Honda 67

This old Honda was found in the Mekong city of Ben Tre. Many consider these bikes a classic, this one...........a classic farm bike used for dragging a trailer and newly made bricks! 

If you love bikes, check out Saigon Unseen Moto Adventures - it's the best thing to do in Vietnam! 

 

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Click below for images from Vietnam and Cambodia

Experience the finer tastes in Hoi An

While there are plenty of delicious eateries salted throughout Hoi An, Thanh Ha explains why Trung Bac is worth a visit.

Hoi An has become my annual destination for holiday, not only because of its beautiful surroundings but because of the typical food that I had chance to taste at Trung Bac Restaurant, which I believe is one of the best in the city.

Like many people, I collected information on my journey before I left, especially places to eat because I was bringing my little boy who can be a fussy eater.

Trung Bac was saved in my notebook because the restaurant is located in a 100-year-old house and was renowned for serving good traditional food.

It is not a difficult restaurant to find, being on Tran Phu Street, but we stumbled across the place due to a funny incident.

My three-year-old boy suddenly wanted to go to the toilet. While I was trying to find one for him, he instead took matters into his own hands and decided to take a pee on the door step of what turned out to be Trung Bac Restaurant.

While I blushed in shame, and cringed at the abuse I was likely to receive from the restaurant owner, I was instead surprised by the smiling welcome, with the owner claiming she wasn't worried as it would bring good luck to her business.

What the owner said seemed true as after my family, big groups of friends came and the waitresses had to work hard to take orders although it was a little late for a dinner.

As I was visiting Hoi An, I decided to opt for the local specialities, so I ordered a dish of Hoi An com ga (chicken rice) for me and my son and a bowl of cao lau noodles with pork and two bottles of local beer for my huband.

The prices ranged from VND20,000 to more than VND100,000. But when I tasted my food I thought that was "quite reasonable" as they were really nice.

The com ga dish was cooked with saffron with sliced chicken mixed with spices and sweet and sour salad accompanied by a small bowl of chicken stock that was decorated with some coriander.

That dish was so good that my boy who claimed not to be very hungry asked me to cook the same for him for the next day's meal.

The cao lau was stranger to me, with big flat flour noodle with fried lean pork, some different kinds of herb, bean sprouts, fried wonton skins and a little stock and some slices of hot chilli and lime.

Eating the dish I found it sweet, sour, spicy and fatty, offering a perfect combination in one.

There are different options for cao lau as eaters can replace pork with chicken, beef or seafood, which according to a waitress had their own tastes and were difficult to compare with each other.

In fact there are so many options I'd advise going in as big a group as possible to sample the full range of the dishes that are available here. All of them, look at photos, were really mouth-watering.

While my husband was also satisfied with his meal and his beer, I actually commented that beer at Trung Bac was nearly double what we drank on the street.

Yet, sitting in an old house with its original and authentic Hoi An architecture, it made such a price still acceptable to me.

Because of its fame, the restaurant's style has been imitated by several new restaurants mushrooming next to it.

However, none of them match the friendly service found here. The waitress, when finished her ordering, tried to make friends and talked with my kid so that we could focus on enjoying the great food. She was also ready to chat with us when I tried to find out some information about the city.

The nice restaurant also has a creative way to promote itself by hanging two calendars on its walls which allows customers to freely write comments and feedback in different languages including Japanese, English, French and Spanish. Most of them praised the restaurant a clean, cheap and welcoming while the food was noted as being tasty and delicious.

My meal concluded with a complementary plate of watermelon that the owner gave us as a thank you for bringing them luck in the form of some additional diners.

We left Trung Bac at around 10pm, feeling a little sorry for the staff who had to work all day but we received a warm smile and a useful recommendation about a river-side bar where we could continue to enjoy Hoi An at night. — VNS

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Top Three Places to Visit in Cambodia

By Enid Glasgow

Bayon - Angkor Wat - Cambodia

Cambodia is not typically at the top of the usual vacation destinations, and that's exactly how intrepid travelers like it. The Southeast Asian paradise welcomes almost 2 million visitors a year (compared to 80 million for France, 20 million for Italy, and 30 million for England), but every one of those 2 million guests is greeted with Cambodia's legendary hospitality and treated to a vacation like no other. To make your trip to Cambodia as fulfilling and memorable as possible, make sure to stop at these three spots.

