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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Ke Ga Lighthouse - Binh Thuan treasure

Ke Ga Lighthouse, located on Ke Ga Island about 30 kilometres south of Phan Thiet City, is a must-see attraction in Binh Thuan Province where visitors can experience a fabulous panoramic view of the open sea. Built in 1899, the lighthouse is not only an historical relic but also an attractive destination for visitors. To reach the lighthouse, tourists can travel by bus or motorbike along the coast to Ke Ga Island or take a canoe from Phan Thiet City or from Vinh Hy Bay, Nha Trang City. At the lighthouse, tourists can hire a fishing boat priced at VND100,000 (USD4.8) with a capacity for four people. Visitors can also stay on the island overnight for a spot of fishing which is an unforgettable experience. The lighthouse with its unique architecture is about 60m tall. From that height, visitors are able to see a vast expanse of sea and sky, as well as enjoy cool ocean winds. The most beautiful moment to visit the lighthouse is at sunset. Hue Da Nang | Da Nang Hoi An | Hoi An Hue | Du Lich Hue | Du Lich Hoi An | Du Lich Da Nang | Du Lich Sapa | Du Lich Da Lat | Du Lich Phu Quoc | Du Lich Lao | Du Lich Cambodia | Du Lich Thai Lan |Du Lich Singapore | Du Lich Malaysia | Du Lich Trung Quoc
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Secrets from Nguyen Dynasty’s treasures

The Nguyen Dynasty has left the ancient Hue citadel as a relic which is recognized as the world cultural heritage and also invaluable treasures.

The Vietnam History Museum is preserving a collection of precious things of kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam. This is the exclusive collection of royal treasures in Vietnam's early modern history. The museum recently introduced this collection to the public and some secrets have been unveiled.

The Hue Royal Antique Museum also has thousands of antiques of the Nguyen Dynasty. Some local museums like the HCM City History Museum and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province Museum also have some antiques of this period.

In 2003, the Museum of Ha Tinh Province fished out three bronze cannons, which were cast in 1821, under the reign of King Minh Mang. Some other cannons of the Nguyen dynasty have been also exposed later.

How treasures were preserved during wars

In August 1945, the revolution succeeded. The representative of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam – Mr. Tran Huy Lieu – went to Hue city to collect the royal seals of the last king of Vietnam – Bao Dai. He also collected thousands of royal items, which are now preserved by the Vietnam History Museum. However, it was a long and hard period to preserve and transfer them to the museum.

At first, these items were brought to the inter-regional V and preserved for nine years. However, as the revolutionary administration had to move very often, these assets were not preserved in good condition. The inter-regional V authorities asked the central government to sell the assets to raise fund for the war of resistance against the French.

President Ho Chi Minh and the government realized the value of this collection and considered it as the invaluable cultural assets, so they did not agree.

Peace resumed, the collection was transferred to the Ministry of Finance and then to the Ministry of Culture. Since then, it has been preserved by the Hanoi-based Vietnam History Museum.

In the 1960s, some items in the collection were displayed. In 1962, a gold seal was stolen. The incident stirred up the public for a time. Hanoi police arrested the thief a long time later.

After the incident, the authorities decided to inventory, pack and preserve the collection at the warehouses of the State Bank of Vietnam. In 2007, they were brought back to the warehouses of the Vietnam History Museum.

Treasures restored

After dozens of years stored in warehouses, the Nguyen dynasty's treasures were opened for the first time in 2007, at the witness of officials of the National Treasure Reception Council and the Vietnam History Museum.

When boxes were opened, all attendants were dizzy to see many precious things, but some of them were damaged seriously. The first project to restore Nguyen Dynasty's treasures was kicked off to repair four coronets, five swords and six ivory tea trays, which were worm-eaten seriously.

The Vietnam History Museum invited artisans and scientists in the field of history, archaeology and fine-art to join the project. Experts visited many temples and pagodas where have similar coronets and swords to survey and met with researchers about Hue to seek information. The project finalized after six months.

Admiring Nguyen Dynasty's treasures via pictures:

A pair of swords which symbolizes the king's power. They were cast in the 19th century, 1.25kg in weight.

An altar box made of gold and gem, 4.3kg

The King's gold hat (19th century).

Another gold hat of the Nguyen Dynasty (19th century), over 660gr in weight, with
many gold-made patterns.

From the left: A gold seal cast in 1827 under King Minh Mang's dynasty, which is 8.5kg
in weight called "Sac Menh Chi Bao"; another seal named "Dai Nam Thu" of the Nguyen
Dynasty; and "Quoc Gia Tin Bao" seal of 5kg in weight.

