vietnam tours Archives

Vietnam Tours – Top 5 Beautiful Spots of Da Nang You Should Explore

Go on Vietnam tours, can not ignore Da Nang, where many beautiful places and scenic spots for tourists to explore and explore. Let’s take a look at the top 5 spots of Da Nang – make sure to explore all of them in your Vietnam tour packages.

1. Han River Bridge

Photo by: Alotrip

Da Nang can not fail to mention the romantic Han river, and Han Bridge – the first movable bridge in Vietnam, which the construction money is contributed almost from the people of the city. The bridge is built on the main axis of Bach Dang street, connecting Hai Chau district with Son Tra district. Every evening, the beautiful Han River bridge shines shiningly among the young city of Da Nang.

At around 0:30 every day, the middle of the bridge of the Han River rotates 90 degrees around the axis, along with the river flow, opening the way for large ships to pass, around 3:30 the bridge will move back its direction. Walk on the Han River and waiting for the moment the bridge moving is the pleasure of many locals as well as tourists of Vietnam tours, giving them excitement. So many people said that “not looking at the Han River bridge moves is have not been Da Nang.”

2. Son Tra Peninsula

Photo by: Senchow

Son Tra is the name of a mushroom-shaped peninsula in Son Tra district, located 10 km north of Da Nang city center. Come to Son Tra; tourists of Vietnam private tours have the chance to see sea and mountain, experience activities such as exploring Son Tra old forest, Swimming at My Khe Beach, Fishing with fishers, scuba diving.

Moreover, come to this peninsula, you should visit Tien Sa lighthouse and Linh Ung Pagoda. Panoramic view of Da Nang city from Son Tra Peak; and come to Mui Nghe – the first sunrise of Danang is must do things in your private tours of Vietnam.

3. Hai Van pass

Photo by: Hailua

Hai Van Pass was ranked in the Top 10 most beautiful street in the world by the Guardian of the UK.

Hai Van Pass is 20 km long, located in the middle of Thua Thien Hue province and Da Nang city. With a height of nearly 500m above sea level, Hai Van Pass is known as the most beautiful and also the most dangerous pass in Vietnam. From the peak of Hai Van Pass, the impressive scenery of the beautiful coastline of the country appears. It is a picturesque Lang Co fishing village, modern Da Nang city on the banks of the Han River, Son Tra mountain around the clouds, white sand beach of Non Nuoc beach, boulders of Ngu Hanh Son … Currently, despite the Hai Van Road tunnel, many visitors from tour packages in Vietnam still cross the road over the mountain trails with high mountains to see by their own eyes the picturesque landscape.

4. Ngu Hanh Son

Photo by: Tenlua

From the center of Da Nang city drive about 7km, located in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, next to Non Nuoc tourist area. Ngu Hanh Son is the five rocky mountains (Kim Son, Moc Son, Thuy Son, Hoa Son and Tho Paint) looks like the boulders emerging between large sand dunes, all year round waves clapping at the foot. To Ngu Hanh Son, tourists often come to the mountain of Thuy Son, Tam Thai, the cave Huyen Khong, Linh Nham cave, Van Thong Cave, Lang Huu cave, Van Nguyet cave … You should arrange your plan of Vietnam tours to travel to Non Nuoc – art stone village. Local artisans handcraft many stone artworks that could be the best gifts for your friend after your Vietnam tours.

5. Pham Van Dong Beach

Photo by: Sonha

Located in Phuoc My Ward, Son Tra District, at the East Sea Park, this is a public beach built at the cost of 12 billion VND which is a place to attract local people and tourists from all around the world. The beach here has an area of 7,726m2, ancillary works such as a fountain, six freshwater reservoirs, 26 shower lines, 24 composite dressing rooms. The beach can accommodate from 3,500 to 4,000 people to swim every day. If you love seas and beaches, don’t forget to come here on your Vietnam travel tour packages.

Also, five above spots are the most popular in Da Nang. There are more than 5 spots above for you to explore, keep following to find out a more attractive spot in this beautiful city. See you next time.

The Best Vietnam Tours – Explore Ba Be – the Biggest Lake in North Vietnam

Xin Chao! If you are a travel lover, I’m sure that you will want to explore the biggest lake in North Vietnam – Ba Be in your Vietnam tours. It sits peacefully in the northeast province of Bac Kan (Vietnam), famous for rich culture, extraordinary scenery, and fascinating biodiversity. Come to this fairy land and your stress because of busy life or work will be through away. Let take a look at this fancy place.

