In Hue, there's a tranquil beach, a picturesque haven that offers a peaceful escape. Tan Thanh beach, located in Quang Cong commune, Quang Dien district, is over 20 kilometers from Hue city center. Quang Ngan and Quang Cong communes (Quang Dien district) boast 12 kilometers of coastline with several beautiful beaches, including Tan My, Cuong Giang, and Tan Thanh. Unlike the popular and crowded beaches of Thuan An or Vinh Thanh, Tan Thanh offers a pristine, serene beauty. Beyond its clear blue water and golden sand, Tan Thanh features charming lanes leading to the sea, lined with romantic rows of casuarina trees, and offers delicious local food at the Con Gai market.
Vietnam's LOTUSat-1 satellite is ready for launch.
Associate Professor Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of the Vietnam Space Center (VNSC) at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, shared this information. The LOTUSat-1 satellite is complete, and the ground station in Hoa Lac is also finished and ready to receive data after the satellite's launch.
Located on National Highway 4C (Happiness Road), Pho Cao is a highland commune in Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province. This area has long been renowned for its picturesque scenery, distinctive stone houses showcasing the architecture of the Mong ethnic minority, and rich cultural traditions.
Pho Cao is beautiful year-round, with each season offering a unique charm and diverse cultural experiences. However, visitors often choose to visit during the rice harvest season (September-October), the buckwheat flower season (October-March), and especially the peach blossom season (late February to early March).
Dốc Thẩm Mã (Tham Ma Pass), Dốc Chín Khoanh (Nine Loops Pass), the buckwheat flower fields, and the ancient villages nestled amongst the majestic mountains are the main attractions for tourists in Pho Cao. Don't miss the six-day rotating market (held on Thìn and Tuất days – these are days of the week in the Vietnamese lunar calendar), a unique market experience in the highlands.
You can take an overnight sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang (approximately 300km). Tickets cost between 200,000 and 300,000 VND per person, depending on the service. An overnight journey allows you to arrive early in the morning, saving time for sightseeing.
Getting from Ha Giang to Pho Cao:
* Motorbike: This is the most convenient way to travel to Pho Cao and explore nearby attractions. You can rent a motorbike in Ha Giang city for approximately 150,000-200,000 VND per day. The journey from Ha Giang to Pho Cao is about 120km and takes 3-4 hours.
* Car: If you're travelling in a large group or prefer more comfort, you can rent a car or use your own.
* Local Bus: Several local bus routes pass through Pho Cao.
Open Thread
Take a train from Da Nang to Hue and you'll see just how beautiful Vietnam is!
Here are some tips for taking the train from Da Nang to Hue:
* Train Type: SE1/2, SE3/4, SE5/6, and SE7/8 are good options. The journey takes about 3 hours. I recommend a 4-berth, air-conditioned T1 cabin.
* Cost: Around 1xx,000 VND (book online or at the station).
* Instagrammable Tips: Choose simple or vintage clothing. Bring props like books, headphones, and sunglasses. Most importantly, bring a friend who’s a good photographer!
Advantages:
+ You can enjoy the scenery and take beautiful photos. The most stunning part is crossing Hai Van Pass. In some sections, the train runs close to the sea, offering incredible views. There are even spots where you can see the train winding its way along the mountains. The natural scenery is breathtaking. Don't miss out on the views—sleep later!
+ The 4-berth cabin is comfortable, with clean bedding, a small table for work and belongings, a trash can, and individual reading lights with USB charging ports. For the purpose of taking photos and enjoying the journey, this is more than adequate.
+ There's a food vendor on the train, so you won't go hungry.
Disadvantages:
+ The toilet can be a bit shaky and slightly dirty. The cleanliness also depends on the other passengers.
+ If you're prone to motion sickness, bring medication.
+ Travel time is sometimes longer than by bus or motorbike.
Don't be afraid that train travel is boring; it's just that you haven't learned how to relax and enjoy it yet!
Source: Compiled from various sources
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Open Thread
This photograph shows the Vietnamese delegation, led by Prime Minister Phạm Văn Đồng, arriving in France in preparation for the Fontainebleau Conference of 1946. Their attire and demeanor reflect the air of professional diplomats. At the forefront is Mr. Phạm Văn Đồng. The man wearing glasses on the left side of the image is Mr. Hoàng Minh Giám. The man holding a hat is Mr. Dương Bạch Mai. The shorter man in the back is Professor Tạ Quang Bửu. The man at the far right, bending down, is lawyer Phan Anh.
Despite Vietnam's independence being only a little over a year old, the Vietnamese delegation's highly professional and resolute diplomatic approach impressed everyone. This laid the foundation for Vietnam's exemplary diplomacy, particularly in its dealings with world powers.
Open Thread
March and April are the most beautiful months in Hue – let's plan a trip there on a shoestring budget!
1. Travel by Car:
Round-trip flights to Hue currently cost around 2.5 to 2.8 million VND per person. Flying is definitely expensive. Consider a sleeper bus instead. Tickets cost approximately 450,000 to 600,000 VND per person each way, depending on the bus company and service. You can travel overnight and arrive in the morning.
