What are the Meanings of the Tet Holiday?

As for the Vietnamese, Tet has many profoundly human cultural values that they have been preserving for a thousand generations. Tet is the expression of the sympathetic relationship between humans, gods, heaven, and earth. Considered from the relationship between humans and Nature, Tet falls at the beginning of a new harvest when the weather gets warmer and plants start budding and blossoming out after a long cold winter. As the result, people assume that Tet is the appropriate occasion to show their commemoration of the Gods like Gods of the Sun, water, earth and thunder, etc involved in a poor or good harvest. This is also a chance for them to express their gratefulness to the plants, cattle, and poultry that helped them for over a year.

Tet is the Day of Reuniting Family Members

When Tet almost comes, wherever you are, whatever you do, people try to come back home to reunite with their family for at least the first 3 days of Tet, visit their relatives, reform the graves of ancestors or burn incense on the ancestral altar, etc.

Tet is to Refresh Ourselves

Tet is the first day of the year, therefore, everyone will clean their house, buy new clothes, try to pay off all debts, and forget all the trouble of the past year. Everything must be done to be ready for an upcoming year with good things waiting ahead.

Tet Holiday Cuisine

Banh Chung (Steamed Square Cake)

Known as one of the must-have dishes in a meal of Vietnamese in Tet, “Bánh Chưng” is made from sticky rice, mung bean, green bean, and pork with many different spices and ingredients. Invested by Prince Lang Lieu of the Hung King Dynasty, “Bánh Chưng” represents the Earth with the cover of mung bean in a square shape and the middle of the rice, then mixed green bean and pork. Other traditional dishes Vietnamese eat for Tet are “gio” and “cha”. “Gio” is boiled, otherwise, “cha” is deep-fried. Vietnamese usually eat them with “Banh Chung” or sticky rice.

Thit Ga (Boiled or Steamed Chicken)

Nowadays, some families have changed the cooking method of “thịt gà” by roasting or firing it. However, the most common way is still boiling or steaming chicken and then serving it on a plate in the whole or slices. Besides, lemon leaves, salt, and pepper sauce are spices that can be missed when eating this traditional dish. Some parts of chicken include legs, heads, and bones that will be used to cook other food like soups.

Mut (Candied Fruits)

Not be a dish in a meal, “Mứt Tết” is a favorite kind of snack Vietnamese use to greet their guest on this special occasion. This jam can be made from various types of fruits like coconut, carrot, ginger, star fruit, pineapple, or lotus seed, etc. with an eye-catching look and delicious flavor.

How Vietnamese Lunar New Year is Celebrated in Vietnam?

Before Tet Holiday

House Cleaning & Decoration

According to Vietnamese culture, luck and fortune will come to the clean, neat, and tidy houses during Tet Holiday. Therefore, it is commonly believed that the cleaner the house is, the luckier the host will be. The flower is an important decorating item for each family during Tet Holiday. According to each region in Vietnam, people will buy different flowers. Peach blossoms and kumquat trees are the popular flowers of the North. On the other hand, in the central and southern, people like using “hoa mai” – Ochoa intermarriage. Vietnamese believe that the more flowers bloom, the more prosperous their family will be.

Kitchen Gods Farewell Ceremony

In some people’s opinion, the Vietnamese New Year even starts on the 23rd of December with the Kitchen Gods Farewell Ceremony. In more detail, Kitchen Gods are the ones who know everything happening in your house, and their responsibility is to report to the King of Heaven about the family’s affairs throughout the year and to wish the best things for the new year. People often release the carp to the nearby lake or river as their means of transportation.

New Year’s Eve Offerings

New Year’s Eve, as known as “Giao thua”, is the connection time between two years when the Vietnamese people prepare the altar and traditional dishes to worship the gods. Its meaning is to say goodbye to the previous year and welcome the next year. The offering simply includes a boiled chicken, a bowl of cooked rice, flowers (usual roses), fruits, beverages, and Joss paper.

During Tet Holiday

Xong Nha (First Guest Visits your House on the First Day of the Year)

All Vietnamese believe that the first guest visiting a family will dispose of their future for the whole year. The age of the visitor supposes to be appropriate to the age of the host based on the zodiac signs. Besides, a person who is moral, good temper, and success are usually more invited by the Vietnamese.

Lucky Money

In Tet Holiday, along with new clothes, Vietnamese children are very excited because they will also receive lucky money contained in small red envelopes from their elders after giving them best wishes about health. Vietnamese call this tradition “mừng tuổi” in the North and lì xì in the South.

After Tet Holiday

It is time for Vietnamese people to spend vacations at pagodas or temples where colorful and exciting festivals are taken place. They also come to visit the houses of neighbors and relatives to give them the best wishes for the new year.

Guidelines for Tourists When Visiting Vietnam in Tet Holiday 2023

Vietnam Tet Holiday 2023 takes place for 5 days from 22 January to 26 January 2023. Here are some useful tips for tourists if they want to visit Vietnam on Tet Holiday.

• Make sure your travel plans and arrangement are in advance because these days most of the transportation means do not work especially train, bus and renting services of motorbike or car, etc. However, Vietnamese do not travel much during Tet Holiday, as a result, there is no worry about booking a hotel or restaurant.
• As for sightseeing, tourists can not visit some attractions like museums, mausoleums, indoor exhibition places, and art houses since they usually open after at least the first 4 days of the Tet Holiday.
• Fortunately, at that time, in some big cities like Hanoi, and Saigon, the first 3 days of Tet are very quiet without transportation means because a large number of people returning to their hometowns to visit their families already. Therefore, this is a good chance of enjoying the peaceful landscapes.
• Most of the stores will be closed during Tet. Otherwise, a few big markets like Dong Xuan Market and Ben Thanh Market are still open. Moreover, sellers will not raise the price because based on idealist conception, they want to their business be fluent in the early of the year.

Do’s & Dont’s on Tet Holiday

What Should be Done on Tet Holiday?

Paying all the Debts before Tet

The Vietnamese people believe that it is bad luck if you are still keeping the debts and borrowing things of the old year. It can also mean they can be stuck in debt in the New Year as they did in the old year. Thus, pay all debts and give things back to the owners before Tet, even the tiny ones!

Cleaning & Decorating the house

On the last few days of the old year, the Vietnamese will clean their houses, gardens, and altars. They also decorate their house with colorful stuff like peach trees, balloons, or couplets. Not only does it bring a bright appearance to the house but it is also considered a successful brand new start for the family members.

Beauty Makeover

Though people can dress up every single day, Tet is still a special occasion to wear new and beautiful outfits. According to the conception of getting more luck in the New Year, the Vietnamese often choose bright colorful clothes such as red, yellow, and blue, which are some common colors symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Besides, traditional costumes like colorful “ao dai” are dominantly chosen, which are easily seen overwhelmingly all over this S-shaped country.

Smiles

A smile could be a magical tool to put anyone in a relaxed mood since it brings joy and enhances relationships among people. When visiting Vietnam during Tet, you’ll rarely see someone not smiling. During Tet, people refrain from getting angry or depressed and put an instant smile on their faces to hope for a happy new year.

What Should not be Done on Tet Holiday?

Saying Bad Words or Negative Topics

The Vietnamese people do not say bad things and avoid debating with others during the Tet holiday because it can bring them an inharmonic and stormy year. When there are any conflicts, remember to keep calm and solve them peacefully.

Sweeping the House

Sweeping the house or emptying the trash bin during the Tet holiday, especially on the first day of the Vietnam new year, is considered to give away all luck and money out of the house. Therefore, when visiting the Vietnamese house during Tet, you should avoid throwing trashes onto the floor. If necessary, ask the homeowner first to avoid unwanted problems.

Wearing Black or White clothes

Black and white are mainly used in Vietnamese funerals, thus it is an unlucky sign if you wear these colors of clothes on the Tet holiday. However, if you really want to wear your favorite white shirt, just add some colorful accessories, such as a pair of red shoes or a yellow handbag.

Breaking Glassware

It is obvious that no one wants to have a “broken” year with a chaotic relationship or terrible study and work, right? Therefore, besides being extremely careful, you should also prepare plastic plates or cups to make sure everything is intact.

So, a trip to Vietnam in the lunar new year, why not? if you want to have a meaningful vacation in Vietnam during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, here, we special offer you Vietnam Local Tour Package, which make your day in Vietnam more delightful. Contact us if you have any questions about Tet vacation packages.