Ba Be overview

Ba Be Lake – Photo: Mr Hung

Ba Be means Three Lakes, as the name there are three big parts includes: Pe Leng, Pe Lam, and Pe Ly. It is the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam with the square over 500ha, sitting at 150m above sea level. The karst peaks surround the vast lake make the Pia Booc more magnificent.

One of the most attractive thing in Ba Be must be the ethnic minority communities. They live in small hamlets throughout, come there in your Vietnam travel tour packages, and you can see how simple life could be. Moreover, when meeting the local people in your Vietnam tours, you can have the chance to learn further about their history and culture.

It is also the perfect spot for Vietnam adventure tour with the thick jungle to explore, mystical caves to explore and rivers to kayak down. Ba Be is the home to about 1268 species of flora and fauna, some of them are rare species. On the other side, researchers have discovered many species as Chinese pangolins, macaques, flying squirrels, langurs, and bears, fish, birds, butterfly. What a paradise for your Vietnam tours!

Festivals and events

Long Tong Festival – Photo: Elbazuna

The most exciting way to know more about Ba Be culture and art in your tour packages in Vietnam must join the festival here. One of the biggest festivals you shouldn’t miss is the Long Tong Festival AKA the Spring Festival. It’s held on about 9th-10th days of the first lunar month, and on Feb as the usual calendar. Local people want to celeb in honor of the first rice crop of the year when they hold this festival. On this occasion, people from all the ethnic minority villages get together; they wear the finest clothes with the most colorful embroidered attire. The local people also decorate the waving flag, and the traditional decorations make all the place colorful and bright. Join this festival on your Vietnam tours you will have a chance to see and try the classic game, music, and art. The most beautiful memory in my Vietnam tour to Ba Be must be the floating flower patterns on the lakes in the festival night.

Food and Drink

Lon Cap Nach – Photo: Dulichbabe

Ba Be famous with farming and fishing conditions so that come to this place on your Vietnam tours, you will have the chance to lick on the freshest dishes ever. All the ingredient comes from the local field or takes from the lakes and rivers, especially fish.

I never can forget the taste of Lon Cap Nach from my Vietnam travel tour packages. Its name can know as pig carried under the arm because the pigs are so small that you can bring it under your arms. Sound strange, isn’t it? But truth me, you never can find another dish more impressed than this one. The dish is made from the pig which is under 10kg in weight and raised in the forest or field to have the sweetest and tender meat. With the homemade spices, the grilled or roasted pig is the most wanted dish for your dinner.

Beside Lon Cap Nach, you can try Chicken, Tofu and various vegetable when you are on tour packages in Vietnam to Ba Be Lake. All of them are fresh and tasty that are so sweet for your meal. Have dinner with the local people while listening traditional music, or some fairy story is the best way to through your stress away.

Now book your tour and take your luggage, it’s time to explore and try all of these things by yourself. Hope you the best trips and most beautiful memories!

10 Cafes Must Try in Saigon When You are on Vietnam Tours

The idyllic Vợt cafe in District 11 retains the exquisite flavors of handmade, Mockingbird and Sai Gon Oi coffee in the old condominium in District 1, bringing the space to enjoy with exquisite décor are in the top 10 café must try when you go on Vietnam tours.

Vợt coffee in Chợ Thiếc

Photo: Ihay

The 1st café you must visit when you go on Vietnam tours to Saigon must be Vợt café. Located behind the Chợ Thiếc in District 11 (Ho Chi Minh city), Mr.Thanh’s small cafe on Tan Phuoc street has no signboard, but visitors often frequented it. This coffee is made from coffee powder put in a thin cloth bag (also known as Vợt). Coffee maker puts the bag in the terracotta kettle and then poured boiling water as tea making. A few minutes later the coffee is poured into the aluminum kettle, placed on the stove before serving. Each hot black coffee is priced at 4,000vnd, hot milk coffee is 6,000vnd.

81 Café

Photo: Trung Vo

Although located in crowded District 1, the restaurant still creates a peaceful, familiar atmosphere on Nguyen Van Nguyen Street. Visitors of Vietnam private tours come the restaurant will be impressed because of the sign, each decoration objects, and the fading time color wall. Spacious lounge space with multiple seats makes it easier to choose a seat. A simple menu of drinks with lemonade, coffee, me da (iced Me juice)… Price per item is only about 25,000 to 35,000vnd.

The Things Café

Photo: Ghiencafe

In the heart of vibrant Saigon, on the second floor of Ton That Dam old apartment is The Things. Go through the small and wet stairs, visitors of private tours in Vietnam will come to a narrow space in the door of the shop. Quiet and vintage space suitable for people who are quiet and love photography. The restaurant also appeared in the clip “Đi tìm cà phê Việt – looking for Vietnamese coffee” of the correspondent of BBC Travel. Drinks here are priced from 30,000vnd to 50,000vnd.

