Park – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Harvest – Hoi An, Vietnam
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Hanoi: land of lakes
Source – Thanh Nien Daily
There’s no better place to let the time roll away than on the waterfront
Hoan Kiem Lake, which is the heart and soul of Hanoi, means “Lake of the Returned Sword”, in reference to the legend surrounding fifteenth century Vietnamese hero General Le Loi
Hanoi’s 20 lakes are renowned for bringing the city a sense of beauty and an old-world atmosphere.
As the capital continues to develop, with mega-shopping complexes and fast food chains popping up left and right, Hanoi’s lakes have retained their peace and quiet. Even those in the center of town are surrounded by old trees, parks, zoos or centuries’ old villages. Both lively and charming, the lakes give Hanoi its style and ensure that the bustling city with a quickly expanding population never seems too crowded.
Some say Hanoians owe their lifestyles, which exemplify an appreciation of history and culture, to the old capital’s lakes.
Jewel of the capital
“Proximity to water in a city is always a very nice thing to have,” said David Milliot, a former advisor from the European Union. “Lakes have a relaxing effect as they make city life less stressful. I like Hoan Kiem Lake because despite its central location, it is a spot of ancient, interesting history.”
Like most of the lakes in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem – lined with beautiful weeping willows in the center of town – has an alluring and mysterious legend that tells the history of its name.
Hoan Kiem Lake means “Lake of the Returned Sword”, in reference to the legend surrounding fifteenth century Vietnamese hero General Le Loi. After ten years of hard fighting (1418-1428), the Lam Son insurrectionists led by Le Loi swept the Chinese invaders out of the country, ending the Ming Dynasty’s 20 years of domination over Vietnam. Le Loi became a national hero, proclaiming himself King Le Thai To and establishing the Vietnamese capital in Thang Long, present-day Hanoi.
On a beautiful afternoon following the victory, the king and his entourage took out a dragon-shaped boat to enjoy the peace while cruising Luc Thuy (Green Water) Lake, which was located in the center of Thang Long. As the boat glided across the smooth surface of the lake, legend has it that a Golden Tortoise suddenly appeared, telling the king: “Your Majesty, the great work is completed. Would you please return the sacred sword to the King of the Sea?”
The precious sword Le Loi used to fight the Chinese had been lent to him by the King of the Sea, according to the story. At the time the Tortoise spoke, the sword hung at the king’s waist. It then moved out of its sheath and flew toward the giant reptile. The tortoise took the sword in his mouth and dove under the water as a bright flash of lightning lit up the sky. Since then, Luc Thuy Lake has been called Lake of the Returned Sword or Sword Lake (Ho Guom) for short.
Hence, on a tiny island in the middle of the lake stands Thap Rua (Tortoise Tower), a centuries-old three-tiered pavilion in memory of the legendary tortoise. On another islet to the north, inside the fourteenth century Ngoc Son Temple, a giant preserved turtle encased in glass keeps the legend alive. Rua Tower and Ngoc Son Temple are some of Hanoi’s most-beautiful landmarks.
“In the morning, it’s great to take a walk on the nice, shaded sidewalks around Hoan Kiem Lake,” said Milliot. “It is so relaxing to feel the breeze coming from the center of the lake.”
Local legend still has it that if you’re lucky, you’ll see the grand old tortoise raise its head above water for a brief moment.
Local boon
Truc Bach Lake, a lake separated from West Lake (Hanoi’s largest watery body at 5.5 square kilometers) by the sliver of land that is Thanh Nien Road, has greatly influenced the life of local people. Truc Bach was part of West Lake until the 17th century when the inhabitants of the surrounding villages built a dyke cordoning off West Lake’s southeast corner in order to raise fish. During the reign of Lord Trinh Giang (1711-1762), Truc Lam Palace was built for worship and later was converted into a prison for prostitutes. These poor women were forced to weave silk, and despite their desperate situation, they took the work seriously. Their silk was so nice that it became famous throughout the capital as Truc (small bamboo) village silk.
On a walk around the lake, one can see many relics and sites of interest: Nghi Tam Village (birthplace of the famous poet Ba Huyen Thanh Quan), Kim Lien Pagoda with its unique architecture and Nhat Tan Village with its famous peach garden.
Daily life
Every day, thousands of Hanoians do their morning exercises, practice Tai Chi, play chess and perform break-dancing around the lakes. And if you are looking for a romantic date with someone special, a table at Highlands Coffee above West Lake is the perfect place to watch a magnificent sunset.
