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| Chả Cá Lã Vọng grilled fish (Source: VOV) |
VOV reported that Ben Groundwater, a writer with more than 20 years of experience in the field of culinary tourism in Australia, visitors can’t leave northern Vietnam without having tried this absolute treat.
The author described Chả Cá Lã Vọng as the classic Hanoi dish. Chunks of freshwater fish, usually catfish, are typically marinated in a range of ingredients such as turmeric before then being fried in oil until golden brown and served with a tonne of fresh dill, spring onions, peanuts, and often rice noodles.
In 2019, the US-based multinational news channel CNN also praised Chả Cá Lã Vọng as one of the must-try delicacies for tourists when visiting Hanoi.
With regard to the history of the dish, the author revealed that more than a century ago when Vietnam was part of French Indochina, the Doan family had begun a business of selling grilled fish, ostensibly to make money. As well as serving great food, it also provided a secret meeting place in central Hanoi for resistance fighters battling colonial powers.
At present, the Doans’ restaurant still exists at 14 Chả Cá street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. He advised tourists to be wary as it is surrounded by many similarly named establishments acting as imitations.
“Heritage Journey” connects Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay
The northeastern province of Quang Ninh has approved a new cruise tour that connects the world natural heritage of Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.
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| Quan Lan island in Bai Tu Long Bay. (Photo: VNA) |
The “Heritage Journey” is the only cruise tour that connects the Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. It is the most luxurious overnight tour on Ha Long Bay this summer.
Notably, the "Heritage Journey" which lasts at least 3 days and 2 nights, use Grand Pioneers Cruise of Viet Thuan Group. The vessels is qualified to operate in restricted offshore waters and meets strict safety and environmental standards. Each day, the cruise ship travels for a minimum of 6-8 hours, four times longer than a regular tour. Currently, Grand Pioneers Cruise is the first vessel that is licensed to travel the farthest in the Bai Tu Long Bay.
Departing from Tuan Chau port, the cruise vessel takes passengers to visit the starting points of Ha Long Bay including Dau Go cave, Cho Da islet, Ga Choi islet, Dinh Huong islet, Titop island, Sung Sot cave to the ending points - Xuong Rong island, and Vung Vieng fishing village.
In particular, this unique cruise takes visitors to very difficult-to-reach places such as the Stone Park which is considered an "outdoor geological museum" that is about 320 million years old.
The “Heritage Journey" is the premise for launching new products, offering new experiences, and renovating Ha Long Bay tourism in particular and Vietnam's sea tourism in general.
This direction is also expected to create a new trend for high-end resort tourism on the bay, help attract high-end tourist markets in the future, reduce pressure on the core area of Ha Long Bay, and aim for green and sustainable tourism development.
The Bai Tu Long Bay, extending through Cam Pha and Van Don, boasts stunning natural landscapes and appealing tourist routes. The ecosystem of Bai Tu Long National Park, recognised as the 38th ASEAN Heritage Park, preserves the landscape, flora, and fauna ecosystem, as well as cultural and historical values.
The bay borders Ha Long to the southwest, the East Sea to the east, the mainland of Cam Pha city to the west, and Co To island district to the northeast. The Bai Tu Long Bay consists of hundreds of islands, both large and small, many of which are large and inhabited.
Traditional customs of Vietnamese preserved in Hong Kong
A large number of Vietnamese people in Hong Kong (China) have come to a local pagoda on the occasion of the Vu Lan Festival to express gratitude to ancestors and pray for the best for their families, which is also an act to uphold traditional customs of the homeland, reported VNA.
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| An altar inside the Phap Xuat Duy Giac pagoda in Hong Kong. (Source: VNA |
Like other residents in Hong Kong, Vietnamese in this special administrative region often visit pagodas every traditional festival to worship Buddha.
During the Vu Lan Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (August 18 this year), many have come to a pagoda called “Phap Xuat Duy Giac” in Sino-Vietnamese words.
The pagoda, founded by a Vietnamese nun over 60 years ago, used to welcome numerous Buddhist followers and visitors, but it was less frequented due to a lack of keepers after the nun passed away in 1999, Tran Thi Phuong, manager of the pagoda, told the Vietnam News Agency's resident reporter.
She shared that it could be her destiny that she came to take care of this pagoda and chant prayers every day to wish for good health for her family and peace for the world.
Hoang My An, a Vietnamese in Hong Kong, said every Vu Lan Festival, the Vietnamese community here visit Buddhist pagodas to pray for well-being for their families and show gratitude to ancestors and parents, thereby helping maintain and pass down good cultural practices to descendants.
Le Thi Hong Viet, another expatriate, noted that she also often visits pagodas on this occasion as the tradition of Vietnamese people goes to pray for good health and peace.
Aside from visiting pagodas, many Vietnamese in Hong Kong have also taken part in the release of caught animals on this occasion to wish for the best for their families and themselves.
Singapore concert raises funds for Vietnamese kids' mid-autumn festival
According to VNA, the auditorium at the Band Academy Singapore recently filled with a crowd who came for a live concert called “Hanoi in Me” jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy and community there, with the goal of raising funds for the upcoming mid-autumn festival for children.
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| At the live concert recently held at the Band Academy Singapore (Source: VNA) |
Vietnamese Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung said that the event was an opportunity for the community to coe together, and turn their hearts to the homeland.
Lovely melodies about Hanoi graced the event through the performances of professional singers, and Vietnamese talents.
Trinh Thi Mai, a 39-year-old worker who has been in Singapore for five years, said she was delighted to attend this meaningful event.
Liz Nguyen, a representative from the organising board, said the event was meticulously prepared, and the proceeds, small in value as it was, will make practical contributions to organising the mid-autumn festival for the kids next month.
Outbound tours fully booked for upcoming national holiday
Local travel agencies have reported that their international tours for the upcoming national holiday on September 2 are completely booked thanks to attractive pricing and the extended four-day break, reported VNS.
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Tourists at the Erawan Shrine, or four-faced Buddha, in Bangkok, Thailand, which features a statue of Phra Phrom. Bangkok is a popular destination for Vietnamese travelers.
(Source VNS) |
Popular destinations include Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and China, with package tours starting at VND8.9 million (US$357) and seeing rapid sales.
Short trips to Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are favoured, while longer excursions to the Republic of Korea and Japan also attract attention.
Notable tours include Bangkok-Pattaya at VND8.9 million and Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka at VND23 million.
Flamingo Redtours has achieved full sales for the holiday, and Trang An Travel reported complete bookings for package tours to Beijing and Shanghai in China.
Pham Anh Vu, communications director of Viet Tourism Media JSC, noted a 60% booking rate, with international tours accounting for 70%.
While visa-required tours to China, the Republic of Korea, Japan are nearly full, Southeast Asia destinations still have availability.
Meanwhile, popular domestic tours to Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, starting from VND3.7 million, are also in high demand due to luxury resort offerings./.