A tour to a countryside in VIetnam

The Vietnamese in the countryside live on farming, a characteristic of an agrarian society. If you make a tour of the countryside, you would see uninterrupted green paddy fields, hear cries of farmers to call their neighbours to go to work. The iconic image of a Vietnamese farmer is a man with a conic hat following a water buffalo on rice fields. All contribute to a living picture of a rural area.

For those getting tired of hustling and bustling as in a big city, wanting to avoid skyscrapers, crowded restaurants, and air pollution, the countryside is one of their best choices. They would enjoy a life to the fullest and be surrounded by hospitable people who always give a hand to others.

Different areas have their identities in the style of life and human characteristics. For those living in the lowlands, their livelihood is to grow rice, raise livestock, and make traditional crafts. Thanks to favorable weather condition, they often have good harvest crops that help them earn much more. Thus, their lives is easy, in other words, they don't need to work hard. For those living in Central Vietnam, they suffer from a lot of natural disasters annually that makes their lives harsher. This may be a good thing that makes them diligent, hard-working. Their lives are full of difficulties in livelihood. 

The photograph courtesy of Thanh Nien Online

Sarah Tran

Sarah Tran is Vietnamese Australian has earned millions of dollars thanks to ads on Instagram. On this handle, she shares the know-how of make-up that hooks thousands of people. In addition to posts about beauty, Sarah uploads photos about travel she has made in different countries in Europe and Asia.

Recently, she and her boyfriend travelled to Vietnam, particularly in Hoi An Town, where she shared her feelings about her meeting and talking to peddlers who have lived from the old town being stricken by poverty (luckily, not destroyed by the war) to the town developed by tourism. This trip may be considered a root-finding one as her mother is Vietnamese. She also visited Tra Vinh Province in Southern Vietnam where she sailed on small channels meandering along two sides of coconut trees which brings a cool shade.  

In a post on Instagram, she wrote her feeling about Hoi An Ancient Town in terms of scenery and gastronomy. A moment of sipping Vietnamese coffee (called iced coffee in Vietnam), she felt she was dying or living her life to the fullest. This city is the most picture perfect place that she encourages everyone to come early if they want to avoid the crowd.  

The photograph courtesy of Tuoi Tre Online

Gia Rai Province

Gia Rai is one of the provinces in Middle Vietnam which is home to Jarai People. They live in slash-and-burn cultivation, that is, they cut off trees for land to grow. In their community, the village chiefs and the oldest take roles of running their community. They make a decision in any issues arisen in their village.

There is a community house called Rong where all traditional activities are organized to retain the long-standing rituals that they want to transmit to their following generations. In the matriarchy system, a girl decides to get married to a man she falls in love with. The man follows his wife to live with his wife's family and has no rights to inheritance. The wife is the main bread maker in a family.

In their custom, if the husband dies, his wife has a right to get the brother-in-law and vice versus. All dead relatives are buried in the same place. They think died people turn into the ghost. Thus, there is a grave-leaving ceremony in which they sing and dance to invite the dead to move to a new house.

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Bao Loc Town

Da Lat City is known by over the world due to the mild climate and beauty of nature. Not far from this city, Bao Loc Town has also attracted tourists with its own charm. Recently, more people have come to Bao Loc Town as it hosts cool climate, endless green tea plantations, and romantic waterfalls.

Tourism has developed in this town that leads the rapid growth of homestay. Many farmers have built homestays around lakes or tree houses that hook the interest of young couples or families wanting to live near nature.

An activity that may draw the attention of tourists is to ride a bicycle around green tea fields or along waterfalls on the off-beaten track.

The photograph courtesy of Tuoi Tre Online

Rice Field

This is one of the selection of 107 pieces of art in the photography contest that was organised in 2018 by the Magazine Vietnam Heritage. The exhibition took place from November 2nd to 11in Hanoi. 

These photos describe the beauty of nature and rural life in far remote regions in Vietnam, which promote tourism. 

The image above depicts the scene of working in a rice field in the morning of the ethnic minority people who live on farming. Since the development of tourism in their area, some of their children who can speak English work as tourist guides that bring to them a considerable livelihood.    

The photograph courtesy of Tuoi Tre Online

Prenn Waterfall

Prenn Waterfall is one of the must-visit lists in a tour to Dalat City that sits at the gateway of this city. Once there was an upstream village that bears the name of Prenn. It is why this fall takes after Prenn. From a height of 9 meters, water falls down into a stream, creating a white curtain of a fairy. In 1960, there was a small-scaled zoo that included elephants, bears, pythons, monkeys, tigers, bears, deer, and etc...

The area of Prenn Waterfall used to cover pine forest and primitive trees that account for 90% of this region. Since the development of tourism, the local people have deployed it by building cable car service, suspension bridge, stilt houses and lots of means of entertainment. It is why Prenn Waterfall has now lost its beauty of nature.

However, the positive point is to bring many kinds of activities such as riding ostriches or elephants who take you through creeks, lakes or forests. For those who want to discover the history, it is an opportunity to explore a complex of temples whose kings used to rule Vietnam. 

