Flower and bonsai during Tet

Tet is Lunar New Year in Vietnam. It comes one month after international New Year so that Tet is between the end of Jan and Feb. Vietnamese women love flower and men take more care of bonsai.

                                                                   Photo source Internet
 
We buy different kinds flowers and bonsai or ornamental trees during our New Year. To buy much or less flowers, big or small bonsai it depend on home economy and favorite. From remote village to modern cities, ornamental trees and flowers are seen everywhere, in a humble thatch or luxury villas. The followings are examples with detailed meanings.

                                                                 Photo source Internet

Peach blossoms in red color bring lucks and happiness to family, meanwhile yellow apricot blossoms give us prosperity. Kumquat bonsai bring us joy, luck, health, and longevity. Fig tree is a famous bonsai for business family, for it stands for prosperity and happiness.

 

Beside above top four plants, kinds or flowers are good choice during the Tet or Vietnamese Lunar New Year such as Orchid, Daisy, luck and prosperous plant, Camellia, Poinsettia, Rosa Canina, Gerbera, and Daffodil flower.

                                                Fig tree for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

                                                 Gerbera for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

                                                 Orchid for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

                                                     Camellia for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

                                   Poinsettia Flower for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

                                                Luck and prosperity plant for Tet (Internet)

                                                       Daisy for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

                                                   Daffodil flower for Tet in Vietnam (Internet)

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Travel by Lunar New Year in Vietnam

 There are many holidays and traditional celebrations in Vietnam, but Tet or Lunar New Year is longest holiday in Vietnam. It arrives by the end of January to early February. 

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This is the time when people gather with family. People work and live in cities come back to their villages to pay respect to ancestors and enjoy New year with parents and relatives. They exchanges cheers and wishes with family, relatives, neighbors, friends, teachers... 

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People have 7 - 10 days off work but the most important time is from Eve of New year to the 3rd day of Tet. Vietnamese prepare for Tet 2 weeks before it arrives, even 2 months in the old days. For example, they repaint their house, ancestor graves, buy food materials for making Tet's food and cakes, flowers and bonsai, clothing for children.

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There are many customs that followed by Vietnamese during Tet. We will show you in other articles. Most of restaurants closed during Tet. Travel during Tet is interesting for you to learn more our traditions at Lunar New Year

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Travel by rails in Vietnam

The system network of rails in Vietnam is about 4161 km from North to South connecting 34/ 63 provinces. Travel by train regionally and nationally is another interesting choice during your holiday in our country.

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The first section of rail was built in the south between Saigon - My Tho city with the length of 70 km in 1881. Later on, the rail network was built to link North - Central - South Vietnam and regions in the North. 

For travelers, they spent one night or half-day train to move from major cities to another like Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, HCM city, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Quy Nhon, and Sapa. In fact, there are 260 rail stations in the whole network. Travel by train you will see more beautiful countryside, not meet traffic jam, interact with locals on train, save your money if the air tickets are expensive in high season, and enjoy train journey experience in Vietnam. 

                                                                                Photo Internet

If you travel from Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh city it takes you 29,5 - 40 hour by unification train. But, normally foreign tourists take 1/3 or 1/2 that journey to see more cities and heritages in Vietnam, then catch the train again or use other means of transport like air or bus. 

On the train there are air-conditioner, soft seat or sleeper, and clean. Rest room on 2 sides each coach. It is diesel train engine moving along 1 m wide rails. For us, it is fairly comfortable and interesting to travel by train. 

                                                                 Photo Our partner

How to book train tickets in Vietnam? You can book online with travel agents with good travel advice  or Vietnam Rails, or right at stations. Vietindo Travel can help and consult train travel in Vietnam.

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TAXI IN HANOI

 Hanoi is capital of Vietnam, the second largest city, after Ho Chi Minh city. One of means of transportation is taxi beside public bus, motorbike taxi, rickshaw...There are grab taxi and ordinary taxi. In urban area of Hanoi there are couple tens of regular taxi firms. 

Money is paid in Vietnam Dong shown on meter placed on the right side of front seat. We introduce some taxi firm as the followings. At the moment of writing 1 USD = 23,300 VND. In average 1 km costs you 10,000 - 13,500 VND. 

Group taxi Hanoi with color of white and red strip. Tel : 024 - 38 26 26 26. The firm has 4 - 7 seat cars, brand Toyota.  

Mai Linh taxi has dominant color of green. Tel: 024 - 38 222 666. The firm has 4 - 7 seat cars, brand Toyota. 

