A tourist train will begin plying between Ho Chi Minh City and Phan Thiet every day on April 29, 2006, one day before the Liberation Day and International Labor Day holidays. All carriages are new, heat- and noise-insulated. They will offer much convenience, and English-speaking train attendants will serve tour goers, according to the Saigon Railway Passenger Transport Company. The train will depart Saigon Station in Ho Chi Minh City at 7:30 am and arrive at Phan Thiet Station – four hours to pass about 200 kilometers. It will leave the resort city of Phan Thiet at 1:45 pm. The soft-seat fare is VND60,000 (US$3.75) and the hard-seat fare is VND50,000 (US$3.15). A 20% discount will be available for all passengers and 30% for tour operators in the first two months of service. As of April 3, tickets will be sold at Saigon Station, 1 Nguyen Thong Street, District 3. Notably, when visitors arrive at Phan Thiet Station, 20 air-conditioned buses will take them to Ne Cape, an often-visited destination in Phan Thiet City.
A fishing village in Ne Cape, Phan Thiet City (Photo: Tuong Thuy)
Source: SGGP
Archive for September 9th, 2009|Daily archive page
Saigon-Phan Thiet Tourist Train to Ply Late April
In Vietnam City Guide on September 9, 2009 at 2:59 amReunification Palace: Ho Chi Minh City’s Must-See
In Vietnam City Guide on September 9, 2009 at 2:59 amThe Reunification Palace is the first place to visit upon setting foot in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Why? Located just minutes away and steeped in Viet Nam’s turbulent history, it is perhaps the most revealing of the city’s historical structures. Although originally designed and built by the French in 1868-1871 as “Norodom’s Palace” for French officials, it changed hands to the Japanese and the US-backed South Vietnamese government before being taken over and maintained as a museum and venue for major conferences after tanks crashed through its iron gates on April 30, 1975. Host to History Tourists should know that the building we see today was not built until 1962 when the palace’s left wing was damaged and South Viet Nam’s president Ngo Dinh Diem had a new building built right on former ground. Designed by Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu – the first Vietnamese to win Italy’s Grand prix de Rome – this presidential palace housing Diem, his relatives and top officials spans 80 meters across, covering an area of 12 hectares and boasting hundreds of rooms including a guest chamber able to accommodate 800 persons. The whole structure symbolizes traditional philosophy, blending modern and Oriental architecture as its entire layout from an aerial view forms the Chinese character “Ji” meaning good or lucky. On its front, balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floors combine with the main entrance porch and two wood-paneled columns to create the character “Xing,” meaning prosperity. According to Fengshui belief, this edifice is located in a dragon’s head, therefore it was also referred to as Dragon’s Head Palace. It has four main buildings. The main, T-shaped compartment was the residence and command center of Sai Gon’s puppet government. This area has three flours, two mezzanines, one terrace, one ground floor and a basement with a total space of 20,000 square meters divided amongst 95 rooms, each devoted to a separate function. Once there, tourists will be guided by experienced staffs who explain about the architecture, decoration and historical contents concerning 15 major rooms on 3 floors in Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese, or Japanese. After a sight-seeing tour lasting around 45 minutes, you can watch a documentary film titled “Historical Witness” for half an hour. Modern Significance
THe Reunification Palace on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street
A tank storms the Palace on April 30, 1975, marking the liberation of southern Viet Nam from the US-backed Saigon regime
Although containing only empty rooms, a grass, oval-shaped carpet with an elegant but unexceptional fountain, the complex now referred to as the Reunification Palace leads you across history, from Japanese and French occupation to the takeover of the current government, from assassination attempts to a secret escape tunnel, from the president’s private bedroom to an imposing war command room with its huge maps and old communications equipment.
Tourists should also not miss the dining room, cabinet meeting room, the President’s international reception room, ambassadorial meeting room and the entertainment room.
In addition, the palace displays several objects of historical significance relating to the 1975 victory over the southern government including a tank similar in size and design to the first tank that crashed through the palace’s main gate on April 30.
It is open to tourists daily, on weekends and holidays, from 7:30am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Those wanting to taste this historical building firsthand can rent a room for as low as USD40 per night. Foreigners are warmly welcomed.