Tet Holiday Dates and its Attached Zodiac Signs

Special Promotion for Vietnam Tours in Summer 2023

In this summer season, we would like to give you as well as future clients a promotion as a small gift to express our gratefulness.

Notes:

• Applied for all bookings paid from now on until April 30th, 2023 with departure from May 1st to Sep 30th, 2023
• Cashback will be handed on arrival
• Not combined with other existing promotions

6 Best Places to Visit In Vietnam In Summer

Green Paradise Ha Giang When Summer Comes

Ha Giang is an iconic mountainous area in northern Vietnam. It is often said that to enjoy the beauty of Ha Giang, you must visit in the spring, autumn and winter. But despite these discouraging words, some travel madly to choose Ha Giang to go back in the summer by a subconscious invitation hidden deep inside. But what is Ha Giang’s summer? Traveling on the roads, coming back to Ha Giang on a clear, windy summer day, then suddenly surprised by the pure new coat of that rocky highland. It seems that on every road, people come across the layer of copper maize layers that are covered everywhere to bring a strange vitality to the land of the country. Looking down from above, Ha Giang looks like a blue ribbon across the sky. And lurking somewhere on that dreamy green background, the vast fields of reddish-brown soil quietly hide in the green pine forests, is the line of Nho Que that appears fully under the abyss without being screened by cloud cover, calmly drifting like the peaceful rhythm of life of true people in Ha Giang.

Visit Amazing Ha Long Bay in Summer Time

Ha Long Bay is a famous tourist destination in Vietnam, with the majestic natural beauty bestowed. Ha Long is one of the tourist destinations that you should not miss in your life. Come here once to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay – One of the bays 2 times recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage, and one of the 7 new natural wonders of the world. Thanks to the clear division of the weather like that, at any time, Ha Long is an attractive tourist destination for tourists from everywhere, and summer is no exception.
During this time, there are many activities for visitors to experience, including exploring the limestone caves on the Bo Hon islands or enjoying the beauty of Ha Long scenery from the seaplane. In the dazzling sunset, imagine the captivating beauty of the scene that appears right before your eyes as you fly across the sky, onboard a seaplane at Hai Au Airlines and finally land on your face. With low-level sightseeing flights, seaplanes are the perfect choice for travelers to immerse themselves in the scenery here.

Parasite Da Nang In The Summer

Da Nang – the most livable city in Vietnam welcomes a huge number of tourists every year. Traveling to Danang is not only a favorite choice for Vietnamese but even for international tourists. It is nothing more than fantastic when discovering Danang in the summer. In addition to diving in the cool blue water, tourists should experience a completely new feeling by “flapping wings in mid-air”, being adventurous with the wind and admiring the panoramic sea view from above. Besides, Slide Hoa Phu Thanh waterfall which is the game of challenging courage is always one of the most popular games opted by travelers. Lang Van camping is also an interesting experience in Da Nang. Visitors will enjoy the feeling of “waking up in a remote place”, watching the peaceful sea in the sunset, nestling in peaceful nature, and listening to the birds or the rustling wind in the ears.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – Great Choice for Summer

Phong Nha – Ke Bang is a national park located in Quang Binh province. It is a complex of caves and limestone mountains with extremely rich and unique natural scenery. Phong Nha cave is the most typical scenic spot of the cave system of Phong Nha – Ke Bang complex. Phong Nha was voted as one of the most beautiful caves in the world with the criteria: the longest underground river, the most beautiful underground lake, the tallest and widest cave gate, the most beautiful sandbars and reefs, the widest and most beautiful dry cave, the most magnificent and stalactite system, and the longest water cave.
Tourists can travel to Phong Nha at all times of the year, but ideally, it is from April to August because this time Quang Binh is in the dry season. The weather is dry and the temperature is in the range of 36-37 degrees Celsius, so when exploring the caves, the temperature drops to about 20-21 degrees Celsius, which will make people feel cool and comfortable.

Clear Dalat Summer as Morning Dew

Dalat is the capital of Lam Dong province with an altitude of 1,500 m above sea level, so it is year-round cool. It is once famous for attractions such as Love Valley, Than Tho Lake, Hills Thong Hai Mo, and Elephant Falls. Dalat city is a great resort that helps visitors escape the hot sultry of the Southern Delta. The first thing that caught the eye when tourists go to Dalat in the summer is the familiar purple phoenix lines. The vast and immense purple dotted in the sunny blue sky might make visitors unforgettable. It can be said that after Thanh Thuy’s “purple coffee shop” on Ho Xuan Huong Street, Da Lat has a more romantic purple color. Besides, another impression of Dalat in the summer is to go to Cau Dat tea hill though the heat is as beautiful as the light. If travelers go to Dalat right on the festive seasons, you have to squeeze in the city center, then in the summer, you can comfortably rent a motorbike to surf the wonderful roads.

Cu Chi Tunnels All-Year-Round

Previously, the tunnel in Cu Chi was a resistance base and a solid defensive system deep in the ground of the nation during the Indochina War and Vietnam War. Dubbed the “underground city” of the Cu Chi Tunnels, it not only has a tunnel system like a maze but also a lot of rooms, clinics, kitchens, warehouses, working rooms, etc. with a ventilation system to the bushes in the forest. Cu Chi tours on summer days are quite “unique” with the underground passage through an underground tunnel in the long tunnel system of over 200km. The cramped, mysterious and difficult life in the underground did not discourage soldiers in the past and ease the discovering spirit of the “soldiers” today. That is the reason why the Cu Chi Tunnels are favored and selected by many tourists in their journey to explore Vietnamese history.

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Go Vietnam Tours – 13 Years of Sustainable Development & Success 

Our story began in the period of time back in 2008 when a young entrepreneur – Henry Le – a person with deep knowledge and astounding passion for tourism. He desires to share his experiences of traveling to Vietnam with those looking for an authentic travel experience. Thus, he accompanies a group of like-minded local travel experts who built the website for the purpose of offering Vietnam tour packages and travel services for visitors to discover S-shape country. Go Vietnam Tours serves a mission to provide fun-filled holidays throughout beautiful and charming Vietnam. We excellent services with our dedicated and knowledgeable travel specialists, who will expertly craft a vacation especially for you. Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable travel agency, Go Vietnam Tours can create a customized journey that will exceed all of your expectations.

Special Promotion for Our 13^th Birthday

On this special occasion, we would like to give you as well as future clients a promotion as a small gift to express our gratefulness.

Notes:

• This promotion is applied for all bookings from now to February 2^nd, 2020
• This promotion can be deducted in the invoice
• This promotion is not combined with other existing promotions

A Grateful Thank from Our Founders

” We can not thanks enough to our loyalty and diligent clients, who have chosen Vietnam Tours to accompany you in your journey. We know you have a lot of choices for your trip operator, however, Go Vietnam Tours, we guarantee you will not regret believing Laos tour for your dream vacation. It is not simply proven by words. It is done by the wonderful travel for you to enjoy and once-in-a-lifetime experience for you to bring home. Our professional and enthusiastic team of expert travel consultants, local travel guides, experienced drivers is ready to help you gain great holidays. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you all most sincerely! Together, we can create more and more such periods of success”.
-Henry Le –

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An Overview of Vietnamese Traditional Music

Vietnamese traditional music was born very early. Ever since ancient times, Vietnamese people have been very passionate about music and considered music an integral part of their life. Therefore, in the process of historical development, the residents have constantly created many musical instruments and musical genres to express their feelings and emotions, gain more motivation for daily work, and get out of the stress in life. You can listen to the melody of lullabies, children’s songs, types of music in worshiping rituals, funerals, or conversations among members of the community, in entertaining activities, perform in singing contests, epics, the sweet songs of the jongleurs, “Don Ca Tai Tu” – the traditional music of the Southern people, and the traditional opera, etc.

Vietnamese traditional music is rich by the accumulation of genres not only of different ages but also of numerous ethnic groups. Although having the same genre of music, each ethnic group has a distinctive mode of expression, performance, and cadence. For example, the lullabies of the Kinh are different from those of the Thai, the Muong, the Dao, etc. Moreover, some ethnic groups use lullabies to sing their children to sleep while others play a diversity of traditional musical instruments such as flute, Vietnamese monochord, and so on.

Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, which means that there are 54 different traditional musical backgrounds. Therefore, in this article, we would like to mention the traditional music of the Kinh people – the dominant ethnic group in Vietnam, accounting for 85.7% total of the population.

