Triều Chau Assembly Hall
The former port town of the Champa people at the mouth of the river Thursday Bon is an important trade center in the 16th century Vietnam. And 17., Where Chinese from various provinces and also Japan, the Netherlands and India settle down. During this period of Chinese trade, the city called Hai Pho (Seaside Town) in Vietnam. Hai Pho was initially divided town, because the whole “Japanese Bridge”, was used as the settlement of Japan (16-17 centuries). The bridge (Chua cau) is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, which is known only includes the bridge with the Buddhist pagoda attached to one side.

The city is known for its French and Spanish as Faifo, and with the same name in Dutch and Portuguese. Has spawned a number of theories about the origin of this name. Some scholars have suggested came from the word “hi-pho” (海 浦), meaning “sea town”, while others have been saying that it appeared more likely just to butter from Hoi An-pho (会 安 浦), “the city of Hoi An “, to” Hoi-pho “which became” Faifo “. In 1999, the old town has been declared by UNESCO World Heritage sites as examples of young Southeast Asian trading port from 15-19-century building featuring a unique mix of local and foreign influences.

Today, Hoi An is still a small town, but it took a fair amount of tourists, also became established in the backpacker trail. Many visits to the various arts and crafts shops and Tailors, which produces made to measure clothes for a fraction of western prices. Some internet cafes, bars and restaurants that opened along the Riverfront. Hoi An is famous for its centuries old Cao Lau noodles, which can only be served here unique.

Geography
Before planning a trip to the desired destination of your choice one must know about the geographical aspects of the region. Crate so that your tour to Hoi An and hold comprehensive information about the Geography of Hoi An that would make you aware of the topography of the area.

Hoi An is popularly identified as a small town nestled along the coast in the South China Sea in the central region of Vietnam. It is situated around the Qu? Ng Nam province with some 80,000 residents living along the area. Hoi An has been recognized as primitively port city of Champa from the community along the river that soon Thursday Bon considered an important trade zone in the 16th century. And 17 ..

As far as Geography of Hoi An is worried about the area nestled about 30 km to the south end of Danang when it reaches the position of the 4th largest city in Vietnam. Thu Bon River, popularly known as Kuadai, who settled in the province of Danang Khannam flowing into the East China Sea. Hoi An is located in the very far from the sea bay. Hoi An was acclaimed as a prosperous trading port with a large number of springs along the Bon River Thursday. “Hoi An” is popularly identified as a city consisting of many of the village. Among these six villages is comfortable village Phuong Sun, Hoi An, Kochai, Dong An, Zie Hom, along with the city of Hua Ho Hoi An. The third most popular district called as the Hoi An Phuong. Enjoy the tropical weather conditions in Hoi An with a relatively wet and dry seasons.

Hoi An visit the land immediately and find its landscape and its related features.

History
Hoi An was founded as a trading port by the Lord Nguyen Hoang Nguyen sometimes around 1595. Nguyễn god who has been far more interested in commercial activities than Trinh god who ruled the north. As a result, Hoi An flourished as a trading port and became one of the most important trading port in South China Sea. Captain William Adams, a famous British sailor and the trust of Tokugawa Ieyasu, known to have made at least one trade mission to Hoi An (around 1619).

1700 in Hoi An is considered by some Chinese traders to be the best for trade purposes throughout Southeast Asia. Hoi An important but declined sharply in late 1700 due to the collapse of the rule Nguyen (thanks to the Tay Son rebellion – as opposed to foreign trade). Then, with the triumph of Emperor Gia Long, he returned France to help them by giving them exclusive rights to trade near the port city of Da Nang. Da Nang became the new trade center (and later the French influence) in the center while the Vietnam Hoi An is a sure retreat. Local historians also said that Hoi An loses status as a trading port desirable because of silting of the mouth of a river.

The result is Hoi An remains nearly touched by the changes to Indonesia for 200 years (a bit reminiscent to the famous city of Carcassonne in southern France).
Hoi An city Map

Map of Hoi An town

Hoi An is considered as a budding port city of Sa Huynh people who thrived in the area of Vietnam. He was for 2. Century 15. Hoi An which was set by the Kingdom of Champa. Hoi An later turned into a commercial port city, which has trade relations with China and Arabia. Throughout the history of Hoi An’s claim, the port town of Lam Ap be called Hoi An from this day. Regions with kieu My Tra flourished and Children, with the capital’s temples and towers of the Champa Kingdom.

