Vietnamese Folk Paintings

Folk paintings includes two types of Vietnamese folk paintings, Tet (Lunar New Year Festival) paintings and worshipping paintings. They are a combination of traditional cultural values with ancient artistic methods that have been created through the labour of past generations.

The Vietnamese people believe in ancestor worship and the deification of natural phenomena, they are reflected in the paintings. Because of their historical popularity, the folk paintings were produced in huge quantities. This high demand was met through the use of the woodblock carving printing technique, which has been practiced by the Vietnamese for several centuries. During the Ly Dynasty (12th century), there were lots of families who specialised in woodblock carving. By the end of the Tran Dynasty, they were also printing paper money. At the beginning of the Le So Dynasty, the Chinese technique of carving printing boards was chosen and improved. The History Museum and the Fine Art Museum in Hanoi still keep old printing boards as archives. During the Mac Dynasty (16th century), folk paintings developed quite extensively and were popular among the aristocracy in Thang Long. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the art of folk painting was stable and highly developed. Basing on artistic style, drawing-printing technique, and the materials used, folk paintings are classified into painting trends according to the name of their place of production. Each style of painting is different. However, in all the styles, shapes are formed based on the concept of don tuyen binh do (single line-simple designs), which uses lines to bend the coloured shapes and to make a border for the picture. Another method used is thuan tay hay mat (easy to draw and to see). With this design form, the folk paintings do not depend on the rules of perspective. The deities are big and take the upper positions, while the ordinary people are drawn on a smaller scale and the size of the animals and the natural scenery depicted depends on their relationship to the sentiment or story being expressed. These distinctive characteristics make the paintings profoundly impressive. As a result of cultural exchange, Vietnamese folk paintings in order to travel to Vietnam to contemplate them and have perserved and developed certain traditional facets. As well as the paintings have been influenced and enriched by the genius of other painting styles. One exception is Dong Ho paintings, which continue to exist unchanged during the challenges of time. » Also you like our http://minmaxvn.wordpress.com/about/ - http://minmax-vn.blogspot.com/ - http://minmaxtravel.blog.com/aboutus/

Best time to travel Ha Giang

The most ideal time to visit Ha Giang should be around or after the Tet Holidays, which is between February and May.

During this time, the scenery is magnificent with mountaintops hiding in the cloud and wild peach flowers blooming everywhere. Moreover, the weather during the Tet holidays is very comfortable with little rain and cool air, so that tourists in Vietnam tours do not have to carry raincoats or umbrellas with them.

There are also a lot of unique and attractive festivals to celebrate the New Year during this time. Hence, visitors with Vietnam travel guide can have a chance to know more about the ethnic culture in Ha Giang and enjoy the festive atmosphere of various ethnic groups. Lastly, as this is the dry season and the routes to Ha Giang mostly go along the side of mountains, the roads are much safer for trip.  

Beautiful and Delicious Đà Lạt

There’s a wonderful place nestled in the central highlands immune to the hot and humid tropical climate of Vietnam, called Đà Lạt, the city of eternal spring. Here the temperate climate is a marked contrast to the rest of central and southern Vietnam and  averages in the highs 70′s F compared with the 90-100F of other parts of the central and south lands.  It reminds us of Seattle and the great Northwest with lush green vegetation and beautiful flowers everywhere. Mountainous lakes and many waterfalls dot the surrounding countryside around Đà Lạt and make for nice day trips upon entering or leaving the city.

We spent 3 days here breathing in the cool crisp summer air, a welcomed departure from the smog polluted air of Saigon. It was the first night since arriving in Vietnam that we weren’t awaken by the incessant horns of motorbikes and taxis, which was equally refreshing. Originally built as a resort town during the French colonization, Đà Lạt is a small urban town of 200,000 compared with the 10 million of Saigon, and still remains a popular vacation and honeymoon destination for the Vietnamese.

Aside from the beautiful scenery. We made several trips the central market of  Đà Lạt, a vital hub of the city and  a street photographer’s dream. Inside the market are many dry goods stalls tightly packed together,  but surrounding the market on all sides is abuzz with activity and interesting food scenes.  The narrow side roads around the market doubles as a market stall for vendors and route of transportation for bicycles, motorbikes, cars, and pedestrian shoppers alike.  Watch your step as you might just run into a fresh load of durian freshly plucked from the trees and brought to market by motorbike.

