Vietnam Festivals and Events

Vietnam's festivals follow an age-old calendar based on Buddhist and ancient Confucian beliefs. The list below is a work in progress - a run-down of ten important Vietnamese holidays and festivals, although each province has its own series of festivals unique to the locals. Dates are subject to change without further notice.


PERFUME PAGODA ( HUONG TICH) FESTIVAL


Chua Huong - Viet NamThe Perfume Pagoda (Huong Tich), At My Duc, 69km south of Hanoi, without doubt, is the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage site in northern Vietnam. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel to this sacred cave to pray for happiness and prosperity in the coming year. pilgrims board boats, usually rowed by young women, which carry them along the Yen Stream through a stunning landscape of blazing green rice paddles studded with jagged limestone mounts to the base of Huong Mountain.


                                  


From the riverbank, pilgrims proceed on foot, past various ancient pagodas, monasteries and shrines, up hundreds of stone steps and a switchback trail, all worn smooth by the passage of countless feet. The Perfume Pagoda consists of a group of caves and is an impressive architectural ensemble of both human and natural endeavor.


                                 




The Perfume Pagoda Festival lasts from the 6th day of the 1st month to the end of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. Visitors can get tot the Perfume Pagoda either by the inland road or by water way. The Vietnamese believe that Huong Son is Buddha's Heaven. Huong Son is considered the place to worship Brodhisattva Kwan Yin. People conduct a dragon dance in the yard of Trinh Pagoda, and sail the royal barge on the 6th day of the 1st month. The festival is held in three places, Huong Tich, Tuyet Son, and Long Van. The festival is most crowded from the 15th - 20th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar as this period marks the main festival. The path leading from Ngoai Pagoda to Trong Pagoda is full of visitors coming up and down the mountain.


A pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda is not only for religious reasons, but also to see the numerous natural landscapes and the buildings that are valuable artifacts of the nation...


Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Feb 08, 2012 Jan 28


COW RACING FESTIVAL


Cow racing Festival - Viet NamEach year on the last day of the Khmer calendar, the Khmer, an ethnic minority group living in the Mekong delta province of An n Giang, hold a festival to honor their ancestors. The festival begins with a visit to the pagoda, where Khmer families invite the souls of their ancestors to dine with the living. Should any visitors appear during the festival they will be warmly received since the Khmer believe that guests who arrive around New Year are messengers sent by their ancestors.


Following a visit to the pagoda people walk to the nearest stream or river where they tie the trunks of banana trees together to form rafts. Offerings are placed on these rafts, which are then pushed into the water to be swept away by the current.


                               




These quiet ceremonies are sharp contrast to the highlight of the festival, a cow race. The racetrack, set in a muddy and slippery paddy field, is 120m long, with both the start and finish lines marked with red and green flags. Each race involves two pairs of cow, controlled by two young men. To further complicate their task, the teams must run in a straight line and will be disqualified for veering off course.

The races are both exciting and hilarious. People travel from miles for the show, bringing food and pots and pans for a picnic. Part rodeo, part race and part comedy, a Khmer cow race is an unforgettable spectacle.


HUNG TEMPLE FESTIVAL


Hung Kinh Temple Festival - Viet Nam Hung temple is located on Nghia Linh Mountain, Hy Lang Commune, Phong Chau District, Phu Tho Province. Every year, this national festival is held to worship the Hung Kings, who were instrumental in founding the nation.


                                 




The festival lasts for 3 days from the 9th to the 11th of the 3rd lunar month. The worship service is held on the 10th day and commences with a flower ceremony with the participation of state representatives. Held in Thuong Temple, where the Hung Kings used to worship deities with full rituals, the ceremony consists of a lavish five-fruit feast. Cakes and glutinous rice dumpling are also served to remind people of the Lang Lieu Legend (the 18th Hung King who invented these cakes), and the merit of the Hung Kings who taught people to grow rice.


                                  




Next to the stage procession for deities, there are several marches in the procession, such as the elephant march followed by the procession chair. These procession marches are conducted in Tien Cuong, Hy Cuong, Phuong Giao, and Co Tich Villages. The procession marches are followed by a Xoan song performance (a classical type of song) in the Thuong Temple, "Ca Tru" (a kind of classical opera) in Ha temple, and other activities.


The Hung Temple Festival not only attracts visitors from all over and allows visitors to participate in special traditional cultural activities, but it is also a sacred trip back in time to the origins of the Vietnamese culture. People usually show their love and pride of their homeland and ancestral land. This religious belief is deeply imbedded in the minds of every Vietnamese citizen, regardless of where they originate.


Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Apr 12, 2012 Mar 31.


CHU DONG TU FESTIVAL

Chu Dong Tu Festival - Viet NamThis festival occurs for three days from the 10th - 12th of the third lunar month in Chu Dong Tu Temple in Du Hoa Village, Chau Giang District, Hung Yen province, some 20 km from Hanoi.


                              




Saint Chu Dong Tu was one of the "four immortal heroes" at the centre of Vietnamese society. Chu Dong Tu was a cultural hero and the founder of agriculture because he conquered the marsh and developed agriculture and trade. After the opening ceremony, there is a procession to remind people of the legend, life, and work of Saint Chu Dong Tu and his two wives.


Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Apr 12, 2012 Apr 31.


LE MAT SNAKE FESTIVAL


Le Mat Village Festival - Viet NamLe Mat Village belongs to the Viet Hung Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi. The Le Mat Village Festival is held annually on the 23rd of the 3rd lunar month. In the early morning on the 23rd day of the 3rd month, representatives of the 13 camps to the west of the Ancient Capital of Thang Long carry 13 trays of food over their heads from the capital to the Le Mat Village.
                              




