Wanderlust Tips Team – Page 128

Safe destinations for solo female travellers

Women travel to explore the world, broaden their horizons, nurture their passions, and liberate themselves from the pressures of everyday life. Solo female travellers are what every girl should experience at least once in her life. Traveling alone is not as dangerous and complicated as most people think. And the world has many beautiful and safe destinations for women to go to in their youth.

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When traveling alone, you can arrange your own schedule, relax in the way you like, and return home whenever you want. When you go alone, the adventure is yours, the challenge is yours, and the victory is also yours. Therefore, be confident to win that victory. From the large and energetic metropolis in North America to the tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, Wanderlust Tips will suggest you the top 10 best and safest destinations for girls who are passionate about conquering and traveling the world.

1. REYKJAVÍK

Reykjavík is known as the gem of the Atlantic Ocean. The city located in the northernmost part of the world is full of Icelandic features, such as the sun rising at midnight in the summer or the moon shining brightly in the winter. Reykjavík is considered one of the safest places for solo female travelers because it is the capital of Iceland, which was voted the world’s most peaceful nation in 2018 by The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The crime rate in Reykjavík is very low, and cases of violence, drugs, and homeless people are rare. Visitors to Reykjavík will have the opportunity to soak in outdoor natural hot springs. And if you are an adventure lover, you will definitely enjoy the winding glaciers, where you can try kayaking.

2. QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown, New Zealand’s most graceful getaway city, attracts visitors from all walks of life to admire its magnificent beauty blessed by mother nature. Also known as the Queen City, in the summer or winter, Queenstown is always quietly nestled by the beautiful Lake Wakatipu. It is said that this city is one of the ideal and safest destinations for women, even when they are traveling alone. This place is suitable for adventurous girls who thrive for special experiences like admiring the panoramic view of the city on Gondola cable cars, trying adventure games like bungee jumping, parachuting, or simply walking around vast vineyards, enjoying classy meals on a cruise, and exploring the ancient Arrowtown where gold miners of Otago used to live. Going to Queenstown in the winter, winter sports enthusiasts will certainly be satisfied with the recreational activities of the world-class amusement park in the Remarkables Mountain Range.

3. TORONTO

Located to the north of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada’s largest and most vibrant city. It is the commercial, financial, industrial, and cultural center of the country, and is the capital of Ontario. Toronto is considered one of the safest cities in North America, featuring cultural, ethnic, and artistic diversity. According to police-reported crime statistics in Canada in 2010, Toronto had a lower crime rate than any other city in Canada. It is also famous for skyscrapers, the University of Toronto, and the world’s tallest CN Tower. Being considered a safe city, Toronto is also known as the cleanest city in the world; the streets were well planned and have a lot of green spaces. This city also provides many good educational opportunities, a health care system, and was voted North America’s best place to live by Stylist Magazine in 2013.

4. AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is listed among the safest cities in the world, according to the economic database of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The paper analyses the results of the index overall and in each of the four categories: digital security, health security, infrastructure security, and personal security. Known as the “Venice of the North”, Amsterdam attracts visitors with its gorgeous canals, famous museums, and bridges with exotic architecture. The generous lifestyle of the locals has created a comfortable atmosphere for this city. You will never see creepy or angry faces on the streets, and the police here are extremely friendly and polite. Perhaps due to the generosity in doing business, crime has never been a serious issue here. Like many other cities, petty theft still occurs in Amsterdam, but you do not have to worry too much about it. And even when you are in the crowded Red Light District, you are still safe.

5. HOI AN

Safety is one of the crucial factors that have made Vietnam an increasingly popular destination for international visitors. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in late December 2017 announced that Vietnam ranked sixth among the top 10 fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world in early 2017, and led Asia in terms of tourism growth. In particular, Hoi An was continuously honored as a friendly destination for solo female travelers and has become the “first love” of many visitors. It can be said that time cannot affect the ancient atmosphere that covers the tranquil streets. Moss-covered roofs, pretty streets covered in red-colored lanterns, elaborately carved horizontal lacquered boards, elegant cuisine, and the hospitality of the locals have created a great reputation for the peaceful town located by the romantic Hoai River. On the journey to explore the distinctive features of Hoi An’s culture, you can enjoy the folk songs of Quang Nam or watch exciting water puppetry performances, which promise to bring a lot of unforgettable memories.

6. CHIANG MAI

Nestled in the foothill of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is one of the cities that bears a unique atmosphere, which is not noisy, bustling but quiet, peaceful, and suitable for ladies when traveling alone to the Mekong River. Chiang Mai does not have skyscrapers or overhead trains, but you can find small streets filled with green trees, homes that are close together, but one of its most beautiful features is that the city is surrounded by vast rolling green mountains. Known as “the Northern rose” of Thailand, Chiang Mai is an interesting historical city that features interesting culture, more than 300 Buddhist temples, and vegetarian cuisine. Visiting Chiang Mai, you can enjoy the abundant sounds of life, which is slower, more relaxed, and closer to nature.

7. SINGAPORE

Singapore is known as the “diamond” of Southeast Asia, as it usually contains many interesting features to satisfy all visitors who travel here. Though it does not have the world’s most beautiful beach or wonders of nature, thanks to its splendor and the modernity of the public transportation system, Singapore always leaves a great impression on its visitors. Friendly, safe, and extremely clean are the compliments that many visitors give to this prosperous land. Because of these criteria, Singapore has very strict laws to punish criminals. Selling gum and smoking in public is prohibited. Therefore, if you do not smoke and do not carry chewing gum, you will definitely have an interesting, convenient, and safe trip when in Singapore. A stable political environment and the policies that prohibit racial profiling also contribute to the peace of the city. This is also one of the differences between Singapore and many other countries in the world.

