Lim Festival (February 21)

Time: The 13^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Lim Hill, Lim Town, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province.
Objects of worship: Lady King and Hieu Trung Hau, the two legendary patriarchs of quan ho tunes.
Characteristics: Quan ho singing on the hills, boats or at home

Boi Khe Pagoda Festival (February 18 – 20)

Time: From the 10^th to the 13^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Tam Hung Commune, Thanh Oai District, Ha Tay Province.
Objects of worship: Buddha, Zen teacher and shaman Nguyen Binh An (in the 14^th century).
Characteristics: Water procession, statue washing, vegetarian feast offering.

Games: dragon dance, stick dance, boat rowing for catching ducks, Chinese chess playing, cheo popular opera singing, burning of fireworks.

Trieu Khuc Village Festival (18 – 20 February)

The Trieu Khuc Village (Thanh Tri District, Hanoi ) Festival is held annually from the 10th to the 12th of the first lunar month in honour of national hero Phung Hung (791–802).

Va Temple Festival (February 23)

Time: Spring festival: on the 15^th day of the first lunar month (the main festival day). Autumn festival: the 15^th day of the ninth lunar month.
Place: Va Temple, Van Gia Hamlet, Trung Hung Commune, Son Tay Town, Ha Tay Province.
Objects of worship: Tan Vien Genie (Son Tinh, one of four immortal gods in the Vietnamese pantheon).
Characteristics: The procession across the river to Doi Temple, the custom of catching fish for worshipping.

Fair of Chuong Village (February 18)

Time: The 10^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Phuong Trung Commune, Thanh Oai District, Ha Tay Province.
Objects of worship: The founder of the village who taught villagers how to make conical hats. Characteristics: Sell and display conical hats, contests of human chess, rice cooking

Con Temple Festival (February 20)

Time: The 20^th day to the 21^st day of the first lunar month.
Place: Phuong Can Village, Quynh Phuong Commune, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province.
Objects of worship: The Holy Mother – one of four goddesses (she protects and supports for villagers to have prosperous life, helping the armies cross the ocean safe and sound).
Characteristics: Game of mimic navy battle.

Nguyen Su Hoi Temple Festival (February 23)

Time: The 15^th day of the first lunar month
Place: Van Loc Village, Nghi Tan Ward, Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province
Objects of worship: Nguyen Su Hoi (high-ranking mandarin duke who had great merit of expanding the wasteland of the east of Nghi Loc District).
Characteristics: Palanquin procession of god, boat racing.

Ngu Xa Festival (February 25)

Time: The 17^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Nam Trang Village, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: A Di Da Buddha, Ancestor Saint Nguyen Chi Thanh.
Characteristics: Exhibit productions of bronze casting, cock fighting

Cau Ngu Festival (February 20)

Time: The 12^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Thai Duong Ha Village, Thuan An Town, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien-Hue.
Objects of worship: Truong Thieu (Truong Quy Cong), the village’s tutelary god.
Characteristics: Performance of catching fish in the village’s communal house, trai (a skiffs rowing) rowing race.

Long Tong Festival (February 13 – 23)

Time: Early in spring, often from the 5^th to the 15^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: In the village, in the field, near the stream.
Objects of worship: Village gods, Mountain and Stream gods.
Characteristics: Traditional belief and the cult of fecundity.
Participators: The Tay people and other ethnic groups.
Contents: Praying for all the good things, con throwing, xoe dancing.

Ky Yen Festival (February 24 – 26)

Time: From the 16^th to the 18^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: 18 Mai Van Ngoc Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Objects of worship: Buddha, gods, talented and righteous men called tien hien and hau hien.
Characteristics: On the first day, it commences with prayers for peace and performances of traditional dance and martial arts, as well as other rites based on southern tradition.

Ba Den Mountain Festival (February 23 – 26)

Time: Spring Festival: From the 15^th to the 18^th day of the first lunar month;  Via Ba Festival lasting from the 5^th to the 6^th day of the fifth lunar month.

