Hạ Long Bay - One of the World's Heritage

Hạ Long Bay with Helicopter View

Ha Long Bay (Bay where Dragon landed) is a small bay of the west coast of North Bay in the East Vietnam Sea, including islands in the waters of Ha Long City, Cam Pha City and a part of the districtVan Don island province of Quang Ninh.

Is the center of a large area with little more common elements of geology, geomorphology, landscape, climate and culture, with Bai Tu Long Bay northeast and Cat Ba Island in the southwest, Ha Long Bay restricted area of about 1553 km ², including 1,969 islands, mostly limestone islands, of which the core area of the Gulf has an area of 334 km ² clustered density of 775 islets. Limestone tectonic history of the Gulf has spent about 500 million years to the ancient geographical circumstances are very different; fully and evolution carxto process over the last 20 million years to a combination of factors such as thick limestone floors, hot and humid climate and the slow tectonic uplift as a whole. The combination of the environment, climate, geology, geomorphology, has made ​​Ha Long Bay gathering of biodiversity including ecosystem of tropical moist evergreen rain forest and marine ecosystems and coastal coast with many small ecosystems. 14 endemic plant species and 60 endemic animal species have been discovered among the thousands of plant and animal populations living in the Gulf.

The Imortal Legend

Ha Long Bay has long ago due to tectonic.However, in the minds of the Vietnamese people from prehistoric times to the popular imagination and the idea of Dragon and Fairy roots, some legends that when the English founded the country were foreign invaders, Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her child Dragons down to earth to help the Viet people fight the invaders. Marine invaders' boats were rushing to the shore just as the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately ejected the enemy boat burned, partially Chau Ngoc Dung imposing stone walls make the enemy hit that broke the boat, stop the progress of the Gentiles.

After the victory, the ground peaceful, lush trees, the people here diligence, hard work, solidarity and help each other, Mother Dragon and Child Dragons did not return Heaven but stayed on earth, where just place the eternal battle to protect the people of Dai Viet. Location Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long; where Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long and the water dragon undo tail is white Bach Long Vi (Tra Co Peninsula today, with over 15 km long sandy beach).

Other legends say that at a time when a country with invaders, a dragon flying along the river down to the sea and landed in the coastal Northeast make sure bulwark step of aquatic invaders. Dragon landed sheltered accommodation for the country known as Ha Long.

Landscape

One of the Cave up inside off sea moutains

Regional heritage on Ha Long Bay was recognized by the world (core area) has an area of ​​434 km ², as a triangle with three vertices is the island of Dau Go (west), Ba Ham lake (south) and the island of Cong Tay (east), consists of 775 islands with many caves and beaches. The next area (buffer zone), is the national heritage has been the ranking of Culture and Information of Vietnam in 1962. Ha Long Bay is the island, terrain interspersed between the valley of the sea, is a land of salt tiger parrots grow and limestone cliff islands that make up the beauty of contrast, harmony, lively elements: stone , water and sky .

Sea and islands

The islands in Ha Long Bay, there are two types of islands of limestone and schist islands, concentrated in two main areas of the southeast region of Bai Tu Long Bay and southwestern region of Ha Long Bay. According to the Management Board of Ha Long Bay, in the total of 1,969 islands of Ha Long Bay to the 1921 islands with many islands with a height of about 200 m [5]. This is the oldest image of the terrain tectonic age from 250-280 million years ago, as a result of the campaign raised, lowered several times from the continent into the sea valley. Process abrasive carxto, turned almost completely create a Ha Long Bay unique, with thousands of islands many shapes, different looks heaving on the sea, in an area not major Gulf.

Concentration of the islands have spectacular scenery and many beautiful caves is central Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage, including the majority of the bay (the core), part of Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay Cat Ba Islands (buffer).

The islands in Ha Long Bay has its own shape, unlike any island Vietnamese coastal and island does the same. Gathering place island looked away wondering if stacked on top of each other, but also for alternate horizontal lined island, forming long lines running tens of kilometers as a wall. It is a world of creatures hidden in the shape of stone have been legendary. Island is the same face that someone is looking forward to the mainland (than oil); island is like a dragon hovering above the water (Dragon Islet); island is like an old man sitting fishing (rock La Vong); far is two sails are turning brown waves offshore (islet sails); reverse magnifying raspberry soup as also (raspberry); then chicken lovingly playing with each other on the waves ( over the roof); standing between the vast sea a giant incense as an object of worship heaven and earth (Hon Lu Huong); islands like monks standing in the middle of the Gulf of how la palms Buddha (Hon Mr Master) ; circular islands have a height of about 40 meters looks like exposed his chopstick nature (rock Chopsticks), but viewed from the other direction like the blue court, dragonfly wings hat, fisherman, also known as islet He etc.

