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 2012-02-08T03:44:47Z http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article772.htm Tens of thousands of people whiteclouds 2012-02-08T03:44:47Z 2012-02-08T03:44:47Z Tens of thousands of people from all regions of the country have flocked to the Quang Trung Museum in Phu Phong town, Tay Son district, central Binh Dinh province to join a festival marking the 223 rd anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory. The festival opened with an incense and flower offering ceremony in memory of King Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue and Tay Son soldiers. A series of cultural, artistic and sports activities and martial art performances have taken place from January 26-27, or the fourth and fifth days of the first lunar month. [url=http://www.vietnambeachholiday.com]Beach holiday[/url] | [url=http://www.hotelinflorida-us.com]Florida accommodation[/url]| [url=http://www.hailongjunkhalong.com]Hai Long junk cruise[/url] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article771.htm Foreign tourists will be entitled starsky 2012-02-08T03:39:20Z 2012-02-08T03:39:20Z Foreign tourists will be entitled to value added tax (VAT) refunds on goods they purchase in Vietnam when leaving the country via Hanoi City’s NoiBai Airport and HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport. Under a decision issued by the Prime Minister, this trial VAT refund will be implemented from July 2012 to June 30, 2014. Previously, the scheduled time for VAT refunds has been projected between April 2012 and June 30, 2014. Under the decision, any foreigner leaving Vietnam with an invoice worth a minimum VND2 million at a shop a day will enjoy VAT refunds in the two major terminals. The net VAT refund is the total VAT payment minus the VAT refund fee, which is paid in Vietnam dong. The fee on a refund of this kind of tariff will be no more than 15% of total VAT payment. However, goods that overseas travelers claim refunds for must meet conditions. Goods must be new, subject to VAT and eligible on flight under aviation safety rules. They are also subject to export regulations for banned or restricted products. [url=http://www.thailandbeachholiday.com]Thailand beaches[/url] |[url=http://www.hotelinmanchester-uk.com]Manchester Accommodation[/url]| [url=http://www.baitulongjunkhalong.com]Bai Tu Long cruise[/url] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article712.htm Exotic Tour Packages sudhanshughij 2012-02-07T05:37:40Z 2011-12-31T09:14:45Z Yes,I fully agree with your view about Rajasthan.It is the fabulous place to visit ever,there are several attractions to see.Rajasthan is famous for it's marvelous culture and traditions,old forts and ancient places.I am an Indian and live in Canada,So,I am looking for an Indian tour next month including Kerala and Rajasthan also.Now,I am too curious to visit this marvelous destination all the way from Canada. canadian immigration [url=http://www.globalvisas.net.au/canada-visa]canadian immigration[/url] immigrating to canada [url=http://www.globalvisas.com]immigrating to canada[/url] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article770.htm According to Da Nang-based travel agencies starsky 2012-02-04T03:34:53Z 2012-02-04T03:34:53Z According to Da Nang-based travel agencies, the city has witnessed a sharp increase in Asian visitors since December last year thanks to the increase in charter flights from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, and Air Asia's cheap direct flights from Malaysia to Da Nang. Meanwhile, Da Nang has seen a decline in the number of visitor arrivals from the United States, Europe and Australia. Vitours Travel Agency Operations department manager, Mr. Le Tan Thanh Tung, said that Tet is the peak season for tourists, especially domestic, in the central region. Da Nang’s beaches, Hoi An and Hue, amazing helicopter tours and road trips to Laos are among the most popular attractions. Viet Da Tourist Co. is offering a variety of backpacking trips on the Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham), the Son Tra Peninsula, Tra Que vegetable growing village, Hue garden houses and others. As well as professional guides, the company provides goodwill student and Youth Union guides for back [url=http://www.thailandbeachholiday.com]Thailand beaches[/url] |[url=http://www.hotelinmanchester-uk.com]Manchester Accommodation[/url]| [url=http://www.baitulongjunkhalong.com]Bai Tu Long cruise[/url] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article769.htm New Seoul-Danang air route launched whiteclouds 2012-02-04T03:33:27Z 