National Highway 1A was initially known as Duong Thien Ly (or ‘The Thousand-Mile Road’) and was built in disjointed segments over time. While the connecting of disjointed segments was not necessarily contemplated previously, it was a natural progression and the roads were ultimately connected when the country was united under the Nguyen Dynasty. The highway was further improved and expanded upon by French colonists in the early 20^th Century.

Since the French colonialists’ work on the highway, it has been upgraded by the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) as approved in March 2010 and the World Bank since 1993 following the lifting of the foreign aid embargo on Vietnam. The Japanese ODA Loan will be used to repair and replace nine bridges on NH1A in the southern Mekong delta region (from Can Tho to Ca Mau). The World Bank’s assistance in 1993, the first transport sector project in Vietnam that was funded under a program sponsored by the United Nation Development Program, involved rehabilitating two sections of NH1A from Hanoi south to Vinh and from Saigon south to Can Tho. The 1993 World Bank project also supplied new ferries and rehabilitated existing ones, as well as improved ferry operations at the two river-crossings of My Thuan and Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. The World Bank has since repaired 1,000 kilometers of the NH1A and an additional 600 kilometers of improvements are currently underway. More recently, the French company VINCI Construction Grands Projects has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Vietnamese company Deo Ca Investment JSC to work on the construction of the Ca Pass tunnel and road project in Vietnam. The project is estimated at US$600 million and calls for widening 9 kilometer of road and building a new 11 kilometer section that includes two tunnels, three bridges and approach roads, which will eliminate the final dangerous mountain pass crossing on the highway.

The improvements that have thus far been completed on National Highway 1A have benefited the country and its people tremendously. However, NH1A and Vietnamese roads in general continue to need improvements to ensure more efficient transport and safety of everyone on the road. As previously presented in a OneVietnam article, there are all types of vehicles on local roads and highways, from pedestrians to bicycles and cow carts to heavy duty commercial trucks. Particularly in Vietnam, where there is little to no distinction on which vehicles are permitted on which type of road, narrow and low quality roads make smaller vehicles such as bicycles and motorbikes especially vulnerable to accidents.  More specifically for NH1A, the National Assembly’s recent rejection of the proposal to build a bullet train from Hanoi to Saigon means that the highway will continue to be one of the main mediums of transport connecting the different regions of Vietnam. Though safety and efficiency are also functions of regulations and behaviors of those on the roads, having better transport infrastructure would assist in reducing tragedies resulting from roads in poor form.

The year 2010 marks the 1,000^th anniversary since the founding of Hanoi, and in less than five months, the city will be commemorating this anniversary. Vietnam was dominated by the Chinese for approximately 1,000 years, and the country gained independence in the 10^th century. Prior to 1010 AD, the capital of Vietnam was located in Hoa Lu, which is modern day Ninh Binh, located about 97 km (60 miles) south of Hanoi.

Hanoi, which means Between Rivers or River Interior in reference to the Red River that runs southeast and bends through the city before entering the Gulf of Tonkin, was previously referred to as Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) and Dong Do (Eastern Capital). The city was first inhabited prior to 2000 BC and, along with Vietnam that then stretched southward to Hue, dominated by China from 111 BC to 1010 AD. In 1010 AD, Ly Thai To, the first emperor of the Ly Dynasty, moved the country’s capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. The name Thang Long was changed to Hanoi in 1831 by the Nguyen emperor Minh Mang. Although Hanoi was not always the capital of Vietnam since reclamation in the 10^th century, it has had the longest history of being the country’s capital.

Current day Hanoi is thriving with a population of 6.5 million people, the second largest metropolitan area in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City, and its future development plan is ambitious. The municipal government recently revealed a development plan to invest US$90 billion over the next 40 years while the city government historically generates annual average revenues of only US$3.6 billion before expenditures. As the city continues to modernize, preservation of cultural sites will become more apparent, as observed in current standing architectures and daily cultural customs that contrast with modern internet cafes and lavish hotel lobbies. For instance, redevelopment within Hanoi’s Old Quarter cannot exceed a certain height, which attests to the city’s preference to have things both ways – modern and traditional.

Back to the 1,000 year commemoration, the main event will be held in Hanoi from October 1 to 10, 2010 and preparation is underway for a rare festivity that will include a wide array of concerts, history exhibits, art shows, and culinary events. A Vietnamese travel agency, Vietnam Awesome Travel, has compiled a schedule of events planned for the ten-day celebration. The anniversary has also strike Frommer’s, one of the best-selling guidebooks in the US, to name Hanoi as one of the top travel destinations in 2010. For anyone that plans on traveling in Vietnam in the next five months, this event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should seriously be considered.

Taking in his surroundings, Tony reflects on his trip back to Vietnam

Anthony Bourdain does it again!  He is returning to “his favorite place on Earth,” Vietnam, on the upcoming No Reservation episode on Monday, March 29.  During his last visit, he seriously considered moving to Vietnam.  See our blog on this episode here.

