Grand Hotel

Cultural show at the conference

by kokoryko

When you attend some conferences, there are opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies. . . . “cultural shows”. . . . . I here just share a few pictures I took during the cultural show on the first evening of the conference, and. . . . believe, me, it is “hard work” to attend even the cultural show, as, as “esteemed guest” you sometimes have to make an improvised speech (luckily not technical that time! See travelogue).
So, beautiful dancers with nicely coloured hats and fans on the first picture. A big chorale performed some patriotic song (picture 2), but I liked much more this lady with her two strings music instrument and her great voice (picture 3) who kept the assistance quiet for 15 mn! There were also dancers on the stage (picture 4), and at one point (with a few glasses of wine!) I was almost sure Cleopatra was dancing a few metres from me (picture 5)! In fact there were many non-Vietnamese inspired choreographies, and I must admit that with help of (French) wine (and other Soviet-inspired and imported customs and drinks) I looked at the show with a “silly” mood and almost naughty eyes. . . . (Travelogue)

Statue of Tran Quoc Tuan

by zuyao

This huge statue of a legendary warrior can be seen behind Palace Hotel, along Nguyen Trai St. There are many pubs and restaurants around this area which are popular night spots for locals and foreigners alike.

A walk in a park full od statues.

by kokoryko

Between Quang Trung street and the beach is a landscaped garden where it is enjoyable to walk around and have a look at a display of numerous modern sculptures; the aesthetic may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is interesting to see there is a little effort to make the place nice. . . . . Probably what is displayed has something to do with recent history, Vietnamese character. . . a conception of art. . . . . The marble statues on the main picture are somewhere between figurative and abstract. . . . Wave and fish (picture 2) are probably symbols of the omnipresent sea in Vung Tau, an interesting maternity on picture 3. There are about 20 sculptures in the garden which is kept clean by very conscientious workers picking the dead leaves one by one (picture 4). . . .

VUNG TAU, VIETNAM

by ishi01

"Vung Tau City, Vietnam"

Vung Tau has a very dramatic sunset every evening. It begins at about 6 pm and would end just before 6.30pm.
I am lucky, because I get to see the sun go down everyday from my office window.
Of course, getting the evening sun does nothing for temperature in the office. What with the air conditioning system getting shut down at 5 PM...sharp; and i bet my last dong the person in charge of that piece of equipment is a 'party' member. No not the kinda party that starts every night after 8...but the kinda party synonimous with Marx, Lenin, Stalin and of course...good' ol' uncle HO!

Theres really nothing much to do in Vung Tau...REALLY, except for sun, sea, sand and lotsa girls. Before you boys go all WOOHOOO about the 'girls', read on...

Where was I...ahhh yes,,,,nothing much to do but...
If not for call of duty; i wouldn't really think about going to Vung Tau. Its usually number 6 or 7th on the places to go when you peruse Vietnam's travel brouchure. These promises the sand , beach and the sun. Can't fault with that; thats exactly what you will get. I frankly cant get myself to tear off my clothes for the waters though. If you go through my Vung Tau pages later, you'd notice many pictures of 'junks' or wooden boats. Dubious 'things get thrown from these as people actually live in the boats. The boats are usually moored pretty close to the beach too. That said, the waters are not exactly crystal clear either. Vung Tau essentially houses the Petroleum Terminal for the Vietnamese Oil Industry..so things get pretty busy at the port further down. But all is not lost..there are some pretty blue water about 5 minutes motor bike ride from down town Vung Tau. Just a small stretch. So if that is good enough for you to swing by to Vung Tau, by all means do swing by.

The part I like about Vung Tau is that it is quiet (unlike HCMC). It is ESPECIALLY so in the afternoon from 11.30 - 1.00pm plus minus half hour. This is the time people go home for siesta.... LITERALLY. It was and still is a culture shock for me...working in a relatively workoholic environment where one takes lunch on the run..or sandwhiches between paragraphs.

I also find walking 5 minutes to work (5 MINUTES folks!) with cool wind blowing very pleasant. The wind tends to get a little cool at night time, but still plesant; sitting at the balcony or by the beach..wind blowing. Cool stuff!

Food is cheap too! As long as you stay away from the touristy places... eat with the locals and you'd save a bundle.

...to be continued..

"Come into the water"

Uhh...thanks but no thanks...

"Come into the water"

Uhh...thanks but no thanks...