Monday, October 31, 2016

Peaceful childhood of children in Ha Giang

The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang captures tourists’ attention with the stunning beauty of landscapes and innocent children.

Classrooms are built of wooden planks which fail to warm up the kids in winter.

Outdoor activities


The pupils chasing each other around the schoolyard during playtime.
Eating ice creams and playing with the sticks

Smiling shyly

 A balloon can be their toy

 Playing by a pile of soil or a market 


 Behind the classroom’s wooden wall


The kids help their families fetch firewood or work in the fields during holiday.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

My Son Holy Land, site of the Champa culture

Champa culture had great influences on Vietnam’s cultural values of significance. The former capital of the Champa Kingdom from 4th to 15th century was My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam province, central Vietnam

This is a large complex of religious monuments originally consisting of more than 70 structures but only the vestiges of 25 remain today

The builders of My Son were the nobility of the Champa Kingdom who derived their cultural and spiritual influences almost exclusively from India.
 The Cham people belong to an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. They formed the core of Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam.
This archeological site represents the longest continuous occupation for religious purposes, not only of the Cham Kingdom, but also within Southeast Asia as a whole.



Breakfast in the Old Quarter: pig’s offal porridge



When strong taste doesn’t rhyme with hesitate.


Pig’s offal rice porridge is a daily dish loved by many. At the turn of season, when the winds blow drier and the sun feels crispier, the porridge gains ever more attractiveness.

Being a rice-porridge based dish, pig’s offal rice porridge (‘chao long’ to be Hanoian) also boasts the heat with which many dishes draw people to their places in the cool weekend morning of autumn.

The ingredients that lend ‘chao long’ their tastiness and strong smell include rice and bone broth for the porridge and liver, tubular innards et al for the meaty experience.

The color of ‘chao long’, which is the result of blood added to the porridge, even earns a place in the daily life palette, used exclusively to describe white fabric so worn out that it loses its whiteness, turning brownish.

As the autumn nears, let VnExpress take you on a tour to the places worth having ‘chao long’ the most in the lovely maze of Hanoi called the Old Quarter.

12 Hang Tre Street

The ‘chao long’ on Hang Tre Street is no different from other places in appearance and operation time: open early and close late in the morning.

‘Chao long’ here is traditional with familiar blood porridge eaten with small intestine and Vietnamese sausage served with herbs and ‘quay’, the same fried dough sticks that accompany the world-renowned pho.

Customers come here for the original taste of ‘chao long’ available at VND30,000 (US$1.4) a bowl.




4 Dao Duy Tu Street

The street is no stranger to the Old Quarter lovers, being the birthplace of the ‘tra chanh’ (lime tea) that once swept through Hanoi.

'Chao long’ in Dao Duy Tu is a bit more watery compared with others but always comes with piles of offal.

Organs here are not pre-boiled as they usually are elsewhere, but will go through boiling porridge when ordered, the same way raw beef ‘tai’ is in pho.

This method of cooking is favored by many as it’s deemed to preserve all the sweetness of the ingredient. A bowl of tastiness comes at VND40,000 (US$1.8) and is available all day.




Hang Phen Street
At the intersection of Hang Phen and Thuoc Bac streets lies a ‘chao long’ that has occupied the pavement for the last 20 years.

The place also serves the traditional ‘chao long’ to its own fandom accumulated through all the years of business.

A bowl of ‘chao long’ here also claims around the VND30,000 - 40,000 range.

5 beautiful hotels overlooking rice fields of Vietnam

Vietnam is fast becoming a popular tourist destination for adventure seekers for many reasons. Spectacular mountainous landscape and lush jungles are among the top attractions that make this region popular.


Scenic rice fields, such as at this Topas Eco Lodge in Lao Cai Province, is another unique feature that Vietnam has to offer.


Walking, hiking, eating and staying amidst the rice fields, such as at the Mai Châu Villas in Hoa Binh Province pictured above, is one of the best ways to experience the essence of Vietnam


The Tam Coc Garden in Ninh Binh Province is another fabulous choice.

