On the shore of Hanoi’s daz-zling West Lake stands Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s oldest pagodas and a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. It is said that the pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) on the bank of the Red River, or on what is now An Duong beach.

Initially its name was Khai Quoc (founding the nation) in line with the establishment of Van Xuan, or present-day Vietnam. Under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong (1434-1442) it was renamed An Quoc (peaceful nation).

In 1615 under King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was relocated to Yen Phu Village on Kim Ngu (golden fish) Islet because the river bank was crumbling. The pagoda still stands on the islet in the middle of West Lake, together with the later-built Thuy Hoa Hall and Ham Nguyen Palace.

In 1624 after erecting the Co Ngu embankment, the villagers built another temple and an incense burning house in the pagoda complex. Then they added more ditches and a road leading to the pagoda.

In 1639, Lord Trinh Trang ordered the pagoda’s upgrade, turning it into the country’s then fourth most beautiful site as a stele at the pagoda says.

Nguyen Xuan Chinh, the first doctoral candidate under the Le Dynasty, put up the stele in 1639 to record the pagoda’s history. One section reads, “You can see the shadows of the clouds in the transparent water of the lake. The atmosphere is filled with sounds of the ringing bell, awakening visitors to the joys of life.”

King Le Hy Tong (1680-1705) again changed the site’s name to Tran Quoc (defending the nation). This name stuck with locals although King Thieu Tri of the Nguyen Dynasty renamed the pagoda as Tran Bac (northern defense) during his visit to the north in 1844.

Apart from having a long name history, Tran Quoc used to be one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam.

Many eminent monks, such as Van Phong, Khuong Viet, Thao Duong, Thong Bien, Vien Hoc and Tinh Khong, learned and lived at the pagoda. In the 11th century, Queen Mother Y Lan held a vegetarian banquet at Tran Quoc to honor veteran monks and researchers of Buddhism.

Kings, lords, mandarins and farmers all used to visit the pagoda on the 15th day of the first lunar month to pray for peace. Now tourists come there, too.

Going down a narrow path lined with betel nut trees, you reach the pagoda’s three-gate entrance. Next is a garden with different towers.

Many of the buildings were rebuilt in 1815 under the Nguyen Dynasty, including the main pagoda, the sitting room, the ancestral worshipping chamber and the garden tower.

Visitors pass through a front hall before entering the interior of the pagoda. Inside the pagoda are various beautiful statues. A gilded wooden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is the most notable.

Visitors can also see many parallel sentences and poems praising kings, mandarins and famous scholars of the Nguyen Dynasty for their merits.

In 1959 Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat, visiting Vietnam, offered a Bodhi tree as a gift to Tran Quoc.

The offshoot from the holy Bodhi tree, under which Sakyamuni meditated, 2,500 years ago, has grown well, throwing its comforting shadow over part of the pagoda’s yard. (Dang Tran)

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When you sit on the Back Beach in the southern city of Vung Tau at night, you notice a beam of light crossing the sky in regular intervals. Maybe it’s lightning in a cloud far away? Or the headlight of a motorbike going down the coastal road? In fact, it’s the light of a 1,500-watt lamp in the Vung Tau Lighthouse on top of Nui Nho (small mountain). Boats as far as 56 kilometers offshore can see the two strong beams from the country’s oldest lighthouse.

Formerly, three people working in shifts operated a kerosene lamp every night. Today an electric motor rotates the lamp to do five rounds a minute.

In the day time, curtains cover the glass windows of the tower to prevent the sunlight from shining into the prism system.

The round lighthouse itself stands 18 meters tall and has a diameter of three meters.

In 1862, some years after invading southern Vietnam, the French started to build the country’s first lighthouse on the lower peak of Nui Nho, also called Tao Phung.

The tower was rebuilt in 1913, making it more solid and its light more powerful, and moved to its current position, 170 meters above sea level.

Visitors can climb up the tower during the day, going through a tunnel and up a narrow spiral staircase. After seeing the light system, you can leave the tiny and hot room to catch the breeze on the balcony outside.

From there, the view of Vung Tau and the sea is superb. You can see hundreds of ships docking at the harbor and thousands of houses hidden underneath the green foliage of trees.

You can also look at the 32-meter-high Jesus statue, 136 meters above sea level, on Nui Nho. On a clear day you can spot Ky Van Mountain and Minh Dam in the distance.

Visitors can also view the original, well-preserved clock work mechanism at the foot of the spiral staircase and read the name of French engineer Henry Lepaute, who installed the lighthouse operating mechanism, carved on a small sign above the system.

Next to the tower, four ancient French canons now remain silent. But the 10-meter-long projectiles were once used to defend the shoreline.

Previously the lighthouse was difficult to access, but on a newly built road you can drive right up to the top. Although the road is still narrow, allowing only one car to pass in some parts, and winding.

