VANG VIENG – THE DESTINATION OF MYSTERIOUS INTERESTS

VANG VIENG – THE DESTINATION OF MYSTERIOUS INTERESTS

By sdvthuongmai   4:48 AM   No comments:

 Vang Vieng is a tourist-oriented town belonging to Vientiane Province, about 4 hours driving from the capital city. Located on the banks of Nam Song River, the town is like a staging post between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. The town is a collection of stunning sceneries of river and mountains giving travelers a distinctive experience when travel to Laos.

Vang Vieng Travel

In recent years, Vang Vieng tourism has been developed to become a backpacker-oriented town by improving tourist infrastructure including hotels, guesthouses, bars, restaurants, and other services. Travel to Vang Vieng, visitors will have an exhausted journey, with many secret caves to discover, lagoons with turquoise water to kayak on, dive into or swim in, wonderful waterfalls to admire as well as majestic cliffs to conquer.

How to Get to Vang Vieng from Vientiane & Luang Prabang?

Located on the 13 National Highway between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, this rural town is easy to reach from these 2 places. Backpackers can take a bus, a taxi or rent a private car to reach the town. The road between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng is mountainous and offering astonishing landscapes through small rustic Lao villages. Meanwhile, the path between Vang Vieng and Vientiane is flatter but less interesting.

Things to Do in Vang Vieng

The town and its surrounding areas are real attractive destinations for backpackers, with the natural beauty of limestone karst mountains, poetic Nam Song River, and many impressive caves and falls as well.

In a Vang Vieng trip, travelers should not miss the chance to explore famous attractions including Tham Poukham, Blue Lagoon, Golden Cave, Padeng Cave, Ring Cave, Xang Cave and Nang Oua Kham Cave. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the majesty of the nature and would like to come back to discover more this mountainous town.

The town also offers many interesting activities for backpackers to take part in, such as tubing and kayaking on the Nam Song River and Blue Lagoon, rock mountains climbing, high swings, mountain biking, zip-lining, and enjoying Lao-style steam sauna. Additionally, travelers will have an authentic experience when getting into the rustic life of local people, understand the culture, take part in interesting cooking classes, and sample delicious Laotian foods.

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LUANG PRABANG – THE FASCINATION OF BUDDHA LAND

LUANG PRABANG – THE FASCINATION OF BUDDHA LAND

By sdvthuongmai   4:50 AM   No comments:

 Located in the north central of Laos, the silent and lovely Luang Prabang City is one of the most famous destinations in Southeast Asia. The city is also known as the former royal capital city of the country in the heydays of Lan Xang (Laos Kingdom). Now, this city is rising to be the best tourist attraction in the country thanks to its ancient beauty of many European colonial structures and Buddhist monuments.

● Luang Prabang Overview

Luang Prabang is a highlight example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures built by European colonial authorities in 19th and 20th centuries. The city has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the unique beauty of many old buildings and sacred temples, the most famous one is Vat Xieng Thong.

Set at the junction of two rivers and embraced by majestic mountains, Luang Prabang is a collection of traditional wooden houses combining with European style, reminding the time when Laos was a part of the French colony of Indochina. Come to this historic city, travelers will be enchanted with the peaceful sceneries and the hospitable people.

● How to Get to and Travel around Luang Prabang ?

The Luang Prabang International Airport is located only 5k m northeast of the city center and scheduled straight flights from/to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Jinghong, Pakse, Siem Riep, and Vientiane.Travelers also can book a flight to the airport in Vientiane capital city and continue taking a domestic flight or a bus to the city.

The traffic infrastructure has been improved in recent years in order to enhance tourism and economy of the city. Thus, visitors can easily get around the city by taxi, bus, motorbike, bike, or tuk tuk. Elephant riding and boating on the Mekong River are also attractive experience which give travel the most authentic Luang Prabang travel.

