Travel Guides - Page 19 of 40

Flavorsome Phu Yen cuisine

Ever since the success of the renowned film “Dear Brother, I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”, Phu Yen Province has become a favorite place for nature-lovers. Moreover, the “Nau” land attracts visitors with its “culinary landscapes” redolent of the lines and colors of the nearby sea.

BANH BEO CHEN – THE QUINTESSENCE OF RICE

Bank beo chen (saucers of water fern cake) is a familiar item for a light snack. You can find this dish on almost every street in Phu Yen Province. After strolling down a street at the foot of Nhan Mountain, I stop at the restaurant of Ms. Mai. She quickly sets 10 saucers of the gelatinous steamed rice flour upon our tray, topping each one off with fluffy pemmican, croutons, and sauteed onions before serving it to us with a sweet and sour sauce. Just pour a little sauce into your saucer and you will see how delicious the dish is. The firm yet gooey flour with flavorsome pemmican and onion will bring you a memorable dining experience.

A JAR OF “SEA LIGHT” PLEASE!

I freeze for a few seconds after hearing locals order the special at a restaurant near the Tuy Hoa City Square. The restaurant owner says that the dish called “sea light” consists of tuna eyeballs. Slightly pigued by this strange new dish, my friend orders two jars. 5 minutes later, two steaming hot jars of “sea light” are sitting at our table.

With some guidance from the waiter, I add some greens and chopped perilla to my jar and begin eating this bizarre cuisine. Taking my time I savor a few spoons of the broth, along with the jujubes, medlar seeds, and some greasy tuna eyes. The sweetness of broth blends beautifully with the savory flavors of the scallion, pepper, chili, and garlic. The pungency of herbs and red chili lingers pleasantly on your tongue.

Although tuna season in Phu Yen Province is in April (according to lunar calendar), you can taste this cuisine at anytime when you visit.

SASHIMI IN VIETNAMESE STYLE

Those madly in love with Japanese sashimi will be more than satisfied with the Vietnamese sashimi in Phu Yen Province. Here, the fresh ocean tuna is often enjoyed with mustard.

We order a plate of this fresh tuna to neutralize our palates of the greasy taste of the tuna eyeballs we’d just enjoyed. The tunas is are treated and cryopreserved immediately after being caught. When served, the chef garnishes the plate of spectacular pink fish with a saucer of soy sauce and mustard alongside broccoli, coriander, and basil.

All you need to do when enjoying this dish is dip the fresh tuna into the sauce, pour some roasted peanuts atop and eat along with the greens, garlic and chili. Diners can also decide whether they want to try the dish with colza leaves or not. The typical fishiness of the tuna is counterbalanced by the spicy mustard and aromatic herbs, giving its soft flesh a slightly sweet flavor, all coming together to create a mouthwatering dish and cheerful patron.

Apart from the tuna eyes and fresh tuna, you can try other tuna dishes such as: stir-fried and steamed tuna tripe, tuna tripe salad, tuna soup, and steamed tuna eggs.

SINGLE-SUN DRIED BEEF WITH YELLOW ANT SALT

One of the most famous dishes in Phu Yen is the single-sun dried beef with yellow ant salt. Locals often enjoy it when drinking with friends while visitors usually buy it as a gift for their friends and family. The dish’s name originates from the way people prepare it. Beef thighs and beef loins are processed carefully before being sliced into thin strips. Then, the beef is marinated with sugar, seasoning salt, sesame seeds, and crushed chili prior to being set in the sun for one day. The dried beef can be stored for a long time. When eating it, you can put it on a pot over hot coals to dry until it is brown. Use a pestle to flatten the grilled beef, making it tender, and then tear it into small strips.

Single-sun dried beef is often served with cucumber, green bananas, greens, and the special yellow ant salt (muoi kien vang), made from ants and ant eggs mixed with salt, lemongrass and chili. The aromatic jerky, together with the ant salt, will entice every diner.

THE FAMED BLOOD COCKLES IN O LOAN LAGOON

Of all the famous destinations in Phu Yen Province, don’t forget to visit O Loan Lagoon to try the blood cockles – the specialty here. Blood cockles have created their own culinary brand in this province.

O Loan Lagoon is situated at the foot of the Quan Cau Pass near National Highway 1A, about 22km from Tuy Hoa City. The lagoon is a favorite place for those who love oysters and cockles. The blood cockles here are thick, sweet and delicious. They are prepared in many ways: grilled with onions, steamed with lemongrass, roasted with chili salt in a tamarind sauce, or made into a soup. Split open their hard sell, take out the pink and yellowy meat, and enjoy this yummy hot dish.

During your journey to Phu Yen, you can customize your menu with chicken rice, banh hoi with boiled pork trimmings, shallot bread soup (bank canh he), rice cooked in clay pots and a variety of seafood choices such as king crab, mollusks, and grouper. Each dish bears the stamp of Phu Yen – the South Central coastal land famous for its simplicity and hospitality.

Source: Travellive

> Vietnamese typical food and drinks

> Photos of Vietnamese cuisine

Centennial Pagoda on Cambodia’s Famed Plateau

Breathtaking scenery combines with grandiose architectural constructions of the ancient pagoda on Bokor plateau.

Wat Sampov Pram, so-called Five Sailing Boat Monastery, is settled on Bokor plateau (or Bokor Hill Station, a French ghost town), where’s well-known for ruined Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino and abandoned Catholic Church. The construction was established in 1924 by King Monivong, aimed for the purpose of worshiping and praying whenever he traveled to Bokor.

Photo: Thansurbokor

The pagoda is not large but tranquil and quiet. Its most outstanding feature is a set of five big rocks shaped like boats, which are completely masterpieces that nature awarded for this highland.

Based on a mountain, is the place where far and near Buddhists reach to adore and pray on each occasion of great ceremony.

On Bokor plateau, apart from French colonial buildings, almost all things else are related to a legend, and Wat Sampov Pram is not an exception. The locals spread by word of mouth that these five rocks were just the five boats loaded valuables, connecting closely to the beginning of Khmer civilization.

The legend has it that long time ago, there was a prince named Preah Thong who fell in love with Neang Neak princess – the daughter of Naga King – in a morning he walked on a beach. He attempted to convince her to marry him. She agreed and told him to hold her tail to come back her world so as to pay homage to her father. After seven days in Naga world, the prince asked his father-in-law to return to the human world. The Naga King approved and granted the couple precious things loaded on five boats. The five boats sailed until they got to seashore, the group dropped anchor. The couple and their servants disembarked properties and carried them to a highland to build a royal palace, leaving the empty boats behind.

Long time later the sea receded farther and farther and the soil piled up making the boats stranded on that shore. As time went by, the boats became hard stones. Five rocks shaped like boats have existed until now. Preah Thong is considered as the founder of Khmer civilization. At present, around the pagoda, there remains some statues carved sophisticatedly.

Besides, there are also many small stupas with original architecture scattered everywhere on the campus of the pagoda.

Cambodia features a wealth of mysteries that surely travelers desire to discover. There are chances as well as challenges on the process of searching out secrets in this kingdom of temples.

Footing on Bokor plateau, it’s also an occasion to escape from bustling and noisiness of city, then to immense in space of greenery, cool breezes, bobbing clouds embracing mountains, and occult stupas.

So easy to contemplate endless, clear blue sea beyond eye-shot. Especially, if good fortunes come, it’s able to see Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island when the sky is pure and cloudless.

Adventures to Bokor plateau and Kampot province:

Biking along Cambodian Coastal Towns – 08 Days
Biking to Coastal Towns and Angkor Wat – 13 Days

Bai Xep in the Film “Dear Brother – I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”

Like dream from a fairytale, Bai Xep – Phu Yen is a tranquil getaway where you can slow down life’s hectic pace and forget all your daily worries.

FROM THE REAL SCENERY TO THE FILM

The scenic hill covered in cacti and wildflowers at An Chan Commune in Tuy An District has become more popular after being selected as the setting for “Dear Brother – I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass” the poignant and highly evocative film released last Fall. Bai Xep’s picturesque landscape is painted with hues of blue from the clear sky hanging above the vast ocean and endless green grass, highlighted by cacti and thousands of tiny wildflowers. Despite the scorching sun, the setting is still pleasing on the eyes.

Through it is just outside of the city of Tuy Hoa, Bai Xep maintains its hidden charm as it has yet to be discovered by mainstream tourists. Bai Xep, along with Xuan Dai Bay, O Loan Lagoon, and Da Dia Reef contributes to making Phu Yen Province a unique and exciting destination. You’ll be mesmerized by the long breezy coastline, the sunlight hitting the sandy yellow beaches and the melodies of the waves. The natural painting of the landscape will accompany you with each new discovery as you explore this enchanted land. Here, you can wander along nearby reefs and reveal your heart to the endlessness sky and ocean.

Bai Xep is surrounded by steep, rocky, cliffs. However, the severity of the cliffs is an essential part of Bai Xep’s beauty. The sea is bound by several hexagonal stone formations varying in size, and slope. To get a panoramic view of Bai Xep, you should follow the paths leading up to the high cliffs. On the way there, you will be captivated by the serene hillside with the cacti and wildflowers.

The director, Victor Vu, with his talented team and equipment, has made fabulous use of this hill’s beauty in the famous scene with the hill covered in verdant grass and accented by the tiny yellow and white flowers. On this hill, the prickly cacti are likened to beautiful, but aloof, young women with their alluring appearance who ignore all men who seek their company.

A scene from the film “Dear Brother – I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”

A VERSION OF DA DIA REEF (GANH DA DIA)

As you walk around the hill, you can admire the steep cliffs naturally formed by the unique stone formations which are similar in structure to the Da Dia Reef. This special topographic structure was created after a volcanic eruption several million years ago. The molten lava spilled out into the sea where it met water and gradually cooled down, forming countless hexagonal plates of layered stone. These stone plates appear as though they were sculpted by the hand of a masterful artist. Phu Yen is one of only three regions in the world featuring this sort of geological formation, the other two being in New Zealand and Korea. Viewed from a high position, it feels like you are standing on a giant beehive stretching along the coastline.

With a perceptive set of eyes, you might make out a stone plate shaped like the letter S and wonder how Mother Nature created this for Vietnam. The beauty of Bai Xep has been captured by numerous photographers and has been the backdrop of many sweet memories as couples travel here to take their wedding photos.

The seawater in Bai Xep is distinctive in its own way. The clear turquoise water is so cool that you will feel refreshed even after everything else has submitted to the barrage of heat. Tiptoe into the sea and you will think that you are going to swim in an icy lake. Perhaps, the steep cliffs keep the temperature of the water cool, giving you contrast as you alternate between the sweltering land and the cool sea. There isn’t any other place quite like it.