There are various ways to classify Vietnamese Traditional Music (here, Kinh’s music). In terms of types of music, they have: Royal family music, Cheo, Tuong, Xam singing, Don Ca Tai Tu, folk songs, Ca Tru, etc. If divided by regions, they have: the traditional music of the South; the Central, the Central Highlands, the North, and so on or smaller by regional culture. For the number of performers, it can be divided into the single, duo, in a group.

In Vietnamese traditional music, it is extremely common for the artists to use a variety of traditional music instruments: dan bau (Vietnamese monochord), dan co (Vietnamese erhu), dan day, dan nguyet (moon lute), etc. All of these musical instruments contribute to creating unique characteristics of Vietnamese traditional music.

Types of Vietnamese Traditional Music

Types of Vietnamese Traditional Music in Northern Vietnam

Ca Trù (Hát Ả Đào)

Ca trù, also known as hát ả đào, is one type of chamber music that was extremely popular in North and North Central Vietnam since the 15th century. It used to be court music that was loved by the aristocrats and the intellectuals. Besides, it can be said that Ca trù is a perfect combination of poetry and music.

There are three main characters in a Ca trù performance: a female singer (called “đào” or “ca nương”) who uses the tongs, a male instrumentalist (called “kép”) who plays dan day to support the vocalist, a spectator (called “Quan viên”, usually being the author of the song) who plays the drum to punctuate the song and express the pleasure by the drum sound. In 2009, Ca trù was recognized as an intangible heritage that requires urgent protection by UNESCO.

Chầu Văn

Hát Văn or Chầu Văn is one of the types of Vietnamese traditional music, that originated in the North Delta. It is associated with Mother Goddesses Worship – the very famous folk belief in Vietnam. By using spiritual music with solemn and elaborate words, Chầu văn is considered to be a singing form of worshiping the goddesses.

Chầu Văn plays an extremely important role in a Mother Goddesses Worshiping performance to invite the gods to attend the ceremony. During the performance, the singers can sing and play musical instruments at the same time for 4-8 hours, creating a bustling atmosphere for the ceremony. The music instruments usually consist of dan nguyet (moon lute), small drums, tongs, cymbals, flute, Vietnamese monochord, etc. Hát văn is well-known in Hanoi and Nam Dinh, but the performing style in Nam Dinh is more rustic than that in Hanoi.

Chèo

Chèo is a form of Vietnamese traditional stage art, strongly developing in North Vietnam, especially in the Red River delta and two sparsely populated mountainous areas in the North and North Central. This type of folk music has a harmonious combination of ethnicity and popularity with narrative and romantic lyrics so it is amazingly preferable for summer festivals.

Chèo stage art has undergone a long history from the 10th century to the present, having a deep influence on Vietnamese social life. In terms of the meaning, Chèo reflects all aspects of the national identity of the Vietnamese people: optimistic, loving, simple, full of national pride, persistent in fighting against the invaders to protect the country. Thanks to these great meanings, Chèo is full of literary genres: romantic, epic, poetic, etc. creating a unique attraction for this traditional music.

Quan Ho Folk Songs

Quan ho is one of the typical folk songs of the Red River delta in the North of Vietnam. It was formed and developed in the ancient cultural area Kinh Bac, especially the area boundary between Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces today with the gently flowing Cau river called “the river of Quan ho”.

Quan ho folk songs are always performed in groups, each of which has five to six members. During the performance, they call each other the intimate names of the family members such as “Anh ca” (first brother), “Chi ca” (first sister), “anh hai” (second brother), and “chi hai” (second sister), etc. For this type of Vietnamese traditional music, the singers have their own performing costumes: the brothers with turbans, umbrellas, and tunics while the sisters are dressed up with “mo ba mo bay” shirts (a traditional cloth of the Vietnamese women) and large round hats and scarves. Quan ho folk songs impress the audience with an interestingly unique singing procedure. They usually divide into the “brother” group and “sister” group to sing back-and-forth the rustic and traditional loving songs with/without music accompaniment.

Tuồng

It is said that Tuồng is derived from the Vietnamese song and dance, but during its development, Tuồng has absorbed many forms of performance and makeup of traditional Chinese Opera. This kind of music usually expresses the majestic atmosphere to honor the national heroes, or to deliver the lessons of human behavior between community and individuals, between family and motherland. In a performance, the righteous forces have to fight for justice in very difficult conditions, becoming the bright mirror for the other people to follow.

Xẩm Music 

Xẩm is one popular type of folk music in North Vietnam, especially in the Red River delta and Northern midland. In the past, Xẩm is considered a form of livelihood for the poor and the dead people, most of whom usually performed in markets, streets, or crowded places, but few performed on big stages so very few people know this traditional music. The music instruments to support Xẩm singing are also very simple, including Erhu and Senh Tien.

Until February 2013, Mrs. Ha Thi Cau – Ninh Binh province (1928-2013) who is supposed to be the last Xẩm singer of the 20th century went away, raising awareness of protecting this type of Vietnamese traditional music.

Types of Vietnamese Traditional Music in Central Vietnam

Hò, Lý (Chanty)

Hò and Lý are a popular musical genre in the Vietnamese people’s life from ancient times, originating from the living habits in the valley, depicting the mood and emotions of the laborers. These two types of Vietnamese traditional music are pretty similar to each other, but Hò is usually attached to a working movement while Lý is not. In addition, Hò and Lý have extremely been developing in Central and South Vietnam. Visiting these regions, you will find it easy to bump into the local people droning out the rustic genres of Hò and Lý.

Nhã Nhạc (Hue Royal Court Music)

Nhã Nhạc or Hue royal court music is the court music under feudal times, performed during festivals or ceremonies (coronation, funerals, and other religious festivals) in the reign of the Nguyen dynasty of Vietnam. Hue royal court music was recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible world cultural heritage in 2003.

Nhã Nhạc has a diversity of 126 songs full of original lyrics and translations. Besides, there are hundreds of musical instruments supporting the Hue Royal court music performances. As a result, it is obviously to affirm that Nhã Nhạc is a type of Vietnamese traditional music with a tight structural system, partially contributing to creating: the complete structure of the orchestra, the system of orchestral music without lyrics, the music accompaniments for singing and dancing, the songs in different kinds of dance, and the songs in the ceremonies.

Types of Vietnamese Traditional Music in Southern Vietnam

Đờn Ca Tài Tử (Southern Amateur Music)

Đờn ca tài tử is the Vietnamese traditional music that was recognized as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO. It was established in the late 19th century, strongly developing and influencing 21 Northern provinces of Vietnam. This is one type of music combining lyrics and musical instruments, preferred by the Southern people in rural areas in their free time after a hard-working day.

Đờn ca tài tử is over one hundred years old, usually known as the band performance, consisting of five Vietnamese traditional music instruments: dan tranh (zither), dan ty ba (pipa), dan nguyet (moon lute), dan bau (monochord), and dan tam; sometimes supported by the flute. The “đờn ca tài tử” singers are usually the friends or neighbors in a village; they gather and happily sing with each other so that they do not bother about the rustic costumes.

Cải Lương

Cải lương is one kind of opera that originated in South Vietnam and was formed based on Đờn ca tài tử and the folk songs of the Mekong Delta. The content of each Cải lương performance may come from ancient Vietnamese stories, Nom poems, and literary works about Vietnamese society, and after that, the French scripts, Indian, Egyptian Romans, and Japanese ancient stories. The fusion of various cultures has shaped the special feature of this type of Vietnamese traditional music.

In addition, the performance of Cải lương will be not perfect without the musical accompaniment of the orchestra, which helps not only support the vocals but also highlight the psychological depth of the characters, creating more drama for the script, and contributes to the success of the play. Nowadays, Cải lương is also an extremely popular type of Vietnamese traditional music in the South, strengthening the spiritual life of the local people.

The above information includes a panorama of Vietnamese traditional music. During your Vietnam vacation packages, it will be an unforgettable memory to be one of the audience and enjoy some of the Vietnamese traditional music to have insight knowledge about Vietnamese culture.

If you fall in love with some kind of Vietnam traditional music,  the show totally can be in your Vietnam tour packages, or you can click here for a tour package with the show you want:

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Vietnam Classic Tours

Enthralling Sapa & Halong Bay – 5 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi – Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Y Linh Ho Village – Fansipan Peak – Coc Ly Market – Halong Bay – Hanoi

Tour Highlights

• Discover the cultural charm of Sapa Town and trek through the scenic Cat Cat and Y Linh Ho villages.
• Ascend Fansipan Peak, the "Roof of Indochina," via a spectacular cable car ride.
• Immerse in local culture at Coc Ly Market, vibrant with ethnic minority traditions (Tuesday only).
• Cruise overnight on the breathtaking Halong Bay, surrounded by limestone karsts and emerald waters.