● Things to See and Do in Luang Prabang

Travel to Luang Prabang, travelers can have an exhausted experience because the city consists of plentiful interests waiting to be discovered. Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. Among the natural attractions are the wonderful Kuang Si Waterfalls, Pak Ou Caves, Nam Ou Elephant Farm, and Tad Sae Falls… For those who have a passion about the Buddhism and history of Laos, visits to interesting historical destinations including Phou Si Hill Temple, the Royal Palace (National Museum), Wat Xieng Thong, and Ban Chan Village will be amazing experiences.

There are also a lot of brilliant things to do in Luang Prabang such as enjoying Lao traditional massage skills, Riding Elephant to explore rural areas surrounding the city, motorcycling or biking to hill-tribe villages, taking part in cooking classes, and especially savoring delicious Laotian foods.

Riding Elephant in Luang Prabang

With its ancientness and silent beauty, Luang Prabang is an ideal option for those who would like to enjoy a true relaxing vacation staying away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

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VIENTIANE – WHERE THERE IS A LITTLE PEACE

VIENTIANE – WHERE THERE IS A LITTLE PEACE

By sdvthuongmai   4:46 AM   No comments:

 Vientiane is the capital city and also the largest city of Laos, located on the banks of Mekong River close to the shared border with Thailand. Compared to other capitals in other Southeast Asian nations, the city is a more relaxing and peaceful like a small town. The city is now changing slowly into an industrious city which is the economic center of Laos. At the same time, this city is also one of the best Laos destinations loved by travel lovers.

Vientiane is Slowly Becoming a Favourite Tourist Destination

The city is stretched out in the bank of the Mekong River with many interesting destinations attracts both domestic and international visitors. Vientiane tourism offers travelers fantastic chance to discover scared temples, admire dreamy landscapes along the riverside and visit busy and colorful markets. The city is now changing slowly with infrastructure and services in order to become a real tourism city in Laos.

Some Attractions You Should Not Miss When Travel to Vientiane.

Travel to Vientiane, travelers will be overwhelmed by the splendor of golden temples and mesmerizing setting. The city is characterized by leafy boulevards, riverside promenades, French colonial buildings, and Lao traditional homes. The most popular tourist sites in the city can be listed are Xieng Khuang (Buddha Park), Pha That Luang, Patuxai Victory Monument, Vientiane Night Market, Wat Ho Phra Keo, Lao National Museum, Wat Si Muang, Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE), Wat Sisaket, Lao Herbal Steam Sauna and Massage.

The capital city of Laos enchants visitors not only with a lot of famous attractions to go, but also with full of interesting activities to do. A Vientiane travel will be an astonishing chance for those who would like to discover the nature of this beautiful country. Travelers can take a trek through the lush tropical forests, taking a Vientiane eco tour, go picnic on the shores of Nam Ngum Lake, cycle around the city, and admire the dreamlike sunset on the Mekong River.

For those who interests in Lao culture, they will be appointed with visits to temples and watching the local monks mumping on the streets, enjoying Lao massage and taking part in Vientiane cooking class. After exploring the charm of the city, visitors can have true relaxing time when enjoy delicious Laotian cuisine with Beer Laos, a national specialty.

Laos is still one of the most impoverished nations in Southeast Asia region. But for the rest of the country, Vientiane is a difference, and is the symbol of the development of Laos in the future.

How to Get to Vientiane ?

The international airport in Vientiane capital city is Wattay Airport, located 4km in the west of city center. Although the international-standard services here are quite limited, this is improving to enhance the tourism industry in of the city.

Wattay Airport serves many direct flights from/to neighbor countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, China, Singapore, and South Korea. There is a $10 departure tax for international flights, but it will be enclosed with the ticket for customers’ convenience.

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SI PHAN DON (4000 ISLANDS) – PICTURE ON THE MEKONG RIVER

SI PHAN DON (4000 ISLANDS) – PICTURE ON THE MEKONG RIVER

By sdvthuongmai   4:44 AM   No comments:

 Si Phan Don, meaning 4000 Island in Laos, is a riverine archipelago lied in the Mekong River. Belonged to Champasak Province, this attraction is characterized by an infinite number of islands in which the most famous ones are Don Khong (the largest), Don Det, and Don Khon. The region now is one of the best destinations of Laos tourism and attracts both domestic and foreign travelers.

