Vietnam heritage No.44 Devember 2014

CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF VIETNAM

Long-legged geckos of Vietnam

ISSN

185

9-41

23

LARUTLLTUC NOITAATICOSSAEGATTAIREH MANTEIVFON

Long-legged

Long-legged

geckLong-legged

Vietnamof os geck

Vietnam

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS - NATUREFIRST PRIZE

Tuyết Sa Pa / Sapa in winterAuthor: Phạm Bằng

SECOND PRIZE

Thác Bản Giốc mùa thu Ban Gioc water fall in autumn

Author: Trịnh Thu Nguyệt

THIRD PRIZEHoa biển Trường Sa / Nam Yet island

Author: Vũ Ngọc Hoàng

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

FIRST PRIZEGái thượng phong / Boat racing

Author: Nguyễn Thành Vương

SECOND PRIZENáo nức hội làng / A village festival

Author: Hoàng Hải Thịnh

THIRD PRIZEHội vật làng Thủ LễThe wrestling festival

Author: Nguyễn Đức Trí

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOSTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

FIRST PRIZEBánh hỏi ra lò / Making noodles

Author: Trần Đình Thương

SECOND PRIZESản phẩm tre Việt NamMaking bamboo baskets

Author: Trần Đình Thương

THIRD PRIZELụa Bảo Lộc / Bao Loc silk

Author: Cao Minh Dẹt

AWARDS FOR SINGLE PHOTOS - LIFEFIRST PRIZE

Ánh đèn đêm hội / Festive Hoi An lightsAuthor: Lê Trọng Khang

SECOND PRIZE

Niềm vui được mùa tỏi / The joy of a good garlic seasonAuthor: Bùi Thế Dũng

THIRD PRIZENiềm vui / The joy Author: Hà Văn Đông

AWARDS FOR PHOTO SERIESFIRST PRIZE

Mây núi Bắc Sơn / Bac Son mountain in cloudsAuthor: Nguyễn Phụng Chí

SECOND PRIZE

Nét xưa ngoại thành / Old subburban waysAuthor: Hồng Trọng Mậu

THIRD PRIZEBiển Việt Nam / Vietnam sea Author: Nguyễn Đình Thành

RUNNER-UP AWARDSBình yên / Peace Author: Huỳnh Quốc CườngBình yên hang Rái Author: Phạm Mạnh TuấnPeaceful view from Rai caveQuyết liệt / Mud ball festival Author: Trần MinhVu Lan / Releasing lanterns Author: Trương VữngNghề làm nước mắm Author: Đặng Hồng LongMaking �sh sauceGiữ nghề / Making drums Author: Trần Thị Kiều OanhNụ cười Chăm Author: Trần Minh Trung The smile of Cham childrenQua sông / Crossing a bridge Author: Hoàng Thạch VânHội An, góc nhìn từ bầu trời Author: Trương Anh ĐứcHoi An, seen from the skyLụa Tân Châu, một thời vang bóng Tan Chau, a past glamour Author: Nguyễn Vinh Hiển

CONGRATULATIONSTO VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014

WINNERS

Published by the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam Publication licence No: 1648/GP-BTTTT from the Ministry of Information and Communications of the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam for the English-language edition of The Gioi Di San (The World of Heritage) magazineEditor-in-Chief: Le Thanh Hai; Public Relations Director: Bui Thi Hang;Sub-editing: Erik Johnson; Assistant: Kha Tu Anh; Production: Nguyen Hoang Kim Long; Contributing Photographers:Nguyen Ba Han, Hoang Quoc Tuan, Hoang The Nhiem, Huynh Van Nam, Le Hoai Phuong, Nguyen Anh Tuan; Ngo Nguyen Huynh Trung Tin; Tran Viet DucCorrespondent: Pip de Rouvray; Advertising and Circulation: Green Viet Advertising JSC Advertising and Subscriptions Service: Email: [email protected];Thuy Phuong 0166 79 70 706 Email: [email protected] Advertising and Subscription: The He Moi MHN Viet Nam Co.Ltd, Mr Song Hao: 0903 476 999 Contact in the US for subscription and advertising: 2628 Sturla dr. San Jose, CA 95148 Vietnam Heritage is published monthly, produced in Vietnam and printed at Army Printing House No 2. © All rights reserved.

Value for money

What the papers say

38

Events34

32

Directions

Laid back

43

Recipe42

58

COVER STORYConservationLong-legged geckos of Vietnam

No 11, Vol.4, December 2014

Vietnam Heritage Editorial Office:l 4th Floor, 1/1 Hoang Viet St., Ward 4,Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (84-8) 38 11 88 46 Fax: (84-8) 38 11 87 75

Email: [email protected]@gmail.com

www.vietnamheritage.com.vn

18

8

12

1416

20

24

ArchitectureThe French school

AdvertorialRelaxing in Hue? Elementary, my dear traveller

HistoryFootprints of the kingsThe gallery of the real

CraftsCeramic trade no longer going to pot

22GeologyFor whom the bell tolls

WorkDeadly catch

26AdvertorialCanon delighting you for the common good

31MythologyWhen life closes a window, God opens a door

Cover photograph:Lichtenfel geckos (Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi)Photo by Phung My Trung

Vietnam Heritage

Vietnam Heritage

VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014 • 5

CONTENT

8

12 16

20 22

24 31

Taking a bath with an elephant at Don Village, Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province, 2012.

Photo: Ngo Thi Thu Ba

Unique among its peers,Pedagogical College

of Dalat standsthroughout time

8 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - DECEMBER 2014

ARCHITECTURE

Dalat is the only town in Vietnamwhich, in terms of its architec-tural planning and design, canbe said to be European. The de-

sign includes thousands of villas, edificesand public buildings, among which the mostnotable is the Pedagogical College of Dalat.

Years ago, seeing a calendar with a pic-ture of a big lake and a tower behind a grovein the background, I thought it was some-thing half the earth away. But the captionsaid it was a corner of Xuan Huong Lake inDalat. The miraculous tower reflecting inthe ‘lake that blinks thousands of goldenleaves’ sung about in a song by Trinh CongSon urged me to come to the ‘streets of thehighland’ to see it for myself. Ever since then,I visited the college every time I came here.

This time, I rented a motorbike in theDalat central market, cut the wind on OngDao Bridge, and followed lake breezesalong its Tran Quoc Toan shore to turn into Yersin Street. Looking from the entranceof the railroad station, the tower behindthe pine grove on the hill seemed to be ex-pecting me. After passing Dalat Map Print-ing, which used to be the GeographicService of Indochina, I was at the gates ofthe college. The two-storey office building’sfaçade is lined with solemn white column.Under the Mansard roofs, there are strangeround air gates unlike any other school of-fice in our country.

Walking down the corridor under awavy roof, I came to a large pine shadedcourt. From here, I could again contem-plate the nearly hundred-metre-long redbuilding, curved like an open book with agigantic pen in the middle, pointing up tothe deep blue highland sky.

In the year-round cool climate of Dalat,the building’s red colour creates an enthusi-astic and warm feeling, making it evenmore splendid without feeling hot as inother areas. It was truly a reasonable choiceby maestro architect Paul Moncet, who de-

signed and led the construction during thelate 1920’s. He was also a co-creator (to-gether with architect Revéron) of the cograilroad station, another famous landmarkof Dalat.

On the ground, there are 16 Roman archentrances with a line of square columnsrunning along the curved corridor, whichadd grace and support two upper floorswith 24 classrooms. The corridor on thefloor above is lined with paired white cylin-drical columns, which stand out against thered walls. The top floor has white doors

TheFrenchschool

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY PHO DAO

A view from Dalat Railway Stationoverlooking the Pedagogical College of Dalat

A view from Dalat Railway Stationoverlooking the Pedagogical College of Dalat

ARCHITECTURE


with round air gates on the sides that looklike mischievous eyes looking back at visi-tors. These doors remove the monotonous-ness, adding glamour to the building’s frontside. On the back side, the whole groundfloor is covered with glass windows, whichmake it look luxurious like a trading centreand keep the classrooms both warm andbright in cool misty weather without wast-ing electricity. According to photos taken inthe late 1960’s, there was a spacious courtbehind the building, surrounded by a beau-tiful pine grove, which has now been re-

placed by a chaos of jostling houses. Apart from the main building, on the

sides of the court are buildings blocks thathouse the library and labs. Student dormi-tories are hidden in a pristine pine forest,behind which there is a stadium for teach-ers and students to play sports. The originaleight ha area may be too big for a school.Perhaps in the early XX century Dalat wasstill a primeval region, which allowed itsbuilder the full freedom of imagination.

Every time I stand in this court, I ammesmerized by the buildings, strong as a

castle and magnificent as a palace. So manytimes I have asked myself why I love thisschool so much. The answer is not difficult;it is because this is a work by a man withtalents. But without the vision and commit-ment of E. Hébrard, Head of the Service ofArchitecture and Urbanization of In-dochina in 1923 and author of the generalplanning of the ‘garden city’ Dalat, would aschool like this which became a symbol ofthis city have come into existence?

In the late XIX and early XX centuries,the French built privileged high schools, lll


ARCHITECTURE

such as Le Quy Don (CollègeChasseloup-Laubat) in 1874, Vio-let Dress School for Girls (1913),Lycée Pétrus Truong Vinh Ky(1925) in Saigon, Collège de MyTho (1879) in Tien GiangProvince, National School (ÉcolePrimaire Supérieure) (1896) inHue, Lycée du Protectorat (1908),and Lycée Albert Sarraut (1919) inHanoi. They all followed function-alism in design with a court in themiddle, surrounded by functionalblocks, or the blocks standing inparallel, separated by a courtyard.Functional architecture, whichprioritized functionality over

beauty, was predominant in theearly XX century.

Yet this anti-functional com-plex, as the experts call it, gotthrough. Practically, it should bearranged just like the others. Par-ticularly, the money spent on thetower would be good for manyother facilities. But then therewould be no miraculous-lookingschool to beautify Dalat for cen-turies. It’s the ‘anti-functionality’of the form, especially that of thetower, that created another func-tionality, that of visual art. Theartistic value of the school com-plex was surely not a utility by it-

self. Admiration to those talentedand incorruptible men whose re-maining architectural works allover Indochina are not only a tan-gible legacy, but also an invaluableexample of professional ethicsand honour, which became evenmore urgent after nearly a century.

The tower seen from Palacehotel, Doi Cu, Xuan HuongLake and almost everywhere inthe city seems to say ‘Here I am,’and ‘I am just a school, but amust-see!’ Perhaps that’s why awine company here took theimage of the school with a toweras its exclusive trademark.n

lll


ADVERTORIAL

Think tourism in Hue and you auto-matically think ‘history’ - theCitadel, the Purple Forbidden City,The Imperial Mausoleums. A few

years ago, some enterprising people alsothought of Hue as a beach destination andhotels sprang up on the long bar of land thathas formed behind the Hue lagoon, one ofAsia’s largest. But it takes some thinking outof the box to actually establish a luxury re-sort hotel on the lagoon itself and trail blazewith Vietnam’s first over-the-water villas.The owners of this development are thesame family that, ten years ago, created thatretreat in the woods, ‘Pilgrimage Resort’, justsouth of Hue City. Here, you are given thesame personal attention, original architec-tural design and top-notch food and bever-age in a different and awe-striking setting-ashimmering lagoon, surrounded by loftymountains and backed by steep, wooded

slopes. If ‘Pilgrimage’ was a number one hit,then the family group has followed up with aworld-wide smash.The reception block is traditional Viet-

namese village architecture of column, beamand rafter, using light brown jackfruit wood,which is also used for carvings on displaythroughout the complex. Paying homage tothe previous occupants of this area, you willalso see Cham art here and by the commu-nal swimming pool. There was even a Chamfigurine in an alcove in my villa, as well as aCham dancing girl carved in slate over thebed. This block houses a library, an artgallery with works by local artists, a tabletennis room and a karaoke room. Adjacent to this are the tennis, bad-

minton and volleyball courts. If you are notcontent just to simply rest, there are also pri-vate and public swimming pools. One thingI would to have loved to have tried was

kayaking. I watched braver folk enjoyingthis. An alternative is to arrange for a fishingtrip further out on the lagoon. Instead, I tookto cycling.There are bicycles parked outside of all

accommodations, and you are also providedwith a map for exploring the area by bike.The real Vietnam is right outside itsdoorstep. A beaten earth road with very littletraffic leads you right by fishing villages andlime green rice fields. You can watch folkmending nets and unloading fish from sam-pans. So many times have I rushed along theNational Highway Number 1 on four wheels,never realising there was this fascinatingtranquil world below. You will see domesti-cated ducks and geese along the way, as wellas egrets. I rode as far as a large village, wherea river flows into the lagoon. Here, gailypainted in red and blue, were large sea-goingfishing vessels. The only negative is the pol-lution. The locals toss a lot of rubbish on theshore way and reeds. Hopefully, with the ar-rival of the resort, people will realise thevalue to all of keeping the lagoon as clean aspossible. Wisely, Vedana employs eighty-fiveper cent of its staff locally, so word will soonget round.On to wining and dining. There are sev-

eral alternatives; you can have a table set upfor two and enjoy a romantic dinner on thepier, watching the day fade away over the la-goon. Particularly, for private groups among

Relaxing in Hue?Elementary,

my dear travellerBY PIP DE ROUVRAY

ADVERTORIAL


lush greenery, there is the Lantern House,where cooking lessons also take place. I atewhere most folk do, on the veranda of theHorizon Restaurant, where both Westernand Asian dishes of the highest standardsare served.In order to take the stress out of choos-

ing, and acknowledging that the chefknows best as to what combines with what,I chose to eat Vietnamese Table d’ Hote’.The appetiser was the slightly glutinous‘crab and mushroom soup’, very familiar tome. Then came the ‘goi du du’- papaya andbeef salad with rice cracker to scoop it upand embellished with raw carrot and cu-cumber. The piece de résistance was the‘seafood on a large square platter’. This con-sisted of grilled prawns, squid, clams andmackerel steak. It came accompanied bywhite rice and sautéed morning glory. All ofthis I enjoyed seated on the verandah withcandle light on the table and starlightabove. Dessert was passion fruit withcream. Captain Waitress Miss Anh Thi AnhThu marshalled her staff well and madesure my glass of sémillion chardonnay Aus-tralian wine was kept topped up.I was lodged in a Pool Honeymoon

Villa. With gardens fore and aft and a spa-cious private swimming pool to the side,the villa is made of concrete, pink stone andthatch. There is also a long wooden verandawith sunbeds, chairs, table and potted flow-

ers and a great view of the lagoon. The in-side was as large as a London flat with evena kitchen where you can take a private cook-ing lesson. Ablutions were either to betaken in a very large bathtub or by open-airshower in the back garden. The centre piecewas a large dark wood four-poster bed.Staff member Miss Truong Thi Mong

Cam showed me the other kinds of accom-modation. The Lagoon View Bungalow isthe same as mine, but without the privatepool. A first for Vietnam and more or less thesame design and for the same price as myvilla and even with a smaller version of theshower garden, there are eight over-the-water Aqua Villas. One special feature is thatpart of the floor is of very thick glass, so youcan observe shoals of fish underneath. Withsuch a conducive and romantic atmosphere,I wondered how many babies had been con-ceived here. ‘We have no reliable statistics,’Miss Mong Cam informed me. The PoolAqua Villa, also on stilts over the water, is adouble unit; two bedrooms separated by apool. Probably equivalent to a presidentialsuite built into the wooded mountainside isThe Pool Family House, which has two bed-rooms, a living room, kitchen and a verylarge garden with its own pool and bad-minton court.Early morning found me breathing in

the cajuput-perfumed air on the boards ofthe ‘Wellness and Spa Centre’. I had come

for my first lesson in Tai Chi. Ahead of me,my instructress raised her arms and loudlyproclaimed ‘In Hell’. My spine instantlychilled. What evil New Age sorceress wasthis? If she had had a sword in those handsshe would be about to sacrifice a pig, Ithought. What had I let myself in for? Notto worry; after a while it dawned on methat what she was trying to say was ‘Inhale’.She had other, more picturesque com-mands – ‘Hold the jar’, Push the door’,‘Sweep to the left’ and ‘Sweep to the right’.She had her share of laughs as my first at-tempts at Tai Chi were as clumsy as the an-tics of that other Englishman, Mr Bean. What more could anyone wish for? Viet-

nam now takes on the world for luxury re-sort hotels set in breathtaking scenery. Morethan that, it has not chain hotel repetition,but a hotel incorporating much of its her-itage and culture with unique creativity andgenuinely friendly family personal attention.Current published rack rates: Lagoon

View Bungalow VND7,480,000, Pool Hon-eymoon Villa VND11,000,000, Pool AquaBungalow 27,940,000. Prices include break-fast and all taxes.n

Vedana Lagoon Resort and SpaAddress: Zone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu LocDistrict, Hue. Tel: (84 54) 3681-688Email: [email protected]


HISTORY

In recent decades, Hue has at-tracted the attention of manydomestic and foreign cultur-ologists. Mr Nguyen Dac

Xuan is perhaps one of the mostspecial among them. He has dedi-cated almost all his life to studyHue’s culture, and people call hima ‘Hue-ologist’.

Nguyen Dac Xuan was born in1937, in a family that had three gen-erations working in royal palaces.‘This helped a lot in my researchwork, because I can compare thematerials with what my father andgrandfather told me,’ he said.

Mr Xuan receives me in a roomfilled with thousands of books,neatly arranged on shelves. To him,the nearly 700-year history of Hueincludes many domains, includingtopography, philosophy, Bud-dhism, music and literature.

To collect materials in theseareas, Mr Xuan constantly left hisbeloved Hue. He has books in Chi-nese, French, English and Vietnamese and hundreds photo-graphs. ‘I have books that nobodyelse in Vietnam does. And I have in-valuable photos, too,’ he affirmed.

The agile old man also made

hundreds of cassette and videotapes of the Kings’ wives, children,grand children, and the former ser-vants of the royal family. ‘King BaoDai’s second wife, Mrs Mong Diep,brought me 52 cassette tapes. I amamong the very few Vietnamesewho have met Princess Nhu Ly,King Ham Nghi’s daughter, wholives in seclusion in France,’ MrXuan said.

His research has brought himmaterials from the pagodas,churches, and genealogical recordsof Hue families. He carefully readsand compares it all, including theartefacts, before writing booksabout Hue.

To date, the old man has writ-ten over 50 books about Hue cul-ture, including one about Ho Chi

BY NGUYEN DANG KHOA

Footprints of the kings

Mr Nguyen Dac Xuanat Ba Vanh Tomb,

Huong Thuy Town,Thua Thien Hue

Province. Photo provided by Nguyen Dac Xuan

A 77-year old researcher is a self-made expert on the kings of Hue

HISTORY

Minh’s childhood in Hue, the search for Em-peror Quang Trung’s tomb a clarification onthe exile of Kings Ham Nghi, Thanh Thai,Duy Tan, Bao Dai; and books unveiling someof Hue’s secrets.

‘After 40 years studying Hue’s history, Ihave concluded that Hue culture is GreatViet culture, influenced by ancient Champaculture. So it has both the Northern vitalityand the Southern deep torment. This is ageneral theorem, applicable to all aspects ofthis culture,’ he asserted.

I asked which aspect was the focus of hisresearch. ‘History is made by man, so I paidmost of my attention to the people, focusingon the upper ruling class. I am especially fas-cinated by the Tay Son Dynasty’s emperorQuang Trung and the 13 Kings of NguyenDynasty, because their fates reflect that ofthe nation. For example, the life of the fourexiled kings shows that the nation’s fate wasin the hands of the French,’ Mr Xuan said.