The "Sac Menh Chi Bao" seal.

A gold sword of the Nguyen Dynasty (19th century) and "An Dan Bao Kiem" sword cast
under King Khai Dinh's dynasty (1916-1925).

Gem-made cups inlaid with gold.

A gold basin of 1.4kg in weight.

A gold-inlaid book made in 1806, 2.1kg.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Equality and the family dilemma

I've always thought Vietnamese women were strong. In the U.S., you rarely see women carrying a basket full of bricks on their heads, or pushing around carts full of garbage. Those difficult jobs are left for men back home. In Vietnam I see it all the time. I've heard many stories about Vietnamese women war heroes. The new generation of women have not lost this strength, I'm sure because I have seen it. But it seems that in modern society it shows up in different ways. _______________________ I've taught in Hanoi, as so many other foreigners have. And also learned a few things from my students. One of the things I learned is the difference between the roles between sexes. In one way, they seem to be much more strict than what I'm used to. For example, yesterday a female friend of met me at my house for coffee. As we were leaving my house we decided that it would be best to take one motorbike. Since mine was already parked inside, we took hers. She drove. I was on the back. As we approached the street, the woman who sells tea near my house made fun of me for being driven on the back of a motorbike by a girl. But my feeling is that the attitudes towards such things are changing quickly. While I was teaching, I met a number of bright, capable, strong-minded young ladies. I'm sure many of them will become very successful. I wouldn't doubt that one of them could be Prime Minister one day. This is a great thing, in my opinion. On the other hand, as women start to become more financially successful, more independent and more self-assured, it will inevitably change Vietnamese society. Some of these changes will not be welcomed by everyone. For example, it is a simple historical fact that around the world, once women begin to make more of their own money - maybe even more than their husbands - the divorce rate will go up. A woman who is financially independent is much less likely to put up with a husband who does not treat her right. If she feels that she has the option to leave, she is much more likely to do so. I know that The Family is, and has been, the cornerstone of Vietnamese society. But it seems to me that progress and development, things that everybody seems to want, will change the Vietnamese Family. ____________________ One of the most intelligent, young students I've ever had once told me that, although she loved her family, she also felt it was like a prison. Now I'm not saying that all, or even most, women feel this way. But as the economic realities change in Vietnam, it will definitely have an effect on the Vietnamese family. "Economic Development" and "Women's Equality": both sound good. I doubt many people would argue with that. But, unless this country is different than every other nation in the world, the "Vietnamese Family" will ultimately change along with the first two. Of these three, which is most important? Hue Da Nang | Da Nang Hoi An | Hoi An Hue | Du Lich Hue | Du Lich Hoi An | Du Lich Da Nang | Du Lich Sapa | Du Lich Da Lat | Du Lich Phu Quoc | Du Lich Lao | Du Lich Cambodia | Du Lich Thai Lan |Du Lich Singapore | Du Lich Malaysia | Du Lich Trung Quoc
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Monday, September 5, 2011

