STUDY AT CÉSAR RITZ With Ben Thanh Tourist

César Ritz College offers the best in advanced studies in the fields of tourism and hospitality

Vietnam’s economy is continuingly growing, and along with it is the growing demand for learning at famous academic institutions abroad. However, not all can afford to attend these schools. Now Ben Thanh Tourist, one of the most experienced and prestigious company in Vietnam, is offering a solution — a financial plan for the college of César Ritz, which is one of the Switzerland’s three best schools in hospitality and tourism administration.
César Ritz College is one of the first universities to receive the prestigious TedQual certification by the World Tourism Organization, along with other renowned institutes in America, Europe, Asia and Africa. TedQual stands for Tourism Education Quality, a methodology aimed at improving the quality of education, training and research specialized in tourism and hospitality in order to meet administrative and industrial needs. It is developed by the World Tourism Organization, a part of the United Nations’ systems in Madrid, Spain, which specializes in building tourism infrastructure.
César Ritz College offers training for bachelor of arts and MBA in international business with specialization in tourism administration and hospitality, as well as several short-term courses. After finalizing each seminar, whether it is six months, one year or two years, students are issued certificates for completion and receive the appropriate degrees. The classes offered are focused on assimilating students from the safe academic settings with the modern working environments, providing them with opportunities to put theories into practice and target individual fields of weaknesses.
In addition, César Ritz College is highly appreciated for commitments to introduce students into prestigious tourism and hospitality corporations worldwide. The network includes Ritz-Carlton, Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Four Points and more.
Ben Thanh Tourist’s collaboration with César Ritz College will gap the demand for study abroad and greatly contribute to Vietnamese growing need for human resources. For more information, contact Ben Thanh Tourist’s studying abroad consulting department.
Tel: 5202020 or 8224515
Email: duhoc@benthanhtourist.com Tourism news

From: The Saigontimes Weekly

ALLURING SUMMER

The summer season has just begun! It is a great opportunity to embark on a tour, local or overseas, courtesy of the many hospitable companies

Buon Ma Thuot-Lak Lake-Dalat
Arriving in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital city of Daklak Province, tourists will visit the 100-year-old wooden house, the suspension bridge crossing the Srepok River, as well as tour on the Lak Lake in dug-out canoes. But the most interesting activity is the excursion to Don Village – the homeland of wild elephants and ancient art of elephant taming. Great Draysap Waterfall is another spectacular site. Located in the primeval forest, it offers visitors alluring vegetations and surprises them with rainbows in the early morning.
Dalat City is famous, offering romantic settings for young lovers. In the mist of pine forests, great waterfalls, dreamlike lakes, and valleys of flowers, visitors can free their poetic souls. This is a five-day and four-night tour, offered by Saigontourist Travel Service. It departs every Friday and costs VND1,735,000/person.
Nha Trang beaches

This tour features the most beautiful beaches and bays in the locality. The activity includes fine seafood dining in Doc Let. On Thi Islet, tourists can bathe in the blue water or snorkel among the coral reefs. There is also a mini-vehicle racing on Tam Islet. Nha Phu Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in Nha Trang, and the wild Orchids Cave at Suoi Hoa Lan Resort are also on the agenda. Tourists will have a chance to row a boat in Nghinh Xuan-Thuy Tien Lake, and try out sea sport entertainment such as parasailing, water skiing, and more at An Binh Beach. Or if they prefer relaxation, there is hydrotherapy and bathing in mud at Thac Ba Hot Mineral Spring. Among the many historical monuments are Long Son Pagoda and Ponaga-Tower. There is also an additional option of stopping by VinPearl, the most luxurious resort in Nha Trang. This four-day three-night tour is offered by Fiditour at VND1,800,000-3,500,000/person, depending on transportation means.
Cat Ba Island-Halong Bay

Halong Bay, the UNESCO-recognized heritage, is one of the greatest attractions in Vietnam. At the bay, tourists will marvel at the natural and mysterious beauty of stalactites. Specifically, Cat Ba Island, which is a national park, offers exotic landscapes of mysterious rock formations and rare animals, like giant Komodo lizards. Bathing is also great at the island. The tour, offered by Saigontourist Travel Service, takes four days and three nights. It departs on every Friday and Sunday. Tourists will travel by airplane, and pay the all-inclusive price of VND6,377,000-6,737,000/person.
Short sea tours
Vung Tau City is a two-day and one-night tour. Visitors will depart from HCM City to Bien Dong Resort, Chon Khong Monastery, Bach Dinh Palace and more. The second two-day and one-night tour also departs from HCM City. It covers Binh Chau-Ho Coc, highlighting the world’s nature reserve park and the comforts of Saigon-Binh Chau or Ho Coc resorts. Both are operated by Global Holidays.

From: DAT TIEN (The saigontimes weekly)

Thailand festivals and events Guide

January :

Bo Sang Umbrella Fair & San Kamphaeng Handicrafts Fair January 19- 21 Bo Sang village,San Kamphaeng District near Chiang Mai has become renowned for its exquisitely painted paper umbrellas, which are sought after by visitors from all over the world. An annual fair, held on the main street, celebrates the traditional art of umbrella making and painting, as well as features contests, exhibitions, sales of handicrafts, and a Miss Bo Sang beauty pageant. Come and see this festival for yourself. Advance reservations are necessary.
February :
Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair February 6- 14 Phra Nakhon Khiri and around area, Phetchaburi Phra Nakhon Khiri (City on the Mount), a hill on which are located several religious structures and a nineteenth-century palace, overlooks the city of Phetchaburi, some two hours drive southwest of Bangkok. A light & sound presentation celebrating local history is one of the attractions of the popular fair.

March :
Sweet Grape Week Fair March 23-31 Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi. This area known for its famous floating market comes alive with a fair featuring some typical and unusual activities, These include a Thai cooking competition, a "sea-boxing" competition, boating competitions, as well as local product sales.

