1. Requirements on epidemic prevention and control for people on entry:

• Regarding testing, people entering by air: must have negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 (except for children under 2 years old) before leaving the country within 72 hours if using RT method -PCR/RT-LAMP or within 24 hours if the rapid antigen test method for SARS-CoV-2 virus is used and certified by the competent authority of the country performing the test.
• For people entering by other routes (road, waterway, railway) must have the same test as required at the point above. In case there is no negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 as specified at point a) above, a SARS-CoV-2 test must be performed within the first 24 hours (by RT-PCR/RT method). -LAMP or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 virus) since entry. If the test results are negative, they are allowed to leave the accommodation and take measures to prevent and control the epidemic as prescribed. If the test result is positive, it must be reported immediately to the local health authority for instructions on timely handling.
• Children under 2 years old who are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2, have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 are allowed to enter and participate in activities outside the accommodation with their parents.

2. For the medical declaration and medical quarantine at the border gate:

• People on entry must make a medical declaration before entering and use the medical declaration application (PC-COVID) during their stay in Vietnam according to regulations.
• At the border gate if you have symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decrease or loss of taste; decrease or loss of sense of smell; pain); , headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory infection…) should immediately notify the health agency at the border gate to take medical measures as prescribed.
• Monitor health and apply preventive measures against COVID-19:
• Within 10 days from the date of entry: self-monitor, if there are symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decreased or lost taste; decreased or lost sense of smell; pain, headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory inflammation…) must immediately notify the nearest medical authority for instructions. , timely management; take preventive measures: regularly wear a mask, disinfect hands with an antiseptic solution.

For those who have not tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 before leaving the country: during the process of moving from the entry border to the place of residence, do not stop and park along the way; Avoid close contact with people around.

Cambodia Entry Policy for International Tourists valid from Mar 17, 2022

Cambodia government has made the following decisions valid from 17 Mar 2022:

1. All travelers, who are coming to Cambodia are not required to provide a PCR Test result within 72 hours of their arrival.
2. No longer required to do Antigen Rapid Test upon arrival.
3. Visa on arrival once again available for all international travelers, including by air, sea and land.

Despite the change of requirements as stated in point 1 and 2 above, the Ministry of Health encourages all passengers to do self-test. In addition, all passengers must present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate upon arrival in Cambodia.

Passengers who have not been vaccinated with Covid-19 will need to do 14 days quarantine.

Vietnam Entry Policy for International Tourists valid from May 15, 2022

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has imposed several travel restrictions on those entering the country. As of May 15, 2022, Vietnam had confirmed 10,695,036 cases of COVID-19 with 43,065 deaths, though 9,349,592 of the patients, had recovered.

Those planning to travel to Vietnam should be aware of the latest restrictions currently in place:

1. Vietnam dropped COVID-19 testing requirements for all international arrivals from May 15 as per Official Dispatch No. 416/CD-TTg after a significant decrease in the number of cases.
2. Vietnam suspended the medical declaration requirement for all international arrivals from April 27 as COVID-19 cases dropped nationwide. Medical declarations for domestic travel have also been suspended.
3. Tourists entering Vietnam should also have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of US$10,000.
4. The e-visa government website link is now open for visa submissions.
5. Vietnam’s government on March 15 agreed to resume its visa exemption policy for 13 countries for up to 15 days regardless of the purpose of entry. This applies to citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The visa exemption policy had been in place prior to the pandemic. Further details on entry procedures are awaited from the government.

The post Travel Entry Update to Vietnam and Cambodia – Covid 19 Restrictions appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

As a rich country with “golden forest, silver sea”, Vietnam is one of the world’s great biodiversity points. With the terrain stretching along many latitudes, the climate of Vietnam is a characteristic of the equatorial tropics. Therefore, it create a variety of natural resources as well as natural landscapes, especially marine ecosystems

The sea is not only a resource, but also a unique identity of Vietnam. As you know that the S-shaped Vietnamese curvature stretches to 3,260 km from Mong Cai (Quang Ninh) to Ha Tien (Kien Giang). The area go through 64 provinces and cities with 28 of them bordering the sea. The sea zone of Vietnam is extremely large with over 4000 islands. In which the Northeast Sea has over 3000 islands. In addition there are 40 islands in the North Central Coast. The rest are in the South Central Coast and the Southwest and both the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands in the center of the East Sea. Therefore, Vietnam’s sea is one of the countries with great potential and advantages in marine resources.

One of the great potentials is the potential of developing marine tourism with 125 big and small beaches, warm sunshine all year round, fresh air with many beautiful landscapes. Especially, Da Nang beach was voted by Forbes magazine as one of the 6 most charming beaches on the planet. Vietnam is also one of 12 countries with the most beautiful bays in the world. They are Ha Long Bay and Nha Trang Bay. In addition, a series of prestigious magazines in the world on tourism have also ranked Vietnam beaches on top of the most beautiful and worthy beaches in the world.

With the desire to bring useful information for tourists who love to get information about Vietnam. Vietnam Great Tours would like to introduce the topic of The best beach destinations from North to South in Vietnam.

1. Minh Chau Beach – Quan Lan Island – Quang Ninh Province

Minh Chau Beach of Vietnam beach destinations is a beautiful and famous private beach, only 15 km from Quan Lan beach. Its location is in the Quan Lan Island, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province. The sand here is white and smooth, as the slogan “White as snow, smooth as velvet”.

To reach to Minh Chau beach, visitors can go from Cam Pha to Tai Xa ferry (near Cua Ong temple) to Cai Rong town (about 9 km). The boat in Cai Rong port picks you up straight to Quan Lan island where Minh Chau beach is located. The boat runs about 3 hours and stops at some islands. So visitors can take some photos and admire the bay at sunset or in the afternoon.

At Minh Chau beach, visitors can relax in the camps, go for sightseeing, learn more about the daily marine life, join and organize the sea games, watch the sea at night in the calm and beautiful space of the sea.

2. Lang Co Beach – Thua Thien Hue Province

The beach is one of the best Vietnam beach destinations, a natural beauty spot of Thua Thien-Hue province. Moreover, Lang Co beach has been famous as a beach with the most beautiful natural conditions and landscapes in Vietnam. It owns white sand beaches of over 10 km long and the blue pure beautiful sea lanes.

