Hanoi is the heart and power centre of Vietnam. It is the centre of political and economic powers of the whole country, and it should celebrate Tet as noisily as possible.
Every year, on the eve of the old and New Year, which is Saturday the 9th February this year, Hanoi authorities will organize firework displays in key areas to see off the old year and welcome the New Year.
What is the plan for this year?
Fireworks displays will be for 15 minutes between 0-0h15. Visitors in the Old Quarter can experience the long-range fireworks at the Sword Lake (in front of the Post Office), Thong Nhat Park, Lac Long Quan Flower Garden, Van Quan Lake, and My Dinh National Stadium.
Other short-range fireworks are in 24 local districts.
While enjoying the fireworks, be careful of pick pockets as there will be a huge crowd around the Sword Lake. Do not bring wallets and belongings along. Do not look up into the sky as firework debris can fall into your eyes.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
How will 2013 Tet Holiday affect you?
Tet holiday will start from Saturday the 9th February until the end of Sunday, the 17th February, for a total of 9 consecutive days. The Tet holiday (Lunar New Year) is one of the most important national holidays in Vietnam.
It is the time of the year when migrant workers return to their hometown for family reunion and celebrations. The country will almost come to a stand still. Services will be running partially, and markets and business close for this period. This year the Government allows 9 days for celebration of Tet. How will the Tet holiday plan affect you as an international visitor?
- Shops, restaurants, businesses will mostly be closed
- Prices in restaurants will shoot up, do not be surprised.
- Services come to a stand still as people have not got back to town from the country side
- Or service disruption is widespread as people work part time, and the other part time is for drinks
- Expect to get your emails replied late or no response at all during this period
- ATM may be out of money or functions improperly as migrant workers get all cash out
- Taxi scam gets widespread, and be polite to negotiate the price before getting in
- Food and meals may not be as fresh as normal as markets will have been closed
- Be ware of drunk men on the streets, and do not try to explore streets at night
- Internet café is closed, so try to send emails before Tet.
- Etc
Make a good plan in order not to ruin your vacations. Some visitors try to have a home-stay with some friends back to their hometown, and take the opportunity to enjoy traditional festivals and games. Some stay on in cities and experience rare days in which cities are absent of people. In general, a well planned itinerary will help you avoid unnecessary congestion and inconvenient delays and business closures.
It is the time of the year when migrant workers return to their hometown for family reunion and celebrations. The country will almost come to a stand still. Services will be running partially, and markets and business close for this period. This year the Government allows 9 days for celebration of Tet. How will the Tet holiday plan affect you as an international visitor?
- Shops, restaurants, businesses will mostly be closed
- Prices in restaurants will shoot up, do not be surprised.
- Services come to a stand still as people have not got back to town from the country side
- Or service disruption is widespread as people work part time, and the other part time is for drinks
- Expect to get your emails replied late or no response at all during this period
- ATM may be out of money or functions improperly as migrant workers get all cash out
- Taxi scam gets widespread, and be polite to negotiate the price before getting in
- Food and meals may not be as fresh as normal as markets will have been closed
- Be ware of drunk men on the streets, and do not try to explore streets at night
- Internet café is closed, so try to send emails before Tet.
- Etc
Make a good plan in order not to ruin your vacations. Some visitors try to have a home-stay with some friends back to their hometown, and take the opportunity to enjoy traditional festivals and games. Some stay on in cities and experience rare days in which cities are absent of people. In general, a well planned itinerary will help you avoid unnecessary congestion and inconvenient delays and business closures.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Interesting facts about Vietnamese New Year, unknown facts about Vietnamese New Year
Interesting facts about Vietnamese New Year, unknown facts about Vietnamese New Year
2. Literally means “getting new clothes”
This is often the most interesting part of the Vietnamese New Year among children. Parents usually buy new clothes and shoes for their children a month prior to the New Year but children cannot wear their new clothes until the first day of the New Year and onward. The best clothes are always worn on the first day of the year.
