In one of a series of articles featuring the most beautiful places around the world, Livejournal introduced its readers to different parts of Vietnam, such as the former imperial capital of Hue, Lang Co beach in Thua Thien-Hue province, the central city of Nha Trang, the Central Highlands, and the Mekong River Delta.

The work of photographer Hoang Nam particularly caught the attention of Russian readers, many of whom said they are inspired to visit Vietnam.

Some photos from the article:

Rice harvesting in An Giang province

Red-headed cranes on field

In Phan Thiet

In the central city of Nha Trang

In the former imperial city of Hue

In the Central Highland of Lam Dong

In the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang

In the Central Highland city of Da Lat

In the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu

source from: vov

The Lao Cai provincial Bus Station mobilised more than 200 coaches and 100 taxis to transport the tourists to Sapa.

Tuoitre newspaper reported that National Highway 4D was crowded with long lines of coaches and taxis, making their way from Lao Cai city to Sapa town.

Local residents in Lao Cai city also took their families to the famous tourist destination, ramming up traffic flows en route to Sapa even further.

Local authorities said the number of holidaymakers to Sapa on April 28 surpassed the expected 10,000 mark.

Le Manh Hao, an official in charge of culture and sports in Sapa district, said more than 160 mini hotels and guesthouses in the tourist town are fully booked.

If the number of tourists continues to increase in the coming days, nearby tourist villages and private guesthouses will have to help out with accommodation for the holidaymakers, he said.

According to Hao, tourist villages in Ta Van, Ta Phin and Ban Ho, about 5-10km from Sapa town, have all been refurbished to welcome visitors. Indigenous specialities such as black chickens, fish from the streams, free range ducks and bamboo shoots have also been reserved to serve tourists.

The 2012 Sapa Tourism Week began on April 27 with the annual “Festival in the Clouds,” attracting thousands of spectators.

On the evening of April 28, a culinary festival will be held, introducing visitors to local dishes such as cơm lam (rice cooked in bamboo tubes), thắng cố (a mixture of pork, beef, buffalo and horse meat), wild boar, black chickens, salmon, phở chua (sour noodles), mèn mén (steamed corn powder), and corn and rice wine.

source from: vov

In this year’s season, Cua Lo town has set a target to welcome 2.1 million tourists, earning revenues of more than VND1.1 trillion (USD52.3 million).

To prepare for the season, Cua Lo town has upgraded tourist sites and shops along the beach, embarked on measures to ensure food hygiene and safety for tourists, improved service quality, introduced new tourism products and restored traditional coastal villages.

A wide range of activities featuring the coastal culture and portraying the land and people of Cua Lo will be held during the season to attract tourists from both in and outside the country.

Cua Lo beach, which stretches over 10km, is one of the most beautiful beaches in central Vietnam with white sand and clear blue water.

source from: dtinews

100 photos are now showcased at a photo exhibition “Southwestern Region – 10 Years of Achievement and Development” in Can Tho City.

The photos are selected from nearly 1,200 photos by 107 authors from the Mekong Delta. The daily life of Mekong Delta’s people is reflected clearly in these pictures.

Every month on the 14^th day of the lunar calendar, Hoi An lets the moon take centre stage- the UNESCO protected old town switches off all superfluous lighting and motorcycles are verboten on the centuries old streets. Candles are lit and lanterns sway in soft breeze that blows up the Thu Bon river, which once allowed merchants and traders from China, Japan and Europe to sail into Hoi An – 400 years ago this was a thriving international hub hence the sublime architecture, which has thankfully been preserved and helping the town to once again flourish this time as one of Asia’s most magical tourist destinations.

Yes, every second house seems to be a shop, a restaurant or a tailor but the authorities have laid down strict regulations to ensure the charm of the architectural heritage is not compromised. Each houses’ façade retains an original appearance. The dimming of the lights and lighting of lanterns only adds to the town’s beguiling character.

