Ben Thanh Market- One of the Most Recognizable Symbols of Saigon

 Ben Thanh Market was formally established after the French took over the Gia Dinh Citadel in 1859. The market got its name Ben Thanh because the market was originally located near a wharf (ben) of the Gia Dinh Citadel (thanh). In 1870 however, fire destroyed the market. The French rebuilt a new market with metal frames that became the largest market in Saigon. In 1912, the mayor of Saigon ordered the construction of a new market for the city on marshy land called Le Maraise Boresse.

This market was named the New Ben Thanh Market. Ben Thanh Market was repaired in 1975 and underwent a major renovation ten years later in 1985. While many aspects of the market were changed during the renovation, the famous clock tower on the main entrance, which is a landmark symbol of HCMC, was left unchanged.

Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh Branch

Ho Chi Minh Museum is located on the Dragon House Wharf which used to be the main office of the United Transportation Firm built at the beginning of the 20th century.The museum mostly displays pictures and objects relating to President Ho Chi Minh, the greatest leader of all time.

Ho Chi Minh Museum is located on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City or specifically located on the Dragon House Wharf.

The Dragon House Wharf, originally called Nha Rong, is located at the junction of the Ben Nghe Channel and the Saigon River. It was built in 1863 and served as the office of a French shipping company. From there, Nguyen Tat Thanh, later President Ho Chi Minh, set sail on a French ship named Admiral Latouche Treville in June 1911.

In September 1979, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City chose Nha Rong as the Ho Chi Minh Museum - Dragon House Wharf. The name was taken from the two dragon-shaped symbols on the top of the building. Over time, approximately ten million people, both domestic and foreign visitors inVietnam travel, have visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum. In addition, events such as artistic festivals and the introduction of new members into the Youth Union and Communist Party have been held in this museum.

In order to have a thorough understanding of Preident Ho Chi Minh, foreign tourists joining tours in Vietnam should not miss this museum when coming to Ho Chi Minh City.

Situated right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is the most famous landmark of the city (in Vietnamese, it is called “Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn”). Along with Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral is the symbol of this city.

Constructed by the French in the 1800s, Notre Dame Cathedral is a famous ancient cathedral inVietnam tourism of South. Twin towers reaching to 190 feet capture the interest of people strolling.

The entire cathedral was constructed with materials brought from France; the red bricks came from Marseille while the colored glass windows were made in France’s Chartres Province. Most of the original tiles still bear markings from France, although many new tiles have replaced ones damaged during the war. In front of the Cathedral is a Virgin Mary statue.

This magnificent building attracts not only Catholics but also most tourists for its neo-Romanesque style architecture and a sacred atmosphere. Peaceful green spaces lined with shade trees and park benches lead up to Notre Dame Cathedral.

With a central location in Ho Chi Minh City, it is easy to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral when walking between popular destinations such as the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace. The cathedral occupies a block just northeast of the Reunification Palace at the intersection of Dong Khoi Street and Pasteur Street - near the Central Post Office.

Sunday Mass hours:

Morning: 05:30, 06:30, 07:30, 09:30

Afternoon: 04:00, 05:15, 06:30

Visiting hours: from 08:00 AM to 10:30 AM & from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Old Village “Dong Ngac”, Hanoi

It is an old village located close to the Thang Long Bridge. A quaint village, the most special of Hanoi so far still quite intact, though suburban areas into the process of urbanization most drastic, although the Thang Long bridge the largest in Southeast Asia horizontal line next to the village, almost perpendicular to the concrete dike to cross in front of the old house. Tracing the ancient paved road tilt, the results of the cross to pay the prostitute from ancient times, as seen both a distant past is the kitchen with smoke who are mixed between moss the old port of a building. And we encounter immediately Dong Ngac Village - a large-scale house, many items with the ancient architecture and component standards have existed for 500 years. Home is built on a high and dry land, prime location in the north of the village, close to the Red River dike. Legend has it that ancient family which is an ancient temple building from the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century. In 1635, the village was renovated and expanded into home to Thanh Hoang village church. Home worship three Gods symbolizing Heaven - Earth - Human. In the home is preserved many valuable precious artifacts such as stone and lacquer Le, the finely carved incense timber, refine. Yearly, on February 9th lunar month is the day the village. Wedding in Dong Ngac Village includes singing Ca Tru for a couple of days, with many formal and solemn ceremonies.