Lang Co location is the middle between 3 World Cultural Heritage Conservation Centers: Hue Imperial Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary with a radius of 70 km. The beach attract visitors, as well researchers from the above centers and relieve the pressure of crowded times.

Lang Co Sea Bay is the 30th member of the “World’s most beautiful bays” Club in June 2009.

3. My Khe Beach – Da Nang Province

My Khe beach – Vietnam beach destinations is the common name of the coastline stretching about 10 km from the foot of Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains. Looking from above, My Khe Beach makes visitors “mesmerized” by a blue color stretching to the horizon. In particular, when the sunset falls, this place puts on a new shirt with extremely romantic and quiet colors, creating an extremely comfortable and relaxing feeling.

The beach location is in Phuoc My ward, Son Tra district, Da Nang city. As one of six beaches voted by Forbes magazine as the most charming beach on the planet with smooth, white, beautiful and poetic beaches. To Da Nang, no one would miss a fun and relaxing time on My Khe beach.

The reason why My Khe beach was voted the top 6 most charming beaches on the planet. Because it is fully met the voting criteria. For example convenient transportation, free opening for visitors, long and flat sandy beaches, sunny and suitable waves for playing sports, able to ensure safety for visitors, hotels or resorts near My Khe beach all meet international standards… Beside the distance from the city center to the beaches is very close, just a few minute you can immerse yourself on the beach.

4. Nha Trang Beach-Khanh Hoa Province

Nha Trang beach – Vietnam beach destinations stretches about 7 km along Tran Phu street, is a beautiful long beach with clear blue water, always full of sunshine. This is the ideal bathing place for city people and tourists.

The beauty of Nha Trang beach is like a charming magnet, attracts a lot of tourists. Whenever you look at the natural picture of this land, you will always admire and admire and forget the time. Just immerse in the beauty and charm of this coastal town. It is a wonderful and priceless gift that natural motherland gave to Nha Trang.

Coming to Nha Trang, besides to enjoy the beauty of the sea. The uniqueness of a city located along the 20 km long coastline and charming beaches in the island are being exploited offshore, visitors can also join in many vibrant games on the sea. These games give visitors a great sense of pleasure. For examples: paragliding, water motorbikes, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling,…

Tours in Nha Trang: Nha Trang Beach Tours

5. Mui Ne beach – Binh Thuan Province

Its location is on the east coast of Phan Thiet city – one of Vietnam beach destinations. Which is famous for coconut-line streets. Mui Ne also owns many the resorts there and is one of the top destinations for those love vacation.

Mui Ne Beach stretches tens of kilometers with beautiful places such as Rang beach, Hon Rom beach, Suoi Nuoc beach, Ong Dia rocky beach; with the cliffs where the waves are flapping to the shore. With the long sand dunes become the endless inspiration of many photographers.

Rang Beach is the most beautiful beach in the Phan Thiet city. Rang Beach is about 15 km from the north of the city center. Its location under the dense coconut groves that looks like a very beautiful coconut forest. In the summer Rang Dong beach is crowded with many guests going there and enjoying the sweet grilled green dragon fish.

6. Phu Quoc Beach – Kien Giang Province

Known as Pearl Island, Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam of 22 islands nearby in the Gulf of Thailand. Phu Quoc Island -Vietnam beach destinations together with other islands constitute Phu Quoc island district directly under Kien Giang province.

Phu Quoc Beaches are very beautiful. The two famous beaches you can’t miss when travelling there are Long Beach and Star Beach.

Long beach’s location is in the northwest of the island. It is an indispensable factor when mentioning Phu Quoc tourism because of its untouched beauty. Long beach ranking is the first in the top 13 most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world. With a length of about 1,500 m, the beach is a golden sun paradise, pure blue water and green rows of poplar tree whispering in the wind.
The difference that Phu Quoc Long Beach brings to visitors is the wildness that has not been affected by human impact. As the result, there are not many services around Long Beach for everyone to use. The lack of facilities and surrounding service itself makes visitors really like to experience and discover more and more.

Star beach is considered to be the most beautiful beach in Phu Quoc. The sand in Star beach is not as yellow as Nha Trang beach, or dark yellow turning brown like Vung Tau sea, which is pure white and smooth like ice cream. This beach has a length of about 7km, curving like a crescent moon. The sea water here is pure, calm and cool. Star Beach location is in the affectionate arms of two gentle mountain ranges to bring quiet space and fresh climate for visitors.

Tours in Phu Quoc: Phu Quoc Tours

7. Con Dao beach – Ba Ria Vung Tau Province

This beautiful Vietnam beach destinations’ location is in Ba Ria Vung Tau province, less than 100 km from the city center. Visitors to Con Dao will have 3 choices for their trip: road, waterway and air. Con Dao is increasingly attracting the attention of tourists with it wild beauty. Con Son Island with more than 21 islands and large beaches will surely make tourists feel like lost in a paradise.

If you want to find yourself a peaceful wilderness, please choose to Shark cape. Contrary to the name, this beach is not “aggressive” or the habitat of sharks, this is simply a stop near southern Con Dao, closing to the Nhat beach. With the fresh air, clear blue sea water, Shark cape is also famous for the pebbles. That are created by the Great Nature, making this stop new and strange to tourists. Shark cape with Nhat beach, Dam Trau beach and the first part of the road to Ba island with charming scenery is the inspiration of many photo hunters when traveling to Con Dao.

The post Vietnam Beach Destinations appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Cuc Phuong National Park for the first day – Things to do in Ninh Binh

The first things to do in Ninh Binh is the full day activities include staying overnight and camping in the forest. The place looks like a large natural museum housing the most diversity of flora and fauna on karstic mountains in Vietnam. Coming to Cuc Phuong, tourists have a chance to contemplate century-old trees. Especially species of plants and valuable birds dating back to the Tertiary –  the third period.

05:00 AM: depart from Hanoi heading for Cuc Phuong. Bus ticket: VND 60,000 – 80,000/ person.

Set off the journey getting insight the forest of high trees, caves and century-old trees.

Firstly, you visit the Cave of Prehistoric Man is a precious heritage of Cuc Phuong. In there, prehistoric people lived and laid to rest 7,000-12, 5000 years ago.

And then, you walk 2 km from the Cave of Prehistoric Man is Dang tree – the ancient tree up to 45 m in height and 5 m in diameter.

Finally, you see the giant Cho tree can be embraced by more than 20 people.