Mockingbird Café

Photo: The Indian Express

Mockingbird hides in Ton That Dam condominium, District 1. Apartment style is the combination of classical and modern, Asia and Europe in each decoration. Large windows overlooking the bustling streets create more airy space for the coffee shop, while the bar serves drinks to bring the modern sophistication. In addition to the drinks, guests can choose many kinds of cakes. The price is about 25,000 to 55,000 VND for a drink. You shouldn’t miss the chance to see such a beautiful café shop when you are going on tour packages in Vietnam.

Út Lành Café

Image:Út Lành facebook

The other café I recommend for the visitor of Vietnam tours could be Út Lành café. The restaurant located on Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1 and decorated idea is about Saigon in the 80-90 years to create a space makes all people feel nostalgic. The items in the shop are collected by the store owner around the city. The menu is not only full of drinks but also various kinds of childhood snacks such as mì trẻ em (baby noodles), bánh ống (flute cakes), khô bò (dried beef)… The drinks here are formulated according to their own recipe. Each drink costs about 40,000 – 45,000 VND.

Thức Coffee

(“Thức” means “stay awake” in English)

Photo: Thức Coffee facebook

This is one of the first “no sleep” cafes in Saigon with the bold idea of an 8x hostess. The shop is aimed at diverse guests such as students, office workers, art writers, teens or creative workers who need a corner for themselves. Thức coffee first located on Pasteur Street, District 1, but now it is available in many corners of Saigon. The menu is the variety of drinks from coffee, tea to fruit smoothies, cost about 30,000 to 40,000 VND. This is really a waste if you don’t come to this restaurant when you have Vietnam holiday tour packages.

Saigon Ơi Café

Photo: Saigon Ơi facebook

Located in the old Condominium, No. 42 Nguyen Hue, District 1, the restaurant has a youthful, airy and natural design. The balcony place several sets of tables and chairs, which are suitable for people come alone or with a group of friends and can enjoy a panoramic view of Nguyen Hue walking street. The restaurant is crowded in the weekend. It is hard to find a space on the balcony if you come to the restaurant on Sunday because this is the most interesting place. So that if you are going on Vietnam tours, you should set up your plan to go to this place on weekdays. The price of a drink here is about 35,000-555,000 VND.

The Open Space Café

Photo: Ghiencaphe

This is not only a coffee shop, it is also the place to organize making pastry and yoga classes. So the guests and visitors on Vietnam travel tour packages come to the restaurant not only enjoy drinks, listen to music, read books, work but also can participate in making the pastry, openly discuss art as the name of the restaurant. Drinks and cakes in the restaurant are priced from 40,000 to 85,000 VND. There are two addresses on Vo Thi Sau Street, District 3 and Nguyen Trong Tuyen Street, Phu Nhuan District.

Giờ dây thun Coffee

(“Giờ dây thun” is the nick for the persons who always late for party)

Photo: Phong Vinh

Famous for being a mysterious, secluded place located on Vo Thi Sau Street, District 3, this café is visited by many Saigon youths and visitors on Vietnam private tours. On the first visit, the guests will be impressed with the liberal style of nomadic, wild, free in every detail. Although not has much space, the restaurant still brings the intimacy by unique decorations, diverse drinks, and vibrant music. Price per drink is about 30,000-50,000 VND.

Yesterday Piano Coffee

Photo: FB Yesterday Piano Coffee

At noon, guests can eat with friends, colleagues while listening to soft music. The restaurant also has a photo studio with many professional, and modern equipment so that it could be the beast place to visit if you go on Vietnam tours. This restaurant regularly organizes photography workshops to serve guests who are passionate at art. Visitors coming here will feel the deposition, recollection, and nostalgia, completely different from the noisy atmosphere outside. Coffee located on Ho Bieu Chanh Street, Phu Nhuan District. Price per drink here is about 30,000 to 70,000 VND

Top Must-see Location of Saigon in Your Vietnam Tours

Saigon as known as Ho Chi Minh city is a beautiful city in the south of Vietnam. We are going to visit a city without sleep, where you can feel the bustle of life even at midnight. There are many promising destinations, but your Vietnam tours to Saigon will not be perfect if you do not have a chance to explore these top attractions of Saigon.

1. Binh Tay Market

Photo: Buffalo

You maybe wonder that why not I advise you to visit Ben Thanh market in your tour packages in Vietnam, right? I know Ben Thanh market is more popular than Binh Tay market in Vietnam tours, but trust me, Binh Tay market has a better price. On the other side, people who have more local experience told that Binh Tay market is more exciting than Ben Thanh market.

