Thứ Năm, 25 tháng 12, 2014

Christmas in Vietnam

Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year, including the birthday of Buddha, the New Year and the Mid-autumn Festival. Although the Christians observed the religious rituals of Christmas.

Traditional Vietnamese religions are Buddhism and the Chinese philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism. However, during French rule, many people became Christians, that occupy 8 to 10 percent of whose population. This is because the Vietnamese are a fun-loving, sociable people and the various Vietnam festivals and events are actually occasions for them to a gala time, all together. Christmas in Vietnam is a grand party. Tours to Vietnam

History Of Christmas In Vietnam

Christmas in Vietnam has had a tumultuous history. The Catholics are a minority in Vietnam but they used to celebrate Christmas in Vietnam quite in peace right from the days of the French rule. That is until the Communists took over political power in 1975. The church-state relations soured during that time and the Catholics were relegated to celebrating Jesus’s birthday in privacy.

Hoi an, a peaceful meeting place


Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, church-state relations have not always been smooth. However, they have been improving since the introduction of economic reforms in the late 1980s. Liberalist policies adopted since the 1980s saw Vietnam warming up to western influences and ideals and Christmas in Vietnam came back triumphantly. Now Christmas is one of the major festivals in Vietnam, celebrated with much fanfare by all religious communities. top 3 must see tourist attractions in Can Tho
Christmas in Vietnam
Christmas in Vietnam

Phat Diem Cathedral in Ninh Binh Province is considered the spiritual home for the seven million Catholics who live in Vietnam, a predominantly Buddhist nation. Hundreds of Catholics gather for Christmas Eve Mass in the northern city of Phat Diem. Children staged a nativity play to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - or Kito, as he is known in Vietnamese -- in front of the city's cathedral, built in 1891.

Christmas In Vietnam

Christmas in Vietnam is a huge event, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Vietnamese Christmas celebrations here are like any other city in the western world. The Christians in Vietnam attend a Midnight mass on Christmas Eve and return home to a sumptuous Christmas dinner. The Christmas dinner usually consists of chicken soup while wealthier people eat turkey and Christmas pudding.Christmas tree at Fortuna Hotel (Hanoi)
Christmas tree at Fortuna Hotel (Hanoi)


On Christmas Eve, Vietnamese people in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, especially young people, like to go into the city centre, where there is a Catholic Cathedral. The streets are crowded with people on Christmas Eve and in the city centre cars are not allowed for the night.

People celebrate by throwing confetti, taking pictures and enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights of big hotels and department stores. Lots of cafes and restaurants are open for people to enjoy a snack!

Vietnam used to be part of the French Empire and there are still French influences in the Christmas traditions. Many Catholic churches have a big nativity crib scene or 'creche' with nearly life size statues of Mary, Joesph, baby Jesus, the shepherds and animals. In some areas of Ho Chi Minh City, usually in Catholic parishes, people have big crib scenes in front of their houses and decorate the whole street, turning it into a Christmas area! These are popular for people to visit and look at the scenes.

Also like in France, the special Christmas Eve meal is called 'reveillon' and has a 'bûche de Noël' (a chocolate cake in the shape of a log) for desert. Vietnamese people like to give presents of food and at Christmas a bûche de Noël is a popular gift. Other Christmas presents are not very common, although some young people like to exchange Christmas cards.

The Yuletide spirit of giving and sharing has been embraced with an earnest by the Vietnamese. Generous as they are, the Vietnamese give out gifts and presents in plenty during the Christmas celebrations in Vietnam. However, the children are more keen to have their stockings and shoes stuffed in with goodies from Santa’s bulging sack. The European customs of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree were popular and children would leave their shoes out on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas in Vietnamese is “Chúc Mừng Giáng Sinh”!

Thứ Tư, 17 tháng 12, 2014

Highland markets in Quang Ninh

Speaking about the highland markets in Quang Ninh, among them is Binh Lieu Highland Market, which the local called the Third Lunar Month Market. This market features the Viet, Dao, Tay and San Chi ethnic groups of the Binh Lieu, Tien Yen, Dam Ha, Hai Ha districts. There are also many merchants from the Dong Tong area of China present. Halong bay travel

Goods exchanged on market day are essentially agricultural or forestry products bred or grown by the local population. The Chinese come to the market with various commodities, including shoes and clothing. In stark contrast to Vietnamese merchants, they keep their prices without bargaining, and if they cannot liquidate their goods, carry them home and wait until the next Sunday.
Highland markets in Quang Ninh
Highland markets in Quang Ninh

Coming to the marketplace, the first things people look to do are exchange goods and eat. Meanwhile, boys and girls scatter to the corners to play or sing. Many boys and girls make appointment on the next market day.

The Binh Lieu Highland Market, before day, it only took place on odd-numbered days of the third lunar month every year. Today, with better economic conditions for locals, the requirements for trade have seen the market open regularly every Sunday. It is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Before the market day, boys and girls choose the most beautiful costume for wearing as going to the market is a festive day and they can enjoy everything after a hard working day. It is also a chance for the boy conquers the girl's heart through singing to each other. Many young couples have also met on these busy Sundays, eventually become husband and wife.

Thứ Hai, 8 tháng 12, 2014

Halong Valentine Cruise

Cruise Description:

A complete package of emerald water, picturesque beauty and adventurous mountains, Halong Bay is a worth visiting place in Vietnam. Its beauty sparks up your imagination within no time. If you are planning to travel around Vietnam and especially Halong Bay, then you must take the prestigious services of the special Valentine Cruise.
Halong Valentine Cruise
Halong Valentine Cruise


Although the cruise is small, yet it provides all those services which are provided by the bigger boats of Halong Bay. It is a small package of cabins, decks, lounges and rooms for the tourists who come from faraway corners of the world to visit Halong Bay. There are total 5 cabins in the boat, but are wonderfully decorated and excellently accommodating. One will definitely find this cruise very amazing and excellently managed by the crew of the cruise.

Hanoi & Halong Bay 4 days


It has a Suite Cabin, well equipped bathrooms, showers, and other important facilities in it. Once you will experience travelling in it, you will find it exclusive, intimate and very much private because of the service it renders to its clients. If you are planning to travel around the Halong Bay, then you must book one of the cabins of the beautiful Valentine Cruise. I am sure you will recommend it to others after your experience as well.


Cruise Itinerary:

Like all other cruises, Valentine Cruise offers day and night packages to the visitors. There are two days and three days packages as well in which the cruise takes you to the explicitly beautiful surrounding areas of the Halong Bay including all the floating villages, caves, islands and mountains as well.

At first, you will pass through the excellent Bai Tu Long Bay which takes you to the Halong Bay. You will be served with excellent lunch during your trip. The cruise will then take you to the Luon Cave, which is one of the most breathtaking places around the Halong Bay. The cruise will show you the Head Island, Turtle Island, Heaven’s Gate Island. You can explore the caves by kayaking as well.

Next destination will be the Ti Top Island where you can spend considerable time in swimming and enjoying with your loved ones. The Cruise also takes you to the Surprise Cave area of the Halong Bay the next day. Hence, all the important and worth watching places will be visited by you once you book in the Valentine Cruise. The dinner, lunch and other accommodations are carefully handled by the crew.

Who will enjoy:

As the name suggests, the Valentine Cruise is perfect for couples who are newly married. As the cruise is small and cannot accommodate much people in it; therefore, only love birds can enjoy in it. The romantic, quiet water and spell bounding sceneries add a lot to the most romantic experience of your life.