For much of our lives, we are immersed in stress and banal routines. This time, you don’t need to travel so far to get away for a little bit. Just visit Bai Xep – in Phu Yen and allow yourself to be enchanted by its charm.

It is about 500km from Ho Chi Minh City to Tuy Hoa and it takes nearly 2 hours by car. Therefore, you should depart in the afternoon and begin exploring Bai Xet in the next morning. Passenger car ticket costs about VND240,000 – VND300,000/guest. At Tuy Hoa bus station, hire a motorbike, travel 12km northward to Sao Viet junction and you can easily find the way to Bai Xep.

Trailer of the film “Dear Brother – I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”

The hill is covered in verdant grass and accented by the tiny yellow and white flowers. The prickly cacti are likened to beautiful, but aloof, young women with their alluring appearance who ignore all men who seek their company.

Source: Travellive

Sunset on Sam Mountain, Tra Su Cajeput Forest

Tra Su Cajeput Forest is one of the most beautiful destinations in An Giang Province. The forest is home to 140 species of plants, 70 species of birds, 11 species of animals, 23 of fish, and 20 of reptiles. Located within a massive swamp, it’s called a “floating” forest and you can only explore it by boat.

The water’s surface is covered entirely with a fluid sheet of emerald duckweed. Savor the slight tingle of the gentle breeze caressing your face as you listen to the cheerful sounds of birds leaving their nests to find food. Be present in this memorable experience, especially if you are from the city.

Travel to Tra Su Cajeput Forest and you will get more and more excited when exploring nature’s novelties. Depending on seasons, Tra Su Cajeput Forest has its different beauties. While green duckweed covers water during September and travelers flock to this forest in October, it is more cheerful in February when culinary and spiritual activities take place.

Forest cuisine is another highlight of this attraction. There are multitudes of fish such as snakehead, catfish, anabas, and hemibagrus. With fresh fish, you can savor specialties such as gourami fish salad, Siamese carp hot pot with dien dien flowers, and grilled snakehead. After traveling around the forest, you can refresh yourself with some cool sweet Palmyra juice and pulp. Along the way leading to the forest, you can find numerous stalls selling fresh palmyra juice and palmyra sugar. The aromatic palmyra sugar from Chau Doc is bright yellow with a distinctive greasy and sweet flavor. It is also the main ingredient used to make scrumptious palmyra sponge cakes.

After that, you can go trekking up Sam Mountain to admire the sunset. Sam Mountain which is quite small with an elevation around 284m, is part of the Seven Mountain area. More than 200 temples and pagodas are located along the slopes and peak of the mountain. Do not forget to stop halfway to try the unparalleled dishes of Sam Mountain area such as stir-fried beef with giang leaf, gourami salad with catfish, snakehead, or snakeskin gourami.

NOTE

Itinerary: From HCMC you can travel to An Giang by passenger car or motorbike. Passenger car: You can travel from Mien Tay bus station to Long Xuyen or Chau Doc. Then, travel by moto taxi, pedicab, or taxi to the attractions in An Giang.

Gifts: dried food, fish sauce, tung mo lo (a type of sausage), and Cham brocade

If you see a green tree branch or a pillar on the way to a house, you shouldn’t come in as that house’s owner doesn’t welcome guests at that time.

Source: Travellive

Vietnam: Wonderful Footpath Under Water

From March onwards is the right time to travel the islands and beaches along the South Central coast of Vietnam. While Nha Trang City is so popular with tourists, Diep Son in Van Phong Bay is an up-and-coming hub in Khanh Hoa Province. Just about 60km of road and a little more than an hour by ship separate Diep Son from Nha Trang. The undeveloped island of Diep Son is chosen by those who love exploring new lands. An interesting feature of the island is the underwater path known as “Diep Son thuy dao”.

Van Phong Bay in Khanh Hoa has three islets side by side connected by a winding path. The first path is 4.5m wide and around 700-800m long. The second one is the same width as the first, but only 500m long. The footpath is half submerged in the crystal clear water and only visible during low tide. The water level begins to fall at 6am and rises again at 12:00pm. Swim and have fun in the turquoise water and tread along this special footpath.

Travellers in these parts aren’t just struck by the singular uniqueness of the path. They are also impressed by the friendliness of the locals. Everyone from children to the elderly leads a simple life. There are no hotels on this island. You’d better bring enough food, personal items, tents, and other provisions to enjoy your relaxing moments here.

NOTE:

* It is about 60km from Nha Trang to Van Gia, Van Ninh.

Option I: Ask for the way to Van Gia Wharf. There, take ship to Diep Son between 9am and 11am, depending on the water level. The ship return to mainland at 5-6pm. The ship runs for 30 to 40 minutes.

Option 2: From Van Gia, drive 8km to Tan Dan. Ask for the Tan Dan communal temple. Opposite the temple is a small alley leading to the sea. Drive a couple of km, stop and shift to travel by boat in 15 minutes. The boat is quite small and can only serve 6 people maximum.

* Electricity on the island is available from 6pm to 9pm. If you use electricity, then you should pay for locals. There is a chicken farm and a few grocery shops so you can buy things but not much.

* You can travel by this itinerary: Nha Trang – Diep Son – Eastern Arctic – Hon Gam – Bai Na – Dam Mon – Dai Lanh Lighthouse.

Source: Vietnam Travellive

Vang Vieng, Laos – Pristine and Wild

Not boasting world heritage sites and huge tourist attractions like Luang Prabang or Vientiane, Vang Vieng instead charms visitors with its majestic mountains and pristine beauty. Unlike other sites, the hiking trails leading up into the mountains here haven’t been spoiled by excessive tourism.

The path leading to the peak of Pha Ngeun is a typical example. 4km down the road from Mayline Guesthouse, you will see the wooden board guiding you to a village of the H’mong people. Park at the toll station and begin your journey. For those who love trekking, it’s only a 25 minute hike to the top of Pha Ngeun. A great panoramic view of the neighboring mountains is the reward for your toil.

Travellers of Vang Vieng are advised to be careful for three reasons: a lot of parties with the large amounts of alcoholic beverages, underwater rocks, and the range of outdoor activities.

That said, there’s something for every thrill seeker whether you are into cycling, trekking, kayaking, climbing, or enjoying the zipline, hot air ballooning, or – the most special one – tubing.

Tubing in Vang Vieng

This riverside town in Central Laos may be one of the few places in Southeast Asia where you can go tubing. In 1999, a farm owner had an idea for how volunteers could relax on the river, floating on rubber innertubes. Tubing soon became one the most popular tourist activities in the area and no visitor to Vang Vieng should miss out. Tubing is simply lying on a donut shaped buoy as you are carried down a river. Get on a tuk-tuk to the assembly point, and you can float along the river with a rental float and a waterproof bag. The best time to go tubing is from noon til 4pm. The Tubing center might not be open earlier and it is unsafe to float at night.

The town is small enough to walk across. If you want to visit villages of the Laos, Kmou, and Hmong people or explore the mountains and hidden caves, you can rent a bicycle or motorbike. And if you are planning to spend a day here, then Tham Poukham – Blue Lagoon is the best and safest choice. Just 7km away from the town center is a lake, a zipline for those who’re not afraid of heights, and some hidden tracks inside Tham Poukham Cave.

Vang Vieng is located 150km north of Vientiane. It takes about 4 hours to travel there by car.

Source: Vietnam Travellive

>> Tours to Vang Vieng:

Sapa: Trekking on Trail Ban Khoang – Ta Giang Phinh is Provisionally Banned

ActiveTravel Asia – the local travel consultant in Vietnam announces that trekking on the route Ban Khoang – Ta Giang Phinh in Sapa is temporarily forbidden due to insecurity. The ban has been effective since 19^th March and there is no information that when this ban ends. The local police just say that when the situation returns to stable, they will inform and let travelers get into.

Face to this ban, our Vietnam travel experts will arrange for trekkers to hike other routes, which not less exotic than the banned one, and make sure the Sapa trek is smooth and still amazing. The trip is roughly not affected much.

The trail Ban Khoang – Ta Giang Phinh is sited northwest of Sapa ward. Ban Khoang village is home to Red Dao ethnic group. It has wild and unspoiled scenery with imposing mountains and breathtaking terraced fields. The furthest area from Sapa town and also the northernmost point of Sapa ward is Ta Giang Phinh valley – the ancient land of Hmong tribe, now resided by both Dao and Hmong ethnics in several small villages dotted along a quiet stream. To know more this trail, you can view here.

Roof of Southeast Asia is Given Top Priority to Win UNESCO’s Recognition

Lately in 2014, Myanmar submitted additionally its seven properties on the world heritage tentative list, comprising Mount Khakaborazi, Wildlife Sanctuary in Bogalay Township of Ayeyawady Region, Ayeyawady Dolphin, Nat Ma Mountain in Chin State, Taninthayi nature reserve, Inndawgyi Lake and Mergui (Myeik) Archipelago.

Among Myanmar’s new bid for seven spots, Mt. Khakaborazi is recently given top priority to be inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.

Towering at 5,581 meters, Mt. Khakaborazi is the highest peak in Southeast Asia settled in Putao of Kachin State in northern Myanmar, an extended area of Himalaya range. The mount was first conquered in 1996 by Takashi Ozaki, a Japanese mountaineer, and Nyama Gyaltsen, a local. Its summit is enclosed by Khakaborazi National Park and Khakaborazi Wildlife Sanctuary. This snow-capped mountain is also a very important watershed area for the eastern Irrawaddy river (the N’mai river). It’s indigenously known as “Ahtanbum”, meaning “mysterious Spirit abode”; thus, no one has dared to venture it in centuries.

At present, Myanmar’s Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry is conducting surveys on the biodiversity of Mt. Khakaborazi and its neighboring areas in cooperation with UNESCO, said the national project coordinator of UNESCO.

Formerly in 1996, Myanmar submitted its first seven properties for inscription as World Heritage Sites. The list includes Bagan Archaeological Area and MonumentsWooden Monasteries of Konbaung Period (Ohn Don, Sala, Pakhangyi, Pakhannge, Legaing, Sagu, Shwe-Kyaung – Mandalay), Badah-lin and associated caves, Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar (Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay), Myauk-U Archaeological Area and Monuments, and Inle Lake.

