PUPPET MAGICPull those Strings

Christmas in Vietnam, from past to present, from old to new and holidays

Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year, along with the Buddha’s birthday, Tet (the lunar New Year), and the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ, known here as “Kito”. The fesival is observed here with great gusto despite the fact that Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam and Christians form only a minority.

Phat Diem Cathedral in Ninhbinh Province is considered the spiritual home for the seven million Catholics who live here in Vietnam, a predominantly Buddhist nation. Hundreds of Catholics gather for Christmas Eve Mass in the northern city of Phat Diem. Children stage a nativity play to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ-or Kito, as he is known in Vietnamese-in front of the city’s cathedral, built in 1891.

On Christmas Eve, Hanoians throng to the Catholic Cathedral in the city center. The streets are crowded with people and cars are banned for the night. People celebrate by throwing confetti, talking pictures, and enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights of hotels and department stores. Sidewalk cafes and restaurants are open so revelers can keep their lips wet for singing Christmas carols. As former colony, there are still French influences in the Christmas traditions of Vietnam.

Many Catholic churches have a nativity scene or creche with nearly life-size statues of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds and animals. In some areas of Ho Chi Minh City, usually in Catholic parishes, people have crib scenes in front of their houses and decorate the whole street, turning them into Christmas neighborhoods.
Also as in France, in Vietnam Christmas Eve dinner in called reveillon and has a buche de Noel ( a chocolate cake in the shape of a log ) for dessert. Vietnamese people like to give presents of food and a buche de Noel is a popular gift. Other Christmas presents are not very common, although some young people like to exchange Christmas cards.

Children in Vietnam believe in the existence of Santa Claus and put their shoes in front of their doors on Christmas Eve. On the morning of 25th December, they wake up to find their boots filled with treats and presents laid under the Christmas tree. Merry Christmas in Vietnamese is “Chúc Mừng Giáng Sinh” !!!

What should you do in Vietnam on Christmas?

In Hanoi:
Visit Joseph Cathedral or Nha Tho Lon in Vietnamese
Enjoy city tour in the old quarter for Christmas preparation of Vietnamese people
Have lunch in KOTO restaurant, operated by Vietnamese- Australian man, is the charity center for homeless children.

In Halong Bay:
Spend an enjoyable night on luxury cruise with seafood and sparkling wine

In Hue:
Dine in Vuon Y Thao restaurant for famous Vietnamese royal cuisine introduction and tasty
Visit Hue Cathedral for amazing architecture and building story

in Hoian:
Visit City of Hoian for early history of Christianity’s arrival in Vietnam
Bike along riverside road from Hoi An Center to Cua Dai Beach for beautiful country landscape and daily life of Vietnamese farmer.

In Hochiminh City:
Visit the most famous and beautiful church in Hochiminh Notre-Dame Basilica and enjoy Christmas celebration with Vietnamese people

In Mekong Delta:
Visit floating market and evergreen small canal
Enjoy Vietnamese music performance and taste local fruits