8. OSAKA

Osaka offers almost everything any tourist could ask for. This modern city still preserves its traditional beauty and culture. In Osaka, people can feel a safe atmosphere anywhere they go. The city is so safe that people can leave their personal belongings on the table without having to keep a lookout or worrying about it. You cannot find this perfect security anywhere else. Osaka is known as a commercial city, and everyone here works until late at night. Thus, night travel for women is no longer too dangerous in Osaka.

9. VIENNA

Vienna, Austria ranked first in the 2018 annual survey of The Economist regarding the best cities to live in the world. The results are based on criteria such as crime rate, healthcare, education, public services, recreation, housing, and personal freedom which considered 140 cities from around the world, and the capital of Austria was voted as one of the safest cities in Europe. Located on the Danube Riverbank, Vienna is also home to the headquarters of the UN and several important international organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Moreover, this city is known as the cradle of European classical music and is home to well-known composers such as Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven.

10. COPENHAGEN

There is no doubt when Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is considered the safest and most friendly city for women to travel alone in Europe. Known as a young city in Northern Europe, Copenhagen attracts female visitors because of its vibrant nightlife, diverse culture, rich cuisine, unique architecture, and shopping paradise. In addition, the city ranked first in many global lists regarding health care because of its cycling culture; this city has been reducing the amount of CO2 emissions for many years. Greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by 20% since 2005, and Denmark’s government plans to turn Copenhagen into the world’s first carbon-neutral metropolis by 2025. Every day, 50% of Copenhagen residents go to work or school by bike. There are nearly 400 kilometers of bike lanes in the city, with about 36,000 cyclists in some major areas every day. Exploring Copenhagen by bike tour is environmentally friendly, and also helps you to experience the beauty of this city.

W.TIPS

Before going on journeys, you should carefully learn about the laws and culture of the country you are going to visit, especially countries that have a strict viewpoint towards women like in the Middle East or countries with high crime rates.
Women are often in reach of bad guys. A bewildered face may accidentally lead you into many dangerous situations. To be safe, it is recommended to travel like locals so you will have a chance to be immersed in the lifestyle of the local people while avoiding dangers.
You should bring along a bag of medicines, eat well, and keep pace with your daily routine. Remember, even small health problems may become serious when you are alone.
When planning your trip, you should schedule all activities during the daytime. Night time is for eating or relaxing. The gold principle is that you should arrive at the destination before the night falls and should not visit remote areas or places that are not for tourists.
Give a detailed schedule and your flight information to your friends or relatives. It should include your name, address, and phone number of where you are planning to stay, and keep in touch with them.
Buy a SIM card when traveling so you can call the police for support in emergency circumstances. Save emergency phone numbers of the destination you are staying at, such as hotel’s phone number, police’s number, and ambulances.
Start learning simple sentences in the language of the places you are going to, such as, greetings, thanks, asking for directions, ordering, and calling for help. It not only helps you to win the sympathy of the local people but also is very useful when you are in danger.
Bring items such as knives and tear gas, or take a selfdefense class to protect yourself. However, the greatest weapon for women is to always observe their surroundings and believe in their intuition.
If you meet new friends, do not trust them too easily and share all your information. If possible, you should not let them know that you are traveling alone in a completely unfamiliar place.
Finally, buy travel insurance. Many people skip this step when traveling because they think it is unnecessary and expensive. However, during a trip, especially for women, travel insurance become their “safe ticket”.

Wanderlust Tips

The ultimate packing list for female travellers

In addition to things we always bring along while travelling such as passports, identification documents, and money. For women, there are also many other must-bring stuffs in their luggage.

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Wanderlust Tips

The runner-up Hoang My “My dream is to travel the world”

Those who have had the opportunity to meet Hoang My will know that she gains admiration from people around her not only with her charming and young beauty but also her friendliness and sincerity. After eight years since being awarded the first runner-up in Miss Vietnam 2010, Hoang My has never been satisfied with this position and put a lot of effort to make her life dream come true: becoming a film producer and travel the world.

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The runner-up Hoang My "My dream is to travel the world"

After being awarded in Miss Vietnam 2010, you did not continue to pursue an artistic career but decided to study abroad. Why did you make this decision?

After the contest, I represented Vietnam in two international contests, which were Miss Universe 2011 and Miss World 2012. At that time, I was satisfied with the experiences I gained as a runner-up, and I did not intend to live forever with this title. I wanted to embark on the big project of my life, which I had been dreaming of before I took part in Miss Vietnam 2010. I wished to become a film producer and go on an adventure around the world. The contest was just the first step of my plan, studying abroad was the second, and exploring the world will be the third step. Then I have other plans to accomplish in the journey of my life.

Regarding your dream of travel the world, what have you done to achieve it?

I have traveled all over Vietnam for work. I intend to start another trip as a backpacker to gain a different perspective on life after I have had the experiences and contemplation of the world. As for trips abroad, I have been to more than 20 countries, and I intend to travel the world.

Among the countries you have been to, which one do you love the most?

The place where I am working on the project “The secret of Jewish Wisdom” is also the country I love the most, which is Israel. Here, my viewpoint which used to be influenced by the media has changed a lot from what I have seen. For example, Jewish and Arabs are known to have serious conflicts, but there are cities like Haifa, Acre, and Jaffa where people live in harmony. They have great differences in their way of life, but they also have some great things in common.