April :
Songkran Festival April 12-15 Nationwide The traditional Thai New Year is an occasion for celebration throughout the country. This occasion is marked with religious ceremonies as well as public festivities. Water throwing among the people in a spirit of fun and goodwill is the main activity of this festival. Throughout the city, Chiang MaiTo really enjoy Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, to its fullest, one should travel to Chiang Mai where there is a variety of religious and fun-related activities conducted along with parades and a Miss Songkran beauty competition.
May :
Royal Ploughing Ceremony May 16 Sanam Luang, BangkokAn ancient Brahman ritual, conducted at Sanam Luang, in which farmers believe is able to forecast the abundance of the next rice crop. The event is a result of a series of ceremonies that are conducted by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives who wears colourful traditional costumes. This ceremony was re-introduced in 1960 by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is considered the official commencement of the rice-growing season.
June :
Phi Ta Khon Festival June 23-24 Amphoe Dan Sai, Loei With origins from a well-known Buddhist tale, the colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession features young men who dress up as spirits to accompany a scared Buddha image and taunt villagers. Monks relate the tale of Lord Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. Included are competitions of masked dances and processions. Everyone is welcome to participate.
July :
Candle Festival July Thung Sri Muang Park, Ubon Ratchathani Khao Phansa, or the Buddhist Lent, is the time when all Buddhist monks must stay in their temples. In Ubon Ratchathani, a unique festival that highlights the talented skills of local artisans as well as displays of religious devotion is held each year. Elaborately carved beeswax candles of various sizes and shapes are exhibited in high-spirited processions around the city before being presented to local temples.
August :
Rambutan Fair August Around co/op , Surat Thani Surat Thani is known for its luscious rambutans that grow throughout this province. Each year, a fair is held to highlight this fruit that includes exhibitions of local products and floats adorned with rambutans, as well as many other exhilarating fun-filled activities.
H.M. The Queen's Birthday Celebration August 12 Nationwide To display their loyalty and to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are bedecked with coloured lights and magnificent adornments.
September :
Phichit Anuual Boat Races September 1 - 2 Nan River in front of Wat Tha Luang, Phichit Boat racing has been a part of Thai culture for centuries, and regattas are held in various parts of the country. This annual event takes place on the Nan River, Phichit, one of the most naturally panoramic parts of Thailand. The event features boats competing against each other with great fervour and excitement of the cheers of the spectators.
October :
Phuket Vegetarian Festival October Amphoe Kathu,Amphoe Muang & Amphoe Thalang,Phuket) It is not known for certain when the first Vegetarian Festival was held in Phuket. It is assumed that the custom started in the period of Thalang Governor Jerm in 1825 when a number of Chinese came to work in tin mines in Ban Get Hoe in Phuket. Legend has it that a Chinese drama troupe turned vegetarian in the belief that by doing so malaria prevalent on the island at the time could be driven away. Followers must abstain from meat, alcohol and sex for nine days and night as a homage to the Nine Emperor Gods (The Star Deities). The Chinese community then sent an emissary to South China to learn more about vegetarian rites.
During the festival which normally falls on the first nine days of the ninth Chinese lunar month, thousands of participants turn completely vegetarian to purify both body and mind in order to attend ceremonies. Aesthetic displays are performed by participants which include piercing the body and face with sharp objects and walking barefooted on hot charcoal, all in the belief that good health and peaceful mind will be attained.
November :
Northern Lantern Festival & Yipeng Loi Krathong October 31 - November 1 Chiang Mai Municipality Office and citywide, Chiang MaiCreating a mesmerizing sight, an unusual ritual of this northern capital's Loi Krathong Festival is the launching of Lanna-style hot air balloons, which is considered by locals to rid them of their troubles. Traditional floats (Krathongs) are also set adrift on the Ping River. In addition, there are various other forms of fun and a glamorous beauty pageant.
December :
H.M.The King's Birthday Celebrations December 5 NationwideH.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch. is well beloved and deeply respected by all Thais old and young. The occasion of his royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country. buildings and homes are elaborately decorated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated. River Kwae Bridge, Kanchanaburi Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River Kwae Bridge, which was built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World War II , becomes the focal point of celebrations. Highlights include historical and archaeological exhibitions, a carnival, folk and cultural performances, rides on World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge's World War II history.

From: Yourrooms.com

Thailand Activities and Top Things to do guide

Shopping

What to Buy
A wealth of shopping opportunities awaits the visitor, and bargains abound throughout our country in traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewellery and antiques, as well as more contemporary items.
Gems : Bangkok is the coloured gemstone capital of the world. Rubies and sapphires are indigenous stones, but virtually all coloured gems, as well as diamonds, are available. Shoppers should exercise caution and buy from reputable dealers only.
Clothing : We're one of the world's leading manufacturers of ready-to-wear clothing. Fashion boutiques are found in every shopping mall, while cheaper clothing such as T-shirts and jeans are available at bargain prices from street vendors. Custom tailoring is also very affordable and tailors can produce or copy most styles in just a few days.
Cotton & Batik : Our Thai cottons have become increasingly popular and are a good deal. Particularly notable are the hilltribe cottons woven by the tribal people of the North, typically displaying bold designs and often lavish embroidery. Equally distinctive are original batiks crafted at several studios in Bangkok.
Hilltribe Crafts : The tribal groups who live in the hills of the north make a variety of beautifully embroidered textiles and silver jewellery. Chiang Mai is the centre for such goods.
Where to shop
In Bangkok : Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets, and there are many areas throughout the city affording ample choice and easy access. Here’s
just a selection of some of the places to go shopping!
Chatuchak Park Weekend Market :
A famous Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plants - a paradise for browsers and bargain- hunters alike.
Silom-Mahesak-New Road :
Many gems and jewellery stores are found here, also the River City Shopping Complex, known for its quality antique stores and regular auctions.
Silom-Surawong-Patpong :
The commercial heart of Bangkok. houses dozens of specialist shops, boutiques and shopping plaza representing all the major buys. Street stalls also abound, most notably Patpong’s famous night market.
Bang Lamphu :
Close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.
Beyond Bangkok :
The main city for shopping outside the capital is Chiang Mai, which ranks as one of the world's largest centres for handicrafts and cottage industries. The extensive range of local products includes cotton and silk, hilltribe clothing, Burmese tapestries, hand-painted umbrellas and lacquerware, and many such items can be found at its fascinating Night Bazaar. Pattaya also offers plentiful shopping for Thai goods while virtually all other cities and resorts provide ample opportunity for buying gifts and souvenirs, as well as local specialties.

