"Gio" - Delicious specialties Vietnam

There are many types of “giò” such as: giò lụa (pork-pie), giò bò (beep dumpling), giò bì (pork and skin paste), giò mỡ (lean and fat pork paste), giò xào (fried pie), etc. Each type has a particular taste but the most important thing to make “giò” dish really attractive is that the fragrance of banana leaves and fish sauce combined in the piece of “giò”.

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Giò xào (fried pie)

In all kinds of “giò”, fried pie is the easiest one to prepare, so families often make it themselves when Tet is coming. The main materials are parts of pork such as: ear, nose tongue, pork cheeks and “mộc nhĩ” (cat’s ear). The materials must be subjected to premilitary treatment, boiled through hot water, sliced, mixed with spices, pepper and fried.

After wrapping the fried pie, keep it in the refrigerator so that all the materials link together. The pie that is delicious must be wrapped carefully, raw materials must not be too dry and the dish will stir fragrance of the spices.

Giò bò (beep dumpling)Beep dumpling

Beep dumpling

Also processed as fried pie, beep dumpling is often added for more fat so that it is not too dry. When cutting a piece of beep dumpling, it is slightly pink as the color of the beef. Especially, pungency and fragrance of pepper feature the typical characteristic of beep dumpling.

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Giò lụa (pork-pie)

Pork is chosen to make pork-pie must be lean, delicious and fresh meat. It is continuously ground until the meat is fine. These days, the meat is ground by machine, which makes the process more quickly and helps to save the maker’s strength.

However, the pork-pie is make in the traditional way remains the delicious flavor that is different from the one ground by Pork-pie

Pork-pie

machine, since the makers must use more strength so they take proper care of their product. Fish sauce for making pork-pie must also be tasty and fragrant. When being cut, the pie must has the color of ivory-white and the surface has some small holes, surely that the pie is so delicious!

Giò bì (pork and skin paste)

Pork and skin paste is a local specialty of Pho Xuoi (Hung Yen Province). It is also made from uncooked pork-pie and pork skin that are sliced, then wrapped into small ones like fingers. Pork and skin paste is delicious, it means that pieces of pork skin must be white, clean, boiled, cut into small ones and mixed with uncooked pork-pie. The piece of pork and skin paste is so crispy and crunchy.

In Vietnam, once try to taste these kinds of “giò”, it is certaintly that you cannot forget the tasty flavor and fragrance of the dainty morsels...

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Nui Coc Lake in Thai Nguyen

"The Sun is shining brightly, listening to the legend of the young couple who love each other head over heels, but cannot get married... Hoh...ooh...oh..."

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The beautiful lyrics in a sweet song that tells the legend of Nui Coc Lake in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. Many people know it by heart and dream of travelling to the lake which, as the legend goes, is made of the tears of a girl who cannot marry the man she loves.

Passing uneven fresh tea hills and gentle streams, you will be greeted by immense emerald rice fields along the way to Nui Coc Lake. The 18km of windy roads from Thai Nguyen City’s centre to the lake are lined by tea-terraced fields on hills, and gentle rivers under a blue sky. The mystical Nui Coc Lake always surprises tourists with its legendary beauty. The scene is more like a water-colour painting than a real landscape.

With a width of 2,600 ha and a depth of 50m, Nui Coc Lake is an interesting eco-tourism destination. What brings the lake back into reality is the large tourism area built next to it. The lake comprises 89 islets; some are covered with trees, some with flocks of birds, and others with flocks of storks or mountain goats. About 40 species of birds and 15 species of mammals have been recorded in the reservoir area. Nearby the lake, Coc Mountain stands imposingly amid the blue sky, the bright sunshine over every blade of grass and twig, all creating marvelous and splendid scenery. The water surface is large and quiet. Somewhere some storks sore above the islands in the middle of the lake, which suggests a quite and pleasant life far from the bustle and crowdedness of the urban life. With such charming natural scenery, Nui Coc is close to legend of the romantic love between a girl named Cong and the man named Coc.

The legend behind...

The legend has it that there was a couple loving each other very much but their love did not become true due to their different social positions. Generations of the Vietnamese are all able to tell you the beautiful but sad love story of the couple Cong and Coc that relates to the lake, as far as I remember that "One pained person cries and the tears have become a river. One person who spent a life waiting becomes the mountain."

The tragic tale of families tearing a couple apart is like a Vietnamese Romeo and Juliet. Coc’s family is too poor, and the girl’s rich, mandarin family forbids him from marrying her. Their interference only makes the couple more determined to wait for each other. One day, the sound of the flute Coc uses to call for Cong does not reach Cong’s room. Hopeless for his lover, Coc dies of a broken heart.

