A country full of vibrancy, constant movement and development – Vietnam is guaranteed to be a unique cultural experience like no other. With streets full of motorbikes transporting huge televisions and refrigerators wrapped onto them with string, there is always something unusual to witness in this fascinating Southeast Asian city. One event in particular that will fascinate and thoroughly entertain all visitors is the Vietnamese Kiep Bac Festival. This festival is essentially a pilgrimage to the Kiep Bac Temple, which honours the saint Tran Hung Dao and has been carried out for centuries. An old Vietnamese custom, this festival occurs on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month and interestingly displays a revival of a famed battle on Luc Dau River consisting of a …

The colourful celebration of Deepavali is one of the most significant festivals for Hindu communities around the world. The Hindu faithful form a significant proportion of the residents of Singapore and are concentrated in the neighbourhood of Little India. Deepavali or the Festival of Lights as the occasion is also known occurs in the latter part of the year and is much looked forward to. The festival celebrates good overcoming evil and the victory of light over darkness. There are many legends associated with this occasion. The story goes that there was once a tyrannical ruler called Narakasura who oppressed his subjects. The people appealed to Lord Krishna for help and the deity duly vanquished and killed the tyrant. To welcome the victorious Lord Krishna …

Eastern Asia is one part of the world etched with rich culture and tradition. From festivities to rituals to food, each occasion, activity and cuisine is both colorful, interesting and has a symbolic history behind. Visitors to countries like Thailand never fail to be awed by the meticulous detail and fascinating stories that govern each event in the country. It is no different for the famous Hungry Ghost Festival whose name in itself is quite the crowd puller. The ‘Hungry Ghost’ festival is one interesting event that makes its way into the calendars of the Thai’s Singaporeans and the Chinese. The Chinese pay great importance to the satisfaction of their dead ancestors. They believe that their good fortune in this life rests on this deed. …

Observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, the Vinayak Chathurthi festival usually falls between 19 August and 20 September lasting for a period of 10-12 days ending on Anant Chaturdashi. Book a Pondicherry hotel during the festival to take part in all the activity and Hotel Atithi is known to offer comfortable Pondicherry accommodation allowing you to participate the festivities with peace of mind. It is said that this is the day that Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods and it is believed that on this day, Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for his devotees on this day. Hindus prepare for this festival several months before hand by creating clay statues of the Ganesha which are then installed in houses and public places in pandals. …

The Middle East has always been known for its wild and raw edge. Perhaps it is the vast expanses of dry and harsh desserts that almost compels one to be daring enough to survive it; and that’s what makes up most of the Middle East. With the rough desserts dawns a whole world in itself; on the one hand you get the dessert culture and on the other you get the sport. And like with any new way of life, it is both fascinating and intriguing to learn about. The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) is a fantastic place to stop by and absorb an authentic touch of the Arabian life style. Although its key focus sectors are hunting and Equestrian, at …

Vietnam is a country that boasts a vibrant array of cultural festivals that each showcases a different facet of its bejewelled society. One such example amongst many others is the festival of Keo Pagoda, which lasts for three days in honour of the famed Buddhist Monk of yore, Khong Lo. The festival is held twice each year; in the spring of the fourth day of the first lunar month and in the autumn from the 13th to the 15th day of the ninth lunar month. Emphasis, though, is given to the ninth lunar month’s 14th day as it is not only Khong Lo’s birthday but the 100th day after the official date of his death. Come closer and listen well, for legend tells of the …