The road leads up the mountain from the north via Ha Long Street near Rock Quay. Alternatively, you can take a footpath from the south, climbing up 793 stairs to the Jesus statue and then farther through a former battlefield. (Gia Phuc)

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Bai Dai (long beach) in cen-tral Khanh Hoa Province in the past three years has slowly been building up its reputation among tourists as a sleeping beauty finally being awoken by an influx of visitors. Last April, a 21-km road that allowed easier access to this hidden treasure was opened, linking the southern part of the Lo River in Nha Trang to Cam Ranh airport.

Bai Dai, stretching 10 kilometers across Cam Hai Dong Commune, Cam Ranh Municipality, impresses visitors with its pristine beauty, white sands, turquoise waters and shallow shores. If tourists drift from the coast, they may also discover forests of poplar trees sitting atop stunning sand dunes.

Long Beach got its name from a vast sandy area that appears during low tide on calm days. The beach is shallow and safe, excellent for children and non-swimmers.

Before leaving, visitors should enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and cool breezes experienced while lying under the poplar trees. Especially for those coming from metropolitan areas, the forests offer shade from the stresses of city life.

Please be warned, however, that those who expect to find accommodations similar to other, more developed beach towns in Vietnam may be disappointed upon arrival to Bai Dai. While waiting for the construction of more modern and comfortable resorts, tourists can take advantage of the 30 or so makeshift restaurants that lie along a one-kilometer stretch of beach. Here, visitors can feast on fresh squid, fish and crab at lower prices than those in the capital city of Nha Trang. There is also the option of bringing your own food and drinks and renting chairs at VND5,000 each.

Finally, it comes as a surprise to many that each of the restaurants have a fresh-water well dug next to shore, where tourists can rinse off or bathe at no charge.

The authorities of Khanh Hoa have planned to turn Bai Dai into one of the major tourism areas in the southern part of the province. They plan to build a three or four-star tourism complex with luxury resorts on a 200-hectare expanse.

To discover this hidden treasure, go straight on Nguyen Tat Thanh Boulevard for 10 kilometers from Cam Ranh. After passing through Dong Bo Mountain, you continue going straight on a dirt road. Bai Dai is some 200 meters from there. (Luu Van)

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While Da Lat is famous for Langbian mountain, Xuan Huong lake, Than Tho lake, Cam Ly stream and Gougah waterfall; Pleiku is famous for Ham Rong mountain, To Nung lake, Yaly waterfall and Da waterfall in the middle of the Trung Song mountain range.
Pleiku is the heart and soul of the Central Highlands, essentially untouched by tourists save for the occasional backpacker and those seeking to explore virgin hill tribe villages and the lush scenery of the Truong Son Mountains. Known through the war, the town is lovely with many pine trees and pepper farms. It used to be a volcanic area. The soil is red and good for some commercial trees like rubber, coffee plants.

Pleiku has a large number of ethnic people. There is special wine made by local people, which is always ready to be offered to tourists with different tastes. Besides, tourists don't forget enjoying traditional dance shows while in Pleiku.

The musicians are experts in playing their musical instruments which are made of bamboo tubes. The melody from them is really great.

Pleiku is the place for adventurers, who want to see part of Vietnam that hasn't sold out to brochures and tourist-luring gimmicks. Riding elephants and trekking are the most popular programs for tourists.

In the dry season - between November and May - the mountains look pretty brown and the region around Pleiku is heavily forested and possesses a lot of the wildlife that has been driven away (or simply killed and stuffed) by the poachers.

Pleiku is now a promised land of the Central Highlands. It is covered green with tea, coffee, rubber and fruit trees.

Pleiku is well-known for delicious tea such as Bien Ho and Bau Can, which can be compared to Thai Nguyen tea. Tea was introduced to the Central Highlands in the early 20th century.

Tourists who call at Pleiku in the rainy season will have a chance to enjoy maize cultivated on the terraced fields. Xa Ro and Giang maize is sold everywhere in Pleiku. The rainy season is also the harvest season of wild bamboo shoots, very popular with people of all tastes.

Travelling to Pleiku, tourists following Highway 14 towards Kontum will see the Bien Ho (Lake Sea) or To-nung lake. The Lake Sea is surrounded with various kinds of flowers, mostly eban and corn flowers.

The Lake Sea is a haven for birds such as water hen and kingfisher. The lake shelters many species of fresh fish.

Sea Lake or Bien Ho, is a deep mountain lake about 7km (4 miles) north of Pleiku. The lake is believed to have been formed from a prehistoric volcanic crater. Both the lake itself and the surrounding area boast some magnificent scenery. It is an ideal place for day trip from Pleiku. (Can Tho newspaper)

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The Than Dinh Mountain range in the western Quang Binh central province. It bears an imposing beauty of a landscape painting.

Tourists to Quang Binh should call at the Than Dinh (Dinh God) Mountain which is famous for “numerous fairies and Buddha”.

The mountain range has served as a screen to shield the hard-working people in western Quang Binh for ages.

From Dong Hoi, capital of the province, tourists travel to Long Dai ferry in Quang Ninh district; then tourists go by boat to view the imposing beauty of the Than Dinh mountain range.

The locals said the Than Dinh is also called Chua Non (Non Pagoda) because there was a pagoda named Chua Non in the mountain in the past.