3. Farewell ceremony for the Kitchen Gods (Ong Tao)
Seven days (the 23rd night of the last lunar month) prior to the New Year, each Vietnamese family offers a farewell ceremony for Ong Tao to go up to the Heaven Palace. His task is to make an annual report to the Jade Emperor of the family's affairs throughout the year!
4. New Year's Eve
In a literal translation, New Year also means "Passage from the Old to the New Year". It is a belief among Vietnamese people that there are 12 Sacred Animals from the Zodiac taking turn monitoring and controlling the affairs of the earth. Therefore, New Year's Eve is the moment of seeing the old chief to end his ruling term and pass his power to the new chief. New Year's Eve is also the time for Ong Tao (Kitchen God) to return to earth after making the report to the Jade Emperor. Every single family should offer an open-air ceremony to welcome him back to their kitchen.
5. The Aura of the Earth
New Year's Eve is the most sacred time of the year. Therefore, the first houseguest to offer the first greeting in the New Year is very important. If the particular guest has a good aura such as well-respected, well-educated, successful, and famous, etc, it is then believed that the family will receive luck and good fortune throughout the year. The belief of “xong dat” still remains nowadays, especially among families with businesses.
6. Apricot flowers and peach flowers
Flower buds and blossoms are the symbols for beginning a new year. These two distinctive flowers are widely sold and purchased during Tet including apricot flowers and peach flowers. Apricot flowers are the yellow apricot flowers often seen in Southern Viet Nam which are more adaptable to the hot weather of southern regions. Thus, it is known as the primary flower in every home. Peach flowers are the warm pink of the peach blossoms that match well with the dry, cold weather from the North. New Year will not be a happy celebration if there is no sight of apricot flowers in the south or peach flowers in the north in every home.
7. Giving away red envelopes (filled with lucky money)
This is a cultural practice that has been maintained for generations. Red envelopes symbolize luck and wealth. It is very common to see older people giving sealed red envelopes containing some lucky money to younger people. Before receiving the envelopes, younger people have to perform a certain greeting. Reciprocally, the older ones would return good advice and words of wisdom, encouraging the younger ones to keep up with the schoolwork, live harmoniously with others, and obey their parents. This greeting ritual and “Li Xi” is also known as “Mung Tuoi”, honoring the achievement of another year to one's life.
8. Making offers for the Ancestors
This ceremony is also taken place on the first day of the New Year before noontime. The head of the household should perform the proper ritual (offering food, wine, cakes, fruits, and burn incense) to invite the souls of the ancestors to take part in the celebration with the family. This is the time for families to honor the souls of their ancestors and present the welfare of the family.
9. Family reunion
New Year celebration means all family members return to their family even though they live and work in another city. Making the way home is the most exciting journey in one year’s time. No matter how hard and expensive the journey is, one must get home before the New Year’s Eve.
11. Festivals
There are thousands of festivals to celebrate the New Year. There are local ones and national ones. Festivals are organized to welcome the New Year and wish for more success, happiness and luck. Festivals can last until the end of April, where businesses, companies and authority offices start to work more seriously.
| 1. Clean and decorate the home All homes are often cleaned and decorated before New Year's Eve. Children will be in charge of sweeping and scrubbing the floor. The kitchen has to be cleaned before the 23rd night of the last lunar month. Usually, the head of the household cleans the dust and ashes (from incense) from the ancestral altars. In general, it is a common belief that cleaning the house will get rid of the bad fortunes associated with the old year. | See the best tours in Vietnam: - Vietnam Attractions for Kids - Vietnam Romantic Honeymoon - Phu Quoc Beach Vacations |
This is often the most interesting part of the Vietnamese New Year among children. Parents usually buy new clothes and shoes for their children a month prior to the New Year but children cannot wear their new clothes until the first day of the New Year and onward. The best clothes are always worn on the first day of the year.
