Interesting places to visit in Lang Son

1. Mau Son

Mau Son Mountain

Mau Son Mountain is considered as the roof of the North-east where Mau Son peaks that travelers always want to conquer. This is also the place where Vietnam has the common borderline with China, where there is the cultural convergence of different ethnic groups going through many centuries but remaining today. Mau Son Mountain is lying among hundreds of small mountains. The climate here is mild: in the winter, Mau Son is always covering by clouds; in the summer, the sun shines brightly; in the spring, Mau Son is dyed with the red of peach flowers. Peaches in the mountain are both big and sweet. Mau Son has a very good type of tea and aromatic wine made by the people here with yeast composing of some special herbs in Mau Son. Only at that high level, with the source of water flowing from the heart of Mother Mountain, the taste is so delicious. To Mau Son, tourists can not only enjoy the scenery, fresh air but also mix themselves into the life of local people, the culture of ethnic minorities here.

2. Nhi Thanh Cave

Nhi Thanh Cave

Tam Giao Temple - Nhi Thanh Cave is one of the eight beautiful landscapes of Lang Son Province. According to many documents, the temple was built by Ngo Thi Si - the provincial governor of Lang Son for worshiping the three Confucius (Confucianism), Shakyamuni (Buddhist) and Lao Tzu (Daoism). On the left side of the temple is an image of a dragon carved, on the right side is an image of tiger carved. The layout influencing by the Taoist idea of "Left Green Dragon, Right White Tiger" corresponding to the eastern and western constellations. Opposite the cave's door and at the highest level, Ngô Thi Si set his statue on the stone which is considered one of the high-value works of art at that time. Inside the relics, there are also twenty monuments carved directly on the cliff recording many precious materials and guest writers of the contemporary scholars.

3. Bac Le Temple

Bac Le Temple

Bac Le is an ancient temple in Tan Thanh commune, Huu Lung district, Lang Son province. The temple is located on a high hill, under the shadow of ancient trees hundreds of years old. No one knows when the temple was built. However, based on the stone tablet built-in 1919, the temple was a small shrine before. Due to the donation of Hai Phong charitable person, Bac Le Shrine was built into a three-room temple in the style of Chinese architectural art. After renovated many times, the temple still retains the traditional look combined with modern elements and many ancient relics: nineteen large statues made of jack wood, parallel sentences carved delicately, etc. The temple of Mountain Goddess (the goddess provides the source of yields of mountainous area for human) - one of the three goddesses worshiped in the system of Vietnamese folk beliefs, and Chau Be, a real person in the area., According to the people in the region, Chau Be can be on behalf of Mountain Goddess to implement the wishes of the people.

4. Chi Lang Trail

Chi Lang Trail

Chi Lang Trail is the sacred land with extraordinary people in the northern border provinces of the country. With the terrain is difficult, Chi Lang is considered as the wall of Thang Long Capital, because it blocks the infiltration of Chinese invaders from the North. Chi Lang has a large scale of about 20 kilometers in length and 3 kilometers in width connecting Chi Lang and Huu Lung District of Lang Son. Chi Lang is a scenic area surrounded by the Kai Kinh Mountain in the west and Bao Dai Mountain in the east. The two points of the trail have independent high rocky mountains, forming a dangerous topographic. Chi Lang's heroic history is closely linked to the activities of the genius militants such as Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Quoc Tuan, and the talented leaders of Lang: Phan Canh Phuc, The Loc, Hoang Dai Hue, etc.

5. Mac Citadel

Mac Citadel

The citadel of Mac Dynasty, located in the territory of Tam Thanh ward, Lang Son city, is a military architecture relic reflecting feudal Vietnam. According to the remaining documents, the citadel was a military base that prevented the monopolistic path from North to South and was built by Mac Kinh Cung in the 16th century as a base against Le - Trinh. The road from the foot of the hill to the citadel's gate now has several straight stairways. Therefore, when looking at the far position, we will feel like the whole stairway is vividly deep. And when going to the citadel, we will feel that the scene is airy. Standing inside to look out, we recognize the favorable position of the ancient citadel: in front of it is a valley of rice fields, then to the busy village, followed by the successive mountains.

Interesting places to visit in Lang Son (part 2)

6. To Thi Mountain

To Thi Mountain

In our country, the rich imagination of the people has given many mountains the name 'Vong Phu' (Forever waiting for the husband), the mountain in Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa for example. Unlike any mountain in anywhere, a woman called To Thi with Vong Phu Mountain has become a symbol of faithfulness, has been a source of inspiration for many famous writers. The folk story about To Thi and Vong Phu mountain are told to following generations through the poetic legends. It was said that that place once had a beautiful girl. She got married and then had a son. One day, the husband left and never returned. Every afternoon, she held her son to the top of the mountain to wait for her husband. Over the years, the rain and the sun made her tired and then petrified. If you go to Lang Son without visiting the statue of To Thi, it means that you have never been to this place.

