Flan dessert

To many, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang is a bucket list item – not only for its cuisine and beautiful landscapes but also for the poetic and adventurous roads which wind through its majestic landscapes.

To get to Ha Giang, most visitors take a night bus from Hanoi and make it to the city by dawn, when thin lights begin to peak over nearby mountain tops and drive the cold away.

From there, a short bus ride is needed to reach Dong Van Town, where many tourists choose to begin their trip. As Dong Van is a mountainous locality with limited access, it would not be a surprise for travelers to find themselves sitting on unbelievably crowded bus, especially during high tourism seasons.

After arriving, many choose to explore the locality on a motorbike rented from one of several services available in Dong Van.

Dong Van’s old town is home to the area’s best accommodation. The neighborhood is filled with historic wooden houses that have been remodeled to welcome guests who wish to experience the local lifestyle.

In the evenings, tourists can check out the night market for a taste of local specialties, such as “thang den” (a sweet dessert of rice flour balls cooked in a sugar water with sesame seeds and peanuts), “banh tam giac mach” (a cake made from buckwheat), grilled meat served with “com lam” (grilled rice stuffed in bamboo sticks), and “chao au tau” (porridge cooked with “au tau” – a local herb).

Visitors should also be sure to check out Lung Cu Commune, about 40km from Dong Van, where there are dozens of opportunities to experience the lifestyle of the ethnic Lo Lo people.

This beautiful village overlooks the Lung Cu flagpole, Vietnam’s northernmost landmark and a famous check-in spot for many young Vietnamese tourists.

With few food and drink services available in the area, tourists should rely on homestay owners to cook up a rich menu of local dishes, such as black chicken and fresh vegetables.

Ha Giang is surrounded by serene mountains and forests which overlook the beautiful village paths alongside gardens of corn and blossoming rapeseeds.

Local tourist destinations include the Palace of Hmong King Vuong Chinh Duc, which has been ranked as a national relic; Dong Van rock plateau; Ma Pi Leng pass; the Nho Que River; and Quan Ba Heaven Gate.

Each of the sites offers visitors a breathtaking journey along the winding roads of the famous Ha Giang Loop.

Quan Ba Heaven Gate, for example, cuts through the rocky mountains with a rest stop overlooking the magnificent view of a rocky plateau.

Meanwhile, Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the four great passes of northern Vietnam, is not far from Dong Van.

From Ma Pi Leng, visitors can take a steep and narrow road to the bank of the Nho Que River, where they are advised to treat themselves a boat ride surrounded by mountain overlooking the river.

Motorbiking promises to offer visitors off-the-beaten-path experience, however, the roads are quite dangerous so if visitors are not confident about their driving skill, they are advised to take “xe om” (motorbike taxi) service provided by locals.

The best time to travel to Ha Giang is in autumn, when the area is covered yellow rice fields.

Visitors can also travel to Ha Giang in Spring, when flowers bloom and locals don colorful costumes.

However, regardless season, the locals of Ha Giang people seem to maintain their peaceful lifestyle.

When the sunset falls on the mountain slopes, those hardworking people return home with large bundles of firewood on their backs for cozy gatherings around a fire.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Hoàng Vân Anh

Our entire lifestyle news desk went out to Bát Tràng recently, not for its famed pottery but to try the much-hyped “Bát Tràng feast” from culinary artisan Nguyễn Thị Lâm.

The chef is now over 70. She used to live in Hà Nội’s Old Quarter, where home cooks are known not only in the capital but also countrywide for their refined methods. She was trained by her mother and mother-in-law, and has now passed down the craft to her daughter-in-law, who doubles as her sous-chef.

OUTDOOR DÉCOR: Traditional ceramic tiles and a miniature pond on the terrace. Photo Vân Anh

The house is traditional, with a large terrace filled with greenery and ceramic tiles. Inside are three tables for guests.

The feast did indeed fill us up, with a range of different dishes. There are generally seven plates and three bowls of food on a full festive table of Bát Tràng delights.

The seven plates include stir-fried kohlrabi and dried squid, assorted vegetable salad, fried spring rolls, stewed beef in bordelaise sauce, boiled chicken, stir-fried shrimp and vegetables, and sticky rice. The three bowls were different but delicious soups: pork skin soup, bamboo shoot and dried squid soup, and pigeon stew.

UP TO THE HYPE: The feast was very much something to look forward to. Photo Vân Anh

The bamboo shoot and squid soup had dried bamboo shoot stripped thinly by hand, which is uniquely Bát Tràng style, mixed with stir-fried dried squid in chicken broth.