When I first arrived in Israel, I still did not have a complete understanding of the culture and people. While walking in a park in Tel Aviv, a Jewish boy in front of me fell off his bicycle. His father who biked next to him just stopped and stood there looking. Subconsciously, I hurried to help the boy. Suddenly his father said, “Let him do it himself”, I was very surprised. Since then, I became more aware of how the Jewish teach their children and try to keep calm when I see them fall down. A few days ago, a similar incident occurred when I arrived in Acre – an ancient port city of Israel, home to many Arabs. An Arab boy slipped down the stairs of the ancient wall. The baby was crying while his mother was carrying a lot of things. I was the one who was closest to them, but I was quite hesitant as I did not know whether I should help this little boy. As the boy cried so desperately, I finally decided to raise him up. After that, I felt like I had done something wrong, so I embarrassedly looked up to see his mother, father, aunt, and grandmother who was running to assist him. But they smiled and looked at me with gratefulness, they asked where I came from and asked me to take a picture with them, then they hugged and kissed me on the cheek to express their gratitude. Everything that happened at that time really surprised me. Though the Jews and Arabs live close together, their ways of life are so different.

However, there are similarities between the two, for example, they like to invite me to come to their houses to have meals. One day while wandering in Habima Square in Tel Aviv, I saw a group of Arabs singing under a tree. I approached and they started talking to me. When we finished the conversation, they invited me to visit their home and have a meal when I had time. I found it strange that they invited a stranger for a meal in their house. Another day, I was very hungry after the long journey from Nazareth to Tel Aviv. When walking through a park and smelling a very fragrant barbecue, I approached and saw a Jewish elderly woman barbecuing with two men, they looked very happy. “The roasted chicken smells so good, can I buy some?” They laughed and said, “Of course!” They immediately made me a baked pita with cucumber. But when I asked to pay, the woman replied gently: “God blessed me and gave me food, so I want to share with everyone. We only give, don’t sell.” I suddenly felt a surge of happiness; Israeli people are so kind and friendly, and they are much more gentle than I imagined.

What I witness, the people I meet every day have gradually changed my view of the world.

Do you more frequently discover new lands alone or with someone else?

Mostly I travel alone. Maybe no one is as crazy as me to spend time just wandering around, so most of the time I go alone. The first countries I visited as a backpackers were Singapore and England. Traveling alone, I discovered Singapore on foot, wandered through London, and walked to Stonehenge. At that time, I was quite hesitant to talk and make new friends. But later on, I became a real backpacker on the journey of exploring Israel. People in Israel were really friendly and funny, which made me feel more comfortable. The new friends I made on every journey traveled with me, took care of me, and loved me as if I was a part of them.

Could you share some of your solo travel experiences with our beloved readers in general and women in particular?

Besides basic considerations such as trying to improve foreign languages, preparing convenient luggage, always taking your mobile phone, using apps, and avoiding bringing too much cash, I also want to share some more experiences with ladies in particular. You must be very straightforward and clear when a man wants to get close to you, or even get aggressive if necessary. It is recommended to be as modest as possible, and avoid using seduction, beauty, and charm, as this could get you in dangerous situations. For self-defense in bad situations, it is recommended to learn martial arts, otherwise, run away as quickly as you can. You should choose civilized and safe destinations like Singapore and Japan. However, even in civilized countries, traveling alone in the middle of the night or in deserted places is always dangerous. Finally, be friendly with everyone, but be aware and learn to judge people.

For women, skin is deeply associated with age. However, traveling can cause damage to the skin as it is affected by sunlight, the environment, schedule, and diet. As a person who often travels, can you share your secrets on how to keep your skin healthy?

I used to be lazy in taking care of my skin during trips to the mountain and the desert, I only used sunscreen. And I found out my skin became more beautiful than the days I was in the role of the first runner-up. The thing that damaged my skin the most was actually make-up, followed by lack of sleep. The third reason is health issues with regards to hormone imbalances, the fourth is a strict diet, and the fifth is intense sun rays. So I always maintain clean skin, apply a deep cleansing mask after wearing makeup, moisturize, and often use sunscreen. I also try to get enough sleep and maintain a balanced diet that includes protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and functional foods when it is necessary. In order to reduce stress and fatigue, I try not to read nonsense information, and sometimes try to keep the clarity of mind so that I can relax and be happy.

Thank you for sharing your interesting information with Wanderlust Tips. We wish you always stay passionate in order to achieve all your life dream.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Justin Wermers appointed as new area director of food & beverage at Banyan Tree & Angsana Lăng Cô

Justin Wermers was appointed as new area director of food & beverage at Banyan Tree & Angsana Lăng Cô

Justin Wermers has been appointed as new Area Director of Food & Beverage at Banyan Tree & Angsana Lăng Cô. In his position, Justin is responsible for the direction, planning and development of food and beverage operations at the 8 dining and lounge outlets at Banyan Tree & Angsana Lăng Cô.

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With over 12 years of industry experience under his belt, Justin will bring invaluable expertise to Banyan Tree & Angsana Lăng Cô’s culinary offerings, with a focus on elevating the dining experience and overall guest satisfaction.

“Justin’s passion for quality and leadership is evident and widely recognized through his many contributions,” said Brett Burton, Area General Manager at Banyan Tree & Angsana Lăng Cô. “With his experience, vision and the support of our Executive Chef Neeraj Parmar, we are excited about the culinary innovations and unique dining experiences that await our guests.”

Prior to this appointment, Justin spent 2 years as Director of Food and Beverage at New World Saigon Hotel – first and largest 5-star in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Justin began his career as an Assistant of Director of Operation – traineeship in Netherlands before moving on to InterContinental Group in USA, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain as Director of Food & Beverage.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

10 reasons why travel girls are extremely attractive

A girl who travels around the world and has great knowledge, loads of life experiences, and an open-minded spirit will be a really attractive person towards to everyone.

