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Vietnam - A Peaceful and Friendly Destination 2007-06-05 22:40:00 By Michael RussellVietnam
is a nice and peaceful country located in the South East of Asia. With a long coast line from the North to the South and a lot of mountains and highlands, Vietnam has both sea and mountain attractions. Having the area of 331,688 square km and a population of more than 84 million people, Vietnam is one of the most densely-populated countries in the world.Known as the heart of this beautiful country, Hanoi capital is one of the two biggest cities in Vietnam. This city is located in the Red River Delta in the North of Vietnam and is the economic centre of the whole delta. Hanoi is a cultured city with many traditions, old streets and houses. Even nowadays, when globalization is becoming more popular and Hanoi is influenced strongly by this trend, the traditions and many old features cannot be lost and are still an important and memorable part of this city.In the middle of Vietnam, the most famous city is Hue. It was the capital of Vietnam during the feudal system Read more:Destination
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HUE : Destination - Vietnam 2007-06-05 22:34:00 Author: By : Renato T.CastorThe city of HUE lies along the perfume river with the Citadel on the east side. HUE has been considered one of Vietnam
's cultural, religious and educational centers. Its main attractions are the Nguyen Emperors Royal Tombs, various pagodas and the remains of the Citadel. HUE is also known for producing the finest Conical hats in Vietnam like the "Poem Hats" which when held up against the light it reveals a black cut-out scenes that are sandwiched between the layers of translucent palm leaves. The city is also home to one of the largest and most beautiful selection of rice paper and silk paintings.What to see in HUE?Citadel The Construction of the Citadel began in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty. This moated enclosure has a 10 kilometers perimeter and was originally made of earth and later on covered with layer of bricks two meters thick in the 19 century by thousands of workers. The emperor's official functions were carried out i Read more:Destination
The origins of Buddhist Faith 2007-06-05 22:29:00 Author: James McLean Bowie Buddhism as a religious tradition started during the life of Buddha who was known as Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni. Buddha was born in India around the end of the sixth century. The teachings of Buddha were an inspiration to many and soon started to spread. Buddhism spread from India on to Sri Lanka, from their, it soon covered most of Southeast Asia. Sometime during the first or second century as more and more people embraced the teachings of Buddha, it was brought north and into China. From here it was not to long before it spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. In the seventh century, teachers of Buddhism travelled North across the Himalayas and brought the Buddhist
faith into Tibet. Buddhism today is practiced by people in many countries the world over. Although we believe THE Buddha to be Siddhartha Gautama, Ancient texts known as Jataka show that he was also taught by previous Buddhas. Buddhists believe that Read more:Faith
Go Exotic - Honeymoons In Vietnam 2007-06-05 22:21:00 By: Richard Rspad Vietnam
is a term that carries a certain connotation in American culture given the Vietnam War. Given this fact, you might be surprised to learn many honeymoon there.Vietnam is a country of beauty where mountains, green rice paddies and blue rivers make up a beautiful and exotic local. This Indochinese country is a perfect destination for travelers that want to have a different sort of honeymoon trip from the typical Caribbean island getaways or cruises. Vietnam is the most populous of the Southeast Asian countries with over 85 million people calling this country home. In the mid 19th century, France colonized Vietnam adding a touch oftheir culture to the already rich heritage of this country. During World War II, Japanese forces invaded Vietnam and France lost its hold on the country. The Vietnam War during the 1970'sbrought strife to the country as well as other nations around the world. Unbeknown to most Americans, the United States has resumed positive relation
Thuggery & Sex, a biker’s tale. 2007-06-05 22:14:00 By Adam MartinHoi An, a World Heritage town situated on the central coast of Vietnam. The jewel in the crown of a country with a turbulent past. Situated on the central coast the miniscule time warped town contains a variety of stunning architecture from traders from a wide array of nations who conducted business in days gone by. Markets galore, and the ubiquitous tailor shops, 5-hour happy hours, cafes upon restaurants and countless hotels. All this framed by lush green rice fields, a somnolent sometimes flooded river and capped off by an endless white sand beach draped casually around the Marble Mountains. I have been here so many times what is that makes Hoi An unique to me the seasoned/hardened SE Asian tour leader? The answer is the blend, where cultures meld or otherwise collide. Hoi An is a place where in the space of a minute ambling along you can be blasted off the road by a government official in a shiny new black BMW and then a split second later be all