Source: SGGP
Anti-American War Posters Exhibition Evokes Memories of Brutal War
In Vietnam City Guide on September 9, 2009 at 2:59 amMore than 100 posters created by artists from 18 countries around the world to express their solidarity with the Vietnamese people during the war are on show in Ho Chi Minh City.
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| President Ho Chi Minh features prominently in the exhibition |
The exhibition, themed “People of the world support Vietnamese people in their fight against the US”, marks the 33 rd anniversary of the liberation of South Viet Nam, April 30.
The posters contain anti-war messages sent by the artists to peace-loving people all over the world, urging them to force the US to call off its brutal invasion and withdraw from Viet Nam.
Many of them are printed on paper or cloth and were used at meetings or demonstrations against the War in the US. Others were produced for sale to raise money to aid the Vietnamese liberation troops.
Although the war ended more than 30 years ago, the posters are still moving and provide a reminder of the fierce war.
The artists also tried to convey their support to the Vietnamese people and soldiers in their quest for independence.
The role of such international support in the victory was substantial. The unyielding Vietnamese people did not rely just on their bravery and traditional undauntedness in the face of adversity, but also on the invaluable support and aid from peace-loving and fair-minded people around the world, including such artists.
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| Foreign visitors view a poster of Vietnamese revolutionary martyr Nguyen Van Troi |
Among the posters on display are some borrowed from the collection of Dominic Scriven, a Briton and director of the city-based Dragon Capital Fund, who is an avid collector of posters against the American War in Viet Nam.
He says the posters have a special artistic value since it is much more difficult to create a poster than an ordinary painting. To produce a poster, the artist is not only required to convey a message through its contents but also ensure its aestheticism. “It’s not a simple job and not every artist can do it,” Mr. Scriven says.
The exhibition is being organized by the HCMC Fine Arts Museum at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1, and is scheduled to last until May 25.
Source: SGGP
Visit Original Cafés in HCM City
In Vietnam City Guide on September 9, 2009 at 2:58 amThe world of cafés in Ho Chi Minh City is diverse, thus meeting a wide range of demands. There are numerous cafés designed for the younger generation and you can see lots of the Saigon cool at many modern-styled cafés, especially on weekends. Among the coffee shops are a few places where this generation can do something quite useful for them or for the society.
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| Tonic drink is served at many cafes (Photo: TT) |
Learning English
Café Sozo on Bui Vien Street in the backpackers’ area in District 1 has many activities designed for the youth. Notably, a free English speaking club has been maintained there over the past few years, opening on Tuesday and Friday nights. English practitioners at the club are different in terms of age and job – younger students, higher education students, employers, and even those over 40 years. Asked about the reason why she comes to Sozo, third-year Foreign Trade University student Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung says, “I like to come here because I can talk to foreigners, improve my English and understand more about other countries’ cultures.”
Besides the English speaking club, Sozo often organizes charitable activities to help poor and underprivileged children, and one of them is the Thao Dan program, where volunteers teach street children to help them escape illiteracy. The program has attracted many young volunteers. Application is quite simple – applicants fill in the form and send it to Sozo, then comes the interview.
In 2006, Ba Ria-Vung Tau was one of the southern provinces worst hit by a devastating typhoon. And Sozo called on the public to contribute donations to support the provincial victims. Among relief Sozo contributed was 2,000 kilos of rice.
Interestingly, the café owners are American ladies Sarah and Rachel, who are just 25. They are volunteers who came to Viet Nam to support those in need.
Rachel says, “The reason I selected Viet Nam to go because I love the Vietnamese people very much.”
In the beginning, the two Americans did not know how to support the needy effectively. Then, the idea of opening a café came to their mind; they implemented it and took in street children to give them a job.
Everyone is a sunflower
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‘Sunflowers’ is a special café, where all attendants are hearing-impaired persons. The café is very small and located at 173 Tran Huy Lieu Street, Phu Nhuan District. The former name was Lặng (silence) and the previous owners were three journalists, who transferred the shop to a 24-year-old woman called Kim Uyen. She then renamed her café Sunflowers.