This market is located in the Cho Lon area of Saigon, as known as Chinatown, one of the major official markets.
I wouldn’t go to Ben Thanh market if I didn’t read about it from Eating Asia before I go on the Vietnam holiday tour packages. They said that there eas a wet market behind the market in the morning. Moreover, although this market gives you a similar feel to Ben Thanh market, there are many of product sold in this market include clothes to foods. Binh Tay market also caters more local Vietnamese, products are cheaper.

You should visit Binh Tay market in the morning in order to find an amazing fresh wet market around the back street of the official indoor market. You can buy many fresh locals food and ingredients here.

All of these things make Binh Tay market become the best part of Saigon I would recommend seeing in Ho Chi Minh city.

Don’t miss the chance to try some local foods from the small food court. I once try a plate of noodles fried with beef (as known as mi goi xao bo), while sitting on a stool, drinking a cup of coffee. I never can forget how I was happy at that time, a simple happy.

Address: Binh Tay Market, 57 Thap Muoi, 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

How to get there: Binh Tay market is located in District 6. You can get there by jumping in a taxi, it takes me 110,000 VND and 15 minutes to get there.

Open hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily for the official indoor market section, and about 5 am – 9 am for the outdoor wet market

2. Thien Hau Temple (Pagoda)

Photo: HCMC

Go on Vietnam tours, you shouldn’t forget to explore this site. Thien Hau temple (Pagoda) is located in District 5 (as known as the Chinatown area). It was built in the 19th century, dedicated to Thien Hau, the Lady of the Sea.

Honestly, I don’t think it could be at that amazing when I see it from the outside. The entrance wall face was quite well weathered, rather unmaintained but also can give you an ancient feel. But when you go through the entrance, I’m sure that the intricate details and carvings inside will make you amazed.

One of the most amazing parts of Thien Hau temple muse be the incredible sculpture reliefs carved in the upper roof which depicts scenes of daily life in old days.

The pagoda look dusted in black soot because of being weathered and had accumulated incense smoke years after years. It could be your unforgettable site in your Vietnam private tours.

Another attraction of this pagoda must be the giant coils of incense which hanging from the ceiling, filling the pagoda atmosphere with smoke.

I’m sure that you will find this pagoda has a very strong Chinese presence. But in my though, this pagoda has many differents which are come along with Vietnam traditional. Explore this site and feel as your own way in your private tours in Vietnam.

Address: Thien Hau Temple, 710 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

How to get there: This pagoda is located in District 5. So that you can get there by taxi as the easiest way.

Entrance price: Free

Open hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm daily

3. Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

Photo: Vietfun

Museum of Ho Chi Minh City as known as the Revolutionary Museum or the Gia Long Palace in the past is the amazing site you must see in your Vietnam tours to Saigon.

I came here in the morning of a weekday and very surprised because it wasn’t busy as the War Remnants Museum which I once visited on my trips. So if you like a peaceful place to walk around and feel the exhibitions, this could be the ideal destination.

You can see the history and making of HCMC and many Vietnamese culture exhibits in the display. But the things I like the best on this site must be the neoclassical structure was built in 1885 with wooden staircases and big pillars.
Come to this place on your Vietnam travel tour packages, you not only have the chance to see the beautiful site but also raise your knowledge about Vietnam history.

Address: Ho Chi Minh City Museum, 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

How to get there: You can visit The Ho Chi Minh Museum by walking a short distance do the Cathedral of Notre Dame because the museum is located near the Dong Khoi area.

Open hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily

Hope you will have an unforgettable trip and don’t forget to visit these sites.

Visiting Cat Ba island and Advice for Tourists in Vietnam Tours

Included in the world cultural heritage collection Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba is considered the biggest island with 367 isles in different sizes. The total acreage is up to 350 square kilometers. This summer, have you decided somewhere to go for Vietnam tours? This article provides you some suggestions for an exciting trip to Cat Ba, an outstanding destination for any tourist.

There are reasons for that Cat Ba was honored to be recognized by the famous travel magazines Rough Guide as one of five most attractive places for foreign tourists when coming to Vietnam. Recently, the images of Cat Ba have appeared overwhelmingly in the blockbuster movie of Hollywood in 2017 “Skull Island”.

Visiting Cat Ba in any of Vietnam tours, tourists not only have chances to enjoy and watch the exciting natural beauty of this place such as the immensely emerald sea, marvelous mountains, lovely and pristine beaches, or join in the adventure to explore the mysterious caves which bring interesting experiences to visitors once being here. Moreover, tourists can also learn about a long-standing culture which can be seen clearly in the local customs and practices on the island 30-kilometer far from the mainland in a Vietnam land tour package.