                              




At the beginning of the festival, water and carp processions are staged and brought to the Thanh Communal House. This ritual reminds the present generation of the heroic accomplishments of exploiting and bringing about agriculture to the village. A snake act is then performed in the yard of the communal house. The snake (made of bamboo taped with cloth) symbolizes the water-monster species that has been bitten by the power and will of youth. The music of this act is an octet and the sound of the drummer's double rhythm is haunting. The Le Mat Village Festival provides an opportunity for children in the village, and those who have reclaimed this ancient wasteland in the city, to meet and retell the history of the establishment of the village. The challenge and difficulty that was encountered in the establishment of the village is expressed in the sincere homage of the ancestors of the village.


In addition to the ceremony, the Le Mat people have a special talent for catching snakes. While attending the Le Mat Village Festival, guests are offered a cup of snake wine made from three or five snakes.


Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Apr 25, 2012 Apr 13.


WHALE FESTIVAL

Whale Festival Viet NamThe Whale Festival has been, for centuries, the biggest water festival of the fishermen in Quang Nam, Danang province. The worshipping of the whale is not only about paying respect to their God, but also about ensuring prosperity for the villagers. This festival last for two days in the middle of the 3rd lunar month. On this occasion, the whale temple, as well as all the houses and boats, are beautifully decorated. The peace offering is conducted in the first evening at the whale temple by village elders. Offerings, which do not contain seafoods, are given while the oration is read out. The ceremony is held to respect the Whale God and to pray for the safety and prosperity of the village.


                                   


At dawn the following day, there will be a procession of boats on the sea in a set formation. This procession displays the sincerity of fishermen to their Whale God. By midnight, the official ceremony is conducted as school children offer incense and the orchestra plays a classical opera. All the fishing boats and villagers, no matter where they are, will return to take part in the Whale Festival.
Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Apr 12, 2012 Apr 31.


ELEPHANT RACE FESTIVAL


Elephant Race Festival Viet NamThis festival is held in the spring, around the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. It is usually held in Don Village or in forests near the Sevepoi River (Dac Lak). The race track is on even ground where there are only has a few big trees. The width of the track is large enough for 10 elephants to stand in a line at the same time and the length of the track runs 1-2 km.


                                   


With the signal of the horn (a wind instrument), the mahouts command their elephants to go to the starting line. When the command to start the race is released, all of the elephants rush ahead, excited by the sound of the drums, gongs, and cheering from the viewers. At the end of the race, the winning elephants lift their trunks above their heads to wave to the viewers. They walk deliberately flapping their ears gently, gazing through half-closed eyes to receive sugarcane from their viewers.


The elephant race is the biggest festival in the middle highland. It bears the martial spirit of the M'nong ethnic group, who are very famous for their bravery and skill in hunting wild elephants.


Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Apr 12, 2012 Mar 31.

Ho Chi Minh Spas & Massage

Increasing numbers of high-end luxury spas are opening up in Ho Chi Minh City.

The therapists have good knowledge of massage and other treatments, mixing eastern philosophy, knowledge and techniques with some western practices.

                                         

YKC Spa

Exceptional service and customer satisfaction for over a decade has firmly established YKC as a premier pampering destination for Saigon’s expats and visitors. Complimentary beverages are offered in addition to a complete range of professional spa and hair services. Family owned from the very start, YKC operates with the utmost integrity and respect in regards to serving its clients.

Address: 219 Dien Bien Phu, District 3, Saigon. 

Tel: +848 3829 2791 / 3827 5194 

                                         

                                       

Glow Spa

This is a day spa where you receive massage therapy, facial care, hair spa, hand and foot care services while enjoying views of the lush, tropical garden. It is situated right in the city centre.

Location: 129A Nguyen Hue, District 1 

Tel: +848 3823 8368 

                                      

L'Apothiquaire Spa & Retreat

L' Apothiquaire is in a colonial mansion with beautiful surroundings dating back to 1959. Services include facials, body treatment and fitness programs such as yoga and T’ai chi. There are a few branches spread out over the city.

Address: 

63 Le Thanh Ton St, District 1, Tel: +848 3822 1218 

64A Truong Dinh, District 3, Tel: +848 3932 5181 

                                      

Jasmine Spa

A long-time favourite among Japanese and European expatriates, Jasmine is famous for its cellulite treament package using seaweed and its cavier facial treatment.

Location: 45 Ton That Thiep, District 1 

Tel: +848 3827 2737

QI Saigon Spa

QI Saigon Spa is a luxury day spa and salon using Qi beauty products, a brand of the Japanese cosmetics firm Shiseido. 

Address: 151 Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu Nhuan District. 

Tel: +848 844 0611 

                                   

SEN Spa

SEN Spa offers body massage, facial care, Jacuzzi and herbal steam room. It is on the 10th floor of Miss Aodai Building in District 1, just minutes from the Saigon River.

Location: 10th floor of Miss Aodai Building in District 1

Tel: +848 3910 2174 

Spa Authentic

Situated on the Saigon River in District 2, Spa Authentic offers massage and facial packages in a luxurious pool surroundings.

Location: 195 Nguyen Van Huong, District 2 

Tel: +848 3744 6452 

                                 

Thann Sanctuary Spa

A branch of a successful Thai company, Thann reaches out to HCMC with its range of therapies that include healing stone body and foot scrubs and massages using their aromatic products based on Southeast Asian flora.