“New life” in Son Dong craft village

Son Dong craft village in Hoai Duc district, Hanoi, is Vietnam's largest craft village making wood statues of Buddha and objects of worship. The village has set many national records for the quantity and quality of its wooden products and the number of people involved in the profession. Arriving in the village in early July, the first impression for tourists is the strange but interesting sound of people busing carving the wood. In every nook and cranny of the village, the workers are concentrating on different kinds of statues. Each worker has his own task; some saw the timber while others carve the wood and paint the statues. After painstakingly painting a horizontal lacquered board, Nguyen Viet Da, an 85 year-old artisan in the village, tells visitors about his village's profession. According to Da, the imitation antique statues are often made from three different types of timber brought in from the central highlands, Hai Phong or even imported from Cambodia. Only jackfruit wood can be used to carve the reproduction antique Buddha statues, as it is soft, durable and easy to carve. From the raw timber, the skillful workers easily carve statues of Amitabha (the Buddha of Infinite Light) and the God of Prosperity, or create horizontal lacquered boards with parallel sentences. The workers must go through dozens of steps before finishing a product including selecting the wood, carving it, then painting it. This highly skilled work requires great patience and concentration. "These wooden objects are for worship, therefore the maker must have a good heart and mind," said Da. Sharing his point of view, Nguyen Viet Loi, another popular artisan in the village said the statutes can only be perfect if the workers put all their concentration into the work. This is why the statues made in Son Dong village are quite easily distinguished from others. Sustainably preserving and developing the craft village and tourism is a concern of all the workers in Son Dong workers. To achieve that, the village has made considerable changes. Along with wooden statues, the villagers are now making objects that contain traditional and spiritual elements of the Vietnamese culture. The familiar image of the areca nut, betel leaf, calabash and luffa can now be seen in many of the village's unique products. Moreover, the statues of Buddha and fairies are now being made colourful and small enough to fit in a man's hand. Entering the shop of Nguyen Chi Thanh, is one of the trailblazers in making new products, and when visitors enter his shop they feel that they are in a mini museum displaying carefully designed wooden statues. Thanh said that these new products have been very popular and preferred by the international markets. Foreign visitors are willing to pay high prices for these products, which helps generate work for most of the villagers. However, the villagers still want their products to reach domestic customers and for their village to become more popular and attract more domestic tourists. "I am considering a price frame for our products so that they will be appropriate for each particular market and also trying to fill a niche in the home market," said Thanh. Wood carving has existed in the village for more than 300 years and during some periods it seemed that the villagers could not maintain their handicraft. However, some of them secretly preserved their traditions and passed them on to the younger generations. Nguyen Duc Dau (1896-1988) is respected by the whole village for his outstanding skill. In 1986, he opened training courses for the villagers and worked with the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Art to provide them with the necessary scientific knowledge and techniques for their work. Thanks to these courses, the traditional craft has been well preserved and today many villagers are owners of a traditional woodworking shop. Hue Da Nang | Da Nang Hoi An | Hoi An Hue | Du Lich Hue | Du Lich Hoi An | Du Lich Da Nang | Du Lich Sapa | Du Lich Da Lat | Du Lich Phu Quoc | Du Lich Lao | Du Lich Cambodia | Du Lich Thai Lan |Du Lich Singapore | Du Lich Malaysia | Du Lich Trung Quoc
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Sunday, September 4, 2011

Dominique Strauss-Kahn lands in France

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is greeted by the press on his arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport Continue reading the main story Related Stories Strauss-Kahn gets passport back Strauss-Kahn sex case dismissed What now for Dominique Strauss-Kahn? Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has arrived in the French capital Paris from the US. Mr Strauss-Kahn and his wife Anne Sinclair landed at Charles de Gaulle airport at 07:05 (05:05 GMT) on board an Air France flight. They have been in New York since his arrest in May on sex assault charges, which were dropped last month. The 62-year-old, once seen as a possible French presidential contender, denied the allegations. Mr Strauss-Kahn, who resigned in the days after his arrest, had his passport returned last month. Hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo, who accused Mr Strauss-Kahn of trying to rape her in his hotel room, is pressing her claims in a civil lawsuit. Explanation Mr Strauss-Kahn and his wife smiled and waved as they arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport, but made no comment to waiting journalists and passed rapidly through the terminal to a waiting car. Continue reading the main story Strauss-Kahn allegations 2006: Publication of Sexus Politicus, book by Christophe Deloire and Christophe Dubois, with chapter on Mr Strauss-Kahn and his tendency of "seduction to the point of obsession" 2008: Mr Strauss-Kahn admits an affair with IMF colleague, calling it an "error of judgement" 2011: Mr Strauss-Kahn arrested on 14 May in New York, accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid 16 May: Writer Tristane Banon comes forward to say Mr Strauss-Kahn tried to assault her in an interview nearly a decade before 1 July: Mr Strauss-Kahn freed from New York house arrest 23 August: A New York judge dismissed the Diallo case They had boarded the same scheduled Saturday night Air France flight for Paris that he was about to take when he was arrested on 14 May, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says. The couple and their daughter were mobbed by photographers as they left their rented home in Manhattan for JFK airport on Saturday afternoon. The case against Mr Strauss-Kahn was dropped late last month at the request of prosecutors who had concerns about Ms Diallo's credibility. With DNA evidence indicating a sexual encounter did occur between the two in a suite at the Sofitel Hotel in May, Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers maintain it was consensual and prosecutors were unable to determine whether force had been used. The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says that friends of Mr Strauss-Kahn say he does, at some point, intend to explain to the French people what happened. Second allegation The former IMF chief had been considered the Socialist Party's front-runner to take on French President Nicolas Sarkozy in presidential elections next year. But his political hopes are now dead or dormant, our correspondent says. Although Mr Strauss-Kahn is legally innocent, he has been hugely damaged in the eyes of the French voters. It is not clear if the other candidates for the Socialist nomination for next year's presidential election even want his endorsement, our correspondent adds. He also faces another sexual assault allegation in France, after novelist Tristane Banon accused him of trying to rape her during an interview in 2003. Ms Banon made the allegation after he was arrested in the Diallo case, saying that she feared no-one would have believed her beforehand. Mr Strauss-Kahn's reputation has been further damaged by stories about his womanising and vast wealth. Hue Da Nang | Da Nang Hoi An | Hoi An Hue | Du Lich Hue | Du Lich Hoi An | Du Lich Da Nang | Du Lich Sapa | Du Lich Da Lat | Du Lich Phu Quoc | Du Lich Lao | Du Lich Cambodia | Du Lich Thai Lan |Du Lich Singapore | Du Lich Malaysia | Du Lich Trung Quoc
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Friday, September 2, 2011