Besides the islands are named based on the shape, is the island named after the folk area (Bai Tho mountain, hang Virgin, Tuan Chau), or based on the specialty of the island or sea around the island (Hon Ngoc Vung, Golden Ant island, islands etc.).

Cave

Sửng Sốt Cave

Not only the transformation of the dark green islands on the Gulf countries specifically attractive, red-brown bat boats comes from Halong pier start your sightseeing, discovery again keep guests on the island, visiting the cave contains many hidden historical evidence. The caves in Ha Long Bay, according to the French geological expedition, while studies on the bay in the early 20th century, said that most of them were constructed in the Pleistocene lasted from 2 million to 11 thousand years ago, is located in the 3 groups of ancient underground cave, hang background carxto and the sea palate.

Cave Sửng Sốt: Hang Sung Sot, or Sung Sot is located on Bo Hon Island in the center of Ha Long Bay, which is the French name "Grotte des surprises" (of the period). This is a large and beautiful cave in Halong Bay's most. Situated in the tourist center of the system in the Gulf tourist routes including Ti Top beach - hang Bo Nau - Maze-Luon cave Sung Sot cave.

Location and area: Hang Sung Sot is a tubular cave, located at an altitude of 25 meters above the current sea level. Area about 10.000m2, length more than 200m, the widest place 80m, the largest distance from the ceiling to hang approximately 20m. Hang is divided into two compartments.

Detect and process management: - Due to the extended store, Sung Sot cave was discovered quite early on Halong Bay (late nineteenth century). New name of the cave was not until 1946 that appears on the mass media by some expedition here. - In 1999, the Management Board of Ha Long Bay has invested embellished Sung Sot Cave. The road system, the light so that visitors can see and feel the beauty of the block stalactites, stalagmites inside hang.Anh bright architectural designed in accordance with customers at the same time in harmony with daylight course from the store. - Currently Sung Sot Cave under the management of the cave Park Conservation Centre (Management Board of Ha Long Bay).

Road to Sung Sot Cave winding winding under the forest canopy, with the craggy stone pair, twist and turn. Action is divided into two compartments, the first full stop as a large theater wide wandering cave ceiling is covered with stalactites, stone statues, stone elephants, seals, raspberries, flowers, opening up a world of fairy. 2 separate compartments 1 through a small opening. Step into the cabinet, opened a new scene completely different with our wide compartment can accommodate thousands of people. Inside compartment 2 of Sung Sot cave image is associated with the legend of St. encoded: next to the entrance is a stone horse, long sword, and in the grotto there are small ponds Stud footprints.

Thien Cung:

Halong City around 8 km and 4 km from the tourist harbor is the island context, also known as Canh Doc Island coordinates of 107 ° 00'54 "and 20 ° 54'78". In books Unified Dai Nam has written: Hon Canh Doc Island halfway widely accommodate several thousand, nearby islands Pair Chicken, Cat Island, Hon La .... Today, through research, Van Canh island top 189m, shaped like a throne embracing two Dau Go Cave is a cave located protruding above and Thien Cung at the edge of the water not far away. Hang Dau Go and Thien Cung about 100m apart, are separated by winding paths, bending under the forest canopy.

Thien Cung is situated halfway Canh Doc Island, at a height of 25m above sea level. Guests step into the door Thien Cung, sudden heart open space quadrilateral cross-section with a length of over 130 meters, with stalagmites like a beautiful temples. Vertical high walls and surrounded by stalactites and on every wall mosaic that nature has many strange shapes, attractive view. That is four huge pillars between the pole to the top are carved strange shapes such as birds, fish, scenes of human activity, leaves flowers; bring iconic stalactites Nam Tao, Polaris maiden dance; cave ceiling with a sculpture, birds, flowers, animals are a party, entirely by hand manipulation of nature for thousands of years. Small door hidden in the mountains but increasingly go inside, heart as big and wide open, leading viewers go from surprise to surprise.