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Cathedral in Kon Tum City

The cathedral in Kon Tum City is one of the long-standing religious constructions in Middle Vietnam that is combined Roman architecture style with identified local construction, the stilt house. The church includes four rows of pillars: two rows in the room and two near walls. All are made of precious wood like rosewood and ironwood.

The interior decoration is skillfully created by local talented artists, combining the European style that has spellbound inland and outbound tourists. In an overall view, the church generates an impression of a giant cross.

The establishment of this church started from the evangelization of missionaries in this region. The first thing they did was to build this church with trees and leaves. The preaching from scratch was full difficulties as they could speak in the local language. However, with perseverance and patience, they overcame problems to introduce Christianity to local tribes who are now very pious believers.   

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Fishing in the sunrise

Vietnam is gifted with numerous mountains, diversity of waterways that provide a livelihood for locals and fishing pleasure to locals and tourists. Another kind of a job that helps locals earn some more money is to pose for fishing photographing. The photo above is one of the illustrations for this kind of business.

The photograph courtesy of Thanh Nien Online

Fishing on the sunset

This photo is one of the collections of young photographers who catch scenes in their pleasure time. They spend tons of time perfecting their artwork. Unfortunately, some take photos of what they create for a purpose of exhibition or sales, they don't judge pieces, leading to their artwork is overlooked that makes an unsuccessful pitfall in their career. In other words, a perfect shooting would bring a chance of getting into the attraction of the audience or increasing the opportunity of selling it.

Firstly, although how perfect of your camera you've had, you should pay attention to some tricks like uneven lighting, incorrect colours, and undesired shadow.

Secondly, people often take photos leaned up against walls and shoot from downward corners. You should find the neutral coloured wall (that is white, grey, and black that will do a good job) and hang your artwork at the height where the very centre of it is parallel to the position of your camera. 

The photograph courtesy of Tuoi Tre Online

Pollution in Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town reflects a blend of cultural melting-pot where you discover the construction style of China, Japan and Europe. Dating back from 15th to 19th century, Hoi An used to be a small scale trading port, a connection with Southeast Asia, East Asia and the rest of the world. Thanks to the fusion of many cultures, Hoi An still retains its original universal values that have attracted the attention of local and international tourists.

A problem that has arisen at present is pollution that is reviewed in some tourist sites such as well-known TripAdvisor, for instance, a reviewer commented that according to some locals, the quality of water is still very bad due to the waste sewage of nearby plants. They warned tourists from swimming

According to Numbeo, the world's largest database of user contributed data about cities worldwide, the air pollution reaches the index of 82.25, dissatisfaction with garbage and disposal 93.75, and drinking water pollution and inaccessibility 81.25.

The photograph about features a long-standing pagoda in Hoi An where newly-married couples who take photos as their souvenirs can't standing the stink rising from the polluted channel.     

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Experiences in Ha Giang Province

Ha Giang, one of the northernmost provinces of Vietnam, is gifted with magnificent mountains and endless rice paddle terrace fields. You can travel in Ha Giang all year around, however, the best time to go is the blooming seasons when you are surrounded with many colours of flowers such as purple colour of buckwheat flowers, pink colour of cherry blossom, and white colour of plum and pearl flowers. It is also known for trekking on passes and slopes where you stop on top of them to contemplate the natural beauty that seems to be a reward for you.

Another interesting thing you would enjoy is to stay at villagers' houses for the rest during a journey. You would be received with the hospitality and friendship of the minor ethnic people. In addition, Ha Giang features primitive caves as many places here have not been developed in terms of tourism. Thus, the discovery would bring unexpected things and adventures to tourists.   

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Yen Trung Lake

Yen Trung, a deep and romantic lake and a weekend gateway for locals, is known as a Da Lat miniature in Quang Ninh Province. The lake is surrounded by pine trees hanging out under the wind that cover roads leading to the lake. They are supposed to be a professional guide for visitors coming here. The climate in Yen Trung Lake is as mild as the one in Da Lat. The turquoise water in the lake is clear and as flat as a mirror.

Fortunately, Yen Trung has not been exploited to develop tourism in this province. Thus, it still retains its natural beauty and green environment that attract local and international tourists.    

The photograph courtesy of Thanh Nien Online

Pu Luong Naturar Reserve

Pu Luong Natural Retreat which sits about 160km southwest Hanoi is considered as a weekend getaway for locals. Pu Luong features verdant rice terrace fields where farmers toil and moil from early in the morning till sunset, pristine forest and lush green valleys. It is also an ideal place of biodiversity. Pu Luong means a high peak in a valley in Thai language.

Pu Luong is one of the off-the-beaten-path places in Hanoi where you enjoy trekking and multi-day hikes among rice paddy fields and forests. Pu Luong is home to the ethnic minority people who live on stilt houses and are very hostile and willing to invite travellers into their houses for a cup of tea. 
.

 The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Notre Dame Cathedrale

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedrale, which was established in the 1880's by the French, is considered as a stronghold of Catholicism in a Buddhist country like Vietnam. The church took the name after the Virgin Mary statue that was built in front of the church. The Virgin Mary statue was told to shed tears in 2005 that created a scandal that hooked the attention of thousands of Catholic worshippers from every corner of the country to come to witness or to pray for the good. However, the Catholic community refuted this incident. 