2012-02-04T03:33:27Z Korean Air has launched a new twice-weekly route from Seoul to Viet Nam. The flights will depart Seoul every Thursday and Sunday at 19:00 and arrive in Danang at 22:00. The return leg will leave Danang at 23h20’ and arrive in Seoul at 5:30 the following day. Earlier on December 14, 2011, Asiana Airlines also launched direct route to Danang with two flights per week on Wednesdays and Sundays. The new routes are expected to open up more opportunities for the two countries to expand cooperation in trade, tourism, education, high-tech, and cultural exchanges. [url=http://www.vietnambeachholiday.com]Beach holiday[/url] | [url=http://www.hotelinflorida-us.com]Florida accommodation[/url]| [url=http://www.hailongjunkhalong.com]Hai Long junk cruise[/url] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article768.htm The Bo Y Ethnic Group lanhvht 2012-02-02T08:47:33Z 2012-02-02T08:47:33Z Proper name: Bo Y Other names: Chung Cha, Trong Gia. Population: 1,420 people Local groups: Bo Y and Tu Di Language: The Bo Y group speaks Tay-Thai language (which belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family while the Tu Different speaks Han or Chinese language family). History: The first Bo Y people traveled south to Vietnam from China about 150 years ago. Production activities: The Bo Y people were originally experienced in wet rice cultivation. However, since settling in the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam, they have had to rely mainly on slash-and-burn agriculture-primarily growing corn, their main crop. In addition, each family usually has a vegetable garden. Apart from raising livestock and poultry, the local people are also involved in various crafts such as cloth weaving, black-smithing, pottery-making, stone carving, silver engraving, plaiting and woodwork, etc. Clothing: Formerly, Bo Y women wore full skirts like those worn by Hmong, or ornamented with batik bee’s wax designs and dyed indigo. The blouse is short, often having five panels with a bodice covering the chest and abdomen. Silver ornaments are popular, such as necklaces, wrist chains and ear-rings. The women wear their hair wound in a chignon at the top of their head. Their headgear is traditionally an indigo turban which or ornamented with colorful embroidery. Nowadays, some Bo Y people have adopted the neighboring Nung’s way of dressing. Some also wear shirts lie the Han but with removable sleeves. Lifestyle: The Bo Y live in Quan Ba (Ha Giang province) and Muong Khuong (Lao Cai). They live in houses built on the ground with a thatched, wooden or tiled roof and clay walls. The house usually has three sections, with an extra bay for the unmarried boys or used as a rice granary. Social organization: The society’s social classes are clearly defined. The upper classes consisted of the village chief (known as Pin Thau) and his assistant (Xeo Phai) Marriage: There are three steps involved to organise a Bo Y wedding: Step 1: The boy’s family sends two female matchmakers to ask the girl’s family for her personal information, date of birth, so tht match-making calculations can be made. The girl’s family, in return, often shows their good-will by offering the guests 10 red colored chicken eggs. If the boy’s family finds that the couple is well-matched, then they will again send two matchmakers-this time male to read the horoscope of the girl and to consult the girl’s family on the price for an engagement ceremony. Step 2: After the engagement ceremony, the marriage is agreed by the boy’s and the girl’s families. Step3: The wedding. The bride-groom’s family presents the wedding presents to the bride’s family. Apart from food, some clothes for the bride are also included. The bridegroom does not go to the bride’s house; instead, the bride rides on a horse to the bridegroom, attended by the bridegroom’s sister who walks alongside. She brings with her a pair of scissors and a small hen, which she will release to the forest at mid-way. Birth: In the past, according to local customs, the women often sit when they deliver. They cut the baby’s umbilical cord with a bamboo knife and the placenta is often buried right under the bed. Three days later, a ceremony is held for the goddess, believed to be the creator and protector of the baby, and also to nickname the baby. Only when the child reaches two or a tree year is he or she given an official name. It a child is ailing all the year round, a foster father will be chosen so that the child’s spirit has a place to rest. Funerals: Funerals reflects the sentiments of the living towards the dead, which, according to Bo Y beliefs, will take the deceased’s sprit