Thousand-years old Cho giant tree

Even more, there are other options for your excursion in the forest of high trees: Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden, Cuc Phuong tourist centre, Cuc Phuong Endanger Primate Rescue Centre, Muong ethnic commune, the summit of Silver Cloud Mountain, Yen Quang Lake, Pho Ma Cave, etc.

Visit the museum of rare and valuable animals

Not only a preserve and scientific research centre. But also Cuc Phuong Endangered Primate Rescue Centre is an ideal destination for nature lovers observing activities. Especially special traits of each primate and collecting useful knowledge. As the result, the centre is home to about 160 creatures from 15 species of gibbon, langur and loris.

18.30: dinner at restaurant in Cuc Phuong forest.

19.00: join night activities in the forest.

Additionally, coming to Cuc Phuong National Park, you can choose one of three areas to stay: the crowded garden gate, Mac Lake and wildlife centre.

Note: In wet season, you are easily exposed to insects like a kind of jungle mosquito at Cuc Phuong. Hence, you should apply DEP ointment to the sensitive parts like head, back of the neck, collar, wrist, shin and waist. The smell of burning from DEP ointment frightens these mosquitoes.

Sightseeing ticket for Cuc Phuong National Park: VND 60,000/ person ~ 2.6 USD/person.

Hoa Lu Citadel – Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An Grottos for the second day – Things to do in Ninh Binh

06:30 AM: 20 km drive from Cuc Phuong to Hoa Lu

Originally, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital attached to three imperial dynasties of Vietnam (Dinh – Le – Ly) as a sacred land of Vietnamese celebrity. In 968, the local warlord Dinh Bo Linh ascended to the throne, and established the first centralized feudal state of Vietnam and its capital was Hoa Lu. Therefore, few vestiges of palaces, temples, pagoda, tombs, etc remain to this day.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Located Truong Yen Village, Hoa Lu rural district are two temples worshipping King Dinh and King Le at 500-metre intervals. In there, you can learn about the history of Dinh and Le monarchs. Additionally, some of beautiful pagodas are still in existence like Ngan Xuyen Pagoda (near the foot of Ma Yen Mountain) and Nhat Tru Pagoda (200 metres apart from the Temple of King Le).

Sightseeing ticket for Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Complex:  VND 20,000/ adult, VND 5,000/ child

Enjoy landscapes of Bai Dinh Pagoda on electric cars.

As we know, this is the complex of Buddhist temples set more records for the owner of the largest pagoda area. Consequently, the biggest bronze Budha statues, the largest number of Arhat statues and Bodhi trees, etc.

500 Arhat stautes are made of monolithic white-stone. Each one engraved lively by artisans has a unique face.

Therefore, Bai Dinh Pagoda has lots of Buddhist temples located on high mountains and far away from each others, the best way to visit is using electric cars.

Ticket for electric car: VND 30,000/ person.

11.30 AM: taste Ninh Binh scorched rice (elderberry)

Don’t leave out a dish of scorched rice or goat meat – the rustic dainties of this land. The moreish scorched rice must go with rich sauce made of beef or pig’s heart, kidney frying with onion, carrot and tomato. You can eat it on the road or near the tourist area.

Sightseeing tour of Trang An on boat

First of all, it takes about 25 minutes to drive from Hoa Lu to Trang An tourist area.

Respectively, exploring caves and feeling the fresh and tranquil ambiance of scenery while sitting on a boat downstream the emerald water will become your treasured memories. The journey through nine amazing and unique caves like Sang (Bright) Cave, Seo Cave, Toi (Dark) Cave or Nau Ruoi (Wine-brewing) Cave… is very impressive. On the way, travelers will visit mysterious temples and shrines or sanctuaries covered by mountain breeze and thick cloud.

Visit Trang An Complex by boat

16.00: have dinner, take a rest

Kenh Ga hot spring – Phat Diem Cathedral and back to Hanoi is things to do in Ninh Binh for the third day

Kenh Ga Hot Spring

7.00 AM: From Trang An, go to Kenh Ga (chicken canal) pier. There, you buy a boat-ticket cruising along Hoang Long river and 15 minutes later you reach Kenh Ga Floating Village. Hence, you will have a whole morning soaking in natural water of hot springs.

Duration: about 4 hours. Boat ticket: VND 25,000; bathing ticket: VND 170,000/ person

Phat Diem stone church

Locally, Kim Son parish with beautiful scenery and stone church – the quintesence of nature has long attract tourists all over the world, especially the god-fearing.

28 km to Southeast of Ninh Binh City, Phat Diem stone cathedral, an original masterpiece, is a cross between the West and Orient. Erected a decade ago, the entire church was built of large cubic meter of stone and uniquely incredible shapes were engraved inside.

On another way ,you can change your schedule visiting the stone church on Sunday to attend the mass at 9.30 weekly. Sightseeing and photographing duration is about 3 hours. Have lunch with floating cake, Kim Son fish snake eel salad and take a rest near the stone church.

At the time departing for Hanoi, you can take a trip around Ninh Binh city to buy something and taste sidewalk dainties at night.

19.00: come back to Hanoi

The post Best things to do in Ninh Binh for 3 days appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Wallowing in vast rice fields or walking along banks of Duong River. And touring about Dong Ho painting village are the most wonderful experiences if you have only one day in Bac Ninh.

Not only take people’s heart with four-panel traditional dresses and sweet folk songs. But also this land look attractive with ancient ramparts and pagodas. Coming here, travelers have a chance to get back with romantic and peaceful ambiance written on poetries like Cau river, Duong river.

Transportation to experience Vietnamese Folk Songs

Only 30 km far away from Hanoi, you can take a bus, a passenger car or ride a bike. On another way, you can drive a private car to actively uncover this antique and age-old land. Frequently departing from Luong Yen coach station, there are lots of bus routes from Hanoi to Bac Ninh. You can get on a bus No. 54 from Long Bien exchanging point to Bac Ninh city, via Dinh Bang, Den Do temple, Lim town, etc.

Places to stop on the way

You can choose different destinations on the journey of discovering the historical and cultural land of northern Vietnam.

Luy Lau Citadel

Luy Lau Citadel is the foremost ancient structure which existed during the period of domination by northern invaders. The citadel hundreds of hectare wide has attracted visitors to learn about its history. It marked the magnanimous achievement against northern invaders. Also, it is the major and old Buddhist centre comprising a system of relics and tower pagodas.