7. Gio Cave

Gio Cave

The relic of Gio Cave includes a large area with many natural caves Bo Nhan mountain range, from Sao Thuong village to the center of Mai Sao commune. The most prominent cave of them is Gio Cave. Gio Cave is 10 kilometers from the south-east of Dong Mo-Town and 34 kilometers from the north of Lang Son City. The cave is also known as Thong Gio Cave (by the name of the local people). The place was discovered by local people before 1930. In 1998, Hang Gio was surveyed by the Central Geological Survey. Then, the Lang Son General Museum in collaboration with Chi Lang District Culture and Information Office and People's Committee of Mai Sao Commune, has carried out a survey of Gio Cvave two more times (the first one was April 2001, the second was July 2003).

The road to the scenic is very convenient. From Hanoi, tourists can go by car along National Highway 1A about 125 kilometers, turn along the asphalt road 5 kilometers further to the foot of the mountain. To reach the cave's gate with a height of 100 meters compared to the yard grounds, you need to go up 392 steps made of stone and brick. The whole cave's gate is wide; the front door is about 15 meters wide, its ceiling is 10m high; the back door is 36 meters wide, its ceiling is 20 meters high. Into the cave, we see the floor is relatively flat and about 2500 square meters. The gate has a convenient path, divided into 3 floors, the length of all floors is 1500 meters. The first floor has a two-headed gate: one turn the East and other turn the West; the remaining floors turn the north. There are many stalactites hanging down. The stalactites in the ceiling, cave's wall, cave's floor and in stone columns in the cave form many shapes such as curtain, flowing water, the shape of animals (dragon, turtle, horse, etc), the shape of human and rice terraces, etc. When the light is shining, these stalactites are in all the fanciful colors.

8. Bac Son Valley

Bac Son Valley

Bac Son valley with charming scenery is located in Bac Son district. The valley is surrounded by hundreds of large and small mountains. The early morning when the clouds still cover everything and the sun begin to grow is the best time to admire the valley. If you want to have beautiful pictures, you have to get up very early to climb to the top of Na Lay mountain with a height of 600 meters. Please notice that the road to the mountain is slippery and difficult to go, so you must wear the shoes having good friction and go with your group. Some of you who are not afraid to sleep on the mountain have to prepare tents and food and drink to sleep on the mountain full of mosquitoes.

The rice fields in the valley in blue or yellow depending on the time you travel. If you want to observe the vast green rice paddies at the foot of the mountain, come here in from February to May. In June and July, the rice fields start to turn yellow, which creates a beautiful scene that nowhere has.

Read more...

6 coffee shops attract many customers in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City is a city developed by tourist sites, restaurants and hotels in Vietnam. Also, if you are a fan of coffee, do not forget to read the following article to choose the coffee shop to the best of his travel offline.

1. Pergola

Pergola

With the main violet color, the garden restaurant is known as luxurious and more beautiful than other cafes in the inner city of Saigon. Around every seat, there are green trees nearby the lakes, so it always feels comfortable and relieved that outside space. In the evenings, shimmering with romantic colors from all kinds of neon light, candles that are wonderful and romantic extremely. Moreover, the service here is also quite good. The spacious and beautiful space is an advantage for dating friends, lover, family gatherings, corporate parties, group parties, parties, or meetings with partners, customers.

2, MiA Garden Coffee

MiA Garden Coffee

District 2 is home to many large and beautiful cafe. One of them is MiA Garden Coffee that is famous for its beautifully decorated space. This restaurant is located in the front of the road but it is not noisy. This is suitable for a cool afternoon with friends or family. In the morning, you will find the romantic flower truss decorated in the shop and it can be used for the background to take beautiful pictures always. MiA Garden Coffee not only sells delicious drinks but also sells quality pastries, too. Do not forget to come here once when traveling Saigon. 

3, Cafe 7 Ky Quan - Beautiful cafe in District 6

Cafe 7 Ky Quan

7 Ky Quan is a unique beautiful coffee shop in Saigon because it has a very large space to re-image many wonders in the world such as Ha Long Bay of Vietnam, Pyramid Ai The Taj Mahal of India, the Angkor Wat relic of Cambodia, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in West Asia and the Artemis Temple in Greece and so on. With this bold, creative idea, the 7th wonder cafe is the number one destination for lovers of photography, taking pictures of the mighty or eternal nature. 

The dishes in the cafe 7 wonders are considered as both diversified, both delicious and attractive. Besides, this coffee shop also provides you with professional service and furniture, comfortable seating space. Especially, the evening is quite stunning with the light scattered throughout the path and on the decoration of the coffee shop. 

4, Little Chair Coffee - Beautiful cafe in District 7

Little Chair Coffee

Little Chair Coffee is located at Nguyen Thi Thap, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. This coffee shop was designed a classic vintage style very own so you come here to take pictures, dating or chat with your lover and friends. This is also the destination of some celebrities video recording because decorative items in this area are decorated to create a warm and gentle feeling. The music here is mostly light music and romantic music to make customers feel as comfortable as possible. Besides, the quality is also very good and the price is affordable. It is not difficult to understand that the restaurant is considered one of the most popular cafes in Saigon.

