You’ve planned an exciting summer trip, but Vietnam summer is also the Vietnam rainy season, the rain suddenly can interrupt your excursion. Do not worry, we’ll tell you the experience to turn yellow travel rainy season becomes a pleasant experience unforgettable.

PREPARATION BEFORE TRIP BAGGAGE

The first important items you need to prepare when making a rainy season trip are the waterproof backpack. Choose from waterproof fabric type such as with vinyl cover or backpack with rain cover, when it is necessary to pull up all the backpacks. You should also bring small waterproof bags or nylon bags to wrap items such as phones, cameras, laptops, pills… when necessary, anti-damp.

Whether an object and raincoats are separated so that you deal with sudden showers of rain drizzling down while wandering around town in the tourist destination. You also should bring mosquito repellent and insects in their luggage. Costumes should choose a light fabric, fast-drying, easy to wash. To keep warm at the same time create a little accent on the dress you can toss a thin towel or bring jacket waterproof wind outside. Sandals, plastic shoes or shoes made from waterproof fabrics are the smart choice for those rainy days. To make shoe soles and high adhesion to avoid slipperily.

TRANSPORT

In many rainy tourist destinations, motorcycles and bicycles are the most popular types of transportation that are preferred because they are both convenient and comfortable to move and enjoy the experience.

If you are afraid to ride a motorbike, you also have other means such as cyclo, buses to choose from. In order to make your doctor decide to walk, you sit and watch the scenery sink in the rain, feeling like pouring out the sorrow of life, retain the purest of the soul.

QUICK DRYING TIPS

If you do not have a wet pet, you can refer to the following quick-drying tips. With the wet shoes, you can pocket moisture against the shoes and then overnight or the easiest way is to use the newspaper VO members to insert in the shoe, every 20 minutes once. With a damp jacket after washing and squeezed you spread the towel of the hotel, let the clothes on the inside then squeezed again, making sure the clothes will be very quick drying. When exposure is exposed near the ventilation or use the dryer to evaporate faster.

When the utensils are wet you should avoid drying the map by the fire stove or gas stove, will make the utensils broken, deformation. It is best to use the dryer to dry quickly and securely.

BEAUTIFUL OF CITIES IN VIETNAM RAINY SEASON

Hue

There are cities where the rain seems to highlight more of its charm, which holds the footsteps of tourists. Hue is such a city.

Hue Tourism on rainy days you should visit the Tran Tran Temple located in Ngu Phong Mountain (An Tay Ward). The Temple of the Pearl includes the temple of the Princess Huyen Tran, the temple of King Trần Humanity, the Peace Belltower, the Bodhi Garden… Surrounded by dense woodland forming a complex of cultural architecture, people come to admire and watch. On rainy days on the steps of the rock, surrounded by the wet pink peach of rainwater, the ears of the bell are the gazebo from the bell tower on the top of the mountain to create a slight sense of sadness but not in the heart of the tourists.

You can also get to a floating restaurant near the banks of the Perfume River, click a cup of warm, hot-spring tea, listen to hue CA from the sweet voice of the girls in the purple ao Long, outside is the rain Rooch falls on the slight rippled river surface To feel the gentle, deep beauty of hue in the rain.

Hoi An old quarter

Another location also brings the beauty very nicely on the rainy days in Hoi An. Choose a café located on the 2nd floor of an old house, SIP hot coffee, look outside the rain is covered with old houses is an experience Unforgettable when you travel hoi An these days. In particular, after the rain, the scenery of Hoi An is strange because the green color of the moss grows on the roof of Yin yang roofs.

By night, you can get to the foot of the bridge by yourself to drop the flower lights or sit in a certain tavern on the banks of the Hoai River to see the lights of the flowers in the rain is a separate beast. Another interesting spot for visitors to Hoi An during the rainy days is to sit on the paddle through the city’s deserted alleys. Seeing ancient architecture in such a special space will bring a refreshing and unique feel in the hearts of visitors.

Moc Chau

If the rains of Hue, Hoi An bring you a feeling of sadness, deposition, do a trip to MoC Chau (son La) to see the rainfalls waterfall to experience a little sense of vibrant, strong mountains. The rainy season is the most beautiful time of the band falls as the water from the spring and other sources, the water from above is poured out as the white silk bands that fly between the mountain landscape. If you are looking from the hill opposite you will see the panoramic cascade with 9 floors of the waterfall, a majestic setting is very worth enjoying.