Do Temple

Den Do (Do Temple), the long-time temple, its location at Dinh Bang Village and built in the reign of King Ly Cong Uan. This temple worship 8 Ly Kings. Coming there, you should visit Dinh Bang communal house which is an originally architectural structure with the highly polished engraving style.

Dau Pagoda

Dau Pagoda, an ancient pagoda filled with green moss, hidden in clumps of trees. It makes tourists feel its peace and get away from troubles of daily life as if they had reached the erstwhile village centuries ago.

Situated on the bank of romantic Cau River, Phu Lang pottery village looks so charming with natural landscapes. After visiting the pottery village, learning about the process of making products like pots, jars, etc. You will be probably sitting on ferry-boats surrounded by emerald water and blue skies.

Dong Ho Painting Village

Lying next to the south riverside of mild Duong river. Dong Ho painting village crowded with a lot of passers-by on the occasion of Lunar New Year. What make Dong Ho paintings special are their natural materials. For example, the printing paper is from the bark of Do trees, red color from half baked bricks, yellow color from Diep yellow flowers, black color from the coal of burned bamboo’s leaves, the glitter white color made of sea shells.

Traditional Festival – Vietnamese Folk Songs

Lim festival

People flock to Lim Festival with Vietnamese Folk Songs to enjoy the sweet melodies of Quan Ho love duet songs during lunar January 12-15. Lim festival often take place on a hill in Lim town, including 2 different sessions of ceremony and rituals.

From 12^th Jan of lunar calendar onward. Villages of Noi Due commune, Lien Bao, Lim Town open the gates of communal houses, temples or pagodas. It serves for incense-offering ceremony in accordance with traditional procedures. On the morning of the 13^th of the lunar calendar, the procession of four village, including Lo Bao, Dinh Ca, Due Nam and Due Khanh in Noi Due Commune. They comes to the tomb area of Duke Nguyen Dinh Dien on Lim Hill. And then traditional liturgies of incense-offering start at Hong An pagoda and other communal houses, temples, pagodas in Noi Due and Lim Town. The ceremony includes many traditional games such as singing Quan Ho love duet songs, swinging, blind man’s buff, wrestling, etc.

Vietnamese Folk Songs performance in Lim Festival

Food and beverage

Because tourist destinations often are close to town centers, you can stop by restaurants or eateries on the way. You can taste the typical cakes of this land like rice cake of Cho village, glutinous rice cake of Diem village, Phu Tu pyramidal rice dumpling, fried rice of Giau market, and rish and rice gruel, turtle dove, mouse meat of Dinh Bang.

Things to buy

Conjugal Cake

The soft nature of sticky rice, crisp of papaya, tastiness of green beans and lotus seed and richness of copra sweetness of sugar. All are blended to get here to create the cake’s own flavor which can not be found in anywhere else.

Van Wine

Van village’s wine is an indispensable gift when you come to Bac Ninh. The wine is produced from high-quality fragrant glutinous rice. Combination with traditional brewer’s yeast and 35 kinds of rare Chinese medicinal herbs which forms its smooth spirit and strong taste.

Ke Pan Cake

Ke dried pancake is so simple and rustic dish with the shape of yellow saddle on it highlighting the buttery and aromatic taste of peanut, sesame, batata which has become the most preferred home gift among tourists.

The post Vietnamese Folk Songs in Bac Ninh – A full day experience appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Coming to Ghenh Da Dia (The Cliff of Stone Plates), Co Thach Beach or Hoang Hau (Queen) Beach, visitors will experience the mystery and mightiness of nature.

1. Jumping-Rocks Beach, Quang Binh

Coming to Quang Binh, you could be involved in blue waters and pristine white sandy beach decorated with hundreds of interesting stone grounds. The Jumping-Rocks Beach is close to the sea, at the bottom of Ly Hoa Pass, Bo Trach rural district. After about 30km from Dong Hoi following 1A highway to the north, you reach the rocky shore dotted with a lot of big, small, low and high stone pillars in various figures. Whenever waves make a thrust at rocks, they look like big frogs jumping on the waves, creating rustling sounds.Perhaps that is the origin of the name of Jumping-Rocks Beach.

Jumping Stones in beach – Quang Binh – Beaches in Vietnam

Coming here,tourists can go rowing, hiking or walk in the green poplar forest. Because of the mixture of its charming natural landscapes, Jumping-Rocks Beach is an ideal place for summer vacations.

2. Ly Son Island Beach, Quang Ngai

After 30 minutes on board, you reach the Be (small) island in An Binh Commune, Ly Son district where a neglected beach remains intact. Right here, many rugged cliffs and rocky grounds emerge between the sky and the sea. Whenever there are large waves, it seems as if the rock bank loomed in the dazzling white water, forming a fascinating scene. In the north is a beach heaving with thousands of twinkling pebbles below the blazing sky.

Ly Son Rocky Beach – Beaches in Vietnam

3. Ghenh Da Dia (The Cliffs of Stone Plates) Beach – One of the best beaches in Vietnam

Considered one of the most unique cliffs of beaches in Vietnam, the Cliffs of Stone Plates draw lots of tourists to Phu Yen because of strange blocks of rocks as arranged perfectly by nature.

The Cliffs of Stone Plates in Phu Yen

From afar, you can admire blocks of stones fitting together. They lie horizontally, vertically or obliquely, creating circular, hexagonal, pentagonal shapes, etc. as imaginable as a giant beehive. Small stones arrange evenly in the blue clear water, their color change according to shafts of sunlight.

4. Hoang Hau (Queen) Beach, Binh Dinh

Regarded as a natural gift and the finest beach of the martial land of Binh Dinh, Queen Beach attracts visitors to here. Legend said that Queen Nam Phuong chose this place as her own beach to bath. When she followed her husband – Emperor Bao Dai on his inspection tours in Central provinces of Vietnam. So the Queen Beach was born thence.

Queen Beach or Eggs Beach in Quy Nhon city – Binh Dinh

Along the coast are piles of rocks in disorder, forming caves, reefs and cliffs which play with sea waves all year round. Beside that, its name also is Nhan beach (Swallow Beach), perhaps this is the place where wild geese often flock to go hunting. Coming here, you will have wonderful feelings of walking in bare feet on ground and smooth stones like giant eggs which are overlapped one another on the beach. Each time waves slap the shore, the romantic scene appears again.