“Besides doing business, I want to do something meaningful for the hearing-impaired. I selected the name because I think each person is a sun flower that is in full bloom in the sunshine.”
In this café, many paintings of different sizes are hung on the wall. The arrangement of the pictures seems to tell you a story about hearing-impaired children who wish to be able say and be listened like normal people. The story seems silent but not, in fact.
Although being hearing-impaired, the attendants serve their way. They invite guests to order by pointing at the menu items or writing on a sheet of paper. You also have a chance to see them talk with their hands, or practice the sign language if you like – they will be your teacher. Every Saturday from 2-4 pm is the dedicated time for an instructor to teach guests the sign language. To say “thank you”, you huddle your fingers, move them to your chin and smile freely.
In addition, this café is a get-together place for those carrying out small community assistance projects such as collecting books, study implements and used clothes needy children, or gathering donations for the underprivileged.
Book and Exhibition cafés
Café Mcomics at 99B Vo Thi Sau Street is a popular address for teenagers who are fond of comic books. The shop is designed in Japanese style, expressed by the setting and impressive pictures. Besides comic books are books of different types such as short stories, funny stories, novels, and fictions about Chinese swordsmen. Especially, Mcomics houses a small studio to serve the cool who like to perform singing and record it.
Besides Mcomics, you can visit Book Coffee Shop at 105 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5 or Boom on Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, District 10, to read books of various kinds as in Mcomics.
If you love fine arts, you should come to see Himiko at 15B, Phan Dang Luu Apartment Blocks in Ward 3, Binh Thanh District. The co-owners are a group of sculptors and students of the University of Fine Arts. Many visitors are impressed by the creative design by the owners, which is supported by sculptures, paintings and decorations. Sometimes, Himiko also serves as an arts gallery.
Ms. Nguyen Kim Hoang, who runs the café, says, “Our idea to open this shop is to support arts, promote arts exchanges, and display our works as well as help young and would-be artists exhibit their works.”
Source: SGGP
Cho Lon, HCMC’s Booming Chinatown
In Vietnam City Guide on September 9, 2009 at 2:58 am“The typical Asian-style architecture and traditional businesses make Cho Lon [Ho Chi Minh City’s own Chinatown] a non-stop hive of activity,” German visitor Christ said after going around one of the city’s most distinctive areas.
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| Cho Lon boasts many buildings of typical Asian-style architecture |
He also described its “dawn-to-dusk markets, abundant fresh produce stalls, and relentless entanglements of vehicles.”
Cho Lon is, in fact, probably the largest Chinatown in the world outside the Middle Kingdom. It spreads over District 5 and parts of Districts 6, 8, and 11, and is a magnet to tourists because of its distinct characteristics and cultural heritage.
The old streets form a fascinating maze filled with temples, restaurants, jade ornaments, and traditional medicine shops. Visitors can easily get lost here and so it makes sense to hire a cyclo by the hour to see the sights.
Tran Hung Dao Street is the main artery of Cho Lon and the access road for visitors coming to town.
Christ says: “No signboard is required for Cho Lon – you’ll recognize it instantly when you approach along the grand prix circuit that is Tran Hung Dao Street. Every time I visit these areas, I like to walk on this street, especially at night.”
He adds it’s a friendly place to shop here because the ethnic Chinese shopkeepers are keen to safeguard their prestige that they try to make visitors feel safe and at ease.
Amidst the maze
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| Binh Tay market is always crowded with tourists |
Binh Tay Market on Phan Van Khoe Street is even more crowded than Ben Thanh and has much the same goods, but with a Chinese flavor.
Tour guides say foreigners like to visit this market which more than 70 years old.
Medicines, spices, cooking utensils all jostle for space with hapless ducks and chickens that are tied together.
Narrow, covered alleyways lead off the central artery, instantly transporting one from the harsh glare of daylight and the hullabaloo of the streets into another world. Roll upon roll of silks and assorted materials are stacked to the rafters in cramped wooden-fronted kiosks. The steady whir of sewing machines assaults the ear.
