Bo Da- a unique pagoda in Bac Giang

Bo Da pagoda in Bac Giang has its own ancient beauty attracting numerous visitors and pilgrims.

Bo Da, also known as Bo or “Quan Am at mount Bo Da” is one of the most unique pagoda in Tien Son commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province and a major Buddhist center of the Truc Lan Yen Tu zen. 

The ancient entrance of Bo Da pagoda

The pagoda is situated at the foot of a beautiful pine hill that is surrounded by soil walls, mountains and rivers. Bo Da is called “soil pagoda” because it was made from a brown soil, antique walls and bricks.

Bo Da has unique architecture that is different from the traditional pagoda in the North of Vietnam. The pagoda contains 18 temples, nearly 100 ancient rooms with harmonious architectural layout, special materials: unique soil, bricks…Moreover, Bo Da has an ancient garden temple where ashes bones of more than 1,400 monks and nuns were buried.

 

The pagoda has still preserved the oldest Buddhist Vietnam prayer book that carved on wood. Pagoda also keeps a very interesting devise of Nguyen Hong famous writer that was a handwritten copy of the rules in the pagoda.

The place preserve lots of prayer book

Unique garden temples in Bo Da

Making our way up Mount Fansipan

Mount Fansipan is only half as tall as Mount Everest. Yet this mountain, perched at the eastern edge of the Himalayan range in Vietnam’s uppermost Lao Cai province, is hardly an easy climb.

It takes about two hours to reach the campsite from the clearing where we have lunch, according to our guide Dung. From there it’s two more hours to the summit. The mist is thickening.

When we reach the next plateau, it billows around us, covering everything more than ten feet away in a wispy shroud. We decide to save the final ascent for the morning. Dung says he’s only seen the sun shine on the summit twice, but we hope for the best.

The weather is not encouraging. By the time we reach the campsite, a hilly clearing surrounded by bamboo forest, the wind blows in gusts so hard it sounds like rain.

We crawl into our tent, a long blue tube that could have about twenty people cocooned sardine-style, and take refuge in our sleeping bags. Although it is barely 4pm, we can only think of rest. Dung fills a bowl with rice wine from a plastic water bottle.

“The first time I came here I didn’t drink any. Then I couldn't sleep,” he says, taking a generous swig. “It was so cold!” He passes the bowl around. It goes down harsh, but it makes us feel marginally warmer.

Dinner arrives, prepared by local H’Mong women: stir-fried chicken and ginger, tofu steeped in tomato sauce, garlicky strands of cabbage. We devour ample bowls of rice. Between bites, Dung asks us about America; we ask him what it’s like to grow up in Sapa.

"Around here many children speak English before they can speak Vietnamese,” he says, flushed from the wine. “They don’t go to school. They follow tourists and try to sell them stuff.”

Within minutes, he is sleeping soundly. I fall asleep but wake up soon after, tossing and turning in the darkness. A few feet away the tent flap has come undone, and the wind rushes in, sharp and blistering. I burrow into the hood of my sleeping bag.

Waking again, I see a fierce white light through the crack in the tent. The wind feels more bearable in the sun. A hurried bowl of ramen noodles laden with cabbage and strips of soft omelet, and then we’re headed for the summit.

The first few minutes are easy walking, and we keep a rapid pace. When we emerge from the shade of the bamboo forest, Dung lets out an ear-splitting “Woo!” He is always happy, bounding up the mountain in a red fedora and tight jeans. It seems like not even the cold can unnerve him. I step up a final rock after him, onto a broad plateau.

We’re above the clouds now: surrounded by the gentle curves of terra cotta peaks, speckled with trees, and beyond that harsher green ridges. In front of us the mountain slopes upwards, and someone asks if that’s the summit. Dung laughs.

Now we are clambering up boulders again, and the rest breaks grow more frequent. We are not talking anymore, only dragging ourselves forwards with vines and carefully placed bamboo rods.

The current record for scaling Fansipan is one hour and thirty-five minutes. We feel accomplished enough when, two and a half hours after leaving camp, we stumble up the last incline onto flat ground.

