Monday, February 6, 2012

Huong Tich Grotto, Chua Huong, Vietnam

Upon arriving to Huong Tich grotto, there is a 120 steps descend as the temple lies deep within the grotto. At the entrance to the grotto, there is "heaven's gate" (path to heaven) and "hell's gate" (descend to hell).

Pac Bo Cave - A Historical monument

Riding 272km by car from Hanoi along National Highway No3, visitors will arrive at Cao Bang Town. Sleeping through the night in open air and a cool and quiet atmosphere of this mountainous area, their tiredness will disappear. The next morning visitors will ride through Hoa An to reach Ha Quang area. Through the windows of car, visitors can see golden rice fields lying amid green mountains, small hamlets with dozens of houseson-stilts under the shade of towering clusters of peach trees, and the winding streams with thatch-roofed bridges. Visitors will certainly be very interested in enjoying the picturesque scenery, endowed by the nature.

Ban Gioc Waterfall – the largest one in Vietnam!

Ban Gioc Waterfall is now an attractive beauty spot for national and international visitors. Travelling some 272 km from Hanoi, you will reach the splendid fall...

 Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Quy Xuan River is located in Cao Bang Province, nears the Sino-Vietnamese border. The waterfall falls thirty meters. It is separated into three falls by rocks and trees, and the thundering effect of the water hitting the cliffs can be heard kilometers away from Trung Khanh.
Ban Doc Waterfall is situated in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District. The Quay Son River rises from China flowing into our country in Po Peo (Ngoc Khe Commune) and to communes including Dinh Phong and Chi Vien. When it reaches Dam Thuy Commune of Trung Khanh District, the mild river circles around Co Muong mountain bottom and flows to rice fields of Dam Thuy towards the large maize alluvial plain of Ban Gioc village. Here, the flow divides into many branches and lowers its flow to creat Ban Gioc Waterfall.

Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho City, Vietnam

Together with Cai Be and Phung Hiep, Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho City is one of the three biggest in the Mekong Delta. The shops and stalls at these markets are boats of different sizes.
Cai Rang Floating Market is open all day but it is busiest from sunrise to about 9am. The main items sold there are farm products and specialties of Cai Rang Town, Chau Thanh District and neighboring areas. Every boat has a long upright pole at its bow on which samples of the goods for sale are hung. Sellers do not have to cry out about their goods because their goods can be seen in a distance and their cries would not be heard in the vastness of the river and the noise of boat engines.

Submerged forests in Ca Mau, Vietnam

The shape of Vietnam's southernmost area is similar to a ship headed out to sea. Over time the Mekong River has formed a unique submerged ecology that compares to that near the estuaries of the Amazon River.

Taking a boat trip from Ca Mau City (Ca Mau Province) to cajeput or mangrove forests, visitors will have a chance to see the changes in the shift of the land into a fishery-agriculture- forestry region with the cultivation of aquatic products as the core. The image of the mangroves spiking their typical roots through the mud like a net to hold onto the rich fertile soil shows that the natural accumulation is still going on at the southernmost point of Vietnam's mainland. Nature has blessed Ca Mau with two treasures: the U Minh Ha brackish cajeput ecology in the northern part of the province and the submerged mangrove forests on both Eastern and Western coasts of the province's south. The over 500 kilometers of canals criss-crossing the 254 kilometres of the province's coasts lead to the vast fishing grounds in the Eastern Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Hon Rom Resort, Binh Thuan, Vietnam

A place with early history associated with the development of Binh Thuan tourism has been known by many domestic and foreign tourists. About 24km from Phan Thiet city to the north east, Hon Rom located where pristine white sand dunes lies in the shade of coconuts, rows of charming poplar and the bluish and pleasant beach. All make charming landscape.

Duong Long Cham Tower, Binh Dinh, Vietnam

Location: Duong Long Cham Tower is located at Go Dang, Binh Hoa Commune, Tay Son District, Binh Dinh Province.
Characteristics: This towner is a group of 3 biggest towers. It was built in the 12nd century with very beautiful architecture.
Duong Long Cham Tower, also called Thap Nga meaning "ivory tower," is located 40km from Quy Nhon and 270km from DanangCity. It is a group of 3 towers; the highest tower, 35m high, is in the middle, and the two others are 22m.

Dau Pagoda – An initial Source of Buddhism in Vietnam

Dau Pagoda is located in Thanh Khuong village, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh Province, about 30km from Hanoi. Being a center of the ancient Luy Lau Citadel that dates back to the second century A.D, this pagoda is considered the most ancient religious structure and an initial source of Buddhism in Vietnam.