Sports

Water Sports :
With three coastlines stretching for hundreds of kilometers, and some of the finest beaches to be found anywhere in Southeast Asia, Thailand has become a major travel destination for lovers of all kinds of water sports. A number of excellent resorts offer a full range of equipment at reasonable rates for anyone interested in exploring the pleasures of deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, water skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, or swimming in crystal clear waters.
One of the first and still one of the most popular water sport centers is Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, just two hours drive from Bangkok. The main beach is located on a scenic bay, but facilities are available along the coast for several kilometers. There are also more than 30 picturesque offshore islands with a wealth of coral and many types of tropical fish.
The other major water sport center is the southern island of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. Here on the west coast there are more than 14 magnificent white sandy beaches, all with warm, clear waters, as well as a large number of nearby islands that boast diving conditions to rival the best in the world.
Diving :
Our long coastline offers some of the finest diving opportunities not only in Asia but anywhere in the world. Phuket and Pattaya are both major dive centres, and there are many training facilities with internationally qualified instructors.
The majority of diving destinations close to Phuket are located in nearby Phangnga , where hundreds of limestone islands rise up from the blue waters. Also popular are the largely uninhabited Similan Islands, recently listed among the world's ten most beautiful spots for underwater scenery and the spectacular Phi Phi Islands near Phuket.
On the other side of the peninsula in the Gulf of Thailand is the Ang Thong Islands National Marine Park, a group of more than 40 beautiful islands off the west of Surat Thani province and near Ko Samui. In Pattaya, scuba divers can organize daily trips from the resort to the offshore islands of Ko Lan, Ko Sak, and Ko Krok.
Fishing :
The variety of magnificent scenery, coupled with year round warm weather and an abundance of gamefish make fishing in Thailand's seas a popular water sport.
The Gulf of Thailand, in contrast to the Andaman Sea, is less saline, generally warmer and shallower. Sharks, eagle rays, and barracuda are just a few of the species to be seen here. During the cool season from November to January, sailfish can be spotted in Pattaya and the Bang Saray region, as well as in Chumphon and in the waters around Ko Samui.
In the Gulf itself, Pattaya and Bang Saray are the major centres for gamefishing, with plenty of charter boats available.
Among the best fishing areas in the Andaman Sea are Racha Yai Islands near Phuket and the Similan Islands, northwest of Phuket. Sailfish season runs from mid-May to November, while marlin and tuna bite during the months of late November to May. The main gamefishing centre is Chalong Beach, on the east coast of Phuket.
Canoeing :
Increasingly popular among ecological-minded travelers is the sport of sea canoeing, which offers adventure while also conserving the environment. Sea Canoe Thailand in Phuket and Sea Canoe Krabi both offer memorable trips in nearby bays, through spectacular scenery that includes huge caves only accessible by water.
Kayaking :
Specially constructed inflatable kayaks are now widely available in southern Thailand, especially in Phangnga Bay, where they are used in expeditions to discover the many extraordinary scenic features of the limestone islands and mountains that characterize this region. A number of tour companies offer a variety of expeditions, some of which last several days with overnight accommodation in tents on secluded beaches.
Golf :
We have over two hundred golf courses, many of them championship standard. So for golfers who not only appreciate a challenging course, but an exotically different one too, Thailand offers an unbelievable choice.
Some are just a short chip and putt from Bangkok, such as the Navathanee Golf Course, which was created for the 1975 World Cup and the Ekachai Golf Club, reckoned to be one of the country's most testing courses. Outside Bangkok, there are numerous courses offering high quality facilities, including The Rose Garden in Nakhon Pathom, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, the Phuket Golf and Country Club on the lush island of Phuket, and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, probably the oldest in Thailand.
Mountain Biking :
The north of Thailand is most suitable for this activity because of its cooler temperatures, especially from November to February. A number of companies offer well organized biking tours, most include guides and, on certain tours, back-up vehicles carrying food and overnight equipment. Bikes are also widely available in major tourists destinations, where they can be rented at extremely reasonable rates on a daily basis.
Cliff Climbing :
The most popular area for climbing is the southern province of Phangnga, where towering limestone cliffs provide the perfect challenge.

Thailand hotel travel information and local guide

Go Explore

Welcome to Thailand's Great Outdoors
For the active traveller, Thailand presents endless opportunities for new and exciting adventure. Hiking, jungle treks, scuba diving, birdwatching, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, are just some of the ways to explore the country's immense natural and cultural wealth. On the map, Thailand has the shape of an axe with a long, narrow handle. From the topmost part to the butt end is a length of some 1,650 kilometres, roughly the distance between New York and Miami.
Thanks to its extraordinary length, the country has the most diverse climate in Southeast Asia. In the mountainous North, wintertime temperatures can drop below freezing point while in the Peninsula South it stays balmy all year round. Geographically Thailand is divided into four regions, and the landscape varies from one to the other. The Central Plains, which includes the national capital of Bangkok, is flat and fertile.

The North is marked by forested mountains while the high plateau of the Northeast is relatively dry. The Southern Peninsula, flanked by the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the Andaman Sea to the West, has beaches and wetlands either side of its lush central mountain range. The country has 2,700 kilometres of coastline, making it one of the top destinations for beach and sun lovers.
Thailand's location at the heart of Southeast Asia means the array of plant and wildlife it supports is very diverse. The mountains of the North form the southerly tip of the Himalayan range , making them a natural habitat for high-altitude species not seen in other parts of the country. The Southern Peninsula, on the other hand, is home to flora and fauna similar to those in Malaysia and Indonesia.
If a large part of the country's charm is the work of nature, the cultural diversity that exists here is responsible for the rest. Village life varies from one place to another, and the ethnic tribes and native people of each region have their own distinct traditions and ways of life. Trips to their homes will enable you to explore both the beautiful landscape and the people's amazing customs and lifestyles.
To do all and see all that the country has to offer, you will need months or even years, but if you are planning an adventure holiday, you will probably have to choose from the wide range of choice. For beach and sun: Pattaya and other beach resorts on the Eastern Seaboard; Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi in the South; and the islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman.

For diving and marine life: Islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea especially Koh Tao, Koh Pangan, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Similan.
For trekking, mountain hiking and hilltribe culture: The mountains of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and the forest land on the Western border with Myanmar, in Tak and Kanchanaburi.
For animal spotting and bird watching: Khao Yai to the North of Bangkok, Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai and other wildlife sanctuaries around the country.

Experience Thailand

Agrotourism

It is often said that nobody who’s willing to work will ever starve in Thailand. A 13th century king’s praise for his homeland, inscribed in stone and memorized by schoolchildren, proclaims that “there is rice in the fields, and fish in the waters.” Even in hard times like today, the country’s natural wealth continues to provide hopes and a livelihood for its sons and daughters.
Fruit and salt farming flourish in the provinces on both coasts of the Gulf of Thailand. The Eastern provinces receive the southwest monsoon that makes them greener and wetter than the rest of the country. They produce quality rambutan, mangosteen and some of the best durians for local and overseas markets. Provinces southwest of Bangkok are also fruit growers, though the list varies from one to the next, and cottage industries long ago sprung up to absorb oversupplies. A visit to these quaint little factories offers an opportunity to sample their products and take home some of the best.
Thailand’s agrotourism to a large extent shares a boundary with eco and cultural tourism, since farm life is inseparable from local culture and heritage. Agrotourism centers run by the Department of Agricultural Extension offer tours of local farms with nature exploration and home stay in the villages. Some agro destinations can be enjoyable stops on a long trip, offering sightseeing, education and shopping opportunities in one packages.
Buddhist Meditation
Any of us have at one time or another found the toll of living in the modern world hard to bear. Stress, depression and disillusionment are some of the diseases of modern times that leave us yearning for a solution, a cure, so to speak. More and more people are turning to meditation as they fail to find the answer through worldly paths. Meditation is found in some form or other in all major religious traditions. Even those who are not religious use it to focus the mind, to hone it, so that it works better. In Buddhism, meditation is the integral to the eight-fold path to enlightenment. One trains one’s mind so that it can see the four-point Supreme Truth that forms the core of Buddha’s teachings: suffering, what causes it, the end of suffering, and the path to that end. Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, meditation is a valuable training that can be applied to daily life, for it helps with concentration and when done correctly can lead to a state of peace and calmness that’s beyond worldly joys.
There are two main branches in Buddhist meditation: samatha (calmness, concentration) and vipassana (insight), which stresses mindfulness. This doesn’t mean that the two are entirely separate, since you cannot be mindful unless you have at least some level of concentration. The techniques of samatha meditation are many, some older than Buddhism, others developed after the time of the Buddha. Among the most commonly practiced here is anapanasati, or “mindfulness with breathing.” This technique was advocated by the Venerable Buddhadasa Bhikku (1903-1993), founder of Suan Mokkh Forest Monastery in Surat Thani. Meditators at Suan Mokkh (Garden of Liberation), follow the 16 steps of anapanasati as laid down in Pali texts.
Thai Cooking
Thai cooking as now enjoyed all over the world is a blend of Asian and European influences adopted through centuries of trade and diplomatic exchanges. Thais have traditionally lived close to the land and the waters, and original Thai cooking reflected that. Main ingredients were rice, fish, vegetable and herbs. Very little meat was used, and traditionally beef or buffalo meat was eschewed since the animals were the mainstays of farm life.Thais grilled, baked and stewed their food, until the Chinese introduced the techniques of cooking with hot oil. European merchants, diplomats and missionaries also contributed a lot to the cuisine, starting right after their arrivals in the 16th Century. And we all have the Portuguese to thank for introducing chilies to Thai kitchens. Curries and spices, on the other hand, were brought here by the Indians. Over the years Thai cooks have added their own ingenuity, substituting hard-to-find ingredients with what’s available locally and adapting the recipes to suit Thai palates.
Muay Thai
The history of Muay Thai is interwoven with the history of the Thai people. A gentle, peace-loving people, for centuries Thais had to defend themselves and their land from aggressive powers. They developed a form of close, hand-to-hand combat best suited for the kind of rough-terrain battle they were fighting. Over time it became a rite of passage for Thai men to take up training in this martial art. King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605), one of the country’s most celebrated warrior-heroes, is believed to have been an excellent boxer himself, and it was he who made Muay Thai a required part of military training. Another milestone in the history of Muay Thai was the triumph of Nai Khanom Tom over 10 Burmese boxers in 1774. Taken captive after the Thai capital fell in 1767, Nai Khanom Tom was picked to fight before the Burmese king. After defeating ten of them in a row, he was freed and returned home a hero.

