Ha Noi- You and I

Festivals in December

Village’s tutelary god Trinh Phuc Tu Hoa Doan Trang Thanh Mau Royal who, after death, helped villagers to avoid danger and robbery Involves: Commemoration of the village’s tutelary god

1. Dong Nai

Province Ky Yen Festival at Nguyen Tri Phuong Temple

Time: December 2nd – 3rd (16th and 17th day of the month lunar month)

Location: Nguyen Tri Phuong Temple, Buu Hoa Ward, Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province

Involves: Worship of Tien Hien and Hau Hien; a procession; offering; boi singing; and dancing.

2. An Giang

Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival

Time: December 4th-5th (18th and 19th day of the tenth lunar month)

Location: Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, Long Kien Commune, Cho Moi District, An Giang Province

objects of worship: Nguyen Trung Truc, the leader od an insurrection who rose up against the French in the South

Involves: Ceremonies; a recreation of the 19th century battle that destroyed French warships on the Nhat Tao River; boat races;Chinese chess; and traditional games

3. Quang Binh province

Le Son Village Rice Seedling Festival

Time: December 16th (1st day of the 11th lunar month)

Location: Le Son Village, Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province

objects of worship: Village’s tutelary god

Involves: Offering; a hardworking couple with a son and a daughter plant rice seedling in front of the communal house.

4. Ha noi

Nhi Khe Village Festival

Time: 11th December (25th day of the 10th lunar month)

Location: Nhi Khe Commune, Thuong Tin District, Hanoi

objects of worship: Mr. Doan Van Tai, the ancestor of wood carving in the 16th century Involves: Ancestor worship; a ceremony; chess games; and cheo singing.

5. Hung Yen

Duong Phuc Festival

Time: December 31st (16th day of the lunar month)

Location: Kim Dong District, Hung Yen Provinces

objects of worship: Village’s tutelary god Trinh Phuc Tu Hoa Doan Trang Thanh Mau Royal who, after death, helped villagers to avoid danger and robbery

Involves: Commemoration of the village’s tutelary god

6. Thai Binh

An Co Village Festival Time: December 30th ( 15th day of the 11th lunar month)

Location: Thuy An commune, Thai Thuy District, Thai Binh Province

objects of worship: Village’s tutelary god- Nam Hai Dai Vuong who encouraged farmers, protected crops, warded off natural disasters and diseases

Involves: Processions of tutelary god; sacrifice-offering ceremony in which 24 worshippers wear felt hats, mandarin boots and armor; chess games, wrestling; and cheo singing.

7. Hanoi City

Manh Tan Village Festival

Time: December 35th (10th day of 11th lunar month) Location: Manh Tan Hamlet, Thuy Lam Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi

objects of worship: Duong Giang, Ly Trieu Quoc Mau (Mother of the Country in the Ly Dynasty)

Halloween in Vietnam

Halloween is an interesting holiday but in Vietnam, it is not one of traditional festivals so it’s not held nationwide. However, you can enjoy full of Halloween atmosphere in the big cites, especially in restaurants, bars or hotels.Halloween is not one of traditional festivals in Vietnam; however, some big cities in Vietnam do also celebrate and enjoy Halloween parties. Vietnamese people believe that when a person died, they will move to another world. They will be allowed to go to the heaven or hell that depends on their attitude and behavior when they still live. Halloween is quite close ritual to the Vietnamese when naked hungry souls fly out and return to the ground.Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Vietnam, especially in the major cities. 

Halloween parties are mostly held at backpacker areas, usually in coffee shops, bars and restaurants. There are many activities for Halloween party but the most popular one which appears at almost every party is wearing Halloween costumes. At the coffee shops, scary movies are often played until midnight while bars and restaurants offer appealing Halloween deals with uniquely Halloween dishes such as blood soup made by tomato and musk sticks or Tombstone biscuits with the engraved R.I.P letters.The more upscale hotels tend to have a buffet party with a $30-$50 per ticket and invite singers and dancers to stir up the party. However, because Halloween was introduced to Vietnam in a touristy way, Halloween night in Vietnam is basically formalistic with the main purpose: to have fun. However, to make your Halloween in Vietnam complete, the costumes and accessories are indispensable.