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1. “Boring” and “monotonous” are two words that will never appear in the life of a girl who has a passion for travel. She is always inspired with new ideas and plans to set foot in new lands and explore countless interesting aspects of life.

2. A girl who regularly travels must be a smart person because she cannot travel by herself without specific knowledge. Moreover, after each trip, she will learn useful experiences for life and become flexible to tackle any unexpected circumstance.

3. Travelling will make her grow up, understand herself better, and discover her strengths to exploit in life.

4. Travelling trains her ability to make friends with anyone, anywhere, and under any situation.

5. She will be an ideal close friend because she will make a positive impact on her friends’ lives. She comes into and brings along happiness and laughter to make others’ lives become more refreshing and enjoyable.

6. She knows how to enjoy the joys of life during her journeys and how to turn them into motivation to face and overcome the challenges of life.

7. She knows not only the way to make enough money to satisfy her passion for travel but also how to budget her money sensibly.

8. Witnessing many unfortunate lives while travelling, she will learn to appreciate the values of life in every moment of life.

9. A travel girl will be a wonderful lover and wife for a man, because she will not take control of your personal life, always stay by your side, and share with you the happy and memorable moments during her trips.

10. And, a girl who loves traveling will know to love and protect herself. Therefore, she always lives independently and fulfills her own life anywhere she goes and stays.

Wanderlust Tips

Travel Fashion collection: October charming girls at Four Points by Sheraton Danang

[Wanderlust Tips October 2018] On set at Four Points by Sheraton Danang, Chau Bui ascends her beauty in diverse outfits and many shades of emotions, taking us on a journey of fashion.

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Four Points by Sheraton Danang is located at the city centre by the poetic Danang beach. Its luxury 390 guest rooms and suites offer a broad view of the vast turquoise East Sea.

Four Points by Sheraton Danang promises to bring every visitor the most enjoyable getaway, featuring modern facilities and restaurants that serve diverse cuisine, a high-end fitness center and spa, a magnificent top-floor swimming pool, and 730 square metres of meeting and event space.

Luxurious lifestyle and the charming sense of fashion is the delicate combination which promises to create unforgettable, beautiful emotions.

Excutive producer: Crystal Huyen Trang
Model: Chau Bui
Photographer: Hoang Dang
Photographer assistant: Tho Nguyen
Make up: Lan Anh Le
Stylist: Mai Dieu Vi
Outfits: Hoang Minh Ha, Ly Giam Tien, Coast London, Tran Nhat Anh
Location: Four Points by Sheraton Grand Danang Resort (Viet Nam)

Wanderlust Tips

The art of Dim Sum

Chinese cooking is one of the oldest and most diverse in the world, each of the 23 provinces within china has its own cooking style. Of all the Chinese regions, the cuisine in Guangdong province is believed to be the most varied, they’re usually referring to the cantonese cuisine;and it may be indeed true to say that the cuisine cannot be completed without dim sum mania.

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HISTORY-TREASURE DIM SUM

Dim sum means ‘touch of heart’ in Chinese. The small portions were designed to merely touch the heart not sate the appetite, and as such were first enjoyed as snacks. It is inextricably linked with yum cha, or the act of drinking tea – so much so that even now the two phrases are used interchangeably.

There are many myths surrounding the origins of dim sum. The most popular story is that it was created by chefs of the Royal Court many centuries ago, in order to ‘touch the heart’ of Chinese emperors. As the tradition began to spread, those who travelled along the ancient Silk Road through China would often need a place to rest before continuing on their journey. In response to the increasing amount of people passing through, teahouses opened up along the roadside of southern China. It was later discovered that tea aids digestion, so teahouse owners began offering bite-sized snacks as an accompaniment, and thus yum cha was born.

THE CUISINE OF DIM SUM

Nowadays Dim Sum is an integral part of Chinese culture, and is widely appreciated in many other Asian countries. The filling, pastry and shape depend on the region and climate from which it originates. The tastiest is said to come from Southern China such as Guang Dong and Hong Kong. In most cities and towns in Guangdong province, many restaurants start serving Dim Sum as early as five in the morning. It is a tradition for the elderly to gather to eat Dim Sum after morning exercises. For many Southern people, Yum Cha is also treated as a weekend family meal. More traditional dim sum restaurants typically serve dim sum until mid-afternoon. However, in modern society, it has become commonplace for restaurants to serve Dim Sum at dinner time; various dim sum items are even sold as take-out for students and office workers on the go.

Each Dim Sum dishes consists of three to four pieces, which arrives in piping hot bamboo steamer baskets or on small plates. Often, in restaurants, the morsels are served from carts that move around from table to table, which means they’re great for sharing, and provide the perfect excuse to try as many items as possible. Nowadays, many restaurants serve Dim Sum in A la carte menu and it is ideal for customary order to family style, sharing dishes among all members of dining party. Visiting any dim sum restaurant and you will always be served a big pot of tea as you sit down, black, green or herbal tea are best friends of every dim Sum dishes.

HERE ARE TOP 5 DIM SUM DISHES THAT CANNOT BE MISSED

1. HAR GOW

Known as the king of classic Dim Sum, this is a Chinese dumpling wrapped with shrimp inside. There are so many qualities that define this small dish and the skills of a dim sum chef can be determined by how well this dish is prepared. The translucent skin of the Har Gow must be thin and clear enough where you can see the succulent pink shrimp inside but not too thin where it breaks when picked up by chopsticks. If it is too wet, it’ll most likely be too sticky and weak where it’ll break, too dry and it’ll not look or taste too appealing. With so much to talk about with just the wrapping, it’s easy to see why there is so much emphasis on this dish in the world of dim sum.

