Photo: Internet

Located in the southern province of Tay Ninh, Ba Den Mountain is always crowded by Vietnamese people and tourists coming from across the country during the Year-end Thanksgiving season. This event is a sacred moment of each person making pilgrimages to the spiritual legends, returning offerings, and thanks to what they asked for at the beginning of the new year.

The stunning beauty of a complex of famous spiritual works here includes the Ba Pagoda system (Linh Son Tien Thach Tu), where Linh Son Thanh Mau (Linh Son Holy Mother Bodhisattva) is situated and worshiped. In the religious life of Southern people, Linh Son Thanh Mau is the highest spiritual symbol that guides and nurtures them with compassion and mercy for sentient beings. The Ba Pagoda complex also encompasses Hang Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, and others, all of which have a history of nearly 300 years, drawing millions of tourists annually for worship and prayers for peace.

On every Saturday night in the last month of the year, thousands of Sun World Ba Den Mountain cable cars carry people to the top of the sacred mountain to attend the most magical spiritual ceremony of flower garlands and lanterns offerings. To fill the night sky with illuminating lights, locals and tourists assemble and inscribe their wishes on the lanterns themselves, contributing to a distinctive and sacred experience on the highest mountain in the South.

Source: Collected

The consecration ritual for the magnificent statue of Maitreya Buddha on Ba Den Mountain will take place on January 28, 2024. In the opening ceremony, an unparalleled event will take place on top of Ba Den mountain, where more than 2024 lanterns will be offered by Buddhists and tourists from different places. It will see the presence of more than 500 Buddhist monks and nuns from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Photo: Collected

As special interest tourism such as sports tourism or wellness tourism has become a booming market across the globe, NovaWorld Phan Thiet in Vietnam with its international facilities and top-notch services will definitely bring comprehensive rexperience to foreign sports tours.

NovaWorld Phan Thiet is hoped to help boost Vietnam’s sports tourism and luxury tourism segment due to several factors:

First, NovaWorld Phan Thiet has an overall area of 1.000 hectares, with NovaWorld Sport Complex accounting for 38,7 hectares. For sports tours, international customers can get access to more than 20 different sports facilities including Nova Football - an international football academy with a leading professional coaching team, a Olympic-standard swimming pool, basketball courts, tennis fields, 36-hole PGA golf course and and utility infrastructure to meet all needs of accommodation, dining and entertainment after training sections. In addition, the weather in Vietnam is warm and bright, which is perfect for playing sports all around the year.

According to NovaWorld Phan Thiet, they had welcomed a group of 500 young Korean football players coming to Vietnam for 2 months to attend the 2023 Korean Youth Football Congress, together with training and relaxing when South Korea was in a winter season.  

Second, sports tourism is undoubtedly a potential market, especially in correlation with wellness tourism, which are the two main focuses of NovaWorld Phan Thiet. 

This 1.000-hectare area is a hotspot including a variety of accommodations such as separate resort villas and 4 to 5-star hotels. There are also stylish bungalow resort clusters with influences from Korean and European designs. In addition to the Sport Complex, international sportsmen can enjoy other attractions there such as Circus Land Amusement Park, Festival Street which offers over 50 different brands for shopping and dining, Bikini Beach Marine Park, and Wonderland Water Park.

Third, NovaWorld Phan Thiet is also a tourism-friendly hub catering to open the easiest routes to get there. Either traveling by air or by car, visitors can be amazed by the stream-lined connection between major entry ports and NovaWorld Phan Thiet, which is located in Binh Thuan province. 

With the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway came into force in 2023, it only takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes car drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet. If you enter Vietnam through Long Thanh International Airport, NovaWorld Phan Thiet is only 55 minutes away from you. Then, let’s relax after a tough training session and hop in a car to Phan Thiet City which is famous for its crystal-clear beaches and endless sand dunes, 15 minutes for a remarkable experience!

Photo: Hoang Trieu

With over 4.000 years of long standing history, Vietnam is a well-known country for its rich traditions and customs, and for the patriotic pride of home-landed people. In the act of honoring eventful days for the country, Vietnamese people from a long time ago have commemorated six public days/periods that you may have heard of before, such as Lunar New Year.