Truc Bach Lake

Location: Belong to Ba Dinh District, northwest of central Hanoi.

Characteristics: Truc Bach Lake is a landscape of Hanoi, adjacent to West Lake, separated Youth way cool shade of a tree-lined, four-season appeal everyone to enjoy, relax. Formerly Truc Bach Lake, West Lake with lake Stock Horses (at approximately Hang Than now, has been filling in since France was occupied Hanoi) are connected to each other. It is a piece of the old line of the Red River. Later, it was up to prevent the three lakes.

” Long Thanh Dat Su “Book stating that: West Lake water is very large, the depths and often large waves. Only lake in the territory of the Truc village Yen is hot water, waves, so fish focus on this lake very much. 2^nd year Vinh To of Le Than Ton 1620), villagers of Yen Phu and Yen Quang  (the city of the North today Quan Thanh Temple) teamed up with the villagers Zhu Yen, up a dam from the village Yen Accessories connected to the village of Yen Quang for sure keep fish resources in all three villages. Dam was known as sleeping late, which beats trying to sleep, that is maintained. To celebrate this, we have built a large beer at the top of the village of Yen Quang. Beating her to sleep each year to be covered by extension, a dike, then go. After this, perhaps due to the writing of French national language or not, people Read sleep instead of sleep. According to the book Long into the land of the Truc village Yen craft of making Venetian architecture, so the people are growing into the forest structure, as raw materials. Italian King Le Ton (1735 - 1738), princess Trinh Giang get a land of villages Truc Yen for making a special power building as a place to recuperate, called orthocenter Institute. Only a few years, this special power as a leader providing security for location provides women guilty. The supply was safe location where women have to work to earn a living. They are much handy man, be weaving quite nice, the place is preferred. Then people called into familiar things of supply silk weaving is "silk village Truc", ie "Truc white". There have been fishing: Silk Bamboo Village is both sound and shadow. Since then, the West Lake Truc village Yen also called Truc Bach Lake. Since that time, the Le dynasty - Trinh days more dilapidated. Provide women in the village Zhu Yen is no longer one is alkaline end.In the second Chieu Thong (1788) for revenge, Chieu Thong burned the palace of Lord Trinh, Truc Heart Institute was to ashes. But still Truc village Yen with silk curtain trades. Recommended her to sleep after a the Co Ngu wide. The years after the war against the French, the restoration of peace, Co Ngu road was Hanoi youth and people contributed labor, through the days of socialist labor, tectonic Youth path . Today, the village of Yen, Yen Quang, Truc Yen have city centers crowded. Truc Bach Lake has become a famous poetic beauty. People in the South to the North of the capital are willing to go to West Lake, Truc Bach lake, walking path lined Thanh Nien phoenix pink and purple wheels, drop soul spread gush with lake water and wind sun.The ancients had picked up mud, Co Ngu dam, the the Co Ngu old and the Youth today. Hanoi today still have work to do to Truc Bach, it is planning to keep the water from being withered narrow and always clean, fresh beauty.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

