Typical for modern Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a temple attracting the most crowded tourists in Ho Chi Minh City.

Located at 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is the most famous temple in Ho Chi Minh City.

The founders of the temple were Thich Tam Giac and Thich Thanh Kiem from the Northern. The name of Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Saigon is same named with a wooden pagoda as Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Duc La Commune, Tri Yen District, Tang Giang District, Bac Giang Province. This is a temple established from the reign of King Ly Thai To, which was the center of Buddhism propagation of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism.

In 1971, Vinh Nghiem pagoda was basically completed, including the central building, Quan The Am Stupa, the buildings for social activities.

The pagoda is a quite monumental, traditional architecture with red tiled roofs with curved heads. In 2005, due to the implementation of the project to expand Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, the Tam Quan gate of the pagoda was relocated to the present location.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is one of the typical works for Vietnamese Buddhist architecture in the 20th century.

This is also a temple attracts the number of tourists visiting and admiring the leading of Ho Chi Minh City today.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – the most famous temple in Saigon
Nguyen Thanh Van

Quang Binh is the home to numerous majestic caves; some of which were recognized as World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. At the contemporary time, caving is gaining its seemly endless popularity to be one of the most popular adventurous activities for those who fancy exploring the very best of Quang Binh Province and to be in harmony with nature.

Plan a great expedition of caving and deep in exploring amazing natural caves of the region, thereby obtaining full ultimate experience with the fascinating collection of stalactites and stalagmites, coupled with unique and extraordinary stalactite lakes, which helps to create the distinct and glamorous mystery. First and foremost, Son Doong Cave, located in the heart of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, which is known as the world’s largest cave is worth an exploration as it offers you an unforgettable experience. Setting your foot inside the cave is almost like entering a magical world with amazing landscape, enormous stalagmites rising from the ground. Especially, you may be taken aback by the ceiling which is like an alien species. Actually, Son Doong Cave is another totally different world highlighted with jungles emerging inside the cave. Caving Son Doong will help you experience to the fullest.

Another not-to-be-missed site for caving in Quang Binh is to explore En Cave – the world’s third largest cave. Like Son Doong Cave, En Cave is such another great world with its own landscape, jungle and weather system. To make your caving experience more amazing, head to the last peak of the cave, you will be pampered with a splendid view over the cave. Moreover, you will have an opportunity to get a closer look at the wonderful geology of the cave which has experienced 3 million years old with a selection of oldest karst system.

Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Caving in Quang Binh
Nguyen Thanh Van

For those who are seeking adventures to indulge in heart-touching mountainous Vietnam’s nature, Ma Li Peng Pass is the most impressive one. Conquering Ma Li Peng Pass will offer you the most ultimate experience, thereby making your adventure more exciting than ever.

Brief Information of Ma Li Peng Pass

With a length of over 20 kilometers and a height of 2, 000 meters located in Happiness Road, Ma Pi Leng Pass in Ha Giang Province is currently one of the most imposing passes connecting Dong Van District and Meo Vac District. Built from the 60s of the 20th century by H’mong workers, Ma Pi Leng Pass in H’mong language means “Horse Nose Bridge” as it is a dangerous road that horses are afraid of passing it. Ma Pi Leng is special in every angle, especially its ancient sediments existing for hundreds of years.

Also known as Vietnam’s Great Wall or the Pyramid of the Meo, Ma Pi Leng, with no doubt, is regarded as the most dangerous road of the northern mountainous area. However, the well-known pass owns its breathtaking and splendid beauty, representing the sights, sounds, and tastes of the whole region.

Attractions of Ma Li Peng Pass

There is nothing quite like looking down from Ma Pi Leng to take in the spectacular view of the zigzagging Nho Que River and Tu San Deep located at the foot of Ma Pi Leng Pass. Ma Pi Leng, for sure, offers travelers a chance to experience the greatness of nature. Gaze out at surrounding soaring mountains and deep in fantastic canyon to marvel at stunning vertical cliffs as well as rock deserts around. Besides being captivated by magnificent scenery, you can obtain amazing experience to deep in exploring karstification, karst, and non-karst landforms.

Do not hesitate to take adventurous experience by climbing to the top of Ma Pi Leng and immersing yourself in a huge space surrounded by endlessly stretching ranges of soaring mountains accompanied by refreshingly cool weather to sense the strong vitality of the region development.

Actually, thanks to the great natural landscape, Ma Pi Leng has become a source of inspiration for many artists generating artful works and thus depicting the cultural and traditional values of Vietnamese people in general and local people in mountainous areas in particular.