back to his or her country land. Four rifle shots are fired before the funeral, and the deceased’s feet should go first as the coffin is carried to the grave yard. Between the deceased’s home and the grave yard, three stops are made (if the deceased’s wife or husband is still living) or four (if both have died). Mourning is maintained by the family members for three years, during which time, the men are not allowed to drink wine, the women cannot wear ornaments, and boys and girls are not allowed to get married. Beliefs: Three incense bowls are placed on the altar, which is dedicated to heaven, to the spirit of the heart, and to ancestors. Under the altar, three is an incense bowl dedicated for worshiping the land’s god. If the wife’s parents both died without a son, the son-in-law is responsible for setting up a small altar in the doorway. Festivals: There are many Tet occasions celebrated by the Bo Y, such as Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year), Ram Thang Gieng (mid-lunar-January festival), 30th of Lunar January festival, Han Thuc, Doan Ngo, 6th of Lunar June, mid-Lunar-July and New Rice festival, in particular, is held on the 8th or 9th day of Lunar September, featuring the square sticky rice cake, chay cake and colored steamed rice. Calendar: The Bo Y calculates the date based on the lunar calendar. Education: In the past, some Bo Y people still used Chinese for writing their family annals, their ritual texts, and their destiny accounts sheet. Artistic activities: In the Tu Di group, the youth often take part in exchanging songs sung at the beginning of the spring marketplaces or at their homes. Most songs are in Chinese, accompanied by ken la, a wind instrument made of leaves. Games: On special occasions, the Bo Y play with swings, Chinese chess, spinning top, and khang playing. This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Travel Agency in Vietnam For original article, please visit: [url]http://travelagencyinvietnam.com/travel-news/the-bo-y-ethnic-group.html[/url] [URL=http://www.vietnampackagetour.com] Vietnam Package Tour [/URL] [URL=http://www.travelcompanyinvietnam.com] Vietnam Travel Company [/URL] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article767.htm Odu ethnic group lanhvht 2012-02-02T08:45:50Z 2012-02-02T08:45:50Z Lables: Ethnic Groups, Mon-Khmer Group, Odu ethnic group Proper names: Odu or Idu. Other name: Tay Hat ("the poor"). Population: 194 people. Language: The Odu languages belong to the Mon- Khmer language group (of the Austro-Asiatic language family). Nowadays, just the older people can speak the mother tongue. Most of the Odu people use Khmu or Thai languages for daily communication. History: In the past, the Odu lived along the two fivers named Nam Mo and Nam Non, of which the latter used to be the more densely populated area. Because of the historical events that occurred in this area, the Odu had to move on to other areas and live with other ethnic groups. Nowadays, the Odu mainly live in Xop Pot and Kim Hoa villages of Kim Da Commune, Tuong Duong district in central Nghe An Province.. The Odu, together with the Tay Phoong group, also inhabit Sam Nua Province in Laos. Production activities: The Odu are agriculturists, who cultivate both swidden and submerged fields. They have only one crop per year. The Odu slash and burn their fields, and' sow their rice seeds between April and May of the Lunar calendar. Harvest is from September to October. The main tools used in agricultural production are the axe, the knife and the digging stick used to make holes in the grounds when sowing seedlings. Apart from rice - the main agricultural crop - people also plant manioc, maize, y di and bean. Nowadays, gathering and hunting still play an important role in their economy. Raising cows, buffaloes, goats, pigs and chickens is also well developed. Cows and buffaloes are destined to be used as draught power. Pigs and poultry are raised to serve religious rituals. Wickerwork and weaving by rattan is for daily use and for barter trade. In the past, the Odu could even weave cloth. Diet: The Odu usually have one supplementary meal (breakfast) and two main meals (lunch and dinner). In the past, they ate steamed sticky rice but now they eat both rice and cu nau (a plant yielding brown dye), yam or manioc, and maize instead and especially when they have a bad crop. The Odu enjoy drinking wine and smoking homegrown tobacco. Clothing: Nowadays, the Odu wear clothing like Thai or Viet people. Just a few types of traditional Odu clothing remain today. Housing: In the past, the Odu traditional house, called xien tang, was built on stilts facing the