Traditional Fine Arts

Traditional Fine Arts

Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, each of which has its own traditional culture. The diversity of the ethnic groups is apparent in the many traditional and cultural Vietnamese treasures. These treasures include the various works of art found throughout the country, including sculpture, ceramic, painting, and casting, made from materials such as clay, stone, bronze, steel, wood, and paper.

Preserved vestiges testify that the Vietnamese people have a long history of traditional fine arts. For example, the picture carvings on the walls of the caves in Hoa Binh date back to 10,000 years; a bronze ladle found in Haiphong and bronze tools found in Thanh Hoa are from 4^th century BC.

Special food in Vietnam - One dish per day - Nem ran ( spring roll )

Special food in Vietnam

 Nem ran (Spring roll)

Nem ran (called cha gio in the south) is a much-appreciated speciality, although it is very easy to prepare. Since long ago, nem ran has been a familiar dish on the menu at all households during the New Year’s festivities, at family parties, and at receptions.

The stuffing of the nem ran is comprised of mince pork, sea crabs, eggs, minced Jew's ears, thin-top mushroom, dried onions, bean-sprouts, pepper, spiced salt, etc. The mixture is then rolled in flat rice cakes and fried in a pan until crispy.

Tet Food

Tet Food

 Banh Chung and banh Tet (Boiled rice and pork cakes)

Boiled rice and pork cakes are usually cooked 2-3 days before Tet. Both can be kept for about two weeks in cool temperature. However, after this time they become hard and must be re-boiled.

Floating Markets

Floating Markets

There is a very interesting kind of market in the Mekong River Delta. Thousands of boats gather to form a place of economic activity. Trading activities take place all day, but the most exciting time is in the morning when boats arrive loaded up with agricultural products.

On a cho noi (floating market) all trade activities take place on boats. The largest cho noi include Phung Hiep, Nga Bay, Phong Dien

Highland Market - Love Markets (Cho Tinh)

Highland Market Markets in highland areas where ethnic minorities reside are not only places of commerce, but also cultural festivals.   People wear their nicest clothes and spend some days at the market. They may play their pan-flutes, dance, sing and meet new friends. Therefore, markets in highland areas are also called Love Markets (Cho Tinh). - Countryside Market - Floating Markets

Countryside Market

Countryside Market

Many communes in rural Vietnam feature countryside markets (cho que).

There are two main types of countryside market: the fair and the evening market. Fairs are held periodically. For example, it may be held on days with the numbers three and eight, which would imply fairs on the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd and 28th days of each lunar month. Major markets attract huge numbers of people.

Visa procedure

Visa procedure

Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, tourist visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days.

Visa exemption:

Vietnamese people that hold foreign passports and foreigners who are their husbands, wives and children are exempt from visa requirements to enter Vietnam and are allowed to stay for not more than 90 days. In order to be granted visa exemption certificates at Vietnamese representative offices abroad, overseas Vietnamese need conditions:

• Foreign-issued permanent residence certificate (PRC) with the validity of at least six months since the date of entrance.
  
• Visa exemption paper (VEP) is granted by Vietnamese appropriate authorities.

Those who expect to stay more than 90 days must apply for visa according to current stipulations before their entrance.

Bilateral visa exemption agreement

• Citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Laos holding valid ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements and are allowed to stay for not more than 30 days; Philippines is allowed to stay for not more than 21 days.
  
• Citizens of China, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, and Rumania holding valid ordinary passports for official mission and citizens of 52 countries holding valid diplomatic or official passports are exempt from visa requirements. The duration of staying is stipulated in certain cases. For more information, please visit the website of Ministry of Foreign Affaires.

Unilateral visa exemption

• Visa with 30-day validity is exempted for officials from ASEAN secretariat holding different kinds of passports.
  
• Citizens of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Japan and South Korea holding different kinds of passports are exempt from visa requirements and are allowed to stay for not more than 15 days.

Others who want to enter Vietnam must be provided with a visa.

• Tourist visa is valid in 30 days.
  
• Visa is issued at the Vietnamese diplomatic offices or consulates in foreign countries. Visa is possibly issued at the border gates to those who have written invitations by a Vietnamese competent agencies or tourists in the tours organized by Vietnamese international travel companies.
  
• Application files for visa: the entrance application (printed form); two 4x6 cm photos; passport and fee for the visa issuance.

Visa extension: Served by all international travel companies.

Religion and Belief

Religion and Belief

The major religious traditions in Vietnam are Buddhism (which fuses forms of Taoism and Confusianism), Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Islam, Caodaism and the Hoa Hao sect.

Buddhism

Buddhism was first introduced to Vietnam in the 2nd century, and reached its peak in the Ly dynasty (11th century). It was then regarded as the official religion dominating court affairs. Buddhism was preached broadly among the population and it enjoyed a profound influence on people's daily life. Its influence also left marks in various areas of traditional literature and architecture. As such, many pagodas and temples were built during this time.