With Rubicon Tours Vietnam explore Ha Giang:

3 Days 2 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tours

Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Ma Li Peng Pass – The Iconic Destination for Adventure in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the oldest continuously developed areas in Vietnam that has gone through a history of 2000 years. Situated near the Hoan Kiem Lake and Long Bien Bridge. Used to be a former citadel wall, the Old Quarter became more well-known as a crafts area when King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital from Hoa Lu to Hanoi in the 11th century. Later, the area turned into a village for Hanoi local people with a round structure with thousands of houses on stilts. In the 13th century, some tiny workshop villages gathered into craft cooperatives. Skilled craftsmen moved to the Quarter and performed similar services. They lived and worked together to transform private merchandise to the designated streets.

Most Iconic Streets of Hanoi Old Quarters

Hang Bac Street

In the Old Quarter, most of the streets started with the word “Hang”, which means shop or merchandise. Hang Bac is one of the oldest streets in Vietnam which dated back from 13th century. “Bac” means silver because the street was a silver manufacture under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong. Since the 18th century, the street has performed more functions. Besides making silver ingots, the street also sells jewelry and exchanges money. If a merchant wanted a large amount of money for business transactions, they would exchange the metal bars on Hang Bac. Although the money paper was used later, the name Bac remained as the unique point of the street. Nowadays, the street mostly sells gold, silver as jewelry and exchanges money.

Hang Be Street

In the mid-19 century, Hang Be street was the place where the craftsmen made bamboo rafts. Each raft consisted of 12 to 15 bamboo poles lashed by the bamboo bark. The bamboo poles were sold in Hang Tre street. Bamboo raft played an important role in the traveling and fishing of the residents because they could easily move through Hanoi’s shallow river, swamps and lakes.

Cau Go Street

Cau Go Street means “Wooden Bridge Street”, which is located by the lake shore. Many years ago, there was a bridge connecting Thai Cuc Lake and Hoan Kiem Lake. Under the French colonialization, the lake and stream were filled with land and the bridge was not used anymore, but it was still a regular street for local people. Nowadays, Cau Go street is a business street where specializes in women’s accessories.

Hang Dao Street

Hang Dao street is one of the main streets in the Old Quarter running from the north to the south, dividing the quarter into two halves. “Dao” refers to the pink peach blossoms, the symbol of Tet in Vietnam. At that time, there was a huge demanding for this color, so the street was named after that story. In the past, the street was a center for silk products. On the first and sixth days of lunar months, there were fairs that people tried to try silk products for French and Hanoi local people. When there was a turn from 19th to 20th century, the street sold not only silk but also western clothing products. Nowadays, this street is specializing in ready-made clothes.

Dong Xuan Street/ Market Street

Located at the meeting point of To Lich River and Red River, Dong Xuan Market was the oldest, busiest and the biggest market in Hanoi. When the French occupied Hanoi, they required the merchants to sell goods inside the market in order to collect tax. When there was an increase in the number of merchants, the market was enlarged. There were five gates leading to the building, each gate was used for special goods. Nowadays, the market is mostly for wholesales and the goods sold here are more diverse than they were before.

Hang Mam Street

The name of Mam rooted from “fish sauces”, which is a kind of ingredients commonly used in Vietnam dishes. The street was originally located on the riverside near the day’s catch. After the sauce was made, it was stored in barrels that were made on Hang Thung Street. From 1940, a ceramics industry including memorial stone etching, tombstone and coffin appeared and replaced the fish sauce business.

Ma May Street

The street is a combination of two streets. Hang May sold products from rattan while Hang Ma sold sacred joss. At the end of the 20th century, the streets turned into one called Ma May. Nowadays, the street does not sell any special products. It is a common spot for tourists to enjoy their vacations in Hanoi.

Hang Thiec Street

In the past, the tinsmiths were produced on this block. Originally, the craftsmen manufactured small tin cone-shape to make conical hats. Then the tins were transported to the nearby Hang Non Street where made the hats. The street also made candlesticks, oil lamps, and opium boxes.

The Old Quarter is a legacy of Hanoi through a long history, but the area is facing huge challenges due to fast development. During your Vietnam vacation in Hanoi Old Quarter, you will be busy in the morning with thousands of merchandise shops and lively in the evening with a number of restaurants and bars. Spending a few days there on a Hanoi tour will not make you disappointed.

Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Hanoi Old Quarter of 36 Iconic Streets
Nguyen Thanh Van