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The fairy in the sky feels pity for him and transforms him into a mountain that stands imposing in the middle of the sky. During all four seasons, the wind blows through the leaves to resound the lover’s flute. The girl, detained in her room, cries for her lover all day and night until one day her body transforms into tears. The tears full of love and loyalty absorb into the soil, and run as currents looking for a way to Coc Mountain. Every year since then, when summer comes, violet sim (violet myrtle flower) flourish on Coc Mountain and on Cong River to remind people of this beautiful love.

The region where this legend was born is also known as the Tan Cuong region, famous for its perfumed tea in Thai Nguyen. It is said that Cong’s tears are absorbed in the tea plant’s roots, creating a lasting sweet flavour that anyone who tastes can remember it forever.

The love story finished when the boat reaches the bank for tourists to take another travel on Nui Coc Lake in a ship...

... to the Palace of Legend

Visitors to Nui Coc Lake can take a trip to one of the favourite stops upon arrival, that is Huyen Thoai Cung (Palace of Legend) which includes statues made by 50 artisans from Nam Dinh Province. Hopping on a little bamboo boat that runs along the narrow Luoi River in a grotto, a symbol of Cong’s tears, you can live out the legend of Cong and Coc as passing little statues and scenes that tell the whole story. Palace of Legend is a cultural tourism work. The man-made system of caves has been designed by architectures on an area of 3,000 square meters. Standing by the gate of the tourism site is statues of Cong and Coc. The Palace legend is 100 meters from the gate.

The appearance of the Palace Legend is like a mountain range with the statue of male fairy holding a bamboo stick, presenting the good fighting against the bad. Inside the palace, there is a man-made stream flowing around the cave. Sitting on small boat, tourists can look at scenery of the two sides. System of cave and architectural works has recounted by pictures the legend of Cong and Coc.

Not far from the Palace of Legend is a little zoo with dozens of different animals such as monkeys, crocodiles, pythons and ostriches. After stopping at the main tourist destinations, you can enjoy the region’s specialties including bamboo rat meat. A special highlight that shouldn’t be missed is the amazing water music display built to celebrate Thai Nguyen Co Island
Co Island

Tourism Year. You will be enchanted to see waters from fountains in the lake dance to melodies of the songs.

and getting on the boat...

If you have much spare time, you should travel in a boat on the lake water and you can enjoy a panorama of the whole lake, which is one of the most relaxing moments. While enjoying the sparkling waters under the sun, you can reach Co Island (island of stork) with wild myrtle and old bamboo trees where is the host of bird, stork and so on, specially fire stork at twilight. After cruising, you will visit irrigation spillway and the tourism site in the north of the lake with services and bustling tourism area. If visiting a small island, which is quiet and secluded, you will have a chance to organize a happy meal or enjoy pleasant minutes, which will last in your life. Tourists can also camp out on one of the islands and wallow in the pure setting, while fishing on the lake.

The mystical Nui Coc Lake really surprises tourists with its incredible beauty... It is certainly that you will be sedured the water-colour painting landscape of the lake.

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Hon Khoai Island in Vietnam

Hon Khoai, the biggest of a group of islets, is a rocky island of hills and forests including various kinds of precious wood like the “Star” wood. The wild natural landscapes attract a great deal of tourists...

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Hon Khoai Island lies off the southern tip of the Mekong Delta and is is one of the well-known landscapes of the southernmost province of Ca Mau, about 15kilometres from the mainland.

Formerly, Hon Khoai was called Giang Huong, Independence Island and Poulo Obi in the French domination. However, the locals get used to calling it Hon Khoai because it looks like the shape of a giant potato. Hon Khoai is not only a well-known landscape of Ca Mau Province but also a revolutionary site in the south-western region of the south. In 1940, under the leadership of the Communist Party, the locals and soldiers re-took the island from French invaders.

A path to the top of the island zigzags round the hillside and is shadowed by high and big trees. Jackfruit and mango trees are seen lush and many of them have become century-old trees. Many wild flowers blossom in rock cavities as though specially placed there as part of some artistic arrangement. The sound of running water and the chirping of birds complete a heavenly picture. On the Hon Khoai coast, there are numerous algae that are used to cook delicious dishes. Many species of birds, including wild geese and swallows, have made Hon Khoai their home.

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On the Hon Khoai coast, there are numerous algae which can be cooked into delicious dishes. There are also many species of birds on the island, including wild geese and swallows.

On the Hon Khoai Island stands an important lighthouse in the Eastern Sea and Thailand Bay. Having invaded Vietnam, French colonialists built a system of lighthouses from Can Gio, Con Dao, Phu Quoc to Hon Khoai to lead ships. The architecturally intact 318 meter-high lighthouse on Hon Khoai Island, built in 1920, unfailingly puts on its best postcard behavior for visitors. The lighthouse tower was one of the earliest construction sites on the Vietnamese territorial waters.

