Fried chicken wings in fish sauce Recipe

It is easy to make fried chicken wings in fish sauce that is so delicious and suitable for rainy days.

Ingredients:

10 chicen wings

2 tbsp tapioca/corn starch

3 hot chili pepper

1 large clove garlic

3 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp fish sauce

3 tbsp water

1 tbsp fresh lime/lemon juicecooking oil to deep-fry

Directions:

Cut wing at elbow joint, break at the knuckle and cut through the cartilage.

Pat dry with kitchen towel

Season lightly both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside for 15 mins

Crush garlic and chili in a mortar and pestle finely.

In a ziplock bag, add 2 tbsp tapioca/corn starch and wings. Shake well to coat wings with starch,

Shake off the excess starch

In a large pan, add cooking oil just enough to over the bottom of the pan. Place wings into the oil when it is still cold.

Turn on the heat to medium high. Increasing temperature of the oil will cook the wings inside out, making it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Fry for about 10 mins or until the edges turn golden, turn them over and fry for another 8-10 mins until golden brown.

Alternative 1: Remove each wing and deep into the sauce when it is still hot. It's gonna absorb the sauce very quickly.

Alternative 2: Drain the oil, add wings back to the pan, pour the sauce over and simmer on low heat for 3-5 mins until the sauce thickens.
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A glance back to the past in Bich Dong

With the country’s second most beautiful cave, Bich Dong Temple in Hoa Lu Commune, Ninh Binh Province is a must for tourists to the area located 200 kilometres to the southeast of Hanoi.

The first Bich Dong temple

The temple was built on a limestone mountain that was formed millions of years ago and it was named in the 18th century after the beautiful white limestone which exists only in this area. The whole construction included three small temples with the first at the foot of the mountain, the second at the entrance of Bich Dong cave and the third, also the smallest, on top of the mountain, viewing the whole stunning green valley below. All three temples are made from rare wood, with tiles formed like the tail of a phoenix or the blade of the ancient weapon, seeing the construction come to life. From a distance, the temple looks like a wooden boat floating on the river. 

The temple was built in the 18th century by two monks, who admired the peaceful and seductive landscape and decided to stay and build the temple for Buddhists to worship and pray for the prosperity of the country.

From the foot of the mountain, tourists have to climb dozens of stone stairs to get to the cave’s entrance, as well as the second temple. But in order to get to the third temple, tourists have to cross the cave. Inside the cave is a bronze bell made three centuries ago by the founders as well as the worship place of Buddha and the three gods in ancient belief.

Although going through a lot of reconstruction, the beautiful temples and cave make it a destination that everyone must visit once in a lifetime.

A stone lion guards the second Bich Dong temple

The third Bich Dong temple, also the smallest, on the top of the mountain - Photos: Pham Thai

The beauty of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam

The oriental architecture style and the antiques at Dau pagoda will absolutely impress with any tourists in Vietnam travel. Moreover, it is also a great chance for those who want to discover and experience the traditional culture of Vietnam, and a must -visit place for Buddhists.

Dau Pagoda, located in Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province, is considered the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam according to researchers. It is about 1 hour away from Hanoi Old Quarter.

 In the past, the region where Dau Pagoda was built today was the capital of Giao Chi district, the political, economic and cultural center of Vietnam. About 1,800 years ago,  Khau Da La, an Indian monk came to this area to do the missionary work and founded the first Buddhism center in Vietnam called Luy Lau. There were many pagodas, citadels and market built in the area at that time and Dau Pagoda was among them.

As Dau Pagoda was the biggest pagoda in the Buddhist center region, many monks from either India or China came there to do research and spread Buddhism to the local residents.

This ancient pagoda has undergone many restorations and expansion, with the largest construction undertaken under the Ly and Tran dynasty. Going through the fluctuation of history, although many structures in the region were destroyed, the pagoda still exists and preserves the traditional oriental architecture style especially the wood block aged about 1752 years old and two bronzes' Xa Loi bodies of Vu Khac Minh and Vu Khac Truong monk.