The wind hits hard at the summit. Clouds drift across sprawling ridges, mountains that would seem formidable if we were standing anywhere other than the peak of Fansipan.

Somewhere down the Himalayan chain, Mount Everest beckons. Three thousand metres in the air, gazing into the foggy blue distance, I feel a little closer to reaching it.

                                                                                       Provide by Vietnam travel guide

Relishing "Bun Cha chan" on Mai Hac De street

“Bún chả” is a Vietnamese dish which is too familiar to Hanoians, but “Bún chả chan” is a new variation.

The name of the dish is both strange and familiar. You can find it in a restaurant on Mai Hac De street. The popular "bún chả" is served with a plate of white rice noodle (bún) grilled fatty pork, and herbs in a steamy broth of nước mắm (fish sauce). "Bún chả" is popular in the Northern region of Vietnam. In the South, a similar dish of rice vermicelli and grilled meat is called “bún thịt nướng”. Now, coming to the restaurant on Mai Hac De street, you have a chance to enjoy a new verion of "bún chả". That is "bún chả chan".   Bún chả chan Entering the restaurant, you will see a big board  with words “Bún chả chan Duong Gia Bao. The speciality of Duong family – Bac Ninh”. The dish in the restaurants have originated from Bac Ninh province and just come to Hanoi for a short time. It might be quite high-sounding to call the dish “the speciality” because it is only a new variation for “bún chả” or “bún canh” in Hanoi. However, Duong family still attracts a lot of customers because of their creativeness. The only different thing is the broth with bok choi.   A hot bowl of “bún chả chan” topped with grilled pork, fresh herbs and vegetables is very delicious. The new thing of “bún chả chan” is a big slab of grilled minced pork which is not kneaded into small pork balls. Therefore, after grilling, pork is more aromatic and delicious. Moreover, the pork is only grilled by charcoal when you order. Customers can enjoy “bún chả chan” for their breakfast or their lunch. The price for a bowl of “bún chả chan” is 30,000 VND, “bún chả chấm” is 25,000 VND and “bánh cuốn” (rolled cake) with grilled pork is 30,000 VND.                                                                                               Provide by Travel to Vietnam

Lang Co Beach- One of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays

Situated on the central coast of Vietnam, which is famous for many beautiful beaches. Lang Co beach, since June 2009 has become an official member of the “World’s most beautiful bays” club. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists in Vietnam travel, especially for those who love beach so much.

Situated on the central coast of Vietnam, which is famous for many beautiful beaches. Lang Co beach, since June 2009 has become an official memnber of the “World’s most beautiful bays” club. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists in Vietnam travel, especially for those who love beach so much.

With the length of approximately 10km, Lang Co beach located in Lang Co town, Phu Loc district,Thua Thien- Hue province is next to the National Highway 1A and near Hai Van Pass. It is considered an ideal place for beach lovers. Situated on the central coast of Vietnam with many famous beautiful beaches, Lang Co with its gradually slopping, white sand, blue sea, and the average temperature of 25oC in the summer, is an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists in Vietnam travel.

Most tourists joining tours in Vietnam are attracted to this beach because of its attractive natural landscape. Lying on the most beautiful curve of the country, Lang Co has almost everything that the nature can offer: green mountains and tropical forests, smooth white sand, full of sunshine and cool, blue and clear sea as crystal. It is the 3rd bay of Viet Nam, after Ha Long and Nha Trang named in the list of 30 most beautiful bays in the global.

So stunning, in the Nguyen Dynasty, the Royal Step-over Palace named Tinh Viem (abating the hot weather) had been built here for the king's family members. The French also left their traces here, related to the name of this land. Lang Co, it is probably derived from "Lang Co" (literally means Stork Village) or L 'An Cu (An Cu - Settle down) - its original names when the French pronounced as Lang Co. Nowadays, many modern resorts has been going to build here.

It can be said that nobody can resist a nature beauty like Lang Co town. This small and peaceful town will give you the most relaxing time and many games at the beach. In addition, you will have good time to enjoy the seafood with various kinds of shrimps, lobster, sea shrimp, crab, butter-fish, mackerel fish, oysters, etc and not far from the beach are some attractions such as Lang Co fishing Village, Chan May scenery.