You will find vendors of all ages, from stout wrinkled grandmotherly types to lithe teens flexing huge bundles of hot from the oven banh mi on their hips as easily as if they were carrying their newborn. Since there’s traffic on all four side streets around the market, the more mobile vendors will constantly move their wares, either carrying this load of banh mi like this girl or hitching it to a bamboo stick.

You can find everything from fresh durian, rambutan, and pomelo  to fresh fish and meats. Unlike here in the States, Vietnamese shop for the day not the week.  There are many families that don’t even have refrigeration to stock up so daily trips to the market for produce is common place.

Above the market on the second level are many food stalls, but by late afternoon as the market closes, the front entrance to the market comes alive with street food vendors of all varieties. Since the temperature tends to be cool in the evenings, hot chicken congee with appropriate offals as well as hearty beef stews, bo kho are on the menu to warm the soul. Grilled meat on sticks and betel wrapped beef skewers tinge the cool fresh air with it’s smoky salivating aroma.  It’s a fantastic way to spend an afternoon immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of Đà Lạt with the locals.

Ca Na Beach

Ca Na beach is about 32km away from Phan Rang city. Visiting Ca Na beach, travelers will not only have chance to enjoy the fascinating beach with, but also there are other types of tourism such as ecotourism, cultural and cuisine tourism.

Ca Na attracts visitors for its magnificent scenery with clear blue sea covered by white sandy beach and mountain on its back. The clean and cool atmosphere at Ca Na, plus the stunning beach will satisfy even the most demanding tourists.

Ca Na is also well-known for many cultural attractions. With the cultural features of many Cham people, who still make their home here, and still preserve many traditional elements of their culture. Hence, visitors can learn more about the history of Champa Kingdom and understand more about the culture of Cham people in Vietnam.

Moreover,the beach is also a great choice for cuisine tours because there are diverse kinds of fresh and delicious dishes. Staying there, you will have chance to enjoy the tastiest and freshest specialties.

The night at Dao Village

In the Nam Choong village of Xin Man Commune, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam, tourists can do just that as they can easily find a cozy homestay for the night and enjoy the hot spring that runs through the village during the day as they experience the daily routines of Dao people.

Just spending one night with a Dao minority family is a great experience for tourists.

In the Nam Choong village of Xin Man Commune, Ha Giang Province, tourists can do just that as they can easily find a cozy homestay for the night and enjoy the hot spring that runs through the village during the day as they experience the daily routines of Dao people.

Xin Man Commune is located in the north-west area of Ha Giang Province but tourists can reach it from the city of Ha Giang or Lao Cai.

Nam Choong village is special not only thanks to the hot spring, but also because it’s the living place of Dao Ao Dai and its villagers still keep the old traditions alive on a daily basis.

 

The bridge leading to the Dao’s locality

The hosts will serve lunch and dinner according to visitor’s request. Normally meals will include chicken, pork, buffalo, fish and vegetable dishes - Photos: Pham Thai

Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival in Hanoi

The Hai Ba Trung (Trung Sisters) Temple Festival is held annually on lunar January 6 in Me Linh Commune, Me Linh District, Hanoi. It is the birthplace of the two sisters Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, two famous Vietnamese heroines who rode elephants to lead their troops to defeat the foreign invaders. Here they proclaimed themselves the new empresses after gaining independence for the country in the early years of Vietnam (40-43AD).

The Festival opens with the procession of the king’s palanquins, fighting-elephants and offerings from the Ha Loi Communal House to the ancient complex of Hai Ba Trung Temple. The procession is held with jubilance and excitement with colourful flags, drumbeats, gongs and musical sounds performed by an octet. The respected elders in the village are selected to beat drums and strong men and beautiful girls carry the two palanquins during the procession. On both sides of the village road, the villagers display their offerings to welcome the procession.

The Festival also includes many cultural activities, such as traditional dances, wrestling and folk games of swinging and earthen pot-beating.

A parade with a fighting elephant statue carrying offerings from Ha Loi Communal House to Hai Ba Trung Temple. Respected elders in the village are selected to beat drums. Girls play the role of soldiers of the Trung Sisters Villagers display their offerings on both sides of the village road to welcome the procession. The procession of imperial accouterments. Offerings to the Trung Sisters. Village elders participate in the procession to pray for luck and happiness. Besides the ceremonies, the festival consists of many cultural activities, such as wrestling, human chess, lion and dragon dances involving the participation of a large number of villagers.