At the end of the 14th century, Buddhism began to show signs of decline. The ideological influence of Buddhism, however, remained very strong in social and cultural life. Presenty, over 70 percent of the population of Vietnam are either Buddhist or strongly influenced by Buddhist practices.

Ca Mau

Ca Mau Ca Mau Area: 5,331.7 sq. km Population: 1,232 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Ca Mau City Districts: Dam Doi, Ngoc Hien, Tran Van Thoi, Cai Nuoc, U Minh, Thoi Binh, Nam Can, Phu Tan. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Hoa, Tay.   Geography Ca Mau Province is situated in the southern tip of Vietnam with 307km coastal length. It is surrounded by East Sea on three faces and Kien Giang, Bac Lieu provinces on the north and north-east. It's interlacing rivers and canals have generated tangled flows in the province. Seven large rivers are: Ong Doc, Bay Hap, Cai Lon, Ganh Hao, Dam Doi, Trem Trem, and Bach Nguu. Some offshore islands are: Hon Da Bac, Hon Khoai and Hon Chuoi.

An Giang

An Giang

Area: 3,536.8 sq. km. Population: 2,210.4 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Long Xuyen City. Administrative divisions: - Town: Chau Doc, Tan Chau. - Districts: An Phu, Phu Tan, Chau Phu, Tinh Bien, Tri Ton, Cho Moi, Chau Thanh, Thoai Son. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Cham, Hoa.

Geography An Giang Province is located to the west of the Mekong Delta between the Tien and Hau rivers and shares a 100km border with Cambodia in the north- west. It also shares border with Dong Thap Province in the east, Cantho City in the south-east, and Kien Giang Province in the south-west. An Giang has two main types of topography: midland areas and low mountains. The low mountains is Bay Nui (Seven Mountains) in Tinh Bien and Tri Ton districts. Vinh Te Tunnel runs along with the province's border in the west, which connects from Chau Doc to Ha Tien.

An Giang

An Giang

Area: 3,536.8 sq. km. Population: 2,210.4 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Long Xuyen City. Administrative divisions: - Town: Chau Doc, Tan Chau. - Districts: An Phu, Phu Tan, Chau Phu, Tinh Bien, Tri Ton, Cho Moi, Chau Thanh, Thoai Son. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Cham, Hoa.

Geography An Giang Province is located to the west of the Mekong Delta between the Tien and Hau rivers and shares a 100km border with Cambodia in the north- west. It also shares border with Dong Thap Province in the east, Cantho City in the south-east, and Kien Giang Province in the south-west. An Giang has two main types of topography: midland areas and low mountains. The low mountains is Bay Nui (Seven Mountains) in Tinh Bien and Tri Ton districts. Vinh Te Tunnel runs along with the province's border in the west, which connects from Chau Doc to Ha Tien.

Dong Thap

Dong Thap

Area: 3,376.4 sq. km Population: 1,667.8 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Cao Lanh City Administrative divisions: - Town: Sa Dec - Districts: Tan Hong, Hong Ngu, Tam Nong, Thanh Binh, Thap Muoi, Cao Lanh, Lap Vo, Chau Thanh, Lai Vung Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Ngai, Hoa...

Geography Dong Thap is on the Mekong Delta, one of three Dong Thap Muoi's provinces. It shares its border with Cambodia on the north, Vinh Long Province and Can Tho City on the south, An Giang Province on the west and Long An, Tien Giang provinces on the east. Dong Thap has quite developed system of canals for watery transportation and irrigation. The province has about 10,000 hectares of forestland. Cajuput is specific tree of Dong Thap Muoi region. There, the system of fauna and flora are multiform with many valuable kinds: tortoise, turtle, snakes, fishes, shrimps, pythons, storks, birds, rice, lotus, water lily, grass, and alga especially red headed cranes.

Tay Ninh

Tay Ninh Tay Ninh Area: 4,035.9 sq. km. Population: 1,047.1 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Tay Ninh Town Districts: Tan Bien, Tan Chau, Duong Minh Chau, Chau Thanh, Hoa Thanh, Ben Cau, Go Dau, Trang Bang. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Cham, Hoa.   Geography Located in Eastern of the South, Tay Ninh shares border with Cambodia on the north with 240km boundary, Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc provinces on the east, Ho Chi Minh City and Long An Province on the south.

Binh Phuoc

Binh Phuoc

Area: 6,883.4 sq. km. Population: 809.5 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Dong Xoai Town. Administrative divisions: - Towns: Binh Long, Phuoc Long - Districts:Dong Phu, Phuoc Long, Loc Ninh, Bu Dang, Chon Thanh, Bu Dop, Chon Thanh. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Xtieng, Nung, Tay, Khmer.