G7 taxi has grey color with blue and red strips. Tel: 024 - 32 63 63 63

Thanh Nga taxi with grey color and blue strip and little square, brand. Tel: 024 - 38 215 215 

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Vietnam's population

 According to latest census in 2020, total population in Vietnam is 97.58 million people, an increase of 1.1 million in compare to figure of 2019 or equivalent to 1.24%. Vietnam's population is ranked 15 in the world in number. 

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Vietnam has 54 minorities in which Viet group is the largest one with 86% total population. In Hanoi city the population in 2019 is almost 9 million in both urban and rural areas. 

It is estimated that Vietnam's population will reach 104 million people. Population in rural area takes 63.2 %, and in city is 36.8%. The number of males are 48.59 million meanwhile the females are 48.99 million. The manpower is about 55.1 million of which 17.5 million workers work in agriculture and marine sector, 16.5 million in industry sector, and the rest of 19.4 million in service sector.

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The unemployment rate is only 2.26% (2020). Vietnam has an area of about 330,000 sq km, of which 70% topography are midland and highland, 30% is delta including 2 largest Delta of Red River in the North  and Mekong River in the South so that the population density is also different among regions. 

                                                                            Photo: Bao Dan Tri

In average 290 people live in one sq km but in Red river delta and eastern southern Vietnam the numbers are 1060 and 757/ sq km. In Northern midland and South central highland the numbers are 132 and 157/ sq km. 

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Cross Vietnam's border to Hanoi

 ietnam is situated on Eastern side of Indochina peninsula. The country shapes S letter, stretches from North to South. It has border line of over 4550 km with China, Laos, and Cambodia. Vietnam is one of 5 countries ,in main land in South East Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

                                                                            Photo Internet

Vietnam also has more than 100 international border so that tourists from neighboring find easy to get permission and access Vietnam. Roads and infrastructure from main border gates to big cities in Vietnam are quite good in order to meet the needs of traveling around Indochina and Asia by road.

There is a huge number of tourists from China, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia cross border and spend their holiday in our country. In additions, western tourists or people from other continents, who wish to explore countries in Indochina, can follow the road tour easily. They do it by themselves of book tour through a local tour operator. It takes a short time to get permission or visa at border (read visa permission regulations to those countries)

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There is Asian Highway project (AH in short) connecting EU and Asia. From Vietnam we have trans-Asia roads to neighboring countries such as Hanoi - Thailand, Hai Phong - Mandalay, Vinh - Thailand, Ho Chi Minh city - Phnom Penh.  Travel by road around Vietnam and Asia you will get amazing experience of charming Asia.

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How to cross street in Hanoi

There are cities in Vietnam with busy traffic like Hanoi capital, Ho Chi Minh city - the largest one in Vietnam. In Hanoi there are almost 6 million motorbike and over 7 hundred thousand cars (census 2019) so that traffic jam happens at main street intersections.

                                                                  Photo source Internet

For Vietnamese people they get used to crossing busy traffic streets but for foreign tourists you should know how to do.

It is the best advice that you you cross the street at the intersection when the traffic light turns green. You can follow the locals when they do cross the street, Vietnamese people are friendly. Make a sign by putting your arm in the air to make you more visible to the traffic.

                                                                Photo source Internet
 
If you cross the street outside the intersection you pay attention to left and right side first till feel safe then should walk ahead slowly but steady, not turn back, then the traffic flow will move around you.

Don't be worry or afraid when crossing street in Vietnam. You will be familiar to it quickly. Happy traveling in our beautiful country.

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Ao Dai Dress for Viet's Men

 Ao Dai is long traditional dress in Vietnamese. There is Ao Dai style for women and for men. Viet men wear Ao Dai at special occasions such as Tet or Lunar New Year ceremony, wedding ceremony, community and family events, and attending conferences, ect. 

                                   Presidents in Ao Dai at APEC hosted in Vietnam 2006. Photo AP

Traditionally, fashion for men, besides Ao Dai costume combines with turbans, wooden sandals or shoes. In the past, normally, they wear black Ao Dai and white trousers but today there are multi- color and diverse motifs on men's dress. 

                                                                        Photo Mai Chau

There are different characteristics between Ao Dai for men and women when we look into side cuts, collar, button line, shoulder, and flanks...Ao Dai is tailored from silk made in Vietnam. Ao Dai for Viet's men even has long history and now it is modified in colors and motifs to meet the modern taste. 