In this article, let’s take a close look at how we celebrate them and maybe next time, you can join us in a festive atmosphere when you come to Vietnam.

1. New Year’s Day

Based on the solar calendar, when the clock clicks at twelve, New Year’s Day marks the beginning of a new year all over the world and Vietnam is no exception with this move of time. 

On New Year’s Day, although it is not the main occasion that all Vietnameses embrace, we often gather together to have a warm dinner and to share our accomplishments as well as regrets with friends and family. We also take this time to exchange wishes and to make resolutions for the best upcoming year. 

Countdown 2024 and fireworks display at the Saigon River tunnel (Source: Collected)

In cosmopolitan cities like Saigon or Hanoi, the repercussions of Chirtmas atmosphere have even made New Year’s Day more delightful and appealing! Foreigners are highly recommended to pay a visit and witness the traditional and contemporary beauty of Vietnam during this time of the year.

2. Lunar New Year

In the heart of Vietnamese people, nothing can beat the specialties that Tet Holiday offers, such as cultural decorations, traditional dishes, temple hopping, fireworks, and family reunions. It is the biggest and the longest holiday in Vietnam, which often celebrates in late January and early February, but the preparations have already begun a long time in advance. 

If you have a chance to visit Vietnam during Tet Holiday, the festive atmosphere here might blow you away: each home is decorated with signs “Chúc mừng năm mới” (Happy New Year) and a symbolic tree such as kumquat trees, peach blossoms, or apricot blossoms; families hang out and take pictures in their new clothes, traditional ao dai at colorful flower markets and walking streets, etc; a lot of foreigners enjoy watching first-hand how câu đối (parallel sentences) are written and they bring them back to their home countries as a gift. 

Photo: Internet

On New Year Eve, visitors can join Vietnamese people to wait for the move of time. Right at twelve o’clock on the lunar calendar, fireworks will fill the sky and everyone holding hands wishes for the upcoming year. 

3. Labour Day/ International Workers’ Day

Widely celebrated all over the world, Labour Day, or “Ngày Quốc tế Lao động” in Vietnam falls on the 1st May each year. From 1945 on, President Ho Chi Minh authorized International Workers’ Day as a public holiday in Vietnam, permitting employees an annual break on that day. 

More than a day off, Vietnamese people honor this occasion to ongoing achievements of the workforce and promote the importance of labor rights no matter what era. 

The spirit of International Workers' Day is eternal (Source: Collected)

On Labour Day, foreigners are likely to see official parades or rallies, and streets in many big cities are decorated with banners, national flags, and flowers. You may even attend some events where authorities in Vietnam give a speech celebrating this day. 

4. Hung Kings Commemoration Day

“Whoever go back and forth

Remember the anniversary of the Tenth of March”

Every Vietnamese people mark in their hearts this "six-eight" verse form in remembrance of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, which is celebrated on the 10th day of the third lunar month each year.

According to Vietnamese mythology, the Hung Kings were instrumental in establishing the country and contributing to its early development. The commemoration serves as a way for the Vietnamese people to express their gratitude and pay homage to these glorified ancestors. 

People often pay a visit to the Hung Temple (Phu Tho Province) on that day and practice traditional ceremonies to honor their heritage such as offering incense, performing worship rituals, and participating in cultural events.

5. Reunification Day

On April 28, 1975, the national flag of Vietnam was hoisted over the Independence Palace to finalize the victory of the momentous Ho Chi Minh Campaign. This historical event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the establishment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. With that, April 30th was chosen to be a public holiday commemorating the independence and reunification of the country after 30 years fighting against imperialism. 

Photo: Internet

Nowadays, the Vietnamese people celebrate the reunification and the victory over foreign intervention by various events, including official ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances held across the nation.

Many families across the country also offer incense and honor their family members who sacrificed their lives during the war.

