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

Hue ao dai

In drizzling rain, the ancient capital city of Hue’s girls look very beautiful and charming in white ao dai and non la (palm-leaf conical hat).

 

Source: VNE

Huong Giang listed in top 100 Miss Grand Slam 2009

 Supermodel Huong Giang, Vietnam’s contestant at Miss World 2009 pageant, will compete for the “Miss Grand Slam” title on the prestigious international beauty website, Global Beauties.

This is an annual selection with 100 candidates for the title. They are the winners of pageants or contestants from the final rounds of the five largest international pageants, including: Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss International and Miss Tourism Queen International.

Miss Grand Slam 2009 included names like Barbados’ Leah Marville (Sexiest Woman Alive 2009), Australia’s Rachel Finch – the third runner-up of Miss Universe 2009, Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino and Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez. Last year this title was presented to Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza.

Previously, Vietnam’s Huong Giang was polled as in the top three for “Sexiest Woman Alive” and in the top ten for “Face of the Year.” She is the only Vietnamese candidate for Miss Grand Slam 2009, compared to three each from South Korea, the Philippines and India, as well as two from China.

Last year Vietnamese model Truong Tri Truc Diem entered the top 50 of Miss Grand Slam 2008.

 source: vietnamnet