3. Farewell ceremony for the Kitchen Gods (Ong Tao)
Seven days (the 23rd night of the last lunar month) prior to the New Year, each Vietnamese family offers a farewell ceremony for Ong Tao to go up to the Heaven Palace. His task is to make an annual report to the Jade Emperor of the family's affairs throughout the year!
4. New Year's Eve
In a literal translation, New Year also means "Passage from the Old to the New Year". It is a belief among Vietnamese people that there are 12 Sacred Animals from the Zodiac taking turn monitoring and controlling the affairs of the earth. Therefore, New Year's Eve is the moment of seeing the old chief to end his ruling term and pass his power to the new chief. New Year's Eve is also the time for Ong Tao (Kitchen God) to return to earth after making the report to the Jade Emperor. Every single family should offer an open-air ceremony to welcome him back to their kitchen.
5. The Aura of the Earth
New Year's Eve is the most sacred time of the year. Therefore, the first houseguest to offer the first greeting in the New Year is very important. If the particular guest has a good aura such as well-respected, well-educated, successful, and famous, etc, it is then believed that the family will receive luck and good fortune throughout the year. The belief of “xong dat” still remains nowadays, especially among families with businesses.
6. Apricot flowers and peach flowers
Flower buds and blossoms are the symbols for beginning a new year. These two distinctive flowers are widely sold and purchased during Tet including apricot flowers and peach flowers. Apricot flowers are the yellow apricot flowers often seen in Southern Viet Nam which are more adaptable to the hot weather of southern regions. Thus, it is known as the primary flower in every home. Peach flowers are the warm pink of the peach blossoms that match well with the dry, cold weather from the North. New Year will not be a happy celebration if there is no sight of apricot flowers in the south or peach flowers in the north in every home.
This is a cultural practice that has been maintained for generations. Red envelopes symbolize luck and wealth. It is very common to see older people giving sealed red envelopes containing some lucky money to younger people. Before receiving the envelopes, younger people have to perform a certain greeting. Reciprocally, the older ones would return good advice and words of wisdom, encouraging the younger ones to keep up with the schoolwork, live harmoniously with others, and obey their parents. This greeting ritual and “Li Xi” is also known as “Mung Tuoi”, honoring the achievement of another year to one's life.
8. Making offers for the Ancestors
This ceremony is also taken place on the first day of the New Year before noontime. The head of the household should perform the proper ritual (offering food, wine, cakes, fruits, and burn incense) to invite the souls of the ancestors to take part in the celebration with the family. This is the time for families to honor the souls of their ancestors and present the welfare of the family.
9. Family reunion
New Year celebration means all family members return to their family even though they live and work in another city. Making the way home is the most exciting journey in one year’s time. No matter how hard and expensive the journey is, one must get home before the New Year’s Eve.
10. Gambling
The most common and popular entertainment activity in the New Year is gambling for money, ranging from playing cards to lottery and cock fighting betting etc. Almost all people take part in some sorts of gambling in the New Year.11. Festivals
There are thousands of festivals to celebrate the New Year. There are local ones and national ones. Festivals are organized to welcome the New Year and wish for more success, happiness and luck. Festivals can last until the end of April, where businesses, companies and authority offices start to work more seriously.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Loving Vietnamese cuisine? Well, learn to cook some of our dishes!
Food presents at the very centre of Vietnamese culture: food plays an important role in every significant holiday on the Vietnamese cultural calendar, all the important milestones in a Vietnamese person's life, and indeed, most of the important day-to-day social events and interactions.
Vietnamese food always uses a lot of vegetables (boiled, fried, pickled, and raw). Sometimes vegetables are cooked with beef, fish, chicken, etc to produce a mixed dish of veggie and meat. Almost all meals in all regions of Vietnam, you will see at least a type of veggie on the table. It is therefore very healthy.
