Vietnam trek - Six secrets for a perfect trekking trip

Vietnam trek – consider the moving ability suitable with the strength, bring necessary and light tools.

1.      Considering the moving ability

-      Depends on the strength of each person in order to calculate a proper distance avoiding being overloaded. A normal person can move an average of 12km to 15km per day.

-       See weather forecast to decide what to bring and have specific solutions

-       Remember to bring your identity papers when you visit the border areas or conservation areas. A copy of your route or a map of trekking area should be taken with you.

2.      Personal belongings

-       Bring warm clothes, waterproof boots and hiking shoes, raincoats…Backpacks should be waterproof.

-       Should not forget to have stockings, scarf, gloves and personal care.

3.      Equipments for group

-       Tents, rope, carpets, sleeping bags, lighters, candles, pans and pots, kettle…are essential and depend your trip.

-       Map of the trekking area should be carefully kept in a specialized bag.

-      Other devices are also interesting to take with you such as, Ipod mp3, GPS device, compass, cameras, a notebook and pen which will be used to note some valuable experiences on the way.

4.      Medicines

Some basic types of medicine should to be taken on the trip like, antiseptic, fever, flu, stomach pain, antibiotic, dressing, alcohol, insect repellent…

5.      Foods

Some preservable and handy food with high energy is advised to have such as, breads, sausages,  canned food, instant noodles, bagged vegetable, biscuit, candy, chocolate…You should bring water as well.

6.      Moving

-      Stay close to support each other in urgent events; should not travel alone especially, crossing stream or dangerous roads.

-      Should not take off the backpacks which can be used as fulcrum at rest.

-      Should stay overnight at local houses or camp nearby. Also, you can ask the locals to cook or buy food for your meals.

-     If camping in the forest, you are advised to camp before sunset and next to the water source. The fire should be remained all night to protect from dangerous animals.

-      You should have conversation with the locals to get more important information about the trekking area.

Vietnam trek - Six secrets for a perfect trekking trip

Vietnam beauty - Hang Luoc street: famous flower market in Hanoi

Vietnam beauty – going to Hang Luoc street is not only to enjoy Tet but also to be a pleasure of Hanoian, because the market only opens once annually.

Hanoi has a lot of places selling flowers in Tet, but for many people, Hang Luoc street market always has its own position evoking traditional new year climate. Established  in the first years of 20^th century, this is considered as the oldest market in Hanoi.

In the Le destiny, Hang Luoc was the land of Phu Tu hamlet and Vinh Tru hamlet, Hau Tuc district (being named as Dong Xuan district later) which were specialized in selling combs. Until 1912, Hang Luoc became the famous flower market in Thang Long citadel with various types of flowers, from Nhat Tan, Quang Ba peach flowers, Ngoc Ha chrysanthemum to new kinds of flowers in Bach Thao park.

Hang Luoc now is located in Hang Ma ward, Hoan Kiem district with a length of 264 meters connecting from Hang Cot to Cha Ca. It has been 100 years counting from the initiating market, excluding new year in 1947 due to the war.

The market is opened from December 23^rd (Lunar calendar) until December 30^th. During this period, peach trees or peach branches, kumquat and flowers will be presented here making the street busier in the Tet holiday. The market is named as Hang Luoc but actually, the market will be expanded to Hang Chai, Hang Ma and Hang Dong, we can see flowers everywhere.

Unlike Quang Ba market, flowers will be heaped up with small and big bunches; in Hang Luoc, flowers will be chosen carefully and then presented on the different trays. Traditional flowers are the most popular ones here such as, peach flowers, kumquats, gladioluses, dahlias, violets, narcissuses, amplexicaul tea…in which peach flowers are most favorite one.

For Hanoian, visiting Hang Luoc market flower in Tet holiday is considered as a pleasure before new year. Someone visit the market everyday and can only buy a punch of flowers on 30th – the new year eve. However, sellers do not fell annoying but are happy, welcomed and send a wish to buyers.

In Hang Luoc market flower, we can find the mixture of the modern and old which cannot be found anywhere else. Many generations of Hanoian have recalled the memory when visiting this street. You may travel to Quang Ba market flower or some markets near your house to buy branches of flowers or branches of peach but remember to spend a little time to visit Hang Luoc market to have more the value and beauty of culture in Hanoi.

Vietnam beauty - Hang Luoc street: famous flower market in Hanoi

Although the economy has faced with many challenge, Vietnam tourism has increased gradually recently. Below is impressive numbers of smokeless industry in Vietnam through evaluation of international experts and tourists in 2013

1.      Vietnam listed in the second position about the world tourism development potential

This is the survey result of global tourism trend which announced in London tourism exhibition.

