taking place, including lion dances, classical opera performance, chess competitions, martial art performances, and traditional wrestling competitions. The annual event aims to educate younger generations about the predecessors’ heroism and encourage them to build a strong and wealthy nation.

Thousands flock to Tran Temple Festival

Hoi An receives most favourite city award

Hoi An receives most favourite city award

Hoi An receives most favourite city award

Hoi An city received the Top City in the World award voted by Wanderlust Magazine’s readers at a ceremony in the central province of Quang Nam on February 23. The ancient town came out with a whopping 97.18 percent satisfaction rating. According to the UK’s leading travel magazine, nearly 3,000 of its readers voted in this year’s awards. Speaking at the ceremony, Le Van Giang, Chairman of the Hoi An City People’s Committee, stressed that the city has spared no effort to improve its services and facility in order to maintain reputation as an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists. Hoi An was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Its building and its street plan reflects the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. The Top City category is part of the Wanderlust Travel Awards that include various categories such as the Top Country, Top Airline and Top Airport. The Wanderlust magazine, which was launched in 1993, has subscribers in 112 countries.

Hoi An city received the Top City in the World award voted by Wanderlust Magazine’s readers at a ceremony in the central province of Quang Nam on February 23. The ancient town came out with a whopping 97.18 percent satisfaction rating. According to the UK’s leading travel magazine, nearly 3,000 of its readers voted in this year’s awards. Speaking at the ceremony, Le Van Giang, Chairman of the Hoi An City People’s Committee, stressed that the city has spared no effort to improve its services and facility in order to maintain reputation as an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists. Hoi An was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Its building and its street plan reflects the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. The Top City category is part of the Wanderlust Travel Awards that include various categories such as the Top Country, Top Airline and Top Airport. The Wanderlust magazine, which was launched in 1993, has subscribers in 112 countries.

Hoi An receives most favourite city award

Doctoral laureate steles to be recognized by UNESCO

Doctoral laureate steles to be recognized by UNESCO

Doctoral laureate steles to be recognized by UNESCO

Eighty-two doctoral laureate steles under the early Le, Mac and late Le dynasties (1442-1779) in Hanoi’s Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) will get UNESCO’s Global Memory of the World Programme’s certificate. Pham Thi Thuy Hang, Deputy Director of theTemple of Literature's Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities, says a grand ceremony will be held on February 25 with a screening of a documentary film on the temple’s history, arts performances and a seminar on the preservation and development of its cultural values. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 in dedication to Confucius and other scholars. Six years later, Vietnam's first university, named Quoc Tu Giam or known as the Imperial Academy, was established there.  The temple has remained a symbol for Vietnam’s culture and intelligence for nearly 1,000 years.

Eighty-two doctoral laureate steles under the early Le, Mac and late Le dynasties (1442-1779) in Hanoi’s Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) will get UNESCO’s Global Memory of the World Programme’s certificate. Pham Thi Thuy Hang, Deputy Director of theTemple of Literature's Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities, says a grand ceremony will be held on February 25 with a screening of a documentary film on the temple’s history, arts performances and a seminar on the preservation and development of its cultural values. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 in dedication to Confucius and other scholars. Six years later, Vietnam's first university, named Quoc Tu Giam or known as the Imperial Academy, was established there.  The temple has remained a symbol for Vietnam’s culture and intelligence for nearly 1,000 years.