It also features the mixture of ingredients which are not too spicy, sweet or fatty. Additional material (spices) to Vietnamese cooking is very rich, including many aromatic herbs (basil, marjoram, onion, etc); vegetable spices (pepper, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, ginger); fermented condiments (shrimp sauce, wine, vinegar, etc).
Another special feature of Vietnamese cuisine which is different from the other countries, especially in Western is the usage of "sauces" and chopsticks. Fish sauce is used often in Vietnamese cuisine which makes the dishes tastier. Some tourists may not be able to taste it on the first day, but they will get used to it along the tours and finally love to food cooked with it. While the usage of chopsticks is symbol of unity and the close-knit community of Vietnamese, it may also be quite challenging for tourists.
Vietnamese territory is divided into three distinct regions: North, Central and South. The main characteristics of geography, cultures, ethnicities, climate regulations etc specify characteristics of cuisine of each region which contributes to the richness and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine.
Northern Cuisine is often not spicy, fatty, and sweet as in other regions. It features and uses a variety of vegetable dishes and fresh seafood readily available, such as shrimp, crabs, fish, clams, mussels, etc. Many people appreciate that Cuisine in Hanoi is the most typical culinary of North Vietnam with the pho, bun thang, bun cha, etc.
Central food with all its unique characteristics is expressed through a distinct flavor: more spicy and savory than cuisine in the North and South which is mixed colorfully and brilliantly. Central provinces such as Hue, Da Nang, Binh Dinh is famous for shrimp sauce and sour sauce procession. In particular, due to the impact from the royal cuisine, Hue cuisine is very complicated in processing and presentation.
Southern cuisine is influenced by cuisine of China, Cambodia and Thailand. Thus it is characterized by often adding sugar or use of coconut milk for main dishes. The Mekong region often cooks fish with veggie and fruits, making a special flavor and taste.
Vietnamese food always uses a lot of vegetables (boiled, fried, pickled, and raw). Sometimes vegetables are cooked with beef, fish, chicken, etc to produce a mixed dish of veggie and meat. Almost all meals in all regions of Vietnam, you will see at least a type of veggie on the table. It is therefore very healthy.
It also features the mixture of ingredients which are not too spicy, sweet or fatty. Additional material (spices) to Vietnamese cooking is very rich, including many aromatic herbs (basil, marjoram, onion, etc); vegetable spices (pepper, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, ginger); fermented condiments (shrimp sauce, wine, vinegar, etc).
Another special feature of Vietnamese cuisine which is different from the other countries, especially in Western is the usage of "sauces" and chopsticks. Fish sauce is used often in Vietnamese cuisine which makes the dishes tastier. Some tourists may not be able to taste it on the first day, but they will get used to it along the tours and finally love to food cooked with it. While the usage of chopsticks is symbol of unity and the close-knit community of Vietnamese, it may also be quite challenging for tourists.
Vietnamese territory is divided into three distinct regions: North, Central and South. The main characteristics of geography, cultures, ethnicities, climate regulations etc specify characteristics of cuisine of each region which contributes to the richness and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine.
Northern Cuisine is often not spicy, fatty, and sweet as in other regions. It features and uses a variety of vegetable dishes and fresh seafood readily available, such as shrimp, crabs, fish, clams, mussels, etc. Many people appreciate that Cuisine in Hanoi is the most typical culinary of North Vietnam with the pho, bun thang, bun cha, etc.
Central food with all its unique characteristics is expressed through a distinct flavor: more spicy and savory than cuisine in the North and South which is mixed colorfully and brilliantly. Central provinces such as Hue, Da Nang, Binh Dinh is famous for shrimp sauce and sour sauce procession. In particular, due to the impact from the royal cuisine, Hue cuisine is very complicated in processing and presentation.
Southern cuisine is influenced by cuisine of China, Cambodia and Thailand. Thus it is characterized by often adding sugar or use of coconut milk for main dishes. The Mekong region often cooks fish with veggie and fruits, making a special flavor and taste.