3 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Characteristics: Save objects, images, reflect the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh Museum is located in the Ba Dinh Square, next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The museum was inaugurated on May 19^th 1990 on the occasion of the 100th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh. This  is 20.5 m high building consists of 4 floors with a total area of ​​10,000 m².The building is designed as a lotus flower, symbolizing nobleminded and pure virtue of President Ho Chi Minh. Galleries of the Museum of nearly 4.000 m2 introduced the original more than 117,274 artifacts, photographs reflect the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, associated with important historical events of Vietnam and the world since the late 19th century to the present. In the museum, there are exhibits, archives, thematic library, large hall, small and medium-sized hall for visit, research, scientific and cultural activities. From opening day, museum has welcomed millions of domestic and international tourists to visit.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Location: No. 25 Tong Dan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Characteristic: About the heroic struggle of the Vietnamese people against the French, the Japanese, the American Empire (from the mid-19th century to 1975). About the construction and protection of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Revolutionary Museum was established in May 1^st 1959 with 29 galleries over four thousand objects. Here, a general introduction to the country and people of Vietnam from the mid-19th century to the present. Display system is divided into three main parts:

·         The struggle for independence of the people of Vietnam, from 1858 to 1945 (room 1 to 9).

·         Thirty years of resistance against aggression, to protect national independence and unification of the country from 1945 to 1975 (from room 10 to 24).

·         Vietnam economic development from 1976 to the present. Also here is a gallery of collections of Vietnamese Economy

·         Vietnam after 1975 (No. 26 and 27); Gallery the gift of the people of Vietnam and the world people donate to President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Communist Party (room 28 and 29).

In particular, Revolution Museum  is also a repository of hundreds of thousands of artifacts and other precious materials of the Vietnamese Revolution from 1858 to now not conditional on display.

Monuments Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi

Hoa Lo Prison ruins in the heart of Hanoi. The French built this prison in 1896 to detain the fight against French colonialism, named the Maison Centrale,  because the prison was built on the land of the village of Phu Khanh , former general Yongchang, Hanoi, this village which is specialized in the production of pottery, day and night fiery furnace, so the village was called Hoa Lo and prison also called Hoa Lo Prison.

Other prisons often isolated from residential areas, only Hoa Lo Prison is located at the center of Hanoi - the capital of the colonial government at that time. Besides jail felony courts and the police, forming bond Necklaces, ready to suppress the revolutionary movement of Vietnamese people. Hoa Lo Prison is permanent work classified as the mots of Indochina, the ant is also difficult to stand. Prison is surrounded by stone walls, reinforced 4m high, 0.5 m thick, reinforced by barbed-wire system with high voltage power lines running through the four corners of the tower most likely to observe the entire prison. Particularly, iron door lock system was brought from France. The cell, dark, cramped cell, lack of air and notorious guards, senior governance Con Dao prison ready to suppress, even killing prisoners. Hoa Lo Prison is indeed hell. Right since unfinished, January 1899 Hoa Lo Prison took the detention. According to the original design, Hoa Lo just enough to 500 prisoners, but it has repeatedly been extended to have more space detained prisoners. 1950s – 1953s, Hoa Lo prison had 2,000 prisoners. Currently, the Hoa Lo preserved ruins the guillotine was the French use roving, January 1930 shipped to Yen Bai to execution of 13 Vietnamese soldiers Kuomintang arrested during the uprising Yen Bai (led by Nguyen Thai Hoc). Many generations of Vietnamese people were imprisoned at Hoa Lo Prison, which is patriotic scholars such as Phan Boi Chau, Luong Van Can, Duong Ba Trac. to Mr. Nguyen Van Cu, Truong Chinh, Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh, Do Muoi ... the elite of the nation, later to become General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and many other revolutionary officers and soldiers. Despite the enemy beaten, shackled in a dungeon cell, even to sacrifice their lives, but the soldiers still maintain the will to fight. Hoa Lo Prison has become the revolutionary school, is ideological training environment, the will of the revolutionary struggle. Even in the Hoa Lo Prison, the centralized political classes are open, free newspaper Lao, Lao prison magazine , etc. caused the enemy to respect. In 1930, the first branch of the Communist Party was founded by Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet Secretary has taken a leadership role, many organizations struggle to win. After the capital completely liberated Nov 10^th 1954, Hoa Lo prison under the control of the revolutionary government. From 1964 - 1973, Hoa Lo Prison was used to detain American pilots shot down during the war destroyed the North American empire, including P.Peterson - later the first U.S. ambassador in Vietnam. In 1993, on the ground of the Hanoi Prison tower - a commercial center was built, the rest become special historical revolution of the capital, which is evidence of the crimes of the French. It also kept many documents, records the indomitable example, fighting glorious sacrifice of generations of soldiers communists arrested imprisonment. Hoa Lo relic is still relatively intact with many precious documents, scientific display, attractive sights, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists every occasion to Hanoi.

Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake - the cultural beauty of Hanoi

Located at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son ("Jade Mountain") Temple is one of the most famous temples in Hanoi. Tourists in Vietnam Tourism who travel to Hoan Kiem Lake should not ignore this special temple.

Gate to Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints.

The Huc Bridge

Saint Van Xuong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there. National hero Tran Hung Dao is also worshipped after he led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Yuan aggressors.

The temple as it is today is the result of renovations made by Nguyen Van Sieu in 1864. A Confucian scholar, Nguyen Van Sieu had a large pen-shaped tower built at the entrance of the temple. On the upper section of the tower, also called Thap But, are three Chinese characters Ta Thanh Thien, which literally means "to write on the blue sky” is to imply the height of a genuine and righteous person's determination and will; Dai Nghien, meaning "ink stand", is carved from stone resembling a peach placed on the back of the three frogs on top of the gate to the temple; and The Huc, meaning "where rays of morning sunshine touch".

Thap But - mean to write on the blue sky

On the way to the temple there are several parallel sentences (cau doi), written on the walls. These cau doi were part of traditional word puzzles played by educated individuals.

"Cốm" - Gracious of Hanoi People

Cốm is Gracious of Hanoi People. it is attracted many domestic and foreigner tourists in Vietnam Tourism because of the taste and beauty of it.

Come to Hanoi, who do not remember a famous appetite present that tender rice . The first gift has just recently that gracious called "Cốm of Vong village”

Cốm of Vong village - gracious present

The early autumn, walking in the area we see sweet growing rice break season alternating with grass smell, smell of home. Village people go round and break the rice for 24 hours to hand in the processing of the paddy seeds to Cốm.Making Com is not simple. Method of communication is always confidential: only the parents transmitted to the son, not to most people for the daughter because when you go get her husband's daughter will bring method to cook the other.

Talk about how make Cốm, of course many areas of the country that must recognize that no where do seeds cốm flexible and delicious in the Vong villages. People of Vong village who cook very elaborately. Type rice snow rise seeds that type make Com.There are many types: sticky fat varieties, Japanese sticky, flowers yellow sticky, sticky stations first, then ... Rice's daughter and then exposed to color. Then wait to ensure the rice grains (but is certainly green, not red, yellow) on the cut. Rice cutting on absolute or may not be beating, but pluck to golden paddy seeds leave. People that: secrets of the time with cốm take in the island said. All skill plus experience helped traditional village for cốm Vong very flexible, always have a fire, especially wood heater must be first special wood not used to wood or wood straw spots. The consequent need to lastly mirror light, thoroughly; pestle is not too heavy, which is all hands must not be delayed because cốm calming.

Selecting young green rice to make Cốm

After completed, it will take to improve in the light most seeds cốm (cốm is the first fork). While the second cốm cốm is often all but three is not to complete the food is right, need to go through a stage is a more.

They get the rise seeding grind , socialize with water make a product green color and leaves them to cốm true for all hands. Once they finished, com is in a very thin piece of the banana leaves or lotus leaves and then assigned to bins load going to sell. Blue natural cốm plus artificial blue as a blue village for cốm Loop. Com village with a very thin, and the number of hands is appeased for the flavor of the rice.

