From pre-history to the WTO
Vietnam’s history is complicated – a minestrone of kingdoms and dynasties, invasions and resistance, independence and occupation. Guide books and potted histories that attempt a chronological synopsis of the 500,000 years since the first human habitation of Vietnam usually end up as an impenetrable mêlée of names and dates.

Rather than providing our customers with information that is freely available elsewhere, we prefer to try to interpret the development process that has led to modern Vietnam and attempt to shed a little light upon some of the more arcane, or positively baffling, modes of conduct and behaviour encountered by visitors to our country.

Putting chronology on one side, each of the eight pages in this section follows a particular theme, tracing the influences that have shaped and moulded the Vietnamese people over two millennia. They are intended to provide a framework to enable visitors to place the things they see and hear in a context that makes sense.

Striving for sovereignty
Since their emergence in the Vietnamese heartland of the Red River Delta seven thousand years ago, the Vietnamese have fought for their independence. This struggle, beginning with a thousand years of Chinese domination from the second century BC, has been a potent element in creating the Vietnam of today.

Defying invaders
Vietnam’s history has been one of resistance interspersed by periods of feudal communalism under dynastic rule. Many invaders have sought to conquer the country, including Kublai Khan’s Mongol army, and a few have succeeded. However, in every case, the Vietnamese have ultimately triumphed.

The Confucian influence
Whilst religion has been a powerful influence, the strictures of Confucianism, the most successful instrument of large-scale social control ever devised, have probably been the defining factor in the evolution of the Vietnamese character. An outline of its philosophy and development is a prerequisite to an understanding of modern Vietnam.

Incorporation and transformation
Vietnam has experienced numerous incursions of foreign forces, and their subsequent expulsion, throughout its history. Rapidly alternating balances of power have been instrumental in shaping the remarkable pragmatism of its people, and underpinned their assimilation of foreign religions and philosophies: beliefs and ideas that were absorbed and transformed into something distinctly Vietnamese.

Colonial occupation and liberation
The impact of a hundred years of colonialism has also left its mark, but perhaps more upon the tangible infrastructure of the country, rather than its people. However, the French occupation earns its right to being a discrete theme by its galvanising effect upon Vietnam’s burning desire for liberation and the subsequent commitment of most of its people to all-out war against the forces of the United States and its allies.

Reunification and a new direction
After victory, re-unification and eventual international recognition of Vietnam as a free and sovereign state, all these themes combined to set the stage for Vietnam’s recovery, reconciliation and eventual emergence into the world community. As our country struggles to establish its relationships and roles in the emerging world order of the new millennium and prepares for entry to the World Trade Organisation, the current pages of Vietnam’s history are being written by the juggernaut of globalisation, and its impact upon a people who virtually bypassed the twentieth century.

Continued here:
Van Chai Resort

Read more here:
Ho Tram Beach Resort and Spa

Continued here:
Ngan Sao Resort

Read the original:
Vinh Hung Hotels and Resort

COCO BEACH RESORT

Whitesand Doclet Resort & Spa

An Inspirational Paradise Within White Sand Doc Let Resort & Spa Nha Trang Located on the 28 – ha white sand hills (including 12 ha of luxurious bungalows & hotel, and 16 ha on the Wao island) overlooking the blue ocean and a 600- meter exclusive beach front, White Sand Doc Let Resort & Spa Nha Trang is gracefully landscaped with evergreen grass and palm trees, where sun, sea and landscaping have blended to offer an idyllic setting…

Tags: Bien doc let, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Hoa [ Edit ]

Palmira Phanthiet Resort

“Little Paradise” as most of our visitors and friends call Palmira Resort & SPA, was setup to help you make your relaxation an unforgettable one. Palmira Resort & SPA is located along the best beach of Mui Ne bay. Enter the gate passing through reception, to our natural coco garden and continuing via the main alley, you will reach a wide and beautiful white sand beach full of sunshine. Being around on our private beach for only…

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Van Chai Resort

Dear valued Guest Xin Chao! Welcome! We are delighted to welcome you to a resort destination that is truly one of a kind and uniquely in Vietnam. As a guest in the Van Chai resort offers comfort in a fishing village atmosphere, you’ll enjoy the pinnacle comfort and ultimate privacy. The Van Chai resort is a private beach own resort and has great variety facilities to offer services that cater to your immediate and individuals needs. Our dedicated…

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Life Resort in Vietnam

Life Resorts was created to provide a different kind of hospitality. We breathe Life into our Resorts by stimulating the senses of our guests in every aspect of their stay. We have designed each of our Resorts with respect for the environments and sensitivity of local culture, a combination designed to give our guests a genuine, rewarding experience. We strive to exceed the expectations of our guests in every facet of our service. This means bigger…

Tags: Datlat, Halong, Hoi an, Mui ne, quy nhon [ Edit ]

