Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Mongolian,
Persian, Portuguese, Persian, Portuguese,
Russian and Spanish.
With a graceful terrain
of an S-shaped curve,
situated in the subtropical
climate region
of Southeast Asia,
Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is
endowed by Nature with
myriad scenic attractions
extending from north
to south.
Situated alongside
3,400 kilometers
of the East Sea, Âu Lạc
has hundreds of beaches
known for their beauty
such as Nha Trang,
Vũng Tàu, Sầm Sơn,
Hà Tiên, Sơn Trà,
and Phan Thiết.
In 2005, Đà Nẵng Beach
in Central Âu Lạc
was selected as one of
the six most enchanting
beaches on Earth
by Forbes Magazine.
Near the southmost part
of Âu Lạc,
there are emerald water
at Phú Quốc Beach,
radiant golden sand
at Long Beach,
and sparkling white sand
at Star Beach.
Phú Quốc Beach
was ranked first among
the most beautiful and
cleanest beaches in the
world by Australia’s
ABC News in 2008.
Rivers and mountains
merge with the clouds,
while pristine water
reflecting mountain ranges.
These have formed
innumerable natural
marvels such as
Cát Bà Archipelago, with
an intermixed ecosystem
of sea and forest.
In 2004, the United Nations
Educational,
Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO)
recognized Cát Bà Archipelago as a biosphere reserve
of the world.
Cúc Phương National Park
is a natural reserve
with a very rich system
of fauna and flora.
Together with Hạ Long Bay,
Phong Nha –
Kẻ Bàng National Park,
an acclaimed site
of marvelous
and magnificent caves,
form a perfect painting and
were also recognized as
World Natural Heritages.
Besides
the natural heritages,
Âu Lạc has famous sites
recognized by UNESCO
as World Cultural
Heritages such as
Hội An Ancient Town,
Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary,
and the Complex
of Huế Monuments.
An abundant river system
also creates
attractive natural sights
on water surface.
Northern Âu Lạc is known
for the Sword Lake,
a natural freshwater lake
which looks like
an emerald gem in the midst of the city,
and Ba Bể Lake,
one of the 100 largest
freshwater lakes in the world,
recognized as
the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations
Heritage Parks in 2004.
Central Âu Lạc has
the dreamy, gentle Perfume River,
like a soft strand of
silken fabric
winding about weathered
ancient mausoleums,
palaces, citadels,
and temples.
In the South,
the Mekong River
with nine river mouths
flowing into the sea,
is a cherished image
closely connected
to the lush and
prosperous alluvial delta.
Wonderful masterpieces
of nature have woven
together to form
the beautiful country
of Âu Lạc.
The Aulacese people
are truly blessed
to live on a land with
many natural wonders
benevolently granted
by the Creator.
Azure sky and sunshine
begin the day
Beautiful Âu Lạc
has vast green fields
Listen to the sound
of the Pacific Ocean
As the waves gently caress
the land with love.
Take joy
in our peaceful country
and in the cozy house
at sunset.
Day after day,
morning and night
We work hard
to cultivate our fields
Green paddies
turn into golden rice
O friends,
loyal is our nation!
Loyal are we to our land.
We’re home now.
What shall we do?
Cultivate rice fields
and orchards diligently.
This afternoon,
in the sky and cloud
Behind the trees,
egrets soar with joy
Looking at our motherland,
I feel such love
An ardent love
for this country.
Azure sky and sunshine
begin the day
Beautiful Âu Lạc
has vast green fields
Listen to the sound
of Pacific Ocean
As the waves gently caresses
the land with love.
Take joy
in our peaceful country
and in the cozy house
at sunset.
Day after day,
morning and night
We work hard
to cultivate our fields
Green paddies
turn into golden rice
O friends,
loyal is our nation!
Loyal are we to our land.
We’ve home now,
what shall we do?
Cultivate ricefields
and orchards diligently.
This afternoon,
in the sky and cloud,
Behind the trees,
egrets soar with joy
Looking at motherland,
I feel such a love
An ardent love
for this country.
O friends,
loyal is our nation!
Loyal are we to our land.
O friends,
loyal is our nation!
Loyal are we to our land.
You’ve just
enjoyed the song
“Loyal is Our Nation,”
by composer Y Vân,
with vocals and dance
accompaniment
by our vegan
Association members.
“Loyal is Our Nation”
is a song of affection
for the country of Âu Lạc,
an ardent love
closely connected
to the beautiful nature
and peaceful life.
In today’s program,
we invite you to visit
two beautiful sites in
northern Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
recognized by UNESCO
as world scenic spots –
namely, Đồng Văn Plateau
and Hạ Long Bay.
Đồng Văn is
in Hà Giang Province,
a northernmost land
of Âu Lạc.
At the height of 1,400
meters above sea level,
with cool climate
and verdant plants,
Đồng Văn Plateau
contains mysteries
and marvelous evidence
of the history of habitat
development on Earth
hundreds of million years
ago.
