Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Shopping in Dong Van stone plateau | Look At Vietnam

Monday, October 18, 2010

Shopping in Dong Van stone plateau | Look At Vietnam - Vietnam news daily update

Dong Van is not only a newly-recognised global geological park but also a tourist attraction in Vietnam. Let’s go shopping at Dong Van market.

Stone plateau listed as geopark

This is the market of ethnic minority people like H’mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Lo Lo, etc. from mountain communes in Dong Van district. This is part of the plateau’s unique characteristics.

Dong Van market opens every Sunday, from early morning. Sweet and fragrant guavas are only priced 4000 dong per kilo.

Butcher’s stalls are always crowded. Pork is still a luxurious food for ethnic minority people.

Men have fun with rice alcohol and pipe tobacco.

Young girls buy Dai string to decorate their dresses. A string is priced from 10,000 to 20,000/unit.

Banh gai ran, a specialty at Dong Van market.

French tourists buy H’mong clothes as souvenirs.

Thang co – a popular cuisine (from horse meat) of H’mong people.

Confectionary is sold in kilo.

Dried bamboo shoot.

A H’mong man and his newly bought dog.

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“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.