In addition, you can also visit the Tea hills that are on the green level such as Shan Tea Hills snow in MoC Chau Farm town, Tea Hill shaped heart on the way to the Ngu Hanh, long tea Hill Rustic… While this is not the most ideal season to come to MoC Chau, it will give you an entirely new experience in this land.

Buon Ma Thuot

Add a destination to choose again if you love the rain forest that is Buon Ma Thuot. There are tourists who traveled a great distance to get to the highlands with just one simple purpose is to sip a cup of the coffee right quality in singing lyrical and powerful, the artist’s mountain town mix with the sound of raindrops. Just like also entertain guests of the bitter taste that skin away grinding of coffee Highlands. Village Coffee would be a great place for you with a lot of different coffee flavors.

Travel Ban Me Thuot in the rainy season once you necessarily come to terms Dray Sap waterfall, Dray Nur, Gia Long to witness the grandeur and magic that nature brings. Waterfalls reach about 20m from the top-down, white foam a large space to make you feel like you are seeing clusters of smoke hovering in mid-air, over time still seems magical secrets of the ancient story. Going down to the downstream area stretches hundreds of kilometers with the endless flow you can experience the pleasures of fishing inside the crystal-clear streams.

Do not let the rain hinder your travel itinerary. With the experience that sharing pocket, you take lots of handbag shoulder bag made a trip filled with unforgettable memories during the Vietnam rainy season.

Myanmar features numerous unique minor groups, who will make you really curious about their quaint culture. If you think about an ideal adventure tour in Myanmar, let set on a demanding journey to the most remote villages. One of unique tribes in Myanmar is Chin, who are well-known for facial tattoos. They inhabit in distant villages near borders of Chin state. At first, let clarify some features about their “profile”.

Chin women with tattooed faces. Photo by Burmese photographer Kyaw Kyaw Minn

WHO ARE CHIN PEOPLE?

Chin is an ethnic minority in Myanmar, also known as Kuki in India. They reside in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, mainly in international border areas owning to British colonial policy.

The British used the compound terminology “Chin-Kuki-Mizo” to group the Kukish language speaking people. Missionaries utilized the terminology “Chin” to call Kukish ones in the Burmese side. They have Mongoloid features, with popularily low height, straight black hair and dark brown eyes.

There are no historical data about Chin people before 19th century. The Chin probably emigrated to Myanmar, especially to Chindwin valley in the late 9th or 10th century AD. Most Chin people went westward and might settled in the present Chin State in 14th century.

The significant landmark in the Chin’s history was the arrival of missionaries and the spread of Christianity. The acceptance of Christianity marked a departure to long-standing ancient custom and tradition.

CHIN CULTURE

Chin does not have a first, middle or last name as it is common in many ethnic groups. However, a name can reflect achievement of grandparents or future wishes of a grandfather for a kid.

A gentle handshake is a usual greeting in Chin culture. Eye contact is sometimes regarded as act of challenge rather than a sign of politeness or attentiveness. So, almost Chin people will not look a speaker directly at eyes as they have a conversation.

Chin culture is rich in dances, music and fold tales. Until the introduction of writing system, Chin traditions were preserved and kept by storytelling to retransmit to next generations.

Fabric weaving is a Chin traditional craft that the production is highly restricted, and the products are much sought frequently by fabric collectors. Normally a Chin woman will try her best until a cloth is completed, working stably all daylight hours in shade of a bamboo dwelling. Using traditional “yakan” looms – a backstrap method of weaving, is similar to that utilized by the Naga. Only natural dyes are employed by taking extracts from local trees such as the Burmese lacquer tree, wild almonds, mahogany and indigo. Chin fabric is made manually with high standard. Cotton threads are spin by hand and motifs are diamond shapes.

Zu is a traditional alcohol in Chin hill, which is regarded as a status symbol. Zu is homemade and supplied at villages feasts and celebrations. Only the males with highest status are enabled to take the first drink at a gathering.

Tobacco is considered as a status symbol too, a sign of wealth. Traditional meaning of “smoking” is via the use of a nicotine juice called “thibur“. It is used mainly by elders, who keep this juice in their mouths, then spit it out. “Thibur” is made by the way that nicotine is smoked in a water pipe which produces “thibur” drippings.

Until now, Christianity is the major religion of the Chin, who live in high terraces in the Chin Hills.