Focus Vietnam 2007-06-05 03:47:00 By Nick PulleyThis is mostly down to a relaxation in Vietnam
s economic policies allowing the country to finally start realising its true potential. This combined with the popularity of Indochina amongst travellers in recent years means that Vietnam is a very exciting place to be right now. You so rarely get to enjoy a country at its peak - either you are one of the early pioneers when facilities are poor and the locals are generally a little unsure about your presence; or you have missed the peak and the tourist trail is already well and truly trodden. Obviously both of these stages also have their advantages; however there is something very special about travelling in a country when it’s riding high. Take a tour to Vietnam and you’ll know exactly what we mean!Many visitors are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting; the stunning hills, mountains and valleys to be explored in the north; the Mekong Delta in the south and the many hundreds of miles of des Read more:Focus
Vietnamese Art: Creating An Indelible Impression 2007-06-05 03:40:00 Author: Suzanne Macguire The recognition of Vietnamese
art in the history of the world is relatively new, rather it's better to say that Vietnamese art has emerged from the abyss of darkness and come to face the light of the world! It cannot be claimed that the inception of Vietnamese art is a very recent event in world history. But one important reason for its late recognition lies in the conception of most art patrons who considered Vietnamese art as a mere replica of Indian and Chinese paintings. It's of course, undeniable that both these civilizations imposed tremendous impact on Vietnamese culture and tradition, but Vietnamese art has been highly successful in evolving itself as an independent art form, with a distinctness of its own. In fact, the greatness of Vietnamese art lies in the fact that it has been able to absorb the impressions of a variety of civilizations and cultures into its own cultural fabric. Today, Vietnamese art has a distinc Read more:Creating
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Vietnam: The Cultural Odyssey of South East Asia 2007-06-05 03:23:00 Author: Christine Macguire Vietnam
is a culturally diversified nation with 54 ethnic groups with multiple customs and traditions. Although Vietnamese culture was strongly influenced by traditional Chinese civilization, the struggle for political independence from China developed a strong sense of national identity in the Vietnamese people. Nearly 100 years of French rule introduced important European elements into the culture of the country, but the Vietnamese still attach great importance to the family and continue to observe rites honoring their ancestors, indicating the persistence of tradition. The first flourishing of Vietnamese art occurred with the emergence of the Dongson culture on the coast of Annam and Tonkin. The inspiration for the magnificent bronzes produced by the artists of Dongson originated from China: the decorative motifs have clear affinities with earlier Chinese bronzes. At the same time, the exceptional skill of productio Read more:Asia
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Adventure Travel in Vietnam, Organized or Independent? 2007-06-03 23:24:00 Author: Patrick van der MeerVietnam
has a turbulent history of wars. After the American war (known to westerners as the Vietnamese war), the new communist regime closed the borders for foreigners. Over the years,however, the government opened the borders for foreign visitors and influences. Nowadays, Vietnam is a great destination, especially for AdventureTravel
.A commercial attitude has always been part of Vietnamese culture. So it's no miracle that after the years of isolation, Vietnam quickly changed into a unique mix of communism and capitalism. As soon as you will arrive in Vietnam, you will be offered all kinds of services, including postcards, shoe shine, and different Vietnam tours.Independent adventure travelers, however, do not fancy organised tours in buses with many tourists. But the lack of public transport almost requires taking such a tour. Unless, of course,you have your own means of transport. In that case, try to reach the following exciting Vietnam destinations on Read more:Adventure Travel
The Beaches of Vietnam 2007-06-03 22:57:00 By Dwight ZimpelVietnam
’s 2100 mile coastline and thousands of islands provide many attractive beaches that invite travelers to relax and enjoy the sound of the surf and the warmth of the sun. Some of the beach locales are developed with hotels and restaurants to attract discriminating travelers, while others offer secluded primitive beaches for daytime picnics or small group camping.Here is the lowdown on some of the more popular Vietnam beach destinations – but not all.Starting in the north is Halong Bay with its many sandstone islands – a photographer’s paradise. Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay, attracting many visitors. Halong Bay has several other islands where the hotel junks anchor and allow passengers to enjoy a beach swim.Do Son Beach, on a small peninsula near Haiphong, is shaded by sandalwood trees with pine tree covered hills nearby and mountains in the distance. Close to Halong Bay, though not as busy.50 miles south of the Imperial City of Hue is Lang Co Read more:Beaches
