Vietnamese wedding ceremony

Vietnamese wedding ceremony!

The traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important ceremonies in Vietnamese culture with influence from Confucian and Buddhist ideologies. It is a significant day not only to the couple involved but also for both families. Thus, it usually includes quite a few formal ritual observances.
 Depending on habits of specific ethnic groups, marriage includes various steps and related procedures, but in general, there are two main ceremonies: Centre Vietnam travel packages

Le an hoi (betrothal ceremony):

Normally, both bride and groom or their parents go to the fortuneteller to see what date and time is best for them. They strongly believe in this date and time so the groom's family and relatives must come on time. Some days before the wedding, they will visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents. It composes of areca nuts and betel leaves, tea, cake, fruits, wines and other delicacies which covered with red cloth and carried by unmarried girls or boys. PANDAW CRUISE

Le cuoi (wedding ceremony):
On the wedding day, the groom's family and relatives go to the bride's house bringing a lot of gifts wrapped in red papers. These gifts are similar to those of the engagement: betel leaves and areca nuts, wines, fruits, cakes, tea ... The persons hold these trays are also carefully chosen, usually they are happily married couples. Ladies and women are all dressed in Ago Dai. Men could be in their suits or men traditional Ao Dai. The troop is usually led by a couple that is most wealthy and successful among the relatives, this means to wish the to-be-wed couples a blessing life together in the future. Bhaya Cruise

Vietnamese wedding ceremony

The groom's family would stop in front of the bride's house. The leading couple should enter the house first with a tray with wine. They would invite the bride's parents to take a sip. By accepting the toast, the bride's family agrees for the groom’s family to enter their house. The firework is immediately fired to greet the groom's family.
The groom's family would introduce themselves and ask permission for their son to marry his bride. The master of the ceremony (usually a respected person among the bride's relatives) instructs the bride's parents to present their daughter. The bride then follows her parents out. She will wear red traditional wedding ao dai, followed by her bride maids. The couple should pray before the altar ask their ancestors for permission for their marriage, then express their gratitude to both groom’s and bride’s parents for raising and protecting them.

Then, they bow their head to each other to show their gratitude and respect toward their soon-to-be husband or wife. The master of the ceremony would gave the wedding couple advices on starting a new family. Their parents would take turn to share their experience and give blessing. After that, the groom and the bride exchange their wedding rings and receive the gifts from their parents such as golden bracelets, ear rings, necklace... The ceremony is ended with a round applause.

After the wedding ceremony is over, there will be a party at the groom's house. Some traditional Vietnamese wedding party is celebrated at their houses (usually in country-side); other is celebrated in the restaurant. This day is the culmination of desires, day dreams, hopes and anxieties. There is a band to play music during their meal. Some guests are free to sing related wedding songs on the stage to luck the bride and the groom. In the middle of the party, the couple goes to each table to get wishes, congratulations as well as money.

Today, a lot of Vietnamese couples have their wedding ceremony done in Temples or Churches which is very much similar to American and Western style, including exchanging vows and wedding rings. However, they still maintain Vietnamese traditional ceremony in the bride's home before heading to temples or churches.

Best beach in Cambodia

Best beach in Cambodia
The tropical seaside beach town of Sihanoukville is known to have some of the best beaches in Cambodia. Located in the center of a small peninsula that extends into the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville boasts several fine white sand beaches.

The main attractions of Sihanoukville are its beaches and islands, and scuba fans will delight in underwater excursions around Sihanoukville’s outlying islands.The beaches of Cambodia don’t measure up to the serene beauty of the beaches in Thailand. Nevertheless, Sihanoukville is a a popular choice for beach lovers and a popular hangout with the backpacking crowd. Being a short drive away from the capital city of Phnom Penh, the best beaches in Cambodia can easily be reached in a few hours by bus or private car. Cambodia travel packages

Ochheuteal Beach

Ochheuteal Beach holds the title for being the most popular beach in Sihanoukville. Formerly known as UNTAC Beach in the early 90s, Ochheuteal Beach is a long, narrow, sandy stretch of beach with a nice choice of hotels and budget guesthouses, restaurants and bars located either on or near the beach. In the evening, this is the place to be. Several roadside BBQ restaurants offer a nice mix of beats and fresh seafood and meat skewers. South Vietnam tours

Seredipity Beach, Cambodia

A popular hangout with the backpacking crowd, Serendipity Beach is located at the northern end of Ochheuteal Beach and it is well known for its budget beachfront accommodations. Little beach bars, restaurants and BBQ shacks are also strung out along the beach. People come here to socialize and take advantage of the beach parties which run late into the night.