5. Co Thach (Ancient Stones) Beach, Binh Thuan

About 90 km from Phan Thiet city, Co Thach Beach with various stones in colors and shapes is one of the most wonderful beaches in Vietnam. This is the bank of seven-color stones due to impacts of tide, sea currents and salt water, etc. And rocks are pushed up ashore out of the bottom of the sea.

Co Thach Beach in Binh Thuan province

Visitors to there will be contemplating the Creator’s majestic works in weird shapes as similar as water taps, hands or animals. Due to waves and daylights, the colorful and fanciful stone bank changes all day long, making the beach more attractive. Not only in black or grey, are stones striking in brown, yellow, violet, white, turquoise, pink, etc.

6. Binh Chau Cliff of Stones Beach, Vung Tau

Binh Chau Cliff is one of wild and impressive beaches in Vietnam. Because of its giant blocks of stones standing out in the emerald sea. It is an attractive tourist destination of Vung Tau. Groups of stone blocks appear amongst the vast waves and stands out on the long white sandy beach.

You will have amazing experiences of witnessing big waves hitting the rocks noisily. And it creates dazzling white foam of over 10 meters in height. Be careful about bathing on the beach because the waters are quite strong. Unevenly, large rocks and ranges of stone reefs are very dangerous.

7. Dinh Cau rocky beach, Phu Quoc

Dinh Cau Floating Rocks Beach is dotted with large and old rock-tops eroded over time. In which stones emerge heaving with bizarre but spectacular shapes like the turtles or crocodiles opening their mouth in the open sea, etc. When winds come, thousands of white wave crests hitting the shore makes buzzing sounds.

Visitors to Dinh Cau Beach will be amazed by charming scene with sunlight, blue sea and white sand. Watching stunning sunset on the poetic sea is an exceptional event for visitors to Phu Quoc – Pearl Island.

The post Top rocky beaches in Vietnam appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

1. Ho Dynasty Citadel (Vinh Loc Dist, Thanh Hoa)

Firstly, the starting point of Vietnam Destinations on Central Heritage Road is with relics of Ho Dynasty Citadel, Vinh Long rural district, about 50 km from Thanh Hoa city. It was the capital of Vietnam from 1398 to 1407. In world heritage documents, the citadel of Ho Dynasty is described as the gigantic architecture of large blocks of stone. And combination of matchless construction tradition of Vietnam and South East Asia in the period of late 14 century and early 15 century. Coming to the citadel of Ho Dynasty, don’t forget to taste – on the list of top 50 specialties published by Vietnam Record Organization.

Ho Dynasty Citadel on Central Heritage Road – Vietnam Destinations

Ho Dynasty Citadel is one of the World Culture Heritage recognized by UNESCO, around 150 km from Hanoi.

2. Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh province)

The second point of Vietnam Destinations on Central Heritage Road is far from 50 km Northwest of Dong Hoi City. Phong Nha – Ke Bang is located in the territories of Quang Ninh, Bo Trach, Tuyen Hoa and Minh Hoa rural districts. Together with geological values, the nature has granted the park mysterious, impressive and egnimatic landscapes. Caves and grottoes as splendid as palaces in the heart of karst mountains dating back millions of years ago.

En Cave – Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, the World Nature Heritage recognized by UNESCO, around 210 km from Hue City.

3. Hue Citadel Complex – Sightseeing point for Vietnam destinations

On the north bank of Perfume River, the most important architectures of Nguyen Lords are three circles of rampart. It include Hue Capital Citadel, Royal Citadel and Forbidden Citadel in a well-proportioned. Their setting is on a vertical axe stretching from South to North. Close to the citadel, palaces, monuments, are altars of Nam Giao and Xa Tac, Hon Chen temple, Linh Mu Pagoda, Tuy Van Pagoda, etc. These are the symbol of fine art at that time and architectural works. Additionally, it attached to charming scenery of rivers and mountains were engraved with subtle decorations.

Hue Citadel from outside

After the tour, let experience Hue cuisine rich in dainties like Bun Bo (a spicy beef soup). Together with Nem Lui (finely ground beef and pork, plus shredded pork skin and fat, garlic, sugar and fish sauce). Banh Beo (rice paste topped with dried shrimp, fish sauce, spring onion and more). Banh Bot Loc (steamed clear tapioca cake), etc. eat once remember forever.

4. Hue Royal Music

Recognized by UNESCO as a “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2003. Hue royal court music refers to a broad range of musical and dance styles performed at annual ceremonies in Nguyen Dynasty. Moreover, Hue royal court music, including worshipping ritual music and court ritual music, royal dance, chamber music and opera. It represented the reign prosperity and perpetuity.

Hue Royal Music Show at night on boat on Perfume River

Visiting Hue, you can listen royal court music at Duyet Thi Duong theatre, Minh Khiem Duong theatre or on a boat cruising on Huong River (Perfume River) at night.

5. Hoi An Ancient Town – One of the best Vietnam destinations

Known as a one-time trading centre, Hoi An Ancient Town have nearly preserved one thousand relics of architectures close to be intact, like streets, houses, assembly halls, communal houses, pagodas, shrines, family cult houses, ancient wells, etc. As the result, they reflect Vietnam’s traditional architecture as well as exchange and integration between the East and the West. In the old quarter, the streets are short and narrow, winding in a chess board pattern. Those who come to Fai Fo, it is easy to find out the trace of time in everything: on double-tiling roof full of moss, mould-gray walls, etc.

Restaurant in Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized by UNESCO as World Culture Heritage in 1999.

6. My Son Holly Land

Finally, My Son Holly Land situated inside the 2-kilometer wide valley surrounded by mountains and hills. In the 200-400 meter high mountain range from East Truong Son to the historic town of Tra Kieu via My Son. Naturally, My Son holy land is one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. And it is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam.

Temples in My Son Holly Land

Although time has turned many tower areas into vestiges. The remaining of sculptures and architectures still left fine arts in that historical period of Champa people. In which masterpieces mark a golden time of Champa culture and architecture and of Southeast Asia alike.

The post Vietnam Destinations on Central Heritage Road appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

6:00 AM – Time for breakfast, one of things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter

Our breakfast is beef noodle soup at Bat Dan Street. The well-known restaurant is crowded with diners early in the morning. If you are quick enough, you can find a seat and wait for your fellow queue to buy and bring “phở” to you. Apart from over 20 dishes for breakfast in Hanoi, “phở” is still the first-choice in food stalls and restaurants. Just a bowl of “phở” with flavorful broth, white rice noodles, red beef and chopped spring onion can lure people’s appetite and becomes a world-famous-brand.