Vietnam Casinos 2007-06-03 22:47:00 By Adel AwwadVietnam
is a stunningly beautiful country in South East Asia. The Communist regime that took over the whole country at the end of the Vietnam War is now gradually relaxing its hold on the economy and there is fast growth.While there is this greater economic freedom, it is still true that the Vietnam casinos market is undeveloped. At this time, there are only two legal casinos in the country.A list of Vietnam Casinos includes:Ha Long City: Royal International Gaming ClubHai Phong: Do Son CasinoThe Do Son Casino is the largest of Vietnam's casinos with seven gaming tables and 100 slot and video poker machines.However, the relative paucity of legal casinos does not mean that the Vietnamese themselves do not like gambling. There are innumerable semi-legal and illegal betting shops, minor league casinos, and even cock fights all over the country. For visitors to the country, it is advised that you stay away from such attractions, as while what might be overlooked by the author
Images Of Vietnam 2007-05-31 22:38:00 Images of Vietnam
By Adam Hurley.If you would like to get more information, read great articles or if you're looking for useful resources, check out Adam's photography blog - Ducking Forks.Enjoy! Are you're photo's collecting dust or sitting unseen on your computers hard drive?Then why not make some extra money and sell your photographs online atDreamstime.com.You DON'T have to be a pro. Anyone can do it, and it's FREE to join!! Read more:Images
Vietnam 2007-05-31 22:11:00 By Josiah WilliamVietnam
, formerly a part of French Indochina, declared its independence from France after World War II, but France continued to rule the country until 1954 when it was defeated by Communist forces under Ho Chi Minh.Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces withdrew following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. In 1975, North Vietnamese forces reunited the country under Communist rule.Vietnam has three international airports Hanoi/Noi Bai , Danang/ Danang and Ho Chi Minh/Tan Son Nhat that serves Vietnam Airlines and foreign airlines such as Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Laos Aviation, Singapore Airlines, Swissair, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Lauda Air, Asiana Airlines, Royal Air Cambodge.ENTRY REGULATIONSA valid passport and Vietnamese visa are requ
Business and Market Overview of Vietnam 2007-05-31 21:58:00 Vietnam business and market overview including economy, industry, demography, infrastructure, retail trade and food culture. Provides an overview for those interested in conducting business in the country.ECONOMY.In 1986, the Vietnamese government abandoned its Marxist economic policy and implemented "doi moi" (renovation) involving economic structural reforms. These reforms included modernizing and liberalizing the economy and developing more export driven industries. Vietnam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and became a signatory of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2001 has brought major changes to Vietnam's economy and hopes to become a member of the WTO in 2006. Vietnam's GDP grew at an average of 7.3% annually in 2000-2004 and reached US$44.5 billion by 2004 and unemployment declined from 6.4% in 2000 to 5.6% in 2004. However, inflation steadily increased reaching 7.8% by 2004 and prompted Vietnam's gover Read more:Business
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Backpacking Adventure Travel 2007-05-31 21:43:00 By: John PurdyIf you are looking to take an adventure travel lasting a day or two, or over a long holiday weekend, a backpacking adventure travel may be a perfect solution. This type of adventure travel is usually easier to plan and will give you a nice break away from your everyday routine. Before you begin, you first have to decide how long you plan on being away. If you plan on being gone for one single day, a daypack would satiate, but if you plan on going on a multi-day adventure travel, you would need to go for backpacking. With both these types, you would have to keep in mind a few more things. For example, the backpack for your backpacking adventure travel should come with sturdy shoulder straps. In addition to that, your backpack should also have enough padding and curves. This helps to keep your collarbone safe otherwise it would chaff it. Another thing that must be understood with backpacking is having good zips. The zips should be strong and durable. And to make things ea Read more:Adventure
, Backpacking
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Poeple helping People 2007-05-30 03:43:00 A little plug for some friends who do an amazing job helping out a lot people in Vietnam and Cambodia. Click on the logo to see their websites.Helping Hands is a Cambodian Organization and while we're all about Vietnam, the work that Deborah does is truly brilliant. So once your finished reading this check out Helping Hands and don't forget to sign up for Deborah's regular newsletters!Blue Dragon was set up by an Australian and they help out tons of street kids and their families (and many more people). This is a seriously great set up and you can keep up to date via their blogDo you someone / Charity that does great work? Drop me an Email with their details and hopefully we can get them some exposure!
