By Mong Binh in HCMC
Most sand dunes in central Vietnam are white, yellow or red; however the dunes in the desert area of Ninh Phuoc District in Ninh Thuan Province shine in different colors, reflecting the lights of sunrise and sunset.
It is easy to see the white sand dunes of Tuan Tu Village turn yellow as the warm light of sunrise and sunset falls over the hills of sand, which turn back to their pristine white when the sun has risen higher in the sky.
Meanwhile, the red sand dunes of nearby Nam Cuong turn into fanciful, wavy valleys at the first and last glimmer of daylight. To see the sand dunes change color travelers should go to Phan Rang, by road or train, so as to admire the magnificence of the sand hills at dusk and then at dawn the next morning.
For tourists with time constraints the best option is to book a bed on the Blue Train, priced at VND238,000 or VND262,000 for a one-way trip that begins at Saigon Railway Station at 7:40 p.m. every day, reaching Thap Cham Railway Station in Phan Rang at around 3:30 the next morning. Distance from the train station to Tuan Tu Culture Village is less than 10 kilometers south-east, easily accessed on a xe om (motorcycle taxi). The white sand dunes are not far from this village.
Remember to bring a flashlight to light the way to the sand dunes and to make sure to that you climb to the top of the sand dunes at around 5 a.m. for the best view of the surroundings. In the dark you will see electrical lights marking the shrimp farms and houses of local people.
Some of the most beautiful moments are when the sun is still below the horizon and its light is refracted by the earth’s atmosphere. The yellow and red beams in the sky combine with the electrical lights to make wonderful scenery that looks like a fairy land.
As the sun starts to appear from the east over the sea be prepared to take as many photographs as possible.
From the white sand dunes, a range of red sand dunes are only a short walk away. These red hills are nestled amidst bushes and green poplar trees as well as mountains of rocks that nature has carved into different shapes.
So far geologists have not been able to agree on an explanation for the red dunes of Nam Cuong. Some say the red is the color of the basalt soil and rocks blown into the area by winds, but others advocate that the color is the result of sand weathered by wind.
Despite the different opinions, the red and white sand dunes of Nam Cuong and Tuan Tu are worth visiting for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility, romantic scenery and fresh air and breezes from the sea.
At dawn and twilight the sea waves lapping against the shore wash away the daily chores of visitors, making them feel relaxed and peaceful in their minds as they take in the wavy valleys of white and red sand dunes lined with green trees, surround by mountains and the sea.
Quote of the Weekend
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sand dunes of beautiful colors shine in Ninh Thuan
The hidden charm of Phan Thiet
By Eddie Lim in HCMC
My recent trip to Phan Thiet City and especially the Sea Links Golf and Country Club made me discover the hidden charm of Vietnam. In recent years, Phan Thiet City, specifically the Mui Ne Beach district, has been transformed into a resort destination. October 24, 1995 is considered the birth of tourism in Phan Thiet, when thousands rushed to Mui Ne to see the total solar eclipse. The event was commemorated on the same day in 2005 as the tenth anniversary of tourism for the province.
At present, Phan Thiet sees more and more foreign faces, those visiting on a day trip from Mui Ne or traveling through on an Open Tour minibus. For the Vietnamese tourist, Phan Thiet is a good compromise, they don’t have to choose between expensive resorts and low-rent guest houses like in Mui Ne. Good, reasonably-priced seafood restaurants are just as fine as in Mui Ne. Domestic package tours tend to show up in Phan Thiet in force as well, no doubt cutting sweet deals with local hotels and taking advantage of the proximity to Mui Ne. In terms of the cost of accommodation, the variety of food and things to do, I have to recommend Phan Thiet as the better destination. But there are things to do and see in Mui Ne proper that make it worth a day trip, and a night or two here isn’t a bad idea if you have the time and budget for it.
Traveling through the city, Phan Thiet has two parts. The older part of town and the eastern bank have more recent development, the beach and most of the accommodations. There are three bridges and the Phan Thiet water tower, which is considered the symbol of the city. The middle bridge leads to a promenade on the west bank and the centre of the old town. The southern-most bridge is just north of the fish market on the west bank. The beachfront is to the southeast of the city, where Le Loi St. runs along the water.
