Wednesday 31 August 2011

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel - UNESCO Heritage in Hanoi

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel - UNESCO Heritage in Hanoi




Go Asia Travel - The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet. It was constructed on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi. It was the centre of regional political power for almost 13 centuries without interruption. The Imperial Citadel buildings and the remains in the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site reflect a unique South-East Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley, at the crossroads between influences coming from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.


The Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi, located in the heart of the capital city of Vietnam, is the most essential, central and best preserved section of the former Thang Long imperial citadel. It is in this central axis of the Forbidden City that power resided for thirteen centuries. This is where the political leader lived and ruled, whether this was the emperor in the pre-Nguyen dynasties, the Viceroy under the Nguyen dynasty, the high-ranking Indochinese military officers under the French, or Vietnamese leaders during the Vietnam War. The attributes of the nominated property bear a unique witness to the three key features that give it Outstanding Universal Value: longevity, continuity as a seat of power, and the presence of a layered record of vestiges, which includes both underground archaeological remains and above ground architecture, planning and decorative arts. This cultural layering reflects the high level of cultural diversity in this part of the world and the interchange of human values flowing from East Asia, other parts of Southeast Asia and South Asia and fusing in the heart of the Red River delta to form a rich and distinctive culture.
Many events of global importance, including the development of independent states and forms of government in the Asian region, the impact of colonialism and struggles for national independence, have had an impact on the site and can be read in the landscape.

For all Hanoi tours please contact Go Asia Travel in 17a Hang Dong st, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Friday 19 August 2011

Discover the world’s longest cave - Phong Nha Cave


Discover the world’s longest cave  - Phong Nha Cave

Go Asia Travel – Phong Nha Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, which is regarded as the world’s longest cave, is becoming a fascinating attraction for local and foreign tourists alike.



Discovered in 2005 and only opened to tourists last year, the cave is reported to be more attractive than Phong Nha or Tien Son caves.
According to the British Cave Research Association, Phong Nha Cave lies on a complex area of Limestone Mountains at a height of 191 meters and is surrounded by the primeval forest of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
The cave is striking with its length of 31.4 kilometers and splendid geological tectonics which are large and diverse. Stalactites in the cave are very beautiful and the maximum height of the cave is 100 meters.
To serve tourists, local investors have completed a 4 km path from the mountain foot to the cave. Tourists can walk or take an electronic car then descend 524 stone steps to enter the cave and witness the magnificence of the stalactites polls with a diameter of about 3-4 meters. They are real masterpieces of nature.
Go Asia Travel in Hanoi Vietnam are offering a chance to see this wonderful natural attraction.
The four-star Saigon-Quang Binh Hotel also offers tours to Phong Nha Cave for tourists in Quang Binh.
For tour information,  please kindly contact info@goasiatravel.com.

By Go Asia Travel

Thursday 11 August 2011

Hoi An Ancient Town at night - Go Asia Travel


Go Asia Travel - Much has been written about the peaceful, ancient town of Hoi An. For those wanting to learn about it, they can easily find a sea of relevant information and images on the web. Hoi an Tours
However, local and international tourists have kept flocking to the town in droves since UNESCO recognized it as a world cultural heritage site in 2000. Hoi An is a completely different world for both local and international visitors.



motorcycles on the Vietnamese road will certainly feel at peace and relaxed when they step into the streets of central Hoi An at night. The town turns busier and livelier in the nighttime as visitors go for a stroll around town.

What’s most striking at night is the bright light beamed out by the silk lanterns of diverse colors hung on the façades or doorways of the wooden houses, stores or restaurants topped with moss-covered roof tiles.
Tourists on the bicycle or cyclo wheels are common sights at night as motorcycles are off-limits to the center of the culturally rich town.
Hungry souls can look for some cozy restaurants where they should taste some tasty local delicacies like Cao Lau and Wonton in addition to Western foods. Cao Lau is a spicy rice noodle soup served with pork, fresh herbs and veggies while Wonton originating in China is a delicacy made from rice flour and filled with pork, shrimp, egg and spices. Or they should have a round of drinks there, looking at people going up and down the street.

Hoi An is also particular in a sense that it is home to numerous tailors who offer made-to-measure suits and dresses.
The country has undergone a lot of changes in the past decade but Hoi An has remained untouched and successfully preserved its traditional features as a harbor town that used to be an important trading center of the nation where merchant ships from Japan, China, the Netherlands, India and Spain visited in the 16th and 17th centuries.