Arrive without a worry - Vietnam! 2007-05-29 23:44:00 For most, arriving in to a foreign country is the most daunting part of any journey. Stepping of the plane, being hassled through immigration and customs, only to be faced by hungry taxi drivers eager to have you as their fare! Sound familiar?Well if you’re heading to the magical lands of Vietnam
, arrival is easy. Here are a few pointers for travelers coming to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.Visa All visitors, except for some ASEAN countries, require an entry visa for Vietnam. Ask you local travel agent or Vietnamese Embassy for details. Tourist Visas are valid for 30 days, business visas for 6 months.Arrival / Departure Form You’ll get this on the plane. Fill in the form and hand it to the Customs Official when you arrive. They will give you the yellow page back, be sure to keep this. You MUST hand it in on departure.Immigration Officials will rarely smile, but don’t let this worry
you! The process of getting your passport stamped for entry is easy. Simply line up with everyone else
Travel Tips For Staying Safe 2007-05-29 23:12:00 When traveling many things can and do go wrong. Following a few simple rules could help prevent many of those problems fellow travelers encounter on the road. Problems that could mean you spend time: At the police station filling reports. Locked in your hotel room, scared it will happen again. Leaving with bad memories and a dislike of the local people. Replacing items lost, that can cost you lots of money. Or just totally annoyed, ruining your holiday. So what can you do? Here are a few tips for staying safe and still enjoying your holiday! Common Sense - The single most important tool for traveling safe! You’re in foreign land, meeting new people, walking down strange roads, eating and drinking new things. Use your common sense, if it doesn’t feel right – do something about it.Carry Only What You Need - If you are heading out on the town to discover new bars or taking photos at the local fish market, do you really need to carry Read more:Travel
Protecting Vietnam 2007-05-29 23:01:00 There are many reasons for traveling to this South East Asian jewel. Some come for the food, others for history. Some visit Vietnam
simply because they can! However there is another reason to visit, five in fact. Thanks to the efforts of local governments and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a few National Parks and Historical sites are now being protected for future generations. Be sure to visit them when you make the journey to Vietnam. Hoi An - Located some 30km south of Danang in Quang Nam Province, Hoi An Old Town is a stunning little town full of history, culture and beautiful old architecture. Perfect for just strolling around, Hoi An was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. Between the 15th – 19th century, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers for South East Asia, before the Thu Bon River silted up and operations were moved north to Danang where they continue today. Today many visitors flock to Hoi Read more:Protecting
Vietnam - 10 of the Best 2007-05-29 22:32:00 Vietnam is remembered by many, even today, as a war zone, yet this stunning country is growing at an extraordinary rate. With more and more people traveling to the shores of Vietnam, it welcomes all visitors with same open arms and warm smiles. With a rich history, unbelievable culture and delightful people, Vietnam will continue to grow well into the future. But even as it grows, the local people continue to enjoy the simple things in life, just as they have for so many years before. And the best thing is, you can join them!Check out my “10 Things to do in Vietnam”. Remember this only touching the surface, Vietnam has lots to offer!Travel by motorbike taxi. If you do your research and look at the statistics, you won’t get on! But that said, cruising on the back of a 110cc Honda Dream, weaving and dodging cars, trucks, people, vendors, dogs and cats is something any traveler should experience. A great, easy and cheap means of negotiating the streets!Bia Hoi (Local Draught Beer).P Read more:Vietnam
We Have Changed! 2007-05-29 22:23:00 Vietnaminofocus.info has changed form a website to blog!We hope it makes for good reading and helps you out with all the info you need for traveling in and around Vietnam.Should you an article or wish to get some specific advice about Vietnam, simply drop us an email or leave a comment!Cheers,Vietnam In Focus
Travel mag adds Hue hotspot to list Conde Nast Tra... 2007-06-09 02:25:00 Travel mag adds Hue hotspot to list Conde
Nast Traveler, one of the world’s most prestigious travel magazine, has added the Hue-based La Residence Hotel and Spa to its 2007 Hot List. Conde Nast lauded La Residence for its "dreamy rooms", singular Resident’s Suite, its "colonial feel" and dark wood furnishings. The coveted Hot List had Conde Nast’s judges visit thousands of hotels and spas around the world. — VNSMore trains to link HCM City, Hue The Sai Gon Railway Transport Company announced on Tuesday it would add two trains to its HCM City – Hue route from next Wednesday with tickets sold at a 10 per cent discount during the first month of the expanded service. The new SH1 train will depart Hue at 5:09am while the SH2 will depart from HCM City at 1:45pm. The journey lasts about 24 hours. The trains, well equipped with good amenities and air conditioning, would provide passengers with optimal comfort, according to the company. - VNS Read more:Travel