‘What about the kings interests you?’ Iasked.

‘Everything, from running the country,

their everyday life, their eating and drinkinghabits, to the little known secrets, such as theintrigues in the power struggle, the kings’ sexlife, incest in the royal family and outburstsof jealousy among the kings’ concubines.’ hereplied.

To study the character and fate of thekings, he had to scour through the writtenmaterials, royal palaces, tombs, indulgencedens, incognito routines, and exile sites of allthe Nguyen Kings.

Mr Xuan summed up that each king’s lifeis reflected best in his tomb. He argued,

‘Heroic Gia Long Tomb belongs to an in-trepid king. Mighty Minh Mang tomb be-longs to a king who ruled by strict andconsistent law. Pensive Tu Duc tomb showshis poetic nature. Grandiose Khai Dinh tombdemonstrates his love for luxury.’

Some of Nguyen Dac Xuan’s researchworks were met with scepticism. ‘A few yearsago I published my findings about the tombof the world renowned emperor QuangTrung, and was criticized fiercely. But I firedback openly and convincingly. I challengeany dispute,’ he said.n

Mr Xuan advises those who want to feel Hue culture to visit the royal palaces andall the seven royal tombs, or at least the four tombs of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Tu Duc,Khai Dinh; then go to see Tu Dam, Linh Mu Pagodas and Tu Hieu and Hoang MaiMonasteries. At night, they should take a boat cruise on Perfume River and listen toHue calling songs, then go to see An Huyen garden (an estate of a court official), PhuMong old house, and Phuoc Tich old village, then visit trade villages to see how thingsused to be made; palm leaf hats at Phu Cam, bronze at Phuong Duc, embroideries atPhung Loc, then see court opera in the old citadel and during all this time, enjoy theuniquely Hue treats, especially the nam, loc and beo pastries.


HISTORY

Just 20 km South of Hanoi, VanTao Commune is a peacefulland, with many pure Viet-

namese cultural features. Peoplehere are mostly farmers, attachedto their paddy fields. Recently, Ilearned the bonsai has becometheir new source of income.

The rollercoaster developmentin the city seems not to affect lifehere. Around the new industrialzones, there are bazaars where onecan buy plants, chickens and pigs.In the villages, people still use wellwater. Laterite walls and tile roofsslowly weather, waiting for time tocover them with a coat of moss.

Perhaps that’s why the softsolemnity pertaining to northernculture still glows around the tem-ples and pagodas in this area. Whowould fancy that a grand relic layjust a few yards beneath this unas-suming ground?

Tradition says that AdmiralDuke Do Ba Pham of Dai Giangwas a useful figure under LordTrinh Cuong. When Prince Trinh

Giang succeeded to the throne,Pham fell out of grace. He startedpreparing for a world without him.He ordered stones from DongTrieu, Quang Ninh Province to beplaced on waterways to Van Tao,where he saw a good land forma-tion. He hired master stone ma-sons to carve the stones and buildhis tomb on joints, without bond-ing materials.

The whole area is divided intothree parts; the gate, the pre-deathtomb, and the grave. Architec-turally, the tomb is the most no-table part. On both sides of thepath leading into the tomb, thereis an incense table made of mono-lithic stones, intricately carved. Onthe tablets is written ‘Dragon andhorse play ball’ and ‘Lions kow-tow’, together with reliefs of lo-tuses, clouds and fire and even anink-slab and brushes.

Another notable detail is thestone throne, similar to those inthe hind part of the village com-munal houses next to the LandLord’s votive tablet. Remarkably,the stone carvings on this throneare no less delicate and meticulousthan the wooden ones.

The last part is an obelisk thathouses the gravestone, and thegrave of the Admiral Duke Do BaPham of Dai Giang. The obeliskdesign is quite unique, because thestone roof and the four supportingpillars are connected only byjoints, but the structure is verysolid. The gravestone tells of thethree generations of merits of theDuke, but carries no date of death.

The grave house right behindthe obelisk has the typical turtleshell shape, with a spiky top andfour roofs. There is a rumor that

there used to be buildings aroundthe grave house and the grave hasa mechanical trap that makes itcollapse if intruded upon.

One can talk for days about thearchitecture of Admiral Do BaPham’s tomb, because it is a land-mark masterpiece which remainsalmost intact. But the most im-pressive are the statues, especiallythe totem statues, which are purelyVietnamese. The pure essence ofthe Vietnamese shows in thepeacefulness, gentleness and real-ness of the statues and the animals.

Outside the gate, a pair ofstone dogs in tintinnabula used tostand guard. One of them is miss-ing, and the other is seriouslydamaged. But dogs are the housekeepers and the remaining dog’sbearing shows it. Right behind thedogs stand two sturdy and serious-looking guards. The guard statuesare made very realistically, frombody size to facial features.

The most impressive is the pairof real-size, authentically detailedstone elephants. They must havebeen made by master carvers withgreat knowledge. They are twins,with deep-set, expressive eyes. Ele-phants are usually encountered attemples and pagodas, but this pairis one of a kind because they aretoo beautiful, too real.

Behind the crouching ele-phants is a pair of full-size horses.They are real in every detail, with-out any flourishes or stylization.We can even learn from them howpeople used to harness horses atthe time.

Then, another pair of stonedogs. These don’t sit like the guarddogs at the gate, but crouch infront of the second incense table

The gallery of

Above: A statue of the guardoutside. Opposite from top:

A couple of stone dogs andtheir puppy crouching in front of a stone throne;

A crouching stone elephant; A pair of stone lions

Photos: Nguyen Tat Dinh

the realbefore an obelisk. The specialthing about these dogs is that theywere made without any sophisti-cated detail. They seem to be acouple, male and female, andthere is a puppy sitting next to thefemale. It’s a happy dog family.And of course, these dogs are cuteand tranquil, not fierce at all.

The only unreal things presentin the tomb area are the lions. Inter-estingly, although made 300 yearsago, this stone lion pair is still verynew. They show power and author-ity, but at the same time seem to befriendly and easy to approach.

Ms Pham Thi Cuong, whosefamily has lived at the tomb gatefor 4 generations, said that thewhole village knew nothing aboutthe tomb because it was buried toolong ago. Previous generations hadto worry about famine and socialturmoil. The great flood of 1914broke the dykes and smashed awayeverything on its way. Only thestrongest buildings on the highestspots survived. People had to evac-uate en masse. When the floodwater receded, everything, includ-ing Duke Van’s tomb, was buriedunder the alluvial soil.

As a witness of the excavationof the tomb, Ms Cuong said that itwas done in 1984 or 1986. Miracu-lously, the tomb was almost intact.

Ms Cuong has seen all of theplaces in her district, and she issure that such beautiful totem stat-ues can be found nowhere else. Afew years after the excavation, lifewas too hard, so only very few peo-ple came to see the tomb. Later,when things got better, many cameto contemplate the wonders, andshe began to help the curator totake care of the tomb.n

BY CAO MANH TUAN


CONSERVATION

Most of the Goni-urosaurus geckos ofVietnam live in deepcaves in the lime-

stone mountains of Vietnam. Theyare nocturnal animals, with verylarge eye apertures, capturing asmuch light as possible in order tosee their predators and prey.

Vietnamese herpetologists dif-ferentiate them from ordinarygeckos by their distinctly bulgingeyelids. Their popular name in

English is leopard geckos, becausetheir skin has colourful spots likethose of leopards.

Apart from their long legs,these geckos are also blessed with astylish ornamental coat, beautifulin every detail. Their original tailonly swells a little at the base, butas new a tail grows to replace a lostone, it swells more than usual.These regenerated tails are a veryinteresting feature peculiar to thisgroup of reptiles. They regenerate

not only the bones, muscles andblood vessels but also the nervesubsystem.Because of their proudglamour, these beauty queens arevictims of illegal poaching, cap-tured to be sold to China as pets.There are five main varieties.

1.Huu Lien geckos (Goniurosaurus huulienensis)

These geckos are found atabout 300-400m above sea level, inthe lime stone mountains of Lang

Long-legged geckos of VietnamPhoto: Phung My Trung

Lang SonCao Bang

Cat Ba island

1

CONSERVATION


Son Province. The Huu Lien gecko’s body is108-117 mm long, with a dark brown back, acream or orange stripe at the nape of theneck, three stripes between front and backlimbs, one stripe right behind the back limbsand three to four stripes on the tail, and thetip of the tail is sometimes creamy or white.This is the second kind of gecko discoveredin Vietnam in 2008, after the Goniurosauruscatbaensis that were announced recently.

2.Cat Ba geckos (Goniurosaurus catbaensis)

Their thin body is 84-111mm long. Thebrown back has grey stripes and a multitudeof dense yellow spots along the sides; thescales are of grainy type. These geckos live inrock slits and caves of the cliffs in Cat Ba bios-

phere near Hai Phong. They were discoveredand announced in May 2008. To date, theyare known to be found only in Cat Ba Islandand believed to exist only in Vietnam.

3.Luii geckos (Goniurosaurus luii)Their bright body is a mix of chocolate

brown with black and orange stripes. The tailis black and white. They live in rock slits andcaves on the lime stone cliffs of Trung Khanh,Cao Bang Province. They have been con-firmed to exist in Vietnam and were an-nounced in November 2005.

4.Lichtenfel geckos (Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi)

Their dark violet body and tail have fivewhite or yellow stripes of equal width that ex-

tend only to the stomach. Blood red eyeslined with palpebras of almost the samecolour make them stand out. These geckoslive not in lime stone mountains of NorthernVietnam, but on low earthen hills.

5.Viet geckos (Goniurosaurus araneus)With a dirt yellow body and six brown

stripes on their back, these geckos are a signa-ture of Cao Bang Province of Vietnam. In theirLatin name, ‘aranea’ means spider, becausetheir skinny form and long limbs make themlook like spiders. The eyes are red brown. Go-niurosaurus araneus are recognized amonggeckos by a thin line of scales on their back.They live mostly in rocky caves.n

TEXT BY PHUNG MY TRUNG

Photo: Phung My Trung Photo: Phung My Trung

Photo: Phung My Trung Photo: Lee Grismeri

Photo: Phung My Trung

4 5

2 3


CRAFTS

One can recognize the ceramicvillage Phu Lang, Que Vo Dis-trict, Bac Ninh Province by neatwalls of pots, jars and sar-

cophagi that wrap around it. We came to the 68-year-old artisan Pham

The Tue when his family was baking a newbatch of ceramic. Adding wood to the fire, hesaid, ‘I started this fire yesterday at noon, nowwe can unload it.’

Sipping tea from his product, Mr Tuesaid, ‘Tho Ha clay is blue, Bat Trang clay iswhite, but ours is brick-red. Here we doeverything by hand, from shaping to paint-ing and enameling, and then it’s dried in thesun. After baking, the clay becomes pink, andthe enamel light brown or dark brown, like

eel skin. Those are the predominant enamelsthat we use. Our ceramic looks rough andtough, because that’s the beauty of earth andfire. That’s what makes Phu Lang ceramic at-tractive.’

Ms Pham Thi Ha, Mr Tue’s daughter, toldus how they did it. Clay is bought andbrought here from Bac Giang Province byboats, ground and sun dried to make it fade,then soaked for some time. Then it is pressedand rolled until the texture is as fine as pos-sible. Only then it can be used to makethings. When a product is formed, and theclay is no longer sticky, a worker gentlypushes its wall from inside to create a reliefon the outside. After the clay has faded evenmore, the product is smoothed, enameled

and sun dried again. When the enamel coatbecomes opaquely white, it’s time to bake.

The all-natural enamel used here is PhuLang’s secret, which is passed down throughgenerations. Ash of Erythrophleum fordii,Madhuca pasquieri, Burretiodendronhsienmu and talauma wood is mixed withlime, ground pebbles and white silt. The mixis dried and ground again, then put in waterand stirred to form the enamel, and then itis ready.

Mr Pham Tu Tai, owner of ‘Gom Tai’ ex-plained, ‘To bake the ceramic, most of us usea dragon kiln, which has three connectedcompartments with flat but slanting floorsleading to the chimney. The baked productsare cleverly arranged; small vases and bedside

Ceramic trade nolonger going to pot

BY THAI SON

Bac NinhProvince

Opposite and right:Potters at work

Below: Inside a kilnPhotos: Phung Chi

lamp bases are put inside the big jars andpots. The wood for burning must be of highquality. Experienced workers can tell by thecolour of the fire when the ceramic is done.

The materials used today remain thesame as hundreds of years ago, but the newgeneration of artisans, educated in artisticschools, has brought a fresh breath into thetrade. Today’s products are more diverse inpurpose, use, design, shape and form, takingthe art of ceramic making to a new level.

Nhung and Thieu are two of the mostvanguard trademarks of Phu Lang today;particularly Nhung, a generations-old work-shop that flourished during the last decade.Young workers are keen to experiment withnew materials. Some delicate designs offlowers, trees and leaves are inspired by na-ture. Nhung ceramics have established a firmfoothold in the highly demanding marketsof Japan and South Korea.

Mr Nguyen Minh Ngoc, owner of Ngocworkshop, told us his forefathers used tomake only household utensils and spiritualobjects. Recently, the more economic plastichas almost choked out the ceramic trade.After the success of artistic ceramic pio-neered by the Nhung and Thieu families, in2001 he strived to get admitted to the HanoiInstitute of Arts. What he learned helped alot in creating shapes and forms and mixingcolours. Now, he has a thriving workshopand creates jobs for a dozen workers.

As a blend of culture, history and art forgenerations, Phu Lang has become an attrac-tive destination for domestic and foreigntourists. They come not only to see and listenand take pictures of the village, the peopleand the surroundings, but also to learn howthe ceramic is made and to do it themselves,which is a memorable experience. A Japan-ese tourist shared his thoughts, ‘Before com-ing here, all I knew about the village werephotos of ceramic pots, jars, vases and bonsaibeds. Now I will take home the warm im-pression of the smiles, the friendliness, thesimplicity and spontaneity of the people Imet here.’n


GEOLOGY

To many dwellers of BuonMa Thuot Township,Dak Lak Province, thecafé at 599 Le Duan

Street is no longer an eccentricplace with many hundred-million-year old fossils and rocks, but asanctuary containing preciousrelics of geological history collectedby its owner, Mr Hoang Thanh. Hewas born in 1959 at Sia Town ofQuang Dien District near Hue.During the 1968 offensive, his fam-

ily drifted to Buon Ma Thuot. Hebecame a road construction me-chanic. In 1991, he quit his job andopened a repair shop at home. Hedreamt to have a beautiful gardenof his own. So, he bought someland and started building the gar-den of his dreams.

Then he recalled the rocks andstumps he saw at constructionsites. He immediately went backand took them home. He spentmoney to hire big trucks for the job.His passion for rocks became fa-mous, and people started to collectstrange looking ones and sell themto him. ‘My friends think that Imust be a screwball to spendmoney on scraps like this,’ MrThanh laughed. His passion forrocks grew stronger with time. Hesold his big house in the city tohave money for the rocks. He looksfor and buys all the rocks andstumps he likes just to decorate hisgarden. Once, he found three large

rock crystals. No vehicle couldreach the place where he discov-ered them, so he hired an elephantto pull them. Forest rangersstopped him, suspecting some-thing illegal, but upon seeing therocks, they all burst into laughter.

The garden was completedwith hundreds of rocks, big andsmall. Mr Thanh opened a café toshow them to his friends. ‘Someliked it, some didn’t, but I was justhappy with my work. Soon, my gar-den was honoured to receive Prof.Vu Ngoc Hai, known for his workin the field of geology and miner-als. He was also a deputy ministerof education and training. Prof. VuNgoc Hai said that these rocks aretreasures of national significance,and he told me to carefully preservethem, because they hold the secretof the formation of the Tay Nguyenhighlands about 200 million yearsago. Only then I and my friends un-derstood the great historical value

For whom the bell tollsTEXT AND PHOTOS BY THANH HA

Above: The ‘stone bell’Below: Mr Thanh and

a complex of stone daisy fossils

Buon Ma Thuot

of the useless rocks in my garden’,Mr Thanh recalled.

In March 2010, Dr. Luu DamCu, Director of the Vietnam Na-tional Museum of Nature sent agroup headed by Dr. Nguyen HuuHung, a palaeontologist, to MrThanh’s garden to inspect his col-lection. According to them, hiscollection holds the record aboutthe formation of Tay Nguyenhighland, a basis for geo-culturalstudy of the local ethnicities.After studying Mr Thanh’s sam-ples, the Vietnam National Mu-seum of Nature expressed deepinterest and wished to possess hismollusc fossils as a resource forresearch and exhibition. MrThanh agreed and handed overthe largest paleontological collec-tion of Tay Nguyen in the world(11.5 tons).

Mr Thanh’s garden has a pre-cious item called the stone bell. 12years ago, while clearing a pass inLak District, he saw a rock thatlooked as if it was made by humanhands. It was cylindrical, 2.5 mlong, 60 cm in diameter andweighed about 800 kg. He imme-diately hired a truck to take ithome and used a pulley to bring itinside. Suddenly, the iron chain hitthe rock and made a sound similarto that of a bell, to the amazementof all. So he hung it up and uses asmall stone to knock it.

The rock looks even more pe-culiar when the sun’s rays fall onit; it shines as if gold-plated.Looking closely, there are goldengrains sunken in its fabric. ‘This isa sandstone rock, so it’s porous,not hard, and those are yellowsandy silt grains, not gold. Butthey shine under sun rays, justlike gold,’ Mr Thanh explained.He loved the rock so much thathe named it and his café the‘Stone Bell’.

Mr Thanh took a pebble and

knocked slightly on the other sideof the ‘bell’. It resounds beauti-fully, like a temple bell. He walkedaround it, knocking evenly. Thebell made different tunes whenknocked at different places, lowand high, clear and hoarse, and itall mixed into a lively and seduc-tive chorus of the forest. The finerand clearer the weather, the morebeautiful it tolls. And it remainsdull in cold, rainy or foggyweather, he says.

Some people have seen stonelithophones, but stone bells arenever heard of. The bell becamean attraction that lured many cu-rious visitors to this garden café.

Besides the bell, Mr Thanhalso owns an ancient stilted housewith a completely original inte-rior, a big nine-slab lithophone,about 40 small lithophone slabsand over 300 fossil samples,among which is a complex ofstone daisy fossils with over 20 in-dividual flowers, weighing over20 kg, that occupy a special placein the house. Recently, a collectorfrom Ho Chi Minh City offeredthree billion dong (about$150,000) to buy his stilted housebut he refused. ‘A Japanese busi-nessman who specialized in pre-cious stones came to see andlisten to my stone bell. He thenoffered me a large sum for it, butI refused for a simple reason: itbelongs to Tay Nguyen.’

Mr Thanh told us his familywill soon move abroad and can-not take his collection to a foreignland. He wishes to hand over histreasure to a man as passionateand respectful as himself, or to amuseum. ‘Only those who loveand cherish history can take agood care of things that belong tothe past,’ he said.n

*The article was printed on 20September, 2014 on the TienPhong website.


WORK

They call the men who live in neststhat hang on the poles, those thatpitch their nets in the middle of thesea, ‘the nest men.’ To earn their

living, the nest men have to face many perils,which are, more often than not, deadly.

They spread deep-bottom nets in the sea,5 miles or more offshore. The nets arepitched from long poles that also support thenest, the minuscule dwelling place for the netwatchers. Their job is not only to watch thenet, but also to watch the movement of thewater to decide whether to pull the net up orlower it. So they have to stay days and nightsin the sea. Not just confined to a tiny solitarycell, the nest men’s lives are full of dangers.