In Hanoi, there is a street named Hang Ma supplying all things for this festival. You can find it around Old Quarter and the best way is walking to both see and choose what you want. Here, there are dozens of shops selling costumes and accessories for Halloween. However, most of things here are colorful and made in China, not make sure about health. In addition, you should bargain when wanting to buy something here and especially, keep you handbag carefully in case being theft because it’s very crowded in this street.

 In Ho Chi Minh City, near the backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao, you can find Halloween Art which specializes mostly in costumes, many kinds of masks but a limited selection of accessories. On Pasteur Street, you may try Hanah, one of a chain of party supply stores in the city, where you can find a greater selection of costume accessories and a healthy number of Halloween decorations. However, prices here may be a little higher than others.

If you are having the plan to enjoy Halloween in Vietnam, you should search some detail information about Halloween in Vietnam and check your hotel which celebrates Halloween party or not and Halloween activities in you destinations. Have a good trip and fun Halloween festival!

AA

Best place for honey moon

5 destinations below are the best suggestions for your honey moon to make it romantic, relaxing and sweet.
Sapa

Means of transportation: the most common way from Hanoi to Sapa is train with the ticket fee of 200 0

00-400 000VND, depending on the seats or beds. The train leaves Hanoi at about 10p.m and comes to Lao Cao train station at early morning. From train station to Sapa town, you can take a taxi or bus with the fee of 50 000VND/person. 
Hotels: the couples usually choose some hotels near Ham Rong mountain with the average fee of 250 000-400 000/day.
Attractions: love market (only on Saturday night), Ham Rong mountain, Cat Cat village, Ta Van, Ta Phin, Silver Waterfall, etc.
Specialty: the diversity of BBQ, sturgeon, salmon, many kinds of vegetables, mushroom species, etc. 
Nha Trang
Attractions: Wonderful beaches, a lot of entertaining places for the couples such as, Oceanography Institute, Bao Dai Palace, Cham Ponagar Tower. You can come to the mud bathing area (30 minute move by taxi) or you can relax at night by walking on the Villa Road with many coffee houses, ice-scream, cakes with the strange styles. Resorts: Vinpearland, Silkworm Island with traveling service by hot air balloon, etc. 
Specialty: jellyfish noodle, fish noodle, special cakes, etc. Especially, lobster here is quite cheap, sold right in the beaches. When you buy, your lobster will be grilled immediately on the beach. The taste is very special.
Da Lat

Means of transportation: airplanes or car. If you fly to Da Lat, you can take a taxi from Lien Khuong airport to Da Lat city with the fee of 180 000-250 000VND.
Hotels: near Da Lat or Xuan Huong Lake
Attractions: romantic land for honeymoon such as, Da Lat flower garden with hundreds of flower species, Crazy House, dreamy hill, love valley, etc. You can hire a motorbike to move easily with the average fee of 100 000VND/day. Other destinations: Truc Lam Pagoda, valleys, Lang Biang Plateau.
Specialty: grilled spring roll, crab soup, etc.
Phu Quoc Island
Means of transportation: airplane, cruise
Hotels: this island will cut the electricity from 22 p.m everyday so you should choose resorts to make sure to have electricity all day.
Attractions: beautiful and fresh beach, Phu Quoc Prison, pepper garden, blueberry garden
Specialty: seafood market with hundreds of delicious and cheap dishes with many strange fish species, special blueberry wine
Con Dao
Attractions: nice beaches, great swimming and snorkeling opportunities, maritime and national parks, diving, fresh and cool air.
Specialty: the diversity of fresh seafood, shrimp, kinds of fish sauce.