Amongst this mild mayhem, impossibly tiny food outlets serve up neatly presented bowls of food on trays to vendors and customers alike. One can sit on ridiculously low plastic stools wolfing down dirt-cheap noodle soup and rice dishes.
Exotic temples
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| Binh Tay market is considered one of the oldest in HCMC |
From Binh Tay, one should head up to Nguyen Trai to see some of the major temples — like Quan Am, a classic Chinese temple with its ornate exteriors and wafting incense smoke, and with music meant to sooth, though the blaring speakers may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Nearly 20 resident monks and a cherubic abbot are on hand and welcome foreign visitors. They even take the time to show you around and allow you to take photos, but the quid pro quo is a small donation in the alms box at the altar.
Buy one of the oversize incense — the size of a large flashlight — and make a wish for your journey. This is a “working temple” which means the place is busy day and night with visiting supplicants.
Another pagoda, Thien Hau, is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and was popular with seafarers wishing to offer their thanks for a safe trip from China to Viet Nam.
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Also on Nguyen Trai Street and as famous as T’ian Hou is the pagoda for Guan Kung, a Chinese figure well known for his loyalty and nobility. This is a favorite with businesspeople.
Following Nguyen Trai Street past Ly Thuong Kiet, one will reach Cholon Mosque, the one indication of Chinatown’s small Muslim community.
Since a traditional medicinal herbs street was nominated in District 5, the district has drawn more tourists. Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street — named after a famous Vietnamese herbalist who practiced medicine 200 years ago – has strong odors of various herbs wafting from traditional pharmacies.
Streets like Tran Hung Dao, Trieu Quang Phuc, Chau Van Liem, and Luong Nhu Hoc still retain blocks of houses built by the ethnic Chinese people a century ago, combining Chinese and French architectural designs.
The traditional housing design found in major Southeast Asian cities with large Chinese populations can be found in Cho Lon too.
The shop-house is a unique urban architectural form that arose as a result of land speculation combined with urban restoration efforts.
Originally built on a marsh with interlacing channels, Cho Lon has survived and then flourished thanks to waterway commerce, especially when rice became a major good.
Source: SGGP
Buddhist Art Show To Mark Vesak Raises Funds for Charity
In Vietnam City Guide on September 9, 2009 at 2:58 amAround 130 art works including calligraphies, canvases, wood mosaics, water-color paintings, zen paintings, and photographs are on display at an exhibition held in Ho Chi Minh City to mark a major Buddhist festival.
The “Buddhist Culture and Society” exhibition, held on the occasion of the fifth United Nations day of Vesak, which celebrates the Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment, and death, will raise funds for charity.
The photos, paintings, and calligraphic scrolls are hung on tall lotus-shaped towers or on walls near idols of God-Defenders of Dharma.
The calligraphic works, with their vivid beauty, have been done by a number of famous artists including Le Lan, Song Nguyen, Dang Lan, Tue Chieu, and Hoa Nghiem.
One of the highlights is an abstract picture in zen painting style by Vien Thuc, which features two lines of poetry in Chinese characters written horizontally in exquisite brushstrokes. For aficionados of zen painting there is also the work “Bodhidharma” by Tue Hanh.
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Some artists have introduced a new style of work. Thanh Tuan, 26, who graduated from the HCMC University of Fine Arts, has used his long finger nails like a brush to create the water color painting “Peony flowers”, while Le Trieu Dien has mixed sand with oil paint to add to the visual effects of his works.
Those who love wood mosaics will be surprised at the inexpensive price tags two of the works by Cong Nguyen, who graduated from Art School in France, carry — they depict Avalokiteshvara, a Bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas in Buddhism.
Nguyen said he was determined to keep his prices modest, considering it his small gift to benefactors who were giving a helping to unfortunate children by buying his works.
For two pieces, prices have not been set yet. One is a calligraphy featuring the poem “Lotus” by Buddhist monk Thich Thien Chieu, abbot of the Ky Quang II pagoda, in Vietnamese and Chinese. The work bears the fingerprints or autographs of all the artists taking part in the exhibition.
The other is a canvas by Indian artist Lakshmi. The organizers said that they would hold an auction for the two later.