Doctoral laureate steles to be recognized by UNESCO

Con Son-Kiep Bac Spring Festival commences

Con Son-Kiep Bac Spring Festival commences

Con Son-Kiep Bac Spring Festival commences

The Con Son-Kiep Bac 2013 Spring Festival opened at Con Son pagoda in the northern province of Hai Duong on February 25 (the 16th day of the first lunar month).  The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, and leaders of Hai Duong province and other localities in the region. The festival is the first of the four major activities to be launched in Hai Duong province to mark the 2013 National Tourism Year of the Red River-Hai Phong. It aims to commemorate the 679th anniversary of the death of monk Huyen Quang, the third founder of the Truc Lam Zen sect. Taking place from February 23-26, the festival features a broad range of cultural and sporting activities such as incense offering rituals, worshipping rituals on the Ngu Nhac Mountain, a Chung cake (square glutinous rice cake) and Day cake (round glutinous rice cake) making contest, wrestling, calligraphy and Quan Ho (love duets) singing. From the 15th to 20th day of the eighth lunar month, the Autumn Festival will be held at Kiep Bac Temple to commemorate national hero Tran Hung Dao, who made great contributions in the fight against Yuan-Mongol invaders from the north in the 13th century. Covering a total area of eight hectares in Chi Linh district, the Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site is entwined with the lives and causes of Tran Hung Dao and the Great Man of Culture of the World, Nguyen Trai. The site was a defence line built at the end of the 13th century to protect the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. It witnessed important battles between the Tran dynasty army and the Yuan-Mongol invaders. Con Son, surrounded by pine trees, saw the pure and upright life of Nguyen Trai (1380-1442), one of Vietnam's most famous poets and writers. Con Son-Kiep Bac was recognised as a national heritage site in 1962 and a special national heritage site in 2012. The same year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded the Spring Festival the title of national intangible cultural heritage.

The Con Son-Kiep Bac 2013 Spring Festival opened at Con Son pagoda in the northern province of Hai Duong on February 25 (the 16th day of the first lunar month).  The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, and leaders of Hai Duong province and other localities in the region. The festival is the first of the four major activities to be launched in Hai Duong province to mark the 2013 National Tourism Year of the Red River-Hai Phong. It aims to commemorate the 679th anniversary of the death of monk Huyen Quang, the third founder of the Truc Lam Zen sect. Taking place from February 23-26, the festival features a broad range of cultural and sporting activities such as incense offering rituals, worshipping rituals on the Ngu Nhac Mountain, a Chung cake (square glutinous rice cake) and Day cake (round glutinous rice cake) making contest, wrestling, calligraphy and Quan Ho (love duets) singing. From the 15th to 20th day of the eighth lunar month, the Autumn Festival will be held at Kiep Bac Temple to commemorate national hero Tran Hung Dao, who made great contributions in the fight against Yuan-Mongol invaders from the north in the 13th century. Covering a total area of eight hectares in Chi Linh district, the Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site is entwined with the lives and causes of Tran Hung Dao and the Great Man of Culture of the World, Nguyen Trai. The site was a defence line built at the end of the 13th century to protect the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. It witnessed important battles between the Tran dynasty army and the Yuan-Mongol invaders. Con Son, surrounded by pine trees, saw the pure and upright life of Nguyen Trai (1380-1442), one of Vietnam's most famous poets and writers. Con Son-Kiep Bac was recognised as a national heritage site in 1962 and a special national heritage site in 2012. The same year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded the Spring Festival the title of national intangible cultural heritage.

Con Son-Kiep Bac Spring Festival commences

Vietnamese cuisine to become tourism attraction

Vietnamese cuisine to become tourism attraction

Vietnamese cuisine to become tourism attraction

Once established, the national trademark “the World’s Kitchen” will draw people from all the five continents to explore Vietnam ’s culture through local cuisine. Vietnamese food, with a wide range of delicious dishes bearing the hallmarks of each region, is close to all Vietnamese people and even satisfies those from other countries. Popular dishes appear on the menus of high-end hotels inside and outside the country. It’s very important to include cuisine in tourism development plans, especially for Hanoi which boasts plentiful and delicious dishes such as Pho (rice noodles served with beef or chicken), nem (spring rolls), bun thang (rice noodles with chicken, fried egg, lean meat pie , La Vong grilled fish pies, Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls, Ngu Xa rolled rice pancakes and Ho Tay shrimp cakes. Stressing the quintessence and unique cuisine of Hanoi , Pham Anh Tuyet, the owner of a restaurant on Ma May Street, said delicious food is the key to drawing tourists back to the country. She said that her restaurant is not only a place to introduce the gastronomy of Hanoi to tourists but also provides an opportunity for them to make Vietnamese dishes. “Tourists have an interesting experience here as they make food by themselves and enjoy it,” she said, adding many return to thank her after they have brought Vietnamese recipes to their countries. However, such a tourism model like Tuyet’s restaurant is not popular, although industry insiders recognise its advantages and attractiveness. How to develop the cuisine culture into a special tourism product and a national trademark is a hard question for tourism managers. To realise the idea, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) recently assigned Vietravel Tourism Company to build a project to develop the Vietnamese gastronomy. The project is being built with concrete strategies, solutions and programmes to popularise Vietnamese food culture to the world, which will attract tourists and develop overseas Vietnamese communities’ business activities, said Vietravel CEO Nguyen Quoc Ky. According to Ky, a chain of restaurants will be built to introduce local dishes to tourists in Vietnam . Meanwhile, in the international arena, relevant agencies will work with associations of Vietnamese chefs to popularise the Vietnamese gastronomy and develop its image. In addition, Vietnamese food will be introduced at fairs and cultural events, he added. Once approved by the VNAT, “the World’s Kitchen” national trademark will be completed by 2020, and bring Vietnam to the world.

