Mekong Delta – The River of Nine Dragons

December 14, 2014

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Mekong Delta – The River of Nine Dragons

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, also known as its ‘rice bowl’ is a beautiful scenic landscape, carpeted in myriad shades of green and surrounded with grand waterways. Dubbed as Vietnam’s biological treasure trove, the delta’s unexplored terrains have been home to over 10,000 new species.

There are simply so many interesting and amazing things to do outdoors in Vietnam, it’s no wonder that the Mekong Delta is so frequently visited.

A trip to the Mekong Delta will be a completely new experience for you and it will open you up to a world you have only seen on TV before.

The delta is a water world…literally, it has restaurants, houses, and even markets that are floating upon the Delta’s rivers, canals, and streams. Now that’s something you only see in futuristic movies, but it becomes oh so real in the Mekong Delta.

My trip to Mekong Delta was really amazing. I have had a lot of adventures in Vietnam, but this one tops the list. Just after breakfast at Saigon, our bus picked us up and we traveled to My Tho. From there, we set off on a cruise of the Tien River, and rejoiced in the view of the four lovely islands that we saw: Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Turtle Island, and Phoenix Island.

This cruise was the highlight of the trip in my opinion, as we saw natural beauty aplenty on the islands. We also experienced the tranquil local villages around and saw many rural people working the rice fields. All this was quite simple and ordinary, yet we saw beauty in it. And yes, we did take pictures. We snapped several pictures of the amazing fisherman’s port and its stilt houses.

We had some local tropical fruits, and they were not only juicy but delicious too. After a little time, we found ourselves climbing into a small sampan boat, and were handed cute conical hats as well. We cruised through the serene waterways and canals in our sampan boat while soothing our ears with local folk music. The man rowing the sampan boat demonstrated his rowing skills as he moved the boat through the groves of water coconut trees.

We were taken to a bee farm, where there was a small market with items such as sunglasses, clothes, souvenirs etc. The time spent at the bee farm was really full of fun; we tried natural honey produced on the bee farm which was yummy. We also tasted the honey tea, which had some grains at the bottom, and was very delicious and sweet.

The boat stopped at too many shops, souvenir stands, and agricultural sites on its way forward on the Mekong Delta.

We took break for lunch and dined in at a local restaurant where we got to ate fresh spring rolls, rice, curries, grilled fish, fresh fruits, and more. Also, we got half an hour to ourselves to relax around in hammocks, and we enjoyed this part a great deal, before we set off with the tour to discover the rest of the natural bounties of the delta.

Then came the fun part, where we rode on motor carts to roam around the roads and down the jungle lanes. After a while, we headed to the coconut candy factory, which gave a true tourist feeling to us. At the factory we were offered coconut wine and we saw the production of sticky coconut candy. Then we headed back to the water once more to reach the mainland. The delta has quite a lot to charm its visitors with.

The name of the Mekong Delta literally translates as “River of Nine Dragons” and is home to nine tributaries that flow like arteries throughout the delta. It is a majestic place, and if you ever go to Vietnam, you must visit it.

Hue Vietnam – Experiencing The Crown Jewel of Asia

November 23, 2014

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Hue Vietnam – Experiencing The Crown Jewel of Asia

Hue, a jewel in the crow of Vietnam, a place showcasing the past of the Vietnamese feudal empire, resonates with Vietnam’s glorious past. Think of palaces and pagodas, history, tombs and temples, all encapsulated in one city, then only will you be able to understand how glorious Hue really is.

Tomb of Khai Dinh emperor, Hue, Vietnam.

Hue Vietnam, undoubtedly has a lot to offer to its visitors.

Its buildings that are remnant of its past stand proudly, demonstrating the power of Vietnamese emperors of yore, and continue to attract lots of tourists from around the world.

The charm of Hue Vietnam arises from the fact that it is located on the Perfume River, which presents a scenic view at all times. When I visited Hue, it seemed to me to be a blend of its past and present, as there were luxurious hotels surrounding the worn Citadel walls, yet efforts that are made to preserve the grandeur of the city were quite visible too.

When I reached Hue Vietnam, I decided to visit some of the pagodas and tombs of the emperors that were at the south of Hue.

I noticed that almost all the sites in Hue are located around the fortified Citadel, which has also been claimed as a World Heritage Site.

I walked along the Trang Tien Bridge to see the gloried Citadel, also known as the Imperial City. It was absolutely stunning and I just fell in love with the brilliance of its architecture. The Citadel has a prominent tall flag tower, along with ten ornate gates guarding its grand palace. This ancient place was just magnificent.