The Ministry of Culture and organizations concerned are trying to submit Bagan archaeological area and monuments to be recognized. Until now, there are three ancient cities in Myanmar – Thayekhittaya (or Sri Ksetra) near Pyay, Beikthano near Taungdwingyi and Hanlin near Shwebo – had been designated as World Heritages; and Inle lake becomes Myanmar’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

>> Head to Putao, the area adjacent the Roof of Southeast Asia – Mount Khakaborazi:

Blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” Shot in Halong Bay – Why Cong La – Ba Hang Chosen

The last shooting location in Vietnam of blockbuster “Kong” Skull Island” is “Cống Lá – Ba Hang”, belonging to Halong bay, and planned to shoot on this Mar 17. If overall Halong bay is a masterpiece of nature, Cống Lá – Ba Hang is actually a very super masterpiece: imposing, charming and mysterious.

Before that, to select this shooting location, the film crew came to Halong city half a year ago and spent many days to inspect the bay. On this Mar 16, Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts will just check only one time for the shooting process carried out on the following day.

According to a veteran navigator of Halong bay Management Department, Cống Lá section has two small faulous lakes enclosed by karst mountains. With a lake, only entering by climbing over a mountain, while with the other one, it’s possible to get into by boating through three grottoes (that’s why the area called “Ba Hang”, meaning “Three Grottoes”).

Cống Lá – Ba Hang is placed about 30km from Tuan Chau island and roughly 20km from Hon Gai wharf, on the adjacent area with Cat Ba island of Hai Phong province.

Here is stunning Cống Lá – Ba Hang via pictures of Photographer Đỗ Giang – who is invited by the film crew “Kong: Skull Island” to inspect the last shooting location with Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts on Mar 16. He is regarded as one of experts proficient in every corner of Halong bay and recognized as the photographer taking most photos about Halong bay on high.

Spectacular

Poetic

Waiting for low tide, small boats can get into the lake.

Masterpieces of nature

The lake in the core of mountain

>> Discover wonderful Halong bay by kayaking and cruising: http://www.activetravel.asia/top-halong-kayak-tours-vietnam-tl358.html

Ninh Binh’s Landscapes Appears on “Kong: Skull Island”

Three renowned scenic landscapes of Ninh Binh province – Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong and Van Long marsh – will appear on the latest blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island”, which is set to be released in 2017.

In the afternoon of February 26 2016, the movie crew of Kong: Skull Island arrived Ninh Binh and started their two working weeks in here from Feb 27 to Mar 15. The first shooting location is Trang An, located 7km west of Ninh Binh city along Trang An avenue and 96km north of Hanoi.

The selected actual setting is a 2-ha-valley inside Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, between Tam Coc – Bich Dong and the area of Trang An wharf.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex became the first site in Viet Nam to be recognized as of the world’s mixed natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2014.

Numerous vestiges and charms of nature of Trang An were reckoned among special national relics by the government, including Trang An ecological tourist site, Tam Coc – Bich Dong (Three Grottoes – Bich Cave) and Hoa Lu ancient capital.

Tam Coc – Bich Dong, also well-known as “Halong bay on land” and “Nam Thiên Đệ Nhị Động” (the second best cave of ancient Vietnam kingdom), is one of the main tourist destinations of the S-shaped country.

The whole area comprises a system of karst caves and historic relics concerning “hành cung Vũ Lâm” – a military base under Trần dynasty settled in Ninh Hải ward, Hoa Lư district.

Karst formations have been weathered and eroded that formed original shapes.

From Feb 27 to Mar 07, the film crew Kong: Skull Island carried out the film scenes in Trang An Scenic Landscape. In Mar 08, they continue shooting film in Tam Coc – Bich Dong area.

From Mar 09 to Mar 15, the crew has recorded the scenes in Van Long marsh. This area is the largest wetland nature reserve in Red River Delta, located north-east of Gia Vien district.

Van Long marsh features charming beauty of magnificent limestone mountains and tranquil water parts. The marsh surface is pure and turquoise such an extent that it’s possible to see clearly masses of moss and weed at the bottom. Almost the karst mountains eroded by water, forming a system of miraculous grottoes and caves.

On the film-making days of Kong: Skull Island’s crew, the management board of Trang An and Van Long marsh has arranged with travelers to visit the sites in other routes so as not to affect the film processing.

According to Hachi8

Adventure tours to Ninh Binh:

The Great Wall of Vietnam

Settled at the end of Hang Son Doong, the Great Wall of Vietnam is a gigantic overhanging mass of flowstone that blocked the way deep inside the cave, above 60m high, and linking to the biggest chamber by a lake 500m long.

With an enormous measure and a deep location 6km from the first cave entrance, the Wall is rated as a “natural masterpiece” by cave specialists, though its image is never as widespread as the two Collapsed Dolines (Sinkholes), Garden of Eden and Watch out for Dinosaurs.

Climbing over this Wall is definitely not an easy challenge to adventurers, even to expert climbers. They compel to use professional gears and follow under conduct of speleologists.

Experiencing over the centuries, calcite crystals left behind water layered themselves around small sand particles, enlarging over time, and forming drip by drip rare cave “pearls”.

One of unique features that Son Doong owns is just its private climate condition creating a diverse ecosystem. That’s why even when descending deeply underground, it’s able to encounter existing creatures.

A sand crab with strange colors.

A skeleton of a mountain goat has fossilized for roughly several hundreds of years.

Behind the wall, there is a 600m passage leading to a second entrance into the cave.

[button color=”red” size=”normal” alignment=”none” rel=”follow” openin=”newwindow” url=”http://www.activetravel.asia/trekking-to-swallow-cave-near-son-doong-world-largest-cave-t330.html”]Trek Hang En cave near Son Doong – the world’s largest cave[/button]

[button color=”red” size=”normal” alignment=”none” rel=”follow” openin=”newwindow” url=”http://www.activetravel.asia/zipline-kayaking-and-caving-in-phong-nha-t224.html”]Zipline, Kayak and Cave in Phong Nha, Vietnam[/button]

Infographic: Discover Tet – Vietnamese New Year

Magic Golden Rock Defying Gravity

This great religious construction is an infinitely hard query that hasn’t been cleared up to geography.

Golden Rock (or Kyaiktiyo pagoda) is the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Myanmar behind Shwedagon pagoda and Mahamuni pagoda, located 200km from Yangon on the Kyaiktiyo hill. It’s settled totteringly atop a giant granite boulder pasted with gold leaves by devotees, at an altitude of 1,100m above the sea level.

First time seeing this rock, many people feel that it appears to be on the verge of rolling down the charm. The balancing rock seems to defy gravity. Burmese culture explained for this odd layout based on a story of Buddha. Legend has it that Golden Rock itself is precariously perched on a Buddha’s single hair, which is believed to prevent the rock tumbling down the hill. Whether trusting in this belief or not, it’s still an unexplainable phenomenon in geoscience.

Also mentioned in the legends, pilgrims, if undertaking the pilgrimage by trekking from the Kinpun base camp three times consecutively in a year, will be blessed with wealth and recognition.

Every good Buddhist dreams of the day finally setting eyes on this holiest of shrines, and more sincere if he experience an arduous hike to the hill summit, while devotees come here to worship, offer prayers and stick golden leaves on this mysterious rock in reverence. A part from religious beliefs and unique architecture, fabulous landscapes viewed from the mountain peak also inspired travelers to here.

About structure, Kyaiktiyo shrine complex contains several viewing platforms, pagodas, Buddha shrines and nat spirit shrines. Worshipers gather in the area behind the rock, and Buddhism melodies reverberate every corner. Away from the main shrine is a circle of 8 gongs with 4 statues of nats and angels in the heart. There are also several other stupas and shrines scattered on the ridge at the tip of Mount Kyaiktiyo, though none is as impressive as Kyaiktiyo itself. Even so, the interconnecting trails sometimes lead to unexpected views of the valleys below.

The peak season will be from November to March, as the pagoda is filled with Buddhist devotees around Myanmar, and the atmosphere surrounding it is charged with magic and devotion: pilgrims’ chants, light candles, meditation and offerings to Buddha (commonly fruits, food and incense) continues throughout the night. Men cross over a bridge spanning an abyss to the boulder to affix gold leaf squares on the rock’s surface in deep veneration, then put two hands on and pray. However, women are not permitted to touch the rock so cannot cross the bridge. Paying fee for gold covering is compulsory.

The most special occasion for pilgrims in Kyaiktiyo is the full moon day of Tabaung. On this day, the platform of the pagoda is lighted with 90,000 candles beside reverential offerings.

From the central Kinpun base camp, where stores and hotels are always available with lower costs, to Golden Rock, the route is 11km. Buses for transferring to the hill top are trucks without roof. Each of them can carry up to 40 people sitting on simple wooden benches. Experience when passing over narrow turns to Kyaiktiyo is like sitting in a roller coaster. There is a stop location 1.5 km from the summit. When getting out from vehicles, both pilgrims and travelers have to take off footwear and walk with bare foot to enter the shrine zone. By bare foot stepping on the ceramic tile yard, easily sense warm owning to heat from dazzling sunshine in day.

Staying overnight on Kyaiktiyo summit is highly recommended rather than in Kinpun, because it’s possible to contemplate magnificent sunset and sunrise, especially the boulder is really stunning when bathed in the purple, sometimes misty, and light of dawn and dusk.

In case trekking to the rock, it will take 5 hours through bushy jungle canopy and also offer beautiful locations to sight-see. Thank to being paved, way to the mountain peak is more convenient.

Recommended tours to Kyaiktiyo pagoda:

Route to Tay Yen Tu

Vu Quang Cuong and his gangs of cyclists challenge themselves in one of toughest mountain routes in northern Vietnam. Photos provided by the team.

The rugged Yen Tu mountain range in north-eastern Vietnam was formed along a geological fault line millions of years ago. Home to Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve, the area is now also a popular ecotourism destination.

We aimed to cycle to the western edge of Tay Yen Tu mountain. Starting from Hanoi, the route goes past Uong Bi town then turns left to the north-east by way of Binh Khe. Here we had two choices: either to go straight ahead, or for the more adventurous, go via Elephant Pass. We chose the adventurous option.

Waterproof clothing, high-calories foods for energy supply, salted water and vitamins were the most essential things for our ride. We first drove to Dong Trieu then left the cars and cycled straight to Binh Khe, turning left after about 2 kilometers towards Elephant Pass.

It had been raining a few days before so the road was waterlogged, covered in inches of oozing mud and partially flooded, making riding difficult. The sky darkened with stormy clouds, and it looked like it might pour down at any moment.

