One Pillar Pagoda or Lotus Pagoda in Vietnamese is often called Chua Mot Cot, located in the center of the capital. This is one of the most common symbols and the most important historical site of present-day Hanoi. Not only having a long history, the pagoda is also impressive with its distinctive style of architecture which resembles a lotus flower in bloom. For visitors to Hanoi, this is a must-see site.

One Pillar Pagoda History

One Pillar Pagoda was started building for the first time by King Ly Thai Tong in October of year 1049. According to history records, the king who at that time hadn’t had a son to succeed his throne once came to many pagodas to pray for his wish to come true. He returned and dreamt of Guan Yin sitting on a blooming lotus on a square pond. In the dream, the Guan Yin invited him to a specific pagoda in Nhat Tru village and gave him a fairy newborn. After the dream a while, the queen gave birth to a boy. The king then knew that the gods had helped him, came to Nhat Tru village and built a pagoda that has one pillar and a roof looked like a blooming lotus, named first as Dien Huu pagoda (meaning Long Happiness).

Annually, the king visited the pagoda on the 8^th of lunar April to attend the Buddha Washing ritual with all monks of the capital. After the ritual, the king would stand on a pedestal before the pagoda and release a bird in the cheering of people. One pillar pagoda was restored many times by many emperors before being completely ruined in the 20^th century.

In 1954, the French troops, before withdrawing from Hanoi, destroyed the pagoda by mine. After Ho Chi Minh’s government taking over Hanoi, the department of culture began to rebuild and restore the pagoda, sticking to the original state.

Architecture of One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda is placed in a complex with the pagoda itself, another pagoda nearby and a Tam Quan gate. The main pagoda is made of wood, with a  statue of Guan Yin inside. This style of architecture already existed before the pagoda as an example of another one pillar pagoda in Ninh Binh with an 8 sided stone pillar resembling a lotus flower. Linh Chieu lake was added later in 1105 by king Ly Nhan Tong. One Pillar pagoda as you see of today is 4m high with each curved roof side is 3m wide and a single pillar 1.25m in diameter. The pillar is actually made of 2 blocks of rock. In the whole work, the roof is the most important part, especially to religious buildings. One Pillar pagoda’s roof is curved in all 4 sides and decorated with traditional patterns of two dragons facing the moon. This pattern, to Vietnamese people, symbolizes the holy power bringing the wish for wisdom and vitality of human beings. The image that the pagoda is designed of expresses perfectly a Buddhist idea of equality for all people through a lotus flower. Above all, One Pillar Pagoda, despite going through many damages and changes and destruction, still stands like a lotus flower in the city of peace which is proudly represent Vietnam country and people.

Source: asianwaytravel

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One Pillar Pagoda – the most important historical site of present-day Hanoi
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You won’t be disappointed when picking Phu Quoc as your next holiday destination. This stunning island is a true jewel, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the most splendor ocean view in Vietnam, and maybe in the whole of Southeast Asia.

So while being on this paradise island, let’s see what can you achieve besides taking a leisure walk on a perfect sandbank, or being embraced in crystal clear and calm waters?

Having fun at the magical “Disneyland” of Vietnam

To be named as the Vietnamese Disneyland, Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc is built to impress its visitors with the unique architecture and fun activities. This amusement park is located on Bai Dai Beach – a “super cool” destination with the Westernized beauty of the island. A visit to Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc will give you opportunities to admire the magnificent beauty of the park, and also participate in hundreds of exciting indoor and outdoor activities: water music repertoire, giant aquarium, etc. in a miracle atmosphere.

Diving into the spectacular ocean

The impressively diverse coral reef systems and colorful marine life are the experiences that will make you fall in love with this paradise island. To the northwest of Phu Quoc, there are a number of dive sites that offer the top conditions for beginners. The waters here are clear and calm, sheltered from the strong currents that affect other areas around the island. Marine life in these dive sites includes a variety of hard and soft corals and colorful reef fish.