The pigeon stew featured pigeon stuffed with a delicious filling of minced meat, vermicelli, and mushrooms. As typical as the ingredients may sound, as the majority make up Vietnamese meatballs, the boiling process, combined with the flavour of the pigeon, gives it a special taste hard to find elsewhere.

The pork skin soup apparently has up to 12 ingredients. Typically eaten only over the Lunar New Year (Tết) holiday or at wedding feasts, it was equally yummy.

Dried squid is a specialty at Bát Tràng, found not only in the bamboo shoot soup but also the stir-fry. The stir-fried kohlrabi and squid stood out to me for two reasons: I’ve had stir-fried kohlrabi many times but never with dried squid, and they use thinly-sliced yellow dried squid instead of fresh, white squid. The drying process adds a much more pungent flavour and savour to the stir-fry, and I savoured every moment of it given I’m unlikely to come across it again outside of Bát Tràng.

The spring rolls were equally unique. While every family makes their own, these featured fresh rather than minced dried shrimp and had a different rice paper wrapping. There was also less meat compared to the typical homemade spring rolls I’m used to. I found them a little oily, but they were still a big hit with many of our group.

The beef stew was delicious too. My grandmother often makes it whenever I go home for a holiday, since it’s one of my favourites. And here it’s also made very well. With bread also dip into the flavourful soup, every super tender bite was a delight.

Our order was specially added with bánh chưng (glutinous rice square cake). The cake was cut very differently as well. Typically, it’s cut into eight pieces, the way a birthday cake may be cut. At Bát Tràng, though, they cut it into 16 mini squares. Since we were all so full from the other dishes, the smaller bite was the perfect size to let us try this local version of a Tết (Lunar New Year) dish loved by all Vietnamese.

JUST ENOUGH: Perfect bite-sized servings of ‘bánh chưng’ are great for kids or even adults with full stomachs. Photo Vân Anh

Some people at the office found the dishes quite salty, but that didn’t overly bother me.

Towards the end, we took a table outside for a dessert of “xôi chè” – glutinous rice with Vietnamese sweets cooked from yellow bean and cassava. A warm tea cup accompanied it to balance out the sweetness. Having dessert outdoor was ideal, since we not only got to enjoy the sunshine but everyone squeezed around one table and we got to bond over good food and good company.

Reservations are a must. A full set is designed to serve six to seven people. If you go in a group, you can also give pottery a try or go to nearby Ecopark to enjoy luscious green spaces hard to come by in downtown Hà Nội. VNS

Amid socio-economic development, traditional food is still kept and enjoyed. In addition, there has been renovation and creativity based on the tradition for new delicious dishes that are welcome. Banh Chung (traditional rice cake made of glutinous rice, green bean and pork), a symbol of food during Tet (Lunar New Year Festival) is one of them.

Brown rice Banh Chung

“No fat” is the attractive marketing of brown rice Banh Chung for which many people “hunt” for it this Tet. Made in the same way of making traditional banh chung, the only difference of this cake is brown rice, instead of the traditional white one.

Brown rice not only brings a new brown color to the traditional green cake but also contains substances good for health, suitable for those with diet, diabetes or problem with heart and blood pressure.

It is soon favored by diners as people can both enjoy the traditional food and eat healthy. Furthermore, many people are also interested in purchasing to taste the new flavour of the cake.

The order of the cake increases day by day as Tet arrives closer and closer. Some places are in the shortage of supply.

Salmon Banh Chung

It is the first-ever Tet traditional rice cake with fish, instead of pork as usual.

Moreover, it is salmon, which is usually known for its imported origin, bringing a touch of international exchange and culinary combination in the cake. It is also considered the most expensive Banh Chung with VND500,000-600,000 ($22-26) a pair while the average price of traditional Banh Chung varies among VND55,000-100,000 ($2.5-4.5)

Along with traditional ingredients such as white glutinous rice, green bean, pepper and la dong (Phrynium leaves), green tea powder is also added to reduce the strong smell of fish. It has caught the attention and curiosity of many people to taste and present to others as a unique gift.

Five-color Banh Chung

This is exactly the same ingredients of traditional Banh Chung, except for its multi-color. It includes five separate layers of colors representing earth, water, fire, wood and metal which are believed to bring peace, prosperity and luck for the New Year in Oriental culture.

Depending on the taste of the maker, the five colors of the cake are varied. However, the most common ones include red, green, yellow, white and purple. To create the different colors of the cake, rice should be dyed, with natural ingredients, for example, the red coming from Gac (perennial melon), yellow from ginger or purple from black rice.