The yard in front of the pagoda hosts a three stories tower name Hoa Phong. The tower originally had six stories but it was partly destroyed. Inside the tower, there are a number of valuable artifacts such as a large bell dating back in Canh Thinh Dynasty (1793), a big bronze gong casted in Ming Mang Dynasty (1817) and several statues of Gods in Buddhist legends.

Since its inception, Dau Pagoda has hosted the annual Dau Pagoda Festival on April 8th in lunar calendar. This is also the biggest Buddhism festival of the northern region of Vietnam.

The oriental architecture style and the antiques at Dau pagoda will absolutely impress any tourists in Vietnam travel. In addition, it is also a great chance for those who want to discover and experience the traditional culture of Vietnam, and a must -visit place for Buddhists.

The vestige - Gia Long waterfall

 People who love discovering the Highlands mountains and forest should visit Dak Nong, one of provinces in the south of the Highlands. It has a lot of beautiful and imposing landscapes. The treasure of Dak Nong forest is waterfalls. One of them is Gia Long waterfall.

Located in Krong Ne district, Dak Nong province, Gia Long waterfall is very imposing. In order to go to the waterfall, you have to go through a forest.  You can listen to the songs of birds and the sound of waterfalls. There are many kinds of hundred-year-old trees that are very tall and big in the forest. Gia Long waterfall’s another name is Dray Sap Thuong waterfall. According to local people, they call the waterfall Gia Long because Gia Long King visited here to rest and he also gave the order to built a road leading to the waterfall. In Gia Long waterfall, there is a tunnel connecting roads and chain bridges built by French. Now, the waterfall is an attractive ecotourism area. Coming here, you can not only contemplate fantastic scenery but also wander in mysterious old forests to discover marvellousness of the nature. After visiting Gia Long waterfall, you can go 600 meters along Serepok river to come to a lake that has an area of about 100 square meters. It will be a very great pool for you.

Paying a visit to Saint Giong Temple

Saint Giong Temple, also called Soc Son Temple, is located in Soc Son District of Hanoi, 40km from the city center.

Soc Son Temple is o­ne of the oldest and most holy sites in Vietnam. Coming here, visitors will hace a chance to be far from the bustle of Hanoi. The temple is built at the foot of the Horse Mountain which was believed to be the place where Saint Giong stopped for a rest after fighting off the invaders restoring peace to Vietnam...

Soc Son Temple is surrounded by mountains: Mt. Cao Tung to the South, Mt. Cấm to the East, Mt. Cổ Ngựa to the West, and the Mt. Rứa and a piece of flat land to the Southeast. In the ancient past, these mounts were covered with thick forests. The area is also bathed by two rivers: one following from the North-West to the South-East, the other from the West to the South.

According to the legend, After defeating the Ân invaders, hero Dóng galloped to the top of Mt. Sóc, then hanged his suit of armor on a scandal-wood tree, and vanished into the sky with his iron horse.

In commemoration of the event, a festival is held every year in Sóc Sơn Temple, involving festivity, the Mộc Dục ceremony, the Bamboo flowers procession, the Elephant procession, the Betel plant procession, the Paper boat rituals, and the beheading of the enemy commander.

Nowadays, visitors can walk among these temples, pray to Thanh Giong and generally soak up the ambience of the area. Anywhere at the foot of the mountain makes a great picnic spot, but those feeling a bit more athletic can climb the steps to the top of the mountain.

During Tet, Soc Son also hosts o­ne of the country’s biggest festivals. o­n the sixth, seventh and eighth days of the Lunar New Year, it becomes an explosion of colour, religion and tradition. Big crowds, processions and even an amusement park for kids appear as if from nowhere. At other times of the year, guests tend to be in the form of school trips bused in from Hanoi. They climb the mountain, are taught the religious and mythological significance of the place, recount their achievements for the year, make resolutions and even listen to Vina-house while playing tug-of-war. Other visitors are worshippers, daytrippers and the occasional foreigner.

Visiting Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture

The Museum of Cham Sculpture is a museum located in Hai Chau District, Da Nang, central Vietnam, near the Han River. Over the past 10 years, the museum has confirmed its position as a place to preserve and promote unique cultural heritage in the city in particular, and in Vietnam in general.