From: Yourrooms.com

New And Different At Sea Festival

Fun-filled activities and a chance to learn about the regional culture are among the highlights of the Sea Festival in Nha Trang

As one of the world’s most beautiful bays, Nha Trang attracts tourists, both local and international. In Nha Trang, tourists can visit many attractions, such as Ponagar Temple, Chong Rocks, Co Tien (Fairy Lady) Bay, Cam Ranh Bay and many more. There also are many delicacies whose taste will bring tourists back for more. Some of these are nem (fermented pork roll) of Ninh Hoa, kho nai (dried deer meat) of Dien Khanh, and birds’ nests. Touring and eating well are great, but they do not offer that absolute relaxed feeling that you get only from activities and entertainment linked to the sea, and exploring the nearby islands.
On June 9-15, the Sea Festival “Nha Trang Rendezvous” 2007 will take place. In the first week there will be many performance and entertainment programs to serve the locals and tourists. Those programs include a ceramics display, the Cham people’s brocade weaving, a stamp exhibition on the theme of the sea, a food street, a sea swimming contest, a flower arranging competition, a beer festival, artistic kite flying, a calligraphy exhibition, exhibition of work by Vietnamese and French artists, a rock music performance, a beauty show, cyclo race and much more. Besides traveling to the city by road, tourists can travel there by the five-star train.
Festival tours
Saigontourist Travel Service has tours to give tourists the opportunity to enjoy the festival atmosphere and assimilate to the local culture, as well as take part in the fun activities. The festival tours depart on June 8, 9 and 10, and cost VND1,272,000-6,395,000 a tourist, depending on hotel standard and means of transport (road, train or airplane).
The tours will help tourists use to the maximum the time they have available. So they will travel to see the sights around Nha Trang, take part in most of the events in the festival, and tray out the entertainment world of VinPearl Land. To get to VinPearl they can use the world’s longest cable car system crossing the sea; they can rest at Thap Ba Hot Spring Resort to enjoy the hydrotherapy. Tourists can also opt for participating in the festival as well as exploring the beauty of the sea, visiting Lao Island, mostly known as Monkey Island, or even learning how to dive.
If taking the tour by road, tourists can enjoy the beauty of Ca Na Beach, one of the best beaches of the Central region, and the road along the Lo River or Ro Island along the dreamlike Cam Ranh Beach.
Saigontourist Travel Service
Add: 49 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCM CityTel: 8279 279, email: info@saigontourist.net, website: www.saigontourist.net
TOURISM NEWS
For the upcoming summer, Ben Thanh Tourist offers tours catering to this season, as follows:
TOURS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES:
• Spain-Portugal, 7 days, costing US$2,850/tourist
• Greece, 7 days, costing US$2,300/tourist• Germany-Belgium-Holland-France-Italy, 12 days, US$3,090/tourist
• The U.S., 13 days, costing US$3,980/tourist
• Japan (Osaka-Tokyo-Nagoya-Hakone-Tokyo), 8 days, costing US$2,119/tourist
• Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), 8 days, costing US$2,250/tourist
• Korea (Jeju, Seoul and Nami), 7 days, costing US$2,300/touristLOCAL TOURS:
• Sports holiday tours, 2 days, costing VND545,000/tourist
• Central heritage road, 26 days, costing VND4,290,000/tourist
• Back to Thang Long, 6 days, costing VND7,220,000/tourist• Five-star tours to Nha Trang, 3 days, costing VND5,344,000/tourist

From: TIEN DAT (The Saigon Times Weekly)