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The pagoda where the exhibition is being held is widely known for having no doors, pillars, or roof. In fact, it is built in the shape of a hill. Visitors will feel a bit like going into a deep cave when they step over the threshold to climb down the stairs to a basement where the works are displayed.
All the proceeds from the sales of the artworks will go to the pagoda — Ky Quang II, 154/4 Le Hoang Phai, Go Vap District – which raises more than 200 orphans and handicapped children.
The exhibition lasts until May 25.
Source: SGGP
Monsoon to make comeback over southern Vietnam
In Vietnam Weather on September 9, 2009 at 2:57 amThunderstorms and hails are expected over southern Vietnam after an unseasonable drought comes to an end in the next three days, the regional weather bureau said on August 16.
The dry spell has hit the seaboard from Ba Ria – Vung Tau to Bac Lieu Provinces and the Mekong Delta.
The thunderstorms and heavy downpours are forecast to hit Ca Mau and Kien Giang Provinces and Ho Chi Minh City in the southwestern region and provinces further east like Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai by the middle of this week.
Source: SGGP
Ministry predicts climate change to flood VN’s plain
In Vietnam Weather on September 9, 2009 at 2:57 amMuch of the Mekong Delta could disappear under one meter of seawater by 2100, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said August 20.
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| Ho Chi Minh City is flooded after a heavy rain on August 19, 2009. (Photo: SGGP) |
According to the scenario, temperatures in the northern and central regions will continue to rise in hot seasons.
The rainfall in the southern region of Vietnam will lessen, while it will increase in the north and the sea levels will rise.
Predications for sea level rises vary from 0.7 meters to the worst case scenario of 1.15 meters in the next 100 years.
Climate change will strongly affect the Red River and Mekong deltas.
With much of the country low lying and having a long coastline, the ministry said that it will update and provide scenarios on climate change, especially sea level rises, to other ministries, departments and local authorities in order to conduct national programs to cope with the problem.
Source: SGGP
North swelters as South soaks
In Vietnam Weather on September 9, 2009 at 2:57 amA hot low-pressure zone over East Asian is causing hot and muggy weather in the north, the mountainous area of Viet Bac and the northern midlands, said The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast.
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| A heavy rain causes flood in Nguyen Thi Nho, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City on August 25. |
The North has been experiencing scorching weather over the last few days with temperatures in most areas climbing to 35 – 36 degrees Celsius.
In the mountainous areas of Viet Bac and northern midlands temperatures have risen to above 37 degrees, such as Dinh Hoa and Bac Kan, the center said.
The center forecasted that the hot weather will continue over the next two days.
The weather has been somewhat different in the Central Highlands and the South, with heavy rains forecast to arrive over the next few days due to a southwesterly monsoon, the center reported.
In the coming days, the South will see mixed weather, with periods of sun in the morning and increasingly heavy rains in the afternoon and evening.
The center said that the weather will become more dangerous and also bring thunder storms to the region.
Source: SGGP
Strong winds blow in, heavy rains forecast
In Vietnam Weather on September 9, 2009 at 2:56 amAn inter-tropical convergence zone from the west moving through central provinces to the East Sea bringing poor weather and thunderstorms, the National Hydro Meteorological Forecast Center said.
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| A street in HCMC after heavy rains in August (Photo: Lao Dong) |
The weather has been created by a storm forming in the northwest of the Pacific, it said.
Accordingly, southwest winds have become stronger causing heavy rains in southern, south-central and Central Highland provinces.
The weather conditions are forecast to continue over the next three to four days.
The center also said that a low tropical pressure zone may form west of the Philippines on September 3 and 4, which will affect some coastal regions.
Meanwhile, meteorologists said that the recent occurrence of the El Nino phenomenon has affected weather globally, including Vietnam.
Air temperatures around the world will become hotter, with a warmer fall and winter expected, they said.
It is usual for this period of the year that Vietnam experiences heavy rains though some places have suffered drought for some months now.
Average temperatures in some places have risen to 33 to 34 degrees Celsius, in cases they have surged to 35 to 37 degrees.
Source: SGGP