2.       Hanoi listed in the Top 10 of rising tourism destinations in the world

In the top 10 rising tourism destinations in the world voted by audience of Tripadvisor, Hanoi was listed in the 8^th position.

3.      Halong Bay listed in the top 10 most beautiful coast line in the world

The top newspaper of America – Huffington post voted top 10 most beautiful coast line in the world. Halong bay honors to be in the list.

4.      Mai Chau, Hoa Binh listed in the top 10 most incredible place for experience

Mai Chau, Hoa Binh was named in the top 10 most incredible place for experience by Business Insider magazine.

5.      Hoian – ancient city listed in the Top 10 tourism cities in Asia

Hoian – ancient city occupied the first position in the Top 10 tourism city voted by Conde’ Nast Traveler magazine (America).

6.      Cu Chi Tunnels listed in the top 12 most attractive underground architecture for tourism in the world

Underground defense system in Cu Chi province was named in the top 12 most attractive underground architecture for tourism in the world voted by CNN newspaper.

Vietnam Travel - Welcoming Lunar New Year in three regions

In the first days of lunar new year, traveling and visiting famous landscapes of three regions all over the country and enjoying the happiness are very exciting.

New year in Hanoi is very beautiful and romantic. We can see somewhere the elderly enjoying hot green tea and playing chess. The North is very charming and attractive not only because of the landscape in wonderland of Truc Lam (Bamboo forest) Zen Monastery, Yen Tu cloudy mountain, but also the impression of Halong Bay or emerald Tuan Chau island.

Moving to the Center, we will enjoy a new year of the discovering journey in the famous places. Hue with ancient sites will take you back in time; visit temples, royal tombs of Nguyen dynasty to experience the peace. Moreover, you can explore the young and dynamic city – Danang. Also, have a stroll in the old quarter in Hoian and enjoy the bustle and ancientness. Having a cable car to Ba Na hill to experience four seasons in one day is also very interesting in the new year day.

Go down to the South, visit the intersection of nine rivers to enjoy the bustle and righteousness of people in Mekong Delta. Lunar new year in Mekong Delta is beautified with apricot blossom and fruit flavor. A tray with full color of 5 types of fruits, flavor cylindrical glutinous rice cakes, Lunar new year pole in the front yard or kids wearing colorful and beautiful clothes will be unforgettable images.

Vietnam Travel - Welcoming Lunar New Year in three regions

Vietnam beauty - The valuable and rare photos of “Hue, Saigon, Hanoi”

Vietnam beauty – below is the rare documentation recorded by foreign journalists – photos of Hanoi, Hue, Saigon in previous centuries.

In the late 19^th century and early 20^th century, the appearance of vendors in every street were very familiar and became the culture of Vietnam at that time. Streets in Vietnam in the 1930s and 1940s were always associated with vendors.

There were noodles with seasoned and saute beef stalls, refreshment booths…on every pavement in the streets in Saigon. While, Pho vendor stalls, street barbers…were more popular in Hanoi. The little and hardworking Vietnamese with smiling faces were always familiar and close images.

Troupe in Hanoi

Street vendors in the bank of Red river

Street vendors in a market in Saigon

Street vendor selling noodle with seasoned and saute beef in Saigon

Street vendor on the roundabout in front of Ben Thanh Market, Saigon

Street barber in Hanoi

Refreshment booth in Hue street

Pho street vendor in Hue

Pho street vendor in Hanoi

Pho street vendor in Hai Phong

Old photos of Vietnam

Street vendors in Hanoi

A smiling boy selling balloons on street in Saigon

A photo taken in Cho Lon, 130 years ago

A girl selling fried rice pancakes

 

 

Vietnam beauty - The valuable and rare photos of “Hue, Saigon, Hanoi”

Vietnam Tourism – Festival of 200 Southern folk cakes

Vietnam tourism – Southern folk cakes festival 2014 will be taken place from 23 to 25 January in Can Tho with over 200 types of cakes and over 50 dishes of the South.

The event focuses on promoting and advertising the folk cakes which are made from sticky rice in Can Tho and Mekong Delta to honor the folk cultural values of Southern cuisine.

According to a representative of  Culture Sports and Tourism department of Can Tho, the purpose of the event is culture exchange to show the spiritual union of ethnic groups such as, Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, Cham in the Mekong Delta. Many activities of cuisine, culture will be presented by Southern provinces such as, traditional conical hat dance, shows of zither, monochord, flute, traditional Southern music…

Besides culture exchange of ethnic groups in the Mekong Delta, there are shows of cuisine and traditional cakes with the topic of “Southern Flavor”. Craftsman will present the methods to make local dishes  from sticky rice and rice power such as, Banh Tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cakes), Banh La Dua (coconut leaf cakes),Banh It (cylindrical rice cakes), Banh La (leaf cakes), Banh Hoi (rice vermicelli woven), Banh Ong (tube cake), Banh Uot Ngot (Sweet wet cake)….

