The jellyfish cooked with vermicelli are small, only the size of the tip of the thumb, and milky white in colour with a thick body looking a bit like the meat of a water coconut. This type of jellyfish is often caught by fishermen near distant islands, and shouldn’t be confused with the stinging variety of jellyfish.

The broth is made from a type of fish as big as 3 fingers, very tasty and without little bones. The grilled chopped fish is included, parts of which are made into fish balls for steaming.  When everything is prepared, vermicelli is served with cleaned jellyfish and some pieces of grilled chopped fish, with the broth poured on as the final touch. The taste of this mixture of fish, jellyfish and vegetables is definitely unforgettable.

Vermicelli with jellyfish is found in many places, however, it is most famous around Nha Trang. Villagers away for a long time often look for vermicelli with jellyfish, the taste of which reminds them of home. It is not necessary to find a sit-down restaurant as this dish is served by the locals in street stalls, indeed, that is where it tastes best.

The process of cooking vermicelli with jellyfish strongly reflects the culinary culture of coastal Central Vietnam. No meat is used, only fish for cooking the broth. All ingredients are from the sea, with just few spices used. Thus, the sweetness of a bowl of vermicelli with jellyfish is cooling and not fatty. Vermicelli is dipped in boiled water, and then arranged in a bowl, a layer of jellyfish added, and the broth poured in. Fresh vegetables are put on top and red chilli added, to your taste.

Not only Nha Trang locals, but also visitors are highly attracted by this plain bowl of vermicelli. Simplicity is the unforgettable feature of culinary culture in this coastal land, which aims at preserving the natural taste to the utmost.

If you visit Nha Trang this summer for a family holiday, you shouldn’t miss this charming and delicious dish.

Climbing up Thuy Son Mountain to the east is perhaps the best place for taking in the beauty of the scenery; nevertheless, the sightseeing at Ngu Hanh Son is not limited to Thuy Son Mountain, as each of the five mountains has its own beauty. Farther west at Kim Son and Hoa Son Mountains and the Ngoc Thach Quan The Am Pagoda, you’ll find magnificent caves and the tranquil atmosphere and picturesque scene of the Co Co River winding through the alluvial plain among paddy fields. On summer days, a fresh breeze comes off the river, carrying the pure aroma of lotuses.  Visitors often like to explore the unique Vietnamese countryside, running smoothly in time with the ringing of the bell at the pagoda. Good fortune is said to be found at Kim Son Mountain, where a Quan Am Buddha statue formed from a stalagmite provides a mystical air.  A ceremony, held annually on February 19th at the pagoda, attracts thousands of Buddhists to worship the Buddha.
With the ratification of the Buddhist Association and Vietnamese government, Ngoc Thach Quan The Am Pagoda is being built at the foot of Kim Son Mountain in an auspicious and picturesque place chosen by monks and local authorities. This pagoda is one of the largest in Vietnam and is one of 20 major works in the Ngu Hanh Son Cultural and Historical Park project. Construction on the pagoda commenced on Feb 3rd 2010 and it is expected to be complete in 2015.

Although the pagoda is newly built, it still uses the ancient architectural style to harmonize water and mountain. Its back is against Kim Son Mountain, the front overlooks the Co Co River, making it cool in the summer and less windy in the winter. The pagoda is built using covered marble, and is symbolically placed on a five petal lotus.
The campus covers a total area of 34,729m2, with the actual structure on 6,658m2 with two floors standing 37m high. The central palace is ringed by 40 statues of copper, stone and wood from 1.5m to 2m tall. The lower floor is well equipped with a multifunctional meeting room.

As the Ngu Hanh Son Cultural Park comes into reality, the Ngoc Thach Quan The Am Pagoda takes shape among the mountain, paddy fields and rivers, to become a focal point representing the fullness of Vietnamese culture and spirit of Buddhism.

On the bank of the gentle Cau River, the recently completed tourism pier of Diem Village is now in operation. The pier is near ground that is used to grow sugar cane and strawberries, where groups of Quan Ho singers, known as “liền anh” (males) and “liền chị” (females), can be found performing the familiar folk song “Please stay here and don’t go home”. Moreover, anyone interested in seeing the silkworms spinning their silk cord and building cocoons can follow the steps of country girls gathering the strawberries.

The most unique feature of Diem Village lies in its heritage of Quan Ho folk singing, which is a great magnet for visitors. It is said that Duc Vua Ba was the person to compose many of the attractive folk songs still common today.  Diem villagers not only are proud of the temple of Duc Vua Ba, but also of the skilful performance style of their traditional folk songs. Currently, hardly any other village in Bac Ninh maintains such a large number of nearly 100 singers, with all age brackets represented, active in Quan Ho folk singing groups. Each group of “liền anh, liền chị” frequently meet with each other and sing songs giving expression to their feelings and emotions. The training to sing Quan Họ folk songs happens largely within the family setting, rather than in formal classes. The vitality of Quan Ho folk singing is maintained naturally by the local people to satisfy their own needs, without following any strict rules. Thus, the Quan Ho groups of Diem Village have often achieved the highest prizes and gained the adoration of listeners.