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Long traditional dress of Vietnam

When talking about traditional costumes of Vietnam, people often think of Ao Dai (long traditional dress of Vietnam). Ao Dai persists with time and becomes one of the icon for Viet people. The last Ao Dai that looks like today one appeared during 1930s in Hanoi and Saigon.

                                                                 Photo source Internet
Ao dai is dress for all ages. It has become standard attire for formal occasions or National Holidays, wedding, new year, and graduation days, ect. Ao Dai is preferred because it intensifies the beauty and national pride.

                                              Photo source Internet

Although the influence from East to West culture Ao Dai is still unique, elegant with two side cuts, with other designs. The dress represents at all major events, domestic and international beauty contests in Vietnam. Ao Dai was also selected as the outfits for leaders who attended the 2006 APEC summit in Hanoi. Ao Dai dress is more charming with palm conical hat Vietnam.

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Vietnam's topography

Vietnam is one among 11 countries in South East Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, East Timor.

 

                                                                      Photo Internet

Vietnam is situated on Eastern side of Indochina peninsula. The country shapes S letter, stretches from North to South. The country has border line with China in the North with the length of over 1400 km, borders with Laos in western side with the length of 2340 km, and Cambodia with border line of 1137 km.



The eastern side of Vietnam is East sea. It has long coastal line which is 3260 km. The widest part is 600 km in the North, and narrowest part is 50 km wide - in central Vietnam. The country land consists of 70% mountain and hill, and the rest is Delta including Mekong River Delta and Red River one. Sea surface water is over million sq km on eastern and southern side.

Travel to Vietnam for a duration of 12 - 18 days you can explore lowland, sea, midland, and highland. Vietnam is beautiful landscape for visitor.

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Travel to Vietnam by seaway

Beside traveling to Vietnam by Air you can choose some international cruises that help you travel along Vietnam and countries in Asia such as Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore....

You may reach Vietnam in the North, Central, or the South. There are international ports from North to South Vietnam as the followings : Cai Lan port in Quang Ninh province - Chan May port in Thua Thien, Hue - Tien Sa port in Da Nang - Nha Trang port in Khanh Hoa - Vung Tau port in Ba Ria, Vung Tau - Saigon port in Ho Chi Minh city.

                                                                        Photo Internet

There are cruisers bringing international tourists to Vietnam like Super Star Virgo, Costa Romantica, Dimond Princess, World Dream, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Xcruises....Normally land tour in each place has duration of 2 - 3 days.

International cruises help you explore the best highlights of Vietnam, must-go-place in Asia.

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Tam Dao summer hill Retreat

Tam Dao is summer hill resort where is 80 km from Hanoi capital - Vietnam. The resort was first developed by French in Indochina in early 20th century.Tam Dao means 3 mounts which are 1375 - 1388 - and 1400 meters above the sea level.

The average temperature is 18 - 25 degree C meanwhile in lowland around Hanoi and Red River Delta the temperature in summer (May - Aug) is 27 - 38 degree C.

Nowadays there are hotels, villas, golf course... meet the domestic and international need of people who love cool mount resort.

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Get to Vietnam by Air

International travelers can get to Vietnam by air, cruise, bus, and train. But mostly tourists travel to Vietnam by air from all continents. They can land in the North, Central, or South Vietnam depending their tour itinerary or where they come from.

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At the moment of writing, Vietnam has 22 operating civil airports of which 10 are international ones allocated in three parts of the country so that it is open choice for you to choose where is the first region of your holiday.

In the North Vietnam: Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi - Cat Bi airport in Hai Phong - Van Don airport in Quang Ninh.

In the Central region: Phu Bai airport in Hue - Vinh Airport in Nghe An - Danang airport in Danang

In the South: Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh city - Can Tho airport in Can Tho city - Phu Quoc airport ON Phu Quoc Island - Cam Ranh airport in Nha Trang.

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Visa to Vietnam

 Most of visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries which have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam. 

Exemption of entry visa to Vietnam (Aug 2018)

Citizens from following countries are exempted entry visa to Vietnam, for Bilateral Visa Exemption Agreement. Duration of stay is from 15 - 90 days depending on different agreements. 

