Reviewing history in Pac Bo

Perhaps all Vietnamese people know about the name Pac Bo and its association with Uncle Ho in history classes from elementary school or in documentary films.

However, last month a group of friends and I had a chance to visit the place where Uncle Ho lived and worked as he planned the revolution after returning from his 30 years abroad to seek ways for the nation’s liberation.

Travelers visit the place where Uncle Ho used to fi sh in 1941

Pac Bo is located in Ha Quang District of Cao Bang Province, about 50 kilometers from Cao Bang Town. The road from Cao Bang Town to Pac Bo is flanked by towering mountains and rice fields and small hamlets with dozens of stilt houses under the shade of clusters of peach trees, and the winding streams with thatched-roofed bridges in Nung and Tay villages along the way.

Tourists walk along the scenic road near the border belt with China in Pac Bo area

Therefore, after an hour or so following the scenic road, we reached upon the site in a comfortable and excited state.

We then were joined by a young female tour guide of the tourist area. She took us to the first stop which was the newly-built Ho Chi Minh Museum. We had an opportunity to review what we had learnt at school and much more about this remarkable time and location of the country’s revolution, artifacts of Uncle Ho accompanied with images of soldiers and officers. The museum also impressed with bas-reliefs and statues depicting historical events.

We then went to the Lenin Stream at the foot of Karl Marx Mountain. The stream features clear, cool and tranquil water so that tourists can see fish swimming underwater.

Walking on the rocks along the side of the stream, where Uncle Ho used to work and fish, visitors reach a wooden bridge over Coc Bo rivulet where Lenin Stream starts.

Visitors take photos at Lenin Stream under the foot of Karl Marx Mountain -

Photos: My Tran

Halfway up the mountain is Coc Bo Cave, which is cold and humid, where Uncle Ho settled. Looking down into the cave from its mouth, you can see the words February 8th, 1941 written by Uncle Ho on the wall. In the distance, on the stream’s bank is the stone table where he translated the Democratic Republic of Vietnam’s history. Each artifact remains to this day.

Uncle Ho’s bed in Coc Bo Cave

About 1km from the mouth of Coc Bo Cave, there is a small hut by the side of Khuoi Nam Mountain. In this hut, Uncle Ho held the eighth Party Central Committee Meeting, which promulgated a resolution on preparations for the armed insurrection and the establishment of the Viet Minh and the revolutionary war zone. Adjacent to the hut is the milestone 108 marking the Vietnam - China border.

Visiting this historical area, travelers will learn more about the life and devotion of President Ho Chi Minh which is partly reflected through his optimistic revolutionary verses.

Trung Khanh mountain - Cao Bang

Trung Khanh, a mountainous district in Cao Bang Province - Vietnam, 332km from Hanoi to the northeast, many beautiful landscapes, specialities and rare and precious animals of the subtropical primeval forest.

Standing at the peak of Ma Phuc Pass, 620 metres above sea level, it’s possible to see two stone blocks resembling a pair of horses standing face to face and a floristic composition covering the mountain and valley.

Also, the 32km-long Quay Son River runs through the region, not only bringing silt to a large rice-growing area but also providing water for chestnut forests laden with fruits. The fruit, as big as rambutan, has many hard thorns and contains 3-4 chestnuts, each being 4-5 times bigger than the normal castanea.

Trung Khanh attracts tourists who like ecological, geological and adventurous tourism because it boasts many waterfalls and marvellous caves. Particularly, it has been famous for Ban Gioc Waterfall, hundreds of metres in height and width.

In the rainy season, its water runs into three flows, one pouring slightly like a silk ribbon and the others rushing in noisily. On sunny days, white water sprays create a sparkling and mysterious rainbow. About 3km from Ban Gioc Waterfall is Nguom Ngao Cave that has many marvellous landscapes complete with stalactites and stalagmites of great geological values.

In recent years, Trung Khanh has attracted a number of scientists from home and abroad due to its bio-diversity of subtropical evergreen primeval forests of seven types. Of which, four types have 15 varieties of plants that are the source of food of the Cao Vit gibbon (scientifically known as Nomascus nasutus nasutus), one of the most rare primate species in the world with Vietnam travel guide.

According to a survey conducted in Ngoc Khe and Phong Nam Communes in the north of Trung Khanh in 2002-2007 by the Fauna and Flora International (FFI), Trung Khanh is now home to 17 groups of Cao Vit gibbons with nearly 100 individuals. Nguyen The Cuong who works for FFI said that this species of gibbon is very unique because they do not have a tail.

To protect the rare primate, a conservation area was established in April 2007 with a total area of 1,656.8ha, including a flora area of 543 varieties and a fauna area of 23 animals under 14 families, 61 species of birds, 11 species of reptiles under 10 races, of which 10 species were listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2006.

