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Archive for July, 2015

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Known as top rated evening performance in town, Phare Circus is a must see show, amazing performance and not to be missed when you visit Siem Reap, the #2 Travelers’ Choice Destination in the world for 2015. Phare is no ordinary circus, but an edgy, alternative, down-to-earth, all-singing-and-dancing Cambodian circus in the tradition of Cirque du Soleil, with a good cause. The circus is a community based project where poor and underprivileged children can get a free training in all of the art range from circus skills, to painting, music and drama, payed by the circus tickets and donations. They rescued disadvantaged children from the street, troubled homes and trafficking by providing free food, education, training and jobs who finally turns into incredible skillful, talented young artists. Audience can easily find the energy and joy of the artists simply contagious and makes every single visit truly unique. Tours in Indochina

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Phare shows are inspired by the real-life experiences of its creators and performers and deal with themes such as war, discrimination, relationships, poverty and ghosts. Some performances contain smoke, loud noises & music and strobe lights. The masks in “Sokha” or the “ghosts” in “Chills” are not more scary than what one might see on Halloween, but can be surprising if one is expecting clowns. Children are usually captivated by the high energy acrobatics, while the story line adds depth for adults and young adults. In an easy way to understand, it is the best show combining history with dance and acrobatics.

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Here below is the updated schedule from March 2015 to February 2016:

SHOWTIMES & VENUE HOURS:

Show time & Venue

There are also two types of seats – Preferred Seating & Open Seating. If having the best view is important, the Pre-Reserved Preferred Seats in the front 3 rows of the middle section are the best choice. Preferred Seating ticket holders can enter at their leisure right up to show time confident that the best seats are waiting for them. They will also receive a bottle of cool water and small gift from Phare Boutique.

TICKET PRICE

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HOW TO PURCHASE?

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After a day scrambling ruins in the sticky heat, most tourists spend their nights dining on Khmer barbecue while downing cold one-dollar beers on Pub Street. But it is no longer a trend as increasingly, visitors are opting for a taste of contemporary Cambodian culture, everyday life and entertainment under the big top at the city’s new circus. A trip to Siem Reap won’t be completed without an unforgettable visit to the circus in support of a good cause!

Do not miss this!

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Tranquil, beautiful and sometimes hidden in the clouds, Oudomxay is located in the heart of northern Laos and is one of the most accessible of the far northern provinces. The rugged mountainous landscape has peaks up to 1.850 m covered in varying forest types and widen fields. The province’s three main rivers are Nam Ou, Nam Beng and Nam Tha, Oudomxay is mainly populated by the Khmu, Hmong and lowland Lao, with a total of 23 ethnic minorities, each with their own languages, cultural heritage and lifestyles.
In Muang Xay, the provincial capital, visit the Chinese market next to the Kaysone monument to see a variety of local products from Oudomxay as well as imported Chinese goods. Take a walk outside of town to see That Phouxaya a top the mountain overlooking Xay for a birds-eye view of the surrounding valley.
The countryside around Xay has several beautiful natural features to visit, including Tad Lak Sip-et (kilometer 11 waterfall) set in a stunning limestone environment, and the peaceful Houay Nam Kat Waterfall. Chom Ong Cave is situated 45km from Oudomxay near the Khmu village of Chom Ongthai. Entering the cave you can follow the spring of the Nam Kaeng River for 1.600m passing through large halls with heights of up to 35m and widths of 20m. Visit the therapeutic baw nam hawn (hot springs) on the road to Phongsaly in Muang La to soothe aching muscles, or the Singkham Buddha Cave that was used to safeguard historical arte facts during the war. Ban Na Xieng Di has some interesting archaeological sites believed to date back about 500 years. Also unique is the Buddha footprint or phabath found in Bang Nong Nha.

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Pakbeng, located at the confluence of the Beng and Mekong Rivers is set on a scenic curve of the Mekong shrouded in green mountains. Explore Pha Ho-Pha Hong Cave in Beng District, or experience the shared Lao and Chinese heritage at Ban Theio or Ban Nam Xeng. Visitors can spend time in La District trekking to minority villages in remote and picturesque locations. If you are in Oudomxay during December inquire about the dates of the annual Hmong and Khmu new years celebrations, colorful festivals that include music, trade fairs and lots of local food and drink.