The Festival is of great spiritual and religious significance. It is a cultural event to educate young people about the patriotic tradition and to salute the country and its heroic women.

Huyen Tran Cultunal Centre - a Sacred Spiritual Attraction

Huyen Tran Cultural Centre is located in An Tay Ward, about 7km southwest of Hue, on an area of 28.5 ha near the foot of the Ngu Phong Mountain. It has many historical, cultural and artful works full of spiritual significance, of which the most noted are the temples dedicated to King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the patron saint of the Truc Lam Buddhist sect in Vietnam, and his daughter, Princess Huyen Tran (1287-1340).

Visitors to Huyen Tran Cultural Centre in Hue city will have an opportunity to contemplate the wholesome environment shaded by green pine trees and surrounding forests and mountains, visit the temples and shrines for worshiping, do research on Buddhism, compose poems or relax and absorb the magnificent surroundings. The entire complex is located amid a grandiose natural setting that highlights the value of the cultural and art works and their spiritual impression. Visitors at Huyen Tran Cultural Centre. The yard in front of the 3-gate entrance is paved with Bat Trang ceramic tiles. The temple dedicated to King Tran Nhan Tong. The shrine dedicated to King Tran Nhan Tong. Statue of Mitreya near the foot of Ngu Phong Mountain. A sculptural work engraved with grafted glazed terrace-cotta tiles. The statue of nun Huong Trang. The great celebration of the day when King and Master of Truc Lam Zen sect, Tran Nhan Tong went into Nirvana (lunar January 1st). The festival at Huyen Tran Temple on lunar January 9th. Engravings of the famous pagodas in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on Hoa Binh copper bell. Ringing Hoa Binh (peace) bell.  Situated in the temple dedicated to King Tran Nhan Tong, who is considered the master of the Truc Lam Buddhist sect in Vietnam, is a statue of his Royal Highness, made of pure copper, standing 3m high and weighing 2 tonnes. It is cast identically to the original statue of the Tran Kings for worship in Nam Dinh Province. In front of King Tran Nhan Tong's shrine and along the stairway leading to it, are a pair of stone dragons made in the style of the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400). In the yard and along the staircases there are statues of elephants, horses, dragons and lions, believed to be spirits that safeguard the king's after world, making it impressive with a quiet and solemn beauty. The temple dedicated to Princess Huyen Tran was built with the architecture of Hue pagodas. The entire structure lies on a horizontal axis. In front of the first shrine there are three copper bas-reliefs engraved with scenes from the three regions of the country. In the main chamber, there is a copper statue of Princess Huyen Tran, 2.37m high and 1.5 tonnes in weight, which was cast by famous artisans from Hue. Besides the temples, in the open and spacious space there is an octagonal shaped house where stands a statue of the Nun Huong Trang and a courtyard with a statue of Mitreya (Buddha). After climbing on 246 stone stairs, visitors will arrive at the top of Ngu Phong Mountain, 108 m high, where there is a bell tower named Hoa Binh,  (peace) housing a bell made of pure copper, 2.16m high and 1.6 tonnes in weight, and carved with eight words, literally, "For a peaceful world, for a happy mankind", together with pictures of four pagodas typical for the country, namely Giac Lam Pagoda (in Ho Chi Minh City), Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue), Dien Huu Pagoda (Hanoi) and Truc Lam-Yen Tu Pagoda (Quang Ninh). Huyen Tran Cultural Centre is one of the tourist sites that provide visitors a sense of returning to the root of the country's glorious history to pay homage to people who had merits in building the country.

These Greatest Street Foods Of The Hanoi Capital

On these beginning days of the autumn, these street foods are always the first choice of the youth and the tourists. Guests will have the opportunity to experience feelings of eating outside in the cool air.