Walking, hiking, eating and staying amidst the rice fields, such as at the Mai Châu Villas in Hoa Binh Province pictured above, is one of the best ways to experience the essence of Vietnam

 

The scenery surrounding Victoria Nui Sam Lodge in An Giang Province can best be described as nothing less than poetic



Saturday, September 3, 2016

Top 10 Myanmar Travel Destinations

Myanmar is one of the mysterious country in South East Asia and because of its cultural and geographical diversity has retained much of its historic and unique character. Discover the great attractions in Myanmar and the country's wonderful uniqueness.


1.Yangon


Yangon is a big and yet not modernized city, with Victorian buildings, tree-lined avenues, lakes and parks and a bustling city centre of friendly vendors, colourful stalls and people going about in their daily chores dressed traditionally in their Longyi and flip-flap sandals. The Bogyoke Aung San market (also called Scott’s Market) is a must for every visitor and so is the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda – the prominent landmark of Myanmar. 
 Yangon is the gateway to Myanmar and has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Doha, Beijing, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Gaya and Dhaka.

2.Mandalay

Mandalay was the last Royal Capital of Myanmar and is located nearly 700 km north of Yangon between the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River and the Shan plateau. Mandalay is considered the centre of Burmese culture, a city of artisans and a trading centre of goods in all directions. The geometric laid out streets, the many bicycles riders, the 8 km long moth and wall around the former Royal Palace, the pagodas and monasteries abound and the sacred Mandalay Hill towering over it all, are some of its most visible features. In the vicinity of Mandalay are the former royal capitals and religious centers of Amarapura, Mingun, Inwa (Ava) and Sagaing, each worth visiting. Mandalay is another gateway to Myanmar and has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Kunming and Chiang Mai.

3.Bagan


Bagan, the capital of Myanmar’s first dynasty, was built by King Anawrahta in 1044. It is located about 193 km south of Mandalay. There are over 2000 temples and stupas spreading in 42 square kilometers of desert like plain on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. All those red bricks and stucco religious monuments were built during 11th to 13th century. The magnificent temple architecture, incredibly fine mural or frescos paintings, brilliant stucco carvings, and the most elegant Buddha images, all are telling motifs of the sublime culture of the ancient Bagan dynasties.

4.Inle Lake



A five kilometer long canal suddenly opens up to a wide lake with numerous villages on stilts and floating gardens against the hazy mountain ranges. Fishermen in their shallow boats cast their cone shapedbamboo down in the lake to trap the fish, and the lake dwelling framers tend to their floating gardens from their canoes. 
The best time of the year to visit is during September and October. The ceremonial Hpaung Daw U Festival, which lasts for almost three weeks, is closely followed by the Thadingyut festival of lights. Moreover, the market day of the villages located near Inle Lake offers extremely colorful with freshly grow hill foods and other local products which is another major attractions for all visitors to have a look at.

5.Mrauk U


The 15th century ancient city of Rakhine Kingdom is located in the north-western corner of the country. It was the centre of a mighty kingdom and one of the richest cities in Asia trading with the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Today little remains of the original city except for the many interesting temples and stupas, partly in ruins, dotting the small hills around the new town of Mrauk-U. It is famous for its old temples with wall paintings and religious statues showing the Indian cultural influence.

6.Golden Rock


It looks as if it is just about to fall off the edge of Mount Kyaiktiyo and roll down in to the sweeping landscape of Myanmar. Yet the enormous granite boulder, known as the Golden Rock, has perched precariously here for as long as the land’s recorded history.  The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, built atop, is, alone, over seven meters in height. The whole edifice is said to be balanced on a single strand of the Buddha’s hair.


7.Kyaing Tong (Keng Tung)

Kyaing Tong, is a town in eastern Shan State, Myanmar and it is also the principle town of Keng Tung Township. 
Kyaing Tong has plenty of hiking, mountain climbing trips in a trekking pilgrimage to nearby mountains to visit the villages of different Shan ethnic tribes, enjoy the breath-taking sceneries along the way while admiring the pagodas along the way.

8.Hpa An


Hpa An is a city located in the southeast of Yangon and about seven hours in the car. Hpa An is surrounded by limestone mountains ranges, is a great place for a short journey. Outside the city is the beauty of the vast green rice fields, with the mountains behind the stone will give you a beautiful sight. There are also lots of templed-caves with unique architecture, layout and the people using as the natural Buddhist temples.