About Si Phan Don

The 4000 Islands in the Mekong is considered a unique and mystical where visitors can mingle in the majestic nature of Mekong and explore hidden Laotian villages along the riverside. When floating on the waterways of Si Phan Don, travelers will have the feeling like being in a magical forest of thousands limestone islands.

A Si Phan Don exploration is a perfect combination of admiring the mesmerizing natural landscapes and discovering historical sites of French-Indochina period, offering visitors chance to understand Lao history while discovering the wonders of nature in the region.

What to Do in Si Phan Don ?

Si Phan Don is the place of thousands islands, but most visitors here come to Don Khong (the largest) Don Det, and Don Khon. The highlights of these three islands are Wat Cham Thong Temple, Wat Phou Khao Kaew Temple, Muang Khong Village, Ban Hua Khong Village, Ban Huay, Ban Hang Khong, Khone Phapheng Falls, Somphamit Falls, Li Phi Falls and Muang Saen Village. 

One of the most interesting activities in a Laos travel is to watch the tranquil scenery of Mekong River. For adventurous travelers, kayaking on the river at sunset or biking on the islands will be the memorable experience when travel to Si Phan Don. You can also rent a motorcycle and discover the hidden charm of this mysterious area.

For those who have passion about Laotian food, it will be a good opportunity to sample delicious Lao dishes prepared by friendly locals. Don’t miss the chance to memorize your travel to Laos by breathtaking pictures on the landscapes of 4000 Islands in the Mekong.

How to Get to Si Phan Don ?

4000 Islands Laos only can be reached by bus or a boat trip. Travelers can take a daily bus in Pakse, Phnom Penh, or Siem Reap to reach Si Phan Don. Additionally, from Cambodia, you can take a van from Kratie or Stung Treng then continue with a boat trip to Don Det or Don Khong.

There are also boats leaving Stung Treng in the morning sail straight to 4000 Islands in the Mekong. Travelers should arrive at the jetty early to not miss the morning boat.

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Pakse is a Prominent Destination in Laos

Pakse is a Prominent Destination in Laos

By sdvthuongmai   4:42 AM   No comments:

 Pakse is the capital of Champasak Province, located in the south of Laos. The city is situated at the confluence of Mekong and Xe Don River with the fascinating panorama of mountains, forests, rivers and local villages. Pakse has been the royal capital of the Laos Kingdom of Champasak before the Kingdom of Laos was formed in 1946.

Pakse is a true relaxing place with its tranquil atmosphere of the rivers, majestic beauty of mountains and forests, hospitality of friendly locals, and interesting cuisine. If you are planning a travel to Bolaven Plateau, Wat Phou, or Si Phan Don, don’t miss the chance to discover Pakse, a brand new tourist attraction in Laos.

Things to Do in Pakse

Pakse tours offer travelers chance to discover some interesting sites of the city to understand more about Lao culture. Visit Wat Luang, the biggest most beautiful temple and also home of Buddhist Monk School. Discover the largest temple in the city, Wat Phabad, which is believed to keep a Buddha Footprint. Explore the Big Buddha – Phou Salao temple and admire the fascinating view of the city from atop. Additionally, travelers can reach some other destinations including Ban Keosamphanh, the famous Mount PhouAsa, the Mouth of the Xe Don and the Mekong River and Wat Phou Temple.

Visiting Pakse, travelers will have plentiful of interesting activities to join, such as riding an elephant through lush green jungles, cycling to scenic outposts, boating on the poetic rivers, or riding a motorbike to reach Pak Song, stop at a beautiful waterfall and enjoy a picnic there. Savoring Lao food will be a memorable experience in a Pakse travel. Apart from Laotian cuisine, restaurants in Pakse also offer Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Western dishes. Furthermore, travelers can have real relaxations when enjoying Lao traditional massage, a very good way to refresh the body after exhausted days.