Eating Out - 2007-06-09 02:18:00 Good food plus fun equals a hit with kids HCM City parent Anh Thu found a fun and tasty treat to enjoy with her young daughter when they visited Goody Plus to celebrate International Children’s Day. It’s not easy to find a HCM City restaurant suitable for your children. I know that my favorite restaurant is not the best place for my two-and-half-year-old daughter, who loves running and playing more than sitting in her highchair.....Full Story at Vietnam News (English) Imperial cuisine never looked so good Bui Quynh Hoa eats like an empress at Hue’s Tinh Gia Vien, a candlelit garden restaurant where admiring the food might be more fun than eating it. As the morning mist lifts above the leafy boulevards of Hue in central Viet Nam, master chef Ton Nu Thi Ha (aka Madam Ha) makes her way to the fruit and vegetable markets. It’s 6am, and local farmers are unloading baskets heaped with colorful, aromatic produce, freshly picked from the fertile fields that line the banks of the Hu
New programmes for 2008 Hue Festival 2007-06-09 02:05:00 Author: LakeFor the 2008 Hue festival, the organization committee will add several new promising programme's such as: the first international film festival in Vietnam, Emperor Quang Trung's coronation ceremony, activities to explore the legends of Huong River, the first reproduction of traditional doctorate examinations, traditional cannon firing performances, and other programme's to increase the attraction of the Nam Giao ceremony and Imperial Night.At present, Thua Thien - Hue is focusing on repairing or building several architectural sites to be used during the 2008 Hue Festival
. The province is repairing Voi Re and Ho Quyen palaces, completing the royal court's medical school, 3 royal boats, and a memorial place for the national hero, Emperor Quang Trung Nguyen Hue.France is the main partner on 2008 Hue Festival projects.About the author: Lake, Guide Vietnam provides you the most comprehensive Vietnam travel guide including flight, hotel, news and more
AFL in Vietnam - Hanoi Swans 2007-06-08 02:51:00 The Hanoi
/Vietnam
Swans are spreading the word about Australian Rules Football through out Vietnam.With Clubs in both Hanoi and Saigon, the Swans are currently in preparation for the Asian Championships (14 July2007) to be held in Bangkok, Thailand.Be sure to follow all the news, gossip and happens of the Asian Champs and the Hanoi/Vietnam Swans at the Hanoi Swans Blog or check out the funky Hanoi Swans WebsiteFooty's everywhere, great isn't it!
Know Your Destination 2007-06-06 21:46:00 Author: Adam HurleyTravel, one of fast growing past times in the world, can be the most enjoyable and memorable experiences of ones life. While for others, it's nothing short of a nightmare!Before heading of on an overseas journey, it pays to do some research. Simple stuff like finding out a countries security conditions, learning about the local customs, their history, the type of food you'll get to taste, do you need USD in cash or travelers cheques? Can I use my Visa card in an ATM?Doing your homework before getting on the plane, will not only build up excitement about your upcoming journey, it will also mean you don't have mess around "in country" on arrival, maybe in a country where know one speaks your language, banks are closed for a 2 day public holiday and the taxi driver doesn't want your 10USD bill!Here are a few resources that can help you answer all your questions, before you leave home.Government Travel Advisory - Most governments these days keep an up to date Travel Read more:Destination
Peace Brings Treasured Travel To Vietnam 2007-06-06 21:28:00 BY: Frank JohnsonVietnam
is a paradise for both the outdoor adventurer and city explorer alike. Winding down 3,444 kilometers of coastline from the northern Red River Delta near the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta at the southernmost tip of the Southeast Asian peninsula, Vietnam is a splendid blend of picturesque coastline and lush inland terrain. The region's history of conquests and wars makes travel to Vietnam today a rich and rewarding experience during this time of precious peace.During the 20th century, Vietnam was at war for nearly 45 consecutive years with different countries. After French and Spanish forces ravaged the area, most of the south became a French colony by 1867. Finally in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence, sparking a French rebuttal and attracting international interest of U.S., Russian and Cambodian forces. Minh's dream of an independent (communist) nation was not realized until 1989 when the U.N. subdued the conflict with Khmer Rouge and pu Read more:Peace
, Travel
Images From Vietnam 2007-06-11 04:38:00 Images from around Vietnam
- Snapper PhotographyDeck Chairs lined up on Hoi An Beach, Central VietnamHoan Kiem Lake at night. Central CBD area of Hanoi, VietnamWater Puppets in Hanoi, VietnamYoung kid hanging out on Hoi An Beach, Central Vietnam.Photo's by Snapper Photography Read more:Images
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