Guide of Vietnam

Halong Bay Cruise

2011-11-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

Halong Bay Cruises (Vietnam)

Halong Bay is located in the northeast of Vietnam, 400 miles away from Hanoi. To discover and enjoy Halong Bay, there is nothing better than a Halong Bay Cruise. The most convenient option is to book the cruise using a Vietnamese tourist agency, the price for 2 days / 1 night cruise in Halong Bay is 100$ USD depending on the tour operator, the transportation from Hanoi may be included or not.

Halong Bay Cruise - Vietnam

Junk boat in Halong Bay - Vietnam

Type of Cruises

The price of the cruise in Halong Bay depends on the type of cruise. Each one have its own opinion about which cruise to choose, but our preference is a traditional wooden junk boat with white fabric sails.

Wooden Junk Boat - Halong Bay - Vietnam

Those sails are not enough to move the junk boat therefore the junk boat will use an engine to sail Halong Bay.

Boat sailing in Halong Bay - Vietnam

Fishing boat in Halong Bay - Vietnam

More about Halong Bay and Halong Bay cruises

Crucero por la Bahía de Halong Versión en Español
Halong Bay World wide famous Vietnam Halong Bay
Pictures of Halong Bay Pictures of Vietnam's magical place called Halong Bay

Halong Bay

2011-11-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay, is the most magical, charming and beautiful place all over Vietnam. The Bay is located in the north of the country, about 300 kilometers from Hanoi, the capital of the country. The Vietnamese call this place the Bay of the descendants of the Dragon (Vinh Ha Long).

Halong Bay

Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay and the New Seven Wonders of the World

Halong Bay was nominated for the New Seven Wonders of the World, unfortunately Halong Bay couldn't get a place among them.

Halong Bay in Vietnam

What is Halong Bay?

Halong Bay are more than 2000 small islands of karst rock, scattered along 150 miles of coastline, it means more than 15.000 m2 extension, creating an atmosphere and a place of matchless beauty.

The famous Halong Bay

Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Halong Bay Legend

The bay of the descendants of the dragon (Halong Bay) is known that way for the legend that surrounds this area, or better to say, the origin of this place. Halong Bay Legend says during the time of the Emperor of Vietnam, the Chinese invaders wanted to seized that land of the Vietnamese Empire, the Emperor asked for help to a Dragon family, the dragons threw pearls and jade to sink enemy ships. After the battle, the dragons admire the beauty of the resulting place and the dragons and their descendants decided to stay.

Halong Bay waters

Ha Long Bay

Dusk over Halong Bay

Halong Bay Cruises

A huge place such as Halong Bay demands a cruise to fully enjoy all the beauty and amusements that Halong Bay has to offer.

Cruises on Halong Bay

The most convenient option is to book a 2 days / 1 night cruise (around 99$ USD per person). Depending on the tourist operator, transportation from Hanoi may be included in the price.
Usually a cruise on Halong Bay includes a full board double cabin, but drinks are not included.

Islands in Halong Bay

Junk boat sailing in Halong Bay

Junk boat in Halong Bay

Halong Bay Caves

During our trip around Halong Bay we will make some stops to visit some of the caves of Halong Bay, formed inside the huge small islands of Halong. The most famous caves are Hang Sung Sot (cave of Surprises), Hang Dau Go (Wooden stakes cave), Hang Thieng Cung (cave of the Heavenly Palace), Hang Bo Nau (Pelican cave), Dong Tam Cung (cave of the three Palaces) y Hang Trong (Drum cave).

Hang Sung Sot: cave of Surprises

Hang Sung Sot cave is famous for its virile male member shaped rock inside the grotto. French called this place Isle de la Surprise. Compounded of 3 different chambers (the famous rock is located on the first chamber). The main access to the cave is a wooden bridge and 90 steps stairs.

Virile male member in Hang Sung Sot Cave. Halong Bay. Vietnam

Hang Sung Sot Cave - Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Halong Bay Caves

Halong Bay Surroundings

Hard to believe, but around Halong Bay there is almost nothing. A small fishing town, hotels on the sidewalk of the main road, a nice bridge (similar to the ones they have in Lisbon, Portugal) and an outdoor market.

Bridge over the river in Halong Bay

Halong Bay Town

The only place around Halong Bay that is worth to pay a visit is Halong Bay Town. To get Halong Bay Town we must cross a wonderful red bridge over the river and next to the sea.
Halong Town is just another typical Vietnamese town with colorful narrow houses, a small pagoda and a market (near the harbor).

Halong Bay Town

Floating fishing village in Halong Bay

Halong Bay town outdoor market

Pagoda in Halong Bay Town, Vietnam

Halong Bay Dock

Pictures of Halong Bay

Pictures of Halong Bay, shot from a junk boat and also, from some of the caves of the bay.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay

Amazing Cave. Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Pagoda over a small island in Halong Bay

Islands in Halong Bay

Bahía de Halong en Vietnam

Bay of Halong (Vietnam)

Boats sailing in Halong Bay

Cruise in Halong Bay

Halong Bay Videos

Video of a cruise in Halong Bay sailing the crystal clear waters of Halong.

Cruise in Halong Bay (Ha Long Bay), Vietnam

Related to Halong Bay

Bahía de Halong Versión en Español
Pictures of Halong Bay Pictures of Vietnam's magical place called Halong Bay
Halong Bay Cruise Prices and information about cruises in Halong Bay
Street markets in Vietnam Shopping places to find the cheapest bargains all over Vietnam

Taxi in Vietnam

2011-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Taking a Taxi in Vietnam

There are several Taxi companies in Vietnam. The taxi ride price depends on the taxi company every company has its own fares.

Recommended Taxi Companies in Vietnam

Any Taxi Company is fair as long as they have taximeter, but we strongly recommend these Vietnamese Taxi Companies:

Mai Linh
Vinasun

Taxi in Vietnam: Vinasun

Taxi in Vietnam: Mailinh (Mai Linh)

Pirate Taxi Companies in Vietnam

You have to take a good look to the taxi logo, because there are some taxi companies and private taxis that take advantage of Mai Linh and Vinasun prestige to try to get some customers.

Pirate Taxi Companies in Vietnam: Mailinh fake taxi (Mai Linh)

Related to Taxi in Vietnam

Vietnam City Maps Street maps and tourist places of Vietnam main cities
Shopping in Vietnam 5 things you should buy during your visit to Vietnam
Vietnam Street Markets Shopping places to find cheap bargains in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Transportation in Vietnam Travel tips regarding transportation in Vietnam: coach, plain, train, motorbike

Lịch Sử Áo Dài Việt Nam

2011-11-07T14:45:00.000-08:00

Lịch Sử Áo Dài Việt Nam

Áo Dài

Chúng ta đã không còn lạ lẫm gì với cái tên áo dài - trang phục truyền thống của Việt Nam mình. Ngày nay, đâu đâu chúng ta cũng thấy bóng dáng của tà áo dài thướt tha: trên sân trường với đồng phục nữ sinh, trên bục giảng với áo dài cho các cô giáo, trong công ty cho nhân viên, trong các cửa hàng, trên máy bay, và cả trên đường phố.

Nhưng có lẽ chúng ta chưa biết nhiều lắm về lịch sử của chiếc áo dài. Bài viết này sẽ một phần nào đó giúp các bạn hiểu thêm về ÁO DÀI.

Thực ra không ai biết chiếc áo dài nguyên thủy ra đời từ khi nào và hình dáng thực sự ra sao vì không có sách sử nào ghi lại. Y phục xa xưa nhất của người Việt, theo những hình khắc trên mặt chiếc trống đồng Ngọc Lũ cách nay khoảng vài nghìn năm cho thấy hình phụ nữ mặc trang phục với hai tà áo xẻ. “Thời Bắc thuộc thì người Việt gài áo về tay trái, mà sau bắt chước người Trung Quốc mới mặc áo gài về tay phải".

Kiểu áo dài xưa nhất là áo giao lãnh, giống như áo tứ thân nhưng khi mặc thì hai thân trước để giao nhau mà không buộc lại. Bên trong có yếm lót, váy tơ đen, thắt lưng mầu buông thả.Vì phải làm việc đồng áng hoặc buôn bán, chiếc áo giao lãnh được thu gọn lại thành kiểu áo tứ thân (gồm bốn vạt nửa: vạt nửa trước phải, vạt nửa trước trái, vạt nửa sau phải, vạt nửa sau trái). Áo tứ thân được mặc ra ngoài váy xắn quai cồng để tiện cho việc gồng gánh nhưng vẫn không làm mất đi vẻ đẹp của người phụ nữ.

Nguyễn Phúc Khoát

Vũ Vương Nguyễn Phúc Khoát được cho là người đặt nền tảng cho hình hài của áo dài. Người Việt ta cho tới thế kỉ 16 vẫn bị ảnh hưởng cách ăn mặc của người Trung Quốc. Để giữ nét riêng cho dân tộc, trong một sắc dụ ông đã đề cập đến trang phục của người Việt. Trong đó, hình hài của chiếc áo dài đã được hiện ra với hình dáng như áo dài hiện nay.

Le Mur

Le Mur là tên được họa sĩ Cát Tường dùng để gọi chiếc áo dài của mình theo tiếng Pháp. Kiểu áo dài Le Mur này quá cầu kì, quá cách tân đến nỗi nhiều nhà phê bình đã lên án và nó không được chấp nhận rộng rãi trong dân chúng.