Lying on the "Central Heritage Road", Lang Co is very close to other famous attractions such as the Imperial City of Hue, Hoi An Ancient Town, Son Tra Peninsula where the famous Son Tra Natural Reserve and beautiful beaches located, and so many more. The beauty of Lang Co Bay, Hai Van Pass, Bach Ma National Park and a fishing village in this area always attract many tourists in Vietnam tourism by a wonderful harmonious combination between human and nature.

It’s about 60km from the centre of Hue City but about 40km from Phu Bai International Airport to Lang Co beach. If visitors drive to Lang Co from Da Nang City through Hai Van Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia, the distance will be about 25km. However, the longer way, about 40km, is still the choice of many adventure lovers to drive on the pass to contemplate the beauty and majestic of Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Bay from above.

If you pay a visit to Hue, you should once visit Lang Co beach where you can have the most relaxing time and admire the natural beauty of landscapes.

                                                                                                  Provide by  Vietnam travel guide

The beauty of young women of ethnic minorities

Young women of each ethnic group in Vietnam have their own characteristics and costumes, making the beauty of the 54 ethnic groups more diverse and attractive.

 The San Chay girls (also known as Cao Lan, San Chi, etc.). San Chay people
mainly live in the North East. There are many San Chay people in the provinces
of Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang.

 The Mong group has nearly 800,000 people, concentrated in the
mountainous provinces of Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen
Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, Cao Bang and Nghe An. The Mong people
have different groups such as Mong Do (White Hmong), Mong Lenh
(Flowered Mong), Mong Si (Red Mong) and Mong Du (Black Mong). 

 Pa Then people mainly concentrate in the provinces of Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang.
They often live along streams, in valleys or low mountains. 

 Two Red Dao girls in colorful costumes. In Vietnam, the population of Dao
people is not big but the villages of Dao people spread from the northern
mountainous provinces such as Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai,
Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang to some midland provinces like Phu Tho, Vinh
Phuc and Hoa Binh.

Mong people’s costumes are mainly made by self-made linen.

The Lo Lo people mainly live in the northern mountainous provinces of
Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Lao Cai. 

The Lu people are also known as Lao Lu, Lu, Nhuon and Duon. The Lu
population is about 4,000 people, living mainly in some upland communes
of Tam Duong, Tan Uyen and Sin Ho district, Lai Chau province.

 The Giay ethnic group has approximately 38,000 people, residing in Lao Cai,
Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Cao Bang provinces. They are also known as Nhang,
Dang, Pau Thin, Cui Chu and Xa people.

 Kho Mu girls. This ethnic group is concentrated mainly in Nghe An,
Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai, with about 100,000 people.

  Here people live in the central province of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh.
They like wearing jewelry in bronze, silver and beads.

 Cham people live in the southern region of Vietnam, such as An Giang,
Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, with about 160,000 people.

                                                                              Provide by Vietnam travel guide

Ba Dong Beach - Tra Vinh

Ba Dong Beach stretches nearly 50 kilometers over three communes in southern Tra Vinh Province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, with the very picturesque beauty, beautiful long beach suitable for bath and holidays...