2. SIU MAI

If Har Gow is the king of dim sum, the queen is Siu Mai. These two dishes are pretty much default orders when having Dim Sum. Wrapped in a thin yellow coat, dim sum Siu Mai is usually made with pork, sometimes shrimp is added to the mix. To garnish, many restaurants decide to use roe to add a little orange pizzazz. This dim sum dish is so popular that it has made a leap to street food as well.

3. STEAMED CHICKEN CLAWS

With a fierce name like “Phoenix Claws,” you know that this dish is not for the faint of heart. While many people will not try chicken feet, this dish is usually heavily spiced with black pepper and is colored red – kind of like a phoenix. Don’t knock it until you try it though!

4. BARBECUED PORD BUNS

One of the most well-known bun dishes to eat while having Dim Sum is Barbequed Pork Buns. This dish is made with Chinese barbecued pork (char siu) and has a sweet-savory flavor to it. Traditionally, this is a steamed bun characterized by its fluffy white appearance, but recently the baked version has come up to be on par with the classic. New twists on this dish include putting a pastry top on the bun, creating a flakey texture to complement the soft bun.

5. SALTED EGG YOLK BUNS

The lightly crisp exterior encases a center that bursts with a fine medley of salted egg and sweet custard. The luscious lava tastes heavenly and clearly surpasses others with it delicate balance of texture and tang.

Renowned as one of the best Dim Sum restaurant and Chinese cuisine in Hanoi, May Man Restaurant which is located on 2nd floor of Fortuna Hanoi is an ideal destination for “Yum Cha” fans. Diner can enjoy All You Can Eat Dim Sum made to order from Monday to Saturday, indulge in the Sunday Brunch or enjoy Dinner A la carte menu, with many varieties of dim sum including steamed, panfried, noodle dishes, snacks and desserts.

All You Can Eat Dim Sum: Monday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Dim Sum Brunch: Sunday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

For more enquiries and reservation, kindly contact F&B Dept at:

Phone: (04) 3831 3333, ext.6461
Website: fb@fortuna.vn

Wanderlust Tips

Explore street food from Northern to Southern VietNam

In all corners and streets in VietNam, from the early morning to sunset, we can hear the jingling sound of chopsticks, bowls, spoons, and ladles echoing from street vendors. People have preserved a culture of street food for hundreds of years. And whether in northern, southern, central VietNam or coastal regions, dishes served with a broth always play an important role in such an attractive culinary culture.

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THE THOUSAND-YEAR TREASURE

In the book “Hanoi and 36 Old Streets” written by Thach Lam, there is a dish honored as a treasure of the ancient capital. It relates to a story of a Confucian scholar; in his journey to visit Hanoi, when smelling the meat grilled on the hot charcoal, he immediately composed two lines of a poem:

“Thang Long’s thousand-year treasure

Could it be the sweet-smell of Bun cha?”

Born and raised in Hanoi, I have developed a strong bond with the local cuisine, and it has become an indispensable
part of my life. The flavour of a bowl of hot Pho enjoyed in the early morning, aromatic and crispy freshly baked bread, sticky rice with roasted peanut and mung bean is always there in my mind. And I love the douhua covered with sugar water filled with the fragrance of Sambac jasmine. But among the countless dishes of this historical Ncapital, bun cha (Vietnamese Kebab rice noodles) has always been the food I love the most.

Bun cha is cooked by combining many culinary arts of the Vietnamese. All featured ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine appear in this dish including pork, rice, vegetables, and fish sauce. The tangled vermicelli used in this dish is made from rice. The meat is deeply marinated and grilled on charcoal. The special hot fish sauce mixed with grilled meat is different from the ordinary pure fish sauce or plain broth. It is a perfect combination of many flavours including the saltiness of fishsauce, the sweetness of sugar, and the fieriness of chili. You do not need to visit an expensive restaurant to find an authentic flavour of Hanoi’s bun cha. Wandering around the street or going deeper into small alleys, to find street vendors of local people is what you need to do.

Bun cha in Hanoi is a great harmony of all tastes: the aroma of skillfully marinated grilled pork, the freshness of cilantro, the slightly sour flavour of vermicelli, the fiery, sour, saltiness, and sweetness of the fish sauce. If the dish lacks any flavours, it cannot be considered an authentic bun cha of Hanoi.

Hanoi, in my memory, is the sunny midday when the sunlight shines through the green leaves and falls on the plastic chairs and tables in a small corner of the street. It is where a young man properly dressed in the white shirt sits with his colleagues to enjoy his lunch. It is where a working woman takes off her palm-leaf conical hat while ordering a bowl of bun cha. It is also the place where an elderly sits alone and comfortably enjoys her portion. And I am one of them, sitting there, enjoying “the treasure of Thang Long” while watching the bustling street on an emotional midday.

Address: Famous bun cha restaurants in Hanoi: Bun cha Dac Kim (1 Manh street), bun cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu), Bun cha Cua Dong (41 Cuu Dong), Bun cha Tuyet 34 (34 Hang Than), Bun cha nem cua be (23 Bat Su), to name a few.

CAKE SOUP FROM THE POOR COUNTRYSIDE

Leaving Hanoi, I decided to travel to Central Vietnam. I went to small street vendors, enjoyed the local cuisine, and fell in love with the cake soup.

Central Vietnam is home to many kinds of cake soups. In Hue, you can try the fish cake soup, while Binh Dinh is famous for grilled fish cake soup, and Phu Yen is known for the garlic chives cake soup. During a trip to Phu Yen, most visitors give great compliments of this dish, especially when enjoying it in restaurants on Tuy Hoa street.

Unlike other specialties of Binh Dinh, garlic chives cake soup used to be a simple favourite morning dish of poor families. Then many families moved to the big city and earned a living by using the traditional cooking method of garlic chivescake soup. Since then, this dish has become a daily morning specialty of Tuy Hoa people.