Siem Reap. The "Great Gate to Angkor" is, of course, home to the beguiling UNESCO world heritage site, Angkor Wat. The marvelous ruins, towers, and intricately carved walls of the Khmer civilization never fail to inspire awe, but they are only the beginning of what Siem Reap has to offer. Featuring a mix of colonial and Chinese-style architecture, the city offers craft shops, silk farms, museums, and traditional Apsara dance performances. In the surrounding countryside, you can see rice-paddies, fishing villages, and an array of exotic birds. Siem Reap is not to be missed.

Sihanoukville. 230 kilometers from Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, is the port town of Sihanoukville. A journey to Cambodia in the dry season between November and April demands a trip to the dazzling water and clear skies of Sihanoukville. The sandy white beaches offer ample opportunity for swimming, diving, and plenty of great sunbathing. You can tour the nearby islands by boat or enjoy seafood at one of the local restaurants. If you have ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical paradise, this is your chance.

Royal Palace - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh. A four hour drive from the sandy shores of Sihanoukville is the capital city of Phnom Penh. If you love the peace and tranquility of the port town, Phnom Penh is probably not for you. This city, because of its oppressive heat, humidity, and ever-present crime, is not a destination for the casual leisure traveler. For those who want a vacation worth talking about, though, Phnom Penh holds many treasures, including the National Museum of Cambodia, the Royal Palace, the attractive Sisowath Quay boulevard, and majestic ruined temples. Phnom Penh is also home to the chilling Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. While these won't be the most "pleasant" parts of your Cambodian adventure, they do give you terrific insight into the history and culture of this fascinating country.

Cambodia is a remarkable destination for those who want to travel off the beaten path.

Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who recently visited Cambodia.

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Christchurch Earthquake Fundraiser - Hanoi

From the Vietnam Swans Prez - Mr Phil - see more at www.vietnamswans.com

Dear Swannies and friends

So far, the Christchurch Earthquake fundraiser in Saigon has raised a staggering USD97,000!! It's an extraordinary result. But, of course, the scale of Christchurch's disaster is even more extraordinary.

Kiwi and Swannie, Ross Munn (the incoming General Director of the Commonwealth Bank in Vietnam) writes from Christchurch that "the results of this fundraising effort (are) exceptional. Christchurch is in poor shape and every cent makes a difference."

Hanoi Fundraiser - Saturday, 19 March, JASPAS

The NZ Chamber of Commerce has just confirmed that there will be a fundraiser in Hanoi on Saturday 19 March from 2-4.30pm at JASPAS, 4th Flr, Hanoi Towers.

Please attend this event if you can to support the Kiwis in their continuing hour of need.

If you would like to donate a raffle or auction item, please see contact details on promotional poster below or email via the Swans Blog.

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11 Fav Travel Photos

Every travelers nightmare is getting home and going through their photos! Well if have been trying sort out several years of photos taken during my time traveling around Vietnam. And while going through them I found just a handful of cool pic's that I like.

Of course there are several thousand images, but below is just 11 images that for one reason or another, I like! So enjoy and don't be shy about letting me know what you think!

Police motor bikes parked on the street in Danang City, Central Vietnam

Imperial tomb in the old city of Hue

Cheap and tasty - Hanoi Bia Hoi.

Sunset just outside of Hoi An

Harvest time near Quy Nhon

Thumbs up - somewhere near Cau Dai Beach, Hoi An

Mekong musician in Ben Tre, Mekong Delta

Three face - outside of Hue City

National Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Vung Tau Church - sometimes less is better!

West Lake Pagoda - Hanoi

See more of Adam's images by simply clicking below!

People Of Cambodia

Images from around Cambodia!

Friends hanging out - Cambodia

Baby and sister - Cambodia

City cyclo - Phnom Penh

Happiness - Cambodia

Young Khmer kid - Cambodia

What u looking at? Cambodia

The look - Cambodia

Spider Seller - Cambodia

Restaurant Staff

Khmer horseman

Young fisherman - Cambodia

Old and happy - Cambodia

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Wholesome meditation under the Bodhi

By Thanh An
 
Has the rushed lifestyle in uproarious Ha Noi, where the hustle and bustle of navigating through traffic jams is a daily routine, tired you out?

Have you ever been daunted by a life full of fast food, gout and trans fats, and wanted to try something new?