Top Pick

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A Complete Vietnam Adventure – 12 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Sapa - Halong Bay - Danang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mui Ne - Ho Chi Minh City

Tour Highlights

• Stroll through Hanoi’s vibrant streets, savor street food, and visit the famous Train Street.
• Explore the scenic landscapes of Ninh Binh, Sapa Town, Fansipan Peak and Y Linh Ho villages in Sapa.
• Immerse yourself in the beauty of Danang and the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Saigon from the Skydeck and explore its vibrant energy.

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Northern Vietnam Discovery – 5 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake - Cao Bang - Lang Son - Hanoi.

Tour Highlights

• Boat on the serene Ba Be Lake surrounded by lush mountains.
• Visit the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave.
• Explore Phia Thap Village and its traditional incense craft.
• Enjoy the stunning landscapes of Angel Eye Mountain and Phong Nam Valley.
• Discover the tranquil beauty of the Quay Son River and its surrounding karst scenery.

Set Departure Tour

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Vietnam Classic Tours

The Amazing Vietnam – 10 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City Vinh Long - Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City

Tour Information

• Duration: 10 Days
• Intended Travel Date: 8^th – 17^th/ Monthly, 2025
• Number of participants: 2 – 16 people
• Start/ End: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City

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Soulful North & Central Vietnam Journey – 7 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay - Danang - Hoi An - Danang

Tour Highlights

• Half-day trek from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, immersing in the culture of Black Hmong and Giay minorities.
• Experience the new cable car system to reach the summit of Fansipan Mountain, followed by a visit to Sapa Glass Bridge.
• Set sail on La Regina Day Cruise, exploring Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Titov Island.
• Visiting Bay Mau Coconut Forest and exploring Hoi An's ancient town.

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Hidden Charms of Northern Vietnam – 7 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi

Tour Highlights

• Street foodie trail in Hanoi, and evening jeep tour exploring the city's landmarks.
• Leisure time in Hanoi with a visit to local markets and an evening stroll along Ta Hien Beer Street.
• Halong Bay cruise with activities like Tai Chi, biking in Viet Hai Fishing Village, and beach time at Ba Trai Dao.

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Vietnam Classic Tours

Escape to Southern Vietnam Tour Package – 6 Days

Tour Route: Dalat - Mui Ne - Nha Trang

Tour Highlights

• Explore Cau Dat tea farm, enjoy organic farm experiences, and savor mountain views with the finest local coffee.
• Ride through sand dunes, visit Fairy Stream, and discover local fishing farms.
• Snorkeling at Tam Island, experience basket boat culture and rejuvenate in warm spring water and mud baths.
• Unwind on Mui Ne and Nha Trang's pristine beaches.

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Vietnam Highlights Tour – 21 Days

Tour Route: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Danang -  Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho - Phu Quoc - Ho Chi Minh City.

Tour Highlights

• Explore the vibrant cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and cruise through the stunning landscapes of Halong Bay
• Visit Duong Lam and Bat Trang Village, the famous craft villages of Northern Vietnam
• Visit historical Hue and explore its imperial citadel and tombs
• Visit the charming town of Hoi An, exploring its ancient streets, temples, and renowned tailored shops
• Explore the Mekong Delta, including Vinh Long, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc Paradise Island

Da Lat – The Love Paradise in Vietnam

Being situated on the Lam Vien (Lâm Viên) highland, in Lam Dong Province, to the southern area of Vietnam, Da Lat, one of the best places for honeymoon in Vietnam, has never failed in impressing couples.
Although Da Lat is a quiet city, you will never feel bored here. In the big day of your whole life, you and your special life partner can enjoy Dalat in different ways, be it admiring the landscape associated with loyal and faithful love, sipping morning coffee at the dreamy Ho Xuan Huong (Hồ Xuân Hương) lakeside, walking hand in hand on the quiet streets of Dalat when the night falls down. All of these will make you love Da Lat more.
Also called as “Le Petit Paris”, this beautiful town offers couples a luxury retreat from the hustle and bustle of busy cities. In Dalat, there are many activities for both of you. You could play golf, visit sacred temples, and enjoy the cool and romantic atmosphere ideal for honeymoon with delightfully hokey tourist sites.

Da Lat is mercifully cool all year round, so there is no need for using air-conditioning. This beautiful town is a unique combination of European alpine resort and pastoral hillside Vietnam, which makes Da Lat is not the same as others. Strolling around under the romantic landscapes, there are relics of colonial mansions scattering and some serene pagodas in a lovely setting of nature, which all prove that you have just escaped from the big cities of the country for real. There are some ethnic minorities, like the Koho and the Lat (Lát), living in and around those picturesque hills surrounding the town and you could visit a few of rural villages when joining in local tours.

Danang – A Bright Spot in Vietnam Honeymoon

Vietnam is known as a beautiful country supplying an excellent escape for newlyweds due to its unspoiled landscape and quiet nature. For couples, planning on a memorable honeymoon trip in Vietnam, Da Nang is known as one of the most places must-see. Normally, visiting Hoi An means that travelers will go a common strip: Hue – Hoi An – Da Nang; nevertheless, if you two do not want to extend your time on the road, you could shorten it by visiting just Hoi An and Danang. Two of you will be surprised at the lively beauty of the green city with various tourist destinations, such as Ba Na Hills, Han (Hàn) River, Cham Museum, etc.

Mention to Ba Na Hill, which is famous as a fascinating place, was established by French colonists in 1919. Being best known as a hill resort and station, situated in Truong Son Mountains, right on the west side of the city of Danang, Ba Na Hill could give tourists an outstanding experience of nature, peace, clean air, and its prominent feature, the longest single-track cable car all over the world. Da Nang is also chosen by the newlyweds, which is as a dreaming destination for their honeymoon in Vietnam.

Hoi An – The Ancient Town in the Central

Famous for romantic and quiet beauty with quiet streets, old houses, friendly locals and tasty foods, Hoi An is one of the best places for honeymoon in Vietnam you should drop one in your lifetime. Additionally, you two could also immerse your own in the fresh blue water of the beautiful Cua Dai (Cửa Đại) Beach. It is said that the best time to visit Hoi An is the full moon day. This time, electronic lights will be turned off and lanterns will be burned on. Indeed, Hoi An is a perfect destination for a cultural, historical romantic getaway. Walking on the old heritage town of Hoi An is really a unique experience because you will find almost no pollution and traffic out there.

Hue – A Royal Romance in the Imperial City

Hue is an interesting city that has become the seat of the Nguyen emperors. It was also the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Hue is not only romantic but also dreamy beauty when covered by the palaces, temples, and the Imperial City. The ancient citadel dating back to the 19th century is the most attraction here

Sapa – The Rice Roof of Indochina

If Da Lat is the symbol for lovers in the central of Vietnam, Sapa is one of the suggestions for a honeymoon in the North. Known as the mountainous town which is always beautiful year-round, Sapa has dreamed, majestic and romantic beauty. Spending your honeymoon tour in this town, you will not only have an wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fresh air of an area of Vietnam’s northwest, but also contemplate many scenic views, such as the old French villas, Silver waterfall which is 100 meters in height, the “Heaven Gate” – “Cloud Yard” and learn the daily life of H’mong people in Cat Cat (Cát Cát) village. I bet that the images of Sapa town engulfed in fog will impress your couple even a long time afterward. The price of hotels in Sapa is not expensive, but in order to enjoy your full honeymoon in Vietnam, you should select the hotels with 3 or 4 stars.

Phu Quoc – A Romantic Destination You Cannot Miss

If you want to spend your honeymoon in such a private space to avoid the noisy every day, Phu Quoc is your choice. Also known as the pearl island, Phu Quoc is considered the largest island of Vietnam. You can visit Phu Quoc by plane or boat. On this island, many hotels have free shuttle buses to and from the airport. It is very convenient for tourists to travel. However, similar to any other tourist destination, you should book a hotel early to avoid passive in case the hotel is out of the room or the price is too high.
Phu Quoc, a peaceful tropical paradise, floats in the warm turquoise water in the Gulf of Thailand, and about 50 minutes from Saigon. True to its name, Phu Quoc beach gives Vietnamese and international tourists the impression of different beautiful beaches such as Gach Dau (Bai Dau), Bai Truong (Truong) or Sao Beach ( Bai Sao), etc. You should also enjoy the wonderful scenery of famous landscapes such as Suoi Tranh (Suoi Tranh), Ba Dan (Da Ban Suoi), etc.

