Tag Archives: Vietnam

Tet Festival – a vibrant celebration

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One of the best times to visit the city of Hanoi in Vietnam is during the Tet Nguyen Dan, which is shortened to the easily remembered “Tet”, which is Vietnam’s lunar New Year festival is conflated to become the birthday of the whole nation. Remember to secure some central Hanoi accommodation in the form of luxury Hanoi serviced apartments such as those that are featured at the Somerset West Lake Hanoi. The city quietens down during Tet, as most of the city folk go home to the country for the holiday. Many Vietnamese go all out in preparation of this significant day, when houses are cleaned from top to bottom to clear out all the old and stagnant energy of the previous year, debts are repaid as a symbol of “closing out” the year’s expenses, and conflicts are resolved. Respectful behavior is also a major part of the Tet festivities, and alcohol and tobacco are given up by many in honour of the New Year. You will get the chance to partake of all the festivities, pick up some really neat seasonal souvenirs and gifts, and be treated to an amazing fireworks display as the entire nation is reborn in the spirit of hope, prosperity and joy for the oncoming year.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Kiep Bac Festival – Revival of a Victory

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A country full of vibrancy, constant movement and development – Vietnam is guaranteed to be a unique cultural experience like no other. With streets full of motorbikes transporting huge televisions and refrigerators wrapped onto them with string, there is always something unusual to witness in this fascinating Southeast Asian city. One event in particular that will fascinate and thoroughly entertain all visitors is the Vietnamese Kiep Bac Festival. This festival is essentially a pilgrimage to the Kiep Bac Temple, which honours the saint Tran Hung Dao and has been carried out for centuries. An old Vietnamese custom, this festival occurs on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month and interestingly displays a revival of a famed battle on Luc Dau River consisting of a traditional palanquin procession on road and by boat. The purpose of this festival is to pay tribute to and worship Saint Tran, the main general of the Tran Dynasty, who successfully defeated the Chinese Nguyen-Mong invaders three times, a worthy testament of his military ingenuity and leadership.

A patriotic atmosphere encapsulates the participants of the festival as they relive the proud moment of victory from the country’s illustrious past. Any sightseers will be treated with this glorious sight as they too take in the historical rituals of the Hung Dao Community while also appreciating the sheer beauty of the surrounding landscape. The parade begins with a period of concentrated worshipping followed by another procession of a golden chair carrying Saint Tran’s ancestral tablet to the riverbank that is then placed on a barge. This boat-procession lasts for a few hours, after which the tablet is returned to the Kiep Bac temple. One of the more delightful aspects of the Kiep Bac Festival is a boat race on the Luc Dao River, where hundreds of boats participate and are cheered along to the steady beat of drums. This exciting and exhilarating experience is further heightened by the visual picture of the boats shooting across the river like arrows to a target. Any tourist observing this festival will indeed be transported back to the legendary battle where Saint Tan led his troops to victory.

Discover the beautiful Vietnamese culture at the Kiep Bac Festival and partake in the victorious and amazing feeling of the unique boat race, and the reenactment of the Luc Dao battle. While enjoying the festivities, the Harbour View Hotel Haiphong Vietnam is an ideal lodging option, which provides you with the best of Vietnamese hospitality. Revel in the exquisite and infamous Vietnamese cuisine while you appreciate the beauty of the French colonial décor at one of the best Hotels in Vietnam. The Kiep Bac Festival coupled with a stay at a luxury Hotel Haiphong has to offer its visitors will create vibrant memories to last a lifetime.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Keo Pagoda Festival – Highlighting Vietnamese customs, culture and rituals

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Vietnam is a country that boasts a vibrant array of cultural festivals that each showcases a different facet of its bejewelled society. One such example amongst many others is the festival of Keo Pagoda, which lasts for three days in honour of the famed Buddhist Monk of yore, Khong Lo. The festival is held twice each year; in the spring of the fourth day of the first lunar month and in the autumn from the 13th to the 15th day of the ninth lunar month. Emphasis, though, is given to the ninth lunar month’s 14th day as it is not only Khong Lo’s birthday but the 100th day after the official date of his death.

Come closer and listen well, for legend tells of the humble fisherman who achieved enlightenment as a Buddhist Monk, and secured his hold on the reins of history as the monk who cured King Le Thanh Tong of a terrible disease. This impressive deed still echoes throughout the ages and 900 years later is honored and celebrated in the festival that is as exuberant in spirit as it is magnificent in execution. The Keo Pagoda festival begins with a grand procession, a ceremony that precedes the incense offering ritual and followed by the mua ech vo (frog-catching dance) which pays respects to the gods. Incense is once again offered, this time to Lord Buddha.