‘Don’t talk about accidents in the sea. Es-pecially not to the nest men. They avoid talk-ing [about] risks…’ Mr Nguyen Thanh Tai, afisherman at Cai Doi Vam estuary (Phu TanDistrict, Ca Mau Province) told me to avoidmaking the nest men feel uneasy. Mr Taisaid, even when hearing about rogue waves,bad luck or accidents, they wouldn’t tell thenest men. ‘Because it’s too hard to makefriends these days. The occupation is too haz-ardous, so everybody is afraid.’

Mr Ly Hoang Tien, Party Secretary of DatMui Commune, Ngoc Hien District, Ca MauProvince, where many earn a living this way,told me, ‘Recently, thanks to improved com-munication, the number of nest man misfor-tunes, such as diseases, bad weather…havereduced a lot because they often get backupin time. But no one can predict all the lurkingperils. Nest men are the most vulnerable.’

From time to time, news comes aboutnest men accidents, mostly in the SouthWestern Sea. Not everybody is lucky to berescued, so the sea fishers feel a chill thinkingabout being a nest man. ‘On a boat, you cantry and moor somewhere. In a nest, anythingcan happen to you,’ Nguyen Nhat Hien, a 40-year old fisher from Khanh Hai Commune,Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau Province,

said. He shuddered when we brought up thenest men topic.

‘It’s just to earn a living, man. Somebodywould do it if they can make money with it,’38-year old nest man Tran Van Hoi from TraVinh Province said. He shook his head with-out us prompting, ‘Hardship to earn food isnothing. Falling is the end…’ Three other nestmen burst in to laughter. Mr Hoi said, ‘Justlast month, a fishing boat hit a pole. A friendof mine was sleeping in it. He fell while sleep-ing and drifted away.’

Such stories are not rare, but the phleg-matic way Mr Hoi told it can make anyoneshudder. He seems to try hard to be calm andstay ready for anything that may happen atany time.

Too many things can happen to nestmen, and whirlwinds that blow down thenests are a perennial scare. There are casu-alties of this kind almost every year. But themass takedown in November 2009 in NgocHien District, Ca Mau Province, is stillevery nest man’s nightmare. A single stormtook down 450 pitched nets of the peopleof Tam Giang, Tan An and Rach Goc com-munes. 67 nest men fell into the sea. For-tunately, the local people and the borderguards mobilized a rescue in time andsaved 65 men.

‘You can somehow be ready to face vor-texes. But if a boat hits while you are sleepingwithout being able to react, you die.’ Nestman Huynh Quoc Tuan said. It happensevery year in the seas around Ca MauProvince. He said, ‘Recently a cargo ship hita pitched nest out of Hon Khoai Island. Themen in the nest were cast into the sea. Luck-ily, a fishing boat nearby came to their rescue.But that was pure luck. A friend of mine wasnot so lucky. He is missing until now…’

According to Mr Nguyen Thanh Tai, thepitched nests owners pay a lot of attention toweather forecast. If bad weather is comingtheir way, they would send boats to get the

nest men ashore.‘They would be takenashore when thewaves reach level 4, 5.But sometimes thereare things that thenest owner can’t fore-see. When disasterstrikes, the nest man’schance is 50/50.’

Nest owners don’t normally pay salary tonest men. They share in the reaping. Netmen gets one net’s content on every 6 nests.‘If the fish comes your way, you can earn 3-5hundred thousand a day. If not, your familywould have to borrow money’, nest manQuach Phi said.n

Deadly catchBY TIEN TRINH

Ca MauProvince


Photo: Duong Van Mai Photo: Duong Van Mai

Photo: Lam Quang Minh


ADVERTORIAL

Arriving early to inter-view Mr Noriji Yoshida,President and CEO ofCanon Marketing

(Vietnam), the main sponsor ofthis magazine’s Photo Awardscompetition for the third year andbeing allowed to linger a little inthe reception area provided twobenefits.

Firstly, I was intrigued by aframed notice board which ex-pounded the company's philoso-phy. Canon seriously adheres tothe Japanese concept of ‘kyosei.’Simply put, this means ‘living andworking together for the commongood.’ The board explains thatCanon takes this further than sim-ple good neighbourliness. As an in-ternational company, it strivesboth to get all peoples to act to-gether harmoniously and to ad-dress the imbalances that exist inour world. Applying kyosei is theway for Canon to do this. Theseideas were referred to over and overagain in our conversation.

The second thing that im-pressed me was a display of Canonproducts. Wide-ranging, it drovehome the fact that Canon pro-duces, in addition to high-preci-sion and durable cameras,scanners and printers both forcommercial and personal use. MrYoshida was at pains to point outto me that just as oil companiesnow consider themselves in theenergy business, Canon, estab-lished as a camera company in1937, now considers itself a ‘total

imaging solutions company’.Arriving on the dot, just as I

have witnessed Japanese trains in-variably do, and not overly dressed

in a gleaming white shirt andbright red tie, accompanied by hisyoung Vietnamese secretary, whoin contrast, was hobbling due to

Canon delighting you forthe common good

Mr Noriji Yoshida

ADVERTORIAL

an unfortunate motor bicycle accident, MrYoshida bounded into the interview roomand shook my hand with enthusiasm andenergy. I found that he looked muchyounger than his years. I was able to esti-mate his age as he told me he had joinedCanon on leaving university thirty yearsprevious. Soon, it was clear he had an excel-lent command of the English language,gained in part due to long stints in Australiaand the U.S.A

Canon is a well-established, renownedhousehold name. Vietnam Heritage Maga-zine is small and not yet five years old. It iswonderful and amazing to have Canon as apartner. My first question to Mr Yoshida waswhat criteria do they apply when consider-ing a sponsorship proposal? ‘By and large-rejection’, he replied, in only half-jest.‘People naturally are always asking us formoney’. His secretary added that she hasdealt with around a thousand applications.I was amazed to learn that Canon came toVietnam Heritage and not the other wayaround. Mr Yoshida informed me he had

read our magazine and he had been im-pressed by the high quality of our photo-graphs. He went on to say that among therejected applications many are for photocompetitions. As for criteria, the main prin-ciple is not just giving money. Does the ac-tivity involve the active participation ofpeople? Is the outcome that people are com-ing away with their lives enriched from aproject? As for people, Canon targets in par-ticular the young and disadvantaged. MrYoshida had himself just returned from proj-ects in the poor but very photogenic north-ern provinces of Lao Cai and Yen Bai,involving children in the photographic art.

‘How important is Vietnam to Canon’?was my next poser. ‘Currently it accounts fortwo percent of the Asian market, but thatfigure is expected to double in just a fewyears’ came the reply. Both of us having longexperience in Vietnam, we talked of how fewVietnamese had cameras twenty years agoand the ease of taking a snap compared withthe days of film. ‘All the young people thesedays are taking photos by smart phone and

the quality is improving all the time’, I said.Apart from remarking that is essential thesedays for cameras to link in with the cellulartechnology, Mr Yoshida did not seem to beunduly concerned with this development.

At the end of the interview, Mr Yoshida'ssecretary informed me of Canon's co-oper-ation with our Photo Awards Competitionagain this year. As with last year, it is morethan just donating exciting prizes. Canon'ssubsidiary ‘Osei European Printing Com-pany’ will be providing the prints for the ex-hibition which will be held at TheReunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh Cityand which will subsequently tour the coun-try. This year, the prints will be auctioned offand postcards of the selected photos areplanned to be released.

Canon, with its kyosei philosophy, cer-tainly knows the importance of the big pic-ture. Canon, a truly global company, takesseriously the fulfilment of social responsibil-ities. It looks to the future with the noblegoal of contributing to world prosperity andthe well-being of mankind.n


EXHIBITIONS - VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014

Hanoi Museum

Foreign Trade University, Hanoi

Ocean Dunes Resort, Phan ThietCan Tho University

University of Social Siences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi Museum

Photos: Nguyen Dang Khoa, Vo Nguyen Thuy, Nguyen Thanh Vuong

EXHIBITIONS - VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014


Ocean Dunes Resort, Phan Thiet Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

University of Social Siences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh CityHoi An Silk Village

Nha Trang Danang University of Science and TechnologyNha Trang University

Photos: Nguyen Dang Khoa, Tran Quang Dinh, Nguyen Thanh Vuong, Nguyen Dinh Nhat Vy, Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Hoang Trung Duong

Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

VIETNAM HERITAGE PHOTO AWARDS 2014

Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards Ceremony at the Independence Palace, 23 November, 2014. First line from left:Mr Noriji Yoshida, second left, President and CEOof Canon Marketing (Vietnam), Mrs Le Thanh Hai, second right, Editor in Chief of Vietnam Heritage, and first-prize winners; Third-prize winners. Second line from left:Mr Le Trong Khang, first-prize winner of the ‘Awards For Single Photos - Life’; Mrs Bui Thi Hang, in the middle, Public Relations Director of Vietnam Heritage and panelof judges, from left, including Hoang Quoc Tuan, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Doan Thi Tho and Hoang Giang Hai. Third line from left: Mrs Le Thanh Hai, second left, Editorin Chief of Vietnam Heritage, Tran Phuoc Thinh, third left, aged 10, with the awards for potential photographer, Mr Nguyen Hung Hai, fourth left, aged 83, who paticipatedthe Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards for three consecutive years, Mrs Bui Thi Hang, fifth left, Public Relations Director of Vietnam Heritage; Mr Vo Trong Nam, secondleft, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and runners-up. Photos: Nguyen Dang Khoa, Le Trong Khang

Quan Am, or Quan The Am, is theChinese translation of the Sanskritname Aval okitesvara, which means‘watching the cries of humanity in

the world.’ It’s the name of a Bodhisattva whohas infinite power, especially when it comesto relieving mankind’s suffering.

Besides worshiping Quan Am as a mis-ery-relieving Bodhisattva, the Chinese com-munity also worships Quan Am as a God ofwealth. On the 26th day of the first lunarmonth every year, the On Lang Pagoda at 12Lao Tu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City,organizes a ‘Quan Am opening storage’event. There are many legends regarding thiscustom, but the most popular ones are thefollowing:

1. While he was a Great Priest, 500 FaithDefenders wanted to try his power. Theywere disguised as mendicant monks andcame to his temple to beg for food. Being acharitable and righteous man, Quan Am im-mediately opened his storage and gave themeverything they asked for. After eating, theydistributed the food to the poor. Since then,this day (26th of the first lunar month) be-came the day ‘Quan Am opens the storage’.

2. A young man went up the mountain toworship Quan Am, but the temple was socrowded that he could not get in. He took arest on a hillside and had a dream in which

the Bodhisattva lent him money to do busi-ness and he grew very rich. He woke up atmidnight. Back home, his business reallyprospered; the money flowed in like water.The good news went so far that people tookthe day he dreamt (26th of the first lunarmonth) to celebrate the day ‘Quan Am opensthe storage’.

3. Once upon a time, there was a greatdrought, and famine spread widely. Sud-denly, on the 26th day of the first lunarmonth, a young lady appeared and broughta bag of rice and a bag of money to distributeto people. Strangely, rice and money weregiven to everyone in the village, yet the twobags remained full. Her job done, she wavedto everybody and vanished into thin air.Then, a Bodhisattva appeared in the sky,smiling at the people. Now they realized thatthe young girl was the embodiment of QuanAm, sent to relieve their suffering. Since then,on the 26th of the first lunar month eachyear, people pour to Quan Am temples to cel-ebrate the event in which ‘Quan Am opensthe storage’.

From the midnight of the 25th until themidnight of the 26th of the first lunarmonth, hundreds of thousands of peoplecome here to ‘borrow money’ or to ‘pay theirdebts’. Ancient Chinese records describe thiscustom as follows:

On the day ‘Quan Am opens the storage’,those who want to ask for wealth would come,clean and neat, before sunrise, and quietlywait for their turn to burn incense. Then, oneof them reaches into Quan Am’s lendingchamber to take a wad of notes, on which anamount is written. The capital lent by QuanAm is believed to bring wealth and prosperityto the person. What is borrowed will have tobe repaid. The next year, the person has tocome and get a ‘check’ and put it into anotherchamber, and makes an offering.

The offerings should include incense,candles, a votive Quan Am dress, votivemoney, tea, water, and five fruits: banana(wealth), grape (riches and honour), orange(wishes to come true), pineapple (prosper-ity), tangerine (good luck) or other fruits.After kowtowing, one brings out the offeringsand chants a sutra 18 or 108 times to beg forprotection, health, easy flow of money andluck in buying and selling.

Thus, Quan Am is worshiped, not onlyamong the Buddhist world, but also in thefolklore of the Chinese migrants in Vietnam.To them, Quan Am is a god of fortune ineveryday life, in business and in secret aspi-rations for a prosperous life. It is all expressedin the veneration, the legends and the cus-toms that have been passed down to today’sgeneration.n

MYTHOLOGY


When lifecloses awindow,

God opensa door

A Bo

dhisa

ttva

sanc

tuar

y ins

ide O

n Lan

g Pag

oda

The god of mercy is alsothe god of money

TEXT AND PHOTO BY NGUYEN THAI HOA


WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Protecting wild elephantsin Dong NaiViet Nam Net English, 3 December

The Ministry of Planning and In-vestment has approved a VND74 bil-lion ($3.44 million) budget for a projecton urgent protection of wild elephantsin the southern province of Dong Nai,according to the provincial Forest Pro-tection Department.

The project, expected to kick off inDecember this year, will be imple-mented in the natural forests of VinhCuu, Tan Phu and Dinh Quan districts.

The project will focus on assessingthe elephant population, distributionand movements, while planning theexpansion of their habitat to providesustainable natural living conditions.

It will also seek ways to avoid con-flict between people and elephants andincrease communication efforts to raisethe public’s awareness of the impor-tance of protecting wild elephants.

Central Danang City namedworld’s top rising destinationThanh Nien News, 4 December

The central city of Danang took thetop spot on TripAdvisor's ‘Destinationson the Rise’ awards this year.

TripAdvisor recommends tourists‘taste [their] way through the streets ona walking or biking culinary tour’ and‘work off those bowls of spicy noodlesoup with an exploration of the cavesand grottos of the Marble Mountains.’

The site also recommends passingby the Dragon Bridge when it breathesfire over the Han River.

Oc Eo antiques recognized asnational heritageViet Nam News, 26 November

The Vietnam Book of Records hasrecognised a collection of gold objectsbelonging to the Oc Eo – Go Thap cul-ture as the largest of its kind in thecountry.

The collection comprises 49 goldobjects discovered during excavationsin the 1984-2013 period at the Go Thaparchaeological site, Thap Muoi Dis-trict, in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Deltaprovince of Dong Thap.

The antique objects date betweenthe third century and the seventh cen-tury. Many of them represent theHindu God Vishnu and flowers such asthe lotus and water lily, as well as sa-cred animals such as the Nandin cow,Vahara pig, the Shesha snake, theKurma tortoise and the Sankha snail.

The objects are believed to havebeen offerings made to heavenly beingsin return for their support. The an-tiques are being preserved at the DongThap Museum.

Nation on high alert for avianinfluenza A/H5N8Viet Nam News, 28 November

The Ministry of Health and theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural De-velopment have called for close super-vision to detect cases of avian influenzain humans and poultry throughout thecountry.

The warning has been made fol-lowing recent outbreaks of A/H5N8 inGermany, the Netherlands and theUnited Kingdom.

People have also been warned notto slaughter or eat sick poultry, and re-port such cases to local authorities.

The Animal Health Departmentalso warned there was a high risk ofA/H5N8 entering the country.

The Health Ministry has also calledfor stronger community awareness onthe prevention of seasonal diseasesduring the winter and spring. Peopleshould keep warm when the weather

turns cold and minimise contact withothers suffering from the flu, respira-tory diseases, measles, rubella and di-arrhoea.

Delta faces water shortageViet Nam News, 1 December

The Cuu Long (Mekong) Deltafaces a possible shortage of fresh waterfor next year's rice crops due to droughtand a worsening of saltwater intrusionin the coming dry season, according tothe Southern Centre for Hydro-Meteo-rological Forecasting.

Its prediction is based on highertemperatures this year accompanied bybelow-average rainfall and decliningwater levels in major rivers.

The rainfall between Decemberand April 2015 would be much belowaverage while the temperature wouldbe 0.5-1 degree Celsius higher than nor-mal, the centre also forecast.

Bai choi gains national heritageViet Nam News, 1 December

Bai choi, a traditional game com-bining folklore singing and lotterypicks, recently gained national culturalheritage status, and experts believe itwill achieve world heritage status in thenear future.

The game was honoured in a cere-mony held in central Phu YenProvince, one of the localities that ownbai choi. The game is popular in thecentral stretch of Thua Thien-Hue,Quang Nam and Binh Dinh, as well asPhu Yen and Khanh Hoa.

The game was invented nearly 400years ago and serves as a communitygame for the Tet (Lunar New Year) hol-iday in the central region. The gameoften takes place on a wide yard infront of communal houses and gathersthe entire community together.

According to experts, the gamecombines beauties from rural work,folklore singing and the Tet customs ofrice farmers.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY


Co Loa offers glimpse into pastViet Nam News, 5 December

Co Loa Citadel, 20km north of Hanoi, ap-pears to be the oldest spiral-shaped structurein Southeast Asia.

The finding comes after seven years ofarchaeological excavations by researchersfrom the Vietnam Archaeology Institute,Thang Long Hanoi Heritage ConservationCentre and University of Wisconsin-Madi-son in the US.

The citadel was built under the reign ofKing An Duong Vuong (around the 2nd cen-tury BC). Its name ‘Co Loa’ is derived from theSino-Vietnamese for ‘old spiral’ as the struc-ture is built in a spiral shape. Various relics ofthe Bronze Age Dong Son culture can befound at the site, which was recognised as aspecial national relic site in 2012 by the PrimeMinister.

Ancient citadel gets renovationViet Nam News, 5 December

Renovation on Bien Hoa Ancient Citadelin Quang Vinh Ward, Bien Hoa City in thesouthern province of Dong Nai began on 3December.

The VND14 billion ($650,000) project, im-plemented by Central Fine Arts Companyover 36 months, aims to give the citadel acomprehensive upgrade.

The citadel is historically significant for itsrole in the early southward thrust by the cen-tral-based Nguyen Dynasty 300 years ago andthe French and American wars in the 20thcentury.

Originally built of earth in the 14-15th cen-tury, it was rebuilt with bricks in 1837. The10,816 m² citadel has two large buildings andtwo blockhouses left inside its outer walls.

Nghe An sends rare tigers to HanoiViet Nam News, 8 December

The Wild Animal Rescue Centre of PuMat National Park in the central province ofNghe An on 7 November handed over two In-dochinese tigers to the Hanoi Centre for WildAnimal Rescue and Forest Protection.

The rescue centre in Pu Mat had cared forthe cats since they were seized in an animaltrafficking bust on 13 June.

The tigers are in a good condition now,

and are being trained for reintroduction to thewild, according to the park’s director.

Coastal erosion eats Hoi An’s beachTuoi Tre News, 7 November

Stunning Cua Dai beach along the coast-line of UNESCO-recognized Hoi An old townin central Vietnam is being eroded by seawater at an alarming rate and could disappearaltogether.

The beach is being wiped out by seawaves. A local said over 30m of land has beenswallowed in the past two months while threerows of coconut trees were blown away, whichhas seriously deformed the beach.

The entire area has been blockaded, withsigns erected to warn tourists not to swim.

The alarming coastal erosion has dealt adevastating blow to the owners of the luxuryresorts along the coast and adversely im-pacted their business.

Southern province to restorewetland reserveTuoi Tre News, 19 November

Long An Province has spent $500,000 torestore the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve insouthern Vietnam’s Long An Province, the re-serve management announced on 18 Novem-ber.