I also visited the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is between a river nd a pine forest. The golden Buddha near it was quite fascinating for me. The Pagoda had seven tiers, and presented amazing architecture.

Then I went to visit the tomb where Emperor Khai Dinh was buried, and this was a truly beautiful tomb. It had bejeweled walls and its high rising ceilings were also decorated quite intricately. I actually took a lot of time to explore this beautiful tomb in its entirety. This tomb had a life size statue of the emperor as well and an incredible site in Hue Vietnam.

One of the best places to visit in Hue Vietnam turned out to be the Vinh Moc tunnels. Vietnam had been at war with the Chinese, Americans, and French in the past; hence its buildings are all full of stories to leave its visitors enthralled. This tunnel was built for protection, and it felt eerie when I entered them. I just can’t imagine how the Vietnamese soldiers could have lived in these tunnels for years and years.

The trip to Hue would have been incomplete had I not visited Vietnam’s largest marketplace. Buzzing with tourists, the market had the famous conical hats, souvenirs, bronze good, sesame sweetmeat and much more for everyone. It’s so huge that it is very easy to get lost; in essence it is a shopper’s paradise. It was one of the craziest markets that I have seen in my life; however it was more for locals than for visitors like me.

But that is what I like the most, that local atmosphere.

The trip to Hue was like a trip back in Vietnam’s historical times. I really enjoyed each bit of. It was quite exquisite, and I would recommend Hue, to everyone who goes to visit Vietnam. You just can’t miss this historical masterpiece in Vietnam.

Enjoy!

Cuisine of Vietnam – Global Influence Keeping It All Local

November 19, 2014

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Cuisine of Vietnam – Global Influence Keeping It All Local

The quest for experiencing local and authentic cuisine of Vietnam took me to various markets, family kitchens, restaurants, coffee-houses and sidewalk vendors, where each different landscape provided the one aspect that is an essential part of traditional Vietnamese cooking, i.e. that impeccable balance of sweet and sour.

Cuisine of Vietnam – Yin and Yang

The cuisine of Vietnam is all about balancing different flavors in one complete dish using the local ingredients and herbs that are available according to the season.

As is the case with other Southeast Asian cuisines, preparation of food includes elements that complement the different flavors present in a dish of any particular region.

However, the two dominant themes that the avid traveler will find in Vietnamese cuisine is the staple of the country, rice and the all power-full fish sauce.

Incorporation of Rice and Fish-Sauce

Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world, and therefore has an abundance of the staple to support the primary diet of its citizens.

You will find at least a few rice dishes that are specialties of a particular region, in the traditional way it is made as well as in the form of rice noodles, porridge, sticky rice with fruit, rice paper rolls, fried rice, puffed rice snacks and of course the famous rice wine.

I have had rice in all of the forms that it can possibly be made into for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert!

Of course fish sauce is also a very important element in Vietnamese cooking, and is an ingredient that makes a regular meat and vegetables broth, a dish fit to be eaten by a king (or you).

Influence in local cuisine

In regards to what they eat and how they cook, the cuisine of Vietnam has been largely influenced by their neighbors and the effects of colonization.

Beef was first introduced into the Vietnamese diet and cuisine with the arrival of Mongol invaders, who feasted primarily on meat. Common beef dishes are pho bo, which is a noodle soup with beef and can be found in every region of the country each dish different yet the same.

Pho bo , Vietnamese rice noodle soup with sliced rare beef

Cooking techniques such as stir and deep frying, and the use of chopsticks for eating were adopted from the Chinese who ruled over Vietnam for a thousand years. Stir fried vegetables and meat; along with noodle based soups are dishes are a product of the influence, which can be found mainly in the north.

For the south of Vietnam, neighboring countries particularly Cambodia and Thailand introduced flat Cambodian egg noodles, various spices, and coconut milk which are ingredients more commonly used in that region due to its ability to locally grow them.

The dish that is accredited to French influence is the banh mi, which is a crusty, French baguette filled with meat paste and a combination of grilled pork fillings, fish patties, and sardines with cilantro, daikon and pickled carrots.

Chased down with a glass of lime soda or rice wine, any meal will leave your mouth watering just by a thought of a next excursion.

And that is what always was amazing for me, personally. One may think that such a small country would have very local and traditional foods. While this is true and every home town has a staple food, the cuisine of Vietnam is rich and diverse in what someone may eat. I was shocked when my friends told me that they were eating a traditional Vietnam breakfast in the morning and a French dinner. Yet, all the meals are considered Vietnamese.

Oh yeah, and when you’re out enjoying all the great food, check out these awesome places to visit, too!

Enjoy!