Making cốm industry is very hard, a late, two early. The girls soon every Vong village the full Com load for sale. Com Vong cosset be sold from the hands pair of her village by village women as the salty, aromatic flavor com.
To enjoy the full flavor of cốm we must eat com, not include anythings. And not cốm have long been a popular food can not be lacking. In addition to eat, people still processing cốm many other dishes. First cốm itself. Cốm because a food may not be long to think of how compressed cốm, not to cốm landmark but still flexible and delicious.

Cốm - special food of Vong Village

After this, people do the pie, grilled job media has thought out and a cốm grilled (pig grilled with cốm) eat dust, fat and fragrant. It is said that father cốm time to eat hot new enjoy the taste of it.

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hanoi, you should try "Cốm" and buy as souvenir for your friends and parents. it's very delicious and gracious!

Bat Trang, traditional porcelain and pottery village with history of seven centuries, is an interesting attraction in Hanoi that tourists should not ignore.

 Bat Trang, a small village in the north of Vietnam, is about 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, on the other side of Chuong Duong bridge. Why is its name popular to most tourists to northern Vietnam? The answer is its ever famous ceramic and pottery products of high quality. If you have known about Vietnam, you may not be surprised that Bat Trang’s vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products have been exported worldwide. Should you would like to contemplate workers making ceramic products by hand, just come here! What’s more, you can also try it yourself!

Foreigners buy souvenir in Bat Trang village

History of Bat Trang  village

 Bat Trang village is said to be established in 14^th or 15^th century in several documents. However, according to the villagers, the village perhaps appeared earlier. There are always two stories concerning the village origin. One of these tells that under Ly dynasty, in 1100, when the nation was in its independence and initial growth period, there were 3 scholars who came back from their mission trip to China bringing the ceramic craft industry learned there back to Vietnam and taught the people of Bat Trang. In the other story, in the village history dates back to the 10^th century, when King Ly Cong Uan relocated the capital in Thang Long. With the establishment and development of the capital, many businessmen, crafters from many areas come to settle down here to work and trade. In Bat Trang, there was a lot of white clay, so that many potters, among whom was Nguyen Ninh Trang family, came and built the kilns here. Accordingly, Bat Trang has gradually changed from a normal ceramic and pottery village into a famous ceramic and pottery centre until now.

As time went by, the village’s products have developed and become well known for the best quality, style and glaze, both inside and outside of the nation. Many of these are now customized for aristocratic families and religious needs. Its popular foreign markets are Japan (under the brand "Kochi (Giao Chi) ware"), the Netherlands, Britain, Portugal, Southeast Asia, etc.,

The famous ceramic & pottery products

Production Process : To produce a complete product, one must follow 3 steps. The first step is making the product frame. The artists select the suitable clay, treat it and start making a raw product. It must be repaired to get the best appearance. Secondly, they decorate and cover it with glazes. Last but not least, the raw products are baked in 3 days and 3 nights. There are several kinds of kiln, yet the temperature must be at 1200⁰ or 1300⁰. After baking, products are brought out, classified and repaired in case there are mistakes. And now we have the perfect product.

Decorating cearmic products

Popular product types. Bat Trang products are divided into 3 kinds based on the purpose of use.

• Utilitarian wares: including plates, bowls, teacups, kettles, wine bottles, flowerpots, vases, jar… What differs is that they are thicker than Chinese ones.
• Cult wares: comprise lamp stands, candle holders, incense burner, altar boxes, swords… These are valuable for collectors because of inscription of the production years, the names of the producers and the potters.
• Decorative objects: house models, altars, statues and architectural fixtures.

The special trait is the diversified decorations on the products. Thanks to a long–lasting history and development, the village’s works have been accumulated with a lot of different special designs. One more thing that makes them distinguished is the glaze, which is of high quality and a variety of colors, such as blue, brown, white, moss green, in both breaking and melting glazes.