The festival continues on to the second day with more traditional games and high-spirited entertainment amongst all festival goers. These include duck-catching and rice-cooking competitions as well as the highly intense yet exciting firecracker-hurling competition. Tourists who have taken part in the festival will undoubtedly say, though, that the highlight of the entire festival is the boat rowing dance on land; performed by 12 people in colorfully vivid costumes who mimic the motions rowing a boat while chanting in rhythm to the beats of a drum and one another holding a wooden fish. It is this final act that puts an end to this vibrant three-day festival.

This soul-enriching experience can only be complemented with a stay at one of the best luxury hotels in Vietnam that offer contemporary amenities and attentive hospitality. Consider checking into the Harbor View Hotel Haiphong Vietnam as it is a stellar choice of a five star hotel Haiphong has to offer its leisure and corporate visitors. With culinary expertise mixed with its undeniable style of French décor, it presents a welcome accommodation option to host your stay in Haiphong.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Vietnam National Day: ‘Ngay Quoc Khanh’

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The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed some of the greatest explorations instigated by the then euro centric world that eventually gave rise to the British and French empires as each state attempted to explore and conquer as many states as possible. With the rapid expansion of these empires, more than one third of the globe experienced colonial rule for at least a century. However, the intervention from the United Nations and the financial setbacks experienced during the world wars resulted in many of these colonies receiving independence from their colonial rulers and the day in which this independence was received was known as their Independence Day or National Day.
Vietnam’s National Day falls on the 2nd of September which honours the Vietnam Declaration of Independence in 1945 as they celebrate their liberation from the French colonial rule. Known as ‘Ngay Quoc Khanh’ in Vietnamese, the struggle leading to independence was difficult and filled with turmoil. During the Second World War, the state was also controlled by the Japanese and the confusion between the two powers created a platform upon which a struggle for independence, termed the August Revolution, was launched. This struggle finally culminated in liberation from colonial powers as the state emerged from a subjugated rule under the new name of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.


Henceforth, the 2nd of September was declared a Public and Bank holiday and on this day, Vietnam revels in the momentous occasion of every citizen coming together and celebrating their independence. The streets are lined with the national flags and the national colours of red and yellow are seen adorning buildings, houses and streets while the Vietnamese celebrate this joyous event by lighting firecrackers and organising a National Day march in the Ba Dinh Square.

For those who are staying at a Vietnam hotel during this time, most often they would be immersed in this joyous celebration and witness the spirit of the Vietnamese first hand while those who opt to stay at a resort in Mui Ne, may have to make their way to the closest city in order to partake in the festivities. For those who wish to detach themselves from the rest of the world, make your way to Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa and enjoy absolute luxury and comfort during your stay in Vietnam.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Kiep Bac Festival in Vietnam – The colours of tradition

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Kiep Bac is a scenic village in Vietnam, a dream like valley surrounded by green mountains and canopies of white mist. This place is mostly known for its association with national hero Tran Hung Dao. He used Kiep Bac as his hideout during the 13th century. Vietnam’s supreme commander during the Tran Dynasty, Dao is acclaimed for his military tactics and has won victories against the likes of Kublai Khan. Because of such feats as well as his loyalty, humbleness and simple qualities, he is considered a saint and worshipped by many Vietnamese.

The Kiep Bac Temple is a place of worship for those who want to pray to Tran Hung Dao. In fact the temple has a festival occurring on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month and a pilgrimage to the temple during this time is a centuries old Vietnamese tradition that still continues with the same kind of participation.
The temple was built during the 14th century and holds bronze statues of Tran Hung Dao and his family including his wife and two daughters as well as his four sons. After the main festival the commander’s ancestral tablet is brought out on a golden procession chair and taken towards the river with much grandeur and celebration. On reaching the river, the tablet is placed on a royal barrage and after a procession and ceremonies that last for more than two hours the tablet is brought back to the temple.

A key element of the festival is also the boat race. Boats shoot through the once calm waters of the lake, urged by the pounding beats of drums and the encouraging cheers of those watching. Fighting a battle of their own, they recreate an atmosphere of the battles fought by the supreme commander.

As one of Vietnam’s oldest festivals, the Kiep Bac Festival attracts hordes of tourists and locals every year. Accommodation can be arranged for visitors at any of the luxury hotels in the vicinity. Owing to the natural beauty and cultural importance of Kiep Bac and its surrounding areas, there are plenty of luxury hotel resorts to choose from. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas seems to be the most preferred option though.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Mid Autumn Festival – Especially for Kids!

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Vietnam is a country which has a vibrant culture and a combination of very friendly and hospitable people. The amount of places and festivals with a cultural value are wide and varied. One of the major festivals celebrated in the country is the Mid Autumn Festival. This festival is celebrated by both Chinese and Vietnamese people, but the celebrations are not exactly similar in both cultures.