To prevent the colors from mixing together when the rice is wrapped in the leaf, the cook dyes the rice separately in five moulds, thus the elaboration of this Banh Chung is more time consuming.

Young green rice Banh Chung

Having the same look as a traditional Banh Chung, but Banh Chung Com has a different soft and unique taste, thanks to the addition of com (young green rice), a typical delicious ingredient which is used a lot to just eat right away or to make glutinous rice cake, sticky rice, sweet desserts, candy, ice-cream, among others.

More interesting, Banh Chung Com has two kinds, salty as usual or sweet, which both come with meat, offering more options for diners.

Vegetarian Banh Chung

In the past when people were poor and short of food, especially meat, Tet was the occasion to feast and enjoy the food which came with meat. However today, as life is getting better and food is abundant, meat is no longer the dreamt food, especially for vegans whose number is on the rise.

Therefore, the vegetarian Banh Chung is an ideal choice for them to perform a Tet custom. Without meat, vegetarian Banh Chung is still tasty, thanks to the addition of a lot of fresh and delicious green ingredients such as mushroom, lotus, coconut, among others.

Hanoitimes

Foreigners experience Tet holiday in Vietnam

Tet (Lunar New Year) festival is the biggest holiday of the year for the Vietnamese people. The festival impresses foreign visitors with its interesting traditional culture activities.

The festivities commence from February 11 at Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co with a series of exceptional culinary experiences and fun-filled family activities

With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, if you are thinking about booking a getaway from the cities, a beachside escape to Banyan Tree or Angsana Lang Co is just the place.

Whether a first-time or regular visitor, there is always something new to discover at the resorts, if your idea of a holiday consists of beaches, hills, lagoons, and fresh seafood. Do not forget to take a scenic walk along the 3km private beach, soak up the local culture with the multitude of activities lined up for the celebrations, watch the sunrise from the hill pool villas or the beach.

Night On Us Room package at Banyan Tree Lang Co

With the Lunar New Year fast approaching, Banyan Tree Lang Co welcomes guests and expats alike to reconnect with family and friends and celebrate this favourite time of the year with a special room package: Night On Us. Get double enjoyment when staying for two or more consecutive nights at a Lagoon Pool Villa or Beach Pool Villa.

Intended to create lasting memories, the package is an ideal choice for those who wish to escape to a private and safe haven with stunning ocean-view guest rooms and villas nested between the azure water of the East Vietnam Sea and Truong Son mountain range.

The package is available for a minimum of two nights stay, breakfast for two is included in room rates, with the booking period lasting until March 29 for stays until March 31.

Lunar New Year eve buffet dinner

Indulge in an extravagant New Year’s Eve dinner buffet at Water Court Restaurant from 6pm to 10pm on February 11. The buffet includes a multitude of traditional dishes from different regions of Vietnam, from sumptuous main courses to delightful desserts priced from VND999,000 ($43.4) for adults and VND599,000 ($26) for children from 4 to 12 years. Add VND450,000 ($19.5) per person for a free flow of house wine, beer, soft drinks, and juices.

Lunar New Year activities

With the cheer of the new spring, several cultural and entertainment activities are lined up for in house guests from February 11-15 priced from VND60,000 ($2.6) to VND170,000 ($7.4) per guest. Children and adults will be able to enjoy face painting, origami, paper pinwheel craft, clay modeling, bracelet making, and lantern making and many more activities throughout the Tet period.

By Thai An

Philippe Le Bourhis, general manager of Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc.

Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc was named the Best Luxury Family Resort in Asia at the 2020 World Luxury Hotel Awards only eight months after opening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippe Le Bourhis, General Manager of the resort, spoke to Viet Nam News about this year’s business plan for the hotel and the newly launched Mövenpick Residences Phu Quoc.

What is special about the Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc?

The resort is located on popular Phu Quoc Island, famous for its wonderful tropical climate and lush natural landscape where our valued guests can trek through a dense rainforest leading to a waterfall or bask in the serenity of coconut-shaded beaches.

Last year on March 1, we opened our international premium resort along the island’s idyllic Ong Lang Beach, showcasing the Mövenpick brand’s signature Swiss hospitality excellence in Vietnam.

Despite opening during a low moment for world tourism due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the resort has not lost its vitality.

An overview of Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc, which won the Best Luxury Family Resort in Asia at the 2020 World Luxury Hotel Awards only eight months after it opened.