Dragon House Harks Back To French

The former office of a French shipping company, Nha Rong or Dragon House,is one of the well-recognized historical sites of HCM City
On September 3, 1979, 10 years after President Ho Chi Minh passed away, HCM City authorities decided to establish a place to commemorate him. The selected spot was a waterfront building called Nha Rong. It was at this wharf that 21-year-old Nguyen Tat Thanh boarded a ship for France in 1911 and then lived in many other countries. Thirty years later, he returned to Vietnam with the name Ho Chi Minh to be a leader of the national liberation movement.
Nha Rong is the name that Vietnamese used to call the office of France’s Messageries Maritimes Company. This magnificent building was built in 1863, four years after the French seized Saigon. It has original and strange architecture. Its roof has the elegant beauty of the roof of a Chinese pagoda with two dragons competing for a fireball. As there are two dragons on the roof, Vietnamese call the building Nha Rong.
Nha Rong is located at the three-way intersection of the Saigon River and Ben Nghe Canal. On the far side of the canal, there was a rice field on a high area. At that time, there was no bridge over the canal, so people went to Nha Rong by boat. More than 20 years later, the Messageries iron bridge was built to connect Adran Street, now Ho Tung Mau Street, with the far side of the canal.
Messageries Maritimes was a big sea transport company and was established in 1851. It was headquartered in Marseilles and had shipping routes to America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Many ships of the company were named after Vietnam’s geographical places such as Annam, Tourane, Sontay, and Haiphong. Nha Rong Port was the stopover for ships going from Marseilles to Hong Kong and Yokohama.
Many postcards were printed with the images of ships and ports used by Messageries Maritimes and there were paintings of the company’s ships in storms. Nha Rong appeared in many postcards for decades. Later it was printed on the Vietnamese 50,000-dong banknote. Together with Ben Thanh Market, Nha Rong is one of the two symbols of HCM City.
After Vietnam was reunified in 1975, Nha Rong was repaired to serve as a house of commemoration, then as the Ho Chi Minh Museum in the south. After Nha Rong was restored, the two dragons on the roof no longer faced each other: one looked east and the other looked west. On the roofs of palaces or pagodas, dragons sometimes confront each other, look outside or look back. Vietnam has been in the situation of two dragons fighting each other several times. Most dramatically, it was when the Trinh and Nguyen fought each other and the period after the Geneva Accords of 1954.
Trinh and Nguyen Lords competed for power, so Vietnam was divided into the North and the South, with the Gianh River in Quang Binh Province as the border. Once, after the signing of Geneva Accords in 1954, Vietnam was divided at Latitude 17. Ngo Dinh Diem’s Government in the south, supported by the U.S., refused to hold a general election to reunify the country. The 20-year war that followed caused much human misery and slowed the building of the country.
On the bank of Ben Nghe Canal opposite Nha Rong, the French erected a mast to signal the travel of ships and boats. Vietnamese called it Thu Ngu Flag Pole, which remains. Nearby is La Pointe des Blagueurs for people who were fond of joking. This was an ideal place to sit and chat and watch the ships travel on the Saigon River, enter and leave Ben Nghe Canal, or berth at Nha Rong Port.
TOURISM NEWS
A hand for the poor in Dak Lak
With the aim of helping the poor community in Dak Lak Province, on May 26-27, Saigontourist Holding Company, in cooperation with the Dak Lak Fatherland Front Committee, Dak Lak Tourism Joint Stock Co., and HCM City Volunteer Health Club, held the program “Saigontourist for the Community.” The program included visits, offering diagnosis and treatment, and distributing free medicine and presents to 720 households in Lak District’s Pongkrang, Krongno, Dakphoi and Daklieng communes. The participants of the program were over 50 young doctors of HCM City Volunteer Health Club.
According to Tran Hung Viet, Saigontourist deputy general director and the program’s organizing board chairman, Saigontourist always gives attention to charity works, contributing to eliminating hunger and reducing poverty. Annually, the company donates about VND4 billion to help people and households in need and give scholarships to poor, studious students, help those suffering from disasters, and build houses, hospitals and schools. “The program in Dak Lak was part of Saigontourist’s plan to join forces with society to improve social welfare and foster hunger elimination and poverty reduction,” said Viet.
Aiming to boost the charity work into the professional level, in October 2006, Saigontourist founded the organizing board of “Saigontourist for the Community” program with activities carried out every month, quarter and year, with the participation of the staff of the company and its affiliates.
Training for Saigontourist staff
In its 32 years of growth, Saigontourist knows well that to enhance its brand name it must focus on training its human resources. On May 23-24, Saigontourist held a training course titled “21st Century Leader Skills,” for 25 leaders of international hotels and travel companies directly under Saigontourist. The trainer was Jennifer D. Water, an expert who has experience in consultancy in the hospitality and tourism industry in Australia and with international organizations like Greenpeace. She works for Spectra Consulting and Training Company of Singapore.
In addition to organizing staff competitions to improve professional skills, Saigontourist also invites lecturers from international tourism training centers to give lectures as well as sending Saigontourist people overseas to get advanced knowledge in management, which has brought about encouraging consequences.
"From now on, we will encounter fierce competition from international brand names that are capital-rich and strong in management and advanced services. In this competition, Saigontourist has to assert its position as well as its strength on the basis of Saigontourist and Vietnamese technology. Therefore, human resources play a vital role as the key to success,” Saigontourist general director Nguyen Huu Tho said.

From: TRAN TAN MY (The Saigon Times Weekly)

The History Of Me Linh Square

The tides of history are reflected in the use of a park in the center of HCM City
The term Me Linh reminds Vietnamese of two national heroines, the sisters Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. The sisters led a revolt against the domination of the Han Emperor from China. Trung Trac’s husband, General Thi Sach, was killed by the Han rulers because he did not submit to them. In the year 42 A.D., Trung Trac and her younger sister, Trung Nhi, started a resistance movement against the Han rulers and quickly drove them out of Vietnam.
She then proclaimed herself empress and settled in Me Linh, making it the capital of Vietnam. Three years later, the Han emperor assigned famous general Ma Vien to Vietnam to suppress the revolt and reinstate the Han rule. The two sisters could not stand against Ma Vien’s strong army and were pushed to a critical situation in Cam Khe. They drowned themselves in the river rather than surrender. Their feats and spirit have been warmly remembered by Vietnamese.
In HCM City, Me Linh Square is on Ton Duc Thang Street facing the Saigon River. The square stands near the Me Linh Point Tower and the Renaissance Riverside Hotel. Hai Ba Trung and Thi Sach streets, names linked to the sisters, also start there.
Under French rule, the square bore the name Rigault de Genouilly, after a commander of the French navy in the Far East. De Genouilly’s navy, together with British troops, attacked and seized Guangzhou in China in February 1857. In August of the same year, De Genouilly moved his navy southward and attacked Danang as a show of French strength and to protest the Nguyen Dynasty’s ban on Christianity in Vietnam. In February 1859, Vice Admiral De Genouilly commanded the French troops in an attack to seize Gia Dinh, the protective citadel of Saigon, marking the beginning of the French takeover of Vietnam. De Genouilly then returned to France and won a seat in the French parliament in 1860. In 1864, he became minister of the navy and the French colonies. He died in 1873. In 1879, a bronze statue of De Genouilly was erected at the present site of Me Linh Square. During the August Revolution in 1945, Vietnamese patriots took the statue away and the French rulers could not regain it.
At the Me Linh Square today is the statue of Marshall Tran Hung Dao, a Vietnamese general under the Tran Dynasty in the 13th century. Tran Hung Dao defeated the strong Mongol troops three times during their invasion into Vietnam. He has been recognized worldwide as a top military strategist and is someone Vietnamese are very proud of.
One big issue about the square is whether, as its name suggests, it should have the statues of the Trung sisters instead of Marshall Tran Hung Dao. In fact, the statues of the Trung sisters were erected there in the early 1960s under the regime of President Ngo Dinh Diem. The Saigonese at that time thought that the face of Trung Trac looked like Madam Tran Le Xuan, wife of advisor Ngo Dinh Nhu and sister-in-law of President Diem. The Diem regime, which was criticized for nepotism, collapsed in 1963. Diem and Nhu were killed. At that time Tran Le Xuan was not in Vietnam. She had to live abroad until the end of her life. The statues of the Trung sisters were destroyed, and the statue of Marshall Tran Hung Dao was erected at the square instead.
In HCM City now there is a solemn temple dedicated to the Trung sisters. The temple, on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Binh Thanh District, has a pair of white elephants. The sisters used to ride elephants into battle with the Han troops.In the center of Me Linh Square today is a beautiful park with colorful flowers. Many Saigonese go there for physical exercise in the early morning or to enjoy the fresh breeze from the river in the hot afternoon.
TOURISM NEWS
Business goes well for Saigontourist Travel Service
In the first four months of 2007, Saigontourist Travel Service looked after 77,000 travelers, with international tourists numbering 42,569 and domestic tourists who booked for both inbound and outbound tours totaling 34,508. There were over 3,100 tourists going on high-end Premium Travel tours, up 18% against the time last year. Saigontourist is the leader in the tourism industry, and in the international and local travel business. As to its international travel business, in the first four months tourists going on cruises went up 300% and those traveling by air soared 45%, helped by an 80% jump in business involving the French market.
The Premium Travel tours to Nha Trang, Halong Bay, Danang, Dalat, Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, Korea and the U.S. were strongly supported. Several tours had big increases, including over 4,000 more tourists going to Cambodia, tours to China being up 35%, and a big demand for package tours to Phan Thiet-Dalat, Hue-Hoi An-Danang, and tours covering all of Vietnam. MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) tours attracted over 1,500 international tourists, and over 2,000 local tourists. A total of 3,000 tourists took MICE tours to Malaysia, Portugal, China, Korea and Japan.
Besides its current website of www.saigontourist.net, Saigontourist Travel Service has opened two new websites, being www.dulichhe.com and www.blogdulich.com.
Saigontourist Travel Service
Add: 49 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCM CityTel: 8279279, email: info@saigontourist.net
2007 Childhood Smile
For Children’s Day on June 1, Van Thanh Tourism Park will offer a buffet with over 50 special dishes. The children can play and at 5 p.m. the buffet will open. Many folk games will be on show, such as beating the pig blindfolded, painting statues, shaping to he (dough toy), and many more. A game show will be included, named “Singing with the Baby Cicada,” and there will be many gifts. Finding Nemo and Shrek programs will also be on stage. The whole program is priced at VND109,000/adult and VND69,000/child, and a gift will be offered to every child at the entrance.
Van Thanh Tourism Park
Add: 48/10 Dien Bien Phu St., Binh Thanh Dist., HCM CityTel: 5123026