mountain. When building the pillar of the house, the Odu usually follow certain procedures. But nowadays this kind of house no longer exists, and the Odu now live in stilt houses that look the same as Thai houses. Transportation: The Odu transport goods using baskets, carried with a tumpline that is placed around the carrier's forehead. Odu baskets are beautiful, strong and durable. Social organization: Because of their small population, the Odu co-exist with the Khmu and the Thai people. Therefore, their social and cultural relationships are affected by these two groups. The Odu adopted their family names as do the Lao and Thai peoples. The history of Odu family lineages is not well-defined. The chief of the lineage plays an important role and is one who has great prestige and respect. The Odu live in small patriarchal families. Odu women do 'not have the right of inheritance. In the past, Odu men would live at the wife's home. The compulsory offering in the Odu wedding ceremony is squirrel meat, dried meat of the field rat, and salty dried fish. Beliefs: The Odu believe that the souls of deceased become ghosts. The soul of the body lives in the cemetery, while the real soul becomes the soul of the house. This soul will stay in the house for one generation counted from the age of the oldest son to the youngest son. When all the sons have died, the family holds a ceremony to bid farewell and urge the soul of the house to return to world of the ancestors. The Odu place the altar of the soul in the corner of the second room of the house. The altar is simple and placed near the roof. The Odu skillfully use the musical instruments of the Khmu and the Thai, including the flute, drum, gong, and pan-pipe. The Odu know all the lyrics of the Khmu and Thai folk songs and they also tell historical stories. The Odu enjoy games like khang playing, con (cloth ball) throwing, quay (spinning top) and o an quan. This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Travel Agency in Vietnam For original article, please visit: [url]http://travelagencyinvietnam.com/travel-news/odu-ethnic-group.html[/url] [URL=http://www.vacations-vietnam.com]Vietnam Vacation [/URL] [URL=http://www.touroperatorvietnam.com] Tour Operator in Vietnam [/URL] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article766.htm Ngai ethnic group lanhvht 2012-02-02T08:44:08Z 2012-02-02T08:44:08Z Lables: Chinese Group, Ethnic Groups, Ngai ethnic group Proper name: San Ngai. Other names: Ngai Hac Ca, Ngai Lau Man, He, Sin, Dan, Le, Xuyen. Population: 1.154 people (1999 census). Language: The Ngai language belongs to the Chinese language group (Sino-Tibetan language family). History: The Ngai have many different origins. They immigrated to Vietnam in many different waves, which happened during ancient and contemporary times. Production activities: The Ngai are agriculturists who practice wet rice cultivation as their main livelihood. In addition to rice, the Ngai also grow other crops like corn, potatoes, and cassava, and they raise cattle. The Ngai groups who live on the coast and islands do mainly fishing. Handicrafts such as bamboo curtains and bamboo mattresses, carpentry, plastering, metal working, brick making, limestone work, etc., also play a significant role in the Ngai's living. Diet: The Ngai eats 3 meals per day; they like to eat rice soup, however, the main food is vegetables. They like to use spices such as garlic, pepper, and ginger... in their meals. Clothing: Often, Ngai clothing is not embroidered. Men wear trousers, and shirts with 2 or 3 pockets. Women wear long shirts that have 5 panels, buttoned under the right arm. Ngai women like to put their hair in braids that are wrapped around their heads. Housing: The Ngai live scattered around the provinces of Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh. They live in earthen houses with different architectural styles and roof types. Those who live on the coastline and islands usually live right on their boats. Transportation: Residents of the highlands use carrying baskets and baskets hung on shoulder pole. Those who live near or on the sea use boats or motor boats. Social organization: The Ngai have small patriarchal families. Their community relations remain very strong, though there has been some distinction made between the rich and the poor. In each village, the position of the head of the largest family line is extolled. He has a big role in solving all the disputes within the village. The Ngai recognize relatives and divide family branches through the middle name system. The maternal side, especially an uncle called khao, has an important role in all kinship