Perhaps you have found yourself hoping to find a place of escape to find inner peace?

All of these wishes come true at Bo De Tam (Bodhi Tree's Heart) Restaurant, where you do not have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the wholesome food.

Located in a villa near Ngoc Khanh Lake on Pham Huy Thong Street, the restaurant is in a French style building and is decorated with glamorous and elegant paintings.

A majestic three-metre tall wooden Buddhist statue, which evokes images of a meditative atmosphere, greets diners at the door.

As I entered the dining room, the bright smile of one of the waitresses drove away any exhaustion I felt after a long day of work and dodging traffic.

When entering the world of Buddhism, you can leave behind the outside world by leaving your shoes near the door and putting on a pair of soft, comfortable straw sandals. It helps you to sense the restful space here.

Nguyen Minh Hien, a frequent guest at the restaurant, explains that Bodhi Tree's Heart means your mind is enlightened toward good things so that the evil spirit will no longer exist in your heart and you learn how to appreciate the people around you.

If you pay attention to the restaurant's decor, you will notice the image of bodhi tree leaves on the wall.

Restaurant owner Nguyen Thu Ha says each of the leaves was picked from the sacred giant bodhi tree in India, where legend has it that the Buddha used to practice to reach nirvana.

An enormous menu of more than 60 dishes awaits guests in search of "pure" food, as I like to call it.

The Spring Bird's Nest soup, which bears the taste of spring's flowers and fruits, is a combination of bird's nest and field mushrooms. When I tried the first spoonful, a taste of sweetness touched my tongue and continued long afterward.

Ha says the dish is a wish for happiness and peace.

If you like seafood, I recommend you try the tofu seafood simmered in a clay pot. Its ingredients include a clever mix of vegetarian oysters, squid and shrimp, and can satisfy the taste of any fastidious diner.

Another option for loyal hot pot lovers is the bodhi mushroom hot pot, which includes a variety of mushrooms.

The stir-fried bamboo sprouts with mushrooms is a not-to-be-missed enjoyment for those who love the bamboo trees they find in temples and pagodas.

I personally find that all things related to bamboo are fresh and environmentally friendly, so I could not wait to try this special dish. As I expected, the subtle favour of young bamboo blends with the sweetness of the mushrooms for a truly delicious dish.

After trying several offerings that pleased both my eyes and taste buds, I began to wonder how the chefs were so good. It didn't take long to find the answer:

"Our rule is that we must have the finest chefs and they must always be in a good mood when cooking for our guests. Believe it or not, when a cook is angry or uncomfortable, guests will notice it in the food," says Ha.

Another colourful dish that caught my eye was the lantern spring roll. I found it quite wonderful thanks to its beauty and strange taste. Its name provides some description of its appearance. If you look closely, you'll see a piece of pineapple peel in the centre of the dish surrounded by eight pieces of spring roll. Believe me, it will be hard to tear your eyes away from the sheer beauty of the dish before you give it a taste!

When I was there I noticed that most guests ordered potatoes stir-fried with mushrooms. I asked one table what they thought of the dish and they said they loved it not only for its nutritional value, but also for its perfect flavour.

A plate of potatoes and mushrooms can satisfy the culinary needs of gourmets on a cold winter evening and happily fill their bellies at the same time.

For dessert, try enjoying a tea ceremony. As you enjoy a gulp of hot tea, you'll understand why people here appreciate Heaven, Earth and tea growers.

All in all, diners here will enjoy a variety of delicious choices with good service and a lovely atmosphere.

Please do not hesitate to bring your family and friends to enjoy a perfect vegetarian feast. Leave your fatigue behind and prepare for something you have never explored before in the kingdom of food. Bon appetite! — Vietnam News

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Saigon Unseen Video

Made by Adam Martin, this short video give you a great idea of what you'll see on a Saigon Unseen Moto Tour! So check it out, then head to saigonunseen.net for all the details.

Not convinced? Look at Trip Advisor and see what past travelers reckon!



saigonunseen.net             tripadvisor.com


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Culture and Cuisine Tour - Cambodia

Exotissimo's Culture and Cuisine' tour takes you on an insightful journey to explore the legacies of a bygone era as well as the modern glory of Cambodia.