Lê Phổ

Áo dài Le Mur được ra đời năm 1930. Cho đến năm 1934, Lê Phổ cũng là một họa sĩ đã kết hợp nét mới mẻ của áo dài Le Mur với nét truyền thống của áo dài ngày xưa để tạo nên hình dáng khác của chiếc áo dài. Sự kết hợp này được đông đảo người dân ủng hộ và ưa thích. Và từ đây, chiếc áo dài đã có hình dáng riêng. Và dù trải qua bao thăng trầm hay thay đổi thì áo dài Việt Nam luôn có hình dáng cơ bản của áo dài Lê Phổ.

Với tay giác lăng

Để thuận tiện trong việc may đo và tạo dáng tốt hơn, áo dài giác lăng ( hoặc ráp lăng) đã ra đời. Áo dài giác lăng có hàng nút ở bên vai, rẽ xuống tới eo. Nó làm cho phần vải ngay cánh tay không bị nhăn nữa. Và dáng áo dài ôm hơn vào thân người mặc.

Cổ thuyền

Bà Trần Lệ Xuân là người đã thiết kế ra kiểu áo dài cổ thuyền rất quyến rũ ngày nay. Kiểu áo dài với cổ cao được thay thế bằng kiểu cổ khoét sâu và nhiều họa tiết trên vải áo. Bà Trần Lệ Xuân đã từ trần vào lúc 2 giờ sáng ngày 24 tháng Tư năm 2011 ở Rome, Ý. Bà hưởng thọ 87 tuổi.

Đấy chính là những sự kiện cơ bản trong lịch sử của chiếc áo dài Việt Nam.

Ngày nay, đi cùng với sự phát triển của xã hội, áo dài cũng phát triển theo hướng riêng của nó. Áo Dài trở nên đa dạng về kiểu cách mặc dù vẫn giữ nguyên hình dáng kiểu mẫu. Áo Dài phong phú hơn về chất liệu, nhưng tơ tằm luôn là lựa chọn hàng đầu. Và Áo Dài trở nên không mới mẻ gì với bạn bè thế giới khi đâu đó chúng ta bắt gặp những khuôn mặc phụ nữ phương Tây duyên dáng trong tà áo dài Việt Nam. Những chú rể người nước ngoài cũng không quên làm cho album hình cưới hay nghi thức cưới của mình đẹp hơn khi mang trên mình áo dài cưới cho Nam.

Related to Áo Dài

How to make an Ao Dai? DYI Vietnamese dress Ao Dai
Vietnamese Dress Vietnam national costume Ao Dai
Vietnamese Hat Asian conical hat known as Non La

Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower

2011-11-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Keangnam Tower: Hanoi Skyscraper and the tallest Building in Vietnam

In Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, stands the tallest building all over Vietnam, the skyscraper Keangnam officially named Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower. With its 336 meters and 70 stories height, this giant made of steel and glass, which is still under construction, will be the headquarters of the South-Korean company Keangnam Vina, and also hotel, shopping mall, convention center and apartments.

Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower: Hanoi skyscraper

Keangnam Tower Information

Although the skyscraper still under construction, its 336 meters height (345m if we include the antenna) has displaced Bitexco Financial Tower in Ho Chi Minh City, as the tallest building in Vietnam. Keangnam Tower is ranking 26 of the world's tallest buildings and ranking 17 of highest offices for rent all over the world.

El rascacielos Keangnam de Hanoi alberga en su interior 70 plantas (4 pisos subterráneos) y en lo más alto, un helipuerto. Esta torre ocupa una superficie de más de 579.000 m2. La inversión total supera el billón de dólares. Este edificio será la futura sede en Vietnam de la compañia Keangnam Vin de Corea del Sur.

Hanoi's skyscraper Keangnam houses inside 70 floors (4 underground levels) and on the top, a heliport. This tower occupies an area of 579,000 m2. The total investment exceeds a billion dollars. This building will be the future headquarters in Vietnam of the South Korean company Vin Keangnam.

Keangnam skyscrapper in Hanoi

The complex consists of 3 towers, where the main tower, Keangnam Tower (336 meters), is guarded by another 2 towers (212 meters), 47 stories high each, which will be private apartments mainly. The lower levels and also on the surface, will be the parking lot (cars and motorcycles).

Hanoi's skyscraper - Keangnam Tower

Curiosities regarding Keangnam Hanoi Tower

The project should be completed in 2011, but it's quite difficult they can meet this deadline.
The tower holds the height record but it has also broken the record of industrial accidents and incidents. In July 2009, four workers died after falling from a considerable height, in February 2011 other two people lost their lives for the same reason.
A fire destroyed the 2nd floor on May 2, during March 2010 and October of that same year, some debris fell to the ground, injuring a passerby who was walking through the area.

Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower address

The skyscraper is located on the outskirts of the city, southwest of Hanoi, at the intersection of Phạm Hùng and Đường Mễ Trì (see Hanoi City Map or directly into google maps). It takes approximately 20 minutes by car from Hoan Kiem Lake.

Tower in Hanoi - Keangnam Tower

Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower Videos

The construction zone where the tallest skyscraper all over Vietnam stands, the Keangnam building (Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower). The construction works haven't finished yet.

The district where the tower Keangnam Hanoi is being built (on the outskirts of Hanoi). There is a Vietnamese government building that resembles to Terminal 4 of Madrid Barajas Airport.

A couple of videos at the foot of the Tower Keangnam of Hanoi. As you can see, the complex will consist of several towers. The main building (and higher) is Hanoi's skyscraper (Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower).

Pictures of Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower

Pictures of the Skyscraper complex

In the pictures you can see the entire complex, still under construction, where the tower Keangnam stands (Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower). In the pictures you can see the surrounding towers, 212 meters high, which however doesn't seem as tall because of the 345 meters of Vietnam highest building, that outshines them.

Keangnam Tower in Hanoi

Keangnam Skyscraper

Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower

Pictures of Hanoi's skyline area

This picture clearly shows the chosen area for the construction of Hanoi's Skyline and expansion area of the city. Currently is just a bleak landscape.

Hanoi Keangnam Tower

Pictures of buildings and aparments next to Keangnam Tower

In the adjacent streets to Keangnam Tower, huge towers hives were built to accommodate the growing population of Hanoi. Although these buildings were recently built, they are in bad condition due to the low quality materials used.

Apartment buildings next to Keangnam Tower Skyscraper

Skyscraper construction area Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower

Flat hives in Hanoi

David vs Goliat: a small house has found some room between the colossus.

Small house in Hanoi skyline are

Pictures of Keangnam Tower taken from Hanoi

As we go away from Keangnam Tower, we re-enter the busy city of Hanoi, with their bikes and chaotic traffic.

Pictures of Hanoi - Hanoi's Skyline (Vietnam)

Matter of perspective: to be the tallest building in Vietnam, as we just move away a hundred meters, the great Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower doesn't impress at all.

Hanoi Keangnam Tower (Vietnam)

Perspectiva inferior del edificio

La cosa cambia cuando nos encontramos a los pies del rascacielos, con razón es el punto más alto del país.

Hanoi skyscraper

Vietnam skyscraper - Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower

Towers in Hanoi

On the way to the Skyscrapper

Grand Plaza Shopping Mall

Huge, modern, eastern shopping Mall called Grand Plaza.

Grand Plaza Shopping Mall (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Grand Plaza Shopping Mall Video

Grand Plaza Shopping Mall (Hanoi, Vietnam) on the way to Hanoi's Skyscraper.

Hanoi Skyline pictures

Vietnam govertment has earmarked this area of Hanoi to hold towers and skyscrapers of any corporation willing to establish their headquarters in Hanoi. There is still much to be done, but one day, hopefully soon, the urban landscape of this ancient city will be very different from today.

Hanoi future skyline area

More about Skyscrapers in Vietnam

Torre Keangnam de Hanoi versión en Español
Bitexco Financial Tower Tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City and second tallest skyscraper in Vietnam

Vietnam Maps

2011-11-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Maps of Vietnam main Cities

Vietnam main cities city map: Hanoi city map, Ho Chi Minh City map, Hue city map and Hoi An city map.

Ho Chi Minh City Map

Ho Chi Minh City map, city center (district 1), airport and main tourist attractions of Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) city map

Hanoi City Map

City map of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. General map of Hanoi.

Hanoi city map (Vietnam)

Hanoi Tourist Map

Tourist map of Hanoi city center. Main tourist attractions map of Hanoi.

Hanoi city center tourist map

Hue City Map

City map of Hue. Hue city center map and Hue cidatel point of interest map.

Hue City Map (Vietnam)

Hoi An City Map

Hoi An city map (Hoian). Center of Hoi An map with main tourist attractions of Hoi An.

Hoi An City Map (Vietnam)

Mapas de Vietnam versión en Español

Weather Forecast Vietnam

2011-11-06T23:51:00.000-08:00

Weather Forecast for Vietnam

5 days Weather Forecast for Vietnam and main cities of Vietnam.

Hanoi Weather Forecast

Ho Chi Minh Weather Forecast (Saigon)

Hue Weather Forecast

Da Nang Weather Forecast

Nha Trang Weather Forecast

Temples of the Angkor Weather Forecast (Cambodia)

Phnom Penh Weather Forecast (Cambodia)

Once you have checked the weather

El Tiempo en Vietnam versión en Español
Cities of Vietnam Tourist guide of Vietnam most important cities

Vietnamese Family

2011-11-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

Vietnamese Family

Traditional Vietnamese Family

There are a lot of differences between Vietnamese family to the European family: From the family size to the role of each member of the family and it's also different from the past to now.

Vietnamese family in the past

More than 30 years ago, Vietnamese family was very big. A couple could have about 5 to 10 children!!! Five kids were not really big. Eight kids were very normal. Take an example, my parents ( more than 60 years old) have 10 children. And most of my aunts and uncles also have from 5 to 10 children. Moreover, some of my parents' neighbors have even 12 children. Especially, in the center of Vietnam the family's size is bigger than the other places. In a typical family,there were three generations: grand parents - parents - children. The roles of family's members were also different. Still keeping the tradition: the man had the main role, the family didn't have the balance. Any decision just could be made by the grandfather or father. The children didn't have the power to make their own decision. The women always listened to the men.