With its natural charm and full of attractive things to do, Pakse is a really fantastic destination that travelers should not miss in a Laos travel.

How to Get to Pakse ?

Developed as a tourist city in recent years, the authorities have improved the city infrastructure, especially traffic system to enhance the Pakse tourism.

Located around 8km north of the center, Pakse International Airport offers flights from/to some cities in Laos and neighbor countries, including Vientiane, Savanakhet, Siem Reap, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers can book a ticket online, through a travel agent, or at the airport.

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The 5 best places for honeymoon in Laos

The 5 best places for honeymoon in Laos

By sdvthuongmai   4:34 AM   No comments:

 Laos may not the first comes into your mind when planning a honeymoon trips as it recently became a prominent option. However, Laos is truly one of honeymoon destinations in Asia that worth a go thanks to its laid-back beauty. If you share with your darling a honeymoon in Laos, you will have a real tranquil vacation with the untamed valleys, lush green jungles, majestic mountains, and exotic local villages.

Luang Prabang
Being on the top of the list of must-visit in Laos, Luang Prabang is dubbed the “Land of a Million Elephants and White Parasols”. The city is also one of the most culturally exquisite cities in Asia, which was recognized as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Luang Prabang will take you to the wonderful world of miraculous temples and traditional houses, as well as many French colonial buildings. The most famous attractions in the town are Wat Xieng Thong, Mount Phousi, Royal Palace, Alms ceremony…

Don’t miss the chance to try special things when together discovering natural sites surrounding the city, including Kuang Si Falls, Pak Ou Caves, Tad Sae Waterfalls, and the Elephant Camp.

Vientiane

The former capital is another destination where you will get into the lively and hectic life of Laos. Couples will find exciting days in Vientiane with visits to sacred temples, experiences in Laos restaurants, and nights on colorful streets. Discover every single corner of the town with a double bike will be an unforgettable trial. You will never forget the moments when passing the boutique French buildings, or enjoy excellent dinner while the sun is going down on the mighty Mekong River.

Traveling in Vientiane, honeymooners can discover famous attractions surrounding the capital, such as the Buddha Park, the Patuxai, and many ancient Buddhist temples… to set off your Laos honeymoon holiday.

Bolaven Plateau
Bolaven Plateau is a fantastic spot for a honeymoon in Laos, offering romantic moments in the natural. There are many tea and coffee plantations which create immense greenery on the lands. Bolaven is also the place where you can find beautiful waterfalls to relax in the turquoise water and enjoy the whole some loving vacation.
Additionally, lovers will have chance to see lovely elephant s bathing in the deep natural pools. It’s truly incomparable!

Si Phan Don (4000 Islands)
Si Phan Don is a forgotten archipelago of about 4000 rocky islands creating a breathtaking scene. The best time to visit the region is in the dry season when travelers can see most of the islands.

The peaceful atmosphere on Don Khong (the biggest island in the area) will be an ideal condition for your laid-back holiday. During the journey, couple will appreciate the ancient temples, rural roads, green paddle fields, silver falls, local villages, French colonial bridge, and the legendary Mekong.

Champasak

Champasak is not a famous spot for explorers, but an ideal one for an infinite relaxing honeymoon in Laos.

Riding around the local village in the town, lovers will absolutely fall in love with the rustic life and lovely smiles of the locals. Champasak encourages both of you to throw out everything but love during your romantic days.

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CHAMPASAK – THE TRANQUILITY ON THE LAND OF LAOS

CHAMPASAK – THE TRANQUILITY ON THE LAND OF LAOS

By sdvthuongmai   3:16 AM   No comments:

 Champasak is a province in the southern Laos, near the shared borders with Thailand and Cambodia. Its rich cultural ruins include around 20 temples bearing the traditional Khmer, and numerous French colonial structures. The capital town of Champasak is Pakse, which has become a famous destination of Laos tourism. 