With cool climate and beautiful scenery, Hon Khoai is suitable for ecological and discovery tourism.

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Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is the tourist destination

Hoa Lu is some 110km or two hours from vietnam hanoi. Located near the town of Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu is the site of a 10th-century capital of an ancient Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Viet. This small Kingdom covered an area of only 300 hectares, and reigned from the 10th century, during the Dinh and Le dynasties, to the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty. The Kingdom was enclosed by a citadel. The citadel and the Yen Ngua limestone hills provided good defence for this kingdom against the Chinese.

The mountains and sea combined to make Hoa Lu’s picturesque landscape. Hoa Lu lays in a flat valley surrounded by the Trang An lime stone mountains, which form a natural wall protecting the old citadel. The city’s northwest is bordered by the Hoang Long River, the tributaries of which run through the capital, cooling the weather within the city and serving as convenient waterways.

Not much of this ancient kingdom is left standing. Whatever that remains of the palaces and shrines would only be of interest to archaeologists. The Royal Court was built in an area of 150 hectares in the eastern part of the capital while the western part served as a site to educate and protect children. The surrounding to be quite picturesque, with its ponds and limestone range forming a jagged horizon. There are two 17th century temples, modelled after their 11th-century originals that are on most itineraries to Hoa Lu. They are the Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and Le Hoan Temple, dedicated to the founder of the Dinh Dynasty and to its successor, reachable after a climb of more then 200 steps. I shall describe these two temples separately on their respective pages.

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As the capital of the country for 41 years, Hoa Lu has many palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions that were built by different dynasties. One of the most popular pieces of architecture is the Bao Thien Tue Palace, which was plated with gold and silver. However many vestiges have been destroyed due to time and weather.

In 968, Dinh Bo Linh ascended to the throne and took the name of King Dinh Tien Hoang and reunified the country under the name of Dai Co Viet. Hoa Lu was its capital for 41 years (968-1009). The first 12 years were the Dinh Dynasty while the rest were the Le Dynasty with King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (Hanoi now).Dinh Tien Hoang Temple at Hoa Lu
Dinh Tien Hoang Temple at Hoa Lu

   

Coming to Hoa Lu visitors can attend traditional cultural festivals here, and the most important and largest of them is the Truong Yen Festival, which is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month. The festival is in memory of the Kings of the Dinh and Le dynasties. The festival lasts for three days with many traditional games and martial arts, reflecting local residents’ legends.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival

The festival is held annually on the 10th -13th of March of the lunar calendar in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district with the purpose of commemorating the two kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.

The festival includes two parts: Worshiping is water procession at Truong Yen water station located on Hoang Long river and worship at the two temples of King Dinh and King Le. Entertainment activities includes performing "Co lau tap tran", competing in writing Han script, playing chess, performing dragon dance, etc.

How to get to Hoa Lu?

You can easily get a day tour from Hanoi to visit Hoa Lu from most travel agents in Hanoi. Such a tour usually includes a boat ride at Tam Coc as well. The tour begins in the morning and ends at the early part of the afternoon. Hoa Lu is about 110km from Hanoi, and takes 2 hours to reach.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is really an important cultural and historical site of great value in Vietnam.

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Danang Travel Guides in Vietnam

Danang is well known as the largest and the cleanest cities of Central Vietnam the capital city and close to the one of the most attractive destination is of stunning Hoi An and the imperial capital of Hue. With friendliness and rusticity of people, beautiful beaches and spectacular spots in Danang, hope that you will have the best experience about Vietnam.

When is the best time to visit in Danang?

The most beauty of time to visit in danang tourism is from February to May with sunny, less rainy and storm

How to travel in Danang

By air

 Da Nang International Airport is one of three international airports in Vietnam providing stamping visa to Vietnam at Vietnam Immigration Counter located 2 km from the city center 

With this airport, visitors can easily travel domestically to other destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Pleiku, Qui Nhon with Vietnam Airlines or Jetstar Pacific and also international flight.

By train

Travelling bus train is the cheapest and safeness way. You can check time and train from Hanoi- Danang and vice versa in here: Hanoi - Danang

For other destination, you can check time and train in  Here

By bus

It takes 14 to 16 hours on bus from Hanoi- Danang, Expats don’t have to book first, and you can go to Hanoi’s Giap Bat Station with the price about VND 380,000-450,000. Bus is also the best choice for all traveling around and from Danang to Hoi An.

With bus ticket from Danang to Hoi An, you can make book tickets at the Da Nang Intercity Bus Station, travel agencies, and possibly your hotel.

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Things to do in Danang 

Coming to Danang, don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful sceneries, beaches,  and many historical relics, following is some recommend with the most destinations for all travelers

Linh Ung Buddhist Temple: Located Son Tra Peninsula and one of Da Nang’s most-visited attractions with the diversity of plants and animals and special place linking Heaven and Earth.