The project was launched by the FederalMinistry for Economic Cooperation and De-velopment and the World Wide Fund for Na-ture (WWF) in Germany.

According to the WWF in Vietnam, LangSen Wetland Reserve, whose name literallymeans ‘the wetland with many lotus flowers’includes 50 hectares of lotus plants as well as40 hectares of wild rice.

Vietnam loses $316 mn to corruption Tuoi Tre News, 27 November

About VND6.74 trillion ($316.45 million)was lost through corruption in Vietnam in thefirst nine months of this year, but only 22.3percent of the this amount was recovered, theMinistry of Justice has said.

The ministry released the striking figuresat the 13th dialogue on anti-corruption held inHanoi on 26 November.

In many cases, the money or assets appro-priated by corrupt officials could not be recov-

ered as they had been transformed in variousways, including making ownership transfers,purchasing various assets with appropriatedmoney, money laundering and transferring“black money” abroad.

In the first nine months of 2014, investiga-tive agencies nationwide handled 415 corrup-tion cases that caused total losses of overVND6,740 billion ($315.25 million), of whichonly over VND1,500 billion, or 22.3 percent,was recovered, the ministry reported.

Red-tailed vipers bite manyTuoi Tre News, 28 November

Red-tailed vipers have appeared in largequantities and bitten over 1,000 people in vari-ous localities in Vietnam so far this year, localauthorities reported.

There are no immediate reports of mortal-ity by far, as all the victims received treatmentin time.

These venomous snakes, with scientificname Trimeresurus albolabris, have attackedpeople in many central provinces, includingThanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Nam, andQuang Ngai, and a number of provinces inthe south, including Tien Giang, Vinh Long,Can Tho and Hau Giang.

This year is a leap one, with a long hot sea-son, so the breeding season of this type ofviper is prolonged, may be the reason for themass quantity of the vipers, experts said.

40,000 die of smoking-caused diseases Tuoi Tre News, 1 December

Vietnam is one of 15 countries with thehighest numbers of smokers in the world, andaround 40,000 Vietnamese people die ofsmoking-caused diseases every year – or morethan 100 people per day, the health ministryhas warned.

Cigarette purchases also add VND22 tril-lion ($1.03 billion) to the economy every year,according to the ministry.

The Office of the Program for Preven-tion and Control of Tobacco Harms, underthe Vietnamese Ministry of Health recentlyreleased the figures and emphasized thatthe death toll from smoking-related diseasesin Vietnam many increase to 70,000 per yearin 2030.


EVENTS

HANOI

TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCESCheo singing performances

Cheo, a kind of popular opera/ traditional music, is shown at 8p.m. every Friday at the Kim MaTheater, 71 Kim Ma St, Ba DinhDist., Hanoi. English interpreta-tion offered.

Price: VND150,000 per per-son. Tel: (04) 3764-8079/0904549-579 (Ms Ngoan)

Ancient folk formQuan họ is a folk song form

that originated in the northernprovince of Bac Ninh in the 13thcentury. The form took on ele-ments of other genres as it spreadthroughout the country, incorpo-rating a dialogue style of singingin the 18th century, the periodwhen Vietnamese literature blos-somed. As a folk art with a highlycollective nature, Quan họ songsalternate from group to groupwith singers keeping up the con-versation by exchanging songs.There is no accompanying instru-mental music. Bac Ninh QuanHo folk music company offersQuan họ performances on re-quest; an hour costs aroundVND30 million. Performancevenues can also be requested.Contact Mr Quy Trang, head ofBac Ninh Quan Ho folk musiccompany, at mobile 0913-073-326.

Street songs of the poor and blindEvery Saturday night

Hát xẩm is a minimalist style ofVietnamese singing, traditionallyperformed by the poor and theblind and especially wanderers,usually accompanied with a sim-ple đàn nhị (two-string violin) orđàn bầu (single-string zither). Hátxẩm is a Vietnamese blues fromthe 13th century. It is making acomeback, after several decades.

Artists at the Centre for Re-search on and Development ofVietnamese Music now performxẩm at Dong Xuan Market, in theOld Quarter of Hanoi, every Sat-urday night. Free.

Ca truøCa trù, an ancient Vietnamese

musical form with a singer accom-

panied by three-string đàn đáyand other instruments, is per-formed at 87 Ma May Street, HoanKiem, Hanoi, at 8 p.m. every Tues-day, Thursday and Saturday, byartists from Ca Tru Thang LongClub, www.catruvietnam.net.Price: $10 (VND210,000). Reservation is necessary.Tel: 01 223 266 897

Water puppetrySaturdays and Sundaysin December

The Museum of Ethnologywill hold water puppet perform-ances at 10 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 2.30p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays andSundays in December, involvingartisans from Nghia Hung dis-trict, the northern province ofNam Dinh. Visitors to the mu-seum have the opportunity towatch water puppetry shows ofall kinds, such as ‘Tilling theland’, ‘Setting off Firecrackers andUnfurling the Flag’, ‘Three-weapon Dance’, and ‘Frog Catch-ing’. Museum of Ethnology,Nguyen Van Huyen Rd., Cau GiayDist., Hanoi. Admission isVND40,000 for adults,VND10,000 for children.

EXHIBITIONSDark paintingsTill 18 December

Mai Gallery presents the exhi-bition ‘Imaginary Land’, by VuDuc Trung, with more than 20lacquer paintings made since2011. The paintings are inspiredby shadows in water and shadowsof natural beauties.

Mai Gallery, 3rd Floor, 113Hang Bong St, Hanoi.

Elemental exhibitionUntil 19 December

A ceramic exhibition, ‘Earthby Fire and Zodiac’ by artist

Nguyen Bao Toan, will be heldfrom 17 December to 19 Decem-ber at Vietnam Fine Arts Mu-seum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, BaDinh Dist, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131.

After the quakeTill 22 December

The exhibition, ‘BeautifulHandicrafts of Tohoku, Japan’ ison at Vietnam Fine Arts Museumtill 22 December. The exhibitionis aim to mark the March 11 an-niversary of the 2011 TohokuEarthquake and Tsunami. TheTohoku region is known for itsbeautiful mountains andseascapes, as well as its rich localculture and history. The exhibi-tion includes various genres; ce-ramics, lacquer ware, textiles,metalwork, wood and bamboocrafts. The works presents a newthe high level of traditional crafttechniques nurtured in the To-hoku region and the functionalbeauty of daily implements usedsince ancient times in Japan.

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum,66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba DinhDist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3733-2131.Open: 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What art is up to latelyUntil 9 October, 2015

Vietnam Fine Arts Museumpresents an exhibition, ‘ModernArts’ by various artists till 9 Octo-ber, 2015. The exhibition includes28 artworks of oil painting, lac-quer painting, silk painting, paperpainting, synthetic material andsculpture. The museum hopes togive the audiences a comprehen-sive overview about the develop-ing modern art of Vietnamthrough the richness of its stylesand materials.

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum,66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Hanoi.Tel: (04) 3733-2131. Open: 8.30a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee:VND20,000

Northern artTill 28 December

The ‘Hanoi Art Market’ is onfrom 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Hang DaGalleria, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi.The event shows art works by 59Vietnamese artists between theage of 23 and 62, working with a

variety of media, including paint-ings, sculptures, installations, artand craft products.

Green garmentsTill 30 December

A sustainable fashion line andtextile installation called SEEDSis going on at Manzi Art Space till30 December. This new line usestraditional textiles and tech-niques to create a contemporaryand elegant men’s and women’scollection.

SEEDS was born from theclose relationship between theraw materials used to create thetextiles, to the process of weaving,dyeing, beeswax printing, and allthe way up to the creation of thedesign sample and the 3D proto-type.

The installation portion ofthe SEEDS exhibition is recon-structed in a three dimensionalformat, integrating all of the rawmaterials and techniques thatwere used in the garment design.Next to this will be displayed il-lustrations that lay out the recipeand the ingredients used to createthe pigments and dyes.

Manzi Art Space, 14 PhanHuy Ich St, Hanoi.

Eye on VietnamTill 31 December

The photo exhibition titled‘Focus on Vietnam’ is on at L’E-space and the Vietnam NationalMuseum of History till 31 Decem-ber. The exhibition presents pho-tos from the collection of theFrench School of the Far East,which was exhibited in CernuschiMuseum in Paris from 13 Marchto 29 June 2014). The photoswould take the viewers on a tripthrough Vietnamese traditionsand prestigious historic sites.

L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien St,


EVENTS

Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04)3936-21 64

Vietnam National Museum ofHistory, 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi &216 Tran Quang Khai St, Hanoi.Tel: (04) 3824-1384

Live the momentUntil the end of December

‘Now is when’ is the title ofthe photograph exhibition bySuzette Mitchell on abstractionsof Buddhist monks and nuns.The title is a reflection on ‘beingin the present,’ which is the focusof Buddhism. The appearance ofmonks and nuns provide an ex-traordinary beauty and tranquil-lity. Suzette’s photograph aims tocapture this aesthetic, from thefold of their robes, the holding oftheir prayer beads, and theirequanimity.

The images of this exhibitionare a focus on simplicity to createan atmosphere for contempla-tion, meditation and inspiration.

Tan My Gallery, 61 Hang GaiSt, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3938-1154

Urban contrasts16 January, 2015

‘Townscapes’ is a solo exhibi-tion by artist Do Minh Tam and isheld in Dong Phong Gallery till 16January, 2015. The exhibition dis-plays the most recent of Do MinhTam’s paintings, showing his skillin abstracts.

Do Minh Tam guides viewerson a stroll from townscape totownscape on his acrylic paint-ings. He mixes colours andshapes to create movable spacesthat interweave the past and thepresent, the city and the village.

Dong Phong Art Gallery, 3 LyDao Thanh St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,Hanoi.Open everyday from 9.30a.m. to 6 p.m.

Life of the peopleUntil March, 2015

Images of culture and dailylife in Vietnam from 100 years agoare on at the Vietnam NationalMuseum of History. The exhibi-tion displays 55 photographsfrom the archives of the EcoleFrancaise d'Extreme-Orient(French School of the Far East)and 50 objects from the museum.

The photos record relics

throughout Vietnam, especiallythose belonging to the Champa,Dong Duong and Oc Eo culturesin the central and southern re-gion of Vietnam.

Vietnam National Museum ofHistory, 25 Tong Dan St, Hanoi.Tel: (04) 3824-1384

Dong Son artefactsUntil April, 2015

An exhibit, themed ‘Van HoaDong Son’ (Dong Son Culture), isgoing on at the Vietnam NationalMuseum of History till untilApril, 2015.

It showcases nearly 300 arti-facts, which are the fruits of a 90-year painstaking research on theDong Son era of ancient Vietnam,dated around 1,000 B.C. to A.D.100.

The exhibit’s main highlightsare Dong Son bronze drums,which are indicative of the zenithin ancient Vietnamese people’sbronze casting techniques.

Also on display are century-old drums from other localities,working tools, everyday items,weaponry, musical instruments,and ornaments typical of theDong Son culture, as well asproducts from its exchanges withother cultures.

Vietnam National Museum ofHistory, 1 Trang Tien St, HoanKiem District, Hanoi. Tel: (04)3824-1384

Painting on glassUndetermined date

Over 60 Indonesian glasspaintings are being showcased atan exhibit that opened in earlyNovember at the Vietnam Mu-seum of Ethnology.

The paintings are Indonesia’sunique art form and feature awide variety of topic matters in

cluding history, religion, folk cul-ture, and entertainment.

The exhibition will last sixmonths.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnol-ogy, Nguyen Van Huyen St, CauGiay Dist., Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3756-2193. Open 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MUSICOld school DJ20 December

Born and raised in The Bronx,New York, John is recognizedworldwide as being one of theearly pioneers of the disco mix.From the start of his career in1975 as a local DJ in the Bronx, toa stint spinning records for theUS Armed Forces, John settled totrue calling: creating in turn anew music phenomenon - ex-tending tracks which normallylasted 3-4 minutes lasting muchlonger, shaping the future of discomusic. He became a hugely in-demand DJ and has been in-volved in the mix of some ofdisco’s most important records ofall time. His performance, withthe support from InCogNegro(Soul Deep Sessions, USA) is tak-ing place at 8 p.m. on 20 Decem-ber at ATK bar, 73A Mai Hac DeSt, Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi.Tickets: VND80,000 (for advance,available at ticketbov.vn) andVND120,000 at door.

NHA TRANG

Water PuppetryAfternoon and evening everyday

Nha Trang Water PuppetryTheater, 46 Tran Phu St, NhaTrang, Khanh Hoa Province,opened to the public in early No-vember.

The theatre stages 16 per-formances per week, which depictstories of Vietnam’s pastoral life

and history and re-create tradi-tional dances.

On the performing list are ex-cerpts from famed plays andtunes in ‘tuong’ (traditional Viet-namese opera) and ‘bai choi’ (thecentral Vietnamese region’s folkgame and art), folk songs anddances of ethnic communities liv-ing across the province, and tradi-tional music performances.

The theatre hosts three showsat 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. onMonday, Wednesday, Friday andSunday and two shows at 3 p.m.and 7 p.m. on the remaining days.

HO CHI MINH CITY

EXHIBITIONS Flowers for teatimeTill 31 December

21 oil paintings of artist TrinhThanh Tung are on at Tu DoGallery till 31 December. The ex-hibition is titled ‘Dying After-noon Life’, with the themes offlowers, young girls and portraits.The paintings have been calledromantic, poetic and lively. Theartist was born in 1942 and hasmany exhibitions in Vietnam andoverseas country.

Tu Do Gallery, 53 Ho TungMau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City.Tel: (08) 3821-0966

Cycles of lifeUntil 3 January, 2015

A solo exhibition of oil paint-ings by Ho Chi Minh City-basedartist Phuong Quoc Tri is on atCraig Thomas Gallery till 3 Janu-ary, 2015.

His paintings focus on the is-sues of birth, childhood and par-enthood which are animating theartist’s life at the moment.

Craig Thomas Gallery,27iTran Nhat Duat, Tan Dinh Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours, Tuesday toSaturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun-days 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and by ap-pointment

From across the oceanUntil 17 January

Galerie Quynh presents ‘TheCosmos and The Sea’, a solo ex-hibition by Los Angeles-basedartist Christine Nguyen, at itsgalleries. Christine Nguyen pres-ents a collection of new and re-cent photo-based work rangingfrom intimate c-prints to ambi-tious mural-size work. Combin-ing drawing with photographictechniques, Christine Nguyenhas developed a pioneeringpractice centred on the manipu-lation and layering of negatives.Her work revolves around theimaginings of an organic prism,a dream-like world where oceansmerge with outer space. Herworks depict ferocious oceancurrents, meandering creatures,iridescent flora, spiny strata ofrocks and other fantastical im-agery, each performing a distinc-tive act in the collectiveformulation of a mysteriousecosphere.

The exhibition is on maingallery till 10 January and down-town gallery till 17 January, 2015

Downtown Gallery, Level 2,151/3 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho

Chi Minh City. Open: 10 a.m. to6 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday andby appointment

Main Gallery, 65 De ThamSt, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City.Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday – Saturday and by appointment

Tel: (08) 3836-8019

THEATREAO!18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31December at 6 p.m.20, 21, 27, 28 and 31 at 8 p.m.

AO Show is on at OperaHouse at 6 p.m. 18, 23, 24, 25, 26,30 and 31 December and 8 p.m.20, 21, 27, 28 and 31 December.

A O Show is a new kind of artperformance, acknowledged glob-ally as new type of circus. 60 min-utes of using bamboo and basketboats, traditional music of Don CaTai Tu, visual creations and light-ing, and audiences see themselveswalking on a small walkway ofsweet and breezy Southern Viet-nam, and wandering past thesurging dunes of the SouthernCentral only to find themselvesfront of a lotus swamp.

Tickets range fromVND530,000 to VND1,250,000.

Opera House, 7 Lam SonSquare, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City.Tel: (08) 3829-9976

MUSICDinner and variety show17, 24 and 25 December, 2014 and 1,2, 7, 8, 14, 18, 20, 28 and 30 January,2015

‘Lung Linh Saigon DinnerShow’ will launch in Ho ChiMinh City at Queen Hall at 8

p.m. on 17, 24 and 25 December,2014 and 1, 2, 7, 8, 14, 18, 20, 28and 30 January, 2015.

The show includes culinaryand art performance of contem-porary dance, costumes show andmusical Broadway excerptedfrom ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

Queen Hall, 5 Nguyen TatThanh St, Ward 12, Dist.4, Ho ChiMinh City.

Ticket: VND900,000 includ-ing dinner and VND500,000 in-cluding a drink.

A history of dressesTill 1 February, 2015

The patterns used on the tra-ditional costumes of women liv-ing in the South and CentralHighlands of Vietnam are on dis-play in the Southern Women Mu-seum till 1 February, 2015.

The exhibition showcasesmore than 150 photos and 80 ob-jects featuring the traditional

techniques of weaving, dyeingand patterns that have beenpassed down through generationsof the Cham, Khmer and otherethnic groups in the CentralHighlands and Truong Sonmountainous regions.

Southern Women Museum, 202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City.Tel: (08) 3932-7130

Local daubersTill early 2015

More than 400 oil paintingsby many artists are on at Fine ArtsMuseum of Ho Chi Minh City tillearly 2015. The paintings feature avariety of subjects, and are from1987 to the present.

Fine Arts Museum of Ho ChiMinh City, 97 A Pho Duc ChinhSt, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel: (08) 3829-4441. Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


EVENTS

VALUE FOR MONEY


HOTELS

Emeralda Resort Ninh BinhVan Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia VienDistrict, Ninh Binh ProvinceTel: (030) 3658-333Email: [email protected] Website: www.emeraldaresort.com

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh has a ‘Xmas -New Year Celebration package’ for those whostay from 23 December, 2014 to 1 January, 2015except for the period from 26 to 29 December,2014. The package includes two night’s stays,breakfast, Christmas Eve gala dinner or NewYear’s Eve gala dinner, two 60-minute spa treat-ments, use of gym, heated indoor pool, minigolf course and bicycles. The price starts fromVND7,500,000 per room for two.

Mai Chau EcolodgeNa Thia Village, Na Phon Commune, Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh ProvinceTel: (04) 6275-1271

Mai Chau Ecolodge has a 30 per cent dis-count on accommodation for those who stay on24 December, 2014 and 1 January, 2015. It costs$270 (VND5,670,000) per person per night in aDeluxe Room and $263 (VND5,523,000) perperson per night in a Junior Deluxe Room.

Hoi An Historic Hotel10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An,Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3861-445

Hoi An Historic Hotel has a ‘Season’s Greet-ing Package’ till 31 January, 2015. The prices startfrom VND1,985,000++ per person for twonights in a twin shared room with breakfast,cocktails, one-way airport transfer from/ toDanang International Airport, a 15 per cent dis-count on food and beverage, a 20 per cent dis-count on spa and massage and shuttle busbetween hotel and Cua Dai Beach. Surcharge isVND1,050,000++ per person for Christmas EveDinner and VND1,155,000 per person for a NewYear’s Eve Dinner.

Green World Hotel Nha Trang44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3528-666www.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com

Green World Hotel Nha Trang announcesa special promotion; ‘Stay more, pay less’ witha discount from 50 to 70 per cent for those whobook apartments at the hotel until 31 Decem-ber. The promotion includes breakfast, compli-mentary gym, pool and a 50 per cent discounton beverages at Cyclo Café between 7 a.m. to 10a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

RESORTS AND SPAS

Palm Garden Beach Resort and SpaLac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An,Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3927-927

Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa is offer-ing a two-night package till 28 February, 2015.It costs VND5,999,000++in a twin shared roomwith breakfast, a choice of round-trip airporttransfer or lunch or dinner, a choice of a 30-minute head/ back/ foot massage or a bicycletour to Tra Que Village and Hoi An countrysideand a voucher of 50 per cent discount on bodymassage. Surcharge is VND450,000++per roomper night on 24, 25, 31 December,2014 and 1 Jan-uary, 2015.

