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The origins of Water Puppets are still debated among scholars. It is considered to have come from within Vietnam, where the art is highly developed today. Nevertheless, within Vietnam, at least, this unique art has its origin in the delta of the Red river in the tenth century. In ancient Vietnam, the rural Vietnamese believed that spirits controlled all aspect of their lives, from the kitchen to the rice paddies. The Vietnamese devised water puppetry as a way to satisfy these spirits. The farmers in this region devised a form of entertainment and worship using what natural medium they could find in their environment. In ancient times, the ponds and flooded rice paddies after harvest were the stage for these impromptu shows. This art form is unique to North Vietnam and only finds it... read more

Festival is the big part in Vietnamese life, especially after Tet festival. Vietnamese people think spring is the begin season of the year, season of restart, proliferation of things and it’s time of earth and sky union. Following the agriculture, spring is also a break time for farmers and people feel like more relaxing and deserved to enjoy what they have gained in previous year. You can easily find festival in every village in Vietnam after Tet, some held in couple of days, but some last after a few months. Most of festival theme related to the event of culture, religion or national heroic remembrance and often held with traditional games and party. Northern Vietnamese really put festival at high and considered the festival as proud for habitant where they live. url=http://ww... read more

Tet – The biggest festival for Vietnamese. It’s time for union, celebration and having fun. Tet also changes the people conversation, people often ask each other like ‘How are you preparing for Tet?’, ‘How big is your Tet?’ or ‘How many square cake will you make?’ or ‘How much do your children give to you?’. Those all express the excitement of Tet, the importance of Tet in Vietnam. Tet is officially held on 3 days from the 1st to the 3rd day of the lunar year. Based on regional customs, Tet can be started earlier and ended much longer than that. Tet nowadays is different from the past even its values are still remain, people still make square cake, peach flower or cumquat tree decoration, give lucky money…; however, the change of economics has changed the ... read more

I am looking for a couple from Australia name Angela and David who had traveled to Vietnam around 1998 or 1999. I had met them when I was working at a hotel in Hanoi old quarter called Ngoc Diep Hotel during above period. What I remember is Angela was a teacher and based in Sydney Australia and David worked in somewhere related to astronomy but I can’t remember his living location. Angela now could be about 35 years old and David could be about 40. We traveled to North West of Vietnam by motor bike trip about 12 days in total from Hanoi to Yen Bai then Sapa – Bac Ha – Lai Chau – Dien Bien Phu – Hoa Binh and Hanoi. I remember David got sick in Bac Ha and Sapa. Read more.....and image ... read more

Weird isn’t it? But that’s what local people call it here in Hanoi (Phở Quát). It arises a big concerning about service culture in Hanoi and some other parts in Vietnam. Let me explain a bit for someone who has not been familar with life here in Hanoi, ‘Shouting Noodle Soup’ stands for noodle shops (very popular breakfast dish in all over Vietnam) that the owner treat their staffs and customers by shouting at them with different level of bad language (sometimes they really swear to people). Reasons are heaps, but I think one of the main reasons is the consequence of subsidy period that dated back before early 1990s in North of Vietnam. Society was subsistence and corruption violently occurred. It arise a habit of dependence. Further more, the buyer had no choice and ... read more

Beauty is said to be ‘in the eye of the beholder”. Someone from the West may think Julia Roberts is charming. She certainly may be, but some of the older generation in Vietnam may think differently. I have a friend who broke up with his girl just because of a comment from his Mum about his girl’s high cheekbones. The Vietnamese think that a girl like that will bring bad luck to her husband – and may even bring death to him! The round face shape represents prosperity and wealth to Vietnamese. While you are travelling around Vietnam you may see many Vietnamese woman who cover their faces with masks and gloves, said to be necessary because of the pollution in the streets. This is only part of the reason; the main reason is to ... read more

Food is always the most important part of every trip. I am lucky to have chance to travel throughout my country more than one time. Every city or province in Vietnam has their own specialty. It is likely impossible to list all them here. I just want to show you my personal favored list that I often go. My choice is simple: hygienic, affordable and unique foods that you may not find in anywhere else. Saigon 1, Pho Le (Beef noodle soup) It tastes quite differently from most of Pho from the north. It is a bit sweeter I think. This shop serves with a big bowl, plenty of extra fresh vegetables and herbs. Chicken eggs and meat balls can be ordered as aside at small additional charges. Address: 303-305 Vo Van Tan St., Ward 5, ... read more

Junk or Junk? Halong is the place you should spend more time and money to enjoy even if you are budget travelers. Choosing the right Junk is important; don’t get excited and take the first cheap deal that comes along. Safety in Vietnam is not the high priority it is in the West. Something you should know: Halong bay- Junk or junk? ... read more