The garlic chives cake soup of Binh Dinh is cooked in a different method. Instead of stewing tibia and fibula of the pork for the broth like in other provinces, they use small fresh fish, so the broth is slightly sweet, fresh, and not greasy. When enjoying this dish, you will feel like you are admiring a beautiful food painting covered with the green of garlic chives, the yellow of grilled fish, the white of cake and boiled quail eggs; while its flavour is also very attractive, it promises to awake all the senses of diners.

The rich salty aroma harmonizes with the delicious fieriness of black pepper and fried onion. Tasting the hot chewy noodles, enjoying the soup, then biting a piece of grilled fish, you will realize how delicious and exotic this food is.

Address: It is recommended to enjoy garlic chives cake soup at small food stalls or street vendors such as bánh canh Buu Dien (cake soup Buu Dien) (at the crossroad of Ngo Quyen – Tran Hung Dao street), Banh canh he Hang No (garlic chives cake soup Hang No) (Dien Bien Phu), and Banh canh he (garlic chives cake soup) at 89 Nguyen Hue.

THE APPETITE OF THE GAIGONESE FOR PHÁ LẤU

Saigon is always bustling and prosperous; restaurants and street vendors are often crowded and full of laughs and slurps. The first time I visited Saigon as a student, I went to explore the food and was deeply impressed by the Vietnamese stew with organ meat.

There are many street vendors who sell this dish in front of many schools in Sai Gon. The hot pots of soup filled with the sweet flavor of five-spice powder and coconut milk have become so familiar to people here and always remind them of a traditional specialty from ancient times. Any student living in Sai Gon knows about Vietnamese stew with organ meat.

This dish originated from China when Chinese people immigrated to Vietnam. They brought along this dish and made them a popular and favourite specialty in many regions (especially in Southern Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh city). The word “lấu” in Chinese means “marinade”, including spicy spices to reduce the fishy smell of “phá”.

Phá lấu is made from pork meat and offal, so it is very nutritious. However, it is only considered healthy when safe and clean standards are guaranteed and a moderate amount of meat is used, as animal offal contains fat content and high cholesterol. It is fortunate that today people have a high awareness of food safety, and at the same time try different ways to cook this dish.

People who have never tried this dish may think it is similar to the mixed hotpot, but phá lấu features Chinese herb flavours or the appealing aroma of spicy five-spice powder Different kinds of meat in phá lấu, though, have their own tastes and textures, harmonizing perfectly with each other. While pig ear and stomach is crunchy, the organs are tender and greasy.

The youth in Saigon have different ways in which they enjoy this dish thanks to its variety and great flavour. They can eat the non-stewed version (grilled or boiled offal only) in the late afternoon or Vietnamese stew with organ meat with noodles or bread when they are hungry. Vietnamese stew with organ meat and noodles or bread is one of the must-try dishes in Saigon.

You can eat phá lấu at any time of the day while chatting and enjoying drinks with your friends. When referring to Saigon street food, people always think of phá lấu.

Until now, whenever I have a chance to return to Saigon, I often spend time visiting my favourite street vendor in a small lane. Enjoying the hot Vietnamese stew with organ meat while listening to the pleasant noise of chatting, a joyfulness rises in my mind as I am immersed in the familiar atmosphere of Saigon.

Address: Recommended phá lấu restaurants and food stalls in Saigon: pha lau thuong (Lau at 1A Suong Nguyet Anh), pha lau chien (Thao Restaurant at 243 Ton Dan Lane), pha lau mi (Mr. Ba at 22 Duong Dinh Nghe), Banh my pha lau (Tam Ky Restaurant at 823 Nguyen Trai); pha lau nuong (Chieu commune), pha lau xao me (Dien Lien restaurant at 102 Phan Van Tri).

Wanderlust Tips

What is awaiting you in Aix-en-provence?

Though provence is famous for abundance of beautiful fields of purple Lavender, coming here you will be amazed by its other stunning aspects. Nestled at the foot of montagne sainte-victoire, aix-en-provence, a Yormer capital of provence is a fabulous city-commune in northern France. Legend has it that it was where the ghost of the kings and Artists shone on the water surface. Spending days walking on the Streets, listening to the whisper of the fountains, or immersing in the Sweet sunlight, my life suddenly became so poetic.

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In its golden time during the Middle Ages, Aix en-provence (or simply Aix) was an independent kingdom ruled by René of Anjou. While Provence was a castle located on jagged rock mountains, Aix was compared to a queen or a rich patrician, and was also considered a powerful city of traders and dancers. Luxury castles, elegant fountains, and closed squares all feature the affluence, power, and the soul of the city. And we need to have a sincere heart to tell the story of Aix.

GREAT WORKS OF ART

People call Aix by different names, but one of its well-known names is villed’eau, the city of water, as there is an abundance of fountains in this city. The number of fountains in Aix may be more than you can imagine. You will have to spend many days in order to explore all the fountains here.

Only in Cour Mirabeau, there are already 4 fountains, and the most famous one is La Fontaine de la Rotonde. Situated at the centre of Général de Gaulle square at one end of the Cours Mirabeau,the majestic Rotonde was designed by Théophile de Tournadre and built in 1860. It is 32 metres wideand 12 metres high. It is surrounded by bronze sculptures of twelve lions, sirens, swans, an dangels on the backs of dolphins. At the top of the fountain, there are sculptures of female figures presenting Justice (towards the Cours Mirabeau), Agriculture (towards Marseille), and Fine Arts(towards Avignon). Therefore, people here call it“les trois Grâces” (Grâce in France means kindness, favour, esteem). At the centre of the square, it appears so beautiful, deserving the attention and admiration of all visitors who walk by. Citizens here are also very proud of the artwork representing the wealth of both material and spiritual means of their homeland.