Throughout the history of Hoi An walking, settlement Cham civilization in Hoi An is known the existence of the Cham seaport that has trade relations. Because of the strategic location along the Hoi An Quang Nam combining the point and because of other positive conditions, the province affirmative showing signs of development over 16. 19th century ..

As far as history went Hoi An, a small town together with the “Silk Road” and “Ceramic road” involved in trade relations with countries like China, Thailand, Japan, India, Portugal, England, France, Netherlands, and other.
With time Hoi An emerged as an international port city together with a large trade relations for the economic hub and god Nguyen Kings of Southern in Vietnam. He completed during the year of the 19th century, the port ships that sail the town of Hoi An experienced destruction and loss of importance compared to the industrial port city of Danang.

Provinces struggle for 117 years, especially in the years 1858 to 1975 against foreign invaders and eventually own a few Hoianians sacrificed to the interests of the state and the combination of independence.
Finally he at December 4, 1999 Hoi An was placed on the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Dien Tien Hoang Road is opposite by way of Dien Bien Phu place of I remain and location of this restaurant not too far from my place. So, 10 minutes walks enough I to apply to draw up more rooms in my stomach.

The morning situation of restaurant is crowded enough, every desk is loaded full of visitors, my intention is still finding place for me.

At the arrival I was greeted with a group of mothers Preparing Banh Cuon in restaurant frontage.

Process of Banh Cuon is quite uniques. First, rice powder poured to the above of a hot flat dish. ossifies and this then forms a real thin rice powder looks like silk sheets. Then the sheet will be put down other flat dish above, this non-temperature dish.

Above the dish is silk sheets alike this will be cut to become some parts by using a tip of spoon. Then with a nippy movement, every cut will be given flesh cutting of meat and onion fried then is wrapped and put down small saucer above, consisted of every saucer 4 pack. Every saucer will be given a heap of bean sprouts mixture to braise and leaf cutting.

Banh Cuon mixture Accompaniment with nuoc mam (fish sauce are typical of vietnam) and chilli paste and 2 previous cut is milled flesh, mingled a few starch flours then is steamed.

Way of eating Banh Cuon also uniques. The way of eating this dish become divided to 2 sections, north section and south section (same as the things of food vietnam). With north section, we apply Clipper to cut pack becomes measure which is easy is eaten then we to take the cutting then mixture miscible in nuoc mam and chilli paste, then is has just eaten.

While south section, we pour all mixture nuoc mam and paste it into saucer cilli place of pack Banh Cuon then applies Clipper to eat it is as usual. I prefer way of south …

Taste Banh this very attractive. Flesh crispy fries and onion taste in feeling soft sweet rice powder is beautiful sheet united veryness mixture with nuoc mam and which cilli hot paste of acid. Bean sprouts, leaf and 2 consorting flesh cut also gives a real sensation of taste interesting … fascinating

In a minutes just of all dish before me having explicitly non secondhand, Terminated with a glassful Bargains fresh ice tea …

Total bill also resulted not at all hard. For all the dish of I only need to pay for 23,000 VND (1 USD = 16,000 VND).

Nuoc Mam, Smells? Damn in Vietnam is almost certainly not be separated from the Nuoc Mam. Fried Vietnamese spring rolls, steamer, even the soup is almost always accompanied by Nuoc Mam. If the Indonesian fried mackerel paired with chili sauce or mango shrimp, the fried mackerel here juxtaposed with Nuoc Mam. Even the fried eggs in Indonesia only if eaten with rice or soy sauce, the Vietnamese Nuoc Mam splash was almost a necessity.

One simple meal with a touch of the Nuoc Mam became one of the options in the lunch menu is thịt Nuong Bun. This dish is simple white noodles (similar to that used in the garden yg bo hue) were toping textured roast sweet (feels trace the caramelization of sugar burned in the oven), then ends with a splash of water have Nuoc Mam  with garlic slices , spring onion, pickled carrots, radishes, a sprinkling of peanuts and chilies to taste mill.

Nuoc Mam, Smells? damn gorgeous … tasteless noodles tend to get a kick sweet, savory, spicy, salty, slightly acidic and fresh from the meat mixture and Nuoc Mam .. splash a sprinkling of nuts Kriuk gives an interesting texture. dah cute anyway ..

Nuoc Mam is actually the result of fermentation of fish or can be derived from a squid or shrimp. Manufacturing process requires patience. Fish steaks / squid / shrimp mixed with salt, then placed in large barrels a given pressure. After that silenced. After about 3 or 4 months, this fermentation mixture will begin to settle.