Bat Dan beef noodle soup with eggs

Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan street – Cua Dong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

7:00 AM – Enjoy morning coffee, one of the special things to do in Hanoi

After finishing breakfast, there is no need to hurry and let drop by a café to enjoy a cup of strong-white coffee. Nhi café on Hang Ca Street is so full of guests that no parking lot left. Overlooking streets, Nang Café, Gian Café, and Thoi Café are ideal with simple sets of wood tables and chairs. Iced black coffee and iced white one are the most favourate drinks in the morning. A cup of coffee, a newspaper or a friend sitting next to you before the working hours, an ideal scene like in a film. Hanoians don’t like drinking coffee in luxurious café with sophisticated decoration. If you want to taste a cup of morish coffee, just stop by a café with simple furniture, whatever it is, you can get a really delicious cup.

Morning coffee at Nhi Café

Nhi Café – Things to do in Hanoi: No. 2 Hang Ca street – Hoan Kiem District – Hanoi

8:00 AM – Take short sightseeing trip around Hanoi

Now it is time for a sightseeing trip around Hanoi. In the cool and comfortable atmosphere of autumn, we take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. The sky is adorned with the blue colour and pleasant day lights. Lots of couples come here to take wedding photos of them. The corners of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Bai Street, Dinh Le Street, the Opera House, Hilton Hotel, an French-architecture university on Le Thanh Tong Street and Sofitel Metropole hotel are integral places in a beautiful wedding album.

Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning

Let’s drop in Trang Tien ice cream shop and taste delicious ice cream cones. If not, make the time to visit The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple. Another place you can’t miss is Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature). It takes 2 hours for you to discover these two places. On the way, you can visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long on Hoang Dieu Street. A special address – the home of General Vo Nguyen Giap is on that street.

12:00 PM – At noon, time for lunch to enjoy special local food in Hanoi

What I shall have for lunch is all that matters to me. Any dish or whatever is so attractive to me and urge my desire to eat it all. “Bún đậu mắm tôm”, at Phat Loc Street or “Bún Chả” at Hang Manh, “Chả Cá Lã Vọng” La Vong fried fish or “Bún Lưỡi” at Ngo Si Lien Market, steak sandwich, I really want to try it all. For a while of being busy with options, I had decided to select the dish of “Bún đậu mắm tôm” that seems to be delicious only in Hanoi. A portion of “Bún đậu với chả cốm”, pork and spring rolls were full enough for my stomach until the late afternoon.

Bun dau mam tom (Fermented shrimp paste with fried tofu and rice vermicelli)

Bun dau mam tom at Phat Loc alley – Hoan Kiem district – Hanoi.

13:00 PM – Ideal time to discover things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter

It is the midday with little sunshine. And walking is the best way to explore Hanoi Old Quarter 36 streets. The chess board of these streets make you lost easy if you are not careful. Only by walking along these streets, street after street, alley after alley, house next to house, you can get insight into the lives of people in Hanoi. As the result, you can find every typical product in small shops on each street. Moreover, you can see the very old professions like hairdressing on the sidewalks, selling wigs, long dress sewing, seal making, watch repairing and painting here, which are about to fade away. Walking through the streets, you can stop by Luong Van Can Street and drink a glass of black bean tea or iced tea on narrow alleys.

Quan Chuong Gate – One of the ancient corner in Hanoi

I dropped into Bach Ma (White Horse) Temple, one of four district gate of ancient Thang Long, at an end of Hang Buom Street, take a stroll towards Quan Chuong Gate, got lost in the crowded and hustling alleys of Dong Xuan Market, then sought a way heading for Hang Duong to buy some salted fruits as a gift. Seeds of young grains “Com” are wrapped carefully with lotus leaves. After a while of wandering about the streets, I had an abundance of presents to bring home.

17:00 PM – Water Puppet Show

Water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre was about to start. You have only more than one hour to watch a show but it is worth your money and very interesting. Most of audiences are foreign tourists on package tours and the rest of them are children. The legends of the Betel Leaf & the Areca Nut and The Golden Star Fruit Tree have been performed with puppets dancing on water. A puppet show doesn’t take much time for you to watch but it is so enjoyable.

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long theatre

Thang Long theatre: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang street, Hang Bac ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

18:00 PM – “Bia Hoi” or Hanoi draft beer – Special things to do in Hanoi

Now it is time for draft beer “bia hoi” at international corner of Ta Hien street, meeting with young people coming to drink and chat after working hours. Cold beer, “phung” spring rolls, French chips, grilled fermented pork rolls … all make the streets look busy and amazing. And it is also the time for night market to set out. The market, covering an area from Hoan Kiem Lake to Dong Xuan market, opens from 6 pm to 11 pm on the routes of Hang Dao and Hang Duong streets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Beer Corner at Ta Hien street

21:00 PM – Things to do in Hanoi at night

Wandering along streets filled with the fragrance of magnolias and milk flowers, we stopped at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Each evening, this destination attract lots of people walking with their families. Also, one interesting that I have recently known is the flag lowering ceremony at 9:00 pm in evenings. Those who are walking and passing across the street at that time, they all stop and stand seriously on ceremony.

Flag Raising Ceremony at night in Ba Dinh square in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Iced tea and supper. A simple life by night. Look for a tea stall with nice view over Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy cups of tea and some sunflower seeds or fruits. Youngsters gather side by side there. There is a variety of food for supper. From papaya salad to a bowl of rib soup. From sticky rice to noodles with goose meat and bamboo shoots.

24:00 AM – Hanoi night streets

Hanoi streets by night have a special beauty deep and peaceful. Unlike an 24 hour-noisy-city of Saigon, Hanoi’s day and night look differently. After the rush and hurried pace of day time, the streets are quiet at 11 pm. The weather of autumn is cold enough for passers-by wearing thin sweaters and scarves. All the streets are foggy. In yellow lights of street lamps, the city at night is so quiet and faintly redolent of magnolias and milk flowers. An open window of a house leaks out the melody of a love song.

Hanoi streets at night

Its beauty and interests completely rush into you when travelling around Hanoi at night.It is also the ideal time for artists to take photos of Hanoi at night, highlighting 36 old streets with French-architectural houses. Hoang Dieu, Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Phu streets are extremely beautiful in night lights.

