Banh Trung Banh Day - A Vietnamese New Year Story for Tet

King Hung Vuong VI, after having defeated militarily, in the year of year of Chinese, who had never ceased in the past to annoy and attack, the country enjoyed peace and the king wanted cede the throne because he felt he was too old. He thought that his children were all very intelligent, strong and talented and he could not make a decision in favor of one or the other. After discussions with his advisors and his entourage, he called all his children and said:     Spring is approaching, I want to make a special presentation to thank the heavens and the earth and the prince who has offered the most delicious dishes, the one who has made those with the most sense in relation to this event will take the throne. This...

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The legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co

Once upon a time... Thousands of years ago, Kinh-duong-vuong, King of Xich-quy, married Long-nu, a princess from Dong-dinh-ho. Because of Long-nu's origin, their son Sung-Lam, popularly known as Lac-long-quan, was believed to be descended from the line of the Dragons. Lac-long-quan had superhuman strength, and he liked to stay near the water. He succeeded to the throne of his father, and governed the Lac-Viet tribe. During that time, the Lac-Viet tribe was still isolated. Monsters and demons often appeared to harass people. There was a giant fish called Ngu-tinh, who lived for hundreds of years in the East Sea. Ngu-tinh always swallowed up big fishing boats when they passed by his gulf. Thus, the fishermen were very frightened of him. Lac-long-quan...

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Young Glutinous Rice

Hanoi autumn is beautiful with sunlight and breeze. The fragrance of spring rice flake is disseminated in small alleys in Vong Village. If “Com” is considered the most unique speciality of Hanoi, Vong Village can be called the cradle of this food. People who enjoy “Com” are often flooded with a lot of feelings. People commonly welcome a new autumn with falling leaves, sunlight and breeze. Com Vong wrapped in a green lotus leaf is delicious with the flavor of young glutinous rice. It is said that “Com” wrapped in lotus leaves contains a pure fragrant flavor. Inside those lotus leaves are young “ray” leaves, which keep up the greenness of Com and make it glutinous and delicious. There are two main kinds of Com: “Com dau nia” (Com la me)...

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Dong Ho Painting Village

Folk painting is o­ne of the special cultural features of Vietnam. Since the ancient time, there have been a lot of painting villages, such as Dong Ho village (Bac Ninh province), Hang Trong village (Hanoi), Kim Hoang village (Ha Tay province), Nam Hoanh village (Nghe An province), Sinh village (Hue city), and other villages in the south and mountainous areas. Dong Ho is located on the southern side of the Duong river (40km to the east of Hanoi) is one of the villages that preserves ancient cultural relics of Kinh Bac area (Red river delta, north of Vietnam). Dong Ho painting is printed by hand on the surface of wooden plate. Each printing colour has its own engraved board. The black one is printed last. Thanks to this way, paintings...

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Life Heritage Resort Hoi An This beautiful resort is nestled on the banks of the scenic Thu Bon River and you walk outside the gate straight in to the historic township. 5 km from the Cua Dai Beach. Life Heritage Resort Hoi An has comfortable and well-equipped rooms and suites that can accommodate travelers of all types. Awarded Best Heritage Resort in Vietnam.     Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa Vinh Hung Riverside Resort is located just a few minutes walk from Hoi An ancient town and set in a superb location of great natural charm with a magnificent view on the sleepy and romantic Thu Bon River.  Hoi An Pacific Hotel The elegant and luxurious Hoi An Pacific Hotel is located in culturally and heritage-rich Hoi An, Vietnam, providing comfortable accommodations...

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Hoi An ancient houses host art exhibitions

Two exhibitions on souvenirs, paintings and statues are on at two ancient houses in the World Heritage-listed town of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province on the central coast. The ancient house at 46 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street is showcasing 29 works by 21 artists who entered the final round of a contest to create souvenir products for Hoi An in 2011. Visitors to the exhibition will vote for their favorite artworks made from environmentally friendly materials including bamboo and wood and some from silver and bronze. A prize presentation ceremony for the contest winners is slated for December 4 to coincide with the 12th anniversary of Hoi An being proclaimed the World Cultural Heritage in 1999. The second exhibition at the ancient house at 39 Nguyen...

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Special Food in Hoi An

Cau Lau Cao lau is a dish of rice noodles which are not quite as slippery as pho and a bit closer in texture to pasta. The secret is the water used to make it, and authentic cao lau uses only water from a special well in the city. The noodles are topped with slices of roast pork, dough fritters, and this being Vietnam, lots of fresh herbs and veggies. Quang Nam Noodle This is the popular country dish in Hoian and Quang Nam. The noodle is yellow or white in color and made from rice flour. It is mixed with shrimp, pork and vegetables, and topped with grilled rice paper and spices. White Rose Dumpling Many people like these cakes not only for their delicious flavor but also for their beautiful appearance. The French gave it the name of white...

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