Geography Binh Phuoc is on south of Vietnam. It is surrounded by Cambodia on the north and north-west, Dak Nong and Lam Dong provinces on the east, Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces on the south and Tay Ninh Provinceon the west. Binh Phuoc has plenty of forests. The bazant land is convenient for industrial trees such as rubber, coffee, cashew nut, and pepper. The main rivers are Saigon, Be, and Dong Nai. Climate: There are no cold winters. The annual average temperature is 27oC. The rainy season lasts from May to October and the dry season lasts from November to April next year. The annual average rainfall is 2,110mm.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau

Ba Ria - Vung Tau

Area: 1,989.6 sq. km. Population: 926,3 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Vung Tau City Administrative divisions: - Town: Ba Ria. - Districts: Chau Duc, Xuyen Moc,Tan Thanh, Long Dien, Dat Do, Con Dao. Ethnic groups:Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Cho Ro, Khmer...

Geography Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province is located in the Southern Vietnam, to the northeast of the Mekong Delta. It shares its border with Dong Nai Province to the north and Binh Thuan Province to the east, Ho Chi Minh City to the west and East Sea to the south - east. Climate: There are two distinct seasons: the dry (from November to April) and the rainy (from May to December). The annual average temperature is 27ºC. Tourism and Economy Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province is a large tourist center. It has over 100km seashore with beautiful swimming beaches, as well as many lakes and

Lam Dong

Lam Dong

Area: 9,776.1 sq. km². Population: 1,179.2 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Dalat City. Administrative divisions: - Town: Bao Loc. - Districts:Lac Duong, Don Duong, Duc Trong, Lam Ha, Bao Lam, Di Linh, Da Huoai, Da Teh, Cat Tien. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Co Ho, Ma, Nung...

Geography Located in the Central Highlands region, Lam Dong is a mountainous province, and 70% of its area is covered in forest. To the north, it borders on Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, to the south-east, on Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, and to the west, on Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces. The remarkable characteristic of Lam Dong's topography is the fairly distinctive division of tiers from north to south. The north of the province is high mountains, the Lang Bian plateau, with summits of altitudes between 1,300m?- above 2,000m such as Bidoup (2,287m), Lang Bian (2,167m). The east and the west are mountains with modest altitudes (500m- 1,000m). The south is topographically the transition from the Di Linh- Bao Loc plateau to the semi-flat country.

Dong Nai

Dong Nai

Area: 5,903.9 sq. km. Population: 2,214.8 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Bien Hoa City. Administrative divisions: - Town: Long Khanh. - Districts: Tan Phu, Dinh Quan, Vinh Cuu, Thong Nhat, Xuan Loc, Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, Cam My, Trang Bom. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Xtieng, Cho Ro, Cham.

Geography Dong Nai is located on the south of Vietnam. It is surrounded by Lam Dong in the north, Binh Thuan in the east, Ba Ria - Vung Tau in the south, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Ho Chi Minh City in the west. The topography includes some valleys, lowland, hill. The main kinds of land are bazan, alluvial soil. Therefore, it is good condition for industrial plants (rubber, coffee), and orchard. Climate:There are two seasons: the rainy season lasts from May to October and the dry season lasts from November to April next year. The annual average temperature varies between 25.4 and 27.2oC.

Gia Lai

Gia Lai

Area: 15,536.9 sq. km. Population: 1,161,7 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Pleiku City. Administrative divisions: - Town:An Khe, Ayun Pa - Districts: Chu Pah, Chu Prong, Chu Se, Duc Co, Ia Grai, Kbang, Krong Pa, Kong Chro, Mang Yang, Dak Doa, Ia Pa, Dak Po, Phu Thien, Chu Puh. Ethnic groups:Viet (Kinh), Gia Rai, Ba Na, Tay...

Geography Gia Lai is located in the Central Highlands. It shares the border with Kon Tum Province on the north, Dak Lak Province on the south, Cambodia on the west, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen provinces on the east. Gia Lai is source of Ba and Se San rivers with Yaly hydroelectricity plant. It owns many springs, lakes, waterfalls, rives, and primary forest.

Binh DInh

Binh Dinh

Area: 6039.6 sq. km. Population: 1,566.3 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Quy Nhon City. Districts: An Lao, Hoai An, Hoai Nhon, Phu My, Phu Cat, Vinh Thanh, Tay Son, Van Canh, An Nhon, Tuy Phuoc. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Cham, Ba Na, Hre.

Geography Binh Dinh is located on the coast of Central Vietnam. It is surrounded by Quang Ngai in the north, Phu Yen in the south, Gia Lai in the west, and the East Sea in the east with the coastline of 100km and some island offshore. The topography is divided in four regions: highlands, midlands, plains, and coast. Climate: The annual average temperature varies between 26 and 28�C. It is hottest in August and coldest in January. The annual average rainfall is 1,700mm�- 1,800mm. The rainy season lasts from August to December.