One day, you can experience the Vietnamese culture at the local market in the morning, relax on a remote and beautiful white sand beach of Phu Quoc in the afternoon, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the restaurants and high-quality accommodation at this wonderful island or hotel.
Most of Phu Quoc Island is reserved for the National Park as well as the protected marine environment, providing a memorable experience with many interesting activities along with places to entertain your couple on vacation.

Halong Bay – The Bay of the Descending Dragon

Ha Long Bay, one of the most famous attractions in Vietnam, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both magnificent and mysterious, which is an incredible miracle of Mother Nature that is almost never failed to impress.
These mountain-like islands sprout from the green-blue water create a mantra for tourists. Perhaps that is why the area is listed on UNESCO’s world heritage list. And that is not all. The beautiful scenery also makes it one of the most sought after honeymoon locations in Vietnam.

Hanoi – The First Stop in the Honeymoon Tour of Vietnam

You will be surprised, and will not understand why couples should spend the honeymoon in Hanoi. There is no blue ocean, no majestic mountains, nor the warmth of freshwater from hot springs, etc. But Hanoi has its own specialties that are nowhere to be found. Holding hands walking on the old streets in the autumn of Hanoi with the scent of the Blackboard tree in the chilly air is a unique memory. Spend your honeymoon in Hanoi to know why Hanoi’s autumn is so popular. There are many hotels in Hanoi but couples should choose resorts far from the city center because these resorts have quiet space and very nice rooms.

Ho Chi Minh – A Lively and Bustle City in the South of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh, definitely! The place cannot miss the honeymoon itinerary in Vietnam. A bustle and hustle city in the south of Vietnam, both of you can enjoy the last day in Vietnam. Holding hand and strolling through the small corners on the street, visit the highlight attractions or simply you can sip a cup of coffee with your partner in the ancient space of Vietnam.

Nha Trang – A Romantic Beach in the Central of Vietnam

Despite Nha Trang does not have romantic and dreamy beauty like Da Lat (Đà Lạt), it still gives couples an impressively spacious space along with peaceful moments. Visiting Nha Trang, you two could join in parties on white sandy beaches, drowning in relaxing hot mineral springs, or under running water massage rays. Additionally, Nha Trang will warrant your best honeymoon in Vietnam because there is a wide arrange of entertaining beach activities for your own choice. You could select either Snorkeling or diving
Among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, cooling off if your private plunge pool, hiking nature trails, indulging in great spa treatments, or just simply relaxing on the white sandy beach and admiring the unspoiled sea and mountain views. Experience memorable nights at one of the top-end resorts in Nha Trang or the hotel of your choice (depend on your budget).

Indeed, Nha Trang offers a lot to keep visitors occupied, from historic sites, scuba diving, to hopping boat trips, mud baths. Yet, the major attraction for most tourists is to lounge around on the deckchairs at beachfront bars and drinking cocktails in their comfort.

Con Dao – Mysterious but Romantic

The last but not least attractive thing regarding the best place for honeymoon in Vietnam is Con Dao. Chose as one of the most mysterious islands in the world, Con Dao becomes more attractive to visitors, especially newlyweds on their honeymoon, due to the peaceful scenery and the pristine beaches.
Located in the southern part of Vietnam, over the years, people have been accustomed to calling Côn Đảo. However, Con Dao is also a vast blue sea and the sky is the top destination of the famous travel magazine. In fact, Con Dao is an offshore archipelago of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province (Ba Ria – Vung Tau). Also known as Con Son (Côn Sơn) or Con Lon (Côn Lôn), Con Dao is the largest of 16 islands. The most interesting thing when exploring Con Dao is immersed in the world of the ocean, admiring the colorful coral reefs stretching for thousands of kilometers and watching dolphins playing with the water. At low tide, a great picture of rock clamshells will appear before your eyes. You can wander in the Ong Dung forest (Ong Dung), watch the rainforest with rare 100-year-old timber trees and listen to the chirping on the branches, all creating a vivid picture of nature.

Mui Ne – The Collaboration between Desert and Sea

Dubbed the resort’s capital, no matter what your budget, there are always suitable options for you to choose a resort to experience your real honeymoon in Mui Ne. Mui Ne is sometimes referred to as Vietnam’s resort capital and this is an ideal paradise for couples to enjoy the most memorable honeymoon in Vietnam. In fact, Mui Ne may be one of the best honeymoon destinations across Asia. In particular, it’s not too crowded, so you and your spouse will be able to enjoy your privacy. There are about 12 surf centers in this destination that you can choose from. Other interesting and interesting activities in Mui Ne can be red and white sand dunes, fairy streams, mini-golf courses, and Mui Ne harbor. The empty beach, sunny days and water throughout the year are the most interesting features of Mui Ne, making it a popular tourist in Vietnam.
Opt for Full Moon Village in Mui Ne as a hotel for your honeymoon in Vietnam. This site offers villa-style accommodation. Each villa has a small bar, fully equipped kitchen, hot tub, king bed, and fast WIFI. Overall, the resort offers room service, a bar and pool, a private beach, an arrangement, water sports activities, BBQ facilities and free shuttle to Mui Ne.

Rom Island (Hon Rom) is an ideal destination for couples to enjoy a honeymoon trip. Nature tends to Phan Thiet – Mui Ne (Phan Thiet – Mui Ne) a channel with endless sand dunes and coconut trees swaying on the waves. In a rare moment, there are couples who can keep the romance of love together.
Perhaps the most impressive thing when you visit Mui Ne is to admire the rows of coconuts along the armed-shaped coastline. Extremely tall trees facing the coast paint a beautiful image as if they show their strong vitality through time and storm. Having a crowded fishing port with a rich source of fish, Mui Ne also owns pristine beaches, fresh natural environments such as Bai Dai (Bai Dai), Bai Tram (Bai Tu), Bai Sau (Bai Sau), and breathtaking scenery.
After all, we also recommend a honeymoon itinerary in Vietnam that you can follow, which is sure that both of you have a great trip in your Oklahoma day.

We suggest to you the itinerary for the Vietnam honeymoon vacations you can follow. Check it out and choose one suit for both of you.

• Vietnam in Depth – 17 days
• Vietnam southern tour – 10 days
• The best of Vietnam – 12 days
• Taste of Vietnam Tour – 10 days 

Airplane

For those short on time, flying is the most convenient way to see several destinations in Vietnam. Many travelers underestimate the distance between cities and choose buses or trains instead of flying. It’s good to keep in mind that train rides from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City can run up to 30 hours, and from Central Vietnam to either point, 16 hours is quite common. Therefore, it is wise to opt for a one- or two-hour plane ride and spend more time at your destination. Domestic ticket fare is surprisingly reasonable and there are daily flights to all of the country’s top destinations.
Vietnam Airlines is the national airline and has the most flights daily, while Vietjet and Jetstar both offer affordable deals for short trips around the country.

Bus

For short routes to get to cities or a specific area, public transport in Vietnam is a great option. This transport is cheap, but comfortable and convenient for all tourists when visiting Vietnam. Vietnamese buses include two main types which are interprovincial buses and local buses. Every province in Vietnam has buses to take tourists from one place to another. Normally, interprovincial buses have high-quality services and there is no limitation to your baggage size. Local buses are most prominent in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and some famous tourist destinations.
Vietnamese bus in these cities is publicly used for both local and foreign tourists. The ticket price is extremely cheap (less than 10,000 VND). Although the service quality is not very high, traveling by bus is one of the interesting ways to learn more about the locals and their life in a city.

Taxi

Recently, the taxi has become widespread and convenient in Vietnam, especially in big cities and urban areas. The prices are cheap by international standards. It is considered a safe way to travel around, especially at night. The average tariff is from 10,000 to 15,000VND per kilometer.
There are two main types of taxis in Vietnam: taxis from reputable corporations and taxis from individual drivers. To travel to places where there is no public Vietnam transportation such as bus or taxi, tourists can rent a car to get there. Traveling by these cars, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy and explore fascinating attractions. Moreover, renting a car will bring about independence, convenience, and flexibility to tourists during their journey.