Đồng Văn Plateau
is called Stone Plateau
because the terrain here
is covered with
various kinds of stones.
Coming to Đồng Văn,
we are able to admire
a world of stone: stretches
of stone mountains,
vast stone fields,
stone pyramids,
stone gardens,
stone forests,
stone animals,
stone plants…
The entire plateau
is covered with stones.
A dreamlike river
winds about, its banks
vertical stone cliffs;
cozy houses
with lingering smoke
at sunset are surrounded
by countless small stones.
Stones, stones, and stones.
Life is magical.
From crevices in stones
or on tiny patches of land
among the stones,
plants are still growing lush.
One may see a glimpse
of a young man
plowing in his field
halfway up
a stone mountain.
With the geoheritage
of international standard
and rich cultural traditions,
in 2010,
Đồng Văn Plateau was
recognized by UNESCO
as a world geological park
and as the first
global geopark in Âu Lạc.
Đồng Văn Plateau has
very rich geoheritages
such as
those of tectonics
and geomorphology,
which have left a very
vibrant natural museum
illustrating changes
of the Earth's crust.
The geological process
spanning
hundreds of millions
of years has created
interesting landscapes:
vertical cliffs,
river stone steps,
mysterious caves,
and stone slopes,
while cliffs and valleys
have formed deep canyons.
Palaeobiological heritage
and palaeo-environmental
heritage give us the
image of the environment
in the past
and the Earth’s evolution
about 540 million years
ago: Brachiopod fossils
at Ma Lé Commune
near Lũng Cú have
shown the presence of
palaeobiological species
at inshore shallow waters.
Trilobite fossils
at Lũng Cú
have proven that the age
of Long Mountain,
Lũng Cú is
about 500 million years.
Fusulinid fossils
which have been found
behind Đồng Văn
ancient market
are stones created
by the accumulation
of lifeless fusulinids.
Fusulinid fossils
are very beautiful;
they can be used to make
valuable fine handicrafts.
There are
many other fossils
in Đồng Văn Plateau
as evidence of life
hundreds of millions
of years ago.
That life has disappeared,
according to scientists,
due to global climate change
which causes
an unexpected change
of habitat.
This is a precious lesson
for us to preserve life on
our beautiful Earth today.
Đồng Văn Stone Park
contains not only stones
but also shows
the importance
of biodiversity with its
very rich fauna and flora.
Du Già Nature Reserve
is a wildlife-friendly
environment
with more than 50
animal and bird species,
especially the Tonkin
snub-nosed monkey,
a species
that exists only here.
More than 20 kilometers
from Đồng Văn Town,
Lũng Cú is
a northernmost land
of Âu Lạc.
From Lũng Cú,
we can contemplate
the impressive beauty
of mountain chains,
the peace
of mountain villages.
There was
a very fine legend
about Lũng Cú’s origin.
Once upon a time,
a sacred dragon came to stay
on the highest mountain
of this land.
The place
where the dragon resided
was Dragon Residence,
later renamed
as Lũng Cú.
The dragon was very fond
of the beautiful scenery,
yet it had to
return to Heaven
because this place
was very short of water.
The dragon left its eyes,
which created
2 sacred wells always full
of clear water year-round.
Local people use this water
for daily activities.
Mã Pì Lèng pass
is difficult and perilous
to access, but very rich
in geological heritage.
Tu Sản canyon is
700 to 800 meters deep,
1.7 kilometers long
with vertical cliffs.
Standing on the peak
of Mã Pì Lèng,
one feels as if
the blue sky is reachable.
On the other hand,
looking down the abyss,
one feels so tiny before
the Creator’s mysterious
and immense power.
Mã Pì Lèng is
a glorious sight named
“The First
Magnificent Scenery”
of Đồng Văn Plateau.
Đồng Văn Plateau also
has very attractive areas
such as “stone garden,”
“stone forest,”
and “stone beach.”
The stone garden
has interesting images.
Stone tops have images
of flowers, buds, and twigs
in diversified shapes,
as if an entire flower garden
turned into stones.
At the stone forest,
every stone top
or rock top looks like
a coiling dragon
or crouching tiger.
The stone beach
amazed people
with layers of flagstones
side by side like thousands
of shiny black seals
leaning against one another
to rest on
a peaceful beach.
All these wonders
of Đồng Văn Plateau
have become more lively
with its inhabitants of
17 ethnic minority groups
such as Hmông, Giáy,
Dao, Tày, Lô Lô, Cờ Lao,
Pu Péo, and Cao Lan,
each having its own
cultural characteristics.
Cultural interactions
among the ethnic groups
have created diversity
in the park.
The highland’s culture has
come into being through
the process of adapting
to the environment.
The customs and folk tunes
of the ethnic groups
have blended beautifully
with the majestic scenery.
The ancient town
of Đồng Văn, founded
in the late 19th century,
is a trade center
of the Stone Plateau.
Antique houses
have their unique
architectural beauty.