The 15 islets known as the An Thoi Islands off the southern tip of Phu Quoc provide a more challenging environment for divers. From October to May, the currents and visibility here are highly changeable. While you probably won’t spot any big sharks and mantas, the currents do allow for some larger life such as bamboo sharks or blue spotted rays. The area is better known for its macro life and reef system which is making a recovery from decades of dynamite fishing.

Experiencing the local life at Ham Ninh Village

Ham Ninh Village is a picturesque fishing village and a great spot to get a glimpse into the everyday life of the local fishermen. For those who love fresh fish, the village is a great spot to eat some bargain-priced seafood as well as try some unusual dishes such as sea cucumber soup. This is also the best place on the island to admire the beautiful sunrise. The peaceful atmosphere of the early morning on the sea will make you really relax on your Vietnam trip.

Exploring Phu Quoc on a bike

Phu Quoc is not only famous for its idyllic beaches, but there are also numerous destinations you can see on a bike such as pepper garden, Tranh waterfall, Da Ban stream, museum, vigorous fern forests and so on. You should spend time discovering other places on this pearl island after an abundant time on the beach or in the water. For sights on the mainland, riding a bike is a perfect choice. You can wander all of the roads, explore all the corners to see a new world that you might miss when driving around in a car.

Touring a jail?

Phu Quoc Prison is where Northern Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned during the Vietnam-America War. It is now a museum displaying torture instruments, photographs of former prisoners and various exhibits with life-sized mannequins depicting graphic scenes of what life was like in prison during its operation. Whilst this may not be for everyone, the prison is a way for tourists to learn more about Vietnam’s history and a reminder of the brutalities of war.

Bathing in the golden light of sunset on the beach

After a day full of activities, find yourself a bean bag at a trendy beach bar, order a cocktail and watch the spectacular sunset. The sun looks like a small pearl glowing in the west, slowly goes down to bedsore and brightens the immense sea. The silver waves catch this magical light and “dance” which create an extremely lively painting. Sunset on the sea has become Phu Quoc’s specialty and that’s why every traveler comes here should experience it once in their Vietnam vacation. You can unwind with a few drinks while your kids are playing on the sand, sounds perfect right? Enjoy the breathtaking landscape in lovely background music, and get yourself time for chilling out!

Wandering night markets for the mouth-watering street foods

The night markets in Phu Quoc (like Dinh Cau, Duong Dong) are the most atmospheric and best-value places to dine on the island. These vibrant markets offer stalls of snacks, coconut ice cream and a parade of outdoor restaurants serving a delicious range of Vietnamese seafood, grills and vegetarian options.

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How to explore Phu Quoc Island?
Nguyen Thanh Van

Van Long Nature Reserve area belongs to Ninh Binh province and is located around 80 kilometers from Hanoi city, which is also an extrememly interesting spot for one-day trip. If you are planning to travel to this beautiful place, our below experience and instructions for fully exploring Van Long should not be missed

Introduce about Van Long Nature Reserve:

Van Long is the largest waterlogged nature reserve of Northern Delta, belonging to Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh. It has very diversified and unique ecological system and is a favourite residence of many types of fauna, consiting of over 40 kinds of delacours’s langur.

Particularly, Van Long water land also owns very picturesque, simple but very peaceful landscape.  Apart from this, you can also explore rolling mountains and wonderful caves here.

What’s The Best Time for visiting Van Long

What is the most ideal time for visiting Van Long to have great trip? It depends on the speed of rowing boats, which is normally from 1 to 1.5 hour in average that you can explore all of this amazing spot.

You should visit Van long in afternoon if you would like to enjoy a peace of sunset on van long. And you will see a lot of bird on that time

How to travel to Van Long Nature Reserve

This is our instruction to Van Long: From Hanoi you can catch a coach from Giap Bat station or by train at Hanoi garage, which takes you around 2 hours.

What are attractive things about Van Long?

Van Long water land is not a natural one. It is formed by a dike at the left bank of Day river against floods, which turns Van Long into a very large waterlogged area with stunning caves and stone islands.

After going through mountains, the next destination is Ca cave, which is half afloat and half sank and 250 meters in length and 8 meters in height. To watch flying langurs and storks, you should visit in the afternoon at around 3:30 pm to 4:30pm

On the way to Van Long, you will have the opportunity to admire amazing limestone mountains with differently strange shapes like: scratching cat, bookcase, raspberry, etc..

