The outstanding in Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta became famous world wide during what locals call the anti-American War. The Delta is also famous for its floating markets which are typical of the Phung Hiep and the Cai Be. On arriving in the Delta, you can start the motorized boat to visit the Cai Be floating market, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and many other commodities on their vessels.

Farmers from the region bring their goods, fruits and vegetables mainly, to the markets and sell them to local dealers. These dealers sell the products to shops in the neighboring towns and to wholesale dealers from the big towns. In the picture you can see a local farmer with fruits for sale. All big boats have a pole. Each wholesaler hangs the goods he buys/sells on this pole. This way, people on small boats know where they have to go from a certain distance. In this case, this is a floating vegetable supermarket. On the floating markets you do not only find people buying and selling goods, you also find floating restaurants, floating bars, floating gas stations, and many other floating shops. Canals are here the easiest and fastest way of transportation.

The biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta is the busy market of Phung Hiep. The market open at 4.00 am and are open till 11.00 am. To visit the floating market, you should stay in the Mekong Delta area, wake up early and take one of the boats first hour in the morning. If you do a one day excursion, the market will be already closed by the time you get here. On a typical day, you might see coconuts, mangoes, a heap of turtles, a box of snakes or even a pot-bellied pig being paddled from a riverside village to be haggled over in the floating market. Trading begins as early as 4.00 am, and by sunrise, the waterways are clogged with the sampans of marketeers and customers. Vendors of smaller items hoist a sample of their wares on a bamboo pole. Shoppers come by land and water, and as they stumble from boat to boat, they often interrupt their shopping to enjoy bowls of noodles prepared, rather alarmingly, on open fires in special ‘fast food’ sampans.

Cai Be, one of the many well-known floating markets in the western region of southern Vietnam was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. The Cai Be Floating Market is always busy, bearing all the characteristics of the locals’ life in the western region. All the goods are transported to the market by rafts and boats.

The floating market lies in the Tien River, adjacent to three provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre. The market is divided into two parts: buying and selling places. Rafts and boats are anchored along the two sides of the river for kilometres. Approximately 400 to 500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables, and other products are anchored along the banks of the river. The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a pole in front of the boat to attract customers. From the floating market, goods are shifted for selling at inland markets or small boats take them for delivery along canals in the Plain of Reeds.

From three 3.00 am in the early morning, rafts and boats are crowded because Cai Be is one of the biggest wholesale markets in the region. Traders live on the river and some link their lives with boats like their mobile house for generations. Cai Be seems to be an inseparable part of their daily lives. On each boat, goods are hung on poles that are called dialectically “cay beo”. Hundreds of such poles point the sky wards. Boats also operate like “taxis,” very convenient for tourists around the region. Along the criss crossing canals, people in the Plain of Reeds take not only goods of each countryside to the Cai Be Floating Market but also their unique cultural characteristics, creating such a beautiful river painting.

Let’s once visit Bac Ha Market and you will be able to experience the life of people in Sapa.The Sunday Market in Bac Ha is considered to be the largest of it’s kind in the mountainous region of Vietnam near the Chinese border.

Most days, Bac Ha is little more than a sleepy, dusty, mountain village, with nary a horse drawn cart roaming the main streets. But on market Sunday, the place is alive, and you can feel the electricity in the air.

Every Sunday, Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border. It is the largest and most colourful market in the area and attracts throngs of villagers from the surrounding hill tribes. Some walk several hours for the weekly opportunity to trade and barter food, animals, clothes and household goods. 80km from Sapa, Bac Ha Market is not only the place for buying and selling, but also a place for cultural and sentiment exchanging. On the market days, right from the early morning, all paths and mountain roads are full of people and horses pouring to the market. People usually sit in groups around a soup pan (“thang co”) eating and chatting.

Many different ethnic groups such as Flower H’mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. The market was very crowded, local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback. Besides the usual items like pigs, cows, chickens, and ducks, Bac Ha Market sold dogs. As dogs were available as cuts of meat, they were also available live, right next to the live pigs, chickens, and other livestock. There was a brisk trade at the market for everything from hand-embroidered skirts to all manner of 4-legged animals. The “fresh” meat section is not for the faint of heart and might steer more than a few visitors in the direction of strict vegetarianism.

Though tourists were not in short supply, they were not the focus. Most locals paid little attention to them, rather choosing to focus on their business and the short Sunday-sized window of opportunity. Rounding the corner and pungent fumes of alcohol accosted your senses of smell, from corn whiskey, a Bac Ha specialty. The potent moonshine is decanted by vendors from large white plastic jugs to used bottled water containers. If you doubt the ability of a vendor’s hooch to peel paint or light your senses on fire, you can try a shot for free.

