Aozora flips the pancake on its head

Hidden away in a back alley off Ngoc Ha Street, innovative Vietnamese chefs prepare Japanese style banh xeo (pancakes) with a refreshing and delightful twist. Kaitlin Rees reports.

While navigating the narrow alleyways that wrap around the small ponds off Ngoc Ha Street, the wooden restaurant finally comes into view. The large open air space and Banh Xeo Nhat Ban sign are an inviting place to stop for lunch. Because of its unlikely location, hidden away in the winding streets that connect Doi Can with Hoang Hoa Tham, most of the people passing by are local. However, the menu at Aozora distinguishes it from the typical Vietnamese food of the area and could easily attract people from all over. It feels like a well-kept secret as soon as I enter.

Nothing to hide: Aozora, which is open to the street, is like a typical Japanese bar. The restaurant's wooden exterior is in perfect harmony with the nearby trees and ponds, giving it a Zen-like feel. — VNS Photos Truong Vi

Reverse experiences with Soft Water

Restaurant reviews are liable to vary depending on the night and the taste of the customer. But for Thuy Hang a second visit confirmed her initial misgivings.

Soaking up the atmosphere: A bar is set up in the garden where there are many unusual and valuable plants and trees. — VNS Photos Truong Vi

An evening of decadence at the Hilton

The newly launched Great Grills at Chez Manon opened just in time to celebrate US Independence Day and gave Kathleen Shea the opportunity to check out the bars, restaurants and a barbecue on the terrace

When I was a child, we had neighbourhood cookouts frequently throughout the year. The image of mum standing at a giant gas grill in the middle of a snow-covered backyard amuses me to this day.

Yet at this time of year, when the warmth of early summer begins to transform into scorching, unbearable heat, I always have a few things on my mind – beach, beer and BBQ! While there is no beach within easy driving distance, I do have access to beer and BBQ to my heart's content at the newly launched Great Grills at Chez Manon in the Hilton Ha Noi Opera hotel.

Away from the bustle: Great Grills at Chez Manon in Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel. Quiet and tranquil, the terrace offers a true summer barbecue experience. — VNS Photos Truong Vi

Healthy food served with heaps of goodwill

An organic vegetable garden, hand-crafted decor, under-privileged staff – here's a restaurant that is very salt-of-the-earth. Nella Prod'homme reports

The tofu could be sliced thinner. The sauce could be a bit thicker. But restaurant 6 on Sixteen isn't really about that. It's more about an atmosphere, a concept.

Opened last October on Bao Khanh Street (between the Nha Tho area and Hoan Kiem Lake) this little restaurant slash bar slash hotel serves, not too expensive, simple and healthy food. (VND110,000 for a stir fried lemongrass and tamarind chicken.)

Snug decor: Big, long, low and bulky wooden tables occupy most of the space. Matching benches or small chairs with black velvet cushions surround the tables lit with wooden or beaded lampshades. Many lamps give a warm feeling to the place. — VNS Photos Truong Vi

A romantic dinner for two with a view

Diners at Ben Pho Restaurant in Nha Trang City can look out on spectacular views while enjoying sumptuous seafood served according to taste. Minh Thu reports.

When on a holiday, I expect to savour local cuisine, for not only its quality, but also its proximity.

Once, while walking along Tran Phu Street, which is one of the most beautiful coastal streets in Nha Trang City, I discovered the lovely Ben Pho Restaurant nestled on the bank of the Cai River.

Nightime nostalgia:Ben Pho, which means "wharf, street", offers, as its name suggests, a beautiful view of Tran Phu and Bong bridges, as well solemn Ponagar Tower and the busy wharf on the Cai River.

Japanese seafood buffet a sensation

Buffets don't have to be boring and La Brasserie in the Hotel Nikko is a worthy example, with its strong Japanese theme and plenty of western options to go with it. Thuy Hang reports.

There's an abundance of well-priced weekend buffets to tempt the taste buds in Ha Noi, but for those with a craving for all things Japanese, the Hotel Nikko's La Brasserie is the place for you.

Centre of the action: Chefs roll the sushi and turn skewers of sizzling meat over the teppanyaki, while guests fill up their plates.

A slice of Venice in Ha Noi's Tay Ho

Da Paolo, a no-nonsense taverna-style Italian restaurant, serves up perfect pizzas and more exotic Mediterranean meals on the edge of West Lake. Nella Prod'homme tastes what the restaurant has to offer, and is not disappointed.

