The world's most breathtaking waterfalls

Waterfalls aren't just cascading tons of water over the edge of a cliff, they are an example of the power of nature, an earthly wonder and a reminder that something as dainty as water has the power to erode something as tough as rock.

The falls are majestic beauties, sure, but they're more than that. Many cultures have legends that surround major waterfalls, ranging from supernatural tales of witches haunting the pool beneath Yosemite Falls to a deity forming Iguazu Falls to stop his former love from getting away with her new lover in a canoe. Other waterfalls are sites of recorded historical happenings, like the wartime crossings over Ban Gioc-Detian Falls or when Jimmie Angel was the first to fly his plane over his namesake falls.

These spots are more than simple water features and each of them has it’s own backstory to accompany the beautiful sights. Even when it comes to the remote falls of Venezuela or the Faroe Islands, these magnificent waterfalls are worth the trip.

1. Nohkalikai Falls—India

Described by visitors as “magnificent and serene,” Nohkalikai Falls is 1,115 feet tall, making it the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Though visitors today enjoy the calm pouring of water over the cliff, the falls are named for a morose legend. According to the tale, a woman named Likai was driven mad and ran off the edge of the cliff when she discovered her second husband had murdered and cooked her infant, then fed her the child’s remains.

2. Yosemite Falls—California, U.S.

At 2,425 feet tall, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and either the sixth or seventh tallest in the world. Set in the infamous Yosemite National Park, visitors can enjoy views of the falls from many spots around the park or they can hike one of several trails to get a better vantage point. The hike to the top of the falls is tough and will take all day, but another hike will bring you to the base of the falls, which is shorter and easier.

3. Niagara Falls—Between the U.S. and Canada

Straddling the U.S.-Canada border, Niagara Falls is home to some of the best known waterfalls on Earth. Formed by receding glaciers at the end of the last ice age, this natural wonder is composed of three separate falls: Horseshoe Falls (which is the largest and most powerful of the three), the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall on the continent.

4. Bøssdalsfossur Falls—the Faroe Islands

One of the most remote waterfalls out there, Bøssdalsfossur Falls cascades off an archipelago that is set about halfway between Norway and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are an independent country, among the least populated in the world with less than 50,000 total residents to date—the town near the falls was home to only 16 people in 2002. The Islands are best known for fresh fish, wildlife and stunning natural beauty and though the waterfall is one of many beautiful features on the island, it’s one that people love to visit and photograph.

5. Gullfoss—Iceland

Gullfoss, Icelandic for “Golden Falls,” is a top tourist destination in Iceland. The falls that seem to drop directly into the earth have become so iconic that they have appeared on the cover of an album, in a novella and in a music video.

6. Ban Gioc-Detian Falls—Bordering China and Vietnam

A subject of a longtime border dispute between China and Vietnam, Ban Gioc-Detian Falls is currently marked on China’s side. The falls are teeming with history—from serving as a crossing point in the Sino-Vietnamese War to hosting outlaws and their treasure in nearby tunnels and legend has it some of the treasure is still lying undiscovered in one of the gorges.

7. Angel Falls—Venezuela

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the highest waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls stands at a breathtaking 3,212 feet tall. The falls are one of Venezuela’s biggest tourist attractions, but getting there is no easy feat. Angel Falls is located in a jungle and is only accessible by river from June to December, when the river is deep enough for boat travel.

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Costumes of Mong women

There are a number of Mong ethnic groups, White Mong, Black Mong, Flowery Mong, and Green Mong, living in Vietnam’s northwestern mountain provinces. Their costumes are colorful. The women make the clothes for all the family members. Although they are starting to modern social values, Mong people still wear their traditional colorful costumes, which are now made of more modern materials. 

The Mong women wear colorful costumes. A women’s suit includes a skirt, shirt, belt, headscarf, and a pair of leggings. The upper part of the skirt hugs the hips while the lower part spreads out in wide pleats. The shirt is fastened on the left front by a single button. The sleeves, collar, and edges are embroidered. Mong women’s costumes stand out colorfully against the green forests and grey mountains.