2:00 AM – Night flowers market – Special things to do in Hanoi at night

Now, it is the time for a special trip to a exceptional destination, Quang Ba flower night market. At 2:00 AM, motorbikes loaded with flowers from Tay Tuu, Me Linh and Nghi Tam flower villages flock to this market on the dike edge.The world of flowers is open all day but the market is busiest at 2:00 AM. The growers sell flowers at this early hour so that flowers can be sold fresh on every street in Hanoi at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM.

In the light of flashlights, the market is full of buyers and sellers. Each season is typical with certain types of flowers. Bright yellow daisies symbol for autumn spread over the market. Bunches of 100 flowers are sold at an amazingly cheap price, including daisies, roses, fuchsia, lilies and others.

Quang Ba flower market – Things to do in Hanoi at night

Walking in the flower night market, you won’t want to come back home. The hash daily life of florists turns up amongst fragrances of flowers. From 2AM to 5AM, flowers are loaded on motorbikes to be transported to flower shops on Hanoi streets or to other markets in the morning. If you feel hungry you can have a bowl of hot “phở” noodle soup, “bánh tẻ” rice-cakes, “bánh dày”, and drink a cup of hot green tea. Leaving the flower market, I bought bunches of daisies which are carefully arranged. These flowers shall be with me on the flight to Saigon in the next morning.

5:00 AM – Long Bien bridge, one of cheap things to to in Hanoi

My 24-hour-journey is on the point of coming to the end. Finally, the sunlight appeared on the horizon while we were standing on the more-than-one-hundred-year-old Long Bien Bridge. Sunrise is overlooking the Red River dotted with alluvial soils. Long Bien fruit and vegetable market is in full swing beneath the bridge. On the bridge now, hard-working people are travelling back and forth with heavy baskets of fruits. Long Bien Bridge has witnessed this land and people’s life changing for more than a century and it will have continued to be a link between the two river banks in the future.

Long Bien bridge at dawn

Hanoi 24 hour is full of emotions and excitements!

The post 24 hours interesting things to do in Hanoi appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Regarded as the foremost tourist attraction of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa. Po Nagar Cham Towers are a complex of temples typical for Champa’s architecture and sculpture.

Excellent architecture of Po Nagar Cham Towers

Po Nagar Cham Towers stand on a 50 m above-sea-level-knoll near the Cai River, 2km to the north from Nha Trang downtown. Generally, the overall layout of Po Nagar Towers includes three floors upwards.

Architecture in detail

On the first floor, on the ground is the gate tower which no longer exists now. From there, stone stairs open onto the second floor.

The second floor Mandapa (the guest house or pillared meditation hall) is the place for pilgrims resting and preparing offerings. Mandapa own 20 m long, 15 m wide was built with 4 rows of octagonal pillars (including 10 big pillars and 12 small ones). Mortises digged deeply into big pillars and put parallel to tops of small ones.

On the third floor are towers. They built by bricks without adhesive in the Cham style. The major worshipping tower is Po Nagar Tower about 23m high, its location is on the front line.

Po Nagar Cham Towers Panorama

On each floor of the 4-storey tower there are entrance gates, statues of gods and goddesses, and stone shapes. Inside there, the statue of goddess (2.6 m high) carved in black granite (formerly aloes wood and gold). And it sit on a solemn lotus stone shape and leaning on a block of Bodhi-leave-shaped-marble. Moreover, it is the masterpiece of Cham sculpture harmonious combination of round statues and reliefs. On the top of the tower is the god Shiva riding on the god of bull named Nandin and other sacred objects.

Art and Sculpture

Most importantly, Po Nagar Cham Towers represent Champa art and sculpture. Although, scientific works have been done with participation of researchers. The building techniques from 8^th century to 13^th century are still a mystery for them to date. No one understands how Cham people placed bricks in 20×20 cm in close proximity without any adhesive. That is the uniqueness attracting tourists’ interests to the towers.

Po Nagar Cham Towers Art and Sculpture

Technically, they built the towers by bricks and decorated with stone and pottery ornaments attached to worshipping deities there. Sculptural works made of stone express different themes of Balamon religion. For instance, round statues (presently displayed at Khanh Hoa Museum) associated with the complex of towers and temples form a perfect art of architecture.

Po Nagar Cham Towers Festival

On the days paying tribute to Goddess Po Nagar (20-23 March of Lunar Calendar). Po Nagar Cham Towers welcome tens of thousands of pilgrims to the festival commemorating the virtues of Holy Mother Thien Y A Na who taught people to grow rice, raise silkworm and weaving to improve their lives.

Origin of Festival

In Cham people’s history and mind, the role of Po Inu Nagar goddess is the very important and only woman as a symbol of monolatry. People believe that Po Inu Nagar is the powerful and creative deity. She, the Lady of the Kingdom helped Cham people at first stages of their kingdom’s foundation. And she always leads the spirit life of families and community as a whole.

According to researchers, the ritual worshipping the Lady of the Kingdom has been conducted carefully by Cham and Kinh people at Po Nagar Cham Towers from middle 17^th century to date. In 1653, Viet people from the north following the Nguyen Lord into the south to expand the territory stopped by the estuary of Cai river (Nha Trang) and established villages, hamlets, etc. And they themselves brought mother-worship cults from the Red River delta to this land.

Thong hala Dacing Show in the Festival

Every year, Po Nagar Temple Festival perform from March 20th to the 23rd according to the lunar calendar. Cham and Kinh people everywhere bring offerings, pilgrimage to Po Naga tower to express their deep gratitude for a woman who has taught people how to work and live by agriculture.

Festival Formality

The main rituals of the Po Nagar Temple Festival including “muc duc” ritual (bath the statue) and “te quan gia” ritual (dressing up the Po Nagar Goddess) takes place at noon on the 20th of the third month in the lunar calendar, next is “Te sanh” ritual, offering food for the death, ball dance to invite the Goddess and Gods coming to the rituals. According to ritual, worship ceremony often prays for the peace, happiness and prosperity. “Te sanh” ritual often begins the interval between 11Am and 1Pm, night 22nd of the third month in the lunar calendar made by the elders, and then the officially ceremony will take place at 4 Am on the next day.