relations. Nevertheless, the Ngai still consider the father's lineage Marriage: The Ngai practice monogamy. There are two steps in a Ngai wedding: the wedding ceremony itself, and the nuptial night ceremony. Marriage happens at an early age, and is highly commercial. After the wedding, the bride stays with her husband's family. Only under special circumstances (e.g., the bride doesn't have any brother, or the groom's family is too crowded) will the couple stay with the bride's parents. Birth: Women who are pregnant or have just given birth are to be refrained from eating certain foods and doing certain things. Two or three days after birth, the infant is already fed some flour. Funerals: The Ngai believe that, after death, the spirit moves to another world to live. Therefore, they bury the deceased together with the things that he/she used while living. There are many complicated steps in a funeral, such as announcing the funeral, putting the deceased in a coffin, burial, the ceremony that opens the grave, etc. Beliefs: The Ngai believe in the existence of two separated parts in a person (the physical and the spiritual), as well as in the existence of two different worlds (the real world and the supernatural world of-Gods and spirits). The Ngai often worship many objects such as ancestors, Gods* Buddha, forest's Ghost, spirits, etc. There are different worshiping rituals for each subject, using different sacrificial offerings and conducted by different groups of religious specialists. Festivals: The Ngai celebrate lunar New Year (Tet). In addition, there are other Ngai holidays such as the 3rd of March Festival, double Five Festival (on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month), the 15th of July Festival, and the new rice Festival (the 10th of October). Education: The Ngai speak many different dialectics of the southern Chinese language. However, in the past, not many Ngai could write. Today, most of the children go to grade schools to learn the national language. Artistic activities: The Ngai have inherited a rich treasure of folk culture that includes folksongs, folk dances, and especially oral literature. They also have many legends, fairytales, idioms, and proverbs, which express their concepts on life and the universe. These concepts carry much human value. Entertainment: The Ngai like to play spinning top, game of sticks, chasing, badminton, shuttlecock, and other community games. This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Travel Agency in Vietnam For original article, please visit: [url]http://travelagencyinvietnam.com/travel-news/ngai-ethnic-group.html[/url] [URL=http://www.travelcompanyinvietnam.com] Vietnam Travel Company [/URL] [URL=http://www.touroperatorvietnam.com] Vietnam Tour Operator [/URL] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article765.htm Muong ethnic group lanhvht 2012-02-02T08:42:39Z 2012-02-02T08:42:39Z Lables: Ethnic Groups, Muong ethnic group, Viet-Muong Group Proper names: Moi (or Mon, Moan, Mual). Local groups: Ao Ta (Au Ta), Moi Bi. Population: 914,596 people (1999 census). Language: The Muong language belongs to the Viet-Muong language group (Austroasiatic language family). History: The Muong share the same origin with the Viet people who are long time inhabitants of Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Phu Tho provinces. Production activities: The Muong's most important work is planting rice on wet fields. Thus, rice is the main agricultural crop. The main farming tools are a plough, and a small harrow with/ wooden or bamboo tines. When the rice is ripe, the Muong harvest it, put it into bunches, carry it home, dry it, and hang it on shelves. Before using the rice, they put it on a wooden rack and use their feet to remove the grains, then pound the rice. Due to wet field cultivation, the Muong are very experience in making small irrigation systems. In addition to cultivating on inundated fields, the Muong also farm on terraces, raise cattle, hunt, fish, gather fruit, and produce handicrafts (such as weaving and plaiting). Diet: The Muong enjoy eating steamed food, like steamed sticky and regular rice, steamed vegetables, and steamed fish. After steaming, rice and vegetables are stored in a small basket until it is time to eat. The Mnong's rice wine, consumed using long bamboo straws or pipes, is very famous because of its delicious taste and the way it is produced. It is brought out when there are honorable guests or for festivals. Both men and women like to smoke tobacco in big bamboo pipes. The women, especially, have the custom of sharing one pipe with a group of people. Clothing: Muong women's dress