At the fair, adventurous gastronomes can try “thang co” blood porridge, a popular dish of the H’Mong and other local people. The Flower H’mong minority is the most common here, and their colourful dresses makes is a beautiful sight.

In conclusion, I would like to mention here the comment by Mr. Ikuyo, a tourist from Tokyo (Japan): “The tour to Bac Ha Market was amazing! On the way, the scenery was beautiful and the local people were so friendly. I will come back again!”. Let’s once visit Bac Ha Market and you will be able to experience a wide range of different colorful ethnic minorities and more interesting things of life in the mountains…

Black Hmong are ONE group of the many minority peoples you’ll find in Vietnam and here in Sa Pa and the region there are a sizable population of these people.

Dressed in DARK clothing dyed black with indigo they are the most common minority people seen in Sa Pa..

They are thought to have immigrated to northern Vietnam from China in the late 1700,s and are descendants of the Miao people who fled China…in contrast to they’re Chinese name “ Miao” which means “barbarian” the word “Hmong” translates to mean “free people”..

There was no written Hmong language until recently but there has always been a strong oral tradition of these people relating to story telling, proverbs and riddles.

All of the Black Hmong people I encountered were quick to smile and laugh even when I was NOT buying anything from them…

Fondest memory: Two Black Hmong kids “snagged” us as we were making our way down off the main road to see the “rattan” bridge that goes over the Muong Hoa River. Chai and Ju accompanied us to the bridge and talked mostly with me as Kevin was far ahead scouting the route. They were both soft spoken and both spoke English very well, they described themselves as BEST friends in the Whole World!! It was a pleasure to have them join us for a short time that day.

Another GREAT photo op and funny funny event happened on our way out of our favorite restaurant…an older woman grabbed Kevin and wanted him to buy a hat form her…They haggled back and forth and finally she had the hat on him…I don’t think he ended up making a deal but it sure made for a few laughs as the process evolved!!

Rustic Chay Lap is the name of a special tourist product of Chay Lap Village as well as the name of the Community-based management board, located in Phuc Trach Commune, Bo Trach District of Quang Binh province, welcoming cordially guests since its beginning in 2009. This is the first rural tourist area of Quang Binh, which is attractive for those visitors coming here.

From Dong Hoi city, along with the east branch of Ho Chi Minh Trail for 60 kilometers, you will see Khe Cat interchange, where Ho Chi Minh Trail divide into two branch. Turn left on the West Branch of this road and go ahead 7 kilometers you will reach to Rustic Chay Lap.

Rustic Chay Lap stands beneath the rising aloft limestone precipice with punctuate. Coming to this rural tourist region, you will be warmly welcomed by the local friendly and hospitable people and stay in the wooden house standing in front of the fruit garden which is surrounded by peanut and maize farm. The house was built in traditional style with columns and wooden frame that can unbind and reassemble in other place. The capacity of the house is for 20 visitors but you will be at ease because all things are managed well and attended with great expertise.
The most important activity of tourists coming to Rustic Chay Lap is to discover the nature, trek in old forest, take kayaking route on Chay River or even explore the imposing caves. This in an ideal combination between the tourist activities and penetrating deep into life of local people, that is a promising destination leaving a pleasant impression on the mind of tourists who come to enjoy this rural region.

This is really a tour for those who want to enjoy a real slice of central Vietnam while engaging in the study of life style and culture of the region. Good choice for increasing educational experience.

Besides the home stay at Rustic Chay Lap, tourists can have chance to discover the most beautiful cave of Phong Nha-Ke Bang System, this is Paradise Cave, about 15 kilometers from Rustic Chay Lap and 70 kilometers from Dong Hoi City. Once you come to this cave you will know why the explorer named this cave “Paradise” who first discovered the cave in 2005.

The Paradise Cave is a dry cave and considered as the most stunning cave in Phong Nha Caves System because of its size and unique design of the natural. The visitors fill with happiness and wonder while seeing the naturally primitive features like a landscape painting. After going 2 kilometer by golf car through the national park with many kind of valuable and rare trees you will have an opportunity to discover the Cave with its great structure with 31,4 kilometers long and the stalactites and stalagmites growing inside. All these are the creation of nature, only the 1,1 kilometers wooden pathway through the cave were man-made. You will leave more 1 and haft an hour to explore the cave but the feeling about the beauty of Paradise Cave will never last in your mind. These two destinations are newly added in our tours program, which can give you the unique and newest things during your trip.