Motorbike

Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world where motorbikes are still widely used. Motorbikes make up a large number of vehicles forming the transportation system in Vietnam. According to the Vietnamese State’s rule on riding a motorbike, riders need to have a driving license to ride a motorbike, and both riders and persons sitting behind have to wear helmets to ensure safety. Motor Taxi (or Xe Om in Vietnamese) is a cheap way for locals or tourists to travel from one place to another within a city. Furthermore, motorbikes are favored by most Vietnamese young people and foreign backpackers in their adventurous trips to mountainous areas.
In addition, booking a motorbike online is also the best choice for you to travel short routes in Vietnam. The most common online-booking motorbikes are Grab, Gojek, or Bee. These services save you much time as you just stay at home and book a trip through your phone at a cheap price. All you need to do is getting a SIM card with an Internet package to use these services in Vietnam before downloading the respective app. SIM Cards are cheap and worth the money saved in getting around the city compared to relying on metered taxis. The routes are fixed and you should rate the driver on their honesty and driving skills giving an incentive to drive safely.

Train

Rail transport in Vietnam is also favored by a large number of tourists in Vietnam. The length of the Vietnam railway system currently is about 2.600km in total. These routes connect almost cities and provinces throughout the country. Traveling by train will take you to many cultural, social, and tourism destinations from the North to the South, which might be an ideal option for you to travel with inexpensive travel expenses. Because Vietnam railways pass through many types of terrain such as mountains, forests, valleys, plains, and the sea, it creates wonderful, magnificent, and attractive scenery.
The North-South Express Railway which is the national train route under the Vietnam Railways Corporation starts from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Three main stations of the Vietnam train are situated in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City. These train stations are well-equipped and increasingly modernized with free Wi-Fi and other advanced services, which reflects the rapid development of the Vietnam railway system.

Car

If you have got the budget for your trip, going by car is the best and safest way to see Vietnam. Self-driving is unwise as there are many rules on the road, especially for the uninitiated, driving is chaotic. International driving licenses are not accepted in Vietnam so renting cars is not the norm. If someone recommends that, they’ll usually mean complete with a driver. If you get around Vietnam in a group, this can be a great way to get a tour on your way.
Drivers are available for hire anywhere and for as little as $10 per day. Most hotels will rent wheels for day trips at inflated rates; budget hotels and guesthouses offer the best rates. Budget travelers often pitch in for a rented car between sites (from Hue to Nha Trang, for instance) where going by private car means you can set your schedule and stop at places like Bach Ma National Park, Lang Co Beach, and Hai Van Pass.

Bicycle

Cycling is an excellent way of sightseeing around towns, and you do not have to pay much at all for the privilege, even outside the main tourist centers. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just a normal traveler who enjoys a little pedal now and then, Vietnam will reawaken your love for this mode of transport.
Although it is possible to cycle in the cities, Vietnam’s small towns and beach destinations are perfect for the two-wheeled expedition. Some of the country’s best-guided tours are bicycle tours. These services are available in the Mekong Delta and Central Vietnam. In towns such as Hoi An and Hue, it’s possible to get to everywhere you want by bicycle. Rentals are usually about 20,000 to 30,000 VND per day (about 1$.) Although a helmet isn’t mandatory, consider wearing one anyway.

Cyclo

The Cyclo is a three-wheeled bicycle taxi that may be one of the favorite methods of transportation in Vietnam among international tourists when visiting Vietnam. Sitting on the little cart when the driver paddles behind will bring you a feeling of relaxation. Nothing can beat the feeling of sitting on a cyclo and strolling around the lakeside on summer nights.
However, groups of cyclo drivers always hang out close to some main markets and hotels and a lot of them could speak English, at least the simplest level. To make sure that the driver understands your intention of place to go to, it is a good idea to bring yourself a city map. Moreover, you had better settle on a certain fare before going anywhere otherwise you will get stiffed. Cyclo rides usually cost around 10000 – 20000 VND, and for a more extended tour, it will be about 20000 – 30000 VND.

Boat

Besides, traveling by water is also considered a popular means of transportation in Vietnam. To approach offshore islands, cruises or boats are good options. Vietnam cruise contains three main types: international cruise, premium cruise, and river cruise. Though Vietnam cruises are new forms of traveling in Vietnam, there are still many attractive packages on cruises to famous destinations such as Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta River.
Tourists could travel by freighters or tourist boats for longer and short-haul trips. The former could maybe be at ease or sometimes less, the latter are comfortable. Boat transport is slow and seems to be more popular in the northern region of Vietnam. In general, boat travel is more expensive than bus travel over a single route.

The most popular folk games must be listed are: “Rong ran len may” (Dragon and Snake), “Meo duoi chuot” (Cat and mouse game), “O an quan” (Mandarin Square Capturing), O an quan (Tug of war), etc. More than fun, these folk games would enhance the intelligence and observation ability in children. And if you have the chance, we – Vietnam Local Guide suggests that you should try at least once of those folk games to catch a grasp of Vietnamese traditional life. Check it out!

Cat and Mouse Game (Meo Duoi Chuot)

This game consists of more than seven members in one team. They stand in a circle, hold and raise their hands over their heads. Then, they will choose a person to play the cat and another to play the mouse. Both stand back to back in the middle of the circle.

How to play Cat and Mouse Game

When someone counts from 1 to 3, the mouse starts running and the cat must chase after it. The cat wins the game when the mouse is captured. At the beginning of the game, everyone in the circle also start singing a song, usually a folk song. Moreover, the children forming the circle also can make it more difficult for the mouse or cat to run through them. Then the mouse will act as the cat in turn. The game continues.
Although “Meo duoi chuot” has appeared for a long time, this Vietnamese game has been played from time to time.

Dragon and Snake (Rong Ran Len May)

Dragon and Snake game is one of several famous Vietnamese traditional games that attract every child in the country. Whenever they have free time, they often play it to have fun, which expresses a part of Vietnam tradition and customs. There are two players in this game including a doctor and a long dragon with a tail. The long dragon includes more than 5 people. The doctor flies to attempt to catch the child who represents the dragon tail. The head of the dragon stretches his arms to prevent the doctor from finding his tail while the tail tries to hide and form a circle.

How to play Dragon and Snake

When the dragon visits the doctor’s house, they will sing a song to ask about the doctor and his son, and the doctor would say he is looking for medicine. After some dialogues, the doctor would say “Pursue at will” and then the dragon must run as fast as possible with the body flying as the dragon into the sky. If the dragon succeeds in rolling into a circle before the doctor can chase it, it will win. Alternatively, if the doctor catches the dragon’s tail, the entire group will lose.

Mandarin Square Capturing (O An Quan)

Like Rong Ran Len May or Chuyen, O An Quan (literally “Mandarin Box”) is also a very popular Vietnamese game played by everyone. This 2-player game is played on a rectangle on the ground which is divided into ten small squares called “rice fields” or “fish ponds”. There are two more semi-circles drawn at the ends of the rectangle called “mandarin boxes”. Each player has 25 small pebbles and a large stone of which 50 smaller pebbles represent the peasants and only 2 mandarins represented by bigger stones. Each square has 5 pebbles that are placed in the semi-circles.

How to play Mandarin Square Capturing

The game begins with the first player taking up the pebbles of one square on his side of the board and distributing the pebbles one by one, starting with the next square in either side. The player can take all the pebbles inside a square that is next to an empty square as captives. He loses his turn if 2 consecutive blank squares or the square followed a blank square is a Mandarin Box. Turn is given to another player once a player takes the pebbles of one square. If all five squares of one player are blank, he must place one captive pebble per square to continue playing. The game ends when there are no mandarins on the board. The winner is the one that has more captives.

Tug of War (Keo Co)

Tug of War is a Vietnamese game that people of all ages can take part in. It helps promote strength and teamwork and raises the “never-give-up” spirit of the participants. You might be surprised to find out that Tug of War has become an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity icon recognized by UNESCO in 2015.

How to play Tug of War

Players are divided into two teams and stand face-to-face along a bamboo rope. There is a red piece of cloth marking the middle of the cord. After the referee gives the signal, players tug the rope as hard as possible to pull the red cloth towards their side. Eventually, one team loses strength and lets go of the rope; the audience cheers the other team as winners. This game is appealing to people of all ages because it is easy to play and although it is competitive, it still brings fun to all participants. To them, winning or losing does not matter as it is not as important as unity, joy, and community harmony.