Through nearly two thousand years of ups and downs, the present-day Dau Pagoda is quite different from its origin. In the old days, a path led to the pagoda’s huge three-door gate and a spacious flat field lying amid two ponds on which there is the reflection of a roofed bridge with 9 spans. This type of bridge is also seen in the ancient town of Hoi An (Faifo) in Central Vietnam and in some other places.

But Thap Pagoda, Bac Ninh Vietnam

Situated on the dike south of the Duong River in Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province is But Thap (pen stupa), one of the finest pagodas in the country's north and known as Vietnam's first Buddhist center.
The pagoda was built under the dynasty of King Tran Thanh Tong (1258-1278) and rebuilt in 1647 in the Le Dynasty by Chinese Zen Buddhist priest Zhus Zhus, known as Chuyet Chuyet in Vietnamese. Legend has it that when leaving his former pagoda on the northern bank of the Duong River, priest Chuyet Chuyet saw a flock of flying swallows suddenly swooping down and perching on the ground on the southern bank, he decided to rebuild the pagoda there and named it Ninh Phuc Tu, which means peace and bless.

Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, Bac Lieu, Vietnam

Location: Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary is located in Hiep Thanh Commune, Bac Lieu Town, Bac Lieu Province. Characteristics: The sanctuary is one of the most attractive ecological tourist spots in the Mekong River Delta.According to documentation of Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary Nature Reserve, in the first, it was a coastal rich and diversified salt forest floor with the natural salt-marsh ecosystem. As a part of the remaining forest floor along the East Sea, it is increasingly far from the sea due to alluvial deposits. In 1962, it was looked after, protected and controlled by a household. Then, the local authority realized that it is a precious natural property, so they have a step by step investment.

Duc La Pagoda, Bac Giang, Vietnam

From the Bac Giang Provincial Capital, a crooked red soil trail runs off Route 13, just past Tan An District Town, to Duc La Pagoda, also known as Vinh Nghiem Tu (80km north of Hanoi).
The pagoda is situated in an area of rolling hills. In the background is the Co Tien Mountain range and to the left is the batiks of the Luc River. Farther away is the Thuong River which converges with the Luc River to form the Phuong Nhon Junction. In front of the pagoda are vast ricefields dotted with villages and hamlets hidden behind green bamboo groves. Looming in the distance is the 99 Nham Bien Mountain range, wrapped in a poetic and mystical air.

Thich Ca Phat Dai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Vietnam

The site of the pagoda occupies an area of 6ha on the side of Big Mountain. The beauty of the 19m high pagoda lies in the harmonious combination between the natural surroundings and the architectural structure. This pagoda exists exclusively for religious worship. The pagoda is unique in its white cement construction of the giant statue of Thich Ca Buddha sitting on a large lotus blossom.

Niet Ban Tinh Xa, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Vietnam

This monastery was built on a hill from 1969 to 1974. The monastery has a flag pillar, a symbol of an ancient lotus stupa. Among the many items to observe are the 42 stairs paved with bricks, a 3.5-ton bell, intricate mosaic work, and a 12-m Buddha statue.
The Côn Đảo Islands (Vietnamese: Côn Đảo) are an archipelago of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, in southeastern Vietnam, and a district of this province.
 
Situated at about 185 km (115 mi) from Vũng Tàu and 230 km (143 mi) from Hồ Chí Minh City, the group includes 16 mountainous islands and islets. The total land area reaches 75.15 km² and the local population is about 5,000.

Binh Chau Thermal Springs

Location
- Binh Chau Thermal Springs are situated in Bung Rieng Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province
Characteristics
- The hot water is used for its medicinal values; water that is 73ºC is led to pools used to cure skin diseases and rheumatism.
Description

An Son Temple, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Vietnam

In 1783, Nguyen Anh was defeated by Tay Son and ran away to Con Dao Island. Together with fishermen, Lord Nguyen Anh founded three villages: An Hai, An Hoi, and Co Ong. Nguyen Anh sent Prince Canh followed by Ba Da Loc to France to ask for reinforcements to fight against the Tay Son troops. Lady Phi Yen, the second wife of Nguyen Anh, advised him not to do so. Nguyen Anh got angry with her and thought that his wife might have been dealing with Tay Son troops. He intended to kill her. Just before Tay Son troops attacked the island, Nguyen Anh put his wife in prison and went to sea. Prince Cai, who was then four years old, wanted his mother to come with them. Nguyen Anh got angry and threw his son into the sea. The body of Prince Cai drifted onto Co Ong Beach where it was buried by villagers. According to the legend, Lady Phi Yen was rescued from the stone prison by a tiger and an ape. She lived with the villagers, taking care of Prince Cai’s grave. After an unfortunate encounter with a man, she killed herself to keep her pride. The villagers mourned her and built a temple in her honour. In 1861, the French colonialists occupied the island and destroyed the temple. In 1958, the temple was rebuilt on its present location.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword", also known as Hồ Gươm - Sword Lake) is a lake in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life.