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward,Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3847-007www.bamboovillageresortvn.com

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa offersa two-night Christmas package from 23 to 26December, 2014 with Christmas Eve gala dinnerby the beach, variety of food and drinks, livemusic, Cham dance, Santa Claus photo shoot,gift and lucky draw. The price starts fromVND1,515,000 per person per night. The priceincludes service charge and VAT.

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl)Beach Resort152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3847-858

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resortand Spa has a two-night package till 29 Decem-ber. It costs VND3,690,000 per room for two in-cluding breakfast, a 90-minute massage, lunchor dinner and two-hour use of tennis court and

a 10 percent discount on Christmas Eve galadinner. The price includes service charge andVAT.

Ana Mandara Villas DalatResort & SpaLe Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong ProvinceTel: (063) 3555-888www.anamandara-resort.com

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa hasa festive season package till 28 February, 2015with the price starting from VND 2,650,000 pernight per Villa Room with breakfast and dinner.Surcharge is VND1,500,000 per person for a galadinner on 24 December and 31 December. Sur-charge is VND630,000 per night for stays from20 December, 2014 to 1 January, 2015 and 19 to22 February, 2015. The prices include servicecharge and VAT.

Binh An Village Resort DalatTuyen Lam Lake, Ward 4, Dalat Tel: (063) 3800-999 Email: [email protected] www.binhanvillage.com

Binh An Village Resort Dalat is offering a‘Family Package’ at VND4,300,000++ per roomper night in a Family Suite for 4 people withbreakfast, a half-day excursion to Bao DaiPalace and Crazy House, dinner or lunch. Thepromotion applies for those who book at leasttwo nights and valid till 31 March, 2015.

OTHER

Mường Thanh Nha TrangCentre Hotel60 Tran Phu St, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3898-888Email: [email protected] www.nhatrangcentre.muongthanh.vn

Mường Thanh Nha Trang Centre Hotel, lo-cated in the centre of Nha Trang City, willlaunch in 18 December. The hotel has 458rooms overlooking the sea, spa, steam bath,sauna, Jacuzzi, fitness centre, conference roomwith a capacity of 1,000 people, restaurant serv-ing local and International dishes, outsideswimming pool and a bar combined the tradi-tional and modern features.

VALUE FOR MONEY


FOOD PROMOTIONS

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3831-5000

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel celebrates ChristmasEve gala dinner at 6 p.m. 24 December at GrandBallroom at VND1,275,000 for adults andVND745,000 for children under 11, includingfree one glass of beer or soft drink. There will bedance performance, live music, lucky draw andother exciting activities.

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel1 Le Thanh Ton St, HanoiTel: (04) 3933-0500

Hilton Hanoi Opera prepares many feaststo celebrate a festive season. Christmas Eve buf-fet at Ba Mien and Chez Manon Restaurants, 6p.m. to 10 p.m., 24 December, VND1,800,000++. Christmas lunch buffet at Ba MienRestaurant, 12 noon to 6 p.m., 25 December,VND1,500,000++. New Year’s gala buffet at BaMien and Chez Manon Restaurants, 7 p.m. 31December, VND2,000,000+. Children from 6-12 enjoy half price. The prices includes wel-come cocktail, free flow champagne, housewine, draught beer, Chivas Regal (18 YO) andsoft drinks. Many activities and gifts are for chil-dren.

Hotel Nikko Hanoi84 Tran Nhan Tong St,Hai Ba Trung Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3822-3535

La Brasserie Restaurant, at the Hotel NikkoHanoi, Friday and Saturday in January, serves‘Seafood Hot Pot Buffet With Lobster’ atVND666,000++ including free flow wine,draught beer & soft drinks.

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3822-2800

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi has Christmas EveDinner Buffet, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 24 December,at VND1,050,000++ including free flow ofhouse wine, soft drinks and beer. Glühwein willbe served as welcome drink. Also the hotelserves New Year’s Eve dinner, 7 p.m. to 10.30p.m., 31 December, at VND1,575,000++ includ-ing free flow of house wine, soft drinks and

beer. The hotel offers 10 per cent discount forthose who book before 17 December.

BEST WESTERN PREMIERIndochine Palace105A Hung Vuong St, Hue Tel: (054) 3936-666

BEST WESTERN PREMIER IndochinePalace has a gala dinner buffet, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.on 24 December, with more than 70 dishes fea-turing Western, Asian and Vietnamese special-ities. VND1,399,000 for adults and VND799,000for children.

The hotel also has a New Year’s Eve gala din-ner, 7.30 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 31 December, includ-ing music, fashion show, lucky draw, artperformances, games and gifts for guests.VND1,299,000 for adults and VND699,000 forchildren.

Grand Mercure Danang hotelLot A1, Green Island, Hai Chau Dist, DanangTel: (0511) 3797-777

Grand Mercure Danang celebrates year-end parties with feasts for group at least 50 peo-ple. Package 1 is at VND350,000++ per personincluding a six-course set menu, backdrop,karaoke system or party sound system and aGolden Dragon dim sum voucher. Package 2 isat VND350,000++ per person including Inter-national buffet or a eight-course set menu,backdrop, karaoke system or party sound sys-tem, a La Rive Gauche BBQ seafood buffetvoucher. Book 15 days in advice will get addi-tional special offers.

Hyatt Regency DanangTruong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward,Ngu Hanh Son Dist., DanangTel: (0511) 3981-234

Hyatt Regency Danang prepares a NewYear's Eve celebration, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at theBeach House Restaurant. VND1,590,000 in-cluding a four-course set dinner including oneglass of champagne. VND1,960,000 includinga five-course set dinner including one glass ofchampagne.

Diamond Bay Resort and SpaSong Lo, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist.,Khanh Hoa Province. Tel: (058) 3711-711

Diamond Bay Resort and Spa will hold a

‘Merry Christmas Feast’ at the Grand BanquetHall from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 24 December.The event includes Christmas buffet dinner,fashion show, lucky draw, photo booth, a per-formance by singers, games and gifts for guests.VND1,900,000 for adults and half price for chil-dren from 6 to 11.

Novotel Nha Trang Hotel50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 6256-900

The Square Restaurant, at the Novotel NhaTrang Hotel, has gala dinners with festive inter-national dishes, music performance and luckydraw. Christmas gala dinner, 24 December,VND1,155,000++, New Year’s Eve, 31 December,VND1,470,000++.

Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang,Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3880-000

Welcoming guests to Sheraton Nha TrangHotel & Spa to enjoy an unforgettable holidayseason, the hotel serves Christmas Eve buffetdinner, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., VND2,150,000++ foradults and VND1,175,000++ for children from 3to 12. New Year’s Eve dinner, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.,VND2,800,000++ for adults andVND1,400,000++ for children.

Seahorse Resort and SpaKm 11 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward,Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3847-507

Seahorse Resort and Spa has Christmas Evedinner by poolside with live music and danceperformance, magic show and lucky draw, 6.30p.m. till midnight, 24 December, VND1,580,000for children and VND790,000 for children from6 to 11. Also, the resort has New Year’s Eve din-ner by poolside, 6.30 p.m. till midnight, 31 De-cember, VND1,890,000 for children andVND950,000 for children from 6 to 11.

The Cliff Resort & ResidencesZone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet, Binh ThuanProvinceTel: (062) 3719-111

The Cliff Resort & Residences preparesChristmas Eve dinner with a variety of seafood,wine, cocktails, dance, music and gifts fromSanta Claus. It costs VND1,540,000.

Caravelle Hotel19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist.1, Ho ChiMinh CityTel: (08) 3823-4999

Nineteen Restaurant at the Caravelle Hotelserves Christmas feasts on 24 and 25 December.The restaurant showcases traditional holidaydishes, including whole-roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham and Christmas pudding together

with mouth-watering delicacies, sparklingVeuve Clicquot Champagne, free flow of winesand signature cocktails. Christmas Eve gala buf-fet dinner is VND1,980,000++ and ChristmasDay buffet is VND1,680,000++.

Duc Bao Restaurant34 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-3623

Duc Bao Restaurant is serving chickenstuffed with veal and traditional European in-gredients accompanied by German beer sauceor chestnut cream sauce, broccoli, carrot androasted potato for guests enjoying ChristmasSeason in Saigon. There are two kinds of stuff-ing choices, including veal with dry fruits, blackbread and imported herbal or veal with chest-nut, lotus, cashews, black bread and herbal. Itcosts VND680,000++ for a 2 kg chicken.

Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3839-7777

Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City wel-comes Christmas at its restaurants with a rangeof gifts and festive goodies. Christmas Eve Buf-fet Dinner, 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on 24 Decem-ber, at Chit Chat Restaurant atVND1,590,000++. Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner,6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on 24 December at Ori-entica Restaurant at VND1,380,000++. Christ-mas Day Buffet Brunch, 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

on 25 December at Chit Chat Restaurant atVND940,000 ++. Christmas Day Buffet Dinner,6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at Chit Chat Restaurantat VND890,000++. Christmas Day Brunch,11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on 25 December at Ori-entica Restaurant with a selection of dim sumat VND650,000++. The prices include a freeflow of wine, beer, sparkling wine and softdrinks.

Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint59 Pasteur, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 38 22-56 78

Central Restaurant at the Liberty CentralSaigon Citypoint prepares buffet dinner to wel-come Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with arange of seafood, traditional festive dishes,sparkling wine and live music.VND1,599,000++ for Christmas Eve andVND1,999,000++ for New Year’s Eve.

Movenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3844-9222

Café Saigon, at the Movenpick HotelSaigon, has ‘Lobster Festival’ on every Fridayand Saturday nights in December at VND899,000++.

The Press Club Corner of 59A Ly Thai To and 12 Ly Dao ThanhSt, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3934-0888

In January, The Press Club Restaurant willserve a menu featuring oysters and mussels.VND 32,000 each oyster or VND95,000 forgrilled three ones served with green onions,tomatoes and cilantro. Diners can enjoy ‘OysterRock Fellers’ including sautéed spinach andcreamy cheese sauce at VND95,000 for threepieces, ‘Mussels Marinieres and French Fries’ or‘Mussels Blue Cheese Sauce and French Fries’at VND305,000 and ‘Spicy Mussels Spaghetti’at VND260,000. These dishes are served with aglass of complimentary Tiger beer.

Windsor Plaza Hotel 18 An Duong Vuong St, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3833-6688

Windsor Plaza Hotel celebrates a holidayseason at its restaurant. Café Central An Dongserves Christmas Eve buffet dinner, 24 Decem-ber, and New Year’s Eve buffet dinner, 31 De-cember, VND880,000++ for adults andVND380,000++ for children. Top of The TownRestaurant serves BBQ dinner on 24 and 31 De-cember at VND1,200,000++. Ngan Dinh Chi-nese Restaurant serves dinner featuring festiveAsian dishes on 24, 25, 31 December, 2014 and 1January, 2015.

Lan Rung Resort & Spa03-06 Ha Long St, Ward 2, Ba Ria-Vung Tau ProvinceTel: (064) 3526-010

Lan Rung Resort & Spa in Vung Tau has aChristmas Eve Gala Dinner including a range ofseafood, unlimited juice and soft drinks, Christ-mas gifts, picture taken with Santa Claus, danceperformance, magic performance, DJ and livemusic.VND650,000

VALUE FOR MONEY

40 • VIETNAM HERITAGE - NOVEMBER 2014


BUYABLE

Christmas tree decorator, VND636,000

Coral inlaid lacquer jewelry box, VND3,074,000

Metal ant, VND3,180,000 and hand-embroidered silkhandkerchief, VND467,000

Hand-embroidered children’s pillow case, VND318,000

Noel table napkin, VND424,000 (set of 6 pieces)

TAN MY DESIGN61 Hang Gai St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi

Tel: (04) 3938-1154Website: tanmydesign.com

10 per cent discount will be applied from 1 De-cember till 1 January 2015

EMERGENCIESPolice: 113Fire: 114Ambulance: 115

SAPA(TELEPHONE CODE: 020)

Sapa is a former French hill stationin northwestern Vietnam, in Lao CaiProvince, near the Chinese border.A number of minority cultures including the H’mong, Dao and Taylive in villages in the countrysidearound Sapa.

HOTELS, RESORTSNote: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change daily

Cat Cat View Hotel46 Fan Xi Pang St, Sapa, Lao CaiProvinceTel: (020) 3871-946www.catcathotel.comVND735,000 to VND3,780,000($35 to $180)

Cha Pa Garden Boutique Hotel & Spa23B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3872-907Email: [email protected] VND1,470,000 ($70)Chau Long Sapa Hotel

24 Dong Loi St, Sapa,Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3871-245Email: [email protected] VND700,000 ($33)

Holiday Sapa Hotel16 Muong Hoa, Sapa, Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3873-874Email: [email protected],000 to VND2,100,000 ($28 to $100)

Mường Thanh Sapa HotelNo 044, Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao CaiProvinceTel: (020) 3887-766Email: [email protected]

Royal Hotel54B Cau May St, Sapa, Lao CaiProvinceTel: (020) 3771-131 Email: [email protected] VND340,000 ($17)

Topas EcolodgeThanh Kim Ward, Sapa,Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (04) [email protected] From VND2,300,000 ($110)

Victoria Sapa Resort and SpaXuan Vien St, Sapa, Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3871-522Email: [email protected] VND3,657,000 ($172)

RESTAURANTSBuffalo Bell Restaurant25 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3873-455Delta Restaurant33 Cau May St, Sapa,Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3871-799Fansipan Restaurant23 Cau May St, Sapa, Lao Cai ProvinceTel: (020) 3871-556

HALONG(TELEPHONE CODE: 033)

With around 1,600 islands and isletsin the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay,about 170 km east of Hanoi, is wellknown for its limestone seascape.Overnight boat trips out of HalongCity are a popular way to see it.

HOSPITALSBai Chay Hospital Gieng Day Ward, HalongTel: (033) 3846-557www.benhvienbaichay.vn

Traditional Medicine Hospital Cot 8, Hong Ha Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3838-113

Vietnam-Sweden Hospital Thanh Son Ward, Uong Bi Commune, HalongTel: (033) 3854-037www.bvubqn.tk

TRAVELHalong Tourism 1 Halong St, HalongTel: (033) 3846-272Quang Ninh Tourism Company Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, HalongTel: (033) 3846-350Syrena CruisesHung Thang new urban area,Bai Chay, HalongTel: (033) 3847-043Hanoi Sales Office: Syrena Tower,3th Floor, 51 Xuan Dieu St, HanoiTel: (04) 3719-7214Email: [email protected]


Asean Halong HotelHau Can St, Bai Chay Ward, HalongTel: (033) 3640-034 Email: [email protected] www.aseanhalonghotel.com

Halong Hidden Charm HotelBlock 22D, Tuan Chau Villas, Halong Tel: (033) 3842-360Email:infor.halonghiddencharmhotel@gmail.comwww.hiddencharmhotel.com.vn From VND600,000 ($29)

Halong Palace Hotel1, Block 20 Dong Hung Thang,Hoang Quoc Viet St, Bai Chay Ward,HalongTel: (033) 3619-819Email: [email protected] VND3,800,000 ($181)

Halong Plaza Hotel8 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-810 Email: [email protected] www.halongplaza.com VND1,500,000 to VND3,800,000($71 to $179)

Heritage Halong Hotel 88 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, HalongTel: (033) 3846-888 Email: [email protected],200,000 ($57)

Mường Thanh Halong HotelNo.7, Block 20, East of Hung Thang,Bai Chay Ward, HalongTel: (033) 3812-468/ (033) 3819-777Email: [email protected] VND1,400,000 ($67) Novotel Ha Long Bay160 Ha Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Ha-longTel: (033) 3848-108 Email: [email protected] www.novotelhalongbay.com From VND2,772,000 ($132)

Saigon Halong HotelHa Long St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3845-845 [email protected] www.saigonhalonghotel.com From VND950,000 ($45)

StarCity Halong Bay Hotel

Halong St, Bai Chay Ward, Halong Tel: (033) 3846-058Email: [email protected] In the centre of Halong, StarCity Ha-long Bay Hotel offers 152 well-

equipped rooms, with many breath-taking views of Halong Bay

RESTAURANTSCo Ngu RestaurantHalong St, HalongTel: (033) 3511-363Jumbo Vietnam Floating Restaurant119 Le Thanh Tong St, HalongTel: (033) 3624-888Sea Food RestaurantHalong St, HalongTel: (033) 3845-822Thu Huong RestaurantHalong St, HalongTel: (033) 3845-142

BARS & CAFÉSEmeraude CaféRoyal Park, Ha Long St, Halong Tel: (033) 3849-266 www.emeraude-cruises.comRoyal International Gaming Club and VillaBai Chay, Halong Tel: (033) 3848-777

HAI PHONG CITY(TELEPHONE CODE: 031)

HOTELS, RESORTSNote: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change dailyCatba Princes Hotel

303 Nui Ngoc, Cat Ba Island, HaiPhong CityTel: (031) 3888-899 Email: [email protected] VND527,500 ($25)Catba Sunrise ResortCat Ba Island, Hai Phong CityTel: (031) 3887-360Email: [email protected] VND3,520,000 ($168)

Harbour View Hotel12 Tran Phu St, Ngo Quyen Dist., HaiPhongTel: (031) 3827-827 Email:[email protected] VND2,772,000 ($132)

ENTERTAINMENTDo Son Casino Zone 3, Do Son town, Hai PhongTel: (031) 3864-888

DIRECTIONS SAPA, HALONG, HAI PHONG


A

1

2

3

4

CB

C E N T R E O F H A N O I

2

5

3

1

2 Capital Garden Hotel

3 Daewoo Hotel

4 De Syloia Hotel

5 Fortuna Hotel Hanoi

6 Green Mango

7 Sunway Hotel Hanoi

8 Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel

9 Joseph’s Hotel

10 Little Hanoi

11 MAison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel

12 Melia Hanoi Hotel

13 Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

14 Nikko Hanoi Hotel

15 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Hanoi Emotion Hotel

TNEC OERT O

Capital Garden Hotel222

Daewoo Hotel333

De Syloia Hotel444444

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi555

Hanoi Emotion Hotel

1

A

A

B

C

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi5

Green Mango66

Sunway Hotel Hanoi777

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel888888

s Hotel99 Joseph’

Little Hanoi111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MAison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

2

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel

MAison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel

333

Melia Hanoi Hotel1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111122222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111113333333333333333333333333333333333333333333

Nikko Hanoi Hotel1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

3

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

555

3

222

5

4

Ba Trieu...................E3, E4Bac Son.........................D1Bach Dang.....................F2Bach Mai........................E4Bat Dan..........................E2Bich Cau........................C2Buoi................................A1Cat Linh..........................C2Cha Ca....................E1, E2Cua Bac.........................D1Cua Dong.......................D2

Da Tuong.......................E3Dang Tat.........................D1Dao Duy Anh.................D4Dao Duy Tu.............E1, E2Dien Bien Phu................D2Doc Ngu.........................A1Doi Can.............A1, B2, C2Duong Thanh.................E2Gam Cau........................E1Giai Phong.....................D4Giang Vo.....A3 ,B3 ,B2,C2

Hai Ba Trung.....E2, E3, F3Ham Long......................E3Han Thuyen....................F3Hang Bac.......................E2Hang Bo.........................E2Hang Bong.....................E2Hang Buom....................E2Hang Can.......................E2Hang Chuoi....................F3Hang Cot........................E1Hang Da.........................E2Hang Dao.......................E2