Strolling around any lake in the city gives a clear and vivid picture of daily life and it’s hard not to be affected by the ambience of the capital and the traits its people are known for: hard work, friendliness and a zest for life.
Be it a lone after-work cup of coffee, or a lazy Sunday meeting with friends, at Hanoi’s lakes and waterside cafes, watching the world simply pass by can be a mesmerizing experience.
Reported by Thy Nga Story from Thanh Nien News
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Travel Tips and Info From Vietnam – www.vietnamandcambodia.com
Filed under: Hanoi, Vietnam Tips, Vietnam Travel Tagged: Asia, Hanoi, Travel, Vietnam 
Vietnam Images By Adam Hurley
All images below were taken by Adam Hurley. Visit Adam’s other blogs at:
See more images by Adam Hurley at – Images From Vietnam and Cambodia
Filed under: Danang, Hanoi, HCM City, Travel photography Tagged: Asia, fotos, Hanoi, Photography, photos, Saigon, Travel Blog, Travel photography, Vietnam 
Images From Hoi An – Vietnam
Images From Hoi An By Adam Hurley.
Learn more at www.vietnamandcambodia.com
Posted in Hoi An, Travel photography Tagged: Asia, foto, Hoi An, photo, Photography, Travel photography, Vietnam 
Discover Vietnam on Your Bicycle
A Vietnam cycling trip is one of he most exciting and adventurous experience you will ever have that is guaranteed. As you cycle through river banks, up steep mountain slopes, on the country side and in large cities, you will experience wonders that you would have not seen anywhere else in the world. It will keep you spell bounded long after you have completed the Vietnam trip and you will remember your Vietnam trip experience till the very end.
Asiana Travel Mate arranges one such Vietnam cycling trip. The people who will lead the Vietnam cycling trip are all professionals who have a lot of experience and knowledge in these areas so all your needs is taken care of. You just need strength in your legs to peddle your cycle and vision in your eyes to savor the beauty of Vietnam.
Biodiversity in Vietnam is ranked 16th in the whole world and there are 11 new species of animals and plants that are discovered here every year. On your cycling trip you are sure to experience many different kinds of wildlife and plants and trees as well. There are 126 parks that are protected for conservation and 28 official national parks that house the wildlife treasures of Vietnam and you can experience all this right from the impressive height, the saddle of your bicycle offers you.
You will also come across Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam’s two biggest cities while on the Vietnam cycling trip and here you can take a cruise on the waterways of Vietnam which are touted to be about 17,000 kms in length. The cities are also a grand display of the development that Vietnam has achieved in education and social issues. These cities are great for shopping and the usual items for sale for foreigners are embroidery, wood carvings and silk. The cuisine of Vietnam is also very unique and it can be experienced in its authentic form in these big cities. Fish sauces of different varieties like sweet, sour, spicy etc are famous here.
A cycling trip can be undertaken any time of the year and its as exciting as it can get. As diverse as Vietnam is in biodiversity, it is equally diverse in topography due to which the climates you will experience will keep changing as you go from place to place. Everyday is a new day with a new climate and that’s the best experience of the Vietnam cycling trip. From the beaches to the mountains to the waterways and the big bustling cities the Vietnam cycling trip takes you everywhere.
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Travel To Vietnam and Cambodia – Visit Vietnamandcambodia.com
Posted in Travel Blogs, Vietnam Travel Tagged: Adventure, Asia, Bike tours, Cycle Vietnam, Travel, Travel Blog, Vietnam 
Imperial Hue – Vietnam
By Thanh Bui
Hue Citadel - Vietnam
The second of Central Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites rests largely in the shade of its smaller but more dominant cousin. While Hoi An’s ancient town is a must on any travelers itinerary for Vietnam, Hue is sometimes bypassed especially by tourists on a whistle-stop tour of the country. Whilst it may not have the quaint old world charm of its near neighbor, in the citadel and the royal tombs, Hue does have two of the country’s most impressive sites. As with most good things in life, the deeper you dig the more you find there is to discover.
Protected by 10km long, two meter thick walls and the Perume Tiver, the immensity of the citadel is impressive. In front of the walls and facing the river is a 37 meter high flagpole, the tallest in Vietnam.
Like a Russian doll, the citadel consists of a city within a city. Commenced in 1804, the Imperial Enclosure was the administrative center of the dynasty. At its heart lies the Forbidden Purple City, where only the Emperor, his family, servants and trusted mandarins were allowed to set foot. Although the site suffered greatly during both the French and American Wars, a ruffled charm still engulfs the place
Hue’s other main draw is the royal tombs that spread along the banks of the Perfume River to the south of the city. Accessible either by boat or motorbike, part of the attraction opulence, reflecting the decline of the dynasty that ruled the country from 1802 to 1945.