From: TRAN TAN MY (The Saigon Times Weekly)

Hue Attractions - Top Sightseeing and things to see

Bach Ma Park
Bach Ma National Park is located approximately 50 km north of Hue. In the 1930s, a city was located in the mountains, but it was almost completely destroyed after the 1946 - 1954 revolution. Nowadays, all that is left are the remnants of a city built with roman architecture and buried under vegetation. Bach Ma National Park is now considered as another Dalat, but in the centre of the country. The temperature never goes below 4°C in the winter and the hottest summer temperature does not exceed 26°C.Bach Ma National Park has a lot to offer, as much in terms of sites to visit as landscapes to admire. From the top of Hai Vong Dai, the highest peak at 1,450 m, one can admire a fantastic view. The Grand Do Quyen Waterfall, over 300 m high and 25 m wide, is also impressive.Rich vegetation and animal-life also attract many visitors. The park is home to 233 species of birds and 55 species of mammals, as well as extensive flora of more than 500 species. Extensive scientific research is also carried out here.

Thuan An Beach

Thuan An beach is situated near by Thuan An mouth, where Huong river runs to Tam Giang lagoon and then to the sea.... In the beginning of the 19th century, King Minh Mang named the place as Thuan An, assigned to build Tran Hai frontier post for defense of the Capital.Far from Hue 15 km, only 15 minutes by car, tourists are able to reach the beach. Plenty small boats, junks drift up and down the river in the left of the route, and on the right there are houses, temples, pagodas, rice field and gardens successively spread out...
Thuan An is a very enjoyable place for all tourists after a full day to visit Citadel, mausoleums, pagodas and Hue scenery... Thuan An is also the place where Hue people gather to enjoy the fresh air and sea-bathing in summer time. Intensive activities of the beach lasts from April to September, while Hue temperature being fairly hot. Besides sea bathing, tourists are able to visit Thai Duong temple where Thai Duong Goddess is very esteemed by villagers or visit the temple devoted to the whale, the sacred animal of the local people.

Lang Co Beach

Leaning against the Truong Son mountains, Chan May cape is in the shape of an enormous crescent. It is next to Lang Co Beach and north of Hai Van Pass. These beaches are considered the nicest in the central area.
Lang Co Beach is 10 km long with white sand and clean and shallow water. The in-season is from April to the end of July, with an average temperature of 25oC and 158 sunny hours per month.According to research of the Institute of Physics and Hydrology, the water in the area is accessible to the vessels 10 tons, and the Vietnamese government plans to build a harbour in Chan May. The harbour will be a starting point for tourists. It is planned for Chan May harbour and the Dung Quat industrial zone to greatly contribute to the economic development of central Vietnam.

Phu Cam Cathedral

The interior was built following classical traditions: two rows of stained-glass windows are located in the upper gallery and a holy cross made of steel and concrete is in the middle alley.In one of the cathedral's wings is the tomb of former archbishop Philippe Nguyen Kim Dien (1921-1988). At the front of the cathedral are two statues: Saint Phero on the right, and Saint Paulo on the left.
The Phu Cam Cathedral is located in Phuoc Vinh Ward, Hue City. It was built in 1965 following modern architectural designs by architect Ngo Viet Thu. New concept were used, such as the use of supporting pillars attached to walls. Three supporting pillars in each corner stretch out to create a large space for the altar.

Vi Da Village

Vi Da is the name of a very famous territory of Hue. Lying along the Huong river, Vi Da is a hamlet established 200 years ago.
Even today, the tourist can see along the two sides of the road to Thuan An those ancient houses, built after the classical architecture of 3 principal rooms and 2 auxiliary ones at the 2 ends, the roof is covered with "yin & yang" tiles (tiles imbricated the ones within the other), with its top having 2 dragons, in front of the house there is a courtyard paved with bricks, and a brick screen is accompanied by a rock-work (a miniature - mountain). The most famous is the residence of the Prince Tuy Ly Mien Trinh, which has a three - door portico made after the architecture of Tam Quan ( 3 doors). Here is also the Ba La Mat pagoda built at the beginning of the 19th century, the communal temple of Vi Da, the Tu Bi Hi Xa pagoda... Beside that, Vi Da is also famous for its gardening traditions, its gardens have been blossoming all year long in the 4 seasons.

Nine Dynasty Urns

There are nine greatest bronze urns in Vietnam placed in the shade of the Hien Lam pavilion, in front of the Mieu temple and southwest of the Royal citadel.They were cast by Emperor Minh Mang in 1836. After their casting, the Nine Dynastic Urns were placed in accordance with the altars in Mieu temple, at the position as today. The 17 relieves on each urn comprise what are most typical of the country from the Lang Song province to the Ca Mau cape.
They are concentrated on the following themes: stars, mountains, seas and oceans, vehicles, valuable forestry and sea products of Vietnam early in the 20th century. The nine dynasty urns were cast by Minh Mang to symbolize the dynasty sovereignty. They are a cultural heritage , almost intact and rare in this harsh-weather and war-worn land.