Location: 

Nguyen Du Park Villas, 111 Nguen Du, District 1

Saigon Center Level 2, 65 Le Loi Street 

Tel: +848 3822 0788 and +84 983 624 497

Ho Chi Minh Cooking Classes

Vietnamese food was one of the first true ‘fusion’ cuisines in the world, thanks to the history of the area, with its Indian, Chinese, French, Russian, and American influences. It is also renowned as one of the healthiest foods in the world.

So, while visiting the country, why not learn how to cook your own authentic Vietnamese dishes? Many hotels in Ho Chi Minh City offer cooking classes or you can try the following: 

                                            

Bi Saigon Cooking Classes

Bi Saigon Cooking Classes are held in the Bi Saigon Hotel & Restaurant. Here they teach visitors how to cook a wide variety of traditional Vietnamese recipes. There are no set times for classes. Instead, lessons are organised for individuals and small groups on request. 

Address: 185/26 – 185/16 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1

Tel: +848 836 0678 

                                          

Hoa Tuc Restaurant Cooking Class

Hands-on cooking classes are offered twice a day at this Vietnamese restaurant which used to be an opium refinery. Hoa Tuc is renowned for its authentic and fusion Vietnamese cuisine.

Location: 74/7 Hai Ba Trung, Dist. 1 

Tel: +848 3825 1676 

Saigon Culinary Arts Centre

One of the latest additions to the burgeoning cooking schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Culinary Arts Centre is run by Vietnamese chef Mai, who take guests to the local markets, followed by a cooking demonstration at the well-equipped kitchen at Mai Home Restaurant.

Location: 42/3 Nguyen Van Troi Street - Phu Nhuan District 

Tel: +848 3997 9565 

Vietnam Cookery Center

Vietnam Cookery Center offers a morning course from 09:30 to 13:00, including lunch, or an afternoon course from 15:30 to 19:30, including dinner. There are also special courses for professional cooks and for children. Address: 177 Dien Bien Phu, District 1

Tel: +848 823 5872 

Sports, Fitness & Yoga in Ho Chi Minh

Saigon certainly has its share of activities that are not only fun but will also keep you fit and full of health. And yes, there's a chapter of Hash House Harrriers to have boozy fun and exercise with but there are also slightly more serious options such as yoga and fitness centres. 

Ho Chi Minh City may be compact but that's no reason not to go for the optimum in fitness while there.

                                      

Saigon Hash House Harriers

The world-wide runners club Hash House Harriers has a ‘down-down’ in Ho Chi Minh City, too. There are organised runs every Sunday and members meet at Caravelle Hotel at around 13:30 where they are taken by bus for a run outside the city. Return around 19:00 hrs.

Tel: +848 92 386 2453 

                                     

Saigon River Club

Saigon River Club features modern fitness facilities that include sauna, steam rooms, and pools with outdoor Jacuzzi.

Location: 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, District 1 

Tel: +848 3514 9009 

                                     

                                       

Sivananda Yoga Center

Offers yoga classes and Ayurvedic massages and vegetarian meals at its center in district 1, and occasionally organises longer retreats near Cu Chi, 1.5 hours drive from the city.

Location: 17 Tran Quy Khoach, District 1 

Tel: +848 6291 2663 

                                        

Soham Yoga Studio and Boutique

Located in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Soham Yoga Studio offers regular classes in Vinyasa Flow, Sivananda, Power yoga.

Location: 84T/4 Tran Dinh Xu, District 1 

Tel: +848 3920 5813

Another day in SaiGon

Folk Paintings

Folk paintings are a combination of traditional cultural values with ancient artistic methods that have been created through the labour of past generations. There are two types of Vietnamese folk paintings, Tet (Lunar New Year Festival) paintings and worshipping paintings. 

The Vietnamese believe in ancestor worship and the deification of natural phenomena, both of which are reflected in the paintings. 

                                              

Due to their historical popularity, the folk paintings were produced in large quantities. This high demand was met through the use of the woodblock carving printing technique, which has been practiced by the Vietnamese for many centuries. During the Ly Dynasty (12th century), there were many families who specialised in woodblock carving. By the end of the Tran Dynasty, they were also printing paper money. At the beginning of the Le So Dynasty, the Chinese technique of carving printing boards was adopted and improved. The History Museum and the Fine Art Museum in Hanoi still keep old printing boards as archives. 

During the Mac Dynasty (16th century), folk paintings developed quite extensively and were popular among the aristocracy in Thang Long. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the art of folk painting was stable and highly developed. 

Depending on artistic style, drawing-printing technique, and the materials used, folk paintings are classified into painting trends according to the name of their place of production. 

Each style of painting is different. However, in all the styles, shapes are created based on the concept of don tuyen binh do (single line-simple designs), which uses lines to bend the coloured shapes and to make a border for the picture. Another method used is thuan tay hay mat (easy to draw and to see). With this design form, the folk paintings do not depend on the rules of perspective. The deities are large and take the upper positions, while the ordinary people are drawn on a smaller scale and the size of the animals and the natural scenery depicted depends on their relationship to the sentiment or story being expressed. These unique characteristics make the paintings profoundly impressive. 

As a result of cultural exchange, Vietnamese folk paintings have retained and developed certain traditional aspects. As well, the paintings have been influenced and enriched by the genius of other painting styles. One exception is Dong Ho paintings, which continue to exist unchanged against the challenges of time. 