FACIAL TATTOOS

Chin women are usually identified by a complicated spider web covering their faces, called as “facial tattoos”. Usually a Chin woman tattooed when she was just about 9 – 12 years old. The process lasted about 1 day to be accomplished and was extremely painful, particularly tender eyelid area. Tattooing face is an archaic custom so as to prevent invaders from stealing away the local women. Other stories said that it could help young Chin girls avoid being attacked by wild animals, or keep prettiest girls away from being caught into harem by ancient kings.

Each Chin state’s region has a different tattoo pattern. Thus, it is possible to realize where a woman comes from by tattooed designs on her face.

At present, there remains a few facial tattoo women in each village. This custom is forbidden by Myanmar government. Young generations don’t want to practice it as well. Consequently, this Chin culture’s part will be gone soon. Therefore, if you can witness facial tattoos of last living generations, it will be a fortune.

CHIN VILLAGES

Chin villages are near the Myanmar’s border areas with India and Bangladesh, and Mrauk U town. Several ones can be visitted comprise Panort, Kyar Aie Nu, Man Long and Che-ahaung.

Trekking and being homestay are great ways to discover local culture. Trekking to Chin villages, travelers will have chances to learn Chin daily life and understand facial tattoo custom. The villagers make a living by fishing (by bamboo nets), farming and handy fabric weaving.

In Chin village, you can watch their traditional dances like threatening monkey dance (to protect crops), dance in funeral, ritual offering dance, frightening evil dance, etc; or their traditional instrument performance like playing bamboo flute by nose. Some special constructions of Chin tribes like wooden poles, stone tomb, shaman’s house and ancient-styled huts will reflect parts of their culture.

Trekking trails will lead travelers to deep forests, fields and suspension bridges with spectacular views.

A slight obsession with finding the perfect accommodation for your adventure tours is reasonable when you travel in Vietnam. You had better spend much time searching for places to stay before your arrival, with your own factors in deciding where to stay like price and review score. Across Vietnam, it is believed that many hotels and homestays can satisfy both national and foreign tourists. [Read more…]

Summer time is the best suitable for trips, especially some active Vietnam travels to beaches because all the tourists love the stunning sceneries and extremely comfortable atmosphere there. This is also one way to escape from the hot weather and busy life in the urban cities to enjoy the natural beauty. Before every trip for an adventure in Vietnam like that, what everyone needs to know is something to aware and remember for a memorable trip with a lot of fun. In this article, there are some most outstanding things to note down so that you will never have to worry about forgetting anything for your next trip in the summer to Vietnam. [Read more…]

Nowadays, it is really necessary to exchange money before or while having a trip to another country. For tourists coming to Vietnam, it is quite harder because, in fact, the dog is not a popular currency worldwide. Therefore, it is difficult for foreign tourists to change their original money to the dong. Instead, they normally have to change the money when they have already come to Vietnam. However, don’t worry because right in this article, you will be provided some Vietnam travel guides for currency exchange from foreign currencies to Vietnam’s dong, especially the dollar, which seems to be the most popular currency to be used by foreign tourists at this moment. [Read more…]

Three main options are available for you on considering choosing a motorbike for Vietnam motorbike tours. They are Automatic, Semi-Automatic, and Manual. Each option bears in itself two sides (bad and good side) regarding their use. That is why it is highly recommended to think wisely before you make a decision. [Read more…]

The North has been a famous paradise to active travel Vietnam lovers. This region gives you a valuable chance of challenging trekking and hiking tours. Also, if you love mountain climbing, cycling and motorbiking, the North side of Vietnam is also an ideal destination. [Read more…]

Homestay is getting a popular service in the field of tourism. That means tourist can stay with the locals in their houses, eat local food, sleep on their traditional beds and do as the locals during the daily routine. This is an ideal access to lifestyle, traditions, and cultures of a place that you visit. What is more, homestay will help you also save a great deal of money due to its lower cost than hotels or resorts. However, equipping yourselves with some tips for enjoying a homestay during Vietnam adventure travel is essential. [Read more…]

When you travel around Vietnam adventure tours with motorbikes are worth trying at least once during your lifetime. Regarding buying a right motorbike in Vietnam, we would like to share with you some hints, tips, and information. [Read more…]

If you are a truly adventurous traveler, Fansipan trekking tour must be on the top of your list. Fansipan has its brand as “the Roof of Indochina” with the height of 3,143m. Despite its roughness, wetness and cold, the scenery is really rewarding. If your body is in good condition and you are well equipped, then the top is accessible after a trekking time of 5-8 hours. [Read more…]

Homestay is quite a popular type of tourism in many countries in the world and it has also been exploited in Vietnam recently. The Mekong River Delta with plentiful and rich gardens is considered the most potential to develop this kind of tourism. For an active Vietnam travel, you should not skip this place in the list of best destinations to visit [Read more…]

If relentless American bombing didn’t get him, it would take a North Vietnamese soldier as long as six months to make the grueling trek down the jungle Ho Chi Minh Trail. Today, you speed along the same route at 60 mph, past peaceful hamlets and stunning mountain scenery duringVietnam adventure tours. [Read more…]

The list of best places to visit in Vietnam for easy planning your package holidays or get some ideas to customize your Vietnam tours.

