Long-living Sounds of Tay Nguyen Gong

Anyone who visits Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands) and enjoys the mysterious sounds of gongs near the flickering campfire in the mountains and forests, they will see the strong vitality of the local people. For this reason, gong is considered the “soul” of the highlanders.

The cultural space of Tay Nguyen gong spreads over five provinces, including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong and the masters of gong culture are the ethnic groups, including Bana, Xedang, Mnong, Caho, Romam, Ede and Giarai. For them, gongs and gong culture present a means to affirm the community and its cultural identities. As time goes by, gongs have become an appealing symbol of the culture of the Central Highlands and an activity associated with the cultural and spiritual life, and the beliefs of ethnic people when they are born, grow up and return to the soil. Gong ensembles are indispensable parts of various ceremonies and festivals, such as the ceremony to pray for the dead soul, new rice ceremony, water trough worshipping ceremony and the buffalo stabbing ceremony. Therefore, the gong culture seems to be mingled into the blood of the highlanders, penetrating into every aspect of their life and majestic epics. The mysterious and powerful sound of gongs is described in the epics as: “Beating gongs to make ghosts absorbed in listening to and forget harming people; make mice forget digging their mouse holes, make snakes lie stiffly; make rabbits start, make deer forget grazing and make all listen attentively to the gongs of Dam San…..”

Despite having outstanding cultural value and being regarded as the privileged language bridging humanity and the supernatural world, it is worrisome that it may fall into oblivion due to the dark sides of modern life and thoughts of local people. The local people may sell their precious sets of gongs due to poverty. The younger generation is no longer interested in learning the traditional art of their ancestors.

To preserve gongs and promote the gong culture, it is necessary for both authorities and people to boost economic development in Tay Nguyen, improve the living standards of local people, protect and collect rare sets of gongs and promote learning about the performance of gongs.

At present, each hamlet in Tay Nguyen has its own gong team to perform at the community’s cultural activities and festivals. Therefore, tourists to Tay Nguyen will have a chance to enjoy different pieces of gong music performed by talented folk artisans.

A gong performance in Tay Nguyen. Photo: Minh Quoc

Small artists performing with gongs. Photo: Hoang Giap

A set of Tay Nguyen gongs. Photo: Kim Son

A gong artist. Photo: Minh Quoc

Foreign tourists discover the art of gong performance in Tay Nguyen. Photo: Minh Quoc

Hot springs sooth the weary

When autumn winds blow, and we know that summer has gone, it doesn't mean we need to spend the weekends at home. A friend of mine made me a bit envious when she showed me photos of her recent holiday at a Japanese onsen (hot springs).

Mystic river: Binh Chau is most spectacular in the morning when it is shrouded in a thin blanket of mist.