Thien Mu Pagoda

The name of the pagoda takes its source from a legend. It was told that long ago, there appeared an old woman every night on the hill where the pagoda stands today. She told local people that a Lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the country's prosperity. Lord Nguyen Hoang, on hearing that, ordered the construction of a pagoda of the Heavenly Lady.
The pagoda is situated on Ha Khe, on the left bank of the Perfume river, in Huong Long village, 5 km from central of Hue city.It was built in 1601, and then Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan had renovated in 1665. In 1710 Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu had a great bell cast (2.5 m high, weighed 3,285 kg) and a stele (2.58 m high) erected on the back of a marble tortoise in 1715. In the Nguyen Dynasty, Kings such as Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Thanh Thai all had the pagoda restored.
Phuoc Duyen tower (at first called Tu Nhan tower) was built in 1884 by King Thieu Tri. Phuoc Duyen tower has seven-stored with 21m high in octagonal shape.
Dai Hung shrine is a main-hall and a magnificent architecture. In the main-hall, besides the bronze cast statues, there preserved some precious antiquities: the bronze gong cast in 1677, the wooden gilded board with Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu's inscriptions in 1714.
On the both sides of the pagoda there are a bonze's room and a guest-room for visitors. In front of the pagoda is flowers and ornamental plant. At the back is a calm and romantic pine-tree garden. The pagoda was heavily damage in 1943. Priest Thich Don Hau has organized a great renovation of the pagoda for more than 30 years since 1945. Nowadays it becomes more and more magnificent and attracts tourist near and far.

Ngo Mon Gate

This three-story structure is 58 m long, 27.5 m wide, 17 m high and serves as the main entrance to Imperial city. There are five gates to Ngo Mon, with the central gate being reserved for the kings only.The two adjacent gates were exclusively for court officials, and the two other outer gates were used for servants and members of the royal entourage. On top of the arch in the Five Phoenix Tower where the king sat during festivities.
This was also where ceremonies were organized to announce the names of successful candidates of royal examinations. During the reign of the Nguyen Kings, Ngo Mon Gate was only opened when the kings were passing by or receiving foreign ambassadors.

Dieu Duc Pagoda

The pagoda is situated at 92/6/4 Dien Bien Phu street, Truong An quarter, Hue City. The facade is direct to the North-East, in front of it is Van Phuoc hill in which has Thien Lam pagoda, Van Phuoc pagoda, Tinh Do pagoda. At the back, there are Kim Tien, Tu Quang and Tuong Van pagodas. It was founded in 1932 by Bhikhuni Dieu Huong, Dieu Khong, Mrs Cong Ton Nu Thi Ban, Ton Nhan Ung Ban, Ung Uy, Ton That Tung.In 1936 the Main-hall of the pagoda was established. The pagoda has: a Main-hall in which a high altar is for Duc The Ton and Tam The. The lower alter is for Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, statue of Bodhisattva Te Chi. In the middle of the main-hall has a gilt dragon, lion, tortoise, phoenix carving escutcheon incripted "Dieu Duc Pagoda" Most Ven Phuoc Hue (Thap Di Da pagoda in Binh Dinh).
At the back of the main-hall is an altar for Bhikhuni Dieu Huong - founder of the pagoda linking the main-hall is a drum hall, then the back house, the left is a house for Dhamma - preaching Hall, the right is a house for Most Ven succeeding generation. Two sides of the back house are two houses for nunnery regulations. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1948, 1971, 1991 by Old Bhikkhuni Dieu Huong, Bhikkhuni The Yen and Thieu Tri.

Hue's Museum Of Antiquity

Hue's Museum of Antiquity is a gallery displaying collections of bronzeware, ceramics, chinaware, furniture, royal costumes and personal belongings from former Vietnamese emperors.Now located at 3 Le Truc Street, the museum was built in 1845 by Emperor Thieu Tri.
The elegant building, initially called Long An Palace, was dismantled and rebuilt in 1909 at its present location to serve as a library and office.
This building is a monument of remarkable value. It contains some wooden panels that are inscribed with poems and essays written by Emperor Thieu Tri himself.

Trang Tien Bridge

Spanning the Huong river there are more than ten bridges but only one becomes Hue symbol, that's Trang Tien bridge.As written in Annual of Unified Great Nam by " The office of Vietnam History" of the Nguyen Dynasty, "the metal bridge Trang Tien in the south east of the Capital commenced to be built in the 9th year of King Thanh Thai (1897) and then finished in 1899. The bridge is about 400m long with 6 spans".In August 1904, a terrible typhoon devastated the Center of Vietnam, and 6 spans of the bridge were broken down, only two spans remained. In 1906 the bridge was reconstructed. Trang Tien bridge has been repaired so many times again. Near the bridge right gate there was once a small market at the Trang Tien wharf, named Dong Ba. Nowadays Dong Ba is a trading center of Hue city.

Huong River - Ngu Mountain

The Perfume river, Huong Giang in Vietnamese, has two main sources in the Truong Son mountains: the Ta Trach and Huu Trach rivers. It is 30 km long and features and extremely slow current as the water is at almost the same level as the sea. The river runs through the village of Kim Long, Nguyet Bieu, Vy Da, Dong Ba, Gia Hoi and Bao Vinh. The view on both sides is magnificent with the citadel, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples; their reflection on the water makes the river even more poetic. Many locals think that Hue has such peaceful, gentle and tranquil landscapes because of the Perfume river. Ngu Binh mountain's imposing and symmetrical outline is surrounded by Ta Bat Son and Huu Bat Son mountains. During the Nguyen Dynasty, emperor Gia Long built the capital of Hue next to Ngu Binh to use it as a shield.
Hue's landscape is magnificent surrounded with the Perfume (Huong) river and Ngu Binh mountain. The oil capital is even sometimes called Huong-Ngu city.

Hue National School

Quoc Hoc high school was founded pursuant to the royal decree dated September 17th 1896 and the decree on November 18th 1896 of the French Resident-Superior in Indochina. The school was built on the site of a former squadron headquarter - a royal navy headquarters.
In 1915 when the decree annulling Emperor ancient exam in the province and the ancient exam of the capital in the North was issued, Quoc Hoc high school was rebuilt. The rows of thatch roofed apartments were torn down and replaced by two rows of buildings, the wall made of brick, the roof covered with tiles. It was solid and comfortable according to the western European architecture. Most of the architectures are still extant.

Temple Of Letters

The Temple of Letters is a worship temple founded by the Nguyen dynasty to dedicate to celebrated scholars of Confucianism.
Its construction was built in 1808 on a low hill beyond the Thien Mu pagoda, on the left bank of the Huong river. All items of Hue Temple of Letters were erected on a square surface of 160m long on each side enclosed by La Thanh ( surrounding wall). There was once a complex of 50 big and small constructions including 32 steles which bore names of doctors and four other steles. The Temple of Letters was many times renovated and many sub-constructions were built, especially in Minh Mang and Thieu Tri's time. Hue Temple of Letters is a valuable historic remains. To visit Van Mieu, tourists can understand more about the tradition of knowledge appreciation, scholars administration and study encouragement of our ancestors from the old time.