Hạ Long Bay

Ha Long Bay (literally: "Descending Dragon Bay"; Vietnamese: Vịnh Hạ Long) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in

Hạ Long Bay (literally: "Descending Dragon Bay"; Vietnamese: Vịnh Hạ Long) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long City, Cẩm Phả town, and part of Van Don district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Hạ Long Bay is a center of a larger zone which includes Bái Tử Long bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà islands to the southwest. These larger zones share similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climate, and cultural characters.

Buon Don, Dak Lak, Vietnam

Buon Don is located northwest of Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak province, close to the Cambodian border, approximately 42 km from Buon Ma Thuot. Buon Don is well known as the native land of elephant hunters and trainers throughout Southeast Asia. Buon Don has been famous for its Kru, powerful elephant tribe leaders, for a long time, and is well known in India and France for its elephant. Y Pui, a 102-year-old man (1883-1985) who tamed over 450 elephants, spent part of his life as Bao Dai King’s mahout. Elephant training and hunting has been passed down through generations.It takes 67 months to domesticate a wild elephant. In the last few years, tourists have been more eager to visit Buon Don, the elephants’ home in Dak Lak. Their main interest being to admire the animals and to understand their delicate situation. Surveys are now being conducted throughout the country to evaluate the elephant situation and to better organize protection projects 

Buu Phong Pagoda, Dong Nai, Vietnam

Buu Phong Pagoda was built in the 17th century on the peak of Buu Long Mountain, in Dong Nai province, 7 km from Bien Hoa. Nearly 100 steps must be climbed to go up Buu Long Mountain and reach the pagoda. 
At first, the pagoda was only a thatch-roof hut that was reconstructed more solemnly by Master Phap Thong. The pagoda was renovated and enlarged again in 1829. More renovations were also done recently

Dong Van Highland, Ha Giang, Vietnam

Dong Van Highland is situated 1,025 m above sea level and is inhabited by the Tay and H’Mong ethnic groups. The temperature is approximately 1oC in winter and reaches 24oC on the hottest days. The plateau provides famous products such as Hau plums, peaches, and persimmons without seeds. Dong Van apples are as big as pears. In Dong Van, numerous valuable plants used for their medicinal value are found, including ginseng, anise, and cinnamon.

Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai, Vietnam

In 1978, the South Cat Tien and North Cat Tien parks were put under the State's protection. In 1992, the Cat Loc Park was listed in the programme for the protection of natural wild animals and flora. In December 1998, these three parks joined together to become the Cat Tien National Park, under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ba Danh Pagoda, Ha Nam, Vietnam

Location: In Kim Bang District, 10km from Phu Ly Town. Characteristics: The pagoda is situated on the bank of the Day River in a large peaceful area far from any settlements. At first, it was just a small temple for worshipping Tu Phap deities. Then, during the reign of King Le Hy Tong (1675 - 1705), it was upgraded to become more beautiful and magnificent. Later, locals tore down the temple and brought a statue of Buddha to the site and built the Ba Danh Pagoda. After offering incense at the pagoda, visitors can continue on to see Ngoc Mountain and its lush green forests.

Another world awaits at Ba Vi National Park, Ha Tay, Vietnam

Along with Cuc Phuong National Forest, Ba Vi National Park is thought of as the natural “air - conditioner” or “green lungs” of the northern delta and the city of Hanoi within. Ba Vi is located in Ba Vi District, Ha Tay Province, 60 km west of Hanoi.

It was elevated to national park status on December 18, 1991.

Huong Son Tourist Area, Ha Tay, Vietnam

To get to Huong Son from Hanoi, go by car to Ha Dong Town, then continue on to Van Dinh Town. At the Te Tieu marking point, turn right and continue to Duc Wharf. Stop here and take a boat along the Yen Stream for about 3 km to Tro Wharf, from where the Huong Son Tourist Area is accessible. Huong Son Area is located in My Duc District, Ha Tay Province, approximately 70 km from Hanoi.
Huong Son Tourist Area covers an area of a thousand hectares and includes a complex of mountains, rivers and streams, villages, pagodas, and grottoes surrounded by the Huong Tich Mountain Range, north of the Truong Son Range.

Huong Tich Line: It consists of Yen Stream, Trinh Temple, Hoi Bridge, Thanh Son and Huong Dai Pagoda, Thien Tru, Hinh Bong, Tien Pagoda, Giai Oan Pagoda, Cua Vong Temple, Huong Tich Grotto.