Once established, the national trademark “the World’s Kitchen” will draw people from all the five continents to explore Vietnam ’s culture through local cuisine. Vietnamese food, with a wide range of delicious dishes bearing the hallmarks of each region, is close to all Vietnamese people and even satisfies those from other countries. Popular dishes appear on the menus of high-end hotels inside and outside the country. It’s very important to include cuisine in tourism development plans, especially for Hanoi which boasts plentiful and delicious dishes such as Pho (rice noodles served with beef or chicken), nem (spring rolls), bun thang (rice noodles with chicken, fried egg, lean meat pie , La Vong grilled fish pies, Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls, Ngu Xa rolled rice pancakes and Ho Tay shrimp cakes. Stressing the quintessence and unique cuisine of Hanoi , Pham Anh Tuyet, the owner of a restaurant on Ma May Street, said delicious food is the key to drawing tourists back to the country. She said that her restaurant is not only a place to introduce the gastronomy of Hanoi to tourists but also provides an opportunity for them to make Vietnamese dishes. “Tourists have an interesting experience here as they make food by themselves and enjoy it,” she said, adding many return to thank her after they have brought Vietnamese recipes to their countries. However, such a tourism model like Tuyet’s restaurant is not popular, although industry insiders recognise its advantages and attractiveness. How to develop the cuisine culture into a special tourism product and a national trademark is a hard question for tourism managers. To realise the idea, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) recently assigned Vietravel Tourism Company to build a project to develop the Vietnamese gastronomy. The project is being built with concrete strategies, solutions and programmes to popularise Vietnamese food culture to the world, which will attract tourists and develop overseas Vietnamese communities’ business activities, said Vietravel CEO Nguyen Quoc Ky. According to Ky, a chain of restaurants will be built to introduce local dishes to tourists in Vietnam . Meanwhile, in the international arena, relevant agencies will work with associations of Vietnamese chefs to popularise the Vietnamese gastronomy and develop its image. In addition, Vietnamese food will be introduced at fairs and cultural events, he added. Once approved by the VNAT, “the World’s Kitchen” national trademark will be completed by 2020, and bring Vietnam to the world.

Vietnamese cuisine to become tourism attraction

Viet Nam listed in top long-haul destinations for UK holidaymakers in 2013

Viet Nam listed in top long-haul destinations for UK holidaymakers in 2013

Viet Nam listed in top long-haul destinations for UK holidaymakers in 2013

(TITC)- According to the British website www.easyvoyage.co.uk, the famous Hayes & Jarvis travel agency has announced a list of top ten long-haul destinations of UK tourists in 2013, of which Viet Nam rates the seventh. The result based on the bookings of UK tourists at Hayes & Jarvis from October 2012 to January 2013. 1. Mauritius (2012: 6) 2. Mexico (5) 3. Kenya (-) 4. New York (1) 5. Hawaii (-) 6. Egypt (-) 7. Viet Nam (-) 8. Tanzania (-) 9. Thailand (2) 10. Dominican Republic (-) Last year, Hayes & Jarvis identified Viet Nam as a raising star in the international tourism market, and in recent months, Viet Nam has surpassed Thailand to rate 7th in the list, thanks to the opening of direct flights between Viet Nam and the UK end of 2011 and attractive tourism products especially tailor-made tours, exploring heritage and beach spots in Viet Nam. New York remains one of the most attractive long-haul destinations, however the top positions belong to Mauritius and Mexico. The 4 and 5-star resorts of high quality and competitive prices have helped these two countries to be the first choice of UK tourists. Kenya rates third on the list as a result of the effect of blockbuster of TV series about the continent of the famous British naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, luring TV audience flocking to East Africa. The competitive-priced tours also promoted UK tourists to Egypt's Red Sea which increase by 31%, bringing this country back to the top after three years. Dominican Republic is the only Caribbean entry in the list, while the demand for the three traditional destinations of Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua has declined because the airport tax that customers must pay when flying to these countries increased.