The bazaar
is a gem of beauty
in the Plateau’s culture.
The bazaar is a place to
exchange homemade items
for necessities.
It is also a place for friends
to meet after harvest
or to exchange
heartfelt stories.
Coming
to the Plateau bazaar,
one can view
the bright colors
of brocade in the costumes
of ethnic young women,
enjoy the folk music
infused in the ambience
of mountains, and feel
the rhythm of life here.
Gazing at the millions
of stone tops side by side,
quiet and pensive,
one feels as if
since time immemorial,
this was the land
of spiritual practitioners,
with millions of people
meditating
on the vast plateau.
Hạ Long Bay,
a small bay in the Gulf
of northern Âu Lạc,
is a natural wonder
amid the high sea.
Looking down from above,
Hạ Long Bay is
thousands of stone islands
in diversified shapes,
rising and falling
with the waves like
a vast watercolor painting.
According to scientists,
a tectonic process lasting
about 500 million years
had created Hạ Long Bay
with 1969 stone islands,
both large and small.
Among them, there is
a dense archipelago
comprised of 775 islands,
called
the Heart of the Bay.
The Aulacese consider
themselves progenies of
the Dragon and the Fairy.
Thus, legend has it
that once upon a time,
the Jade Emperor
ordered Mother Dragon
to descend upon Earth
with her Young Dragons,
to help people in Âu Lạc
build their lives.
Seeing this place
being plagued often
with violent storms,
the dragons spat out
numerous pearls which
turned into thousands
of stone islands at sea,
acting like firm walls
to stop big waves
and strong winds.
Since then,
the land started to be calm
with verdant plants, and
humans started to live
in peace and happiness.
The place where
Mother Dragon descended
is now Hạ Long,
where the Young Dragons
descended
is Bái Tử Long
and where the dragons
whisked their tails making
the water very white
is Bạch Long Vỹ.
With such magnificent
and unique beauty,
Hạ Long Bay
has twice been recognized
by UNESCO as
World Natural Heritage.
Sailing amid Hạ Long Bay,
one feels as if in a maze
of a gigantic park,
a legendary garden
with myriad
fossilized characters.
Human Head Islet
looks like a face
gazing intently
at the mainland.
Incense Burner Islet is
like a giant incense burner
amid the vast sea.
Rooster and Hen Islet
resembles a cute couple
of a rooster and hen.
In addition,
there are Turtle Islet,
Horse Saddle Islet,
and so on.
Ngọc Vừng
(Dazzling Pearl) Island
is surrounded
by many fine beaches.
In olden days, this area
had a lot of pearls which
kept the entire airspace
shining brightly,
thus it is called
Ngọc Vừng Island.
Cát Nàng Island
has a lovely
crescent-shaped beach.
Climbing the mountain
and bathing
at Cát Nàng Island are
surely delightful activities.
The cave system
at Hạ Long Bay is also
very rich and splendid.
Cave of Amazement,
one of the most beautiful
caves in Hạ Long Bay,
is so named
because the cave’s beauty
astounds people.
Passing a small path,
the cave suddenly
opens wide.
Stalactites
from the cave’s roof
look like groups
of bright spotlights.
The scene is
like a theater company
performing a fairy tale
with many lively characters.
Celestial Palace Cave is
on Đầu Gỗ Island.
The cave wall
is high and vertical,
on it many relievos
are engraved with
various unusual shapes.
Through the Creator’s
miraculous hand, tucked
inside the mountain
is a scenery just like
an opulent palace.
Virgin Cave is a
very dreamlike small cave.
Legend has it that
there was a beautiful girl
whose lover was
a gentle young man.
Due to poverty,
she worked for hire
for a landlord who
forced her to be his wife.
When she declined,
he became angry
and banished her
to a desert island.
On a rainy night,
hungry, exhausted,
and missing her love,
the young woman
turned into a stone.
That same night,
the young man rowed a boat
to look for her in the sea.
A storm broke his boat,
and he was swept
to the island.
Standing on the island,
he called her name until
he, too, turned into stone.
At Virgin Cave,
there is a limestone statue
of a young woman
standing with hair
streaming down, looking
towards the mainland.
Opposite that
is the Male Grotto,
with a limestone statue
of a young man looking
towards the Virgin Cave,
as if it’s nature’s testament
of a faithful love.
Hạ Long Bay not only
has forests, seas,
beautiful islands
and interesting caves but
also maintains the values
of an ancient culture.
The Hạ Long Culture
with its habits and customs
has been formed
since thousands of years
through adapting
to the oceanic
living environment.
During moonlit nights
and calm sea,
the mythical fossilized
characters on Hạ Long Bay
now and then appear,
then disappear,
as if in a world of legends
from long ago.
Thank you
for your company
on today’s program
featuring some
famous sites in
northern Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
May Earth’s glorious
beauty last forever
through humans’
compassionate lifestyle.
Up next is
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living,
right after
Noteworthy News.
Farewell for now.