Homestay tours in Hoi An Ancient Town captivate foreigners
13:57 04/03/2009

      New home stay tours in the ancient town of Hoi intrigued foreigners looking for the authentic Vietnamese experience over the Tet Lunar New Year holiday.

The Danang-based Le Nguyen Tourism Company devised the tours, calling them “Enjoy Tet Celebrations with Rural Vietnamese Families.”

On the tours, foreign tourists were taught to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes such as banh chung (square glutinous rice cake), the most popular Tet dish, eaten ritualistically each holiday season. Travelers also participated in traditional Vietnamese worship ceremonies.

As well, the tourists were invited into the homes of Vietnamese families in Hoi An old town – a UNESCO world heritage site – on the first day of the New Year to take part in Vietnamese folk games and listen to the popular Vietnamese legends that have shaped the country’s cultural history.

Many tourists also learned how to make and chew betel quid, a long-established custom unique to Vietnam.

Reported by Dieu Hien – Translated by An Dien

Source : thanhniennews.com