Reason

Vietnam had independence in 1975. We were invaded by the Chinese for a very long time. After that the French and then the American. In the war, we couldn't develop our country. When the war finished, Vietnam was a very poor country. In addition, Vietnam had to build the country from nothing. The country faced with hunger, illiteracy and poverty. With all the difficulties, we didn't have a good health care or pregnancy care. The government had some strategies to reduce the amount of children in a family. However, it wasn't popular to all the villages or countryside areas.
One more reason was people's thinking. Most of old people thought that having more kid was having more happiness. And another thinking was: "every kid was a child of God. God gave birth, so God would take care of the kid." In addition, they preferred boys to girls.

Vietnamese family at Saigon

Result

The country was not developed, so the family couldn't have enough condition for a big family. The economic at that time was agriculture. Most people were farmers or the husband could work something else and the wife was housewife. The income that a couple made weren't enough to raise 5 to 10 kids. The clearly result was the living condition was really bad. Serious result was the children couldn't go to school. The children didn't come to school, or they went to school for the primary and stopped. There were not a lot of people could come to high school or university. Preferring boys to girls made some family have many kids. Women didn't have any voice. Therefore, the men in the past used to drink, smoke a lot and behave badly.

Vietnamese family in present day

With a lot of campaigns and changes in the social life after the war until now,Vietnamese family has changed.

Modern Vietnamese family size

Unlike a big family as in the past 30 years. Now, the family just has 4 to 5 members including parents. A couple has about 2 or 3 kids. They don't even care too much if they only have all boys, or all girls. Rarely, we can see a family with 3 generations.

Modern Vietnamese family member's role

Women have their own voice. They had fought for their equality. Women can make their decision together with men. They also find jobs to work. The husband will try to help his wife with housework or taking care of the baby. It's equal in the family's life. The wife tries to balance her work and her family.
However, there is still violence in family. The man drinks and hits his wife sometimes. Some couples end with divorce but some try to keep the family, even they are not happy. The excuse is: because of the kids. They don't want the kids don't have father, or mother.

Modern Vietnamese family: Better result

More and more children can go to school and finish university or college. The family's life is better. It makes the country develop because each family is a cell of the society.

More about family and culture in Vietnam

Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai Vietnam National costume
Vietnamese Hat Asian conical hat known as Non La

Vietnam Currency

2011-11-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

Vietnam Currency: Dong

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

The Currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, its abbreviation is VND. The exchange rate of the Vietnamese Dong between the Euro is 28.000VND = 1€, and the exchange rate with the American dollar is 20.000VND = 1$.
The standard of living in Vietnam is 3 to 4 times cheaper than in Europe or America. Prices in Vietnam use tend to be thousands of Dongs, that's the reason in Vietnam there are almost no coins.

Currency Exchange

Where to get Vietnamese Dong in Europe?

Unfortunately there's no bank or exchange center that has Vietnamese Dong outside Vietnam. However you can exchange Vietnam Dong contacting any traveler who came from Vietnam or oversea Vietnamese people. How to contact with people to exchange Dongs?, quite easy, just use our forum:
http://vietnamcambodiaforum.com/general-vietnam-forum/

Where to exchange Vietnam Dong into Euros in Europe?

Pretty much the same problem as before, you will need to contact an individual to exchange currency. You can use our forum:
http://vietnamcambodiaforum.com/general-vietnam-forum/

Where can I exchange Euros or Dollars for Dong in Vietnam?

You can exchange currency in any Vietnamese Bank or currency exchange center, also you can exchange currency in some jewelry shops.
However the best option is, by far, an ATM. The bank fee is quite low and the exchange rate is the official.

Why I can't get Vietnam Dong in my bank?

The Vietnamese Dong doesn't quote outside Vietnam, it's Vietnam policy to keep Vietnam wealth within the country. However you can place international bank transfers if you can justify the reason. For instance, if a relative lives abroad and you have a paper, bill, etc to justify the transfer. For the foreigners who work in Vietnam, they are allowed to transfer the whole amount of their payment roll if you have a proper reason (ex: mortgage, loan, etc).

ATM in Vietnam

ATM in Vietnam have the same symbol as in America ATM, ATMs are usually limited to 2.000.000VND (around 80$) per transaction, but there are some others that will allow us to get 6 even 8 million Dong (around 400$).

Credit card in Vietnam

Credit cards in Vietnam are not that popular, but in shopping malls and tourist areas they accept Visa, mastercard and American Express. Our recommendation is to use local currency (Vietnam Dong), it's more convenient to pay in small shops or street markets.

Curiosities regarding Vietnam Dong

Vietnamese Dong Notes

Almost all the currency are notes. Vietnam Dong notes start in 500VND and the biggest note is 500.000VND, all of them have Ho Chi Minh, national idol, face printed on the back part. Vietnam Dong notes have several places all over Vietanm, for instance, printed on the 100.000 VND note is the Temple of the Literature of Hanoi, on the 20.000VND note the Japanese Covered Bridge of Hoi An, on the 50.000 VND note Hue Cidatel and on the 200.000VND notes Halong Bay.

Pictures of Vietnam Dong

These are the pictures of all the Vietnam Dong notes.

500VND Vietnam Dong note

1000VND and 2000VND Vietnam Dong note

50.000VND Vietnam Dong note

100.000VND Vietnam Dong note, printed the Temple of the Literature of Hanoi

500.00VND Vietnam Dong note, the biggest note in Vietnam

History of the Vietnamese Dong

The Vietnamese Dong is the official currency of Vietnam since May 3rd 1978. In Vietnamese it's written as Đồng. This currency is issued by the National Bank of Vietnam.

Before the reunification there were 2 currencies:

The currency of the North of Vietnam, the Dong, which replaced in 1946 the French piastre, after the revolution against the french.
In the South of Vietnam, the currency is dated from the year 1953, the name was indistinctly Dong or Piastre. After the fallen of Saigon in 1975, the currency name changed into "Liberation Dong".

There are also two more rare notes: 5.000VND and 20.000VND.
Vietnam coins are manufacturer in Finland, their value is 200VND, 500VND, 1.000VND, 2.000VND and 5.000VND. These coins are from the year 2003, but they are rarely used due to the Vietnam inflation.

Related to Vietnam Currency

Moneda de Vietnam versión en Español
Street Markets in Vietnam shopping places in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese Rice with Squid recipe

2011-11-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

Vietnamese recipe: Rice with Squid

The Vietnamese Rice with Squid recipe is soft meal to eat when you have an stomachache, the original name of this recipe is Cháo mực.

Details of Vietnamese Rice with Squid recipe

Preparation time: 30 minutes.
Difficulty: easy.
Price: 8€.

Ingredients to prepare Vietnamese Rice with Squid

These are the ingredients to prepare the recipe of Vietnamese Rice with Squid for 2 people:

200gr of rice
100gr of squid
Shrimp 50gr
100gr of mushroom (optional)
1/4 onion
A bunch of coriander
A bunch of onion leaves
Bunch of bean sprout
1 lime
1 chili
Black pepper
Chicken powder
Fish sauce
A piece of ginger (optional)
Salt
Olive oil

How to prepare the recipe of Vietnamese Rice with Squid

Clean the squids carefully. Remove the dark skin of the squid, eyes and gallbladder (wash the squid with a little white wine to make the smell better).
Keep the squids dry, then cut into small parts.
Shrimp: remove the shell, the head from the shrimps. Wash them. Depending on how big the shrimps are, you can cut the shrimps into 2 parts or keep the whole shrimp.
Put shrimps and squids in a bowl and put ONLY fish sauce, keep the mixture in about 15 minutes.
Wash mushrooms and cut them into small pieces.
Cut the onion into small slices.
Wash the rice, then keep them dry and after that roast the rice for a moment until you hear the smell of the rice but do not let the rice burnt.
Put rice into the pot, pour about 2 litters of water and cook until the rice become soup (soft rice). Remove the foam to make the soup better.
While waiting for the rice to be well-cooked, take a pan and pour a little of oil into the pan. Wait for it to be hot and put shrimps and squids in the pan. At this time, you can put a little of salt and chicken powder into the pan. Then add mushrooms into the pan. Cook for 5 minutes. If you want the onion to be cooked, put the onion slices into the pan and cook for a moment, then stop the fire.
When you see the rice is cooked, put the shrimps, squids... mixture into the pot. Cook for another 10 minutes. Put salt, black pepper as you wish.
Wash the bean sprout, onion leaf and cilantro. Then cut onion leaf and cilantro into small pieces.
Cut the lime, ginger and chili into smaller parts.

Vietnamese rice with Squid and Shrimps

How to serve the Vietnamese Rice with Squid

Put the hot soup in the bowl and put onion leaf and cilantro on top of it.
Bean sprouts are put in the dish with lime, ginger and chili. People will put them into the soup whatever they want to.

Tips for the Vietnamese recipe of Chao Muc

If you have the kind of onion which is small and has purple color (in Vietnam we call: củ hành hương or hành tím). You should roast the rice and the onion together, the smell is much better.
In Vietnam, people also cook with dry shrimp and squids.
The rice must be the good rice which has good smell. In Vietnam, people can mix the normal rice with sticky rice to have better smell.