Normally the fifteenth day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar is the day that the celebration takes part. This is grandly celebrated in Vietnam by families as a tradition. Folklore from Vietnam mentions that the adults in the community were very busy with the harvesting process and the children had to play alone. So to make up for this the parents took this festival as an opportunity to spend the day with the kids and make it a fun filled day for them. Because of this reason this festival is also called the Children’s Festival and is celebrated grandly.

The celebration includes both educational and fun activities. Lanterns are brought for children by the parents and the children light them in the dawn of the day of the festival and take part in the candlelit lantern procession. The procession is to signify the success in school and the lit candles represent brightness. Children make creative masks and perform Vietnamese dances. The Unicorn dancers are a very popular dance category.

At night under the silvery light of the full moon the parents tell the children fairy tales and serve them with moon cakes. These stories encourage the children to work harder and go forward towards their dreams. This truly is a family festival full of love, caring, gratitude and friendship. Find a Vietnam hotel for accommodation and enjoy these cultural events while getting pampered by the facilities in the hotel. Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is one perfect resort in Mui Ne which would offer you an impeccable service. The friendly staff make your stay smoother and relaxed while the mouth watering delicacies prepared by the hotel will keep you well fed. Take your kids to Vietnam during this festive season and let them experience this special children’s day too!

Vietnamese Lunar New Year the most important festival in Vietnam

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As a refreshing substitute to a hotel, Somerset Ho Chi Minh City offers its guests a resort-type retreat with beautiful and spacious peaceful apartments in Ho Chi Minh City. So if anyone is searching for Serviced Residence in Ho Chi Minh City the Somerset Ho Chi Minh should be definitely considered. If you’re in Vietnam during the early months of the year make sure that you witness the Vietnamese Lunar New Year which is a unique experience.

Vietnam Tet Holiday

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year also known as Tết or Tết Nguyên Đán is the most important festival celebrated throughout Vietnam. This festival marks the arrival of spring. It takes place on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar. Many Vietnamese people get ready for this festival by preparing cleaning the houses and preparing special holiday food. This is the season for family reunions and pilgrims, forgetting their past and hoping for the coming year to be prosperous and blessed.

Experiencing Cultural Festivals in Vietnam

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Vietnam boasts a rich history and cultural heritage which can be experienced through the many festivals that take place throughout the year. If you are on the lookout for a Vietnam hotel that offers a luxurious base from which to set off on your explorations, then Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is an ideal choice. This resort in Mui Ne is set amidst a picturesque beach setting and is a great place to unwind after a visit to local festivals. Among the cultural events you can witness when on your journeys include the Lim Festival in Ha Bac which features the singing of quan ho folk songs between boys and girls, the festival of Dong Da hill which commemorates the liberation of Thang Long by King Quang Trung and Nha Trang’s Water Festival. Taking place in the Tay Nguyen Highlands, the Spring Festival which features buffalo fighting is also worth experiencing.

 

 

Vietnamese Traditional Music and Instruments – A Harmony of Sound

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Vietnamese traditional music and instruments blend well with the sound of earth, air and nature and offer a raw and reliving contrast to a great many electronic devices today. However, Vietnamese music is also influenced by a significant extent by Chinese traditions. ‘Viet’ comprises the majority of Vietnam population and the musical instruments used in the country that fall into wind, string and percussion instruments are utilized by them as well as the minor ethnic groups. There is another categorization of instruments into Idiophone, Membranophone, Airophone And Chordophone.

One of the most authentic instruments of pure Vietnamese origin is the sound of the Dan Bau. It is a plucked Chordophone and the category that is made with bamboo is utilized by blind singers while the wooden board variety is used by professionals. With a string running along its body, the instrument produces its sound which can be made with a wooden pick or lately with an electric pick. The Dan Nguyet is yet another member of the Chordophonic family that is made of wood both hard and soft and has two strings running down that can be played with the fingernail, a tortoise shell or plastic plectrum and is used in traditional orchestra settings as well as to accompany ‘Van’ and ‘Hue’ singing.

Ty ba is another unique string instrument with the lower half resembling a cut pear which is connected to a wooden board where the strings are attached. The trapezium shaped Dan Tranah is something akin to the Japanese koto and is played with wooden pecks worn on the player’s hands. The cong chieng are musical instruments that are large and round and played on with hands or cudgels and are made of alloy copper.

From the luxurious harmony of music, turn to the luxurious warmth of hospitality that is offered in abundance in plush settings at Anantara hotels, resorts & spas. While the word ‘Anantara’ means endless, this chain of luxury hotel resorts are truly all about seemingly endless abundance of heavenly comforts and enriching experiences. As a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, the hospitality of Anantara has already extended to several countries, islands and famous holiday destinations. Among the luxury hotels in Vietnam, this is one chain of resorts that you should not pass up when looking to have a memorable holiday.