Oudomxay Province is famous as one of the places where ancient bronze drums were cast, which have been a symbol of status and wealth for centuries. Master drum makers continue to make these beautiful drums and purchasing a new drum supports this disappearing cultural heritage. Ban Bo village is well known for skilled handicraft production, especially rattan and bamboo basket weaving. Other quality local handicrafts include cotton weavings and shoulder-bag production, salt making, mulberry paper and silk products.

Source: http://www.tourismlaos.org

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In Buddhism, the Amitabha Sutra (Infinite Light Scripture) depicts the Pure Land as a place where the ground is made of gold, and trees of gems and crystals. Similar descriptions of higher realms are also found in other religions. That’s the reason why most Myanmar (Burmese) pagodas are topped with a gilded dome. In monasteries and temples, thin gold leaves adorn Buddhist statues, walls, ceilings, and even furniture. Gold leaves have also been used by royalty, aristocrats, and everyday citizens for coating common objects as well as for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

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Gold leaf is very famous in Myanmar and Mandalay is the only place making Gold Leaf in this country.

The process that people making the gold leaf is really interesting and you should not missing visiting a gold leaf work shop on the way heading to the main town from the airport. Indochina tours Myanmar

This workshop is also called King Galon. It consists of two main areas: one for man to beat gold, the rest for women to cut and pack gold leaf.

When you get into Myet-par word, first thing you will notice is a rhythmic sound like “ tong ton…” which come from small tents where pounding on packages of 6 inches square by big hummers in the area for man. It is a hard work and requires a lot of patience and strength. Workers have to sweat and swung hammers rhythmically to creating thin gold leaf 0.000005 of an inch thin. The entire beating process can take 5 to 7 hours. An earthen water-pot and sinking coconut shell inside is placed in front of workers, it is nothing but a timer for pounding.

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A man is hitting the golden piece to flatten it into golden leaf.

Meanwhile, women employees’ room is quite small and muggy because windows and door must always be tightly closed, preventing the gold leaf blown by wind. At this time, the gold leaf is cut into squares of 2 inches, 1 1/2 inches or sometimes 1 3/4 inches in size and packed in the piece of paper and small plastic bags, then sold to local residents and tourists. Tours in Myanmar

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The outcome after many hours of hard working.

Total of 2000 very thin gold leaves can be obtained from a tickle of 24 karat pure gold after seven hours of pounding in many different steps during the process.

If you are dedicated to Buddhism, you may buy some gold leaf to top on the statue of some pagodas that you visit on the way or you can buy some souvenir covered by gold leaf at this workshop.

Visiting Myanmar especially Mandalay, you will surely be amazed at the hidden wealth of this country.

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Mekong Delta is an important part of Vietnam. Each year, this area produce around 25 million ton of rice for the country, take more than a half of total production in all over Vietnam.

Besides of this, Mekong Delta is well known of unique culture and mind concept, which is different from other parts of Vietnam. The most famous thing when we talk about this place is the floating market in Cai Be and Can Tho. With busy boats, crowded people and lots of local products, these market has been attracted many visitors each year.

However, if you have seen this before and you want to seek for a different path in the complicated canals network in this delta, let’s follow me on this off the beaten track. Mekong delta tours

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A great view to the wide-open river.

From Saigon, we drive to Ben Tre Province. On the way, don’t forget to take a quick stop at the Mekong Rest stop. Not because you need to go to the “happy room”, but this place has well planned with great view to take some photos in there.

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An overview to the lotus lake at Mekong Rest Stop

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A small space at the middle – the favorite place of many visitors!

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Arrive in Ben Tre, we go through these small canals and reach to some local workshops in there to have a closer look to people’s life and interact with them.

Our first stop is the coconut factory. Not big as a real factory but people live in here have to rely on this work. None part of the coconut is wasted. Juice is used for drinking or making candy. Coconut milk is used for cookies, cosmetic. Copra is used like wood or coal…

Un-shell coconut, prepared to break.

Un-shell coconut, prepared to break.

Even the worm live in the coconut tree can be eaten. This worm is not cheap at all (1 US dollar/worm) and hard to catch this. If you have a chance to see this dish in the restaurant, please, please try it. But remember that you will have to eat this when it’s still alive o.0

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This worm is known as the special dish of the river. It taste creamy and full of coconut flavour!

Then we move to see a brick factory, where all the bricks are handmade.

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Inside a brick stove! Amazing right?