Dong Ho Paintings 

These paintings which originated in the Red River Delta, are the most famous. The artists coat do paper (the Rhamnoneuron paper) with diep powder (a white powder made from the shells of diep, a kind of fluvial bivalve mollusk) to make silver lustre glitter. Sometimes yellow flower powder called Hoa hoe or orange-red sapandwood powder is used to make the colours more elegant and shiny. 

                                              

On that background, the colours are applied with a woodblock. Some of the paintings only have simple black lines, while others are printed with one other colour. All of the materials for creating the colours for these paintings come from nature. A wide spectrum of colours can be made using mixing and multi-coloured printing techniques. 

Dong Ho paintings reflect people’s innermost feelings, wishes, and simple dreams. Because the paintings appeal to so many people, they are available throughout the country, from the village markets to the capital city. 

Hang Trong Paintings 

                                              

Hang Trong paintings are also printed with black lines to form the basis for the colour. But, unlike Dong Ho paintings, they are made by hand. Large sheets of imported paper and brightly coloured paints are used for Hang Trong paintings. The content of these paintings are very much influenced by Chinese drawings.

Hang Trong paintings are popular as worshipping paintings in temples. As such, the paintings are often hung in spacious living rooms or in holy places.

Hang Trong paintings have traditionally served the poorer classes and are made and sold in the capital city. 

Kim Hoang Paintings 

Kim Hoang paintings, which are often called red paintings, are made on the outskirts of ancient Thang Long. Kim Hoang paintings are printed and drawn on imported coloured paper (yellow, bright red, pink) and printed with black lines and shapes; other colours used to separate the shapes. 

                                                  

The colours are applied in rough, but flexible lines. Sometimes, the paintings are reprinted to create clear line. The colours used for Kim Hoang paintings are bought and then mixed by the painters, except for indigo, which is self-processed. The themes of Kim Hoang paintings are similar to those of the Dong Ho paintings, but there are also Chinese character paintings Phuc, Loc, Tho (meaning “Happiness”, “Good Luck”, and “Longevity” respectively), that have the typical flower of each season printed next to each character.

Sinh Village Paintings 

Sinh Village Paintings, which come from Sinh Village, a suburb of Hue City, are well-known in the central region of Vietnam. Most Sinh Village paintings are used for worship, and they express the mystical, nature-based beliefs of the ancient Vietnamese.

Among these pictures is the Tuong Ba (Statue of the Lady) painting, the guardian angel of women. Sinh paintings are made using just one printing-board to create the drawing lines and black shapes. After being printed in black, the work is sometimes completed with embellishments made with colourful lines. Some paintings are still printed on rustic paper.

Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife

Ho Chi Minh City’s entertainment industry is growing fast, though it’s still not a city for round-the-clock entertainment – most places close soon after midnight. But what’s available is quality fun.

There is a wide variety of pubs and bars, especially in the city center, and the number of discos and clubs with regular live music is booming.

Some of these are must-visits for newcomers, especially those traveling alone who may want to make new friends and meet local people. 

Allez Boo

Allez Boo offers a great dinner at a very reasonable price, making it one of the prime hangouts for backpackers. As a result, it has a reputation as an essential place for travellers to meet and share information. 

Address: 197 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1 Tel: +848 3837 2505 

America Discotheque

Arguably the largest nightclub in Vietnam, America Discotheque is popular with both locals and tourists. Every night house DJs spin electro and techno tunes in the main area. There is a separate karaoke room.

Location: An Duong Plaza, District 5 

Tel: +848 3833 6688

Apocalypse Now

This club and disco is probably the best known entertainment venue in Ho Chi Minh City. It is not big but it has all the essentials – dance floor, pool table, bar and sitting area.

Address: 2C Thi Sach Street, District 1 

Tel: +84 8 825 6124 

Café Latin

Café Latin is a popular venue among both expats and travelers. Stylish and comfortable, it has a huge TV which is used to screen a multitude of favourite sports events including Formula 1 and rugby and soccer matches.Address: 19-21 Dong Du St 

Tel: 08-822-6363 

Go 2

This colorful bar/nightclub is a favourite with travelers. Good sounds, seating indoors and out, a pool table and live music later in the evening. The menu is mainly international with a few Asian dishes. It is in backpacker central.

Address: 187 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1 

Tel: +848 3836 9575 

                              

Gossip Club

Part of the Dai Nam Hotel, Gossip Club is home to DJ Stanley, the former winner of the Heineken Thirst Competition, who plays techno and house tunes here nightly.

Location: 79 Tran Hung Dao, District 1 

Tel: +848 3824 2602 

International Tourist Club

This perennial favourite, which is located in the New World Hotel Saigon, boasts a catwalk disco and cosy lounge and karaoke rooms.

Location: 76 Le Lai, District 1 

Tel: +848 3824 3760 

                                

Lush

Ho Chi Minh City clubbers flock here to listen to a variety of beats, from electro to hip-hop to Latin and classic. Lush features sleek and stylish decor and is popular with locals and expats alike.

Location: 2 Ly Tu Trong, District 1 

Tel: +848 3824 249 

                                 

M Bar

M Bar on the 8th floor of the Majestic Hotel Saigon boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the Saigon River. A Flamenco band plays here every night from 21:00.

Location: 1 Dong Khoi, District 1 

Tel: +848 3829 5517 

                                

Park Lounge

Park Lounge is part of the Park Hyatt Hotel and is a great place to go if you like jazz, which is performed there nightly from 20:00 onwards. Also features local and international musicians regularly. Smart dress required.