Voted in the Seven New Natural Wonders of the World

In the four years from 2007-2011, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Information and Communications, Tuoi Tre newspaper associations such as the Youth, Student Association, etc. Quang Ninh province and many other local organizations-scale campaign to vote for Ha Long Bay is one of the Seven New Natural Wonders of the World, is a poll by private NewOpenWorld Organization (NOWC). The poll is not due to cultural organizations, education, the United Nations (UNESCO) organized and election results is not recognized by this organization, so the public does not agree as well as criticism. But according to Tran Nhat Hoang, director of the Center for the Promotion of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the contest is "an opportunity to promote Vietnam, Monday again after the title, will continue to promote promotion, to attract more tourists to Vietnam anymore ". . When compared to the broadcast on international media such as CNN, BBC, each took about $ 160,000 - $ 200,000 (4 billion) but only in 1 ad 30-second clip, the cost of mobilization is not significantly while the efficiency is much higher. Compared with the annual cost of promoting tourism in the same area is also very small, such as Malaysia to invest $ 80 million, Thailand 70 million, and Singapore nearly $ 60 million.

At 7 pm November 11, 2011 to 2pm November 12, 2011 (now Vietnam), Ha Long Bay New7Wonders organization announced as one of the seven natural wonders of the new world after the preliminary voting.

Hồ Chí Minh City

History


Ho Chi Minh City is the most populous city, is also the center of economy, culture, education and the importance of Vietnam.
This area was originally known as Prey Nokor, then formed by the city to explore the south of the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1698, Nguyen Huu Canh to establish Gia Dinh, marking the birth of the city. When the French in Indo-China, to serve the colonial mining city of Saigon was established and fast growing, becoming one of the most important urban centers of Vietnam, was dubbed the Pearl of the Far East or Paris of the East. Saigon was the capital of the Indochinese Federation 1887-1901 period. In 1954, Saigon became the capital of the Republic of Vietnam and this magnificent city became one of the important cities of Southeast Asia. Fall of South Vietnam in 1975, Vietnam's territory completely agree. July 2, 1976, the National Assembly of reunified Vietnam decided to change the name of Saigon "Ho Chi Minh", after the first President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Location

Located in the transition zone between the South East and South West, today's Ho Chi Minh City consists of 19 districts and 5, the total area of ​​2095.06 km ². According to the official census results at 0 am April 1, 2009, the city's population is 7,162,864 people (8.34% of the Vietnamese population), the average density of 3419 people / km ² . As of 1/4/2010, according to the General Statistics Office, the population of the city rose to 7,382,287 people. However if the residents do not register, the actual population of the city of over 10 million people. Play an important role in the economy of Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City accounted for 21.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 29.38% of the total revenue of the country. Thanks to favorable natural conditions, Ho Chi Minh City became an important traffic hub of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, including road, rail, water and air. In 2007, the city received about 3 million international tourists, 70 percent of visitors to Vietnam. The fields of education, media, sports, entertainment, Ho Chi Minh City are the most important role.
However, Ho Chi Minh City are faced with the problems of a large urban population up too fast. In the inner city, the roads become overloaded, often jams. Public transport system less efficient. City environment are contaminated by the transport, construction and industrial production.

Geological, hydrological


Geology of Ho Chi Minh City includes mainly two general Pleistocene and Holocene sediments exposed on the surface. Pleistocene sediments occupy most of the north, northwest and northeast of the city. Under the influence of natural factors and human activities, ancient alluvial sediments formed its own unique soil: soil. With more than 45 thousand hectares, or about 23.4% of the city area, the gray land in Ho Chi Minh City has three kinds of: high gray soil, ground floor patchy gray yellow red and more rarely gray gley soil. Holocene sediments in Ho Chi Minh City has many sources: the sea, bays, rivers and alluvial ... formation of several different soil types: alluvial soils with 15,100 hectares of sea, alkaline soils with 40,800 ha of saline and alkaline soils with 45,500 ha. There is also an area of ​​over 400 hectares of is "mounds" sand near the sea and yellow feralite land eroded bare rocks in the hilly region.
Hydrology, located in the lower Dong Nai river system - Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has a network of rivers and canals is very diverse. Dong Nai River has its source in the Lam Vien Plateau, river confluence by many others, has a large basin, about 45,000 km ². With an average flow of 20-500 m³ / s, annual water supply 15 billion cubic meters, Dong Nai River to become the city's main source of fresh water. Saigon River originates from the Hon Quan, Thu Dau Mot flow through to Ho Chi Minh City, with a length of 200 km and runs along the territory of the city is 80 km long. Saigon River has an average flow of about 54 m³ / s, the width in the city about 225 m to 370 m, a depth of 20 m. Thanks Rach channel system, two Dong Nai and Sai Gon rivers connecting the urban extensions. Another river of Ho Chi Minh City is the Nha Be River, formed at the confluence of two Dong Nai and Saigon River, which flows into the South China Sea by two reclining Soai Rap and Ganh Rai. Which, reclining Ganh Rai is the main waterway for ships in the harbor of Saigon. In addition to the main river, Ho Chi Minh City also has a system of canals interlaced: Smooth The, Bau Agriculture, ditches Look, Ben Cat, An Summer, Join Luong, Cau Bong, Various Loc-Thi Nghe, Ben Nghe , Lo Gom canal, Te, Tau Hu canal, wait ... rivers, canals help Ho Chi Minh City in irrigation, but affected by the semi-diurnal tide oscillations of the South China Sea, tidal penetration depth caused adverse impacts to agricultural production and restrict drainage in urban areas.