1.Pho Pho heads the list of the most famous dishes of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general. This popular dish can be seen everywhere from the sidewalk to the restaurant where  you can catch sight of the crowd gathered around the table and chairs plastic, enjoy a hot bowl of Pho. Making eaters feel charming flavor of the dish immediately is the secret of this profession. Smooth noodle cake is made from rice. If it is beef noodle , broth must be used from beef bones, pork bones; and chicken noodle uses mainly from  the pork bone or chicken bone.  Pho is not only cheap but also tasty, and it is always  sold 24/24.  Famous address: Pho Thin, 13 Lo Duc 2.Nem Thanks to special flavor, “ nem cuon” always attracts foreigner  when they visit Viet Nam. Besides traditional dishes, Hanoi has created many kinds of  new “ nem cuon” such as “nem cuon” with  shrimp and other fresh vegetables Guests can enjoy these delicious cuisines  at Nem Vuong Pho Co restaurant  ( 58 Dao Duy Tu) or To Tich street located in Hanoi Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake. 3. Cha ca  Hanoi people consider  “ cha ca” as a special dish to the extent has a street named “ cha ca”. There has a famous restaurant- Cha Ca La Vong in this street. Instead of visiting Cha ca street, visitors can also find the Duong Thanh where  there are many restaurants serving this cuisine with delicious flavor. 4. Chicken legs grilling and ga tan Ly Van Phuc is a famous address with the name “ Pho Ga”. Chicken legs, chicken wings, potato and bread here is scanned with honey before  grilling  and guests can eat it with chili sauce and  cucumber. I am sure that this cuisine  will bring you great taste. In addition, “ ga tan” is also the best food to nourish your health and you should try once at Tong Duy Tan street.

The Fairy Smooth Hair Of Ta Gu Waterfall

Ta Gu Waterfall is one of famous tourism destinations in Nha Trang, located in Son Hiep commune, Khanh Son district, Khanh Hoa province. From the centre of Khanh Son district following the opposite direction 15 km further, there is Son Hiep commune. Reach there, visitors can easily recognize the majestic mountains which are about 1,300 m higher than sea level, the pure air in the mountainous region.

Formerly, the waterfall was named Nga waterfall. After that, people changed its name into Ta Gu, the name of the spring flowing to the waterfall according to Vietnam travel news.

There are two myths about the waterfall formation. Anciently, there were many pythons in this forest; one was as big as a-hundred-year-old To Hap tree. In a morning of dry season, a flock of pythons went to the top finding food. On the way, they met a small elephant losing its mother which was bewildered. Immediately, the leading python run to hurl the elephant down. The elephant and the pythons fought fiercely. Finally, both two animals fell into the abyss. When the mother elephant came back finding her child dead, she stood on the mountain top crying nights and days, then she turned to rock. Two flows of the mother’s teardrop became two flows of waterfall.

According to another myth, Ta Gu anciently was a transparent, pure stream. Every year in spring, animals bustlingly took part in a festival. Fascinated by the beautiful stream, the fairies from the sky usually flied down bathing in the stream then went to the mountain top spreading their hair feeling the wind withVietnam travel news. One day, the smallest fairy busies herself with playing, forgot the restricted time so she had to stay at the human world, finally she became Ta Gu Waterfall.

However, in both two myths, Ta Gu waterfall was beautiful, mysterious, majestic with two flows rumblingly pouring from the height of 30-40m, and blue lake which is about 1km wide.  

Especially, despites of being one of the most famous tourism destinations in Nha Trang, the waterfall still remains its wild scenery, being an ideal destination for visitors who are keen on adventure.

The charm of the waterfall is created by not only the beautiful landscape but also forest and stream crossing travel during the way to the waterfall. It’s so interesting that after reaching the waterfall, the adventure still continues. Firstly, people must hold the tree roots to go down, pass a stream, then meet a deep and large lake. After that, they continue to cross the slippery stream in the top right, crowd to the canopies of wild plants keeping moving to the bottom of the waterfall.

There is an extremely excited feeling when stopping near straight cliff, facing with the wonderful waterfall which is rumblingly flowing. All tiredness seems to be left out in the cold water of the wide lake in the waterfall bottom. It will be more interesting to hold a camping party among the mountainous area to connect members in group.  

Sumer On Con Dao Island

In March 2011, the Travel Asia & Australia section of the Financial Times ran the article “The Spirit and the Devil of the Sea” by Claire Wrathall according to Vietnam travel news. She wrote that pre-1975 Con Dao was a “penal colony” marked by extreme cruelty, with more than 20,000 prisoners passing away in custody. Spine-tingling reminders of its dark past abound, including a plaque in memory of 914 people who succumbed to death while working on the construction of a jerry in Con Son.

Moreover, according to Claire Wrathall, 350 people died building Ma Thien Lanh Bridge near the So Ray Plantation. A hike through luxuriant rainforests would, Claire Wrathall recalled, lead tourists to an area “cleared for cultivation purposes and grinding down prisoners.” Also chilling were 11 prison complexes, the oldest of which was built by the French in 1862 and four of which stood in testament to Con Dao’s ghastly history. From the perspective of this foreign tourist, it would not be an exaggeration to deem Con Dao as Hell on Earth.