Hang Dau.......................E1Hang Ga.........................E2Hang Gai........................E2Hang Khay.....................E2Hang Khoai....................E1Hang Ma.........................E1Hang Quat......................E2Hang Trong....................E2Hang Chieu....................E1Hang Luoc......................E1Hao Nam........................C2Hoa Ma...........................F3

Hoang Dieu.............D1, D2Hoang Hoa Tham...................................A1, B1, C1, D1Hoang Van Thu..............D1Hoe Nhai........................E1Hung Vuong............D1, D2Huynh Thuc Khang........A3Kham Thien.............C3, D3Kim Ma..............A2, B2, C2La Thanh.................B3, C3Lang Ha..........................B3Nguyen Chi Thanh.........A3

Le Dai Hanh...................E4Le Duan............D2, D3, D4Le Hong Phong.............D2Le Lai..............................F2Le Thai To.......................E2 Le Thanh Tong...............F3Le Van Huu....................E3Lieu Giai........................A2Lo Duc......................F3, F4Lo Su..............................F2Luong Ngoc Quyen.......E2 Luong Van Can..............E2

S T R E E T G U I D E

A

1

2

3

4

FEDCB

C E N T R E O F H A N O I

13

1

12

15

8

4

911

610

14

2

5

3

1

2 Capital Garden Hotel

3 Daewoo Hotel

4 De Syloia Hotel

5 Fortuna Hotel Hanoi

6 Green Mango

7 Sunway Hotel Hanoi

8 Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel

9 Joseph’s Hotel

10 Little Hanoi

11 MAison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel

12 Melia Hanoi Hotel

13 Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

14 Nikko Hanoi Hotel

15 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Hanoi Emotion Hotel

TNEC OERT AHFO ION

Capital Garden Hotel

Daewoo Hotel

De Syloia Hotel

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi

Hanoi Emotion Hotel

1

D

E

F

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi

Green Mango

Sunway Hotel Hanoi


s HotelJoseph’

Little Hanoi


2



1

9991111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

666666111111111111111111111111111111111100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Melia Hanoi Hotel

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

Nikko Hanoi Hotel


3


1313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111112222222222222222222222222222222222222222222

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111155555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

44444

8888

3

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111144444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

4

Ly Nam De..............E1, E2Ly Quoc Su....................E2Ly Thai To.......................F2Ly Thuong Kiet........E3, F3Mai Hac De..............E3, E4Ngo Quyen.....................F3Ngo Si Lien....................D2Ngo Thi Nham................E3Ngoc Ha.........................C1Ngoc Khanh...................B2Nguyen Canh Chan......D1Nguyen Cong Hoa.........B2

Nguyen Dinh Chieu.............................................E3, E4Nguyen Du..............D3, E3Nguyen Huu Huan........ F2Nguyen Khuyen.............D2Nguyen Luong Bang.....C3Nguyen Thai Hoc....C2, D2Nguyen Thuong Hien.................................................D3Nguyen Van To..............E2Nha Chung.....................E2Nha Tho.........................E2

Nui Truc..........................B2Pham Dinh Ho................F3Pham Ngu Lao...............F3Phan Boi Chau.......D2, D3Phan Chu Trinh..............F3Phan Dinh Phung..........D1Phan Huy Chu................F3Pho Duc Chinh...............F3Pho Hue...................E3, E4Phu Doan.......................E2Phung Hung............E1, E2Quan Su..................E2, E3

Quan Thanh...................D1Quang Trung...........E2, E3Quoc Tu Giam...............D2Son Tay..........................C2Thai Phien......................E4Thanh Cong...................B3Thanh Nien....................D1Tho Nhuom.............E2, E3Thuy Khue..............................................A1, B1, C1, D1To Hien Thanh...............E4Tong Dan........................F2

Ton Duc Thang..............C3Tran Hung Dao..............................................D3, E3, F3Tran Huy Lieu................B2 Tran Khanh Du...............F3Tran Khat Chan..............F4Tran Nguyen Han..........F2Tran Nhan Tong......D3, E3Tran Nhat Duat..............E1Tran Phu........................D2Tran Quang Khai............F2Tran Qui Cap.................D2

Tran Quoc Toan......D3, E3Tran Thanh Tong............F3Tran Xuan Soan..................................................E3, E4Trang Thi........................E2Trang Tien................E2, F3Trieu Viet Vuong......E3, E4Trinh Hoai Duc...............C2Tue Tinh.........................E3Yen Phu..........................E1Yersin..............................F4Yet Kieu..........................D3

HANOI(TELEPHONE CODE: 04)

EMBASSIESAlgeria13 Phan Chu Trinh St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3825-3865

Argentina41A Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3831-5263

Australia8 Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3831-7755

Austria53 Quang Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3943-3050BangladeshVilla D6B 5 – Khu Vuon Dao Ngo 675,Lac Long Quan St, Tay Ho Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3771-6625Belarus52 Ho Tay St, Tay Ho Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3829-0494BelgiumHanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St,Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3934-6179

BrazilT72-14 Thuy Khue St, Tay Ho Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3843-2544

BruneiVilla 8-9 No 44/8-44, 9 Van Bao St, BaDinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3726-0001

Bulgaria5 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3845-2908

Cambodia71A Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3942-7636Canada31 Hung Vuong St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3823-5500China46 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist.,Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3845-3736Cuba65 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3942-4775

Czech Republic13 Chu Van An St, Ba Dinh Dist.,Hanoi; Tel: (04) 3845-4131Denmark19 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3823-1888

Egypt63 To Ngoc Van St, Tay Ho Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3829-4999

Finland31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3826-6788

France57 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3944-5782

Germany29 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3845-3836

Hungary12th floor of Deaha Building, 360Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3771-5714India58-60 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3824-4990

Indonesia50 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3825-3353Iran54 Tran Phu St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3823-2068Iraq66 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3942-4141Ireland8th floor of Vincom Tower B, 191 Ba Trieu St, Ha Dong Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3974-3291Israel68 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba DinhDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3843-3141Italy9 Le Phung Hieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3825-6256

Japan27 Lieu Giai St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3846-3000Laos22 Tran Binh Trong St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3942-4576Libya298B Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3845-3379Malaysia43-45 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba DinhDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3734-3836MexicoCoco Villa T-11, 14 Thuy Khue St, TayHo Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3847-0948Mongolia5 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3845-3009Myanmar298A Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3845-3369

Netherlands6th floor of Deaha Building, 360 KimMa St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3831-5650New Zealand63 Ly Thai To St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3824-1481

North Korea25 Cao Ba Quat St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3845-3008Norway8th Floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai BaTrung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3974-8900

Nigeria44/1 Van Bao St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3726-3610Palestine6 Dang Van Ngu St, Dong Da Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3852-4013Philippines27B Tran Hung Dao St, Hoan KiemDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3943-7948

Poland3 Chua Mot Cot St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3845-2027Romania5 Le Hong Phong St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3845-2014

Russia191 La Thanh St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: 3833-6991South Africa31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3936-2000

South Korea4th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3831-5111

Spain15th floor of Deaha Building, 360 Kim Ma St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3771-5207

Sweden2 Nui Truc St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3726-0400Thailand63-65 Hoang Dieu St, Ba Dinh Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3823-5092Turkey14th Floor, HCO Building, 44B LyThuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Tel: (04) 3822-2460

United Kingdom31 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3936-0500

United States7 Lang Ha St, Dong Da Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3772-1500

MEDICAL CENTRESAcupuncture Institute49 Thai Thinh St, Dong Da Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3563-1069Hanoi French Hospital1 Phuong Mai St, Ba Dinh Dist.,Hanoi Tel: (04) 3577-1100International SOS Clinic1 Dang Thai May St, Tay Ho Dist.,Hanoi Tel: (04) 3934-0666

Thuy Tran Otolaryngology Clinic6 Do Quang St, Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi(6/61 Tran Duy Hung Avenue)Tel: (04) 3556-6124Mobile 098 368 0276Email: [email protected] international hospital458 Minh Khai St, Hai Ba Trung Dist,Hanoi, Tel: (04) 3974-3556

AIRLINESAir France1 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3825-3484Qatar AirwaysHilton Hanoi Opera Building, M floor, 1 Le Thanh Tong St, HoanKiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3933-6767www.qatarairways.comSingapore Airlines17 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,Hanoi. Tel: (04) 3826-8888Vietnam Airlines25 Trang Thi St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3823-0320

TRAVELAmega TravelNo 2606 Thang Long InternationalVillage, Tran Dang Ninh St, Cau GiayDist., HanoiTel: (04) 3783-3570www.amegatravelvietnam.com

Buffalo Tours94 Ma May St, HanoiTel: (04) 3828-0702www.buffalotours.comEmeraude Classic Cruises46 Le Thai To St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3935-1888 www.emeraude-cruises.comEmail: [email protected] 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, HanoiTel: (04) 3828-2150www.exotissimo.comEmail: [email protected]

Oriental Sails16A Ly Nam De St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 3926-4009


DIRECTIONS HANOI

Email: [email protected] www.orientalsails.com

Topas Travel52 To Ngoc Van St, HanoiTel: (04) 3715-1005 Email: [email protected] www.topastravel.vn

HOTELSNote: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change dailyBaoson International Hotel50 Nguyen Chi Thanh St, HanoiTel: (04) 3835-3536Email: [email protected] VND1,570,000 ($75)

De Syloia Hotel 17A Tran Hung Dao St, HanoiTel: (04) 3824-5346Email: [email protected] VND1,806,000 ($86)

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi6B Lang Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3831-3333Email: [email protected] VND1,920,000 ($91)

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel360 Kim Ma St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3831-5000Email: [email protected]

Hanoi Emotion Hotel26 – 28 Hang Bot St, HanoiTel: (04) 3848-9848Email: [email protected] hotel also provides Vietnamese,Japanese and International cuisine

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel1 Le Thanh Tong St, HanoiTel: (04) 3933-0500Email: [email protected] www.hanoi.hilton.com

Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi20 Phan Chu Trinh St, HanoiTel: (04) 3944-9396Email:[email protected]

Hotel de l’Opera 29 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist.,HanoiTel: (04) 6282-5555Email: [email protected]

Melia Hanoi Hotel44B Ly Thuong Kiet St, HanoiTel: (04) 3934-3343Email: [email protected]

Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St, HanoiTel: (04) 3822-2800Email:

[email protected]/hanoiFrom VND3,139,500 ($149.50)

Hotel Nikko Hanoi84 Tran Nhan Tong St, Hanoi Tel.: (04) 3822-3535 [email protected] VND4,620,000 ($220)

Pullman Hanoi40 Cat Linh St, HanoiTel: (04) 3733-0808Email: [email protected] VND2,448,600 ($115.50)

Prestige Hotel Hanoi17 Pham Dinh Ho St, HanoiTel: (04) 6299-9888Email: [email protected]

Silk Path Hotel Hanoi195-199 Hang Bong St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3266-5555Email: [email protected] VND2,289,000 ($109)

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel 11 Xuan Dieu St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3719-9000 [email protected]/hanoiFrom VND4,956,000 ($236)

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen St, HanoiTel: (04) 3826-6919 Email: [email protected] From VND6,090,000 ($290)

Sunway Hotel Hanoi 19 Pham Dinh Ho St, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3971-3888 Email:[email protected]

APARTMENTSFraser Suites Hanoi51 Xuan Dieu St, Quang An Ward,Tay Ho Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3719-8877sales.hanoi@frasershospitality.comhanoi.frasershospitality.com

Somerset Serviced ResidenceVietnam49 Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3934-2342www.somerset.comLuxurious apartments and propertiesfor hiring

RESTAURANTSCom Chay Nang Tam Restaurant79A Tran Hung Dao St, HanoiTel: (04) 3942-4140

Green Tangerine48 Hang Be St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3825-1286www.greentangerinehanoi.com Serving French food with a Vietnamese cuisine Hoa Vien Brauhaus1A Tang Bat Ho St, Hai Ba Trung Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3972-5088www.hoavien.vnThe restaurant has been famous forits production of Czech beer

Le Tonkin Restaurant14 Ngo Van So St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3943-3457www.letonkinrestaurant.vnServes Vietnamese food

BOOK STOREInfostones Bookshop41 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3826-2993Email: [email protected] of magazines and booksby hundreds of publishing housesworldwide

SHOPSCraft Link43 and 51 Van Mieu St, HanoiTel: (04) 3843-7710 Email: [email protected]

Ha Dong Silk102 Hang Gai St, HanoiTel: (04) 3928-5056Tan My Embroidery 66 Hang Gai St, HanoiEmail: [email protected] Tel: (04) 3825-1579

Viet Culture1 Trang Thi St, HanoiTel: (04) 3934-7417

Mekong Quilts13 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3926-4831www.mekong-quilts.orgTraditional embroidery and otherhandicraft cloth products

FURNITURE/ INTERIORDome Au Co9 Au Co St, HanoiTel: (04) 3718-5866Email: [email protected]

Dome Yen The10 Yen The St, HanoiTel: (04) 3843-6036

STOREAnnam Gourmet 51 Xuan Dieu St, Quang An Ward,Tay Ho Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3718-4487www.annam-gourmet.comAnnam Gourmet’s motivation is to‘Enjoy Life. Eat and Drink well.’

MUSEUMSHo Chi Minh Museum19 Ngoc Ha St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3846-3752www.baotanghochiminh.vnOpen: 8 a.m. to noon (Monday andFriday), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (other days)Entry fee: VND25,000

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long12 Nguyen Tri Phuong St/ 9 HoangDieu St, Ba Dinh Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 37345427hoangthanhthanglong@gmail.comwww.hoangthanhthanhlong.vnOpen: 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 2p.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)Entry fee: VND30,000

Vietnam National Museumof History1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi216 Tran Quang Khai St, HanoiTel: (04) 3824-1384www.baotanglichsu.vnOpen 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.Closedevery first Monday of monthsEntry fee VND 20,000 ($0.95) foradults and VND10,000 ($0.48) forchildren

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi Tel: (04) 3733-2131 www.vnfineartsmuseum.org.vnOpen 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Entry fee VND20,000 ($0.95)

Vietnam Military History Museum28A Dien Bien Phu St, Hanoiwww.btlsqsvn.org.vnOpen 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43)

Vietnam Museum of EthnologyNguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3756-2193, www.vme.org.vnOpen 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on MondaysEntry fee VND40,000 ($2)

Women’s Museum36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi Tel: (04) 3825-9936www.womenmuseum.org.vn Open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on MondaysEntry fee VND30,000 ($1.43)

SPAElite Fitness & Spa51 Xuan Dieu St, Tay Ho Dist., HanoiTel: (04) 3718-6281Email: [email protected]

Spa de PalaceFortuna Hotel Hanoi, 6B Lang Ha St, HanoiTel: (04) 3831-3333


DIRECTIONS HANOI

NINH BINH(TELEPHONE CODE: 030)

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Van Long Reserve, Gia Van Commune,Gia Vien Dist., Ninh Binh Province Tel: (030) 3658-333 Email: [email protected] www.emeraldaresort.com

Ninh Binh Legend Hotel Tien Dong Zone, Ninh Khanh Ward,Ninh Binh City Tel: (030) 3899-880 Email: [email protected] www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com From VND1,575,000 ($75)

NGHE AN(TELEPHONE CODE: 038)

Mường Thanh Song Lam Hotel13 Quang Trung St, Quang TrungWard, Vinh, Nghe An ProvinceTel: (038) 3737-666Email: [email protected]

QUANG BINH(TELEPHONE CODE: 052)


Bao Ninh Beach ResortHa Duong, Bao Ninh, Dong Hoi City,Quang Binh ProvinceTel: (052) 3854-866Email: [email protected] VND1,120,000 ($53)

Sun Spa ResortMy Canh, Bao Ninh Commune, DongHoi City, Quang Binh ProvinceTel: (052) 3842-999Email: [email protected] VND1,870,000 ($89)

TRAVELOxalis Adventure Tours Phong Nha Commune, Son Trach Vil-lage, Bo Trach Dist., Quang Binh ProvinceTel: (052)3677-678 www.oxalis.com.vn

HUE(TELEPHONE CODE: 054)

Hue is a city on the Perfume River inlowland central Vietnam and was thecapital of the Nguyen dynasty from1802 to 1945. Many imperial structuresremain. They were named part of

UNESCO World Heritage in 1993. Hueis also known for its particular cuisine.


Banyan Tree Lang Co HotelCu Du village, Loc Vinh Commune,Phu Loc Dist., Thua Thien HueProvince. Tel: (054) [email protected]

BW Premier Indochine Palace

105A Hung Vuong St, HueTel: (054) 3936-666Email: [email protected] VND3,024,000 ($144)The hotel is surrounded by lush greengardens that make it an outstandinglandmark in Hue and give the city thefeel of a resort. This luxurious, interna-tional standard hotel is created to ap-peal to Vietnamese and internationalvisitors to Hue.

Century Riverside Hotel Hue

49 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3823-390Email: [email protected] www.centuryriversidehue.com

Hue Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa

588 Bui Thi Xuan St, Thuy Bieu Dist., Hue Tel: (054) 3978-484 Email: [email protected]

Imperial Hotel8 Hung Vuong St, HueTel: (054) 3882-222Email: [email protected],300,000 to VND29,400,000($110 to $1,400)

Huong Giang Hotel Resort & Spa

51 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) [email protected]

La Résidence Hue Hotel & Spa5 Le Loi St, Hue Tel: (054) 3837-475 Email: [email protected]

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa

130 Minh Mang Road, HueTel: (054) 3885-461 Email: [email protected]

Vedanā Lagoon Resort & SpaZone 1, Phu Loc Town, Phu Loc Dist.,HueTel: (054) 3681-688Email: [email protected]

RESTAURANTThien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant110A Le Ngo Cat St, Thuy Xuan Ward, HueTel: (054) 3898-220 www.thientamrestaurant.com Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant fea-tures a Hue garden house with a simpledesign and a serene atmosphere. Therestaurant serves a variety of Hue vege-tarian food, from royal to local dishes, ata reasonable price. The menu has manychoices, with prices starting from

VND45,000 per dish. The restaurant alsoserves as an art playground for Hueartists. Guests have chance to get theirportraits drawn by the owners at a rea-sonable price. Vegetarian cookingclasses are also available. The restau-rant is about 1-2 km from Tu Duc tomb

DANANG(TELEPHONE CODE: 0511)


Grand Mercure DanangLot A1, Green Island, Hoa Cuong Bac,Hai Chau Dist., Danang Tel: (0511) 3797-777Email: [email protected] www.accorhotels.com/7821

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & SpaHoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Dist.,DanangTel: (0511) 3981-234Email: [email protected] VND5,225,000 ($243)

Pullman Danang Beach ResortVo Nguyen Giap St, Khue My Ward,Ngu Hanh Son Dist., DanangTel: (0511) 3958-888Email: [email protected]

Novotel Danang Premier Han River36 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist.,Danang. Tel: (0511) 3929-999Email: [email protected] Beach Non Nuoc ResortDanang Vietnam, Managed by Centara

255 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, NguHanh Son Dist., DanangTel: (0511) 3961-777

DIRECTIONS NINH BINH, NGHE AN, QUANG BINH, HUE, DANANG


Email: [email protected]/cdvVND1,785,000 to VND5,670,000($85 to $270)Ho Chi Minh sales office: 4th Floor, BenThanh TSC Building; 186-188 Le ThanhTon St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3914-7940

Vinpearl Luxury DanangTruong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu HanhSon Dist., DanangTel: (0 511) 3968-888Email: [email protected]

MUSEUMDanang Museum of Cham Sculpture2, 2 Thang 9 St, Danang Tel: (0511) 3572-935www.chammuseum.danang.vnOpen 7.15 a.m. to 5 p.m.Entry fee VND30,000 ($1.43)

HOI AN(TELEPHONE CODE: 0510)

A major port town from the 15th to19th centuries, Hoi An has well preserved vestiges of Vietnamese, Chi-nese and Japanese cultures. The build-ings are now often used for tailor’sshops. The old town is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Hoi An is a littleover 30 km south of Danang, on thecentral coast.