Victory Beach

Victory Beach can be found at the base of Weather Station Hill (Victory Hill) and it is best known for its incredible views of the town and port. There are several budget guesthouses and beach bungalows for rent located on the side of the hill. Sun chairs and umbrellas, seafood shacks, restaurants, bars, and even a nightclub can be found right on the beach. Paloma Cruise

Victory Beach has developed a reputation for its incredible sunsets; the best vantage point being at the top of Sihanoukville Mountain. The western side of the mountain offers stunning views of the town, port, ocean, and several outlying islands.

Best beach in Cambodia

Otres Beach

Pretty little Otres Beach may be furthest from the town center, but it is also the least spoiled of all the beaches in Sihanoukville. The sand here is fine and perfect for sun bathing, while the water is clear and perfect for swimming. Best of all, this beach doesn’t draw the crowds that Serendipity and Occheuteal Beach draw. There are plenty of seafood shacks and bars on this beach. Accommodations, though, are come few and far between.

Sokha Beach

Beautiful Sokha Beach is a wide sandy beach covered in fine, silky, sand, stretching over a kilometer in length. This quiet beach is owned by the Sokha Beach Resort, a 5-star beach resort offering luxurious beachfront accommodations. Sokha Beach is open to the general public as well as guests of the resort. A number of pretty beach gazebos and some upscale beach bars and restaurants can be found here, but if it’s cheap seafood that you are looking for, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Independence Beach

The historic 7-story Independence Boutique Resort and Spa lends its name to this beautiful sandy beach. Locals know it as otel pram-pul chann, and in town, street signs point the way to 7-Chann Beach. The beach is best at low tide. At high tide, it is quite narrow. The beach has been closed temporarily due to new development projects, with only the south and north ends of the beach remaining open. There are a few drinks and snacks vendors at the southern end of the beach. The northern end allows access to Independence Resort, which sits on a rocky point overlooking the ocean.

Bamboo Island

If a deserted island experience is what you’re after, head to Bamboo Island. Basic accommodations are on offer here. If an overnight stay is not in your plans, day tours to outlying islands can be booked at a number of guesthouses in Sihanoukville. Visitors can spend the day snorkelling, swimming, and exploring.

Where to stay in Vietnam

Where to stay in Vietnam
Hotels:
Hotels in Vietnam have vastly improved and most towns have small hotels and guest houses. In the major towns, there is a full range of accommodation to suit all budgets. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have excellent standard hotels and international chains such as Hilton , Sofitel  and Intercontinental  with the facilities expected in 4- to 5-star hotels such as air conditioning, room service, swimming pool, health club and good restaurants. The major beach resorts of Nha Trang, Hoi An, Danang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc and Vung Tau have an excellent range of accommodation. Mekong delta tours in Vietnam

Grading: There is no formal grading of hotels, but usually the price gives an idea of the standard. However, make sure you look at the rooms and shop around; there are some superb deals to be had, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where quality budget hotels are sprouting up everywhere.

Bed and breakfast:
There are very many value-for-money guest houses, or mini-hotels, across the country, mainly without air conditioning and some with shared bathrooms or without hot water. Generally they are simply furnished but usually very clean. Au Co Cruise Halong bay

Camping:
There are no campsites in Vietnam. Some travel companies arrange camping for organised groups on treks, and all the camping equipment is supplied.

Where to stay in Vietnam

Other accommodation:
Budget: Most towns frequented by tourists have a selection of budget hotels and for less than US$20 a night you can expect a TV, possibly air conditioning and a very clean room. The location may not be very central but the major sights will be within walking distance or reachable by taxi, motorbike taxi or cyclo. South Vietnam tours packages

Homestays: Homestays are increasingly popular with visitors eager to gain a real insight into Vietnamese culture. These can be formally organised by your tour operator or done more casually if the opportunity presents itself.  Options vary - you can stay overnight with a hilltribe family in a traditional stilthouse in the north east, and join the family for a home-cooked meal. In the Mekong Delta stay with a farming family and learn a little about their way of life in a region where a boat is pretty much the only way to travel.