Mua A Tru, a Flowery Mong man who lives in Son La says he has watched his mother and sisters make clothes since he was small and now watches his wife. Tru says every single item is unique. “It takes a long time to make a garment. There are many decoration patterns and my mother and sisters have told me about them since I was small. Clever girls attract many suitors. At festivals, it’s fun to watch Mong people in colorful embroidered clothes throwing a Pao ball. In the spring, flowers blossom and Mong girls wear colorful embroidered dresses to match the atmosphere.” 

The skirts of the Flower Mong women are for sale at Bac Ha Market (Lao Cai Province)

The Mong people decorate their clothes with colored pieces of cloth. They embroider geometric patterns such as diamonds, crosses, triangles, squares, curves, and spirals. The Mong people say these patterns represent the sun, the moon, the weather, time, and space. The main colors are red, green, and yellow. Tru again: “Making skirts is one of our customs. We use many colors of thread to embroider things we like. The design is in our heads. We use many embroidery patterns on one skirt. Mong people like red, green, and yellow which represent flowers and leaves.” 

Flower Mong girls in their linen skirts on festival days

A Green Mong girl is making her skirt

The Mong women spend their leisure time making skirts. Their rough hands are clever and quick in needle-work. Without any fixed design, they create harmonious embroidery patterns from their imagination. Hang Thi Nghenh, a Flowery Mong living in Son La province, says they are free to embroider any shapes or patterns they enjoy. “We teach our older daughters needle-work, progressing from simple to more sophisticated techniques. Once we could only make 1 or 2 skirts a year. Now we use sewing machines and can complete a skirt in a month.”

The skirt she wears characterizes a Mong girl, Nghenh told us: “Our skirt expresses our patience or liveliness. A wife or mother shows her positive attitude in the skirts she makes. At a wedding or funeral, we are criticized if we wear too simple a dress. We’ll be praised as resourceful and dexterous women if we wear nice skirts.”

Tru talks about the custom of wearing leggings: “Mong people often go to the forest and we have to wear leggings to protect against insect bites or sharp brush scratching our legs. The leggings also protect our skin against cold and sunburn.”

Despite their evolving lifestyle, young and old Mong people still wear their traditional hand-made clothes for daily work as well as festivals.

Pao ball

Lan Anh - VOVworld

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A sophisticated cuisine, simply served

Reasonable prices, tasty dishes, good service and a prime location accounts for the rapid rise in popularity of the newly opened Bun Bo Ganh restaurant in HCM City list, reports Xuan Hiep

The former royal city of Hue in the central province of Thua Thien - Hue is noted for its rich cultural traditions, serene landscape and charming people, but few people outside Viet Nam are aware of its distinctive cuisine, considered by some to be one of the most sophisticated in the country.

Bun bo Hue (beef-rice vermicelli soup Hue style) is undoubtedly the most well-known local product and is served not only in the central region but also in every corner of the country. But, many other Hue dishes, like banh beo chen (steamed rice cakes in small cups) and banh bot loc nhan tom thit (shrimp and pork rice dumplings), are also regularly featured on menus that specialise in the city's highly respected cuisine.

Opened only a few weeks ago, the Bun Bo Ganh restaurant in downtown HCM City has already lured a regular clientele, especially from 11:30am to 1:30pm when staff from office buildings nearby come for lunch.

Generous serving: A server prepares a hot bowl of bun bo Hue, a specialty of Hue and the main dish of the restaurant

Located on a prime location on Ho Tung Mau Street in District 1, only a few minutes walk from the 68-storey Bitexco Financial Tower, the city's tallest building, the two-storey restaurant is easy to find.

When my friend and I entered the restaurant last week, we discovered an old French colonial building that had once housed nearly 50 families.

The ground floor had been partitioned into three spaces, one of which housed the restaurant's downstairs area. Upstairs, where we decided to dine, was an airy, large al fresco area covering the entire first floor, surrounded by leafy trees and potted plants.

On the walls were photos of Sai Gon and Hue in the old days, inspiring diners, both local and foreign, to learn more about the country's history and people.

The dark bamboo tables and chairs were simply designed, which added to the cosy, comfortable atmosphere.

Nguyen Vu Quynh Anh, 29, the restaurant's owner, told me that she and her husband have a great passion for food and hospitality.