is more diversified than men's dress, and there is something unique about it. The turban on a woman's head is white cloth without embroidery. A woman wears a bodice, outside is a short blouse with a little cut on both sides (the shirt is usually white). The skirt is long to the ankle, and has a border. The border is very famous because it is carefully woven with flowered patterns. Muong jewelry includes a bracelet, a necklace, and a 2 to 4 line silver key chain that has a tiger or bear claw, covered with silver. The ritual specialist, called mo, is distinguished by special clothing which he wears when conducting worshiping rites. It is a long dress with five panels, is buttoned up on the right side, and is dyed green or black. He also wears a white belt, and a pointed cloth hat. The clothing of the healer, called moi, includes a special hat he wears when he practices his curing rites. Housing: The Muong live together in villages which are clustered along the foothills, hill sides, and reservoir areas in Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Phu Tho provinces. Each village usually has several dozen residential houses. Each family home includes rows of betel nut and jack fruit trees. The majority live in stilt houses, which have four roofs. The upper floor of the house is the living area. Below the main floor is where the Muong keep cattle, poultry, rice mortars, and other working tools. When putting up the kitchen column of a new house, it is a Muong custom for the owner to hold a setting-the-fire ceremony. The head of the family makes three decorative fish from the areca of a banana tree, which are then placed between two strips of bamboo and hung on the kitchen column. He also hangs a green pumpkin on the kitchen's main column. Before cooking in the new house, the owner does this ritual to ask the Kitchen God's blessing to place there the tripod stones that are the central part of a cooking fire. That night, the house owner invites the villagers to drink rice wine while sitting next to that fire. Transportation: Women use bamboo carrying baskets, which have four erect, square corners. They carry them on the shoulder or on the forehead. A shoulder pole is often used. Clean water is stored in a big bamboo pipe that is longer than one meter. The Muong carry the pipe on their shoulders from the water site to their houses, then lean it against the wall for later use. Social organization: In a village, the neighborhood is important in building and maintaining social relations. Muong villages are characterized by large families often comprising two or three generations. Children bear their father's surname. Rights of the eldest son are highly respected. Sons are entitled to rights of inheritance. Marriage: Young Muong men and women are free to date. If they are content with each other, they will inform their parents to prepare for a wedding. A marriage has to go through these steps: asking the bride's hand (khao therig), giving betel nut ceremony (ti nom bank), asking for the wedding (nom khau), first wedding ceremony (ti chau), and bringing the bride home ceremony (ti du). On the wedding day, the matchmaker leads the groom's delegation, comprised of about 30 to 40 people including relatives and friends, who bring gifts to the bride's family for the wedding ceremony. The groom wears his best clothes, including a white turban, and carries a big rice cooking pot (chon). On the top of this chon are placed two boiled chickens. When the bride returns to her husband's home, she wears a conical hat and her best clothes, which include a long black dress worn on the outside and bound up in the front. The bride often brings with her 2 blankets and 2 mattresses. She also has 2 pillows to give to her parents- in-law and couples of dozen small pillows to give to her husband's relatives. Birth: When the wife is about to give birth, the husband has to prepare lots of firewood. Then they create a separate room within the home using plaited bamboo walls. This is where the wife will give birth. When the wife starts her labor, the husband will inform his mother-in-law and other relatives to come to their house and wait together. The midwife cuts the umbilical cord using a bamboo knife taken from the rafters of the roof. If the infant is a boy, the midwife will use a knife taken from the front roof; if the infant is a girl, the midwife uses a knife taken from the back roof. Umbilical cords of all the children of a family are put together in a bamboo pipe. The Muong believe that in doing so, the siblings will grow up, loving each other. On the day an infant is born, the family will organize a party; invite