Vietnam is a country of diversity, contrast and authentic culture that is distinctive in Asia. From the mountain karst of Ha Giang to the romantic island of Phu Quoc, you are invited to enjoy Vietnam in style holiday packages at top affordable prices with us and discover Vietnam destination with its own characters. Here is a suggestion for top visited places in Vietnam for your references. [Read more…]

1. Scooter pillion riding with a local

Vietnam is a country of motorbikes. There is no place in Asia, except Thailand perhaps, you can find such many motorbikes – scooters actually – as in Vietnam. Riding a scooter by yourself, especially within cities, can be scary because of hectic traffic. However, you should know that is the mode of transport daily used by locals. And joining the bike streams is very interesting but challenging experience for foreigners. Riding with a local and siting behind of a scooter will be the best option. [Read more…]

You can take a tour to Vietnam any time of the year and each season has its own special appeal.

Generally, there’s no ‘best’ time for traveling in Vietnam as the seasons are a little vague and vary considerably from north to south, and within regions. You can take a tour to Vietnam any time of the year and each season has its own special appeal.

The most popular time for travel is from October to April next year. We recommend that you should book well in advance if you wish to travel to Vietnam at this time. Because this time is widely favorite travel by tourists then you may deal with issues getting your desired availability.

General guide of Vietnam weather

The northern regions of Vietnam have four seasons. Winter is from December to February – temperatures are generally lower. The mountainous regions such as Sapa can be remarkably cold. Halong Bay is usually covered in mist, which reduces visibility but adds to the atmosphere. Mid of summer is June to August – expect hot and humid conditions at this time, with temperatures averaging between 27°C to 30°C and high humidity. In the monsoon season (May to November), you can expect days to be warm and humid with refreshing afternoon showers. Travel is rarely affected by the rain and everything is lush and green at this time. Skies over Halong Bay are usually clear and blue.

In the south including Sai gon (Ho Chi Minh city), Nha Trang, Cu Chi, Mekong delta etc. Days are usually warm and clear. The weather is divided into 2 seasons. The dry season generally runs from December to June with March to May being particularly hot and humid. Temperatures usually range from 27°C to 36°C during this time. The wet season brings short and heavy rain showers from July to November, with temperatures averaging between 22°C and 27°C.

In Central Vietnam, such as Hue, Hoi an, Danang and Phong Nha, you should be well prepared for some instability and possible flooding during the months of October and November.

National holidays and Festivals

During National holidays and festivals, there are millions of local tourists flocking at popular tourist destinations. That often cause the serious problems of lacking services, especially accommodations and flight tickets. In our biggest holidays such as Tet holiday, all offices and banks are closed; restaurants, shopping centers, and local markets are closed for some most important days. HIT Vietnam strongly recommend you should look up the list below for the better preparation of your holiday so that you can avoid the frustration.

• 1st January is International New Year’s Day. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers are open.
• January/February (last day of last Lunar month) is Lunar New Year’s Eve, the beginning of Tet or the Vietnamese New Year period. The Reunification Palace will be closed in Saigon.
• January/February (first day of the first Lunar month) is Tet, or Lunar New Year, Vietnam’s major annual vacation. Banks & public offices will be closed, as will most businesses. Cao Dai temples will be closed six days before the Lunar New Year, and floating markets in the Mekong Delta will not operate. Most of restaurants, local markets, and shopping centers are closed. Almost hotels are open. (Learn about traveling during Tet holiday in Vietnam)
• March/April (10th day of the 3rd lunar month) is the anniversary of Hung Kings, Vietnam’s ancient rulers. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
• 30 April is Independence Day, commemorating the fall of Saigon and reunification of the country in 1976. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
• 1 May is Labour Day, marking the contribution made by workers. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
• 2 September is National Day, marking the day Vietnam declared its independence forming the Democratic Republic of Northern Vietnam. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
• 31 December is International New Year’s Eve. While not a public vacation, it is celebrated in Vietnam with festive meals, parties, and fireworks as it is in most parts of the world.