One of the most attractive sceneries in Cat Ba can be gathered in Lan Ha Bay, which is located in the East of Cat Ba Island. With the total acreage is 7,000 hectares, Lan Ha Bay is outstanding for its spectacular beauty of nearly 400 isles in all sizes and shapes. Going for a trip to Cat Ba in this season, Lan Ha Bay is an ideal choice for tourists who love swimming and pristine sights.

If visitors come to Lan Ha Bay in the time period among February and March, the weather is fairly cold with drizzles of spring, which creates the fanciful bay immersing in the foggy atmosphere. It is like you are in a fairy tale. All of what you look for a unique tour in Vietnam can be found here. It is even more interesting to enjoy all the best charming attractions that nature gives to Lan Ha Bay in a tour in the summer with blue sea, white sand and sunshine, etc.

Especially, to tourists who love exercises, explorations and experiences, Cat Ba is considered an ideal destination. Tourists can join in various activities during a tour package, like any other local tour in Vietnam, from the marine experiences such as visiting Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay on yachts, rowing Kayak, swimming, diving to watch colorful coral reefs, visiting fishing villages or going fish and squids catching… to activities ashore like trekking in Cat Ba national forest, mountains climbing, caves exploration, sightseeing around the island on motorbikes, going to some historical relics, etc.

Cat Ba is also very famous for its caves, whose beauties have attracted a lot of people when coming to this ecotourism destination. Among Vietnam tours, tourists should not forget this experience, to explore the beauty of natural caves. Tung Gau is the sole place in Cat Ba to be chosen to film the movie Kong due to its charming natural beauty. Besides, you cannot skip other most well-known caves here namely Quan Y cave, Hoa Cuong cave, Phu Long cave and especially Trung Trang cave. Trung Trang is the biggest valley in Cat Ba Island with the total acreage up to 300 hectares. Visitors often choose this cave to visit for a Vietnam typical tour in Cat Ba Island. Throughout thousands years being formed and abraded, this cave has become a masterpiece of nature. With the length of 300 meters throughout a mountain, this cave can contain hundreds of tourists at once, which is impossible to the other caves.

Some outstanding activities in this place as in a Vietnam travel tour package:
– Visiting Cat Ba national forest: Quan Y cave, Trung Trang cave, Ngu Lam peak…
– Visiting Lan Ha Bay, Ha Long Bay by yachts: fishing villages, Kayak rowing, swimming, diving to watch coral reefs…
– Homestay overnight in the sea, go fish and squids catching at night…
– Visiting Tung Gau sceneries – the chosen place for filming the movie Skull Island.

If you have spare time, just spend your holiday for one of Vietnam tours in this amazing destination for once in your life. You will never feel regretful if choosing this place to visit with all the stunning sceneries and unforgettable experiences. For both tourists and backpackers, Cat Ba Island should always be included in your list to come.

Tours to Saigon, Vietnam- Where should you visit ?

It couldn’t be better if you have a chance to go on Vietnam tours to Saigon in two weeks. Because this city is quite unlike any other city in the world. There are many colorful things waiting for you in this cities, which need moths to explore.

Below are top sights and must things you should try once you go on the private tours in Vietnam especially Saigon.

Visit the War Remnants Museum

Photo: Tripadvisor

This is the best place to go when you have Vietnam travel tour packages to Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC). The War Remnants Museum is the one that sticks in mind of many visitors when they come to this city. It is not alike other war memorials around the world such as Pearl Harbour or Hiroshima. You will see the harsh realities and the imagery of what happen during the Vietnam War. You could go out the museum without joy but I’m sure that you can get a lot of valuable experience.

Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels

Photo: Bunnik

You should go to the Cu Chi Tunnels because the museum cannot give you enough harsh realities and the imagery about Vietnam War. This is a large warren of tunnels which was built by the Vietnamese during the war. The tunnels were lived by thousands of Vietnamese, it is also the witness of many combats went down there. This place is pretty fascinating and spooky. You can come to this place in less than 1 hour from Saigon when you have a chance to go on Vietnam tours.

Visit the Ben Thanh market

Photo: travelfish

Ben Thanh market is a unique market I’ve ever come when I have tour packages in Vietnam. You not only can buy fruits, vegetables but also can be served food in this market. Sounds like a small supermarket, sure? The most memory of me about this market maybe the fruits. Some kinds of fruits not only have strange look but also have a strange smell.

Have you ever try durian? It is not only famous in Thailand but also a local fruit sold a lot in Ben Thanh market. I really like durian but my boyfriend does not. He even couldn’t smell its smell. The hostels I lived even didn’t let us bring durian onto their premises because of the stench so that if you want to buy some fruits to eat, you should buy more rambutan – a local fruit too.