If you intend to take photographs, you can discuss with the rower in advance so that they can take you to all intresting spots at Van Long (taking you around 2 hours)

Tips for visiting to Van Long Nature Reserve

• You should carry your own hat because of the boiling weather in the summer
• You should go on a boat with 3 vistors, more than this is not safe
• You should also show your pleasant attitude to boatmen because they will take you to all places of Van Long water land. Besides, you can also give a tip of around 40.000 VND to 50.000 VND to them.

TRAVEL NINH BINH: VAN LONG NATURE RESERVE IN 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT WITH RUBICON TOURS:

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Trang An Grottoes – Bich Dong Pagoda – Van Long Wetland 2 Days 1 Night

Van Long Nature Reserve In Ninh Binh|Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

Tam Giang lagoon is located in the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon system, which is the largest freshwater lagoon system in the Hue, Vietnam. Tam Giang Lagoon will attract those who first come to it – you will feel peaceful life, beautiful scenery and friendly local people here.

You should go to Tam Giang lagoon in the dry season (from February to July), this is the best time with no flood, the weather is less stormy and sunshine all day. Tam Giang lagoon this season has not huge waves but gentle. And the most beautiful scene when coming to Tam Giang Lagoon is probably dawn and sunset. The red sun shines like a break on the vast water surface. It all becomes yellow and creates a peaceful and romantic picture.

It would be great experience to take boat trip on the lagoon and join local people in their fish catching, preparing fresh seafood dishes then enjoy the natural flavor of this natural lagoon. Sit on a boat and watch people throwing their nets or do it yourself, chat with friendly people… The boat landing at the oasis on Tam Giang lagoon ancient fishing village.

Most of the people in Tam Giang lagoon live on aquaculture. The night was also the time when the villagers went out to the lagoon, dropped their nets, lured them to catch the fish for sale the next morning. You can see many huts on the lagoon, each is enough for 3-4 people in a family living. The people here are gentle, plain and especially hospitable.

Every visitor to Tam Giang lagoon wants to wander the boat to immerse in the sky and enjoy the romantic atmosphere. It will be an interesting experience if you can stay a night on this lagoon with local people, feel the fresh air and enjoy the natural delicacies.

Best recommendation is sunset tour on Tam Giang while you are in Hue city.

Tam Giang Lagoon In Hue
Nguyen Thanh Van

Mui Ne has its roots in fishing, and it shows in the pace of life. It’s easy to lose track of time here, riding bicycles along the coast, spending afternoons by the pool, and dining on fresh seafood with the sound of the waves in the background. With ideal conditions for kite-surfing and windsurfing, brightly coloured kites are a fixture on Mui Ne’s beaches year-round. Over the years, this seaside retreat has evolved to offer guesthouses and resorts of every stripe. Come for the surf, stay for the mellow atmosphere.

MUI NE
Nguyen Thanh Van

Founded over 1000 years ago, Vietnam’s capital city is rich in history, with the streets of its rambling Old Quarter dating back to the 14th century. Wandering these tree-lined lanes past crumbling colonial facades will transport you back in time. However, today’s Hanoi is about much more than the past. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and cool art galleries. When the sun goes down, you have your pick of watering holes, from sophisticated rooftop bars to buzzing bia hoi.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN HANOI:

Sample the street food

A wander around a morning market provides a tantalising hint of what you can expect to hit your table in Hanoi. For an authentic taste of Hanoi, look no further than the street kitchens of the Old Quarter. Phở noodle soup is king of cuisines here, with steaming pots of its star anise-infused broth simmering on every corner; while every day, the irresistible scent of bún chả fills the air as barbecued pork sizzles over hot coals. In recent years a growing band of superb international dining rooms have emerged, serving everything from contemporary tapas to fusion fare.