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – The Place for Amazing Fun

November 15, 2014

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Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – The Place for Amazing Fun

If you’re looking for a place that has opened its doors to tourism fairly recently, Vietnam Outdoor Adventures is the place to see. Slightly different from the laid-back tourist paradise of Thailand, the facilities and structure of the country’s tourism sector is developing rapidly.

It is now in the same category as the other popular travel destinations for the holidays, offering a wide array of experiences that gives visitors a taste of the great flavors of Vietnam in terms of history, culture, and cookery alike.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures

Vietnam is a country rich in varying degrees of nature, animal, and plant life. Recently, there has been an influx of outdoor sports and adventure activities that have added a more exciting element to the tourism sector, and has given people such as me another reason to visit the island country.

Tourists to Vietnam, raring for an adventure of a lifetime, can now trek the mountains in the north. They can choose rock climbing, go for a canoe ride, or sea kayaking and kits-surfing in the choppy waters of the south of Vietnam.

The visitor can become one in tune with the abundant nature, by walks, cycling, and mountain biking through the numerous and dense forest pathways in the country.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – Bird Watching and Other Activities

Vietnam is the place to go to, if you are an avid bird-watcher. All the national parks in the country, especially in Cuc Phuong, Bach Ma, and Cat Tien are ideal places for some serious bird-watching activity. Vietnam has over 850 species of birds alone, which makes the country a paradise for bird watchers.

In the past few years, a dozen of excellent golf courses have sprouted up in Vietnam, particularly around Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet, Hanoi and Da Lat, all of which offer their services to patrons for a cheaper fee than in the west.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – Trekking, Hiking, and Mountain Biking

Visitors may have to make arrangements in advance if they want to experience a day of hiking, or they can go off on their own. You can schedule for a hiking and trekking tour package either through a local tours agent, or even before your trip to Vietnam.

Such tailor-made packages offer organized tours by a local guide in English, and are an ideal way to understand and view the sights Vietnam has to offer. Other than this, you can also arrange a night’s day at any of the villages littering the hiking path, but in most cases, the tour packages will also include this feature.

Mountain biking and cycling has also become increasingly popular, with centers for engaging in both the activities throughout the country. Tours offer half day excursions to multi day; the outings include nightly stays in villages. Other good areas to explore the off beaten paths include Mai Chau, Da Lat, and the great Mekong Delta.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – Water-Sports – Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, Canoe Rides

Due to a number of reasons, Vietnam doesn’t offer many options in terms of water sports despite having a coastline which stretches throughout much of the country. Be sure to check out my article about the amazing 2000 miles of coasting line.

The island of Phu Quoc situated off the southern coast is popular not only for its amazing beaches but also as the number one provider for activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you want to combine rock climbing and sightseeing, the place to go is the beautiful Ha Long Bay, on Cat Ba Island.

Go and explore and enjoy the amazing Vietnam Outdoor Adventures and you will soon find out that there is something for everyone there.

Enjoy!

Vietnam Business Etiquette and Corporate Culture

November 11, 2014

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Vietnam Business Etiquette and Corporate Culture

Business owners planning to establish and expand their business in Vietnam can benefit greatly by following Vietnam business etiquette. Vietnamese people believe in developing strong relationships in personal as well as professional settings. Showing proficiency in Vietnamese business etiquettes can impress your business associate. It can also give you an advantage to develop a great working relationship with them.

Business center in Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam.

Vietnam Business Etiquette & Corporate Culture The Vietnamese are quite punctual and expect foreigners to arrive on time. However, if a situation occurs that is beyond your control, they can be flexible and accommodating. Business cards are an essential part of Vietnamese business world.

They are exchanged at the start of the meeting and are considered as the first step to a long-term professional relationship. A bilingual business card shows that you value your client and are seriously interested in working with them. You need to receive and present the cards with both hands to show respect. You are expected to bring surplus business cards as you may meet more people than you expected. As a foreigner, you might need to deal with certain government officials to get permits.

This might be a long and stressful procedure. You might need to make several visits to get licenses and approvals from ministry officials.

Since the local chamber of commerce and the embassies have close ties, they can be a great source of information for business related queries and business procedures. They can also help in expediting your documentation process by facilitating effective networking. In Vietnam, decisions are usually made by committees.

As no one holds absolute power, you cannot rely on one person to safeguard your interest. You may need to meet and convince several individuals to close the deal. Additionally, Vietnamese businessmen anticipate high profits from business deals. They seek the best offer from you which may sometimes slow down their decisions making process.

