Ha Long - Bay of the Descending Dragon

The end of the Vietnam war, and the advent of "Doi moi", Vietnam's policy of opening its economy to foreign trade, means that Westerners and South Vietnamese now have a chance to visit Ha long. Vinh Ha Long or Bay of the Descending Dragon is often touted by proud Vietnamese as the world's Eighth wonder. One of the main attractions of Ha long is the bay's calm water and the thousands of limestone mountains dotting the seascape. The Bay's water is clear during the spring and early summer. Some of the islands are quite large and there are small alcoves with sandy beaches where swimming is possible. Ha Long bay lies in the northeastern part of Vietnam and is 165 Km from Hanoi.

Ha Long literally means descending dragon(s) and according to local myth, the story goes as follows:

Long ago when their forefathers were fighting foreign invaders from the north, the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend their land. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long bay and began spitting out jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into the various islands and islets dotting the seascape and formed a formidable fortress against the invaders. The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what is now the country of Vietnam. The Dragon family fell so much in love with this area for its calm water and for the reverence of the people of Vietnam that they decided to remain on earth. Mother dragon lies on what is now Ha Long and where her children lie is Bai Tu Long. The dragon tails formed the area of Bach Long Vi known for the miles of white sandy beaches of Tra Co peninsula.

This myth is in line with the Vietnamese myth of their origin Con Rong Chau Tien. This myth describes the union between a king (representing the dragon) and his bride (representing a goddess) giving birth to 100 children which are the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. The Ha Long myth illustrate the Vietnamese belief of their origin and the fact that throughout their history, they are aided by their ancestors, the dragon and the gods, in the defense of their land.

In 1962, the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism designated Ha Long Bay a 'Renowned National Landscape Monument'.

In 2009, the New 7 Wonders Foundation, which runs the New Seven Wonders of the World program, included Halong Bay on its list of nominations as one the World's 7 Natural Wonders.

According to scientists, Ha Long Bay has experienced at least 500 million years in various geological states of orogeny, marine transgression and marine regression. During the Ordovician and Silurian periods (500-410 million years ago), Ha Long Bay was deep sea. During the Carboniferous and Permian periods (340-250 million years ago), Ha Long Bay was at shallow sea level.

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Nhat Tan bridge: largest in Vietnam

A VND10.2 trillion contract has been signed to build the main part of the structure and the northern approach road for the Nhat Tan suspension bridge.

The contract is the largest and the most important of the project’s three tender.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai witnessed the signing ceremony between the project management board and Japanese contractor partnership, IHI and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company, in Hanoi on August 23.

The bridge will link the city centre with industrial zones (IZs) in the north, including the North Thang Long-Van Tri, Dong Anh-Co Loa, and Gia Lam-Sai Dong-Yen Vien.

It will also complete a second trunk road and shorten the travel time from the city centre to Noi Bai International Airport.

The Nhat Tan bridge project spans nearly 9km, including the 3.7km bridge crossing the Red River, making it the longest bridge anywhere in Vietnam. The bridge will be 33.2m wide and be divided into four lanes, two for buses and two for other vehicles.

The total cost of the project is estimated at VND 13.6 trillion, sourced from loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and contributions from the Vietnamese government.

Construction of the project is expected to be completed by October, 2012.

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Award of Nhat Tan Bridge Construction Project Consultant Contract