I imagine most visitors will opt to stay on or close to the beach. You won’t save much money on accommodation inland, though it does make it easier to find services and a wider variety of places to eat within easy walking distance. After you’ve exhausted the seafood places and cafes on the beachfront, the rest of Phan Thiet is a kilometer or so away.
I would recommend Phan Thiet to anyone visiting Vietnam. It is a ‘Hidden Charm’!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Exploring mysterious caves in Da Dung Mountain
By Mai Ly in Kien Giang
Da Dung Mountain, also known as Chau Nham Son Mountain or Bach (White) Mountain, is a national landscape endowed with primitive beauty which gives new meaning to discovering the mysteries of nature.
Located in Son My Commune, Ha Tien Town in Kien Giang Province, a small town 8km from the Cambodian border in the Gulf of Thailand, Da Dung Mountain is a magnificent masterpiece of nature. The mountain is just 100 meters in height but has over 14 caves filled with ancient legends.
From Ha Tien Town, 6 kilometers along National Road 80 heading to Xa Xia border gate and two kilometers from Thach Dong Cave, reaching Da Dung Mountain is an adventure. With an admission ticket priced at VND2,000, the adventure starts with a crossing of 1,300 meters toward the caves.
Each cave has its own private secrets and strange shapes: Than Kim Quy (Golden Turtle) Cave is a large rock in shape of a turtle, Doi (Bat) Cave has a stalactite in the shape of a wine gourd while Bong Lai (Elysium) Cave is filled with fresh air creating a fanciful scene of clouds hanging in mid air.
Kho Qua (bitter melon) Cave has stalactites in shape of giant bitter melons and a monk who is lightly nodding his head thoughtfully towards Sam Hoi (penitence) Cave. Visitors will be overwhelmed with a very cold and stuffy feeling as they descend into Cong Troi (Haven’s Gate) Cave, but as they reach the core they will experience fascinating sensations when they see the shimmering of the cave’s gate.
Some caves are linked together creating a mysterious labyrinth with stalactites in diverse shapes. Echoes can be heard resounding from rock walls as rhythms of drums when tourists slap their chests in Trong Nguc (Chest Drum) Cave, or as the limpid melodies of a bell when tapping on stalactites in Lau Chuong (Bell Tower) Cave.
Da Dung Mountain is also famous for Lady Chua Xu Cave and Coi Hang Da Cave, formerly known as the home of Thach Sanh and, according to legend, where Thach Sanh drew a bow and shot a giant eagle to rescue Princess Quynh Nga.
Da Dung Mountain is also home to many white egrets as this eco-environment is still fresh with clusters of mountain inserting swamps and grass fields and forest. It is a rock castle, with hundreds of natural bastions and bell-towers, and folk tales and legends.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Xe…em?
“Xe om” or “Honda om” (motorbike taxi), is a popular public transport means in Vietnam and some other Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand. Xe om is preferred by local residents as well as some expatriates, especially backpackers, for they are cheap and available almost everywhere, anytime. Short trips cost just VND5,000, medium VND10,000 and anything longer can be negotiated.
Traditionally an industry for males, people may be surprised to learn that in HCM City the contingent of xe om drivers include women, and, according to Nguoi Lao dong (the Laborer) newspaper, the number is on the increase.
Hong, a young woman xe om driver at Ben Xe Mien Dong Passenger Car Terminal, says she has been on the job for almost a year. A native of Rach Gia Township in the Mekong Delta’s Kien Giang Province, when Hong came to HCM City, she met a compatriot who is a xe om driver. This female driver helped Hong take up the job. She then bought a Chinese-made motorbike and joined the growing army of female xe om drivers.
“Xe om” literally means “motorbike hug” but this is figurative, not literal term. However, female xe om drivers find sexual harassment to be a real threat. At first, Hong dared to transport only female or elderly passengers. After a while she accepted males, and recalled an incident in which she coped with a flirtatious passenger. While driving on a remote street, the man began to embrace and caress her. She suddenly stopped the bike and used a martial arts move to throw the man to the ground. Hong produced a nunchaku weapon, two sticks joined with a flexible cord, for our examination. She keeps them within quick reach in a bag hung from the handlebars.
Xe om is really a challenging trade for females. Drivers must have good health, skill and the courage to surmount the bias and disrespect from certain segments of society.