Location: 2 Lam Son Square, District 1 

Tel: +848 3824 1234 

                               

Q Bar Ho Chi Minh

Q Bar, which has been one of the leading bars in Saigon since the 1990s, is a stylish hangout for sophisticated locals and expats. The drinks list caters to just about every taste. 

Address: 7 Cong Truong Lam Son St, on the ground floor of the Opera House. 

Tel: +848 3823 3479 

                               

Rooftop Garden at Rex Hotel

The Rooftop Garden is on top of the famous Rex Hotel, a historic place going back to the 1950s. These days it is a popular place for relaxing with good cool drinks, enjoying the view over the city.

Address: 141 Nguyen Hue St, District 1 

Tel: +848 3829 2185 

                              

Saigon Opera House

Home to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera, the modern and stylish Opera House features a sophisticated light and sound system. It has regular performances and occasional shows by international classical artists as well as dance, music and acrobatic performances.

Location: 7 Lam Son Square, District 1 

Tel: +848 3829 9976 

                            

Saigon Saigon at Caravelle Hotel

This smart-casual bar is in a five-star hotel and is a pleasant place to go for a good evening out admiring the sunset and enjoying people-watching. 

Location: 10th Floor of the Caravelle Hotel at 19 Lam So Square, in the heart of District 1. 

Tel: +848 3823 4999 

Shark Discotheque

This disco is a recent arrival in the city, with a lively, fun atmosphere, giving visitors the opportunity to mingle with the locals. It can hold 300 people and has good lighting and sound systems. Address: 5-15 Ho Huan Nghiep St, District 1

Tel: +848 825 7783 

Sparkle Lounge

Another new addition to the night beat of Ho Chi Minh City, Sparkle in the city centre on three floors with plenty of glass is earning its name as a place to go for after-work drinks and great music late into the night.

Location: 38 Dong Du, Dist. 1 

Tel: +848 3822 1414 

The Metallic Bar

Metallic Bar has a house band specialising in heavy rock such as songs by Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. There is also a deejay who plays dance and hip hop. 

Address: 41 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3. 

Tel: +848 3930 3154 

                                 

The Sax n' Art Jazz Club

This place is a must for jazz lovers. Tran Manh Tuan, the talented front man of the house band, is a well known saxophonist from Hanoi. The club also welcomes musicians who want to jam with the band. 

Address: 28 Le Loi St, District 1

Tel: +848 3822 8472 

Underground Bar

Underground Bar is one of the busiest places in Ho Chi Minh City, right in the middle of Dong Khoi, next to Lucky Plaza. It has an extensive drinks menu and good food too. 

Address: 69 Dong Khoi, District 1

Tel: +848 3829 9079 

Velvet Bar

Velvet is popular with hip Vietnamese youngsters and expatriates. Wednesday night is ladies’ night where every female customer gets free cocktails all night long.

Location: 26 Ho Huan Nghiep, Dist. 1 

Tel: +848 3822 2262 

Volar Club

A new addition to the Ho Chi Minh City nightclub scene with a difference is Volar featuring hip-hop beats by local musicians.

Location: 52 Nguyen Trai, Dist. 1 

Tel: +848 919 111 615 

                            

Yoko Bar

Small but stylish bar offering live music.

Location: 22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, Dist. 3 

Tel: +848 3933 0577

Uncle Ho

                           

Ho Chi Minh was born, as Nguyen Sinh Cung, in 2nd September 1890 in Hoàng Tru Village, his mother's hometown. From 1895, he grew up in his paternal hometown of Kim Liên Village, Nam Đan District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam. He had three siblings, his sister Bach Liên, a clerk in the French Army, his brother Nguyễn Sinh Khiêm, a geomancer and traditional herbalist, and another brother Nguyen Sinh Nhuan who died in his infancy. Following Confucian traditions, at the age of 10 his father named him Nguyen Tat Thanh.

Ho's father, Nguyen Sinh Sac, was a Confucian scholar, teacher and a civil servant in the imperial palace. He was later dismissed from his office for refusing to serve at the court. From his father, Ho received a strong Confucian upbringing. During his childhood he developed a sense that the Vietnamese were not treated well by the French colonizers and the monarchist government. Ho also received a modern secondary education at a French-style lycée in Hue, the alma mater of his later disciples, Pham Văn Ðong and Vo Nguyên Giap. He later left his studies and chose to teach at Duc Thanh school in Phan Thiet.

On 5 June 1911, Hồ Chi Minh left Vietnam on a French steamer, Amiral Latouche-Tréville, working as a kitchen help. Arriving in Marseille, France, he applied for the French Colonial Administrative School but his application was rejected. During his stay, he worked as a cleaner, waiter, and film retoucher. Ho spent most of his free time in public libraries reading history books and newspapers to familiarize himself with Western society and politics.

In 1912, as the cook's helper on a ship, Ho Chi Minh traveled to the United States. From 1912 to 1913, he lived in New York and Boston, where he worked as a baker at the Omni Parker House Hotel. He worked in menial jobs and later claimed to have worked for a wealthy family in Brooklyn between 1917 and 1918, and during this time he may have heard Marcus Garvey speak in Harlem. It is believed that while in the United States he made contact with Korean nationalists, an experience that developed his political outlook

Leaving the French Indochina where he had a French education, Nguyen Ai Quoc (later called Ho Chi Minh) followed his studies in London and Paris during the 1910s. He came to communism in France through his friend Marcel Cachin (SFIO) who was sent to Russia in 1917 during World War I. Cachin was a pro-bolshevism politician, a fierce supporter of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and became the director of the popular communist newspaper L'Humanité ("The Humanity").