Chao muc: Vietnamese recipe of Rice and Squid

More Vietnamese Recipes

Arroz Caldoso Vietnamita versión en Español

Where to eat in Hanoi

2011-10-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Eating in Hanoi

Hanoi is famous with the old town (phố cổ) which is near Hoan Kiem Lake. Along with the name "old town", everything here seems to be "old". Hanoi was 1000 years old in 2010. Houses in the old town are tiny. Even the hotels are small, too. The buildings are allowed to have 5 floors only. People said that in some areas, they couldn´t see the light during the daytime.

Hanoi Old Town

Eating in Hanoi is not difficult because there are many places for eating from big restaurants to small vendors. However, eating well is not that easy. We went to many places and some of them are expensive but the food are not value for the price.

Hanoi

Eating in Hanoi: Yin & Yang restaurant

Recommended by a person from the hotel, we went to Yin & Yang restaurant which is located in 78 Mã Mây street (near Hoan Kiem Lake, see Hanoi city map). The first impression was not very good because it was empty (but yes, it was 9:30pm already). We entered and the waiter was very polite and friendly. We ordered but we didn´t expect the food would be fantastic.

Eating in Hanoi

By waiting, we looked around the restaurant. There are two rows of chair. Some of them are sofas which are very nice in red color and comfortable with soft material. For a long day working, sitting here is a good idea. There are tables for 2 people, 4 people and so on. We also can hold a small party here. For the hot weather like in Hanoi this time (summer), Yin Yang has air condition so that you will feel relax.

Restaurant in Hanoi

The food came in beautiful decoration. The leaf-form dishes make the food more attractive. However, the most important is the food: it is really good! We had the chicken wings that they did it nicely outside and delicious taste. The beef was also outstanding.

What to eat in Hanoi

One more thing is the manager here. His name is Long. He came to the table which was next to us to show the guests how to make spring roll. Then he talked to us. He´s a very friendly man who can speaking English very well. He told us the restaurant is quite new. They opened 2 months ago, meant April 2011.

Where to eat in Hanoi

We talked to him for a moment and promised to come back. And in fact we really want to come back. We returned there the next day. This time we had fish and pork. They were also great again. Long invited us to drink a kind of Vietnamese wine. How nice he is!

Yin&Yang is one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. The location is good, the food is delicious and the price is reasonable. Once when you come to Hanoi, don´t miss this great restaurant YIN & YANG.

Contact Yin & Yan restaurant in Hanoi

If you want to contact them, you can write an email to this address: yin.yanghanoi@gmail.com

Related to Hanoi

¿Dónde comer en Hanoi? (versión en Español)
Hanoi City Map street map and tourist map of Hanoi (Vietnam)
Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower Hanoi skyscraper and tallest building all over Vietnam

How to make an Ao Dai

2011-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

How to make a Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai

Many women would like to have in their closet a Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai, however in many countries is quite difficult to get an Ao Dai.
There are 3 alternatives: buy an Ao Dai in Vietnam, order an Ao Dai in Vietnam to be shipped to our home or make an Ao Dai by ourselves.

How to make an Ao Dai (Vietnamese Dress)	Vietnamese Dress designs
	Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai model

Make a Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai DYI

Measures for a Vietnamese Dress

In order to make our own Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai we have to take the following measurements:

Dress length: measure from nape to heel.
Sleeve: measure from nape to wrist.
Arm: measure from should to wrist.
Armpit: measure the diameter of the armpit.
Biceps: measure the diameter of the biceps.
Elbow: measure the diameter of the arm at the elbow.
Neck: measure the neck.
Chest: measure the diameter of the chest.
Upper Bust: upper bust measurement.
Long neck: from the neck to the nipple.
Bust: distance from nipple to nipple.
Waist: waist measurement.
Back: measure the back, from armpit to armpit.
Shoulders: distance between shoulders.
Back Length: measure distance from nape to waist.
Top part: measure distance from neck to waist.
Hips: hips measurement.
Trousers: measure the length from the waist to the floor.
Thigh: thigh measurement.
Knee: measure knee diameter.

How to take measurement for a Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai

These are some pictures to explain, in a graphic way, how to take measurement to make a Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai.

Ao Dai dress length	Ao Dai sleeve	Ao Dai arm	Ao Dai armpit	Ao Dai biceps part
Ao Dai elbow	Ao Dai neck	Ao Dai chest	Ao Dai upper bust	Ao Dai long neck
Ao Dai bust	Ao Dai waist	Ao Dai back	Ao Dai shoulders	Ao Dai back length
Ao Dai top part	Ao Dai hips	Ao Dai trousers	Ao Dai thigh	Ao Dai knee

More about the Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai

Cómo hacer un Ao Dai (versión en Castellano)
Vietnamese Dress Ao Dai Vietnam National costume
Vietnamese Hat Asian conical hat known as Non La

Vietnamese women day

2011-10-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Vietnamese Women Day: October 20th

Today, October 20th is the Vietnamese Women Day in Vietnam. We would like to congratulate all Vietnamese women.

chúc mừng!!

Vietnamese women day

More about Vietnamese Women Day

Día de la mujer en Vietnam (versión en Español)
Vietnamese dress Ao Dai Vietnam national costume Ao Dai

Vietnamese Hat

2011-10-12T02:37:00.000-07:00

Vietnamese Hat

The Vietnamese Hat, its name is Non La

The Vietnamese Hat known as Non La (Nón Lá written in Vietnamese) in Vietnam but also called Asian Hat or Conical Hat, is together with Vietnamese dress (Ao dai), one of the most notorious and visible symbols of Vietnam.
The literal translation of Non La into English is Conical Hat, but many people also called it Asian Hat because many other countries use this kind of hat (ex: Cambodia).

Pictures of the Vietnamese Hat (Non la)

When we talk about the Vietnamese Hat, everyone thinks in a conical hat, made of straw. However, few people know that this type of hat is used almost entirely by women, although in the central and southern Vietnam, you can see men using it.

There is man version of the Vietnamese Hat, his appearance is very similar to an African Safari hat. It is easy to see, especially in the north. In Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is quite common to find men on the streets wearing the Vietnamese Hat.
This is the appearance of the Vietnamese Hat for men.

Man riding a bicycle wearing Vietnamese Hat for men. Hanoi, Vietnam.

Men version of Vietnamese Hat. Hanoi (Vietnam)

Uses of the Vietnamese Hat

Women on a bicycle wearing Vietnamese Hat. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The main use of the Vietnamese Hat is to protect oneself from the sun. We should not forget that the climate in Vietnam, because Vietnam is a tropical country, is very hot. The Weather in Hanoi Vietnam, is more pleasant then other points of Vietnam geography. For instance, the Weather in Ho Chi Minh City is hotter, the average is about 5ºC more, because Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City) is located on the south of Vietnam.

Taditionally Vietnam has been a rural country, where cultivation of paddy rice was widespread. Every single Vietnamese farmer use the Vietnamese Hat in their daily tasks, because the Vietnamese Hat not only protects from the sun but protects from the rain too.

Vietnam climate is tropical, it means there are only 2 seasons: dry season and rainy season. In addition to the fact the ideal feminine beauty standard is white skin, Vietnamese Hat (Non La) is the best ally during the hottest months to protect the white skin against the sun and during the rainy season, to protect from the rain.

Vietnamese Hat is made of leaves or bark held together by thread. The outside part of the Non La is covered with varnish or a protective layer to keep the Vietnamese Hat in optimal condition as long as possible.
In the next set of pictures, you can appreciate the Vietnamese Hat in detail.
As a fact of curiosity we will say that Vietnamese people use the Vietnamese Hat to collect rainwater.

Hoi An Vietnamese fishermen wearing Vietnamese Hat.

Vietnamese Hat in rice paddy.

Picture gallery of the Vietnamese Hat

On a tourist visit around Vietnam you can say thousand of Vietnamese Hat in many places used by a variety of picturesque characters. Fisherman, farmers, country people, boatman, sellers and much more. Improvised models on the streets of Vietnam.

Women wearing Vietnamese Hat on a biclycle. Hanoi.

Vietnamese woman on a bicycle with Vietnamese Hat.

Street seller with Vietnamese Hat in Hoi An (Vietnam)

Boatman with Vietnamese Hat.

Vietnamese country people with Vietnamese Hat. Ricefields in the north of Vietnam.

Rain and the Vietnamese Hat. Market of Halong bay.

Vietnamese women riding bicycles with Vietnamese Hat. Hanoi.

Vietnamese fishermen with Vietnamese Hat (Hoi An).

Vietnamese girl with conical hat

Funny old man with Vietnamese Hat in Hoi An.

The use of Vietnamese and Non hat has been relegated to the rural environment and the working class. In big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), there aren't many of these hats. Partly because of the evolution of the country, and also because a Vietnamese Non La or hat is not very suitable for riding motorcycles in Vietnam (the Vietnam Bikes are the favorite means of transport).
Young people do not usually use the hat, not even the children who attend school daily.

Related to the Vietnamese Hat

Sombrero Vietnamita (versión en Español)
Shopping in Vietnam
Street Markets in Vietnam
Vietnamese dress Vietnam National Costume Ao Dai

Shopping in Vietnam

2011-10-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Shopping in Vietnam: 5 things to buy in Vietnam

For shopping lovers who wonder about shopping in Vietnam, these are the 5 things you should buy in Vietnam.

Shops in Vietnam. Shopping in Vietnam

5 things to buy in Vietnam

Vietnamese Hat, also known as conical hat, asian hat or Nón Lá in Vietnamese language. Without a doubt the quintessential symbol of the country, if you travel to Vietnam you definitely should buy a Vietnamese Hat.
Vietnamese dress, national traditional country long dress made of silk, its Vietnamese name is Áo Dài. Vietnamese women elegance and Vietnam tradition together in a fashion piece of cloth in the shape of a long dress.