HALF-DAY COOKING COURSE

(from 8^h30 to 13^h30)

Drop by to sense more flavors of our home land

Hoi An Cooking Class Itinerary:

1. All guests will be picked up at 8^h30 from the hotel to Secret Garden and refresh with our welcome drinks.

2. Stroll to the local market, together we will experience the daily life of Hoi An through its symphony which is made of fresh greens, aromatic spices or the warm welcome of vendors. Drop somewhere to collect a few ingredients for our recipes.

3. Come back home to prepare all the materials just bought from the market. Let see how skillfully a Vietnamese maiden handles her daily job. As usual, her home party would be held with 4 or 5 dishes , which is enough to give you appetite since the very first try.

4. During 2^hrs, we will cook dish by dish ourselves after observing the chef’s performance. Garnishing is also an important part of Vietnamese cuisines which will be briefly performed by the chef.

5. Enjoy our just-been-made dishes, added with a salad, bread and dessert to fulfill your lunch.

6. Each person will be awarded a certificate which is signed and stamped by Secret Garden manager to affirm your pass of this cooking course.

7. Finish at approximately 1^h30 pm. End of the day!

FULL-DAY COOKING COURSE

(option 1 _ from 8^h30 to 15^h00)

Drop by to sense more flavors of our home land

Hoi An Cooking Class Itinerary:

1. All guests will be personally picked up at 8^h30 from the hotel. Start the day with a welcome drinks at Secret Garden.

2. Travel by minivan (15^mins) to Tra Que organic village. We explore the vegetable and herb garden where local farmer work their field using the Traditional methods of hundreds of year ago-no electrical machinery here. We drop into a local home and trying a special herbal drink.

3. To the local market  with shopping bag on hand, we purchase a range of local ingredient. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredient to be used in the cooking lesson.

4. Arriving at Secret Garden cooking class. We working together with our Secret Garden’s chef. We learn the traditional ways of cooking, using the fresh ingredient and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today).

5. Enjoy our just-been-made dishes, added with a salad, bread and dessert to fulfill your lunch.

6. Each person will be awarded a certificate which is signed and stamped by Secret Garden manager to affirm your pass of this cooking course.

7. Finish at approximately 3^h00 pm. End of the day!

FULL-DAY COOKING COURSE

(option 2 _ from 8^h30 to 15^h00)

Drop by to sense more flavors of our home land

Hoi An Cooking Class Itinerary:

1. All guests will be personally picked up at 8^h30 from the hotel to Secret Garden and refresh with our welcome drinks.

2. Travel by minivan (15^mins) to the local market  with shopping bag on hand, we purchase a range of local ingredient. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredient to be used in the cooking lesson.

3. We board the local boat for a leisurely cruise (30^mins) along the river to Tra Que organic village. We explore the vegetable and herb garden where local farmer work their field using the traditional methods of hundreds of year ago-no electrical machinery here. We drop into a local home and trying a special herbal drink.

4. Arriving at Secret Garden for Hoi An cooking class. We working together with ourSecretGarden’s chef. We learn the traditional ways of cooking. Using the fresh ingredient and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today).

5. Enjoy our just-been-made dishes, added with a salad, bread and dessert to fulfill your lunch.

6. Each person will be awarded a certificate which is signed and stamped by Secret Garden manager to affirm your pass of this cooking course.

7. Finish at approximately 3^h00 pm. End of the day!

DINNER COOKING COURSE

(from 17^h30 to 20^h30)

Drop by to sense more flavors of our home land

Hoi An Cooking Class Itinerary:

1. All guests will be personally picked up at 17^h30 from the hotel. Start the day with a welcome drinks at Secret Garden.

2. During 2^hrs, we will cook dish ourselves after observing the  Chef’s performance. Garnishing is also an important part of Vietnamese cuisines which will be briefly performed by the chef.

3. Enjoy our just-been-made dishes, added with a salad, bread and dessert to fulfill your dinner.

RECIPES

(For vegetarian, ingredients will be replaced accordingly)

Morning Hoi an cooking class  lesson

• - Rice pasta rolls.
• - Braised eggplant in clay pot.
• - Spicy grilled pork.
• - Grilled fish in banana leaf.

Afternoon Hoi an cooking class lesson

• - Hoi An seafood salad.
• - Cabbage wrap soup.
• - Fried vegetable rolls.
• - Grilled chicken with padanus.