Souvenirs is an attached part of any trip. HIT Vietnam is going to suggest you the most typical but cheap items to bring back to your home – a great conclusion for your Vietnam tours.

Traditional items

Lacquerware, wooden or stone carving are always good choices for souvenirs due to their wide range of prices and easy to transfer. Vietnam has many handicraft villages with master workers who can create amazing products. Those items are not only a souvenir from our wonderful country but can make a style décor at your home.

Most favorite items of lacquer wares are pictures of Hanoi or Halong bay with different sizes. A set of cups also is hot-picked.

Wooden carving products are most found in Dong Ky village – a carpenter village with a long-standing history. The products are ranged from small, cheap and simple ones to big and sophisticated ones such as a whole set of living room chairs, tables or bedrooms decoration etc. The prices are also very much various, too.

Stone carving area in Marble Mountain Danang is most popular. The products are often status of Buddle, sacred creatures, home decorations or fashion accessories such as necklets etc. You can visit to witness how clever the workers here to produce those items and buy your favorite ones as well.

Embroidered paintings

Embroidered paintings are Vietnam’s proud product to offer as a souvenir. The workers use cotton yarns with hundred different colors to create astonishing products that is as much colorful as using paint. To make a single painting can cost several hours to even some months depending on size and complication of the sample design.

Due to this factors, this price for embroidered paintings is often higher than other items. The most favorite brand is X.Q embroidered paints. XQ originated from Dalat city and now has showroom in Hanoi and Hochiminh city (Sai gon)

Silk

Oriental silk was famous since the glorious days of ancient times. Silk from Vietnam, China, India etc found the ways to the Western world and conquer the pickiest customers. The tradition of silk weaving now remains in several villages in Vietnam in which is Van Phuc village – the most famous one. The visitors are able to watch the process of making silk till they are turned into ready-to-wear products such as Ao dai (traditional costume of Vietnam), scarf, table/chair décor etc.

There are many other places where you can find high-quality silk such as in Hoi an or Hue.

Tailoring Clothes

The most practical souvenir from Vietnam is clothes made from silk. These handmade products do not only carry iconic symbols of Vietnam but cool, well sweater-absorbing, comfortable to wear. The tailors are skillful and so much quick that they can get your order done within 24 hours. Even if you don’t have much time stay in Vietnam, they can send the completed products via postal.

The best shops to place your orders are in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi an. The most favorite items are “Ao dai” and its modern variants.

Ao dai – Vietnamese traditional dress

Ao dai has its history back to Nguyen dynasty (approx. 18Th century). Having been undergone the rise and fall of several political events, Ao Dai is now the national costume of Vietnam, the uniform of Vietnam Airlines – national airlines and the most formal costume in important ceremonies of Vietnam.

Ao dai includes long skirts from necks till shank middle and long pants. The pants are often white or black while the skirts are very much various in color and design patterns. Ao dai is mostly used by women but there is also a version for men with a darker color and stronger patterns.

The origin one is tight up the upper part of woman’s body to enhance their curves. The lappet is as long as the length of pants that is very wide and soft. That is the most beautiful version but can make difficulties in moving so modern designers create simple versions while keeping its spirits and beauty.

Coffee

Coffee in Vietnam is some of the bests over the world. The price is also as cheap as some US$. Some popular brands are Trung Nguyen coffee, Me trang coffee etc.

The largest coffee plantation in Vietnam in Dak Lak province – Highland central. Visiting here you can see the coffee tree, harvesting, and processing steps then buy some origin ones right at the plantation. Coffee is easier to pack, keeping and separated into smaller bags that are very nice to make a souvenir to your friends and families. Note: coffee from Vietnam is mostly Robusta that is believe bitter than Arabica coffees – the one widely used in Western.

Places to buy

Casual, local markets: These places are most of the local people buying things for their daily needs. You can find most of those things there, however, we suggest you should be escorted with a local and make a bargain. Local markets can be very interesting when you can see how local lives are going but please prepare for noise, hygiene issues or even pocket thieves.

Some most well-known markets are Dong Xuan, Hang Be (in Hanoi), Ben Thanh, Cho Lon (Sai gon), Dong Ba (Hue), Cai be, Cai Rang floating markets (Mekong Delta).

It is commonly known by travelers that special places to stay or accommodation play an important role in their Vietnam adventure. Besides hotels – which are quite familiar, homestays are among most favorite ways of fostering some truly life-changing connections with the local culture. Many people choose these type of accommodation because they prioritize the genuine connection with the local culture and in-depth experiences during their tour.