Overlooking West Lake in Tay Ho District, the Da Paolo Restaurant offers tasty no-fuss taverna-style Italian food.

Aside from a vast array of traditional pizzas costing about VND180,000 ($60), Da Paolo offers more elaborate dishes such as calamerette all'aglio e olio – sauteed baby calamari with garlic, olive oil and chilli in a white wine sauce and served with grilled polenta (VND200,000 or $10) and lasagna Bolognese (VND 175, 000), as well as numerous pasta dishes, such as ravioli di magro con salsa al gorgonzola e noci – ricotta and spinach-filled ravioli with walnuts and gorgonzola sauce.

Cool comfort: The no-frills interior of Da Paolo's is a perfect retreat from the heat and the hurry of Ha Noi. — VNS Photos Truong Vi

Best view in town with food to match

Shri is the perfect place for a business meeting, date or a drink with family and friends, says Xuan Hiep who satisfies his taste for fine dining

On a regular business trip to HCM City last month, a foreign friend of mine told me he had tried one of the city's best Western restaurants which boasts a stunning 360-degree view.

Wow, I hadn't heard about that. I was curious and could not wait to experience the restaurant.

Upmarket: Shri Restaurant and Lounge is located at the high end of town. — VNS Photos Xuan Hiep

The art of eating sushi at Tsubaki

Japanese cuisine's emphasis on presentation, quality ingredients and thoughtful combinations of flavours make it a delight for refined gourmands. Michael Libucha reports that Tsubaki keeps the tradition of quality sushi alive in Ha Noi

One of Ha Noi's newest Japanese restaurants, Tsubaki serves up well-prepared sushi, quality sashimi and a wide range of meals from the Land of the Rising Sun that you may not find at other local Japanese eateries.

Tsubaki opened in April after chef and owner Nguyen Van Quy quit his job at another Japanese restaurant in town to launch his own business.

Delighting the senses: A serving of California sushi rolls and a selection of salmon, tuna and garoupa sashimi­ (different types of raw fish) at Tsubaki

Mr Loi's beefsteaks never fail to satisfy

A Vietnamese journalist with an addiction to beefsteak, finds a welcome alternative to boiled rice and spring rolls in Ha Noi's Old Quarter. Thanh An reports.

Despite the fact that I was born an Asian girl, I am addicted to beefsteak. My love for this very Occidental dish originates in my general beef interest. Every time I am freed from work and fed up with cooked rice, I turn to beefsteak. Among the several restaurants inside the Old Quarter, Ong Loi (Mr Loi) Beefsteak is my favourite.

Located on Hang Buom, one of the city's oldest streets, the restaurant has a humble space, just like any house inside the Old Quarter zone. However, customers can find the restaurant by looking closely.

Meat the family: Located on Hang Buom Street in the Old Quarter, Ong Loi's restaurant is popular with families and couples. — VNS Photos Truong Vi

Beyond the clouds in Sa Pa

If you're looking to escape from the summer heat, you could do worse than hop on an overnight train to Sa Pa – after all, that was why the French established the hill station in the first place.

I, for one, was not disappointed. Sa Pa, which lies some 1,600m above sea level, is beautifully refreshing in summer. But more than that, the views of forests, the inhospitable peaks of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and the terraced paddy fields are to die for.

On the advice of my experienced ethnic Tay tourist guide, I rented a motorbike so I could visit the Giay people's village in Ta Van Commune, which nestles in the hills some 10km from Sa Pa town centre along a tree-lined zigzagging road.

Idyllic: Among the several villages in the Muong Hoa Valley the best known are Sin Chai, Cat Cat, Lao Chai and Ta Van Giay. Most of the houses lean against the hills and face a small stream. — VNS Photos Le Huong

Elephants amble through rare hill landscape to Phu Cuong waterfall

Duong Le Tinh and her group of American friends were thrilled to arrive at Phu Cuong Waterfall in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) Province of Gia Lai.

"We chose the destination because we wanted to discover a beautiful virgin land by a less-travelled path, and decided to tour Dun Village on the backs of elephants," said Tinh.

Tinh said her group had to properly greet the elephants before climbing up to sit on armchairs tied carefully on their backs.

Out on a limb: A corner of Ayun Ha Reservoir, an attraction worth a visit in Chu Se District. — VNA/VNS Photos

Hue to invest $2.3b for National Tourism Year 2012

THUA THIEN HUE – The central Thua Thien Hue Province's People Committee hopes to get 43 projects completed to host National Tourism Year 2012.