History of Champasak 

In the period of 1st to 9th centuries AD, the province of Champasak was a part of the Funan and then the Chenla kingdoms. Then it was part of the Khmer Empire from the 10th to 13th centuries. The Angkor Empire came to decline when it was annexed by the Lan Xang before the independence of Laos Kingdom. Pakse, the capital of Champasak, was controlled by the French in the year 1905 as an administrative station in the region. 

After the establishment of Laos PDR, Champasak became an important part of the country near the borders with the two neighbors including Thailand and Cambodia.

Things to see and do in Champasak 

Surprisingly, the Champasak is not really a tourist destination despite home to a World Heritage Site – Wat Phu and the attractive Pakse. It’s also on the way to Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) with the famous Don Khong, Don Khon, and Don Det, making the region being one of the most popular Laos destinations. 

The most famous attraction in Champasak would be the UNESCO World Heritage Wat Phu (also called Wat Phou). This AC. 12th century Hindu temple was built in hey days of the Khmer Empire, followed the style of Angkor. However, the temple is still in use as a Buddhist one by the Laotian.

Its layout is absolutely impressive, consisting of 2 massive barays, numerous old crumbling structures and a range of ancient steps leading to the slope of the mountain where a stunning cluster of other buildings stands. From the top of Wat Phu Temple, travelers will have an astonishing view of Champasak harmony with the mighty Mekong River. 

Additionally, the town of Champasak also features other interesting attractions including the renowned Khone Phapheng Waterfalls, the Lingaparvata sacred mountain, To Mo ruins, and Wat Nang Sida Temple…

How to get to Champasak?

From the transport hub of the region – Pakse, travelers can easily reach the town in different ways. You can take a bus service, a minivan or even a boat trip along the Mekong to get to other attractions in Champasak Laos. Besides, riding a motorcycle on the dirt roads of the region will be an amazing experience for adventure lovers. You can rent a motorbike in the town of Pakse, go south and cross the Mekong River via the Lao-Nippon friendship bridge. After around 1.5km, turn left into a quiet road to reach the destination.

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BOLAVEN PLATEAU – THE PARADISE OF SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS

BOLAVEN PLATEAU – THE PARADISE OF SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS

By sdvthuongmai   3:11 AM   No comments:

 Bolaven is a high land region in the South of Laos. Most of the plateau belongs to the area of Champasak, and the edges are located in the Sekong and Attapeu provinces of Laos. Being home to numerous beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking sceneries, idyllic tribe villages, and unexploded sites, Bolaven Plateau is becoming one of the most regarding Laos destinations.

Bolaven Plateau Overview

The Plateau is situated in an old volcano mountain that erupted millions years ago. The area is located 50km to the South of Laos. The people living in Bolaven Plateau Laos are almost the Laven, and the others are Mon-Khmer, Alak, Katu, Taoy, and Suay people. The culture of the region thus is very unique with the harmony of minority groups.

Bolaven Plateau

The highland region has played an important role in history of the country. It passed 3 most significant historical periods which effected by the French colonization, the Phu Mi Bun Revolt, and the Indochina War.

How to get to Bolaven Plateau?

There are many ways to reach the Bolaven Plateau, both by private vehicles and public transportation. The daily buses to Paksong, Salavan, and Sekong can drop you off at any stop on the way. You can also rent a car (with driver or not) or a motorbike from the town of Pakse and get to the region.

Where to stay in Bolaven Plateau?

Bolaven accommodation and cuisine facilities are almost located in Paksong and Tad Lo. Travelers can stay at a resort near the waterfalls or local home-stay along the road.

Things to see and do in Bolaven Plateau

The land of Bolaven Plateau is covered with coffee and tea plantations, as well as dramatic waterfalls, including Tad Lo and Tad fane Waterfalls, and lush green jungles. Situated on an altitude of over 1000m above the sea level, the weather in the region is cooler than others in the country, allowing more comfortable experiences for foreign visitors.