What’s a homestay?

Just choose a homestay and…

How about a hotel?

“Internationally speaking, Thai food may be the most heralded of all the Southeast Asian cuisines, but true connoisseurs would go for Vietnamese every time…. Light, subtle in flavour and astonishing in their variety, Vietnamese dishes are boiled or steamed rather than stir-fried, and a huge emphasis is placed on herbs and seasoning – no great surprise in this land of diverse climates.” ROUGE GUIDE started its guide with those words to describe Vietnamese food.

VIETNAM FOOD AND CUISINE OVERVIEW

Vietnamese cuisine and street food are complimented several times by famous chefs and cuisine professionals. Located right next to a giant China with very strongly influent culture, many make a big mistake that Vietnam taste is similar to China. In fact, it is very much different in ingredients and taste that all are blended in astonishing recipes and then create divine and healthy gastronomy.

The most typical feature of Vietnam food is the fresh vegetable. Vegetable of all types are included in every dishes, sometimes they are main ingredients, and sometimes they are to create supporting taste. Spicy veggies and herbs are extremely popular. They can make a dish change their taste completely with different usage.

Most Vietnamese dishes are mostly well cooked. There is some kind of “sashimi” or medium rare cooked beef or port but they are not typical. Vietnamese distinctly loves boiled or steamed vegetable, meat, and fish. That is the best way to keep the fresh taste as well as the nutrients included inside the ingredients.

Some useful notices for visitors when enjoying a meal with Vietnamese:

• Vietnamese uses chopsticks to control the food during meals.
• Vietnamese shares dishes together. We put a sufficient amount of the dish into a big dish or bowl. Each person at the table uses their chopstick to take their share from this bowl.
• To show the hospitality, the host often takes food to the guests’ bowl for the first round and ask the guests make themselves at home to enjoy the meal.
• Many Vietnamese people use a toothpick after eating to clean our teeth.
• Man often drinks beer or local wine during their meals. Women and children do not.
• It is an etiquette to wait for the elder to sit and eat first.
• It is not compulsory to bring a gift or wine when you are invited to someone’s house to enjoy a meal. However, some fresh fruits or desserts are always welcome and highly appreciated.

Suggested Vietnam food tours: Vietnam Gastronomy Delights, Vietnam Food Adventure, Vietnam Cuisine Touch

Enjoying meals at restaurants

There are many in main cities with various in prices and standards. That is easy to find both Western and Vietnamese restaurants. With a sharp increase in Japanese and Korean tourist markets, these restaurants are becoming popular too, the prices are often higher than Vietnamese ones.

Note: when you are touring in Vietnam, you will be served mostly in a local restaurant.

Enjoying Vietnamese street food

Leaving in a tropical country, Vietnamese like noodle very much because noodle is soft and often served together with different types of soup. So it is very enjoyable on hot days while in cold weather, the only thing to do is to boil up the soup; you immediately have a hot, steaming dish to indulge your stomach. Noodles can easily get along very well with many added ingredients regardless of the fact that they are pork, beef, chickens, crab, shrimp, or nails etc. That is the reason why Vietnamese has dozen noodle types and hundred ways to cook dishes related to noodle.

The most famous ones must be “Pho” severed with beef or chicken, “bun cha” – noodle with grilled pork served with sweet and sour sauce and “hu tiu nam vang” – a specialty in South Vietnam includes noodle with shrimp, eggs, some slides of liver and grind pork.

The newly rising star of Vietnam cuisine recently is “Banh My” – Vietnamese styled bread. This is not a traditional dish of Vietnam as we are a country of rice, not wheat. However, when “Banh my” joined our cuisine, Vietnamese adjust it – less butter, cheese, meat then add more home-made pate, sauce, and herbs. We have created the so-called Vietnamese “Banh My” that is applauded all over the world as one of the most delicious bread ever.