Day trip to the Mekong Delta

Photo: iccse

Another place you shouldn’t forget when you have a chance to go on Vietnam tours in two weeks is the Mekong Delta. There are many interesting things waiting for you to explore here such as:
• Boat along the small canals of the Mekong Delta at My Tho
• Meet local fishermen then see how villagers make banana and coconut leaf cakes
• Enjoy fresh river food in the heart of the Mekong
• Walk across the famous Monkey Bridge
• Enjoy traditional southern Vietnamese folk music
• Visit the 4 fabled islets of Unicorn, Dragon, Tortoise and Phoenix

All of above things are really excited and unforgettable. Plan your Vietnam tours carefully to have enough time to try all these tasks.

Drink Vietnamese coffee and seek out some street Bia Hoi

Photo: foody

There are two kinds of drink you shouldn’t miss the chance to try when you have a chance to go on the Vietnam tours, they are coffee and Bia Hoi (a special kind of beer you ever try). This kind of drink you can find easily in every corner of Saigon city with many different prices based on where you drink.

I once tried Trung Nguyen coffee after asked a local where he went for coffee and followed his direction. I never forget the taste of such velvety smooth, bold and rich creamy coffee.

And I tried Bia Hoi several times when I followed private tours of Vietnam. This drink is very popular with local people not only in this city but all around Vietnam. This could be the best if you drink it in a street side restaurant, sat on a child-sized plastic chair while hearing the whizz of motorbikes. You never can forget this memory once you got a chance to try.

Top 10 Charming Flower Seasons in Vietnam

Vietnam’s nature is highly abundant and various. Thanks to diverse climate, each region has a peculiar flower season. From January to September, you can start away to Vietnam in any time to discover marvelous wonderland of flowers.

1. Sua flower, Hanoi

Sua tree is also called as blackboard tree, Indian devil tree, ditabark, milkwood pine, etc.

In each season, Honoi has a private flower but one makes people away from home remember the most is maybe passionate sua-flower fragrance. Therefore, in autumn (about in September and October), when tiny clusters of sua-flower emit fragrance over streets and roads, it is the best time to return Hanoi. Then all of a sudden in an afternoon of rolling wind or a slightly cold autumn night, you will unexpectedly realize that gone streets adhere firmly to the gently sweet scent of this flower.

2. Flamboyant flower, Hai Phong

This city is designated as “The city of red flamboyant flowers”. When summer comes, all over streets in Hai Phong become radiant by scarlet of this flower. With thousands of flamboyant trees grown everywhere, a whole of the city is bright up like in Tet holiday. Coming to Hai Phong city, you can take a trek in Cat Ba national park, kayak in Lan Ha bay (near Halong bay, still untouched) and admire gorgeous beauty of flamboyant flowers.

3. White cauliflowers, Moc Chau

That is an elegant and romantic beauty of this vast plateau. White cauliflower season in Moc Chau (Son La province) starts in last of a year. This flower blooms just in a pretty short time, but as fully blooming, elegant cauliflowers cover all hills and valleys in Moc Chau by an immense white. Along with fanciful mist spreading out and slightly chilly air, this stunning scenery will make you surprised like losing in a fairy-land.

4. “Tam giac mach” flower, Ha Giang

From late October to early November is “tam giac mach” flower season in Ha Giang. “Tam giac mach” tree is grown to get grains, which are used for making cakes. When blowing, this flower has a white-light-pink color really beautiful, inadvertently creating a specially lovely and scenic scenery. Thus, this is an expected time in this rock plateau.

5. Peach blossom, Sapa

When freezing winds of winter is gone and warm spring sunbeam comes, peach petals begin blowing boomingly all over backs of mountains and hillsides. Just by wild beauty of forest peach petals inspire many travel groups to reach here. Although forest peach blossoms are common over Northwestern Vietnam, but ones in Sapa make travelers eager more a lot. That’s because Sapa peach blossom is big, has thick petals and blooms strongly even in piercingly cold weather. From December to February is the time Sapa peach blossoms open out profusely. Trekking in Sapa at that time will be absolutely memorable. If lucky, you will see snow falling.

6. Pinkster flower, Mount Fanxipan

This flower blooms perennially along roads to Fansipan, but the best beautiful in April. Growing naturally and wildly, but pinkster flower has a radiant beauty thank to its big size, effulgent and copious color like red, pink, yellow and white. To admire pinkster flower, you can travel to Hoang Lien (Lao Cai) national park, where is dubbed as “the kingdom of pinkster flowers”. The flower blooms sharply when the weather is dry, which is convenient for Fansipan hiking tours. Therefore, conquering the roof of Indochina combining with watching pinkster flowers will be a wonderful choice for adventurers.