Liquid above the sediment is called Nuoc Mam. This process will end at least after 6 months to 1 year. Smell it? dah damn .. car carrying fermentation vats that have not Nuoc Mam / half-finished,  can not say with words …once.

Nuoc Mam always made the best of the best fresh seafood. Best Nuoc Mam will color more clearly with a strong sense of fish accompanied with traces of salt from the salt and there was a faint sweetness.

Nuoc Mam contains many amino acids, iodine and vitamin B is very good for the body. Apparently a lot of nutrients as well yes … So? to vietnam do not forget to try Nuoc Mam

After the boat ride will visitors to the great Mekong River, its width from edge to edge of about 3 km. In the Mekong Delta there are four major islands. and one of them is Island of the Unicorn, the extent of about 10 square kilometers. The island the visitor will see a bee farm and agricultural products.

The visitors can sit relaxed, enjoying hot tea, fruits, while entertained three parents who play traditional instruments like fiddle, guitar and drums. Then the children are singing. It is not unusual, but it was the kindness and sincerity in receiving tourists, and their spirit. From there the visitors brought along  gardens leads to a small canal three meters wide, which divides the island. There was waiting canoes with the women. Each boat contained only three passengers and two rowers. Be the visitors were far down the canal about two miles, till he came back to the Mekong Delta where the ship was waiting. The scene could describe a life of communities around the Mekong River.

Hanoi city lake has a nickname because it’s a lot of lakes in the city. But I have another nickname, the city of horn. So much that horn, I’m confused motorcycle or car which . Darling wrote, the city’s cool and shady little disturbed by the number of motorbikes and honking. It’s just that after two days in Hanoi, I might like to be his hometown. Although Bangkok is a city of my most favorite version Being two days and three nights in Hanoi is very pretty, just three days and four nights would be even better. Able for the first day city tour, a special second day went to Ha Long Bay, a distance of 180 km from Hanoi and takes 3.5 hours.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
In the morning, after eating pho bo (beef pho) came to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Try to come other than Monday, because Monday closed. Why am really? To avoid the super long queue, although solid crawl.

Temple of Literature.
After the Mausoleum, walk to the Pho will be found Temple of Literature, is a former University founded in 1070.

Cha Ca La Vong
Time for lunch and you to Cha Ca La Vong. Cha Ca is a traditional Vietnamese food in the form of pan-fried vegetables (our own) with a piece of fish meat, eaten with typical Vietnamese rice noodles. How to present it incredible fun and could be an interesting experience. Cha Ca La Vong is located in the area of Old Quarter area

Navigate the Old Quarter area.
Incidentally my hotel in this area. Regions  with colonial style with  small streets crowded. Morning hunger? Do not worry because Pho Bo lots sold.

Hoan Kiem Lake
Coffee-coffee relaxing on the shores of Lake Hoan Kim Lake real champion. Adem, breeze, hot Vietnamese coffee….. After the coffee-coffee can go watch Talong Water Puppet Show.

French Quarter Area
This area is very close to the area of Old Quarter. 1 hour cyclo ride to the surrounding can be done. What could be the object of the image? Surely Hanoi Opera House and could go to Hanoi Catherdal.

Drizzle still whack when the car I was riding into the bridge Fisabilillah. The bridge is the main gateway to  Galang. Construction of steel and like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, with a length of 700 m and a height of 350 m. From there, we can see the panorama scattered small islands amazing.

Drizzle did not dampen her desire for people to stand on either side of the bridge. Just stopped taking his eyes, or was deliberately coming tour. Most visitors hang out in the tent stalls that lined both ends, enjoy roasted corn.

I am with three old friends who now go abroad in Batam, almost tempted to stop by. But Hijratul, car owners as well as a driver, a reminder that the trip to Galang Island is still quite far away.

True. We passed the bridge again in four islands the acronym of Batam, Rempang, and Galang. All three main islands put together a solid steel bridges and artistic, plus the small islands, namely, the island of Tonton, Nipah, and Sekikir. Total general there are six bridges connecting the islands was completed in 1992 it.

At that time, B.J. Habibie, the Batam Authority’s project was obviously want to keep Singapore in the strategic region. By bringing together a number of islands, Batam at least larger than mainland Tumasik Raffles pocus results from the colonial era. But what meretricious, dream Habibie seems to run aground: excellent infrastructure is still not able to make Batam perform brilliantly.

Ah, I get rid of the heavy thoughts. It’s time to enjoy the journey. The car raced in the now deserted streets, past the bridge after bridge, pineapple plantations and houses a rare and lonely. We had time to whisper, if only a flat tire or run out of gas, where to complain? Luckily, our gasoline is full content, and fairly smooth road tires ensure security.