Climate


Located in the tropical savanna, Ho Chi Minh City with high temperatures all year and two distinct dry season. The rainy season starts from May to November, and dry season from December to April next year. On average, Ho Chi Minh City with 160 to 270 hours of sunshine per month, average temperature 27 ° C, the highest up to 40 ° C, the lowest 13.8 ° C. Every year, the city has 330 days average temperature 25 to 28 ° C. The city's average rainfall of 1949 mm / year, which in 1908 reached the highest 2718 mm to 1392 mm in 1958 lowest. One year, the city has an average of 159 days of rain, most concentrated in the months from June 5 to 11, accounting for about 90%, special two month 6 and 9. On the spatial extent of the city, rainfall is unevenly distributed, tend to increase the axis WNW - ESE. The northern districts and districts with high rainfall than the rest.
Ho Chi Minh City is influenced by two monsoon wind direction is west-southwest and north-northeast. Wind southwest Indian Ocean, the average speed of 3.6 m / s, in the rainy season. Wind North-East from the South China Sea, the average speed of 2.4 m / s, in the dry season. There are also wind credits to the south-southeast around March to May, an average of 3.7 m / s. Ho Chi Minh City can say no storm zone. As well as rainfall, humidity in the city high up in the rainy season (80%), and low in the dry season (74.5%). Average humidity of 79.5% / year.



Enviroment


With the population growth rate is too fast, the infrastructure is not up overall upgrade plan, be aware some people are too poor in general environmental awareness and protection ... So, Ho Chi Minh City is now faced with the problem of environmental pollution is too large. Status of untreated wastewater discharged into river systems are very popular. Many manufacturing facilities, hospitals and medical facilities do not have waste water treatment system is an alarming situation . In industrial Join Luong, water contaminated by industrial waste with an estimated total water volume of 500,000 m³ / day. Saigon River, the level of microbial contamination mainly due to aquaculture activities beyond standard allows up to 220 times. Until 2008, there is no specific solution to stop this pollution.
The amount of waste in Ho Chi Minh City up to 6000 tons / day, in which a portion of the solid waste is not collected at all. The results of monitoring in 2007 showed that, compared to 2006, the organic pollutants increased 2 to 4 times. Transport, construction activities, production ... also contribute to air pollution. Suburban areas, land is also contaminated by the outstanding crop protection products from agricultural production caused .
Flooding in the city center is at high alert, which occurs during the dry season. The area flooded around 140 km2 with 85% of the wetlands located in the central area. Damage caused by flooding caused an estimated 8 billion per year. The reason is that the sewer system was built 50 years ago has been degraded. In addition, the construction of urban and industrial areas in the south - drainage area of ​​the city has made the situation more serious flooding as.
Before pressing on the status of the environment, Ho Chi Minh City is urgently looking for ways to improve the quality of life of people in the area. The extracted a large lot billion capital construction investment channel water biological renovated Ba Bo is an example.