From 2002 to 2006, when they were students, they worked at the famous Nha Hang Ngon (Delicious Restaurant) and learned a great deal about gastronomy and customer services.

Then in 2012, they opened their first restaurant on Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3.

Accompaniments: Bun bo Hue is served with sides like bean sprouts, shredded banana flowers, chilli, limes and basil leaves. — VNS Photos Xuan Hiep

Anh, who is also the chef, said that bun bo Hue is the restaurant's main dish. Though famous as a specialty of Hue, it is popular throughout the country.

"Of course, we need to adjust the taste so that it can satisfy the taste of people in the south and north," Anh said.

Ingredients for the dish are imported from the central region to ensure authenticity.

Unlike the traditional and more famous pho soup from Ha Noi, bun bo Hue is more pungent, with lemongrass and a bit of shrimp paste.

My foreign friends, especially Westerners, dislike the smell of shrimp paste, but only a tiny amount of shrimp paste is needed to enhance the dish.

The Hue style beef vermicelli soup is served with sides like bean sprouts, shredded banana flower, chilli, line and basil.

To make the broth, cooks use pork or beef, and lemongrass is crushed and put into boiling water, which enhances the flavour and aroma.

The menu, in Vietnamese and English, includes a variety of Hue traditional cakes, each of which costs VND22,000 (US$1). To sample a variety of these small dishes, I recommend a mixed plate for only VND36,000 ($1.5).

The restaurant also offers sweet Hue soups, served either hot or cold, for only VND13,000.

For our lunch, we ordered a bowl of bun bo Hue for VND39,000 and che suong sa hat luu (agar-agar with pomegranate seeds) for VND13,000 each.

There were other sweet soups we would have loved to try, but because we were already full, we decided to save it for our next visit.

Instead, we ended on a refreshing note, with iced green tea, spiced with fresh ginger.

A staff of 15, many of whom can speak English, offered excellent customer service, which nicely complemented what was an already highly satisfying afternoon. 

Bun Bo Ganh Restaurant

Add: 88 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCM City

Tel: 08 - 66844446

Opening hours: 6:30am-10pm

Price range: VND22,000 - 39,000 (US$1-2)

Comment: tasty Hue cuisine in an old French colonial building in downtown HCM City. Attentive staff, affordable prices.

Source: VNS

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Viet Nam's first luxury train launched

Viet Nam Railways has launched the first five-star express train after upgrading its service and the skills of the staff to meet the growing numbers of domestic and international passengers.

The railway organisation operates the north-south railway system.

During the four-month-long upgradation process, the luxurious train was equipped with the modern facilities, including clean and attractive interiors, an efficient ticketing counter, news bulletins and cafeteria, as well as televisions, free wi-fi, and souvenir and newspaper kiosks.

The train will offer passengers with professional staff and five-star services of an international standard.

With professional staff and offering five-star services of an international standard, the train can meet the increasing demands of both domestic and international passengers.

The train takes 31 hours to travel from Ha Noi to HCM City. Two trains will depart from the two cities daily. The train has 13 cars, 11 passenger cars, two service cars and 31 trained personnel, including the driver.

The luxurious train was equipped with the modern facilities, including clean and attractive interiors, an efficient ticketing counter, news bulletins and cafeteria, as well as televisions, free wi-fi, and souvenir and newspaper kiosks. — Photos vnexpress.net

The ticket costs about VND1.2 million to VND1.7 million (US$56–$80)

During the peak season, the luxurious train can accommodate 508 passengers per trip. 

Source: VNS

Some more photos (source: Dan Tri)

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Visit the shortest street of Hanoi in Hanoi Old Quarter

Ho Hoan Kiem street in Old Quarter is the shortest street in Hanoi. It's 52 m, connect Cau Go street and Dinh Tien Hoang street.

Under French domination, it's named: Phiharmonique. But Hanoian is familiar with the name Hang Che street.

Because, it 's too short street so many people don't realize it.

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"Banh Chung" - the soul of Vietnamese New Year!

"Banh Chung" (Chung cake) is a traditional and irreplaceable cake of Vietnamese people in the Tet Holidays and King Hung’s anniversary (10th March Lunar). For the Vietnamese, making "Banh Chung" is the ideal way to express gratitude to their ancestors and homeland.