In fact, there have appeared a number of competitors both domestically and internationally who take advantages of high technology. Yet most customers prefer the craft products that contain historical and traditional values. Hence, it is no surprise at all that Bat Trang is still found in busy days and works. More importantly, the village is now so popular that absorbs a huge annual number of tourists to visit and buy ceramic goods.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre - Having traditional unique culture Vietnam

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art.

Located at 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang street, nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art.

Puppet Water Show

The formation and development of Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

In 1969, the theater was established and since 1990; many water puppet shows have been performed by Thang Long theater artists.Since being established, our main task is to serve domestic audiences and tourist with "165 performing days". Besides, Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre has introduced this traditional art of Vietnam to other countries and attended International Art Festivals in Asia, Europe, Australia, Latin America. Vietnamese water puppetry shows are warmly welcomed and highly appreciated wherever they are staged. The famous Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre has been performing in many countries:

 +1999: Sydney (Australia), Athens (Greek).

 +1998: Spain, Portugal, Iran, France, Italy, Philippines.

 +1997: Italy, Mexico, France, America, Belgium.

 +1996: Spain, Brazil, America, France.

 +1995: Denmark, America, Spain, Portugal, Japan.

 +1994: Australia, Spain, France, Switzerland, Korea.

 +1993: Hongkong, Japan.

 +1992: Japan, France, Thailand.

Traditional content of water puppet performance like daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fishes…), communal entertainment (swimming contest, dragon dancing…), or historical legends (Le Loi returns precious sword…), with modest performance way have appealed audiences for centuries. However, the artists of Thang Long Water Puppet Theater want to renew the old puppet shows with effect of light, music and combination between people and puppets.

Le Loi King

It sounds risky, but the theater has been successful since the beginning the beginning and received favors and praises from audiences. To enjoy some typical water puppet performances, you can take a look at the video below.  

Certainly, it will be much great if tourists can directly watch these shows in Thang Long Water Puppets Theater after enjoying a cup of coffee in the coffee lounge which is right in front of the theater, and giving a nice view to Hoan Kiem Lake.

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hanoi, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is a must-see place that should not be missed!

Food adventures in Hanoi

If there’s one thing that tourists enjoyed most about their holiday in Hanoi, it’s eating all that delicious food! There’s so much to try it’s almost like an adventure in itself! Located on 18 Phan Boi Chau Str. or 1st floor, 25T2 Hoang Dao Thuy Str., Hanoi, Vietnam

The Quan An Ngon restaurant is absolute favourite so of course it’s high on the list of places to eat with fabulous tasty food and friendly efficient staff.

The Quan An Ngon restaurant – Hanoi

And if the tourists are the type of traveller who must sample local dishes wherever they go, they probably should visit this place. An entire selection of local fare can be found here and the food was certainly good without being over-priced.

The Quan An Ngon restaurant – Hanoi

The menu here is full of traditional food as chicken pho (chicken noodle soup), bun bo (beef vermicelli soup), bun cha (grilled pork and vermicelli), nem cua be (fried spring rolls), prawn fritters, young papaya salad, squid salad, mango salad with prawn crackers, fried tofu with fermented shrimp dip, fresh spring rolls, bbq squid, and che (sweet dessert) to share.

The Quan An Ngon restaurant – Hanoi

The food were absolutely sumptious and it’s great to have so many choices at one place. For those wary of ‘street food’ here is the answer – clean, quality Vietnamese food within a great courtyard atmosphere.

The Quan An Ngon restaurant – Hanoi

The Quan An Ngon restaurant – Hanoi

The Quan An Ngon restaurant – Hanoi

The restaurant is extremely busy and packed with both locals and tourists. The tourists shouldn’t expect much privacy but to share tables and will be slotted in wherever there is a space. If the customers  haven’t been to one before, these Vietnamese “food courts” are interesting and fun with a wide variety of foods on display.