Once visiting Trung Khanh, tourists will never forget moments of relaxing among wild nature, beholding beautiful landscapes with white pear flower and listening to birdsongs.   

Malaysia rolls out the welcome mat

Vietnam is among the tourism markets that Malaysia is targeting in a major promotion campaign launched last week in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told an audience of more than 5,000 Malaysians and 110 foreign reporters and photojournalists from 25 countries, that attracting more foreign tourists to the country is a "national mission".

Foreign tourists visit the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur

— VNS Photo Van Dat

It is not just the Tourism Ministry but all the state agencies and the Malaysian people who have to join hands in accomplishing this mission, he said.

"Every Malaysian has a role to make this a successful campaign, be they taxi drivers, customs employees, hotel receptionists, travel agents or even common citizens.

"Everyone must be able to convince potential tourists that they will have a great time in Malaysia," Razak said.

The campaign will run throughout 2013, with the target of attracting 28 million foreign tourists in 2014.

Latest data from the Malaysian Tourism Ministry showed that the sector is the third largest contributor to Malaysia's foreign exchange earnings with total revenues of MYR 58.3 billion (US$19.35 billion) in 2011.

Tourism-related industries in Malaysia employed almost two million people in 2011.

The number of Vietnamese tourists visiting Malaysia, the second largest tourist attraction in the Asia-Pacific region and the ninth largest in the world, remains rather low compared with other ASEAN countries in recent years.

According to statistics released by Malaysian Tourism Ministry, during the first nine months last year, only around 170,000 Vietnamese tourists visited the country, compared to roughly 10 million from Thailand.

Tourists from Singapore, with which Malaysia shares a border in the southernmost part of the country, also made up the same figure.

The Malaysian Tourism Ministry ranks Vietnam the fourth lowest among ten ASEAN countries in the number of visitors to Malaysia, above Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

Statistics also showed Vietnamese prefer travelling Thailand although both countries have similar infrastructure and services.

By 2020, the Malaysian tourism industry is expected to attract 36 million tourists and record MYR168 billion (US$56 billion) in revenues. 

Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Ha Noi

The central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi covers area of 20ha, includes archaeological area at 18 Hoang Dieu Street and relics in Ha Noi Citadel such as: Bac Mon, Doan Mon

Geographical position

The central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi covers area of 20ha, includes archaeological area at 18 Hoang Dieu Street and relics in Ha Noi Citadel such as: Bac Mon, Doan Mon, Hau Lau, stone dragons in Kinh Thien Palace, dragon house, house D67 and Ha Noi flag tower. These relics are surrounded by 4 streets: Phan Dinh Phung Street in the north, Dien Bien Phu Street in the south, Nguyen Tri Phuong Street in the east and Hoang Dieu Street in the west.

History

In 1009, Ly Cong Uan was enthroned, founded Ly Dynasty. In July, 1010, the king promulgated Chieu Doi Do (the royal decree) to change the capital city from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Dai La Citadel. After transferring the capital city, Ly Cong Uan had Citadel of Thang Long built and the citadel construction was finished in early 1011.

The ancient Citadel of Thang Long was encircled by three incorporated forts. The outer fort was Kinh Thanh (Imperial City), where the general public lived. Surrounded by the Hong, To Lich and Kim Nguu rivers, Kinh Thanh acted as a dyke system for the capital city. The second fort (the middle ring) was Hoang Thanh (Imperial Citadel), where the royal court, offices and residence of mandarins were located. The smallest and most inner enclosure was Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) where the king, queens and concubines lived in seclusion.

The Citadel of Thang Long was repaired and had many new works in Tran Dynasty and expanded in Le So Dynasty. From 1516 to 1788 in dynasties of Mac and Le Trung Hung, the Citadel of Thang Long was destroyed many times. In early 1789, King Quang Trung transferred the capital city to Phu Xuan, the Citadel of Thang Long only acted as Bac Thanh (the northern defensive fortification).

In Nguyen Dynasty, the remainders of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long were transferred to Phu Xuan for building new citadel. Only Kinh Thien Palace and Hau Lau were retained to be accommodations for Kings Nguyen during their business trips to the Bac Thanh. In 1805, King Gia Long ordered the demolition of walls surrounding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and requested the building of a new, smaller citadel called Ha Noi Citadel with architectural style of Vauban (France). In 1831, King Minh Mang changed name of the Citadel of Thang Long to Ha Noi Province in a big administrative reform. When French colonists occupied all Indochina, they chose Ha Noi as the capital of French Indochina Union and the Ha Noi Citadel was destroyed to build military camp for French colonists. Since the Vietnamese army took the control of the capital city in 1954, the Ha Noi Citadel has become the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense.  The first value of the central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi shows that it is nearly a book displaying over 10 century- history of Thang Long – Ha Noi from Dai La Citadel in Pre-Thang Long period to nowadays.