The legend of " Banh Chung"

Chung cake was invented by the 18th Prince of Hung Emperor in the contest of looking for new Emperor. According to the legend, 3,000-4,000 years ago, Prince Lang Lieu, made round and square cakes, the round Day cake symbolizing the sky and the square Chung cake symbolizing the Earth (under the ancient Vietnamese perception), to be offered on the occasion of Spring.

In the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Chung cake's shape is square, too, to reflect the Earth shape. Since the cakes he offered were of special meaning and delicious taste, Lang Lieu was selected to be the next Emperor. Since then, in honor of this 18th Prince, Vietnamese people always make and have Chung cake in the Lunar New Year. Up to now, Chung cake has become the most famous and irreplaceable traditional Vietnamese food in Tet Holiday. This legend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient tradition as well as the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasizes the important role of rice and nature in water rice culture.

How to make a "Banh Chung"?

In contrast to the fast food in modern life, the process of making Chung cake is time-consuming and requires the contribution of several people. Main ingredients are glutinous rice, pork meat, and green beans wrapped in a square of bamboo leaves that will give the rice a green color after boiling. The sticky rice must be very good and was soaked in water in the previous day. Rice cake is wrapped in square shape, and the wrapping power must be neither tight nor loose. Then the cake will be boiled in about 12 hours by wood. The Green Chung cake has nutrition with an original tasty flavor and may be kept for a long time. Eating Chung cake with vegetable pickles will bring you unforgettable taste!

In the traditional conception of Vietnamese people, the process of making Chung cake is the opportunity for family to come together. Sitting around the warm fire, all members in the family tell one another the past stories and are ready for a New Year with wishes of best things. Nowadays, in some big cities, the business lifestyle of modern society prevent people from preparing the cake, however, the habit of worship ancestors with Chung cake never changes. It is the evidence of the Vietnamese loyalty and deep gratitude to ancestors. 

Soure: Vietnam beauty

Here are the detail of each step:

Prepare: "Lạt Giang - one type of bamboo; Dong leaf

Wash the Dong leaf first

Choose the "Lá Dong " - Dong leaf

Make it dry

Prepare 5 things need to make Chung cake: tie make of bamboo; pig meat; green bean; sticky rice; Dong leaf

Organize Dong leaf

Start after all step above

There are two ways to roll the Chung cake: by only their hands or by spuare in shape

There are two ways to roll the Chung cake: by only their hands or by spuare in shape

Boil Chung cake

After boil must wash and clearn Chung cake in water before make it dry

Make Chung Cake have real square in shape

Time of making Chung Cake - is the happy time for family sitting together 

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Dragon cruise to ferry tourists along Han River in Da Nang

A dragon ship will now carry tourists along the Han River at night. The 250-seat steel vessel will offer two journeys every night, one from 6 to 7.30 pm and one from 8 to 9.30 pm.

The 250-seat steel vessel will offer two journeys every night, one from 6 to 7.30 pm and one from 8 to 9.30 pm

Tourists board at Bach Dang Wharf on the Han River bank near the Rong (Dragon) Bridge.

During the tour, they can snap photos of the LED light-decorated Han, Thuan Phuoc, Rong and Tran Thi Ly bridges and the American war-era Nguyen Van Troi Bridge.

Han river at night

On Saturday and Sunday nights, tourists can see the award-winning dragon-shaped Rong bridge spit fire. 

Source: VNS

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07 Reasons Why You Should Spend Your Holiday In Vietnam

Our brains are magnificent organs, complex and effective at what they do, but they do a lot of work day in and day out, and require a break every now and then. A holiday spent abroad allows your mind to relax, and as you stop worrying about your job and social life, you can focus on recharging your batteries, having fun, learning new things and broadening your horizons. It is good to travel as far away from home as possible, and really immerse yourself in a different culture.

As far as history, culture, nature, architecture, and fun activities go, Vietnam has a lot to offer. It can accommodate all types of travelers, from those looking for a relaxing beach holiday to hikers and adventurers, and provide you with an unforgettable experience. Let’s look at the seven main reasons for visiting Vietnam.