We were so absorbed with cycling and taking photos that we quickly reached the base of Elephant Pass. Only then did we notice the steepest slope we had ever seen: rough, rocky and right in front of us. We had to plan our next moves. First, the Trek 6300, laden with supplies, was passed hand-to-hand with great effort, pulling and pushing, finally making it to the top of the Elephant Pass. Then we carried all 16 of the team’s bikes. Everyone was so glad to reach the top that they happily cheered each other for having come such a long way. Some guys posed for a few photo shoots; others simply lay down to recover their breath. It was all quite tiring.

The route through Elephant Pass was slippery due to heavy rain all week. Most of us felt very low in energy by now – so this was when the Snickers bars helped: some of us chewing them greedily, others eating slowly to conserve energy for even tougher roads ahead. The rain was true forest rain, not like the rain that suddenly comes and goes in the city. It rained hard, constantly, creating lots of mud, slowing our ride and using up more energy. Those with soft, flat-bottomed shoes fell off their bikes at times.

Special waterproof coats were our saviours. They not only kept us warm but also protected us from getting too wet, which could make us sick or lower our body temperature too much. We moved forward slowly, in silence. For the first time we were experiencing a whipping wind and relentless rain. It felt as if our bikes were being fiercely dragged downhill. Scratching, clawing, and clinging to anything in order to keep hold on to the bikes, we moved step-by-step up the slope, and carried on up the mountain.

The rain started to ease up and now there were just gusts of cold north-easterly wind blowing. Thick fog made the view very limited even from the height of 500 meters. When a few gusts blew the clouds away, however, the landscape below came into view: it was extraordinary beautiful.

We could see the magnificent mountain, the vast plains below, the winding rivers, small villages and Ben Chau lake gleaming like a giant mirror.

After lunch and hot tea, we packed up and started moving down the mountain.

Mrs. Thinh, a local woman who lives in the small house where we stopped for a drink, offered to lead the way along the stream and down the mountain. The stream had dried out and the slope was not too steep, so you could have easily walked halfway down the mountain – but it was another story for those on bikes. The road was covered with large rocks, so we moved very slowly and tried to keep pace. Then came the steep slopes, increasing our downward speed dramatically. With our rear wheel brakes tightly squeezed, bikes jarring from the rocky ground and front brakes held then released continually, we found our way down – all requiring extreme focus. We really did not want to lose grip of our handle bars and fall off at that moment! Then came the flatter slopes. We’d overcome major difficulties so it was now time to reward ourselves. Our 17 iron horses sped along the sloping roads without hesitation, our laughter and shouts echoing back from the mountain. We were all excited and relieved – we suddenly felt more adventurous and skillful.

Plunging from a height of 200 meters down into wide grasslands made us feel more relaxed as the route was pretty easy now. We reached Ben Chau lake around 3pm. There we rested, shared warm tea and chatted a bit to gain back enough strength to continue.

On the way back to Binh Khe we only had a few problems with bike chains. We then continued to cycle straight to Dong Trieu, where we climbed back into the cars and arrived in Hanoi at 7pm.

So it is possible for you to go there and back in a day, however you should keep track of the weather forecast – and remember to bring your lunch and plenty of water!

Source: MBike Vietnam

Top biking tours in northern Vietnam:

Top 10 Cambodian Foods

The flavor of Khmer cuisine is rich, bold, and astonishingly different from the well-known dishes of its neighbors. The food is heartier than typically delicate Vietnamese cuisine, not as sweet and spicy as Thai food, but Chinese and Indian influences are definite in the curries and stir-fries. Here are 10 dishes that you should taste if you travel to Cambodia.

Fish Amok: Fresh fish is cooked in coconut milk base and flavored with kroeung – a type of Khmer curry paste comprising lemongrass, turmeric roots, garlic, shallots, galangal and ginger, then steamed in a bowl made of banana leaves.

Bai sach chrouk (pork and rice): This extremely simple but delicious dish is popular over the country. Thinly sliced pork is slowly grilled on warm coals to keep its natural sweetness. Sometimes pork can be marinated in coconut milk or garlic. Grilled pork is served with plentiful broken rice, pickled cucumbers, daikon radish and ginger, accompanying a bowl of chicken broth topped with with scallions and fried onions.

Khmer red curry: This braised dish reflects Indian influence and is beloved throughout Cambodia. Its ingredients include meltingly tender beef, chicken or fish with eggplant, green beans, potatoes, fresh coconut milk, citronella and kroeung, sprinkled a little coriander on top, and as not spicy as Thai curry. Actually, it’s typically served at big celebrations, particularly weddings, family gatherings and religious holiday like Pchum Ben (or Ancestors’ Day). Khmer red curry comes with French-styled bread.

Kampot pepper crab: Kampot – the southern province located right on the coastline, is known for two things: fresh seafood and limitless peppercorn farms. These two ingredients unite in an amazing dish – fresh crab stir-fried with abundant green peppercorns still attached to stem that makes an absolutely great flavor. The pepper imbues with the sweet crab meat with a lingering floral flavor, but be sure to eat a few of the peppercorns to avoid a spicy kick.

Stir fried red tree ants with beef and holy basil: Insect is one of important parts of Cambodian cuisine, from street fried stuff of cricket, cockroach, grasshopper to more special dish like stir fried beef with red tree ant. This weird dish is made from enough-sized ants stirred with ginger, chili-peppers, citronella, garlic, chives and thin-sliced beef, and served with steamed rice.

Nom bank chok (Khmer noodles): It is a favorite breakfast dish in Cambodia, typical sold in mornings by street vendor women. A bowl of nom bank chok comprises handy-made rice noodles, mixed with fish-based green curry gravy made from citronella, turmeric roots and lemon. Mint leaves, bean sprouts, banana flowers, cucumbers and other herbs are heaped on top. There are also the red curry version served on ceremonial occasions and weddings.

Lort cha: This dish is served throughout the country as late night snack from carts, motorbike or tuk tuk driver. It’s made by the way that spicy noodles are cut short in length, then stir-fried with bean-sprouts, fresh spring onions and a scrambled or fried egg. Finally, all of the ingredients are tossed with lavish chili and soy sauce before being plated.

Grilled stuff: Wherever you travel in Cambodia, you also see a grill with skewers of beef and whole fish. Snapper, prawns and squid are also available, but the best fish is typically pulled from the country’s freshwater lakes. Almost the materials are marinated very little, but the grilled stuff will be dip into various sauces. Seafood is often served with a green mango relish, while meats are served with tangy pickled vegetables.

Trei bung kanh chhet (Fried fish on the fire lake): This traditional dish is made for parties or eaten at restaurants. A whole fish is deep-fried before it is put into a special, fish-shaped hot-plate of coconut curry made from spicy and sweet yellow kroeung and chilies (quite same to hotpot in Vietnam or China). Vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage are cooked in the hot-plate, and served with rice or rice noodles.

Cha houy teuk (jelly dessert): This sweet desert is quite cheap and available at many street food stalls over Phnom Penh. Cha huoy teuk is a sweet jelly dessert including agar agar – a brightly colorful gelatin that is derived from seaweed – sagu palm flour, green bean and coconut cream. Some sweet deserts have sago (steamed glutinous rice) drenched in coconut milk and sprinkled taro, red beans, pumpkin and jack-fruit on top.

8 Cities You Should Explore By Bike in Vietnam

Challenges from small slopes and sudden turns, strange winds, or amazing roadside food stalls are reasons to plan a biking trip to discover a city.

Da Lat: Sinuous slopes will be remarkable trials for a Dalat discovering trip by bike – the city of flowers. In return, you will gain very unusual experiences in this ethereally misty area, with lovely wild flower grounds, extensive pine jungles, sharp turns, or simply cool breezes from quiet lakes.

Recommended tour: Mountain biking Dalat & Down to Nha Trang

Vung Tau: Stunning coast roads is just the reason to reveal Vung Tau on two wheels. Conquer this coast city by a plain mean of transport on an evening will make you feel life is infinitely meaningful.

Nha Trang: Coast ways is also the cause to plan a cycling trips to discover this city. Besides, conquering demanding roads with passes is equally enchanting to adventurers.

Hue: The poetic city along Perfume river (song Huong) allures travelers by graceful “ao dai” panels and streams of hair flying in wind. On a journey pedaling around this city, occasionally breaking into some stall to sip a fresh glass of cane juice or enjoy a fiery bowl of rice noodle with beef (bun bo) that will make you love this peaceful city more. Let take a further cycling trip to the Imperial Tombs, Thien Mu pagoda – where reserves many impressively historical relics, Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge and ancient villages with traditional crafts (Sinh, Tay Ho, Phuoc Tich, Ke Mon…).

Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge – Hue cycling trip

Da Nang: As a tourist city with utility and services pleased both domestic and foreign travelers, now Da Nang becomes a favorite destination for discovery by bike to many travelers. Beaches, rivers, bridges and rich flavor of fermented fish sauce (mam nem) are experiences that cyclists should not skip on this trip.

Hoi An: Ancient, silent atmosphere of Old Quarters along with a small area are just criteria make Hoi An be a city that you should explore on two wheels. Get off the town, travelers can pedal to the countryside area on paths hidden under canopies of water-coconut trees, experience works of fishermen like casting net, crab hunting, rowing basket boat, or of farmers in Tra Que vegetable village.

Hanoi: Romantic and blurring rows of deciduous country almond trees, Sword lake in a winter morning or quiet West lake are very distinct features about this ancient city that you can feel after cycling rotations.

Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon): Rarely a travel company or individual recommends you a biking journey to discover this city named for Uncle Ho, but if you dare to venture once, you will realize this “Pearl of the Orient” full of vitality, friendliness and enthusiasm that when being on other vehicles, you will easily miss.

Hanoi: 7 Experiences You Should Not Miss in Winter

Whenever winter comes to this millennial city, it is the greatest time to sip a warm cup of coffee, gather with friengs in St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Christmas, or take some memorable photos on flower fields in profuse bloom. Here are 7 wonderful experiences that you should skip in Hanoi winter.

Hanoi Cathedral was constructed in French colonial time, aged over 120. On Christmas Eve night, this ancient church is ornamented splendidly with colored lights and recreated the birth of Jesus Christ. Sit here and sip a glass of lemon tea with friends, contemplate the construction marked trace of time and count backwards to moment of midnight, as a great experience in Hanoi winter.

If you prefer activity, let spend a late afternoon cycling around West lake. You will surprise thanks for amazing scenery of the lake on cold days: ethereal winter air with silvery mist, and sunset light radiates twinkly on tranquil lake. You can amble on “Korea street” (duong Han Quoc) along the West lake, or turn into a lakeside eating house to enjoy hot medium-sized edible snail dishes and barbecues with friends. Silence of the West lake will make you temporarily forget heavy pressure of city.