With a stunning 2.5km long private beach, the resort has become more tantalizing than ever before. We believe the resort is poised to become an ideal destination for family adventures, company trips, dream weddings and romantic honeymoons.

Winning the Best Luxury Family Resort in Asia award at the 2020 World Luxury Hotel Awards represents an evolution of the Mövenpick brand in Vietnam.

Our highlights include exquisite services and lifestyle and recreation activities which make us a “home away from home” for our guests. These services helped us earn the nomination in the awards’ Luxury Family Resort category, and, ultimately, triumph over thousands of other reputed resorts.

While the hotel’s service excellence draws from Mövenpick’s Swiss heritage, the heartfelt hospitality delivered by its staff is a clear reflection of the warm and friendly nature of the local Vietnamese culture.

We offer high-end facilities, adorned with a delicate and heartfelt approach to service guests. A perfect harmony between a peaceful, relaxing and secluded space and an enjoyable common space with fun activities such as Chocolate Hour, aqua zumba, beach party, and BBQ pool party will bring to our guest memorable moments for their holiday at the Pearl Island.

Could you tell us about the recently opened Mövenpick Residences Phu Quoc?

We launched the Mövenpick Residences Phu Quoc on January 18 2021, which is a testimony to the brand’s signature Swiss hospitality excellence in Vietnam.

Nestled on the mountainside and open sea view, the adjacent Mövenpick Residences Phu Quoc, offering 329 condotels and 79 pool villas, are enveloped in a sentimental atmosphere featuring a contemporary design, including studios and family rooms, each equipped with a kitchenette, perfect for families or extended stays.

Each family member can immerse themselves in the sun, the wind and the steady sound of the waves lapping on the shore, finding peace amid nature with their beloved ones.

With more than 305 rooms each with a sea-view balcony, Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc is the ultimate destination for a weekend getaway for families.

What are the special activities offered at Mövenpick Phu Quoc during the Lunar New Year holiday?

Phu Quoc, which is now at its peak time of the year, is nothing less than the best selection for families in search of an ideal trip destination during the Lunar New Year holiday.

With our exquisite services of Swiss excellence, unique entertainment and lifestyle experiences, a stay at Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc promises guests a wholesome Tet holiday and a blissful time together with their family members.

To make your travels during the Tet holiday more memorable, we create enticing events and culinary programs at Movenpick Phu Quoc, all of which are specifically designed for our visitors to relish the vibrant and extraordinary atmosphere of the Tet’s season.

Families can come together to make banh chung and gather around with new friends as they wait for the dish to cook, savouring the intimate and heartfelt moments of Tet.

Guests can also enjoy a lion dance performance in the morning of the first day of Lunar New Year at the main hall, where children receive li xi (lucky money), and the adults exchange words of blessing for a peaceful new year and participate in the traditional folk games.

Our culinary delights include homemade-style dishes from all three regions of Vietnam, and desserts and mesmerising traditional Tet dishes at our restaurants or the traditional Tet market at our Waverly Lougne where guests can enjoy a celebratory extravaganza with live performances, traditional folk games, calligraphy art and a sumptuous Vietnamese Buffet.

While Vietnamese women are often super-busy with cooking preparations and other household chores around Tet holiday, spending the holiday at Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc is an alternative way to enjoy the traditional tastes of Tet.

Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc offers a perfect harmony between a peaceful, relaxing and secluded space and an enjoyable common space with activities such as Chocolate Hour, aqua zumba, beach parties and BBQ pool parties.

Could you tell us about your business plan for 2021, a year in which the pandemic is expected to remain unpredictable?

Our main aim for 2021 is to continue to focus on the domestic market. Tourist businesses targeting foreign tourists will be in trouble for a long time. The challenge can turn into opportunity if we seek ways to focus on the local market.

The domestic market, especially millennials and Gen Z travellers, have powered travel growth in recent years. Through suitable package pricing and world-class quality, Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc is well-placed to capture this local demand.

We will focus particularly on a family adventure as we believe that an ideal beach destination such as Phu Quoc is a perfect getaway for families, where they will find everything they need right here at our family lifestyle resort, especially for a weekend getaway.

We will also focus on F&B offerings. Mövenpick’s rich culinary legacy is evident in the extraordinary dining experiences available in the hotel’s restaurants and bars, including a beach club perched on the golden sands of Ong Lang Beach.

We are well prepared to get ready for international business, which hopefully will start again at the end of the year when the pandemic will possibly be contained.

We look forward to welcoming guests to our island home at Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc. We ensure that guests will have a magical series of curated experiences during their stay with us.