From 1919-1923, while living in France, Ho Chi Minh embraced communism. Ho claimed to have arrived in Paris from London in 1917 but French police only have documents of his arrival in June 1919.Following World War I, under the name of Nguyen Ai Quoc (Nguyen the Patriot), he petitioned for equal rights in French Indochina on behalf of the Group of Vietnamese Patriots to the Western powers at the Versailles peace talks, but was ignored. Citing the language and the spirit of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Ho petitioned U.S. President Woodrow Wilson for help to remove the French from Vietnam and replace it with a new, nationalist government. His request was ignored.

In 1921, during the Congress of Tours, France, Nguyen Ai Quoc became a founding member of the Parti Communiste Français (French Communist Party) and spent much of his time in Moscow afterwards, becoming the Comintern's Asia hand and the principal theorist on colonial warfare. It was at this time that Nguyen Ai Quoc took the name of "Ho Chi Minh",a Vietnamese name combining a common surname (Ho) with a given name meaning 'enlightened will' (Chi meaning 'will', and Minh meaning 'light'). During the Indochina War, the PCF would be involved with antiwar propaganda, sabotage and support for the revolutionary effort.

In 1923, Ho moved to Guangzhou, China. During 1925-26 he organized the 'Youth Education Classes' and occasionally gave lectures at the Whampoa Military Academy on the revolutionary movement in Indochina. He stayed there in Hong Kong as a representative of the Communist International. In June 1931, he was arrested and incarcerated by British police until his release in 1933. He then made his way back to the Soviet Union, where he spent several years recovering from tuberculosis. In 1938, he returned to China and served as an adviser with Chinese Communist armed forces.

In 1941, Ho returned to Vietnam to lead the Viet Minh independence movement. He oversaw many successful military actions against the Vichy French and Japanese occupation of Vietnam during World War II, supported closely but clandestinely by the United States Office of Strategic Services, and also later against the French bid to reoccupy the country (1946-1954). He was also jailed in China for many months by Chiang Kai-shek's local authorities. After his release in 1943, he again returned to Vietnam. He was treated for malaria and dysentery by American OSS doctors.

After the August Revolution (1945) organized by the Viet Minh, H0 became Chairman of the Provisional Government (Premier of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam). Though he convinced Emperor Bao Dai to abdicate, his government was not recognized by any country. He petitioned American President Harry Truman for support for Vietnamese independence, but was rebuffed due to French pressure on the U.S. and his known communist activities.

In 1945, in a power struggle, the Viet Minh killed members of rival groups, such as the leader of the Constitutional Party, the head of the Party for Independence, and Ngo Dinh Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Khoi. Purges and killings of Trotskyists, the rival anti-Stalinist communists, have also been documented. In 1946, when Ho traveled outside of the country, his subordinates imprisoned 25,000 non-communist nationalists and forced 6,000 others to flee. Hundreds of political opponents were also killed in July that same year. All rival political parties were banned and local governments purged to minimise opposition later on.

On September 2, 1945, after Emperor Bao Dai's abdication, Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam, under the name of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. With violence between rival Vietnamese factions and French forces spiraling, the British commander, General Sir Douglas Gracey declared martial law. On September 24, the Viet Minh leaders responded with a call for a general strike.

On September 1945, a force of 200,000 Chinese Nationalists arrived in Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh made arrangement with their general, Lu Han, to dissolve the Communist Party and to hold an election which would yield a coalition government. When Chiang Kai-Shek later traded Chinese influence in Vietnam for French concessions in Shanghai, Hồ Chí Minh had no choice but to sign an agreement with France on March 6, 1946, in which Vietnam would be recognized as an autonomous state in the Indochinese Federation and the French Union. The agreement soon broke down. The purpose of the agreement was to drive out the Chinese army from North Vietnam. Fighting broke out with the French soon after the Chinese left. Ho Chi Minh was almost captured by a group of French soldiers led by Jean-Etienne Valluy at Viet Bac, but was able to escape.

In February 1950, Ho met with Stalin and Mao in Moscow after the Soviet Union recognized his government. They all agreed that China would be responsible for backing the Viet Minh. Mao's emissary to Moscow stated in August that China planned to train 60-70,000 Viet Minh in the near future. China's support enabled Ho to escalate the fight against France.

According to a story told by Journalist Bernard Fall, after fighting the French for several years, Ho decided to negotiate a truce. The French negotiators arrived at the meeting site, a mud hut with a thatched roof. Inside they found a long table with chairs and were surprised to discover in one corner of the room a silver ice bucket containing ice and a bottle of good Champagne which should have indicated that Ho was ready to negotiate. One demand by the French was the return to French custody of a number of Japanese military officers who had been helping the Vietnamese armed forces, in order for them to stand trial for war crimes committed during World War II. Hồ replied that the Japanese officers were allies and friends whom he could not betray. Then he walked out, to seven more years of war.

In 1954, after the important defeat of French paratroopers at the Battle of Đien Bien Phu, France was forced to give up its empire in Indochina.

In 1955, Ho Chi Minh became president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), a Communist-led single party state.

The 1954 Geneva Accords required that a national election would be held in 1956 to reunite Vietnam under one government. However, the government of South Vietnam, now under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem, refused the proposed election and instead prepared for war. Some contemporary observers consider that if an election had been held in the 1954-55 period, around 80% of the Vietnamese population would have voted for Ho Chi Minh. Even "President Eisenhower is widely quoted to the effect that in 1954 as many as 80% of the Vietnamese people would have voted for Ho Chi Minh, as the popular hero of their liberation, in an election against Bao Dai... " However, the United States remained fearful of the prospect of losing its influence in Indochina, which would be valuable as a military base in a future conflict with Communist China.