YOUR POCKET LIST OF VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD:

• Phở – rice noodles serving with beef or chickens. Some variant versions are sweet and sour mixed noodle. Addresses are many such as: in Bat Dan street, Ly Quoc Su street ect. In Hanoi capital.
• Phở cuốn – spring roll with beef and vegetable inside, fresh rice cover. The address is Nguyen Khac Hieu street, or Truc Back Lake area in Hanoi.
• Banh my (Bahn mee) – Vietnamese style sandwich. Instead of beef, cheese, or sausage, Vietnamese puts much more ingredients inside making “Banh My” have hundred versions along the country. The most popular inside a “Banh My” are pate, pork, “cha gio”, plenty of vegetable. Optional can be sauces (depending on the cook), beef, grilled pork, mayonnaise ect. The most famoust shops must be Banh My Phuong in Phan Chu Trinh street (Hoi an) and Madame Khanh in Tran Cao Van street (Hoi an).
• Dessert or sweet dishes – Vietnam has many types of sweet soups (chè) making from fruits (jackfruits, pomelo), nuts (green/black/red beans, lotus seeds ect), tubers (sweet potatoes). These dishes serve in summer with ice and in winter when they are still hot. The best shops are small, hidden in corners of small streets. All three parts of Vietnam – North, Central, South – haves their own sweet soups with slightly difference in taste.

DRINKING IN VIETNAM

Tapped water in Vietnam, generally is not drinkable. Bottled water is suitable for your heath and easy to obtain in most of town or cities at cheap prices. The most popular brand is Lavie, others also good enough are Aquafina. However, be aware of fake names that sound similar to those brands. Some hi-end brands like Evian are found in supermarkets in big cities only.

HIT Vietnam often supply bottled water during your tours in Vietnam. The amount is about 02 bottles/person/day – 300ml each bottle.

Drinks we recommend to try:

• Fruit juice or smoothie – Vietnam is a tropical country with very much diversity in vegetal. There are many fresh fruits to try or making juice/smoothie. Some most favorite are coconuts, watermelon, smoothie mango, smoothie avocado, orange juice etc.
• Green tea (trà) – tea is the nation-wide drink in Vietnam and used in all household or restaurants in Vietnam. Several restaurants serve tea free of charge during your meal. For more sophisticated tea trying, people put lotus or jasmine with tea to create a lovely fragrance. Recently, lemon tea has emerged as a top favorite casual drink, especially for youth. You can encounter a group of teenager grouping around with lemon teas for chit chat. This is very favored in summer due to its fresh taste and cheap price. (10.000 – 15.000VND/cup)
• Coffee – that is a drink originated from West, but when it was absorbed into Vietnamese culture, coffee created a culture of its own. Vietnamese coffee is stronger than one served in Western countries but much more fragrant and tasty. There are two types of coffee most often ordered: black (coffee only with/without sugar – with ice or hot) and brown (coffee with condensed milk – hot or cold with ice). The price is around 15.000 – 25.000VND/cup depending on shop location or decorations. ≫> Read more: Best Café in Hanoi for authentic taste
• Beer (Bia Hơi) – a very popular drink in Western. However, a local Vietnamese beer is “Bia Hoi” – a kind of draught beer and serve casually in small, street shop nearly everywhere places in Vietnam. Bia hoi is often served with some snacks such as “nem chua”, peanuts or chips for a more tumultuous chat. The price is around 5.000 – 7.000VND/glass, the most well-known places are shops at Ta Hien street, Hanoi.

Because located on the high mountain without an airport, there is the only road is accessible when you want to visit Sapa. The most popular way to travel to Sapa from Hanoi is by overnight train. But if you want to save money for your Sapa Vietnam tours, you can choose bus as the transporter to travel to Sapa from Hanoi. A new highway has been opened in 2014 is a big help for you not only to save your money but also save your time to come to Sapa.

Photo: Crossing travel

1. By train

2. By bus/coach

Have you ever try sailing on a vast beautiful ocean? Nowadays, it is not difficult to join a sailing tour to contemplate the natural beauty on the water and enjoy the pleasant feeling of superior services in an active Vietnam travel. However, to make the trip go smoothly, you will need to pay attention to some important things. This article will be a useful guide for those who are preparing for a sailing trip.

1. Plan your schedule

International tourists usually come to Vietnam from December to April to take advantage of the holiday at this time. The best time for your excursions is in April, June, September or October because of the longer day, clear blue sky and pleasant weather. All of them are very suitable for Vietnam outdoor activities like swimming, sunbathing, watching sunrise and sunset on the sea.

2. Choose a suitable cabin

Each yacht has a variety of cabins for you to choose from, they vary in space, view and inner equipment. The cabins are spacious and have a private balcony, wide windows, natural wood flooring, beds, air conditioner, handmade furniture, private bathrooms with hot and cold water systems and standardized facilities, which are all ideal for your active Vietnam travel.The superior rooms also have private balconies in each room along with mini fridge, sauna system, jacuzzi … Foreign visitors generally prefer cabin with private balcony, whose area is from 23 square meters with many high-end facilities, while three-star or less than three-star yachts cannot provide. Of course, Vietnam travel guide also offers to help your trip become more joyful with interesting knowledge about the place to visit.