Linh Ung Temple- Danang

Ba Na Hill Station: far 50km from Da Nang city to the West, with diverse ecosystem and many specious species(256 animal species and 543 plants species), and spectacular and the wonderful scenery of Ba Na which will bring the best memorable experience when visiting here.

Ba Na Hill

Marble Mountains: is a group of five marble and named five elements of the ancient oriental philosophy limestone mountains- metal, wood, water, fire and earth, and far 9km from south of Danang city center.

Marble Mountains

Cham Museum: is the last collection of Cham Pa arts in the world, constructed in the ancient Cham Pa architecture style with many blocks of white building decorated with simple and elegant patterns.

Cham Museum

Son Tra Peninsula: located at Sơn Tra district tand 13 km away from the center of Da Nang City. Son Tra is quite famous with gorgeous beaches - white sand, and mysterious primitive jungle with a vast diversity of plants and animals

Information about Entrance fee in Danang.

Where to stay at night in Danang

Depending on your budget and type of hotel, travellers can choose your right hotel:

Budget: Funtastic Hostel, Da Nang Trade Union Hotel, Danang Backpackers Hostel, etc

Mid- range: Red Beach Resort and Spa, My Khe Beach Hotel 1 and 2, Sea Wonder Hotel, etc.

High- range: Holiday Beach Danang Hotel & Resort, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa, etc

What to eat

 Danang‘s gastronomy is mixed by all regions. Coming here you may taste many delicious foods like Bánh Xèo, Bánh Tráng, Mì Quảng, Gỏi Ca, etc

Travel tips

Visit Danang before travelling to Hoi An. After discovering Danang, travelers can take a bus or rent motorbike to Hoi An

Beware of the Taxi scam: Be careful when you travel by taxi, you should check price and destination before getting on the car.

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Quán Thánh Temple (Đền Quán Thánh)

From many amazing Vietnam Popular Destinations, today, I will introduce one of traditional places in Hanoi Capital for all you guys. Quán Thánh Temple (Đền Quán Thánh) is located at the crossroads of Thanh Nien Street and QuanThanh Street, near West Lake, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi. Built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010-1028) and renovated many times, the temple is also called Tran Vu temple, since it is dedicated to HuyenThien Tran Vu (Guardian of the North of the Country). QuanThanh temple is an important historical and cultural place in vietnam hanoi.

According to the legend, Tran Vu is a figure who helped King An Duong Vuong chase away demons during the construction of Co loa Citadel. The temple first existed in the south of the To Lich River (1160) but then was moved to the North-west of the capital (the present site) (1474). It is one of the “Thang Long Tu Tran” which honours the Holly Figures guarding at four main directions (East – West – south – North) of the ancient Thang Long citadel.

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Quan Thanh temple attracts visitors for its famous special and beautiful structure and religious cultural place.In the past, it raised question whether the legend of this place is true or not. There are many talks that this place should be one legendary place in Vietnam. However someone said that it is just a regular temple that visitors come to visit. It is now considered one of the Vietnam Popular Destinations after many discussions.

From the temple’s gate, you will see a majestic 3-door entrance which was built on large stones with a bell tower on its top. It is typically structure of many Vietnam Popular Destinations. The tiger standing in front of the temple is considered to be the guard of the temple. Passing through the gate is a large yard shaded by a banyan tree with a basin of goldfish and a rock work. Going inside the temple, visitors will be caught by the giant black bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu which is 3.72 in height and four tons in weight.

The statue appears as a sitting Taoist hermit, the left hand passes magic and the right hand holds a sword shrouded by a snake propping against the back of a tortoise. This is a special sculpture with a refined casting technique of Vietnamese people in the 17th century. Inside the temple, there is also a statue of “Old Trong” who made the statue of Saint Tran Vu. Old Trong’s students cast it to express their gratitude to the teacher when he died.

Quan Thanh temple is also renowned for the woodcarving. Many wooden structures in the temple were carved skillfully with different shapes and patterns such as four sacred animals, fish, fir trees, bamboo trees, flower baskets, swords and daily activities on the heaven and the earth. They are really a beautiful and fantastic combination.

This place also has one of great secret that many tourists and researchers have been looking for it. If you are a person who interested on discovering, you can come there to explore it. I think it could be excited as fun. It is now the end of the tour of the trip around one of more Vietnam Popular Destinations.

To sum up,religious visitors often come to Quan Thanh temple at the Lunar New Year and on the first and fifteen day of the lunar month. The purpose is to worship and pray for health, luck and happiness. Visitors also can enjoy the spacious and charming landscapes here, relax and find out the ancient and romantic beauty of Hanoi in the past and now. Through this article, I hope you may like this place as well as other Vietnam Popular Destinations. And have an interesting trip in my beautiful country with family and friends.

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