After a corners, the car turned left, into the road slightly damaged asphalt. If straight, we’d met last bridge, the Bridge Little King 180 meters long that connects the island of Galang and Galang new. But our main goal is not to it, but the former reservoir boat people from Vietnam (1979-1996).

Not far in front, there is a pick guard post levy on behalf of the Batam Authority, amounting to Rp 10,000 for the sedan. That’s a sign we are entering a destination. Twenty years ago, the gate must be guarded by the army in which every person can not out-go, because the relocation area is like a mini state transitional “government” involving the United Nations refugee (UNHCR).

Although there is no longer the soldiers on guard, but the atmosphere remained tense feel. Rubber trees that are not maintained, the shrubs and trees that began making the atmosphere quiet and obscure. Rows of old buildings remains the refugees, such as barracks, houses a simple board, and various places of worship left mostly rotten, miserable, adding silence difficult to describe.

The car continued along the road encircling the quiet area. Large tree  extended to the edge of the road, a place where a group of flying monkeys requested rations. We threw some bread. The sound of scrambling monkeys broke the silence quite capable.

Apparently, a large stump that used to be a Buddhist ritual of refugees, so marked by a sign that read “Body Tree”. In addition to the tree body, other places of worship we see is the pagoda and the church. There Qim Chua Quang pagoda, Chuan Ky Vien, Cao Dai, and the biggest named Quan Am Tu, features a statue of Guan Yin Goddess of almost 3 meters tall.

While the Catholic church there are two, namely Ta Duc Me On Chatolic To Chruch and Nha Vo Duc Me Nhiem Chatolic Chruch this last-decorated Statue of Virgin Mary in the refugee ship. For the Protestants, there Tinh Lanh Chruch. All houses of worship were made of wood and wood, painted, has a large gate and artistic. Unfortunately, not all of which I entered because it was drizzling rain has transformed quite dense.

Peak visits I felt when we arrived at an area of green open space. On the grass was laid some wood-engine outboard boats, not too big, just a fishing boat in the harbor fish or Cirebon. More like a boat than a ship, from which the term “boat people” came from. Yes, that’s the original ships had used the South Vietnamese refugees who departed from the Gulf of  Tonkin and the surrounding areas, leaving their homeland was ravaged civil war.

I was trembling and awe at the ship or the boats. Was unable to imagine the suffering of the refugees who fought life and death in the ocean. This time I did not care about the rain. With his head wrapped in bags only, I immediately jumped out of the car, then touched and boarded the boats. Some of them are porous and hollow. Understandably not given awning. Apparently, the intention to build a museum open had been translated literally by the manager, so that the roof was just

How many times I go up and down to the deck of the ships that have saved countless hundreds of lives these refugees, as if not yet convinced that the tragedy was painfully true. But obviously it was not a dream. In a paper taped to the mossy concrete memorial, among other reads, “This is a used boat refugees across the South China Sea for months and so far thousands of miles to many parts of the world to seek protection from another country.”

It’s tragic. A large picture photo series of the refugees are also stuck on the sidelines, with sad faces. Despite fading and dull, so it is enough to disturb the marker events of our conscience. But strangely, in that there is a bilbord panel picture which seems deliberately covered with zinc. What’s wrong with that picture? Too vulgar? No escape censorship? Or protests former refugees? Either. Hopefully blur and masking the picture does not bode closing value of friendship ever.

Finally, before returning home, my visits to the complex genapkan Trang Ngha Grave, where over 500 refugees were buried. Rows of graves, crosses and stone-washed stone silent witness to the eternal rain for long trail boat people on Galang Island.

Former Refugees protested

“Cold War” two giants of capitalism and the ideological-communist-impact to Indochina. The civil war between North Vietnam and South Vietnam one of its effects. Vietcong forces in 1975 (North) invaded the South. Tens of thousands of refugees escape to the outside, jostling on a wooden boat down the ferocity of the South China Sea. Dozens of shipwrecks, hundreds of refugees died at sea, the other patrol boats captured in the Gulf of Siam.

Approximately 250 thousand refugees stranded on the island of Natuna, and others in the area of Indonesia. The Indonesian government is responsive, and work with UNHCR to relocate them on Galang Island in 1979. The region is designed. Barracks, houses, offices, schools, places of worship, highways, constructed so that resembled a small town. They are not allowed out of the area, but free to professionals such as business exchange, store of rice, making know-tempe, a teacher or employee UNHCR. Of these businesses is very limited, so most people remain dependent on aid that the UN agency.