Tourism

Ben Thanh Market

Of about 4.3 million international visitors to Vietnam in 2007, 3 million tourists visited Ho Chi Minh City, or about 70%. 2007 was also the year the city has been strong progress, the number of tourists increased by 12% compared to 2006, tourism revenue reached VND 19,500 billion, an increase of 20%. Is a young city with 300 years of history, but Ho Chi Minh City has built many buildings and owns a diverse culture.
Ho Chi Minh City now has 641 hotels with 17,646 rooms. Serve the high-end, the city has 11 five-star hotel, including: Caravelle, Sheraton, Moevenpick (old Omni), New World, Equatorial, Legend, Renaissance Riverside, Windsor Plaza, Sofitel Plaza, Park Hyatt, Majestic, with a total plus 3592. Most of these hotels by international groups such as Accor, Furama, Mariot, or Sheraton management and most concentrated in District 1. Besides, the city also eight 4-star hotels with 1,281 rooms, 20 3-star hotels with 1,621 rooms. Due to the development of tourism, number of luxury rooms in the city is severely lacking. Although many investors intend to build luxury hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, but they have difficulty in finding locations. As expected, by 2020, the city will have to add 10 thousand rooms 4 or 5 stars.
The tourist attraction of the city is relatively diverse. With 11 museums system, mainly on the subject of history, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam leader in the number of museums. Museum of the largest and oldest city is the Museum of Vietnamese History with 30 thousand objects. While most visitors War Remnants Museum is a foreigner, the museum attracts many domestic tourists, especially in Ho Chi Minh Museum. Ho Chi Minh City is an urban religious diversity. On the territory of the city now has more than a thousand temples and home shrines built over the period. But the church appears mainly in the 19th century by the Roman style, Gothic. Cathedral and the city's most famous Notre Dame Cathedral, is located in District 1, completed in 1880. Colonial period has left the city many important buildings, such as the City People's Committee office, the Opera House, the central Post Office, Ben Nha Rong ... Independence Palace and the General Sciences Library was built under the Republic of Vietnam. Mark modern architecture in the city with buildings, hotels, commercial centers such as Diamond Plaza, Saigon Trade Centre ... Outside the center area, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Can Gio mangrove forest, garden Duc is also an important tourist destination.
Ho Chi Minh City is a shopping and entertainment center. Besides the music tea rooms, bars, discos, theater, the city has many amusement parks as Park Dam Sen, Suoi Tien, zoo. Shopping malls, such as Ben Thanh Market, Diamond Plaza ... system of restaurants, cafes as well as a strong tourism of the city.

Vietnamese Cuisine

Srping rolls

Vietnamese cuisine is known of the cooking method, the principle of blended spices and general eating habits of all Vietnamese in Vietnam. But most have some differences, Vietnamese cuisine still includes the most general sense to refer to all the popular dishes in ethnic minority communities, but relatively common in community Vietnam.







General characteristics

Vietnam is an agricultural country belongs to a tropical monsoon tropics. Also Vietnamese territory is divided into three distinct regions, North, Central and South. The main characteristics of geography, culture, ethnicity, climate regulations specific characteristics of each cuisine - region. Each domain has a characteristic sharp taste. That contribute to Vietnamese cuisine rich and diverse. This is a dining culture uses a lot of vegetables (boiled, fried, pickled, raw); many countries especially sour soup, while the number of dishes of animal nutrition often less. The most common meat used is pork, beef, chicken, geese, duck, shrimp, fish, crabs, snails, mussels, clams, oysters, etc. These dishes from the less common meats such as dog meat, goat meat, turtle, snake meat, turtle meat ... often not the main source of meat, sometimes considered special and is only used in a certain festival occasions to drink wine together. The Vietnamese also have a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes made from plants, no food from animal sources. However, in the community, very few vegetarian, only for monks in the temple, or the serious illness forced dieting.
A more or less distinguished features Vietnamese cuisine with a number of other countries: Vietnam focused on eating delicious food but sometimes do not set goals is a leading food supplements. Thus in the system of Vietnamese cuisine at very sophisticated dishes, function as well as food security of China, nor inclined furnished with aesthetic as Japanese cuisine, which tend to coordinate spice blend subtly delicious dishes, or use the material tough, brittle enjoy very interesting though not actually add fat (eg cement dishes, chicken wings feet, viscera of animals. etc.).
In fact many people have noticed, a sentiment, Vietnamese culinary featured good road in the match with other culinary cultures of the world: Chinese food nutritious, delicious Vietnamese dishes mouth, Japanese food look like eyes. However, this feature is increasingly blurring during integration.


Coordination principles

Vietnamese cuisine featuring the middle of mixing ingredients is not too spicy, too sweet or too fatty. Additional material (spices) for processing Vietnamese dishes are abundant, including:
Many aromatic herbs such as basil, shiso, marjoram, onion, dill, bow etc.;
Vegetable spices such as chilli, pepper, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, ginger, lemon fruit or leaves;
Spices such as batch fermentation, shrimp sauce,, suddenly wine, vinegar or bitter candy bar, coconut ...
When enjoying the food, the mixed nature of a synthetic material above becomes clearer: people rarely separate foods to eat, enjoy each dish, a meal usually Synchronization dishes from the beginning to the end of the meal. Another special feature of Vietnamese cuisine that other countries, especially in Western countries do not have the spicy sauce. Fish sauce is used most often in Vietnamese cuisine. There are also sauces like soy sauce, soy sauce (made from soy). Shared sauce bowl on a tray of rice, from ancient times until now do taste much thicker, more dishes taste and shows the close-knit community of people.
Vietnamese Cuisine follow two principles is Lunisolar coordinate and five mutual development.
Yin and Yang to coordinate development
The spices typical of the tropical Southeast Asian nation above used a way of living in harmony with each other, such as food easily cause abdominal cold (welding) must have spicy hot (thermal) comes, and vice versa. The material hot (warm) must be cooked the same material cold (cool) to balance the dish.
Hydrophobic dishes together can not be combined in a dish or not eat at the same time because there is no good, or have the potential to cause adverse health folk also come up with a lot of experience handed down through generations. For example:
Duck "cold", appropriate to eat in the summer with ginger sauce, "hot". On the other hand, chicken and pork "warm" appropriate to eat in the winter (often only when the previous New Year pork, chicken).
Fisheries kind of "cool" to "cold" are suitable for use with ginger, lemongrass, garlic ("warm").
Spicy ("hot") is often balanced with acidity, is considered ("cool")