When tourists arrive at Chua ferry, travelling for a few more hundreds of metres, tourists come to the foot of the mountain. Tourists follow rock steps to climb up the mountain.

On the way to the top of the mountain, tourists see the Hang (Cave) pagoda which is naturally formed with rock. There are two small caves in front of the Hang pagoda, called Bell and Drum caves. When beating on the rock cliff, there is a drum and bells-like sound which reverberates.

Entering the Hang pagoda, tourists discover the natural beauty of stalactites that look like images of elephants and horses flanking.

Leaving the Hang pagoda for the top of the mountain, tourists have an overview of villages of Van Kieu ethnic minority group. Then, tourists can visit Rao Tru cave, a military base of Vietnamese soldiers in the US resistance war and anti-French colonialist war.

In the evening, tourists call at Van Kieu ethnic families. By the camp fire, tourists have a chance to enjoy Truong Xuan fried peanuts, Rao Da baked maize, Vo Xa wine, and Than Dinh mountain goat meat and beef.

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Good infrastructure, premium location, experienced Chefs, well trained managers and staffs, attractive menues with healthy and nutrious foods have contributed to many successful Food Events organized in Saigontourist' Hotels-Restaurants to promote Vietnamese typical and unique gastronomy such as "Buffet Ganh" at Bong Sen Hotel, "Southern Dishes during the marshland reclaiming period" and "Specialties of Fishing Village" at Binh Quoi Tourist Village, "Vietnamese Foods at Royal Court - Rex Hoteland Vietnam House Restaurant, "Three Regions Dishes" at The Majestic and The Continental, "Buffet on River Side" at Tan Cang Recreational Complex, Chinese dishes in China Tow at Dong Khanh, Hanh long, Arc-En-Ciel hotels, and Western-Asian Food Festival Week at others. These above places are ideal for ceremonies, banquets, weeddings, parties, cocktails and receptions. In 2002, the first German brewpub of its kind has been introduced in the center of Ho chi Minh city at Bong Sen Center with state-of-the-art facilities and an uncompromisingly high standard of service where it has everything needed to make a success of any congress, conference, banquet or meeting.

Saigontourist has co-organized with many local and foreign companies in other events such as "The 300 th Anniversary of Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City" in 1998, "The Southern Land Tourism Festival", "The Hue Festival" in 2000 and 2002, "Vietnam Festival" in Japan, "Vietnam Gastronomy Culture Week " in Belgium, and recently "Chef Martin Yan & The Mid-Autum Festival" (Yan Can Cook) in Ho Chi Minh City. Actually, Saigontourist has expanded its activities abroad through its three Vietnamese restaurants in Japan,and Germany; others will be in operation soon in different countries.

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Like many cities in Vietnam, Saigon did not escape the wrath of war. Since the beginning, Saigon has had quite a traumatic history. There are many citations to the birth of Saigon and the origin of its name. In the 15th century, this area were swamps, marshes and thick forests. By the early 17th century, a small township was formed. According to one theory, Saigon or Sai Con has its root in a Khmer word Prei Kor (Kapok Tree Forest).

The name Saigon was used officially in 1698, when Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu sent Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh to this region to create various districts and to form a government for this southern outpost. Because of its strategic location for trade and commerce as well as military importance, Saigon continued to grow and became a bonafide city. By 1772, Mr. Nguyen Cuu Dam began to fill many of the canals to form streets.

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In the mid 19th century, the French with the aid of the Spanish invaded this port city and destroyed the fort. This event was the precursor to the long struggle between the people of Vietnam and France leading to the historical defeat of the French in 1954. In the years after the defeat of the French, Vietnam was divided into two separate countries and Saigon became the hub of resettlement for many as people from north and central Vietnam immigrated south. In the 60's and 70's, Saigon was bustling with commerce and business. It was the cultural center and the capital city of South Vietnam. Already heavily influenced by the French in terms of culture and style, the city had an air of a French provincial town with a Vietnamese twist. Saigon was dubbed the "Pearl of the Orient" by the foreign press. The city was alive with activities and cultural diversity that rivaled any Asian city at the time. After the fall of South Vietnam to communism in 1975, the city and many of its inhabitants were in a state of chaos and turmoil. In 1976, the new government renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City and shut its door to the rest of the world. Although recognized world wide as Ho Chi Minh City, to the people of Vietnam, the city is still lovingly referred to as Saigon.

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With a population of over 5 millions people, Saigon is one of the densest urban area in the world. On many streets, it is common to see houses with the ground floor converted into a business front while several families share living areas on the upper levels. Common mode of transportation just a few years ago, the ubiquitous "cyclos" are becoming rare since they have been banned from many streets. Replacing them are fleets of taxis and "Honda ôm" - Japanese motocycles that you just wave down and jump on the back to be transported anywhere in the town. Unlike other cities in Vietnam, Saigon is very active at night. Music halls often play to sold-out local crowds and restaurants stay open late into the night. During the summer months, sidewalks are dotted with colorful fruit stalls.

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