5, Huong Dong Noi Cafe

Huong Dong Noi Cafe

Huong Dong Noi Cafe is one of the beautiful cafes in Saigon that successfully depicts the green prairie space as a picture of the countryside of Southern France. The space is extremely beautiful and romantic with white swings, flowers full of paths and murmuring waterfalls to feel the lightness of the countryside quiet. Even, Huong Dong Noi is a dating destination for couples who love romance, sophistication, and lightness. Some people come to the wedding to take pictures, save the most beautiful moments of love, too. However, the bar of this shop is expensive and slightly difficult to see when viewed from the outside.

6, Oasis Cafe

Oasis Cafe

Cafe Oasis is a popular place among the beautiful cafes in Saigon. Located in an alleyway right at Nguyen Thai Son crossroad, turn to Pham Van Dong and you will see a small alley to enter the coffee shop next to a temple. The outside space is like an ancient and majestic castle, while the inside is a combination of lyrical and sophisticated in each ornament as well as the overall setting. The shop has two floors with suspension lights and aquarium colorful enough, there are plenty of space from air conditioning to the garden for you to choose. Therefore, do not forget to visit this shop if you would like to enjoy the most interesting in Saigon.

Read more...

Alternative Vietnam: a vacation alongside the locals

Vietnam is a destination that is still little touched by mass tourism but that certainly has much to offer to all types of travelers, including those who can not give up comfort.

What to see during a trip to Vietnam and how to experience it in close contact with the locals? 

A trip to Vietnam can begin with a visit to its capital Hanoi, in order to shift right after towards less touristy pathways. Hanoi is a picturesque and unique city located in the north of the country and surrounding the lake Hoan Kiem on which hovers an ancient legend: it seems that a warrior who fought and defeated enemies to achieve independence, has succeeded thanks to the sword given by the God Turtle. Legend has it that after independence were obtained, the Turtle God emerged from this lake in the form of a turtle for the return of the weapon.

Besides the lake, in Hanoi, you can admire the Temple of Literature, a building dating back to the year 1000, as well as the first seat of the Vietnamese University and the spectacular Pagoda with a single pillar, a unique building built near the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the national hero who made Vietnam independent and thus allowed its unification.

If during your travels you like to discover unique and less frequented and unusual natural landscapes, make a stop in the area of Sapa or Mu Cang Chai, always in the North of the country. Here, you can admire a vast extension of beautiful terraces where rice is grown dotted with small villages of farmers. Here you can find some holidays apartment in Vietnam to live like the locals.

The best time to enjoy the spectacle of the intense yellow colour of the rice fields is at the beginning of September, while in spring and summer the terraces are completely flooded but offer the same unique view.

After having left the North, there is able to direct toward the south of the Country (also with internal flight if you don't have many days to disposition) in order to catch up Ho Chi Minh City, the legendary Saigon, that is introduced like a lively and modern metropolis but under its sparkling lights it hides the memories of its tormented past. In this city  visit the pagoda An Quang, a place of Buddhist worship where peace and silence reign supreme. Did you know that there are still some traces of the French domination? No? Well, maybe you should go and visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame here in Ho Chi Minh City, city capable of surprising thanks to its melting pot of cultures, traditions and religions that now finally coexist in harmony.

To live, instead, the Vietnamese nightlife in the middle of the local you can go in Pham Ngu Lao Street, an area full of shops, restaurants and bars meeting place of many tourists and expats.

During a trip to Vietnam it is essential to stop in Hue, its ancient imperial capital where history, religion and mysticism come together to give the visitor a wonderful glimpse of this nation and understanding of the local culture.

Hue was the capital of the Empire of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and here you can admire the Imperial Citadel declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its particular urban structure built according to a precise symbolism. This Citadel is, in fact, protected by 7 ramparts 10 meters wide interspersed with 10 towers and 10 doors and inside there are buildings arranged according to the 5 cardinal points of Vietnamese culture, ie north, south, east, west and center that correspond to five elements, earth, metal, wood, water, fire that in turn respond to various colors.

Another charming thousand-year-old city in Vietnam is Hội An, whose historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO: it was the most important commercial port of Vietnam thanks to its strategic position along the estuary of the river Thu Bon, and was frequented by Chinese, British, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Indian, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, Japanese, traders. In particular, Japanese and Chinese people arrived in the city in spring with the right wind and left again in summer, staying in the city waiting for the monsoon winds to bring them home. These two, therefore, are the two civilizations that have influenced most architecturally and culturally the community of Hoi An. Hoi An flourished until the end of the 19th century when the river flooded with mud and the commercial port was transferred to Da Nang, 30km further north.

Since then, time has stopped at Hoi An. The city has remained crystallised as it was and thanks also to UNESCO, which has suspended and limited the architectural development, Hoi Ab has come to us almost intact, as it used to be.

Are you wondering where to sleep in Vietnam on the sea? It is strongly recommended a stop at the Ha Long Bay, in Vietnamese the bay where the dragon descends into the sea, another location included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the emerald water of this spectacular bay emerge rocky spurs of various shapes and there are over 2000 islands and islets that combine to create a breathtaking scenery that will allow you to sleep in Vietnam on the sea.