a ritual specialist to come to drive away evil things for the mother and child. Within the first week after the infant is born, many friends and relatives will come to, visit and to give gifts. The maternal grandmother always gives her 3 new grandchild some self- fabrics. Wealthy families give silver necklaces, and close relatives give rice or money. A woman who has just given birth often eats sticky rice with a kind of leaf called tac chieng (a medicine leave to cure seborrhea). She also drinks water cooked with different medicine leaves. Within the first week, especially the first 3 days after giving birth, the Muong always keep the fire burning. If the infant is a boy, he will be called affectionately as lo ma (rice seed); if a girl, then she will be called cach tac (vegetable). Only when the child is one year old, will he/she be properly named. Funerals: When someone dies, the eldest son will use a knife to cut 3 times at the window of the altar room. He has to hold his breast while doing so. After that, the family will strike the gong to announce their mourning. The corpse is wrapped in many layers of cloths, including traditional clothes. Then the body is placed into a coffin, which is made from a hollowed-out tree trunk. The Muong cover the coffin with a piece of fabric with a pattern that looks something like dragon skin. A ritual specialist leads the funeral. Muong sons and daughters mourn their parents like other Vietnamese. However, all the women who are daughters and granddaughters- in-laws have their own funeral clothes related to the "fanning-ghost" customs. Calendar: The Muong call their traditional calendar sach doi, which is made from 12 bamboo sticks that represent the 12 months. On each stick, there are different signs to count dates, hours, and to see if a day or an hour is good or bad time to do certain things. The Muong in Muong Bi have a different calendar, called ngay lui, thang to, which is the reverse iMt other Muong' calendars. January of the Muong Bi calendar matches with October of the other Muong calendar and of the lunar calendar. Artistic activities: Xec'bua singing (some places called xac. bua or khoa rac) is loved by many people. Thuong (also called rang thuong or xuong) is a kind of folk singing to praise working and the beauty of all Muong traditional customs. Bo meng singing is love duet. Amorous duets are a popular folk singing tradition. In addition to these, the Muong have other kinds of music such as lullabies and children's songs. Muong ritual singing, in particular, is worthy of mention. These are prays and songs that the ritual specialist reads and sings for funerals. Distinctive musical instruments among the Museum include the flute, two-string Chinese violin, drum, and trumpet, and gong. Games: Muong games are for everyone not just children. There are games that are carefully planned such as crossbow shooting competitions, swings, and shuttle cock. Children's games are held anywhere, any place, and with easy and simple rules. Popular Muong games include cham chi, cham chan, co le, or games involving dogs. This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Travel Agency in Vietnam For original article, please visit: [url]http://travelagencyinvietnam.com/travel-news/muong-ethnic-group.html[/url] [URL=http://www.vietnampackagetour.com] Vietnam Package Tour [/URL] [URL=http://www.vietnamhoneymoontours.com]Vietnam Honeymoon Tour [/URL] http://www.china-travel-tour-guide.com/forum/article764.htm Mang ethnic group lanhvht 2012-02-02T08:41:00Z 2012-02-02T08:41:00Z Lables: Ethnic Groups, Mang ethnic group, Mon-Khmer Group Proper name: Mang. Other names: Mang U, Xa Mang, Nieng O, Xa Ba O. Local groups: Mang Gung, Mang Le. Population: 2,247 people (1999 census). Language: The Mang language belongs to the Mon-Khmer language group (Austro-Asiatic language family). Many of the Mang know how to speak Thai. History: Up to now, the area of Nam Ban (Dum Bai) in the Nam Ban village, of Sin Ho district, Lai Chau province is considered as the motherland of the Mang. Many legends and stories have suggested that the Mang are one of the first inhabitants in the northwest of the country. Production activities: The Mang are agriculturists. As wandering nomadic peoples, they tend to practice slash and burn farming. After the Lunar New Year, people will choose and mark their own fields. In March and April, they clean up the fields and let them dry; in June and July, the Mang burn the trees on the field, and then they plant seeds. Working tools include axe, knife, and a pointed digging stick. However, the productivity rate is often low because the land is