6. Independence Day of Vietnam

Vietnam's National Day, also known as Independence Day of Vietnam, is an important celebration that commemorates the nation's liberation from French colonial rule. This milestone event happened on September 2, 1945 when President Ho Chi Minh declared the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Flag raising ceremony to celebrate National Day September 2 at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi (Source: TTXVN)

Vietnamese people celebrate its Independence Day as a significant national holiday, marked with numerous patriotic activities and events held across the nation including official occasions, flag-hoisting ceremonies, processions, cultural programmes, and firework displays.

The holiday provides the Vietnamese people with a chance to display their loyalty to the country, think back on the nation's path to freedom, and honor the unity and autonomy of the country. 

Photo: Collected

Hue foods are not only famous for the way they are prepared but also for their meticulous decoration. Each dish is like a work of art with a sophisticated appearance, rich flavors, and substantial health benefits.

There is only one way to better understand the uniqueness of Hue food: try them all. Or at least you should finish the list of the 16 most famous dishes below. Read carefully for the best taste of Hue!

1. TOP 5 Hue noodles - Among the best Hue food

1.1. Banh Canh Nam Pho (Nam Pho Thick Noodle Soup)

Nam Pho thick noodle soup is an impressive Hue appetizer, which is highly recommended by locals. It is also a wonderful breakfast choice that can set you up all day long. 

Banh Canh Nam Pho is served hot, with thinly sliced pork belly and prawns on top. The soul of this dish is the pure, naturally sweet broth made of crab and shrimp. Fresh herbs are added for additional aroma to make the dish even more delectable.

1.2. Bun Thit Nuong (Vermicelli with grilled pork)

"Once you taste it, you will never forget it"—that is how tourists describe the grilled pork vermicelli—one of the most iconic treats of Hue cuisine.

This dish's ingredients are simple, including vermicelli, pork, pickles, peanuts, and fish sauce. But its flavor is not that rustic. Instead, Bun Thit Nuong always comes with a pleasant and enjoyable taste. 

Bun Thit Nuong is considered a must-try when visiting Hue (Source: Collected) 

1.3. Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup)

Hue Beef Noodle Soup is a delicious and nutritious choice for all-time eating: breakfast, lunch, and even dinner. This is the most popular Hue food in Vietnam. However, only in Hue can tourists find the best version of the most traditional one.

Thick vermicelli, thin slices of beef, and an unmistakably spicy broth are three things that make Bun Bo in Hue stand out from other regions. The broth with beef bones, fish sauce, and local spices will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. 

1.4. What to eat in Hue? Banh Canh Ca Loc

Banh Canh Ca Loc (snakehead fish thick noodle soup) is a great hot dish to enjoy on rainy or cold days. The noodle is soft, moderately chewy, and comes in an amazing clear white. Meanwhile, the snakehead fish has a rich taste, not fishy or broken. And the broth is crystal-clear but tastes perfectly rich.

Banh Canh Ca Loc is one of the dishes that best represents the quintessence of Hue food (Source: Collected) 

1.5. Banh Uot Thit Nuong (Rice Noodle Rolls with Grilled Pork)

Banh Uot Thit Nuong (Rice Noodle Rolls with Grilled Pork) is a famous Vietnamese food in Hue. The dish is served with barbecued meat, noodle rolls, dipping sauce, local herbs, and vegetables.

Banh Uot Thit Nuong is a popular Hue street food (Source: Collected) 

What makes this dish special is the signature dipping sauce made of soybean paste. All the ingredients of this dish together produce a fusion of flavors and textures: the thin and soft noodle rolls; the slightly spicy, creamy dipping sauce; the tender, well-seasoned grilled meat; and the fresh, fragrant herbs. 

2. Iconic Hue dumplings and crispy pancakes for your bucket list

2.1. Banh Khoai (Hue Crispy Rice Pancake)

Banh Khoai is a well-known royal dish of Hue food. Everyone who enjoys it will love its fragrance and crispiness. This famous pancake has a complex recipe with so many ingredients. Even the dipping sauce is made of ten different spices and herbs, among other components. 