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedrale was constructed with red bricks that were imported from Marseille. On the top of the church, it exists six bronze bells that still ring to tell the time to people. A small piece of a garden sits in front of the church where the Virgin Mary Statue stands. 

The church serves religious masses not only for locals but also for expats. Now it is under restoration by the Catholic community.    

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Then-and-now Vietnam

The photo above describes the before-and-after Vietnamese girl. The Vietnamese girl is known for a long dress and a conic hat shown in the lefthand side of the photo that has attracted the attention of international tourists to visit Vietnam. However, most of them have mistaken for it. It would say that the image of a Vietnamese girl clad in a long dress mostly appears on calendars and papers only. 

The righthand side photo is a current image of a Vietnam girl. Due to the western influence and following the existing trend, the Vietnamese have lost their unique traditional clothing that had spellbound millions of people as their long dress embodies their gracefulness of the silhouette. 

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

Vinfast Vehicle

Vinfast has created a breakthrough

 in Vietnam’s automobile industry

Vinfast conglomerate came in the Paris Motor Show to show off its brand new sedan and SUV. The first is named the Lux A2.0 and the latter Lux SA2.0, which have drawn the car fans as they contain letters and numbers instead of a name like Cadilac.

The ambitious fledging automaker has plucked Australian senior engineers who ever helped Fords, Holdens, and Toyota and now help kickoff the newcomer Vinfast. Those engineers are highly regarded in this industry.

Australia is known for the cutting edge car industry that has produced many talented engineers and designers. Many of them have relocated due to the redundancy and uncertainty about the future of this field in this country.

Vinfast Vice President Roy Flecknell revealed at the show that the flexibility and broad knowledge are vital to Vinfast’s first-two-year development.

In addition to the Vinfast car show, the media attention presence of football star David Beckham has created a surprise and has hooked the interest of car enthusiasts. It is an impressive highlight of a high profile marketing campaign for their premium vehicle. David Beckham is known for driving all manners of luxury rides from Range Rover, Porches, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces, saying that it’s incredible to produce vehicles such as Lux A2.0 and Lux SA2.0 in short a space of time.

Vinfast has not only made a miracle for Vietnam but also has spell-bound the world in terms of the automobile industry. 

Hue City

Hue used to be a formal imperial capital sitting in Central Vietnam. It is located along the bank of the Perfume River, one of the landmarks of Vietnam. Tourists would find the footprint of one-time political, cultural, and religious centre through ancient constructions and monuments that have been changed or worn less or much with time. However, with its historic values, Hue is recognised as one of the world heritage sites by UNESCO.

If you are a history buff or a person who wants to discover the exotic culture, Hue definitely stays in your top list of a tour in Central Vietnam because it is an opportunity to learn about the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire, the complex of monuments, shrines, tombs, and pagodas that have spellbound thousands of tourists.

A top list of a tour may be Hue Citadel which scatters along the Perfume River, occupies a large and bound area that protects a royal imperial and comprises royal palace, shrines, and an inner city. It takes a day to discover this mysterious complex.

What to do in Hue is a question in your mind when arriving in Hue. In addition to visits to tombs, pagodas, you will find moments of relaxation lying on a white silky sand beach, twinkling in sunshine with blue ocean.

A coffee shop above is a place for a tourist to take a rest in a middle of a trip. It is designed under a rustic construction that creates a rural environment.

Da Lat City is known as a city of flowers, a place for honeymooners. It attracts the interest of tourists thanks to beautiful waterfalls, lakes that sit in lush, green valleys. Da Lat City used to be under the management of French Administration, thus, it retains French construction villas. Da Lat City is also noted for a city of thousands of pine trees. It is gifted with the mild climate quite different from most of the other regions in Vietnam, a temperature country. With such of these advantages, Da Lat City is always overwhelmed with tourists on holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Lune New Year. As a result, many homestays have mushroomed recent years that helps travellers with much more choices in terms of accommodation.

In addition to the beauty of nature, Da Lat is home to coffee, tea and rubber plantations that extend to the horizon. Those who love Da Lat City name it a city of love, a city of poetry, and a green city. These names prove that Da Lat City is a must in an itinerary of your tour in Vietnam.

The photograph courtesy of Thanh Nien Online

Sapa is a must in your itinerary

Sapa today changes completely into a tourist centre in northwest Vietnam, quite different from a hill station it used to be in 1922. When coming to Sapa, you discover spectacular cascading rice terraces, surrounded by hills and mounts that tour all of their sides. Standing on a hill and looking down, you are thrilled with views subdued by thick clouds rolling across the peaks and hill tribe people who fill their town with their colourful clothing.

Sapa is quite changed as the tourism has developed to meet the requirement of tourists. However, thanks to building height restriction, Sapa still retains its skyline thrusting upwards. Once launching yourself in Sapa, don't miss its love market, a single's night imaginable.

The photograph courtesy of VN Express Online

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