Place: Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh Province.
Objects of worship: Linh Son Thanh Mau (Linh Son Saint Mother – Ba Den).

Characteristics: Two big festivals annually.

Ba Pagoda Festival (February 23)

Time: The 15^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Thu Dau Mot Town, Binh Duong Province.
Objects of worship: Thien Hau Thanh Mau (the Holy Mother Thien Hau).
Characteristics: Palanquine procession of Ba, dances of unicorn, lion, dragon

Ba Chua Kho Temple Festival (February 15 -16)

Time: From the 15^th to the 16^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Co Me Village, Vu Ninh Commune, Bac Ninh Town, Bac Ninh Province.
Objects of worship: Ba Chua Kho (The Queen of Stock) and four gods: Thien phu, Dia phu, Thuy phu and Nhac phu.
Characteristics: Incense offering ceremony, custom of borrowing money from her (only symbolizing) to pray for property and good luck

Xoe Dancing Festival (February 23)

Time: The 15^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Ta Chai Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Agriculture Deity (administer of fields and gardens).
Characteristics: Xoe dancing of the Thai people.

Thuong Temple Spring Festival (February 22 – 23)

Time: From the 14^th to the 15^th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Tran Hung Dao.
Characteristics: A palanquin procession, tug of war contest, wrestling contest, and con throwing, sticks pushing, no (arbalest) shooting.

Dau Pagoda Festival (March 6 – 7)

Time: From the 26^th to the 27^th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Place: Gia Phuc Village, Nguyen Trai Commune, Thuong Tin District, Ha Tay Province.

Objects of worship: Buddha Trinity, goddess Phap Vu, god of Well.

Characteristics: Lap nguyet ceremony (at the end of year), water procession from Lady Giao’s well.

Thai Duong Festival (March 3)

Time: The 23^rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

Place: Thai Duong Village, Thuan An Commune, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien – Hue Province.

Objects of worship: Goddess Thai Duong (miraculous mystical stone).

Characteristics: Procession of the Goddess to Thai Duong Shrine for making sacrifice gian

Chu Dong Tu Festival (19 – 21 March)

This festival occurs for three days from the 10th – 12th of the second lunar month in Chu Dong Tu Temple in Da Hoa Village (Binh Minh Commune) and Da Trach (Da Trach Commune), Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, 25 km from Hanoi.

Exhibitions

Hanoi

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Nguyen Van Huyen, Tel: 04 7562193

- Till July 2005: Tai textiles in the Mekong region exhibition and weaving performance by Tai women

Four Seasons Art

37 Hang Manh, Tel: 04 8287176

- Interior design and decor with hand-made bamboo, rattan and wooden products are on display daily

Ho Chi Minh City

Bordeaux Brasserie Restaurant
F7-F8 D2, Binh Thanh Dist, Tel: 08 899 9831
- Young Talents: Well-known HCM City artist Helen Kling shares her passion for painting with young talents of all ages, display of ‘first works’

Bich Cau Gallery
55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1, 08 9358469
- Dream’s Trace: Artworks exhibition by Luong Son

Bitexco Building

19-25 Nguyen Hue, D1, Tel: 08 9143226

- Exhibition of furniture by young Vietnamese designer Adrian Nguyen

Performances

Hanoi

Bich Cau Ky Ngo Quan

15 Cat Linh

- Performances by Hanoi Ca Tru Club, every month’s second and fourth Sundays (morning)

Guoman Hanoi Hotel

83A Ly Thuong Kiet, Tel: 04 8222800

The Helmsman

- Filipino Band Musicmates at 8pm daily

- Fashion show every Friday night

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel

K5 Nghi Tam, Xuan Dieu Road, Tel: 04 7199000

- Free Salsa dance class every Saturday

Hanoi Horizon Hotel

40 Cat Linh, Tel: 04 7330808

- Jazz Live Music every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm

- Jazz Improvisation on New Orleans Rhythms

Hanoi Water Puppetry Theatre

57 Dinh Tien Hoang, Tel: 04 9349906

- Puppetry shows at 8pm daily

Melia Hanoi Hotel

44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Tel: 04 9343343

- From Mon – Thurs: Melia Sunshine Quintet Band 7pm – 10.45pm

- Jazz Band Every Sunday 7.00pm – 10.45pm

Ho Chi Minh City

Tran Gia Tea

16 Le Quy Don, D3, Tel: 08 9347643

- Performances by Gypsy Fore jazz band every weekend

Dam Sen Cultural Park
3 Hoa Binh, D11, 08 841195
- Water puppetry: Every Sundays at 8.30am – 4pm