2.2. TOP 16 mouth-watering Hue foods? Banh Nam (Flat Steamed Rice Dumpling)

Banh Nam is made from tapioca flour, rice flour, shrimp, and banana leaves. It remains the most popular Hue street food because of its delicacy and unique shrimp flavor.

When presented, Banh Nam has a milky white tint with a lovely orange color from the shrimp on top. On tasting, the dish is soft but not greasy. It is best when paired with sweet-and-sour fish sauce.  

Banh Nam is an indispensable dish on the Hue street food tour (Source: Collected) 

2.3. Banh Bot Loc (Hue Clear Shrimp and Pork Dumpling)

Banh Bot Loc is loved in many Vietnamese localities. The authentic taste, however, can only be appreciated by savoring it in Hue.

When enjoying it, diners first feel the soft yet chewy wrapper before soaking in a rich filling of simmered shrimp and pork. This is an experience that everyone must try at least once.

2.4. Banh Beo (Steamed Water Fern Rice Cake)

Banh Beo is a quite simple street food in Hue. However, this dish can enrich visitors’ Hue food tours with its unique flavors. This cake is served in a ping-pong bowl with shrimp filling, green onions, and sweet-spicy fish sauce. Everything matches beautifully, creating a true Hue royal vibe. 

Banh Beo Hue is cheap yet delicious (Source: Collected) 

2.5. Banh Ep (Thin Scallion Pancakes)

Hue food is always distinct and flavorful, and Banh ep is one such dish. The pancake is thin and as small as the palm of your hand, but the inside is full of yummy shrimp paste. When it comes to “heirloom” dipping sauce, no one can get enough of it. 

2.6. TOP must-try Hue street food? Banh Ram It

Besides popular Hue foods like Bun Bo or Banh Canh, tourists should try Banh Ram It once when coming to Hue. This dish has a very eye-catching appearance, and its flavor is exquisite, too, thanks to the excellent combination of softness and crispiness. 

Banh Ram It in Hue (Source: Collected)

3. AWESOME rice dishes in Hue to satisfy your hunger

3.1. Com Am Phu

Com Am Phu is served with white rice, spicy chili garlic fish sauce, and many of Hue's delicacies. To fully enjoy the delightful taste of this dish, diners should mix the rice well with other ingredients and drizzle a little fish sauce.

3.2. Best food in Hue? Com Hen (Clam Rice)

Calm Rice is a combination of rice, clams, and local spices. This simple dish is one of the best Hue foods that can offer foodies the most distinctive flavor of the city. Usually, this dish will be served with various toppings such as clam water, fish sauce, local herbs and veggies, etc. 

Clam rice is attractive with the color of many ingredients (Source: Collected)

4. Other unmissable Hue food

4.1. Va Tron (Hue Mixed Figs)

Previously, Hue Mixed Figs were only cooked at family parties or holidays, but now visitors can order this type of Hue food from any restaurant. 

In fact, this dish has a simple preparation and uses familiar ingredients like meat, herbs, fish sauce, and figs. However, once you try this, you will definitely remember it forever.

4.2. Nem Lui (Hue Lemongrass Pork Skewers)

Nem Lui in Hue is always something tourists cannot leave without taking a bite. The dish is mainly made from pork and pork skin. Locals cook it on a charcoal grill to create an appealing aroma.

Hue Lemongrass Pork Skewers (Source: Collected)

Nem Lui is best when eaten hot with rice paper, local herbs, and the signature dipping sauce.  

4.3. Hen Xuc Banh Trang

Hen Xuc Banh Trang is not as famous as other Hue foods, but it is certainly worth trying. The dish is a mixture of dry roasted clams, spices, and crispy fried rice paper. When eating, diners will use rice paper as a spoon to collect clams and eat them together. 

Hue is not huge, but there are many specialties to taste, things to do, and destinations to visit. Among them, the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, the Tomb of King Thieu Tri, Trang Tien Bridge, and Perfume River are some famous stopovers. With that in mind, travelers should carefully consider selecting suitable accommodations in advance. 

Source: Vinpearl.com