Yen Tu is a spiritual retreat and one of Vietnam’s most sacred sites. It features a series of temples, pagodas, and towered stupas set amidst a lush mountain landscape. It’s also here that Tran Nhan Tong, the revered Buddha Enlightened King, founded Truc Lam – a Vietnamese Zen lineage – some 700 years ago.
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Halong: Bay of the Descending Dragon
Covering an area of over 43,000 hectares, Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam is known for its impressive seascape formed by thousands of limestone islands and islets. These towering pillars rise from the seabed like a defensive wall and locals believe that they are the vestige of a legendary battle.
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The Soul of Old Hanoi
Most travelers to Hanoi know about its chaotic streets, its vibrant food scene, and perhaps the 20th-century wars that shape today’s Vietnam. But not many realize that this city has a rich history, dating back as far as the 11th century. It weaves through the historic core like a thread and is waiting to be discovered by those with keen eyes.
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Topas Ecolodge: An Ideal Mountain Retreat
Settled on the verdant hillside of the Hoang Lien mountain range and far from the well-worn tourist path, Topas Ecolodge is literally a retreat. Here, guests can disconnect from the modern hectic world and immerse in the idyllic mountain lifestyle like it has been for centuries.
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Vietnamese Cuisine: Noodle Dishes
Though rice is the main staple food of Vietnamese people, noodles are often their favorite choice of food. From breakfast, lunch, and dinner to late-night snacks, you can easily spot locals slurping noodles at any time of the day. They are simply the thread of daily life.
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A Weekend Retreat at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Overlooking a pristine bay and surrounded by forested mountains, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay gave me the feeling of a remote island. Unlike their bustling counterparts in Nha Trang, the resort is for those searching for relaxation and tranquillity.
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Dak Lak: The Heartland of Vietnamese Coffee
In comparison to the resort town of Da Lat, Dak Lak is nearly unheard of. Most know about it as Vietnam’s largest coffee grower and exporter. Yet there is so much more hidden beneath the red basaltic soils. In fact, this under-the-radar province is in no hurry to reveal its treasures: stunningly beautiful sceneries and cultural richness.
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Six Senses Con Dao: An Island Getaway
Voted as the best resort in South East Asia by Travel + Leisure readers, Six Senses Con Dao is a hideaway in its true senses. The resort nestles in a quiet area of Con Dao, a windswept island just off the southeastern coast of Vietnam. Here, guests can sleep deeply to the sound of waves and wake up in a strikingly lush landscape.
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Vietnamese Cuisine: The Common Rice Dishes
For thousands of years, rice has been the most important crop in Vietnam. It is the country’s primary staple food and thus it plays a fundamental role in Vietnamese culture. These days, rice remains a vital ingredient of Vietnamese cuisine despite all the changes in cooking methods and eating patterns over the past decades.
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Vietnamese Cuisine: The Introduction
While Vietnamese cuisine abroad mostly flies under the banners of phở and bánh mì, its full spectrum is an endless combination of intriguing and fresh ingredients. The food varies from region to region, but generally, it’s characterized by simplicity and unmistakable flavors.
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Saigon: A Patchwork of Architectural Styles
From the colonial period, over the years of the American War, until today, Saigon’s architecture has continuously evolved. Each era has left marks on this city, turning it into an extraordinary patchwork of architectural styles.
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Da Lat: A Perfect Summer Destination
Surrounded by pine tree forests, hills, and lakes, Da Lat looks like a typical European resort town. Adding spring-like weather, it becomes a favorite destination to escape the summer heat for both domestic and foreign tourists.
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The Journey along Vietnam’s South Central Coast
Flanked by verdant mountains on one side and the blue sea on the other, the trail along Vietnam’s South Central Coast is easily the most picturesque in the country. This route stretches over 800 kilometers from Binh Thuan to Da Nang, passing through a series of astonishing beaches and bays.
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Sofitel Legend Metropole: The Grande Dame of Hanoi
Situated right in the heart of Hanoi, Sofitel Legend Metropole is often hailed as the city’s most storied hotel. The grande dame has welcomed guests since 1901, with timeless elegance and a century-long tradition of hospitality.
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