- Till October 2005: Ice sculpture exhibition that displays some of the world’s architectural wonders carved in ice

Saigon Legend Hotel

2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1, Tel: 08 8233333

Legend Lounge:

- Live piano and violin music performance from 5pm daily

Jazz Harry’s Bar:

- Live jazz music featuring saxophonist Xuan Hieu and his band 8pm-11.30pm

Hoa Lai Restaurant:

- Live Vietnamese music and dance 7pm daily

Brazil Churrascaria

67bis Truong Dinh, D3, Tel: 08 9303384

- Nightly samba performance

Idecaf

28 Le Thanh Tong, D1, Tel: 08 8239968

- Fashion shows 8pm every Sunday

Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers

88 Dong Khoi, D1, Tel: 08 8272828

- Rikoche Band, Live US-New Zealand from 8:30pm till midnight

Caravel Hotel

19 Lam Son, D1, Tel: 08 8234999

Saigon Bar:

- Live music by Sapphire band daily from 8pm, except Monday

District 5 Cultural House

105 Tran Hung Dao, D5, Tel: 08 8556161

- Dolphins show 10am, 4pm and 7.30pm daily

Nam Kha Restaurant

46-48-50 Dong Khoi, D1, Tel: 08 8238309

- Live jazz Band, every night at 8pm-11.30pm

Duxton Hotel Saigon

63 Nguyen Hue, Tel: 08 8222999

The Bar:

- Live piano music, happy hours from 5pm-7pm

Water Parks
Vietnam Water World
Long Thanh My Ward, D9
Saigon Water Park
Thu Duc District
Ocean Water Park
491 Nguyen Thi Thap, Tan Quy Ward, D7
Dai The Gioi Water Park
600 Ben Ham Tu, Ward 6, D5

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Cinemas

Hanoi

National Cinema Centre

87 Lang Ha, Tel: 04 514278

- Getting Married to a Sai Gon Girl 3.30pm, 8pm, Female Robber Chief at 3.30pm, 6pm, 8pm

August Theatre

45 Hang Bai, Tel: 04 8253911

- Catwoman, 50 first dates, Anacondas 12pm, 5pm

Fansland Cinema

84 Ly Thuong Kiet, Tel: 04 9424484

- One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest 2pm, Catwoman 4.15pm

- Pet Cemetery 4pm, Catwoman 2 8pm daily

Dan Chu Cinema

211 Kham Thien, Tel: 04 8516702

- Alexander 2.30pm, 5pm, Wimbledon 12am, 5.45pm

Ho Chi Minh City

Cinebox

212 Ly Chinh Thang, D3, Tel: 08 9350610

- Alexander: 12.05pm, 1.55pm, 3.45pm, 5.35pm, 7.25pm, 9.15pm

Thang Long Cinema

19 Cao Thang, D3, Tel: 08 8393993

- Alexander 9am – 9pm

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Dining Out

Hanoi

Hilton Hanoi Opera

1 Le Thanh Tong, Tel: 08 9330500

Chez Manon

- Oyster brunch

Marble Court:

- Wine of the month

- Traditional Vietnamese Spirit

- Cocktail

- Ancient Town Orange Liquor, juice

- Cake: Mango Mouse Cake

Press Club

59A Ly Thai To, Tel: 04 9340888

The Restaurant:

- Chef’s light summer luncheon menu

Mediterraneo Restaurant

23 Nha Tho, Tel: 04 8266288

- Wood-fired pizza oven, home-made pasta and mozzarella

Khazaana Indian Restaurant

41B Ly Thai To, Tel: 04 8241166

- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes

- Tandoori chicken and kebabs

Chao Thai Restaurant

87 Ly Thuong Kiet, Tel: 04 9425291

- Seafood and Thai cuisine daily

Tandoor Restaurant

24 Hang Be, Tel: 04 8245359

- North Indian and Tandoori cuisine, 11am-2.30pm and 6pm-10.30pm

Melia Hanoi Hotel

44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Tel: 04 9343343

El Patio

- International Buffet Lunch Monday-Saturday

- Family Brunc Every Sunday

- Theme Buffet Dinner     Every night

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel

K5 Nghi Tam, Tel: 04 7199000

Oven D’Or Restaurant:

- Buffet for lunch and dinner

Hermisphere:

- Vietnamese and Pan-Asian cuisine. Mon-Sat

Hotel Nikko Hanoi

84 Tran Nhan Tong, Tel: 04 8223770

Le Brasserie Restaurant:

- International luncheon buffet every Mon to Sat, champagne brunch on Sunday

- Sumptuous seafood buffet dinner

- Monday pasta night

- Sunday champagne dinner buffet

Tao Li Restaurant:

- Taste of China every Thursday night

- All you can eat dim sum luncheon

Sofitel Metropole Hanoi

15 Ngo Quyen, Tel: 04 8266919

Spices Garden:

- Cooking Class

Hilton Hanoi Opera

1 Le Thanh Tong, Tel: 08 9330500

Turtle’s Poem:

- Every Sunday: Sunday Brunch: Extensive Chinese buffet featuring Peking duck, Hong Kong-style suckling pig, unlimited Dim Sum, and lots more. Games and cartoons available for kid

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel

360 Kim Ma, Tel: 04 8315000

Cafe Promenade

- Weekend Poolside BBQ from Fri-Sun, US$14net/pax with free flow of draught beer

- Sunday Brunch with live classical music and children playroom

La Paix

- Porcini and Ovoli mushrooms what have only in Italy, Italian Restaurant Brand new Wine list

- A la carte menu, Set menu, Daily Business Lunch menu

Edo

- Weekend Lunch & Dinner Buffets

Silk Road:

- All you can eat menu, featuring the best of Sichuan and Cantonese delicacies

- Weekend Dim Sum buffet with a variety of Dim Sum

Hanoi Horizon Hotel

40 Cat Linh, Tel: 04 7330808

Marble Court:

- Gourmet sandwiches & salad, pastries, coffee/tea, juices, soft drink & Ice Cream daily

- Wine of the month – South African wine – Obikwa

- Beer of the month – Carlsberg Draught

- Cocktail of the month – Archipelago, Seribu Pulau

- Coffee of the month – Java Flavor

- Cake of the month – Buah Manis ( Fruit Cake )

Nha Trang Terrace Bar:

- Sundowners at Pool deck daily from 4PM to 6PM

- Selected drinks are served

- Happy Hours from 6pm to 9pm

Lee Man Fong:

Lucky Draw:

- WIN 2 nights accommodation at Knutsford Hong Kong

- 1 weekend stay at Cabana Suite with breakfast & Dinner for 2 persons

- 1 month swimming pool entry

- 3 Vouchers for buffet dinner

- 2 Vouchers for 8 pieces of Moon cake QT & Spa Gift Voucher

Guoman Hanoi Hotel

83A Ly Thuong Kiet, Tel: 04 8222800

- Cafe Paradise and The Gallery: Asian delights promotion

Green Tangerine

48 Hang Be, Tel: 04 8251286

- New summer creation: Gaspaccio of three colours and three Flavour by chief Benjamin Rascalou daily

Vine Restaurant

1A Xuan Dieu, Tel: 04 7198000

- Chef Donald’s wines by the glass and Tub’s Gourmet pizza, pasta, salad, Thai food daily 10am-11am, Sunday brunch from 11am