This is why I always prefer Hoi An after the sun goes down. Locals and foreign tourists who have been hiding indoors or flopping round Cua Dai – the nearest beach to town – suddenly emerge in droves as a coolness descends on the town. No matter how many times I visit Hoi An, I always enjoy ambling around nibbling on the many tasty morsels on offer in the local eateries. With no traffic to irritate your senses, it’s a pleasure to sit out on the street down by the river.

You’ll know the festival is about to start when local boys emerge to perform a dragon dance. The cavorting dragon jumps to restaurants and shops in the hope of earning a small gratuity from the proprietor.

As the streets start to get crowded in anticipation of more performances, I slip up to the second floor of a restaurant overlooking the river and order a bowl or cao lau, a delicious dry noodle dish made with silvers of pork, bank da (rice crackers), a handful of local herbs and a blob of chili paste. I also order some white rose dumplings – tasty pork-filled morsels. Both of these dishes are local specialties and should be on everyone’s list of “things to devour in Hoi An” along with com ga, a simple but scrumptious take on chicken on rice, and the crunchy banh my pate sandwiches.

Down below by the river I can see women making and selling lotus-shaped garlands which come with a tiny candle. Tourists can row out in a boat and release the flowers onto the river while praying for happiness, luckiness and love. It’s a beautiful sight to see the flickering flight float off downstream.

When I descend to street level, the state next to An Hoi Bridge is surrounded by a throng of excided punters. A game called bai choi is underway. A band of musicians included a percussionist, a bamboo flautist and a two-chord fiddler sit waiting for people to but VND5,000 “cards”, which are not sort of like ping pong racquets. Basically, the cards have an inscription and the band performs depending on what cards they are dealt by the audience. An MC helps structure the event and explains the rules. Foreigners may at first be slightly mystified but will enjoy the spectacle with pleasant music and buoyant atmosphere.

Winners are awarded with silk lanterns or a CD of bai choi music opera. Sadly mu luck desserts me and after forking out VND30,000 I leave empty handed and head for the corner of Bach Dang and Chau Van Thuong streets and begin a session of retail therapy. Hoi An is awash with gorgeous silk products, which are a result of the cross-culture created by the Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Cham people in Hoi An during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The lanterns are perhaps the most iconic local symbol and make for nice decorative gifts.

Afterwards, I pass by the ornate gate of Fujian Assembly Hall, built by Chinese people from Fujian region over 400 years ago. This was firstly a traditionally assembly hall of Fujian people but later became a common temple for both Chinese and Vietnamese residents who came here to honour Lady Thien Hau, a goddess of the sea who protects sailors from danger.

On the night of the full moon, the temple looks splendid with red lanterns hanging above. All around town, altars – often placed out front – are laden with fresh fruit, flowers, votive papers and incense as homeowners and entrepreneurs make offerings to their ancestors and gods and pray for good business.

By eleven o’clock the streets empty out. Peace and quiet returns to Hoi An. The scent of wet aloe joss stick hangs in the air. The shops and restaurants have closed and only a handful of bars remain open. On the black roofs of ancient houses, dark green ferns and weeds quiver in the breeze. A mild, refreshing drizzle is falling. As I stroll back to my hotel, I can hear the sound of keys turning in bronze locks and wooden bars being drawn across as the town collectively heads for bed. I see one single lantern left hanging outside as I walk down an otherwise dark street and I imagine this is how the town might have appeared hundreds of years ago when these houses were first built and Hoi An was a proud and affluent port town.

source from: dtinews

These remnants are part of the Luy Thay relic site

Due to its commanding presence and interesting past, Luy Thay remains arguably the most important attraction in this part of the country.

Its rich history covers over 400 years, including what historians have called the 50-year civil war between Trinh and Nguyen families, the two armies that ruled the north and south of the country between 1558 and 1777.

This huge embankment, 34-kilometer long and consisting of three ramparts, the Truong Duc, Tran Ninh (or Dau Mau) and Truong Sa, was built in 1630 under the rule of Dao Duy Tu (1572-1634), a famous high-ranking mandarin of the Nguyen lords.

