Why do peach blossoms herald Tet

Why do peach blossoms herald Tet? Peach blossoms in Vietnamese is Hoa Đào. Tet is also called lunar new year on the same day with China new year. "At the year's end, when we are absent, you should break flowering peach branches and place them in your homes," advised the deities. Long ago, a hundred-year-old peach tree stood to the east of Soc Son Mountain. Its branches covered a vast area. Two deities named Tra and Uat Luy lived in this giant...

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Fine Rice Vermicelli or Steamed Rolls Made Of Rice-flour

Fine Rice Vermicelli or Steamed Rolls Made Of Rice-flour in Vietnamese is Bánh Hỏi - Banh Hoi. Banh Hoi is one of the most popular vermicelli in the daily lives of Binh Dinh’s residents. The people in Binh Dinh use it every day, and will have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. However, no one knows how and when it originated, or why people call it Banh Hoi. Some elders say that when it was invented, people asked what type of cake it was so many...

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Steamed Rice Pancakes with Grilled Pork Stuffing

Hanoi is famous for its cuisine and it is the place where there are many delicious dishes from different regions in the country. One of them is steamed rice pancakes with grilled pork stuffing. To make the dish, it is necessary to select high quality rice which is then cleaned and soaked in water for several hours before being ground into batter. A thin layer of batter is poured on a cloth that is tautly stretched and placed on top of...

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Bronze Gongs and Cymbals in Vietnam's Central Highland

Bronze Gongs and Cymbals play a key role in the cultures of Vietnam's Central Highland. Since ancient times, ethnic minority groups in Vietnam's Central Highlands have used cymbals and gongs as trade items, yardsticks of prosperity, a means to express connections between families and clans, and above all, to communicate with deities and convey wishes for peace and affluence. Reliant on nature, these societies place strong faith in supernatural...

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Complex of Hue Monuments Hue Imperial City

Construction of the Imperial City started in 1805, under the reign of Emperor Gia Long, and was completed in 1832, under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. Built on the northern bank of the Perfume River, the Imperial City was influenced by the style of French architect Vauban. The city comprises three sections: the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Enclosure and the Forbidden Purple City.   Royal Citadel Enclosure: The outermost boundary...

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Non La, A Symbol of Vietnamese’ Charm and Romance

When travelling throughout Vietnam, tourists never fail to take notice of the local charming ladies donned in Áo Dài (Vietnamese traditional long dress) and Non La (conical leaf hat, Vietnamese: Nón Lá) walking gracefully along the streets. By no doubt, the Ao dai embody the femininity and charm of the Vietnamese women, while the appeal and functionality of the Nón Lá creates a beautiful harmony of the entire ensemble, leaving a strong impression...

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La Pan Tan Stunning Mountain Village, Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam

La Pan Tan is a mountain village of H’mong ethnic people in Mu Cang Chai commune, Yen Bai province of Vietnam. Before 1996 this area was the land of poppies, all families planted poppy. In 2007, Mu Cang Chai’s terraced field has been recognised as a national landscape. The most beautiful terraced field are located in three villages La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and Ze Xu Phing.     Stair Farm in La Pan Tan Stunning Mountain Village,...

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