Buy a natural coconut. The seller will will open it with a machete knife in order to make a small drink for the straw so we can drink the coconut milk. The cooler the better.

Buy some Vietnamese handicrafts. Paintings, lacquered trays, jewelry, gems, wood carvings, stone sculptures, etc.. The Vietnamese are excellent artists and artisans, our recommendation are lacquered handicrafts.

Buy any replica of a genuine item or trademark in any Street Market in Vietnam. Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Levis, etc. In Vietnam you can easily find replicas of any brand. Just as a matter of interest you can buy Levis coasters, Dolce & Gabbana motorcycle helmet and Emporio Armani underwear.

Tobacco in Vietnam

The price of tobacco in Vietnam is much lower than the price of cigarettes in Europe, specially if we buy local Vietnamese tobacco brands. International cigarettes brands as Malboro, are easy to find in Vietnam, you can buy american & european cigarettes in almost any shop in Vietnam.

Related to shopping in Vietnam

Compras en Vietnam (versión en Español)
Street Markets in Vietnam
Vietnamese dress Vietnam National Costume Ao Dai
Vietnamese Hat Asian Conical hat known as Non La

Pictures Halong Bay Vietnam

2011-10-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Halong Bay in Vietnam

These are our Pictures of Halong Bay in Vietnam.

Halong Bay

Pictures Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay in Vietnam

Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Boat Halong Bay - Vietnam

Waters Halong Bay - Vietnam

Bahía Halong de Vietnam

Halong Bay - Vietnam

Landscape Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay Vietnam night time

Boat Halong Bay

Cruise Halong Bay - Vietnam

Island Halong Bay - Vietnam

Boats on Halong Bay - Vietnam

Cruise Halong Bay - Vietnam

Formation Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay Vietnam

Sailing on Halong Bay Vietnam

Halong Bay View - Vietnam

Halong Bay - Vietnam

Halong Bay in Vietnam

The Halong Bay

Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Waters of Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Sunset over Halong Bay

Cruise on Halong Bay

Islas of Halong Bay

Junk Boat. Halong Bay

Junk Boat on Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Ha Long Bay (Halong Bay)

Pagoda on Islet of Halong Bay (ver pagodas)

Islets on Halong Bay

Halong Bay in Vietnam

Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Boat sailing on Halong Bay

Boat on Halong Bay

Boat on Halong Bay - Vietnam

Junk Boat - Halong Bay - Vietnam

Boat sailing on Halong Bay - Vietnam

Boat fishing on Halong Bay - Vietnam

Cruise Halong Bay - Vietnam

Town on Halong Bay

Floating market on Halong Bay

Market of Town of Halong Bay

Pagoda in Town of Halong Bay

Dock of Halong Bay

Bridge over the river on Halong Bay

Top Gear Special Vietnam - Halong Bay

Virile member on Cave Hang Sung Sot. Halong Bay. Vietnam

Cave Hang Sung Sot. Halong Bay. Vietnam

Caves of Halong Bay

Videos of Halong Bay Vietnam

A vídeo of Halong Bay in Vietnam.

Video Halong Bay in Vietnam

More Pictures Halong Bay Vietnam

Fotos Halong Bay Vietnam (versión in Español)

Street markets in Vietnam

2011-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Street markets in Vietnam: shopping in Vietnam markets

Shopping lovers and street market fans will find in Vietnam their personal paradise. Street markets in Vietnam are inherit to the Vietnamese culture and the life style of the country. People say every house in Hanoi is also a business. Shops, street markets, malls in Vietnam... let's go shopping!!!

Street markets in Vietnam

Bargains in Vietnam

If you want to find bargains in Vietnam, you should know which kind of goods have a lower price in Vietnam than in a foreign country.

Clothing: the price is 3 maybe 4 times less than in Europe or America. A t-shirt, polo t-shirt or long sleeve shirt cost around 200.000 VND (10$, see Vietnam currency).

Belts: for 8$ you can buy a top quality leather belt, but if you prefer any other material, the price could be even less.
Handbags: only an expert will be able to distinguish the replicas from the genuine handbag. You can find a hangbag replicas (no matter if it's a Louis Vuitton or Prada) for 15$.
Shoes: the average price is a half of the price abroad.
Electronics: Vietnam weak point. All electronic items are imported, it doesn't matter the shop, the market or street market, the price won't be a bargain (maybe a little bit cheaper, due to the shipping cost from China / Japan to Vietnam compared to America or Europe).
Genuine clothing: you can find official dealers all over Vietnam. A pair of genuine Levis trousers cost half than in Spain, sport shoes like Nike or Adidas, we can save up to 20%. The rest of the items, we can save from 5% to 15%, due to shipping and import taxes.
Cell phones: if you are willing to buy a brand new iPhone in Vietnam you better have plenty of cash in your wallet, an iPhone costs 800$ in Vietnam (factory unlock, of course). However you can buy protectors, covers and any kind of accessory (no matter if you hae an iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 5 or any other manufacturer) from 1$.
Food: without a doubt, the cheapest thing in Vietnam. Eating and driking in Vietnamese restaurants is a pleasure at giveaway prices. For 5$ you can have lunch or dinner in any city of the country, but if you decided to try a street restaurant the price will be 1$.
Hairdressers: hair cut, washing, new hair style and french manicure for 3$, yes I said 3$.

Shoe street market in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Shops in Hue. Street markets in Vietnam

Where to find bargains in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?

An Dong Market

In Ho Chi Minh City district 5 is the shopping mall Windsor Plaza, like the spanish chain El Corte Inglés but in Saigon. However if you prefer the atmosphere of a street market and above all, some bargains, specially cheap bargains. You are lucky, because just around the corner you can find An Dong Market, probably the biggest market of the city, inside a 4 floors building (An Dương Vương street, see Ho Chi Minh City map).

What can I buy in An Dong Market in Saigon?

An Dong market is mainly devoted to textile, clothing, shoes, accesories, handbags, jewelry, imitation jewelry, souvenirs, handicrafts, household, telephony and some electronics. You can find almost everything inside this huge market, even fabric to make a Vietnamese traditional dress.

Floors 1st, 2nd and 3rd are mainly textile, clothing and accessories, but also on the 1st floor you can find jewelery and imitation jewelery. Just as a matter of interest we will tell you on the 3rd floor of An Dong Market they sell winter cloth and coats for the Vietnamese people who will travel abroad, because of the hotter Weather in Saigon we will never need winter cloth or even socks.

Biggest Market in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - An Dong Market

On the ground floor people sell spices, food and many other things. If you are willing to cook any traditional Vietnamese dish of the Vietnamese Cuisine, the ground floor is your place (unfortunately you won't find many exotic ingredients to prepare a Exotic Vietnamese dish).

Clothing market in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - Vietnam

How can I go to An Dong Market?

To go to An Dong Market there are just 2 options:

By Taxi
By motorbike

For a foreign tourist the taxi is by far the best option. At the main gate of An Dong Market there are plenty of taxis to catch when we finish shopping. From the city center, district 1 of Saigon it usually takes 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the traffic).

Pictures of An Dong Market

A collection of picture of the market of Ho Chi Minh City where you can find and buy bargains.

Clothing shops in An Dong Market (Saigon)	Main entrance to An Dong Market. Ho Chi Minh City	Clothing shops of Vietnam street markets
Vietnamese dress for sale in the street market	Vietnamese dress Ao Dai for sale in the street market	Shops with genuine clothing in Vietnam markets
An Dong Market. Ho Chi Minh City	An Dong Market in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)	Motorbike Parking in An Dong Market. Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market

Another interesting option for shopping fans, but a little bit more expensive, is Ben Thanh Market and surrounding streets.

How to go to Ben Thanh Market?

Ben Thanh Market is located in the city center (see Ho Chi Minh City map), you can go on foot, by motorbike, by taxi or you can even try a Tuk-Tuk like vehicle.

Ben Thanh Market. Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam

Where to find bargains in Hanoi?

Hanoi Old Market

The most import shopping point in Hanoi is the Old Market of Hanoi.

Street shop in Hanoi Old Market (Vietnam)

How to go to Hanoi Old Market?

Hanoi's Old Market is a pedestrian area, but it doesn't mean there won't be any motorbike. So that the only option to move around the Old Market is on foot.

Pictures of Hanoi's Old Market

Here you have a couple of pictures of the Old Market of Hanoi, you can check the kind of shops, street shops and the atmosphere of this market in the capital of Vietnam.

Vietnamese girls in a Street Market in Vietnam	Shopping in a street market in Vietnam
Shoe street market in Hanoi Old Town	Street market inside Hanoi Old Market

Videos of Vietnam's Street Markets

Videos of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Street Markets

One of the most famous markets in Ho Chi Minh City is Ben Thanh Market, because is one of the oldest markets and also, because it is located in the city center (district 1). However in district 5, just in front of a magnificent, luxury and ultra modern shopping mall, the Windsor Plaza, there is one of the biggest (and cheapest) street markets of Saigon, or better to say Ho Chi Minh City, An Dong Market.

Vídeos of An Dong Market in Ho Chi Minh City

This is the exterior of An Dong Market in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The exterior part of a market says just a little, better to take a walk for its shops and the interior of An Dong Market.

Inside An Dong Market, with hundreds of shop to buy cloth, textile, fabric, accessories, jewelery, shoes (in An Dong market you can also buy Vietnamese dress. An Dong Market is a 4 stories market so that you can enjoy shopping in Vietnam, which you can find bargains between 3 to 4 times cheaper than abroad.

Videos of Ben Thanh Market

Let's go inside Ben Thanh Market Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City.

Videos of fruit and vegetables market - Street markets of fruit and vegetables

This is a fruit shop on one side of the road. This fruit shop sells exotic fruits.