Vietnam Business Etiquette Greeting: Personal respect has critical value in Vietnamese culture. Offering a hand shake with a slight bow is customary in Vietnamese business world. Additionally, it is expected that you address your colleague by Mr. or Miss. followed by the given name. The people of Vietnam are very sensitive about self-respect. Your Vietnamese colleague should never get a sense of lost status or dignity. A slight mistake on your part may make them feel disrespectful which may lead to immediate loss of contact.

Vietnamese Business Meetings Vietnamese businessmen prefer formal dressing at business meetings. Men usually wear suits while women wear dress or suits. During warm weather, it is acceptable not to wear jacket. Vietnamese businessmen are more comfortable in their native language than speaking in English.

Consider hiring an interpreter to facilitate communication. Learning a few Vietnamese words with correct pronunciation may also help to get admiration from your Vietnamese colleague.

In addition, this book, Vietnam Business Guide was absolutely amazingly helpful in giving critical background and business support for my trips and even more so for friends that moved there for work.

In addition to following these Vietnam Business Etiquettes protocols, you should be careful about choosing the businessman you are working with. Due to widespread corruption in the country, inappropriate business partners may cause inconvenience in several ways.

Many respectable companies are registered with the government and your local embassies can offer great assistance here. When I first moved to China back in 2003, it was still very uncommon to hear of people going to Vietnam for anything, to be honest.

I had the fortunate opportunity to meet a few Vietnamese during my travels and I found them to have a vibrant culture and great passion for learning and exploring. Many friends of mine ended up moving from Hong Kong to Vietnam in the late 2000’s as many banks were opening offices there.

And, if you’re looking to have a great time along the coast there, be sure to check out my article here: Vietnam Coastline.

Enjoy!

Vietnam Coastline – Along the Shores

November 7, 2014

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Vietnam Coastline – Along the Shores

Vietnam occupies about 331,211.6 square kilometers of land, the eastern and southern part of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, as the South China Sea runs along its coast. Vietnam enjoys a place on the world map like no other, possessing land ranging from the low altitude golden beaches to cold thick rain forests.

Vietnam is a country of hills, dense forest highlands and tropical forests, with only 20% of the area being leveled. The annual rainfall rate varies along the area from 120 – 200 centimeters, which is substantial for sea-level areas.

It has the tropical monsoon climate and enjoys a prime geographical location, although because of the difference of altitude temperatures vary accordingly. The country is divided into the Red River Delta and the highlands in the north, the coastal lowlands and the Mekong River Delta in the south.

The people of Vietnam come from the lineages of Mongols from china and migrants from Indonesia. The Vietnam coastline is 2000 lines long. The coastline has a scenic beauty filled with white sandy beaches and compelling sunsets.

Apart from that, coves, lagoons, tropical islands and massive boulder formations are not a rare sight for the Vietnamese. It makes me envy them because I can imagine how easy it would be for them to a tan and how beautiful their mornings must be waking up the sun rising at the far end of the watery shore.

The Best of the Beaches

Vietnam Coastline: Nha Trang

In the province of Khanh Hoa, Nha Trang is the busiest beach known for its never ending days of sunshine. Many water adventure sports have made permanent home here and continue to attract tourists from around the world. The facilities of beach resorts and hotels with private beaches are also largely available and you can also hire a beach bungalow for your stay. I guess I know where I am headed on my next trip!

Vietnam Coastline: Danang

During the Vietnam War, Danang Beach served as the central fighting area. It is also well-known for its beautiful beaches that offer tourists the opportunity for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling or indulging in many other water sports. Coconut palms and natural pines are the perfect backdrop for the white and golden beaches of Vietnam.

Vietnam Coastline: Doc Let

Only 30 miles away from the Nha Trang, Doc Let is the beach paradise of your dreams. Many resorts have comfortable bungalows along the beaches with complete meals provided at booking so that the tourists can enjoy the unique peace and quiet of the Doc Let Beaches without hindrance. Doc Let is the popular choice for renegade travelers.

Vietnam Coastline: Phu Quoc Island

Made of national forest land, sandy beaches and pepper plantations, Phu Quoc is a standard tourist spot that offers a unique experience. Because of less development, the island’s natural beauty is still very much intact with dirt roads, limited services and quiet shores. This proves to be a very inviting feature of this place, although there are still some great resorts lined up along the Long Beach that offer decent and comfortable services.

Vietnam has come a very long way from our recent history. It is very common now for westerners to not only visit the beautiful country, but also be assigned there for work on contract (usually banks) for a certain period of time.

The beauty is easily seen from the Vietnam Coastline.

All along the streets you can see westerners enjoying there visits and I’d certainly recommend Vietnam a place to go!

Enjoy!