When in 1995 the UNHCR has declared no longer a budget, the Indonesian government decided to repatriate the refugees. Interestingly (or touching), the refugees refused to go home. They are still traumatized. In fact, there are desperate to “suicide”: to burn the boat as a form of protest, and even set fire to himself. After all, 5,000 more refugees remain discharged, the remainder received a number of countries like America, Australia and France.

Now the area is run by former refugees the Batam Authority as a tourist attraction and human history. Quite reasonable. In terms of visitors, for example, how many former refugees are successful in various countries or countries of origin? Every time there’s always come on pilgrimage. Potential market. But unfortunately the management was not optimal. The number of damaged buildings clearly counterproductive to the historical value of the offer. Former refugees reportedly also be objected that the tourist attraction. Where they had lived miserably, far from the homeland, is considered less fit to be a tourist visit. It is said that the manager had confused, even if it did not think the objection should be a wedge.

Galang refugee life was relatively good, accepted by society and the Indonesian government empathetic. With a history of making tourist attractions, just ask anyone visited traces of humanity and friendship. That is, living how the manager synergize these values are proper and humane.

That’s what I imagine during the trip from Jakarta-Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City, following the first flight with Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-300 owned by Garuda Indonesia. The shadow seemed close to reality as we landed on the runway International Airport, Tan Son Nhat, part of the building relics of the past still visible here and there.
But the shadow was dispersed, when he saw the airport rooms neat, clean and cool. The immigration officer greeted us warmly. “No visa, no visa for Indonesia,” the officer said with a friendly smile, the Vietnamese government in December and had just applied for visa-free policy of ASEAN. It takes time to check our passports, and they enter data into the computer.
Exit the immigration hall, on the set of goods, there is only one of the exchange would only accept exchange of foreign currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar, the dong (Vietnamese currency) and not vice versa. Outside the airport, bustling atmosphere and similar Polonia airport in Medan. However, that was exactly it safe until we could not worried one bit. International airport Tan Son Nhat now receive flights from various parts of the world, especially from Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.
On the way to town, we see that the streets are relatively clean, here and there is still installed signs former SEA Games. Even before Christmas, when it was, the city government put shelves fir tree-shaped pots containing ornamental plants. The scenery was beautiful and interesting, especially when considering a new city outside the war 25 years ago.
Ho Chi Minh City is very dense population of approximately 6 million inhabitants. Walking the streets of this city that feels it smells capitalists. Just imagine, outside advertising space seem big along the way that promotes all things-from consumer products such as beer until the state propaganda.
Our event on arrival in Ho Chi Minh City are having lunch at a restaurant in District No. 1, center of town and tourist area. This region is highly nuanced French accent. Old buildings of European architectural style is still very well preserved. Even the iconic is the number of buildings like the Cathedral of Nortedram the red brick (is said to imitate the original cathedral in Paris) or the post office building, and city hall. In some areas even found the parks with a large mahogany tree-large. Jakarta residents for us or the big cities in Indonesia, jealous to see the areas that are still intact. Compare this with the city area in Jakarta that have been destroyed and the helter-skelter is not maintained, so that its authenticity has not looked back.
The Vietnamese colonized by the French from 1867 until 1957. Saigon became the capital of the French occupation covering an area of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in the 19th century. Saigon City is built like a model cities in France. The characteristics that still seems to present such a wide boulevard, buildings French architecture, the majority Catholic population. Even on the outskirts of the way many vendors who offer a delicious iced coffee. Saigon River which divides the city also provides the added nuance of this vibrant city.

War Tour
In addition to selling the beautiful natural scenery, the Vietnamese government offers to the tourist attractions of war. Two main object is the Cu Chi Tunnels in Cu Chi Province, which is about 60 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, and the War Remnant Museum in the city.
Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the destinations visited by many people want to see evidence of persistence of the communist Vietnamese against foreign troops, especially during the French, during the independence war and U.S. troops invaded the country.
Entering the Cu Chi Province, which was a peaceful village atmosphere and shade. Unlike true with the atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City is busy and frenetic. Invisible traces showing this area as the battleground of the most all-out bombardment of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, there are not many old buildings visible on either side of the road. The houses are still relatively young age. Similarly, the existing plant. Not looking trees with large diameter as in other areas.
According to Phi, our tour leader who refused to mention his full name, this area at the height of the ground war by incessant bombing. In fact, the trees are all gone either due bombed, napalm or die due to flushing agent orange so poisonous and deadly.
But the story in the Cu Chi tunnels are not initiated during the Vietnam War. The tunnel was built by local people as a form of resistance against French colonialism. At that, the colonial develop rubber plantations in the region. For workers, the managers of the garden wearing men from villages around to work camps. This is what ultimately generate resistance and hatred of the Vietnamese people against the French. Finally, while doing resistance, residents build tunnels near their homes to hide when the French soldiers came to search for the men. This underground tunnel that led to French colonialism ended.