Stroll the Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter serves up a sensory overload for the eyes, ears and nose. Wisps of incense drift out onto streets from ancient temples painted a riot of reds and oranges, while in a far-flung corner the clang of a blacksmith’s hammer mingles with a mobile fruit seller’s call. To fully immerse yourself, grab a map to explore. Or jump in a cyclo and take a tour of this intoxicating maze of markets, street kitchens, shop houses, and more.

Explore Hanoi’s cafe culture

It is by taking a seat and waiting as your coffee slowly filters that the Vietnamese capital can best be understood. Fast-paced on the surface, the true rhythm of city life is far from hurried. Alongside the thousands of coffee houses selling traditional Vietnamese coffee, an ever-growing band of unique coffee shops serve espressos and macchiatos in surroundings rivaling the world’s coolest caffeine dens.

Check out the art scene

Hanoi has long had a reputation as Vietnam’s art capital, with the elegant Fine Arts Museum housing the country’s foremost collection, including ancient Cham artifacts and impressionist pieces. For something more contemporary, head for Manzi–an art space-cum-cafe–or the Vietnam Art Gallery. Both are top places to take the pulse of the city’s art scene. Smaller gallery spaces include Nha San Collective at the up-and-coming Hanoi Creative City urban project.

Join the locals at Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem lake rests at the heart of Hanoi and embodies the soul of the city. Every morning it comes alive with walkers, aerobics classes, badminton, ballroom dancers, and even a laughing yoga group. It bursts back into life at sunset, and after dark, is again thronged with locals out to take the evening air. A little further north the lesser-visited Truc Bach and West Lake shouldn’t be missed–their calm temples and lakeside cafes provide peaceful enclaves away from the buzz of downtown.

HA NOI ITINERARIES

24 hours 

Begin your day early with a wander around Hoan Kiem and soak up the invigorating rhythm of life, with everything from open air aerobics to laughing yoga ringing across the waters. After a breakfast phở, wander the streets of theOld Quarter before sampling the capital’s staple lunch dish, bún chả. Visit the Women’s Museum in the afternoon, then head to Summit Lounge for the best sunset views in town before crowning the day with dinner at Chim Sao.

48 hours

Plan an early morning visit to Cong Vien Thong Nhat, then head to the Museum of Fine Arts before refreshing with a drink at Manzi, for a rewarding morning of artistic exploration. In the afternoon go temple-hopping around West Lake, stopping at some of the many coffee and juice bars that surround it. For a Vietnamese dinner, dine at Quan An Ngon. Round out your 48 hours with a nightcap at Hanoi’s coolest bar, Tadioto.

HA NOI WEATHER

The climate is inviting from April to June, but Hanoi is particularly beautiful in May when its many trees come into bloom – orange, white, purple and red flowers elevate the already beguiling street scenes to another level. October and November are also excellent months to visit when temperatures are cooler.

TRANSPORT TO HA NOI

HANOI
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Before spring, the plum gardens in Pa Phach hamlet in Moc Chau district, Son La province, have begun to wake up, dotting the area with pristine white flowers.

Moc Chau has long been famous for the white flower field improvements, the tea plantation or forest gush of white plum blossom and also one of the attractions people dissipated attract tourists at home and abroad.

Moc Chau in Son La province, lies 180 km away from Hanoi, on Highway No. 6 to Son La, Dien Bien. The best time to travel around Moc Chau Tet (February calendar) is seasonal peach, plum flowers blooming around the streets so ubiquitous at this plateau is also the scenic vistas and romantic .

In the spring, the Moc Chau is flooded in white plum blossom color, cherry blossom pink and wealth. You can stop at any public gardens caught on road.

As the sun began to warm up on the plateau and the hills of tea, it’s time plum branches, twigs apricots white flowers sprung racing. Right to Moc Chau on sunny days you feel all the beauty of the flower-covered canopy lit plum under the blue sky.

Plum blossom in the period not long, lasting from 2 to 3 weeks, so if you want to admire the beauty of this flower, you should plan to travel Moc Chau in the first days of February next.

Where many of the most plum blossom in Moc Chau is an area of pine forest and uplink of Ang Sap border gate, the center of Moc Chau town about 30 km.

Plum flower brings early spring in Moc Chau
Nguyen Thanh Van