Afghanistan - Albania - Algeria - Angola - Argentina - Armenia - Azerbaijan - Bangladesh - Belarus - Brazil - Brunei - Bulgaria - Cambodia - Chile - China - Côte D'lvoire - Colombia - Costa Rica - Croatia - Cyprus - Czech - Denmark - Dominican - Ecuador - Egypt - El Salvador - Estonia - Finland - France - Germany - Hungary - India - Indonesia - Iran - Iraq - Israel - Italy - Japan - Kazakhstan - Korea (People's Democratic Republic - Korea (Republic) - Kyrgyzstan - Kuwait - Laos - Liberia - Macedonia - Malaysia - Malta - Mexico - Moldova - Mongolia - Montenegro - Morocco - Mozambique - Myanmar - Nicaragua - Norway - Pakistan - Panama - Paraguay - Peru - Poland - Philippines - Romania - Russia - Serbia - Seychelles - Singapore - Slovak - Slovenia - South Africa - Spain - Sri Lanka - Sudan - Sweden - Switzerland - Tanzania - Thailand - Tunisia - Turkey - Ukraine - United Arab - United Kingdom - Uruguay - Uzbekistan - Venezuela - 

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LANGUAGE IN VIETNAM

 Vietnam has 54 minorities and about 90 languages but Vietnamese is official one in the whole country. After we got independence in September, 1945, Vietnam no longer use French and Chinese Mandarin officially. 

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Today, English is the first foreign language taught in school and university. Beside that we also introduce French, Chinese, Korea, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Japanese, Russian, Italian, and others in our education system.

                                                                             Photo Internet

Tour guides are fluent those languages. Numbers of staff are enough to serve over 18 million foreign tourists coming to Vietnam in 2019. 

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Reasonable time for travel to Vietnam

Our country, Vietnam, consists of 3 main regions. They are North, Central, and South. You may ask when you should take the best time to travel to Vietnam. The following information is an advice for you.

In the North, the climate is divided into 4 seasons including spring, summer, autumn, and winter. It is dried and cool season during Oct - April so that 70% foreign tourist love to come to Vietnam this time. In addition, there are more festival during the time, especially in the spring falling by early Feb till April. The weather is little cold during December - February. Summer in the North is hot and humid during May - August.

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In the South Vietnam, from Danang Southward, it is warm all year round so that you can come and feel nice at any time with your activities on wonderful beaches. Some provinces in the Southern Highland are cool all year round like Dalat, Ban Me Thuot, Pleiku...where tourism concerns with nature and cultural activities.

The longest holiday in Vietnam is Lunar New Year arrival at Feb. People takes 7 -10 days for the holiday or cozy time with family and relatives.

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Fried Minced pork with Com

Fried minced pork with Com or Cha Com is one of popular food in Hanoi. Cha Com is made from minced pork and green sticky rice flakes. Eating Cha Com is accompanied with rice noodle, fried tofu, vermicelli, bread, and rice.

Ingredients for Cha Com includes pork chops, pork fat, dried Com, fish sauce, cooking oil, fresh banana leaf, pepper.

Pork chops is processed into paste, mixed with dried Com (green rice flakes), mold the paste into square or round shape then steam till well-done. Fry the cooked paste with vegetable oil till the paste turns into light yellow.

When eating Cha Com you should prepare Nuoc Cham or sauce. The sauce is prepared from fish sauce, water, galic, vinegar, lemon drops, chili, pepper, sugar.

You can make Cha Com at home, buy from local food market, or enjoy it at a street stall in city. Cheap but authentic taste of Hanoi cuisine.

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HO CHI MINH PRESIDENT HOUSE

 It is a house on stilts situated inside  Presidential complex with green garden and trees. The house was built in 1958 according to style of Tay -Thai ethnic house in mountainous areas in the North Vietnam.

The house on stilts for President Ho Chi Minh is recolonized as a Special National Site. It looks humble in the heart of Hanoi capital. The place is must -see on tour itinerary when you visit Hanoi. Next to Ho Chi Minh house are the house No 67, the house where he receive foreign guests, Presidential palace.

The stilt house is overlooking to a fish pond. Whenever the president feed them he just clap hand for a sign, then hundreds of fish coming. The house consist of 2 floor. The ground floor is meeting place with members in politburo. On the second floor there are 2 small rooms, one is bedroom and the other is his working place. 

The President house is simple but he is the great man of Vietnam. People call him with respected name Uncle Ho or Bac Ho in Vietnamese. 

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RURAL LIFE AT A VILLAGE OUTSIDE HANOI

 Minh Kha village at Thanh Oai district,Hanoi, looks clean, fresh, and attractive with paintings on walls along village lanes. 

Villagers contribute their works and materials to keep lanes clean, beautiful by planting flowers, cleaning lanes on Monday, Friday, and Sunday...

The relation among village members become better and tight through community works that help to build it a cultural village. 

Source: hanoimoi.com.vn

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