HOTELS, RESORTSNote: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change dailyAnantara Hoi An Resort1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3914-555Email: [email protected]

Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi AnThanh Nien Road, Cua Dai BeachHoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3927-555 info@goldensandresort-spa.com.vnwww.goldensandresort-spa.com.vnVND3,759,000 to VND7,644,000

Golf Hoi An Hotel

187 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Cam Pho Ward,Hoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3861-171Email: [email protected]

Ancient House River ResortHamlet 2, Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An,Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3930-777Email: [email protected]

www.ancienthouseriver.comFrom VND2,656,500 ($126.50)

Hoi An Beach Resort1 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3927-011info@hoianbeachresort.com.vnwww.hoianbeachresort.com.vnVND2,184,000 to VND2,772,000($104 to $132)Hoi An Historic Hotel

10 Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi An, QuangNam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3861-445Email: [email protected] VND2,127,500 ($101)

Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa175 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3864-800reservation@hoianriverresort.com.vnwww.hoianriverresort.comFrom VND1,650,000 ($79)

Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort & SpaHa My Beach, Hoi AnTel: (0510) 3941-888 Email: [email protected] VND2,835,000 ($135)

Hoi An Pacific Hotel & Spa

321 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3923-777Email: [email protected] www.hoianpacific.comFrom VND1,113,000 ($53)

Sunrise Hoi An Beach ResortAu Co Road, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An,Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3937-777Email: [email protected]

Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa

Lac Long Quan St, Cua Dai Beach, HoiAn, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3927-927Email: [email protected] VND 4,158,000 ($198)

River-Beach Resort & ResidencesHoi An

5 Cua Dai St, Hoi AnTel: (0510) 3927-888saleshoian@river-beachresort.comwww.river-beachresort.comFrom VND1,350,000 ($65)

($179 to $364)TRAVELRose Travel Service co..ltd37 - 39 Ly Thai To St, Cam Chau Ward,Hoi An, Quang Nam ProvinceTel: (0510) 3917-567Email: [email protected]

MUSEUMHoi An Centre for Cultural HeritageManagement and Preservation10B Tran Hung Dao St, Hoi AnTel: (0510) 3862-367www.hoianheritage.netOpen daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

QUY NHON(TELEPHONE CODE: 056)


AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & SpaGhenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Quy Nhon,Binh Dinh ProvinceTel: (056) 3840-132Email: [email protected]/quynhonFrom VND1,995,000 ($95)

Royal Hotel and Healthcare Resort Quy Nhon1 Han Mac Tu St, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province Tel: (056) 374-7100Email: [email protected],155,000 to VND1,365,000($55 to $65)

MUSEUMQuang Trung MuseumBlock 1, Phu Phong town, Tay SonDist., Binh Dinh ProvinceTel: (056) 3580-320Open 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.Entry fee VND10,500 ($0.50). Free for children under six

NHA TRANG(TELEPHONE CODE: 058)

On the central coast, Nha Trang is acity originally known for beautifulbeaches but these have lately beenfound to suffer from pollution dueto modern life, development andtourism, like other popular resortareas in Vietnam. It has large num-bers of foreign tourists, island-hop-ping, scuba diving, sightseeing andlounging on the beach.


Champa Island Nha Trang Resort & Spa

304 2/4 St, Vinh Phuoc, Nha TrangEmail: [email protected]: 0123 6009 777With architecture reflecting nearby PoNagar temple, Champa Island NhaTrang offers exquisite cuisine and manyentertainment services that promise amemorable stay in Nha Trang

Best Western Premier Havana Nha Trang Hotel

38 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang,Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3889-999Email: [email protected]

Diamond Bay Resort & SpaSong Lo, Phuoc Ha, Phuoc Dong Dist.,Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3711-711Email: [email protected]

Evason Ana Mandara Nha TrangBeachside Tran Phu St, Nha Trang,Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) [email protected]/evason-resorts/ana-mandara/destinationGreen World Hotel Nha Trang44 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, NhaTrang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3528-666Email: sales@greenworld-hotelnhatrang.comwww.greenworldhotelnhatrang.com

DIRECTIONS HOI AN, QUY NHON, NHA TRANG


InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel32-34 Tran Phu St, Nha TrangTel: (058) 3887-777www.intercontinental.com

Michelia Hotel4 Pasteur St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3820-820Email: [email protected] VND2,200,000 ($105)

Mường Thanh Nha Trang Hotel6 Duong Hien Quyen St, Vinh HoaWard, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3552-468 Email: [email protected] VND1,400,000 ($66)

Novotel Nha Trang Hotel50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 6256-900Email: [email protected],415,000 to VND4,830,000($115 to $230)

Six Senses Ninh Van BayNinh Van bay, Ninh Hoa,Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) 3524-268Email: [email protected] www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-van-bay/destinationFrom VND17,629,500 ($839.50)

Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa26-28 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, KhanhHoa Province. Tel: (058) 3880-000reservations.nhatrang@sheraton.comwww.sheratonnhatrang.comFrom VND3,565,000 ($170)

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa12-14 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3820-999Email: [email protected] VND2,520,000 to VND4,305,000($120 to $205)

Vinpearl Luxury Nha TrangHon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province

Tel: (058) 3598-598Email: [email protected]

Vinpearl Resort Nha TrangHon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3598-188Email: [email protected]

White Sand Doclet Resort & Spa Population group 9 Dong Cat, NinhHai Ward, Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3670-670Email: [email protected]

TOURNha Trang Limousine

93 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha TrangTel: (058) 3516-612 or 09868 33555Email: [email protected]

SHOPPINGKhanh Hoa SalanganesNest Company248 Thong Nhat St, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ProvinceTel: (058) [email protected]

MUSEUMAlexandre Yersin MuseumPasteur Institute, 10 Tran Phu St, NhaTrang, Khanh Hoa Province Tel: (058) 3822-406

PHAN RANG(TELEPHONE CODE: 068)

HOTEL, RESORT

Note: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change daily

Saigon Ninh Chu Hotel & ResortKhanh Hai Town, Ninh Hai Dist., NinhThuan ProvinceTel: (068) 3876-011Email: [email protected],575,000 to VND4,200,000($75 to $200)

PHAN THIET(TELEPHONE CODE: 062)

Sitting on the coast about 200 kmnorth of Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thietis a beach city with many resorts and hotels.


Allezboo Beach Resort & Spa8 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien,Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3743-777Email: [email protected] VND1,400,000 ($66)

Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa12A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-888Email: [email protected]

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

38 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet City, Binh ThuanProvince. Tel: (062) 3847-007 [email protected] www.bamboovillageresortvn.com From VND2,200,000 ($105)

Ocean Dunes Resort1 Ton Duc Thang St, Phan Thiet City,Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3822-393 Email: [email protected] VND1,500,000 ($71)

Hoang Ngoc (Oriental Pearl) Beach Resort & Spa

152 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet City, Binh ThuanProvince . Tel: (062) 3847-858 Email: [email protected]

www.hoangngoc-resort.com VND1,600,000 to VND6,090,000($75 to $287)

Full Moon VillageSuoi Nuoc Beach, Mui Ne, Phan ThietCity, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3836-099Email: [email protected],100,000 to VND6,300,000 ($100 to $300)

Mom Da Chim - Lazi Beach ResortLy Thai To St, Tan Tien, Lagi, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3874-458Email: [email protected] VND1,900,000 ($90)

Muine de Century BeachResort & Spa16 Huynh Thuc Khang St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3743-668 [email protected] VND1,550,000 ($74)

Muine Ocean Resort & Spa10 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3741-616Email: [email protected] VND1,050,000 ($50)

Muine Bay Resort

Quarter 14, Mui Ne Ward , Phan ThietCity, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 2220-222Email: [email protected],205,000 to VND6,195,000($105 to $295)

Pandanus Resort

Quarter 5, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, BinhThuan Province. Tel: (062) 3849-849Email: [email protected] www.pandanusresort.comFrom VND1,575,000 ($75)

Park Diamond HotelNguyen Tat Thanh St, Hung LongWard, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3835-666Email: [email protected]

DIRECTIONS PHAN RANG, PHAN THIET


www.parkdiamondhotel.vnFrom VND990,000 ($47)

Saigon - Suoi Nhum ResortThuan Quy, Ham Thuan Nam Ward,Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3683-240 [email protected] VND1,700,000 ($81)

Sandhills Beach Resort & SpaKm6, Tien Binh hamlet, Tien ThanhCommune, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3846-789Email: [email protected] VND2,520,000 ($120)

Seahorse Resort & Spa

Km 11, Ham Tien Ward, Phan ThietCity, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3847-507Email: [email protected] VND1,440,000 ($68)

Sea Links Beach HotelKm 9, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward,Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 2220-088 Email: [email protected] VND1,995,000 ($94)

Sea Lion Beach Resort & Spa12 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3743-390Email: [email protected]

Sunny Beach Resort & Spa

64-66 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, HamTien, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3741-355 Email: [email protected] VND1,699,000 ($80)

Saigon Mui Ne Resort56 - 97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, HamTien Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3741-044 Email: [email protected] VND1,908,000 ($90)

The Cliff Resort & ResidencesZone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City,Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3719-111reservation@thecliffresort.com.vnwww.thecliffresort.com.vn

The Sailing Bay Beach Resort107 Ho Xuan Huong St, Mui Ne, Phan ThietTel: (062) 3836-555Email: [email protected] www.thesailingbay.comFrom VND2,571,000 ($122)

Mui Ne Unique Resort

20B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3741-617Email: [email protected] contact in Ho Chi MinhCity, 57 Pham Viet Chanh St, NguyenCu Trinh Ward, Dist.1Tel: (08) 3925-4196 Email: [email protected]

Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & SpaPhu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Tel: (062) 3813-000 Email: [email protected] VND3,633,000 ($171)

Villa Aria Mui Ne

60A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham TienWard, Phan Thiet City, Binh ThuanProvince; Tel: (062) 3741-660Email: [email protected] VND1,743,000 ($83)

White Sands Resort

KM8, Nguyen Thong St, Phu Hai Ward,Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan ProvinceTel: (062) 3741-175 Email: [email protected] VND1,344,000 VND ($64)

MUSEUMCham Culture Exhibition CentreSong Mao intersection, Phan HiepCommune, Bac Binh Dist., Binh ThuanProvince; Tel: (062) 3641-456Open: 7.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.to 5 p.m. Monday to FridayFree entrance

DALAT(TELEPHONE CODE: 063)

Dalat, founded in 1893, has Frencharchitecture, pine forests and aperpetually cool climate. It is in thesouthern Central Highlands, about 300kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City.

HOTELSNote: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change daily

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa Le Lai St, Dalat, Lam Dong ProvinceTel: (063) 3555-888Email: [email protected] www.anamandara-resort.com From VND1,700,000 ($81)

Dalat Edensee Resort Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat, LamDong ProvinceTel: (063) 3831-515Email: [email protected],331,000 to VND4,662,000 ($111 to $222)

Saigon-Dalat Hotel

02 Hoang Van Thu St, Dalat, Lam Dong ProvinceTel: (063) 3556-789Email: [email protected] ;[email protected] in the heart of Dalat, Saigon-Dalat Hotel is a four-star-standard hotel,comprised of 160 luxurious and com-fortable rooms with air-conditioningthroughout and other modern ameni-ties. Four restaurants, two bars, one ten-nis court, one indoor swimming pool,one fitness centre and one beauty salonand spa help make your getaway experi-ence complete.

HO CHI MINH CITY(TELEPHONE CODE: 08)

CONSULATESAustralia5B Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-6035Belgium91 Nguyen Huu Canh St, Ward 22, Binh

Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3512-7968Cambodia41 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-2751CanadaMetropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-9899China175 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3829-2457Cuba45 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-7350France27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-7231Germany126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-2455India55 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-7853Indonesia18 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3825-1888

Japan13-17 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3822-5314Kuwait24 Phung Khac Khoan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: (08) 3827-0555Laos93 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-7667Mexico11 Tra Khuc St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3848-6290Netherlands29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3823-5932New ZealandMetropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-6907Panama7A Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3825-0334

Russia40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3930-3936SingaporeSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-5173South Korea107 Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-5757Switzerland42 Giang Van Minh St, Dist.2,

DIRECTIONS DALAT, HO CHI MINH CITY


Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3744-6996Thailand77 Tran Quoc Thao St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3932-7637United Kingdom25 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3825-1380, (08) 3829-8433United States4 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-9433

HOSPITALSColumbia Asia Gia Dinh International Hospital1 No Trang Long St, Binh Thanh Dist.,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3803-0678FV Hospital6 Nguyen Luong Bang St, Dist.7, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 5411-3500Stamford Skin Centre254 Dien Bien Phu St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3932-1090Email: [email protected]

AIRLINESAir France130 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-0981

All Nippon Airways115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3821-9612American Airlines69 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3933-0330

Asiana Airlines39 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-8710, (08) 3829-3038British Airways170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3930-2933

Cathay Pacific Airways72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist.1,

Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-3203Emirates Airlines170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Dist.3,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3930-2939Japan Airlines88 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3821-9098Jetstar Pacific Airlines112 Hong Ha St, Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3955-0550

Philippine Airlines2nd Floor Saigon Royal Building 91 Pasteur St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-2105

Qatar Airways1-5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-3888

Royal Brunei Airlines787 Tran Hung Dao St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3924-5100

Singapore Airlines29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3823-1588

Thai Airways International29 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-2809

United AirlinesSuite 708 Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3823-4755Vietnam Airlines115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3832-0320Vietjet Air8Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-0123www.vietjetair.com

TRAVELAsiana Travel Mate113C Bui Vien St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3838-6678

Buffalo Tours81 Mac Thi Buoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-9168Email: [email protected] www.buffalotours.com.vn Buffalo Tours operates in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Buffalo Tours portfolio caters to alltypes of tours.Exotissimo 80-82 Phan Xich Long St, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3995-9898www.exotissimo.com

Saigon Tourist45 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3827-9279www.saigon-tourist.comTrails of Indochina10/8 Phan Dinh Giot St, Tan Binh Dist.,Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: (08) 3844-1005Email: [email protected]

Transviet TravelTravel House, 170-172 Nam Ky KhoiNghia St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3933-0777www.transviet.com.vn


Catina Saigon Hotel109 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-6296www.hotelcatina.com.vnFrom VND1,690,500 ($80.50)

Caravelle Hotel19-23 Cong Truong Lam Son St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3823-4999www.caravellehotel.com

Duxton Hotel Saigon63 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) [email protected]

First Hotel

18 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan BinhDist, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3844-1199 Email: [email protected]

Grand Hotel Saigon8 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1,Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-0163Email: [email protected]

Built in 1930, the Ancient Wing of GrandHotel Saigon offers a cozy and elegant at-mosphere. The Luxury Wing, opened inNovember 2011, adds a modern style. 230rooms and suites, a ballroom, recreationarea, VIP Lounge, Western & Asian restau-rants, Bars & Grand Café at Roof Garden

Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho ChiMinh CityTel: (08) 3839-7777Email: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/equa-torialhcmcHotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City is aninternational 5-star hotel, located wherethe borders of the city's four main dis-tricts intersect; hence in the heart andtrue centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Tan SonNhat International Airport can bereached conveniently within 30 minutes,while the city's major commercial andentertainment area is only a mere 8-minute drive.

Hotel Nikko Saigon235 Nguyen Van Cu St, Dist.1, Ho ChiMinh City, tel: (08) 3925-7777reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vnwww.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vnFrom VND4,830,000 ($230)

InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner Hai Ba TrungSt. & Le Duan Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3520-9999Email: [email protected]/SaigonFrom VND5,845,455 ($278)

Kelly Hotel42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3823-3364Email: [email protected] www.kellyhotel.com.vnFrom VND966,000 ($46)An elegant and cosy hotel with goodservice. Within walking distance toBen Thanh market, IndependencePalace and several museums. Vietnamese food is served at reason-able prices.

Mövenpick Hotel Saigon

253 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu NhuanDist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3844-9222Email: [email protected]

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY


Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St, Ben NgheWard, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3823-333Email: [email protected] VND4,221,000 ($201)

Liberty Central Hotels in Ho ChiMinh City17 Ton Duc Thang St, Dist.1Tel: (08) 3827-1717177-179 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1Tel: (08) 3823-9269Email: [email protected]

New World Saigon Hotel76 Le Lai St, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-8888Email: [email protected]

New Epoch Hotel120 Cach Mang Thang 8 St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3932-6169reservation@newepochhotel.com.vnwww.newepochhotel.com.vnFrom VND1,155,000 ($55)

Northern Hotel Saigon

11A Thi Sach St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3825-1751Email: [email protected] VND1,505,000 ($71)Three-star boutique hotel, 99 rooms inSuperior, Deluxe and Suite categories, ashort walk from major entertainmentand shopping venues.

Novotel Saigon Centre167 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (08) 3822-4866Email: [email protected] From VND2,959,000 ($140)

Palace Hotel Saigon56-66 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-2860Email: [email protected]

Park Hyatt Saigon2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho ChiMinh City Tel: (08) 3824-1234Email: [email protected] www.parkhyattsaigon.com From VND 8,424,900

PARKROYAL Saigon309B – 311 Nguyen Van Troi St,TanBinh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3842-1111enquiry.prsgn@parkroyalhotels.comwww.parkroyalhotels.comFrom VND2,173,500 ($103.50)

Ramana Hotel Saigon323 Le Van Sy St, Dist.3,Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3843-9999 Email: [email protected] www.ramanasaigon.comFrom VND1,050,000 ($50)

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon8-15 Ton Duc Thang St, Ben NgheWard, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-0033Email: [email protected] VND4,105,500 ($195.50)

Royal Hotel Saigon133 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-5915Email: [email protected] From VND1,932,000 ($92)

Rex Hotel141 Nguyen Hue St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-2185Email: [email protected] VND4,620,000 ($220)

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers88 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-2828Email: [email protected]

www.sheraton.com/saigonFrom VND8,740,000 ($416)

Silver Creek City Resort112 An Phu Dong 11, Dist.12, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3719-9533Email: [email protected] VND1,207,500 ($57.50)

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

17 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3824-1555Email: [email protected] VND3,864,000 ($184)

Sonnet Saigon Hotel

14 Truong Dinh St., Ward 6, Dist.3, HoChi Minh CityTel: (08) 3930-1999 [email protected]

Windsor Plaza Hotel

18 An Duong Vuong, Dist.5, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) [email protected]

RESTAURANTSChit Chat RestaurantHotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3839-7777Email: [email protected] daily menus for breakfast and din-ner buffets, all served in a relaxing at-mosphere. Eight live cooking stationswith over 60 varieties of mouth-wateringdomestic and international dishes. Ameeting place to enjoy delicious house-made pastries and cakes and a cup ofcoffee from selected premium blends.