Following the Geneva Accords, there was to be a 300-day period in which people could freely move between the zones of the two Vietnams. Some 900,000 to 1 million Vietnamese, mostly Roman Catholic, left for South Vietnam, while a much smaller number, mostly communists, went from South to North. This was partly due to propaganda claims by a CIA mission led by Colonel Edward Lansdale that the Virgin Mary had moved South out of distaste for life under communism. Some Canadian observers claimed that some were forced by North Vietnamese authorities to remain against their will. During this era, Ho, following the communist doctrine initiated by Stalin and Mao, started a land reform in which hundreds of thousands of people accused of being landlords were summarily executed or tortured and starved in prison. This also caused millions of people to flee to South Vietnam.

In 1959, Ho's government began to provide active support for the National Liberation Front in South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which escalated the fighting that had begun in 1957. In late 1964, North Vietnamese combat troops were sent southwest into neutral Laos.

During the mid to late 1960s, Ho permitted 320,000 Chinese volunteers into northern North Vietnam to help build infrastructure for the country, thereby freeing a similar number of North Vietnamese forces to go south.

Ho Chi Minh died on 2nd September 1969 in at house in Hanoi at age of 79. Many in North Vietnam tearfully mourned his death.

In Vietnam today, he is regarded by the Communist government with almost god-like status in a nationwide personality cult, even though the government has abandoned most of his economic policies since the mid-1980s. He is still referred to as "Uncle Ho" in Vietnam. Ho's image appears on the front of every Vietnamese currency note, and Ho is featured prominently in many of Vietnam's public buildings. In 1987, UNESCO officially recommended to Member States that they "join in the commemoration of the centenary of the birth of President Ho Chi Minh by organizing various events as a tribute to his memory", considering "the important and many-sided contribution of President Ho Chi Minh in the fields of culture, education and the arts" and that Ho Chi Minh "devoted his whole life to the national liberation of the Vietnamese people, contributing to the common struggle of peoples for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress".

Ao Dai

                           

The Ao Dai, literally meaning "long dress" or "long tunic," is one out of many traditional Vietnamese costumes worn (nowadays) most often by women. It is the national costume of the Vietnamese people. Male versions of the ao dai include the cotton Ao The.

In 1930, the Vietnamese fashion designer Cát Tuong, known to the French as Monsieur Le Mur, modified it from Ao Tu Than. He lengthened the Ao Dai so that the top reached the floor, and made it fit the curves of the body closer. With the import of an abundance of foreign fabrics in 20th century Vietnam, including broader fabric, the modernized Ao Dai required less material to be made and as a result the flaps also became generally slimmer.

In Saigon during the 1950s, Tran Kim of Thiet Lap Tailors and Dung of Dung Tailors modified the Ao Dai to a form closest to what is seen today. He produced the gowns with raglan sleeves, creating a diagonal seam that runs from the collar to the underarm.

Ao Dai only continued to become more form-fitting with time.

In the 1960s the collarless Ao Dai style was popularized by the infamous Madame Nhu (former first lady of South Vietnam).

Despite the two major modifications to the Ao Dai in the 20th century, it has also seen slight changes throughout each decade as fashion changes constantly. Everything from floral to checkered patterns, the use of transparent fabrics, the tunic length being largely reduced or lengthened, has all been seen throughout different eras of Vietnamese history.

The Ao Dai has always been more prevalent in the south than in the north, and has faced a surge in popularity in recent years, even with overseas Vietnamese.

In recent decades it has inspired worldwide renowned fashion designers such Chanel and Ralph Lauren, among other big names, to create entire collections of Ao Dai.

The most popular style of the Ao Dai as we see it today is tight-fitting around the wearer's upper torso, emphasizing her bust and curves. For this reason, the Ao Dai, while it covers the whole body, is said to be provocative, especially when it is made of thin or see-through fabric.

Cyclo

                            

Xich Lo is not only the most popular transportation means in Vietnam in the past but it is also a great object represented for Vietnamese people's way of life. Since French time, Xich Lo used to be call as luxury transportation for French people in Vietnam as small numbers of Vietnamese noble at that time. Xich Lo drivers was stood as symbol of hard working job or for sub - servants under French occupation.

Until early 1990s, Xich Lo still was very popular, Vietnamese people find it useful as they can ride for more than one person plus goods, cost effective also and with its small size, they fit perfectly on Vietnam city alleys and narrow roads.

After a 'motorbike storm' in Vietnam, Xich Lo was useless, people went to work further, they needed faster transport and Xich Lo did not meet the demands. People at this time still saw Xich Lo around but mostly for cargo, goods short transfers and deliveries.

Tourism have been a chance for Xich Lo recently, Xich Lo has a new face which is wider, more colorful and driver dress better for tourist. Touring with Xich Lo in the city is very interesting for Westerners, it is slow enough for them seeing the city and more important, it is safe enough for travelers in complicated traffic of Saigon or Hanoi.

Xich Lo looks differently in each regions of Vietnam. Hanoi's Xich Lo is wider and low, Hue is a bit more tightly but longer, Saigon's Xich Lo is tall and long. Whatever it is, Xich Lo now become a great image of Vietnam, a unique transportation, and the image of old lady with traditional long dress on Xich Lo on her way back from market is still so meaningful for Vietnamese people.

Traveling to Vietnam, let's try Xich Lo once, this is a great way to feel the local life, see the cities in different angles and make Vietnamese Xich Lo always stay, afford to stay!