And I don't have to fly to Japan to wallow in the warm water. Right here, about 150km from Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has such a wonderful thing. The Binh Chau Hot Springs, in Xuyen Moc District's Bung Rieng Commune, cover an area of about 33ha, enclosed by forest and sea. In 1928, a French doctor named Sallet discovered the hot mineral spring in his survey of southern Vietnam, where a cluster of 70 visible gushers spout water at temperatures ranging from 40oC to 82oC, forming a huge natural pool of hot water and mud.
With a view to develop a tourist attraction, provincial began to develop the Binh Chau Hot Mineral Springs in 1988, and their efforts were recognised in 2003, when the World Travel Organisation named Binh Chau as one of its 65 sustainable eco-tourism developments in 47 countries and territories around the world.
Walk on the wooden corridors through the flowing springs of the Sai Gon-Binh Chau Resort, and you can feel the stimulating atmosphere of fresh air laced with steam and the fragrance of the forest underneath the leafy canopy. The view is miraculous in the morning, as the steam covers the natural scenery in a thin dew.
The resort includes sports and recreation facilities for tourists on weekends, such as golf, volleyball, a swimming pool, a romantic Moon Garden and a thousand-seat theatre. Crocodile feeding, river fishing, billiards, tennis, basketball, and badminton complete the card at the Sai Gon-Binh Chau Resort, and younger visitors can visit the children's playground.
In the vicinity of Binh Chau, tourists can travel by foot or wagon to Bang Spring, about 2km away, or visit the zoo with its menagerie of bears, monkeys, weasels, geckos and eagles.
Most tourists who come to Binh Chau enjoy the fun of boiling eggs in the natural 80-degree springs in just ten minutes. Guests can buy eggs and lower them into small hot pools built by the developer for the purpose.
After the fun with the eggs, there are hot mud baths, soaks and massage services that are all therapeutic. According to researchers who tested the springs in 1975, the hot mineral spring source contains silica, sulphur, sodium and chlorine, all of which have healing properties and can aid rheumatism and circulation.
Sarah Elaine from the UK decided a little pampering was in order after a busy year, and she decided to visit the hot springs. She intended a day trip, but when she came, she realised that there wasn't enough time to enjoy all wonderful things at the site."I was glad to get into the hot spring to sort myself out and at least look as wet as everyone else," she said. "The resort was quite because of the rainy season. The hot springs were wonderful and I spent the rest of the day soaking, having a massage and eating some very good tamarind fish broth."

Legend describes the thermal springs as a hot water pot that the Vietnamese "Goddess of Boiling Water" spilled into the place in anger after her husband went hunting and was a long time returning. She got angry and threw the boiling water pot away, and it became the marvellous stream of hot water still running now.

Binh Chau area is a wonderful place to hold retreats and team-building activities. I saw a group of young people playing together with crazy fun. They made their part of the site noisy, while not far away, many others enjoyed the quiet water therapy and looked forward to a good night's sleep.

As the curtain of night covering Binh Chau fell, geckos and crickets began their symphony on a stage of forest and mountains.


      | VNS |

Hanoi, Hoi An among best Asian destinations

Hanoi and Hoi An ancient quarter in the central province of Quang Nam have been named among the top ten destinations in Asia for 2011, in an online poll conducted by Hong Kong-based travel and trade journal, Smart Travel Asia. 

Hanoi is ranked equal sixth with Shanghai, China while Hoi An was jointly rated seventh with Rajastan, India and Seoul, Republic of Korea, according to the poll organised by the magazine which is regarded as a leading authority on the regional travel industry.

The Metropole Hanoi and The Nam Hai shared the first position in the travel magazine’s list of Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts.

Last year, the Nam Hai ranked second while the Metropole was third.

Coming second this year is the Peninsula in Hong Kong . The Amandari Hotel and the Bulgari Resort, both on Indonesia ’s island of Bali , shared third.

In addition, the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City claimed 23rd on the list of top business hotels in Asia .

Aside from being named Asia’s Top Leisure Hotel and Resort, the Metropole was also ranked 18th on the list of Asia’s Top 25 Business Hotels and 8th among Asia ’s Top 25 Conference Hotels. The Nam Hai collected an additional award as one of Asia ’s three Top Spa Hotels and Resorts.

A total of six Vietnam properties made the poll lists, including the Park Hyatt Hotel Saigon, the Furama Resort Danang, and Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa in Ke Ga Bay of Binh Thuan province.

(Source: VNA)

Ha Long Bay in final round of New 7 Wonders

Ha Long Bay has received a certificate to participate in the final round of voting for the honour of being named as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Bernard Weber, Chairman of the New Open World organisation, which is hosting the vote, handed over the certificate to Quang Ninh province on Sept. 27.

Weber said Ha Long Bay’s natural beauty made a strong impression on him the first time he visited the site. He also promised to vote for Ha Long to become a new natural wonder of the world.

According to Pham Minh Chinh, Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee Secretary, many methods for voting will be utilised in the final stages, including via SMS message.