Kim Lam Restaurant

23 Dong Khoi St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 6299-0879Email: [email protected] restaurant serves Vietnamese foodfrom the North, Centre and South withemphasis on artistic garnish. It has threefloors and can hold one hundred andtwenty people. The restaurant is a treas-ure trove of Vietnamese culture with artobjects serving as the decor

Kobe Teppanyaki Restaurant13A Tu Xuong St, Ward 7, Dist 3, Ho Chi MInh CityTel: (08) 3932-0187

Lemongrass Restaurant4 Nguyen Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-0496www.bongsencorporation.com

Mam Son Restaurant35 Ton That Thiep St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3915-3653Vietnamese food

Orentica RestaurantHotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3839-7777Email: [email protected] Teppanyaki restaurant with an open-preparation counter, guests will be ableto view spectacular food preparation be-fore their very eyes.

Vatel Saigon Bistronomique-Lounge120 Bis Suong Nguyet Anh St, BenThanh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 5404-2220www.vatelsaigon.com

Vietnam House Restaurant93 - 95 Dong Khoi St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-1623www.vietnamhousesaigon.com

BARS & CAFÉSElle Cafe45 Ngo Duc Ke St, Bitexco FinancialTower, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 6291-8769

Caffe Molinari5 Le Duan St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3910-6903Email: [email protected]

DIRECTIONS HO CHI MINH CITY


A

1

2

3

4

CB

C E N T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I T YDuxton Hotel Saigon

Equatorial Hotel

Grand Hotel

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Hotel

Kelly Hotel

Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon

Majestic Hotel

New World Hotel

Oscar Hotel

Park Hyatt

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

Rex Hotel

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

New Epoch Hotel14

2

1234567891011121314

15

16

17

Ngon 138 Restaurant

Vietnam House Restaurant

V-Spa

N T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TC E N T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I T


Kelly Hotel

Asiana Saigon HotelIntercontinental

Grand Hotel

Equatorial Hotel

Duxton Hotel Saigon 11222222223333333334444455555556666

1


A

Asiana Saigon Hotel

A B C

New Epoch Hotel

Sheraton Saigon Hotel &

Rex Hotel


Park Hyatt

Oscar Hotel

orld HotelNew W World Hotel

Majestic Hotel77788888999911111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111133333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333331111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111144444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

2owersTTowersSheraton Saigon Hotel &


New Epoch Hotel44444444444444444444444

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 ietnam House Restaurant

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111117777777777777777777777777777777777

V

Ngon 138 Restaurant

-SpaV

3

ietnam House Restaurant

111111111111111111111111111111444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

3

4

222222

3 Thang 2..........A2, A3, B2Alexandre De Rhodes................................................E2An Duong Vuong....A4, B4Ba Le Chan....................D1Ba Huyen Thanh Quan..............................................C2Ban Co...........................B3Ben Chuong Duong............................................D4, E4Ben Van Don...........D4, E4

Bui Thi Xuan..................C3Bui Vien...................C4, D4Cach Mang Thang Tam...........A1, B1, B2, C2, C3, D3Calmette.........................E4Cao Thang.....................B3Chu Manh Trinh.............F2Co Bac.....................C4, D4Co Giang............. ...C4, D4Cong Quynh............C3, C4De Tham........................D4

Dien Bien Phu.....................A3, B2, C2, D1, D2, E1, F1Dinh Tien Hoang............E1Do Quang Dau...............C4Do Thanh.......................B3Doan Cong Buu.............C1Doan Nhu Hai..........E4, F4Dong Du.........................F3Dong Khoi................E3, F3Hai Ba Trung..................................................D1, E2, F3Hai Trieu.........................F4

Ham Nghi.................E4, F4Han Thuyen....................E2Ho Hao Hon...................C4Ho Tung Mau...........E3, E4Ho Xuan Huong.............C2Hoa Hung.......................A2Hung Vuong...................A4Huyen Tran Cong Chua.............................................D3Huynh Thuc Khang........E3Huynh Tinh Cua.............D1Ky Con.....................D4, E4

Ky Dong...................B2, C1Le Duan...................E2, F2Le Hong Phong.............................................A2, A3, A4Le Lai.......................C3, D3Le Loi..............................E3Le Quy Don....................D2Le Thanh Ton.................................................D3, E3, F2Le Thi Hong Gam................................................D4, E4Le Thi Rieng............C3, D3

Le Van Sy.......................B1Luong Huu Khanh.........C3Ly Chinh Thang.......C1, C2Ly Thai To......................A3Ly Tu Trong....................................................D3, E3, F2Ly Van Phuc...................E1Mac Dinh Chi...........E1, E2Mac Thi Buoi..................F3Mai Thi Luu..............E1, F1Nam Ky Khoi Nghia...............................C1, D1, D2, D3

S T R E E T G U I D E

A

1

2

3

4

FEDCB

C E N T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I T YDuxton Hotel Saigon

Equatorial Hotel

Grand Hotel

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Hotel

Kelly Hotel


Majestic Hotel

New World Hotel

Oscar Hotel

Park Hyatt


Rex Hotel

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

New Epoch Hotel

5

14

15

1213

10

4

1916

8

2

3

7

6

11

1234567891011121314

15

16

17

17

Ngon 138 Restaurant

Vietnam House Restaurant

V-Spa

N T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TC E N T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I TN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I T YN T R E O F H O C H I M I N H C I T


Kelly Hotel

Asiana Saigon HotelIntercontinental

Grand Hotel

Equatorial Hotel

Duxton Hotel Saigon

1


Asiana Saigon Hotel

D E F

New Epoch Hotel

Sheraton Saigon Hotel &

Rex Hotel


Park Hyatt

Oscar Hotel

Majestic Hotel

2Sheraton Saigon Hotel &


New Epoch Hotel

ietnam House RestaurantV

Ngon 138 Restaurant

-SpaV

3

ietnam House Restaurant

555555

151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515

101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010

4444444

17171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717

6666

17171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717171717

3

888888

5121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212

131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313199916161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616

3333

7

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

4

Ngo Duc Ke....................F3Ngo Thoi Nhiem ....C2, D2Ngo Van Nam.................F2Nguyen Binh Khiem...................................................F1, F2Nguyen Cau...................D1Nguyen Cong Tru................................................D4, E4Nguyen Dinh Chieu..................B3, C2, C3, D2, E1, F1Nguyen Du..............D3, E3Nguyen Hue.............E3, F3

Nguyen Khac Nhu...............................................C4, D4Nam Quoc Cang.....C3, C4Nguyen Phi Khanh.........E1Nguyen Sieu...................F3Nguyen Son Tra..................................................B3, C3Nguyen Tat Thanh..........F4Nguyen Thai Binh................................................D4, E4Nguyen Thai Hoc....D3, D4Nguyen Thanh Y............E1

Nguyen Thi Dieu............C2Nguyen Thi Minh Khai.........................................B3, C3Nguyen Thien Thuat............................................A3, B3Nguyen Thong........B2, C2Nguyen Thuong Hien.........................................B2, C3Nguyen Trai.............B4, C4Nguyen Trung Ngan......F2Nguyen Trung Truc........E3Nguyen Truong To.........E4

Nguyen Van Cu..............B4Nguyen Van Thu......E1, F1Pasteur...............................................D1, D2, E2, E3,E4Pham Ngoc Thach.........D1Pham Ngu Lao........C4, D4Pham Viet Chanh...........B3Phan Ke Binh..........E1, E2Pho Duc Chinh...............E4Phung Khac Khoan.......E2Suong Nguyet Anh........C3Thach Thi Thanh.....D1, E1

Thai Van Lung................F3Thi Sach.........................F3Thu Khoa Huan.......D3, E3To Hien Thanh................A1Ton That Dam..........E3, E4Ton Duc Thang..............C3Tran Binh Trong......A3, A4Tran Cao Van.................E2Tran Dinh Xu...........B4, C4Tran Hung Dao.......C4, D4Tran Minh Quyen...........A3Tran Nhan Tong.......A3, A4

Tran Phu.........................A4Tran Quang Dieu...........B1Tran Quang Khai.....D1, E1Tran Quoc Thao......C1, D2Tran Quoc Toan......C1, D1Truong Dinh............C1, C2Tu Xuong.......................C2Vinh Vien........................A3Vo Thi Sau........C2, D1, E1Vo Van Tan..............C3, B3Vuon Chuoi..............B2, B3Yersin..............................D4

DIRECTIONS VUNG TAU, LONG HAI, CON DAO, CAN THO, CHAU DOC


Sax N’ Art Jazz Club28 Le Loi St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-8472www.saxnart.comThao Nguyen CaféFloor 7 and Rooftopof Restaurant Ngon 138138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-9666Open from 7 a.m. until 10.30 p.m.

SHOPSIPA Nima85 Pasteur St, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3824-2701IPA Nima is well-known for its bags.

Shin122 Ly Tu Trong St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City53A Nguyen Du St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: 0909352369

SPAVspa & Skincare

15B/25 Le Thanh Ton St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3827-9484 Email: [email protected] 20 per cent off all treatments when youshow us a copy of Vietnam Heritage

COOKING CLASSESMint Culinary School778/45 Nguyen Kiem St, Phu NhuanDist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3844-5500Email: [email protected] Cooking Class74/7 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3825-8485www.saigoncookingclass.com

GALLERIESArtists Long & Ngoc GalleryGrand Hotel (at the lobby), 8 DongKhoi, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTeL: (08) 2246-6839Mobile: 0908 229 708Email: [email protected]

Apricot Gallery50 Mac Thi Buoi St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-7962

Cactus Contemporary Art17/12 Nguen Huy Tuong St, Ward 6,Binh Thanh Dist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) [email protected] www.cactusartgallery.com

Craig Thomas Gallery27i Tran Nhat Duat St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Mobile: 0903 888 431Email: [email protected]: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays and Sundays

Galerie Quynh65 De Tham St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3836-8019www.galeriequynh.com

Sàn Art3 Me Linh St, Ward 19, Binh ThanhDist., Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3840-0183www.san-art.orgOpening: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every.Closed on Sunday and Monday

Tu Do Gallery53 Ho Tung Mau St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3821-0966 www.tudogallery.comOpening: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday

MUSEUMSFine Arts Museum ofHo Chi Minh City97A Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen ThaiBinh Ward, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-4441www.baotangmythuattphcm.comOpen 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum65 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Nghe Ward,Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3829-9741www.hcmc-museum.edu.vnOpen daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Independence Palace135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben ThanhWard, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3822-3652www.dinhdoclap.gov.vnOpen daily, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

War Remnants Museum28 Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (08) 3930-5587Email: [email protected] daily 7.30 a.m. to midday and1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Southern Women Museum202 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityTel: (08) 3932-7130

A popular beach resort town for residents of Ho Chi Minh City, VungTau is about 128 km southeast of

HCMC. It can be reached either byroad or by a 90-minute hydrofoil boatfrom HCMC. Sitting on a peninsulathat sticks out into the East Sea, VungTau does not have the most beautiful,or cleanest, beaches in Vietnam butcan act as a quick getaway from thebuzz of the city.


Mường Thanh Vung Tau HotelNo 09, Thong Nhat St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3835-567Email: [email protected] www.vungtau.muongthanh.vnFrom VND1,890,000 ($90)

Grand Hotel Vung Tau2 Nguyen Du St, Ward.1, Vung TauTel: (064) 3856-888 Email: [email protected] VND2,058,000 ($98)

Palace Hotel

1 Nguyen Trai St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3856-411 Email: [email protected] VND2,062,000 ($97)

Petrosetco Hotel12 Truong Cong Dinh St, Ward 2,Vung TauTel: (064) 3624-748Email: [email protected] VND1,085,700 ($52)

Petro House Hotel63 Tran Hung Dao St, Ward 1, Vung Tau Tel: (064) 3852-014Email: [email protected] VND1,260,000 ($60)

Romeliess Hotel31 - 33 Thuy Van St, Vung TauTel: (064) 3613-366Email: [email protected]

The Imperial Hotel & ResidencesVung Tau 159 - 163 Thuy Van St, Vung TauTel: (064) 3628-888Email: [email protected]

MUSEUMWhite Palace6 Tran Phu St, Ward.1, Vung TauTel: (064) 3852-605Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LONG HAILong Hai is a beach town, 30km northeast of Vung Tau and 124 kmsoutheast of HCMC.The Grand Ho Tram StripPhuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-VungTau Province. Tel: (064) 3788-888Email: [email protected]

CON DAO Six Senses Con DaoDat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist., Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province Tel : (064) [email protected]/resorts/con-dao/destinationFrom VND14,490,000 ($690)

CAN THO(TELEPHONE CODE: 0710)

Can Tho is the largest city in theMekong Delta, about 170 km south-west of Ho Chi Minh City, and acts asthe area’s economic, transportationand cultural centre. Sitting on theMekong River, Can Tho is popular forits nearby floating markets, canals andrivers that can be explored by boat.

HOTELS, RESORTSNote: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change daily Golf Can Tho Hotel2 Hai Ba Trung St, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) [email protected]

Victoria Can Tho ResortCai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho Tel: (0710) 3810-111Email: [email protected] VND3,700,000 ($175)

MUSEUMCan Tho Museum1 Hoa Binh St, Tan An Ward, Can ThoTel: (0710) 3820-955Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs-day (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5p.m.); Saturday and Sunday (8 a.m. to11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Closedon Friday. Free admission

CHAU DOC(TELEPHONE CODE: 076)


Victoria Chau Doc Hotel1 Le Loi St, Chau Doc Town, An Giang ProvinceTel: (076) 3865-010resa.chaudoc@victoriahotels.asiawww.victoriahotels.asiaFrom VND3,169,000 ($149)

Victoria Nui Sam LodgeVinh Dong 1, Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An

DIRECTIONS PHU QUOC, OVERSEAS


Giang ProvinceTel: (076) 3575-888 [email protected]

MUSEUMAn Giang Museum11 Ton Duc Thang St, My Binh Ward,Long Xuyen City, An Giang ProvinceTel: (076) 3956-248Open hour 7a.m. to 11a.m. and 1.30p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on MondayEntrance fee: VND42,000 ($2)

PHU QUOC(TELEPHONE CODE: 077)

Phu Quoc Island, off the southerntip of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thai-land, has some of the most beauti-ful beaches in the country.White-sand beaches, scuba divingaround coral reefs or exploring theprotected jungle. Accessible by ei-ther the Rach Gia hydrofoil boat ora 50-minute flight from Ho ChiMinh City. Modest family-ownedbungalows on the beach to five-star resorts.

HOTELS, RESORTS

Note: Prices at many hotels dependon occupancy and change daily

Eden Resort Phu QuocCua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Ward, PhuQuoc District, Kien Giang ProvinceTel: (077) 3985-598Email: [email protected]

Chen Sea Resort & Spa Phu Quoc,Centara Boutique CollectionBai Xep, Ong Lang, Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) 3995-895 Email: [email protected] www.centarahotelsresorts.comFrom VND3,381,000 ($161)

La Veranda ResortTran Hung Dao St, Ward 7, DuongDong Town Phu Quoc Island Tel: (077) [email protected],082,000 to VND8,694,000($242 to $414)

CANADA(Telephone code: 1)

Xe Lua 254 Spadina Ave, Tonronto,Ontario Canada M5T2C2Tel: (1-416) 703-8330Xe Lua has been open since 1996 andserves phở for $6 a bowlOpen: 11.30 a.m. to 12 p.m

Chau Kitchen and Bar1500 Robson St. Vancouver, British ColumbiaTel: (1-604) 682-8020www.chaukitchenandbar.comServes Vietnamese dishes with pricesstarting at $7 per dish.

FRANCE(Telephone code: 33)

CLEMONT-FERRANDKim Anh6 Bis r Elie GintracTel: (33-4) 7391-9364Serves traditional Vietnamese food,from €12.80 per dishOpen 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Sundays).

GRENOBLEKim Ngan22 r Nicolas ChrierTel: (33-4) 7649-0847Serves Vietnamese food with pricesstarting at €8 per dish

UNITED STATES OFAMERICA

(Telephone code: 1)CALIFORNIA-CAEmerald RestaurantPacific Gateway Plaza3709 Convoy Street, Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111Tel: (1) 858-565-6888Serves Vietnamese food

Hung Ky Mi Gia5237 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego,CA 92115; Tel: (1) 619-229-2188Serves noodle varieties with prices start-ing at $5 per dishOpen 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.International Restaurant 14444 – A University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115Tel: (1) 619-281-9999

Little Saigon7 Linden Ave (Railroad)South San Francisco, CA 94080Tel: (1) 650-589-1398

New York-NYSaigon Grill620 Amsterdam Ave, New York,NY 10024Tel: (1) 212-875-9072Serves over 100 Vietnamese dishes in-cluding vegetarian optionsOpen 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Mai Lan Vietnamese505 N State St Syracuse, NY 13203Tel: (1) 315-471-6740www.mailanrestaurant.comL’Annam121 University Pl New York,NY 10022Tel: (1) 212-420-1414

VIRGINIA-VAMinh’s Vietnamese2500 Wilson Blvd Arlington,VA 22201Tel: (1) 703-525-2828Prices start at $15 per dishOpen 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Mondays)

WASHINGTON-WCHo Bac1314 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144Tel: (1) 206-860-8164

Kieu Nga LemongrassRestaurant514 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122Tel: (1) 206-860-8164Moonlight Café1919 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98144Tel: (1) 206-322-3378Massachusetts-MA Saigon Hut305-307 Meridian St. Boston, ]MA 02128; Tel: (1) 617-567-1944

Xinh Xinh7 Beach St (Washington St.) Boston,MA 02111Tel: (1) 617-422-0501

UNITED KINGDOM(Telephone code: 44)

Little Saigon Restaurant6 Bigg Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, EnglandTel: 01912330766Vietnamese dishes

AUSTRALIA(Telephone code: 61)

La Mint 62–64 Riley St, East Sydney NSW 2010Tel: (61) 293-311-818Email: [email protected] Open: Wednesday to Friday, noon to2:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to10.30 p.m. French and Vietnamese dishes

INDONESIA(Telephone code: 62)

Pho 24Pondok Indah, Plaza I, Jln. Taman Duta1Blok UA 35 Jakarta SelatanTel: (62) 0217-505-909JIn. Wolter Mongonsidi No. 71, Ke-bayyoran Baru, Jakarta SelatanTel: (62) 0217-278-8411Pacific Place Mall, 5th Floor, SCBD, JIn.Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53, Jakarta 12190Tel: (62) 0215-140-0531

LAID BACK


Clockwise from top left: A wooden sculpture at a tomb in Kon Tum Province; At the Mud Ball Festival,Van Ha Commune, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang Province; At Hang Chieu St, Hanoi, in the mid of theseventh month of lunar calendar

Photo: Tran Quang Quy

Photo: Ngo Du

Photo: Ngo Vi Phong

CORRECTION

Vietnam Heritage Magazine wishesto apologise to our readers aboutsome misleading information in

last month’s article ‘How the betel andareca nut came to be’. Whilst it may addto the process, chewing the areca nut isnot a method of blackening teeth.

If anything, the juices may stain theteeth a reddish colour. My wife has beenchewing the betel on a nightly basis formany years and her teeth are as white asmy own. So this led me to question the as-sertion and do some research. I ques-tioned a number of well-educatedVietnamese and found it quite a com-monly-held belief among Vietnamesethat chewing betel is the way to dye yourgnashers black. Even tour guides havebeen known to perpetuate the myth.

The truth is that teeth, since pre his-toric times, have been turned pitch blackby the application of a lacquer obtainedfrom iron filings and plant extracts. It hasbeen proven scientifically that like a den-tal sealant this strengthens the teeth andreduces tooth and enamel decay.

This practice is not confined to Viet-nam but has been recorded in manycounties of the Asia- Pacific region andeven in South America. In Japan, where itis called ‘Ohaguro’, it was practiced amongall social classes, even royalty, but had diedout by the end of the nineteenth century.

Pip de Rouvray

Vietnam heritage No.44 Devember 2014

Documents

Transcript of Vietnam heritage No.44 Devember 2014