Videos of Street markets in Hanoi

Video of Hanoi's Old Town and its markets

Hanoi's Old Market is worth to pay a visit, its shops, the people, and all the things that you can buy. The market is located on the nort-east corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, you have just to follow the people (or have a look to Hanoi City Map).

This is Hanoi's Old Market from the street.

And this is Hanoi's Old Market from above (wires included).

In this video, you can feel Hanoi's Old Town and Hanoi's Market atmosphere during night time.

Shoe shopping in street markets in Vietnam

A dozen of Vietnamese girls (motorbike included) gathering on a street market in Hanoi's Old Town to buy shoes.

Pictures of Vietnam Street Markets

Some pictures of several markets around Vietnam:

Street markets in Hanoi
Street markets in Ho Chi Minh City
Street markets in Hue

Vietnamese Hat

In this market in Hanoi they have both models of Non La or Vietnamese Hat: Vietnamese Hat for men and Vietnamese Hat for women. In Hanoi is quite easy to find Vietnamese Hat but in the south of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, etc) is difficult to find the Vietnamese Hat for men.

Vietnamese Hat (Non La) for sale in a street market

Pictures of cloth street markets

Cloth and more cloth (genuine and perfect replicas).

Cloth shops in Vietnam

Genuine branded cloth in markets in Vietnam

Small shop with cloth in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Shops with brand cloth in markets in Vietnam

Store in Vietnam street market

Night street market in Vietnam

Hanoi Old Market

Vietnamese markets

Shopping in Vietnamese street markets

Buying in a street market - Vietnam

Shopping in Vietnam markets

Shoe markets in Vietnam

Bulk shoes, small size to fit the small Vietnamese girls asian feet.

Shops in Vietnam. Shopping in Vietnam

Pictures of food street market

What do they sell in this shop? If you answer is milk we have a winner.

Shop in a Vietnamese market

The famous Vietnamese sandwich Banh Mi.

Outdoor market in Vietnam

Chips, beer, drinks, ice-cream... you can buy anything on the street markets, even late at night.

Market shop in Hanoi (Vietnam)

Street shop in a market in Hanoi

Street market in Hanoi

You can also buy cigarettes in any street market.

Buy tobacco in Vietnam

Pictures of a pet street shop in Vietnam

An improvised street pet shop. Fancy that, they sell birds and also cats.

Markets in Vietnam

Cell phone market

They don't sell iPhone, but covers for your mobile.

Street shop with covers for cell phones in Vietnam

In the picture, you can also admire how Vietnamese girls are able to sit in the particular Vietnamese way of sitting.

Street shop with mobile accesories (Vietnam)

More about markets and street markets in Vietnam

Mercadillos en Vietnam (version en Español)
Vietnamese dress Vietnam national costume Ao Dai
Vietnamese Hat Asian conical hat known as Non La
Shopping in Vietnam 5 things you should buy in Vietnam
Cities of Vietnam Tourist guide of Vietnam most important cities

Saigon Skydeck

2011-09-28T10:34:00.001-07:00

Saigon Skydeck: Bitexco financial Tower observatory in Ho Chi MInh City

Saigon Skydeck is the public name of the observatory located in the 49th floor of Bitexco Financial Tower (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), just under the building's heliport.

Saigon Skydeck

Information about Saigon Skydeck

Opening times and price of Saigon Skydeck

The ticket price is 200.000VND* (*see Vietnam currency), around 10$. You can buy the tickets in the kiosk (ground level, just in front of the main door, 2 Hàm Nghi street). The tickets counters is open until 9pm during working days and until 10pm on weekends.

Bitexco Financial Tower entrance - Saigon Skydeck

The view from Saigon Skydeck

From the heights, we have an incredible view of the different monuments and tourist places of Ho Chi Minh City, for instance Ben Thanh Market and Notre Dame Cathedral. Saigon Skydeck walls are totally made of glass, from the floor to the ceiling, offering us a unique perspective of all the surroundings of the city.

Ho Chi Minh City views from Saigon Skydeck

Pictures of Saigon Skydeck

Inside Saigon Skydeck

A friendly Vietnamese girl will escort us to the elevator, that will reach the observatory in a few seconds. Once we reach our destination in the 49th floor, we can take a look at some pictures of different stages of the construction works, the areas near by and also the firework show on the opening day.

Saigon Observatory: Saigon Skydeck

Saigon Skydeck light effects

Saigon Skydeck illumination is very soft, like a lounge club, so that we can clearly see the exterior view. Saigon Skydeck observatory has an amazin neon light effects, changing its colors from red to purple, from purple to blue, etc...

Saigon Skydeck light effects. Ho Chi Minh City

Skydeck Bitexco Financial Tower Saigon (Vietnam)

Entrance to Bitexco Financial Tower

Even though the tower has been officially opened months ago, it's not fully equipment yet, and therefore it doesn't offer the visitor many options (a restaurant and a bar will open in the near future).

Bitexco Financial Tower Observatory - Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Skydeck Videos

Our video gallery of Saigon Skydeck and the surrounding of Bitexco Financial Tower.

Saigon Skydeck view video

Saigon Skydeck neon light effects video

Bitexco Financial Tower main door

Related to Saigon Skydeck

Saigon Skydeck (versión en Español)
Bitexco Financial Tower
Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower Hanoi's skyscraper and Vietnam tallest building

Bitexco Financial Tower - Vietnam

2011-09-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

Bitexco Financial Tower - Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam

Saigon's tallest building: Bitexco Financial Tower

Vietnamese skyscrapers

The skyscraper Bitexco Financial Tower with its 262 meters is the tallest building of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the second tallest tower all over Vietnam, only beaten by Keangnam Landmark Tower in Hanoi with a height of 336 meters.

During the year 2010, Bitexco Financial Tower had the honor of being Vietnam ceiling, but that period of time was very short because in 2011 Keangnam Landmark Tower in Hanoi, conquered that title.

In Vietnam this building is also known as Lotus building, due to its design, inspired by a lotus flower, a symbol for Vietnam. However, it has some resemblance with Burj al Arab in Dubai, I guess because of the heliport on one of the sides of the building instead of on the top of the skyscraper.

Bitexco Financial Tower data

This giant has 65 floors and 3 underground levels, all of them sum a total of 262 meters. It took 3 years to build it (from june 2007 to mid 2010). It belongs to a Vietnamese company, Bitexco group. Carlos Zapata studio in Nueva York was in charge of the design. The total cost of the project was 270 million dollars.

Skyscraper facilities

The facilities of this tower are 16 elevators, which they say, they are capable of reach any level in less than 45 seconds. An heliport located on the 50th floor, an observation deck on the 49th floor (called Saigon Skydeck, with a unique view of the city, unfortunately the access is not free, the entrance fee is 200.000VND* *see Vietnam currency), a restaurant will be open on the 47th and 48th floor, a convention center from the 61th to the 63th floor, a shopping mall that will cover the lower levels and of course, offices.

Heliport on Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) skyscraper, Vietnam

Lotus building (Bitexco Financial Tower) Ho Chi Minh - Saigon - Vietnam

Location

Bitexco Financial Tower, as couldn't be in any other way, is located on the heart of the city, Ho Chi Minh city district 1, on 2 Hàm Nghi street.

Pictures of Ho Chi Minh City tallest building

These are some pictures of the skycraper of Ho Chi Minh City.

Torre Bitexco, april 2011. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Bitexco Financial Tower main door. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Night view of Bitexco skyscraper. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

View of Bitexco skyscraper from Ben Thanh Market. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Bitexco Financial Tower heliport. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

Saigon Bitexco skyscraper facade

Side view of the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh city, Bitexco Financial Tower

Access gate with the sign Bitexco Financial Tower. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Financial tower of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Torre Bitexco on april 2010. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Comparison of Vietnamese skyscrapers. Source wikipedia VN

Videos of Bitexco skyscraper in Saigon

A couple of videos of Bitexco Financial Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the second skyscraper in Vietnam.

Video of the surroundings and the main door to access the skyscraper. You can clearly see how they are still constructing the shopping mall in the lower levels.

The view from the 49th floor Saigon Skydeck, the observatory deck of the tower at night. A superb view of the Reunification Palace of Saigon, Ben Thanh Market, the Municipal Theatre of Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Central Post Office...

Light effects inside the observatory, in the 49th floor, any regular night in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Related to Bitexco Financial Tower

Torre Bitexco (versión en Español)
Saigon Skydeck
Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower The tallest building all over Vietnam

Luxury cars in Vietnam

2011-09-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Motor: high end cars in Vietnam

I'm always amazed when I see a car, which base price exceed by far thousand of dollars, on the streets of Vietnam. As a note we will say that a car in Vietnam has to pay the so-called import tax, increasing the final price of the vehicle so that a car in Vietnam costs twice as in Europe. Nevertheless, the high price of a high end car doesn't mean we can't see Luxury cars in Vietnam.

We are not talking about the average Mercedes or a BMW... we are talking about Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and above all Bentley.

I've never been in any other city with so many Bentley as in Hanoi. I think all available versions and models of Bentley can be seen in the capital of Vietnam. The base price of a Bentley in Vietnam exceed half million dollars and it is the favorite car of Vietnam party members.

The fastest car ever manufactured by Audi can also be seen on the streets of Vietnam, but now, it's Ho Chi Minh City's turn. Its price is a bargain comparing to a Bentley, just a quarter of a million.

Although Americans stayed in Vietnam for many years, it's difficult to see an american muscle, but in some specific areas of Hanoi, it's quite easy to find them.