It took four years to complete the system. Made of layered clay and stones, and six meters high and six meters wide at the bottom, the structure was intended to strengthen the capital defense system. This structure is one of the biggest rampart works of the feudal dynasties in Vietnam.

Wars and farther time have taken their toll, and the impressive defense system that once protected the Nguyen lords’ reign from the attacks of the Trinh lords can now only be seen along the Nhat Le River. The 12-kilometer long Tran Ninh rampart is one of the few vestiges of the Luy Thay.

Another section can be found in the center of Dong Hoi Town, marked by Quang Binh Quan, one of the three gates built along the Truong Sa rampart.

Now on Tran Phu Street, the gate was first strengthened with stones in 1825 by King Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). It was repaired again in 1961 but was almost completely destroyed by U.S. bombs during the American War.

In 1994, the Quang Binh Quan section, which is 8.4 meters long and two meters high, was restored and recognized as a national relic.

Coming to the rampart, tourists should take a trek to Nhat Le Lighthouse to take in the panoramic view of the Nhat Le River, witnessing the riverside life of locals and fishermen.

A view of Nhat Le River is seen from Luy Thay rampart in Quang Binh Province – Photos: Khue Viet Truong

source from: dtinews

Local people are hard-working, full of energy and enthusiasm, and always optimistic about their future.

Foreign visitors prefer rowing themselves to explore Ninh Binh’s natural beauty

Locals rowing amidst spectacular mountainous scenry

The signpost reads “For a green, clean and beautiful environment”

source from: vov

Peaceful, with reasonable prices and extremely safe, were his main observations. Forty years on from the war with the US, Staermose felt that the country has experienced a great deal of positive changes.

“In the ancient town of Hoi An and the capital city ofHanoi, the local lifestyles are in general very laid-back and relaxed. There are numerous excellent cafes and restaurants that offer both local fair and overseas cuisine, and there are everywhere”, said Staermose.

“Although the weather here can be very hot and humid, Hanoi has many lakes and it is actually very pleasant to explore the city on foot”.

“That applies if you are young and single, or if you have a young family, like my friends who are based here. For the right kind of person, because of the cost of living here, the quality of life you can enjoy for the money you pay is really very difficult to beat”.

source from: vov

One of the artifacts being displayed at Long An Palace

Following the inauguration ceremony, Long An Palace is now open to public, featuring a display of 424 outstanding artifacts relating to royal life during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).

Long An Palace was built under the time of King Thieu Tri (1841-1847). It consists of seven compartments and two annexes plus 128 pillars made of precious timbers. The entire wooden parts are carved with beautiful scenes, the four sacred animals (dragon, lion, tortoise and phoenix) and more than 1,000 poems in Chinese scripts.

In 1847, when King Thieu Tri passed away, his body was kept here for eight years before burial and the palace then became a worship site for the king, until the French colonialists occupied the country in 1885. In 1908, Long An Palace was used as a library for the Quoc Tu Giam School and became Khai Dinh Museum in 1923.

Located on an area of 6,330m², Long An Palace now displays more than 10,000 artifacts relating to the life during the Nguyen Dynasty which were previously showcased at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.

source from: dtinews

Sydney: best for nightlife

Sydney Harbour is a magical place in the evening. It attracts groups of friends to chatter and clatter plates at the waterfront cafés, strolling couples, and even some more exotic visitors – dozens of fruitbats, arriving to dine on the swarms of moths and other insects that are drawn to the harbour lights.

It’s a dazzling setting – but until recently, the question of where to go after dinner at the beautiful harbourfront had relatively few answers. Restrictive laws meant that only large traditional pubs and restaurants could serve alcohol. After an amendment to the licensing laws in 2007, a host of speakeasy-style bars have popped up like mushrooms in the city’s narrow laneways. There’s the Belle Époque style of the Absinthe Salon, where the green stuff is served in decadent, antique-filled surrounds; Shady Pines, a Wild West whisky bar just off Oxford Street; and Love, Tilly Devine – a low-ceilinged, bare-brick bolthole celebrating the memory of the eponymous Tilly, a legendary brothel madam who ran these streets in the 1930s.