Short trips attract tourists on National Day

On the occasion of Vietnam's National Day (September 2), there is an increased demand for travel during the three-day national holiday. Travel agencies are offering tourists a wide variety of short trips and excursions. Despite rising inflation, the prices of most travel packages over the holiday remain unchanged and many travel agencies are even offering massive discounts to attract visitors and promote their brand. Saigontourist, one of Vietnam's leading tour operators, is offering an extensive range of package tours from the Iko Travel package for budget travellers to the Premium Travel for luxury holidaymakers. Most people who purchase a tour will receive free travel insurance as a bonus. In addition, Saigontourist, in cooperation with Vietnam Airlines, are also organising many autumn tours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. During these trips, tourists will have a chance to explore places of interest in the north at discounted fares. Tourists will get a discount of VND 3 million when they book the six-day 'Hanoi – Sapa Autumn' package, which now costs only VND 8.768 million (US$420.86). The 'Hanoi – Bai Dinh Temple – Trang An – Ha Long' tour, which is one of the most popular, is also discounted up to 46%. Besides these promotions, travel agencies have also designed attractive new short trips so that tourists can have a unique and unforgettable experience during the national holiday. Details of these packages are available on the travel agency websites. Most travellers in the north choose to spend their holiday in mountainous retreats rather than at the seaside as the storm and rainy season is not yet over. Major destinations in the north are the beautiful towns of Sapa in Lao Cai province and Tam Dao in Vinh Phuc province, as well as the Bai Dinh Temple Complex in Ninh Binh province. Hanoi-based Luxury Travel is launching interesting new day trips from Hanoi to Tam Dao National Park. The trips start at US$69 per person for a party of six, and include a private car with individual pick-up and drop-off, entrances fees, meals and an English-speaking guide from Hanoi. Luxury Travel is also offering a four-day tour of Hanoi, where visitors can experience the fascinating Old Quarter and join a cooking class to taste and make the finest cuisine in Vietnam. For those interested in exploring UNESCO heritage sites in Vietnam, their choices include the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, the Hue Monuments Complex, the ancient town of Hoi An, and the My Son Relics Sanctuary in Quang Nam province. In the south, attractions include amusement parks in Binh Duong province, scenic spots in the Mekong River Delta and resorts in Dalat (Lam Dong province), Buon Don (Dak Lak province) and Bien Ho (Gia Lai province). Trips to famous beaches and islands are also ideal for adventure lovers. Travellers in Ho Chi Minh City can choose three-day trips to the paradise island of Phu Quoc or the Con Dao islands, one of Southeast Asia's most breathtaking and untouched getaways. Hue Da Nang | Da Nang Hoi An | Hoi An Hue | Du Lich Hue | Du Lich Hoi An | Du Lich Da Nang | Du Lich Sapa | Du Lich Da Lat | Du Lich Phu Quoc | Du Lich Lao | Du Lich Cambodia | Du Lich Thai Lan |Du Lich Singapore | Du Lich Malaysia | Du Lich Trung Quoc
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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Hue Monuments Conservation Center

THIEN MU PAGODA

Located beside the picturesque Huong River, Thien Mu Pagoda, with its ancient architecture, adds its charm to this beautiful natural setting. The sound of Thien Mu bell is like the soul of Hue, ever resounding over the Huong River flow winding its way in front of the Citadel to the sea, resonating in the hearts and minds of the people and of visitors to Hue, the ancient capital.