Spinning Tops (Con Quay)

Spinning tops is a game for boys. Usually, it is played in 2 groups, and these can be divided into more groups if there are more players. You can also play it alone but it is more fun and exciting if you have more friends cheering for you. In the countryside, most children make their tops from guava, jackfruit, or longan wood. Sometimes they fashion tops from buffalo horns, though there tops are rare because horns are harder to obtain and more difficult to shape. Meanwhile, children in the city frequently use wood scraps left from making furniture to fashion their tops

How to play Spinning Tops

To play, a player needs to have a “spinning top”, which is made of wood or animal horn and is cone-shaped. A wire is wrapped carefully from bottom to top and then the top is spun on the ground. The spinning top that that spins the longest is the one that wins. Players can use their tops to hit those of their opponents. If their spinning top stops, they lose the game. If students who are learning Vietnamese can try this game when visiting the Vietnamese’ countryside.

Bamboo Jacks (Choi Chuyen)

This is another popular traditional game, especially among the girls. The game’s rule is simple, including tennis or any bouncing ball and 10 chopsticks (5 pairs)

How to play Bamboo Jacks

Starting with all of the chopsticks on the ground, throw the ball upward, pick up a chopstick with one hand, and catch the ball with the same hand. Continue until you have picked up all the chopsticks on the ground. If a player’s hands are not swift or if her eyes are not sharp, or if she fails to coordinate the two, she will lose her turn. Then the turn will pass to the next girl. Playing Bamboo jacks warms up the body and creates a lot of fun. During summer or autumn, this Vietnamese game is played everywhere from the shade of a village banyan tree to a deserted market stall.

Medical Clinic and International Hospitals in Hanoi

Vinmec International General Hospital

Vinmec is one of the most modern international hospitals in Vietnam with all medical equipment is imported from leading medical equipment brands in the world to ensure the efficiency, safety, time-saving and environmentally friendly.
Vinmec operates on a non-profit basis with systems including hospitals, research institutes like “Stem Cell Research Institute”; “Cancer Research Institute”, … similarly to many reputable healthcare systems in the world. And with a total number of branches reaches up to 8 branches in 6 big cities across Vietnam and expected to expand more in 2018, Vinmec assures to meet the patient demand perfectly and comprehensively.
Working hours: General & Specialist Clinics: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm; Sat: 8am–12am
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gastroenterology, Dentistry: like above

Pediatric clinic: Mon-Sun: 8am-5pm
Website: https://vinmec.com/
Address & Tel:
Vinmec Times City: 458 Minh Khai St, Ha Noi; 0297.398.5588
Vinmec Phu Quoc: Bai Dai, Ganh Dau, Phu Quoc Dist., Kien Giang Province; 024.3974.3556
Vinmec Central Park: 208 Nguyen Huu Canh St., Binh Thanh Dist, HCMC; 028.3622.1166
Vinmec Nha Trang: 42 Tran Phu St., Vinh Nguyên, Nha Trang City; 0258.3900.199
Vinmec Ha Long: 10A Le Thanh Tong, Hon Gai, Hạ Long City, Quang Ninh City; 0203.3828.188

Thu Cuc International General Hospital

Thu Cuc International General Hospital, belonging to Zinna Corp Group, was officially established and put into operation in August 2011. It is a non-public hospital with the highly appreciated for both quality and customer healthcare services.
The hospital has a total area of more than 5,500m2 with an advanced medical equipment system and a team of excellent domestic and foreign doctors. Thu Cuc Hospital also has comprehensive cooperation with leading Singaporean professors and specialists in the field of oncology such as Vice president of Singapore Cancer Society, Dean of Department of Oncology of Singapore General Hospital, etc.
Working hour: from 6h30 a.m to 8 p.m daily
Address: No.286 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Email: contact@thucuchospital.vn
Hotline: +84 904 519 080
Web: https://thucuchospital.com

Japan International Eye Hospital

Japan International Eye Hospital is the leading hospital in the application of modern technology in the treatment of eye disease. The hospital is the first in Vietnam to use the Mel 90 (Carl Zeiss – Germany), and also is one of the first three units in Vietnam to use the Visumax (Carl Zeiss – Germany) machine in myopia surgery.
To provide the best possible treatment, Japan International Eye Hospital will treat patients with the most advanced medical equipment, high-quality medical services that in line with any specialty eye clinics around the world.
Working hours: Mon-Sun:7am-12am & 1pm-7pm
Website: http://jieh.vn/
Address: 32 Pho Duc Chinh St., Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
Tel: 024.3715.3666

Viet Nam-Korea Friendship Clinic (Saint Paul Hospital)

Saint Paul Hospital is the first-class hospital belonging to the Hanoi Health Department with 570 impatient-beds, along with 957 employees. On an annual average, Saint Paul Hospital diagnoses and treatments for more than 240,000 patients and thousands of patients in inpatient treatment.
Saint Paul Hospital in Vietnam offers a wide range of medical services and facilities to people throughout the country, thus catering to their medical and health needs. The hospital provides a large number of facilities including intensive care unit, surgery, radiology, emergency services, palliative care etc.
Working hour: Mon – Fri ( 7:30 AM – 04:30 PM)
Internal medicine: Mon-Sun (8 AM – 5 PM)
Add: No 12 Chu Van An, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District
Tel: 024 3823 3073
Website: http://bvxanhpon.vn
Email: bvxanhpon@hanoi.gov.vn

Medical Clinics and International Hospitals in Central Vietnam

Hue Central Hospital (HCH)

Hue Central Hospital (HCH), established in 1894 and was the first Western-style hospital in Vietnam. With the total area of 35,7 hectares (2 branches), Hue Central Hospital provides you with medical services of South-East Asian and global level.
Hue Central Hospital is operating specialized and advanced centres such as Pediatric Center, High tech Center (ODA), Cardiovascular Center, Hematology & Transfusion Center, Medical Training & Mentoring Center, Oncology Center, Trauma & Orthopedic – Plastic surgery – Burn Center, Obstetrics & Gynecology Center, etc that meet the demand for medical cares and services of all patients.
Addres: 116 Le Loi street – Hue city, Vietnam.
Tel: (+84) 054 822325
Fax: (+84)054 823324
Email: bvtwhue@dng.vnn.vn
Website: www.bvtwhue.com.vn

Hoan My Da Nang Hospital – Private Hospital

Hoan My Medical Corporation is the leading and largest private healthcare network in Vietnam. The group’s integrated healthcare network comprises more than 2,513 operating beds, and a capacity of over 3,407 beds across fourteen hospitals and six clinics. Their mission is to provide quality healthcare services at a reasonable price.
Having built an international medical service center in Da Nang -Hoan My Da Nang International Hospital has taken care of more than 35,000 patients, with 35 percent foreigners. Since 2011, it marks the sixth anniversary of providing top healthcare in the tourism hub in central Viet Nam.
Address: 161 Nguyen Van Linh Str, Thanh Khe Dist, Da Nang City
Tel: (84.511) 3650 676
Fax: (84.511) 3650272
Email: contactus.danang@hoanmy.com
Website: www.hoanmy.com

Family Medical Practise – Private Clinic

The Family Medical Practice, established on 28 February 2004, over last 10 years, has been continuing to commit being Vietnam’s leading international primary healthcare provider and proud of their high patient care standards and friendly atmosphere.
Their clinics are located strategically across Vietnam: Hanoi in the North, Da Nang in the Center and Ho Chi Minh City in the South. All of these provide international standard medical services in a safe, professional, and welcoming environment.
Address: 96-98 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Hai Chau District, Danang, Vietnam
Tel: +84 511 3582 699
Fax: +84 511 3583 049
24hrs: +84 913 917 303
Email: danang@vietnammedicalpractice.com

Medical Clinics and International Hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City

Franco-Vietnamese (FV) Hospital

Franco-Vietnamese Hospital (FV) is a general hospital, 100% foreign capital and founded by a group of 10 French doctors in 2003. With a total of 220 beds and 1500 visits per day, FV provides a comprehensive examination, counseling, treatment and health care services spanning more than 30 specialties to patients of all ages.
FV Hospital is equipped with the latest modern medical facilities and specializing in providing several medical services from the medical examination, counseling to internal and external diagnostics and treatment at once.
Working hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (Monday – Friday), 8 AM – 12 PM (Saturday)
Website: http://www.fvhospital.com/en/
Address: 6 Nguyen Luong Bang St., Phu My Hung, Dist.7, HCMC.
3rd floor, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu St., Dist. 1, HCMC, VN
Tel: (028) 54 11 33 33
Email: information@fvhospital.com