He said Quang Ninh province will invest in tourism infrastructure and services and take measures to protect the environment in Ha Long Bay with the aim of turning the site into an attractive destination for domestic and foreign visitors.

The final result of the voting campaign for the New 7 Wonders of the World will be officially announced on November 1.

| VNA |

Deep-rooted meaning in Vietnam’s cultural markets

For many Vietnamese, the village market plays a central role in daily life.

It is a place to meet to swap goods, ideas, gossip and it forms the social and economic hub of every village.

Baby ducks and chicks for sale at a village market.

With some 70% of the population living in the countryside, Vietnamese life is centered on the village, with village markets a familiar picture in the minds of all Vietnamese.
Village markets are usually small and formed by a group of local people as a place to exchange their products. They choose a place where many people will pass and gradually, these exchange places become bigger and bigger to make a real market.
Markets often gather 3-5 times a week and are divided into main and sub-gatherings. For the main gatherings, the atmosphere is always more exciting and the market lasts longer. Each village will sell one kind of special good such as bamboo baskets, iron hoes, knives, etc. By looking at what’s on sale at a village’s market, we can easily guess the local trade. If we see a lot of conical hats on sale, then those living in the area are likely hat makers. The sub-gatherings are less crowded and tend to sell only essential foods.
Chuong Market in Thanh Oai District, Hanoi is a typical village market. Villagers here gather 6 times a month, on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, 24th and 30th, and sell only one product: conical hats and the materials to make them.

Home produces.

Like Chuong Hat Village in Hanoi, Dong Bang Mat Market in Thai Binh Province, Ba Ren Pig market in the central Quang Nam or Cai Rang Floating Market in the southern Can Tho Province, are also some famous ones among thousands of village markets in Vietnam.
Village markets in Vietnam, which are said to have existed for thousands of years, are not only a mere goods-exchanging place but also a special cultural feature that highlights the traits and lifestyle of people living in the countryside. They are farmers and artisans who usually have to struggle to make ends meet. However, unlike the situation at markets in the big city, there is little need to bargain for the products sold because at the village markets, buyers and sellers are all relatives, neighbors or know one another very well.
“We all know one another very well here in our village’s market,” said my friend who is living in Voc Village in northern Nam Dinh Province, “Things are sold and purchased very quickly so we can come home early to get to the rice fields.”

Local artisans trading mats in Dinh Yen Mat Market in the southern Dong Thap Province.

The foods being sold at village markets are fresh but not carefully chosen or beautifully arranged like those in the city markets. A basket of crab or shellfish would have been caught during the previous night or the day before. Vegetables are also very fresh. These products are all collected from the sellers’ crop after putting aside enough for their family’s needs.
As most Vietnamese people have grown up in a village, village markets have become a comforting picture of home. Many people have left their quiet villages for the exciting cities, but the memories of the old days remain forever. As in the case of Truong Ngoc Binh, who is now living and working in San Jose, America. Binh was born and grew up in Bac Ninh, a northern province with a long and rich culture.
“In my memory, our village’s Buu Market represents the most carefree and peaceful time in life,” Binh revealed. “I remember getting up early and going with my younger sister and brother to a small bridge to wait for my mother’s return from the market. We would sit there, trying to guess if my mother was in the group of women approaching us. When the familiar figure of mother appeared from far away, we all rushed out to greet her and help her carry something if we could.”
When Tet holiday nears, village markets suddenly become much busier. After a year working hard, it’s time for people to relax, and Vietnamese people find the market a good place to gather and meet one another. The markets are bigger than normal and besides a bigger range of foods being offered for sale, people often hold a small fair featuring traditional games such as ferris wheels, lottery, dragon dancing, etc. These markets usually last from December 29 to January 3rd of the lunar year.
Village’s markets have played the role of a cultural and entertainment centre for the farmers and are a vital part of every village.

By Le Nguyen 

Nearly 400 companies attend Food and Hotel Vietnam 2011

An international exhibition titled “Food and Hotel Vietnam 2011” opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), HCM City on September 28.