7. “Ban” flowers, Northwest

Ban flower has its English name as Bauhinia Variegata.

This flower blows dramatically in March, when drizzle has stopped and warm sunshine has been up. With pristine white, “ban” petals create a limpid beauty for northwestern forests and mountains. Over Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, scenes become poetic, flutter souls and hearts of anyone.

8. Coffee flowers, Central Highlands

March is the best time to travel to Central Highlands of Vietnam. This is not just the season that bees fly out to get honey and elephants go down rivers to absorb water, but also the season that coffee flowers bloom whitely in branches. In the slightly cold weather of the early season, lovely and snow-white little flowers overlay farms and fields as bringing an atmosphere of white spring. Along basalt soil ways, two sides are filled of white flowers, you will feel faintly aroma of coffee blending in breezes.

9. Tree marigold flower, Dalat

Keeping on December, Dalat is pulsating by footsteps of travelers everywhere reaching here to contemplate tree marigold flower. This flower grows in two sides of roads, rising up high to catch sunlight, spreading sprigs and leaves like welcoming. Although not radiant like sunflower, but when blooming profusely, tree marigold flower creates a fascinating yellow carpet on over roads leading to the highland city. You can admire tree marigold flower on routes from D’ran and Lien Khuong to Dalat.

10. Lotus flower, Dong Thap

Lotus in the northern Vietnam just blooms in summer while in Dong Thap, this flower blows perennially. Lotus is present everywhere in Dong Thap. Keeping on the flood season (about October to September annually), sweet and delicate fragrance of lotus, along with abundance of indigenous products and attractively immense scenery, attract travelers to this low-lying marshland. Not just only immersing in the poetic and romantic scenery of innumerous and extensive lotus ponds, you can row yourself, go fishing and gather lotus flowers with the residents.

Top 5 foods should try in Ha Noi, Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine has many different dishes to sample and some of these dishes originated in Hanoi. In Hanoi you can enjoy traditional food in restaurants or road side stalls. Fresh ingredients are normally used which are brought from the market every morning. Noodle soup cooked in many different way, there are 5 foods you should not miss when traveling in Ha Noi.

1. Pho (Noodle food)

Pho, a typical dish of Hanoi people, has been existing for a long time. Pho is prefered not only in a sophisticated manner but also in the technique which is required to have sweet but pure bouillon, soft but not crashed noodle, soft and sweet smelling meat. Only in cold days, having a hot and sweet smelling bowl of Pho to enjoy would make you experience the complete flavor of the special dish of Hanoi.

2. Bun thang

Dishes made of soft noodle soup are diverse such as vermicelli and fried chopped meat, Bun Thang, vermicelli and sour crab soup, stewed vermicelli and boiled lean meat, etc. The popular dish is vermicelli and sour crab soup whilst Bun Thang is for con-noisseurs, unique and available in Hanoi only. A bowl of Bun Thang includes lean pork paste, thin fried egg, salted shredded shrimp, chicken, onion, shrimps paste, and a little Belostomatid essence. Especially, Bun Thang bouillon made from shrimps and meat must be very sweet and pure. Without enjoying Bun Thang when arriving to Hanoi, it somewhat seems to lack of a part of taste of Hanoi.

3. Bun cha

Bun Cha Hanoi is another great way to use what we have already made (thit nuong, a variation of nem nuong, and picked carrots and daikon). As the name implies, this dish originates from the city of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, but is very popular throughout the country. It is similar to Bun Thit Nuong, in that both vermicelli and thit nuong are used, however the difference is that it includes a cha (pork sausage patties) and both grilled meats are soaked in nuoc mam cham, allowing it to soak up all the flavors of the nuoc mam. The cha nuong in this dish is slightly different then nem nuong in that there’s less garlic and sugar and no baking powder, although if you made nem nuong, you can certainly use it to make bun cha Ha noi.

4. Banh cuon

Banh Cuon (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls/Crepes) is the perfect holiday detox food. Banh cuon is a very light crepe often with ground pork, minced wood ear mushroom, and onions and eaten with Vietnamese ham (cha lua), steamed beansprouts, and cucumbers. Another variation arising from a village in Northern Vietnam famous for their banh cuon is called banh cuon “Thanh Tri” a style where the crepe is not rolled but kept in sheets without any filling, and sprinkled with fried onions.