The length of 200 Km
Of forest resorts in this war, we will first brought to the living dioramas that illustrate how the shape of the underground tunnel whose length is about 200 kilometers, are interrelated and can accommodate 10,000 people.
Then we were taken around the forest area witnessed the tunnel, a dead tanks, dioramas depicting the activities of the guerrillas, such as weapons workshops, kitchens, hospitals, mines, and others. Everything is under ground. We even had a chance to try out in the 40-meter long tunnel, which was enlarged, with a lamp lighting. Huh … was incredible, knee feels weak, struggling breath, sweating profusely. Imagine, they can survive so for over 20 years, while fighting. Even the visitors, who want, can come with trying to shoot with an AK-47 rifles or machine guns by paying U.S. $ 1 for four rounds. When challenged if anyone dared to enter the tunnel in fact, no one wants to try.
Our guide (dressed in green uniforms similar to Civil Defense uniform, complete with sandals from old tires)  how the tunnel is made so difficult to be tracked, how to keep the smoke so as not detected, how to make a disguised air holes. He also demonstrates the pitfalls of simple but very deadly and painful.
As a tourist, Cu Chi Tunnel was worth a goal. We will find the atmosphere of romantic war there, without realizing that in that location tens of thousands of people slaughtered in battle.

Remnant War Museum
Another war tourism is War Remnant Museum (Museum Honors War) not far from the District No. 1, which tells about the atrocities the U.S. military and its allies during the Vietnam War. Page museum was filled with the carcasses of tanks, fighter aircraft, helicopters, artillery, etc. seized the U.S. made during the war.
There is shown the history of U.S. involvement in the civil war in Vietnam. U.S. atrocities are described for example by mentioning the statistics how many million tons of bombs dropped, how many millions of liters of pesticides are being sprayed to kill the plants, agriculture, forests and humans, the number of casualties and so on.
More pictures of atrocities GI soldiers also appear in a variety of black and white photographs, such as torture chambers and detention cells. That is not there is a Vietcong atrocities at that time. So the spirit of anti-American propaganda is still felt.

Mekong Delta
One of the other tourist attractions we visited was the Mekong River Delta, located about 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City, about two hour by bus. I really do not imagine we’ll be taken to a muddy creek, much like in the area Ciliwung Condet, East Jakarta, and then brought up the boat. It turned out that our boat into the Mekong River are large, the width from edge to edge of about 3 km.
In the Mekong Delta there are four major islands. We went to one of the Unicorn Island, covering an area approximately 10 km square.
Not much of what we see in there, only the bee farm and agricultural products. We were sitting inlong, enjoying hot tea, fruits, while entertained three parents who play traditional instruments like fiddle, guitar and drums. Then the children are singing. Not extraordinary, but it was the kindness and sincerity in receiving tourists, and their spirit.
From the place we were taken down klengkeng gardens led to a small canal three meters wide, which divides the island. There was waiting canoes with the women  Each boat contained only three passengers and two rowers. Our Be it far down the canal about two miles, till he came back to the Mekong Delta where our ship was waiting. The scene here is not extraordinary, but can describe some people’s lives there.
Seeing the beauty Veitnam, especially Ho Chi Minh city, spooky shadows of this country were soon erased from the mind. Ho Chi Minh City even more beautiful and greater than Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and even more advanced than Rangoon in Myanmar.

The atmosphere was bustling town by people who go home or go to work. The people are eagerly looking at the bikes and their bikes. Most of them wear a mask because it’s dusty streets are steaming.

Beyond that, the obvious Nha Trang is Vietnam’s leading satellite cities that have potential to beautiful beaches and the sea. The Vietnamese government seems to design the city as the equivalent of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu and promote it heavily.

That we can see from the layout of the coconut tree, gazebo, white sand, its supporting facilities. Moreover, the exotic atmosphere of the beach really can we get there, especially at dusk and at night. As the sun dimmed and smoke began billowing steam along the coast road.

Nha Thrang can also enjoy the variety of typical servings of ocean. Shellfish boiled, grilled fish, seafood fried rice, mixed with roasted duck and fried grasshoppers, and various insects to cobra. Hmm, must have a sensational and somewhat bizarre by our tastes, but interesting to try.