We also grab a bike and ride on the village road to see the noodle factory, visit a veteran to learn about the war while watching his wife making the rice paper. If you believe in your clever hand, you can try to make some and compete with her.

IVT team in Mekong Delta. We will dig every hidden thing up!

IVT team in Mekong Delta. We are ready to try everything!

The Mekong Delta seems peaceful and makes you want to live slowly but deep down under the water are crocodile’s home so if you leave your hand out of the boat, be careful.

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They seem to blend like a stone but don’t try to touch them!

Just kidding! These creatures only live in some part of the river and hardly see them in daily live. To have a closer look to them, we will drop by Long Xuyen Province and visit a crocodile farm in there. Even they are locked in cage and just lie under the sun, you still can feel the threat from them.

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Sunbathing!!!

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In this modern life, people always said about take thing slowly and sometimes, stay away from the busy life. If you can arrange your time, just leave everything at home and come here to find the peace in yourself.

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We have recently received some questions from the clients regarding the places to buy souvenirs, handicraft or lacquer product in Hanoi so this post will provide you a list of famous address that you may refer on your visit to Hanoi.

Craft Link
Add: 43 Van Mieu
Tel: (84-4) 3843 7710
Charitable organisation offering genuine, traditional Vietnamese handicrafts, specialising in minority crafts.

Anh Duy Lacquer
Add: 25 Hang Trong
Tel: (84-4) 3514 1 580

Appealing Gifts
Add: 121 Chua Boc
Tel: (84-4) 3563 3991

Art and Sounenir Shop
Add: 45B Ly Quoc Su
Tel: (84-4) 3828 5571
Open time: 9am – noon 2.30pm – 6.30pm

Art Antique Shop
Add: 3 Hang Can
Tel: (84-4) 3826 6109

Azami
Add: 1N Dang Thai Than
Tel: (84-4) 3933 3605
Email: azamijewelry@fpt.vn

Bacala
Add: 8 Au Trieu
Tel: (84-4) 3928 9543
skyhn01@hotmail.com
Many kinds of buffalo horn cutlery, spoon, fork, accessory, etc…

Hanoi Self-inked Stamp
Add: 549 Minh Khai
Tel: (84-4) 6278 0303
Fax: (84-4) 6278 0378
sales@hanoistamp.com hanoistamp.com
The Professional Automatic Solution Distributing the famous Shiny Stamp as requested in the most professional and fastest manner.

Magnolie
Add: 21 Van Mieu
Tel: (84-4) 3747 4549
Email: info@magnolie.info
Website: magnolie.info
Handicarfs, antiques.

Morbido Furnishing
Add: 49 Hai Ba Trung
Tel: (84-4) 3936 4761
Furniture, homewares and handicrafts, reasonable prices and exceptional quality.

Nagu
Add: 20 Nha Tho
Tel:(84-4) 3928 8020
Website: zantoc.com
Open time:8am-9pm
Fashion accessories, house wares & gift items. Nagu always tries “ease one’s mind”.

Nature – The Insects World
Add: 6 Au Trieu
Tel: (84-4) 3928 9106
Info@atd.com.vn
Website: vietnaminsect.com

Quilt & Crafts
Add: 4B Yen The
Tel: (84-4) 3747 0982

Red Door Deco
Add: 20 Nha Chung
Tel: (84-4) 3824 5194
Innovative and interesting, decorative and useful, fashionable and chic, it’s all on offer at Red Door Deco, Hanoi’s favourite home decor and furnishing outlet.

Tan My
Add: 66 Hang Gai
Tel: (84-4) 3825 1579
Fax: (84-4) 3824 7522
Email: tanmyhuong@fpt.vn
Website: tanmyembroidery.com.vn
Hanoi’s finest silk & embroidery

Tanmy design
Add: 61- 65 Hang Gai
Tel: (84-4) 3938 1154
Fax: (84-4) 3938 1153
Email: tanmy@tanmydesign.com

Tuyet Lan Hand Embroidery
Add: 182 Hang Bong
Tel: (84-4) 3928 8542
Email: vtuyetlan@fpt.vn
Fashionable hand-made embroidery.
Clothes for children, women, men & home collections.

Vietnamese House
Add: 92 Hang Bac
Tel: (84-4) 3826 2455
Website: vietnamesehouse.com.vn
Email: vietnamesehouse@ymail.com
Vietnamese House presents antique and jewelry from 100 to over 1000 years old.

Happy shopping!

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