Last practical tips:

Vietnam is a country with many different climates that vary widely from north to south and depending on altitude, but there are a few months a year that are can be considered ideal to visit entirely: the months from September to December (autumn) and March to April (spring) are in fact the best time to go to Vietnam and avoid the monsoon rains that characterize the rest of the year. South Vietnam: Dry season from December to April-May and rainy season from May to November. In any case, the rains are often and willingly concentrated within a few hours during the day

Central Vietnam: The rainy season starts around November and generally ends in December-January.  November is instead, along the coast, period of typhoons. However, August - November is instead, along the coast, period of typhoons. The best time to visit the region is from February to July.

North Vietnam: The best time to visit is from October to December, with warm, sunny days. Then it starts to get "cold". The dry season begins and lasts until April-May. The rainy season is approximately from May to September.

Read more...

Top 6 Interesting Beach Camping Spots in Vietnam

Beside luxury hotels or resorts are the popular ways for overnight, tent camp will give you some new experiences during your stays. These are the best places for camping you can refer.

1. Trung Luong Picnic Area, Phu Cat

Located about 30km from Quy Nhon city, and belonging to Phu Cat district, Trung Luong picnic area is a favorite destination for many visitors thanks to the pristine beauty of the white smooth sandy beach, cliffs, and vast blue seawater.

Having a night campfire and staying overnight in the tents on the beach will make you the incredible experience. Also, you can have combined visits to Nui Ong pagoda, Thien Hung monastery, etc for more enjoyable summer vacation.

2. Co To Eco Lodge.

Located about 6km from Co To town, and featuring with thatched roofs in the impressive design and environmental friendliness style, Co To Eco Lodge is an ideal place for relaxation. Here you will have a wonderful dinner in the romantic and open space as well as a barbecue with friends and enjoy fresh seafood such as shrimp and squid. 

The price of hiring room is ranging from $25.

3. Sao Bien Ecotourism Area, Binh Lap

Some interesting wooden shacks and tents on the beach will take your first glimpse. The price is ranging from $20 -25.

Here you will have the most relaxing moments by taking some exciting games on the beach such as boating baskets, kayaking, biking, kite flying, climbing, fire camping, etc. 

Beach here is very safe for you to entertainment with clear seawater, and not too deep.

• Maybe You Like: Vietnam Tour Packages

4. Coco Beach Camp, Binh Thuan

The campsite offers different choices with tent services on your demand such as double tents, single tents or tents for the whole family.

Here you will have chance to relax while watching the peaceful scenery of the beach and enjoying fresh seafood, etc. Besides, there are many interesting activities on the beach for entertaining such as kite surfing, sailing, fishing, yoga… 

The price is affordable from $1 - $7.

5. Son My Beach, Binh Thuan

Offering with more than 20 different tents made of wooden frames, roofs and quite space of the beach with sea breeze and casuarina groves, Son My Beach would be the ideal choice for relaxing after the busy days. 

Besides, there are numerous dunes, beautiful natural lakes and stretching pristine sandy beach as well as exciting underwater games, driving terrain motor, etc for the incredible holiday.

Also, it provides the best space for night campfire in the excellent music while enjoining tasty seafood… Indeed, this would be the memorable holiday. 

6. Lu Glamping

This camping spot is located near the market and is the new place with speedy games such as diving for sightseeing coral reefs, driving UTV, playing jetski, etc. 

Besides, it offers many services with series of tents, container rooms, especially honeycomb rooms, which are preferred by many visitors.

• Read More: Pu Luong Retreat - Homestay of Lifetime Experience

Read more...

Discover Thanh Hoa, the Famous Land of History in Vietnam by Motorbike

Thanh Hoa tourism is famous for many beautiful landscape and historic sites. You definitely can explore the natural and cultural beauty in Thanh Hoa during a 2-day journey at the weekend. 

How to get there?

Departing from Hanoi in the early evening of Friday, you can drive along Ho Chi Minh Trail to explore the West of Thanh Hoa. The trail, which was newly renovated recently, is very nice, large and easy to drive. Hence, it takes only 2 hours o get to Thanh Hoa.

The roadside scenery will make you surprised by the beauty of the mountains and vast stretching plains. Arriving in the Thanh Hoa land is also when it's dark, you can find a cheap guesthouse in the town of Cam Thuy (Cam Thuy district) to rest for the journey next morning.

Cam Thuy magical stream

In the morning of Saturday, you should get up early and start the journey from town to the magical stream of Cam Thuy - Cam Luong commune in around 30 minutes drive. This famous scenic spot in Thanh Hoa is the habitat of a fish species which is considered magicl fish byb the locals. The stream segment is only about 100 m or more, but there are thousands of live fish with special mystic beauty. During the day, the fish follow water streamto the outside while at night, they swm back into the cave deep inside the mountain.

Peaceful fresh scene of the stream will give you a very pleasant feeling. Besides is a temple. You can visit and learn interesting stories about the stream from the locals’stories. There are also lots of stalls selling various regional specialties Cam Luong Mountain. You can select an interesting item as a gift for this discovery journey.

Ho dynasty Citadel - World Cultural Heritage

After visiting the magical stream, you can drive along Highway 217 to the Vinh Loc district to visitthe Ho Citadel. It takes around 45 minutes so you absolutely can visit the place in the morning.