Nippon Engineering Consultants, Co. Ltd. and Chodai in association with TEDI was awarded Nhat Tan Bridge Construction Consultant Contract by the Project Management Unit 85, Ministry of Transport in Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The Contract amounting to approximately 1,750 million yen was officially signed during the ceremony held on January 9, 2007. The bridge is named officially as Viet Nam - Japan Friendship Bridge.		Signing ceremony（Jan.9,2007）
This project is to construct a bridge over the Red River in the capital Hanoi with approach road and interchanges. The services provided under this consultant contract include survey, detailed design, tender assistance and construction supervision. Nippon Engineering is responsible for the 5-tower cable-stayed bridge.
Outline of the Project The Nhat Tan Bridge is to be built to mitigate the ever-increasing traffic congestion in Hanoi City and vitalize the economy in Hanoi Metropolitan Area. The highlight of the project is the construction of a 300-m spans 6-span continuous cable-stayed bridge having a total of 1,500 meters long over the Red River. Such multi-span cable-stayed bridge has been used for the Millau Bridge in France and Rion Antirion Bridge in Greece, however, it is yet a new structural form in Asia. The bridge is characterized by its multi-spans in the cable-stayed bridge. It will adopt steel-concrete composite girders, high-strength stay cables, and high-strength concrete. It is also significant to the construction in the Red River which annual water level varies 10 meters. 5-tower cable-stayed bridge side view The project measures a total of 8.5km with 3.9-km bridge section, beginning from Phu Thuong Interchange, going north to cross the Red River and connecting the Vinh Ngoc Interchange where it meets National Highway No. 5 and No. 3 at the end. The project is to celebrate 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Ha Noi which comes due by October in 2010, and it is expected the bridge will become a symbol of lasting friendship between Japan and Viet Nam. Location Map Structural types of Nhat Tan Bridge Nhat Tan Bridge（5-tower cable-stayed bridge）

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Ba Na Mountain, Vietnam

Located in Hoa Vang province, apart from Danang 40 kilometers to southwest, Ba Na – Mount Chua is 1,487 meters high over the sea level. Average temperature is from 17 to 20 degree Celsius.

In Ba Na, there are four seasons in a day: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the afternoon, winter in the evening. For light rains, it is not as wet as in Da Lat. Although it rains around the mountain, the top is dry; furthermore, it is cloudless, and fresh. Compared with Tam Dao, Da Lat, the territory has a precedence of panoramic view. From the top of the mountain, one can have a vast view of sea, Danang city, rice fields spreading to the horizon.



While months from May to August are the hottest period (up to 32oC) in seaside Central Viet Nam, temperature at the territory fluctuates from 17 to 20 degree Celsius, 22-25oC in maximum. It drops down to 15oC at night. With temperate climate, murmuring rivers, fluttering trees, Ba Na is as attractive as Tam Dao, Da Lat, etc. The Ba Na natural reservation zone has 544 sorts of high-level flora, 256 types of animals, in which there are 6 flora and 44 fauna of being precious recorded in Vietnamese Redbook.

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Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue, Vietnam

Thien Mu Pagoda (namely Heaven Fairy Lady Pagoda), also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the most fascinating and ancient pagoda in Hue city. It is situated on Ha Khe hill, on the north bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village, 5 kilometers from Hue city, which is easy to reach from the city center.

The name of the pagoda derives from a special legend. Long time ago, an old woman appeared on the hill where the pagoda stands today, telling local people that a Lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the country's prosperity. Lord Nguyen Hoang therefore ordered the construction of the pagoda the "Heaven Fairy Lady" or Thiên Mụ in Vietnamese (also called Linh Mụ). Thanks to such a mysterious history, the pagoda has attracted a great number of tourists from both inside and outside of the nation to come and explore the legend themselves.

The most striking feature of the pagoda, Phuoc Duyen tower (initially called Tu Nhan tower), was erected in 1884 by King Thieu Tri, and has become the unofficial symbol of Hue. This octagonal tower has seven storeys (2m high), which is dedicated to a Buddha who appeared in human form. It is the highest stupa in Vietnam, and is often the subject of folk rhymes and cadao about Hue, such is its iconic status and association with the city. More importantly, it is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital.

To the left of the tower is a pavilion sheltering an enormous bell. The bell, called Dai Hong Chung, was cast in 1710 by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu. It is famous for the great size, which is 2.5m high and 3,285 kg weigh. It is considered to be an outstanding achievement of 18^th century bronze casting.

To the right of the tower is a pavillion containing a stela dated from 1715. It is set on the back of a massive marble turtle, a symbol of longevity, and is 2.58 m high.

Besides, there are several popular works of art inside the pagoda, which are of great captivation to tourists. For instance, Dai Hung shrine, the main-hall, which presents a magnificent architecture. As bronze cast statues, it shelters some precious antiques: the bronze gong cast in 1677, the wooden gilded board with Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu's inscriptions (1714).

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