The establishment of a Cham sculpture museum in Da Nang was first proposed in 1902 by the Department of Archaeology of EFEO. The museum is thought to have been one of the first 3 museums to be established in Vietnam.  With support from the Hanoi-based l’Ecole Française d’Extrême Orient (EFEO), the city’s Museum of Cham Sculpture has become one of the world's most famous collections of Cham artifacts.

In recent years, the museum has also organised many interesting activities such as thematic exhibitions, scientific seminars, excavations to find valuable Cham artifacts, and book publishing.  Most notable is an exhibition entitled “Our Common Heritage: Exploring the World Heritage Sites of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam” which recently opened at the museum.  Thanks to this event, the museum has been recognised by UNESCO as an interconnection between the World Heritage Sites of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.The museum is now home to a collection of 1,800 pieces of various-sized Cham sculpture.  Of them, 500 artifacts are actually on display in the museum, whilst the remainder are being preserved in storehouses.

The majority of the sculptures date back to between the 7^th and the 15^th centuries and are made from sandstone in different art styles.  They all showcase the cultural exchanges and development of Oriental countries during medieval times, and represent the pinnacle of the Champa civilisation.

In 2011, the museum was recognised as a first-class national museum by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.  Three historical artifacts on display at the museum have been recognised as national precious exhibits by the Vietnamese government.  In addition, the local Museum of Cham Sculpture has been ranked among the most visited museums in Vietnam.

According to the latest statistics, the museum welcomes over 200,000 visitors every year.  Over the first 6 months of this year there was a 7% year-on-year increase in the number of visitors to the museum.  Despite the economic difficulties and the fierce competition between local tourist attractions, the increasing number of guests proves that the museum is emerging as a popular destination for both domestic and foreign visitors.

Visiting Pac Bo to enjoy charming scenery

Cao Bang is 272 km North of Hanoi, a province in the Northeast of Vietnam, bordered with China. The province is blessed with ranges of mountains, forests and long rivers.

Perhaps, all Vietnamese people know clearly about the name Pac Bo and its association with Uncle Ho in history classes from elementary school or in documentary films. First off, we strongly recommend the spot of Lenin stream, one of the historical sites in Pac Bo that boasts majestic and charming scenery attracting every visitors coming here. 

Lenin Stream

Stone table where Ho Chi Minh worked

Lenin stream that was named by President Ho Chi Minh, is a famous historical site, from which Ho Chi Minh led the Vietnamese revolution after 30 years living abroad.

The stream features clear, cool and tranquil water so that tourists can see fish swimming underwater. Walking on the rocks along the side of the stream, where Uncle Ho used to work and fish, visitors reach a wooden bridge over Coc Bo rivulet where Lenin Stream starts.

Lenin stream is familiar to Vietnamese people from the time they are schoolchildren and the must sees for Cao Bang visitors. 

Coming here, visitors will be enchated by intriguing scenery of clear and blue water and charming stream... Pac Bo is frequent destination for young travelers who desire to learn about the country’s history. 

The next top is Karl Marx Mountain, another historical site in Pac Bo.

Karl Marx Mountain

Visitors to here will a chance to visit the place where Uncle Ho lived and worked as he planned the revolution after returning from his 30 years abroad to seek ways for the nation’s liberation.

In addition, visitors to Pac Bo can pay a visit to other famous places such as Coc Bo, Bo Bam Caves, Co Rac Ground and Khuoi Nam...especially Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc Waterfalls in Cao Bang Province is a hugely popular destination and on a recent northern tour we gave into temptation. The waterfall falls are thirty meters high, separated into three falls by rocks and trees, and the thundering effect of the water hitting the cliffs can be heard some kilometers away. The scenery here changes according to the seasons. The autumn is the best time when the Ban Gioc waterfall where Uncle Ho lived and worked before the August 1945 Revolution, has blue water, and in November and December, when colorful wild flowers blossom throughout the forest.

Visiting this historical area, travelers will learn more about the great life and devotion of President Ho Chi Minh which is partly- reflected through his optimistic revolutionary verses.

ATTRACTIVE DESTINATIONS IN BINH THUAN

Binh Thuan province is famous for Phan Thiet city, resorts next to Mui Ne beach, and sand hills stretching endlessly. In addition, there are many interesting things for you to discover in this land.