This monument is a rare intact stone citadel in Vietnam, the only one in Southeast Asia and one of the few surviving stone castles in the world. After6 centuries, the citadel is still stable with some intact portions of the walls.

The monuments were built under the Ho dynasty, one of the shortest reign in history. Although built in a very short time (according to the history, it just built in 3 months), the citadel has shown the high level of building technique, which expressing on 4 gates, wall sections and huge stones transported from many kilometers away.

In addition to visiting the gates, the wall, you can visit the Museum of the Ho dynasty, the temples around to understand the building's history. Peanut candies and  Vinh Loc tea is also an interesting option for you to enjoy the historic stories about a mysterious dynasty of Vietnam.

If visiting in harvesting season, you can enjoy a great scene with bright yellow paintings inside the 600 year old citadel. The straight path and the ancient wall will give you a memorable photo oppoturnity about the trip. You should also eat lunch at Vinh Loc in order to discover the land in the afternoon.

Lam Kinh - Land of history

Saying goodbye to the the Ho citadel, in the afternoon you continue to move towards west to Lam KinhThis is the tomb and temple of King Le. This is also where the Lam Son revolutionary started by Le Loi, defeated the Ming invaders. Lam Kinh complex is a vast areas with temples, tomb of King Le Loi, Le Thanh Tong ..., memorial house honoring the famous people under Le dynasty. The whole area is cool with lots of trees and extremely quiet..

Sunset is when we strongly feel the nostalgia of historical depth. This place is the mark of the legendary Lam Son - a faraway and dangerous place. This also where many heroes gathered with Le Loi general and made one of the most resounding chapter of the country's history. 

Thanh Hoa city

Ending the first day, you will travel along Highway 47 from Tho Xuan Thanh Hoa city before dark. The road was a ribbon through the famous vast sugarcane fields. It increasingly dim and beautiful when sun sets behind the blue mountains.

In Thanh Hoa, if you are still strong, go down the street to enjoy the cuisine by night with amazing food. Banh khoai (pleasure cake), nem chua (fermented roll meat), banh rang bua, fried shrimp ... are attractive options after an exhausting day exploring the western lands.

You can take a bus to visit Ham Rong bridge at night, walking along Ma river or stroll around the busy streets in the city of Thanh Hoa.

Sam Son on a new day

After a night in Thanh Hoa city, Sam Son is a must see destination of the discovery. It is only about 15 km from Thanh Hoa to Sam Son. Gentle sea, the stretching beach with the salty taste and large space make beautiful and wonderful moments when you put your foot on the coast.

Sam Son beach have been a famous resort place since the French time and the most attractive tourist spot in Thanh Hoa. In addition to the long beaches, Sam Son also have Truong Le Mountain with nice places like Hon Trong Mai (fighting cock), Co Tien Pagoda, Doc Cuoc Temple to explore.

Enjoy fresh seafood at noon is the perfect choice before you return to Hanoi.

At the end of your journey, you can go along Highway 1 back to Hanoi. Thanh Hoa must leave beautiful images after 2 days exploring. Both the mountainous area in the west and the beaches in the east, both the historic sitesand the people will bring a very special experience. Thanh Hoa is both strange and familiar, and colorful on every road you go through. Wish you had fresh and exciting experience.

► Discover more corners of Vietnam with our options:

• Vietnam Private Tours
• Vietnam Honeymoon Packages
• Vietnam Family Holidays
• Vietnam Adventure Tours
• Vietnam Luxury Travel

Read more...

Six Reasons to Visit Vietnam with the Family

Are you looking for an active family getaway that is culturally interesting but also offers ample time for relaxation and idling on a beach? Here are six reasons to pack the family up and head to Vietnam.

Cultural Diversity

There is so much to explore in Vietnam, from Halong Bay to Hanoi, Nihn Bihn, and Hoi An. You may also want to travel on towards Laos and Cambodia. Be sure to hang out with the locals and get to know the real Vietnam and their diverse and fascinating culture.

Perfect for Active Families

Vietnam family holidays are all about adventure. You can experience biking through tiny rural villages and rice fields, hiking in caves, kayaking along rivers, riding a water buffalo, and try your hand at net fishing in floating baskets.

Vietnam Is a Paradise for Foodies

Vietnam is a haven for food lovers, from the nicest hotels to simple noodle shops and fine restaurants, you’ll find something for every family member’s taste buds, whether eccentric or basic. The Vietnamese are welcoming, warm and engaging, and they embrace children, often delighting in teaching them about the country.

Hands-On Educational Experiences

If your aim is to create a family trip with a range of activities to keep a variety of ages engaged and moving, a well-thought out itinerary that is tailored to each family member’s interests is possible.  Besides all the fun physical activities, be sure to schedule visits to markets, take a cooking class or two, meet with war veterans and monks, visit a bomb shelter, tour a floating village, and take a stunning photography walk through a fish market. To diversify, make sure you experience the different types of transportation, including oxcarts, planes, and boats.

Lessons You Will Never Forget

One of the most important parts of a trip to Vietnam is likely to be how open your children’s minds will become. Vietnam is the perfect location for expanding their exposure and learning lifelong lessons like simplicity, resilience, and empathy.