Author: Duong Van Hung
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Noi Bai airport – Ha Long transfer
Noi Bai international airport is about 185 km from Halong. Our advice is to begin your wonderful holiday in Halong by arranging an airport pick up in advance, and NOT to take a taxi on arrival to avoid taxi scam. Booking a pick up or transfer is really convenient and safe.
Red Crane Travel offers a reliable airport pickup and transfer to Halong with only $120 for a 4 seat car. You will be met and greeted upon arrival. After enjoying your journey from Noi Bai International Airport to your arrival in Halong.
From Airport to your arrival:
- Driving time: 4 hours
- Distance: 185 km
- Price: $120, including everything
Beware of Taxi Scam
Some travelers just walk out of the airport and get in a taxi. While some taxi drivers are honest, there are countless stories of bad ones who try to riff you off. Beware of scam by booking a private pick up or transfer for ease of mind. The difference between a private prearranged one and a taxi is just some dollars. What you will get in return is a huge difference in mind. Stop scam and stress, try the private service.
Red Crane Travel offers a reliable airport pickup and transfer to Halong with only $120 for a 4 seat car. You will be met and greeted upon arrival. After enjoying your journey from Noi Bai International Airport to your arrival in Halong.
From Airport to your arrival:
- Driving time: 4 hours
- Distance: 185 km
- Price: $120, including everything
Beware of Taxi Scam
Some travelers just walk out of the airport and get in a taxi. While some taxi drivers are honest, there are countless stories of bad ones who try to riff you off. Beware of scam by booking a private pick up or transfer for ease of mind. The difference between a private prearranged one and a taxi is just some dollars. What you will get in return is a huge difference in mind. Stop scam and stress, try the private service.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Tan Son Nhat Airport Pick up, Ho Chi Minh City Airport Pickup
It is true that the oversea flight to Ho Chi Minh City can be a tiring one. Upon your arrival, you will still have work to do: Get your luggage, get through the immigration, and finally try to get to the downtown (district 1). If you have not arranged for the airport pickup, catching a taxi can be uncomfortable and there is a risk of taxi scam.
Red Crane Travel offers a reliable airport pickup for $20 for a 4 seat car. You will be met and greeted upon arrival. Then enjoy your journey from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to your hotel in the downtown.
From Tan Son Nhat airport to city center:
- Driving time: 30 minutes
- Distance: 7 km
Beware of Taxi Scam
The average cost is from 8-10 dollars for a taxi to your hotel in the downtown. However it is on the safe side to note down in a piece of paper that you pay for a 4 seat taxi, and not every person in your group has to pay $8-$10!
Our advice is to avoid all this mess and arrange one comfortable airport pickup sedan in advance. No hidden fee or extra cost will be charged, and the pickup cost has included everything to take you to the central districts.
Help legal tour operators and travel agencies to protect you by reporting taxi scam cases at info@redcranetravel.com. We will deal with the matter strictly and refer to local authorities for further actions.
Red Crane Travel offers a reliable airport pickup for $20 for a 4 seat car. You will be met and greeted upon arrival. Then enjoy your journey from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to your hotel in the downtown.
From Tan Son Nhat airport to city center:
- Driving time: 30 minutes
- Distance: 7 km
Beware of Taxi Scam
The average cost is from 8-10 dollars for a taxi to your hotel in the downtown. However it is on the safe side to note down in a piece of paper that you pay for a 4 seat taxi, and not every person in your group has to pay $8-$10!
Our advice is to avoid all this mess and arrange one comfortable airport pickup sedan in advance. No hidden fee or extra cost will be charged, and the pickup cost has included everything to take you to the central districts.
Help legal tour operators and travel agencies to protect you by reporting taxi scam cases at info@redcranetravel.com. We will deal with the matter strictly and refer to local authorities for further actions.
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