Goddess Worship in the Festival

The main ceremony is made by constitutional east, constitutional west and student performance, in turn offering wine, offering tea; they read the oration very reverent and solemn. Finally, group of Kinh and Cham people represent for palei, village … to ball dance, fruit dance, paper fan dance to praise and express their deep gratitude to “the mother country”.

The post Mysterious Po Nagar Cham Towers appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Thang Long four district gates own 4 holy temples established with the aim of guarding four cardinal points. They includes East, West, North and South in ancient capital of Thang Long.

Bach Ma Temple (White Horse) – Hanoi temples

Lying in the eastern direction, being one of four district gates in ancient capital of Thang Long. Bach Ma Temple is one of the oldest and holiest temples in Hanoi. Built in 866 and completed in 1010 during the reign of King Ly Thai To. Until to day, this temple preserves special traits of architecture from Ly, Tran dynasties on a grand scale.

Legend said that a general named Gao Pianfrom the Northern Invasion went to our country to build up Dai La citadel. And then, he is nervous after his defeat in a magic fight with a god. He commanded to establish Long Do temple. In 1010, King Ly Thai To transferred the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. He tried to rebuild the citadel many times but it always fell down. The king ordered people to pray at Long Do temple. In his dream at night, he saw a white horse coming out from the temple, wherever the horse reached traces of its footprints left. Continuously, the horse travelled all the roads and came back to the temple and then disappeared.

The king ordered his soldiers to build up the citadel following the white horse’s traces. As a matter of fact, the citadel stands firmly. King Ly Thai To named the guardian god of Thang Long after Long Do King. Since then, its name is “Bach Ma toi linh tu” (Extremely Holy White Horse Temple) and vary many times.

Bach Ma temple with ancient architecture dates back to Ly, Tran dynasties.

Typical of Hanoi temples, the temple has maintained lots of valuable relics like stone stele. It inscribes people with legends of it and Long Do god, documents of deification, rituals. Processes of repair and embellishment dating back from Le dynasty to Nguyen dynasty.

Voi Phuc Temple (Kneeling Elephant) – Hanoi temples

Located to the west of ancient Thang Long citadel, nowadays Voi Phuc Temple belongs to Ngoc Khanh ward, Ba Dinh district. In the past, Voi Phuc Temple, hidden under luxuriant ancient trees, lies beside Thu Le tranquil village.

In the folk stories, Voi Phuc Temple is memory of the cult of Linh Lang god. People believe that he help the king take care of the safety of Western Thang Long Imperial Citadel. According to legend, Linh Lang Dai Vuong (the Great Aristocrat) is the fourth son of King Ly Thanh Tong and his ninth concubine named Hao Nuong. At that time, Song Dynasty and Champa king sent troops to invade our country – the Great Viet. Enemies’ power was so strong that King Ky Thanh Tong ordered his messengers to travel the land and recruit talented people to fight against them. After hearing about that from a messenger. The prince requested the king to grant him a pink flag, a long spear, one elephant in order to defeat these enemies.

The statue of elephant prostrating in front of Voi Phuc temple of Hanoi temples

The messenger went back to the palace and reported the good news to the king. Therefore, he was happy to supply the prince with all the things he ordered, along with above five thousand troops and horses. Getting these things from the King, the prince shouted “I am the Heaven General”. Listening to his shouting, the elephant kneeled down allowing the prince to mount him. Riding on the elephant, the prince led his armies and defeated the enemies. As a result, the temple worshipping him was called Voi Phuc temple, one of four guardian temples of ancient Thang Long famous in the old days.

Kim Lien Temple – Hanoi temples

Kim Lien sacred temple guarding the South worships Cao Son Dai Vuong (Cao Son deity). Legend has it that Cao Son god – the son of Lac Long Quan and Au Co – one of fifty sons following his mother to the mountains. Along with Son Tinh (Mountain Genie), fought against Thuy Tinh (Water Genie) and brought peace to people.

Based on documents kept at the temple, soon after the establishment of Thang Long capital. Kim Lien temple was built by order of King Ly Thai To with the aim of protecting the southern citadel. In 1509, King Le Tuong Duc advanced his troops from Thanh Hoa towards Thang Long in order to overthrow Le Uy Muc. On the way, King Le Tuong Duc saw Cao Son Dai Vuong temple and immediately came into it praying for Cao Son god’s support. After that, King Tuong Duc’s ruling power began to take off. With his gratitude to Cao Son god secretly helping him. King Le Tuong Duc decided to rebuild the temple better and larger.

In front of the entrance to Kim Lien temple one of Hanoi temples

Afterwards, Kim Lien village’s people built three-door temple gate. People added some new works forming Kim Lien communal house, worshipping the Three Palaces, Mother Goddess, etc.

Inside the communal house, architectural decorations engraved lively and subtly feature style of art in Nguyen Dynasty. Currently, Kim Lien temple preserves the ancient stone stele dating back to 1772. On which the story and glorification of gods written in 1510 plus 39 Royal Proclamations throughout dynasties.

On 16^th day of third lunar month each year, Kim Lien villagers conduct thier traditional festival and offering rituals acknowledging merits of the gods.

Quan Thanh Temple

Formerly known as Tran Vu temple, Quan Thanh temple dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu deity. It was the place Taoist hermits lived and practiced their religion. According to Vietnamese mythology, the deity helped people expel evil spirits, sprites, and defeat invaders.

Quan Thanh temple was established by the order of Emperor Ly Thai To in 1010. For the purpose of protecting the North of Thang Long citadel. The most prominent item is a 1.5m high statue of Tran Vu majestically and solemnly sitting on a green stone ground. The 4 tons statue cast in black brass with 4 m height is evident in artisans’ fine art of bronze casting and sculpture at Ngu Xa village.

Quan Thanh temple attracts crowds of tourist on occasion of every lunar new year – Hanoi temples

Quan Thanh temple is designed in the sacred architecture andin front of the three-door gate built on blocks of marble are 4 high pillars. In addition to the bronze statue of Tran Vu, this temple still preserve lots of precious relics. Especially a big bell dating back to 1677 and bronze plate made in 1841 (during Thieu Tri reign).

Finally, Quan Thanh temple, along with Voi Phuc, Bach Ma, Kim Lien temples has made up four sacred guards of Thang Long – holy spirits of Thang Long.

Other temples you might be interested in Hanoi: Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple

The post Hanoi Temples – Famous and sacred temples in Hanoi appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.