The best holiday to Vietnam on Christmas

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Welcome to Vietnam, on arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, our tour guide will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy 1 hour rickshaw ride to the Old Quarter. In the evening, you will enjoy welcomed dinner at local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese cuisines. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi (B, L)
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy morning tour to Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilt and One Pillar Pagoda, then visit Temple Of Literature. Next is Vietnam National Museum of Ethnology, the vast collection of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Enjoy lunch at Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant which is listed in the travel book “1000 places to see before you die”. After having lunch, make your way to Hoan Kiem Lake for Ngoc son Temple and Dong Xuan Market and in the evening, Joseph Cathedral before you will be entertained with Water Puppet Performance and Vietnamese traditional music at Thang Long Water puppet theatre. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Today, get up early for morning Tai Chi with local people at Hoan Kiem Lake, then have “Pho” the typical breakfast for Vietnamese people. Leaving Hanoi by road for Halong Bay, the world natural heritage site, enjoy drive though the rural area with scenic view of rice paddy field in the Red River Delta. You may be lucky enough to see cows or pigs on motor bike or Vietnamese kids ridding on water buffalo. After 3 hours driving, check in Vietnamese wooden junk. Journey along the spectacular limestone islands through floating villages while having sea food lunch, then disembark to visit ‘Sung Sot’ or “Surprising Cave”, one of the most imposing grottoes of the Bay. Next stop is Titop Island where you could swim or climb up to the top for panoramic view. In the evening, you will be delighted by candle light dinner on board with sea food. Overnight on board in Ha long bay.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Danang – Hoi an (B, L)
A breakfast will be served in the restaurant with the combination of western style and local one. Experience the Bay up close and personal with a leisure sampan tour to “Hang Luon” or “Lagoon Cave” allows you te see flora and fauna system of Catba National Park, then continue to Halong City. Enjoy the last seafood meal and disembark. In the afternoon, go back to Hanoi International airport for short flight (1 hour) to Da Nang then transfer to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi an (B, L)
After your breakfast, enjoy a short bike to the ancient town of Hoi An and a walking tour  to  Janpanese covered – bridge, Phung Hung Ancient House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Chua Ong Pagoda. Lunch at local restaurant with traditional food and in the afternoon, enjoy peaceful boat ride along the Thu Bon River to Thanh Ha Ceramic village. The balance of the day is for   relaxation in Cua Dai Beach or shopping in Hoian where you can find the best Vietnamese silk products and art-craft galleries. The evening is at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Day 6: Hoi an – Hue (B, L, D)
After your breakfast, leaving Hoi An for the city of Hue, the former imperial capital.  On the way, visit the Cham Museum and drive over the ‘Pass of Ocean and Clouds’. After having lunch in one of Hue’s beautiful garden houses, tour the major attractions in Hue including The Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, the Hue Royal Fine Arts Museum and the King Minh Mang tomb. This special treat is dinner at Vuon Y Thao Restaurant for royal cuisines. A superb 3-course meal will be served by royal style. Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day 7: Hue – Hochiminh City (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel then take the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, followed by an orientation visit to the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office the afternoon tour leads you to Cho Lon Quarter or “Big Market” area where major trading activities take place. You will be experienced southern hospitality this evening at a candlelight dinner at local restaurant with southern taste. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Hochiminh City – Mekong Delta – Hochiminh City (B, L)
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for the Mekong Delta Tour, enjoy 1 hour drive through Vietnam’s picturesque countryside with its rice paddies and rural villages. Upon arrival in the Delta This morning a cruise led by a local tour guide shows you about Cái Bè floating market, traditional village, evergreen orchard then move to traditional sampan which allows you to discover the smaller canals and tributaries of this region. Have lunch at local restaurant with Elephant Ear Fish and go back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Day 9: Hochiminh City Departure (B)
Today, you will have free day for your own activities in Ho Chi Minh City. Your private car and guide will take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for international flights or a domestic extension.

This article is written by Vietnam Heritage Travel, email us info@vietnamheritagetravel.com for more information and if you are planning to visit Vietnam. Should you use our professional live help for pre-trip information, useful tips and constant support.

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Barrington Bunny A Classic Christmas Story

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A Christmas Manger (Punch-Out-And-Play Books) $2.74 Product Description First published in 1942, this re-discovered H.A. Rey title allows readers to recreate the Christmas miracle using text from Matthew and Luke and vintage punch-out-and-fold paper dolls. No paste or tape required. Pockets are included in the inside front and back covers for easy storage of the dolls. Enjoy them today and for many Christmases to come! Vint…

Make & Do Christmas Puppet Plays $5.52 This fun, interactive book for ages 5-8 will help children retell the account of Jesus birth, present the story of Christmas in different ways through the use of puppets the children make. Authors: Jane Martin-Scott, Gillian Chapman Format: Paperback, 32 pages Age Level: 5-8 Publisher: Standard Publishing ISBN: 9780784723357…

Puppet Plays for the Holidays $22.32 Celebrate all of your favorite holidays with these magical stories, told through enchanting puppet plays. Each will entertain both children and adults as they interact with the puppets, sing, and laugh out loud. Meet Rudolph, the NoNose Reindeer. How will he lead Santas sleigh without his famous nose that lights up the sky? Encounter a lamb delivering eggs while posing as the Easter Bunny, a very sweet witch who doesnt want to scare anyone on Halloween, a Komodo dragon who receives Valentine cards from a secret admirer, Harriet the Hedgehog who doesnt want to stand in for the missing groundhog on Groundhog Day, a scarecrow who tries to save a desperate turkey from becoming dinner on Thanksgiving Day, and goofy animals performing silly acts in a talent contest at the Fourth of July festivities. Included is a bonus puppet play for any day of the year; a lost, confused lamb in the Australian outback goes on a walkabout to search for his mum, with help from a nurturing kangaroo and a wily dingo. These puppet plays are lots of fun for all ages About the Author Shelly VarneyBock is a childrens author, school volunteer, secretary, and mother. Along with writing numerous puppet scripts, she has also performed in hundreds of her own magical plays. Shelly resides in the beautiful desert of Tucson, Arizona, with her husband and their three wild and crazy dogs. Author: VarneyBock, Shelly Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 136 Publication Date: 2009/11/01 Language: English Dimensions: 8.26 x 11.02 x 0.32 inches