Northern Cuisine

Northern Cuisine often bold the spicy, fatty, sweet with other regions, mainly using diluted fish sauce, shrimp paste. Using a variety of vegetable dishes and fresh seafood readily available, such as shrimp, crabs, fish, clams, mussels, etc. and in general, by ancient tradition of poor agriculture, cuisine north past few popular dishes with the main ingredients are meat, fish. Many people appreciate Cuisine in Hanoi for a while, given that it represents the most typical culinary elite of North Vietnam with the pho, bun thang, bun cha, the present as round cereal, bread rolled into maintenance etc. and unique spices such as coffee oil stem, basil Lang.
Hydrophobic dishes together can not be combined in a dish or not eat at the same time because there is no good, or have the potential to cause adverse health folk also come up with a lot of experience handed down through generations. For example:
Duck "cold", appropriate to eat in the summer with ginger sauce, "hot". On the other hand, chicken and pork "warm" appropriate to eat in the winter (often only when the previous New Year pork, chicken).
Fisheries kind of "cool" to "cold" are suitable for use with ginger, lemongrass, garlic ("warm").
Spicy ("hot") is often balanced with acidity, is considered ("cool")


Southern cuisine

Southern cuisine is influenced cuisine of China, Cambodia, Thailand, is characterized by often add sugar and or use coconut milk (coconut juice and knife). This cuisine also produce numerous types of dried salted fish (as colorful fish sauce, beef sauce, fish sauce three ways etc.). Southern cuisine also uses a lot of salt water seafood and more brackish northern (fish, shrimp, crabs, sea snails), and very special to the rustic, the characteristics of a open world , now many have become specialty: water voles terms of the coconut, Translate steamed chao, copperhead land green bean porridge, track, road or land dates, VOP husband, grilled snakehead fish naked etc.






Culinary Central

Central food with all its unique characteristics expressed through distinct flavor, more spicy and savory food North and South, rich color mixing, brilliant, natural color red and dark brown. Central provinces such as Hue, Danang, Binh Dinh is famous for shrimp sauce and sour sauce procession. In particular, Hue cuisine due to the impact from the royal cuisine, so very picky in the processing and presentation. On the other hand, because there is not much local produce royal cuisine that requires large number of items, so each processing materials are very diverse with many different dishes.

Hà Nội

History

Hanoi is the capital city and is the top city in Vietnam in terms of area and second largest natural urban area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, it ranks second in population to 6561.900 (2010). Between fertile Red River Delta, where it soon became a center of political and religious from the very beginning of the history of Vietnam. In 1010, Ly Cong Uan, the first king of the Ly kingdom, decided to build a new capital in the area with the name of Thang Long. During the period of the reign Daily, Tran, Le, Mac, Thang Long is the trading center of culture and education of the North. When Tay Son and Nguyen took over the reign, the capital was moved to Hue and Thang Long started named in 1831, under King Minh Mang. In 1902, Hanoi became the capital of the Indochinese Federation and the French construction and planning. Through two wars, Hanoi is the capital of North Vietnam and reunified Vietnam and this role to this day.

After the expansion of administrative boundaries in August 2008, Hanoi now has an area of 3345.0 km ², consisting of 10 districts, 1 town and 18 suburban districts. Together with the Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Da Nang, Hanoi is one of the four leading economic center of the country. In 2009, after the expansion of the city's GDP increased by 6.67%, total revenue of 70,054 billion. Hanoi is also a center of culture and education with the theaters, museums , the traditional villages, the national media agencies and major universities.

Location and Terrain

Located angling northwest of the center of the Red River Delta, Hanoi is located at 20 ° 53 'and 21 ° 23' north latitude and 105 ° 44 'to 106 ° 02' east longitude, followed adjacent to the Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc province in northern Ha Nam, Hoa Binh south, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces to the east, west of Hoa Binh and Phu Tho. Hanoi to Hai Phong port city 120 km. After the expansion of administrative boundaries in August 2008, the city has an area of 3324.92 km ², is located on both sides of the Red River, but mainly the right bank.