Archaeological value

History revealed that Imperial Citadel of Thang Long changed a lot but its centre, especially Forbidden City, remained nearly unchanged. As architectural structures inside the Imperial Citadel were rebuilt and upgraded several times, this explained for the findings of layers of architectural vestiges and artefacts at archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu. These vestiges reflect clearly relation between urban project and architectural space as well as succession of dynasties in building the Citadel of Thang Long. This is the unique and prominent value of the central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi.

Here, archaeologists excavated a great deal of porcelain and ceramic wares used in the Imperial Citadel through various stages of development. The findings paved the way for researchers to study ceramics made in Thang Long and ceramic wares used in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long through different dynasties. It is also concrete evidence about high development level of economy and culture. In addition, porcelains and bronze coins of China, Japan, Western Asia… found here proved that Thang Long was centre of cultural exchange among countries in area and received quintessence values of humanity

At 20h30 on July 30, 2010 in Brasilia Capital of Brazil, World Heritage Committee of UNESCO recognized the central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi as world cultural heritage based on three prominent criterions: historical and cultural length; its continuousness as a power centre; diversification and plenty of vestiges and artifacts. In opening ceremony of the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long – Ha Noi on October 1, 2010, Ms Irina Bokova – General Director of UNESCO gave certification of the central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi to leaders of Ha Noi City.

Breathtaking Coc Ly Fairy Cave

Being one of the most majestic and beautiful of Bac Ha district (Lao Cai province), Coc Ly fairy cave is located on the highland which is about 2,000 m over sea level.

Although Coc Ly fairy cave was discovered by the local residents very soon, its beauty and poetic started being known widely few years ago after the development of the local tourism, especially when Bao Nhai-Coc Ly market Vietnam travel guide was established. 

People call Coc Ly a fairy cave because of its association with the legend of three fairies. The three fairies , allowed to visit the human world by Ngoc Hoang, were fascinated by the charming beauty of Coc Ly cave and they didn’t want to go back to the sky. This made Ngoc Hoang angry so he let Thien Loi down to pusnish the fairies.

Finally, the three fairies jumped to the water to commit suicide and their dead bodies were found by the local people at the downstream (centre of Bao Nhai, Bac Ha district nowaday). A temple named Ba Co which was built for the cult of three fairies is said to be very sacred.

Coc Ly fairy cave is a special destination included in the Chay river. There are populations of three caves which have different beauties. Visiting Coc Ly cave, visitors will be fascinated by a world of stalactites which are in various shapes and covered by the vine curtain at the entrance.

The cave looks like a majestic maze, its stalactites form the shapes of flowers, big lotus and the inside space is so magical because of the rare light radiating from outside. The bats also choose the cave to be their residential place.

Foodies of Hoi An

Hoi An boasts some of the best food I've eaten on my trip thus far. For whatever reason, this little town claims a few delectable dishes as unique to their town alone.

The first is White Rose, a simple but outstanding meat and shrimp dumpling steamed in a rice dough that somewhat resembles a white rose.

White Rose dumplings

Second is Cao Lau, a noodle and beef soup with bean sprouts and fresh herbs mixed in when it arrives at the table. The noodles are only available in Hoi An because they are made from a particular water source that gives them their unique texture.

The noodles are a bit doughy but the dish is truly delectable because the meat is marinated and tastes a bit of cinnamon. And the fresh herbs are amazing...mint and basil, I believe.

Cao Lau served with rice crackers.

Finally, crispy rice pancakes, known as "Banh Xeo", which consist of a fried pancake, kind of like a rice crepe, with bean sprouts and shrimp inside. The dish is served with all sorts of fresh herbs which you put inside the pancake and then wrap in a thin piece of rice paper. It's topped off by dipping in an amazing spicy peanut sauce. To die for.

Crispy rice pancake with fresh herbs, ready to be rolled

A rolled pancake, ready for dipping!

Hoi An also makes a delightful fried won ton, showing the Chinese influence on this old port town. I for one am glad, because they are darn good.

Okay, they look a bit funky, but are basically fried yumminess wrapped around a meat center with veggies and sauce on top

During this trip I've also grown a slight obsession for squid, which I eat nearly every day. I've tried just about every type of squid you could imagine and my favorite thus far came from a food stand in Hoi An called "Mr. Hung."

I ordered squid grilled in a banana leaf with onions, garlic and lemongrass. It was so tender and delicious that I ate the entire thing. The ladies cooking the food made fun of me and said, mostly through sign language, that if I ate squid like that everyday I'd get fat!!

