Conversations on Vietnam Development
Founded in 1926 in Tay Ninh province, the Caodaism worships the Divine Eye, known as the eye of heaven and a symbol of its supreme being. It is now the third largest religion in Vietnam.
 The Tay Ninh Holy See, the centre of Caodaism in Vietnam, was completed in 1947, covering an area of more than one sq.km with twelve gates. Tiếp tục đọc “A glance at Tay Ninh, the capital of Caodaism” |
VietNamNet Bridge – Sitting on the corner of Turtle Lake and chatting with friends, eating snacks, taking a stroll in 30/4 park, and looking at the old church under the sunshine will add interest to your weekend in Saigon.
HCM City is known for the busy pace of life, but behind those scenes are peaceful corners. At Notre Dame Cathedral, where cars surround the area, you can stand or sit at any corner to experience the atmosphere.
Opposite the church, more than 100 meters is the City’s Post Office, which attracts many foreign tourists visiting each day. Tiếp tục đọc “Travel around Saigon on a weekend afternoon”
Braving harsh weather conditions, naval officers and soldiers in the island district of Truong Sa, the southern central province of Khanh Hoa, still plant vegetables so as to improve their meals.
 A soldier on Thuyen Chai B Island waters a small vegetable garden Tiếp tục đọc “Vegetable gardens green Truong Sa archipelago” |
Le Cong Kieu, No Trang Long, and Tran Nhan Ton antique streets are must-see destinations in Ho Chi Minh City which attract many domestic and foreign tourists.
 Le Cong Kieu St is a good suggestion where antique collectors can buy rare objects. Tiếp tục đọc “Five antique streets you should not miss in HCM City” |
In the past tens of years, Colonel Dang Minh Tam, former officer of the Lam Dong Provincial Police has overcome various difficulties going to rural villages to collect artifacts related to traditions, rituals and lifestyles of ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands in an attempt to preserve the soul of the ethnic minorities amid the “international integration” wave and “cultural artifacts drains”.
 The number of artifacts of ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands collected by Mr. Tam has reached tens of thousands.
The “throne” of Elephant’s King. According to its owner, before hunts for elephants in the forest for domestication to serve people, young men from the villages had to ask Elephant’s King for permission. The King would then sit on the throne to perform several worshipping rituals. Tiếp tục đọc “30,000 exhibits of Central Highlands people collected by retired police officer” |
A total of 36 precious artifacts, from the Nguyen dynasty period (1802-1945), are on display at an exhibition that opened recently at Lam Dong museum in Da Lat city.
The artifacts, made of gold and gemstones, include flower vases; daily utensils such as bowls and basins; objects used in royal worship and rituals; and items used in royal office, including brushes, ink stone, paperweights and pen holders.
All of the items were carefully carved with highly sophisticated decorative patterns, showing the talent of Vietnam’s craft masters.
The exhibition also introduces 100 documentary photos on Hue royal architecture, the tombs of Nguyen Emperors and images of mandarins from that period. Tiếp tục đọc “Nguyen dynasty treasures on display in Da Lat”
For generations, the Mong ethnic minority group in the Dong Van Karst Plateau, northern Ha Giang province, has woven threads made of flax plant into colourful fabrics.
 Dried flax plants are used to make threads.  A Mong woman uses a special technique to connect different flax strands into a long thread. Tiếp tục đọc “Flax weaving by Mong ethnics in Dong Van Karst Plateau” |
VietNamNet Bridge – Those who like savoring a cup of coffee in a nostalgic space full of items that date back decades should visit Nha Xuong and Bao Cap cafes in Hanoi or Ut Lanh and Cafe 81 in Saigon. Below is a list of old-style coffee shops in Vietnam.
 Cong Café in Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Tiếp tục đọc “Old-style coffee shops across Vietnam” |
Located on the east side of Phu Quoc Island, Sao beach is among best beaches in Vietnam with crystal clear water and year-round calm sea.
 Sao beach spans 7 km of white sand. Tiếp tục đọc “A summer holiday on Sao Beach, Phu Quoc island” |
The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang attracts large numbers of visitors in summer, thanks to a series of beautiful islands, particularly the most famous one, the Phu Quoc.
 Most islands are very pristine, clean and thinly populated. They are ideal places for adventurous visitors. Tiếp tục đọc “Three days to discover Kien Giang beaches and islands” |
Tourists will have an opportunity to get a better view of colourful butterflies this summer in many forests in Vietnam, such as Cuc Phuong, Nam Cat Tien and other National Parks.
 Tam Dao National Park in the northern province of Vinh Phuc Tiếp tục đọc “Best places to enjoy watching butterflies in Vietnam” |
VietNamNet Bridge – If you are in Hanoi, you should not miss these two places, which are not far from Hanoi’s center.
Bao Son Paradise
Located on Lang-Hoa Lac expressway, Bao Son is an entertainment area with separate areas characterizing Hanoi features, a roomy space, ancient and modern combination, scenes recalling activities of Hanoi streets, etc.
On weekends and holidays, the ticket costs VND135,000/adult and VND120,000/child (normally, it is VND20,000 cheaper). The price includes following activities: park visiting, aquarium, animal garden, dolphin circus, etc.
Aquarium visiting service: the aquarium has four storeys with turtles, various kinds of fish, animal garden with reptiles: snakes, pythons, etc. and lions, leopards.
Moreover, tourists can see water puppet at 4 pm (plus VND20,000) and at 7 pm water music free. A garden of spirit, orchid, bird, butterflies, etc. entrance for free.
 Tiếp tục đọc “Two must-see places in Hanoi suburbs” |
Video clip và bài tiếng Việt ở cuối
Son Doong Cave—the largest in the world—wasn’t discovered until 2009. Now, National Geographic grantee and photojournalist Martin Edström, takes us deep inside Son Doong as he tries to capture its overwhelming size and beauty in 360 degrees. Tiếp tục đọc “Journey through the Largest Cave in the World: Son Doong – National Geographic”
Generations of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands have used gongs to convey their innermost sentiments and communicate with their deities.
 The Central Highlands gong culture spreads across 5 provinces – Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong. The musical instrument has been practiced by Ba Na, E De, Co Tu, M’Nong and Gia Rai ethnic groups. Tiếp tục đọc “Gongs – Echoes of Central Highlands forests & mountains” |
Established in 2010, Van Long Natural Reserve covers 2,730 ha. Three quarters of the reserve are mountains and rocks, with the remainder wetland.
The area boasts a diverse bio system with a large amount of rare fauna and floral species recognised in the Red Book. Hoa Lu – Van Long Specialised Forest Managing Board, which takes charge of the reserve, has 30 local collaborators engaged in forest protection.
Through training classes, locals and boat rowers are taught how to develop tourism in connection with protecting the environment.
Ninh Binh’s efforts in forest and biodiversity protection are on a sound track, towards sustainable tourism in which people live harmoniously with nature.
VNA
CVD 