Geographically Sensational

The image of lotus flowers blooming among the rice fields, the sun rising over a bay, and white sandy beaches are sure to stay with you forever.

4 Lessons You Will Learn as a Family in Vietnam

1. Hunger – Vietnam will teach your children that hunger really exists and people will eat whatever they have to when they are starving.
2. Empathy – with firsthand exposure to so many different things, you will learn so much about another culture and are sure to become less judgmental and more empathetic.
3. Freedom – Vietnam teaches you that freedom should never be taken for granted, especially when it comes to education and career decisions.
4. Simplicity – sometimes, the most beautiful things are the simplest. Kids will get to learn how few material things they really need while being lucky enough to explore one of the most sensational countries on our planet.

A family trip to Vietnam is sure to be an eye-opening, adventurous trip that no family will forget in a hurry.

Read more...

Spending Spring at the Best Travel Destinations

Spring is the wonderful time of the year where you enjoy a lot of little joys of life; coming out of the layers and shopping for the best, watching the finest elements of nature and traveling to some heavenly destinations around the globe. It’s all worth it! The mild climate makes it ideal for outdoor excursions.

Although springtime differs around the globe, it is generally less crowded during this season in comparison to summers and winters. This makes it the ideal time to travel for budget travelers.

Ideal temperature, lesser crowds and even lower rates; what more could you wish for?

Here are some of the top spring travel destinations.

1. Dominican Republic

For a budgeted break, Dominican Republic works out the best. It has all the best of what you would want on a Caribbean break, without the need to loot a bank! The island paradise has the best to offer you this spring with all the amazing joys of life. Whether you wish to enjoy a beach holiday, indulge in water sports or explore the history and culture of this dreamy destination, it is ideal. The best-valued resorts, most of which are all-inclusive are the best aspect of spending your break in there. The magnificent and stunning beaches are the eye’s candy where there is plenty to explore. A stay in Punta Cana is just what you need to turn your vacation into an amazing one. From forests to the fascinating wildlife, Dominican Republic has it all.

2. Cartagena

This jewel of South America looks even more beautiful when you visit in Mid-March. Springtime is ideal if you wish to explore the magical Colombian coastline of Cartagena. Every building you travel to takes you back in time and talks about the rich history of the city. The locals are proud of these roots and would display you the best in terms of their culture and music. The amazing places to eat would make your stay worth it. One of the reasons of visiting Cartagena during spring is to enjoy the wonderful Cartagena International Film Festival. The divine beaches of Cartagena make it a popular tourist destination. Whether you wish to relax by the beach or enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding, it would be delightful. The shores in Cartagena are also famous for its thrilling scuba diving and coral reefs.

3. Bali

March is luckily dry in Bali. Their new year begins on 12TH March, making it an ideal springtime vacation. You’d be fascinated to become part of these celebrations that usually last a few weeks. Bali is the most vibrant in this month where both the tourists and locals join in for the festivities. It is one of the ideal destinations that offer tourists a lot more than their expectations. If you visit in springtime, staying at the spa-like bungalows would turn into a magical break. The exotic surroundings and intimate beaches of Bali are heavenly; making it one of the most traveled destinations in the world despite the high costs.

Read more...

A Reunification Train Trip In Vietnam

Recently I had the chance to go to experience the epic “reunification” train journey to Saigon from Hanoi. Now travellers often take this journey by an easy 2 hour flight, however I would like to take this as an opportunity to experience a unique experience in Vietnam Travel, to witness the stunning landscape from throughout the vertical length of my magnificent country, as well as to interact with those whom I meet on the train journey.

The trip started in the Hanoi Train Station at 7.pm. I accommodated the second berth in a sleeper chamber with one Vietnamese family and another foreigner. As the train slowly crawled its way out of the small alleys where residents are almost next to my window, six of us introduced ourselves, of course, I was the interpreter. The family kindly shared their foods with us. The kids were very excited to talk with the foreigner as they had the chance to practice their English at school.

The first night didn’t last long as we were a bit tired and I didn’t want to wake up the sleeping kids.

The morning welcomed us with a glorious sunrise somewhere in Quang Binh Province. The Central Region of Vietnam was still so poor, the houses by the track mostly do not have the second floor and very small. But an interesting thing was although it seemed like no one was at home, many doors were left open. I guessed that living in a same village here is like living in a same big family, where people are kind and sincere and trusting each others.

We reached Hue at noon. I went down the train to buy some local delicacies and to have a Bun Bo Hue (or Hue Beef Noodles). I had to be quick because the train didn’t stop for long.

Then on we went through the most exciting and famous part of the trip, the one that traverses Hai Van Pass. The train went very slow as the track was up and down and curvy. I could even see the end of the train looking through the window. The landscape was just magnificent. Sometimes, the track was so close to the sea then suddenly it went straight into a dark tunnel then another spectacular view at the other end. My new foreigner friend was able to capture some beautiful photos for his own travel blog. He said he was truly mesmerized by it, and for sure he was not the only one feeling so.