The projects, costing a total VND49 trillion (US$2.3 billion), include 22 on which work has already started or the projects have been completed. Five hotels of the Mercure and Mondial groups are already in use while others are in progress.

Hue national tourism year 2012, themed "Hue ancient capital city, new experiences", is a major tourism event that is expected to be held all year round.

Central Province in $1m tourist promo

THUA THIEN-HUE — Central Thua Thien Hue Province's People's Committee plans to invest over VND23 billion (US$1.1 million) to host National Tourism Year 2012.

National tourism year 2012, themed "Heritage Tourism", was a major tourism event that was expected to be held all year round, said Pham Dang Khanh, a representative from the province's Culture, Sports and Tourism Department.

This was the first time the province would play the role of host of the national tourism year, Khanh said.

It aimed to promote Viet Nam's tourism products and cultural heritage to both international and domestic tourists, Khanh said.

This is one of moves to lure 7-8 million arrivals of international tourists to Viet Nam by 2015.

Hue citadel, established by the Nguyen Dynasty in 1805, is now one of the relics of the ancient capital, which is listed as part of a World Cultural Heritage. Central Thua Thien-Hue Province will host National Tourism Year 2012. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh

Escape into island wilderness

Within one day of your visit to Nha Trang city, you'll have a chance to discover wild islands and enjoy what you can't do in the mainland.A tour to Nha Phu Bay, 12km from Nha Trang city by boat, is the most popular activity. Different from others, this tour offers a trip to three islands where you can come close to the nature and hide away from dusty life, said Anh Vu, a tour guide from Long Phu Company.

The first destination is Hon Thi, the 500ha island covered by pine trees. You can walk in the forest of decandrous persimmon, the tree that is the namesake of the island.

You can find ostriches and deer in the forest. The deer will approach you if you offer them a hand full of maize, their favourite food.

Monkey shines: A tourist feeds monkeys on Lao Island. When you are lying on the beach, don't be surprised to see some monkeys lying nearby. — File Photos

The way to Heaven's Gate

In my eyes, Ha Giang, the northernmost province of Viet Nam, is the most attractive destination in the country, with the rocky plateau at Dong Van, the love market at Khau Vai, Heaven's Gate over the Quan Ba Pass and the friendly, colourful ethnic groups. For that reason, despite the bad weather and narrow roads, our seven-day trip to Ha Giang was eagerly anticipated.The rocky, limestone district of Quan Ba was our second stop after Hoang Su Phi.

Scenic wonderland: Twin Mountain is recognised as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

Soc Trang the home of pagodas and seductive Khmer culture

When I was first invited to visit Soc Trang, I wondered whether there was anything special in the area, as I'd never considered travelling there before, says Nguyen Viet Minh, a tourist from Ha Noi.
"But after I decided to make the journey, I was pleasantly surprised to find a land of pagodas and vibrant Khmer culture."
Minh, who has been an avid traveller since he was a student, says his recent visit to Soc Trang turned out to be one of his most enjoyable holidays.
The Doi (Bat) Pagoda, also known as Mahatup or the Ma Toc Pagoda, was the first destination on his tour.

Cultural immersion: Doi Pagoda welcomes thousands of tourists each year to admire its rich Khmer aspects and witness the flying foxes in the pagoda's surroundings. — File Photos

Tourists discover hidden beauty of once-forgotten destination

The 17th century wit-nessed the rise of two trading ports: Pho Hien in the northern region, or Dang Ngoai, and Hoi An in central region, or Dang Trong. While Hoi An continued to thrive until the 19th century, Pho Hien was abandoned at the end of the 17th century on account of natural causes. Today, Hoi An has become an attractive tourist destination while Pho Hien has fallen into oblivion. "Thu nhat Kinh Ky, thu nhi Pho Hien" (The first is Kinh Ky, the second is Pho Hien), a widely known saying in Viet Nam, confirmed that the importance of Pho Hien was only outmatched by Kinh Ky, which refers to the Thang Long royal capital, Ha Noi today. Pho Hien is now called Hung Yen city in the northern province of Hung Yen, which lies about 60km south of Ha Noi.

Frozen in time: The Chuong Pagoda is famous for its 18 La Han (Arhat) and 10 Diem Vuong (King of Hell) statues. — VNA/VNS Photo Phung Trieu