(from The Saigon Times Weekly, 2003)
Read more...Saturday, December 6, 2008
Enjoy com dep to know more culture of Khmer people
Khmer, one of the ethnic peoples living in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, is rich in traditional cultures and crafts. Com dep (flat green rice) is one of the crafts that the Khmer people have made a great effort to preserve and develop, according to Vietnam News Agency.
Com dep has existed in Binh Minh District, Dong Binh Commune for hundreds of years and has become essential in support of preserving the traditional features of the Khmer people. In the Ok ombok traditional festival of Khmer, com dep is the main offering to the moon, as the event is the time when Khmer worship the moon.
The festival is held yearly in the 14th and 15th days of the tenth lunar month (Khmer Calendar). It denotes the welcoming of new rice because it is the end of the rainy season and vegetable harvesting. Thus, com dep is symbolic of the traditional cultural features and culinary of Khmer people.
Com dep is made from sticky rice. Three farmers can grind 20 kilograms of sticky rice everyday for a profit of VND100,000. Even though making com dep is not well-paid, the Khmer people continue to make it in an effort to preserve their culture and develop their economy and tourism.
Com dep is not only the main offering of the Ok Ombok festival; it is also an important dish for the Kinh people, Chinese and the Mekong Delta residents as well as the Khmer people. Therefore, the local authorities have supported credit policies to help farmers maintain this traditional craft.
To produce tasty and delicious com dep farmers have to take the rice through three phases: preparation, grinding and processing. The first phase of grinding the harvested and roasted sticky rice is the hardest step. Farmers have to soak the sticky rice in fresh water for 48 hours to 50 hours, then pour it into rice mortar and pound it with a wooden pestle rhythmically and steadily. When the sticky rice becomes glutinous the farmers take the rice out of the mortar and winnow to remove the husk from sticky young grains.
Traditional com dep is mixed with ground coconut and coconut water, salt, sugar and peanuts in some hours until com dep become soft and tasty dish.
Son Thi Huong, a com dep artisan from a family with generations of making com dep has been chosen by local authorities to present this craft in the 4th Southern Khmer people Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho taking place in December 4 to 9.
Binh Chau hot springs
By Salome MicMic Villaflor (*)
One of the most spectacular places in the country - Binh Chau Commune – can be reached by traveling some 150km from HCMC over rocky roads.
Situated in the mountains of southeastern Vietnam, the area is rich with forests and hot springs.
Vietnam’s tourism record indicates there are 70 visible thermal springs in the area forming a huge hot pot with valuable water and sedimentary mud and Binh Chau’s hot springs have even earned world recognition as one of 65 potential areas for sustainable eco-tourism development among 47 countries worldwide.
Legend describes the thermal springs as a hot water pot that the Vietnamese “Goddess of Boiling Water” spilled into the place out of anger, a story that stretches past beyond the footsteps created by visitors.
Even though the ride to Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province where Binh Chau Commune is located is long, the marvelous hot water pot of Saigon-Binh Chau – Ho Coc Eco Tours & Beach Resort eases any muscle tension caused by the journey.
One can enjoy a hot water bath at 37 degrees Celsius in a swimming pool, a hot mud bath, a foot bath at the natural hot spring area, or a swim at a white sand beach.
You can pamper yourself with a heavenly massage after a hot bath and when you get hungry there’s that 82 degrees Celsius egg-boiling natural well … within 15 minutes you can have well-done boiled eggs. However if you prefer, there are also restaurants at the resort.
Crocodile fish feeding, river fishing, billiards, tennis, volleyball, basketball, and badminton complete the adventure at Saigon-Binh Chau-Ho Coc Eco Tours & Beach Resort, and younger visitors can visit the children’s playground.
Saigon-Binh Chau – Ho Coc Eco Tours & Beach Resort, however, is just one of the places to enjoy Binh Chau Commune’s hot spring and beaches.
Come with me next time on yet another trip and let’s scourt famous as well as hidden places and explore nooks and crannies of this exotic country called Vietnam.
Saigon-Binh Chau Eco-tours & Resort is located at Binh Chau Commune, Xuyen Moc District,
Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Call (064) 3871 131 or 3871 623 or visit email: saigonbinhchau@hcm.vnn.vn or website: www.saigonbinhchauecoresort.com for further information.