Taking a motorcycle trip in Bolaven Plateau, travelers will have a fascinating experience when discovering the lush plantations, exploring stunning waterfalls, and visiting Thateng Integrated Organic Farm. 

When being in Bolaven Plateau, travelers can reach tribe villages to understand their daily life and rustic culture. Do not miss the chance to try Laos coffee and buy some for souvenir when return. You will find the adventure in Bolaven is one of the worthiest things to do in Laos.

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Explore 3 Best Attractions in Chinatown Singapore

Explore 3 Best Attractions in Chinatown Singapore

By sdvthuongmai   2:54 AM   No comments:

 Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

Located in Chinatown of Singapore, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum has long been famous for unique architecture and holy reputation. The temple is a place of worship of the Buddha.

 

Built in 2007, the temple is prominently characterized by architecture and furniture of Buddhist art and history. As the name would suggest, the temple is named as the left tooth of the Buddha. The relic was brought here from Kushinagar, India.

This Chinese-style pagoda was designed by Venerable Shi Fa Zhao, the president and Abbot of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and Abbot of the Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple with the help of local residents and foreign consultants. Temple’s construction costs up to 75 million USD. The architecture of the temple is based on elements of Tang Dynasty style and Mandala, a symbol of the universe in Buddhist culture.

The Buddhist Culture Museum on the third floor exhibits relics related to the Buddha, such as the bones and tongue. Noticeably, the Sacred Light Hall on the fourth floor is placed the temple’s most important treasures. It is the Buddha ‘s tooth preserved in the giant tower weighing 3,500. The tower is made of 320 kg of gold, of which 234 kg is donated by worshippers. You might enjoy the relics at the separate observatory from 9 a.m – 6 p.m everyday. Bear in mind, you have to ask for permission of monks before entering the reserve.

Sri Mariamman Temple 

Originally a wood – and – attap (palm fronds) structure completed in 1827, Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Commonly referred to as Mariamman Kovil (« Mariamman Temple » in Tamil), the temple has been serving as the place of worship of Goddess Mariamucted man by immigrants from Nagapatnam and Cuddalorre districts of South India.

« Mari », meaning « rain » in Tamil, is an important life – giving element in rural life, while Goddess Mariamman is also known as the curer of diseases. In addition to a place of worship, the temple was also closely intertwined with the Hindu community as it served as the first refuge for new immigrants, dispute mediation, and an early resgistry of marriage for Hindus.

Especially, if you visit Sri Mariamman Temple in October and November, you would definitely have a chance to witness the annual fire – walking festival named Theemithi.

Skybridge of Pinnacle@Duxton

Pinnacle @ Duxton is a public housing in Singapore, opened in 2010. This area has seven buildings, including 1,848 apartments and, significantly, all buildings were connected by a bridge on the 50th floor and 26th floor. The bridge of 50th floor, which is named Skybridge, definitely enables tourists to hold panoramic views of the stunning city and harbor. The entrance fee for visitors is very reasonable, which is priced at only $ 5 per person. However, the local authorities limit the number of visitors a day at 200 people so that they do not disturb the daily life of the inhabitants. Thus, if you want to make a visit to this amazing place, you should book tickets in advance.

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The Unique Philippine Festivals You Won’t Want To Miss

The Unique Philippine Festivals You Won’t Want To Miss

By sdvthuongmai   2:52 AM   No comments:

 1. Panagbenga Festival 

The word “Panagbenga” in Filipino means “hundred flowers bloom”. Unlike other festivals, the Panagbenga Flower Festival lasts up to a month, with peak activity on weekends.

The festival is held every February in Baguio City. At this time, the streets will be filled with splendidly decorated florists and beautiful dancers, ideal for those who like the summer and the beauty of flowers.

2. Moriones Festival

The Moriones Festival on the island of Marinduque (Philippines) lasts a week, from April 14-20, called the Holy Week. This is the most important holiday for Filipinos.

On the days of the festival, local people will wear masks, dressed in unique costumes and masked with strange animals, simulating the image of the Roman soldiers. In their hands they will carry a wooden weapon to reproduce the previous battles. You can also find statues of Roman warriors in real-life proportions at the harbor of Balanacan.