With classical French colonial houses beside many art galleries and restaurants European in style, Trang Tien street is an ideal place for walk that travelers can feel the both romantic and animated atmosphere of Hanoi winter. Going all the way to the end, it isn’t difficult to realize Hanoi Opera House carrying itself like theaters in Paris. Savoring a cup of coffee, visiting art galleries or wandering on the “book street” nearby will bring you truly relaxed minutes.

Long Bien (or Doumer) – an over 100-year-old bridge is bustling again on every evening by flocks of people leisurely strolling, provisionally leaving far away from urban light. Melodies of life resound with train whistles, and sound of bicycle rotations of traders from everywhere coming home after a hard working day. You can throw yourself into a food stall of steamed corns and grilled sweet potatoes, or a warm tea stall to temporarily forget the cold of Hanoi winter.

Long Bien bridge is considered as a historical witness of Hanoi, as it had underwent numerous bombardments and other historical changes. Stand on the bridge and look around, you will feel vicissitudes as well as peaceful scenery of green fields on alluvial grounds along Red river.

The Old Quarter, aged several hundreds, carrying typical features of former Kinh Ky area (Hanoi’s old name), is a concentration area of many restaurants, entertainment and food sites for youths, domestic as well as abroad travelers. If you don’t think out where to go and eat in Hanoi, the Old Quarter is the most suitable choice for you. Night sauntering around these streets on weekend, enjoying folk and modern music performances, and tasting winter dishes like gruel with “quay” (yao tiao), warm medium-sized edible snails, glutinous rice doughnut, etc surely will bring you compelling impressions.

December is the time Hanoi’s streets brim with flower hawker bicycles loaded fully daisies, asters and yellow chrysanthemums. To many youths, this time is really great to take some beautiful, memorable photos with friends among charming flower fields, even rural kinds like mustard flowers. A biking trip around Hanoi outskirts will be an original highlight, as you can see the urban rich-traditional-life, visit ancient houses and temples, contemplate stunning and peaceful fields, and understand longstanding cultivating culture of North Vietnam.

You can sit and enjoy coffee year-round. However, several-decade-old cafés in Hanoi will be cozier ever on winder days. Sipping a warm cup of coffee, huddling on a small chair beside a little table, watching the bustling Old Quarter and listening to classical ballads, it will be a very distinct feel hard to find anywhere else.

Graceful Lanes in Luang Prabang

Once travelling in Luang Prabang, the fabulous former capital of Laos, let be slow down, and there’s no reason for you to deny a peaceful life among graceful space fragrant with sweet scent of flowers.

This “land of traditional culture and Buddhism”, also a “paradise of peace” is developing with hotels, bars and crowded restaurants grow over the city. The most bustling street is located right in the main quarter near Phousi mountain. It’s in the middle and parallel with two rivers that banks are covered with yellow sappanwood flowers (or “dock khoun”) blooming radiantly in summer sunshine, Muntingia calabura trees fruiting thorough-red berries, and violet Alexandrian laurel buds.

In spite development, Luang Prabang still retains its lovely features of silent and still small ways. From the main street, turn into one of two sides, so easy to realize dozens of little lanes leading to the riverside – pretty and clean ones featuring porches brimful of luxuriant leaves and flowers, melodious bird calls, and wooden fences that hibiscus flowers blow up with multi-colors. Sunshine scatters on each lane, slanting through flower canopy fluttering in breezes.

The lanes are gently sloping down to the riverside. Here, houses all have a little garden with some flower-pots and parterres blooming fully right in front of gates. Appearing intermittently behind oodles of leaves and flowers, there are little wooden houses with two stunning stories. Rooms all have windows looking out lanes or gardens, and a spacious balcony redolent with scent of flowers and cool by wind constant blowing from the river. Broad yards are laid tables and chairs under canopy of green trees, and also swaying swings. Hotels in the lanes are also designed in this style, just a bit different as there is additionally a small, lovely signboard outside to notify travelers. Not flaunt with big, grand or colorful boards, everything harmonizes with hues and surrounding natural scenery.

Along the lanes, wooden benches and chairs are set too below canopy of trees, enhancing more grace for these green paths. No noise of cars and motorbikes, just sound of steps rustling on yellow dry leaves and chirping of birds.

Immersing a wonderful life among nature is a great experience in Luang Prabang, where everything is truly quiet and tranquil: ancient pagodas with green moss spreading throughout streets, delightful lanes glistening in sunshine, houses nestling serenely in fresh shadow of green trees, and roads along the river meek and affable in light of sundown.

Anyone reaching this city also finds soul and heart lighter. Strange guests can walk a whole day on these lanes without getting bored, or cycle leisurely in every afternoon. After minutes comfortably strolling in a world of leaves and flowers, let sit down at a porch to rest and talk with friendly locals, as a great way to understand the residents in Luang Prabang.

When night comes, the lanes are shiny in silver moonlight. Instrument sound is melodious somewhere from a garden. Amble then stop, sit down and linger, let enjoy a little cool taste of beerlao in fragrance of frangipani flowers floating in the air. So graceful!

Don’ts When Trekking in Sapa Villages

Sapa is inhabited by minor groups of Black Hmong, Red Dao, Giay and Tay, who have a system of beliefs, traditions and customs unlike main communities you know in the world. When trekking in Sapa and visiting the villages, you should notice 9 special points below.

1/ Don’t sit at a central room

A dwelling of a ethnic minority in northern Vietnam is divided into many rooms, in which the core room is always the worship place. Thus, absolutely don’t sit if you are present at the middle house, or at a central room. When visit home of an ethnic family, should follow instructions of the host. First chairs placed on top of a table are for parents; if parents were passed away, no one is allowed to sit on these seats.

2/ Mind “spirit columns”

Inside a local house, there is a biggest and highest column, called “cot cai” (a main column), believed as the place where ghosts reside. Don’t hang clothes, don’t sit and lean on these “spirit columns”.

3/ Join in ceremonies – please don’t

In villages, if you find Black Hmong or Red Dao people are carrying out a sacrificial ceremony or exorcism, don’t arbitrarily join in, because they don’t want to have participation of strange individuals.

It’s possible to realize that villagers are performing a ceremony via the feature following: in front of a village gate, there will be a bunch of green leaves hung on a tall pillar, which is erected at a solemn place so as that everybody can see and avoid entering into the village.

4/ Love children, but don’t touch their head

If you encounter minor children, completely don’t touch and kiss their head. Ethnic tribes consider that this such action will frighten kids and make them easily get sick and deceases.

5/ Be careful with sacred places

Access a village, if you see a beautiful, clean and cool place, don’t hurry to rest, eat and drink there. It’s possibly the common worship place of a whole village, as an extremely sacred location to villagers.

6/ Whistle: A bad action

Another taboo for travelers, don’t whistle while strolling and sightseeing around Sapa villages. The locals suppose that whistling sound will recall ghosts and devils coming to their village.

7/ Don’t turn bowls upside down

Turning bowls upside down is prohibited because just only shamans are permitted to do this to expel evil spirits.

8/ In communication, don’t point fingers forward

If a host invites you to drink water or wine but you don’t want, should cleverly deny in order that the host understand and sympathize.

While communicating with indigenous people, don’t point your fingers at ahead. Hmong people believe that this action shows dissatisfied attitude or contempt for the opposite talking person.

9/ Costumes: undyed clothes = funeral

Remember don’t wear clothes of undyed white linen when you trek around villages in Sapa, because this is the color of a funeral.

***

As a pioneer in Vietnam adventure tours since 2006, ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA can offer travelers various selection of real trekking & hiking tours in Sapa, with the toughest and unknown trek paths that no one knows. For more information, take a few minutes to visit our webpage:
http://www.activetravel.asia/top-sapa-trek-tours-vietnam-tl359.html

Angelina Jolie’s Latest Movie Expected to Boost Cambodian Tourism

This November, Hollywood star, actress Angelina Jolie came to Cambodia to film her latest project, with shots will be carried out in Angkor Wat and other little-known tourist sites.

As a film version of writer Loung Ung’s memoir, “First They Killed My Father”, the project reportedly will feature Jolie’s adopted Khmer son – Maddox in a significant role.

Much of the filming will take place in Siem Riep Province, where the famous Angkor Wat temple is located. Some scenes will be recorded in the ancient temple ruins, while others will shot in rice paddies and riverside in the neighbored areas.

According to the Cambodian Film Commission, the production will carry out quickly. The first scenes were filmed in early November, and the plan is expected to end in late January 2016. Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city behind Phnom Penh, will be used for 10% of the movie.

This story, about a family’s experience under cruel Khmer Rouge regime, will comprise very tragic events. However, it will be also a chance for people to see idyllic countryside around Siem Riep. This newest work of the famous actress is expected to have an effect on tourism of Cambodia. While Angkor Wat is extremely well-known (it had a great reputation even before “Tomb Raider” hit screens), the surrounding rural areas are rarely visited. Battambang, for instance, is off the tourist map, despite being the second’s largest city. When “First They Killed My Father” is completed, local authority hopes that tourism trade in the city will prosper.

The shooting is anticipated to have an influence on Angkor Wat discovery of travelers, as tourism trade will be put in pause to make way for production crew and cast. These days, there are plans to block off certain roads and sections around the temple in order that oblivious tourists and residents don’t interrupt the film recording.

Angelina Jolie is renowned for charity activities as well as successful acting career. She has a long connection with Cambodia. Her bombard movie “Tomb Raider” was also filmed in the country’s ancient temples. Jolie and husband Brad Pitt adopted a Cambodian orphan in 2002, their son Maddox. She poured millions of dollars for development and conservation projects in this kingdom. She was even awarded honorary Cambodian citizenship by King Norodom Sihamoni as recognition of her contributions.

Check List for Multi Adventure Activities in Vietnam

With diverse landscapes and topography spreading from north to south, Vietnam can be relevant to any style of adventure travel.

Compared to classical trips as normal, travel with active activities will truly give you more experiences, lessons, feelings and enjoyment. Check ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA’s list of outstanding adventure activities in Vietnam below to consult what you should do in must-see places of the country.