Throne Palace

Throne palace, the building for great court's meetings, faces the Noon gate and lies right on the axis piercing the centre of the Royal citadel. It was constructed in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long and used later in 1806 for his coronation.In 1833 it was moved onto a foundation of 2.33m high as now by Emperor Minh Mang. It is 44m long, 30.5m across, 11.8m high and contains a 5-compartment, two-bay main building connected with a 7-compartment, two-bay front building.
The columns are lacquered red and decorated with golden dragon designs. On the roof ridge rest two dragon designs paying homage to a moon. Eaves and roof corners are ornamented with head-turning dragon designs. These and the moldings along the eaves are inlaid with multicoloured ceramic chips.
The roof is covered with yellow enameled tiles. Constructors of the Throne palace have created two contradictive features: cool inside in summer and warm in winter.
Throne Palace is the site where solemn ceremonies took place such as: the Coronation Day, the Crown Prince Coronation Day, Emperor's Birthday Anniversaries, etc.

Thanh Toan Tile-Roofed Bridge

Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge crosses a canal flowing from the beginning to the end of Thanh Toan village, Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy district. The village is about 8km from Hue city on the eastward.This is an arched wooden bridge, 17m long and 4m wide. On both sides of the bridge length are 2 rows of wooden platforms and parapets for people to lean their backs. The tile-roofed Thanh Toan bridge is not only an ancient architectural remain with highly historic and cultural values but also a tourist attraction.The bridge was built over 2 centuries ago and damaged many times by storms, floods and wars. In September 1991, the bridge was greatly renovated according to the old design and officially accepted by the Cultural Ministry as a national remains, a rare and appreciated beauty-spot of the whole country.

Hon Chen Temple

Standing just on the bank of the Huong river inclined to poetic dreams and 10km upstream of Hue, the Hon Chen temple for cult of Po Nagar, the Goddess of the ancient Cham minority. After then, the Vietnamese continued the cult and name the Goddess as Heaven Goddess Y A Na.
This temple for Goddess appeared in this place centuries ago, but with a very simple design, and after then, reconstructed with a larger and more beautiful architectural scale in 1886.
The Hon Chen temple is situated at a lovely site seated on the slope of the mountain Ngoc Tran with sheer cliff and mirroring in the deep blue water of the Huong river.

Nguyen Kings' Tombs

There are eight royal tombs in Hue, being the final resting places of the Nguyen Kings. Construction of the tombs was very meticulous and started while the king was still alive. Most of the tombs face the southwest, direction of the Imperial city. Each toms consists of two complexes. The first is reserved for funeral services and the second one is exclusively for the toms. Generally, each tomb is enclosed in a surrounding rampart called "la thanh". However, each tomb internal arrangement is different from one another; particular arrangements reflected each king's points of view, personality and tastes.

Tomb Of Minh Mang

The construction of the tomb of Minh Mang started in 1840 and was completed in 1843. It is located in an enclosed hilly area of 18ha in Cam Khe village, 12 km from the centre of Hue.
Minh Mang tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 big and small constructions which include palaces, temple, pavilions, etc., designed on symmetric axis along the Dai Hong gate outside to the foot of La Thanh behind the Emperor's tomb.
Visit to Minh Mang tomb, tourists fancy that they are wandering in a world of painting, poetry and philosophy - besides the strictness, majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. The tomb of Minh Mang has an air of magnificence and formality, and its architectural design harmoniously blends with its natural surroundings.

Tomb Of Tu Duc

The tomb of Tu Duc is situated on Duong Xuan mountain in Duong Xuan Thuong village, on the bank of the Perfume river, 8km from the centre of Hue.
The construction started in 1864 and was completed in 1883. Also called Tomb of Modesty, the necropolis complex is enclosed by a thick wall following the contour of the hill, among a pine tree forest. Tu Duc tomb is not only one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty but also is a romantic picture of mounts and lakes.

Tomb Of Khai Dinh

The tomb was built between 1920 and 1931. It is located on top of the Chau E mountains, 10km of Hue. Located in a vast expanse of wilderness, Khai Dinh tomb looks like a magnificent palace perched on the slope of a limestone mountain. It is a accessible by climbing 109 stone steps.
Unlike the construction materials used for the other tomb, Khai Dinh mausoleum was built with modern materials such as steel and reinforced concrete. The peculiar feature of the tomb is the magnificent porcelain decorations on the walls, columns and ceilings.

Tomb Of Gia Long

The tomb of Gia Long is located 16km from the centre of Hue, on top of the Thien Tho mountain, on the west bank of the Huong river. Construction of the tomb began in 1814 and was completed in 1820. Located in a vast land covered with a wide canopy of old pine trees, the mausoleum was built according to a monumental but simple design.
In front is a lotus pond. Behind the pond is a large terraced yard divided into three different levels. The first level was used as the waiting area and is bordered by two rows of elephant and horse statues.

Tomb Of Dong Khanh

Dong Khanh tomb is located on the land of Cu Si hamlet, now Thuong Hai village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue city. The tomb was built in 1917. The whole architecture of the tomb are divided:
The worship temple, in general, the constructions still bear the traditional figures : house with multi succeeding roofs. In the main temple and its dependent houses, the familiar splendid red and gilt pillars with decoration of four seasons and four Holly animals are still seen. Most noteworthy is Ngung Hy temple - the best conserved place of famous red and gilt arts, of famous lacquer arts of Vietnam.
The tomb area: the tomb design was almost completely Europeanized from the architectural peculiarity, decorative model to building materials - Bi Dinh is a variation of Romance architecture blended with Asian architecture with tall, thin mandarin statues from cement and bricks (instead of stone), tile and carreau bricks. In general, Dong Khanh tomb was beginning of the mixture of European and Asian, of the old and new architecture.

Tomb Of Thieu Tri
Thieu Tri's tomb lies in Chu Chanh village, Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy district, about 8km from the city. The tomb was built in 1849 and divided into two parts: the tomb area and temple area.
The tomb area: on the right with Nhuan Trach lake is the bronze gate leading to big Binh Dai. The two rows of stone statues on the left and right of the court are typical for the sculpture in the first half of 19th century in Hue. Ngung Thuy lake looks like a crescent moon barring in front of Buu Thanh.
The temple area : after passing the marble gate and another three steps leading to Bieu Duc temple, tourists will go through Hong Trach gate. In the main temple there engraved over 450 word boxes including poems with education and literature values.
Thieu Tri's tomb lies there with simple and intimate beauty, leans its back against the foot of Thuan Dao mount, in front of the tomb stretches flat land with lushly green trees and rice-fields from the Huong river 's bank up to Lim bridge.

From: www.yourrooms.com