Thai New Year
10:24 | 09/04/2012
2012 Thai New Year is known as the Songkran festival which means astrological passage. Thailand celebrates New Year in a very traditional way from 13th April to 15th April, every year. South and Southeast Asia also celebrates New Year as per the Thai calendar. The date was originally calculated as per astrological calculation. But with time the date got fixed. The 2012 Thai New Year will be celebrated during the weekend like every year. The New Year in Thailand falls during the summer month, right after the dry season. This day is considered to be a National holiday. Songkran festival is been celebrated since ages and the tradition of this festival is maintained. History says that the Thai New Year celebration and tradition has been influenced by the Indian culture. The Northern city of Chiang Mai celebrates the New Year for six continuous days.

The main attraction of the Thai New Year

2012 Thai New Year will be incomplete without the water game. As a part of the New Year celebration the Thais throw water at each other and get drenched in the streets and roads. At times they mix mentholated talc in the water. Water guns are vital for this occasion. The game was never played initially. However, this has been a recently added fun in the New Year celebration.

Earlier the Thai New Year was all about meeting and spending time with near and dear ones. During the New Year time people from the Thai community visit the Buddhist monasteries to pray and they also distribute food to the monks.

Cleaning Buddha during New Year

New Year time is a time for cleaning. In people from Thailand clean their house entirely. Cleaning the Buddha is also an important tradition during New Year. The Thais wash the idol of the Buddha with water and fragrance. This practice is considered to be auspicious. This brings good luck and prosperity in the household. From this tradition the water game has been introduced in the Thai culture.

New Year greetings in Thailand

During New Year the people from Thailand wish each other a Happy New Year in their own style which says sa-wat-di pi mai. Adding to it they also wish suk-san wan Songkran which means Happy Songkran.

Best time to visit Central Highlands
11:39 | 07/04/2012
VietNamNet Bridge – The Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) is always a mysterious destination for travellers who like to explore the pristine beauty of primeval forest, marvellous waterfalls and the rich cultural values of 44 local ethnic groups.

Bountiful: Tours to visit coffee plantations have been organised in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, especially in Buon Ma Thuot City, where tourists can admire and enjoy the national most flavourful products.

Yet in spring, especially during March and the third lunar month, the area seems to be even more beautiful than usual as the colours of nature awaken to the new season. One of the most prominent colours amid the vivid rainbow is the pure white of coffee flowers and waterfall foam, which are the inspiration behind the recently launched coffee tour by Dang Le Company.

National park draws anglers to fisherman's paradise
08:47 | 06/04/2012
Every weekend, hundreds of people flock to U Minh Thuong National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang to go fishing for different kinds of fish far beyond their wildest dreams.

There is a long line of cars queuing up along the road that leads to the park, most of them from HCM City, 365km away.

For many people, fishing in this remote area is a way to escape from the bustle of city life and enjoy the primitive cajuput forest, where they are greeted by birdsong and chirping insects.

Proclaimed as a National Park in 2002, U Minh Thuong covers 22,918 hectares of freshwater wetlands, peat forest, seasonally inundated grasslands and swamps. The central zone of the park is surrounded by a canal and dyke system, creating an ideal environment for aquatic species.

National flag carrier offers big discount
08:41 | 06/04/2012

A taste of Belgium at Hue festival
09:06 | 04/04/2012
HUE – Two Belgian artists will take part in the upcoming Hue festival, which is considered by many as the most important art festival in Viet Nam, starting this Sunday.

Singer Manou Gallo and composer Max Vandervorst are set to entertain the public with their original performances after being invited to participate by the Wallonie – Bruxelles delegation in Viet Nam.

"The Hue festival is one of the most important cultural events in Viet Nam. That's why the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation is very honoured and happy to take part in this year's festival in order to promote cultural diversity and globalisation, as well as the respect of the countries and cultural traditions," says Franck Pezza, head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation in Viet Nam.

Pedal along the backroads
03:59 | 02/04/2012
Biking through Viet Nam's central coastal provinces on backroads is an interesting way to explore beautiful landscapes and traditional life during the summer holidays.

It's a fascinating and enjoyable tour programme, which allows tourists to free themselves from crowds and traffic and wind through the villages along more isolated routes.

"We want to create a trip that highlights the natural landscapes of Viet Nam. Foreign tourists can take their time and really experience country life, since they can stop as often as they like on the quiet backroads," said Ngo Quang Nam, manager of Viet Nam Cycling.

"Tourists feel more carefree on cycling vacations because they don't have to worry about traffic, which is nervewracking for other foreigners who try to drive," Nam said.

He designed the routes for the tours, and said that a trip from Hue to Hoi An would take at least five days with different stages. He suggested that a team of 15 travellers was a comfortable number.

Ha Long Bay declared new world natural wonder
03:41 | 02/04/2012
The New7Wonders Foundation has officially recognised Ha Long Bay in Vietnam as a new world natural wonder, said a senior official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Hanoi in top ten Asian cities for hawker food
09:22 | 30/03/2012
VietNamNet Bridge – CNN Go, CNN’s travel website, has selected Hanoi as one of the Asia's 10 greatest street food cities. The list also has Penang of Malaysia, Seoul of South Korea, Bangkok of Thailand, Fukuoka of Japan, Taipei of Taiwan, Singapore, Manila of Philippines, Phnom Penh of Cambodia and Xian of China.

CNN Go describes Hanoi as “the birthplace of many quintessential Vietnamese dishes, such as pho and bun cha, and the city is often cited as one of the world's great food capitals.”

According to CNN Go, Hanoi is also a street-eater's paradise, with a plethora of options for those who want to eat like a local. In fact, many swear that the best food in Hanoi is found on the sidewalk, with dishes that often feature fish sauce, lemongrass, chilies, and cilantro and other fresh herbs.

“The city, which celebrated its 1,000th birthday last year, has put those centuries to good use perfecting its curbside nibbles. Although vendors often cook in small shop fronts, they serve their wares on the sidewalk, on small plastic tables and chairs that can seem woefully inadequate for overgrown foreigners,” CNN Go comments.

Festival Season
10:23 | 23/03/2012
Vietnam is famous for its historic and cultural traditions. There are plenty of occasions to celebrate major events throughout the year. During the first three months of the lunar year, a lot of festivals take place across the country.

Chol Chnam Thmay Festival
06:30 | 17/03/2012
Time: From the 1st to the 3rd day of Chet month (according to Buddhist calendar, equivalent to the 12th to 15th day of April by solar calendar).
Objects of worship: Welcoming the God of the New Year, Buddha and ancestors.
Characteristics: The traditional Tet (New Year) of the Khmer community, seeing the old year off and welcoming the New Year.
Participator: The Khmer people in the southern provinces.