Gold in mouth

In some mountainous provinces in northern Vietnam, some ethnic minority groups consider covering their teeth with gold fashionable.

In the past, gold teeth were the sign of the wealth as they were covered with true gold. Now, they are mainly covered by a golden alloy which is priced only VND300,000-500,000 ($12-22) per kilo.

With simple tools and dirty hands, this “dentist” can help the girl

get her “golden smile” after half an hour.

Eye catching HCM City

HCM City has developed strongly in many fields in the last 35 years but the most impressive development is its infrastructure. VietNamNet introduces the city’s changes.

The city lights up. The building in the centre is Sheraton hotel.

Ben Thanh market – 23/9 Park – Quch Thi Trang roundabout – Ham Nghi road area from above. Small roads to the city’s centre have become avenues. Many roads are expanded and rebuilt. The waterway is also upgraded. With capital for construction was less than 500 million dong in 1976-1979, HCM City can currently invest trillions dong in infrastructure.

The East-West avenue runs along Tau Hu-Ben Nghe canal.

Nguyen Huu Canh road connects District 1’s hub with Thu Thiem bridge, crossing the Saigon river to district 2. Ten years ago, this area was ponds and slumps.

The Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal.

Nguyen Van Linh Avenue, District 7.

Phu My bridge, the first cable-stay bridge in HCM City and the fifth on Saigon river, linking Districts 7 and 2.

The East-West avenue in District 5.

The entrances of Thu Thiem tunnel.

Can Gio mangrove forest.

Truc Quan 

Source: Vietnamet

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/201005/Eye-catching-HCM-City-908734/

Ha Long Carnival spreads joy

Thousands of tourists mixed with performers and danced in the Ha Long Carnival 2010 on May 1

The event, themed “Ha Long Festival towards 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi”, features local traditional cultural programmes. The highlight of the festival was the carnival, involving many artists across the country, on the evening of May 1.

Source: VNN/VNExpress

Ninh Binh’s unique Saint Tran procession

Some 500 boats carried thousands of people to the Tran Temple in Ninh Binh on May 1 to attend the Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong or Saint Tran Festival.

The festival opened with a floating drum show.

500 boats carried palanquins, Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong’s tablet plus thousands of visitors to the festival.

This is an annual event to commemorate Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong, a legendary hero who drove out foreign invaders. The story reveals that Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong was one of three brother-generals, later honored as saints for their contributions to defending the country under the eighteenth Hung Vuong king.

After nearly one hour on boats, the procession was divided into two groups. One continued the boat trip, the other climbed three mounts to reach Saint Tran temple.

They brought offerings, including steamed glutinous rice and roast pigs.

Saint Tran Temple is highly praised. It was built by King Dinh Tien Hoang in the 10th century. Ming Tran Thai Tong (13th century) became a monk there.

Saint Tran Temple is highly praised. It was built by King Dinh Tien Hoang in the 10th century. Ming Tran Thai Tong (13th century) became a monk there. The original wooden temple fell into ruin and the Tran dynasty rebuilt it. The stone pillars remain to this day.

The temple is located at a scenic spot in Trang An tourist site. On the way to the temple, visitors can see a “dry Ha Long Bay.”

Source: VNE