Small tips to prepare before visiting China

As a foreigner, you won’t be expected to know all the rules, but in order to be as prepared as you can before your trip (and impress some locals along the way!) read over these four rules of etiquette in China and we promise you won’t go wrong.

1. Gift-giving: Don’t go empty-handed

Chinese people love gifts. Gift-giving is an important part of Chinese society and you should expect to have a gift with you whenever thanking someone for their hospitality.

DO: Bring small items from your home country that you can give to your tour guide, schools you might visit, or dinner hosts. Foreign candies or souvenirs are always appreciated.

DON’T: If you receive a gift, try to avoid opening it in front of your gift-giver. Unless they insist, thank them and put it away.

2. Eating: Honour your host

Eating is at the center of Chinese culture, and you are certain to have several delicious meals during your trip.

DO: Everything about eating involves honoring your host. As the host will pay for the meal (don’t expect any bill-splitting in China), show your respect by waiting for them to start eating and leaving food on the serving dishes for them to finish.

DON’T: Most Chinese restaurants will not have forks and knives, so you will get quite good at using chopsticks during your trip. When you are done using them, make sure not to stick them into your bowl of rice, as this symbolizes death. Rest them on the table during your meal and on your bowl when you are finished eating.

3. Conversation: Personal, not political

If you really want to immerse yourself in local life, you can’t shy away from conversations with strangers. But be careful because the dialogue might go a little differently than you might expect.

DO: Expect to be asked lots of personal questions that you might not be used to receiving in your home country. People will not hesitate to ask about your age, income, or why you are not married yet. It’s ok not to answer questions you are uncomfortable with, but don’t get offended if someone asks why you are an unmarried adult over 25!

DON’T: Avoid touchy subjects about Chinese politics. Chinese people will get offended if you appear to say anything negative about China and will take it as a personal affront. Try to steer clear of discussing North Korea, Taiwan, or the South China Sea.

4. Religious sites: Read the rules

China is less strict than other Asian countries about their temple etiquette, but there are still some behaviors to avoid. Whether you are visiting a Confucius temple like Qufu Temple in Shandong province or strolling through a Buddhist temple like Lama Temple in Beijing, it is best to err on the side of caution.

DO: Try to see what other people are doing. For instance, not every temple requires you to take off your shoes, but if you see a pile by the door, you should copy the crowd.

DON’T: Take photos inside any buildings. You can take them outside in the courtyards.

See more: How do Chinese people greet each other?

Source: Internet

5 traditional folk festival in Northern Vietnam

One of the best ways to make sure that your trip to northern Vietnam is an unforgettable one is to plan it around the time of the festivals celebrated in the country. Inspired by the Chinese Lunar calendar, most of the cultural events and festivals in northern Vietnam are celebrated during specific times of the year.

These festivals will not only let you witness and absorb the culture of the country but also give you a soul-touching experience.

Yen Tu Festival

Every year Yen Tu Festival happens from the tenth day to the end of March on the lunar calendar in Yen Tu Mountain area of Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam. Yen Tu was The Buddhism’s center of Dai Viet before. It was also placed founding the Zen sect of Truc Lam. Pilgrims and tourists join Yen Tu Festival to separate themselves from the carnal world, come to Buddhist world.

Lim Festival

Lim Festival in Bac Ninh happens annually on January around 12th-13th on the lunar calendar. The festival occurs in Lim Town, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam. It is the festival of Quan Ho Singing, which has been one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009.
The festival in Bac Ninh aims to express gratitude and respect of the locals to God Nguyen Dinh Dien who had the merit of restoring many temples, pagodas, and festivals including to Lim festival. The festival is also an occasion to remember the origin of Lim Festival as well.

Perfume Pagoda Festival

Perfume Pagoda Festival draws throngs of local pilgrims from all over Vietnam to Ha Noi’s iconic Perfume Pagoda, where they to pray for a prosperous year and pay their respects to Buddha. The pilgrimage starts with a dragon dance at Den Trinh Pagoda on the 15th day of the 1st Lunar, where pilgrims and even travelers travel by boat along the Yen River to the base of Huong Mountain, passing by limestone caves and rice fields. The journey continues on foot by climbing hundreds of stone steps towards Huong Tich Cave, offering a colourful display of food offerings, statues of deities, lit incenses, and praying locals.