My squid is somewhere in that banana leaf, which is in a wire basket being grilled on an open flame....heaven.

The final dish...

Both Betsy and I agreed that Morning Glory was the best restaurant we visited in Hoi An. The food was simple, fresh and absolutely amazing. The proprietress of the restaurant cooks family food the way her mother taught her.

I want to live at her house! She said that fresh herbs are such a strong cultural influence that many Vietnamese will start to feel homesick if they cannot have fresh herbs everyday. It's true that most food comes with a plate of herbs which makes a huge difference in the quality of the dish.

Betsy ordered this interesting dish at Morning Glory...a shrimp coconut curry actually cooked in a young coconut. The sauce was slightly sweet and unbelievably flavorable.

The Vietnamese do not eat sweet breakfasts like we do in the states. One staple of their diet is "congee" which is a rice porridge with either fish, chicken or pork. It's savory and quite good!

The coffee here is also fantastic, albeit a little strong. It will seriously put hair on your chest so they dilute it with sweetened condensed milk! And it comes with a little coffee filter perched on the cup. Seriously delicious.

Congee for breakfast with a cup of coffee in the background. I love the little coffee filter so it can brew right at the table!

Another item that is everywhere in Vietnam is "pho," pronounced "fer." This is a simple noodle soup, traditionally with beef but you can get it with chicken or veggies, that is once again served with a pile of bean sprouts and fresh herbs you mix in at the table. Fantastic.

"Pho", aka noodle soup, with a plate of fresh herbs and some fresh coconut water. You can't get much healthier than that!

Finally, I tried a traditional Vietnamese dessert called "Che" which is basically a sweet green bean soup. It's actually made with mung beans and is only slightly sweet but quite good! No wonder the Vietnamese are so slender! They even eat veggies for dessert!!

Eating my sweet green bean soup, served cold in a glass

I reluctantly leave the food of Vietnam behind...and will seek out Vietnamese restaurants in the states as soon as I return!

Hue panorama

 Hue is the capital city of Thua Thien – Hue province, Vietnam. Between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty. Let see Hue city through photos.

Hue city Riders: Ao dai wearing cyclists in the Citadel at Hue Photo by a song under the sugar sugar Perfume River Sunset Photo by jeffreylowy Water puppet theater: Water puppets are beautiful, fully articulated puppets depicting life on the Perfume River. Folktales of playful dragons, a dance of phoenixes, water buffalo, and wading maidens revealed how vital the river was — and still is — to the local people. It is both the main artery and the life-giving blood of Hué and its surrounds. The puppeteers hide behind a bamboo scrim and wade in waist-deep water to operate the puppets with a series of rods and bamboo sticks. Houseboats on the Dong Ba canal Photo by ultrapop Looking out onto the Perfume River Photo by ultrapop Chua Ba Pagoda: Chua Ba was founded by the Hainan Chinese Congregation almost a century ago. It was damaged in the Tet offensive and subsequently reconstructed. On the central altar is Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Fishermen and Sailors. Inside is a glass case in which Quan Cong sits flanked by his usual companions, the mandarin general Chau Xuong to his right, and the administrative mandarin Quang Binh to his left. Noon Gate: Entrance to the Forbidden City in Hue, Vietnam. This shot was taken in the first night of the Vietnamese New Year, Year of the Pig Dieu De National Pagoda: Dieu De was built by King Thieu Tri in 1844 on the foundation of his old residence where he was born in 1807. The pagoda was constructed on a large scale, but was badly damaged during the successive wars. In 1889, Bonze Tam Truyen was granted funding by King Thanh Thai to restore the pagoda, but again it was badly damaged, this time during a storm in 1904. The present construction was made in 1953. The pagoda includes a main sanctuary with two statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. Behind the pagoda is a guest-room and a kitchen. In the courtyard stand a stele house and a bell tower. The two-story entrance gate (seen in the background) is topped with Dhamma Guardian’s pavilion.  Khai Dinh Tomb Photo by nguyentrung Inside the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh Photo by discopalace Photo by nguyentrung Imperial City Photo by Ptoutain Forbidden Purple City: Just a gate left now. It was almost destroyed entirely in the wars. The Forbidden Purple City was a citadel within a citadel within a citadel. It housed the emperor’s concubines and could only be entered by eunuchs. The grounds around Dam Nam Giao: Like a set from a Yimou Zhang film! You almost expect a sword fight in the trees. Dam Nam Giao was a ceremonial terrace where the Nguyen Emperors reaffirmed the legitimacy of their rule through a series of elaborate sacrifices (animal, not human.)