The event attracted 373 companies from 30 nations and territories around the globe such as Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the US and Poland.

On display at the exhibition were the latest technologies for the hotel industry, including products related to lighting, interior decoration, management systems, packaging, information and communications.

In addition, high quality products such as frozen goods, confectioneries, milk products and beverages were also introduced at the event.

Addressing the press conference after the opening ceremony, Director of Vietcham Expo Bui Thuc Anh expressed her hope that this will be a forum for businesses to share experiences and information to improve the quality of hotel services to keep up with international standards.

US Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse expressed his belief that trade cooperation among the agricultural sectors of Vietnam and the US will further develop in the future.

The three-day event was co-organised by VCCI (Vietcham Expo) and Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) Limited.

(Source: VOV)

“A night of Vietnam” to take place in India

A special artistic performance featuring Vietnam’s cultural characteristics and themed, “A night of Vietnam” will take place in New Delhi, India on November 2, the Vietnam Advertising Association (VAA) said on Sept. 26.

The event aims to promote the image of Vietnam ’s country, people and made in Vietnam products as well as its culinary artistry to participants.

It is part of Vietnam ’s activities at the 27 th Asian Advertising Congress (AdAsia) 2011 in India from October 31 to November 3, where Vietnam will be officially accepted as host of the 28 th congress for the first time, by 2013.

AdAsia is the annual event of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) which was established in 1958 with 16 countries and territories, including Vietnam.

The AFAA congress hosted by Vietnam by 2013 is expected to attract the participation of about 1,000 – 1,500 delegates from 16 members of AFAA.

The event will provide an opportunity to Vietnam to promote business and images of the country and people to international friends in the region and around the world.

(Source: VNA)

Marvels of Pu Sam Cap Grotto

VietNamNet Bridge – From Lao Cai town, it takes around 10 minutes by car to reach Pu Sam Cap Mountain, which is about 1,700m above sea level.

Luckily, the road that winds alongside the valley and up the mountain offers terrific views. Though the chill grows stronger as one nears the destination, the climb up the mountain to the grotto’s entrance leaves one considerably warmer.

Upon arrival, visitors can cast their eyes back over the valley. The whole village is often obscured by clouds, though shafts of sunlight pierce through, leaving bright spots on the overcast landscape. Below, the waters of Nam Ron River are barely visible as they snake their way through the mountains.

Touring the entire grotto takes at least one day if visitors are feeling strong enough to undertake the two-way climb. The area contains over 10 caves of varying sizes which all converge around the three largest: Thien Mon, Thien Duong and Thuy Tinh.

Given a limited time frame, guides advise visiting the lowest cave, Thien Mon, as it is the easiest climb, instead of trying to reach all three.

Their advice is well-heeded. Standing among the stalactites in Thien Mon, stress and weariness melt away and imaginations wander over the shapes of the stalactites. In the front, one resembles an elephant statue, another, a group of fairies dancing.

While Pu Sam Cap is not very different from other grottoes in terms of position, beauty or size, what sets it apart is its simplicity and isolation.

It allows so much privacy that in addition to guiding visitors through Pu Sam Cap. In the middle of the cave there is a large, flat area where they play football.

Six months after the discovery of the caves, more than 10,000 tourists have visited Pu Sam Cap, and the number is increasing year by year. Yet the simplicity of the services is posing problems for the area’s reputation.

At the moment, the Dien Bien import-export company’s branch at Lai Chau manages the grotto. They’ve hired six young, mostly local people to work as tour guides and sell tickets. The guides also have a responsibility to protect and repair the grotto.

Small steps have been added to each cave to prevent tourists from getting lost and lights have been suitably arranged throughout.

"We plan to make Pu Sam Cap an ecological tourist destination, but we first need the co-operation of the commune People’s Committee and the Committee for Culture and Information," said Vang Ngoc Du, director of the provincial museum.