Or at its HCMC branch at 312 Ho Van Hue street, Phu Nhuan District, tel: (08) 3997 0677, email:
sg-binhchautours@hcm.vnn.vn.
(*) Salome MicMic Villaflor is a Filipino living and working in HCMC.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Van Phuc – a 1,000 year old silk craft village
By Thuy Nguyen in HCMC
Van Phuc village in Ha Dong City, about ten kilometers from Hanoi, is well-known nationwide as an ancient craft village where beautiful silk products with many patterns were made for traditional clothes for the kings of the Nguyen dynasty.
Lying on the bank of the Nhue river, close to the West gate of Hanoi, Van Phuc village retains the image of an ancient Northern village in feudal times, with a well and lotus pond, an old banyan tree at the communal house where villagers still hold a market and, in many families, the old looms beside the modern looms. The craft of silk weaving has been preserved here for over 1,000 years and became famous when Van Phuc silk was displayed at international fairs in Marseille and Paris in 1931 and 1936.
Van Phuc silk is best known for premium satin clothes and “cloud” silk (a silk cloth with a cloud pattern that appears to loom in and out) made from a skillful weaving technique which at one time was unique to Van Phuc craftsmen.
Currently 800 families in the village are working as weavers, with over 900 looms and textile tools, attracting from 3,000 to 5,000 visitors and tourists annually. The average price of silk sold here is from VND20,000 to VND25,000 per meter, while the high quality silk is about VND150,000 per meter.
In 2007, Van Phuc village produced over 2.5 million meters of silk with the total revenue of 35 billion dong and was honored as one of the representative craft villages of Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency reports.
Discovering traditional cuisine and culture in Binh Quoi
By Dat Tien in HCMC
People who have access to all the luxuries of modern life often seek simpler, traditional pleasures. Binh Quoi Tourist Village, a relaxing venue away from the hustle and bustle of HCMC, offers an opportunity to explore the cultural and culinary heritage of Vietnam with a program titled “Hat Lua Que Toi” (my country’s rice grain) at Binh Quoi 1 Tourist Area from 5 p.m. on December 12 to 14. The program marks the 10th anniversary of the success of the “Am thuc khan hoang Nam Bo” or “Discovering southern rural cuisine” buffet program.
The culture-culinary program will feature specific features of the cultural in labor, festivals and other activities on the streets of community markets, with peddled goods and the cries of wares by the southern farmers. The hardship of the farmers working on the rice fields will again be highlighted.
The event will introduce dishes from the development period of southern farmers in rural areas, in particular a collection of dishes made of rice.
Visitors heading to the “Hat lua que toi” can join folk games and country games of the forefathers. Moreover, guests will have a chance to learn about traditional crafts which feature the meticulous process of hand-made products, such as knitting bamboo basket, weaving sleeping mats, making wine, soya, and other traditional confectionaries such as barley-sugar, coconut candy and rice cake.
The event will also feature relaxing performances of southern folk music, including cai luong (reform), ho tren song (sing on the rivers)…providing the audience relived memories of childhood in the countryside.
The “Hat lua que toi” program will be an occasion for visitors to discover new and interesting things in the treasure of culture and culinary as well as the uniqueness of the Southern farmers.
Ticket is priced VND170,000 per adult and VND90,000 per children.
Binh Quoi 1 Tourist Area is located at 1147 Binh Quoi Street, Binh Thanh District, HCMC. Call (08) 3556 5891 or visit binhquoi1tourist@hcm.fpt.vn for further information.
Phan Thiet- a place to explore and stay in
By Khue Viet Truong in Nha Trang
Visitors to new places often remember them because of beautiful landscapes and local specialties. In Phan Thiet, a coastal city about 200 kilometers from HCMC, people are not only attracted by the tourism sites in the area but also by something interesting on the way to the city and back.
For many travelers, riding on a motorbike is the best way to experience beautiful sights along the road, to enjoy ancient streets in the warm and pleasant air of the central region during any season of the year. On Ham Tien, a romantic street which runs beside many popular resorts and the Lau Ong Hoang, visitors should never miss a chance to drop by Poshanu Cham Tower, a complex of towers and temple relics of the Cham dynasty on Ba Nai hill.