Italy wins fireworks competition in Da Nang

                                  

After two days of competition, the Da Nang International Fireworks Competition 2012 wrapped up on April 30, with the first prize going to a team from Italy. 

This is the second time in a row the Italian team won the title. Its marvelous performance featured seven colours of a rainbow, reflecting the development of Vietnam through different stages as well as Da Nang city in recent years. 

The teams from China and France ranked second, while others from Canada and the host Vietnam were placed third. 

With the theme “Colours of Da Nang”, the competition was the fifth of its kind hosted by the central city./.

The unique and the rich of Mongolian culture

Our enjoyable journey started when the Mongolian Airlines MIAT plane landed on Chinggis Khan airport at 1h00 am. Tired after more than 10 hours traveling from Hanoi, but me and my companion, Mr. Hoang, still had a good spirit because of the warmness we received when meeting two collegues from Mongolia news agency (Montsame), whose would go with us during the whole trip.

July is said to be the perfect time to go to Mongolia. It’s also a wonderful time to experience the culture and people of this amazing land. The weather is cool and very favourable, air only a bit hot when the sun shining, not as burning as in Hanoi. This time there are also many big celebrations to commemorate the fouding of Great Mongol Empire, the Revolution (Independence) day, and the Naadam festival - biggest and most joyful celebration for Mongolians. Thank to that, we had enjoyed a festival atmosphere for the whole 4 days. 

Firstly, it was the National Flag Raising Ceremony on the main square of Sukh Baatar to commemorate the Independence day, with the presentation of soldiers in medieval armor costumes, remind us of the poweful army under the command of Chinggis Khan that already conquered both Europe and Asia. Following day was the traditional Naadam festival that last for 3 days to honour three sporting passions of Mongolian, horse racing, wrestling and archery with the opening ceremony took place at central stadium in Ulaan Bataar capital. 

Naadam festival has its roots in the nomad wedding assemblies and hunting extravaganza of the Mongol Army. At that day, most of the Ulaan Bataar residents poured to the stadium. All the roads leading there were jammed while the other parts of the capital remained quiet. One collegue from Montsame, Mrs. Nomin said that wrestling is the most popular sport in Mongolia. It originated about 2.000 years ago, and considered by Chinggis Khan as important way to keep his army in good physical shape and combat ready.  

Wrestling is the main part in Naadam festival and has some similarities to the Sumo in Japan. The legend says that in old times a woman dressed like man won wrestling competition once. That is why wrestling costumes, called "zodog" has open chest and long sleeve, meant to show that every participant is male. Wrestlers also wear short trunks, "shuudag", and Mongolian boots, "gutal". The yellow stripes on tales of wrestlers' hats indicate the number of times the wrestler became a champion in Naadam. 

Next, we went to see the Mongolia national costume festival that also carried on at Sukh Baatar square, at which people showed many different national costumes and folk performances, underlining marvel tradition and diversity of Mongolian culture. Surounding me was a colourful and extraodinary world of costumes. I was exhausted with my camera but could not take all type of costumes I’d seen. Due to very small population (only 2.7 mil), Mongolians seem to be care very much about their child. At the festival, those little boys and girls in traditional costumes always reveived admiring applause from the adults. 

My collegue from Montsame, Mr. Marc also paid much of his time to shoot “those little citizents” with his camera. Bettween these events, we visited the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan – the last Emperor of Mongolia that respected as the spiritual leader of Mongolia's Tibetan Buddhism. There, we also have enjoyed the traditional powerful throat siging or “khoomii” and my inspiration has been booted with this culturally rich. 

Mongolia not only unique in culture but their nature is also pure, majestic, and beautiful. Located in the landlocked plateau of Central Asia between China and Russia, Mongolia covers the whole area of more than 1.5 mil square km. Depart with noisy life in the city, we go about 100km south west of Ulaan Baatar to Hustai national park that served as a successful natural breeding ground for the world last truly wild horse “Takhi”. To reintroduction those Przewalski horses into the nature, it’s said that all the horses had been tested AND to determine they are truly wild. After that the horses had been transported from the Netherland to Hustai and gradually integrate to nature. 

At Hustai, we had a memorable night in the traditional nomad round tent “Yurt” with fireplace and at the first gleam of daylight traveling to see some groups of wild horses scattered in the steppe. The vast nature with clean air at sunrise make us feel as disolved into the air and land. Two collegues from Itar-Tass go with us can not help but speak out lound “so fresh”. For me, faced with that gigantic nature, I can feel the generous, knightly characters from Mongolian nomad that always have to cope with harsh environment in the huge steppe. Perhars right from this life has created the hospitality and enthusiasm of Mongolians. Everywhere, we have been received warmly and in high esteem, just like Mongolian proverb that say: “Happy is he whom guests frequent. Joyful is he at whose door guest’s horses are always tethered”. 

We aslo had chances to go to many other intersting places, as Gandan Monastery with 26.5 meter high Buddish statue of Migjid Janraisig, Chinggis Khan statue complex located 54 km from Ulaan Bataar, on the bank of the Tuul river, with 40 meter high statue on horseback erected on a 10 meter high base; see the performance of Mongolian national Song and Dance Ensemble “Tumen Ekh”; or visit Museum of Natural history to see the two complete dinosaur skeletons, which found in the Gobi. 

Everywhere, we can feel the attraction of the unique and the rich of Mongolian culture. For that, we would like to express our gratitude to Montsame and Mongolian collegues for providing us those joyful feelings.