Another Dalat in Central Highlands

Another Dalat in Central Highlands

Lying between two mountain passes, Mang Den and Violak, and about 50km from Kontum Town, the grassland of Mang Den is poised to become the second resort town of the Central Highlands after Dalat City thanks to its cool weather.

Tourists can take a narrow road, National Highway 24 lined by forests rich with fauna and flora, to get to Mang Den. Some communal houses nestled by green coffee gardens come into view on the way there.

It turns cooler when travelers arrive at the Mang Den pass stretching 10km. The distinctions of the Central Highlands are cool and fresh air, a long range of hills, the Ba Bat River winding through the terraced rice fields, and villages of minority ethic groups.

The center of Mang Den has become more and more crowded. Many construction works and roads are being developed to link local tourist attractions together.

One might ask what amusements the place offers. There, the places of interest are beautiful lakes and falls, and those preferring adventures and sports can go hiking, hunting, elephant riding, and golfing.

Mang Den Resort is an ideal place for tourists who love tranquility by the Dam Lake. The scene is decorated with colorful flower gardens, green lawns, rocks, and stilt houses.

For food, visitors can eat popular dishes in different cooking styles by ethnic groups. They will never forget a dinner served with rice cooked in bamboo and grilled chicken.

However, Mang Den still maintains the beauty of nature. In the dry season, corn and orchid flowers are abundant by lakesides with a romantic purple coat standing out by dazzling white waterfalls.

Pine forests between 100,000ha primeval forests, rivers, and lakes make the area a nice ecological attraction.

Mang Den is too new to be compared with Dalat City, but it can leave an everlasting impression on visitors since it is almost untouched by man.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang marks 5th anniversary of world heritage recognition

A ceremony was held in Son Trach Commune, Bo Trach District in the central province of Quang Binh on July 26 to mark the 5th anniversary of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park’s recognition as a world natural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

A number of activities to promote the world heritage site’s image were also held on this occasion. They included a photo exhibition titled “Joining hands to protect the world’s heritage site of Phong Nha – Ke Bang” and a screening of a documentary themed “Tourism in Quang Binh – 5 years after Phong Nha – Ke Bang’s recognition as a world heritage site” and many other cultural activities.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park was recognised by the UNESCO on July 5, 2003, making it the fifth Vietnamese place known as the world heritage site, following the Complex of Hue monuments in 1993, Halong Bay in 1994, My Son Sanctuary in 1999 and Hoi An Ancient Town in 1999.

Cai Be Flower Market

Cai Be Flower Market

The potted flowers ranging from daisies to mari­golds and to lien (Torenia fournieri) among others that you see in the photo are in the flower market section of the Cai Be Floating Market in Cai Be Dis­trict in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang.

Cai Be holds the top position in orchard areas in Tien Giang Province. On ordinary days, a large sec­tion of the Tien River is vibrant with boats filled with fruits, vegetables, flowers and other products. It is even more colorful during special events like full­ moon days or Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

During the days, there is only a small number of boats carrying flowers on the Tien River. However the number increases over the following days and the market bustles with various kinds of flowers. At this time, barges full of fruits and vegetables tem­porarily cede "territory" to boats carrying different kinds of flowers. Flowers are seen along the banks of the river, bobbing on the floating dock, covering the boat roof-tops and overflowing to the street markets.

Going to the floating market on these days, you can see the busy rhythm of the life of people living on the river and the unique features of the Mekong Delta. This is also the most beautiful time at the Cai Be Floating Market, attracting many tourists. There is always a forest of flowers and people during market- days. The river becomes busy with boats car­rying people, including buyers, sellers and visitors. The bright colors of the apricot flowers, daisies, roses and marigolds swinging on boats and junks bring a premature spring to the riverside hamlets and people.

Some images of saigon

Saigon, traffic jam

Saigon, traffic jam

Now that we have seen the most western side of Saigon, we will take a look at its more Asian face.

The first thing that will surprise you in your first visit to Saigon is the amount of motorbikes. It seems that each and everyone of the 10 million people who live in Ho Chi Minh City has its own bike!

You have to know that walking in the streets of any Vietnamese city can be dangerous. And Saigon is the most dangerous of all the towns in this country.

In some of the big avenues there are traffic lights, but in most of the streets there are not. To cross a street takes some practice. Do not wait for Saigonese drivers to stop, instead, start walking at a slow and steady path. Look at the face of the drivers that will try to avoid you. If you see some danger, stop. This way moto riders will have time to react.

HCMC Central Post Office

- Started to be built in 1886 and completed in 1891 under architect Villedieu's design, this magnificent building was located on a high hillock by the sie of the municipal cathedral with Hai Ba trung avenue in the back. The building's front side was adorned with rectangle squares inscribed with the names of telegraphic and electric inventors together with figures of men and women wearing laurel wreaths.A big clock was hung over the dome of the building . Inside the building , visitors can see two historical maps, one is "Saigon and its environments" created in 1892 and "Telegraphic network in South Vietnam and Combidia" created in 1936.
- The Central Post Office is available with 35 customer servicing counters equipped with up-to-date telecom facilities that enable direct telegraphic contact with any areas of the globe and any place in the country. In addition, there are various services such as registered postal parcel time alarm, express mail service, cultural souvenir products, telegraphic philately, telegraphic gift...,
Address : No.2 Paris Commune Park, Dist.1

Thien Hau Temple

Located in the center of Chinatown, Thien Hau Temple was built by the Cantonese Congregation in 1760 in order to express their gratitude to this Goddess for her protect during their immigration trip to Vietnam by sea. Huge circles of incense, some of which are one meter in diameter and can burn for a whole month, are hung in the main sanctuary.

Address: 710 Nguyen Trai Street., District 5

Open daily