3. Aliwan Fiesta

Aliwan Fiesta, an annual event held in Manila, Philippines, last week in April.

Aliwan Fiesta was first celebrated in 2003 by Manila Bradcasting and the Philippine Cultural Center.

4. Pahiyas Festival

Held on May 15 of each year, Pahiyas is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Philippines. Like hundreds of other national festivals, this is also a celebration to honor a saint. The Pahiyas are celebrated in honor of St. Isidro Labrador, the saint who gave the farmer a harvest.

This festival is held in Lucban, Sariaya, Tayabas and other towns in Quezon Province, south of Manila.

5. Pintados Festival

Along with the Sangyaw Festival, the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival takes place in June every year in the city of Tacloban, which is not only the economic center of the region and one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines.

The most exciting activities at the Pintados Festival are the celebrations of the city’s cultural and religious traditions, the introduction of local talent, creativity and fun with parades and street dances and contests.

6. Kadayawan Festival

Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival held in the third week of August in Davao City, Philippines. The name of the festival is specially originated from the friendly greeting “Madayaw” from Dabawenyo from “dayaw”, which means nice, valuable, tall or beautiful.

The festival is a celebration of beautiful life, a Thanksgiving for the gift of nature, the wealth of culture, the fruits of the harvest and the serenity of life.

7. MassKara Festival

MassKara – a festival of smiles held every October in the city of Bacolod, Visayas, Philippines. The name MassKara is a combination of the English word “mass” – many Spanish and “cara” – face. So, MassKara means “a lot of smiling faces”. This explains the highlight of the festival is the mask with a bright smile.

Today, the MassKara festival has become one of the most important Filipino festivals, attracting many locals as well as tourists to attend.

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Enjoy your Honeymoon in Thailand

Enjoy your Honeymoon in Thailand

By sdvthuongmai   2:46 AM   No comments:

 Actually, nothing is more wonderful than the moment you can enjoy romantic natural sceneries with your lover in a stunning place. If you are newly-married couples, a honeymoon in Thailand definitely will be a perfect choice for you to enjoy sweet love memories and create unforgettable experiences together.  From picturesque islands and pristine beaches to thousands of glittering temples, you will never regret when having your honeymoon trip in Thailand 

Thailand is famous with the name “Land of smiles” with beautiful beaches such as Phuket Pattaya and so on. With the excellent quality of services in Thailand,  every citizen is tourism ambassadors who are always helpful, friendly and hospitable. For years, Thailand is the perfect choice for the couples all around the world to enjoy their sweet honeymoons in a paradise country.

If you want to enjoy beautiful moments with your partner in a quiet and private place, there are a wide variety of choices such as the romantic coasts, Phuket island with spectacular natural sceneries or the paradise island Krabi…In Thailand, you and your spouse can have a romantic walk along the beach, in the context of deep blue sky bringing about relaxing and wonderful moments. 

With the hope of enjoying sweet moments of love, the two you can also choose a sweet honeymoon cruise on a luxury yacht to have an adventure travel on the sea to the Gulf of Thailand or to the beautiful island of Phuket, Krabi, the twin Phi Phi Island, Tarutao and so on. The romantic feeling is always beside two of you when traveling by ship or boat on the sea or journeying along the river. You will enjoy the alone static space and endless landscapes with great services from hotels and staff.

Noticeably, a beautiful island of Thailand, Phuket is a popular honeymoon destination wich is surrounded by 36 smaller islands and wonderful sights. It is highly suggested that you should visit it at least once in your lifetime. It offers beautiful beaches, sandy shores, blue sea water so that you can totally relax and be involved in many other interesting activities.