Savings: 3-4 times the cost of flying
2. Buy Combo Tickets for Attractions:
Hue has many meticulously preserved historical sites, and entrance fees are generally quite high (but worth it!). If you plan to visit the Imperial Citadel and the tombs, buying a combo ticket will save you tens of thousands of VND per person. Combo tickets are valid for two days.
Savings: 80,000 VND/person (3-site combo) or 120,000 VND/person (4-site combo)
3. Eat at Local Restaurants:
Hue boasts many delicious local specialties, and food is generally inexpensive. However, restaurants can be pricier and not necessarily tastier.
On February 26th, 2025, Mr. Doan Hao Quang, a taxi driver in Son La City, received a call to pick up a couple—a 79-year-old man and his wife—from the C2 lobby of Son La Provincial General Hospital. They were traveling to Bac Yen. During the journey, noticing the elderly man was weak and having difficulty breathing, Mr. Quang learned that their home was 20 kilometers downstream from the Ta Khoa ferry, accessible only by boat. The family was struggling financially. The elderly man had been hospitalized for 10 days for heart treatment and needed four blood transfusions, but due to their financial limitations, he only received one before being discharged.
When they reached the Ta Khoa bridge, the family offered to pay, but Mr. Quang refused, wanting to help the elderly man with his medical expenses. His small act of kindness demonstrates the larger, positive human spirit.
Source: Dương Linh - Son La Radio and Television Station
Open Thread
Ha Giang province is unique; you could explore the entire province, but most visitors focus on the highlands, specifically the main route:
The Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Dong Van – Meo Vac route (National Highway 4C)
This is the most famous and popular route in Ha Giang, also known as the "Happiness Road."
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Dong Van
* Visit the Twin Mountains (Núi Đôi) and Heaven's Gate (Cổng trời) in Quan Ba.
* Travel to Yen Minh.
* Visit the Vương Dynasty Mansion (Dinh thự họ Vương).
* Visit the Lũng Cú Flagpole (Cột cờ Lũng Cú).
* Arrive in Dong Van and explore the old town in the evening.
Day 2: Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng – Meo Vac
* Explore the old town in the morning. Visit the Dong Van market (daily market; if it's a weekend, visit the weekend market instead).
* Optionally, climb Dong Van's Cao Fort (Đồn Cao) for panoramic views of the town.
* Conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass and admire the Tu San Gorge (hẻm vực Tu Sản).
* Arrive in Meo Vac and visit the weekend market (if traveling on a weekend).
Day 3: Meo Vac – Ha Giang
* Travel back to Ha Giang.
Important Notes:
* Transportation: Motorbikes are the most common way to explore Ha Giang. You can also rent a car if traveling in a group.
* Weather: Ha Giang's weather is unpredictable. Pack warm clothes and rain gear.
* Documents: Bring your ID and driver's license.
* Food: Enjoy Ha Giang specialties such as thắng cố (horse meat stew), cháo ấu tẩu (a type of porridge), and bánh cuốn trứng (egg crepes).
* Preparation: Ha Giang is mountainous. Bring sturdy hiking boots and other gear suitable for the terrain. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
* Caution: Highway 4C has many winding, steep sections. Drive carefully.
This itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted based on your fitness level, time, and budget.
(Image from a brochure published by the Ha Giang Department of Tourism.)
After the Northern walks, a "Bách Hoa Bộ Hành" event will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8th and in Hue on June 8th.
The 5th annual "Bách Hoa Bộ Hành" Vietnamese traditional costume parade will officially take place in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, as part of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025. It's organized by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, with the Department of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union taking the lead.
This year's parade, planned to be the largest yet, will feature a route along Nguyen Hue - Le Loi streets, the Ben Thanh Central Station (Metro Line 1), the City Hall, and back to Nguyen Hue, as well as along 23/9 Park and Bui Vien streets – all within District 1. This marks the first time "Bách Hoa Bộ Hành" will be held in the spring and the first time in the beloved South, celebrating nearly 1,000 days of the "Bách Hoa Bộ Hành" journey (June 2022 - March 2025).
EVENT INFORMATION:
* Time: 8:00 AM, Saturday, March 8th, 2025
* Starting Point: Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center (92 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1)
Open Thread
The dimly lit "Tối Mờ" coffee shop in Hanoi uses oil lamps and a wood-burning stove as décor.
From the outside, the "Trà Nhà Cổ" (Old House Tea) shop at 23 Chau Long Street (Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) stands out from its surroundings. Its mossy tiled roof, aged wooden doors, and dim lighting evoke the image of an ancient house. This unique exterior draws curious passersby to stop and explore.
Stepping inside, visitors are surprised by the scenes reminiscent of old Vietnamese villages: a wood-burning stove, a water ladle hanging neatly on a wall of rustic red bricks, and more.
The shop's ambiance is like stepping back in time. A glowing ember in the corner radiates a familiar warmth; an old wooden cabinet displays the marks of time. Every object, from the water ladle to a chipped rice jar, evokes memories of the past.
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