Binh Thuan has the advantage in an abundance of natural terrain, and mild climate all year round so it has become the ideal destination for people who love discovering and relaxing. Mui Ne Being 22 kilometers from Phan Thiet city, Mui Ne has now become a familiar place to both domestic and foreign tourists. Besides swimming, or relaxing at resorts, tourists coming to Mui Ne can take part in recreation activities on beach such as kitesurfing, parasailing, kayaking. All of these activities will bring amazing experience for tourists. Moreover, if you have a chance to visit here, do not forget to observe activities in local people’s lives in fishing village. Poshanu Tower Poshanu is only 6 kilometers from Phan Thiet city center. This is the only architectural relic of Cham people in Phan Thiet. With an unique architecture, it will become an attractive tourist destination for people who want to learn about the culture of Champa people. Ke Ga island Leaving Phan Thiet city, going 25 kilometers to the south, you will see the Southeast oldest lighthouse on Ke Ga island. The lighthouse tower has 183 stairs. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse, you can contemplate the whole tranquil and peaceful scenery of the island. Ta Cu mountain Binh Thuan also has the longest statue in Asia that is located in Ta Cu mountain, Ham Thuan district. Furthermore, Ta Cu mountain is an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts. Coming here, tourists can conquer deep caves and mysterious streams. Bau Trang Bau Trang is a famous tourist spot in Binh Thuan. This is a lake lying among sand hills. It is surrounded by lotus, which make the scenery a twinkling water-colour painting. Coming here, tourists can hire a motor boat to travel around and discover the beauty of the oasis among the desert. Besides, they can camp or hire a motor to conquer sand hills.

Stunning sunrise in the easternmost country

After climbing Fansipan, westernmost Apchai, our group watched the dawn at the easternmost country.

From Hanoi, we traveled to Tuy Hoa by train. We had 2 days to watch scenes from the North to Central and chatted together. From Tuy Hoa, we hired motorbikes to carry tents and food to Dam Mon.

On the 60km road, we were enchanted by wonderful scenery of blue sky winding Passes and long coastline.

Adjacent to Dai Lanh beach is Vung Ro Bay that used to be a place to receive secret weapons from the North transferred into.

Comming to Dam Mon, we parked and strolled about 14km to reach to Mui Doi (Couple Cape). You can also come here by boat, and strolled about 14km or by motorbike through sand dunes.

Through every sand dune is blue sea, looking like green pearl

After 2 hours through the sand dunes, we took a break

At 2:30 pm, after 4 hours, our group reached to Rang beach-campsite and
1km from Couple Cape

4 am in the next morning, everyone got up early to watch the first sunrise of the country

Going back Rang beach, we returned Dam Mon by boat

Panorama of stone rapids from Rang beach to Couple Cape

From Dam Mon, we returned Tuy Hoa by motorbike

And stop at Dai Lanh to camp

The next morning, our group took excercise by running up the Dai Lanh lighthouse
to watch sunrise

Danang, Nha Trang popular among tourists

In the first half of the year, Danang received 400,000 foreign visitors, up by 11.4 percent year-on-year. The city also received 1.15 million local tourists, a year-on-year increase of 18 percent.
According to the Danang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the city's tourism industry attained revenue of over US$172 million, up 23.7 percent over the same period last year. 
The city welcomed 53 cruise ships with a total of 60,000 cruise travellers to the city, up 67 percent over last year. 
Flights between Danang and Hong Kong, Wenzhou and Chengdu in China, brought the number of visitors to 117,000, an increase of 94.2 percent compared with the first half of 2012. 
Meanwhile, the number of tourist arrivals to central coastal province of Khanh Hoa in the first six months of the year was estimated at 5.4 million. 
According to figures from Khanh Hoa's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province provided accommodations to 1.4 million visitors, an increase of 20 percent compared with last year. The figure includes 309,000 foreign travellers, a year-on-year surge of 19 percent. 
In the first half of 2013, the city's tourism sector attained revenue of nearly US$70.6 million, a rise of 19 percent over last year. 
The new direct-air services between Khanh Hoa province and Russia in the past two years resulted in an increase of 50 percent of Russian visitors. 
Russians form a large majority of visitors to Khanh Hoa, contributing over 50 percent of the revenue of the province's tourism industry.