Ancient House Resort Hoian city

A home away from home for travellers who come to Hoian Ancient Town for Pleasure and Relaxation Welcome to our Hotel Front – day time River side in Hoi An At the Ancient House Resort, you will find the focus is on ensure your stay is truly relaxing where all you have to do is enjoy the good things in life. Ancient House offers you traditional familiar hospitality and warm ambience, combined with all the comforts of a modern hotel. Ancient…

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PANDANUS Mui ne Resort, Phan thiet resort

The Pandanus is the largest and most beautiful resort in Phan Thiet province. Built in 2004 within a ten hectare lush tropical garden on a three hundred meter long private beach, the Pandanus Resort has a large range of facilities and a variety of different accommodations, all designed to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable. Adjacent to the beach is a huge free-form pool, surrounding an island covered with palm trees. The buildings are designed…

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Vinpearl Land Nhatrang resort

Introduction to Vinpearl Resort & Spa Vietnam is widely known as a country with a hidden tropical charm. With the beautiful S-shaped strip of land closely surrounding the mysterious Indochina, Vietnam can easily fascinate visitors. Coming to Vietnam, visitors will have a chance to not only enjoy numberless beauty spots that the nature has generously endowed this country with but also find out about about plenty of traditional and modern…

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Sandy Beach Da Nang Resort

You cannot avoid a good night’s sleep at Sandy Beach Resort Danang. Ocean Front Bungalows with lullaby of waves lapping the seashores, soft whispers of the winds and larking of nature is, irresistible. Garden Bungalows immerse you in greenery, natural perfumery caresses of flora, and crisp fresh breezes are a guarantee to welcome every guest. Being family friendly, adjoining bungalows make sure parents can watch over their little ones during…

Day 2: Danang
Breakfast. Free time for swimming  on the beach or visit Hoi An Ancient town ( 30km far from Danang ). Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Danang- Nha Trang
Breakfast. Flight to Nha Trang. Overnight at hotels located at front of beach.

Day 4: Nha Trang
Breakfast. Free time for swimming  on the beach or take a boat trip to visit Nha Trang island. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Nha Trang- Mui Ne ( 250 km )
Breakfast. Depart to Mui Ne beach by private car.  Overnight at bungalows located at front of beach.

Day 6: Mui Ne
Breakfast. Free time for swimming  on the beach . Overnight at bungalows.

Day 7: Mui Ne
Breakfast. Free time for swimming  on the beach . Overnight at bungalows.

Day 8: Mui Ne - Ho Chi Minh City ( About 250 km )
Breakfast. Private car transfer to Ho Chi Minh city.
Afternoon: Arrive Ho Chi Minh city. Terminate tour.

* Include:
- Private car , Flight tickets
- Accommodation: 7 nights at double room with Air- condition follows program.

* Exclude: Lunches, Dinner, Guide, Drinks and other fees.

* Note: The cost excluded Visa To Vietnam !!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOTELS FEATURED IN PROGRAMS.

It was Dr. Alexandre Yersin who first put Dalat on the map. Yersin departed the port of Nha Trang in 1893 and headed for the unexplored central highlands of Vietnam, where he discovered an evergreen mountain paradise dotted with lakes and waterfalls.

The French émigrés living in Vietnam at the turn of the 20th century were desperate to escape the sweltering heat of the lowlands – Bana, Sapa, Tam Dao and Dalat were all established as mountain retreats by the French.

Despite the precipitous mile-high slopes, Dalat was established by 1912 and has pretty much continued to serve its initial purpose ever since. With cascading waterfalls, rolling mountains and a year-round cool climate, the city was naturally endowed and attractive to tourists. The area was also blessed with stunning biodiversity with wild flowers and cherry blossom trees lining the streets. Wealthy French émigrés built vacation homes in Dalat, which remain standing today giving the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

The photographer Dang Van Thong remembers in 1947 how Dalat was still in a relatively “primitive form”. “The population was sparse and pine forests were thick and endless. The literati described it as a ‘city in a forest and a forest in a city’. Even in the late 1980s, Dalat’s landscape was still poetic and dreamlike,” says Thong.

Today there are now top class golf courses and luxurious resorts catering for tourists, who can fly into Dalat’s Lien Khuong airport. But the city still knows which side its bread is buttered on. People flock here for the crisp, cool mountain air and the stunning views.

Dalat has also quite literally blossomed into the “Flower capital of Vietnam”. The temperate climate means Lam Dong province is ideal for agricultural cultivation – the area is renowned for its coffee plantations, vineyards, fruit and vegetable farms as well as its flowers.

The annual Dalat Flower Festival is a chance to celebrate the city’s natural beauty while showcasing the locality’s prized products: flowers, wine and coffee. It’s also a party. This year there was a festival within a festival: the Dalat Wine Festival offered guests 5,500 litres of Vietnamese, Old World and New World wine, generously provided by Vinh Tien, Dalat (Lado Foods) and Lang Biang companies.

Over 60,000 tourists attended the week-long event. Visitors could last week marvel at some spectacular floral arrangements: a 3,200sqm-flower arrangement made by Lam Dong Flower Association’s 20 member companies and 6,000 tulips provided by Viet Dang Company at Xuan Huong Lake; a chrysanthemum-tiger made by Agrivina Dalat Hasfarm Company; 100 peach trees provided by Dalat Peach Flower Valley on Ba Huyen Thanh Quan street; flowers and ornamental plants associations from Holland, South Korea, China and Taiwan.

