Author: Zoe

  • An Enlightening Experience

    An Enlightening Experience

    To end our stay in Hoi An, we decided to participate in the lunar festival.   This celebration happens every 29 days (once every lunar month) on the night of the full moon.  The festival gives people a chance to honour their ancestors and wish for good luck. In Asia, many people follow the lunar calendar.…

    Read more: An Enlightening Experience
  • You Light Up My Life

    You Light Up My Life

    In Hoi An there are lanterns everywhere that provide light and are great for decorations! Lanterns were first brought to Hoi An in the 16th century when the Chinese and the Japanese settled in Vietnam.  For 400 years, lanterns were used in shops and homes and are a symbol of the town.  Sadly, the traditional lanterns…

    Read more: You Light Up My Life
  • So You Think You Can Cycle in Vietnam

    So You Think You Can Cycle in Vietnam

    Do you think you can ride your bike on the street?  For the ultimate test, go to Vietnam! We went on a free bike tour through the streets of Hoi An, and the surrounding Kim Bong Village. Our guide was a university student who wanted to practice and improve her English.  We rode through both really busy…

    Read more: So You Think You Can Cycle in Vietnam
  • Cruising the Bay

    Cruising the Bay

    (Sung to the tune of “Down by the Bay”) Down by the bay, Where the pearl farms grow, Off of the boat, I dare not go, For if I do, I’ll get stung by a jelly fish, Have you ever seen a squid, not on my hook? Down by the bay! Ha Long Bay is…

    Read more: Cruising the Bay
  • Lions, and Tigers, and Masks, Oh My!

    Lions, and Tigers, and Masks, Oh My!

    Get ready to get your hands sticky and colourful because we are going to make some traditional Vietnamese paper masks. As an activity in Vietnam with the Backstreet Academy, we decided to make paper masks that are used for an important Vietnamese holiday called the Mid Autumn festival. The mid Autumn Festival is a holiday…

    Read more: Lions, and Tigers, and Masks, Oh My!