Ho Chi Minh City

Equatorial Hotel

242 Tran Binh Trong, D5, Tel: 08 8397777

Kampachi Restaurant:

- Juicy Tender Eels promotion

- Weekend buffet

Golden Phoenix Restaurant

- Live lobster promotion

- Coconut rice

Sofitel Plaza Saigon

17 Le Duan Blvd, D1, Tel: 08 8241555

Cafe Ivoli:
- Lazy Sunday brunch
- Seafood & Sauvignon

L’Elysee Bar:
- Express Tartine Lunch
- Fresh food, lunch Mondays to Fridays 11.30 – 2.30pm

New World Saigon Hotel

76 Le Lai, D1, Tel: 08 8228888

Parkview Restaurant:

- Chef’s signature evening buffet

Dynasty Restaurant:

- Dim sum breakfast 7am-10am, every Sat and Sun

- Peking Duck promotion

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

8 – 15 Ton Duc Thang, D1, Tel: 08 8220033

Kabin Chinese Restaurant:

- Hong Kong street live lunch buffet

- Daily buffet lunch, Mon to Sat

Riverside Cafe:

- All American steak buffets, every Sat evening

- Business Bargain lunch 12pm-2-30pm

- Seafood creation by Chinese executive chef Jackie Fong

Lobby Lounge:

- Wine and cheese daily from 5pm to midnight, Late Night Hour with 50% discount for all alcoholic beverage every night from 1am to closing

Norfork Hotel

117 Le Thanh Tong, D1, Tel: 08 8223823

- Corso Restaurant: Bouquet of wines buffet, nightly from 6pm-10.30pm

Ommi Saigon Hotel

251 Nguyen Van Troi, Tel: 08 8449222

Cafe Saigon:

- Seafood Market in Town

Lotus Court

- Daily Dinner Buffet

- “All you can eat” Dim Sum

Nishimura:

- Autumn Delicacies

- Japanese cuisine

Mulligan’s

- Absolut Vodka

Caravelle Hotel

19 Lam Son, D1, Tel: 08 8234999

Saigon Bar:

- New ice-cream menu

Asian Reflection, Port Orient, Lobby Lounge Restaurant: Special buffet promotion for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

- Lobby Lounge Restaurant: Cake buffet daily at 12- 5pm

Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers

88 Dong Khoi, D1, Tel: 08 8272828

Saigon Café

-All day dining restaurant

-Sunday Brunch

Li Bai Restaurant

-Daily Dim Sum lunch

-Chinese Dinner Buffet on Sundays

The Lounge

-Selections of Sandwiches, 10am-2.30pm, Mon-Fri

-Art of Afternoon Tea, buffet style, 2pm-5pm, Mon-Fri

Signature Restaurant

-River Trout Creations during the month of September

- Level 23 Nightspot & Wine Bar

-Super chic Wine Bar entry from 4pm till midnight, Sunset Cocktails 4pm – 6pm.

An Vien Restaurant

178A Hai Ba Trung, D1, Tel: 08 8243877

- Authentic Vietnamese food, elegant ambience with best collection of wine and paintings

Nam An Restaurant

57-69 Dong Khoi, D1, Tel: 08 8220246

- Excellent Vietnamese cuisine with nice garden and Lotus Pond

Pho 24 Restaurant

67 Hai Ba Trung, 89 Mac Thi Buoi, 05 Tan That Thiep, D1

- Vietnamese pho noodle chain in town

Norfolk Mansion

17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, D1, Tel: 08 8226111

Corso Restaurant:

- Bouquet of wines buffet 6pm-10pm

- Spit roast with imported veal roasted on the spit, salad bar and soup every Sunday

Legend Hotel Saigon

2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1, Tel: 08 8233333

- Crystal Jade Palace: Cantonese cuisine featuring fresh live seafood, over 25 dim sums by chefs from Hong Kong

Lucky Star Restaurant

38 Nguyen Hue, D1, Tel: 08 8228323

- China’s authentic specialties including dim sum, live seafood and Peking duck by Hong Kong chefs, daily at 10am to 10pm