Visitors to Con Dao this summer will have an opportunity to glean insights into these historical spots and, at the same time, relish the plaintive cries of cicadas, the shade of ancient trees and the charm of Queen’s crape myrtles with Vietnam travel news. Meanwhile, a trip to Hang Duong Cemetery, surrounded by mountains, allows tourists to pay homage to Vo Thi Sau, a famous war heroine, and thousands of other deceased soldiers and slide into moments of contemplation and quietude.

After a trip to Con Dao last summer, a 28-year-old entrepreneur from HCM City wrote in an essay published on the Buddhist Culture magazine: “Each of us was filled with tranquility and happiness throughout our four-day stay on the islands. The enigmatic atmosphere around prisons and graveyards did not evoke fear, but deepened our nascent love for this place. Some of us struggled to hold back tears as our tour guide told us about prison life, about love and about the courage of prisoners, whose heart and soul were as pure as gold. Our slight fear of ghosts vanished, giving way to our appreciation for sacred, historical tales about these islands.” This entrepreneur even compared Con Dao to a Zen master.

Touch of Nature

The only asphalted road in eastern Con Dao brings tourists from Co Ong Airport to town and leads directly to Ben Dam Port in the south. Western Con Dao has no road and mountain trails are often steep. However, tourists can walk through forests to reach Dam Trau and Ong Dung beaches, which are virtually pristine. White sandy beaches in eastern Con Dao, meanwhile, are ideal for recuperation. Notably, a five-star resort developed by Thailand’s Six Senses Group has operated on Dat Doc Beach since December 2010, with a room rent of up to US$790 a day.

Visitors can also embark on a vicarious trip around Con Dao by asking tour guides for descriptions of famous scenic spots around the islands. For example, in addition to swimming, watching turtles lay eggs and diving to feast their eyes on coral reefs, tourists can visit a lighthouse constructed in 1884 on Bay Canh Islet or climb mountains and watch monkeys on Tai Islet. Trung Islet is home to a vast array of sea birds and thrives at dawn and in the sunset.

At Lo Voi Beach, which is endowed with dreamlike scenery, visitors can go camping when the tide rises and marvel at coral reefs when the tide ebbs. Nhat Beach, opposite the Peak of Love on Ba Islet, enables tourists to revel in the azure seawater nearby and watch the sun disappear behind the horizon every evening. Visitors can rent a motorbike at VND120,000 a day or go on a boat tour, priced at VND2.5 million each, to get in touch with Nature at its most pristine.

The room rents hover around VND350,000/day at such guesthouses as Phi Yen or Anh Dao and around US$45-120/day at hotels like Saigon-Con Dao, Sea Travel and Con Dao Resort. These amenities are in proximity to An Hoi Beach, which is about 3km long, runs toward the southern cliff and is endowed with white sand and crystal-clear seawater. Also abundant are opportunities to savor fresh seafood, including a type of snail unique to Con Dao.

A stroll around town, whether in the daytime or at night, offers a dose of serenity, not least because tourists will love Con Dao’s ample greenery and clean, spacious, beggar-free streets. Better still, locals are hospitable, down to earth and determined to phase out overcharging. It is recommended that tourists should purchase at least a jar of dried or sweetened bàng (Terminalia catappa) seeds, available at VND70,000 each, at Con Dao Market.

Interestingly, unlike many of its inland counterparts, a big gold shop in this market seems to have no security guard. The reason, according to a motorbike taxi rider nearby, is that crimes are rare on these peaceful islands.

The Meaning of “Cay Neu”

Tet Nguyen Dan is the Lunar New Year Festival and is the most important Vietnamese holiday. Tet is the celebration of the beginning of spring as well as a new year. It is the time for family reunions, exchanging gifts, best wishes. Planting a New Year tree or “Cay Neu” is also a Vietnamese custom which is part of the springtime Tet Festival.

On the days before Tet, Vietnamese families plant a "Cay Neu", which is an extremely tall bamboo tree in front of their homes. The bamboo pole stripped of its leaves except for a tuft on top so that it can be wrapped or ornamented with good luck red paper. According to famous legends in the Vietnamese culture, the red color scares off evil spirits and the treeis supposed to ward off the evil spririts during absence of Tao Quan (the Kitchen Gods)who leave the family at this time to visit the palace of the Jade Emperor. “Cay Neu” are decorations similar to Christmas tree that is displayed in various cultures. Bows, arrows, bells and gongs are hung on the treetop with the hope that all the bad luck of the past year will be chased away and everyone will have a happy New Year.