1. Kayaking

This adventure style in Vietnam is quite extraordinary as it can be carried out in various places, from limestone topography, erosional system of caves, interlaced waterways to mangrove forests, on see, lake, river, subterranean stream inside cave and even water forest, as long as it’s a calm water area with breathtaking scenery and safety to boats passing over. Whether kayaking in fantasy Halong bay or scenic Ba Be lake, pristine nature landscapes will make you feel as though you’re lost in an uncanny world, a mysterious land. Highlights of a kayak trip in Halong bay – the country’s best kayaking site focuses on discovering hidden parts of enigmatic caves, secret beaches, untouched lagoons and wondrous islets, and enjoying peace as well as magnificent scenes; while in quite, deserted Ba Be lake, kayakers can encounter imposing cliffs with shaggy tree branches, quaint houses beside luxuriant corn fields, buffaloes leisurely gazing on green grass, and small waterways leading to astonished farms. Your trip in Hoian ancient town will be also greater with a kayak trip on Thu Bon river drifting over tranquil villages and lovely traditional houses. To nature lovers, you can take a kayak adventure on Chay river to enter and explore Dark cave (Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park), or in mangrove jungles in southern Vietnam.

2. Biking

Countryside covers almost the country, so small lanes become typical. That’s why you can’t feel peaceful, rustic life but well-off in agriculture products in Vietnam’s villages without a cycling adventure. On two wheels and by just your strength, let direct to Mekong delta – the Vietnam’s rice bowl and paradise of “sweet fruits” – or bike to ancient villages in Hanoi’s outskirt – remaining proof for a longstanding wet rice civilization in Vietnam – or simply enjoy pure breezes and peaceful space of Hoian countryside while pedaling. To cyclists desire to cope with slopes, hairpin turns and boggy, beaten roads, let snap a biking adventure to Sapa, Ha Giang or Bac Kan – imposing mountainous areas with captivated rice terraces in the North, or to Central Highland – where coffee farms and rubber plantation spread beyond eye-view.

Another adorable biking route beloved the best in the S-shaped country is Mai Chau (land of fresh green) – Ninh Binh (land of ancient capital, where breathtaking karst topography imbued with mythical space). Tough, long biking trip on Ho Chi Minh trail, which defies anyone to conquer it, surely will amaze bikers by adorable scenery and impressive historic sites.

3. Trekking

Three quarters of the country’s territory is made up of mountainous and hilly regions, so indigenous trekking trails are quite bumpy, muddy, encircled with dense forests and blocked by springs. However, real travelers will not care about that as the trails offers not only beautiful scenery and interesting local life of hill tribes, but also skills and lessons. Trekkers are likely to take walks in the most famous trekking spots like fascinating Sapa, peaceful Mai Chau and picturesque Moc Chau, or try other trekking routes less renowned but not less awesome.

With craggy terrains covered with thick forests and streams, Vietnam’s mountains deserve to be noticed by hiking enthusiasts. Defeating the height of Indochina’s roof – Mount Fansipan, hunting fog and touching the Heaven on the peak of Bach Moc Luong Tu, or reaching weird Mount Pha Luong are all demanding but worthy adventures.

Central Vietnam also has some outstanding trekking destinations. Dubbed as “the Kingdom of caves”, Quang Binh becomes the hot-hub of caving with well-known tours in the world such as exploring Son Doong cave and trekking to Hang En cave, while Dalat is a great spot for camping thanks for its lovely climate, interminable pine jungles and pretty lakes.

As a quite unspoiled country, Vietnam still maintains many national parks (Cat Ba, Pu Luong, Cuc Phuong, Bach Ma, Cat Tien, etc) and thousands of rare species. A trek in one of these national parks will be a valued trip to nature lovers.

4. Motorcycling

Relevant to narrow roads and small hairpin turns, mobile, flexible, easy to control and especially low-cost, that’s why motorbike becomes a popular vehicle in Vietnam such an extent that most the country’s people know how to ride it.

To understand about a country, it will be greater if you follow locals’ styles. So, let be brave to take a two-wheel-engine, get around or direct to remote areas for authentic experience. Motorcycling in Vietnam is truly an exciting adventure which demands travelers both hard skills and dare. If driving on crowded cities (Hanoi, Saigon) like a video game, journeys to secluded mountainous areas in the North will be excessively exciting with windy roads and dazed hairpin turns that two sides are breathtaking tea plantation, rice terraces and corn fields, then beaten tracks filled with wild flowers to exotic villages of colorful minor groups. And motorcycling on legendary Ho Chi Minh trail throughout length of the country – the most challenging adventure in Vietnam – will be truly memorable, because travelers will experience different emotional tone scale: creepy as dealing with each dramatic mountain pass, overwhelming before deserted, stunning beaches and blue sea, safe and sound in mind whenever stopping in a secluded village where you can encounter curious, innocent eyes toward strange guests who rarely reach their land, and hearty as silent sitting in a patriotic martyr ceremony or a historic site. Beyond your imagination, motorcycling is obviously an incredible, must-do experience in Vietnam.

Top Trekking Trails in Sapa

Well-known as the best spot for trekking in Vietnam, Sapa will be nothing on you mind if you just hang around the town without a hike to villages of ethnic minorities. Leave the modern town behind, carry along a rucksack and head to secret parts you’ve never known, you will see a real Sapa.

Here are some top trekking trails in this attraction recommended by ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA.

1. Lao Chai (Black Hmong) – Ta Van (Giay) – Giang Ta Chai (Red Dao)

As the largest rice terrace area in Sapa, this trail offers trekkers not only stunning vistas, but also a chance to find out about incredible rice planting techniques on terraces of the local ethnics. Especially May to October is the great time to witness firsthand how they cultivate and harvest.

Heading toward southeast from Sapa’s center, this most favorite trekking route takes trekkers from Lao Chai, the village of Black Hmong race to Ta Van, the village of Giay minority possibly accompanying a visit to a stone Catholic Church built by former Viet people, then passing through a bamboo forest to reach Giang Ta Chai, the village of Red Dao tribe hidden under shadows of old trees and next to a superb waterfall. Besides spectacular rice terraces, Sapa ancient rock field – trace of prehistoric humans with mysterious petroglyphs including 200 diverse-sized stone blocks carved original designs – is also a great reason to trek to Ta Van.

With this route, it’s possible to experience homestay, discover life, culture and cuisine of different minor communities.

2. Ban Ho (Tay) – Thanh Phu (Tay) – Thanh Kim (Dao)

This trail leads trekkers to villages of Tay minority (Ban Ho & Thanh Phu) and Dao tribe (Thanh Kim), which are remote villages south-eastward from the center. Thanks to this, these areas are less-touristy and the sights are also more truthful and original with rustic soil paths, suspension bridges, narrow canyons, small waterfalls and steep or gentle sloping terraced fields. This trail is truly demanding with meandering mountainous roads.

First impression as setting foot in Ban Ho valley is excessively immense space of green rice terraces as far as eyes can see, surrounded by stretching hills and quaint roofs dotted along the stream. Thanks for picturesque scenery, it’s rated as a “paradise valley” . Mighty beauty of whirlpools and waterfalls tinted legendary hues and tortuous paths harmonizes with a quiet, graceful look of streams of Muong Hoa and La Ve. Ethnic people here still uphold some traditional crafts like planting cotton and mulberry, nourishing silkworm and brocade weaving.

Trekking through glamorous rice terraces in Ban Ho and Thanh Phu, trekkers then move downhill along a narrow valley to the Ngoi Bo river to reach Thanh Kim commune, the place famous for its grain wine. After overcoming this challenging walk, let rest in Topas Ecolodge, where has best panoramic views in Sapa.

Remember to be overnight at traditional stilted-houses of Tay people – a friendly, nice minority – for a memorable experience.

>> See more: Sapa trek & Topas Ecolodge

3. Sin Chai (Black Hmong) – Cat Cat (Hmong) – Y Linh Ho (Black Hmong)

If you want to search out life of Hmong communities, who’s outstanding with shining silver necklaces and wrists of indigo-clad, let get this trails as it all takes trekkers to Hmong’s villages westward from Sapa town – Sin Chai, Cat Cat and Y Linh Ho.

From Sin Chai, a village located right at the foot of Hoang Lien mountain range, the trip commences by a walk on a small paths with superb view, then a descent to Cat Cat village for a lunch nearby a waterfall, continuing hiking along a narrow river and finally finishing in Y Linh Ho village.

As one of several none-touristy villages in Sapa, Sin Chai still keeps its originally wild look. This “valley of Hmong centenarians” leaves a curiosity to travelers about the secrets of longevity, particularly women, perhaps because of pure air and fresh vegetables without chemicals of the area.

By contrast, Cat Cat is quite touristy, but it’s a longstanding village of Hmong tribe, with traditional crafts live weaving, planting flowers and creating jewelryare still maintained, and traditional customs as well as habits are reserved almost intact.

The last destination on this trail is Y Linh Ho. Consisting of small hamlets dispersing on very harsh topography, it’s maybe a place to understand hard life. Black Hmong residents here erected primitive houses by soil and bamboo, and cultivate rice and corn on steep, high mountians.

>> Take the trip for this trek

4. Sin Chai (Black Hmong) – Ban Khoang (Red Dao) – Ta Giang Phinh (Dao & Black Hmong)

Toward the northernmost Sapa, this trail provides several stops for magnificent landscapes of Fansipan, pristine, none-touristy Sin Chai valley and especially amazing flower and vegetable farms before reaching Ban Khoang, a village of Red Dao ethnic group who live in a unique way of life and well maintain traditional values. As being still wild and unspoiled, Ban Khoang is striking thanks to most authentic, natural sights of majestic hills and scenic terraced fields.

The furthest area from Sapa town – Ta Giang Phinh valley – is an ancient land of Hmong people, now inhabited by Dao and Hmong ethnics in several small villages scattered along a peaceful stream. “Giang” means “heaven”, implying that the Heaven granted this land for Hmong people, no place else in Sapa is better. With four seasons of white mist and cutting cold wind, it’s like a privately illusory, mysterious region. Hmong tribe has a habit of building houses on towering mountains, far away from each other; but in Ta Giang Phinh, they focus on valley, along two sides of the pure stream, and create spacious terrace fields scattered on the foot of Ngu Chi Son (Five Fingers) – the most beautiful mount in the northwest.

>> See the tour for this trail here

See Sapa trekking map below:

Vietnam Visa Stamping Fees Drop Sharply 40% Since Nov 2015

Fine news for travelers planning to travel in Vietnam next time. The stamping fees for short-stay visa on arrival (VOA) at Vietnam airport will decline 40% since November 2015.

According to Circular No 157/2015 / TT-BTC approved by Vietnam’s the Ministry of Finance prescribing the regime on collection, management and use of fees for issuing passports, visas and papers on entry, exit, transit and residence in Vietnam, the visa stamping fees for foreigners and Vietnamese people inhabiting overseas will have a dramatic drop.