More about luxury cars in Vietnam

Coches de lujo en Vietnam (versión en Español)

Transportation in Vietnam

2011-09-25T02:19:00.000-07:00

How to move around Vietnam: Transportation

This is a compilation of methods of transportation in Vietnam: airplane, train, bus, motorcycle, bicycle, car, taxi, boat and train.

Transportation in Vietnam

Ground Transportation

Going around Vietnam on a motorcycle / scooter

The cheapest transportation method to getting around Vietnam, except traveling on foot, is the motorbike, or better to say, the small scooter which drive by millions on the streets of Vietnam (see Vietnam and the motorbikes).

A small Vietnamese scooter can be rented by 5 € per day, the gas consumption is minimal and you can move freely through the streets of Vietnam. This is the favorite transportation method of the Vietnamese people, because it is inexpensive, it allows you to manage easily through any narrow street or road in poor condition. Furthermore, when all the local stores, shops and other imaginable places have a motorcycle parking available.

How to move around Vietnam

Parking a motorbike in Vietnam

Although motorbikes can park on the sidewalk, it is no recommendable to park the motorbike in an unattended area, because friends of someone else property can ruin our holidays.
Parking in small shops is for free, the guard will give us a papel and/or will write down a number on the bike seat using a chalk. Malls and some restaurants, parking carries a symbolic cost of 2.000 VND* (*see Vietnamese currency). On the other hand, if we want to park the bike for several hours, the best option is using a public motorbike parking (it's worth to see and very funny).

Chalk traces on a bike seat in Vietnam

Motorbike Parking - Vietnam

Taxi in Vietnam

Unlike Spain, Taxi in Vietnam are private. The are freelance taxi drivers and several taxi companies. Each company have their own fleet and taxi fares.

Taxi fares in Vietnam

Taking a taxi in Vietnam is very chaep also Vietnamese Taxi don't have any extra charge, the price in the taximeter is the price to pay. The price of the taxi run is calculated on the distance and also the time the Taxi has been stopped. All taximeters have 3 indicators: the price of the ride, the distance traveled and the amount of time the taxi has been stopped.

Taxi in Vietnam

Depending on the Taxi's company and the number of seat of the vehicle, the fare is different (taking a 7 seats minivan than a small 4 seats urban car). The average fare is 12.000VND* per kilometer (*around half dollar, *see Vietnam Currency) .

Trusted Taxi Companies in Vietnam

Although a priori any taxi company is legitimate and safe, these are favorite and trusted taxi companies:

Vinasun
Mai Linh

Bus in Vietnam

Taking a bus in Vietnam is only for adventurous people. Buses in Hanoi are red and yellow, Buses in Ho Chi Minh City are green and white. Depending on the traffic, the bus may take another road or shortcut, doesn't stop in our stop, etc. We can buy the bus ticket directly on the bus, there is also the multiple ticket, which price is more convenient.

Bus Transportation in Vietnam

Bus Airport shuttle from Hanoi Airport Terminal to Hanoi City center

There is bus from the airline Jetstar that covers the route Hanoi Airport (HAN) - Hanoi (city center). That bus is totally orange and it departures from Hanoi Airport domestic terminal. It has several stops in the city center, the last one is Jetstar headquarter (5 minutes away from Hoan Kiem Lake).

Coach Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia

Here you will find all related information about the Coach from Vietnam to Cambodia, just in case you may want to drop by the Temples of the Angkor.

Moving around Vietnam by Car

Renting a car in Vietnam

Unfortunately foreign driving license is not valid in Vietnam therefore, you can't rent a car unless you also hire the driver or you get the Vietnamese driving license. It's easier to catch a taxi and negotiate the price with the taxi driver for long distance trips or full days.

Car Transportation in Vietnam

Vietnamese driving license

Just because you are a foreigner and you have a valid foreign driving license, the authorities will automatically skip the theoretical test however you will still have to pass a driving test through the streets of Vietnam. The total price to get the driving license is around 200$.

Biking in Vietnam

Vietnam's climate is tropical (very hot and humid), better to think twice about biking in Vietnam. It's very easy to rent a bicycle (usually in the very same place where you can rent a motorbike), we strongly recommend you electric bicycles.

Biking in Vietnam

Transportation in Vietnam - Moto scooter

Train in Vietnam

Vietnamese Trains are very uncomfortable, we recommend the train just to visit the mountain area of Sapa.

Air Transport and Airlines

Moving around Vietnam by airplane

The airplane is the faster and more comfortable way to move from the north of Vietnam to the central area and the south of the country. These are Vietnam's main airports:

Hanoi Airport.
Danang Airport.
Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Airplanes in Vietnam - Flight transport - Vietnam Airlines

Domestic Airlines companies to flight inside Vietnam

There are 3 domestic airlines companies to flight around Vietnam:

Vietnam Airlines
Jetstar Pacific
Air Mekong

Vietnam Airlines

Top rated airline company of Vietnam and also, the symbol of many travel agencies in the back-packers area. Vietnam airlines prices are usually the highest, but it's the airline which has more routes around the country.

Jetstar: the Vietnames Low Cost airline

We can say Jetstar is like Ryanair in Vietnam, it usually offers the cheapest prices. As a word of advice we will say the price of the flight ticket is 5% cheaper is we pay in Vietnamese Dongs instead of dollars on Jetstar website.

Shipping transportation

You shouldn't leave Vietnam without taking a boat, no matter if it is a Cruise on Halong Bay, a boat in the Perfume River, a fishing boat in Hoi An, a small boat in the Mekong Delta or just a Ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau.

Sailing in Hoi An, Vietnam

Related to transportation in Vietnam

Transporte en Vietnam (versión en Español)
Shopping in Vietnam 5 things you should buy during your stay in Vietnam

Vietnam War Museum

2011-09-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Vietnam War

Although this blog prefers to focus on the present of Vietnam, its people, its places and all that it offers the visitor... we also think that "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it", that's why we decided to tell you about the Vietnam War Museum.

Vietnam Military History Museum: Vietnam War Tank

Vietnam War Museums

Actually there are several War Museums spread in different cities of Vietnam. We recommend you to visit Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi and Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam Military History Museum (Hanoi)

Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi is located in one of the corners of Hanoi Ciudatel, specifically on 28 Dien Bien Phu. The entrance fee is 1€ and they are open from Monday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
The main gate is guarded by two huge cannons, a few meters away, a coffee shop of the group Highlands Coffee and behind it, the flag tower of Hanoi Cidatel.

Vietnam War Helicopter - Vietnam Military History Museum

From our point of view, the most striking part of the visit is the backyard, where they exhibit tanks, ground vehicles, helicopters and planes used during the Vietnam War
As a piece of advice we will say the backyard where the airplanes and other war machinery are, can be seen from the street Nguyễn Tri Phương, without paying the admission fee.

American fight plane used during Vietnam War - War Museum

Vietnam War: anti-aircraft battery

Website of Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi

This is the website of the museum (available in English and Vietnamese): http://www.btlsqsvn.org.vn

Vietnam War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh City)

Our next recommendation is Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. It is located in front of the Reunification Palace of Saigon, on the street 28 Võ Văn Tần.

Vietnam War Remnants Museum - Ho Chi Minh City

This museum in particular, is very focused on the atrocities and human rights violations committed during the War of Vietnam, especially the effects of Agent Orange in the population (called by the Vietnamese people the orange poison). The photographs displayed in this museum may offend your sensibility and we do not recommend visiting the museum with children.

Timetable and ticket price of Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

The ticket costs 10.000VND around half dollar (*see Vietnam Currency). The Museum is open daily from 8am to 11:45am and from 1:30pm to 16:45pm.

Useful links for your visit to Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

Museo de la Guerra de Vietnam (versión en Español)
Vietnam City Maps Street maps and tourist places of Vietnam main cities

Vietnamese dress Ao Dai

2011-09-23T10:13:00.001-07:00

Vietnamese Dress: Ao Dai (Áo Dài)

Áo Dài, the Vietnamese traditional dress

Ao Dai is a traditional dress in Vietnam. It's also a symbol of Vietnam. Whenever you hear about Vietnam, definitely you will hear about Ao Dai (Áo Dài in vietnamese). Ao dai nowadays is very popular with different designs and colors. Ao dai is written like this 襖長 in chữ Nôm - the old kind of writing of Vietnam.

History of Ao Dai (Áo Dài)

In fact, nobody knows the original history of Ao Dai (Áo Dài). There was no evidence which says about where and when the Ao Dai appeared. At the beginning, we don't know what was the real design of Ao Dai. Researchers show that the Ao Dai (Áo Dài) stared to be wore thousand years ago.

The King Nguyễn Phúc Khoát was considered as a person who discovered and made the áo dài have its form. Until 16th century, Vietnam was still affected by Chinese culture including clothes. To keep Vietnamese's culture, Nguyễn Phúc Khoát said in one of his "law" about the design of Vietnamese's clothes which was similar to Ao Dai nowadays. Because of that reason, Nguyễn Phúc Khoái could be the one who started the history of Ao Dai (Áo Dài).

Vietnamese men and women wore Ao Dai until 1947 when Vietnam got the independence and the government had the campaign: diệt giặc đói, giặc dốt (fight against poverty and illiteracy). On Match 20, 1947, Ho Chi Minh (Hồ Chí Minh) wrote "Đời Sống Mới" (New Life) and told people should stop wearing Ao Dai because it took more material than normal clothes and it was not convenient for people to move, or to work. If we wore normal clothes, we had saved 200 million đồng/ year. Most people joined this campaign and Ao Dai wasn't wore in the North for a long time.

Le Mur

Le Mur was the name of Ao Dai (Áo Dài), translation from Vietnamese into French. Le Mur was a new style of Ao Dai, which was created by an artist named Cát Tường in 1930. There were many changes in this style and to be "fashionable" Le Mur Ao Dai had to be wore with white pants, high heels, umbrella and purse. People didn't accept this change.