9. Putao

Putao has long been seen as the gateway to climb the mountain ranges of Himalayas. This is a place very familiar to the people wants to try at the climbing. This area has the richest biologically diverse in the world, with an average of 30 to 40 new types of flora and faunas are discovered each year. This is very remote area, and rugged so that you can come here by air. When you are in Putao there is nothing better than the experience exploring forests, mountains, river rafting, massage and enjoy a delicious cocktail after a long day


10. Ngapali and Ngwe beaches


Ngapali is the most popular beach in Myanmar; this is the most beautiful tropical beach on the Bay of Bengal, with white sand beaches and beautiful resorts around. But what makes Ngapali become a favorite site is the seafood here is really delicious, and most of the top chefs for seafood of Myanmar cuisine are present here, that make the food here become the most delicious and exotic.
Besides, you can also move to the beach for a vacation Ngwe beach with more limited budgets, where the relatively unspoiled beaches will be very suitable for tourists who prefer the quiet, in a frame romantic scene

Top Festivals You Can’t Miss While in Myanmar


Hailed as the Land of Festivals, Myanmar is standing up to its title by having festivals every month of the year, which are religious and cultural in nature. Here are some of the best festivals that you can attend and participate each month:


1.Ananda Pagoda Festival – Held during the full moon of Pyatho to 15th Waning of Pyatho in Bagan, this is considered to be one of the richest and most magnificent Asian festivals.

2.Kachin Manaw Festival – Held during the first week of Januray, Kachin Manaw is celebrated by meeting and dancing. The Manaw dance is performed during the festivity as part of the Nat worship.

3.Mann Shwe Settaw Pagoda Festival – Celebrated in Shwe Settaw, Megwe Region beginning on the 5th Waxing of Tabodwe (around February). Two pagodas enshrining Buddha’s footprints are visited by locals and tourists.

4.Htamane (Glutinous Rice Festival) – A celebration that starts on the full moon day of Tabodwe, teams of men compete for donation of glutinous rice to the Great Lord Buddha in the early morn. Visitors watch cooking demonstrations and competitions using glutinous rice.

5.Panguni Utram – This festival is celebrated in Sri Angala Eswari Munieswar Swamy Temple, Pleikha Village, Kyauk Tan Township in Yangon. It lasts for 10 days and is celebrated during the full moon day of Tabaung or Tagu (March or April). Religious in nature, this occasion attracts a lot of participants with fire walking. After walking on hot coals, the devotees tread in goat’s milk before rubbing their feet with turmeric powder.


6.Water Festival and Myanmar New Year – Happens around 13-17th day of April throughout Myanmar. This is considered to be the most interesting and liveliest celebrations where people pour water over one another while singing and dancing in the adorned pavilions.

7.Pakokku Thiho Shin Pagoda Festival – Held during the full moon of Waso, 8th waxing of Nayon (around June) in Pakokku, Myanmar. This festival lasts for 15 days with a big country fair where products from the region like homespun baskets, tobacco and dried chili are sold.

8.Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival – Celebrated in Inle Lake during the 1st waxing to 3rd waning day of Thadingyut, Phaung Daw Oo Festival endures for 18 days. Thousands of visitors from around the lake bring flowers and fruits in their boats to pay homage in the pagoda. Annual boat races also happen with the communities’ famous one-legged boaters.

9.Festival of Light – This special occasion happens a day before the full moon day of Thadingyut, full moon day and a day after. The Festival of Light commemorates Buddha’s return to earth after preaching in celestial houses during the Lent season. Locals decorate their abodes with colored lanterns and candles to signify this event.

10.Dancing Elephants Festival – Myanmar is famous for its elephants, so it’s just fitting to hold a festival honoring these animals that have played significant roles in Burmese history. This is celebrated a day before the full moon day of Thadingyut and the full moon day.


With all these amazing festivals happening year-round in Myanmar, don’t forget to bring your camera with you to capture some of the most beautiful scenes. Also, bring comfortable yet modest clothes and enough water to get you through a day filled with exciting sights and sounds as well as exhilarating adventures.