During the days in Aix, I wandered on typical small streets of Provence that led to incredibly beautiful attractions. Aix has many historical relics such as Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Archevêché de Paris, Pavillon Vendôme which exhibits modern an contemporary arts, Musée Granet that features more than 12,000 works of art, in which there are 10 paintings of Paul Cézanne. And it’s important not to forget to mention Paul Cézanne, he is the one who breathed life into the scenic paintings of Pays d’Aix, now they are displayed at museums around the world. You can visit his house which has fully been restored; it is where hecreated great works of art in his life.

I took a rest at a small square where a fountain was singing and the cool breeze was blowing, soothing my soul and mind which were burned by the heat of the summer during the journey of discovering the city. This was a truly refreshing noon to me.

AWAKING ALL OF THE SENSES

Aix is like a stream, it never sleeps. I was very interested in the nightlife because the atmosphere in all the small squares were very thrilling. You and your friends can gather at bars in Place des Cardeurs or Rue Espariat to enjoy some cups of wines; there are many friendly visitors who come here. You can also choose to enjoy a couple’s
dinner at the romantic La Chimère restaurant or go on a journey to explore different aspects of Aix when the sun goes down. When the night comes, fountains full of water on every street of Aix bring a sense of pleasantness and refreshes the atmosphere.

Cours Mirabeau is an avenue located at the centre of the city, connecting the Quartier Mazarin, which extends to the south, and the Ville comtale, the old town which lies to the north. There are many big stores and lovely cafés alongside the street, which reminded me of The Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. By the order of the Cardinal Michele Mazzarino, Cours Mirabeau was built in the 17th century while the city was being expanded. Mazzarino hoped the capitalists and nobles would build elegant buildings representing their affluence and success. If you are a devotee of history, architecture, and arts, it is a must-see place in Aix. Today, Cours Mirabeau is one of the most crowded streets of Aix, attracting visitors by its lines of giant trees, exclusive high buildings, and stunning fountains.

When the night comes, Cours Mirabeau fully lit up by the lights of cafés and cluster of stalls in the night market that sells local products along the road. The night market is a cultural feature of the city and opens in the summer, an ideal time for visitors to wander around the city and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in the evening. You can find a lot of specialties of Provence such as dried lavender and its products like dried flower bags, lavender essential oil, aromatic soap, honey; calisson made in the traditional method. You can also find the herb of Provence, which is the ingredient of many famous French dishes and is considered the cuisine feature of this region. Crafts and jewels can also be found in Provence. Walking along the street, I was amazed by the sparkling lights and bustling noises, enjoyed the calisson, and immersed in the fragrance of lavender while reaching to touch cool water in the fountain. It was a memorable night in Aix where all my senses seemed to be awakened.

THE CHARM OF LOCAL CUISINE

The cuisine is an indispensable part of the journey to explore the local culture. Food culture was formed and influenced by the historic and geographical conditions of a region. Aix in particular and Provence, in general, has a diverse climate and landscape The coast here is bordered by bays and creeks with nearly 1,000 fishing boats going in and out daily. It is also the place that produces a great amount of salt for the country. Its great fruitful plains create very favorable conditions to develop agriculture like growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, grains, oilseeds, and nuts. The mountain ranges offer extremely diverse fauna and flora in this region. In addition, Provence cuisine is influenced by Mediterranean Sea cuisine, especially Italian. Tomatoes and eggplants brought here after the Exploration of North America have changed the eating style of many citizens of Provence.

The long-standing history, ideal geographical and climate conditions has led to the blend of different traditional cooking styles from many regions in Provence’s cuisine. However, the unique features which differentiate the Southern cuisine are garlic and olive oil, which appear in almost every dish of the locals. Not being complicatedly decorated, dishes here are just full of colors and cooked with a lot of ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, and fragrant herbs. Some specialties of this region include Bouillabaisse (seafood and fish soup), aioli (a Mediterranean sauce made of garlic and olive oil), pistou (a Provençal cold sauce made from cloves of garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil), and ratatouille (made of courgettes, eggplant, red pepper, and tomato sauce).

My most favorite meal was at a small local restaurant. The friendly waiter brought us two cups of Pastis (an anise-flavored spirit and apéritif from France) and tapenade (a dish consisting of puréed or finely-chopped olives, capers, and olive oil) served with bread; they are both specialties of this region. After my taste was stimulated, the dishes were brought to the table in succession and served in French style: entrée (appetizer), plat (main course), and dessert. I chose gazpacho (a cold soup made of cantaloupe and watermelon), this was a typical summer dish of south France. Then I chose veal fillet served with rice and mixed with mushrooms and black garlic cream, seared tuna served with taboulé and turmeric sauce. The meal ended with the sweet taste of chocolate cake. And it would have been a big mistake if we did not enjoy a cup of Côte de Provence while eating. Trying food cooked from local fresh ingredients in a harmonious atmosphere of Aix brought a deep impression of this city to me,and I fell deeper in love with the streets, hospitable people, and local cultural features.

W.TIPS

VISA. You can apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to countries in Europe bincluding France. Otherwise, you can also apply for a visa at the Embassy of France in Vietnam for around EUR50.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO AIX

From Paris, there are many ways to travel to Aix.

⇒If you have time and want to take a scenic route, you can go by car through the A7 and A6 motorways, which will take about 8 hours to drive and cost EUR70 to pass through the toll station.

⇒You can also easily find public transportation such as highspeed trains that will take only 3 hours. Buses are also available. You should choose iDTGV or OUIGO because the price is much cheaper than TGV. – Travelling by airplane will be very time-consuming with the flight process and the travel time between the city and the airport.

