Over the Long Bien bridge

Long Bien bridge in Hanoi

My friend french novelist Marie France Briselance was on her first trip to Vietnam. She had to leave Hanoi with regret after a stay of eleven days : to her who is of the “Vietnam generation,” the city has much to tell. 

Marie missed in particular a bridge built in 1902 which was originally called Pont Doumer (doumer Bridge), and wich was renamed Long Bien Bridge by the end of the colonial period. She had wanted to cross it by foot but because of lack of time she had not been able to do that.

She had reason to regret the missed chance, my poor friend .a 3 – kilometre walk (going and coming)on that bridge between just the sky above and water below and on a wonderful morning in autumn would be a veritable cure that could have prepared her better for the hustle and bustle of Paris. 

As for me each time I take a stroll on the bridge which since the construction of Two other more modern ones, has been reserved for pedestrians and cyclists only,I am filled with contradictory sentiments for the alluvium-laden river below that flows on a turbulent course of more than one thousand kilometres. On the one hand I am reminded of the flight of time and the vanity of this world by these melancholic lines by the Chinese poet Tou Fou:

“Seest Thou not the Yellow river coming from the sky,

Downward to the Ocean Flowing,never turning back?”

(Translation by W.B.Fletcher)

On the other hand when I look towards the swirling upper waters, my heart is filled with gratitude and tenderness for my distant ancestors who in the first millenary before the Christian era forged the Vietnamese national identity by creating the Red River civilisation.

My former professor of Mathematics ,Mr.Hoang Xuan Han, a polytechnician, Sinologist and vietnamologist now residing in Paris, has commented in an interview : “There is really a geographical space, distinct from that of China and on which was born an autonomous culture.It can be said that this space at first straddled the present Sino-Vietnamese border and extended from Yunnan to the delta of the Red River. That is what we call the ‘ Bronze Drum Civilisation, the first Vietnamese culture , the most authentic.”

We will return to this Vietnamese culture of the Red river, which was contemporary with Athens, before its encounter with the Chinese culture.

Travel to Phu Quoc island in Vietnam

Vietnam beach break tours The gem island of Phu Quoc is attractive with smooth soft sand beaches and crystal clear water and immense primeval forests. Besides, a tranquil lifestyle with open-minded people also makes tourists hardly leave.

Here are some sites that you cannot ignore when visiting Phu Quoc island:

Fishing, exploring the wild island

Phu Quoc island in Vietnam

You'll experience the daily life of the island fishermen, go fishing yourself and catch the hungry fishes. In addition, the pristine island of An Thoi archipelago with its white sand beach, is ideal place for camping, picnics

Snorkeling 

Phu Quoc boasts diversified marine ecosystem, Phu Quoc is great to explore the ocean with 17 species of colorful coral and anemones, very specious in Vietnam. The most beautiful place is An Thoi south island, Mong Tay (Nail), Doi Moi (tortoise shell) and Thay Boi (fortune teller) islets in the north of the island.

Enjoy peaceful moments at Sao Beach

Bai Sao or Star beach is located away from Duong Dong town about 25 km, this is one of the most beautiful beaches with white sand, flat and curved like the moon. This place is quiet all year round, is a great place to relax for those who wish to have privacy.

Discover the island's most beautiful streams 

Tranh is the most famous spring, under the Ham Ninh mountain, composed of many small streams crept through the woods and rocks. The most beautiful time for Tranh stream is in rainy season (June to September), ideal for rest and cool off. Vietnam family tour packages

Visit pepper gardens 

Learning traditional methods to grow a special kind of pepper, specialty of the island's inhabitants favourite with tourists. Phu Quoc pepper is famous as very hot and spicy. You can buy some dried pepper as a gift and will be assured of the quality.

View sunset at Dinh Cau temple

Located in the town of Duong Dong, this famous scenic spot is located on cliffs with strange shapes, with the sea on three sides. The mossy ancient temple, porcelain twin dragons flanking a blue moon beneath a canopy of ancient tree is a sacred place, brings peace for local fishermen. Best time to come is sunset, just enjoy coffee while admire the red sun sinking into the sea.

Visit Dinh Cau night market

Located on Vo Thi Sau Street, the market is the shopping, dining centre for tourists and local people, the market is full of fresh seafood: lobster, squid, marine fish, snails... At the end of the market also sell a lot of souvenirs, handicraft goods made from shells, snails for tourists to buy as a gift. Night Market open from 18h00 to 23h00 daily.

Learn how to make the fish sauce

Phu Quoc fish sauce has dozens of brands, each year producing thousands of liters of fish sauce using traditional methods from 100 years ago. You will learn how to create compost fish sauce and buying the world famous brand products in the island. 

Phu Quoc prison 

Phu Quoc prison in Duong Dong town is the national historic site ranked in 1993, including exhibit gallery and outdoor display area. Kien Giang Province has recovered and renovated some works: 5 manufactured chambers including prisons, cafeteria, kitchen, Restore the escape tunnel, a section of the barbed wire, watch towers, observation room, a monument in the cemetery of prisoners ...Each year, Phu Quoc prison welcomes thousands of tourists to visit, learn history.

Markets in Phu Quoc island

The bustling market busy from dawn with all kinds of boats loaded with fruit and seafood flock to the simple life of the people will draw your attention. In particular, Duong Dong market located in the center of town is ideal for you to buy fresh seafood, mushrooms, fried mackerel... and many island specialties as a gift for your family.

source: http://www.shortvietnamtrips.com/Blog/attractions-in-phu-quoc-island.php