Vietnam

My love for the colorful market cards hasn't vanished, of course, but unfortunately I haven't received many new market cards lately. This one came from Jo, showing colorful Vietnamese market with all the tasty vegetables. The postcard is beautiful indeed (I love the lightning!). Thanks, Jo! 

Vietnam

What a colorful and relaxing card came from Jo last week! It shows a temple in Ha Noi , the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam (October 2010 officially marked 1000 years since the establishment of the city). The city is located on the right bank of the Red River. 

As you know, in some Asian countries (Vietnam is one of them ), 12 animal designations are used in succession to be the specific name for a year according to the signs of the Heavenly Systems and of the Earthly Branches. Snake, whose picture carried many meanings and whose image appeared in most of the Asian cultures,  is one of these 12 animals. Snake is one of the original  religious cults of the ancient Vietnamese as well. 

Therefore, it is not strange at all that Vietnam issued two stamps commemorating Year of the Snake that Jo used on this card.  Many many thanks, Jo! 

Vietnam

Although it was travelling over two months, this card was worth waiting! You can see women dressed in the traditional Vietnamese long dresses. So simple, but beautiful at the same time. I love the hats, too :)

The stamps also represent traditional dresses of Vietnam. Thank you, Jo!

I'm back :) Starting with a new country in collection - Vietnam!

Hello, postcard lovers & collectors!  I'm back! It's been a while since I spent some of my time to post the cards that I've been receiveing on the blog, but don't blame me - this was a busy busy summer for me! But I promise to be very active in the moths that are about to come. The pile with the cards that I have received during the time I was "off" blogging is really big, so I hope you will enjoy reading and looking at all the cards which were added to my collection. So lets begin . . .  :)

I decided to start with a brand new country in my postcard collection - Vietnam. The view is absolutely stunning, especially because the photo was taken at the sunset. It shows Ha Long Bay, meaning "descending dragon bay". The bay features thousands of karts and isles in many different sizes and shapes.The New 7 Wonders Foundation, which runs the New Seven Wonders of the World program, included Halong Bay on its list of nominations as one the World's New7Wonders of Nature. In 2012, the New 7 Wonders Foundation officially named Halong Bay as one of new seven natural wonders of the world. What shall I say... If I ever make a plan to visit Vietnam, I'll add Ha Long Bay on my must-see list!

Many thanks to Jo for this beautiful postcard and cute stamps. I always appreciate using commemorative stamps instead of (quiet often) dull definitives. Thanks :)