Ba Dong Beach belongs to Truong Long Hoa Commune, Duyen Hai District, approximately 55 km from Tra Vinh City. Ba Dong coast is lined with pristine white sand for 10km, with clear and fresh air. During the colonialism era, the French built a resort and used it to rest and swim. This resort is also enjoyed by Vietnamese who spend weekends and vacations there. Unfortunately, wars have destroyed all the road system to Ba Dong Beach. Tra Vinh Province authorities are now evaluating the possibility to rebuild the road system. Tra Vinh tourism office also plans to renovate and exploit Ba Dong seaside resort and turn it into an attractive tourist site in Cuu Long River Delta for Vietnam travel guide. Upon arriving at the oceanic site, you will surely be taken by surprise by the breath of salty sea air that is so distinctive to the sweet scents of fruits that pervade the delta's environs. The beach's tourism potential began to be tapped in early 20th century when the French colonialists built a guesthouse there for local officials to spend their weekends. From the hotels and restaurants hiding themselves among the poplars rustling in sea wind, you can look beyond at the far sea,where fleets of fishing boats are sailing industriously to bring back inexhaustible resources to enrich the country. In this resort, you can savour many types of fresh seafood at surprisingly cheap prices. Ba Dong Beach hosts numerous seafood restaurants specializing in typical southwestern Vietnamese cuisine fished directly from the ocean. Specialties include crab sauce eaten with bananas, carambola, girdle cakes or rice rolls and boiled meat. The beach is dotted with bungalows and cots ranging in prices, which offer tourists a chance to lay back and unwind to the rhythmic sound of undulating waves. You can play on numerous sand dunes on the beach. Other places of interests here is a lighthouse, shrimp lakes, and small islets. On the beach that stretches as far as the eye can see, you can fly kites, play sports, meander among numerous sand dunes or drive motorbikes fast enough to get thrills otherwise hard to attain elsewhere. As night falls, you can sleep in "underground houses" built during the war to avoid shells and bullets. They are protected from above by luxuriant trees. From the beach just 7 kilometers away rests an imposing mangrove forest. A light wind invigorates beachgoers with its fresh and clear breezes. When famished from the physical activities, you can indulge in a range of culinary delights offered right on the beachside. Ba Dong is currently an attractive spot for short holidays for numerous average-income tourists in Tra Vinh and neighboring provinces. The whole of Ba Dong Beach is picturesque, colourful, exciting and lively with tens of thousands of tourists from everywhere who come here for sightseeing and relaxing.

Ba Vi - A legendary land

Ba Vi is an impressive limestone mountain vary that is named Lord of Mountains in the Vietnamese spirit in association with the Son Tinh-Thuy Tinh legend, is taken into account one of the foremost potential ecotourism regions in the north. The mountain is endowed with excellent scenery and historical heritages.

The range includes many peaks, of which the most famous is Tan Vien Peak which is 1,281 meters high. The highest mountain in this range is Vua Peak (Emperor Peak), which is 1,296 meters in elevation, and another less famous is Ngoc Hoa Mountain at a height of 1,120 meters.

Once trekking to Ba Vi, tourists will get lost in a legendary land with sky-high mountains, endless greenery, pristine rivers and poetic streams. Amidst the fairy land, some sites suggested for tourists to visit are King Pond, Dreamy Stream, Nga Fall, Tien Sa Lake, Bang Ta primeval forest, Ngoc Thi Hill and Thuan My Hot Mineral Spring.

If you are used to being suffocated with urban life and really want to escape the city, a trip to Ba Vi is an ideal option. Strolling along the winding paths, tourists with Vietnam travel guide are strongly impressed by the peace and tranquility of the land.

Somewhere in the magnificent greenness of heaven and earth, tourists travel to Vietnam can catch sight of stilt houses lurking in the dense forest, some dairy cows slowly grazing grass, immense pine trees, hills and colorful wild flowers quivering in fresh winds.

In the morning, the mountain range is covered in mist and under the sunset, tourists can hear the voices of insects and birdsong. At that time, Ba Vi takes excursionists to a world of dreams and poetry.

For enthusiasts of adventure, conquering the mountain would be an amazing experience. To get to the parks, tourists have to cross a path of 14 kilometers from the gate of Ba Vi National Park. The way up to the peak is asphalted and clean, so tourists just need to prepare comfortable costumes, some water, bread and a camera to begin the journey. On the way, trekkers can discover the wildlife and biodiversity.

On the peak, tourists can take panoramic views of unlimited rice fields vaporous in the mist, lakes as giant mirrors, streams as silver carpets and tortuous roads. Different from the life at the foot, the peak keeps silent, the pristine silence of nature without any glistening rays of sun and without any human life.

On the way, tourists can visit national relics like a shrine to Ho Chi Minh, controversially situated at the summit of this mountain, or some old temples. Standing in the center of endless deserted nature, human beings seem to be so small. Nevertheless, nature also challenges those small creatures to conquer and discover its mysteries.