5. Cha ca la Vong

One of Hanoi’s most famous specialties is Cha Ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish pies). The dish was invented by Doan family and has quickly become so popular that the name of the street where it is served was changed into Cha Ca (fish pie) from its former name Hang Son (Paint Street). To have tasty pie, the fish selected is Hemibagrus with solid fresh, less bones and good scent. Fish bones are left away to keep fish meat only, then seasoned with fish sauce, pepper, saffron and galingale. After that, the processed fish is grilled by coal heat and turned upside down to make both sides baked.

When serving, an oven of coal is needed to keep Cha Ca always hot. It is served with rice vermicelli, dried pancakes, roasted peanuts, sliced onion leaves, basil and shrimp paste with lemon and chilly.Hanoians often eat this dish while sipping some alcohol in the cold weather. If you are in Hanoi, you should come and explore the grilled fish pie yourself.

Active Travel Asia promote tours to Sapa – the Cloud city of Vietnam

Nestled among the Hoang Son Lien Mountains, Sapa is an excellent gateway to the H’mong and Dao villages that dot the landscape of Vietnam

The first thing travelers should know about Sapa is that it is one of highlands in Vietnam – 1,600m above sea level. That means a leisurely stroll to the nearest tribe village is more like an hour-long trek up and down some steep slopes. It is not a destination that travelers should tackle without some mental and physical preparation.

Having said that, Sapa is a sight to behold. The Hoang Son Lien range of mountains, which dominates it and includes Fansipan – Vietnam‘s highest peak at 3,143m – is the eastern extremity of the Himalayas.

Conquering Fansipan mountain Vietnam

On a good day, travelers’ view is a myriad of colors merging onto textures of landscapes as vivid sky hues blend into the browns and greens of the mountains before cascading back into the blues as rivers and streams mirror the skies.

Even on wet days, the landscape is not a total washout: Rolling mists blanket the valleys and lowlands, giving it a veil of mystery.

When travelers were there in October, the temperature hovered between a cool 16°C and 19°C but travelers were told it could dip to zero in winter and push the mercury to 29°C in summer.

The best time to visit this quaint town is from March to June, when it’s warmer and drier – making the mountains easier to scale – or from September to December, if travelers want to escape the heat.

When it’s wet, escape into the many cafes about Sapa town where a piping hot coffee or rich hot chocolate will return the color to traveler’s faces. Once a French colony, Sapa’s pastries and breads are the softest and fluffiest travelers’ve ever had, with toasty crusts to thaw traveler’s frigid fingers.

Myriad cuisines, from Indian to Italian, can be found in Sapa town. The adventure of tourism has ensured that different palates from all over the world are catered to. Although, personally, nothing warms the tummy like slurping up a hot bowl of pho.

Take a short walk from Sapa town to the bus station and travelers find themselves surrounded by eateries proffering steamboat, grilled meats and pho.

The clean air and water give the mountain greens an added crunch and a delicious natural taste, that even non-vegetable lovers will leave their plate bare.

Terraced field in Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is located at the Lao Cai province in north-west Vietnam, bordering China. Lao Cai is also a station to cross into China from Vietnam. Treks into the neighboring hill tribes of Black H’mong (say “her-mong”) and Red Dao (“zhao”) are a must. The Black H’mong is characterized by the indigo vests they wear while the Red Dao is identifiable by their red headgear.

A local guide from the hill tribes can be hired for expeditions into the villages. English-speaking guides can be found easily at the hotels or tour offices around town. The level of spoken English is pretty good, with many of the guides sporting British, Australian and even American accents.

A fee must be paid at guard houses located at the entrance of the tribes before entering the village. These go towards development of the villages, with a budget set aside for schools which kids attend for free. A guide we met at a tour office warned us against going into the villages alone as authorities have been known to penalize unaccompanied travelers. Besides, having a guide offers some insights into tribe culture.

A trek through the Black H’mong village took travelers four hours, at a leisurely pace. The cool weather and the friendly Black H’mong villagers made the experience a very enjoyable one.

Travelers learnt the hard way that travelers should ask before travelers take pictures as some of the tribes’ people may not be receptive. But the locals are more than happy to pose for travelers if travelers ask nicely.

GETTING THERE

To get to Sapa Vietnam travelers need to take a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. From there travelers will take a mini bus up in to the town of Sapa. Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa can be arranged for a reasonable price. Travelers might also be able to take a bus but it takes much longer. Railway tickets can be bought locally, via travel agents or at train stations.

GETTING AROUND

Local hotels and travel agents offer daily bus and private car between tourist attractions in two ways.

PACKAGES

Active Travel Asia (844 3573 8569; www.activetravelvietnam.com) offers package trips in Sapa, Vietnam with some activities like trekking & hiking include accommodation, meals, guide, activities and return ticket from Hanoi to Lao Cai and vice versa and transfers.