VISITING CAN THO ANCIENT MARKET

 Most tourists coming to Can Tho are impressed by Can Tho ancient market lying on Hai Ba Trung street . Local people here often call it Hang Duong market or “six-province” market.

Can Tho ancient market was built in 1915. It is considered as the most beautiful architectural market in Mekog Delta. The market was repaired and upgraded in 2005. It attracts many tourists with the harmony of architecture, and the charming beauty. The market has a total area of 1,723 square meters. It is very interesting for tourists to go shopping and buy colorful costumes, traditional handicraft products, etc in tranquil atmosphere among a bustling city. Formerly, the market had Sao Hom restaurant serving Asian and European dishes for tourists. Also, Coming here, tourists can enjoy traditional dishes of the southern Vietnam and fruit in Mekong Delta. In recent years, Can Tho city has planed to build walking treets and cuisine area in Ninh Kieu, and in the ancient night market. Stopping here,  tourists can comtemplate charming Hau river curving behind the market.

One of the darkest memories in the history of Vietnam- French Son La Prison

Son La Prison is considered as one of the most famous places, with a no less notorious name “Hell on Earth” to describe the frightened brutality of French colonialists to Vietnamese prisoners here.

The prison was built in 1908 at the center of Son La town and on top of Khau Ca Hill. The prison became a crucial place where numerous political prisoners were locked.  It was notorious at the time as a cruel and terrifying jail where resisting wills and patriotism on the mind of prisoners was diminished in the bloodiest methods. However, for revolutionists imprisoned inside Son La Jail, the place was a “college” where stamina, solidarity and combating spirit was enhanced. There were many stories about tenaciousness and courage of revolutionists who have resisted the colonial and perished at this place like To Hieu.  

Inside the prison

Although the original construction was partially demolished after the two wars, Son La Prison has still conserved major features of it, especially jail system and torturing facilities inside. Impression of tourists with Vietnam travel guide  to outer sceneries might be nothing special, but most guests crossing the entrance and enter the prison will definitely be surprised with inside space because they cannot understand how French colonial can lock prisoners in the terrible place like this.

The atmosphere is humid and stifling with ugly smelling and insects everywhere. For the underground jails, its condition is much worse and essentials elements for human lives like light and air seems only be a luxury. In addition, there are also some special rooms for torturing that has remained with almost complete collection of unbelievably terrifying items and method for excruciating and collecting information from prisoners. The general feeling of visitors in Vietnam travel when they see those rooms is horror with their brutality and fortunate when they do not have to experience the cruelty of these tools.   

Ba Na Hill Station

It’s easy to see why the French would run to the hills at the first opportunity, and why the Vietnamese were less keen. As you climb the winding road to beautiful Ba Na (admission 10, 000d, per motorbike/car 5000/10, 000d) you can feel the temperature and humidity dropping away. When it’s 36°C on the coast, it’s likely to be between 15°C and 26°C up the mountain. 

Rain often falls in the section between 700m and 1200m above sea level, but around the hill station itself, the sky is usually clear, the view is truly spectacular, and the air is fresh and cool. Mountain tracks lead to a variety of waterfalls and viewpoints.

Founded in 1919, of the 200-odd villas that originally stood, a few tattered, atmospheric ruins remain. Until WWII the French were carried up the last 20km of rough mountain road by sedan chair.

Near the top, the Linh Ung Pagoda (1999) is a supremely peaceful spot, with a 24m-high white seated Buddha visible for miles around. Near the pagoda a cable car (return ticket 35, 000d) whisks visitors up to the hill station. The vistas are huge.

The provincial government has high hopes of once again making Ba Na a magnet for tourists – branding it ‘the Dalat of Danang province’ and developing the site to suit domestic visitors. This has led to a variety of accommodation and restaurants, but also lots of karaoke, a loud PA and litter.

There are no ATMs up here, but there is a small post office (791 500) near Le Nim restaurant.