The beauty of Pu Sam Cap grotto:

Ba Na - “the green fairy”

Sitting 1,487km above sea level and within spitting distance of Da Nang City, the Ba Na resort area offers a wonderful respite for any weary traveller.

With its awesome landscape and year-round cool, Ba Na serves up the perfect alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. However, the resort’s only accessible by a tortuous but spectacular 20km road running from the foot of the mountain across mist-covered hillsides.

The first attraction to thrill tourists is the clear skies and puffy clouds floating over the valleys below and spectacular panoramic views of Da Nang City, Thung Bay (with its semi-circle coastline from the foot of Hai Van Pass Tunnel to Son Tra Peninsula), My Khe Beach, Ngu Hanh (Marcle) Mountains, and Thu Bon River (embracing fertile fields in Quang Nam province).

The blue waves of the Eastern Sea lapping Cham Island are visible and the picturesque landscape is breathtaking.

Tourists can enjoy four seasons in one day: spring in the morning, summer at noon, a little of autumn in the afternoon, and a cold winter bite at night. Ba Na’s weather is unique. In Ba Na, rain often falls only halfway up the hill, leaving the peak and the sky above clear and the views spectacular.

The French turned Ba Na into a resort in 1901. In 1912, a progressive governor general of Indochina designated the area as a forestry reserve. However, in 1930, the French reclassified Ba Na as a holiday resort for French officers and built hotels and villas. After decades of war and neglect, the structures fell into disrepair. Then, in 2000, developers reclaimed Ba Na from the jungle. A tourist town rose from the ruins.

The areas greatest asset is its pristine eco-system and temperate climate. Ba Na is famous for its bio-diversity. Its flora and fauna contain over 544 tree species (including six rare species) and 256 vertebrates, all of which are recorded in Vietnam’s Red Book.

Endangered vertebrates include the crested argus, the Asian black bear, the yellow-cheeked gibbon, and lignum aquilariae, along with several other species yet to be listed that are thought to survive in small numbers, protected only by the pristine wilderness. 

Stone steps lead adventuresome tourists to 18th century Linh Ung Pagoda, which houses ancient documents about the temple’s history and boasts a 30m tall statue of Buddha.

French wine cellars built during the colonial period which are still used for aging the locally grown products, are another attraction. Wine-tasting tours are popular with many visitors.

Suoi Mo (Mo Stream) near the magical Thach Tien Waterfall is another favourite spot for tourists during muggy summer days. Mist created by the waterfall looks like “fairy hair”.

The Ba Na area has many facilities, including villas, hotels, restaurants, tennis courts, and many other services. Most impressive is the new cable car that links the Ba Na Peak to Mo Stream. Strung between 22 pillars, its 94 cars can carry 1,500 people on a wonderful journey through the jungle.

People often call the unspoiled environment of Ba Na “Green Fairy”, for it provides a great opportunity for visitors to Da Nang to savor the jungle and enjoy an unforgettable experience among the clouds.

(Source: VOV/Vietnam Cultural Window )

Full blooms welcome spring

Can Tho is splattered with the colourful petals of yellow Mai flowers, purple Bang Lang flowers, yellow Diep flowers, red Phuong flowers, Hoang Hau flowers and more as spring is welcomed.
It's a marvelous sight to see the Bang Lang coming into flowers very early this year as the flowers aren't usually in blossom until the end of February or beginning of March.
Below, DTiNews shares some images of spring:

Bang Lang flowers are in full blossom near a church steeple on Tam Vu road

The yellow petals of Hoang Hau flowers are in full bloom in Phong Dien, Can Tho

Red “Bell” flowers in full bloom

Luc Binh blooms along the Hau River

Yellow Diep flowers on many streets in Can Tho

Red Phuong flowers along Le Loi road

Casuarina blowing in the wind

Yellow Mai is one of the traditional flowers for Tet

| dtinews.vn |