When the Circular takes effect from November 23 2015, it will be only 25 USD for a single entry visa and 50 USD for a multiple entry visa valid for up to 3 months instead of the current 45 USD and 95 USD respectively, while longer term visas upward 3 months to 5 years will remain unchanged with rates from $95 to $155. (see new Vietnam visa stamping fees below)

Single entry visa      $25/ pax    (the old fee: $45)
Multiple entry visa for 3 months or less      $50/ pax    (the old fee: $95)
Upward 3 months to 6 months      $95/pax
Upward 6 months to 1 year      $135 /pax
Upward 1 year to 2 years      $145 /pax
Upward 2 years to 5 years      $155/pax

Also, to travelers arriving Vietnam then entering other Indochina countries (Laos or Cambodia), then coming back Vietnam up to 30 days, the fee is 5 USD instead of 45 USD before.

Fees for arrival and exit are collected in VND. Fees stated in USD may be collected in USD or in VND at the average inter-bank foreign exchange rate announced by the State Bank of Vietnam at the time the fee is collected.

Earlier, Viet Nam extended visa exemption for foreigners whose nationality from United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy for maximum stay of 15 days.

Where to Eat in Bagan

Ancient, sacred, mysterious, both familiar and strange, Bagan is one of must-seen places in Myanmar. Apart from revealing temples, awaiting dawn and twilight, ballooning or biking to local villages, traveling to Bagan is also to savor great food.

1. BBQ Harmony

As its name, the restaurant is most well-known for barbecue with different options of various kinds of skewers, including pork, beef, chicken, fish, sea food and vegetables with prices from 1000 – 3000 kyat (in 2015).

Servants here are young men, really friendly and witty. Skewers after selected by diners will be grilled on the spot. Grilled dishes can be accompanies by steamed rice. Dipping sauce here is quite delicious.

2. Queen Restaurant

Queen Restaurant offers food of both Asian and European style from China, Italy, Thailand and Myanmar. Dishes here are cooked pretty quickly, tasty and warm. The menu is fairy diverse with many popular dishes of countries like Beijing roast dusk (or Peking dusk), pasta, pizza, Thai tom yum soup, barbecue, etc. The restaurant’s space is spacious, airy and clean.

Some dishes on its menu with prices (in 2015):

– Tea leaf salad: 1,000 kyat

– Fried chicken: 5,000 kyat

– Roasted dusk: 5,500 kyat

– Tomato, mushroom and cheese pizza: 5,500 kyat

– Spaghetti Carbonara: 4,000 kyat

– Grilled chicken in pieces (5 pieces): 5,000 kyat

– Beefsteak: 6,500 kyat

– Juice: 1,000 – 2000 kyat

– Myanmar beer: 1,800 kyat

– Tiger beer: 2,000 kyat

3. Golden Emperor

Located adjacent to BBQ Harmony, also serving dish similar to Queen Restaurant, but Golden Emperor has more vegetarian dishes. Golden Emperor is certificated by TripAdvisor.

Some its dishes with price (in 2015) for consultation:

– Myanmar beer: 1,200 kyat

– Tiger beer: 1,200 kyat

– Olivier salad (or Russian salad): 2,500 kyat

– Special salad: 3,500 kyat

– Cream of vegetable soup: 1,500 kyat

– Hawaiian pizza: 5,000 kyat

– Spaghetti Carbonara, Spaghetti Bolognese: 4,000 kyat

– Burger: 4,000 kyat

– Beijing roast dusk (or Peking dusk): 5,000 kyat

– Steak: 7,000 kyat

4. Golden Myanmar (Myanmar Food House)

It’s near the famous Ananda temple, serving Burmese traditional buffet with a rate of about 3,000 kyat/person. Lemon juice costs 1,500 kyat (in 2015).

A Myanmar’s buffet comprises Burmese traditional dishes cooked from pork, beef, soup and salad. Myanmar food tastes quite like Vietnamese food, but it is greasier and has typical curry-smell.

5. The Moon

The Moon is ranked 2^nd by TripAdvisor in the list restaurants in Bagan, and found by almost travelers, especially Western ones.

It mainly offer vegetarian dishes, skilfully cooked, suitable for appetite of many people. Space of the restaurant is a garden with shady pergolas, so though sitting here at noon, you also don’t feel unpleasant. For dessert remember to enjoy cream of the restaurant which is made in a special way. It’s near Ananda temple and Golden Myanmar restaurant.

Longest Zip Line in Vietnam

The 400-metre double-cable zip line over the Chay river to the entrance of Toi cave (Dark cave) in Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park (Quang Binh province) was recognized as the longest zip line in Vietnam on 29^th July 2015.

Quang Binh province is dubbed as the kingdom of caves in Vietnam as it features numerous wonderful caves, in which there are Son Doong (the world’s largest cave with a whole jungle inside it), Hang En (the third world’s largest cave screened on the bombard PAN, see here), Hang Tien (has original system of stalactites like terraced fields), Hang Va – Nuoc Nut, Thien Duong (Paradise), Tu Lan, Dark cave, etc.

Apart from caving tours, in Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park, adventurers can experience kayaking on Chay river and zip-lining to Dark cave (see the tour here).

The zip-line is the fastest way to reach Dark cave, running from Ho Chi Minh way (West Branch), crossing Chay river to the cave’s entrance. Formerly, to approach it, travelers have to pass the river by boat. This zip line has harmony topography with beautiful scenery that is well worth for discovering.

The construction finished and came into operation in September 2014. So far it has welcomed 25,000 travelers. Besides, at the platform of this zip-line, it is possible to observe langurs (an endangered species) and take panorama of primeval forests.

Let see some photos of this interesting adventure tour:

Zip-lining

Kayaking

Caving

Chay river

Special Experiences for a Perfect Day in Vientiane

Experience a day discovering Vientiane in brand new ways.

1. A croissant for breakfast

Savoring a croissant and a cup of espresso coffee is a great way to greet morning in Vientiane. You can come to Le Croissant d’Or on Nokeo Khoummane street, both have breakfast and contemplate the city’s life slowly passing over. With just only a croissant, you are able to recharge enough energy to begin a journey discovering the city a whole day.

2. Cycling to pagodas

When air is still cool, let grab a bike or a tuk tuk and head to Pha That Luang, a splendid stupa with unique Lao architectural style 4km north-east of the city’s heart. According to the legend, the main stupa’s interior has preserved relics of Buddha, comprising a single hair and many valuables. Pha That Luang is the world’s cultural heritage site and also the national emblem, which is present at Laos’ money notes.

On the way back, you are likely to drop in Patuxai Victory Monument. It is 55m high, 4-sided with 7 main floors and 2 extra stories. As the pride of Lao people, it was modelled on Arc De Triomphe of Paris (France) but has still kept distinct features majorly affected by Buddhism. It has great panoramic views from its peak deck.

There are small fees for entering Pha That Luang as well as ascending the top of Patuxai

3. Try coffee nohm

The locals in Vientiane commonly drink a traditional kind of coffee which is sold from street vendor carts parked kerbside, called as coffee “nohm”. Brewed with ground robusta coffee beans and mixed with sweetened condensed milk, coffee nohm is strong such an extent that you can’t bear a spoon of it. It either makes you spit out in a wry way or fascinate or addict for life. So, let try stop at a vendor cart and enjoy this typical cup of coffee.

4. For lunch: Vietnamese food or Lao cuisine

Find Vietnamese restaurant PVO on Simeaung Road, you will be served best attractive Vietnamese food in town.

To enjoy Lao food, you can have meals in Makphet, a restaurant of the innovative non-government organization Friends-International, where disadvantaged children are educated in cooking and become staff of the restaurant later. It helps unlucky kids to build a future as chefs and waiters while reviving the country’s traditional cuisine. Numerous yummy Lao dishes are offered here, especially “lap” (minced meat with ground rice, coriander, chili sauce and mint), and hibiscus flower tea enjoyed with lemon juice.

Makphet restaurant

5. Learn about the terrible history

Laos has a sorrowful past because of war; and to learn about that horrible history, you can arrive COPE Visitor center. From 1964 to 1973, the American army dropped over 260 million cluster bombs on Laos, making it become the world’s most heavily bombed nation. Approaching 30% of these bombs failed to detonate, causing 20,000 deaths or injuries so far. Reaching the center, you will perceive the history that Lao people underwent. The money donated here has been used to make artificial limbs for victims affected by bombs and mines.

Statues made from unexploded ordnance outside COPE Visitor Center –
Photo: 180 Degrees West

>> See more: Vacation in Laos: Bombed history, blooming culture

6. Shopping at cool afternoon

If you want to buy stylish clothes, let find to Couler d’Asie, where focuses lots of fashion shops. Or joining the throngs of the locals, promenading along the Chao Anouvong park near Mekong river, you will see stalls displayed handicrafts, clothes or other knick-knacks.

Chao Anouvong park

7. Drink Lao beer and contemplate sunset

When the sun is down, you can get to Baw Pennyoung bar to see twilight. The beer is great and the views are the best in town. You can order an iced bottle of beer, sip each mouthful and look toward Mekong river.

Photo: mattandalliswalkabout

8. Have dinner at Lao Kitchen

This is one of places serving many good traditional dishes with rustic, sour tastes and rich savors in fresh herbs, beloved by many travelers. Reaching stylish Lao Kitchen on Hengboun street, you can enjoy lap, lam (a stew dish seasoned with pepper bark) added jaew bong (chili paste) and fried river weed, Lao sausages, casseroles and grilled fish. Apart from Lao Kitchen, you can visit Vieng Savanh to eat the noodle dish with sausage and peanut.

Lap at Lao Kitchen

>> Adventure tours to Vientiane:

Nature Adventure Nam Leuk: http://www.activetravel.asia/nature-adventure-nam-leuk-vientiane-t309.html
Elephant Forest Explorer: http://www.activetravel.asia/elephant-forest-explorer-vientiane-t308.html

Amazing Vietnam under Eye-view of An Ukrainian Traveling Couple

Among 25 nations and territories that Yulia and Ievgenii passed over in their journey around the world, Vietnam is the country they are most impressed.

Each road in the country also can melt their heart.

Even now they are in the 26^th land, they’re still lovesick with Vietnam. “While I am in Cambodia, I can’t stop talking about Vietnam. I think Cambodian friends will soon hate me.” – said Yulia between jest and earnest.

Halong bay

Ievgenii supposes that Vietnam is excessively lucky for full convergence of beauties from river, lake, sea to forest, mountain and desert; and each place is also beautiful in its own way.

A photo he shot beside Sword lake (ho Guom) and Tortoise Tower (thap Rua).

Streets in Hanoi are always crowded and noisy.

Iced coffee with milk in Saigon…

…and the world’s best sandwich (the “banh mi”) also has to be present in this collection.