See it for yourself! Click Here for Exotissimo's Cambodia Culinary Tour

Christchurch Earthquake Fund Raiser - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

From the Vietnam Swans - For more info, visit the Vietnam Swans Blog:

Please find below a copy of the poster with details of Thursday night's fundraiser (6.30-8.30pm Caravelle Hotel, Saigon) for the victims of last week's earthquake in Christchurch .

Also, see photos of two jumpers donated by the Sydney Swans AFL Club. One jumper has been signed by Sydney's 2011 team. The second jumper has been specially signed by Coach John Longmire and Captains Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh.

Now comes the logistics of getting the jumpers from Sydney to Saigon by Thursday night where they will be auctioned...

Today, the Sydney Swans are couriering the jumpers to a hotel in Sydney. There they will be picked up and taken on a flight that will arrive here in Saigon tomorrow evening - with 24 hours to spare!

Beginning with the Sydney Swans, there's a string of people to thank for making this happen. It's a great example of people coming together, from Australia to Vietnam to New Zealand, to show their support for this important cause.

We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday night at the Christchurch Earthquake Fund Raiser organised by the NZ Chamber of Commerce.

BTW, how good would it be to put in the winning bid for a Sydney Swans jumper, at an auction in Saigon, to help the victims of the earthquake in Christchurch...

Regards

The Vietnam Swans (Swans Blog)

Vietnam and Cambodia - Land of the Dragon

By Debra Bouwer

"I can't say what made me fall in love with Vietnam... (and Cambodia)... that everything is so intense... The colours, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the...rain in London. They say whatever you're looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that's the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat....You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war." These were the words of Thomas Fowler from the film, "The Quiet American," which so accurately sums up Vietnam. It is a land that captures the very essence of your soul and takes you on an unforgettable journey through the land of the dragon.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

Ancient mythology tells us that the people of Vietnam are descendants of the Dragon Lord Lác Long Qun and the Immortal Fairy u CÆ¡. They produced 100 children, 50 of whom lived with their mother in the mountains and the other 50, with their father in the sea. So steeped in mythology is the land of Vietnam that each area is shrouded in some story of mythological formation.

Landing in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam and home to about 3.7 million people and 1.2 million motor bikes, is like landing in the heart of a giant mosquito that never sleeps. Endless streams of bikes pass you by each day, with many families of 4 heading off on their daily chores. Farmers from surrounding areas meet at the "morning market at 03h00 and by 07h00 have cleared up and gone. At night, entire streets are transformed into night markets which trade until late in the evening. Unlike its sister city, Saigon, Hanoi has narrow streets and still retains some of its old city charm. The old quarter, often known as the "36 streets," dates back over 2000 years. The area was once home to numerous craft guilds which created work areas. When the streets were eventually named, each street was named after the craft sold along that street and so today, if you need shoes, you head for Hang Guay, and for jewellery, Hang Bac.

Halong Bay

Leaving the bustle of the city behind and traveling northwards towards the sea, highway 5 takes you to a world Heritage site, and the tail of the "descending dragon." Halong Bay is an endless canvas of 1969 limestone islands, 989 of which have been named. Many of these islands are home to numerous caves, some of which can be visited on foot and others in the pleasant tranquility of a kayak.

According to local legend, Halong Bay was created by a family of dragons, sent by the gods to help protect the Vietnamese from Chinese invaders. The dragons spat out pears and jade stones which soon turned to a myriad of islands protecting the people from the invaders. Today, these very same islands provide a safe home to many small floating villages, the inhabitants of whom survive off the 200 species of fish and 450 different species of mollusks that the waters provide.

Far south of Halong Bay is the picturesque small historical town of Hoi An, where the "The Quiet American," was partially filmed. Between the 15th to 19th centuries the town served as one of South-East Asia's most important trading ports for spices and silk and today is still a traders paradise. Cars are banned and the narrow cobbled streets are lined with old buildings, temples, pagoda's and endless shops selling hand made trousers for $15, evening dresses for $25 and three-piece suits for $40. In the heart of the town is the Ving Hung Hotel, which served as the dressing room for Michael Caine during filming. Today, tourists jostle to book into the same room which overlooks the narrow bustling lantern lit streets below, which come alive during the festival of the full moon.