Hue is home to many of the most beautiful sites and ancient pagodas in Vietnam

The oldest pagoda in Hue is Thien Mu Pagoda whose establishment is associated with the early actions of the first Nguyen Lord in Dang Trong (South Vietnam). This legend relates how, when Nguyen Hoang was sent to Thuan Hoa (now Central Vietnam) to rule this area, he himself made a survey of the terrain to choose a site for settling down. As he rode his horse upstream along the Huong River side he saw a small hillock beside the river, whose terrain looked like a dragon turning its head back. This hill was called Ha Khe. The local people told a story that every night an old lady in a red blouse and green trousers appeared here saying that a true Lord would come to this place and build a pagoda for the prosperity of the country. Thus this place became known as Thien Mu Son (Heavenly Lady Mountain).

It seemed that the grand ideas of Lord Nguyen Hoang matched the people's desires so he ordered a pagoda to be built on the hillock, facing the Huong River and to be named "Thien Mu Tu" (Thien Mu Pagoda). In fact, a pagoda of the Champa people had previously stood on this site - a relic mentioned in the book O Chau Can Luc written by Duong Van An in 1553. It was not until 1601 that the pagoda was built following the decision of Lord Nguyen Hoan.

With the development, prosperity and spread of Buddhism in Dang Trong, the pagoda was rebuilt on a larger scale in the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu (1691-1725). In 1710, this Lord ordered that a big bell with an inscribed teaching be cast. And in 1714, he again had the pagoda renovated and many great architectural structures added. These new additions included the Thien Vuong, Dai Hung and Thuyet Phap buildings, Tang Kinh Pavilion, Monks' rooms and a house for religious meditation. Many of these buildings no longer exist today. Nguyen Phuc Chu himself wrote a narrative description describing the construction of the buildings here, praising the philosophy of the Buddhism, and relating the merits of the Buddhist monk Thach Liem, who was instrumental in helping Lord Nguyen boost Buddhism in Dang Trong. The inscribed stele was placed on a big stone turtle with simple decorations which enhanced its beauty.

With its enlarged scale and natural landscape, Thien Mu pagoda was said to be the most beautiful one in Dang Trong at that time. During the ups and downs of history, Thien Mu was once the place for sacrifices to the Deity under Tay Son's reign in 1788 and was restored many times under the Nguyen reign. In 1844, on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Queen Thuan Thien Cao Hoang Hau (Gia Long's wife and Thieu Tri's grandmother), the pagoda was again renovated together with the construction of Tu Nhan Tower (later renamed Phuoc Duyen), Huong Nguyen temple and two steles inscribed with Thieu Tri Emperor's poems.

Phuoc Duyen Tower is a famous symbolic link with Thien Mu Pagoda. It is 21 metres high, has seven storeys, is located in front of the pagoda and is visible from the Huong River. On each of the seven storeys there is a statue of Buddha. Inside the tower a spiral staircase leads to the top storey where formerly a gold Buddha statue was displayed. Huong Nguyen temple is in front of the Tower.

Thien Mu Pagoda was ranked one of the twenty most beautiful landscapes in Hue with the poem Thien Mu chung thanh, composed by the emperor Thieu Tri, inscribed on the stone stele set near the Pagoda gate. In 1862, during the reign of Tu Duc, who prayed for a child, the Emperor was afraid that the word Thien profaned Heaven because it means heavenly. So Tu Duc renamed the Pagoda as Linh Mu which means Holy Lady. It was not until 1869 that the Emperor allowed the reuse of the old name Thien Mu meaning Heavenly Lady. The Pagoda is still known by both names today.

In 1904, a terrible storm seriously damaged the Pagoda. Many structures were ruined and Huong Nguyen Temple was destroyed. Through many re-constructions and restorations Thien Mu Pagoda still retains valuable architectural structures such as Phuoc Duyen Tower, Dai Hung, Dia Tang and Quan Am temples, the stone steles and bronze bells. Thien Mu Pagoda is also home to many valuable antiques of both historical and artistic value and importance, such as the statures Ho Phap, Thap Vuong, Di Lac Buddha, the three Buddhas symbolizing Past, Present and Future Lives, lacquered boards and panels with parallel texts that mark the glorious periods in history of the Pagoda. The Pagoda is surrounded with a garden of flowers and plants that are carefully tended every day. There is a bonsai of the ancestor of Vietnam Tuong (Classical drama), Dao Tan, situated next to the car left in 1963 by the Superior Buddhist monk, Thich Quang Duc, before burning himself to protest the policy of Ngo Dinh Diem regime in suppressing Buddhism. At the end of the garden is the Tower of the Superior Buddhist monk Thich Don Hau, a famous head of Thien Mu Pagoda who devoted his whole life to the promotion of Buddhism and the good of society.