Visitors to Phan Thiet can learn about the history of the city from hearty local residents. Many years ago, Cham ethnic people called the land Hama Lithit, which means “a flat field near the sea”. Later, the name Lithit was passed down orally by Kinh people, gradually turning out to Phan Thiet.
Today the city is a famous tourist destination with many beauty spots. Ca Ty River is considered one of the most interesting with bridges above and the ideal venue for grand festivals, like ship races and flower lantern floating. Such events attract hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors to the river and nearby locations each year.
Located by the river is Phan Thiet water tower with the French name of Château d’eau. The 32-meter tower, which was constructed by Laos’ architect and king Souphanouvong in late 1928, is a symbol of the city. Words of U.E.PT (Unise Des Eaux de Phan Thiet) on the body are joined from broken glass due to economical difficulties after the tower was completed in 1934.
It is interesting to wander to each corner of the city on a warm evening and drop by street eateries to enjoy specialties like banh xeo (rice pancake), or snail salad. Many people love can cake, a traditional dish with green onions, boiled eggs, braised fish and sour pickles.
The beautiful images of sights and people in Phan Thiet City seem to cling to many tourists when they leave. With the sweet and red dragon fruits, dry fish, or scented fish sauce along side, they feel like bringing parts of the city to their home.
Visiting Trang An grottoes in Ninh Binh Province
By Thuy Nguyen in HCMC
Visitors to the northern province of Ninh Binh hear about the beauty of Tam Coc – Bich Dong grotto as a Ha Long Bay on land, yet there is another grotto in this region hardly marked by the footprints of tourists which may be even more magnificent.
It is Trang An grotto, a community of mountains, caves, river-valleys, woods and cultural and historical relics, whose central pier on the Sao Khe river is six kilometers from Ninh Binh City and 95 kilometers from Hanoi.
This grotto is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Each of the caves has its own beauty with many stalactites in a profusion of color.
Some of the caves are Toi (Dark) Cave, a 315-meter deep and dark cave, Sang (Light) Cave, a 112 meters deep lighter cave. There is also a 260-meter Nau Ruou (wine brewing) Cave, which, according to legend, has water that makes a delicious wine. Ba Giot (Three Drop) Cave, according to legend, grants a wish to those who catch three drops of water.
Unlike Tam Coc grotto, Trang An forms an “indoor” journey and visitors rowing through the cross-water caves get the sensation of a labyrinth. Visitors enter easily enough but need a local guide to find the exit.
That is why King Dinh Tien Hoang (924-979) chose this grotto as his southern citadel to protect the rear of Hoa Lu capital city and to hide food for his army.
A 10th century Dinh Dynasty temple with a thousand year old Chinese fig tree and many antique objects including tools and weapons can be seen here.
While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
England for Dummies, 3rd Edition
England for Dummies, 3rd Edition
Publisher: Wiley
Date: February 27, 2006
Pages: 452
Description:
Whether you like taking in historic sites and cathedrals or great shopping and nightlife, quiet, quaint villages or swinging seaside resorts, the cosmopolitan aura of London or the spectacular beauty of the Lake District, you'll find plenty to see and do in England. This friendly guide doesn't solve the mystery of prehistoric Stonehenge, but it helps you solve the mystery of how to make the most of your time and your money, with:
Five great one- or two-week itineraries to help you hit the high points on your list
Suggestions for day-trips from London
The low-down on the high-brow castles
Information on areas from the Yorkshire moors to the cliffs of Cornwall to Stratford-upon-Avon
Tips for getting around in London via Underground, bus, or taxi
A tear-out cheat sheet to help you with unfamiliar British words so you can understand the blokes
Like every For Dummies travel guide, England For Dummies, 3rd Edition includes:
Down-to-earth trip-planning advice
What you shouldn't miss—and what you can skip
The best hotels and restaurants for every budget
Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages
PDF | 8.7 MB
Download
Read more...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Europe for Dummies, 3rd Edition
Author: Reid Bramblett
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2005
Pages: 616
Description:
Finally, you’re taking that long-awaited trip to Europe. Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a great adventure, and part of you may feel a bit overwhelmed. You have lots of plans to make: where to stay, where to dine, how long to remain in each country, and which attractions to see -- but Europe for Dummies can help you every step of the way.