(TITC)- According to the British website www.easyvoyage.co.uk, the famous Hayes & Jarvis travel agency has announced a list of top ten long-haul destinations of UK tourists in 2013, of which Viet Nam rates the seventh. The result based on the bookings of UK tourists at Hayes & Jarvis from October 2012 to January 2013. 1. Mauritius (2012: 6) 2. Mexico (5) 3. Kenya (-) 4. New York (1) 5. Hawaii (-) 6. Egypt (-) 7. Viet Nam (-) 8. Tanzania (-) 9. Thailand (2) 10. Dominican Republic (-) Last year, Hayes & Jarvis identified Viet Nam as a raising star in the international tourism market, and in recent months, Viet Nam has surpassed Thailand to rate 7th in the list, thanks to the opening of direct flights between Viet Nam and the UK end of 2011 and attractive tourism products especially tailor-made tours, exploring heritage and beach spots in Viet Nam. New York remains one of the most attractive long-haul destinations, however the top positions belong to Mauritius and Mexico. The 4 and 5-star resorts of high quality and competitive prices have helped these two countries to be the first choice of UK tourists. Kenya rates third on the list as a result of the effect of blockbuster of TV series about the continent of the famous British naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, luring TV audience flocking to East Africa. The competitive-priced tours also promoted UK tourists to Egypt's Red Sea which increase by 31%, bringing this country back to the top after three years. Dominican Republic is the only Caribbean entry in the list, while the demand for the three traditional destinations of Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua has declined because the airport tax that customers must pay when flying to these countries increased.

Viet Nam listed in top long-haul destinations for UK holidaymakers in 2013

Whale Worship Festival in Da Nang

Whale Worship Festival in Da Nang

Whale Worship Festival in Da Nang

The Whale Worship Festival 2013 was opened on February 25th on Da Nang beach by the Da Nang People’s Committee. The biggest traditional festival for fishermen along the coastal region of Da Nang is held annually after Tet in order to pray for their safety and luck in the new fishing season. The festival started off with an important ritual of Nghinh Ong worship (Welcoming the Whale), showing fishermen’s respect to the whale, followed by prayers for the fishermen’s safety. During the festival, many cultural activities and traditional games of the coastal region are organized. Joining the event, local people wish for a year with good catches, abundant crops, and a happy life. This year’s Whale Worship Festival in Da Nang was more exciting than usual, as last year Da Nang fishermen had the best catch in 10 years, with 35,000 tons of marine products (up 1,500 tons in comparison with 2011).

The Whale Worship Festival 2013 was opened on February 25th on Da Nang beach by the Da Nang People’s Committee. The biggest traditional festival for fishermen along the coastal region of Da Nang is held annually after Tet in order to pray for their safety and luck in the new fishing season. The festival started off with an important ritual of Nghinh Ong worship (Welcoming the Whale), showing fishermen’s respect to the whale, followed by prayers for the fishermen’s safety. During the festival, many cultural activities and traditional games of the coastal region are organized. Joining the event, local people wish for a year with good catches, abundant crops, and a happy life. This year’s Whale Worship Festival in Da Nang was more exciting than usual, as last year Da Nang fishermen had the best catch in 10 years, with 35,000 tons of marine products (up 1,500 tons in comparison with 2011).

Whale Worship Festival in Da Nang

Festival commemorates national legendary founders

Festival commemorates national legendary founders

Festival commemorates national legendary founders

The Kinh Duong Vuong – Lac Long Quan – Au Co Temple festival opened in Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province on February 25 (the 16th day of the first lunar month) in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan. Deputy PM Nhan offered incense to the national ancestors and beat a drum to open the festival. The ceremony also featured a palanquin procession, Quan Ho (love duet) singing, a lion and dragon dance, and various folk games. A project to restore and upgrade the tomb and temple of Kinh Duong Vuongwas launched the same day in connection with the occasion. The project, which has a total investment of VND17 billion (US$816,000) funded by the Bac Ninh provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is expected to be completed within 270 days. The three-day festival is part of the activities in response to the National Tourism Year 2013, which highlights the Red River Delta region. Legend has it that Kinh Duong Vuong, alias Loc Tuc, established the first primitive state named Xich Quy in 2879 BC. His son, Lac Long Quan, married fairy Au Co, the daughter of De Lai. Au Co then gave birth to a pouch filled with one hundred eggs, which soon hatched into one hundred sons. Soon after, Lac Long Quan and Au Co separated. Lac Long Quan went to the coasts with 50 children and Au Co went to the highlands with the others. Their eldest son was made the King, who named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (nowadays Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province), starting the 18 reigns of Hung Kings.