The topography is low Hanoi in the direction from north to south and from west to east with an average elevation of 5 to 20 meters above sea level. Thanks inning, three-quarters of the area's natural Hanoi is located on the right bank of the river delta, the two sides of the Red river and other tributary rivers. Are mostly hilly area of the Soc Son District, Ba Vi, Quoc Oai, My Duc, with peaks as high as Ba Vi (1,281 m), the price to (707 m), Bird Legs (462 m), bar flax (427 m), Thien Tru (378 m) ... The urban area has a number of low hills, such as Wood Street, Nung mountain.

Hong River and water system

Red River is the main river of the city, began to flow into the Ba Vi district, Hanoi and out of the cities in the region Phu Xuyen adjacent Hung Yen. The Red River flows through Hanoi 163 km, accounting for about one-third the length of the river on land in Vietnam. Hanoi is also the Da River is the boundary between Hanoi and Phu Tho, the confluence with the Red River north of the city in Ba Vi district. Also, on the territory of Hanoi has many rivers such as River, Duong, Cau, Ca Lo, ... The small river flowing in the inner city as Lich River, Taurus, ... is the sewage drainage of Hanoi.

Hanoi is also a special city lakes, remnants of ancient rivers. In the inner city, West Lake has the largest area, about 500 ha, play an important role in today's urban landscape is surrounded by many hotels, villas. Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the historic center of the city's busiest areas, always hold a special place for Hanoi. In the inner region can mention the famous lakes such as Truc Bach Thien Quang Thu Le ... In addition, many large lakes located on the territory of Hanoi as Kim Lien, Dam, Ai Son - Dong Mo, Suoi Hai, Cat Gu, Xuan Khanh, Still Lai, Quan Son ... 

Due to a strong process of urbanization from 1990 to present, most of the rivers and lakes in Hanoi are falling into serious pollution. Lich, the main sewage drain of the city, every day to receive about 150,000 m³. Similarly, the Taurus River approximately 125,000 cubic meters of waste water per day. Lu River and river clay average daily into the river Taurus 110,000 m³. Industrial waste water and have high levels of toxic chemicals. Rivers canals and suburban, in addition to the role drainage also have to get a people's garbage and industrial waste. These handicrafts are also contributing to the cause of this pollution

Residential

Origin of the population

In 1940, when Hanoi is the capital of the Union of Indochina, the statistical population of the city is 132,145 people. But in 1954, the population of Hanoi dropped to 53 thousand people on a area of ​​152 km ². Can find a very large part of the population currently living in Hanoi was not born in this city. Hanoi's history has recorded the city's population changes, continuous disturbance over time. In the suburban villages, along the old city, where people live mainly on agriculture, often without major changes. Many families here still hold genealogy from the 15th century, 16. But in the inner region of the commercial precinct and crafts, mixed residential lots. Rest is very rare that the continuous family settled in Thang Long XV century as the Nguyen family in the ward co (China from Hanoi). Due to the nature of the job, many merchants and craftsmen craft rarely head for generations in a point. Difficulties in the business, the time of decline, they look to other lands. In some cases, a family having passed the other was appointed the province and bring their families, sometimes even relatives.

For a long time, Thang Long has become a destination for people from the land. In the 15th century, the population of the town about Thang Long overcrowding makes King Le Thanh Tong intend to force all to the origin. But when you realize that they are the work force and an important source of tax, the court has allowed them to stay. Find the capital of Thang Long also the foreign residents, mostly Chinese. For over a thousand years of Chinese, many Chinese people living in the city. Over the dynasties of Ly, Tran, Le, the Chinese still have to apply for re-live Thang Long. According to the address of Nguyen Trai, out of 36 wards which make up the capital of Thang Long has a whole Chinese wards, wards and Tang. The population changes are still ongoing and lasts to this day. 

Population

The historical statistics show that Hanoi's population increased rapidly in the last half century. At the time in 1954, when the Viet Minh army takeover Hanoi, a city of 53 thousand people, over an area of ​​152 km ². In 1961, the city expanded, the area up to 584 km ² and a population of 91,000 people. In 1978, Congress decided to expand the second capital with natural land area 2,136 km ², with a population of 2.5 million people. By 1991, the boundaries of Hanoi continued to change, only 924 km ², but the population at more than 2 million people. During the 1990s, the suburban areas gradually urbanized, Hanoi's population increased steadily, reached 2,672,122 in 1999. After the opening broad boundaries most recently in August 2008, city Hanoi with 6.233 million inhabitants and is located in the capital area 17 largest in the world. According to the census of April 1 year 2009, Hanoi's population is 6,451,909 people, the average population in 2010 was 6,561,900. 