PDF | 10.2 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
A Short History of Bali: Indonesia's Hindu Realm
Author: Robert Pringle
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2004
Pages: 266
Description:
Covering the history of Bali from before the Bronze Age to the presidency of Megawati Sukarnoputri, this examination highlights the ethnic dynamics of the island and its place in modern Indonesia. Included is an analysis of the arrival of Indian culture, early European contact, and the complex legacies of Dutch control. Also explored are the island's contemporary economic progress and the environmental problems generated by population growth and massive tourist development.
PDF | 2.2 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A Short History of Cambodia: From Empire to Survival
Author: John Tully
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2005
Pages: 268
Description:
In this concise and compelling history, Cambodia’s past is described in vivid detail, from the richness of the Angkorean empire through the dark ages of the 18th and early-19th centuries, French colonialism, independence, the Vietnamese conflict, the Pol Pot regime, and its current incarnation as a troubled democracy.
With energetic writing and passion for the subject, John Tully covers the full sweep of Cambodian history, explaining why this land of contrasts remains an interesting enigma to the international community. Detailing the depressing record of war, famine, and invasion that has threatened to destroy Cambodia, this discussion shows its survival to be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
PDF | 2.1 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
A Short History of China and Southeast Asia: Tribute, Trade and Influence
Author: Martin Stuart-Fox
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2003
Pages: 278
Description:
This informative but concise history of China and Southeast Asia is perfect for travelers, students, teachers, and businesspeople. Portable and attractively designed, it includes color illustrations, maps, and a brief history of the region. Explored are relations between China and Southeast Asia across two millennia; patterns of diplomacy, commercial networks, and migration; and how these have varied over time.
With a focus on modern history, this is a fascinating account of imperial ambition, internal collapse and revival, cultural and commercial endeavors, and war and revolution. Important insight into the complicated history of the fastest-growing region in the world is offered.
PDF | 3.3 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Saturday, June 14, 2008
A Short History of Indonesia: The Unlikely Nation?
Author: Colin Brown
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2003
Pages: 270
Description:
This succinct work of history charts the growth of Indonesia, a remarkable nation of more than 6,000 inhabited islands. With lucid originality, the text incorporates more than 2 million years of history with depth and brevity -- particularly focusing on Indonesia's development into a microcosm of a multi-ethnic modern world. Many current concerns are perceptively addressed, such as the legacy of European-Asian trade, Dutch colonialism, and the emergence of what has become the largest Muslim population in the world.
PDF | 3.3 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A Short History of Japan: From Samurai to Sony
Author: Curtis Andressen
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2002
Pages: 252
Description:
Offering a compelling introduction to Japan's rich culture and fascinating history for travelers, businesspeople, and students, this guide discusses the influence of China; the impact of feudalism, modernization, and imperialism; Japanese history of war and peace; and today's economy and uncertainty. Traced are the threads of history, environment, and culture that run through the centuries to explain much about the Japan of today.
PDF | 2 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
A Short History of Laos: The Land in Between
Author: Grant Evans
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2002
Pages: 251
Description:
This comprehensive and vivid history of Laos is an ideal introduction for tourists, business travelers, and students. Informative and portable, it chronicles the history of Laos from ancient times, when the dynastic states of the region waxed and waned, to the turmoil of the Vietnam War and independence from France.
This guide investigates these key events under a new light and presents serious challenges to the conventional views about Laos's intriguing history.
PDF | 2.1 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
Saturday, March 8, 2008
A Short History of Malaysia: Linking East and West
Author: Virginia Matheson Hooker
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Date: 2003
Pages: 345
Description:
The origins of Malaysia's aboriginal peoples, the years of Western domination in the country, and the forceful political stance of its current leader are all outlined in this lively and informative account of Malaysia's history and politics. A concise and accessible look at this constantly changing country, this book is perfect for travelers, students, teachers, and businesspeople.
Discussed are the major trends in its contemporary political life and the challenges the country faces in the 21st century as Malaysia serves as a model for rapid modernization. The lives of individuals from various time periods are examined to create a complete picture of Malaysia.
Also included are maps and illustrations.
PDF | 3.8 MB
Download link 1
Download link 2
Read more...