We said goodbye to the family when we reached Danang but the empty berths were replaced by 2 other Japanese travelers and a young Vietnamese couple. We all spoke English so we shared lots of funs and stories in the remainder of the journey. That evening we stayed up until midnight so had the chance to experience more the train after dark, when vendors passing by chambers to sell foods and drinks. I found out that some people also bribed the train security officer to sleep in his own chamber because they didn’t have enough money. I guessed in 2016, there were only intrepid travelers and those who cannot afford a flight ticket took this long train journey.

We got to Saigon not too long after the second sunrise thus ended a memorable train trip and a very special travel experience to me. This is something I highly recommend if you want to know a traditional and slow way of traveling in Vietnam.

Read more: vietnam tours, vietnam private guided tour, myanmar tours

Read more...

Top 4 Weekend Picnic Sites Costing Less than 500,000 VND Near Hanoi (Part 2)

Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc

When speaking of Tam Dao, many people will think of a comfortable resort, and is suitable for older people. However, you can experience a different Tam Dao by trekking, exploring and fully enjoying wild nature and by overnight camping activity.

Tam Dao is considered a comfortable resort

Tam Dao is about 85km from Hanoi, so it takes visitors about 2 hours travelling by motorbike from Hanoi to Tam Dao. Tam Dao has a series of majestic mountains, green trees, the seemingly endless slopes. The climate here is also very great: fresh, cool, refreshing. You can visit the places like Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall), Temple of Bà chúa Thượng ngàn (Princess of the Forest), God Tran temple, or climb over 1000 steps to reach the Tam Dao TV Broadcast Tower... If you like trekking, you can climb mountains, go through the jungles , visit Tay Thien scenic area or conquer Rung Rinh, Phu Nghia, Thien Thi peaks …

Thac Bac in Tam Dao

In Tam Dao, there are many motels, hotels with many prices to stay overnight; however, if you want to camp here, it also has plenty of area for you to pitch tents. However, you must ask the management board of Tam Dao National Forest for permission to get into the woods and camp on the mountain and absolutely obey the rules on the prevention of forest fires, as well as no hunting animals and cutting down trees illegally. You also prepare carefully food and cooking utensils, as well as the tools necessary for personal activities.

The stone church, an attractive destination in Tam Dao

If tents and food are prepared well in advance, with only 300 thousand VND / person, you absolutely can have a great overnight picnic in Tam Dao.

Tram Mountain

Tram Mountain is both a historical relic and a quite majestic scenic area. Tram Mountain is located on Phung Chau commune, Chuong My district, less than 30km from the center of Hanoi, and takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour travelling by motorbike to reach. The mountain is not too high, but the terrain is extremely beautiful with many caves, and the winding trails in the flat valleys. In the nearby area, there are a few temples that tourists can visit, such as Tram pagoda, Vo Vi temple, Long Tien Pagoda ...

The winding trail in Tram Mount.

The peaceful countryside seen from Tram mountain

You can camp in the valley halfway up the mountain; it would be great to be immersed in wild nature, immersed in the beautiful scenery at sunrise or sunset. For overnight camping in Tram mountain, you need to carefully prepare tents, sleeping bags, food, drinks, personal medical devices ... You should also go in groups to ensure the safety because Tram mountain is still pretty wild. Cost for a picnic in Tram Mountain is pretty cheap, about only 200,000 VND/ person.

Pitching the tent in the valley halfway up the mountain

Some notes for you:

- You should watch the weather forecast before going, especially if you are going to go camping.
- You have to prepare carefully tents, belongings necessary for personal activities, medicines and medical devices, vehicle repair tools, food, drinks ... and should also find and save some hotline numbers of the local functional agencies.
- If you cook outdoor, be careful and wary of forest fire since the campsites has lots of trees, grass. If afraid of cooking, you can bring snacks such as bread, canned food, sausages, fruits ...
- Remember to bring slippers to move easily and conveniently in the campsite.
- The cost of renting tents in Hanoi: 50,000 VND/ tent /2 people / 2 days; 140,000 VND/ tent/ 6 persons / 2 days; 220,000 VND/ tent /10 person / 2 days, ...
- You also should collect all the garbage before leaving.

Top 4 Weekend Picnic Sites Costing Less than 500,000 VND Near Hanoi (Part 2)

Tags : Vietnam Cambodia tours | Vietnam holiday packages | Indochina Travel Packages

Read more...

(Part 1) Top 4 Weekend Picnic Sites Costing Less than 500,000 VND Near Hanoi

With a cost of less than 500,000 NVD/ person, you will have an extremely interesting weekend picnic with the destinations below.

Ham Lon Peak

Ham Lon is the highest peak in Doc Ton mountain range in Soc Son, and is about 40km from Hanoi center. If you choose to travel by motorbike, it takes you only about 1 to 1.5 hours to travel from Hanoi to Ham Lon.

Ham Lon peak

This untouched 426m high mountain peak is a very appropriate place for trekking lovers, even the professional and experienced Fansipan climbers advise that climbing Ham Lon mountain is an effective practice and preparation before conquering the roof of Vietnam. Atop Ham Pig has a spacious and fairly flat ground with many green trees. It is very suitable for camping and making a barbeque party.