Learn more: sydney.com
Dine out: The Grasshopper is a trailblazer. Settle downstairs for a marmalade, whisky and Italian vermouth cocktail or take a table in its snug upstairs Eating House (thegrasshopper.com.au).

Booderee National Park: best for indigenous culture

Julie Freeman has luminous eyes and the captivating lilt of a natural storyteller. A Koori Aboriginal elder from Wreck Bay – a community on the edge of the sand-fringed green expanse of Booderee National Park – she is charming a small audience around a crackling fire. Towering gum trees creak softly overhead, and from a hundred metres away, the shushing of the ocean can be heard. Today, she tells the story of Didhol – the local Aboriginal name for the verdant, tree-covered sandstone formation nearby, more commonly known as Pigeon House Mountain. Aboriginal tradition has it that this is the burial place of an eel and a lyre bird that, at the beginning of the world, got into a fight and killed each other.

‘The old fellas [ancient Aboriginals] put the eel and the lyre bird in that place,’ Julie explains. ‘They scooped the land up over them to form that mountain and called it a place of behaviour – to remind people to behave properly and to warn them about the consequences of bad behaviour.’

Booderee is an Aboriginal word for ‘bay of plenty’, and it’s a significant place for the indigenous communities that have inhabited and cared for this stretch of land for tens of thousands of years.

‘To come to Booderee is to learn and develop a relationship with the place,’ she says. ‘Nothing here is just a “thing”, everything is connected – the ocean, the wind, the trees, the landscape and the people.’

Read more: environment.gov.au/parks/booderee
Dine out: Seagrass Brasserie is a seafood restaurant in the town of Huskisson. It has a huge outdoor deck and seats 80 indoors – bookings are advised between November and February (seagrass.net.au).

Blue Mountains: best for nature

The haze may be blue, but the mountains themselves are decidedly green. The Blue Mountains are a languid work in progress that is, so far, 150 million years in the making. Through the ages, the constant movement of water rushing down into the valleys and gorges has carved this landscape from solid rock – a process that is still going on today. Here, ancient boulders spring leaks to release water that has been trapped within for tens of thousands of years.

Read more: visitbluemountains.com.au
Dine out: at Solitary Restaurant, opt for a table on the lawn for views of the magnificent gorges below (solitary.com.au).

Hunter Valley: best for food and wine

At daybreak, Hunter Valley sets a quintessentially Australian scene. Eucalyptus trees wave gently on hills overlooking rows of grapevines, with the low Brokenback Mountains as a backdrop. In the foreground, kangaroos emerge one by one from pools of mist. The air is cool and heavy with the scent of moisture and the Australian bush, and as the sun rises, ‘utes’ – or utility trucks – and other rugged vehicles begin to appear on the backroads, marking the start of another working day.

This place is considered the birthplace of Australian winemaking. Where once the land was taken up with small farms, this is now the domain of family-owned boutique wineries, and a number of world-class wines are produced here.

Read more: winecountry.com.au; margan.com.au; and smallwinemakerscentre.com.au.
Dine out: at Margan Restaurant in the village of Broke, couple a shiraz with braised Wagyu and pomegranate or a merlot with spiced duck breast and mustard cherries (margan.com.au).

Byron Bay: best for beaches

Originally a whaling town, Byron was largely unknown before surfers turned it into one of Australia’s most popular beach areas. Today, small groups begin to arrive soon after dawn. Experienced surfers bring wetsuits and short boards; the less dedicated wear bikinis and clutch ‘learner’ boards. They head into The Pass, a long surf break between the headland and the wooden platform of Fisherman’s Lookout. Veterans carve long paths through the surf while novices balance for a few seconds before falling off. Their shrieks of laughter drift to the shore on the sea air.

There is a natural lull in activity in the afternoon. People settle into reading and dozing on towels as the sun sinks behind the green headland. As the day draws to a close, beachgoers head to the small grid of streets that constitute the town’s heart to make the most of the lively beer gardens and candlelit restaurants.

source from: lonelyplanet