There were also several records set to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi at the flower festival with a giant flower vase titled Hoan Kiem Lake made by 1,000 locals and tourists and two 54-metre long dragons representing the country’s 54 ethnic groups.

VietNamNet/Timeout

Opening December 11 in the lead up to Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary celebration next year, Hanoi Market Days at Van Thanh Tourist Park in Binh Thanh District will offer southerners and foreigners a chance to learn about the cultural heritage and culinary features of the north.

Those who left Hanoi decades ago for new homes in the south will be brought back closer to a place they used to call home.

The festival’s thatched huts and small boats on Van Thanh Lake will take visitors to a quieter, more rural Hanoi.

Women in ao tu than (traditional four-panel dress) will wear their hair in pony-tails covered with scarves tied over their head in what was the height of fashion in the capital hundreds of years ago.

A traditional market, northern cuisine, folk games, folk music and a photo exhibition will all demonstrate various aspects of northern life.

Women will carry goods on their bamboo shoulder poles and criers will sell traditional dishes and snacks such as banh day (round sticky rice cake), green tea, bun cha (vermicelli and grilled chopped meat). Vendors on small mobile carts used to roam every street corner of Hanoi, but they are getting rarer and rarer these days.

Renowned chefs from Hanoi will not only let patrons try their creations, they’ll also teach cooking classes so visitors can bring the taste of Hanoi back home to their own dining tables.

Many of Vietnam’s richest food traditions began in Hanoi. The fair will showcase fresh pho (rice noodle soup), cha ca (fried fish paste), banh cuon (steamed rice roll) and com (green rice), all of which are native to the capital.

Perhaps most widely known is pho, a simple rice noodle soup often eaten as a breakfast dish at street side cafes, mostly as pho bo, containing beef, but sometimes as pho ga, containing chicken.

Wrestling, crossbow shooting and folk games will keep kids busy while they are not eating.

Performances of water puppetry, ca tru, an old chamber music featuring female vocalists, quan ho, a Vietnamese folk music style, will also help introduce northern culture at the fair.

Artisans, craftsmen and cooks from traditional trade villages will cook rice wine, make pottery, weave fabric and draw folk pictures.

A photo exhibition of Hanoi “then and now” will also showcase the history of Hanoi.

The festival is open 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m. December 11 to 13. Tickets cost VND160,000 (US$8.75) per adult and VND100,000 per child.

Reported by Nguyet Anh

You need not travel across the country to experience the old-time ambience of the capital.

The sights and flavors of old Hanoi will hit Ho Chi Minh City next week at Hanoi Market Days, a three-day festival of food and tradition celebrating the capital’s rich cultural history.

Opening December 11 in the lead up to Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary celebration next year, Hanoi Market Days at Van Thanh Tourist Park in Binh Thanh District will offer southerners and foreigners a chance to learn about the cultural heritage and culinary features of the north.

Those who left Hanoi decades ago for new homes in the south will be brought back closer to a place they used to call home.

The festival’s thatched huts and small boats on Van Thanh Lake will take visitors to a quieter, more rural Hanoi.

Women in ao tu than (traditional four-panel dress) will wear their hair in pony-tails covered with scarves tied over their head in what was the height of fashion in the capital hundreds of years ago.

A traditional market, northern cuisine, folk games, folk music and a photo exhibition will all demonstrate various aspects of northern life.

Women will carry goods on their bamboo shoulder poles and criers will sell traditional dishes and snacks such as banh day (round sticky rice cake), green tea, bun cha (vermicelli and grilled chopped meat). Vendors on small mobile carts used to roam every street corner of Hanoi, but they are getting rarer and rarer these days.

Renowned chefs from Hanoi will not only let patrons try their creations, they’ll also teach cooking classes so visitors can bring the taste of Hanoi back home to their own dining tables.

Many of Vietnam’s richest food traditions began in Hanoi. The fair will showcase fresh pho (rice noodle soup), cha ca (fried fish paste), banh cuon (steamed rice roll) and com (green rice), all of which are native to the capital.

Perhaps most widely known is pho, a simple rice noodle soup often eaten as a breakfast dish at street side cafes, mostly as pho bo, containing beef, but sometimes as pho ga, containing chicken.

Wrestling, crossbow shooting and folk games will keep kids busy while they are not eating.

Performances of water puppetry, ca tru, an old chamber music featuring female vocalists, quan ho, a Vietnamese folk music style, will also help introduce northern culture at the fair.

Artisans, craftsmen and cooks from traditional trade villages will cook rice wine, make pottery, weave fabric and draw folk pictures.

A photo exhibition of Hanoi “then and now” will also showcase the history of Hanoi.

The festival is open 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m. December 11 to 13. Tickets cost VND160,000 (US$8.75) per adult and VND100,000 per child.