Moreover, Krabi is another ideal destination compared to Phuket. It is a coastal province located in the south with stunning beaches. It is not noisy and crowded as Phuket, not as expensive as Koh Samui, not hard to get to as Koh Tao, Krabi is a destination which is easy to come. This is a quiet place which is suitable for those who want to find themselves in a gentle seaside city, brilliant sunset and coastlines. The island is outstanding with white sandy beaches, blue water, diving areas and various shops. 

Ko Tarutao Island is also known as the pearl paradise island with the blue untouched beach and beautiful white sands. Next to Ko Tarutao island is Ao Son beach located in the west of the island. This beach is an ideal destination for tourists to relax. All the things here have brought about the happiness, peace and satisfaction to many travelers. Besides, visitors can sailboats to enjoy the scenery and do other wonderful activities such as snorkeling, swimming, watching abundant forests and viewing lovely animals like turtles, monkeys, monkey, crabs and wild pigs which are very popular on the island. 

If the two of you are busy and cannot stay long in Thailand, the Bangkok is also an interesting choice for your honeymoon. Bangkok is a well-equipped city with world-top shopping centers where visitors can stay and have a good access to sightseeing, shopping and dining. It is known as a city of rich history, fabulous shopping centers, a colorful nightlife and tasty food. Although Bangkok is one of the largest cities in the world, you can easily find traditional and spiritual features at one of many ancient temples here. Moreover, both of you can enjoy tasty Thai cuisine or the cuisine of countries around the world and feel excited with many cultural activities in the city.

Thailand is obviously an ideal destination for newly-married couples who want to spend most of their time together in a beautiful and special place. Thailand will help them to create the most memorable and romantic moments together. Thanks to the beauty and friendliness of people, Thailand makes a strong positive impression on international travelers. Romancing on a cruise or dining at a splendid restaurant, Thailand provides all necessary things for the love birds coming in for their honeymoon.

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Shwedagon Pagoda: Covered with 90 tons of gold and diamonds in Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda: Covered with 90 tons of gold and diamonds in Myanmar

By sdvthuongmai   2:42 AM   No comments:

 Shwedagon Pagoda is the architectural masterpieces of the Yangon city and the tower itself covered with inlaid gold, topped with thousands of diamonds and rubies.

Most Myanmar people dreamed once pilgrim to Shwedagon – the thousands year old temple situated on the hilltop Singuttara, Yangon, Myanmar. The taxi driver will bring international visitors to the south gate to buy ticket, while the Burmese are allow to freely entrance from the remaining three ports (East, West and North). The fare to visit Shwedagon Pagoda is 8 USD.

Before stepping inside pagodas in Myanmar, Buddhist devotees and visitors must remove shoes, sandals, socks and walk barefoot only. You should be prepared plastic bags to keep your shoes because Shwedagon Pagoda is very large, you might enter at one gate but head out another.

Being the golden symbol of the country Myanmar, the Shwedagon is more than 2,500 years old, believed to be launched before the death of Shakyamuni Buddha. The tower and the curved roof os the pagoda are prominent on the blue sky, brings a sense of majesty to the sacred land of Myanmar.

The main tower of Shwedagon Pagoda is 99m high, and surrounded by 1,000 small towers keeping many sacred treasures of Buddhism. At the corners around the temple put binoculars, allow visitors to sightseeing with a closer observation. Though experienced the wars and natural disasters, the Shwedagon is still the world’s most superficial pagodas.

Shwedagon’s golden tower is the most spiritual sanctuary of the Burmese people. The tower is plated with spire gold while the top is also fitted with thousands of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and gold rattles. The most notable thing is that on a towering spire lit by 76-carat diamond. According to estimation, the temple is plated with up to 90 tons of gold.

Most of Myanmar people come to the pagoda in the afternoon. They wear traditional costume and bring the trays votives in groups of young and old.

Nearby are two lines of young walking and cleaning the pagoda courtyard under the command of a leader.

The pagoda has many altars and Buddha statues also covered with gold. This is a place for worshiping of the monks and the Myanmar people. From Yangon airport, you take a taxi to the Shwedagon Pagoda. It would take half an hour with prices ranging 5000-7000 MMK (8 USD).

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