If you do not like hiking, you can stop at the foot of Ham Lon mountain, where Ham Lon (also called Suoi Bau) lake is located among the quite untouched green hills of pine and acacia. This is an extremely suitable location for camping and capturing beautiful photos. If camping overnight here, you can watch the dim mist at dawn, or beautiful sight at dusk here.

The pristine Ham Lon lake

In Ham Lon mountain, motorbike keeping service is available with the cost of VND 15,000/vehicle. If you prepare tents and food in advance, it could reduce an expense. Otherwise, in the foothills, there has a shop which demises tents, canvas, sleeping bag, tent chandeliers, fireplaces, grills, pots, bowls and chopsticks with affordable prices: 70,000 VND/ tent/2 person / day, or VND 100,000/ tent /4 person / day ... (the larger the tent is, the cheaper it will be).

Camping near Ham Lon lake

Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park is situated about 60km from Hanoi. You can come here by motorbikes or by buses; however, if on ride a motorcycle, you will comfortably look at many landscapes. Coming to this lush tropical forest, you will feel extremely comfortable by cool weather, pure nature, and many beautiful landscapes. Also, you can visit Thuong temple worshipping Tan Vien God, the temple of Uncle Ho, Vong Canh peak.

Ba Vi National Park is full of green trees and shade

If you want to stay overnight in Ba Vi National Park, you can prepare the camp and bring food from home (there are many professionally organized campsites here; however, to save money, you absolutely can choose the free campsite). Generally, the place where most people choose to pitch camps is the pine hill in Cot 400. You will experience an exciting evening with surrounding wildlife. Added to this, if going in groups, you can rent houses on stilts with the cost of 2 to 2.5 million VND to stay overnight.

The old church in Ba Vi national park attracts many youngsters and couples to take photographs

Staying overnight and making campfire in Ba Vi National park is an interesting and unforgettable experience

The Admission fee at Ba Vi National Park is 40,000 VND / adult and half the price for pupils, students, and children. If you want to make campfire, you must hire the services for 1 to 1.5 million VND (appropriate if you travel in groups and unions). Parking ticket costs 20,000 VND /automobile less than 10 seats; VND 25,000 for cars over 10 seats; VND 3,000 /motorcycle. If you balance and spend the money reasonably, you absolutely can go for a picnic in Ba Vi at weekend with the cost of about 300,000 VND.

 (Part 1) Top 4 Weekend Picnic Sites Costing Less than 500,000 VND Near Hanoi.

Tags : Indochina travel packages | Vietnam holiday packages | Vietnam travel

Read more...

Top most Beautiful Parks in Hanoi

Visiting parks will certainly bring people, especially the children with many interesting and memorable experiences. Instead of visiting the familiar places such as museums, schools, zoos,… visiting parks give the children opportunities to frolic and act in a spacious and airy area, which best facilitate the physical and mental development of the children.

Nghia Do Park

Located on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Nghia Do park is an ideal recreation, sport practice area for people living in this area. It is the harmonious combination of physical space and rest of Hanoi people. Nghia Do park is a meaningful place and meets the demand for entertainment, relaxation of all classes in society.

Built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of liberation of the capital, Nghia Do park has long been a familiar entertainment venue of young people. This is the park built in the combination of classic and modern style with many ancient trees providing shadow for people.

The amusement area on green grass in Nghia Do park

Children's play area is equipped with many games like Ferris Wheel, single bar, double bar, swing, slide, climbing the ropes ... The recreation equipment are funded and installed by Japan. The whole play floor is carpeted by artificial grass.

Nghia Do Lake in the park of the same name

One of the outstanding features of this park is to allow people to fish in the lake and have a sport section invested by the foreigners. Currently, this park is opened free to serve people.



Dich Vong Park

Located on Duy Tan Street, Dich Vong is a young park which was recently completed in 2009. The play ground in the park is rolled out grasses with the largest area in the country. This is a project of socializing sport, children's playground is covered by artificial grass in an area of 6500 m2 in total 9.7 ha of the park. This is also a play area which is invested with largest artificial grass cover throughout the country.

The community play area in the park was built with a total cost of about 8 billion VND, the majority of the cost of installation and completion were paid by the enterprises. Toys are arranged throughout the park, and all of were imported from Japan.

The children are playing on the grass carpet in Dich Vong park

Japanese entertainment supplies meet all the requirements of being durable, safe and suitable for children to take physical exercise.

Cau Giay Park

Located on Thanh Thai Street (Cau Giay District), Cau Giay park is considered the place attracting most young people because it is situated among the apartment buildings in the new urban area, many large universities, especially, it is open free for people to visit and have fun.

The panorama of Cau Giay Park

What makes the attraction of Cau Giay park is the novelty and modern of the work items. In addition, children's play area with various attractive game is another attraction of this park. The new Ecological lake area of this park is also a suitable place for many people to do the exercise and get some fresh air.

Children’s play ground in Cau Giay park

Cau Giay grass hill is built as a policy of Cau Giay District and people don’t have to pay any fees for activities in this area. Since being launched, the grass hill has attracted a huge amount of visitors coming to play, especially at weekends.

Other Park in Hanoi : Thu Le Park

Tags : Hanoi Autumn | Indochina travel packages | Vietnam Holidays 

Read more...