What is important to note, life of a city tour will provide a means of life for residents. Along Nha Trang beach grow and small restaurants offering seafood variety of diverse types and creation according to the size of the pockets of the visitors. Lesehan to start from the big restaurants alongside cohesive and harmonious.

What about price? Self-worth and bought both by tourists and local communities. There is no excessive profit taking)because they realized that the visitors are loyal buyers and would come back if dissatisfied with their service.

As a result, the economy was not only hung on the tourists who come, but local people also enjoy the products offered. This climate is conducive for tourism are able to integrate and involve local communities in the habit of tourism development. That’s what tips might not have our tourism community. In Nha Trang, there are tourists or not, the economic wheel fixed and can not walk.

Vietnam is rich in marine products to be proud to tourists, from a wet to dry. Perhaps we already know some products are so masculine male icons of myth. Call it the blood and flesh of cobra snakes, baby deer, scorpions, or super gecko. The materials were put into the jar and dicencem or soaked in wine is said to increase male potency.

Such goods sold in the market many Trang Thuong Thum (read: Cak Dom), in the town of Nha Trang. Uniquely, the drug was powerful in the market are made from marine products like sea horses, crustaceans (either of what type of species), and many others.

Clearly, a sea-way as a typical product that we can enjoy in Vietnam. See it, dry food from the sea looking to decorate all the stalls and baskets, small baskets (push or hip) such as dried squid, grilled squid, salted fish, ebi, and others. Indeed they have the creative ability of marine product processing very well.

Moreover, Vietnamese people are very fond of eating seafood. So, they have realized that the sea is the main resource buffer their food (food security). Naturally, if they were serious about maintaining marine resources they have.

One other attraction of Nha Trang is a great demand pewisata Po Nagar Temple. At first glance, the platform and forms part of the temple is similar to the Prambanan temple in central Java. When I and his entourage arrived there, some people who are doing Hindu rituals with people dressed like Bali, complete with gloves and headband.

Could they were descendants of the Majapahit who had been sent to apply for Princess Campa? I do not know, who would posture, how to dress, and similar rituals of the Balinese. Perhaps it is only their language that shows the difference.

But if the temple history, perhaps we will take the conclusion that the temple did not have a relationship with the Kingdom of Majapahit in Java. Check it, Po Nagar, built around the year 781, about seven centuries before the glory of kingdoms in the archipelago that.

It is located in the middle of Kauthara, near the city of Nha Trang. Temple was dedicated to Yan Po Nagar, the goddess is celebrated in the country of Vietnam is often identified with the Hindu goddess Durga or Bhagawati and Mahishasuramardini (which the Vietnamese called Y Thien Thanh Mau). Goddess latter can we meet at the entrance.

Nha Thrang charming temple could be because it lies on the hill, exactly on Mount Cu Lao. Temple with a height of about 25 meters was the more interesting because it is between two bridges that looked solid in nature and stunning landscape print. The second bridge is XOM and Hon Chong Bong.

As a site related to Hindu religion, it is recommended visitors take off shoes before entering. Of course in addition to maintaining the sanctity of reason, it will also support the site cleanliness. As a result, Po Nagar temple area of approximately 500 hectares very interesting to visit.

Beyond that, the people of Vietnam are the people who are tolerant of religious differences. Religious life there is relatively harmonious and adherents of different religions can live side by side. So, in some corner of the city, we can see the church or mosque (though slightly) standing between the temple or pagoda. Most of the traditional Vietnamese people profess Buddhism, but embracing modern Protestant and Catholic.

Vietnamese-style snack market

The place we stayed was near Nha Thrang University campus. Early in the morning, while looking at the campus atmosphere, we were walking to look for breakfast. In the area around campus is a lot of places where the students boarding  Between them so many baskets of snacks and food stalls that provide students and needs.

What should we buy for breakfast? I went into a shop that looks the most crowded than other stalls. People said the busiest stall was the most delicious. I stood in line because it was so crowded visitors there. No one thought that I was an Indonesian. Understandably, our faces are not very far with most of them.

But so must food, there is little difficulty. The reason I did not speak their language, and generally they do not speak English. Well, fortunately, even with the language tarzan, the transaction can walk. Inconvenience happen again when I have to pay. How much does it cost? Finally, I take the money and let the traders themselves who took how much should I pay..

