Halong Bay is the first symbol of Vietnam.

This place, considered a natural wonder, has nearly 1600 islands and limestone islets covered with dense vegetation and populated by birds that form a unique landscape in the world. For a long time this area was full of pirates hiding among the limestones and in secret bays. Now the pirates have been replaced by the cruise ships from which you will discover the beauty of these formations. Read More “Discovery of Halong Bay”

In the heart of Hue, the Nguyen Dynasty has been ruling the city and the surroundings for years during the 19th Century. Therefore, during their successive reign, the different emperors have been developing the city and they have been building many monuments in its surroundings.

For instance, the first emperor of the Dynasty, Gia Long, lead the project of the An Cuu Canal (known as Phu Cam canal), linking the Perfume River to Cau Hai Lagoon in order to ease the journey to the south and to enhance the lands south of the city. This is one of the many constructions the different emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty have made during their reign and all of them have marked the city in their own ways according to their own architectural taste.

Read More “On the kings’ tracks”

In Central Vietnam, in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, the nature has been working hard to design a unique treasure. Under the actions of the elements, water mainly; nature has eroded these places, giving birth to some complex cave networks.

For a few years, this area has been recognized by Vietnamese government and by the UNESCO as an exceptional natural patrimony which reveals itself to the world very slowly thanks to the work of speleologists and adventurers who struggle to discover these underground treasures. Therefore, each year, this part of Vietnam appears step by step to the world.

Now, the whole park offers to rediscover a large range of forgotten sensations in an impressive environment.

Read More “Phong Nha Ke Bang – Paradise Cave and Dark Cave”

Every traveler, even you, has noticed this small fragrant stick, if not by directly seeing it, your nose will have picked up its light smell when walking in some houses, temples, pagodas and other monuments. As it seems it’s such a small item, but its lifetime is still very complex and it holds a very important position in Vietnamese society.

First of all, let’s remember what incense is; a thin stick of bamboo covered with a resin of Sandalwood which is finally used during many ceremonies and rituals of the daily life of Vietnamese people. Therefore, here is its life and the story of its production in Hue.

Read More “Lifetime of an incense stick”

Hue, former capital of Vietnam and center for the Nguyễn Dynasty, first developed North of the Perfume River, around Kim Long and Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, it moved around the Royal Palace and the fortified city around the waterways and the canals.

During the Indochina Era, French settled on the southern bank of the river and many monuments, often ignored by the tourists, provide evidences of their former presence. Today, most of those monuments are nationalized and occupied by various city departments.

Read More “A Stroll in Hue”