Dong Da Hillock Festival

Dong Da Hillock Festival takes places annually on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year at Dong Da Hillock, Quang Trung Ward, Dong Da District, Ha Noi Capital. The festival aims to respect the great merit of King Quang Trung, the hero in the history opposing aggression of the Vietnamese nation and to memorize the famous battle of Ngoc Hoi, Dong Da.

Giong Temple Festival

This large festival is held on the 9th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar. The date commemorates Saint Giong who defeated the An invaders. In order to show their gratitude to the hero of Giong Village who sacrificed his life to fight invaders, the people proclaimed him Saint Giong.

Preparation for the festival occurs from the 1st day of the 3rd lunar month to the 5th day of the 4th lunar month. The procession starts from the Mother Temple to Thuong Temple with the performance of a religious service. After reaching the temple, a feast for the troops occurs. When night falls, a Cheo play is performed (a classical Vietnamese opera). This festival blends together the traditions of love for the motherland and the preservation of the cultural heritage.

Xoan Festival

Xoan Festival is organized in Huong Nha village, Tam Thanh District, Phu Tho province from the 7th to the 10th of the first lunar month. The festival aims to celebrate Xuan Nuong, a talented woman general of Hai Ba Trung and praise the work of Hung Kings.

During the festival days, many performances will be held to serve travelers. The festival also holds the Xoan singing contest, a cultural and artistic character of the land group.

Read more: What do you know about Hoi An Lantern Festival?

Source Internet

The most famous national dishes in Asia

Just like their flags, each country has its own national dish – a dish that represents the country as a whole. Some countries have numerous national dishes that come in numerous servings and styles, while others present a simple dish that truly represents their country. As we embark on a quick sojourn with an empty stomach, here are some of the national dishes around Asia.

Sushi - Japan

Without doubt, Sushi is definitely one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. A dish that was born in ancient times, sushi originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish, presented in a number of ways and shapes.

Banh Mi - Vietnam

Banh mi is a unique French-Vietnamese sandwich that’s great for when you’re in need of a quick meal. Banh mi consists of a toasted baguette sandwich, pickled vegetables, pate, butter, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies, and hot peppers. Most banh mi sellers also offer a wide range of meat fillings, including heo quay (roasted pork belly), trung op la (fried egg), thit nuong (grilled pork loin), cha ca (fried fish with turmeric and dill), cha lua (boiled sausages), xa xiu (Chinese barbecued pork), and thit ga (poached chicken).

Kimchi - South Korea

Kimchi is a spicy Korean side dish created from salted, fermented vegetables, usually cabbage and radishes. It gets its unique kick from a paste made of chili powder, garlic, ginger, red pepper and sugar and its recognizable tang from fish sauce. While you’re probably familiar with the most common version, baechu kimchi, made with napa cabbage, there are actually over 100 different varieties of this classic dish, ranging from kkakdugi (cubed radish), to oi sobagi (cucumber) and gat (mustard leaf).

Pad Thai - Thailand

A staple dish in the Thai cuisine, the Thai-style fried noodles is one of the classic delicacies which is served worldwide. An easy and quick preparation, this generic dish is made with wide noodles, eggs, onion, meat, (usually prawn, which is quite famous in Pattaya) as its base. To add an extra crunch to this delicious meal, crunchy bean sprouts are added.

Dumpling - China

Wontons and dumplings are two similar types of food, which are comprised of a square or round wrapper (a dough skin made of flour and water) and fillings. Wontons can be boiled in a fragrant and watery broth, steamed in a bamboo steamer, or fried in a high-heat wok. Sometimes, wontons are also served with little noodles to make 'wonton noodles'. They are available with a large variety of fillings, such as ground pork, shrimp, fish, mushrooms, and other vegetables.

The stuffing found in dumplings is similar to that of wontons, and the cooking method is similar too.

Read more: Challenge yourself with top 5 Chongqing spicy dishes

Bubble Tea - Taiwan

The thing that you shouldn't miss when traveling in Taiwan is Bubble Tea. It’s so popular that it is now served across the globe and more commonly known as bubble tea or boba tea. Created here in Taiwan, this tapioca ball-filled drink is fast becoming the island’s official drink and with good reason. As far as afternoon snacks go, it takes some beating.

Source Internet