Legends have it that long long ago, humans and devils co-inhabited the earth. The devils overwhelmed the former and invaded their land. Buddha told the devils: "I will hang my cassock on top of the bamboo, and wherever the shadow falls is Buddha's land, and you devils must give it to men." The devils agreed. So after planting the bamboo, Buddha flung his robe to the top and made the bamboo higher by means of magic; as a result, the cassock overshadowed the whole land and the devils were chased to the East Sea. Then the devils prayed to Buddha for permission to return to the mainland for a three day visit to their ancestors' tombs on the occasion of Tet. For this reason, Neu is often planted on this occasion with green leaves, an eight sign amulet and earthen bells hung from its top. Lime powder is scattered round its base to allow the painting of cross-bows and arrows to chase away the devils or keep them at bay. The shadow of Neu symbolizes the land acquired by the men in the legend. The sounds of small bells and gongs on Neu remind us of man's right to own the land and the bows and arrows tell us that they were once the weapons used to fight off the devil.

Cay Neu is ceremonially removed after the seventh day of Tet. This is the last ritual, which brings an end to the New Year celebrations.

Ninh Chu Beach

5 km south of Phan Rang, in Ninh Thuan province, Ninh Chu beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.

Ninh Thuan province prides itself in several beautiful beaches, among which is Ninh Chu Beach, with more than 10-km length and the shape of a nice crescent. Ninh Chu, located in Binh Son, Van Hai commune, Ninh Thuan province, is one of the top beaches of the Middle of Vietnam for every tourist, who comes here to explore an extremely different landscape.

A strange beauty

Ninh Chu Poplar

Ninh Chu is attractive with rows of popla humming in the wind just nearby the beach as if they were whispering to the blue sea and singing about its fine sand dune - the daughter of the sea and sky. Thanks to this, you can lie down on the popla leaf carpet, without umbrella or bench, to restfully watch the sky.

The sand is yellowish, quite clean and fine. The beach features special shape of a crescent, with a very clean and charming sea. The original beauty of Ninh Chu is not for a hurry trip but carefree one, so as to enjoy the fresh air of the sea area. Entertaining yourself freely in the cool and blue water, contemplating purple sunset on the long stretching sandal slopes, and the small dreamlike villages near the seaport, will make you feel attached to the nature, clear sky and peaceful clouds and water.

Specialty. Nearby the beach, there are also Nai pond, which is full of fish, shrimp, prawn, lobster, craw-fish, cuttle-fish, etc., Ca Du and Da Chong mountains with different sized rocks piling up, which create a harmonious natural view.

Hotels and restaurants. There are not many luxurious hotels and restaurants here, thus Ninh Chu welcomes tourists by its unpretentious heartiness. Suggested accommodation is the simple but tidy and nice hostels, built just nearby in form of communal house, standing harmoniously with nature.

Entertainment types. Like other beaches, the popular types of entertainment here are swimming, sailing, diving, fishing, sun-bathing, and so on. What is more here might be the ideal walking trips. From Ninh Chu, tourists can travel to Tri Thuy hamlet, where exists a harmonious landscape of sea-view and mountain-view. The mountain is not full of plants or grass, but lots of grayish white rock-gardens with different heights, which are adorned with some small trees. On the mountain side stands some ancient pagodas and scattering small tile-roofed houses. Walking on a few steps, you will reach a small wild beach, which is beautiful with green poplar forest and rocks of weird shapes on sand. Should you need a nice quiet space to hide from hasty daily life, this is the ideal selection!

Perhaps, you get a bit tired of walking, dropping by some grape gardens on your way and having some fresh grapes might boost your energy. The wonderful taste of fresh grapes to be eaten at the gardens would never fade away in your mind!

Cost. Another thing, besides the nice landscape, is that tourists could save a lot when choosing Ninh Chu beach as a destination for their vacation. The tidy, clean, and fairly good-conditioned hotels and hostels are at cheap prices. Moreover, they are mostly nearby the beach, which helps save transportation cost. The food is of quite deliciousness, but at only reasonable prices, too, and available almost everywhere. If going on a tour to Ninh Thuan, Ninh Chu beach should be put in your visiting list.