Up to 1934, Lê Phổ, another artist made the new design for Ao Dai (Áo Dài) from Le Mur and traditional Ao Dai (which had 4 or 5 pieces). From here, Ao Dai was with 2 pieces, tightened the body and closed at the neck. This was the perfect design that all the women at that time liked it and it became the only basic design for Ao Dai.

Miniraglan

Miniraglan was the kind of Ao Dai (Áo Dài) for female students. With this design, the length of Ao Dai was just at the knees and the pants were loser. The students would feel more comfortable with this design and the Ao Dai also made the students become more lovely.

Girl students with Aodai, the Vietnamese dress

At the end of the year 1958, Mrs. Trần Lệ Xuân created another design for the áo dài which the neck was around neck (cổ thuyền). People usually called it "áo dài Trần Lệ Xuân or áo dài Mrs. Nhu". Some critics said this Ao Dai (Áo Dài) was not suitable for tradition and custom in Vietnam. However, it was popular and is still in use until now. Mrs. Trần Lệ Xuân died at 2AM, April 24, 2011 in Rome, Italy when she was 87 years old.

Ao Dai (Áo Dài) A symbol of Vietnam:

Differently from kimono or hanbok, Ao Dai (Áo Dài) is wore in many occasions, not only traditional cases. We use it at work or at school as uniform. We wear it to go out or to be in fashion shows. Especially in wedding, we have a kind of hat to go with it.

Weddding yellow Ao with hat. Yellow Vietnam dress

Ao Dai (Áo Dài) is a unique design which both respectful and charming. It reflects the body of the person who wears it. The cut of 2 pieces is at the waist, which makes the women easy to move. The material is silk, so the body is inside the soft material which makes women become more feminine.

As mentioned before, Ao Dai (Áo Dài) reflects the body of the one who wears it, so each Ao Dai is just suitable for only one person. We can't make one Ao Dai for many people. It can be, but it will not be beautiful. When making an Ao Dai (Áo Dài), the tailor will take the measurement carefully. One wrong measurement will destroy the beauty of Ao Dai.

Ao Dai nowadays

With the develop of the country and the develop of the fashion, Ao Dai (Áo Dài) is also developed. Ao Dai is more fashionable and more popular.

Ao Dai in Vietnamese school. Students with Aodai

Beautiful girl wearing Vietnamese traditional dress Ao Dai. District 7 of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

At the same time, tourists who want to make Ao Dai (Áo Dài) when they are in Vietnam, they can come to many shops in Ho Chi Minh city, Hue (Huế), Hoi An (Hội An) and Hanoi (Hà Nội). Those shops can make Ao Dai very quickly, only 1 day.

More about Vietnamese dress Ao Dai (Áo Dài)

How to make an Ao Dai DYI Vietnam national costume Ao Dai
Vietnamese Hat Conical Asian hat known as Non La

Pictures Hanoi - Vietnam

2011-09-23T10:09:00.001-07:00

Pictures of Hanoi (Vietnam)

Pictures of Hanoi: the capital of Vietnam

Pictures of a street restaurant in Hanoi (Vietnam)

Collection of pictures of Hanoi, Vietnam. These are some pictures of a street restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam, where you can taste exotic dishes such as snake, eel, turtle. The restaurant is very close to the central lake of Hanoi and few meters away from the cathedral. This restaurant is frequented by Vietnamese, on the other side of the street, there are lots of fast food restaurants, pizzerias, etc. Funny how the street restaurant was crowed and tourist restaurants (more oriented to foreign customers / tourists), were mostly empty.

Street restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Eating snake with tofu in a street restaurant of Hanoi (Vietnam)

Hanoi - city pictures

Photos of a building in Hanoi, Vietnam. Sightseeing in Vietnam, I found this building, situated in an outlying district of the capital, would be the equivalent of a subsidized housing in Spain. The apartments are old, its quality is quite poor. These buildings are for members of the Communist Party of Vietnam, officers and people related to the party

Outskirt building in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Photos of the railroad tracks going through the center of Hanoi. The city is huge, the tracks have found their place among the narrow streets of the old city of Hanoi.

Railroad tracks crossing Hanoi (Vietnam)

One night walking around Hanoi, when the sun set, the city of Hanoi turns into an entirely different place.

Night time in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Photos of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Ho Chi Minh tomb

Some pictures of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi (Vietnam). Where the remains of the vietnamese leader are permanently guarded by 2 guards, that perform a changing of the guard every few hours. A white line, about 15 meters away from the mausoleum, denotes the limit of the tourist zone. Visitors are not allowed to cross the line.

Pictures of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Side view of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is located in a huge esplanade. Also, there is a beautiful park (the citizens of Hanoi take great care of it). In the middle of the park, to the top of the mast, waves the vietnamese flag. The flag dimensions are close to the spanish flag in the Plaza de Colon (Madrid, Spain).

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum park

Vietnamese flag waving at Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

Pictures of the Presidential palace of Hanoi (Vietnam)

The presidential palace is located a few meters from Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, opposite the house where Ho Chi Minh himself lived. The Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, built a humble home made of wood, as Ho Chi Minh didn't want to live in a palace, taking into account the situation of the country and in solidarity with the vietnamese people. The house, which can be visited, is located on the shore of a small artificial lake where Ho Chi Minh used to feed the fishes and meditate. To attract the attention of the fishes, Ho Chi Minh usually claps his palms. The fishes are get used to that sound and thousands of tourists and visitors, clap their hands and throw breadcrumbs into the water to feed the fishes, fishes eat in a few seconds all the food.

Picture of the Presidential Palace, next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Picture of the Presidential Palace taken from Ho Chi Minh's house

Ho Chi Minh wooden house (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Photography of the fishes of the lake next to Ho Chi Minh house. Hanoi (Vietnam)

Hanoi, Vietnam. Pagoda pictures

The most famous pagoda all over Vietnam is the one pillar pagoda or one column pagoda, next to the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. But outside the city, next to the river, there is a quiet pagoda. The pagoda has 7 floors, representing 7 states to reach as a Buddhist.

Pagoda in Hanoi, Vietnam

Pagoda next to Hanoi river (Vietnam)

Pagoda outside Hanoi

One pillar pagoda. Hanoi, Vietnam

Photos of motorcycles in Hanoi, Vietnam

Of course, we can't miss the chance to take some pictures of motorbikes running through the streets of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is the political and economic capital of the country. Although the weather in Hanoi is cooler than the weather in Saigon, on the streets of Hanoi you can see many cars. However hundred of thousands of motorcycles are on the streets.

Motorcycle in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi traffic. Rush hour in Vietnam

Municipal Theatre Saigon

2011-09-23T10:04:00.001-07:00

Municipal Theatre Saigon. Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam.

Opera House Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city). Vietnam.

Some of the tourist places you can not miss during your trip to Vietnam is the Municipal Theatre, also known as the Opera House. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City , district 1 (see Saigon city map), this building was built in 1897 by the architect Félix Olivier, and it is a fine example of the French colonial style.

Municipal Theatre Saigon

Municipal Theatre of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Vietnam

Municipal Theatre Saigon. Ho Chi Minh city

Opera House. Saigon

Located on Dong Khoi Street (đường Đồng Khởi in Vietnamese), a privileged place, because just a couple of blocks away you can visit the Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office (Ben Thanh market is a little further, around 10 minutes walking).

Opera House. Ho Chi Minh City

Features of the Municipal Theatre

The design of Saigon Opera House main entrance, the architects were inspired by the Little Palace of Paris (Petit Palais), following the guidelines of the III Republic. The Opera House currently has 500 seats and this place is used for artistic performances and major events since 1975 (formerly used as a temporary residence of French civilians who had to emigrate from North Vietnam after the signing of the Geneva Accords). Note that this building was renovated in 1995 and subsequently in 2009, was equipped with an outdoor lighting system, installed on the roof of the Opera House.

Saigon Opera House

Opera House surrondings

The Opera House of Ho Chi Minh City is located in one of the best places of Saigon, the streets Dong Khoi (Đồng Khởi) and one main street of the city, Le Loi (Lê Lợi).

Le Loi and Dong Khoi junction

Around the Opera House, we have two 5 stars deluxe category: the Caravelle Hotel and the Metropolitan Hotel, top brands shops as Louis Vuitton, shopping malls like Parkson and in the distance, the tallest skyscraper of the city, Bitexco Financial Tower.

Caravelle Hotel. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Metropolitan Hotel. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

In front of the Opera, a small green park where panels hanging from a metal structure, compose a hallway and a showroom, where we usually can admire collection of pictures and information about the history, culture and tradition of Vietnam (available in several languages).

Pictures exhibition in front of the Opera House. Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam

Park in front of the Municipal Theatre of Saigon

Exhibition in front of the Municipal Theatre of Saigon

Images of Municipal Theatre of Saigon

This is a collection of photos of the Opera House in Saigon, where you can admire the exterior decoration, the statues that decorate the columns, the outdoor lighting... During the rush hour, thousands of motorcycles will cross this place.

Opera House. Saigon (Vietnam)

Ho Chi Minh City's Opera

Parkson shopping mall from the Opera House. Ho Chi Minh city

Videos of the Municipal Theatre of Saigon

This is a 360º video where you can see the Opera House and its surroundings at night time. It is highly recommended to visit the Opera House at nightfall, in order to be able to enjoy the outdoor lighting system that the Vietnamese people (funded by the French city of Lyon) has given this building.

Related to Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Theatre

Teatro de la Opera de ciudad Ho Chi Minh versión en Español
Bitexco Financial Tower The skyscraper of Ho Chi Minh City