VEHICLES. There is no subway in Aix, but the bus network reaches all over city, and another option is to rent motorbikes or bicycles.

WEATHER. Provence has a Mediterranean climate which is hot and dry during summer time, while winter is not too cold. You can expect temperatures of 38°C when visiting Aix and this can be expected all year round.

Wanderlust Tips

Long Kan: The romantic man of the fashion voyage

The first program “A walk to the sky” of “fashion voyage”, which just took place in july at Sun World Bà Nà hills (Da Nang), still arouses a lot of emotions to its audience and the production team. This is a unique show in VietNam, which took place at an altitude of 1,414 metres on the golden bridge crossing the sky. Many beautiful models and powerful famous celebrities of VietNam attended this great event. And Wanderlust Tips had an interview with director Long Kan – the initiator and producer of this one-of-a-kind voyage.

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After such a dreamy first journey “A Walk To The Sky” of Fashion Voyage 2018, did you feel like coming back to the real world?

Long Kan: (Laugh) Only one week after the show could my mind leave the dreamy world. Everything was so fantastic and romantic like a dream, but sometimes it felt so chaotic and tense like I was in a nightmare. It can be said that the time spent on preparing for this first fashion voyage was when I felt the most inspiration for my future plans. Someone said that I was a bit crazy and unrealistic when carrying out this project, but I always maintain optimism and believe that our production team’s effort, dedication, and great passion will be rewarded.

Though many people considered it crazy, why did you still decide to carry out this big project?

Long Kan: When I told my close friends, supermodel Thanh Hang, Truc Diem, fashion director Ta Nguyen Phuc, designers Chung Thanh Phong and Le Thanh Hoa about my idea for this project, they supported me unconditionally as we all had a dream and desire to do something meaningful together. I have a great passion for fashion, and I am so lucky to be accompanied by a lot of partners and soulmates who share my dream of leaving our mark in this world. Whenever I felt stressful or struggled with my work and wanted to give up, I often thought about the expectations people had for me and the reasons why I wanted to carry out this project. Fashion Voyage is not just to explore and enjoy the world of fashion, but also to experience a journey of friendship and soulmates to reach a crazy dream together.

What inspired you to come up with the idea of Fashion Voyage, and what do you want to achieve through this program?

I love fashion and have undertaken quite a lot of fashion shows ordered by customers, but I always dream of organizing my own show in which my production team and I can cultivate our greatest creativity. After many occasions when I was in charge of overseas fashion shows, I realized that the appeal of a destination is not only for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture and history but also from the charm of fashion. It can be said that journeys around the world have inspired me to make a plan for Fashion Voyage.

Fashion Voyage carries my ambition of a voyage to bring designers and fashion brands to an ambiance that features the most majestic nature and exclusive architecture in Vietnam and around the world.

After Fashion Voyage, the Golden Bridge became a hot check-in attraction of millions of visitors in Vietnam and was featured in many famous international websites/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook like TIME, CNN, BBC, The Guardian, 9GAG, BuzzFeed.com, and Streetartglobe. Do you think this will put great pressure on the upcoming program and the plans of Fashion Voyage?

Long Kan: Vietnam has many magnificent tourist sites and unknown beautiful attractions to raise the curiosity and draw the attention of people who have a passion for fashion and travelling. In the near future, I will broaden the scale of the programs to the international market. Fashion Voyage will be held twice a year depending on the weather, geographical conditions, and expenditure. For a fashion show, trendy features and designers are the most important elements. I hope to harmonize different elements to promote Vietnamese fashion at international destinations and introduce Vietnam’s attractions to famous foreign designers who attend the show.

Besides your devotion to work, which passion helps you to relax, keep balance in life, and maintain your creativity?

I was born with a passion for work and I devoted most of my time for working. To keep balance in life, I usually combine working with other interests such as travelling. I travel to explore, admire and dream. After every fashion show, I spent a lot of time exploring new lands, it is more amazing than any dreams. I think travelling help me to broaden my horizon bring out of my safe zone to discover new and wonderful things. Moreover, it is the inspiration to create colourful and fashionable works of art.

Could you share with us your most memorable journeys?

Some places provoked a lot of emotions in me from the very first moment I arrived. I loved Santorini (Greece), there I found peace and an intense love for nature when walking on each step and wandering in every corner of the famous Oia village. The charm of Santorini lies within the philosophy of union of humanity and the true interaction of nature and humans. And I went back there twice to carry out some fashion photoshoots. Santorini has many majestic natural sceneries, which are so beautiful that anyone who has a passion for photography should not miss. Though featuring only two main colours white and blue, Santorini attracts a lot of visitors who flock to this paradise.

And one of the most impressive destinations in my journey was England. I had a chance to take part in many fashion shows there such as the performances of Vietnamese Student Association in England and projects to promote Vietnamese culture and tourism to overseas Vietnamese and foreigners. The images of Ao Dai appearing in fron of the London Tower Bridge in Vietnam Discovery London 2015 still remains on my mind until now, my team and I were so lucky to have participated in the show. Also, I visited a lot of well-known attractions in England and wandered through the streets of London, Cambridge, Oxford, explored ancient cities like Bath, York Minster, and the most beautiful ancient village Bibury. Sometimes, I spent time enjoying a cup of coffee in front of the house of William Shakespeare in Stratfordupon-Avon, admiring the stunning nature of the Lake District or the famous wonder Stonehenge. England is my dream country where I intend to hold a fashion show for the Fashion Voyage in the near future.

Thank you so much for sharing interesting information with us. We wish you success with your plan for fashion in the future.

Wanderlust Tips