impoverished, and the forest is too young. As a result, the Mang lifestyle is unstable, and there is always a threat of food shortages. Lately, the Mang have learnt how to work in permanent fields or on step terraces, which have tended to improve and stabilize agricultural production. Raising cattle and making handicrafts are not well- developed. Gathering fruit and hunting in all four seasons are important additions to the Mang economy. The Mang raise water buffaloes, cows, goats, chickens, and pigs. Many of the Mang's plaited products, such as bamboo mats and carrying baskets, are highly valued and used by other ethnic groups. Diet: The Mang generally eat two meals a day (lunch and dinner). Corn is the main food. It is usually mixed with cassava, or rice, and then steamed. The steamed young leaves of the cassava plant are mixed with salt and form an important year-round food for the Mang. The Mang like to smoke tobacco in pipes, and drink locally-made alcohol. Clothing: Mang traditional dress is still in evidence, though many Mang have adopted clothing styles popular among other Vietnamese today. The unique feature in the dress of Mang women is a throw to wrap around the body. It is made of white rough cloth, and in the middle are two rows of red thread. Mang women generally do not wear head coverings; their hair is pulled up to the top by colorful string. Mang women do wear leggings. Housing: The Mang live in stilt houses that are simply made using many different varieties of wood. Transportation: The carrying basket is popular, and of the type that has a tumpline placed on the forehead and a handle behind the head. Social organization: The head of the old traditional society was a man called Pogia. Together, he and all the heads of family lines directed all the social, cultural, and religious activities in a village. Later, this social structure was destroyed, and the Mang became influenced by the Thai's social structure. However, the village still keeps its traditional social structure. The head of the village looks after its taxes and services. There is usually a big family line in a village. Heads of different family clans, together with all the village's elders, direct all the social and religious activities according to traditional custom. The Mang have five main family lines, and each chose one, animal as its family symbol. Beliefs: The house's ghost is worshiped on New Years day, or when there is someone ill. God is the highest creator. The Mang also have a legend about the origin of humankind, like the calabash story. The Mang believe that there are four stories in the universe: heaven is the world of those creator Gods; the earth is the world of humans and spirits-; under the earth is the world of ugly dwarfs; and in the water is the world of serpents. Moreover, the Mang believe that there are many spirits, and the house spirit is the most important. The Mang also worship the spirits of their ancestors. Artistic activities: There is a well-known and beloved folklore melody called oxoong. Elderly people are enthusiastic in their recitations of folktales, chronicles and historical stories. Entertainment: On New Year’s Day and festivals, Mang children play badminton and spinning-top. Young people play shuttlecock. Funerals: The Mang funeral includes many complicated steps, from wrapping the corpse in a shroud to burying. In the past, the coffin was made mainly from bark or bamboo. Later, the Mang started using a hollowed out tree trunk or board for their coffins. New House: Though Mang houses are very temporary, there are, nevertheless, steps that must be followed when building a new house. A ritual specialist must be invited to determine the date and time to choose the land, clear the floor, erect the central column and roof for the house, and the like. The open house ceremony is a happy day for the whole village. This ceremony bears many complicated rituals, which display characteristic elements of Mang culture. Festivals: Beside the Lunar New Year, the Mang also have the New Rice Festival held after the October harvest. Every year, the villagers worship the village and the house spirits to pray for peace. The Mang especially practice many agricultural rituals such as ceremonies for planting and harvesting as well as rituals to the rice's soul and the rice's mother. This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Travel Agency in Vietnam For original article, please visit: [url]http://travelagencyinvietnam.com/travel-news/mang-ethnic-group.html[/url] [URL=http://www.vacations-vietnam.com]Vietnam Vacation [/URL] [URL=http://www.vacationstovietnam.com]Vacation to Vietnam [/URL]