The average population density of Hanoi is 1979 people / km ². Population density is highest in Dong Da District up to 35,341 people / km ², while the suburban districts such as Soc Son, Ba Vi, My Duc, a density of less than 1,000 people / km ².

Population structure, according to April 1, 1999, residents of Hanoi and Ha Tay mainly Kinh, accounting for 99.1%. Other ethnic groups such as Dao, Muong, Tay 0.9%. [6] In 2009, the Kinh people account for 98.73% population of, Muong 0.76% and the Tay accounting for 0.23% .

In 2009, the urban population is 2,632,087 41.1%, and 3,816,750 rural residents accounted for 58.1%. 

Tourism

Compared to other provinces and cities of Vietnam, Hanoi is a city that has the potential to develop tourism. In the box, along with the buildings, Hanoi also owns a diverse museum root system in Vietnam. The city also has many advantages in introducing Vietnamese culture to foreign visitors through folk theater stage, the traditional villages ...

However, the statistics show that Hanoi is not a tourist city tourist attractions. With many international tourists, the city is the transition point on their journey to discover Vietnam. In 2007, Hanoi welcomes 1.1 million foreign tourists, nearly half of Ho Chi Minh City. In 2008, in the city's 9 million visitors, with 1, 3 million foreign visitors. The rate of visitors to the museum Hanoi also not high. Annually, the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, a famous museum in the region, the favorite destination of the famous tourist guidebooks, with 180,000 visitors, of which half are foreigners . 

According to statistics in 2007, Hanoi has 511 accommodation establishments with more than 12,700 are active. Of these only 178 are rated with 8424 rooms. Superior shortage is one of the reasons why foreign tourists to Hanoi is not high. Be considered quite expensive prices in Viet Nam, about $ 126.26 a night for 5 star hotel room rent performance 3-5 star hotels in Hanoi ranged from 80% to 90%. In addition to nine 5-star hotel is the Daewoo, Horison, Hilton Hanoi Opera, Melia, Nikko, Sofitel Metropole, Sheraton, Sofitel Plaza, and InterContinental, city six 4-star and 3-star hotel 19.

Tourism in Hanoi also no less evil and negative. Lonely Planet page warning condition foreign tourists are taxi and bus trick to some famous hotel pretending to and claimed high price; around Hoan Kiem Lake area visitors gay men may be inviting to karaoke, where the bill for a couple of drinks can be $ 100 or more.

Provinces of Vietnam

            My country

Vietnam is devided into 64 provinces, spreading from South East China to  Sounthern part of Cambodia. Ha Noi - capital of Vietnam is located in the middle of Northern, which is the most important unit to run policies. It is called the brain of Vietnam, but the heart of it is Ho Chi Minh City which lies in the middle of Southern part, it attracts thousand of tourists every year due to its moderness, activeness and friendly environment.

Climate

Because of geographical location and its length, vietnam's climate varies, changes from the South to the North. Also affected by the height of terrain, the South is normally cooler than the North and has 4 seasons with the range of temperature between 8*C ~ 40*C depending on time. Opposite to that, Ho Chi Minh has 2 seasons, raining season and dry one and it is always hot. The sea also takes part in changing the climate, provinces which are located nearer to the sea used to have much more pleasant weather than others. Such as Ha Long - Quang Ninh, even higher than Ha Noi in sea heigh level, but Ha Noi is much colder in Winter. Diversity of climate is one of the reasons why European tourists choose Vietnam.

Culture

Vietnam has more than 54 ethnic minorities and tribes. The ancient tribes from all over South East Asian imigrated to Vietnam in the past few thousand years, settled up many ethnic groups living in the moutains of southern and middle parts of Vietnam. Each one has their own culture and Vietnamese gorverment is trying to reserve that treasure by many methods: protecting from outsiders, encourage to perform traditional festival... The main culture of Vietnam belongs to Kinh group which has more than 80 millions members. It has many things affected by China when the ancient china invaded and took over controll of Vietnam for 1000 thousand years. So that Vietnamese persons nowadays still have many manners of Chinese.

What is worth visiting for?

" I haven't been to Vietnam..."

That could be the question I have mostly received whenever I asked my friend if they ever went to Vietnam. Sadly, it's my hometown but on the other hand, I have never been worry about it  and I really don't mind living in a beautiful country...