Traditional cakes event is held annually from 2012 until now

Vietnam Tourism – Festival of 200 Southern folk cakes

Vietnam beauty - Binh Tien Beach a sleeping princess

Vietnam beauty – Binh Tien beach is endowed with a tranquil and clear sea with wild nature, friendly locals and various sea food.

Binh Tien beach is located 30km away from Phan Rang – Thap Cham to the Southern North and about 70km from Nha Trang to the Northern South. Depart from Phan Rang and go along highway 1A to Km 1.525, then you will travel on a small asphalt road with the length of 10km, the beach will appear in front of you with wild landscape, tranquility and quiet.

Located in a tourism zone including Vinh Hy bay, Nui Chua national park, Binh Tien beach; you will immerse in the wonderful landscape here. Along the way to BInh Tien beach is winding road through  streams with clusters of trees on both sides which make a fantastic world of nature.

Three  sides of Binh Tien beach are covered by forest and rock mountain, thus the sea wave is very calm. Binh Tien is like a sleeping princess on the ocean surrounded by white stones with various strange shapes.

In the evening, you can camping on the beach to see millions sparkling stars reflecting on the sea and enjoy cool wind blowing from the sea.  On the way to find pure streams you will catch stones with strange human faces. Besides, you should not forget to try fresh sea food with various types from crayfishes, crabs, shellfishes…To get a real experience, you should visit a fishing village nearby. You can ride a boat, see the sunrise and enjoy a good haul of fish.

Traveling to Binh Tien to enjoy the peace, beauty and romance as fairly land in the earth

Vietnam beauty - Binh Tien Beach a sleeping princess

5 interesting things in the world largest cave - Son Doong

A majestic and stunning scenery in the Son Doong cave will exceed your imagination and artists’ creation

Recognized as the largest natural cave in the world, Son Doong in Quang Binh contains many secrets which scientists have not encoded. This is also an interesting site which foreign tourists are happy to pay a price of $3000 to visit, but have to wait until 2016 as the tour is full to at that time.

1.      Found in the rainy day

In 1991, Ho Khanh – a local man incidentally discovered Son Doong cave when he was avoiding rain in the cave. Not until 2009, did the expedition of British Royal Geographic Society come to discover and at that time Ho Khanh announced them about the cave.

It must be difficult to recall the cave location which is situated deeply in the jungle with steep terrain and cannot be found on Google Earth. Thank to his guidance, the expedition went deep into the cave to take photos, survey and collect scientific data. Ho Khang said “when entering though the gate, I can find clearly the cool breeze blowing from inside the cave…”

2.      Fit a 40 storey building

Son Doong cave is 150 m wide, 200m high, and at least 5 km long. The actual length of the cave may be even longer than the report of scientists. However, the expedition  of  British Royal Geographic Society could not go to the end of cave due to technical limitations.

Therefore, with reported dimensions, Son Doong cave has passed Deer cave in Gunung Mulu National Park in Malaysia (120 m high, 150 m wide, 2 km long) to be recognized as the largest natural cave in the world .

Besides, some segments inside the cave have a size of 140mx140m including 14m high stalactite pillars. Photographer – Carten Peter took a photo of the cave to show the width and the height of cave which are 91.44m and 243.84m respectively. This means the cave can store a 40 storey building.

 3.      Formed 5 million years ago.

According to the science documents, Son Doong cave was formed when a river running through the limestone area buried along a fault line. Over millions of years, due to water erosion, a giant tunnel was formed under the mountain range. At the soft rock points, the ceiling was collapsed forming holes which shaped a giant dome long time later.

erosion and water currents create a giant tunnel in the ground below the mountains. In areas where soft rock, forming part of the ceiling collapsed holes, hang long into giant domes.

4.      A rich animal world

Because the cave ceiling was collapsed many centuries ago, thus there are a green jungle in the cave which is name Eden by explorers. The jungle is the inhabitance of monkeys, bats flying foxes. There are many types of ferns, palms, vines covering from outside to inside the cave.

The ancient lakes, waterfalls, rivers inside the cave formed rich Algal Mats and Flora

In particular, the explorers also discovered  species of pearls which were formed in the process of dripping water to create calcite on the sand crystals.

5.      Why control number of tourists to Son Doong?

Tourists to Son Doong need to be restrict because of landscape and environmental protection factors. Until now, the secrets of animals world inside the cave have not totally encoded. Therefore, Son Doong cave would welcome explores and scientists researching biology rather than tourists traveling here for their curiosity.

 

5 interesting things in the world largest cave - Son Doong