Dinner Hoi an cooking class lesson

• - Hoi An pancake.
• - Fish in clay pot.
• - Shrimps with tamarind.

What is Pho?

Pho is a staple dish of Vietnam. The Vietnamese people love this dish so much that they can eat for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or even late supper! This is a mouth watering meal that is free of chemical and gluten. Imagine a bowl of fresh rice noodles served with beef, garnishes, spring onions, bean sprouts and steaming broth seasoned with minty herbs. Vu Bang (a popular Vietnamese writer) once said that “from a great distance one can detect the special aroma of pho which is so alluring that one can’t help but to trace it out. Indeed, to some, pho can be as addictive as opium…”

All about Pho

Pho, proudly recognized world-wide as the national dish of the Vietnamese. Although they prefer to eat delicate, beef or chicken based, noodle soup at any time of the day or night. The soup originated in Hanoi and moved south within the stream of refugees that followed the partition of Vietnam in 1954. A variety of new versions have been developed since then. However, the basic recipe has its roots in both Chinese and French cooking

Pho is mainly consumed at street stalls and very few people cook it themselves. Each stall offers its own creation.

Fresh herbs are a characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine. And, of course, this applies to the favorite soup of millions of Vietnamese, which consists of 0.5 to 0.7/ broth, a handful of rice noodles, 30-50g meat and a fresh variety of herbs and spices: shallots, clove, star Anise, green onions, bean sprouts, lemongrass, mint, ginger, coriander and sweet basil. Freshly sliced chilli and soya been sauce are often added as a condiments. Also typical is the use of fish sauce.

According to Vietnamese tradition, life exists not only when human beings were born, grow up and become old but also when they die. They believe that there is another world after they die. Therefore, Vietnamese people always prepare well their tombs that are shown clearly through Nguyen’s King Tombs. When you Travel Vietnam and in Hue City, you should not miss visiting the famous and unique
King Tombs. 80 years ago, a foreigner Edberhard wrote:” Hue City is attractive central tourism where exists Citadel and King Tombs, attracts special attention to not only tourist but also many artists. With only Nguyen’s King Tombs, we see its high value to tourism of Hue City. In general, Nguyen’s King Tombs is more beautiful and unique than Minh’s in China.”

The Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) is the last of Vietnam’s Royal families. There were 13 kings, however, due various reasons, only even kings (Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Duc Duc, Dong Khanh and Khai Dinh ) had tombs. The seven king tombs were planned and constructed in a hilly region southwest of the Citadel. Each tomb was built with statues and monuments in good harmony with
nature and had their own features. The following elements were incorporated in all tombs: walls, triple gate (Tam Quan Gate), Salutation Court, Stele House, temples, lakes and ponds, pavilions, gardens, and finally the tomb. Three typical royal tombs for unique architecture, humane philosophy and integrity are Minh Mang Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb.

The first tomb I want to introduce is Minh Mang Tomb. It was built 12km from Hue in four years (1840- 1843) and consists of about 40 monuments of various sizes. A walk of about 700m in length bisects the interior of the complex into two equal halves. Along it are the Salutation Court, Stele House, Sung An Temple, Minh Lau Pavilion, and the tomb itself being at the very back of the complex. In short, Ming Mang tomb is the combination of natural features.

Second tomb with romantic feature is Tu Duc’s. Born in 1829, Emperor Tu Duc had the longest reign of all in the Nguyen Dynasty and was also an expert in eastern philosophy, history, and literature. Being a romantic person, Tu Duc King immersed himself in the world he created at the site of his tomb. He ordered the construction of his tomb to be a fairyland with poetical features, and created the lifetime dream and new world for his eternal life after death. This tomb was designed to blend with the natural setting of the landscape and achieved perfect harmony in all. When you go there, you will feel excited and amazed very much that you have never seen in your country.

Finally, one tomb anyone wants to visit is Khai Dinh Tomb. Emperor Khai Dinh (1885-1925) took 11 years to complete his tomb. Under Khai Dinh, Western culture and influence began being introduced into Vietnam. The King visited France in 1922. Therefore, his tomb has many elements of Western architecture. In fact, Khai Dinh’s is the combination of oriental and western architecture. Throughout the interior of the tomb, colored glass and ceramic chips were used to form mosaics of oriental design. The ceilings were hand painted much like the ceilings of western churches, but the designs were of dragons and clouds. With these unique architecture, Khai Dinh’s is consider as magnificent tomb.

In general, thanks to oriental philosophy and the talent of contemporary architecture artist, Nguyen King Tombs bring special and unique style in burial architecture in Hue in particular and the world in general.