Columbia Asia Hospital

Columbia Asia International Hospital was established in 1998 in Ho Chi Minh City which is the first private hospital in Vietnam with 100% foreign capital investment. With 20 beds designed to serve the needs of patients, from medical services, care services and importantly customer services.
At Columbia Asia International, patients are guaranteed to be given the most advanced medical diagnosis, treatment, and personal care.
Working hours: Emergency Room: Mon-Fri: 7:30am–7pm; Sat & Sun: 8am-5pm
Laboratory: Mon-Fri: 8am–6pm; Sat: 8am- 12am
Website: http://www.columbiaasia.com/vietnam/
Address: No 1, Trang Long St., 7 Ward, Binh Thanh Dist., HCMC, VN
Tel: (08) 38030678
Email: columbia.asia.vn@hcm.vnn.vn

Happy International Hospital (Hanh Phuc Hospital)

Happy International Hospital was established on January 3, 2011, which is the first hospital in Vietnam to be built according to Singapore Standard. This hospital is specializing in providing mothers and children with services such as Women’s Care, Child Care, Reproductive Support Center, Family Clinic 24h, JK Beauty Center –Happy, Women’s Cancer Center, Family Counseling Center, Polyclinic Clinic, Transportation Service.
In addition to maternal and childcare services, Happy Hospital also has some general health examination packages for all objects. For women, the hospital also has its health examination package and a gynecological screening test for women under 40 years old.
Working hours: Mon-Fri: 8am–5pm; Sat: 8am- 12am
Website: http://www.hanhphuchospital.com/
Address: 97 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Dist. 1, HCMC, VN
Tel: (028) 39259797
Email: saigonclinic@hanhphuchospital.com

Must-Follow Tips for Choosing the Right Hospital

• Check the hospital’s cleanliness
• Choose ones with staff who you can speak your language
• Choose ones that your insurance can cover
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding your conditions
• Give the doctor sufficient and accurate information on your health

The Largest Ethnic Groups in Vietnam

Kinh

Among Vietnam ethnic community, Kinh ethnic group keep an important role in national development which accounts for 86.2% of the Vietnam population. Kinh people allocate along whole Vietnam and some other countries, yet the majority is in deltas and urban areas throughout the country. The main language belongs to Viet – Muong language group. Rice cultivation in submerged fields is the main economic activity of Kinh people. Wet rice civilization was born for thousands of generations and reached a certain level. Compared to other ethnic groups, the Kinh people’s farming reached a higher level of productivity.
The Kinh people’s culture is rich in proverbs, folk tales, songs and dances that help preserve their traditions. The literature is written in many forms such as poems, writings, books, and edicts. Besides physical values, the Kinh in particular and Vietnam people in general also show their precious values on spirituality such as ancestor worship, death anniversaries and unique festivals. Besides, there is an appearance of popular religions such as Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, and Caodaism.

Tay

With the number of around 1.7 million people, the Tay people make up close to 2% of Vietnam’s population which are the second-largest ethnic group in the nation. Tay ethnic minority group settles mainly on fertile plains where they cultivate rice and keep cattle and poultry as well. Rice is a staple food for the Tay people.
Tay families have a close-knit bond. They respect their ancestors so much that the altar is always put in the most solemn and honorable place of the house. Another interesting fact is that a couple rarely divorces which also reinforces the Tay’s strong sense of family ties.
The Tay has developed a rich culture of poetry, songs, epics, tales, funny stories, and dances performed at festivities and when they have visitors. “Dan Tinh” musical instrument – a soul of the folk songs and a folk dance is used in every cultural and spiritual life of Tay people.

Thai

Residents of Thai ethnic minorities account for approximately 1.8% of the Vietnamese population which is ranked the third largest ethnic group in the country. Thai people originated from South East Asia where their ancestors still live to date. They cultivate rice, corn, and other subsistence crops so their staple food is rice.
Thai ethnic minority is well-known for its beautiful woven garments, accessories and typical houses on stilts. These houses are designed to protect the residents from the possible flooding as well as dangerous animals. They also provide shelter for their animals. Women retain their habits in dressing while men received the dress in style of Viet inhabitants (not yet everywhere).

Muong

The Muong people constitute 1.5% of the total population in the country which ranked 4th among the largest ethnic in Vietnam. The Muong people inhabit the mountainous region of northern Vietnam, concentrated in Hoa Binh Province and the mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa Province. Muong people share ethnic roots with Vietnamese and their language is classified according to the Vietnamese – Muong language branch. The Muong live in mountainous areas that have abundant land to grow wet rice.
The Muong have diverse folk arts including folk songs and poems, the sorcerer’s worshipping songs, tales, proverbs, lullabies, and riddle songs. The most popular musical instrument is “Gong” used in cultural events of Muong people. Another noteworthy thing about Muong ethnicity is they have their calendar based on neither the Sun nor the Moon. Their calendar is made from bamboo and has twelve months as well.

Khmer

The Khmer ethnic minority group has a population of about one million residing in the Mekong Dental concentrated in the southeastern provinces such as Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, An Giang, Kien Giang. Khmer people traditionally practice wet rice cultivation. They have a long tradition of selecting rice strains, building irrigation networks, and using tidal waters to enrich arable soils.
The Khmer mainly follow Buddhism and also worship their ancestors. Some outstanding agricultural rituals are “Worshipping the god of the fields” (Neak Ta Xie), “Calling the rice spirits” (Ok Ang Leok) and “The Moon” (Ok Ang Bok). A Khmer pagoda is a meeting place for cultural functions. Before their coming of age, young Khmer people are sent to pagodas to brush up on their knowledge and morality.
The Khmer has a treasure of folklore literature, including myths, legends, fairy tales, fables, and funny stories. The most interesting feature of the Khmer culture is the traditional theatre of Du Ke and Di Ke, which have musical influences from India and wider Southeast Asia.

Other Minorities in Vietnam

Among ethnic minorities, the most populated groups are Tay, Thai, Muong, Hoa, Khmer, Nung, etc with a population of around 1 million each, while the least populated is Brau, Roman, Odu with several hundred people each. Kinh people succeeded in establishing a centralized monarchy right in the 10th century. The Cham once boasted a flourishing culture early in history. The Tay, Nung, and Khmer peoples had reached high levels of development with the presence of various social strata. The Muong, H’ mong, Dao, Thai, etc gathered under the rule of local tribal heads. Many ethnic groups divided their population into social echelons, especially those living in mountainous areas.

As a multi-cultural country, Vietnam has an ethnically diverse population with friendliness and hospitality are two characters that can be found everywhere in this country. Check our Vietnam Local Guide to learn more about the character of Vietnamese people, Vietnamese religions and also some other interesting facts.

How E-Visa Vietnam Works?

E-visa for Vietnam is an approval letter bearing a unique code issued by Vietnam Immigration Department. Once holding this approval letter, an approved visa applicant can get visa stamped easily on arrival at Vietnam airport (air travelers) or at Vietnam Embassy (land or sea travelers). The outstanding characteristic of E-visa is that applicants can apply online in just a few minutes by submitting an online Vietnam visa application and receiving their visa approval letter or code via email. The total processing duration is only 2 working days. In urgent cases, it can be done in just a few hours or 1 business day.

How Many Vietnam E-Visa Types?

In terms of validity duration, Vietnam visa has 3 three types: 15 days, 30 days and 90 days. The 15 days type is normally an exemption visa. 30 days visa can be a tourist or business visa. The 90 days visa is constantly a business visa. Applicants can require for single entry or multiple entries during the applied validity period.

How Much is E-Visa Vietnam?

Different Vietnam visa types require different relevant visa fees. Normally citizens of Africa and the Middle East region are required to pay the higher visa fees, and even some citizens are not allowed to enter Vietnam without a sponsor. The cost of E-visa is also advised automatically when the application for a visa is completed with the item of visa type, nationality, and the number of applicants.
See the price lists on the websites of agencies.
#CHEAPVIETNAMVISA.NET – the best price for an approval letter and for providing a visa ($6/ month/ person, single entry) and gives fast processing, proven services and online payment with the credit card or Paypal.
#VIETNAMVISAPROVIDER.COM – low price ($8/ month/ person, single entry) for approval letter and for providing a visa, fast processing, proven services, and online payment.

How to Apply for Vietnam E-Visa

• Go online to the official website for Vietnam e-Visa application
• Upload images of your passport data page and passport photo
• Fill up all required info from your passport data page and your trip
• Pay the e-Visa $25 fee using any of the payment methods offered
• Receive your registration code and save the number

This type of visa is perfect for tourists or businessmen taking a short trip which has a validity of 30 days and no more than that. Make sure that all your details are entered correctly to avoid delays at the airport.