Thien Mu Pagoda is to the south west of the city. The original pagoda was built in 1601, although it has been rebuilt many times since. It is seen by many as the symbol of Hue
Beyond the obvious sites, the massive appeal of Hue is simply wandering around the city, crammed with interesting monuments, pagodas and old buildings, often in incongruous settings. Of particular interest are the garden houses.
Designed according to the principles of Feng Shui, the houses offer a harmony between architecture and nature. The ubiquitous expanse of water makes for a very tranquil setting. Many are open to the public on an informal basis, some even offering food or accommodation. Kim Long, the area between the citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, is a good place for discovering garden houses, including the Temple of Princess Ngoc Son on Nguyen Chi Thanh street. Hue’s temple of Literature is also located nearby
Hue is also famous for its cuisine. Thanks to Emperor Tu Duc, Imperial Hue cuisine has a reputation for being some of the finest in the country. For those on a less than royal budget, the city also has some excellent street food including the spicy noodle soup excellent street food including the spicy noodle soup “bun bo hue” and local rice cakes, “banh beo” and “banh cuon”. One thing is for sure, you will never go hungry in Hue – neither for food nor culture
Threeland Travel is a travel agency which is offering special packages of Vietnam Travel tours to the tourists and Vietnam hotel services at competitive prices.
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Image By Adam Hurley
Posted in Hue, Vietnam Travel Tagged: Asia, Hue, Travel, UNESCO, Vietnam 
Images From Cambodia
See More Images At vietnamandcambodiaimages.blogspot.com/
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Travel Tips To Vietnam
City Hall - HCMC, Vietnam
Vietnam has become a very popular tourist destination in recent years as it`s progressively opened up to visitors. Its beautiful unspoilt nature, cultural attractions, excellent food and diverse history makes it a fantastic place to visit. With a little preparation you can be guaranteed an excellent trip to this beautiful country.
Arrival
When arriving, visitors are obliged to fill out an entry card which will be submitted along with your visa and passport to Immigration. Keep the exit slip for your return – best attached to your passport on the visa page so you don`t lose it during your trip!
Packing
Go for light, loose and comfortable clothes that are easy to clean. Bring a jumper or jacket if you`re heading to Hanoi in winter or the rainy reason and good walking shoes are recommended. Pick ones that can be taken off easily for when visiting homes or temples. Revealing clothes shouldn`t be worn in pagodas or temples
Rice Harvest in Central Vietnam
Weather
Vietnam covers more than one zone of climate and when one part`s warm and sunny, another may be rainy and cooler. Do your planning to avoid getting caught out!
Water
Avoid drinking the tap water, or having ice in your drinks. You are wise to stick to bottled water – but check that the seals are intact. Keep up your water intake when walking or in hot climates – it`s easy to get dehydrated. Pack rehydration salts. Vietnamese coffee is well worth a try though – it`s very strong and flavourful, served with extra hot water to top up with and with condensed milk to whiten it. Beer is also very readily available with Beer Tuoi and Hoi the local draught varieties.
Food
Enjoy the beautiful food on offer – it`s very healthy and nourishing, with noodles and rice being the staple of meals, accompanied with vegetables and small amounts of protein with aromatic lemon grass and coriander for beautiful flavour and scent. You will also find European and Asian dishes readily available.
Pagoda at Marble Mtn - Danang, Vietnam
Money
The official currency is the dong – non convertible, although US dollars and travelers cheques are widely accepted, along with major credit cards in larger establishments.
Phone calls
Try the international phone at the post office – dial 44 and the city code for England. You can also get calling cards which offer a great range of reduced calling rates to different countries, including France, India, America and cheap calls to China. These will save you a small fortune during a long stay and they can be bought from the post office.
Customs
Local people are very polite and generous and you will feel that you`re made very welcome. Avoid offending local people by failing to cover up and be careful with taking photos – snapping the military and police is illegal. Read up on the local customs before you go to avoid offence!
Posted in Vietnam Articles, Vietnam Tips, Vietnam Travel Tagged: Asia, Travel Blog, Travel Tips, Vietnam, Vietnam blog 
Day 1: Cai Be – Sa Dec – Can Tho (B,L)
This morning, pick up at your hotel, then drive to Cai Be in Mekong Delta where you will embark on your sampan you will be welcomed by our crew. After your installation, the cruise will begin with the visit of some local home factories where [...]