Dak Nong's weather is cool year-round

The climate is relatively temperate regions, the annual temperature is 24 ° C, the hottest and coldest average difference of only 5 º C.

Dak Nong Province, Vietnam, is located in the southwest of Central region with the average height of 500m above sea level. Topographically, it is relatively flat, a immense plateau with pastures stretching to the east. Lower terrain to the west, and the south is the domain of many low-lying lakes. 

 Trinh Nu Waterfall

The climate is relatively temperate regions, with the annual temperature is 24°C, the hottest and coldest average difference of only 5ºC.
Dak Nong is suitable for visitors who love the majestic waterfall landscape, camp-fire night, the sound of gongs and the taste of the wine. Serepok River created many beautiful waterfalls, as benevolent as violent; Gia Long waterfall as a woman sleeping in wild and romantic and Dray Nur waterfall as a huge wall. Moreover, there are also many other majestic waterfalls, including Dieu Thanh waterfall, Ba Tang and Dray Sap waterfall known as Smoky waterfall.

Ngu Hanh Son – Tourist Destination in Danang

Ngu Hanh Son is a cluster of five marble mountains like five fingers lying close to the sea. In the 19th century, King Minh Mang named the five mountains according to each of the five elements of the planet: Kim Son (gold), Moc Son (wood), Thuy Son (water), Hoa Son (fire) and Tho Son (earth).

Ngu Hanh Son is about 7km northeast of Danang City. It is famous nationwide for its serene and beautiful landscapes. It has become one of the “must see” destinations for those who want to discover the wilds of nature and escape from the busy life in urban areas.

The path leading to Lang Hu Cave.

Kim Son Mountain is located in the southeast, near the Co Co River where the Ngu Wharf existed for the boat of the king to dock when travelling to Ngu Hanh Son. At the foot of the mountain there is a mysterious cave, over 50m in length, nearly 10m in width, and 10-15m in height. The path leading to the cave was created by natural stone steps and in the cave layers of stalactites form a delicate statue of the Goddess of Mercy.

Ancient Pho Dong Tower

Moc Son Mountain is close to the sea to the east. To the east and south of the mountain is a sand cave, while to the north are fields and to the west are hamlets. The top of the mountain is split into saw-tooth shapes that look like a cockscomb. For this reason, it is also called Mong Ga Mountain. On the mountain is a piece of white marble that looks like a sitting person, called Co Mu or Ba Quan Am by the local people.

Among the mountains of Ngu Hanh Son, Thuy Son is the highest. It has three peaks like three Tam Thai stars at the end of the Constelation of the Great Bear so it is called Tam Thai Mountain. The highest peak in the northwest is Thuong Thai. The lower peak in the south is Trung Thai and the lowest eastern peak is Ha Thai. Many beautiful caves, such as Linh Nham and Van Thong and pagodas such as Tam Thai and Linh Ung, are located on the mountain. From Vong Giang Dai (the River-Viewing Pavilion) on the mountain, tourists can contemplate the charming and romantic rivers of Cam Le and Han. The mountain also fascinates tourists by its diverse flora, such as Thien tue ( cycas revoluta), Thach truong sanh, cung nhan thao (amaryllis), canh thien (Crassule) and other plants and herbs.

Hoa Son consists of two mountains that are linked together by a stone path. The western peak on the bank of the Co Co River is called Duong Hoa Son. Here, there is Pho Son Da Pagoda and some caves. The eastern mountain is Am Hoa Son with many inclined marble slabs. The mountain is covered with green trees.

Tho Son, the lowest but longest mountain, is located to the north of Kim Son Mountain and to the west of Thuy Son Mountain. It looks like a dragon lying on a sandy beach. To the west of the mountain is a stretch of the Ba Cha River and the mountain has two layers with many steep cliffs. The mountain still has many preserved, ancient bricks from the Chiem Thanh Dynasty.

On Ngu Hanh Son, the marble has five colours and the colour depends on each mountain. For instance, pink marble is seen onThuy Son, white marble on Moc Son, red marble on Hoa Son, water-coloured marble on Kim Son and brown marble on Tho Son. To take advantage of the marble’s potential, the local people have deloveloped the craft of using the marble to create various fine art pieces to sell to tourists.

Ngu Hanh Son is considred a giant rock-work near the city of Da Nang. Visiting the mountains, tourists will surely be interested in the beautiful natural landscape, pure atmosphere and serene pagodas.