Hoi An Beach

From the quiet tranquility of Hoi An, a short flight takes you in the belly of the dragon, Saigon or the modern day, H" Ch Minh City. Inhabited by 8 million people and 4 million motor bikes it pulsates 24 hours a day. Traveling through the vast tarred streets with towering modern hotels and malls, it is hard to believe that the city started out as a small fishing village in an area that was originally swampland, but when heading out into the neighbouring areas the tranquility of forgotten days soon prevails. Endless rice paddies line the myriad of roads that spread out from the city. Framers work the land, harvesting rice in the blazing heat. Old carts are pulled by weary horses. Rubber trees are methodically planted in rows, their sticky sap slowly seeping into wooden bowls for collection.

Driving back in time, one arrives at the area of Cu Chi, whose 121km hand-dug underground tunnels became famous as a battleground of the Vietnam War. The forested area is littered with B52 bomb craters and the endless spattering of gun fire can be heard from the firing range. Some of the tunnels are open to tourists to experience for a brief period, what life in the tunnels must have been like. In the blistering heat of the day, 7 of us descended into the dark abyss below us. The tunnels are narrow, dark, airless and in places slope down and narrow so one has to belly crawl. 40m was all it took for me to realize that as a non-sufferer of claustrophobia, another 20m would surely have converted me. Lack of air. Stifling heat. For the Viet Cong, life in the tunnels was difficult. Sometimes, during periods of heavy bombing from American troops, the Viet Cong would be forced to remain underground for many days at a time. Malaria and sickness were rampant and accounted for the second largest cause of death after battle wounds.

As horrific as life in the tunnels must have been, it is the images of the war weapons and traps set by the Viet Cong for the Americans that will remain in my memory for a life time, but as one local guide said, when your way of life is under attack, you will do all in your power to protect it.

South of Saigon lies the feet and arms of the dragon, whose claws spread out to form the massive expanse of the Mekong Delta. The area, also known as Nine River Dragon Delta, drains an area of over 790 000 km2. The Mekong is the 12th-longest river in the world, and runs all the way from the Tibetan Plateau through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, into Vietnam and finally into the south china sea.


With such an expanse of water it is not surprising to find that the residents of the Mekong area are river people. Where Hanoi's streets come alive with early morning markets, the tributaries of the Mekong erupt into a chattering wash tub as hundreds of boats navigate the narrow channels laden with hands of bananas, grapefruit, jackfruit, spinach, fish and every kind of vegetable imaginable. Trade takes place under the shade of Vietnamese hats while hotel and restaurant owners on the shore line yell instructions across the water of their daily needs. About 20 minutes up the Mekong we headed along a narrow tributary to encounter life up river. Locals wade about in the waters catching fish. Children cycle and play along narrow sidewalks dodging chickens and dogs. Mothers sit at the waters edge washing clothes while the men potter about fixing their boats. Farmers live on combination fish and rice farms, generating an average of $35 a month, while small family businesses survive making rice cakes, rice paper and potent rice wine.

Khmer Temple

Leaving the peace and tranquility of the Mekong, our next stop was neighbouring Cambodia, lying at the back of the dragon. Like Vietnam, the history of Cambodia is marred with foreign invasions, international political intervention and internal conflicts. The pinnacle of Cambodia's history arose during the rulership of the Khymer Kings between about 800 - 1400AD. It was during this period that Khmer kings built the most extensive concentration of religious temples in the world - the Angkor temple complex - and hundreds of surrounding temples.

Then in 1431 the Thais plundered the area and the complex of Angkor was abandoned. For almost 200 years the forces of nature invaded the temples. Fig trees took up residence on temple walls and slowly engulfed the buildings. Moss adorned the intricate carvings and aerial roots flowed to the floor.

Today, the complex of temples is a World Heritage site. Many of the Hindu statues have been removed and replaced with sculptures of Buddha and numerous renovations are underway. Time seems to have stood leaving an imprint of mystique. I lost my heart to the temples of Cambodia.

Feeding time

I cannot say what made me fall in love with Vietnam and Cambodia. Perhaps it was the ever smiling faces of the people, the sheer simplicity of life or the vast green rice fields; the smell of the rain or the sounds of children splashing about kicking a home crafted soccer ball. Perhaps it was the excitement with which vendors haggle over prices or the intense respect shown by children to their elders. Whatever the reason, they left an indelible imprint on my heart and a yearning to return, in my soul.

Debra Bouwer
http://www.nomadicadventures.com
http://www.nomadicadventures.co.za

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Photo, prints, calendars for Vietnam and Cambodia