Puppet Plays for Libraries by Baran, Deanna [Paperback] $35.09 20 original puppet plays designed for a onelibrarian show. Plays with library cards. Plays with library books. Plays about how libraries are relevant to the everyday lives of their young patrons. Author: Baran, Deanna Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 120 Publication Date: 2010/10/14 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.25 inches

Side by Side: Twelve Multicultural Puppet Plays $62.89 When she first became interested in using puppets in library programs, Jean Pollock discovered there were few interesting scripts suitable for amateur puppeteers that were appropriate for performance in library and school settings. She decided to write plays taking into account the puppet collection available, the time available for rehearsal and performance, and limited puppeteering skills. The plays acknowledge that children know what is funny and what is not, appreciate and use witticisms, and have the sophistication to follow a plot and participate in the joy of creating an illusion. Playful and fastpaced, the scripts are simple enough to be suitable for young audiences, while the humor and interaction between puppets and the audience will extend the appeal to older children as well. Each play is supported with useful production notes, program building notes to adapt the plays for classroom and library use, and a bibliography listing books and media that can be used to develop a study unit or program around the play. Author: Pollock, Jean M. Series Title: School Library Media Series Series Number: 13 Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: 1998/05/19 Language: English Dimensions: 10.97 x 8.50 x 0.49 inches

Puppet Plays: From Workshop to Performance $37.7 Author: Schramm, Toni A. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 208 Publication Date: 1993/02/01 Language: English Dimensions: 10.91 x 8.48 x 0.50 inches

The Twelve Plays of Christmas By Swortzell, Lowell (EDT) $23.63 Author: Swortzell, Lowell (EDT) Subtitle: Traditional and Modern Plays for the Holidays Publication Date: 2001/10/01 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 1.25 Width: 5.75 Height: 9.00

The Christian Christmas Songbook $19.27 Publication Date: 2003/09/01 Number of Pages: 205 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 9.00 Height: 11.75

More Little Mushroom Four Puppet Plays $44.79 Author: Taylor, Elizabeth A. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 68 Publication Date: 2010/11/22 Language: English Dimensions: 8.50 x 5.51 x 0.16 inches

Puppets and Puppet Theatre By Currell, David $48.75 Presents information on constructing and staging puppet plays. Author: Currell, David Publication Date: 1999/03/01 Number of Pages: 176 Binding Type: Hardbound Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 9.00 Height: 10.75

Get Ready 502C Bully Prevention Puppet Set $126.36 Two separate plays teach about two different kinds of bullies: The Playground Bully and the Mean Girl Bully. An indepth teacher s guide is included on CD along with two puppet plays discussion ideas and follow up activities. Written by a published and licensed school counselor with years of experience in this issue. 5 Puppets CD with puppet plays and teacher s guide. Please call us if you would like to specify individual puppet skin tones. Approx. 16 tall. Surface washable.

Jero Plays by Soyinka, Wole [Paperback] $25.43 This volume contains two short plays about Brother Jeroboam, the rather less than holy West African beach divine. In the first play, The Trials of Brother Jero, the charlatan preacher, burdened by a cross daughter of Eve, uses Christian superstition for his own salvation. In the sequel, Jeros Metamorphosis, the profitminded prophet thwarts a government attempt to cleanse the beach of all the dubious brethren who ply their trade there. Author: Soyinka, Wole Series Title: Modern Plays Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 96 Publication Date: 1973/11/29 Language: English Dimensions: 7.32 x 4.74 x 0.26 inches

Playwriting for Puppet Theatre $63.65 Playwriting for Puppet Theatre provides a foundation for those puppeteers, teachers and librarians who want to develop suitable scripts for puppet theatre. Mattson explores the difference between traditional theatre and puppet theatre and notes the special characteristics of the various puppets. The important aspects of script writing are then addressed. She considers the many general questions which must be answered by the playwright: the type of puppet to be used, the audience, and availability of resources and facilities. Suggestions are then given for dramatizing original ideas and for adapting wellknown stories. The chapter on plot development emphasizes the importance of perspective, transitional material and the need for action. One chapter proposes various ways to develop a character through dialogue, names, and behavior. Another chapter demonstrates how the use of rhyme can add interest and humor to a puppet play. Teachers will find suggestions on how to develop a play on a specific theme or about a specific character. Some attention is also given to the mechanics of writing a play. Includes a group of puppet plays which have been successfully performed by Seattle Puppetory Theatre. Among them are Rumplestiltskin, The Princess and the Pea, The BadTempered Wife, The Golden Axe, The Swineherd, and The Fisherman and His Wife. Production notes follow each script. Several samples of manipulation charts are included which may be used as an aid in blocking the puppets and the puppeteers for the various hand puppet productions. Author: Mattson, Jean M. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 176 Publication Date: 1997/07/21 Language: English Dimensions: 11.20 x 8.30 x 0.55 inches

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