If you take the opportunity to visit Diem Village with Haivenu Tours, you will see and hear for yourself the unique features of this village in its ancient songs, culture and lifestyle.

Quy Lang Village, formerly Ke Sung, from which the name of the communal house is taken, has long been a political and economic centre of the local district. In November 1583, Quy Lang villagers cooperated to build a communal house. The communal house was originally made of bamboo, situated in the middle of the village near the banyan tree, well, and the bank of the Sung River, curving like a supple silk thread. The beauty of the ancient communal house was complemented by the nearby stone bridge and the village gate. In 1797, a sanctuary was built up to commemorate and worship the female deity of the village. Since it was first constructed, Sung Communal House has undergone reconstruction and repair in 1637, 1677, 1787 and 1913, and in 1929 it was officially restored to the appearance it maintains today.

While witnessing the ups and downs of history, Sung Communal House still holds its original beauty and links with the historical stories of Quy Lang land and people. During 1930-1931, the commune hosted a secret meeting of Quy Lang district revolutionaries, which was one of the first branches in Yen Thanh district.

During the period between 1932-1933, the French used the communal house as their post to imprison and torture over 100 party members. Villagers later gathered at the ancient communal house to overthrow the corrupt authorities and hold major campaigns such as golden week and weapon week, and the structure was used alternatively as a school or a storehouse during the French war. During the war against America, the commune functioned as a textile workshop for the Force in the 4th area.

At present, the communal house serves as a centre for many local cultural activities such as:  Holy Communion ceremony, Eye Dotting Ceremony, deity ceremony, and ritual musical performances. In 2004, the Sung Communal House was recognized as national historical vestige. In 2010, thanks to state support, the local authority invested in restoring and upgrading some architectural items to preserve valuable documents, support historical research and provide a background for educating the next generation about traditional culture.

Bounlua’s works in Buddha Park were created in the 1950s and 1960s, including during the fiercest periods of the Indochina War. They express the people’s feelings and emotions through the face of each statue.

Bounlua was not a monk; he did not shave his head or wear a robe. He used to wear a white suit that made him look like a shaman. Bounlua was well-versed in the philosophy of Hinduism and Buddhism, and their accompanying mythology and symbolism, although he never formally studied art or sculpture. The works of Buddha Park were created out of the dreams, imagination, and the real sense of the Divine in daily life among Bounlua and his assistants.

The images in Wat Xieng Khuan Buddha Park combine Hindu and Buddhist figures from the Ramayana epic, the complex of Buddha and the Gods Shiva, Arjuna, Vishnu, Rama, Sita, etc. Bounlua used only cement to flesh out the statues. The simplicity of this basic material makes the message of the statues more potent. The larger the statue, the more skill required to make it. Tourists can see the charming smile on the Goddess’ face or the tear of a sad wife abused by her husband.

There are hundreds of statues and Hindu Gods in Xieng Khuan Park, including mascots, demons and people (musicians and dancers). One large work is shaped like a giant pumpkin that tourists can go inside. The door is through the mouth of a monster some 2 meters high. You can visit each of the three floors, symbolizing hell, earth and heaven. From the top of this pumpkin world, you can view the entire park.

A huge Buddha 40 meters high was placed in the middle of Buddha Park. Buddha’s face is peaceful and gentle with its large forehead, slightly opened eyes and smiling lips.
The gentle image of Buddha is even more beautiful beside the image of the Goddess Vishnu, embodied by a snake with many heads. Tourists can view many Theravada Buddhist works that reflect the rich cultural exchange throughout Laos and neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. However, Lao culture was influenced more by Indian culture a long time ago. A number of the statues here are accompanied by descriptions in Lao script.

Tourists will appreciate the peace of Buddha Park while wandering among the hundreds of statues. On the right, there is a garden, a forest and a stream, while the Mekong River is on the left. Buddha Park is just across the river from Nong Khai Province of Thailand, where this shaman later built the second Buddha Park called Wat Khaek. Wat Khaek is a complex of even more massive statues made of cement, brick and steel.
Visitors to Buddha Park will find a calm space to contemplate the commandments of Buddhism. Buddha Park is one more attraction, among temples, pagodas and festivals, not to mention famously friendly people and generally welcoming weather, making Laos such a fascinating place. Come to Laos to experience Buddha Park and more, and develop your own take on this hidden jewel.