Image of a damsel in a pure white “ao dai” made the Ukranian man’s heart flutter.

A story of a man with his cyclo contriving well to take his children to university is also put into lens of these young friends, like an honor for painstaking and assiduousness of the Vietnamese.

Image of mothers working hard regardless of day or night always makes them touched and admire. The photo was taken in Hoi An ancient town.

But to them, the best of Vietnam is here: radiant smiles even on laborious days.

Many times they have already wondered: “Why are Vietnamese people small but can be strong like that?”

Children are like buds on branches.

Like Vietnamese expatriates whenever they miss their hometown they usually remember to simple family meals with tofu and water spinach, Yulia and Ievgenii maybe became a part of Vietnam.

Litchi – an adorable Vietnam’s fruit

Vietnamese traditional sweetened porridge.

>> Discover the whole S-shaped country on amazing adventures:

Travel Around Asia via Photos on Instagram

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines: The TV show CNNGo praised El Nido as the most fabulous beach in Philippines and it is possible to see the reason why. Karst mountain sight and pure teal water create alluring landscape here.

Halong bay, Vietnam: The peaceful scenery in Halong bay is unlike anywhere in America or Europe. This world’s wonder is actually a real wonderland on earth. Recently, it has filmed to make scenes of Neverland for the Hollywood blockbuster “PAN” (view here).

>> Kayaking and cruising Halong bay is the best way to discover its pristine and illusory beauty.

Tiger’s Nest temple, Bhutan: This temple placed in a high, sheer and dangerous location is a holy land to Buddhism devotees in Himalaya region. Firstly it was constructed as a monastery 320 years ago and in an altitude of 914m compared to Paro valley.

>> See ATA’s adventure tours to Bhutan at here: http://www.activetravel.asia/bhutan-and-nepal-adventures-tours-tl357.html

Zhangjiajie national park, China: Just its marvelous landscapes inspired for the Avatar film group to build Pandora planet. Therefore, one of its mountains was named as Avatar Hallelujah.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia: The Angkor Wat temple became one of the symbols of the country Cambodia. This world’s heritage was constructed about 1000 years ago. And today, it is still used to serve religious purposes.

>> Biking in Angkor through dense jungle to explore hidden temples and ruins is a great experience you should try.

Bokeo nature reserve, Laos: It is 1230km²wide, where is the habitat of the indigenous black-cheeked gibbons.

>> See more: Laos trekking tours

Taj Mahai temple, India: This magnificent temple is one of the best beautiful spots in Asia. It is a white marble mausoleum, located in Agra city. More than 3 million travelers visit it annually.

Boseong, Korea: Boseong is a mountainous area situated in South Jeolla, Korea. It is famous for green tea planation.

Ayutthaya ancient city, Thailand: This city had been formed in the time between 1350 and 1770. It used to be the biggest city in the world with over 1 million residents. In 1767, armed forces of a kingdom in Myanmar (Burma) invaded and destroyed almost the city.

Hunza valley, Pakistan: It brings travelers the most imposing, vivid and coloful views in Pakistan.

Wat Muang monastery, Ang Thong province, Thailand: It features the highest Buddha statue in Thailand, which is also the 9^th highest one in the world with the height of 91m and the width of 64m. This architectural structure started its construction in 1990 and was accomplished in 2008.

Mount Everest and Himalaya range, Nepal: Many travelers reaching here had to utter that it was so unbelievable as nature created this such adorable sight. Regardless of harshness and demands about physical strength, many travelers also desire to hike Everest.

Sapa, Vietnam: Sapa hill station was established in 1922 by the French. It has had a great reputation for a long time thanks to stunning rice terraced fields and charming valleys beside gentle streams.

>> A Sapa trek over less-touristy beaten trails will show travelers “a real Sapa” with unspoiled breathtaking scenery, colorful minorities and tranquil villages.

JiuZhaigou nature reserve, China: It has an area of 170 square km, was recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in 1992 and the World Biosphere Reserve in 1997.

Banaue rice terraces, Philippines: These 2000-year-old rice terraces are commonly referred as the Eighth Wonder of the World, located in the altitude of 1,500 m above the sea level. They were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by ancestors of the native inhabitants.

Chocolate Hills, Philippines: It covers 1,776 small hills which spreads an area of 50 km². Here, green grass will turns into brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name.

Mayon volcano, Philippines: It is still an active volcano. In 2013, it produced a surprise phreatic eruption lasting 73 seconds.

Mount Pulag, Philippines: Lying in the height of 2,922 m above the sea level, Mount Pulag brings back unforgettable landscapes with white clouds drifting around foot.

Zao Onsen ski resort, Japan: In this attraction, you can find out “snow monsters” made of trees, which have extremely odd shapes owning to influence of big snow hurricanes.

The Best Beautiful Floating Town in Vietnam

Cua Van – the peaceful village lies right in the core of the World Heritage Halong bay was recently rated as one of insanely beautiful small towns on the Earth by the famous travel site Huffington Post (view here).

Among sea and sky, a village appears with an uncanny beauty. Cua Van is located in a calm marine area enclosed by imposing limestone islets, a perfect location to anchor boat. It is a significant component of the bay. Here, there is 176 households inhabit and almost the residents make a living from fishing.

Combination between majestic karst hills and teal water created an amazingly fascination for Halong bay. Among this charming scenery, the small village Cua Van exists that seemingly adds a lively nuance for this wonderland. It is a pristine village, simple and not bustling.

This village derives from two ancient fishing villages of Giang Võng and Trúc Võng, now belongs to Hung Thang ward of Halong city.

Its residents have a unique culture and lifestyle of with unbelievable skills: moving house to house by just a tiny styrofoam boat; nourishing fish under house floor; upturning a floor-board, getting out a mussel, and there will be a nice dish.

Here, the local life is almost not confused by modern rhythm of life. The village has a tranquil, pristine look which is hard to find in elsewhere. Wooden junks and bamboo basket boats park in front of colorful raft dwellings and winding lanes. Houses are tied firmly each other to oppose thunderstorms and hurricanes. The fishermen are rustic and artless but really hospitable. They also have the good sense to save environment and keep this breathtaking scenery. Everyday, they alternately gather rubbish on the sea surface and neighborhood. Their raft houses are really clean and tidy.

In this neverland, it is possible to lazily lie on sundeck and relax or stand up and actively take part in some exploring activities. For the latter choice, there is a mass of interesting things to do, such as exploring Tien Ong cave and Ba Ham lake, climbing mountains, and kayaking around Halong bay (actually interesting as you find out a secret, untouched beach or a hidden way piercing through an islet). To close with the indigenous life, let come to the fishing site of Van Chai village to get experiences of catching squids on wooden ferry-boat, rowing basket boat, casting net and fishing under helps of the local villagers.

Some images of Cua Van villages:

Where in Vietnam is for Nature Discovery: Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

Can Gio mangrove was designated as the World’s Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO on 21st, January 2000. Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is located 50km in the South East of Ho Chi Minh city. The mangroves which were formed on the large delta of the downstream of Dong Nai river and Sai Gon river cover an area of 75,740ha. Its population of 70,000 people has their livelihoods tightly connected to the mangrove ecosystem. The biosphere reserve is divided into three zones: the core zone, the buffer zone and the transition zone which serve three primary functions of a biosphere reserve, namely conservation, development and support considering the particular cultural, historic and natural values of the coastal and estuarine land and people.

Can Gio mangrove forest – Vietnam

Can Gio Biosphere Reserve has its own visible and invisible characteristic values: a long history of fighting for the boundary extension and land protection. Traditional religious culture remains strong. In particular, the network of pagodas, communal houses in the village, temples spread across communes. So do traditional festivals and religious customs such as the festival of Can Gio fishmen taking place every August. Archaeological relics of the era prior to Sa Huynh, and Oc Eo culture (especially “giong co vo”, “giong phet”…) as well as victorious historical relics of the fighting against enemies which is compared to a “Floating Cu Chi” (a famous historical site) and legendary sites such as heroic Sac forest war site are still well preserved.

Nghinh Ong festival in Can Gio

Besides, a contributing factor in the entitlement of world biosphere reserve is the process to revitalize the mangroves with its mangrove ecosystem characterized by its valuable diversity of plants and animals after the war which is considered a miracle of the innovation era. The recovery of more than 32,000ha mangrove within just 30 years against the drastic natural condition, the shortage of seed sources, man resources funding and in the general difficult condition of the nation after the war proves that Can Gio deserves to be first biosphere reserve in Vietnam.

Monkeys in Can Gio mangrove forest

Can Gio Protection Forest Management Board has adopted a wide range of policies, programmes and activities toward better protection, development of the mangrove ecosystem, thus increasing its biodiversity. One of sound policies which have proved its effectiveness in protecting forests is the forest allocation for local residents. A strong network to protect the mangroves with the main role assumed by 174 households across the mangroves has been established.

Other major activities toward protection and development include scientific research activities, short-term and long-term programmes on environmental education adopting either single-dimensional or multi-dimensional approach target a variety of audience. Club “l love nature” or contest “Toward better understanding of Can Gio mangrove’, communication programme “improving community’s awareness” have contributed to enhanced sense of environmental and forest protection among the population.

Kayaking in Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve

These programmes which have been coordinated by national universities, national and foreign research institutes have delivered fruitful results in forest protection and development, indigenous people’s cultural and historical preservation, thus creating a sense of belongings among Can Gio local people. In recent years, as an effort to maximize values of the biosphere reserve, the Management Board has coordinated with tour operators to develop tourism activities, especially sustainable ecotourism. Marine, sightseeing, adventure, community- oriented, camping tours have established Can Gio Biosphere Reserve a brand name as attractive destination for domestic and foreign visitors.

Can Gio Protection Forest Management Board aged more than 10 years has conducted a series of effective programmes to protect and develop forests, improve living standard for the local community, which are highly appreciated by authorities and relevant agencies. Can Gio Biosphere Reserve is a destination for many world’s prestigious scientific conferences on ecosystems, and mangrove’s livelihoods. Also, its communication campaigns have widespread effects thanks to its high quality and committed man power. These initial successes after unlimited efforts suggest a sustainable growth of Can Gio Protection Forest Management Board who gained Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve the status of the pioneer of the biosphere reserve network in Vietnam.

Source: VIETNAM TODAY
By: LE VAN SINH

*****

If you want to take kayaking adventures in Vietnam, anywhere in the country, send your expectation to ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA – the local operator offering real, outdoor adventures in Asia at:
http://activetravel.asia/tour-customize.html

See more:
Where in Vietnam is for nature discovery

Cat Ba biosphere reserve