The Kinh Duong Vuong – Lac Long Quan – Au Co Temple festival opened in Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province on February 25 (the 16th day of the first lunar month) in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan. Deputy PM Nhan offered incense to the national ancestors and beat a drum to open the festival. The ceremony also featured a palanquin procession, Quan Ho (love duet) singing, a lion and dragon dance, and various folk games. A project to restore and upgrade the tomb and temple of Kinh Duong Vuongwas launched the same day in connection with the occasion. The project, which has a total investment of VND17 billion (US$816,000) funded by the Bac Ninh provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is expected to be completed within 270 days. The three-day festival is part of the activities in response to the National Tourism Year 2013, which highlights the Red River Delta region. Legend has it that Kinh Duong Vuong, alias Loc Tuc, established the first primitive state named Xich Quy in 2879 BC. His son, Lac Long Quan, married fairy Au Co, the daughter of De Lai. Au Co then gave birth to a pouch filled with one hundred eggs, which soon hatched into one hundred sons. Soon after, Lac Long Quan and Au Co separated. Lac Long Quan went to the coasts with 50 children and Au Co went to the highlands with the others. Their eldest son was made the King, who named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (nowadays Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province), starting the 18 reigns of Hung Kings.

Festival commemorates national legendary founders

Bai Tu Long Bay: A national treasure

Bai Tu Long Bay: A national treasure

Bai Tu Long Bay: A national treasure

Located in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Bai Tu Long National Park comprises 40 islands, either earth or limestone, scattering across three communes, Ha Long, Van Yen and Minh Chau of Van Don district.  The bay covers a total area of 15,783 hectares, including 6,125 hectares of land, and is home to 1,090 species of fauna and flora. The park is considered a priceless national treasure. According to Associate Professor Dr. Bui Tat Thang from the Strategic Development Institute of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Bai Tu Long includes all three fundamental ecosystems: forest, wetlands and sea – a diverse area for different species to live and develop. In the park, 102 rare and precious species, including 72 species of fauna and 30 varieties of flora listed in Vietnam’s red book of endangered species can be found. The park also has 1,000 hectares of wetlands, which includes mangrove forest, sandy and rocky tidal banks and seaweed that provide food and shelter for animals. The wetlands ecosystem, with its impressive scenery and biodiversity, has attracted many eco-tourism, environmental education and research activities. The area of coral accounts for only a minor section of the park, but has an important role to play as an aquatic resource. It has high biological productivity and is a gene bank for many types of sea species. Besides the extremely diverse biological environment, the park also has archeological value, with evidence of ancient Viet people residing here 14,000 years ago. Operational since April, 2002, Bai Tu Long National Park is a stunning tourism spot with a rich ecosystem, therefore it should receive sustainable protection, conservation and development.

Located in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Bai Tu Long National Park comprises 40 islands, either earth or limestone, scattering across three communes, Ha Long, Van Yen and Minh Chau of Van Don district.  The bay covers a total area of 15,783 hectares, including 6,125 hectares of land, and is home to 1,090 species of fauna and flora. The park is considered a priceless national treasure. According to Associate Professor Dr. Bui Tat Thang from the Strategic Development Institute of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Bai Tu Long includes all three fundamental ecosystems: forest, wetlands and sea – a diverse area for different species to live and develop. In the park, 102 rare and precious species, including 72 species of fauna and 30 varieties of flora listed in Vietnam’s red book of endangered species can be found. The park also has 1,000 hectares of wetlands, which includes mangrove forest, sandy and rocky tidal banks and seaweed that provide food and shelter for animals. The wetlands ecosystem, with its impressive scenery and biodiversity, has attracted many eco-tourism, environmental education and research activities. The area of coral accounts for only a minor section of the park, but has an important role to play as an aquatic resource. It has high biological productivity and is a gene bank for many types of sea species. Besides the extremely diverse biological environment, the park also has archeological value, with evidence of ancient Viet people residing here 14,000 years ago. Operational since April, 2002, Bai Tu Long National Park is a stunning tourism spot with a rich ecosystem, therefore it should receive sustainable protection, conservation and development.

Bai Tu Long Bay: A national treasure