1. The majestic islands of Halong Bay are perfect for both adventurers and casual tourists

Halong Bay is probably the most popular tourist destination within Vietnam, and it is not that difficult to see why. There are a large number of small islands clustered around the bay, with sheer cliffs ideal for adventure-seeking climbers and beautiful sandy beaches, as well as tons of interesting activities such as kayaking and helicopter rides. The less adventurous folk can simply relax on lovely cruise boats with large sails (traditional sampan rig style). Adventure, natural beauty, and classy accommodations are what draw the crowd to Halong Bay.

2. Hiking through the hills of Sapa and experiencing the rich culture of local tribes

Sapa is a Vietnamese market town located in the Northwest. The area around it features beautiful hills and valleys, great hiking and trekking trails, and breathtaking terraced rice fields. Several ethnic minorities live in the area and tend to the fields, each with their own distinct culture and way of life.

Meeting the locals is an incredibly pleasant experience—they are quite hospitable and used to tourists visiting the area frequently. There is a lot to be seen, and a lot to be learned about the unique culture of the tribes residing in the hills of Sapa, making it a great place to spend a few days and explore in more detail.

3. Take in classic architecture and culture at the Temple of Literature

Vietnam has a large number of well-preserved temples that stand as witnesses to the highly developed culture spanning hundreds and hundreds of years. The Temple of Literature in Hanoi is devoted to Confucius and scholars in general. Built in 1070, it hosts Vietnam’s first national university.

A large number of stelae were raised to commemorate the achievements of great scholars throughout the years, and it is truly a sight to behold. It is a unique piece of history and a great example of the kind of culturally significant sites available for modern scholars and history enthusiasts to explore.

4. Explore the unique rainforest flora and fauna at the Cuc Phuong National Park

Vietnam’s oldest national park, Cuc Phuong, boasts some jaw-dropping scenery and diverse wildlife that you can explore for days on end. The Limestone Mountains and thick vegetation are home to over 2,000 plant species, more than 250 reptile and mammal species, and over 300 bird species, making it a prime location for naturalists and nature lovers. You can have a fairly long trek through the forest and get to see a myriad of different animals, and explore the caves where you’ll find the remains of people who lived in these parts over 7,000 years ago.

There are plenty of other curiosities like a reptile fossil that is over 200 million years old.  The indigenous Muong tribe still resides there in stilt houses, living off the land and producing interesting garments using simple looms.

5. The unique marriage of Western and Eastern architecture (Vua Meo)

As Western countries strove to grow their colonial power, Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands conquered countries on different continents. Vietnam was under French rule from the late 19th century up until the First Indochina War in the mid-20th century.

At certain periods tensions were high, but during this time a unique blend of Western and Eastern architecture emerged, and one of the most beautiful examples of this is the Vua Meo villa built by the French for the leader of the Hmong people. Interestingly enough it was once dubbed “The Opium Palace”, as one of its cellars stored large amounts of opium, and the walls were decorated with poppy-seed and flower designs.

6. Plenty of opportunity to help a good cause by volunteering

For those who want a more active break from everyday life, and wish to help out others and make a difference in the world, there are several great volunteering opportunities in Vietnam. The great thing about helping a cause is that the trip and accommodations are fairly affordable, and you have an opportunity to meet lots of new people, delve deeper into the local culture, learn useful skills, and experience the pleasure of helping those in need.

Whether it is teaching the local youth, helping orphaned children, improving healthcare standards in rural areas, or working at a wildlife rescue center, you have a chance to make a big positive change.

7. A large number of beautiful sandy beaches

In the end, after all the excitement and exploration, some may just want get some sun on their skin, swim and have fun on a beach of fine sand. Well, as we’ve already mentioned, Halong Bay is an excellent place for both adventure and the traditional beach vacation, but there are a whole lot of other incredible beaches in Vietnam, like the quiet Long Beach in Phu Quoc, or the lovely City Beach in Nha Trang.

You can find the right place for yourself, depending on whether you want something more secluded, where you can be alone with a significant other, or want to be in an urban environment, but have the ability to get down to the beach for a quick swim in a matter of minutes.

If you are looking for an exotic location, with lots of fun and worthwhile things to do, Vietnam is definitely the place to visit. Even if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want out of your vacation, there’s something for everyone in this proud country.

BY IVAN DIMITRIJEVIC - Source: LifeHack

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