The merchant just smiled as he took some money. With a little blush too, I received a plastic wrap containing food that was not so much to that in our culinary treasures, at least for breakfast. There are sticky powder, s sticky, glutinous ebi, and various fried fish and anchovy

Problem is indeed interesting snacks. At the very least, we are from Indonesia do not have to think too much about whether the snacks that fit our tastes or not. Because, generally almost all snacks similar to ours.

Want more proof? Towards dusk, I saw people swarm a push cart neon. That wagon sellers snacks. Snacks are sold on earth? Impelled by curiosity, I approached. It turned out that the sale is the snack market as we have. There is sticky, gobet (which shaved cassava continues steamed), a bitch or gemblong with grated coconut and powder made from shrimp ebi. , so it seemed not in the country.

Not only that. At another point, people who sell fruit and cold. Fruit and how the merchants serving customers not very far from what we encounter here. There are also people who sell corn on the cob. If there is a difference anyway, it was possible to complement the food. In Vietnam, all the snacks to be eaten with side dishes of fish, squid, shrimp or duck fried snacks as a friend.

‘, all the way to Vietnam kok with snack our market,”commented a colleague.

Yes, maybe because we come from the same ancestor, the culinary treasures were not so disparate.

My-Son [read: mi-son] is a complex of worship of Shiva temple built by the Kingdom of Champa. In contrast to Indonesia, Hindu culture in Vietnam no longer continue after the entry of the Buddhist religion. We use a taxi for 1.5 hours to arrive at the temple complex. We chose to use a taxi to reach the My-Son before the tourists arrived and can see the atmosphere of the temple before it was too crowded.
Because a sales clerk looked puzzled admission and could not speak english, I chose to go into the garden area to search for more information. Apparently road with a beautiful woman who was carrying a laptop and paper work out of the office building to the artifact storage. From him I knew where I bought a ticket is correct. The answer is given with an Italian accent is very thick. Italy is providing assistance for the preservation of My Son, the architect of the energy for the reconstruction and archaeologists.
After paying the ticket, we finally agreed to pretend to stray into the warehouse building where Italiano’d been working. From the door looking boxes containing new terracotta saved through the excavation and is under investigation. Silvia, later we know is an archaeologist from the University of Rome. Previously he had worked on excavating the Roman Coliseum. Long-sleeved shirt folded khaki elbow and trousers dusty blue makes me like looking in the mirror himself. Duh, if the situation is slightly different … it is said to have an archaeologist couple very pleasant. Because the older, more cherished.
In an effort to be much longer at Silvia, we began to lecture on the history of Java, which has a special affinity with Champa. Moreover, Silvia admitted that he is an expert India, but not an expert in Southeast Asia. Silvia told me that he was research for four months at My Son. He memillih My Son because he found a lot of symbols that comes from India but has experienced assimilation in My Son. “Gee, you should come to Indonesia then. We’ll take care of you there …. “
Silvia, do you know that the epics of Ramayana in Indonesia has different plot than in India? In Indonesia, Ravana never kidnapped Sinta. Rama is too cold for him, so Sinta choose to briefly with Ravana. Although Sprott has resigned to Ravana, Ravana said: “Sprott’s … do not touch you tip. Until you fall in love with me “. (which was not my time to tell the Silvia. original idea of an interview with a TV station Sujiwo Tedjo. Thanks for making Ravana was such a gentleman)
We offer to tell me more about the history of Hinduism and Indian influence in Indonesia over dinner later in Hoi An. Unfortunately ya wannabe Indiana Jones admits his research is very solid schedule. Well already ….
We went further into the temple garden. It turned out to reduce activities that may disturb the authenticity of the temple, the distance between the door of the temple and the temple complex built far enough. And for the manager to provide inter-shuttle vehicles that have been included in the ticket price. And since we are only three of us, so we delivered using a car shuttle Ford F-151 Utility Mutt (Military Utility Tactical Truck). In Vietnam, up Ford Utility remaining vietnam war. What a boy’s dream!
The temples at My Son, some made of brick and partly from a rock. Seeing the ornaments on the temple did not seem strange to those who had seen the Elephant Museum, Gedong Songo, complex or complex Prambanan Temple in Dieng Plateau. Statue of Shiva dancing, Nandini – Holy Cow is a vehicle of Shiva, the yoni phallus &. My-Son is one of the recording temple Indian influence in Southeast Asia and a scale equivalent to Angkor in Cambodia, Pagan in Myanmar, Ayuthaya in Thailand and Borobudur in Java.
We returned to Hoi An, with a stop at the church located on top of a small hill in the village of Tra Kieu. The archaeologists estimate that it is the former didesa Champa Simhapura center. But there is no heritage buildings can be seen of this area.