This time, Anthony Bourdain is taking his show to Vietnam’s Central Highlands.  You’ll see Bourdain at Linh Phong Monastery Pagoda in Da Lat enjoying some “thuc an chay,” delicious duck dishes on the street-side, and some good old sticky rice (xoi yen). Yesterday we told you about lake-side Vietnamese coffee.  On Monday, Anthony Bourdain will show us how to get a “taste of the forest” at a lakeside restaurant near Dankia Lake.  He will also make some stops in Ha Noi to sample some native “Bac” dishes: pho Ha Noi and banh cuon (noodle dumpling).  (You can read our article on Pho.)

Banh Cuon (Rice Noodle dumpling); Image from: http://www.bamboogrillrestaurant.com

Anthony Bourdain has travelled to 80-90 countries, and Vietnam remains “his favorite place on Earth.”  He has been to Vietnam at least three times on his shows!  Last night, Brian, our VTP Editor said, “Since Bourdain loves Vietnam so much, I wonder if we can get him to channel some of this love for Vietnam to OneVietnam?”  So I thought, maybe all we have to do is ask.  Why don’t we create some buzz on VTP and Facebook and get Anthony Bourdain’s attention!

Who wants to get Anthony Bourdain to talk about OneVietnam on his show No Reservation?  Better yet, maybe he can make an appearance at our launch party!  If we can get 100 people to comment on this post, I’ll personally send a letter with your comments to No Reservation.  Leave a comment and get your friends to comment too!  Let’s show Bourdain some love.  We at OneVietnam Network sure love him!

But Nha Trang only represents a small glimpse of the richness and natural beauty in Vietnam.  Stay tune  for more exciting videos from OneVietnam, as we take you on an exhilarating cultural experience of a lifetime.

As the tourism industry in Vietnam expands, businessmen are coming up with novel ways to attract customers.  Spa’s will never be the same again – or will it…? Visitors in Ha Noi can now enjoy a new relaxation method called FISH massage.  Yes, those high omega-3 creatures you put in delicious nori and rice rolls now serve as your personal masseuse.

As an avid traveler and adventurist, I am always looking for a new experience.  Perhaps this is why a fishy spa package may seem so attractive.  Apparently fish massage originated in Turkey where certain freshwater fish were used for treating skin illnesses.  This ancient medical practice has evolved into a new popularized business model.

The first and only spa in Ha Noi is the Sakura Spa in Binh Dinh District. Since its grand opening in September, it has a constant flow of about 40 customers a day.  At Sakura Spa, fish massage is part of a US$20 massage package featuring other amenities such as sauna, bathing in hot/cold jacuzzi, and body massage. Upon submerging one’s feet or body, thousands of small fish swarms over the submerged area, nibbling at it.  This new massage technique has been reported to help remove dead skin.

These special fish are imported from Turkey and are very well kept.  The owner reports that he has to buy about 1,000 new fish every 2 months to replace the dead ones.

Sakura Spa has attracted customers from all over.  Many have travelled from Ho Chi Minh city to enjoy this new relaxation method.  Looks like fun!

The construction of every  golf course displaces 3,000 local residents, most often poor farmers in Vietnam.  Maintenance of golf courses also puts a strain on local water supplies and reduces available farmland to grow stable crops like rice.

Tourism is arguably good for the local economy because it creates new business opportunities for residents and pumps money into the economy.  On the other hand, tourism can dramatically alter a place’s culture and its people’s way of life.  Or worse, tourism can uproot families and displace the poor and vulnerable.  So where do we draw the line?  Can tourism development be good for Vietnam?

As somewhat of a traveler my self, I would avoid going to places that are “too touristy” because I value the authenticity and rawness of each place.  I like to try to blend in with the locals and experience their lives.  When I travel to Vietnam, this comes naturally to me because I’m not distracted by fancy resorts and souvenir shops lining the streets.  If tourism development is done right, it can be beneficial to be Vietnam.  But I sure hope all this building won’t replace the “real” Vietnam that I adore.

Bourdain in Vietnam

The Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain revisited Vietnam yet again on the last episode of No Reservations.  Bourdain fell in love with Vietnam the first time he visited it and likens his feelings to “when you meet the love of your life for the first time.” Bourdain’s book, A Cook’s Tour, is often called his love letter to Vietnam.

Whether he is serious or not about moving there next year (he seems serious), it really reminds you of how great Vietnam is.  Great food, beautiful scenery, and a rich history.  I find myself feeling very proud when I see Vietnam on a national stage in such good light.  For a long time Vietnam has been over shadowed by stories of the war, but perhaps it’s time for the country’s rich culture and beauty to take the stage.

Speaking of great food, I’ll leave you with some images of Vietnam’s cuisines that will make your eyes hungry.