3. Outdoor activities

Visitors can take part in activities such as tai chi exercises in the early morning, cooking on the yacht, swimming, kayaking, picnicking, teambuilding … At dock stations. You should participate in swimming courses before taking part in a yacht travel. If you do not know kayaking, you can ask the crew for instruction and support. The outdoor activities in Vietnamtourism trips are always an attractive part for all tourists worldwide.

Most 4 to 5-star yachts have tai chi exercises in the morning, which most of foreign tourists are interested in. Others like kayaking or rowing boats are also popular (this activity costs $ 20-25/kayak).

4. Prepare necessary items and luggage

Before joining in a yacht excursion, for an active Vietnam travel, you need to prepare essential items such as shower gel, shampoo, eye drops, and towels. Although they are available on the yacht, you can bring your own stuffs if you want to make sure of the hygiene. In the summer, it is necessary to bring sunscreen (SPF of 30 or more), swimming goggles, swimsuit, shorts, clothes made of airy and comfortable materials, wide brimmed hat and beach sandals. If you are passionate about photography, the camera is an indispensable tool to capture your beautiful moments with joyful Vietnam adventure activities throughout the journey. When boarding a boat, it is important to bring your ID and passport and keep them safe to avoid losing or forgetting them, which can be very troublesome for you and other travelers on the boat.

The notes above are just a small part of Vietnam travel guide for what you should prepare before your yacht excursion. However, do not worry about it too much, because in whatever case, the rescue team will always be available to help you. Rest assured that this tourist service is one of the most luxurious type and you will be taken care of carefully. Above all, plan carefully your active Vietnam travel or your own schedule of what to do to make the journey as much meaningful as possible.

Thanks to the proper investment of the government on tourism, Vietnam is becoming a wonderful tourist destination for many visitor all over the world. There appear to have developed more and more adequate services to meet different demands of tourists. One of the most favorite choices in Vietnam adventure tours which is chosen by foreign tourists when visiting Vietnam is caves exploring. Being a country with numerous islands, river, caves and beaches, this type of tourism service is becoming increasingly popular. However, there are some important tips that tourists must pay attention to in order to better enjoy the trip with such interesting adventure activities in Vietnam.

The caves are often cold and damp, so you should prepare thick, waterproof and comfortable clothes for walking and climbing. To keep the body temperature stable, it is advised that you wear a wool coat or jacket. Just as in any other cycling Vietnam tours, you should also prepare pads for the knees and elbows in case of crawling in tight spaces. Other than that, a clean set of clothes is also needed before you go home.

Necessary tools

The basic tools needed are flashlights, helmets, cave maps, candles, waterproof matches, wire rope, gloves, medicine, water filter, compass and food to make your Vietnam adventure tours easier. Especially, the followings should be noted:

Flashlights: Each person should carry a flashlight and backup batteries.

Helmets: Some cave ceilings are usually rugged and have stalactites, so you should use hiking helmet to avoid head injuries.

Water and food: You should bring your own water but in case of shortage the water dripping from the ceiling of the cave is drinkable. Essential foods are fruits, synthetic protein and processed foods. This activity requires as much energies as in atrekking tour in Vietnam.

Small bag: You should use a small bag to contain the most used stuffs, avoid bulky bags and limit your belongings.

Necessary notes when exploring caves

Members should keep their distance when moving. The people most experienced should travel at the front and the back of the group. When members can not catch up with each other, the front man must stop and wait for the team to stabilize again. You should also observe the leader to adjust your pace. This is an important Vietnam travel guide for every tourist.

When you get lost, stay calm and assess the situation. If realizing that you have not been with the team, the rescue team will look for you. So the best travel guide for you in Vietnam is that you should sit back, listen and wait.

Instead of coping with obstacles that stop you from moving, just come back to avoid unworthy accidents.

Do not go alone.

Do not use old wires or ladders found in the cave.

You should write the most detailed plan, accurately record the location of the cave entrance, the direction you have followed, the point you have passed. This will help the rescue team deploy a search plan faster if you get lost.

Of course, the following notes is just in case of emergency and bad luck. However, it is better to be well-prepared for any situation to come. When you feel safe, you can enjoy the interesting and amazing Vietnam adventure tours better and make memorable experiences when exploring caves in Vietnam, or anywhere else in the beautiful world.